Tag Archives: Life

A Turning From

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This morning, as I was praying and reading, I read a verse that I’d read a good many times in prayer in the morning, but it had never really stood out to me, until today. I ready from Psalm 38, and in verse 18 it says “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.”

And that got me to thinking. I spend time in my prayer time confessing my sin – Lord I’m sorry for this, forgive me for that. That’s healthy. That’s what God wants us to do. The Bible teaches us confess our sins, and He is faithful and just and will forgive us.

But this verse in Psalm 38 hit me, I am sorry for my sin. And I thought, huh. Am I really sorry? Do I really feel sorry for the sins I’ve committed against God and against others.

Huh.

And then I read in today’s reading from Matthew 3:11-2.  Liste to what it says:

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Today,  John the Baptist came saying that he comes with water for repentance but Jesus was coming with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

And so these things all tumbled around in my brain this morning and it became clear to me. I (and we) are called to than just confess our sin. We are feel that since of sorrow over wrongs done.

And we are to repent (i.e. turn from) these things.

That thing in your life, that thing that causes you pain? That hurts you? That hurts your family? That thing is not God’s will for you. God’s will for you is something good. Something life giving. Something that will bring you joy and peace and life.

God wants good things for you. Really.

The reason why He wants us to feel sorrow and turn from our sins is that these things aren’t life giving. They are life draining. And God wants to give us life.

Today in our lives, may we turn from the things that take away life, and turn to the things that give us. May we feel sorrow over wrongs done, but feel joy over forgiveness offered.

God loves you. Really. He does. May we turn from the things that turn us away from Him. And turn to the things that turn us to Him.

He is good. And His mercy endures forever.

Not of this World

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Sometimes as Christians we get too caught up in the stuff of this world.

Now, I’m not just talking about silly stuff that takes up too much of our time (i.e., trying to figure out who Ole Miss’ next coach is going to be), but stuff that is really important. I’m talking about the big things. Stuff that really does matter.

Politics. Money. Our job. The economy. The future. These things are all really important. These things really do matter. These things should concern us.

It’s easy to let all of our time, our efforts, our energy get devoted to these things. It happens to us all. But today, listen to what Jesus says in John 18:36-37.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

First, He is a King. Our best friend, our savior, He is a king. The very one who hears our prayers, who walks with us daily, who advocates to the Father on behalf; He is a King. That should give us confidence and security.

But, His kingdom is not of this world.

And for us as His followers, the subjects in His kingdom, this world is not our home. As much as we love it here. As great as it is. As much joy as it might give us as times. This world is not our home.

We have a better home. We have a better place. We have a place of true life awaiting us. Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. And those that know the truth listen to His voice.

Today, listen to His voice. Calling you deeper. Calling you to Him. Calling you past the things that take up all your time and energy and give you such stress. These things that you think offer you true life; but don’t. The things of this world, both good and bad.

Listen to Him. Listen to His voice. Live in your true home.

And today, as Christians, our job is to make this world as much like our true home, as possible. So, we work for good. We love. We serve. We give. We encourage. We forgive. We want to make this earth as much like heaven as possible.

As we pray, Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. May we work for this today.

But may we remember, that as great as this life is, this world is not our true home. Today, may we live with eternity in our eye.

It All Comes Down to Jesus

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What matters in life? What matters in faith? What is the most important thing that we can talk about deal, with with, focus on?

For each of us, we have different answers. It may be family. It may be work. It may be million different things.

For some it may be something like politics. It may be something like hobbies or sports teams. It may be something like church denominations or theologies. It could be a number of things for us.

And these things are important to us. But, they are not what is most important. They are not what what matter the most most. What matters the most? What is most important?

Jesus.

Listen to what Pauls says today in Colossians 1:15-20:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For byt him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This is what Paul tells us today. Jesus is all that matters. He is the visible image of the invisible God. So, in other words, to see God look at Jesus.

Do you want to really know who God is? Look at Jesus. He shows the heart of God. He reveals who God is.

In Him we see God’s mercy. God’s love. God’s grace. God’s heart. We see the desire of God for all to know Him, and to feel their worth. Through Jesus, we know that no matter what has happened in our lives, God really does love us!

Jesus holds all creation together. Everything was made through Him. All things hold together through Him. He is the head of the church. And through Him God is reconciling all things to Himself.

It all comes down to Jesus. Everything. In life. In faith. In church. In family. In everything. He is what matters the most. He defines it all. He is life.

He is life. Not anything else that we may try to hang our hat on. Jesus.

