Have you ever played out an entire scenario in your head? It goes something like this, “Well, if I say such and such, I know that so and so is going to say this and that, and then I’m going to have to do this, that, and the other.” In our daily walk, we have a “script” that we tend to follow which helps shape our interactions with our family, friends, and associates. But every now and then, we need to flip the script.
Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” When you think about your daily interactions, that begins to ring true. For example, when you see someone you know in passing, you may ask, “How are you doing?” and the expected and scripted response is, “Fine.” When you get to church on Sunday morning, your “Good morning! How are you?” may be answered with, “Blessed!” In either example, a response of, “Well, my husband and I argued again all night last night, I’m feeling a little depressed right now, and I’m really not sure how I’m going to make it today,” would be jarring. In fact, most of us would not know how to immediately respond. It’s not in the script.
One of the greatest problems that the Pharisees and Sadducees had with Jesus Christ was that he refused to follow the script. Religious leaders at that time had a prescribed way of doing things. Even their worship followed a certain script. Their relationship with God was impersonal and matter-of-fact. But Jesus introduced a new way to live. Instead of living scripted, He challenged them to live Spiritually!
In Matthew 5:21-48, as part of the awesome “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus presents key elements of our scriptural script, “Do not murder…Do not commit adultery…An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” But He challenges the way we look at and respond to these things. Even a slow-burning anger against a brother is linked to murder, a lustful look is akin to adultery, and instead of revenge, Jesus presented the notion of loving our enemies. By flipping the script, we come closer to righteousness.
As you go about your daily walk, consider the way you interact with your family, friends, and coworkers. Are you following the usual script with all of your dialogue and responses set in a predictable pattern? Maybe it’s time to flip the script! Greet your family with an “I love you” instead of “Good morning” today. Give your coworker a genuine compliment on a work-related effort, just because. Make a conscious decision to not get upset the next time someone slights you, but immediately turn it over to God and let Him deal with it.
Flip the script and watch the blessings bounce back to you!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Not by Chance
It’s not a coincidence that you’re reading this today. Nor is it by chance that you may have just talked to someone about this very subject: Every thing happens for a reason. Some Christians call it “Divine appointment,” because everything happens at its appointed time in its appointed place.
In the book of Judges, chapter 7, Gideon was about to set out for battle. Yet, he still had doubts about whether or not God was going to deliver the enemy into his hand. So the Lord told him to go down to the enemy’s camp that night. When he did, he overheard a conversation between two soldiers. One was retelling a dream that he’d had—a loaf of barley had tumbled into their camp and knocked down their tent. The other soldier realized that this was a sign that their army was going to lose the fight to Gideon. Encouraged, Gideon ran back to his camp and set charge against the enemy, where he was victorious.
Was it a coincidence that Gideon overheard this conversation? Was it by chance that he just happened to be in the right place at the right time? Gideon is just one of the countless examples the Bible gives us of how things work together as part of God’s plan.
Even the most tragic events produce the most wonderful works of the Lord. Does that mean that God wants us to suffer so that He can perform miracles in our lives? Absolutely not! But the world is sinful and as long as we live in this world, we will experience our share of suffering from time to time. Yet, as Christians, we can rest assured because as Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It all happens for a reason.
I don’t need good luck, because I have a great God!
In the book of Judges, chapter 7, Gideon was about to set out for battle. Yet, he still had doubts about whether or not God was going to deliver the enemy into his hand. So the Lord told him to go down to the enemy’s camp that night. When he did, he overheard a conversation between two soldiers. One was retelling a dream that he’d had—a loaf of barley had tumbled into their camp and knocked down their tent. The other soldier realized that this was a sign that their army was going to lose the fight to Gideon. Encouraged, Gideon ran back to his camp and set charge against the enemy, where he was victorious.
Was it a coincidence that Gideon overheard this conversation? Was it by chance that he just happened to be in the right place at the right time? Gideon is just one of the countless examples the Bible gives us of how things work together as part of God’s plan.
Even the most tragic events produce the most wonderful works of the Lord. Does that mean that God wants us to suffer so that He can perform miracles in our lives? Absolutely not! But the world is sinful and as long as we live in this world, we will experience our share of suffering from time to time. Yet, as Christians, we can rest assured because as Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It all happens for a reason.
