Rarely will you ever me blog about something like this, but I have to tell you...The Imitation of Christ is one of the best books I have ever read, other than the word of God itself. Rarely will I ever recommend a book on Christian-living because I am somewhat choosy, but this writing is incredible. I have never read a more challenging book. If you can...read it. You may have to struggle through some old-english, but its worth it. It amazes me at how deep the insights are and it was written in the 1300's!!! Its very practical. Read it. Here are some quotes:
"There is no reality in anything except loving God and serving Him alone. Our highest wisdom is to seek the kingdom of heaven, rejecting the things of this world. You are only pursuing an empty phantom if you strive for riches that cannot last, and pin your hopes on them; if you canvass for honors and acquire distinction; if you obey your natural appetites and desire things which must bring punishment later; if you hope for a long life and care little for a good life; if you think only of this present life, and never give a thought to what comes after it; if you set your heart on things which pass away so quickly, and do not press on toward that place where lasting joy remains." (p. 38)
"A really great man has great love. A really great man is humble in his own eyes, and considers all distinction and honor worthless. A really wise man treats all earthly things as refuse in order to have Christ to his credit. A man who has really learnt something is one who does the will of God and abandons his own will." (p.42)
"The reason why you are so often angry and upset is because you are not yet completely dead to your own interests and separated from all that is earthly. There is nothing that pollutes and entangles the human heart so much as an unpurged love for things that have been created. Only if you refuse outward comforts will you be able to glimpse the things of heaven and often know the inward joy." (p. 86)
Read it. Seriously.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Knowing Jesus
Nothing is more satisfying, humbling, touching, and truly wonderful than encountering Jesus Christ and knowing Him. There is so much revealed about His characer through His word and just taking His word for what it says. Before Jesus was betrayed, denied, and abandoned by His closest friends and His own people, He did something that speaks louder than words...
"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." John 13:3-5.
Can you picture this scene in your head? God incarnate kneeling down at the feet of men, washing the dirt and mud off of their feet to be the example that He asks us to be. Jesus had hands of flesh with which He touched some of the most dirty things, including lepers, diseased people, the sick...and the feet of His disciples. He washed them and dried them on the towel that He wrapped Himself in. The Creator of the world, humbling Himself and serving those whom He created. He did this knowing fully what the next hours held...that none of His disciples would stick with Him... that no one understood what He was doing for the world...and that He would become sin and the Father would forsake Him. He was serving His disciples hours before darkness would overtake Him...and He did it in love. "...Jesus knowing His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end..." John 13:1 Even in the betrayal while Jesus was being arrested in the garden He loved and protected His disciples, "Therefore He again asked them, 'Whom do you seek?' And they said, 'Jesus the Nazarene.' Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way...'" John 18:8
I want to encourage you to know that Jesus has served us by not only washing our feet, but washing our hearts. Every stain and imperfection He has removed from us...and He did it in the flesh. He bore it in His body on the cross. His salvation is personal...and He humbled Himself greatly that we might be called friends of God. What a Savior that we can know! "So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord..."
"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." John 13:3-5.
Can you picture this scene in your head? God incarnate kneeling down at the feet of men, washing the dirt and mud off of their feet to be the example that He asks us to be. Jesus had hands of flesh with which He touched some of the most dirty things, including lepers, diseased people, the sick...and the feet of His disciples. He washed them and dried them on the towel that He wrapped Himself in. The Creator of the world, humbling Himself and serving those whom He created. He did this knowing fully what the next hours held...that none of His disciples would stick with Him... that no one understood what He was doing for the world...and that He would become sin and the Father would forsake Him. He was serving His disciples hours before darkness would overtake Him...and He did it in love. "...Jesus knowing His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end..." John 13:1 Even in the betrayal while Jesus was being arrested in the garden He loved and protected His disciples, "Therefore He again asked them, 'Whom do you seek?' And they said, 'Jesus the Nazarene.' Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way...'" John 18:8
I want to encourage you to know that Jesus has served us by not only washing our feet, but washing our hearts. Every stain and imperfection He has removed from us...and He did it in the flesh. He bore it in His body on the cross. His salvation is personal...and He humbled Himself greatly that we might be called friends of God. What a Savior that we can know! "So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord..."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
His Delight
In midst of a culture of rebellion, idolatry, abandonment, and deceitfulness in the nation of Israel the tender words of the voice of God speak of life, love, hope, and victory though they are also surrounded by words of judgement. I just finished the book of Isaiah and am now going through the book of Jeremiah. I am overwhelmed at times by the words of judgement that God spoke to Israel--and I am also overwhelmed at the evil and wickedness that was so prevalent in God's chosen people. The words of judgement can be heavy but the word is living and active. In Hebrews it says, "For those whom the Father loves, He disciplines..." Praise God that He loves us enough in our short-comings and failures to correct us and lead us down the path of life.
