March 28, 2013 - What My Obedience To God Costs Other People

They laid hold upon one Simon . . . and on him they laid the cross. — Luke 23:26

If we obey God it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the sting comes in. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything, it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean that other people’s plans are upset, and they will taunt us with it – "You call this Christianity?" We can prevent the suffering; but if we are going to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid.

Our human pride entrenches itself on this point, and we say – I will never accept anything from anyone. We shall have to, or disobey God. We have no right to expect to be in any other relation than our Lord Himself was in (see Luke 8:2-3).

Stagnation in spiritual life comes when we say we will bear the whole thing ourselves. We cannot. We are so involved in the universal purposes of God that immediately we obey God, others are affected. Are we going to remain loyal in our obedience to God and go through the humiliation of refusing to be independent, or are we going to take the other line and say – I will not cost other people suffering? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but we shall be a grief to our Lord. Whereas if we obey God, He will look after those who have been pressed into the consequences of our obedience. We have simply to obey and to leave all consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God as to what you will allow to happen if you obey Him.

….Oswald Chambers (My Utmost For His Highest)

March 27, 2013 - Clutch

John 19:38-42 (Jesus Burial)
 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

Being deemed “Clutch” in the world of athletics is one of the highest praises and characteristics an athlete can have.  Every team values that clutch quarterback who can take the team down the field with less than a minute left on the clock; or that star basketball player who wants the ball in his hands when the clock is running down; or the baseball player who you just know will save your team from elimination with one swing of the bat. Not all have “it”, but everyone wants it.

Wikipedia defines clutch as: "In American sports terminology, "clutch" means performing well under extreme pressure. It often refers to high levels of production in a critical game, such as Game 7 of a best-of-seven series, the last hole of a Major Championship golf tournament, or the final minute(s) in a close match. Being "clutch" is often seen by sportswriters and fans as an innate skill which some players have while others do not."

In John 19 we have two underdogs who enter the story of the Cross: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They were underdogs in the sense that there is not much else mentioned about them in the Bible except for the remaining moments of Good Friday. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the same counsel that pushed the decision of Jesus’ execution off to Pilate. Most say that Joseph wasn't there at the trial...but I know where he was. The Cross. When the game was over, and the "good guys" had, by all fleshly accounts, lost the battle and war to sin, Joseph stepped up.  Scripture tells us that he boldly went to Pilate to request the lifeless body of our Savior.  Talk about clutch! To have the "clutch gene" one must also have a dose of guts and courage. Joseph had it.

While those closest to Jesus (The 12) were already hiding in a room, afraid for their lives, Joseph was taking Jesus off a tree. He cleaned him, bought expensive linens in which to wrap his broken and tattered body, and sacrificed. We ignore the sacrifice. The Tomb. Yep, that tomb wasn't originally intended for the "King of the Jews".  It was intended to serve the burial needs of Joseph and his family. Never used. Freshly completed. But there's a catch.  If Joseph used this tomb for Jesus, it could never be used by Joseph's family because it was against Jewish law to use a tomb for more than one family. But the clutch gene took over in Joseph. He realized that the Passover was the next day and immediate action needed to be taken.

Nicodemus saw the same need that Joseph saw that day. Nicodemus, the Pharisee who is criticized for only seeing Jesus at night, who didn’t know what it meant to be "born again," played the role of Robin to Joseph of Arimathea's Batman. Risking his own reputation and well being, he bought expensive perfumes for the crucified Jesus.  Nicodemus had even stepped up earlier in Scripture and saved Jesus while he was being questioned and harassed by his brethren.  Nicodemus had the clutch gene as well.

The greatest thing about these two men is that they were clutch for Jesus on Friday. They stepped up when no one else would. They sacrificed money, time, energy, reputation, life and legacy for Jesus and gave Jesus, our Jesus, a dignified burial. They were clutch for Jesus not just Sunday when the tomb was empty and scriptures were fulfilled but on Friday, when all seemed lost and everyone else had all but given up.

Are you clutch? Will you lay it down for Christ? Even on Friday? When it's not popular or trending on Twitter? How about when you come out from behind your laptop where you’ve been on Facebook "liking" everything Jesus that you see?  Will you step up when it counts? Are you willing to make a sacrifice that may cost you financially, socially, even physically?

No one in history was ever more clutch for you than Jesus was at the Cross. Jesus was not the only one thinking about you on the Cross. The enemy of our souls was as well and thought he had you in his grasp. But Sunday came and the game was on! Jesus did more than walk on water, or turn water into wine...he conquered death. For you!

