buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the tag “Jesus”

17 Apr 2013

Growing Up

I was in the gym one day contemplating my muscularity. I know, there’s really not much to contemplate there. After a few years of working out, I should have lots of definition in my body if I am doing it properly. I should see growth from one year to another. That thought led me to another thought about my spiritual growth. There should be a growth from one year to another spiritually. I was listening to a sermon at lunch time before I went to work out. There was a point in the message about personal ministry growth. Each of us should have an increase year over year of our personal walk with the Lord. But the pastor said in most cases, that is not what is occurring. We get to a plateau then actually start a decline for whatever reason.

I thought about this point as I was working out. I know for many years there was no growth at all in my spiritual walk. I was still such a spiritual baby. I didn’t read my Bible. I didn’t attend study groups. I often didn’t attend church – these were my college years and a few years beyond. Joyce Meyer made a comment in one of her lectures, if we birth babies and only feed them on Sundays for one hour, what were the chances the babies would grow or even live? Babies need to be fed constantly in order to grow (and live). I believe this is the case as well for spiritual growth. We need to be self-feeders. Just getting the one hour a week feeding will not sustain us. We need to learn on our own and not rely on others to feed us.

As muscles develop, they need to be put to a strength test in order to become stronger. As we age, it actually takes more effort to keep the muscularity that we have. So as I am becoming stronger, I need to build even more muscle in order to show growth. My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to become more like Him. If I am not putting in the effort to grow, then I will hit the plateau. I have to be intentional about my growth. Last year, I was intentional about learning about the Holy Spirit. This year, I am concentrating on love. I have been reading what Jesus says about love. I have been reading books on the subject. I have accepted the challenge of going on mission with my church. I am growing up, but I am still so far from where I need to be. God is not finished with me yet, since He hasn’t taken me home yet. So be patient with me, God is not finished His work yet. I am a work in progress!

Do you see a difference in your spiritual walk?

No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:14-16 (The Message)

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10 Apr 2013
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Be Ready

I am getting married! Are you shocked? I was totally unprepared for that emotional elation, that after all this time I might actually want to get married! I read in Revelation 19 that Jesus is preparing His church (people not a building) for the wedding feast that will be happening in His kingdom. His church is His bride and even today, He is preparing us for that day. I have been on the reading adventure through Revelation since September through the Community Bible Study group. It’s been a wild ride through all the symbols and wraths of God, but in chapter 19 there is a continual celebration of all that is taking place. It’s a breath of fresh air.

In chapter 19, John sees the celebration of the wedding ceremony. As I was reading, I pictured the readiness of a bride-to-be and all the preparations that take place before her big day. As the bride-to-be begins the process of dressing for the event – her big day, she wears the dress of white (typically). In Revelation, we see the attire being fine linen, bright and clean (verse 8). John was instructed to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” As I was reading this particular section, the commentary suggested looking at Matthew 22.

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 22 about a wedding banquet. Several groups were invited to come, but they all had excuses why they couldn’t make it. Eventually strangers were asked to attend, and they came wearing their wedding clothes, except for one fellow. He was put out because he didn’t have the right clothes. Every other time I had read this passage from Matthew 22, I thought that was a bit harsh to throw him out just because of the clothes. However, I am reminded that when Jesus told stories it was for a spiritual purpose. Since reading Revelation 19, I see the clothes now as the righteousness of those who attend His wedding feast. Not everyone will be allowed in and those who are not clothed in righteousness will be thrown out. Wow – what a powerful word.

I get it. I understand I need to be in preparation for that big day. But also, the church needs to be ready as well. I believe time is growing short, and there’s much to do to be ready for that big day. I want to be a part of the ceremony, don’t you? There is nothing in this world worth losing that wedding invitation. Revelation 19 begins with “Hallelujah!” which means Praise to God! Yes, I am excited to be wed to Jesus. It’s going to be a glorious day! Amen!

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Revelation 19:6b-8

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03 Apr 2013

Love Letter

My dear Child,

I want you to know I am with you. I have never left your side. I feel your heart beating next to mine. I know you probably don’t feel me next to you, but I am here. I wanted you to know, I have not left you to walk alone. I want you to feel my presence. I want you to know how much I love you. I want you to grasp how wide and long and high and deep my love is for you. I want you to understand there is nothing you could do that I would take my love from you. There is nothing you could do that would cause me to love you more. My love surpasses your understanding. Know this, I came for you. I came to bring you healing and hope. I came to show you the love that only comes from my Father. I did not come to condemn you. I came to love you so much so that I died for you. I stretched out my arms for you and said “I love you this much.” I lived and died so that you could live with me for eternity. Do you believe me when I say I came for you? I love you with all my heart, and I want you to love me as well.