The book of Isaiah was a blessing to read, difficult at (many) times, but so filled with the love of God. Even in the prophecies of judgement against the nation of Israel, His actions came from a deep love for His people. Not only does He love His people, but they are His delight! "But you will be called,...'My delight is in her,'...For the Lord delights in you...And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.'" Isaiah 62:4,5 And, "Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place, and other peoples in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4. And finally, a word from the prophet Zephaniah, "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing," Zephaniah 3:17.
The Lord takes great delight in His people...The Lord takes great deight in you! Praise His name!
The book of Isaiah was a blessing to read, difficult at (many) times, but so filled with the love of God. Even in the prophecies of judgement against the nation of Israel, His actions came from a deep love for His people. Not only does He love His people, but they are His delight! "But you will be called,...'My delight is in her,'...For the Lord delights in you...And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.'" Isaiah 62:4,5 And, "Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place, and other peoples in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4. And finally, a word from the prophet Zephaniah, "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing," Zephaniah 3:17.
The Lord takes great delight in His people...The Lord takes great deight in you! Praise His name!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
In Christ Alone
I just want to share the words of this song...may we proclaim the truth of these words to the world!
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstong, this Solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love! What depths of peace!
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righeousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied--
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth, in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me!
For I am His, and He is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand.
AMEN
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstong, this Solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love! What depths of peace!
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righeousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied--
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth, in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me!
For I am His, and He is mine--
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand.
AMEN
Friday, September 25, 2009
He's Not Ashamed...
I am deeply blessed by the truth that "He (Christ) is not ashamed to call us brethren..." Hebrews 2:11. Jesus is not ashamed of us... What powerful words these are to the guilt-filled, sinful soul. How many times do we feel ashamed of ourselves before God because of our own sin and guilt? But Jesus is not ashamed of us...He has personally cleansed those who put their faith in Him from all their iniquity. When I think about all the things that Jesus must see in me...it makes me shudder sometimes. He knows EVERYTHING about me. He knows my heart more than I do. He sees our true intentions, our true motives, our true ambitions, our thoughts (every one of them), every sin we commit, and our hearts. Just as it is stated in Genesis, " every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually..." Genesis 6:5. Yet, He chose to endure the cross for us...so that He could wash our sins away. How loving He is toward us! He chose to be forsaken by the Father so that He could "make His abode" with us. And after all His suffering from the hands of sinners (us), it is still written that He is not ashamed to call us brothers. I am truly blessed by this and I pray that you would be as well. May the fruit of our lips be a pleasing sacrifice to Him...give Him praise!!!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Refining...Submitting to God in All Things
The Lord is good and He teaches us in various ways to know Him, His ways, and the discipline of a life that follows Jesus. I just want to take a minute here and say how valuable it is to understand and know the Lord...it is worth more than anything else this world has to offer. In fact, knowing the Lord Himself IS eternal life..."This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent," John 17:3. Proverbs 16:16 says, "How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver."
With that being said, I will share with you how the Lord taught me wisdom from a practical life lesson yesterday. With moving and a whole bunch of other things going on in my life right now, I have been stressed out and overwhelmed. Being scheduled to work yesterday, I began to panic thinking about how I was going to get everything done that I needed to. I decided that calling off work was a good idea...I hardly ever do it. Everybody else does it. I just needed time. So I called off and was ever so slightly misleading in my reasoning for calling off. After I hung up, I immediately felt no relief and wished I hadn't called off, I felt dishonest. But everyone else does it all the time, I told myself. The Lord stirred my heart...its still dishonesty. But I deserve it! Its totally okay! The Lord stirred..."consider your ways..." Hmmmm. I thought if I ignored my thoughts, I would feel better and forget about it...no big deal. (Note to reader--If you are trying to not feel bad about something you have done wrong, DO NOT try to distract yourself by reading the bible...it doesn't work). I went outside to spend some time reading my bible as I do every morning. And this is what I read: "He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:31-33). So much for trying to ignore my thoughts!!! The Lord was convicting me to be disciplined by Him, to humble myself, and to honor the Lord first in my life.
