buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

11 Dec 2013

Distractions

For a while now, I have been saying I am in the process of writing my story. I don’t know how many times I have said this in my blog but it’s been a lot! I wish I could say it’s getting done. I wish I could say I have it all wrapped up. It is Christmas time after all. I am a bit perplexed though why it’s not done. Why am I procrastinating about finishing it? It’s aggravating to say the least. I want it to be done but I don’t want to sit down to actually write. Every time I think this is going to be the day that I write, I get distracted with other things. Oh, the things I am distracted with are all pretty good excuses. There’s been a Bible study I have been involved with. There’s been works of service that have come along. Many things get me distracted.

I am reminded of Mary and Martha on the day Jesus came to visit. Martha was busy in the kitchen preparing for the feast for Jesus. Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to His every word. Martha was upset because Mary wasn’t helping. (I’ve had those thoughts recently.) Jesus tells Martha:  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Maybe the distractions are better at the time they are presented to me. Maybe I need to make sure I am choosing what’s better. But as Christmas is approaching, I need to make sure I don’t get distracted with shopping, parties and all the festivities that I forget to remember what I am celebrating. This is a joyous occasion. Jesus is coming for a visit. I don’t need to be distracted by all the preparations. I need to stay focused on the reason for the season. I need to be at the feet of Jesus listening to His every word. This is the reason He came so that we could know Him and know His Father. If I miss this important message, then all the preparations mean nothing. It’s just another holiday party. Yes, I will be socializing with friends and family. But I want to make sure Jesus is in the honor seat at the table.

Jesus maybe visiting now, but He’s here for an extended stay. When He is finished telling me all He has to tell me, then I can sit down and finish what I have started. The book will be finished when it’s time to finish. I just need to be sure that the obstacles coming are from Jesus, not Satan. Jesus may be delaying me for the right timing. Or Satan might be distracting me because he doesn’t want me to tell what Jesus has done for me. Is the distraction helping or hurting? Is it for my benefit or for others? I will choose the best for the kingdom for preparations both for Christmas and my heart to tell the right story that gives God all the glory.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:15-17

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04 Dec 2013

Beaten and Bloody

Several weeks ago I was reading about the trials of Jesus. I was going through the Beth Moore study “Jesus: the One and Only.” I was in the final week of this study. The reading for this blog was in the Gospels, all four accounts of the trials Jesus faced – the elders and chief priests, Pilate and Herod – all were mockeries of justice. But what got me most was the beatings Jesus was subject to. Each trial, Jesus was mocked. He was insulted. The ones participating were given power to do so. The soldiers were given power by the officials. The crowds were given power by the elders and chief priests. Pilate thought he had power but really it was given to him by God. But the beatings were all from the evilness in men (and women). Each lash was given by a man. Each thorn was piercing the skin because someone thought it would be funny to see a crown on Jesus’ head mocking His kingship. We are an evil people.

I recognize this evil because it is present in me. There is nothing good in me. I was listening to a sermon recently and the pastor was saying how he loved a good battle scene in a movie. I can understand the thrill of a fight. I once took a martial art. It was more for a self-defense perspective, but it was something that I enjoyed doing. I love to watch a good martial arts fight. So I can’t fault the men who beat Jesus; I think it’s in each one of us. I am just as guilty of throwing an insult or rude comment. I have been known to do it on occasion. There is nothing good in me, except for Jesus. Jesus is the only reason that I do good and have love in me.

After reading the accounts in the Gospels, I am left with a feeling of ugliness. The next lesson will be on the cross, then the resurrection. The ugliness of today gives way to the hope of tomorrow; the joy that comes with the resurrection. Jesus took my ugliness on the cross and forgave me of the insults and evil that so easily surfaces in my heart and mind. Those things are nailed to the cross daily. From the cross, Jesus asked the Father to forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Yes, I need His forgiveness because some of the time, I don’t know what I am doing. I deserved everything that Jesus took for me. He paid the price for my sins. Every lash, every mark on His body was meant for me. He took it all. The cross was bloody. His blood was poured out on the cross. I am grateful for His sacrifice. There is nothing I can ever do to repay Him for His gift, so I just say thank you Lord Jesus for rescuing me from myself.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

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27 Nov 2013

Selah

Selah – pause and reflect. I think that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. To take a moment and just reflect on the many blessings we have. I think we’ve missed the point in the last few years. We have forgotten what it means to pause and reflect. I have been in the reflecting mode for the last couple of years. I have been attempting to put my story on “paper.” However, it mostly has been remembering the times past where God has worked wonders to get me to a new place in our relationship. It’s been mostly a good experience as I have been tracing my steps to the place I am today. I was brought to my knees on more than one occasion when I contemplated on events where I needed to repent and ask for forgiveness. In the times where I have paused long enough, God has brought light to my circumstances to reveal His character to me.

