Matthew 10:16 "Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
Jesus is sending out his disciples on a mission like no other. He instructs them to be both shrewd and innocent. As I continue to develop as a leader I need to take Jesus' advice to heart. I need to continually work hard to be smarter, faster and better yet all the while, remember who I am and be humble, innocent and kind. The danger is to become all snake or all dove. Both extremes drive people away. I need to be both.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Worry
Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
I didn't have to read any further today. I had to remind myself of this verse several times this morning and I didn't even realize I would read it this afternoon! I am working hard to let go of the worry and anxiety in my life. My life is God's and what will be will be. I will do my best to follow him and be who he has called me to be. I'm breaking free from worry. It doesn't add one single hour, but has the power to take many hours away. I'm done with it.
I didn't have to read any further today. I had to remind myself of this verse several times this morning and I didn't even realize I would read it this afternoon! I am working hard to let go of the worry and anxiety in my life. My life is God's and what will be will be. I will do my best to follow him and be who he has called me to be. I'm breaking free from worry. It doesn't add one single hour, but has the power to take many hours away. I'm done with it.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Shine
Matthew 5: 15 "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."
I am to be a light in this dark world. And to be perfectly honest, oftentimes I am not much of a light. I often let the stress, worry and fear in this world snuff out my light. I don't smile enough, I don't laugh enough, and I don't play enough. As I've gotten older, it's gotten worse. I need to "return to my first love" and just be. Be full of light. Be full of joy. Be full of love. I clearly can't do it on my own. I need Jesus to shine through me. I think that was his point, not that we shine, but that he shines through us. Today I need to let my hair down (ha!) let go of a few things, loosen my grip a bit and play. Play, laugh, love and shine. Today Jesus, shine brightly!
I am to be a light in this dark world. And to be perfectly honest, oftentimes I am not much of a light. I often let the stress, worry and fear in this world snuff out my light. I don't smile enough, I don't laugh enough, and I don't play enough. As I've gotten older, it's gotten worse. I need to "return to my first love" and just be. Be full of light. Be full of joy. Be full of love. I clearly can't do it on my own. I need Jesus to shine through me. I think that was his point, not that we shine, but that he shines through us. Today I need to let my hair down (ha!) let go of a few things, loosen my grip a bit and play. Play, laugh, love and shine. Today Jesus, shine brightly!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Everything New
Revelation 21:5 "He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'"
God is like a great recycler. He takes things that are old, worn out, dirty, and broken, and recycles them into something new. He takes us, with our sin, shame, guilt, mistakes and filth and turns us into a new creation. We become sons and daughters of God and get to enter his kingdom. Our sins are forgiven and we are washed whiter than snow. We are given a new birth and a new life with Christ. This is why we celebrate Easter! This is why we sing! Oh baby!!
God is like a great recycler. He takes things that are old, worn out, dirty, and broken, and recycles them into something new. He takes us, with our sin, shame, guilt, mistakes and filth and turns us into a new creation. We become sons and daughters of God and get to enter his kingdom. Our sins are forgiven and we are washed whiter than snow. We are given a new birth and a new life with Christ. This is why we celebrate Easter! This is why we sing! Oh baby!!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Rider on a White Horse
Revelation 19:11 "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war."
Among all of the horses, angels, demons, beasts and dragons mentioned in Revelation, there emerges a great rider on a white horse. The rider is faithful and true, he is dressed in a robe dipped with blood and his name is the Word of God. John tells us that "in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God." This rider in Revelation 19 is the word and is Jesus. On his robe and thigh another name is written- "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." The book of Revelation depicts a twisted nightmarish conclusion to the world, but in the end, the hero, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords prevails. The story that began at the cross, concludes with a strong rider on a white horse. He is our hero, he is our defender, and he is our Lord! In response to this I will sing my guts out on Sunday! And why wait? Crank the Crowder now! Amen!