What happened next involved me humbling myself to call my work back and confessing that I had been misleading, and apologize that I did not hold myself to the standard that I usually place on myself. Talk about swallowing my pride...but I felt amazingly better afterwards even though my co-workers probably think I am insane. A couple valuable lessons have been learned for me--to humble myself is choosing to be wise, choosing to be disciplined is wisdom, and when I fall short and sin..."Against You and You only have I sinned..." (Psalm 51:4). What I hope others can learn from this is...christians DO make mistakes, but when we do...it is to be an example to show the greatness of God, His mercy and love, and that we forsake all things to live a blessed life for Him. If we are not faithful in the small, insignificant things in life...how can we ever think we will be faithful to Him in the big things???
With that being said, I will share with you how the Lord taught me wisdom from a practical life lesson yesterday. With moving and a whole bunch of other things going on in my life right now, I have been stressed out and overwhelmed. Being scheduled to work yesterday, I began to panic thinking about how I was going to get everything done that I needed to. I decided that calling off work was a good idea...I hardly ever do it. Everybody else does it. I just needed time. So I called off and was ever so slightly misleading in my reasoning for calling off. After I hung up, I immediately felt no relief and wished I hadn't called off, I felt dishonest. But everyone else does it all the time, I told myself. The Lord stirred my heart...its still dishonesty. But I deserve it! Its totally okay! The Lord stirred..."consider your ways..." Hmmmm. I thought if I ignored my thoughts, I would feel better and forget about it...no big deal. (Note to reader--If you are trying to not feel bad about something you have done wrong, DO NOT try to distract yourself by reading the bible...it doesn't work). I went outside to spend some time reading my bible as I do every morning. And this is what I read: "He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:31-33). So much for trying to ignore my thoughts!!! The Lord was convicting me to be disciplined by Him, to humble myself, and to honor the Lord first in my life.
What happened next involved me humbling myself to call my work back and confessing that I had been misleading, and apologize that I did not hold myself to the standard that I usually place on myself. Talk about swallowing my pride...but I felt amazingly better afterwards even though my co-workers probably think I am insane. A couple valuable lessons have been learned for me--to humble myself is choosing to be wise, choosing to be disciplined is wisdom, and when I fall short and sin..."Against You and You only have I sinned..." (Psalm 51:4). What I hope others can learn from this is...christians DO make mistakes, but when we do...it is to be an example to show the greatness of God, His mercy and love, and that we forsake all things to live a blessed life for Him. If we are not faithful in the small, insignificant things in life...how can we ever think we will be faithful to Him in the big things???
Monday, September 14, 2009
A Call to Prayer
I know I keep writing about distractions, but I believe it is one of the most powerful tools of the enemy to keep us from living the will of God. May the Lord stir up the hearts of His people here and all over the world to pray...to pray that His glory may be seen all over the earth, that God would be exalted in the church, that the tactics of the enemy may be thwarted, that His Kingdom come and His will be done, that the islands and the coastlands would hear of the love of God come down from heaven, and that when Christ returns He WILL find faith on the earth. Amen! May the burdens of God's heart be placed on ours and that He will move His people to pray. Some powerful lyrics to a Jason Upton song called Teach Me How to Pray says,
"Mommy, I hear a baby crying
Help me, are the words she's implying.
Where've I been while my world has been dying?
Lord, teach me how to pray.
Daddy, I can hear Jesus crying.
Help me, are the words He's implying...
Am I sleeping while my Savior is dying?
Lord teach me how to pray..."
I cannot imagine how Jesus felt when He was struggling in the garden, asking His disciples to pray...and they slept. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak. Centuries later, we find ourselves in the midst of a fierce battle that wars against the spirit and souls of people and are we falling asleep because our flesh is weak? Praise God we don't have to and we can fight the weakness of our own flesh! The power of the Holy Spirit within us can stregthen us and change our hearts to be mobilized for Him...but will we choose to be changed by God?