Today, is He your everything? Does everything come back to Him? Is He your life, your light, your source, your strength?

He is where life is found. In Him and through Him. Today, may He be the foundation of our lives and of all that matters in our lives.

It all comes down to Jesus. Today, may we make Him, and nothing else, the center of lives.

Another Church Word

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We see John the Baptist enter the scene today in scripture with a simple, but profound message.  Listen to what John says in Matthew 3:1-3:

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'”

John says this – repent.  Repent, or repentance, is something that I call a “church word.” It’s a word that we use in church and we Christians can say at lot, but we don’t really know what it means.

It’s just a word that we hear used, or we used, or we say when we want to sound Christian. We hear preachers say it, we talk about, but sometimes we really aren’t sure what it even means.

So, today, John says repent. What does He mean by that? Repentance is a turning away from you sin.

It’s not just feeling bad about sin. That’s conviction. The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and cause us to realize that there are things in our lives, sins we are committing that we need to stop. That’s conviction.

Repentance is turning from these sins. It’s stopping, and walking away. Fleeing. Doing a 180. Going the other way. Getting out of dodge. Whatever phrase you want to you use.

That’s what it means to repent. And that is what God wants for us today. There are sins, things we are doing, that are causing us great harm and pain, and causing great harm and pain to those that we love.

That’s not God’s will and plan for us. That’s not what He wants. And today, He us to, and He will help us to, turn from those things. He will give us strength. He will give us courage. He will help us.

Repentance leads to life. Which is God’s plan for us. Life.

Today, what are the ares you need to turn away from? What are the areas that you need to give fully to Him. Today, John talks about repenting. Today, and each day, may we turn away from the things that cause us harm.

The Chief End of Man

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Paul today reminds us what we were made for by God. We were not created for destruction. God did not make us to condemn us. We were made for salvation, made for relationship with Him.

As the statement is said, What is the chief end of man? To know God and to enjoy Him forever. That is what you

were made for. That is what I was made for. That is what each of us is made for.

To know God. And to enjoy Him now upon the earth to to enjoy Him forever in eternity. That’s our purpose in being created.

Listen to what Paul writes today in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11:

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Now Paul reminds of two very important things this morning. First, that we receive this purpose and this benefit not through our own worth, but through all that God has done for us.

First, He created us in His image. Second, Jesus died (and rose again) for our salvation. The joy of knowing and walking with God is not because of anything we have done, it is all because of what He has done.

Jesus Christ purchased our salvation today.

 

That should encourage us. That should make us happy. That should fill us with joy and peace and life and just make our lives complete.

And that should then help us encourage each other. If God made me for that, He made you for that as well. And part of the reason why I am here today is to encourage you. If I’ve been saved and know His grace, part of my job isto encourage others. Help them to know that grace. That love. That mercy. That joy. Help them to know that God loves them.

So, today, you are commanded to be an encouragement to others. Who will you encourage? Who will you be an encouragement to? You’re created to know God and love Him.

Does that encourage you?

Will you use that joy you feel know to encourage others? That’s what we are here for. May we be faithful.

Something Better

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This passage of scripture that is in our reading today was one of the first ones that I really spent any time reading when I first got serious about my faith. It was one of the ones that really sort of stuck with me. I really spent time chewing on this and thinking about.

It’s Matthew 25:1-13.  Listen to what it says:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

It talks about the fact that our Lord will return one day, at an hour that no one expects Him. When we think about this passage, and others that talk about His return, we tend to focus on one question.

When? When is it? It’s soon right? When?

A lot of folks spent a lot of time talking about when He’s coming back. Lots of mental energy is spent trying to unlock these mysteries. That no one is going to unlock.

So because I’ve always felt that why, I’ve never focused on the fact that no one knows the hour or day, I focused on another part.

This world is not our home. As awesome as this life is, and I love this life, this world is not our home. We were created for something bigger, something better.

We were created for eternity with God. We were made to fully know Him, as He has fully known us. We were made for the beauty of full relationship and communion with God.

So, if your life is just about as perfect as it can be, know this. There is something better. As good as it can be here, there is something better.

Don’t make this world your home. Don’t get too comfortable. Don’t forget that we are just pilgrims passing through. This world is not our home.

And if life is bad. If it is hard. If it is tough. Remember. It is going to get better. Our Lord suffered. And our Lord showed the way to true life. It is going to get better. There is something better.

Live today to the fullest. Be faithful. Love. Serve. Laugh. Share. Give witness to God and His grace. And know that as amazing as it can all be around here, there is something better.

Let’s never forget that.

What Are We Here For?

