Who Is Jesus to You?

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Who is Jesus to you? That’s the question that really matters in our lives. Not who is He to our parents or grandparents.

Not who is He to our children or our family or our church.

But who is He to me? Who is He to you? Who is He? Listen to what it says in Mark 8: 27-29:

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Peter confessed Jesus as Lord. He said, you are the Christ. You are the Messiah. You are the anointed savior of the world.

And that’s what everything comes down to. So, today, starting a new week, that’s my question. It’s not what trials face you.

Or what circumstances stand in your way. Or what worries cloud your mind.

What defeats jog your memories. What successes cloud your eyes.

None of these. Those are not the question. This is the question.

Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus to you?

In this week may He be your friend, your guide, your savior, and your Lord. May He be your entire world.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones, and you thought our app, you can now watch our worship services from Asbury too!

Not What it Seems

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

One of the things that we see with faith, is that things aren’t always what they seem. What looks to be good sometimes isn’t. Think temptation. It looks so good, and well, tempting, but in the end is a very bad thing.

And likewise, things that look to be awful and terrible can, in the end, turn out to be very good things. It’s those things that can cause us to grow and become more faithful.

It’s in the times of trial that our faith becomes real to us, and we better become the people that God needs us, created us to become.

Things aren’t always what they seem. Listen to what Jesus tells us in Luke 6: 20-26. These are words that you’ve heard before, but listen like you’ve never heard them:

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Nothing here that He promised us or told us would be “good” is good, in our eyes. Jesus tells us that we are blessed when we are poor in spirit. When we are hungry. When we weep. When we are hated.

Why? Why would these awful things make us feel as though we are blessed? Why would these terrible things seem good?

Because great is our reward in heaven.

This world is not our home. This world is not our home. This world is not home.

Hear me friends, this world is not our home.

We were made for something better. We were made for something that is truly life. Something that can’t be taken or corrupted or destroyed.

We are made for our true home. Remember that today. This world is not your home. You are made for a better place.

Keep your eye on that. Live today. Laugh. Love. Serve. Enjoy every sacred moment that God gives you. Enjoy it all. Drink it all in.

But this world is not your home. Don’t be satisfied with the earthly, when the eternal awaits.

Remember, when things are tough, this too shall pass. Something better is coming. Hold on. Don’t give up. Keep the faith.

You were made for more than this. And blessed will we be when we remember that.

How to Endure

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

I’ve often said that I’m not a bed of roses preacher. Sometimes the prevailing thought is this – you become a Christian, and man, life is easy! You have purpose! You have a plan; you have a goal. Man, you become a Christian and everything is a piece of cake.

I’ve heard that type of message before in sermons; I’ve seen it in Christian movies, read it Christian books. You get saved and you win the ballgame, everything is awesome!

I don’t know about you, but that’s not always been my experience. Sometimes, in fact, being a Christian seems to make things harder. Listen to what it says in Hebrews 10: 32-36 talking about this:

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

We are reminded in this text that there will be tough times ahead as Christians. They struggled, they suffered, they dealt with many different issues. They had their property taken. They were mocked. They had so many things happen to them.

And they had endurance.

You know why? They remembered their hope. They knew God would be there. They knew they had a greater home. They knew that while there would be tough times ahead; if they just held on, it would be ok.

They knew that God would not forget them. No matter how hard it may seem at times, God would not forget them.

They kept hope. Even when it was hard. Because they had a hope greater than this world.

So, how do we have endurance? How do we endure? Remember your hope. Your hope is not in this world. Your hope is not in fame, or power, or wealth, or popularity, or anything that this world can offer.

You hope is in God. And He will never disappoint. Hope in Him. Believe in Him. Cling to Him.

And we can endure whatever comes our way.

Two Promises

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Jesus promises us a lot of things in scripture. He promises us that the Father sees us. He promises us that we will be forgiven. He promises us that He will be with us. He promises us all sorts of things the Bible.