On the road to the cross a large crowd was following Jesus, crying and mourning for Him...and His response is astounding. Jesus says,"Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children...For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" John 23:28,31. Jesus is speaking directly to the Jewish people, their crucifying their own Savior, their blindness to the truth, and the scary future of their nation. But what implications can we draw from this passage to apply to us and our current condition in the world today? Can we possibly be witnessing a dry time for the church in America? Are we weeping over the church in prayer? What do you think?
"For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."
Isaiah 56:7
"Mommy, I hear a baby crying
Help me, are the words she's implying.
Where've I been while my world has been dying?
Lord, teach me how to pray.
Daddy, I can hear Jesus crying.
Help me, are the words He's implying...
Am I sleeping while my Savior is dying?
Lord teach me how to pray..."
I cannot imagine how Jesus felt when He was struggling in the garden, asking His disciples to pray...and they slept. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak. Centuries later, we find ourselves in the midst of a fierce battle that wars against the spirit and souls of people and are we falling asleep because our flesh is weak? Praise God we don't have to and we can fight the weakness of our own flesh! The power of the Holy Spirit within us can stregthen us and change our hearts to be mobilized for Him...but will we choose to be changed by God?
On the road to the cross a large crowd was following Jesus, crying and mourning for Him...and His response is astounding. Jesus says,"Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children...For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" John 23:28,31. Jesus is speaking directly to the Jewish people, their crucifying their own Savior, their blindness to the truth, and the scary future of their nation. But what implications can we draw from this passage to apply to us and our current condition in the world today? Can we possibly be witnessing a dry time for the church in America? Are we weeping over the church in prayer? What do you think?
"For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."
Isaiah 56:7
Friday, September 11, 2009
Times of Refreshing
This world is a draining place to exist: Work, eat, sleep, think about going back to work, take care of kids, clean, maintain the house, groceries, pay bills, pay taxes, pay mortgage, exercise, cook, travel here, travel there, drink lots of coffee, watch the news, get scared, ignore the news, laundry, fold laundry, put away laundry, groceries, what is stinkin' up the fridge?, wash dishes, put away dishes, yada, yada, yada...time to do laundry again. **sigh** How is it that we are supposed to not be distracted by these things and focus on more important matters...the Kingdom of God? I think it's a matter of the heart...
Is it possible that in our human natures, we can put these things on the back burner and return to God as our number one priority? YES...with man, this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!! Praise be to God that all that is required of us is obedience and He wills and works in us to be sanctified and conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I think the remant of Israel had a similar, draining world to exist in: eat, sleep, try to rebuild the temple, get yelled at by the foreign neighbors, milk the cows, feed the camels, do laundry by hand, walk here, walk there, pick all the crops by hand, get threatened, he said she said with Darius King of Persia, get discouraged, yada, yada, yada. The word of God came to the Israelites who had returned to Jersalem to rebuild the temple through the prophet, Zechariah "'Return to Me, 'declares the Lord of hosts, 'that I may return to you, says the Lord of Hosts," Zechariah 1:3. They had physically already returned to Jerusalem, but they hadn't returned in their hearts to the Lord because they had stopped doing the work that the Lord had called them to do-rebuilding the temple. And the word of God speaks to us today in the same way...we must return to the Lord with all our heart and cast off all the things that are distracting us. I am not saying to stop doing all the things that are necessary...but we must serve the Lord first and foremost. In your heart come to the same realization as the apostle, Paul who said "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." Philippians 3:7-8. May the Lord be merciful and grant us the wisdom and understanding that nothing matters compared to knowing Him. This world is passing away and the lust of it, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Give Him our time and our days...give Him our daily tasks and choose to bless Him in being diligent even in the monotony of life. Seek to know Him during your day. Prais and appreciate how He cares for us as you care for your families. Think of Jesus...having no place to lay his head, giving all His time to preaching the word and to the Father, and ministering to the lost while raising up disciples for the Father. Praise Him for who He is...that He has provided. Praise Him continually Focus on Him as the center of life because He is!
