Tag Archives: Life

How Far Will You Go?

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How far will you go to share the love of Jesus Christ today?

How far are you willing to go in this day to share with others, through your words, your actions, your expressions, through everything, how far are you willing to go to show others Jesus today?

How much of your routine are you willing to change? How much out of your comfort zone are you willing to get?

How motivated are you to show that love of Jesus to others?

See, as Christians, I believe what we know is the hope of the world. The hope of the world is Jesus Christ. Through relationship with Him, people are find their true purpose in life, find they are loved, and experience the power of peace, joy, and life.

How far will we go today to show that love?

Listen to this story in Mark 2 today:

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Ok. Let’s think about what really happened here. Forget what you’ve heard and the stories you knew from the past.

These four dudes cut a hole in someone’s roof.  WHAT?!?!?!?!

They cut a hole in someone’s roof.  Literally. They cut a hole in roof of someone’s house and lowered their friend down.

Because they wanted him to meet Jesus.

Wow.  That’s how far they would go to make sure that their friend met Jesus.

Today, how far will we go?  Will we witness about Jesus with our words?  Our actions? Will we talk in a way that reflects His grace? Will we share about our faith? Will we invite someone to church?  Will we show Jesus to others with all that we do.

These folks when a long way to show Jesus to their friend. Today, how far will we go?

Keep Moving

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Remember back in school, after a big lunch, how hard it was to pay attention in the class that followed?  In college, I tried to always have something active after lunch, a lab, a PE, something that would get me up and moving.

Because I knew, that no matter how much I loved history (and I did, I really did love history) that after a big lunch, being in a classroom sitting still listening to a lecture was just the perfect way to put me to sleep.

We all know that feeling of being tired and sluggish, don’t we? Sometimes, occasionally, but not often, we may even feel that way in church! 🙂

The author of Hebrews talks a little about this today in a reading from chapter 6. Except he’s not talking about being physically sluggish, he’s talking about being spiritual sluggish.  Listen to what he says:

And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

We are reminded today to remember the hope that we’ve been called to. To remember where we are going, to remember what God has called us to. And to keep moving towards it.

God has placed a high calling and a high purpose on you and for you. You’ve got something amazing to do for Him. You are called to a high purpose in this life and your highest purpose in it all was that you were created to spend all of eternity with Him.

You are made in His image, called by His spirit, and given His grace.  So. . .

Keep going.  Keep walking. Keep moving. Don’t stop. Don’t get sluggish. Don’t stop chasing after Him. Don’t stop being faithful. Even if life is hard. Even if it’s not perfect. Even if it’s not what you want or what you’d do.

Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Don’t forget. You are called a high purpose in life. For God. And for eternity.  Don’t quit moving. Keep going.

Who Are You Living For?

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Who are you living for?

What is the purpose of your life?

Who, in your life, who do you want to see happy?

Whose purpose, pleasure, and joy are you living for?

Are you living for yourself? Or are you living for God?

Today’s reflection will be shorter, because I want you to really stop what you are doing right now, unless you are driving, and really, you shouldn’t be reading it 🙂 , and listen.  Listen to what Paul says today in Romans 14:

If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Whether we live, or die, it’s to honor the Lord.

Your life is not for you.  Your life is for God.  If you are living your life seeking only your own happiness, you will be miserable.  I promise.  You were not put on the earth to seek your own will, your own happiness, your own “stuff.”  You were put here by God for His plan, His purpose, His life, His joy.

And if you live seeking your own, you will never be happy.

If you live seeking His, you will find life abundant.

Today, which life will you choose?

Grace Changes Things

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For those of you that missed it, I wrote some words about the controversy about the prediction that the world would end this past Saturday. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, you can read it by clicking here, or just by scrolling down.

Now, for today’s reflection.

Grace changes things.  I fully believe that.

The most powerful thing that ever happened in my walk with God was when I came to understand grace.  Now, by understand, I don’t mean that I totally understand it, or that I can know all the mysteries of God’s love and mercy, or that I am able to know the full depth of the mind of God.

That’s not what I mean about understanding grace.

What I do mean is this. I’ve learned that God loves and accepts me, no matter what. I’ve learned that there is nothing that I can do to make God love me any more, or any less, than He does at this exact moment.  He simply loves me, me no matter what.

I don’t have to be prefect.  I don’t have to earn it.  And if I make a mistake, I still have it.  It is not earned.  It is given. That’s why it’s grace.

