Jesus has something crucially important to say to us today. Gotta switch off the noise and listen! I'm reading John 13:36 through 14:6 today. If you have a Bible, jump in there with me. If not, you can use a site like www.biblegateway.com and read from a number of different translations.
Peter: "Jesus, I will lay down my life for you!"
Jesus: "Will you really? Before the rooster crows in the morning you will have disowned me three times!" (13:37-38)
I can relate a little to Peter here. There have been times I wanted so much to do the right thing, but ended up doing the wrong thing. And I have to ask myself if Peter is the only one who disowned Jesus. There are certain contexts in which it takes courage to stand up and be counted as his follower. I don't ever want to disown him either by my words or by my actions. Yet I fear that at some point, I have. So maybe we better give Peter a break.
I can only imagine what Christians in Communist or Muslim countries must go through and the threats they face. I think I'm going to pause and pray for them, as well as myself. If I were in their shoes, I would be so strengthened knowing that my fellow disciples across the ocean are praying for me. In fact, I'm going to commit to praying for persecuted Christ-followers around the globe daily for the month of October. If I can do that, perhaps their plight will really sink in and they will become part of my heart. I might even read up about some of them on Voice of the Martyrs.
There is so much in life that is tough or confusing or both. Picking up on yesterday's post, I'm reminded of the wonderfully simple way that Jesus calls me forward.
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (14:6)
When I'm confused, the only truth I really need to know is the Truth. I just need to know Jesus. When I'm feeling lost and directionless, I know that the way forward is the Way. I just need to hang onto Jesus and trust that he will lead me where he wants me. When I'm feeling threatened and fearful about my safety or well-being, my life is filled with the Life. And that Life doesn't ever have to feel threatened because it is secure and it is mine, protected by Jesus himself.
He's the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm taking my stand right there. Yeah, he's worth standing up for!
Is anybody out there? Let me hear from you! Take a second and comment below.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The One Thing to Focus On
The sun is illuminating the big, blue sky outside my office window. I have an icy glass of water on one side and my Bible on the other. Something good is bound to happen! I've asked Jesus to speak his words of life to me and he is, through the pages of John's gospel. He's given me just a short passage to focus on today: John 13:31-35. Five short verses. But I couldn't get beyond verses 34 and 35. So check it out!
I don't need to go any further that that right now. Nothing smothers spiritual growth more than what I call the what else mentality. Funny how we want to hurry right on by foundational, potentially life-changing statements like that one and see what else we can mine out of Scripture. But here it is: The Christian life in a nutshell. It's Theology 101. It's also Theology 201, 301, 401 all the way up to Th.D. It's fine and good to study and explore the finer points of doctrine, but until we get this one concept absolutely mastered we would do better to just get a laser focus on accomplishing that:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If our knowledge of Scripture causes us to love other people less and drives wedges between us, then our theology has taken us the opposite direction from the heart of Christ. Healthy, Jesus-focused theology makes us more caring, more accepting, more humble, more willing to sacrifice our own desires for the good of others. It makes us bridge-builders instead of wall builders. It drives us to people, not away from them.
What does God want from me? He wants me to love him with all my heart and he wants me to love the people around me.
the people down the street
the people in that other church building
the people in that other part of town
the people with those annoying traits
the people I don't yet understand
the people that are "moving my cheese"
the people that inconvenience me
the people from that other political party
the people in my own house
even the people across the globe.
"Love one another. Love them with the same kind of all-out love I've shown for you. Lay down self in favor of relationships." There is no greater cornerstone of life than that. It's not confusing. It's not complicated. And it is so spiritually and emotionally liberating.
I think I'm just going to focus on that for a while until I get a whole lot better at it. It's a supernatural thing, you know. Only God can give me that love. But I've got to ask him for it, receive it and choose to live by it. What if everyone loved like this? Wow.
If you agree with Jesus that the world needs more love, why don't you share this post on your Facebook wall? Spread the love by clicking on the "f" icon below. Your own reflections on Jesus' words are wanted and welcome! Please sign in and then comment.
I don't need to go any further that that right now. Nothing smothers spiritual growth more than what I call the what else mentality. Funny how we want to hurry right on by foundational, potentially life-changing statements like that one and see what else we can mine out of Scripture. But here it is: The Christian life in a nutshell. It's Theology 101. It's also Theology 201, 301, 401 all the way up to Th.D. It's fine and good to study and explore the finer points of doctrine, but until we get this one concept absolutely mastered we would do better to just get a laser focus on accomplishing that:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If our knowledge of Scripture causes us to love other people less and drives wedges between us, then our theology has taken us the opposite direction from the heart of Christ. Healthy, Jesus-focused theology makes us more caring, more accepting, more humble, more willing to sacrifice our own desires for the good of others. It makes us bridge-builders instead of wall builders. It drives us to people, not away from them.