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19
Is it possible that in our human natures, we can put these things on the back burner and return to God as our number one priority? YES...with man, this is impossible, but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!! Praise be to God that all that is required of us is obedience and He wills and works in us to be sanctified and conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I think the remant of Israel had a similar, draining world to exist in: eat, sleep, try to rebuild the temple, get yelled at by the foreign neighbors, milk the cows, feed the camels, do laundry by hand, walk here, walk there, pick all the crops by hand, get threatened, he said she said with Darius King of Persia, get discouraged, yada, yada, yada. The word of God came to the Israelites who had returned to Jersalem to rebuild the temple through the prophet, Zechariah "'Return to Me, 'declares the Lord of hosts, 'that I may return to you, says the Lord of Hosts," Zechariah 1:3. They had physically already returned to Jerusalem, but they hadn't returned in their hearts to the Lord because they had stopped doing the work that the Lord had called them to do-rebuilding the temple. And the word of God speaks to us today in the same way...we must return to the Lord with all our heart and cast off all the things that are distracting us. I am not saying to stop doing all the things that are necessary...but we must serve the Lord first and foremost. In your heart come to the same realization as the apostle, Paul who said "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." Philippians 3:7-8. May the Lord be merciful and grant us the wisdom and understanding that nothing matters compared to knowing Him. This world is passing away and the lust of it, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Give Him our time and our days...give Him our daily tasks and choose to bless Him in being diligent even in the monotony of life. Seek to know Him during your day. Prais and appreciate how He cares for us as you care for your families. Think of Jesus...having no place to lay his head, giving all His time to preaching the word and to the Father, and ministering to the lost while raising up disciples for the Father. Praise Him for who He is...that He has provided. Praise Him continually Focus on Him as the center of life because He is!
"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Humility of Christ
There is nothing more humbling, challenging, and loving as the humility of Christ. I have been reading one of my favorite books again called Humility by Andrew Murray which I highly recommend. Here is a quote from his book, "It was because this humility was not only a temporary sentiment--wakened up and brought into exercise when He thought of God--but the very spirit of His whole life, that Jesus was just as humble in His fellowship with men as with the Father. He counted Himself the Servant of God for the men whom God made and loved," (Humility, p.25)
It's one thing to think about being humble before God...because God is Holy, worthy, perfect, good, love, faithful, trustworthy, and many many other things. Of course being humble before Him is completely conceiveable! However, when we think of Christ being just as humble with and before men...this is where our flesh must be crucified because we just don't get it. Humble before all men? That's what Christ was...that's who Christ IS and that's what Christ DID. Here are some passages:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." Matthew 20:28
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, so you also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14
"The greatest among you shall be your servant." Matthew 12:11
I love the questions that Murray leaves for thought at the end of chapter 3:
"Brother or sister, are you clothes with humility? Ask your daily life. Ask Jesus. Ask your friends. Ask the world. And begin to praise God that there is opened up to you in Jesus a heavenly humility of which you have hardly known, and through which a heavenly blessedness (which you possibly have never yet tasted) can come into you."
It's one thing to think about being humble before God...because God is Holy, worthy, perfect, good, love, faithful, trustworthy, and many many other things. Of course being humble before Him is completely conceiveable! However, when we think of Christ being just as humble with and before men...this is where our flesh must be crucified because we just don't get it. Humble before all men? That's what Christ was...that's who Christ IS and that's what Christ DID. Here are some passages:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." Matthew 20:28
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, so you also ought to wash one another's feet." John 13:14
"The greatest among you shall be your servant." Matthew 12:11
I love the questions that Murray leaves for thought at the end of chapter 3:
"Brother or sister, are you clothes with humility? Ask your daily life. Ask Jesus. Ask your friends. Ask the world. And begin to praise God that there is opened up to you in Jesus a heavenly humility of which you have hardly known, and through which a heavenly blessedness (which you possibly have never yet tasted) can come into you."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Consider His ways!!!
I have been thinking a lot about my own ways that I blogged about yesterday and spending some time in prayer about that when the Lord stirred my heart to consider His ways. I (we) do need to consider my ways and correct them through the power of the Holy Spirit and it is biblically a very important spiritual discipline, but introspection can also lead us down a selfish and dangerous path. We cannot linger too long on ourselves because we are not the focal point of our own lives. As I was sitting in the presence of the Lord, the word of God came to me from Hebrews 12:2, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith..."
As my heart was drawn to focus then on Jesus, I began considering His ways realizing that mine should be conformed to His. Let me leave you some passages that spoke to me of the ways of Christ. Consider His ways!
