Jesus gave us plenty of examples of loving those who are not highly regarded by society.
The Gospel of Luke is full of His expressions and examples of kindness towards women (Luke 1:5-15, 39-45, 26-56, 57-66; 2:1-20, 36-38, 41-52; 7:11-15, 36-50; 8:1-3, 15:8-10; 18:1-8, 23:27; 24:1-10), Gentiles (Luke 2:32; 24:47), Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), the Poor (Luke 6:20-23), Samaritans and strangers (Luke 10:30-36; 17:16), tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:1) and lepers (Luke 17:1-17).
If we want to see the results that Jesus saw, we must live our lives the way He lived. There aren't any shortcuts.
Love God. Love people. All people.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Discerning the times
How do we know when to move ahead on something He has placed in our heart?
There is the One Who goes before you to scatter your opposition, to plunder your enemy, to redeem your total victory. If God be for you, who can be against you?
There are treasures that we stumble upon - like the man who found the treasure in the field (Matthew 13:44) - and there are treasures that must be sought after – like the merchant who sought the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46).
There are times He goes before, like the cloud in the wilderness or the fire by night, and other times where we are instructed to, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD…” (Joshua 4:5).
When the Word in our hand, the word in our heart, Godly counsel, God-inspired passion, resources in-hand or by faith, and peace with our spouse line up - pursue.
If you are waiting in peace, wait. If He is calling you to pursue, by all means, pursue.
There is the One Who goes before you to scatter your opposition, to plunder your enemy, to redeem your total victory. If God be for you, who can be against you?
There are treasures that we stumble upon - like the man who found the treasure in the field (Matthew 13:44) - and there are treasures that must be sought after – like the merchant who sought the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46).
There are times He goes before, like the cloud in the wilderness or the fire by night, and other times where we are instructed to, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD…” (Joshua 4:5).
When the Word in our hand, the word in our heart, Godly counsel, God-inspired passion, resources in-hand or by faith, and peace with our spouse line up - pursue.
If you are waiting in peace, wait. If He is calling you to pursue, by all means, pursue.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Is There Not a Cause?
The lines were drawn.
The Philistines were encroaching on Judean lands, encamped between Sochoh and Azekah. Attack was impending but delayed, perhaps because of the difficulty of moving their war chariots through the steep ravine that runs through the middle of the Valley of Elah.
Saul and the men of Israel gathered in the Valley, waiting for the inevitable.
The Philistines' giant-champion, Goliath, presented himself 40 days, morning and evening - looking for a fight.
The Israelites cowered.
David, sent to the lines by his father to bring supplies to his brothers who were engaged in the stand-off, began to ask what would be done for the man who accepted the giant's challenge.
This brought a response from his brother,
You know the rest of the story. David triumphed over the giant.
In the midst of our busy lives, to which we are over-involved but under-committed, it would serve us well to carry that question in our heart.
The enemy has mastered discouragement and fear, using them as effectively today as he did against Saul and his men. But the right question asked with the right motive ignites our courage, disperses our fears and prepares us for the victory.
There IS a cause. It DOES matter. We MUST pursue, with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, the giants in our lives.
The Philistines were encroaching on Judean lands, encamped between Sochoh and Azekah. Attack was impending but delayed, perhaps because of the difficulty of moving their war chariots through the steep ravine that runs through the middle of the Valley of Elah.
Saul and the men of Israel gathered in the Valley, waiting for the inevitable.
The Philistines' giant-champion, Goliath, presented himself 40 days, morning and evening - looking for a fight.
The Israelites cowered.
David, sent to the lines by his father to bring supplies to his brothers who were engaged in the stand-off, began to ask what would be done for the man who accepted the giant's challenge.
This brought a response from his brother,
"'Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.'
And David said, 'What have I done now? Is there not a cause?'" (1 Samuel 17:28-30).
And David said, 'What have I done now? Is there not a cause?'" (1 Samuel 17:28-30).
You know the rest of the story. David triumphed over the giant.
In the midst of our busy lives, to which we are over-involved but under-committed, it would serve us well to carry that question in our heart.
The enemy has mastered discouragement and fear, using them as effectively today as he did against Saul and his men. But the right question asked with the right motive ignites our courage, disperses our fears and prepares us for the victory.
There IS a cause. It DOES matter. We MUST pursue, with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, the giants in our lives.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Worship Sets Us Free - remix
David discovered something for himself...
The same worship that calmed an anxious lamb soothed the tormented spirit of a king.
Paul and Silas understood this too (Acts 16:16-31), and the chains that bound them fell away.