Your clutch moment for Jesus may be sowing seeds in the lives of your co-workers; your clutch moment may be being the prayer warrior mom who never gives up on her son or daughter who is now addicted to the world and straying away from not only you, but the Lord; or your clutch moment could be found in that moment of example when you do what Jesus would do, and someone is secretly watching and realizes that it is possible to live out their faith.

So, "Be Clutch" today, tomorrow, and until you are put into your tomb.  Others are counting on you to push the game into overtime for them the same way Jesus did for you on that fateful Friday, two thousand years ago.

…. Jeremy Barkley

March 26, 2013 - Have You Ever Been Humbled?

Scriptures to read:  Philippians 2:3; John 13:14; Matthew 20:28.

Have you ever been truly humbled?  I remember one time in particular that I was.  A group of about 20 men were attending a weekend retreat at Camp Jumonville and in our closing exercise for the worship time on Saturday night we held a foot washing service.  My immediate thought was I’m not doing that!  How can I wash someone else’s feet?  That was really going to take me out of my comfort zone.  Obviously, all I was thinking about was myself.  Boy did I need an attitude check. 

Looking closely at Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”   When thought of in that way, it provides a whole new perspective.  John 13:14 says: “And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other.”  As we proceeded with the service, both washing a brother’s feet and having my own feet washed, I experienced a deep sense of humility that is beyond comparison.  It was deeply moving not only for me but the whole group.  Tears were shed and bonds were deepened. 

I want to challenge each of us (certainly me as well) that as we continue through this Lenten season that we keep in mind that we are sent to serve one another rather than to expect others to serve us.  Let’s look for ways to serve not only in our homes, but in our church and in our community.  It very well could turn out to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Lord, provide us with the opportunities to be of service to You and to others.  Thank you for the example Jesus gives us.  

…. Bill Patrick

March 25, 2013 - Our World Needs a Breath of Fresh Air

When my granddaughter Anna was three years old, my husband and I happily went to visit our daughter’s family who lived in another state.  One afternoon while I was playing with Anna she went over to her toy box and returned with a smile on her face.  “Here Mamaw, this is for you,” she said as she handed me a little doll.  I thanked her and enjoyed our play times together for the duration of our visit. When it was time to return home I said, “Anna, here is your doll” as I tried to return it to her.  “No”, she insisted, “It is for you.”  How could I refuse this precious gift of love?  She was so genuine and sincere in her generosity that I could not refuse.  Over a decade later I still have the little doll, a treasured gift, given to me from her pure and unselfish heart.

Anna’s gift to me came in two steps:  1. She loved me.  2. She saw I had a need (I had no doll). When we get even a glimpse of the depth of God’s love through His Son Jesus, it seems that his gift of salvation is so great that it is hard to understand or believe that it can be ours. But what happens when we do accept this gift? Our life begins anew! When we do accept Jesus into our hearts, the gift of Salvation freely expressed to us is not to be kept safely tucked away, as I have done with Anna’s doll, but instead is to be the reason to enter into serving God and serving others.  Because He loved me so much, I am able to love others.  As little Anna showed me, Christian service starts by using the two step plan: 1. Love.  2. See a need. 

1.       Love: God loves me and sacrificially sent his own beloved Son, Jesus, to the cross in payment for my sins.  There could be no greater expression of love!   Acceptance of His love enables us to love others.  Philippians 2: 1-4 (The Message Bible Translation) says: “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor:  Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

2.       See a Need:  Anna didn’t take into consideration that she may later miss her doll.  She simply saw my need and was able to fulfill that need by giving me her little doll.  Her heart of love moved her to action as she placed the doll into my hands.  No wonder the Bible tells us that Jesus loves the little children. Philippians 2: 14-15 (The Message Bible Translation) says: “Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!  Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.  Carry the light-giving Message into the night.”

Oh, how our world needs a breath of fresh air! People all around us are in constant need of the love of God which can only be expressed when Christians are moved by the Holy Spirit to see a need and then fulfill that need through love.  What needs do you see around you?  Does someone need a hug, food, shelter, money, a smile, a word of encouragement, a word of wisdom, help, transportation, acceptance, support, appreciation, compassion, empathy, the salvation message…or do you know someone who needs a doll?  May God move our hearts to action in serving others!         

                                                                                                                                                   

…..Lois Gilbert

March 24, 2013 - Humble King

Americans have a problem with entitlement. We seem to think we deserve just about anything and everything:

·         Our Big Mac better come out fast and piping hot because we are entitled to good service.

·         We better get a big tax return because the government really owes us a lot.

·         We need to be recognized for our accomplishments and achievements.  We deserve it!  If not, it would be really rude.

·         We can do what we want and say what we want because this is a free country and I’m entitled to a happy life of freedom.

How strange is this King we see riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Paul explains in our daily devotion today how extraordinary Jesus’ actions were.