What does God want from me? He wants me to love him with all my heart and he wants me to love the people around me.
the people down the street
the people in that other church building
the people in that other part of town
the people with those annoying traits
the people I don't yet understand
the people that are "moving my cheese"
the people that inconvenience me
the people from that other political party
the people in my own house
even the people across the globe.
"Love one another. Love them with the same kind of all-out love I've shown for you. Lay down self in favor of relationships." There is no greater cornerstone of life than that. It's not confusing. It's not complicated. And it is so spiritually and emotionally liberating.
I think I'm just going to focus on that for a while until I get a whole lot better at it. It's a supernatural thing, you know. Only God can give me that love. But I've got to ask him for it, receive it and choose to live by it. What if everyone loved like this? Wow.
If you agree with Jesus that the world needs more love, why don't you share this post on your Facebook wall? Spread the love by clicking on the "f" icon below. Your own reflections on Jesus' words are wanted and welcome! Please sign in and then comment.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What Lies Ahead
God blesses those who seek him and who hunger and thirst for any encounter with him. So let's see if he has a word for us today. Join me in reading from the Bible, John 13:18-30. As you read it a second time, think about the details and ask the Holy Spirit to apply it to your heart. What is he saying to you?
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (v. 19)
Of course, Jesus went on to express that he knew all about Judas' plot to betray him. That shows me that Jesus was no unsuspecting victim. He was always the one in control. But it also speaks to my own life. It's a reminder that Jesus knows the future.
That's important to me because I don't have a clue what lies ahead. And that scares me sometimes. As I consider my next step forward, I don't even know what it is. I'm looking for an open door, praying and seeking God's direction. But so far, a lot about the future is still pretty murky. An uncertain future is something that keeps a lot of people up at night.
But Jesus already knows exactly what is going to happen before it ever happens. Nothing surprises him. What I wonder and worry about, he already foresees the outcome. I don't need a crystal ball. Jesus is steering my life and he not only knows the future, but he even directs it. That's comforting because he is the one I can trust to show me the way. I can trust that my future is secure in his plans. It is not for me to know just yet, but when the time is right he will reveal what he has in mind for me to do.
In the meantime, I already know who he wants me to be. And that is most important.
Please add your reflections below in the Comments section! And share this post to your Facebook page before you go. Thanks, and God bless and guide you as you trust him!
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (v. 19)
Of course, Jesus went on to express that he knew all about Judas' plot to betray him. That shows me that Jesus was no unsuspecting victim. He was always the one in control. But it also speaks to my own life. It's a reminder that Jesus knows the future.
That's important to me because I don't have a clue what lies ahead. And that scares me sometimes. As I consider my next step forward, I don't even know what it is. I'm looking for an open door, praying and seeking God's direction. But so far, a lot about the future is still pretty murky. An uncertain future is something that keeps a lot of people up at night.
But Jesus already knows exactly what is going to happen before it ever happens. Nothing surprises him. What I wonder and worry about, he already foresees the outcome. I don't need a crystal ball. Jesus is steering my life and he not only knows the future, but he even directs it. That's comforting because he is the one I can trust to show me the way. I can trust that my future is secure in his plans. It is not for me to know just yet, but when the time is right he will reveal what he has in mind for me to do.
In the meantime, I already know who he wants me to be. And that is most important.
Please add your reflections below in the Comments section! And share this post to your Facebook page before you go. Thanks, and God bless and guide you as you trust him!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Descent to the Top
Welcome back to our conversations with God! Are you ready? We're going into John 13 today, the first 17 verses. You may have heard this story before. Read it and listen with fresh ears, as if for the very first time. Place yourself at the table. Place yourself with the towel. What does Jesus want to say to you right now?
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (v. 8)
I'm so grateful to Jesus for washing me! I welcome his washing. I'm like Peter here: "Well, don't stop with my feet, then! I want a relationship with you, and if I need you to wash me to have it, then wash away!" You see, I know that without Jesus washing my soul it's awfully dirty and cruddy. Yes, it's so peaceful feeling clean and washed and guilt-free before God. And what I mess I was when he washed me!
How I'm taken aback by the reality that the King of the universe, the infinite and eternal God, would stoop down and "wash my feet." He's the King but he served me. He's in charge but he played the servant. He's superior in every way but he identified himself with me. He didn't need me but he loved me. He is repulsed by every tinge of evil, yet he got his hands unbelievably dirty washing my spiritual grime. No matter how many times I've heard it, I 've got to pause and whisper "Wow!"