Selah – pause and reflect. I am grateful for who God is. Even in the uncertain future, I can know Him as He is – faithful, trustworthy, Sovereign, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, Almighty God, Creator of life and breath. I remember He loves me more than I could ever imagine. He is my Holy Father. He is my Provider, my Protector, and my Refuge. He is worthy of all my worship and praise. There is no one like my God. There is no other name than Jesus that chases darkness away and brings light to my heart. His name has the power and authority that every knee shall bow, every healing takes place, and every life is given abundance through Jesus. That’s the promise for the future. The promise for today is that He will never leave me or forsake me. I will never have to walk alone in whatever circumstance comes my way. If He leads me to it, then He is faithful to lead me through it.

Selah – pause and reflect. My eyes have seen how He has led me through some tough times. Yet, I got through it by His grace and mercy. I can trust Him to do the same in the future. I have seen my family lose our center – my Mom. My heart ached with a new sadness I didn’t know was possible. I didn’t know love was supposed to hurt like that. Yet, my heart has healed and grown more solid since the center is now filled with the greater presence of Jesus. My love has grown deeper and stronger. My love comes from my God, my Jesus. I love only because He first loved me. I know the hurt, but I know the hope; the hope that Jesus gave when He defeated death.

Selah – pause and reflect. I am so grateful for my family. I am grateful for their love of Jesus. I am truly blessed to know them and love them for the great men and women of God they have become. I know God will use each of them mightily for the Kingdom. I am looking forward to celebrating the years of grace and mercy God has shown. And knowing He is not finished yet, there is still more to do. Thank you to my friends as well. Thank you for investing in me and being a part of who I am and who I am called to be. Thank you for praying and keeping watch with me. Thank you for being examples that I can follow. Thank you for patience and understanding. Thank you, dear friends for being my friend.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

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20 Nov 2013

Man in the Road

Jesus told a parable concerning a man who fell into hands of robbers (found in Luke 10). The expert in the Law asked Jesus how to have eternal life. Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, a story about a man, a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. I have always heard that we are to be like the Samaritan, to be a good neighbor. But what if we are the man in the road? We are the one who has been beaten and left for dead. Others have come by, but only one has come to have mercy on us. Jesus is represented as the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan’s heart went out to the one who was left for dead. He saw the man and took pity on him. He stopped to help him. He bandaged wounds and paid the price so that the man could get well.

I’ve heard this story so many times. The focus though has been on the Samaritan. We are to do as the Samaritan. However, the question was “what must be done to inherit eternal life,” the man did nothing to earn eternal life. He just lay there, beaten and broken. The Samaritan did all the work and paid the price. The man received the gift that was freely given. The true picture of Jesus – we do nothing to earn salvation. We wait on someone who can bind our wounds and heal us. We wait on someone to pay the price. That’s Jesus. There is nothing else that needs to be done because He said from the cross “it is finished!”

This message was shared from North Point Community Church. As I contemplated the message, I realized many times I always put myself in the wrong role of the story. It is first and foremost about Jesus. We just happen to be the recipient of the grace that He gives freely. The story will always be about Him. Everything in the Bible is about Him. We are to have a heart like His. He came to live within us when we received the gift of mercy, when He came to fix our brokenness, when He paid the price of our sins. All we have to do is just let Him in and do the work He wants to do in us and through us. Nothing else matters but Jesus. Once we get the right perspective, everything changes.

I keep thinking I am so good, but every time I think that I get the realization there is nothing good in me except Jesus. When I was on the road, I was beaten and broken. There was nothing I could ever do to make myself well. Jesus saved me from myself. The answer the expert was seeking was Jesus, he just didn’t get it. The expert quoted the right Law; he knew the right answer, but his heart was far from the truth of the Law. I can have the same attitude, I know what Scripture says, but I fail to put those things into practice. Jesus says to “Go and do likewise.” Love is an action verb. I have been bandaged and healed; now it’s time to help the others who are in the road to find the Good Samaritan.