I know there are some things keeping you from giving me your heart completely. That’s okay, I’ll take whatever you want to give me today, just let me in. I have waited for you. I know there are obstacles in front of you, and I am prepared to go with you through them. Let me walk with you. I see you where you are right now. All I ask is for you to reach out for me. Let me help you. Let me heal you. If you really don’t know me well, I have a whole book about my life. My Father had His servants write about me before I was born to tell of my coming. He had others write about my life here on earth. The whole Book is written so that you will know me and love me as I have first loved you. My servant John was allowed to see things that have yet to come. I have made a place for you, and I am coming back for you.

I long for you to open the words and let me speak into your heart. There are so many things I have to tell you, but you have to be ready to hear. Are you ready to listen? Be still with me for just a little while, and I promise you, I will be made known to you. It’s never too late to start a relationship with me. I promise when you look for me, I will be found. I am here and I am ready. My peace I give to you this day if you will just ask. I am knocking on your heart, please let me in.

Your friend,

Jesus

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

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27 Mar 2013

Pleasing God

A couple of weeks ago, I heard a sermon on longing for approval by Craig Groeshel. I didn’t think I had any issues in this area, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I was a people pleaser. I wanted my parent’s approval when I was growing up. I wanted my friends to like me and to fit into their circle. But what about now? Do I still want to please others? Yes, I care what others think of me. I even care if people read my posts or my newsletters. I want people to like me. Is this so wrong? Yes, it is.

The Pastor pointed out from Scripture (Proverbs 29:25), it’s a snare that actually leads people into idolatry. If we care more for others opinion than we do for God’s, then we are actually putting people ahead of God, which is idolatry. Oh boy. I wasn’t expecting that. People are fickle. Why would I try to please fickle people? Why would I seek another person’s favor when God’s favor is the best? It’s more important what God thinks about me than what other people think about me. If I am living like I should, which is pleasing to God then others will not like me.

Jesus is a divider. He didn’t come to make a peaceful world. He came to shake up the world. He brought peace, but most denied Him. They were not looking for peace. He separates love from hate. He separates light from dark. He took the old and made something new. He took the old covenant and made a new one. He took a promise from God and fulfilled it. If others did not like Jesus, then we will not be liked by others if we follow His teachings. His teachings were hard. Most of His followers left Him. Only a handful remained at the end of His life on earth. But who did remain, fulfilled their mission. They made Jesus known in their world. He was made known all the way to my heart.

I am left with the dilemma. Do I chose to follow Jesus or do I follow people? Who do I please? Who do I worship? Okay, it’s not much of a choice. I choose God. But if I choose God, then I need to carry the mission in my world. It’s going to be hard. That’s okay. Jesus died for me and that was hard on His part. Praise God – it’s all about Him! It’s time to be bold in the name of Jesus and quit playing it safe. I can’t please everybody, but I can please God!

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

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13 Mar 2013

He Missed It

I have just finished studying the Book of James through Beth Moore’s James Mercy Triumphs. I just love her teachings. One thing she pointed out and has stuck with me; James lived with Jesus. I know that’s understood, but really – HE LIVED WITH JESUS! He didn’t understand who his half brother was. He missed the Glory of God living with him – the “Shekinah” Glory – the abiding presence. Those of us who follow Christ, we too have the Glory of God abiding in us through the Holy Spirit. What a gift we have! But James insists we not miss this fellowship we have with the Holy Spirit. Beth commented in the study of James, there is nothing worth the risk of losing fellowship with the Shekinah Glory. She was commenting on the section of Scripture on how anger can lead us to break fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Any sin which is not confessed can break the fellowship.

I have also just finished reading a small book from Brother Lawrence called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” He was a French monk who lived in the 17th Century. He practiced his focus on God every day no matter what tasks he was involved in. It must have been easy in a monastery living in that century. I mean, he didn’t have the technology that could have distracted him. He didn’t have the fast paced life that we live today. He didn’t have the temptations we experience every day. Yet, I’m sure for his life, he had all the distractions he needed – since Satan was just as hard at work then as he is now.

I want to be able to practice the presence too. I want to experience all I can experience in this earthly existence. We will have an even greater life in the future fellowship after this existence. But I want to know what is to come, don’t you? I want to experience all that I am able in this time, in this place; to practice the presence of God. We will get the full effect in heaven, but we can experience heaven on earth by practicing now – practice makes perfect, right? To live fully aware of our great God; to live with His power working through us; the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us! How great is God! How awesome is His Name, the great I AM! How awesome that He decided to send the Holy Spirit to us when we first believed so that we could have fellowship with Him now!