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:44
"...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
"If I then, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet you ought to wash one another's feet..." John 13:14
"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer..." Luke 22:15
"Jesus wept." John 11:35
"In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:7-8
"...Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously..." 1Peter 2:22-23
"...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8
" 'Yet not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:42
As my heart was drawn to focus then on Jesus, I began considering His ways realizing that mine should be conformed to His. Let me leave you some passages that spoke to me of the ways of Christ. Consider His ways!
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:44
"...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
"If I then, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet you ought to wash one another's feet..." John 13:14
"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer..." Luke 22:15
"Jesus wept." John 11:35
"In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:7-8
"...Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously..." 1Peter 2:22-23
"...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8
" 'Yet not My will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:42
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Consider your ways!!
At our church we have been hearing a series of messages on the remnant of Israel in the old testament that had been exiled out of Israel and returned to rebuild the temple. The prophet Haggai spoke to these particular people regarding the way they had been brought back to Jerusalem and after much opposition and apathy they stopped rebuilding the temple...and it remained in shambles for 12 years after the remnant had been brought back. The remnant got discouraged, probably afraid from the opposing nations, and complacent in their own personal, individual lives and slowly drifted away from the cause that had brought them back to Jerusalem. Haggai writes,"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Consider your ways!'" (Haggai 1:4-5).
So I ask the question...have you considered your ways? We live in a time not too different than the remnant of Israel. We find ourselves in the era where the church has been established and is being built and we await the coming of our Savior (for us, its the second time!). When we look at the remnant and we look at ourselves, we must realize that we have a lot in common. Are our paneled houses more of a priority than the house of God? Do we say in our hearts that we know how important the church is, but there are just other things that need to be done first in our lives? What do our lists look like? What is number one on our priority list? How we spend our time and what we do with it is a clear indication of where our heart is and what is most valuable to us. I believe with all my heart that the remnant in their hearts cherished the idea of rebuilding the temple and desperately wanted to see it accomplished...but the outworking wasn't there. It's not enough just to love the idea of growing closer in our hearts to God, or knowing in our hearts how important it is to spend time with Him. It's not enough to talk about how much we love the church and desire to see the lost evangelized. We must have the outworking. We have to submit and give our all to Him and do what He has called us to do. Here is my prayer for myself and for the Church:
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You." Psalm 119:36-38
So I ask the question...have you considered your ways? We live in a time not too different than the remnant of Israel. We find ourselves in the era where the church has been established and is being built and we await the coming of our Savior (for us, its the second time!). When we look at the remnant and we look at ourselves, we must realize that we have a lot in common. Are our paneled houses more of a priority than the house of God? Do we say in our hearts that we know how important the church is, but there are just other things that need to be done first in our lives? What do our lists look like? What is number one on our priority list? How we spend our time and what we do with it is a clear indication of where our heart is and what is most valuable to us. I believe with all my heart that the remnant in their hearts cherished the idea of rebuilding the temple and desperately wanted to see it accomplished...but the outworking wasn't there. It's not enough just to love the idea of growing closer in our hearts to God, or knowing in our hearts how important it is to spend time with Him. It's not enough to talk about how much we love the church and desire to see the lost evangelized. We must have the outworking. We have to submit and give our all to Him and do what He has called us to do. Here is my prayer for myself and for the Church:
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You." Psalm 119:36-38
Friday, August 28, 2009
Dirty Dishes
I was washing one of my pots the other day by hand, unfortunately, because it isn't supposed to go into the dishwasher. It has so many spots where food just loves to stick and I have to scrub those same spots everytime I use this pot. It's quite annoying, actually, and I find myself complaining inwardly when the time comes to have to wash this pot. And as I was scrubbing it, the precious Lord began speaking to me and showed me that sometimes I have spots, blemishes that He scrubs away from my heart. And sometimes those same spots on my heart keep coming back...sometimes daily. My failures, pride, short-comings, and sins tend to creep into my life and my heart more frequently than I would like to acknowledge sometimes. I began to think how often the Lord has to keep re-washing me...keep removing those same sins in my life that I fall into tempation to. But He doesn't do it grudgingly or with complaining. He does it lovingly and tenderly, careful to wash every ounce of blemish away...with patience and kindness and most of all, forgiveness. As I stood there at the sink, I felt touched and greatful for the God I serve that He doesn't wash me with the same attitude that I was my dishes! How loving is our God and His forgiveness is incredible!
