Romans 5:8 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Paul is describing to the Christians in Rome exactly what Christ did for us and accomplished on the cross. God loved us so much that he sent his Son to die for us and pay the price for our sins. Not only did he do that, but he did this before we ever loved him, before we ever repented, and before we ever asked for forgiveness! God preemptively showed us what we mean to him. Christ died for us while we were still sinners and separated from him. God loves us a great deal!
God's love for me is so great! Even in my sin and rebellion, he still loves me. He didn't wait until I had my act together, my sins under control, or my bad habits subdued. He died for me in spite of all that. And he doesn't love me any more when I am good, or any less when I am bad. He loves me because that's what he is-he is love. He loves me because that's what he does-he loves. Elsewhere Paul tells me that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God found in Christ. Not heights or depths or Satan himself can separate me from God's love. That my friends is good news! So what is my response to that? How do I apply this to my life? I share this good news with others. I love others today because he first loved me.
Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for me even when I was wretch. Thanks for loving me still even though I am a wretch. Amen.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Garbage
Philippians 3:8 "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him."
In Philippi there appears there may have been some confusion about what actually saves a person, or "makes" one a Christian. Paul explains to the Philippian believers that our salvation is a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ and not a result of our achievements, efforts, or pedigree. Our faith is dependant solely on our right standing with Jesus and not based on our good works or accomplishments. Paul shares a list of all of his accomplishments and claims that everything he has worked for and earned is garbage. It doesn't matter. It's trash, no good. All of his good deeds, Sunday School awards, and Bible trivia knowledge mean nothing compared with simply knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.
It is so easy for me to make this mistake and think my spiritual health is based upon my good deeds, hard work, and Bible knowledge! Yes Bible reading, prayers, good deeds, and service to others are all good things Jesus wants me to do, but my sin is washed away only because of Jesus and his death on the cross. My ticket to heaven has nothing to do with how good I think I might be, but has everything to do with Jesus and his grace. It's really all about Jesus. Everything. My life, my soul, my eternity...they are all dependant on Jesus and his goodness. I'm not the only one who gets this wrong. There is a world out there that thinks their efforts and good will makes them right with God. They don't get Jesus. They don't know him. How can I share him with someone this week?
Dear Jesus, help me tell someone about you and your goodness today. Amen.
In Philippi there appears there may have been some confusion about what actually saves a person, or "makes" one a Christian. Paul explains to the Philippian believers that our salvation is a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ and not a result of our achievements, efforts, or pedigree. Our faith is dependant solely on our right standing with Jesus and not based on our good works or accomplishments. Paul shares a list of all of his accomplishments and claims that everything he has worked for and earned is garbage. It doesn't matter. It's trash, no good. All of his good deeds, Sunday School awards, and Bible trivia knowledge mean nothing compared with simply knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.
It is so easy for me to make this mistake and think my spiritual health is based upon my good deeds, hard work, and Bible knowledge! Yes Bible reading, prayers, good deeds, and service to others are all good things Jesus wants me to do, but my sin is washed away only because of Jesus and his death on the cross. My ticket to heaven has nothing to do with how good I think I might be, but has everything to do with Jesus and his grace. It's really all about Jesus. Everything. My life, my soul, my eternity...they are all dependant on Jesus and his goodness. I'm not the only one who gets this wrong. There is a world out there that thinks their efforts and good will makes them right with God. They don't get Jesus. They don't know him. How can I share him with someone this week?
Dear Jesus, help me tell someone about you and your goodness today. Amen.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Rebels
Daniel 3:18 "But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were rebels. Stuck in exile under King Nebuchadnezzar, they are ordered to worship a golden statue. If they do not, they will be thrown into a fiery furnace. Directly to Neb's face, they defy him and tell him they will not worship any image of gold, and if thrown into the fire, so be it! Neb didn't like that so much so into the fire they went, only to be rescued by an angel of God!
I love this story so much! These three men possess a fearless attitude and stand up to the "king of kings!" I see this same attitude throughout the story of God in people like Joshua, Daniel, and Stephen. I desire for this kind of "so what, what are you gonna do to me, God's on my side" kind of faith. These three men were able to stare down the great king because they knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, live or die, that their God would win in the end. That is my hope and my promise today. What can't I face? What possibly could hurt me? God is on my side!
Dear Jesus, help me have some "in your face Neb" kind of faith today! Amen.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were rebels. Stuck in exile under King Nebuchadnezzar, they are ordered to worship a golden statue. If they do not, they will be thrown into a fiery furnace. Directly to Neb's face, they defy him and tell him they will not worship any image of gold, and if thrown into the fire, so be it! Neb didn't like that so much so into the fire they went, only to be rescued by an angel of God!
I love this story so much! These three men possess a fearless attitude and stand up to the "king of kings!" I see this same attitude throughout the story of God in people like Joshua, Daniel, and Stephen. I desire for this kind of "so what, what are you gonna do to me, God's on my side" kind of faith. These three men were able to stare down the great king because they knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, live or die, that their God would win in the end. That is my hope and my promise today. What can't I face? What possibly could hurt me? God is on my side!
Dear Jesus, help me have some "in your face Neb" kind of faith today! Amen.
Friday, January 11, 2013
God's Armor
Ephesians 6:13 "Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm."
In this passage in Ephesians six Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that they are at war. They are not at war with another nation or group of people, rather they are at war against evil and Satan. Paul instructs them to wear the proper armor one would wear into battle. Many think Paul uses the common Roman soldier as an analogy here when he speaks of helmets, swords, and shields. But Paul was more likely alluding to images of the coming Messiah mentioned hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah in chapters 11, 52, and 59. The messiah would arrive wearing "righteousness as his body armor" and the "helmet of salvation." Paul says the armor Christ was to wear is exactly how we are to arm ourselves.
