According to an age-old joke, a young man who is lost in Manhattan runs into a gentleman on the street. When the young man asks, “Excuse me, sir, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?” the gentleman earnestly replies, “Practice, practice, practice.” In all seriousness, the same answer can be given to the question, “How can I find righteousness?”
Righteousness is shown throughout the Bible as more than just faith, or a belief in God. It may be defined as faith in action. The first mention of righteousness is Genesis 6:9, which reports, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” Then in Genesis 15:6, we find that after being told of his impending prosperity, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” In both examples, these great men didn’t just believe in God, they acted upon their faith. Noah lived a life that was pleasing to God. Abraham surrendered all disbelief and followed God.
Most often, we hear the word “righteous” used in the context of someone being “self-righteous.” A person accused of being such is normally seen as judgmental, narrow-minded, and condescending. If you think about it, someone who is “self” righteous puts his faith in himself, not God. But true righteousness means living according to God’s way.
So how do we achieve righteousness? Not just by believing in God, but by practicing those things that are pleasing to God. Putting our faith in action. Prayer (communication with God), worship (demonstrating love for God), and fasting (putting something aside to focus on God) are just the start of what we should practice. In our daily life, we can also practice patience, humility, kindness, and honesty. Let’s put our faith in action and live the righteous life to which we are called.
Let’s practice what is preached, so that we may attain righteousness!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Flip the Script
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!
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 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!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Are You Smiling?
You may have seen it on the street. Maybe on your way to work or while shopping at the mall. Hopefully, you saw quite a few the last time you were in church. I’m talking about a random, cheerful, open smile, that warmed your heart and made your day. Of all the ways that we as Christians can spread the love of God, the easiest may be through a smile.
Yes, it’s no secret that I’m part of the smile ministry. Coworkers, friends, and complete strangers have often commented on my “smiley” disposition. And every now and then, I’m accused of “smiling for no reason.” But one of my favorite Sunday School arts and crafts remnants is a small pillow that puts it all into perspective. The pillow says, “Smile, Jesus loves you!” So even when I’m having a hard day or if I’m going through a particularly rough trial, if you ask me, “Why are you smiling?” My answer will most likely be, “God is good!”
Interestingly enough, the word “smile” does NOT appear in the King James Version of the Bible. According to my keyword search, not even once. The closest mention of smiling comes from Proverbs 15:13 which says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” And to me, that verse speaks volumes.
If we let our circumstances dictate our countenance (the expression on our face, or our outward appearance), then we would walk around half the time with a smile and half the time with a scowl! Let’s face it, in life, we have good days and bad days. But when we have joy within—the joy that comes from knowing the love of Jesus and having a relationship with God—then our heart is not affected by our circumstance. We may have hard times, but our spirit is not broken. We may have pain, but we are not hopeless. We may be down, but we are not out!
When others see your smile—especially in times when they know you are going through difficulties—it speaks to their spirit. It lets them know that in spite of your circumstances, you have something that is going to get you through. And often, it’s infectious. You may soon find them “smiling for no reason,” too. What a great opportunity to share the joy of the Lord!
No matter what the circumstance, we can have a cheerful countenance. Smile, Jesus loves you!
Yes, it’s no secret that I’m part of the smile ministry. Coworkers, friends, and complete strangers have often commented on my “smiley” disposition. And every now and then, I’m accused of “smiling for no reason.” But one of my favorite Sunday School arts and crafts remnants is a small pillow that puts it all into perspective. The pillow says, “Smile, Jesus loves you!” So even when I’m having a hard day or if I’m going through a particularly rough trial, if you ask me, “Why are you smiling?” My answer will most likely be, “God is good!”
Interestingly enough, the word “smile” does NOT appear in the King James Version of the Bible. According to my keyword search, not even once. The closest mention of smiling comes from Proverbs 15:13 which says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” And to me, that verse speaks volumes.
If we let our circumstances dictate our countenance (the expression on our face, or our outward appearance), then we would walk around half the time with a smile and half the time with a scowl! Let’s face it, in life, we have good days and bad days. But when we have joy within—the joy that comes from knowing the love of Jesus and having a relationship with God—then our heart is not affected by our circumstance. We may have hard times, but our spirit is not broken. We may have pain, but we are not hopeless. We may be down, but we are not out!
When others see your smile—especially in times when they know you are going through difficulties—it speaks to their spirit. It lets them know that in spite of your circumstances, you have something that is going to get you through. And often, it’s infectious. You may soon find them “smiling for no reason,” too. What a great opportunity to share the joy of the Lord!
No matter what the circumstance, we can have a cheerful countenance. Smile, Jesus loves you!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Your New Season
This is an exciting time of year. The snow is melting, the temperature is rising, and the daylight lasts longer (by the way, Daylight Savings Time begins today). Of course, this is all the prelude to the lovely spring season. But many of us aren’t just making a transition out of winter, the Lord is preparing us for other changes in our lives. Are you ready for your new season?