This just overwhelms me to know how awesome He truly is. That He consider our sinful nature and knew we couldn’t live the Christian life without a helper. He thought of it all. There is no detail that He hadn’t considered and had an answer for before the earth was formed with His spoken Word. Yes, I stand (or sit) in awe while I am writing these words. I am just overwhelmed to know the presence of God is available to me. I don’t want to miss it!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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13 Feb 2013
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Love, Love, Love

This is the word that has been coming up over and over for a few weeks now. What’s love got to do with anything? It is the only word that matters – apparently. God loves us so much He sent His son for us (John 3:16). Jesus states the greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts, our souls and our minds (Matthew 22:37). The second most important commandment is to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Yeah, love is important. But what is on my mind today as I am writing this, how do I show love to God and to others? Is it going the extra mile? Is it to help others who cannot help themselves? Is it to feed His sheep? Is it worshiping Him through serving others? Yes, to all the above and more.

I am contemplating going on my first mission trip. I have had opportunities to go in the past, but there have always been obstacles to going. One time I had the opportunity through my church, but I didn’t have the vacation time and money was also an issue. Another was the place of service – I just didn’t want to go there (yeah, I know, wrong attitude). I am now in a new church environment where they are all focused on serving others. I am in the right place at the right time in my life. I recognize the need to go and serve even when it’s uncomfortable. I have the opportunity to go this year. Yes, there are obstacles to going – money still being a part of it. Will I push through and take the step of faith? Is this the right time?

The answer will determine how much I believe that love and service go hand in hand. In John 13 we find the story of Jesus bending down to wash his disciples’ feet. Someone else should have done it when they entered the room, but no one did. He even washed the disciple’s feet who would betray him. He stooped down in front of Judas. Did Jesus look into Judas’ eyes as he lowered Judas’ feet into the water? I imagine Jesus’ love was etched into every action on that day; His last day before His crucifixion. Jesus tells us that we would be blessed if we do the same for others. It must have been important enough that He took the time on that crucial last day to show the example of service.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17

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09 Jan 2013

Endurance

Last week, I listened to the Passion Conference on LiveStream. There were some awesome speakers who brought a fresh word to me. The conference is led by Louie Giglio (Passion City Church) from Atlanta. The teachers brought some powerful words to my ears. I listened with anticipation of what God was going to say to me. This was the first time I had listened in to this conference. I don’t know what previous conferences were all about, but this one was bringing awareness to the plight of 27 million who are held in slavery. The conference is kicking off an “End It” movement (check out the website www.enditmovement.com). Francis Chan spoke about being a part of the battle. Beth Moore spoke on Jesus’ last Passover meal. John Piper spoke on embracing the suffering. And then the conference was wrapped up with Pastor Louie.

Pastor Louie spoke about the dry bones passage found in Ezekiel 37. I love this particular passage. He brought home the fact we are to be anointed with the Holy Spirit in order to work in the power of the Holy Spirit. The night before, John Piper spoke about embracing suffering just as all who are called to the cause of liberation have to endure. There is a prize for those who endure the suffering. The prize is found on the other side of heaven and it is worth it all. In the passage, God had to put the breath (the Holy Spirit) in the slain in order for them to live. Once the breath of God entered the bodies, they stood up and were a vast army.

God is calling us to stand up. There are many who need for us to take up their cause – to fight when they can’t do so. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us, in order to fight the fight. We need to embrace the suffering that will surely come when we take up the cause of liberation. Jesus came for our liberation. He embraced the suffering he knew that was coming on that Passover night. He fulfilled the Scriptures in every sense of the Word. The Passover Lamb was slain, the bread was broken, and the cup (of wine) was poured out for each of us. And once it was finished, He sat down at the right hand of God. The race is before us. The course is set. Will we finish the race or give up because it costs us too much?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

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31 Dec 2012
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Forgiveness

With today being the last day of the year, I thought it would be appropriate to end it with a post. I started this year with the theme of victory. I think victory comes through forgiveness. God has done a major work in my heart this year. He took a broken place – one that I didn’t even know I had – and brought about healing, restoration, and forgiveness. I was hurt. I was angry, but it was a passive aggressive type. I didn’t know how angry I really was until God opened my eyes. I was ready to be healed. I asked God to show me the places in my heart that were hindering my walk with Him. There were some obvious places like my Mom’s death, my Dad’s quick marriage, but there was a place buried so deep that I didn’t recognize it. God knew it was there though. And He proceeded to show me inch by inch where I was hindered. I’m sure I am not done with forgiving. I’m sure there are still places that need to be healed. Inch by inch, He is faithful to reveal if I am willing to be open to it.