Among all of the horses, angels, demons, beasts and dragons mentioned in Revelation, there emerges a great rider on a white horse. The rider is faithful and true, he is dressed in a robe dipped with blood and his name is the Word of God. John tells us that "in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God." This rider in Revelation 19 is the word and is Jesus. On his robe and thigh another name is written- "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." The book of Revelation depicts a twisted nightmarish conclusion to the world, but in the end, the hero, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords prevails. The story that began at the cross, concludes with a strong rider on a white horse. He is our hero, he is our defender, and he is our Lord! In response to this I will sing my guts out on Sunday! And why wait? Crank the Crowder now! Amen!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Overcame
Revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."
Revelation has been fun. Kind of. Amidst the earthquakes, meteors and general horror, we find some hope. Here in chapter 12, we see the saints who have overcome the dragon. They have overcome by the "blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony." Essentially, they overcome because Jesus overcame. As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I can find hope because just as Jesus overcame the grave, I will too. As Mandisa sings, "I'm an overcome!" Happy Easter.
Revelation has been fun. Kind of. Amidst the earthquakes, meteors and general horror, we find some hope. Here in chapter 12, we see the saints who have overcome the dragon. They have overcome by the "blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony." Essentially, they overcome because Jesus overcame. As we celebrate Easter this weekend, I can find hope because just as Jesus overcame the grave, I will too. As Mandisa sings, "I'm an overcome!" Happy Easter.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Knock Knock
Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
I read the first few chapters of Revelation today while sitting in my car at Ft. Snelling waiting for a funeral. The words of Revelation take on a new urgency for me while sitting among thousands and thousands of white tombstones. The message is clear here, even though God is disappointed with the lukewarm Laodiceans, the invitation for relationship and eternal life is still given. How awesome! God never ever gives up on us! All one needs to do is open the door! How appropriate this also fits our theme for Easter in 9 days. God stands at everyone's door and knocks. Do they hear him? Will they open the door? How can I help make sure they hear his knocks and open their door? He is waiting.
I read the first few chapters of Revelation today while sitting in my car at Ft. Snelling waiting for a funeral. The words of Revelation take on a new urgency for me while sitting among thousands and thousands of white tombstones. The message is clear here, even though God is disappointed with the lukewarm Laodiceans, the invitation for relationship and eternal life is still given. How awesome! God never ever gives up on us! All one needs to do is open the door! How appropriate this also fits our theme for Easter in 9 days. God stands at everyone's door and knocks. Do they hear him? Will they open the door? How can I help make sure they hear his knocks and open their door? He is waiting.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Imitation
3 John 11 "Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good."
Seems like a simple directive. Imitate good, don't imitate evil. I don't think I ever imitate evil on purpose or with intention. What worries me is my sin and the evil I do without thinking about it. I don't have to think about being greedy. I don't have to make a decision to be selfish. I don't actively think about being lazy, or prideful. These things just happen and I have to intentionally think about NOT doing them. But maybe if I am so focused on imitating good, the evil never creeps in. Today I will imitate good.
Seems like a simple directive. Imitate good, don't imitate evil. I don't think I ever imitate evil on purpose or with intention. What worries me is my sin and the evil I do without thinking about it. I don't have to think about being greedy. I don't have to make a decision to be selfish. I don't actively think about being lazy, or prideful. These things just happen and I have to intentionally think about NOT doing them. But maybe if I am so focused on imitating good, the evil never creeps in. Today I will imitate good.
Wednesday, April 09, 2014
Action with Integrity
1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."
True love is something that we do. True love requires action. And the action, what we do, needs to be done in truth. It needs to be done for the right reasons. It needs to be done with the correct motives. What this means, is if I want to love someone, I need to be willing to serve them, for their benefit and not mine. When love is self seeking or prideful in any way, it ceases to be love. I still may complete a good action, it may even be helpful, but it's not loving unless it's done in truth and with integrity. I pray my love today may be marked by action and done with integrity.