And now what? Am I going to remain kicked back at the table eating grapes, expecting Jesus and everyone else to keep on serving me? How could I?
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (v. 15)
Okay, I get it, Jesus! If you're the greatest and you humbly serve others, then that's what defines true greatness. You've elevated me by transforming this prideful guy into a servant! The way up is stooping down. There is no higher calling than to lay self-interest aside and focus on the needs of others. The more I serve, and the more unassumingly I do it, the more significant I become. Here on my knees, with a towel around my waist and a bowl of dirty water at the feet of other people, is where I find my closest proximity to you. You've served me, now I will serve others. Thank you for teaching me the power and greatness of service. Amen.
So, who's got dirty feet?
For more on this subject, check out my Easter Sunday message from last year entitled Rising Downward at this link: http://www.onelifeonline.com/media/index.php?video=04-04-10. (It starts about 27 minutes into the service.) I'm looking forward to hearing from others of you who are reading this blog. Please join in the conversation! Comment below.
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (v. 8)
I'm so grateful to Jesus for washing me! I welcome his washing. I'm like Peter here: "Well, don't stop with my feet, then! I want a relationship with you, and if I need you to wash me to have it, then wash away!" You see, I know that without Jesus washing my soul it's awfully dirty and cruddy. Yes, it's so peaceful feeling clean and washed and guilt-free before God. And what I mess I was when he washed me!
How I'm taken aback by the reality that the King of the universe, the infinite and eternal God, would stoop down and "wash my feet." He's the King but he served me. He's in charge but he played the servant. He's superior in every way but he identified himself with me. He didn't need me but he loved me. He is repulsed by every tinge of evil, yet he got his hands unbelievably dirty washing my spiritual grime. No matter how many times I've heard it, I 've got to pause and whisper "Wow!"
And now what? Am I going to remain kicked back at the table eating grapes, expecting Jesus and everyone else to keep on serving me? How could I?
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (v. 15)
Okay, I get it, Jesus! If you're the greatest and you humbly serve others, then that's what defines true greatness. You've elevated me by transforming this prideful guy into a servant! The way up is stooping down. There is no higher calling than to lay self-interest aside and focus on the needs of others. The more I serve, and the more unassumingly I do it, the more significant I become. Here on my knees, with a towel around my waist and a bowl of dirty water at the feet of other people, is where I find my closest proximity to you. You've served me, now I will serve others. Thank you for teaching me the power and greatness of service. Amen.
So, who's got dirty feet?
For more on this subject, check out my Easter Sunday message from last year entitled Rising Downward at this link: http://www.onelifeonline.com/media/index.php?video=04-04-10. (It starts about 27 minutes into the service.) I'm looking forward to hearing from others of you who are reading this blog. Please join in the conversation! Comment below.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Lizards on a Hot Rock
You never know where a conversation with God is going to go! He always sets the agenda. So be open to hear whatever he wants to say to you in this moment. Let's listen from John 12:37-50. You can't read this and not feel God leaning in to engage you. I am drawn to Jesus' words:
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (v. 46)
More profound statements from Jesus about light and darkness. But how do they apply to where you and I are right now? Do you recognize the darkness around you? Are you aware of it? Just a while ago, I was driving home, surfing through the radio stations. A dance song came on that's several years old. It's a picture of an encounter, maybe at a bar or a party. A guy is asking a girl what she's going to do with all her sexy body parts (her "junk in the trunk"), and she says she's going to get him "love-drunk" by "humping" him.
I was struck by the darkness in the song. Teenagers and adults listen to that and imitate it, thinking it's going to be so exciting. And yes, it probably is...for a few minutes while it lasts. They're panting like lizards on a hot rock. But then what? When they're done, they're probably feeling an urge to get away, a sense of disrespect, maybe even a tinge of disgust for each other. There's no lasting happiness. No fulfillment. No real intimacy. They're left hungrier and emptier than before. Darkness. It's just a shadow of love...not the real thing.
Jesus is calling you and me away from those shadows to lift our eyes to the real thing. He wants us to experience true love with the light shining on it. And that kind of love finds its source in God. It takes us straight to the top in a context of adoration, all-out commitment and total self-giving with nothing held back. See, once you've stood in the light and experienced it, you realize how lousy you had it when you were surrounded by the shadows. I love that about Jesus!
Jesus, thank you for teaching me what really makes life good. Thank you for your light. Without it, I flounder around in the shadowlands missing out on the real thing. You, Jesus, are the real deal.
