Several years ago, on Easter Sunday morning, a dear friend of mine went to be with Jesus. That particular morning, I was singing a duet with another lady from our church. Our song? I've Just Seen Jesus. Still slightly reeling from the news of Betty's passing, I blurted out, right before we sang, that we had to rejoice because Betty truly had Just seen Jesus. As the thought of that went through my mind, it was hard to stay focused on the song but the thoughts I had as the words came out were incredible. The whole scenario made it all so very real to me.
Luke 24:1-8 says:
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words
That Sunday morning, the two Marys had went to the tomb, and found it empty. At first, they thought someone had taken the body. Then they were told by the angels, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" Jesus had tried to tell them this was going to happen, but they didn't get it. I had mentioned earlier this month that I was reading Max Lucado's He Chose the Nails. Yesterday, as I was reading, Max stated that Jesus told them three times He would rise again. Yet NONE of the disciples camped out at the tomb, waiting for it to happen. They truly believed Jesus' plan was over, little did they know, it was only beginning.
Can you even imagine what it will be like when we see Jesus? I try, I really try to see it but I think anything I can even imagine will pale in comparison. You know how when you have read a really good book and you have the visions playing in your head? Then you go see the movie and many times are disappointed because the movie just didn't compare to the one in your own head? I have this feeling that the day I get to meet Jesus face to face is going to pale in comparison to anything even in my head.
Last week, I challenged you to look at every little thing you do wrong every day, to truly concentrate on all the things that Christ died for. I think this little experiment has changed me. I have focused on trying to keep the little things from happening, and do you want to know what ended up happening? I have seen more miracles this week, and more blessings than I remember ever seeing in one single week in my life. Little things happened that I hadn't really paid attention to before, big things happened that I couldn't believe. I have truly had a remarkable Holy Week.
I also told you that last week was only half the story. If Christ would have stayed in the grave, we would have no reason to be rejoicing, but He didn't, he rose from the grave and conquered death. He lives today, so that I may live forever. No matter what we are going through here, we have a home, we have a place--Jesus made it just for each of us. He Loved Us That Much.
This is short this week, but I am going to ask that you spend these extra few minutes to just be still and consider the awesomeness of what Christ did for you. He would have taken the beating, carried the cross and suffered the agony of a crucifixion if you. were. the. only. other. person. alive.
May you have a Blessed Easter, rejoicing that the story here on earth is only our beginning too.
I am leaving you with the song I spoke of earlier, Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris singing I've Just Seen Jesus.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Making the Final Preparations
So I have wandered back and forth over the last few days trying to decide if I should talk about Palm Sunday or if I should talk about Good Friday.
I guess what I came up with is a combination of both.
Let me tell you about my Thursday. Thursday morning, my first order of business was to go to our Weatherization office and network a new printer to two computers. This was a little different circumstance than normal because we did not want this printer connected to the computers through the network, but actually hardwired to each computer. I had figured out how to do this and went, anticipating it to go fine. It took some finagling but bottom line, I made it work. I was happy and thinking everything was good…..on to my next stop. That is where the reality of the day started to rear its head. When I got to the other office, I couldn’t see a problem and though that might be a good thing, I always worry that the issue is with me when that happens because I am afraid I haven’t trained someone well enough, hence, them thinking there is a problem. I get back to my own office and send an email out that I believed to be true and correct. Only to find out moments later, I was wrong and had to send out a second email saying so. My day pretty well just kept going like this. I went from a super great start to not being able to wait to say the day was over.
Let’s look first at the celebration on Palm Sunday. The scripture is John 12: 12-18
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
I know Jesus knew the outcome of what the end of the week was going to bring even as he was riding into town on a donkey, having people waving palm branches to recognize his entrance. Still, doesn’t it feel good when you know people are celebrating you? I know some of my friends don’t like to be the center of attention but they still like to be recognized. They still like to have people say, “Hey, we like you, we think you are great!” and that is what people were doing that day. They had seen the many miracles He had done. They had such high hopes for what Jesus could do for them. I don’t know what they thought at the time but I think I have said it before, people sometimes try to make God out as their own personal genie, I wonder if people were doing the same with Jesus on that day. I worry that we are all guilty of thinking at some point in time, “What’s in it for me?”