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Why are we here? What are we here for? That’s a question that we’ve asked at some point in our lives. That’s a question we’ve all pondered at some point in our lives. That’s a question that we’ve all thought about it. It may be something that’s kept us up, robed our sleep, caused us worry.

Why are we here? What are we here for? What is our purpose? Why does God have us here.

Today, Paul answers that question for us. Now, He doesn’t give us specific answers – like you are supposed to go to McDonald’s for lunch, but he gives the big picture.

Listen to what we hear today in Acts 17: 24-27:

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

You were given life by the God that made everything. This God does not live in houses made by man. He is not served by human hands. He made all of humanity for this reason – to seek Him and to find Him.

That’s what you are here for today – to seek and find God. To know Him. To love Him. To serve Him. To delight in Him. To walk with Him.

That’s not specific, I know. But that’s the point of it all. That’s the why. That’s why you are here.

And everything must start with that. If God is the point of it all, the reason for our breath, the point for our very lives. And it all flow from there.

The specifics are figured out through the basics. The basic is seeking God. Knowing God. And if you do that, if you seek Him first above all things, He will reveal to you the specifics. He will point the way to the other things. He will point you in the right direction.

If we seek Him first, He will show us the way to go.

So, today, are we seeking Him above all else? Is our walk with Him primary above all else? Is He the main thing?

If so, everything else will fall into place. Today, may He be the point of it all. And He will direct our paths.

Be Ready!

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I don’t know what today holds. I’m sure that it will hold problems that I can’t anticipate right now. Emails will fill my inbox. There will be phone calls I can’t get to immediately. There will be visits, there will be planning, there will be conversations, there will be lots of stuff happening today that I don’t even know are possible.

And as important as those things are, they are the thing that I need to prepared for.

Listen to what Jesus says in Luke 12:39-40:

But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, het would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

As Jesus said today in this text, He will return, and at an hour that none of us expect. To me this verse is a comfort, and a challenge.

It’s comfort because all those folks on TV and selling books that can tell you for sure that they know when it’s going to happen? They are wrong. No one knows the hour or the day. No one.

Now, sure, each day we are here is a day that we are closer to his return, but all the folks that claim to have inside info, or have figured it out, they are wrong. Jesus said His return will be a time no one expects.

So, pay these people no attention.

But, it is a challenge to me to live in a way that if He does return today, I’ll be giving Him honor. I want to live my life in such a way that when He returns He’ll find me being faithful.

So today, don’t worry about the end of the world. Don’t spend time thinking about the false prophets and the people that claim to have figured it out.

Because they haven’t.

But do seek to live your life in a way that will honor Him, if He returns today. Or a 1000 years from now.

May every moment of our lives, may we seek to give Him glory and honor! Let’s be ready to do that!

The Best is Yet to Come

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There is a biblical command to keep our eyes on things above. There is this notion that our eyes, and our lives, are to fixed on what really matters.

Not the things of this world that are shifting and changing, but the things of heaven that remain constant and the same.  Listen to what it says today in Hebrews 8: 5-7

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

In this passage, we see the author of Hebrews say this – they were serving a copy and a shadow of heavenly things. That’s a powerful concept.

Think about this for a minute. There’s some good stuff in this life. There are moments that are really amazing. Moments where we feel the power of God. Moments where we feel the movement of the spirit. Moments where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is using us.

These are truly life changing moments.

And Hebrews tells us that these moments are just a shadow of heaven. The best is yet to come.

So, live life. Enjoy it. Serve God. Live fully. Love fully. Be salt and light. Work for good. Work for God. Wring every drop of life out of this life.

But always remember, that the best is yet to come.

Running Uphill

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Sometimes in life, we feel like we are running uphill.

It seems like the battle we face may be too great; it seems like the challenges that we are up against seem like they may be too much to overcome.

And when we are facing such a tough battle, we can think that it might be easier to just give up. What’s the point of trying.

You may be there right now.  You may dealing with something right now that makes you think, there’s no way that we can do it.

It’s too hard.

It’s too tough.

We just can’t do it.

Listen to the words of Hebrews 12: 1-2 today.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God

Since you we are surrounded by all of these that have gone before us, don’t give up. Don’t quit.  Don’t lose hope.

You can do it.  Keep going!  Keep running.  Keep trying!  You can do it.

And remember the example set for us by Jesus. Who, even though He faced the shame and death of the cross, He kept going.

Today, even if you running uphill, keep running.  You can do it. Today, remember the example set by those that have run it race before us.

And remember the example set by Jesus. Today, keep running.