Worship changes our perspective and reminds us of Who God is and, in that, we remember who we are - God is Love and we are the objects of His love.
Our challenges can't get in the way of our worship of Him. Our worship is the echo of His love for us.
The same worship that calmed an anxious lamb soothed the tormented spirit of a king.
"And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him" (1 Samuel 16:23).
Paul and Silas understood this too (Acts 16:16-31), and the chains that bound them fell away.
Worship changes our perspective and reminds us of Who God is and, in that, we remember who we are - God is Love and we are the objects of His love.
Our challenges can't get in the way of our worship of Him. Our worship is the echo of His love for us.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
One Goes Free
The principle of salvation is interwoven recurrent throughout the Bible as God established, through His Word and faithful men and women, the spiritual laws that would set us free.
There's a beautiful picture of redemption in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 14.
It applies to the leper on his day of cleansing.
The priest is instructed to go outside the camp to seek the leper. The leper does nothing, which validates the leper's faith (Romans 4:4-5), accounting it for righteousness.
There are two birds prepared for sacrifice. One is killed in a vessel over running water (John 7:37-39), the other is dipped in the blood (Hebrews 9:22) and released (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Wood, scarlet and hyssop are used. We see these, again, at the cross.
One pays the price and the other goes free, signifying the sacrifice made by Christ and the release of the one covered by His blood. It also testifies to the Risen Christ in the life of the freed bird.
Our redemption is perfect and complete. Our freedom is confirmed by the Mediator of our new covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15). His life bought ours.
There's a beautiful picture of redemption in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 14.
It applies to the leper on his day of cleansing.
The priest is instructed to go outside the camp to seek the leper. The leper does nothing, which validates the leper's faith (Romans 4:4-5), accounting it for righteousness.
There are two birds prepared for sacrifice. One is killed in a vessel over running water (John 7:37-39), the other is dipped in the blood (Hebrews 9:22) and released (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Wood, scarlet and hyssop are used. We see these, again, at the cross.
One pays the price and the other goes free, signifying the sacrifice made by Christ and the release of the one covered by His blood. It also testifies to the Risen Christ in the life of the freed bird.
Our redemption is perfect and complete. Our freedom is confirmed by the Mediator of our new covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15). His life bought ours.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What is that in your hand?
The situation for the children of Israel was bleak. Over the course of 400 years of living in Egypt, God's people had prospered to the extent that the king, who did not know Joseph and disregarded the way he had blessed Egypt by his interpretation of dreams and wise stewardship, was troubled by the Israelites.
He put taskmasters (chiefs of slave gangs) over them and made harsh commands as to how to deal with newborns - commanding that the boys be killed by the midwives at birth, perhaps to avoid the creation of an Israeli army.
In spite of this, the Israelites flourished. The king increased his suppression.
Moses was born in this environment and experienced divine intervention as his life was spared by Pharaoh's daughter.
Later, reacting to the mistreatment of one of his Hebrew brethren, Moses killed an Egyptian - the first link in a chain of events that sent him hundreds of miles into the desert.
This is where Moses first met God. Far from the city, peacefully watching his sheep.
God challenges him to face his people and Pharaoh. Moses is unsure. "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. And the LORD said unto him, 'What is that in thine hand?' And he said, 'A rod'" (Exodus 4:1-2).
"What is that in your hand?" A simple enough question. Moses, a shepherd, probably always had his rod in his hand. It had become for him, perhaps, a natural extension of his body. It defined his call and equipped him to carry it out.
But God had greater plans. "Cast it on the ground," He said. And the rod became a serpent.
What do you have in your hand that has a greater purpose for the Kingdom? What talent, extension, or ability can serve a greater purpose for God by being cast down than by being held tightly?
God let Moses pick it back up but, when he did, it had changed. Now it was a God-rod.
Superior-charge your talents, abilities, and giftings by letting God have them.
He put taskmasters (chiefs of slave gangs) over them and made harsh commands as to how to deal with newborns - commanding that the boys be killed by the midwives at birth, perhaps to avoid the creation of an Israeli army.
In spite of this, the Israelites flourished. The king increased his suppression.
Moses was born in this environment and experienced divine intervention as his life was spared by Pharaoh's daughter.
Later, reacting to the mistreatment of one of his Hebrew brethren, Moses killed an Egyptian - the first link in a chain of events that sent him hundreds of miles into the desert.
This is where Moses first met God. Far from the city, peacefully watching his sheep.
God challenges him to face his people and Pharaoh. Moses is unsure. "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. And the LORD said unto him, 'What is that in thine hand?' And he said, 'A rod'" (Exodus 4:1-2).
