Usually when presented with a good news/bad news scenario, people prefer to hear the bad news first. Well, here it is: the bad news is that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But rest assured—there is good news! It goes like this: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Today we celebrate the good news of the resurrection of Christ. See, because there was a time when mankind fell from the grace of God. That was way back when Adam sinned by disobeying God. A single man’s transgression brought sin to everyone. And we know that there is a price to pay for sin—death (Romans 5:12-14). However, through a precious gift from a single source, our debt has been paid in full. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself so that we could all achieve salvation (Romans 5:15-17).
And the good news keeps getting better and better, because the gift of salvation is free to all! All you have to do is receive it freely, no strings attached. How do you claim your gift? According to Romans 10:9, it’s as simple as this: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Easter is a celebration of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let those who hear it and accept it today enjoy it for the rest of their lives!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Crossing the Line
A father had two young kids in the pool. There was a rope that separated the shallow end from the deep end. The father warned, “Now kids, make sure you don’t swim past the rope. The water beyond it is deeper and you might drown.” The first child stayed as far from the rope as possible. The second child decided to swim right to the edge of the rope. When the father called out, she replied, “Don’t worry, Dad! I haven’t crossed the line yet!” Which child best represents your spiritual walk?
There are many Christians out there who flirt with danger. They read the Word, but look for loopholes to justify their actions. They pray every now and again—usually in times o trouble or when they feel like they’re in a jam. And they listen to the Holy Spirit when they feel like it. Yet in their Christian walk, they feel comfortable telling the Lord, “Don’t worry, Father, I haven’t crossed the line yet!” Unfortunately, it won’t be long before a simple slip puts them in dangerous territory.
Just as the child in the story knew that her dad would be there to save her if she drowned, as Christians, we know that we can always count on the grace of the Lord to deliver us in times of trouble. Even trouble that we’ve caused ourselves. But just as it says in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
God has called us away from the sin we used to swim in. So why even chance going near it again? If you want to play it safe in your Christian walk, be sure to read the Word and allow it to pierce your heart. Pray consistently. And listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you each day.
Don’t cross the line. Stay near the cross.
There are many Christians out there who flirt with danger. They read the Word, but look for loopholes to justify their actions. They pray every now and again—usually in times o trouble or when they feel like they’re in a jam. And they listen to the Holy Spirit when they feel like it. Yet in their Christian walk, they feel comfortable telling the Lord, “Don’t worry, Father, I haven’t crossed the line yet!” Unfortunately, it won’t be long before a simple slip puts them in dangerous territory.
Just as the child in the story knew that her dad would be there to save her if she drowned, as Christians, we know that we can always count on the grace of the Lord to deliver us in times of trouble. Even trouble that we’ve caused ourselves. But just as it says in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
God has called us away from the sin we used to swim in. So why even chance going near it again? If you want to play it safe in your Christian walk, be sure to read the Word and allow it to pierce your heart. Pray consistently. And listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you each day.
Don’t cross the line. Stay near the cross.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Hurt People Hurt People
“Some people are just angry for no reason,” my mother used to say. “Just mean and hateful.” You’ve probably seen these people in action. They walk around with an attitude. They always seem to have a big chip on their shoulders. They never have anything good to say to anyone. What is wrong with them?
Let’s start by agreeing to one thing: When people are hurting on the inside, it shows on the outside—but sometimes only in their actions. Even the woman who seems to have it all together can be falling apart inside. And the man who appears to have everything under control may be suffering, too. You never know what someone else is going through. Does this give anyone a valid reason to be mean and hateful? Absolutely not—but as Christians, it’s only our response that matters.
There’s no denying that a snide remark or hurtful comment can make us angry. Immediately, the “man spirit” rises and wants to react out of pride or hurt feelings. But because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we have to learn to rise above our own hurt feelings and respond with love. (Notice what just happened there—“love” was separated from “emotions.” That’s because love is an action.)