I'd really like to know how God spoke to you through this piece of Scripture. Would you please share it? Comment below. And spread the love! Share this post to your Facebook wall by clicking the "f" icon below. Thanks and God bless you!
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (v. 46)
More profound statements from Jesus about light and darkness. But how do they apply to where you and I are right now? Do you recognize the darkness around you? Are you aware of it? Just a while ago, I was driving home, surfing through the radio stations. A dance song came on that's several years old. It's a picture of an encounter, maybe at a bar or a party. A guy is asking a girl what she's going to do with all her sexy body parts (her "junk in the trunk"), and she says she's going to get him "love-drunk" by "humping" him.
I was struck by the darkness in the song. Teenagers and adults listen to that and imitate it, thinking it's going to be so exciting. And yes, it probably is...for a few minutes while it lasts. They're panting like lizards on a hot rock. But then what? When they're done, they're probably feeling an urge to get away, a sense of disrespect, maybe even a tinge of disgust for each other. There's no lasting happiness. No fulfillment. No real intimacy. They're left hungrier and emptier than before. Darkness. It's just a shadow of love...not the real thing.
Jesus is calling you and me away from those shadows to lift our eyes to the real thing. He wants us to experience true love with the light shining on it. And that kind of love finds its source in God. It takes us straight to the top in a context of adoration, all-out commitment and total self-giving with nothing held back. See, once you've stood in the light and experienced it, you realize how lousy you had it when you were surrounded by the shadows. I love that about Jesus!
Jesus, thank you for teaching me what really makes life good. Thank you for your light. Without it, I flounder around in the shadowlands missing out on the real thing. You, Jesus, are the real deal.
I'd really like to know how God spoke to you through this piece of Scripture. Would you please share it? Comment below. And spread the love! Share this post to your Facebook wall by clicking the "f" icon below. Thanks and God bless you!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Biggest Loser
I come to John twelve today, hungry for a God-encounter. Are you in? Let's read verses 12-36. This gospel account is approaching its climax! What do you see in him? What do you hear Jesus saying to you here?
"...now the prince of this world will be driven out." (v. 31)
Satan is powerful enemy but a defeated one. He is the biggest loser in the history of the cosmos. Everything that happens in this text is leading up to the cross, just a few days later. In less than a week, Jesus goes from being hailed as the new king to being lifted up on a cross to die a criminal's death. One day they toss palm branches before him and shout praises. Five days later it's their saliva they fling at him as they yell insults. It looks like Satan has totally turned the tide and won the day. The truth, it turns out, is quite the opposite. Satan's illusory victory was, in fact, the decisive assault on his pseudo-rule of this world.
"But I when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." (v. 32)
The glory of Jesus shines most brightly not on Palm Sunday as the crowd adores him, but on Good Friday when they kill him. He wasn't here to be a rock star. He came to lay down his life to rescue the world. His glory (and mine) isn't in self-promotion. It is in his self-sacrifice for the good of others. In this totally selfless act of courage and love, he exposes the weakness of hatred. Jesus will bear humiliation on the cross, but not for long. The devil's humiliation is permanent.
I'm so glad I'm on the right side! I won't be intimidated by the devil and anything he tries to throw at me. Neither will I fall for his illusions, as if I would trade real life for his empty shadows. Like Gadhafi, he hasn't conceded defeat. He's still raging and fuming and blowing hot air. But I know, and so do you, my friend, that his regime is doomed. A new day has dawned. The brilliant kingdom of God is growing on the horizon. With Jesus, I am victorious!
Share your comments below and enrich our conversation! It doesn't take half a minute to share this post to your Facebook wall and spread the Good News! (Click the "f" button below.)
"...now the prince of this world will be driven out." (v. 31)
Satan is powerful enemy but a defeated one. He is the biggest loser in the history of the cosmos. Everything that happens in this text is leading up to the cross, just a few days later. In less than a week, Jesus goes from being hailed as the new king to being lifted up on a cross to die a criminal's death. One day they toss palm branches before him and shout praises. Five days later it's their saliva they fling at him as they yell insults. It looks like Satan has totally turned the tide and won the day. The truth, it turns out, is quite the opposite. Satan's illusory victory was, in fact, the decisive assault on his pseudo-rule of this world.
"But I when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." (v. 32)
The glory of Jesus shines most brightly not on Palm Sunday as the crowd adores him, but on Good Friday when they kill him. He wasn't here to be a rock star. He came to lay down his life to rescue the world. His glory (and mine) isn't in self-promotion. It is in his self-sacrifice for the good of others. In this totally selfless act of courage and love, he exposes the weakness of hatred. Jesus will bear humiliation on the cross, but not for long. The devil's humiliation is permanent.