We get so wrapped up with what is going on with our lives here on earth that we think in the terms of what I need here and now. What Jesus was offering was what we all need forever. Literally, FOREVER.
I wonder if Jesus made eye contact with any of the people who were waving the palm branches, we know that there was a crowd that day and a crowd at the end of the week, screaming, “Crucify Him”. I can’t help but think many of the faces were the same. I wonder what that felt like to be that person. Worse yet, I wonder if I were alive in that time, would it have been me? Waving that palm branch, saying Hosanna, which means “save us now” basically one minute and screaming “Crucify Him!” the next. All the people knew Jesus was there to save them. They just seemed to misunderstand how. When God didn’t work the way they expected Him to, they decided to stop believing.
Let’s look ahead to the crowd as Pilate present Jesus to them. John 19:1-15
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
I remember growing up, getting a lesson from a very wise man in our church. We get it in our heads that the Romans had Christ crucified. The truth is, Jesus was born to die, destined to go to the Cross. Yes, God used the Romans to get the job done but he did this for us. He did it for me. He did it for you. There is a whole other lesson in why Christ had to die to save us, for now, just know He did. Most importantly, we get to next week and Praise Him for conquering death for us.
Everything I do wrong, everything I think wrong, Christ hung on that cross so I didn’t have to. I think back to last Thursday, when things didn’t go right, I think, “why can’t I do anything right”. And when things don’t go right, I think, “Why me, why today?” I have a friend who has taught me to say, “Why not me,” and I get it but there are days that is easier to do than others. I cannot imagine hanging on a cross, I definitely can’t imagine doing it because someone else--- everybody else had done something wrong. Yet, it was the entire reason Christ came to earth.
My challenge to you this week is to concentrate on all the things Christ died for. I mean, make it very personal. I had a friend tell me one time she didn’t think I sinned because she didn’t see me do wrong things. I laughed, even though I appreciated the thought, we all sin. Just remember, 1 John 1: 8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”. I sin, everyday. I hate it and I ask for forgiveness when I realize I do it but I am sure there are times I do it and don’t even realize. Thursday, through the mess that was my day, as I was driving, I came to an intersection where, at the time, I believed the other person had the right of way. I stopped and he waved me on, seriously, the thought that went through my mind, “Learn how to drive!” As I was driving down the road, running the scene back through my head and realizing where the stop sign was located, I realized, I was wrong. I am sure there are days I don’t realize I am wrong though, even though I am. Christ died for those times too.
So, take a few minutes to reflect on each day, what did I do wrong? What did Christ die for? When I get in this mood, I find myself a little more careful with my words, a little more cautious with my actions. He died for all of them, but I wonder if now that He is in Heaven, if, when I do those stupid things, he feels the nails going through his hands one more time, or feels the memory of that crown of thorns being pushed down on his head. And then, I hear Him, saying, I would do it all again, so you don’t have to.
It took me a while to decide this week’s song. But I finally chose one of my all time favorites. Chris Tomlin’s Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone). Please remember Christ dying on the cross is only half the story. I will finish it next week.
If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, there is no time like now. He did this all for you and as I said, He would do it again, but He doesn’t need to. He is now waiting for you to come to Him and accept His love and His mercy. He is offering you eternal life. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, you can leave me a comment, or send a message to me through facebook, or send an email to me at amrb91@frontier.com.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
W.W.J.D.?
It seems this acronym has somewhat faded out and I have mixed feelings about that. I don't like it when things become such commonplace in our lives that it is no big deal. For a while there it seemed to me a lot of people were on the WWJD? bandwagon without really being reminded to guard your activities because Jesus probably really wouldn't be doing what you just did.