Satan and his demons are big and bad. Make no mistake about it. And if we are following Christ in any way, they are coming after us. We are in a spiritual war and we need to have some spiritual weapons. Paul tells us to be like Jesus and wear the same armor Jesus would wear...the belt of truth, helmet of salvation, etc. Satan will attack us. He will tempt us. He will lie to us. He will attempt to deceive us and kill us. We are to be prepared and armed properly. So are we? Am I? What have I done today to prepare myself? Have I been using his sword and shield? Am I relying on that? Am I relying on God? The battle is here. I better be prepared!
Dear Jesus, help me to arm myself and be prepared for the battle. Give me strength to defend against the evil one today. Amen.
In this passage in Ephesians six Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that they are at war. They are not at war with another nation or group of people, rather they are at war against evil and Satan. Paul instructs them to wear the proper armor one would wear into battle. Many think Paul uses the common Roman soldier as an analogy here when he speaks of helmets, swords, and shields. But Paul was more likely alluding to images of the coming Messiah mentioned hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah in chapters 11, 52, and 59. The messiah would arrive wearing "righteousness as his body armor" and the "helmet of salvation." Paul says the armor Christ was to wear is exactly how we are to arm ourselves.
Satan and his demons are big and bad. Make no mistake about it. And if we are following Christ in any way, they are coming after us. We are in a spiritual war and we need to have some spiritual weapons. Paul tells us to be like Jesus and wear the same armor Jesus would wear...the belt of truth, helmet of salvation, etc. Satan will attack us. He will tempt us. He will lie to us. He will attempt to deceive us and kill us. We are to be prepared and armed properly. So are we? Am I? What have I done today to prepare myself? Have I been using his sword and shield? Am I relying on that? Am I relying on God? The battle is here. I better be prepared!
Dear Jesus, help me to arm myself and be prepared for the battle. Give me strength to defend against the evil one today. Amen.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Someone Feeling Guilty?
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death."
Paul had sent an earlier letter to the Christians in Corinth...possibly first Corinthians or another letter that we no longer have, that caused them some sorrow. Apparently, the Corinthians were caught up in some poor behavior and Paul corrects them. We usually don't like to be corrected! At first he wasn't sure he should send the letter, but eventually realizes it was for their own good. However uncomfortable it may have made them feel, the result was worth it. He concludes that sorrow and sadness can be great tools to lead us towards repentance.
Sometimes it's good to feel a little pressure. Sometimes it's good to be bothered and troubled. There's no greater teacher than a little adversity or pain right? When we are bothered and troubled by our behavior we make the appropriate changes. We correct the behavior. If I notice the scale jumped up 10 pounds since Christmas, I cut back on the sweets! If I receive a collection call on the phone, I cut up the credit card! If however, I ignore the pain and continue the behavior...well that Paul says leads to death. And isn't that true? God does not want us on a road that leads to death. He wants us on a road that leads to him. Today I need to pay attention to the sorrow and discomfort in my life. What is it trying to tell me? What is God trying to tell me today?
Dear Jesus, help me learn from the pain in my life, and seek repentance and seek you. Amen.
Paul had sent an earlier letter to the Christians in Corinth...possibly first Corinthians or another letter that we no longer have, that caused them some sorrow. Apparently, the Corinthians were caught up in some poor behavior and Paul corrects them. We usually don't like to be corrected! At first he wasn't sure he should send the letter, but eventually realizes it was for their own good. However uncomfortable it may have made them feel, the result was worth it. He concludes that sorrow and sadness can be great tools to lead us towards repentance.
Sometimes it's good to feel a little pressure. Sometimes it's good to be bothered and troubled. There's no greater teacher than a little adversity or pain right? When we are bothered and troubled by our behavior we make the appropriate changes. We correct the behavior. If I notice the scale jumped up 10 pounds since Christmas, I cut back on the sweets! If I receive a collection call on the phone, I cut up the credit card! If however, I ignore the pain and continue the behavior...well that Paul says leads to death. And isn't that true? God does not want us on a road that leads to death. He wants us on a road that leads to him. Today I need to pay attention to the sorrow and discomfort in my life. What is it trying to tell me? What is God trying to tell me today?
Dear Jesus, help me learn from the pain in my life, and seek repentance and seek you. Amen.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Live
Ezekiel 33:11 "...As Surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live."
In a sea of devastation and destruction, a small beacon of hope arises from the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is described by God as a "watchman" to his people. Ezekiel is to warn the people of their sins and the coming judgement. And in the midst of this judgment God shows his heart. He tells Ezekiel that his true aim is to see everyone turn from their wicked ways and live!
What a refreshing passage! God wants me to live. He does not want me to die. He does not want me to go down a road that leads to death. He wants to take me on a road that leads to life. Yet so often, I turn back to my wicked ways. God takes no pleasure in this. He takes pleasure in life and in living. Today I need to turn from my selfish, greedy, and wicked ways and live...for him!
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me. Amen.
In a sea of devastation and destruction, a small beacon of hope arises from the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel is described by God as a "watchman" to his people. Ezekiel is to warn the people of their sins and the coming judgement. And in the midst of this judgment God shows his heart. He tells Ezekiel that his true aim is to see everyone turn from their wicked ways and live!
What a refreshing passage! God wants me to live. He does not want me to die. He does not want me to go down a road that leads to death. He wants to take me on a road that leads to life. Yet so often, I turn back to my wicked ways. God takes no pleasure in this. He takes pleasure in life and in living. Today I need to turn from my selfish, greedy, and wicked ways and live...for him!
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me. Amen.
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