He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.“

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:27-28

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13 Nov 2013

Ready to Show

I had a strange occurrence not too long ago. I had a call from a realtor about a client interested in my house. I had prayed a few weeks prior to this phone call that God would have to tell me when it was time to sell my house. I asked Him to have someone knock on my door who was interested in my house. The phone call started with a letter that was sent out to my neighbors. I think that’s pretty close to a knock on the door. I have actually been getting ready for this day for quite some time. I went through a cleaning process a few years ago. I got rid of a lot of stuff. Back in 2011, I thought I would put the house on the market and move to another city. Instead God had other plans. But in preparation for this day, I had painted the outside and inside, replaced windows, updated the bathrooms and kitchen all in preparation for the day I would show my house. I did all these projects within the last seven years.

When I got the call, I looked around the house to see where I would need to put away; to make the best effort to show the house properly. After some initial straightening up, the house looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. The house is ready to show with very little effort. I don’t know what will come of the showing. Okay, the house is ready, and I think I am too. I too have been preparing for the next move. But I feel there is still more to do where I am. So is this call from God to move or is this a distraction to keep me from pursuing the things of God? That’s still to be determined so I will wait to see if the client is interested or not, and if my price is met or not.

God gave me this house back in 1999. It is His to do with it what He wants. I am just the manager of His property. As I recall living here, I can see how God has used this house as His protection. Within six months of my moving in, a storm came through; lightning struck the house and caught fire. At that time, I was without a job. I realized the fire was actually God providing for my needs. I was reduced to a house payment and that’s about all. I could live on the unemployment pay without any problems. The insurance took care of the rest of my bills. A tornado came through my neighborhood in 2011; what a scary time! God protected me in that storm as well. I had very little damage to my house. My neighbors hadn’t been so lucky. I had been prepared as God motivated me to make changes throughout the last few years.

If God feels it’s time for a new place, then I know He has already prepared another place for me. Whatever storms I will encounter next, God is already at work preparing me for it. I am ready to show what God has already done and can’t wait to experience all He wants to show me. Whenever the time comes, I am ready – physically, mentally and spiritually!

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 4:24-25

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06 Nov 2013

Born to Live

For the third time in the last couple of weeks, I have heard a message from the passage of the “lost things” in Luke 15. Okay God, I’m listening! The message this time around was about the Father and also the fact that celebration happens at the end of every parable in this chapter. I have always loved these parables, but this time around it felt like an epiphany. It was all about the celebration in heaven over finding those lost things. Jesus came to find the lost; He came for the sinners of this world. When one person is found or saved from destruction, there is a mighty celebration in heaven going on. I got to thinking about death soon after this message; I guess because I was studying the Cross of Jesus at the time and my Mom’s fourth year in heaven was right around this time. And the thoughts started following concerning death in general.

We are not born to live but born to die. The minute we are born, the clock starts ticking. We all have a death date according to Scripture. We don’t know how long we have to live on this earth. We are born to die; however, Jesus changes things. We are all born physically alive but spiritually dead. Only through Jesus are we born spiritually alive – this is our second birth (see John 3). Once we received the grace of salvation through belief of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we become spiritually alive. At that point we are no longer born to die, but we are born to live. We exchange a physical death for a spiritual life – we will live in abundant life for eternity. We will have some sort of exchange from this life to the eternal life – some would call this a physical death – I would surmise that we really don’t die at all but pass from here to there in an instant. Our last breath here on earth is our first real breath of fresh air ever taken. Isn’t that an amazing thought? We will no longer struggle with this physical limitation, but will truly be living in a new reality!

God has been working on this dying thing (or surrendering) for me for a couple of months now. We are told to die daily to our selfish desires (nature). Now, if I could only do it! After Jesus was resurrected, He went back to heaven so the Father would send us a helper (the Holy Spirit) to live within us. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live as we should. I know I can’t do it alone. I’ve tried. It’s too hard. My selfishness is too much a part of me. Paul states in Romans 7, we do the thing we do not want to do because of our sin nature that lives within us. The Holy Spirit is at odds with our sin nature. It’s only when we die to the sin nature that the Holy Spirit will help us live in the abundant life. Yes, I am born to live abundantly only after I die daily. Ah ha! Got it.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:4-7

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30 Oct 2013
2 Comments

New Vision

What’s your image of Jesus? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? Do you see Him as just a man who happened to live long ago? I grew up in a Christian home. There hasn’t been a time in my life where I questioned who Jesus was (is). However in the last few years, I have found a new vision of Jesus. I have a new appreciation for who He is in my life. He is not just my Lord and Savior; He is my source of life and light. I have taken the time to get to know the real Jesus, not the image I have in my head, but the one that is forming in my heart through His word. Scripture tells us that the Word took on flesh and dwelt among us.