I don’t need good luck, because I have a great God!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
A Gift for You
Easter, like Christmas, is one of the most important holy days (or “holidays”) on a Christian’s calendar. On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by giving gifts to one another. Yet on Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection with the greatest gift of all—salvation.
Luke 24:1–8 is the basis of our Easter celebration, “He has risen!” To understand the significance of that, remember that we were born into sin. And sin has a cost. Death.
When Adam disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, he brought sin into the world. Because of the impropriety of one man, the entire world had to suffer the consequences of sin. Back in the days of Moses, to repent for their sins, God’s chosen people had to make sacrifices of animals. Blood for blood. And they couldn’t sacrifice just any animals, they had to be the best of the flock. Now, the Old Testament prophets promised that this would not always be the case. A great Savior (or Messiah) would come to pay the sin-debt once and for all.
Generations later, along came Jesus, born of a woman through the Holy Spirit. Part human, part divine, and God himself. He was the perfect sacrifice, the best that humanity had to offer. He spent about 3 years teaching the Word of God, performing miracles, and building up disciples who would continue to spread the Word. In spite of His wisdom and evident holiness, the religious leaders of the time could not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Convinced that He was a heretic, the religious leaders convicted Jesus of blasphemy had had Him crucified.
Jesus endured torture and crucifixion, dying a humiliating death on the cross. In actuality, for those who followed Him at the time, all seemed lost. But it was His resurrection that proved His divinity. Jesus demonstrated power over death! And it all began to make sense—Jesus, who was able to even raise Himself from the dead, allowed himself to be persecuted, humbly submitting to the beatings and insults. He endured the persecution and gave himself as a willing sacrifice—a perfect specimen whose blood was shed to save us from our sins. Just as one man (Adam) brought the penalty of sin into the world, one man (Jesus) was able to redeem us from it. This is why Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Celebrate Easter all year long by sharing the gift of the Good News with others. Pray this prayer with them, which accepts the gift of salvation: “Lord, I know that I have sinned. But I believe that Jesus lived a life without sin, that He died as a sacrifice for my sins, and that he was raised from the dead so that I might have everlasting life. Jesus, please come into my life. Be my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.”
What a wonderful gift!
Luke 24:1–8 is the basis of our Easter celebration, “He has risen!” To understand the significance of that, remember that we were born into sin. And sin has a cost. Death.
When Adam disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, he brought sin into the world. Because of the impropriety of one man, the entire world had to suffer the consequences of sin. Back in the days of Moses, to repent for their sins, God’s chosen people had to make sacrifices of animals. Blood for blood. And they couldn’t sacrifice just any animals, they had to be the best of the flock. Now, the Old Testament prophets promised that this would not always be the case. A great Savior (or Messiah) would come to pay the sin-debt once and for all.
Generations later, along came Jesus, born of a woman through the Holy Spirit. Part human, part divine, and God himself. He was the perfect sacrifice, the best that humanity had to offer. He spent about 3 years teaching the Word of God, performing miracles, and building up disciples who would continue to spread the Word. In spite of His wisdom and evident holiness, the religious leaders of the time could not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Convinced that He was a heretic, the religious leaders convicted Jesus of blasphemy had had Him crucified.
Jesus endured torture and crucifixion, dying a humiliating death on the cross. In actuality, for those who followed Him at the time, all seemed lost. But it was His resurrection that proved His divinity. Jesus demonstrated power over death! And it all began to make sense—Jesus, who was able to even raise Himself from the dead, allowed himself to be persecuted, humbly submitting to the beatings and insults. He endured the persecution and gave himself as a willing sacrifice—a perfect specimen whose blood was shed to save us from our sins. Just as one man (Adam) brought the penalty of sin into the world, one man (Jesus) was able to redeem us from it. This is why Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Celebrate Easter all year long by sharing the gift of the Good News with others. Pray this prayer with them, which accepts the gift of salvation: “Lord, I know that I have sinned. But I believe that Jesus lived a life without sin, that He died as a sacrifice for my sins, and that he was raised from the dead so that I might have everlasting life. Jesus, please come into my life. Be my Lord, my Savior, and my friend.”
What a wonderful gift!
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