"What is that in your hand?" A simple enough question. Moses, a shepherd, probably always had his rod in his hand. It had become for him, perhaps, a natural extension of his body. It defined his call and equipped him to carry it out.
But God had greater plans. "Cast it on the ground," He said. And the rod became a serpent.
What do you have in your hand that has a greater purpose for the Kingdom? What talent, extension, or ability can serve a greater purpose for God by being cast down than by being held tightly?
God let Moses pick it back up but, when he did, it had changed. Now it was a God-rod.
Superior-charge your talents, abilities, and giftings by letting God have them.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Speak UP!
It's no surprise that our faith is also referred to as our confession (Hebrews 10:23).
Romans 10:10 says, "... with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
James emphasizes the importance of our words (James 3:6-12).
Solomon goes even farther, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth" (Proverbs 6:2).
David knew the significance of our speech when, in prayer, he said to the Lord, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3). And, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).
The Word is God's seed and He sows His Word in our hearts when we read and meditate on it. If we allow Him to sow good seed through His Word, we will begin to think His thoughts.
Our thoughts are our seed and our lips sow the seed when we speak.
Our words are the confession of our faith and represent our understanding of who we are. We paint a picture of ourselves with our words. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), and "... out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
Fill your heart with what God says about you and what He says about Himself. Speak UP from that abundance. Agree with God!
If we speak words of fear, we neglect what He says about His protection and we become fearful. If we speak words of doubt, we contradict our confidence in Him and we lose faith. If we speak words of failure, we nullify our assurance of His victory and we accept failure.
The Good News is THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE, TOO!
Speak UP! Sow what He says back into your situation and into others' lives through your words. It's not magic, it's the Word - the Christ - in you!
Romans 10:10 says, "... with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
James emphasizes the importance of our words (James 3:6-12).
Solomon goes even farther, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth" (Proverbs 6:2).
David knew the significance of our speech when, in prayer, he said to the Lord, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3). And, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).
The Word is God's seed and He sows His Word in our hearts when we read and meditate on it. If we allow Him to sow good seed through His Word, we will begin to think His thoughts.
Our thoughts are our seed and our lips sow the seed when we speak.
Our words are the confession of our faith and represent our understanding of who we are. We paint a picture of ourselves with our words. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7), and "... out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
Fill your heart with what God says about you and what He says about Himself. Speak UP from that abundance. Agree with God!
If we speak words of fear, we neglect what He says about His protection and we become fearful. If we speak words of doubt, we contradict our confidence in Him and we lose faith. If we speak words of failure, we nullify our assurance of His victory and we accept failure.
The Good News is THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE, TOO!
Speak UP! Sow what He says back into your situation and into others' lives through your words. It's not magic, it's the Word - the Christ - in you!
Friday, March 13, 2009
I love the Book...
I love the Book of James.
Especially his practical approach to getting through a trial.
He reminds us of the value of faith (1:2-6), the blessing of endurance (1:4, 12), the importance of putting our faith into action (1:22-24; 2:14-26) and the vital need for us to walk in love and mercy (2:8,12-13).
Wisdom, Godly conduct, meekness, taming the tongue, humility, judging, restoration and more!
I could spend years in these 5 short Chapters that overflow with Godly wisdom, correction, and counsel just letting the Word hone these potently simple basics in me. Sometimes I think that I could be satisfied in just these chapters from James.
Then I meditate on Matthew 5-7.
I love the Gospel of Matthew...
Especially his practical approach to getting through a trial.
He reminds us of the value of faith (1:2-6), the blessing of endurance (1:4, 12), the importance of putting our faith into action (1:22-24; 2:14-26) and the vital need for us to walk in love and mercy (2:8,12-13).
Wisdom, Godly conduct, meekness, taming the tongue, humility, judging, restoration and more!
I could spend years in these 5 short Chapters that overflow with Godly wisdom, correction, and counsel just letting the Word hone these potently simple basics in me. Sometimes I think that I could be satisfied in just these chapters from James.
Then I meditate on Matthew 5-7.
I love the Gospel of Matthew...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Value of Trust
God trusted Adam and Eve with His plan for taking back the Earth from an enemy that was here before they were.
Genesis tells us of a five-fold mandate and confirms that man has the Divine Nature of the Almighty (the DNA, if you will) to carry it out. He is, after all, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28).
Adam and Eve's trust in God would be evidenced by their obedience to Him in carrying out the mandate.
satan attacked that trust ("Has God indeed said...?") and they chose disobedience. It's a tragic situation when a human being, created in the very image of God, submits to a low-life serpent.
It's the same today.