Fortunately, Jesus spent time here on earth showing us exactly what He would do. He showed us to care for the poor, the sick, and the ones who had nothing to give. He showed us that ministering to the needs of others was our greatest purpose. He did this even at extraordinary times. I am reminded of the passage in Luke 22. Judas had brought the guards to arrest Jesus. Peter, thinking he should defend Jesus, drew a sword and cut off one of the guards' ears. Even as they were questioning Jesus to arrest Him, Jesus was touching the guard's ear and healing it. I have to tell you, personally, it is hard enough for me to feel compassion for someone after they have done something to hurt me, let alone while that something is still in the midst of happening but Jesus shows us that should really be the depth of our love for others.
Through numerous accounts in the Gospels, we see Jesus setting our example. From talking to the Samaritan woman, to dining with Zacheaus, to healing a man on the Sabbath. And then we see all those "Holier-than-thou" people judging Him for doing so. Just as they looked stupid for thinking they were better than Christ, we look.......well, you know.
It's never good when we decide we are better than that other person that God created, that God loves, and that God is just waiting for YOU and ME to do the right thing by them.
I was led back to one of my favorites scripture passages this week. Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus IS the author and finisher of our faith. He not only came to earth to walk among us, He not only lived a perfect life here so He could truly be the perfect sacrifice for every time of every day that we do something wrong, He showed us the perfect example of how we should live.
Most of you know my job is to help low-income people. I see so many people judge my clients on a daily basis, and I used to get angry. Oh who am I kidding? I am working on not getting angry, but I still do. I know it doesn't do any good though so I truly am working on it. I do try to suggest that if you don't know the story, don't think you know the story.
Just because they drove a new car to the food pantry doesn't mean they didn't borrow it from a compassionate friend. Or, just because the car looks new, it might be an older car that they are trying to take really good care of. Being poor does not mean everything you own has to look old and worn down. Just because they are wearing nice clothes doesn't mean they aren't spending the little money they had wisely, it might just mean they went to the thrift store and bought something nice to wear to a job interview. And let's face it, there are people out there that, if a person showed up to a job interview in ratty clothes, wouldn't think of hiring them. Then there is my number one, they have a cell phone. Okay, some points that have a common thread. If they are jobless, there is a chance they are homeless. If you are homeless, it is pretty hard to have a landline. If you are looking for a job, you want to get that call. So, this is another one of a million things that they are wrong if they have and wrong if they have not. What Would Jesus Do? Thinking back to just exactly how Jesus treated the ones mentioned earlier, how would He have treated these people? Would any of those, "why do they have that?" questions went through His mind? No. He would have focused on the fact that for that moment, He was in contact with that person and He was going to be a blessing.
Do you know sometimes all it takes to make someone's day is a smile? How about a challenge for this week? As we encounter people on the street, in a store, or even driving down the road (this one is a BIG challenge for me!); instead of jumping to judgment, let's send up a prayer for whatever that person might be going through and then, if you are really in for a challenge, give them a smile, help them get their groceries in their car, be a compassionate stranger--truly do what Jesus would do.
The song for this week is an all-time favorite of mine. I listen to this a lot and try to take it to heart.
Here is Sidewalk Prophet's Live Like That
Fortunately, Jesus spent time here on earth showing us exactly what He would do. He showed us to care for the poor, the sick, and the ones who had nothing to give. He showed us that ministering to the needs of others was our greatest purpose. He did this even at extraordinary times. I am reminded of the passage in Luke 22. Judas had brought the guards to arrest Jesus. Peter, thinking he should defend Jesus, drew a sword and cut off one of the guards' ears. Even as they were questioning Jesus to arrest Him, Jesus was touching the guard's ear and healing it. I have to tell you, personally, it is hard enough for me to feel compassion for someone after they have done something to hurt me, let alone while that something is still in the midst of happening but Jesus shows us that should really be the depth of our love for others.
Through numerous accounts in the Gospels, we see Jesus setting our example. From talking to the Samaritan woman, to dining with Zacheaus, to healing a man on the Sabbath. And then we see all those "Holier-than-thou" people judging Him for doing so. Just as they looked stupid for thinking they were better than Christ, we look.......well, you know.