Thursday nights are one of my favorite nights because my husband and I have the priviledge of hosting a bible study. The person who led last night spoke on forgiveness and what a blessing it was! I was reminded of how great God's love is toward men that He would forgive us while we were yet in our sins. I have a verse to share: "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to ALL who call upon You." Psalm 86:5
No matter who you are or what you have done or will yet do...God is ready and waiting for you to call upon Him so He can lavish His perfect love and forgiveness upon you...He cherishes you!!!
Thursday nights are one of my favorite nights because my husband and I have the priviledge of hosting a bible study. The person who led last night spoke on forgiveness and what a blessing it was! I was reminded of how great God's love is toward men that He would forgive us while we were yet in our sins. I have a verse to share: "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to ALL who call upon You." Psalm 86:5
No matter who you are or what you have done or will yet do...God is ready and waiting for you to call upon Him so He can lavish His perfect love and forgiveness upon you...He cherishes you!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Embracing God's Purpose
"..they were but flesh, a wind that passes and does not return." Psalm 78:39 "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
So many things surround us in this life...and when I stop and spend time with Lord and listening to His voice I realize how distracted I can get. I want to number my days and make everyday count for the Lord. I want to be a blessing to Him. I want the things that I do to be eternal. I want to live for HIS purpose. But so many distractions! Many of the things that distract us aren't bad in of themselves; in fact, many of them are good things and blessings that God has given us. The issue comes when we put those things before the purpose that God has for us. Our time, our committments, our jobs, our success, our family many times naturally become priority before God's purpose and God's heart. What is God's heart? What is God's purpose for us? Or shall I ask a more appropriate question...What is God's purpose for Himself? You see, we as humans tend to think we are so important and that God's individual purpose for our individual lives is what we should focus on as we live for Him. But...is there something bigger than that? I believe there is and I also believe that He has revealed it in His Word. At our church, my pastor has been speaking on the house of God and that His purpose since the beginning of time has been His dwelling place. Tracing back through scripture, I see this very clearly. The tabernacle and the temple were the center of worship in the Old Testament. What does this picture in the old testament show us? Let the Word of God speak for itself...I am leaving some passages that will proclaim of the temple of God, the dwelling place of God, and His heart for it:
"I will build My church..." Matthew 16:18
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up..." John 2:19
"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands..." Acts 7:48
"...you are a temple of God..." 1Corinthians 3:16
"...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." Ephesians 3:17
"...you are being built up a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ..." 1Peter 2:5
**Make all your days be unto the Lord...allow Him to use you everyday for His purpose!**
So many things surround us in this life...and when I stop and spend time with Lord and listening to His voice I realize how distracted I can get. I want to number my days and make everyday count for the Lord. I want to be a blessing to Him. I want the things that I do to be eternal. I want to live for HIS purpose. But so many distractions! Many of the things that distract us aren't bad in of themselves; in fact, many of them are good things and blessings that God has given us. The issue comes when we put those things before the purpose that God has for us. Our time, our committments, our jobs, our success, our family many times naturally become priority before God's purpose and God's heart. What is God's heart? What is God's purpose for us? Or shall I ask a more appropriate question...What is God's purpose for Himself? You see, we as humans tend to think we are so important and that God's individual purpose for our individual lives is what we should focus on as we live for Him. But...is there something bigger than that? I believe there is and I also believe that He has revealed it in His Word. At our church, my pastor has been speaking on the house of God and that His purpose since the beginning of time has been His dwelling place. Tracing back through scripture, I see this very clearly. The tabernacle and the temple were the center of worship in the Old Testament. What does this picture in the old testament show us? Let the Word of God speak for itself...I am leaving some passages that will proclaim of the temple of God, the dwelling place of God, and His heart for it:
"I will build My church..." Matthew 16:18
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up..." John 2:19
"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands..." Acts 7:48
"...you are a temple of God..." 1Corinthians 3:16
"...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..." Ephesians 3:17
"...you are being built up a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ..." 1Peter 2:5
**Make all your days be unto the Lord...allow Him to use you everyday for His purpose!**
Monday, August 24, 2009
"I, the Lord, am your God..."
Psalm 81:10 says, "I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it."