True love is something that we do. True love requires action. And the action, what we do, needs to be done in truth. It needs to be done for the right reasons. It needs to be done with the correct motives. What this means, is if I want to love someone, I need to be willing to serve them, for their benefit and not mine. When love is self seeking or prideful in any way, it ceases to be love. I still may complete a good action, it may even be helpful, but it's not loving unless it's done in truth and with integrity. I pray my love today may be marked by action and done with integrity.
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
A Patient God
2 Peter 3:9 "...he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Peter describes God as a patient God, who will wait patiently until everyone has the opportunity to repent. God indeed is patient with us-probably too patient! Am I taking advantage of his patience and using this time to lead others to repentance? It's as if we have been given overtime or extra innings to share Christ with others. What a waste if I am not using it! I need to step it up the next two weeks and invite others to Easter!
Peter describes God as a patient God, who will wait patiently until everyone has the opportunity to repent. God indeed is patient with us-probably too patient! Am I taking advantage of his patience and using this time to lead others to repentance? It's as if we have been given overtime or extra innings to share Christ with others. What a waste if I am not using it! I need to step it up the next two weeks and invite others to Easter!
Friday, April 04, 2014
Cast Away
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
I could seriously highlight all of 1 Peter! Such a good book. But this verse is the verse for me today. God cares for me and I can cast all my anxiety on him today. Peter gives me permission to "cast" my anxiety on him. I am not to sheepishly ask God to take my anxiety, or just shyly hand it to him, I am to cast it at him! Just as I might launch a Strike King Rattlin' Midnight Special spinner bait (gotta get me one) into the lake as far as I can, I am to cast my cares, anxieties and worries on God. He's big enough to handle them. I clearly am not. So today, I cast away! And once it's gone, it's gone. I have to believe that and trust him. When it's gone, it's gone.
I could seriously highlight all of 1 Peter! Such a good book. But this verse is the verse for me today. God cares for me and I can cast all my anxiety on him today. Peter gives me permission to "cast" my anxiety on him. I am not to sheepishly ask God to take my anxiety, or just shyly hand it to him, I am to cast it at him! Just as I might launch a Strike King Rattlin' Midnight Special spinner bait (gotta get me one) into the lake as far as I can, I am to cast my cares, anxieties and worries on God. He's big enough to handle them. I clearly am not. So today, I cast away! And once it's gone, it's gone. I have to believe that and trust him. When it's gone, it's gone.
Thursday, April 03, 2014
1 Peter 3:8
1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."
Christians are sometimes the worst. We have a tendency to turn on each other and shoot our wounded. If we disagree with someone, we attach. If others say something we don't like, we pounce on them. Peter shows us another way. Peter tells us to live in harmony and love each other as brothers. We are to be compassionate and humble. There is no attacking, slandering, gossiping or malice in Peter's words. Now I can't control what any of my Christian brothers and sisters say and do, but I can set an example and model this kind of spirit. I can be sympathetic, I can be compassionate, and I can be humble. As a leader, it is up to me to be 1 Peter 3:8 to those around me.
Christians are sometimes the worst. We have a tendency to turn on each other and shoot our wounded. If we disagree with someone, we attach. If others say something we don't like, we pounce on them. Peter shows us another way. Peter tells us to live in harmony and love each other as brothers. We are to be compassionate and humble. There is no attacking, slandering, gossiping or malice in Peter's words. Now I can't control what any of my Christian brothers and sisters say and do, but I can set an example and model this kind of spirit. I can be sympathetic, I can be compassionate, and I can be humble. As a leader, it is up to me to be 1 Peter 3:8 to those around me.
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
Maturity
James 1:4 "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Perseverance leads to maturity. As I am figuring out my role and voice as campus pastor, I need to persevere. Some days will be tough and I am sure to make mistakes, but I must stick with it. I have an incredible team around me. Today I must persevere.
Perseverance leads to maturity. As I am figuring out my role and voice as campus pastor, I need to persevere. Some days will be tough and I am sure to make mistakes, but I must stick with it. I have an incredible team around me. Today I must persevere.
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