There have been times recently where we’ve felt like we just can’t win for losing. One disappointment has come after another. And just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse, something else came along that was even more devastating. The more we’ve tried to get ahead the further we’ve gotten behind. For many of us it’s been a miserable season in our lives.
In a beautiful passage from Song of Solomon 2:11-12, a young lover eagerly anticipates the new season with her beloved and says, “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Aren’t we looking for the same signs of change?
Just like the single blade of grass that appears with the first sign spring, the Lord is sending you glimmers of hope. Pay attention to the signs of change around you. Maybe the frozen job market is starting to thaw, or your monthly payments are starting to make a dent in your bills, perhaps there’s even a chance to rebuild a broken relationship, or maybe healing from a sickness has begun. Are you ready for the new season?
In the cycle of life, the winter of our lives is followed by the renewal of spring. Get ready—a change is going to come!
There have been times recently where we’ve felt like we just can’t win for losing. One disappointment has come after another. And just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse, something else came along that was even more devastating. The more we’ve tried to get ahead the further we’ve gotten behind. For many of us it’s been a miserable season in our lives.
In a beautiful passage from Song of Solomon 2:11-12, a young lover eagerly anticipates the new season with her beloved and says, “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” Aren’t we looking for the same signs of change?
Just like the single blade of grass that appears with the first sign spring, the Lord is sending you glimmers of hope. Pay attention to the signs of change around you. Maybe the frozen job market is starting to thaw, or your monthly payments are starting to make a dent in your bills, perhaps there’s even a chance to rebuild a broken relationship, or maybe healing from a sickness has begun. Are you ready for the new season?
In the cycle of life, the winter of our lives is followed by the renewal of spring. Get ready—a change is going to come!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Movie vs. The Book
When Hollywood adapts a popular book for movie audiences, it is often met with criticism. “The book is better,” is commonly grumbled. Often, the book itself rockets to the top of the best seller list, as people grab it from the shelves to compare the written word to the silver screen. They want to see for themselves if the characters, story line, and ending stay true to the original. One of the best-selling books of all time is the Bible. But as Christians, can we spot the differences between the original text and the Hollywood version?
I remember once talking to my Sunday School class about the life of Moses. When explaining why he had to flee Egypt (Exodus 2:11–15), one of my students piped up, “Because he accidentally killed one of the Egyptians.” “Accidentally?” I replied, “No, I don’t think so.” But my student went on to explain how it happened in The Prince of Egypt. Or, in other words, how in the PG-rated Hollywood version, the scriptwriters and director felt it was better to have Moses kill someone accidentally than to have audiences know that he committed murder, as the Word clearly states.
While the imagination and artistry involved in theatrical productions of Biblical accounts are entertaining, we need to be careful to consult the original. And yes, even the beloved Easter season favorite, The Passion of the Christ needs to be viewed with a careful eye. There are a couple of scenes that are fused with more Hollywood creativity than Biblical accuracy. One that comes to mind is the frightening torment of Judas after the betrayal. Possible? Yes. Accurate? No. the depiction on screen is not accounted for in the Bible (Matthew 27:3–5).
As Christians, we should feel free to enjoy entertainment that is positive and uplifting. And it is encouraging to see writers, actors, directors and others sharing their talents in this way—when they have so many other options. Biblically-based presentations are a great way to introduce people to Christ and positively represent our faith…let’s just be sure we know the difference between the adaptation and the original.
I enjoyed the movie, but the Book is better!
I remember once talking to my Sunday School class about the life of Moses. When explaining why he had to flee Egypt (Exodus 2:11–15), one of my students piped up, “Because he accidentally killed one of the Egyptians.” “Accidentally?” I replied, “No, I don’t think so.” But my student went on to explain how it happened in The Prince of Egypt. Or, in other words, how in the PG-rated Hollywood version, the scriptwriters and director felt it was better to have Moses kill someone accidentally than to have audiences know that he committed murder, as the Word clearly states.
While the imagination and artistry involved in theatrical productions of Biblical accounts are entertaining, we need to be careful to consult the original. And yes, even the beloved Easter season favorite, The Passion of the Christ needs to be viewed with a careful eye. There are a couple of scenes that are fused with more Hollywood creativity than Biblical accuracy. One that comes to mind is the frightening torment of Judas after the betrayal. Possible? Yes. Accurate? No. the depiction on screen is not accounted for in the Bible (Matthew 27:3–5).
As Christians, we should feel free to enjoy entertainment that is positive and uplifting. And it is encouraging to see writers, actors, directors and others sharing their talents in this way—when they have so many other options. Biblically-based presentations are a great way to introduce people to Christ and positively represent our faith…let’s just be sure we know the difference between the adaptation and the original.
I enjoyed the movie, but the Book is better!
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