When hurt people try to hurt us, we have to put love into action. When we demonstrate love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we are patient and kind. We are not jealous, we don’t brag, and we’re not proud. We don’t set out to embarrass anyone or look for self-glory. We are not so sensitive that we get angry easily and we don’t “take notes” on how we’ve been hurt. We don’t enjoy evil and misfortune—we find joy in truth. We protect, we trust, we hope—and we always keep going.
Whenever we're dealing with hurt people, we must take special care not to hurt them back. Instead, let’s cover them with love. For example, be sure to tell the next person who snaps at you to have a blessed day—and really mean it!
Love beats hurt every time, because love never fails.
Let’s start by agreeing to one thing: When people are hurting on the inside, it shows on the outside—but sometimes only in their actions. Even the woman who seems to have it all together can be falling apart inside. And the man who appears to have everything under control may be suffering, too. You never know what someone else is going through. Does this give anyone a valid reason to be mean and hateful? Absolutely not—but as Christians, it’s only our response that matters.
There’s no denying that a snide remark or hurtful comment can make us angry. Immediately, the “man spirit” rises and wants to react out of pride or hurt feelings. But because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we have to learn to rise above our own hurt feelings and respond with love. (Notice what just happened there—“love” was separated from “emotions.” That’s because love is an action.)
When hurt people try to hurt us, we have to put love into action. When we demonstrate love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we are patient and kind. We are not jealous, we don’t brag, and we’re not proud. We don’t set out to embarrass anyone or look for self-glory. We are not so sensitive that we get angry easily and we don’t “take notes” on how we’ve been hurt. We don’t enjoy evil and misfortune—we find joy in truth. We protect, we trust, we hope—and we always keep going.
Whenever we're dealing with hurt people, we must take special care not to hurt them back. Instead, let’s cover them with love. For example, be sure to tell the next person who snaps at you to have a blessed day—and really mean it!
Love beats hurt every time, because love never fails.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Send Me
One of the greatest responses in the Bible can be found in Isaiah 6:8. When the Lord asked who would go out and deliver the prophesy to the people, Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!” Wow. What if every one of us responded to God in such a way?
Each of us has been given some kind of ability. We have skills that can be used for the glory of God. But how many of us go out and put them into practice? For example, there are people with the natural ability to go up and speak to anyone anywhere. You may run into them in the mall, as they try to sell you perfume or a cell phone. How amazing would it be if, filled with the Holy Spirit, these people boldly went out with the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Or are we using our talents for our own glory? Think about the singers with truly exceptional voices—but who are out there singing for the world. They get accolades and awards and even great monetary reward from the world. But the things of the world will eventually pass away. How awesome would it be if these singers used their gift to proclaim the glory of God? Their reward would be eternal.
You have something in you that God has given for such a time as this. There are people who are in need of what you have to offer. But you aren’t doing anyone any favors by shying away or choosing to do nothing at all. Listen to what the Lord is telling you and when you hear His voice, be ready to answer, “Here am I. Send me!”
With joy in your heart and enthusiastically,
Say to the Lord, “Here am I. Send me!”
Each of us has been given some kind of ability. We have skills that can be used for the glory of God. But how many of us go out and put them into practice? For example, there are people with the natural ability to go up and speak to anyone anywhere. You may run into them in the mall, as they try to sell you perfume or a cell phone. How amazing would it be if, filled with the Holy Spirit, these people boldly went out with the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Or are we using our talents for our own glory? Think about the singers with truly exceptional voices—but who are out there singing for the world. They get accolades and awards and even great monetary reward from the world. But the things of the world will eventually pass away. How awesome would it be if these singers used their gift to proclaim the glory of God? Their reward would be eternal.
You have something in you that God has given for such a time as this. There are people who are in need of what you have to offer. But you aren’t doing anyone any favors by shying away or choosing to do nothing at all. Listen to what the Lord is telling you and when you hear His voice, be ready to answer, “Here am I. Send me!”
With joy in your heart and enthusiastically,
Say to the Lord, “Here am I. Send me!”
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