Now, what do I do with this information? How do I use it for His glory? God has placed in me a need to tell. I first went to the ones I could go to and ask for forgiveness. I went to God and asked His forgiveness. But the ones that hurt me so deeply, they are the ones that I have to forgive. They probably don’t even know how deep I was hurt. They are probably not even aware I have been carrying this around with me for so long. It was hurting me not them. It was hurting my relationship with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I may not actually talk to them about it. But I offer my forgiveness now. I have laid down my heart: my hurt, my anger, my bitterness, my resentment and have taken up forgiveness because God first forgave me.

It’s time to heal and move on. Jesus forgave those who put Him on the cross – the ones that nailed him, tortured him, spat upon him, and he did it from the cross. His love endures forever no matter what. It’s because of Him and his love that I can go forward with forgiveness. What will God do in 2013? He’s still working on my heart, but it will be for His glory no matter what! Happy New Year!

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

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26 Dec 2012

Receiving Gifts

I have been looking at the five love languages trying to determine how I receive love. One of the “languages” is receiving gifts. I have experienced the loss of my Mom around special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas because she was a gift giver. This year, I must admit, I have been experiencing more sadness and even a bit of anger over Christmas this year. My focus has been on the loss of Mom and not on what I consider my primary love language which is quality time with my family. The circumstances have changed this year over the last two years. I have given Satan an opportunity in my circumstance. I have kept my focus on things that are temporal instead of focusing on the eternal gift of Jesus. Satan has used my circumstance to cause my anger and keep me focused on what I have lost.

Jesus’ birth was announced by the angel to the shepherds. They went to see for themselves what the angel had spoken about. Once they saw Him, they went out to tell others what they had seen. Jesus came to give an eternal gift of life. God is the author of love languages. He gave us the best gift of Jesus. Jesus came to take away the sins of everyone who believes in Him. How awesome is that gift of the first Christmas? Why should I focus on something so insignificant as temporal gifts rather than the true gift of Christmas? Nothing can compare to His precious gift. When I focus on the temporal, it is disappointing; it is less than I desire. Nothing I get for Christmas will ever compare to what Jesus gave to me first and foremost. I received the best gift about forty years ago, but I have only come to realize how precious that gift truly is.

I am reminded that the shepherds rushed to share what they had been given. They were given a precious gift of being the first to know Jesus. No one else was visited by an angel. No one else went to see the baby Jesus. The wise men saw a new star. They started on a journey to find the true meaning of the star. When they found out about the star, they went to find the child responsible for changing the heavens. They too had an experience with Jesus. Although they took gifts to Jesus, Jesus ultimately gave them the true gift. Did they receive it? We’ll find out the rest of the story in heaven. How awesome will it be when we come to the place where we will hear the rest of the stories in heaven! That is truly a gift to share!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

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12 Dec 2012

Priceless

Did you ever like the commercial from Master Card advertising the uses of the card as priceless? Some of the commercials really did seem priceless in their comparisons. When we consider the temporal and the eternal – nothing can compare to what God sees in us. I was listening to a sermon recently on the fact of being priceless in the eyes of Jesus and God. The sermon topic was on Jesus turning ordinary water into wine (found in John 2). It took a supernatural event by Jesus to turn water to wine.

Wine is as valuable as one is willing to pay for it. Jesus paid a price for us and has made us priceless in His sight. He took an ordinary event of death on a cross but made it a supernatural event when He rose from the dead. He chose to get up on the cross because He saw us as valuable. There is nothing good about us – we are the water. But Jesus turned us into a new creation through His death. He turned the water into the best wine available. He made us into new creatures better than the original. But we fail many times to see our lives as being valuable or priceless. God sent His Son to pay the price for us. It took me a few minutes to get this point. I am not worthless or insignificant. God sees me as valuable enough to send His one and only Son to die for me and for you.

He also made an abundance of wine. It was not just a glass full or a bottle or two. He took six large containers holding from twenty to thirty gallons a piece and filled them full of the really good stuff. He could have just taken one jar and filled it up. But God wants to bless us in abundance. He is a good Father who wants nothing more than to radically bless us with the good stuff. Jesus gave them more than what they could ask for or imagine. Jesus wants more of our lives than what we could ask for or imagine. He is ready to fill us up with the good stuff. The servants were told to do what He says to do. They were consistently obedient. Each time Jesus said to do this, they did it. God doesn’t want to take something from us, but He wants to give to us. We are asked to surrender because He has something better in mind. If we don’t surrender, then we will have no room left to accept the abundance that God wants to give. The abundance is ready if I am willing to be obedient to what Jesus says. The Master card has been used abundantly, but the bill has already been paid. Now, that is PRICELESS!

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)

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