And that concept that I don’t have to earn God’s love has changed my life.

I pray that you know that this morning. I pray that you understand that your relationship with His is not based upon any works you can do, any actions you can take, any beliefs you may have. It’s based up His grace and love for you.

You can’t earn it. It’s just given.

And when you understand that, it changes your walk with God. And with other people. Because if God loves me, He must love you. And if He loves you, then I should love you as well.

Listen to what Paul tells us this morning in Colossians:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Grace is like salt.  It changes. It makes it better. It makes it more appealing.  It makes it more suitable.  It makes it more enjoyable.

Grace changes everything.  It changes our lives.

And it should change the way we we talk. Today, has grace changed you?

Has grace changed the way you talk? I’m not talking about the words you use.  I’m talking about the way you use them.

Do you criticize?

Tear down?

Destroy?

Hurt?

Mock?

Or do you build up? Encourage?  Strengthen?  Uphold?  Paul tell us to let our words be seasoned with grace. Today, if grace has changed us, has is changed the way that we talk?

May our words today be seasoned with grace. May our words today make a difference.

Where’s Your Head At?

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One of the statements any ball player hears, and it’s one that I heard A LOT when I played ball, was where’s your head at? You’ll see a player out on the field, looking like they are thinking about everything under the sun, except the game, and then not be ready when something happens.

It’s cute when my 6-year-old is in the outfield picking flowers.

Not so cute when someone that’s been playing ball for years is just not paying attention.

Sometimes in life, in our walk with the Jesus, we have to ask ourself where is our head at? What are we thinking about? What are we focusing on? What is taking up the majority of our thoughts?

Listen to what Paul tells us in Colossians this morning:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Paul tells us to keep our heads on things above.  Set your sights on the realities of heaven. Focus on eternity and what will last forever.  What is hidden with Christ, but that is real.  It is what counts.  It is what matters most.

Your life is in Christ.  Do not forget that.

Even if things are bad, your life is in Christ.

Even in the midst of tragedy, your life is in Christ.

Even when friends betray you, your life is in Christ.

Even when you feel all alone, your life is in Christ.

Even when work or family or everything seems to fall down upon you, your life is in Christ.

Even when life is good and perfect and easy, your life is in Christ.

In the good, and in the bad, in the easy and in the hard, in the laughter, in the tears, in it all, your life is in Christ.

Never forget where your life is found.  Never forget where you need to keep your head at.  Never forget what truly matters.  Never forget your life. It’s found in Jesus.  At all times and in all things and at all places, it’s found in Jesus.

Never forget where life is found.

Our Lives Are Mirrors

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Our lives are a mirror.  They reflect.

They reflect what we believe. They reflect what we believe about God, His grace, His mercy and His salvation.

Our lives are a refection. Our lives aren’t lived in a vacuum.  Our lives show the reality of what we believe.  Not what we say we believe. But, what we really, actually believe.

Our lives show the way to the truth that lies in our hearts.

Today, listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 5:

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Our lives are like that candle. They shine a light for all to see.

So our Lord tells us to shine out light for the world to see, so they will praise our Heavenly Father. Our lives should be lived in such a way that people thank God after dealing with us.

Not to thank God that we are awesome. Or kind.  Or good.  Or sweet. But to thank God that He is kind. And good. And loving.

We don’t live this life to reflect upon ourselves. We live this life to reflect upon God.

Today, what light is you life reflecting?  What does your life say about God? What does your life show that you believe about God?

Today, does the light of your life cause others to glorify God after an interaction with you?  Or does your life cause others to wonder if you really are a Christian.

Our lives are mirrors. What are they reflecting?

Why Its Called Grace

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You can’t make God love you.  You can’t.

I’ve said this before in sermons at Asbury, so of you may have heard this statement before and know where I’m going with this, but let me say it again.

You can’t make God love you.

If you are living your life doing all that you can do to earn God’s love, you will never earn it and you will live your life trying to earn something that simply cannot be earned.

You can’t make God love you.

You don’t have to.  He simply loves you.  NO.  MATTER.  WHAT.

Listen to what Paul tell us in Romans 5 today:

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Christ died for us not because we deserved it or had earned that grace and forgiveness.  In fact, He did it for the exact opposite reason.  He did it because we couldn’t.  He gave us grace because we couldn’t earn it.

