Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Maybe one of the greatest verses in the Bible! Jesus died on the cross before I ever did anything for him. So why do I sometimes still operate under this "God will love me more if I do _____?" He loves me just as I am. He loved me just as I was. He loved me enough to send his son to die in my place-while I was still a sinner-truthfully before I was ever born! This verse makes me want to please him all the more, not to gain his love or favor, but to thank him and worship him! While I was still a sinner...unbelievable!
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Jesus Alone
Romans 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Paul has just argued that true "membership" in the kingdom of God comes from Jesus and not through works or following the law. Jesus has done it all, and there is nothing we can do to add to this free gift or take away from it. It was all Jesus. All him. This is a foundational belief to our Christian faith and something we talk about a lot. Yet I never grow tired of thinking about it or reading about-particularly when Paul speaks so eloquently on it. Jesus has done it all, paid every price, and forgiven every sin. God, thank you for your Son... and thank you for Paul!"
Paul has just argued that true "membership" in the kingdom of God comes from Jesus and not through works or following the law. Jesus has done it all, and there is nothing we can do to add to this free gift or take away from it. It was all Jesus. All him. This is a foundational belief to our Christian faith and something we talk about a lot. Yet I never grow tired of thinking about it or reading about-particularly when Paul speaks so eloquently on it. Jesus has done it all, paid every price, and forgiven every sin. God, thank you for your Son... and thank you for Paul!"
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Paul
Acts 28: 30, 31 "For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him."
These are the final words of Acts. They tell us that Paul spent his final days in Rome under house arrest preaching the gospel. Tradition tells us eventually Paul was martyred in Rome for his faith in Jesus. How will the final words to my story sound? What will be said? How will I live out my final days? Will I settle for a comfortable retirement in Florida? Will I move to the Congo and run an orphanage? Something in between? What will my ending be like? I pray and hope that my life ends like Paul's. A life well lived.
These are the final words of Acts. They tell us that Paul spent his final days in Rome under house arrest preaching the gospel. Tradition tells us eventually Paul was martyred in Rome for his faith in Jesus. How will the final words to my story sound? What will be said? How will I live out my final days? Will I settle for a comfortable retirement in Florida? Will I move to the Congo and run an orphanage? Something in between? What will my ending be like? I pray and hope that my life ends like Paul's. A life well lived.
Monday, July 07, 2014
Exclamation Point
Acts 19:21 "I must go on to Rome!"
Paul is in Ephesus on his third missionary journey and he realizes he wants to go to Rome at some point. Now thus far, a lot of bad stuff has happened to the early followers of the Way and to Paul as they spread the message of Jesus. In fact right after this proclamation by Paul, we read there was a giant two hour riot in Ephesus concerning the Christians. This new movement of Christ followers were not well liked. And now Paul says he must go to Rome. Rome was the capitol of course of the Roman Empire. This was the empire that crucified Jesus, wiped out all enemies, and basically dominated the western world. I sense danger. Paul doesn't have to go there. He's got plenty to do elsewhere. His companions continually urge him to avoid trouble as in the case of the riot in Ephesus. Yet, Paul has to go to Rome. "I must go to Rome!" Notice the exclamation point. Now I like to do things for God when it's convenient and exciting. But when it's dangerous, or includes hard work or long hours-well, count me out. I certainly don't get excited about it or add exclamation points to my intentions. But what does Jesus want from me? What did he do for me? Do I serve him begrudgingly or joyfully? Paul was excited to go to Rome. He had to go there. There was adventure and excitement for him there. Where is God calling me? Am I excited to go? Do I have an exclamation point in my life?
Paul is in Ephesus on his third missionary journey and he realizes he wants to go to Rome at some point. Now thus far, a lot of bad stuff has happened to the early followers of the Way and to Paul as they spread the message of Jesus. In fact right after this proclamation by Paul, we read there was a giant two hour riot in Ephesus concerning the Christians. This new movement of Christ followers were not well liked. And now Paul says he must go to Rome. Rome was the capitol of course of the Roman Empire. This was the empire that crucified Jesus, wiped out all enemies, and basically dominated the western world. I sense danger. Paul doesn't have to go there. He's got plenty to do elsewhere. His companions continually urge him to avoid trouble as in the case of the riot in Ephesus. Yet, Paul has to go to Rome. "I must go to Rome!" Notice the exclamation point. Now I like to do things for God when it's convenient and exciting. But when it's dangerous, or includes hard work or long hours-well, count me out. I certainly don't get excited about it or add exclamation points to my intentions. But what does Jesus want from me? What did he do for me? Do I serve him begrudgingly or joyfully? Paul was excited to go to Rome. He had to go there. There was adventure and excitement for him there. Where is God calling me? Am I excited to go? Do I have an exclamation point in my life?
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Boldness Part Three
Acts 16: 37 "But Paul said to the officers: 'They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into a prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.'"
Paul and Silas had been beaten, flogged and thrown into prison in Philippi without a trial. After a series of events including a giant earthquake, the local magistrates send orders to the jailers to let the men go. But Paul doesn't want to go quietly. He demands that the leaders come and release them themselves. Paul is a bold man. He boldly proclaims the gospel, but also speaks up on other matters. Paul and Silas had been mistreated and Paul does not intend to go quietly. What areas in my life do I need to speak up on? In what ways can I be more bold?
Paul and Silas had been beaten, flogged and thrown into prison in Philippi without a trial. After a series of events including a giant earthquake, the local magistrates send orders to the jailers to let the men go. But Paul doesn't want to go quietly. He demands that the leaders come and release them themselves. Paul is a bold man. He boldly proclaims the gospel, but also speaks up on other matters. Paul and Silas had been mistreated and Paul does not intend to go quietly. What areas in my life do I need to speak up on? In what ways can I be more bold?
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Boldness Part Two
Acts 14:3 "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."
Paul and Barnabas are out on a missionary journey and Luke tells us that they spoke boldly for the Lord. I am sensing a theme to this week. Clearly God is trying to teach me to speak more boldly for him. In what way can I do that today?
Paul and Barnabas are out on a missionary journey and Luke tells us that they spoke boldly for the Lord. I am sensing a theme to this week. Clearly God is trying to teach me to speak more boldly for him. In what way can I do that today?
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