But today, I want to talk about two specific promises that He makes in John 16: 32-33:

Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Jesus gives us two promises here this morning. First, there will be trouble. He says that in the world there will be tribulation. There will be trials. There will be times of trouble, there will be times of sadness and tears and worry and fear.

Lock it down there will be trouble. There will be. It’s gonna happen. None of us want it to be so, but it is. In this world, there will be tribulations. Just get ready.

But, the second promises is as hopeful as the first is discouraging. Jesus promises us, I have overcome the world. Take care. Don’t worry. Don’t fear, don’t be distressed. Take heart. Have hope. Have peace, don’t be afraid.

Yes, you will have real, for real troubles. Yes, even as a Christian, things will come that will rock your world. Yes, there will be lots of things that will hurt.

But, it’s ok. Take heart. Jesus is bigger than these things. He’s overcome them. He’s bigger, He’s stronger, He’s better.

Don’t lose heart. Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid. Yes, there will be troubles. But Jesus has already overcome them. Have faith. Trust. Hope. Believe.

He’s got this.

This Week Come Celebrate Easter!

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

This Sunday, whether it be at Asbury, or another church, I really hope you will be in church to celebrate Easter! I really hope you come out and be with us as we proclaim that the Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed!

Come out this week and celebrate Easter!

Wait, what?

Wasn’t that last week? Is Andy just recycling old posts? What is he talking about?

Yes, this coming Sunday, we will celebrate Easter. We celebrate Easter every Sunday. That’s why we Christians worship on Sunday, instead of the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday. We are a Sunday people. We are an Easter people.

Listen to what happens in Matthew 28: 5-7:

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

He is just as risen today, as He was on Easter. Every Sunday, every time we Christian gather together, it is Easter. We are a people of hope. We are a people of resurrection. We are a people of life.

And we don’t just believe that one Sunday a year. We believe that every Sunday, we believe that every day.

He is risen. And sin, death, and the grave are defeated. They were defeated Sunday. And they are defeated today.

Don’t let Easter be just one day a year for you. It’s every day. It’s every Sunday. It’s all our lives. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and has conquered sin, death, and the grave.

He is risen. Come celebrate with us. It is Easter. Every day. For every day, He is risen.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Through One Man

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

One of my favorite things that the Bible teaches about Jesus is this. He’s the second Adam.

Wait, huh? What does that even mean, to say that Jesus is the second Adam? Listen to what Paul writes here in 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22:

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

The first Adam (you know Adam) was created, he and Eve walked with God, and all was great. Then, as we know, they ate from the tree they were forbidden to eat from, and they fell. And then all of creation fell with them.

So, as it says here, death came through one man. When Adam fell, all of creation fell him. Both creation, and humanity. So, we all now, struggle with our sin, our temptation, our stuff. All of us.

To say you struggle with sin and temptation doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human. All of us, me, you, all of us struggle with sin. We are the children of our father Adam. Through one man, all fell.

But, it says that just as through Adam, all fell, through Jesus all can live. So, one of the coolest things that Jesus did, was he undid what happened in the fall.

Think about it. What happened in the fall – sin and death. What happened through Jesus – forgiveness and life. So, in other words, you don’t have to stay the same. Yes, we all suffer under temptation and sin, we all struggle, but Jesus came to restore us from what we inherited.

Through one man, all have died. But, through one Man, Jesus Christ, all of us can live. For in the resurrection, God has overcome sin, death, and the grave. You don’t have to be dead anymore. You can live. The second Adam has destroyed the work of the first.

Today, you can live!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

What Now?

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Yesterday, Christians all over the globe gather together to worship. To praise. To sing. To celebrate the resurrection. I don’t know what passage you heard preached upon at whatever church you attended yesterday (At Asbury I hopped around a bit, but landed on John 20:1-10), but I wanted to read from Matthew 28:5-10 this morning:

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

What now? What do we do now? We proclaimed and celebrated the resurrection yesterday. What now?

Easter, for us as Christians, is not just a one day thing, but it’s a rest of our lives thing. He is risen. And He remains risen. He is just as alive today, as He was yesterday, as He will be tomorrow. Yesterday we were full of hope and full of expectation.

