Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
Running has been a favorite pastime of mine for several decades now. Not so much the aching bones, the cramped muscles, or trying to get motivated to run in frigid conditions, but instead the satisfaction of completing a run.
Life, like running, is filled with not-so-fun conditions that can deter many people from wanting to engage in it very deeply. However, it’s the satisfaction of knowing you’ve completed something that really is good for you -- physically and mentally -- that has such value.
Paul often compared his time on earth to that of a runner running a race. He said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
Our training is more than early morning runs come humidity or high winds, sunny or snowy; no, it is about consistency, focus, and desire to be more of what God has called us to be.
Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us what it means to live to the level of faith mentioned in the people in the previous chapter, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
As we wrap up another year what can we reflect on that helps us see our progress? Are we stronger spiritually? Are we more compassionate? Do we give more? Do we pray more? Do we love more? What has changed in our life to aid in our long distance run of faith?
This leads to the next question, how will 2018 be better than 2017? What are we willing to invest in to make our “temple” more pleasing in God’s sight? Let’s rally together to help each other reach greater potential and purpose than ever before.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, December 8, 2017
God's Infinite Power
El Shaddai, the Hebrew name that means “God--the Powerful One, God--the Almighty.” It’s a commonly used name in the Bible for God, but descriptions of that name are illustrated all throughout the Bible: the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19), Builder of everything (Hebrews 3:4, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Genesis 21:33), the King of Heaven (Daniel 4:37), the only God (Jude 1:25). Paul says it this way in Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
A God who can speak things into existence, and with just a word can do the impossible, is a God that we should find comfort in when we have troubles arise in our life. He wants to save us; He wants everyone to repent and turn to Him for that help (2 Peter 3:9). It’s our pride that keeps us from simply turning to Him, and that was the story of the Israelites from Egypt on--their pride. Yet at the height of the Israelite nation, David finally brought back the Ark to reside in the temple, and that box represented God’s mighty power. It had been with them during the years of conquest in Canaan, it had been there at the presence of God on the mountain or in the camp, and it was a powerful symbol of what God could do.
David says at the return of the Ark ceremony in 1 Chronicles 16:28-35, “O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His presence. Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before Him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, 'The Lord reigns!' Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, 'Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank Your holy name and rejoice and praise You.'”
Those words were true. God is powerful, and we can rejoice because of that. So, when the angels made the announcement that Jesus was arriving to the earth (Luke 2:10-11), those same words of David’s could have been said about Jesus. Jesus modeled for us what faithful love really is. Therefore, we like the angels, should praise Him for coming in the name of El Shaddai, the almighty God, to save us from sin.
Isaiah 9:6-7 were God’s word to share with a people that had been walking in darkness. Jesus, the promised one, would bring light to the world (John 1:1-5) so they could see God’s power in an entirely new way: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity.”
A God who can speak things into existence, and with just a word can do the impossible, is a God that we should find comfort in when we have troubles arise in our life. He wants to save us; He wants everyone to repent and turn to Him for that help (2 Peter 3:9). It’s our pride that keeps us from simply turning to Him, and that was the story of the Israelites from Egypt on--their pride. Yet at the height of the Israelite nation, David finally brought back the Ark to reside in the temple, and that box represented God’s mighty power. It had been with them during the years of conquest in Canaan, it had been there at the presence of God on the mountain or in the camp, and it was a powerful symbol of what God could do.
David says at the return of the Ark ceremony in 1 Chronicles 16:28-35, “O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His presence. Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before Him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, 'The Lord reigns!' Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, 'Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank Your holy name and rejoice and praise You.'”
Those words were true. God is powerful, and we can rejoice because of that. So, when the angels made the announcement that Jesus was arriving to the earth (Luke 2:10-11), those same words of David’s could have been said about Jesus. Jesus modeled for us what faithful love really is. Therefore, we like the angels, should praise Him for coming in the name of El Shaddai, the almighty God, to save us from sin.
Isaiah 9:6-7 were God’s word to share with a people that had been walking in darkness. Jesus, the promised one, would bring light to the world (John 1:1-5) so they could see God’s power in an entirely new way: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity.”
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Breath of Fresh Air!
Imagine a country where corruption was a regular headline in the papers, where every day you heard of another crime against humanity and against the authorities. Imagine how hopeless you may feel when you look out over your fellow citizens and realize that the corruption in the leadership has trickled down to your neighbors. If you’ve read a newspaper in the past 20 years, you probably don’t have to stretch your imagination too much.
This time of year the world generally focuses on a stronger sense of generosity, of family, and warm greetings to friends. But soon after the festivities of the holidays are over we begin to focus on taxes and the drudgery that comes with paying tithes to the government. As you wrap your mind around the cycles we face on an annual basis--and the increased exposure to corruption--try to imagine what it may have been like for a Jew living in Palestine during the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor, as well as the influence of Herod, the Jewish “client” king of Judea.
Oppression and corruption was a normal way of life. The Jews, who had been beaten down by regret, guilt, and hopelessness, didn’t have a positive outlook on their future. Yet, something was about to happen that would kindle hope within those who were able to see how Immanuel, God with us, would fulfill God’s promises.
As we spend the next couple weeks focusing on the hope that came when Jesus came, I hope we’ll see that it wasn’t His birth that was going to change the world, but rather His life and death. His life directed us towards the kind of attitude and behavior that pleases God; His death made our hopes a reality.
Many folks may end up putting the emphasis on the wrong part of Jesus’ life this time of year, but we can still recognize how much His arrival refreshed those who believed in God’s age-old promise. Today, we must remember that the same characteristics and behaviors Christ modeled for us can have the same impact that they did in Jesus’ time.
Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.”
That “word” is still powerful! Let’s trust in it, and encourage others to do the same. John 15:20, “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you.”
This time of year the world generally focuses on a stronger sense of generosity, of family, and warm greetings to friends. But soon after the festivities of the holidays are over we begin to focus on taxes and the drudgery that comes with paying tithes to the government. As you wrap your mind around the cycles we face on an annual basis--and the increased exposure to corruption--try to imagine what it may have been like for a Jew living in Palestine during the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor, as well as the influence of Herod, the Jewish “client” king of Judea.
Oppression and corruption was a normal way of life. The Jews, who had been beaten down by regret, guilt, and hopelessness, didn’t have a positive outlook on their future. Yet, something was about to happen that would kindle hope within those who were able to see how Immanuel, God with us, would fulfill God’s promises.
As we spend the next couple weeks focusing on the hope that came when Jesus came, I hope we’ll see that it wasn’t His birth that was going to change the world, but rather His life and death. His life directed us towards the kind of attitude and behavior that pleases God; His death made our hopes a reality.
Many folks may end up putting the emphasis on the wrong part of Jesus’ life this time of year, but we can still recognize how much His arrival refreshed those who believed in God’s age-old promise. Today, we must remember that the same characteristics and behaviors Christ modeled for us can have the same impact that they did in Jesus’ time.
Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.”
That “word” is still powerful! Let’s trust in it, and encourage others to do the same. John 15:20, “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you.”