You don’t need to live your life trying to earn God’s love.  You need to live your life as a response to God that loves you more than you would ever think possible.

You don’t need to make God love you. He already does.  You don’t have to earn God’s love.  It’s already given.  That’s why it’s called grace.  It’s not earned.  It’s not deserved.  It’s a free gift from an amazing God.

Today, you are loved.  Know that.  Believe that.  Live in that.  You are loved.  Today.

Live in the depth of God’s grace.  And in that, you’ll find life worth living.

What’s Stopping You?

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Today’s story out of John 5 is one of my favorite stories in scripture.

We see a man sitting beside a pool where healing is known to take place. It’s a place where the angels come to stir the water the water and healing happens to those that get in the pool first. But, not everyone makes it in.

Some are too late.

Some are delayed.

Some are just not able.

That’s where the text picks up today. Listen to what happens:

When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

What I love about this passage is something that we need to be reminded of. We talk a lot about our sin, our weakness, our frailty. We talk a lot about God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s understanding.

Something we don’t always talk enough about is our responsibility. Jesus asked him – would you like to be well? Duh, who wouldn’t? Then get up and walk.

Jesus made it possible for this man to be healed. Jesus didn’t want any excuses this morning, He asked do you want it? Then get up and walk.

The things that had stopped Him in the past stopped him no more. Jesus cleared the deck. Jesus got rid of those things. Jesus made it possible. He stopped what was stopping this man from being healed.

Jesus is greater than whatever is stopping you. Jesus is stronger. Jesus is more powerful. The power of the cross, the grace of Christ, the movement of the Holy Spirit, all these things are greater than whatever is stopping you.

What is stopping you today? From being faithful? From obeying? From living?

Jesus is greater. He is bigger than whatever is stopping you. May we live into the power and life of Jesus.

Your Greatest Possession

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What is the thing you have that is worth the most in your life

Andy, what do you mean, worth the most?  Do you mean cost the most?  Has the most value?  Is most sentimental to me?

By the question, I can mean any of those things.  What is the thing that you treasure the most?  What is the thing that is so important to you?

Now, think about what you want the most right now. What is the thing that  if you had it, you could say – ah, now I’ve got “it.”  Now I’ve gotten what I need/want.  Here’s mine 🙂

Ok, got those thoughts in your mind? Thinking about them?

Now, listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 16: 26

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

What ever “it” is, it can’t compare to your soul. What ever “it” is, it will soon be destroyed.  Or dropped.  Or lost.  Or broken.  Or replaced.  What ever “it” is, it is not eternal.

Your soul is.  Your soul counts forever.  Your soul lives on.  Your soul is worth more than anything you could ever think of or desire. And if you lose your soul in pursuit of something that doesn’t really matter, what you have you done?

You’ve exchanged something eternal for something that is of this world.  Nothing is worth that.  Nothing.

You life will not be found in chasing the things of this world.  It will not be found in stuff.  It will not be found in whatever “it” is.  You life will be found in feeding your soul on the things of God.  It will be found in these things that are eternal.

That is what matters most. And that’s what we should be chasing. Don’t lose your soul for what is only of this world.  You soul is worth more to you (and God) than whatever “it.” is.

Never forget that.

Who are We Chasing?

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I can about what God thinks about my life.

I can about how God thinks about living, my choices, my direction.  God’s opinion matters greatly to my life.

But, so does the crowd. So does the opinion of my peers. So does the opinion of my neighbors.  So do other people.

And so, the question is then asked, whose opinion do to value most? God’s?  Or other people’s?  Who do I worry more about pleasing?  God?  Or other people?

Listen to what Paul says today in 2 Timothy 2

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them

Today, who are you worried about pleasing?  Are you worried about pleasing God?  Or are you more worried about pleasing the world?

Today, who are you trying to please?  As Christians we say that we want to please God, first and foremost.

But, sometimes I think we live in a way that says we are more worried about trying to please the world than we try to please God. Paul reminds us, if we are worried about the things that we shouldn’t be worried about then it becomes very hard to please the one whose opinion actually counts.

God’s.

Today, whose praise do you seek?  God’s or other people?  Whose approval do you want?  God’s or other people?  Toady, who are you trying to please? God or other people?

If we are chasing after God, we will find true life. If we are chasing after the crowd, we will never be happy.

Today, Who are we chasing?