Let’s live the same way today. Let’s live with that same victory that we had yesterday. Let’s live with that same passion we had yesterday. Let’s live with that same hope that we had yesterday.

For, He is risen! He remains risen. He is alive.

We have hope. Today, live like it. Live in that hope, in that peace, in that victory.

Easter isn’t just one Sunday on a calendar. It’s the rest of our lives. Let’s live it today!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

There is Always Hope

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

There is always hope. No matter how dark or dim it may seem. There is always hope. As long as we are breathing, as long as God is God, as long as His spirit remains at work in the world, there is hope.

Ezekiel, some folks will tell you, is the most amazing book in all the Bible. For the people of Israel, God’s voice was always tied to the land. God spoke to them through the Law. Through the prophets. Through the worship at the Temple.

The Land was how they knew that God was God. That God was on the throne. That He would keep His covenant. That all would be ok.

Then, they lost the land. They lost the covenant. Things got bad. They wound up in exile in Babylon. And they knew that there was no way that God would still speak to them. Because He only spoke through and in the land.

Until the spirit came upon Ezekiel. Until God moved in him and spoke through him. Until God said these words in Ezekiel 37: 11-14:

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

God says, there is still a hope. Even though you are in exile, there is a hope.

Even though you may feel lost, there is a still a hope.

Even though you don’t know how things will turn out, there is still a hope.

There is always a hope. Because God is always God.

So, today, don’t lose hope, no matter where you are, no matter what’s going on, no matter how you my feel, no matter how bad it may seem.

Because if God can bring life to dead bones in Babylon and speak to the people while in a foreign land, He is not done with you yet.

There is always hope. Never give up.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

God Delights in You

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Yesterday when we read in Psalm 18 about how our perspective on the day will determine the kind of day that it will be. Will it be good, or bad? A lot of that will focus on the way that we choose to look at things.

Today, we look again at Psalm 18, but this time, we focus on why in the world that God will save us in times of trouble. Why is it, when the perspective looks bad, that we can have hope? Why can we cling to that notion, even when things look really bad?

Listen to what the word says in Psalm 18: 17-19:

He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

God delights in you. It isn’t just that He’s proud of you, or He loves you, or any of these things. He delights in you.

You make Him happy. Think about that. You bring a smile to the face of our awesome God. You bring Him joy. You delight Him.

That’s how precious you are to Him this morning. Now, this doesn’t mean that things will be perfect. We see in the text that the the Psalmist was in a place of great trouble and great worry. He was afraid. He felt as though things were going to end badly. It didn’t look God.

And then God stepped in and saved the day. Because God delighted in him.

He does the same for you today. Trust. Hope. Believe. Know. God delights in you. And He will be there for you, in your moment of need. Today, we know that to be true.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

Give Us Rest

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

David Crowder Band is one of my favorite Christian bands ever. I love their spirit, I love their art, I love their lyrics, and I love their passion for leading the people of God in worship. There version of one of my favorite hymns, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing is very different, but very good.

One their last album they have what may be my favorite of their songs. It’s called “Give Us Rest.” I just love the notion of singing to God, saying, give us rest. We are tired. We are worn out. We are exhausted. We can’t do any more.

Oh great God, give us rest!

Is that your prayer today? So many days, it is my prayer. As a busy body, sometimes, I just need rest.

Today, don’t just listen to the words of that song, listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Today, there is rest. No matter what you are facing. No matter where you are. No matter what is going on. There is rest. Really, there is.

Now that doesn’t mean that everything will get better at this exact moment. It doesn’t. But, you can rest.

You can put down your burden. You can lay it aside. And you can know that the very God of Creation holds you in His hand. You can rest today. Really, you can. You can rest.

Today, cast your cares upon Christ, because He cares for you.

Rest. In Him. Rest.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

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Tag Archives: Hope

Who Is Jesus to You?

Not What it Seems

How to Endure

Two Promises

This Week Come Celebrate Easter!

Through One Man

What Now?

There is Always Hope

God Delights in You

Give Us Rest