Jesus was God. Jesus is God. He will always be God. Yet he did not consider his divinity something to be flaunted or used for his advantage. (How different than today’s celebrities and athletes and politicians!) Instead, Jesus humbled himself and set aside the full and continual use of his powers as he took on the form of a servant. In fact, Jesus was so humble that he became obedient to death on a cross–the most gruesome and cursed way to die at the time!

But there was a reason for all of this: Our salvation! Jesus humbled himself so that he could take our place and pay for all our sins.

There were two results from this as well. First, Jesus did pay for all our sins, win forgiveness for us, and give us the gift of eternal life. Secondly, God exalted him above all others.

Yes, our King is so great and grand that come the Last Day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Even the devil and all his demons and unbelievers in hell will have to bow and confess that Jesus is Lord and King of all on the Last Day.

Give thanks to Jesus that he humbled himself for you, and will be exalted and praised by you now and for all eternity!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, it was for me and my sins that you humbled yourself to the point of death on a cross. You have taken my place. You have redeemed me. You have saved me. Give me knees that fall in humble adoration and lips that sing your praises, now and forever. Amen.

From the blog of Pastor Phil Huebner

March 23, 2013 - Comforting, Encouraging Word On Service

Reference:           Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 9:4

My Version

The Parable of the Talents has always made me uncomfortable. I am not visionary, not creative about how to serve God, not gregarious, boisterous, charismatic, or adventurous. I am often overwhelmed by the enormity of people’s needs and my lack of giftedness to meet them.  In short, I have always considered myself barely a one-talent servant, with no idea of what I could do with my measly inner resources.

Buying into the Lie

The problem was that my ideas of servanthood and of myself as a servant came from the wrong source.  I bought into the lie of Satan and the world, telling me that God is a hard Master, demanding of me things I could not accomplish due to my personality. I feared asking God what He wanted me to do in case He would demand service for which I was completely unsuited, something “out of my comfort zone.” Worse yet, He could leave it to me to come up with some form of self-sacrificing-enough service to count as good use of my scant talent.

Revelation

My life took an unexpected change of direction, which afforded me a new opportunity for large amounts of solitary time with Jesus.  The deepening intimacy of our relationship opened my eyes to the difference in my perspective and His perspective on service and servanthood.  What I learned at His feet caused a complete change in my understanding.

The Difference

·         God gives talents and gifts to bless not only others, but also us as we use them. God delights in our service, notices the smallest offerings done in His name, and tailors our talents and gifts to each of us so they can delight us as well.

·         God, through the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ideas for service, which takes the pressure off and makes serving as easy as breathing. (Maybe not quite that easy, there is always a point of choice, do it or walk past it.) 

·         Service done God’s way is not heavy bondage.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  The Holy Spirit provides the energy. We will not bear fruit of bitterness, resentment, anger, and self-pity when He is carrying the load.

·         As we walk under His yoke, He gives us ever-increasing ideas for service, opportunities that do not feel like someone is trying to force a square peg into a round hole. He keeps adding to our talents and shows us how to use them. It is a delight to do many of the things we once feared.

·         We do not have to be a visionary. The vision is His.  It encompasses people, families, towns, and nations. We need only be faithful to do the tasks or say the words that He whispers to one’s heart.

The Reward

·         Contentment, hope, energy, excitement, purpose, and an ever-increasing amount of pleasurable work to do for Him that is light, easy, and designed specifically with you in mind.

·         Increased love for others and an expanded interest in the lost.

·         Sometimes outrageous faith to believe that what He inspires will yield a great harvest, yet unseen by us now.

Perfect Summary      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Uj_B0KNgU

“If my heart has grown cold, there Your love will unfold as You open my eyes to the work of Your hand…

Oceans will part, nations come at the whisper of Your call. Hope will rise, glory shown,

In my life Your will be done.”    (Ben Fielding, Hillsong)

….Leah Marks

March 22, 2013 - Resting In God's Presence

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.    — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Jesus is an ever-present Help in trouble. No matter what may happen, Jesus is sufficient to provide whatever you need. Instead of imagining how you may respond to terrible things that could happen, draw your mind back to the present and take refuge in His Presence.  Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  

God is like a mother hen, eager to cover you with His protective wings. As you snuggle under His wings, you will not only find refuge; you will also discover a growing ability to trust Him.   It is in closeness to God that you realize how trustworthy He is.

Jesus is both your Rock and your Redeemer. Though impregnable in His vast strength, He became a vulnerable Man so He could redeem you from your sins. The more you take refuge in Him, the more aware you become of His overcoming, overflowing Love. In Him you are utterly safe, for He is your Rock of everlasting Love.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.    —Psalm 19:14

…. Georgia D’Angelo