When we elevate the lie of our common enemy above the trust and obedience to Our Loving Creator, we forgo the privilege of walking in our Divine Nature, and the opportunity to fulfill our mandate.
Let's be people who trust His Word, His Son. He won back our right to submit to God and to resist the enemy (James 4:7). He bought us back - redeemed us - for His higher purpose.
Genesis tells us of a five-fold mandate and confirms that man has the Divine Nature of the Almighty (the DNA, if you will) to carry it out. He is, after all, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28).
Adam and Eve's trust in God would be evidenced by their obedience to Him in carrying out the mandate.
satan attacked that trust ("Has God indeed said...?") and they chose disobedience. It's a tragic situation when a human being, created in the very image of God, submits to a low-life serpent.
It's the same today.
When we elevate the lie of our common enemy above the trust and obedience to Our Loving Creator, we forgo the privilege of walking in our Divine Nature, and the opportunity to fulfill our mandate.
Let's be people who trust His Word, His Son. He won back our right to submit to God and to resist the enemy (James 4:7). He bought us back - redeemed us - for His higher purpose.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Second Mile
We live at the end of a dirt road on a circle that is about a mile around.
Yesterday, after working on taxes all morning, I decided I wanted to change my mindset and wash the debits and credits away with a walk before I went to pick the boys up from school. I really wanted to be WITH them when they got home and not still swimming in digits.
The first time around the circle my thoughts were in a tempest. Rehashing, reviewing, planning, and talking to and at myself.
I really only intended on walking the one mile, but something happened as I approached my driveway...I kept going. And this I don't regret.
With each step the busy-ness of life and the noise of my thoughts diminished and the rustling squirrels, the teasing breeze and the earnest sunshine on my face beckoned peace.
And then, as I walked, I was aware of another familiar Presence.
I poured out my heart in thanksgiving. I repented for the way I had let the distractions in. I thanked Him for joining me, to which He replied, "I've been here all along".
---------------------
I will, again, live off this lesson for awhile. And I will purpose to ask for grace in managing the distractions and for help in creating that space in my heart - that sanctuary - where He and I abide and where I am forever aware of His Presence.
Psalm 16:11
"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Thank You for the second mile.
Yesterday, after working on taxes all morning, I decided I wanted to change my mindset and wash the debits and credits away with a walk before I went to pick the boys up from school. I really wanted to be WITH them when they got home and not still swimming in digits.
The first time around the circle my thoughts were in a tempest. Rehashing, reviewing, planning, and talking to and at myself.
I really only intended on walking the one mile, but something happened as I approached my driveway...I kept going. And this I don't regret.
With each step the busy-ness of life and the noise of my thoughts diminished and the rustling squirrels, the teasing breeze and the earnest sunshine on my face beckoned peace.
And then, as I walked, I was aware of another familiar Presence.
I poured out my heart in thanksgiving. I repented for the way I had let the distractions in. I thanked Him for joining me, to which He replied, "I've been here all along".
---------------------
I will, again, live off this lesson for awhile. And I will purpose to ask for grace in managing the distractions and for help in creating that space in my heart - that sanctuary - where He and I abide and where I am forever aware of His Presence.
Psalm 16:11
"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Thank You for the second mile.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Expectation in transition
There is a certain amount of anxiety in transition but, whether chosen or thrust upon us, our seasons of transition do not take God by surprise.
When we live surrendered to Him, our life is His - which means that change is gonna' come. It is inevitable. And as agents of change He will use transitions - that we are led to and led through - to make sure we have the proper elements in our lives to cause Christ to be formed in us.
The uncertain feeling that accompanies transition can signal us to areas in which we need to trust Him more. Remember, He sees the end from the beginning, behind the curtain that hangs between us and the "next scene" of the drama that is our lives. He is both in our present and in our future, going ahead preparing a place for us. Truly "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Whether YOU initiated the transition or it is the result of circumstances beyond your control, God is not surprised.
Trust Him in it all, with it all, through it all.
Click here for today's Daily Bread.
When we live surrendered to Him, our life is His - which means that change is gonna' come. It is inevitable. And as agents of change He will use transitions - that we are led to and led through - to make sure we have the proper elements in our lives to cause Christ to be formed in us.
The uncertain feeling that accompanies transition can signal us to areas in which we need to trust Him more. Remember, He sees the end from the beginning, behind the curtain that hangs between us and the "next scene" of the drama that is our lives. He is both in our present and in our future, going ahead preparing a place for us. Truly "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Whether YOU initiated the transition or it is the result of circumstances beyond your control, God is not surprised.
Trust Him in it all, with it all, through it all.
Click here for today's Daily Bread.
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