I no longer see Him as a meek soul wandering around healing people or forgiving them of their sins. He was a Jewish man, in a Jewish community, doing Jewish things like going to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He upheld the strict laws given to Moses found in the first five books of our modern-day Bible. He went about His business each and every day. He was a carpenter by trade until His ministry began at the age of thirty. When His journey started toward the cross, He had the body of a carpenter. He was a strong man. His appearance would have been as any Jewish man of His time. He would have worn His hair long and had a beard. He would have worn a turban and long garments with sandals on his feet. I can imagine He exuded joy from His every pore. I see Him laughing and excited to see His friends discover something new. His face would have expressed peace. I would think His whole demeanor would have shown love pouring from His heart.

Even now, His attitude is still love and passionate for us. Even though we can’t physically see Him, I know His heart is poured out on us. His love envelops us. His comfort wraps His arms around us. He is passionate about me; about you. His heart longs for us to know Him as He knows us. Scripture tells us He knows the number of hairs on our heads – and for me, it changes daily (even hourly)! He laughs when we laugh. He cries when we cry. And when we ignore Him, I’m sure He feels the same thing we would if we were ignored by someone we love.

Jesus knows our circumstances. He longs to help us with them. He wants to share in our burdens. He wants to chase the darkness away. He is the light and there is no darkness around Him. Jesus is passionate about His people. And He is passionate about every lost soul walking this earth without a hope. He died for each and every person. And He is passionate about His church. Do I have the things of Jesus in mind? Am I as passionate as He is about lost souls or His church? He is creating a new vision in me. How about you? What is your vision of Jesus?

When I turned to see who was speaking, there behind me were seven candlesticks of gold. And standing among them was one who looked like Jesus, who called himself the Son of Man, wearing a long robe circled with a golden band across his chest. His hair was white as wool or snow, and his eyes penetrated like flames of fire. His feet gleamed like burnished bronze, and his voice thundered like the waves against the shore. He held seven stars in his right hand and a sharp, double-bladed sword in his mouth, and his face shone like the power of the sun in unclouded brilliance. Revelation 1:12-16 Living Bible

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23 Oct 2013

Safe or Faith

I am to live a life of faith not a life of safe. I had this thought not too long ago. I think for years I have heard “safe” instead of “faith.” I believe I am finally coming into the fullness of who I am to be. I am to be a person of great faith. I am tired of living in the comfortable. It’s actually quite boring to be honest. I want adventure. I want to get up every morning anticipating a day that can be a life-changer for someone, and I get to be involved in the process! Right now, I don’t have those thoughts. But I can change that. I can say “yes” to all God calls me to.

God has been at work at my church in a mighty way. He has called my pastor and the elders to start a new “School of Ministry” to begin equipping us to disciple others. They were challenged to help us to become the missionaries we are all meant to be. That doesn’t mean we are all called to go to other nations, although some of us will be. But we are all called to take the message of the Good News to our friends and neighbors. I don’t know exactly what that looks like for me, but it means that I am not to play it safe anymore. I am to live that life of great faith. It means I need to love and serve others as I am led to do. It may actually cost me something to do this thing. I may actually be called to the mission field at some point. But first I need the equipping. I need to be ready.

As I was contemplating this new path (whatever that is), Scripture was put on my heart. I don’t believe in coincidences. The Scripture was 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (I’ll include it below). I think this is a word to all. We are to be devoted to studying the Word and teaching others. We are to watch how we live and what we believe. Others are watching us. Others are paying attention to what we say and what we do. Others will see our progress. I believe this is true. I believe we are to live with integrity so that others understand our words and actions are the same. I don’t have it all figured out, but I am progressing in my walk of faith. That’s what this life is all about – progress. Success comes when we do what we are called to do – live a life of faith. Take the risks God asks us to take. He is the reason we are all alive today. I am excited to live in faith so that I may experience a greater life. I am tired of boring! It’s time to live it out LOUD! Who’s with me?