I'm so glad I'm on the right side! I won't be intimidated by the devil and anything he tries to throw at me. Neither will I fall for his illusions, as if I would trade real life for his empty shadows. Like Gadhafi, he hasn't conceded defeat. He's still raging and fuming and blowing hot air. But I know, and so do you, my friend, that his regime is doomed. A new day has dawned. The brilliant kingdom of God is growing on the horizon. With Jesus, I am victorious!
Share your comments below and enrich our conversation! It doesn't take half a minute to share this post to your Facebook wall and spread the Good News! (Click the "f" button below.)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Real Men Love Jesus
Hello! I hope you're having a good day. In any case, it's about to get better! At least, that's the way it goes for me when I hear a word from God. So today, I invite you to take in the first eleven verses of John chapter twelve. This is a short but poignant account of how one woman showed her love for Jesus. Okay, I'm a man, but I'm not ashamed to say I love Jesus. Real men do! How about you? Sometimes I wonder how I can really show him. Maybe I can learn something about what makes him feel loved from this story.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. (v. 3)
This, by the way, is not Jesus' mother or Mary Magdelene, but the sister of Lazarus (see yesterday's blog). There are three qualities about her demonstration of love that jump out at me. First, it was a costly act. The text explains that it was worth a whole year's salary for a common worker! Even if Mary was fairly well-to-do, she really made a significant sacrifice. When you really love someone, you'll do things like that on occasion just because you want to show them how much they mean to you. I think of the kind of sacrifices that people make for their lovers, or that parents make to provide their children with something really special. It's a sacrifice, but it's done with great delight!
Second, it occurs to me that her action is a good example of reckless love. It wasn't considered proper in ancient Jewish society for a woman to let down her hair in public. Eyebrows were certainly raised at the dinner party! But Mary doesn't seem to care. She's caught up in a moment, and it's as if there's nobody else in the room but Jesus and her. Love will do that to you! It can be a little reckless and lavish. The reaction of the one you love means more to you than anyone else's reaction.
Third, she made Jesus feel loved by her authentic humility. Tending to someone's feet is, well, a humble task. I can testify that clipping my nine-year-old son's toenails certainly brings me back down to earth! In Mary's culture, tending to others' feet was servant's work. (And she's apparently a fairly wealthy woman and the host of this social event.) Yet her love and respect for Jesus are so moving that she falls to his feet in the most humble display of love I can imagine.
So how can I show Jesus how much he means to me? I bet if I am willing to make some significant sacrifices in his name and be a little lavish and reckless about it, at times, and serve him with the utmost respect and humility and give without any pretense, Jesus is going to feel deeply loved by me. And that will make me very happy!
God bless you! I hope that you'll share what you hear God saying to you in this story. Just sign in and comment below. Spread the blessing of this blog to people you know by sharing it on your Facebook page (click "f" below).
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. (v. 3)
This, by the way, is not Jesus' mother or Mary Magdelene, but the sister of Lazarus (see yesterday's blog). There are three qualities about her demonstration of love that jump out at me. First, it was a costly act. The text explains that it was worth a whole year's salary for a common worker! Even if Mary was fairly well-to-do, she really made a significant sacrifice. When you really love someone, you'll do things like that on occasion just because you want to show them how much they mean to you. I think of the kind of sacrifices that people make for their lovers, or that parents make to provide their children with something really special. It's a sacrifice, but it's done with great delight!
Second, it occurs to me that her action is a good example of reckless love. It wasn't considered proper in ancient Jewish society for a woman to let down her hair in public. Eyebrows were certainly raised at the dinner party! But Mary doesn't seem to care. She's caught up in a moment, and it's as if there's nobody else in the room but Jesus and her. Love will do that to you! It can be a little reckless and lavish. The reaction of the one you love means more to you than anyone else's reaction.
Third, she made Jesus feel loved by her authentic humility. Tending to someone's feet is, well, a humble task. I can testify that clipping my nine-year-old son's toenails certainly brings me back down to earth! In Mary's culture, tending to others' feet was servant's work. (And she's apparently a fairly wealthy woman and the host of this social event.) Yet her love and respect for Jesus are so moving that she falls to his feet in the most humble display of love I can imagine.
So how can I show Jesus how much he means to me? I bet if I am willing to make some significant sacrifices in his name and be a little lavish and reckless about it, at times, and serve him with the utmost respect and humility and give without any pretense, Jesus is going to feel deeply loved by me. And that will make me very happy!
God bless you! I hope that you'll share what you hear God saying to you in this story. Just sign in and comment below. Spread the blessing of this blog to people you know by sharing it on your Facebook page (click "f" below).
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