It's never good when we decide we are better than that other person that God created, that God loves, and that God is just waiting for YOU and ME to do the right thing by them.
I was led back to one of my favorites scripture passages this week. Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus IS the author and finisher of our faith. He not only came to earth to walk among us, He not only lived a perfect life here so He could truly be the perfect sacrifice for every time of every day that we do something wrong, He showed us the perfect example of how we should live.
Most of you know my job is to help low-income people. I see so many people judge my clients on a daily basis, and I used to get angry. Oh who am I kidding? I am working on not getting angry, but I still do. I know it doesn't do any good though so I truly am working on it. I do try to suggest that if you don't know the story, don't think you know the story.
Just because they drove a new car to the food pantry doesn't mean they didn't borrow it from a compassionate friend. Or, just because the car looks new, it might be an older car that they are trying to take really good care of. Being poor does not mean everything you own has to look old and worn down. Just because they are wearing nice clothes doesn't mean they aren't spending the little money they had wisely, it might just mean they went to the thrift store and bought something nice to wear to a job interview. And let's face it, there are people out there that, if a person showed up to a job interview in ratty clothes, wouldn't think of hiring them. Then there is my number one, they have a cell phone. Okay, some points that have a common thread. If they are jobless, there is a chance they are homeless. If you are homeless, it is pretty hard to have a landline. If you are looking for a job, you want to get that call. So, this is another one of a million things that they are wrong if they have and wrong if they have not. What Would Jesus Do? Thinking back to just exactly how Jesus treated the ones mentioned earlier, how would He have treated these people? Would any of those, "why do they have that?" questions went through His mind? No. He would have focused on the fact that for that moment, He was in contact with that person and He was going to be a blessing.
Do you know sometimes all it takes to make someone's day is a smile? How about a challenge for this week? As we encounter people on the street, in a store, or even driving down the road (this one is a BIG challenge for me!); instead of jumping to judgment, let's send up a prayer for whatever that person might be going through and then, if you are really in for a challenge, give them a smile, help them get their groceries in their car, be a compassionate stranger--truly do what Jesus would do.
The song for this week is an all-time favorite of mine. I listen to this a lot and try to take it to heart.
Here is Sidewalk Prophet's Live Like That
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Silent Night
Can you believe it is March already? Every year time seems to go faster for me. This year has just seemed like a blur.
Easter is the end of this month so I decided to focus on Christ's journey to the cross.
So often we start the Easter story with the events that took place in the Upper room, but I want to go back to what seemed to most people, a silent night in a little town called Bethlehem.
Our Scripture this week is from Luke 2: 1-18
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
I have heard some say it wasn't a silent night and with Bethlehem packed to the gills with people, maybe it wasn't but the fact that the Bible only mentions the shepherds coming to see the Savior, I am afraid most of the people who were closest to being able to see Him was oblivious. And the craziest thing? I am sure many of those people had been waiting most of their lives for their promised Messiah. I always try to avoid too much speculation because I don't want to lead anyone to confuse my speculation with Biblical fact; but WHAT IF Mary and Joseph would have told the innkeeper they were about to give birth to the Savior of the world?
I'm afraid we live in a world where people seem to think you have to prove everything to them. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of proof and there are many people who still refuse to accept the truth. Mary and Joseph had seen so many miraculous things in the past few months. They were both visited by Gabriel, Mary's older cousin became pregnant, Zechariah was struck dumb just to name a few (other than the obvious that they knew Mary was a virgin). They knew what was going on and I believe they were trusting God whole-heartedly to provide a place for His child to be born. He didn't promise them any of this would be easy. He just promised them they were the ones to bring our Savior into the world.
