You Are An Individual

This is just a reminder that God has created you - knit you together in your mother's womb - to be who you are. You may be "weird" or "different", but that is who God created you to be. 

Let your individualism shine through in your words and actions - bringing glory to God through them. 

I'm Lovin' It

I'm lovin' it! From February 2nd to 14th McDonald's is encouraging people - chosen at random - to pay for their order through lovin'. Some people are asked to call a loved one on the phone and them that they are loved, others are asked to do a dance right at the counter, others are asked for a hug or a high five. Then, after the act of love is carried out, the bill is marked "paid in full".

“We want to thank our customers for making our day and hopefully they will make someone else’s as well – that’s what Lovin’ is all about,” a spokeswoman for McDonald’s said.

I went to McDonald's this morning to get a drink and watched a woman with several children break into tears as her lunch was paid for with a a smile. She must have thanked the woman behind the counter a dozen times! 

This woman's thankfulness - and pure joy - over a few sandwiches and a couple soft drinks struck me. It was not the food that stirred her emotions - I don't even believe that it was the fact that she saved some money. It seemed as though she was touched by an act of kindness - love - that was shared with her and love that she then was encouraged to pass on to someone else. She stood near the counter, waiting for her order to come, and continued to smile, thank the woman at the counter, and then share the story with two or three others who stood nearby.

This woman - and her shock that someone would show her love in this way -  immediately drew my thought to Christ's payment on the cross for us. Jesus came down from His throne in heaven out of pure love for us. Jesus lived His life on earth ministering and serving those that no one else wanted to serve - the poor, the leprous, the forgotten ones - out of love. Jesus gave up His life to pay the price that sin demands for all of mankind because He loves.

Out of Jesus' love we see what love truly looks like. Through Jesus' love we can show love to those who need it most.  Because of Jesus' love our debt is paid in full.

This is not about a chicken sandwich, a soft drink, and a few french fries. This is about an eternal relationship with The One that loves with a love that we cannot define - a love that we cannot begin to comprehend. Let us not take God's love for granted - let us be thankful for the love of Jesus - now and forever. 

Choose Love

Recently I had the honor of unveiling our vision to the church; "Love Like Jesus".

This afternoon I was reading Brandon Hatmaker's book, "Barefoot Church" and came upon a passage that struck the heart of this vision to love like Jesus. 

There are so many choices to make where faith and real life collide. We feel the pressure to make the right decisions and lead others, often when we have no idea what to do. 

Here’s a suggestion: when in doubt, choose love. 

• Can’t decide if you should give? Choose love. 

• Can’t seem to swallow your pride on a foolish matter? Choose love. 

• Having a hard time forgiving someone? Choose love. 

• Rather keep your time for yourself than help someone in need? Choose love. 

• What would Jesus really do? Choose love.

Stay Connected

I was reading through John 15 this morning. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the chapter begins with an illustration of His - a vine and its branches. Jesus stresses the importance of staying connected to God for life and for power, apart from God we can accomplish nothing and we are worth nothing. Jesus then begins to talk with His disciples about the importance of remaining connected to God's love, apart from God's love there is no peace and there is no joy. Jesus continues by telling His disciples to stay connected to God through obedience, all wisdom comes to us through God and He has a greater plan in mind, desiring us to live a fruitful life and bear fruit that will last.

So, stay connected. 

From Merton's Palace of Nowhere by James Finley; "Mertton once told me to quit trying so hard in prayer. He said: 'How does and apple ripen? It just sits in the sun.' A small green apple cannot ripen in one night by tightening all its muscles, squinting its eyes and tightening its jaw in order to find itself the next morning miraculously large, red, ripe, and juicy beside its small green counterparts. Like the birth of a baby or the opening of a rose, the birth of true self takes place in God's time. We must wait for God, we must be awake, we must trust in his hidden action within us."

So, once again, stay connected.

Walk in Obedience

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in obedience to him. (Psalm 128:1)

This passage goes in to outline many of the ways an obedient man will be blessed by the Lord. 

Recently I have been talking with many people about the account of the rich man who came to Jesus (Matthew 19:16-26) and asked what was required of him. Jesus told him to walk in obedience. Then, when the man inquired further, Jesus told him to sell everything and give all his money away. 

Not everyone will be called to sell all their possessions and give all their money away. Yet, all are called to obedience - totally and completely. And, when we inquire further, Jesus will reveal the thing - or things - in our life that compete for our time, allegiance, and faithfulness to Him.

So, this morning, I ask The Lord to reveal the things in my life that keep me from walking in obedience to Him and Him alone.

Bible Study: The Word Became Flesh

It's cold - really cold - outside! If you are not able to get out in the cold and experience the community of our Wednesday morning Bible Study, here are texts we will be reading, studying, and praying through today. 

Enjoy these in the comfort of your home, with a warm cup of coffee in the presence of The Lord. 

Psalm 144:3-4; O Lord, what is man that You care for him, the son of man that You think of Him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

·     John 1:1-4

·     Matthew 10:16-31

·     Luke 13:31-35

·     Mark 6:31-44

·     Philippians 2:12-15

·     John 3:1-13, 7-12

·     Hebrews 5:7-10

Devoted To Devotions

From our daily devotional "The Word For You Today"; The word "devotion" implies total commitment to someone - giving them your time and attention, enjoying their company, seeking to please them, and making them priority in your life.

I often struggle to understand how so many followers of Jesus Christ are not actually devoted to Him. There is no daily time spent with Him, no time spent communicating with Him or allowing Him to communicate with them. This would never work with our friends or our family members. This definitely would not work with a spouse! Over time the relationship begins to corrode until Christ becomes only an acquaintance that we see from afar for an hour on Sunday morning. 

One of the first questions I ask an individual or couple that comes to talk with me about their struggles is "how do you daily devote yourself to God". I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ are not following Him, they are just hoping that He is following them. I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ have no real relationship with Him, they are just hoping that He continues to relate to them. Notice that I wrote "hoping" not praying. 

I have found that many followers of Jesus Christ are not following Him, they are just hoping that He is following them.

This is a new day, at the start of a new year. Let this be a year that you become devoted to The One that is totally devoted to you. Let this be the year that you worship Christ Jesus with passion and devotion.