I have been shown more and more recently that the old testament is in one sense a picture of what our lives are like in the new testament under grace. Our God has delivered us up from a dark, terrible bondage in the land of sin where we were slaves to sin (just as Israel was in slavery in Egypt) so that we may dwell in the promised land of Christ Himself and posess all that He is. Just like the nation of Israel, we stumble through the wilderness at times because of our lack of faith in God. If only we would believe and receive all that Christ offers us, we would be able to take hold of that promised land and dwell in it! The sins of the nation of Israel are not foreign to us and the same sins take hold of us in the Church. "They did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in His law; they forgot His deeds and His miracles that He had shown them," Psalm 78:10-11. Oh people of God, children of the Most High God, do not forget what the Lord has done for you! Remember that it is He that has delivered you from a life of destruction, a slavery to sin, and death. He has done a wonderous miracle in our lives in bringing us up out of the "land of Egypt." And has done numerous good deeds and works in our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit through sanctification. "Consider your ways!" declared the prophet Haggai to the nation of Israel and I must do the same. Are my ways the ways of the Lord? Am I living in a sacrificial way for the Lord? Am I committed to the building of His Church? The Lord continued to speak to the people through Haggai..."Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house (the temple) lies desolate?" Haggai 1:4. It is so easy to fall in the ways of the world, putting our own lives, our own houses, and our own time before the house of God and the worship of God. I pray as the psalmist writes, "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake,"Psalm 79:9. So I return to the passage that I began with..."Open your mouth wide and I will fill it." That is our prayer, O God...fill us up with Yourself, Your words, and Your praise. May all the people hear the testimonies of the works that You have done with Your own hand. May all the nations hear of Your salvation because Your people have remembered You and what You have done. Praise be to God!
I have been shown more and more recently that the old testament is in one sense a picture of what our lives are like in the new testament under grace. Our God has delivered us up from a dark, terrible bondage in the land of sin where we were slaves to sin (just as Israel was in slavery in Egypt) so that we may dwell in the promised land of Christ Himself and posess all that He is. Just like the nation of Israel, we stumble through the wilderness at times because of our lack of faith in God. If only we would believe and receive all that Christ offers us, we would be able to take hold of that promised land and dwell in it! The sins of the nation of Israel are not foreign to us and the same sins take hold of us in the Church. "They did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in His law; they forgot His deeds and His miracles that He had shown them," Psalm 78:10-11. Oh people of God, children of the Most High God, do not forget what the Lord has done for you! Remember that it is He that has delivered you from a life of destruction, a slavery to sin, and death. He has done a wonderous miracle in our lives in bringing us up out of the "land of Egypt." And has done numerous good deeds and works in our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit through sanctification. "Consider your ways!" declared the prophet Haggai to the nation of Israel and I must do the same. Are my ways the ways of the Lord? Am I living in a sacrificial way for the Lord? Am I committed to the building of His Church? The Lord continued to speak to the people through Haggai..."Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house (the temple) lies desolate?" Haggai 1:4. It is so easy to fall in the ways of the world, putting our own lives, our own houses, and our own time before the house of God and the worship of God. I pray as the psalmist writes, "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake,"Psalm 79:9. So I return to the passage that I began with..."Open your mouth wide and I will fill it." That is our prayer, O God...fill us up with Yourself, Your words, and Your praise. May all the people hear the testimonies of the works that You have done with Your own hand. May all the nations hear of Your salvation because Your people have remembered You and what You have done. Praise be to God!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Love of God
I have recently been blessed that God, our Heavenly Father loves us. His love for us is everlasting. There is nothing in this earth that can even compare to the love that God has for us. I have grown to know that to be loved by God brings the greatest peace, hope, joy, and satisfaction we can ever know. There's no human relationship that could ever offer what God has given us through Jesus Christ our Lord. There is no end to His unsearchable love and He gives it freely to all who will receive it. I am encouraged by the words of Paul, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God," Ephesians 3:17-19. I pray that all those who are dissatisfied with what this world has offered them, all who are hurt and broken, all who feel they aren't loved by anyone, all who have no peace, all who have been told that they hold no value will know this love that God has for them...a love that surpasses knowledge. I pray that all those weary souls will have this revelation. I pray that you who do know the love of God will be changed continually by His love to love those around you. Be encouraged to share the love of God and speaking of His demonstration of His love toward man through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than Jesus laying down His life for men. And may we be changed to His image to love our neighbors as He has commanded us to. "I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20. And also, "...the love of Christ compels us..."2Corinthians 5:14. Be loved by God, love Him and love others. Its a love that will change the world...and it already has!
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