There are so many parallels in our lives with that historic night in Bethlehem. The world goes by and it seems a lot of people are looking for "that one thing". The voices in your head say, "If I just had a better car, I would be happy", "If I just had more money, I would be happy", "If I could just lose 50 lbs, I would be happy". They all know something is missing in their lives but can't put their finger on it. Everything they think they need requires something that normally a person can't just instantly attain, The saddest part is, what is really missing is that relationship with Christ. I believe there are even Christians out there who don't take advantage of what they could have. It is like wishing you had more money when you have a bank account sitting there with thousands of dollars in it and no checks or ATM cards. All you need to do is go ask the bank and they can help you, but you don't know that.
All you have to do to have that peace and comfort of a relationships with Christ is to just ask!
He has been waiting patiently for you since the day you were born.
In this month of Easter, I am challenging you to do a few things.
First, spend more time on your relationship with Christ. If you already spend time with Him everyday, find a new devotional or a way to deepen your love and knowledge. I am rereading one of my favorites right now, Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails".
Second, make a prayer list of people in your life and start praying for them daily. Not only people who need Christ, but Christians who need to get closer to Him (I think that is probably most of us). Pray for these people daily and pray God will put you in their way to minister to them.
Last, try each day to live a life worthy of the sacrifice Christ made for us. We know we can't ever be good enough to deserve this sacrifice but our job is to try our best while we are here.
This weeks song is a thought-provoking one. It is from Casting Crowns and it is called, While You were Sleeping.
Easter is the end of this month so I decided to focus on Christ's journey to the cross.
So often we start the Easter story with the events that took place in the Upper room, but I want to go back to what seemed to most people, a silent night in a little town called Bethlehem.
Our Scripture this week is from Luke 2: 1-18
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold,[b] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[d] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
I have heard some say it wasn't a silent night and with Bethlehem packed to the gills with people, maybe it wasn't but the fact that the Bible only mentions the shepherds coming to see the Savior, I am afraid most of the people who were closest to being able to see Him was oblivious. And the craziest thing? I am sure many of those people had been waiting most of their lives for their promised Messiah. I always try to avoid too much speculation because I don't want to lead anyone to confuse my speculation with Biblical fact; but WHAT IF Mary and Joseph would have told the innkeeper they were about to give birth to the Savior of the world?
I'm afraid we live in a world where people seem to think you have to prove everything to them. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of proof and there are many people who still refuse to accept the truth. Mary and Joseph had seen so many miraculous things in the past few months. They were both visited by Gabriel, Mary's older cousin became pregnant, Zechariah was struck dumb just to name a few (other than the obvious that they knew Mary was a virgin). They knew what was going on and I believe they were trusting God whole-heartedly to provide a place for His child to be born. He didn't promise them any of this would be easy. He just promised them they were the ones to bring our Savior into the world.
There are so many parallels in our lives with that historic night in Bethlehem. The world goes by and it seems a lot of people are looking for "that one thing". The voices in your head say, "If I just had a better car, I would be happy", "If I just had more money, I would be happy", "If I could just lose 50 lbs, I would be happy". They all know something is missing in their lives but can't put their finger on it. Everything they think they need requires something that normally a person can't just instantly attain, The saddest part is, what is really missing is that relationship with Christ. I believe there are even Christians out there who don't take advantage of what they could have. It is like wishing you had more money when you have a bank account sitting there with thousands of dollars in it and no checks or ATM cards. All you need to do is go ask the bank and they can help you, but you don't know that.
All you have to do to have that peace and comfort of a relationships with Christ is to just ask!
He has been waiting patiently for you since the day you were born.
In this month of Easter, I am challenging you to do a few things.
First, spend more time on your relationship with Christ. If you already spend time with Him everyday, find a new devotional or a way to deepen your love and knowledge. I am rereading one of my favorites right now, Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails".
Second, make a prayer list of people in your life and start praying for them daily. Not only people who need Christ, but Christians who need to get closer to Him (I think that is probably most of us). Pray for these people daily and pray God will put you in their way to minister to them.
Last, try each day to live a life worthy of the sacrifice Christ made for us. We know we can't ever be good enough to deserve this sacrifice but our job is to try our best while we are here.
This weeks song is a thought-provoking one. It is from Casting Crowns and it is called, While You were Sleeping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)