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:12-16

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16 Oct 2013

Eye Problem

I have been struggling with an eye problem off and on for a year now. Not both eyes, just my right one. It’s very annoying and frustrating. I have often thought: “why has this been allowed?” I know this is very minor compared to all the ones really suffering from disease. It’s trivial, I know. But it’s still annoying me to the point of screaming sometimes. When it’s aggravated, it itches and nothing will lessen it. I can’t figure out the cause, and I’ve tried to find the root but nothing is coming close to understanding it. I have prayed for healing many times in the past. Right now, I am still suffering with it. I have to trust God will bring me understanding through it or use the lesson for His purpose.

As I have been considering this ailment, I recognize another avenue to explore and further consider. Is this an attack for a spiritual reason? I am at the end of writing my story, for the most part. I am done with the majority of the work. Is Satan using my eye problem to keep me distracted? I know when I am under the influence of this problem I have a real time trying to focus on what needs to be done. It has even gotten me discouraged at times. So this is a possibility that I am dealing with a spiritual warfare issue.

Another thought has come about through careful consideration. I have been focused on my “I” problem. I do too much focusing on my issues and not others. God has used this time over the last few weeks to show me how self-involved I truly am. This is not a good thing. I know people who are truly suffering with health concerns. I do bring their issues before God but usually it will be as an afterthought and not forethought. This is not who I want to be. Since the “I” problem has been revealed, it’s time to make some changes. I want to be who God wants me to be. I want to focus on others more than I do on me.

My pastor spoke about surrendering one Sunday morning. This has been a theme over the last couple of weeks. I have spoken to God about surrendering. Yet, I still have issues with this concept. I don’t consider the eternal purposes of God. Peter was rebuked when he didn’t have the right perspective about Jesus dying. I need to consider God’s viewpoint and not mine. I need to surrender to the plan of God. Does “it” glorify God or does “it” only concern me? How is what I’m experiencing reflect God to others?  When I finally “get it” maybe my eye problem will be finally resolved. Until then Jesus, keep after me until I have the purposes of God in mind before anything else!

 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23-25

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09 Oct 2013

Abounding Grace

Grace. God’s grace. I know the concept, but sometimes I think there is more to it. It can’t be that easy, can it? I am learning it is that easy. God gave us a gift we could never pay for. He sent His son, the only one worthy to come before the Lord on our behalf. There is nothing I could ever do to pay Him back. There is really no sense in even trying to “even the score.” I just have to receive the gift with gratitude and humility.

My salvation story started so long ago that sometimes I forget that it was not by my efforts that I am saved. I know the past sins are paid for. I know everything that was done on my behalf. But then I think about my attitude now. I believe I am good now so it’s all about me working out my salvation (so to speak). The big sins that were committed so long ago have been forgiven and forgotten. The little sins are also forgiven, but have I repented from those as well? Am I trying to pay for those by my good deeds? I have forgotten that even my good works are nothing but filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6).

I was reminded not long ago, God has never been disappointed in me. God knew me before I was ever born. Nothing I have ever done, said or even thought was a surprise to Him. Yet, He was not disappointed. He might have been displeased, more than once, I’m sure. It’s a real wonder that I am still alive. But God’s grace abounds. I try to live righteously, but I can’t do it in my own power. God’s power is sufficient. Beth Moore stated in her Living Proof simulcast in September: “Grace is not permission to stay but the power to go.” We walk in grace. We are dead to the sins of our past. We are to write an obit for the old self. The old self no longer controls us. It is dead. The old self is not Lazarus. It has not been raised back to life. The stone has not been rolled away. These thoughts came from Beth, but have been speaking volumes in my soul.

Andy Stanley said that the epicenter of the Christian faith is grace. We are all getting something for nothing. Grace is undeserved favor. The Bible speaks of grace in the New Testament, but in the Old Testament the same concept is called favor. We are highly favored to receive such grace! But it wasn’t because of any good in us. It is because of the goodness of God. His great love for us saved us. He sent His Son. His Son got up on the cross for us. With Jesus’ last breath, He said “it is finished.” It’s done. Praise God for this undeserved favor! His grace abounds where sin fails us. Thank you Jesus!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

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