"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This has long been one of my favorite verses from the Bible. I like it
because it's a message of "new". Christians are to be "new creatures"
who are experiencing "new things". I don't know about you but I'm
encouraged by new--new opportunities, new experiences, new life, etc.
Today is a new day and in it each of us will experience God in new ways
as He reveals Himself to us. We will, perhaps, make new friends,
develop new skills, and receive new gifts. The day will absolutely be
filled with new. The only question is to whether we will open our
hearts to receive all of the new that God has for us today.
“Imagine
yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At
first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the
drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that
those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He
starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does
not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation
is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought
of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there,
running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made
into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to
come and live in it Himself.” --C.S. Lewis, Mere Chrisitanity
Friday, April 10, 2015
Thursday, April 09, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross #7
"It is finished!" (John 19:30)
"It is finished" is a shout of victory! Salvation has been accomplished! Jesus death on the across perfectly fulfilled all that was needed to purchase salvation for all who would look to Christ.
I like what Chuck Swindoll says:
Stop and think: Upon believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death and bodily resurrection, the once-lost sinner is instantly, unconditionally, and permanently "declared 100% righteous." Anything less and we are not righteous . . . we're almost righteous. If we are declared 99.9% righteous, some verses of the Bible would have to be rewritten. Like Isaiah 1:18, which might then read: "'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'though your sins are as scarlet, they will be light pink.'" Nonsense! The promise of sins forgiven is all or nothing. Eighty percent won't cut it. . . . When our Lord said "It is finished," He meant "finished." --Chuck Swindoll
"It is finished" is a shout of victory! Salvation has been accomplished! Jesus death on the across perfectly fulfilled all that was needed to purchase salvation for all who would look to Christ.
I like what Chuck Swindoll says:
Stop and think: Upon believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death and bodily resurrection, the once-lost sinner is instantly, unconditionally, and permanently "declared 100% righteous." Anything less and we are not righteous . . . we're almost righteous. If we are declared 99.9% righteous, some verses of the Bible would have to be rewritten. Like Isaiah 1:18, which might then read: "'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'though your sins are as scarlet, they will be light pink.'" Nonsense! The promise of sins forgiven is all or nothing. Eighty percent won't cut it. . . . When our Lord said "It is finished," He meant "finished." --Chuck Swindoll
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross #6
"I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
John's Gospel tells us in verse 28 that Jesus said, "I am thirsty", in order to fulfill the Scripture. Verse 29 continues, "A jar of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth." This fulfills Psalm 69:21, "They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
The message that jumps out at me as I meditate on Psalm 69 is how untrustworthy human beings can be in comparison with the faithfulness of God. When we look to people to meet our thirst, we are often given a mouth full of vinegar. Only God can really meet our thirst. This is a great Psalm for those times when we feel let down by friends and family. Look to God! He is faithful! He is full of compassion! He is Hope! "You who seek God, let your heart revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners." (Psalm 69:32-33)
Are you thirsty today? Let me suggest a good long drink from Psalm 69.
John's Gospel tells us in verse 28 that Jesus said, "I am thirsty", in order to fulfill the Scripture. Verse 29 continues, "A jar of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth." This fulfills Psalm 69:21, "They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
The message that jumps out at me as I meditate on Psalm 69 is how untrustworthy human beings can be in comparison with the faithfulness of God. When we look to people to meet our thirst, we are often given a mouth full of vinegar. Only God can really meet our thirst. This is a great Psalm for those times when we feel let down by friends and family. Look to God! He is faithful! He is full of compassion! He is Hope! "You who seek God, let your heart revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners." (Psalm 69:32-33)
Are you thirsty today? Let me suggest a good long drink from Psalm 69.
Monday, April 06, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ From the Cross #5
"Woman, behold, your son!" (John 19:26) and "Behold, your mother!" (John 19:27)
When Jesus saw His mother and John standing near the cross, He placed her care in John's hands. The Bible says that John took Mary into his own home to receive care and provision. It's of note that as Jesus approaches death, He is concerned with the welfare of his mother. Jesus is showing us what it means to honor our mother and father even in the final moments of life. In the midst of the most important and essential mission ever conducted, Jesus doesn't overlook his responsibility to His own mother.
Here a few takeaways that I can see from the text:
#1--Our responsibility to honor parents goes way beyond our childhood. Just because we are grown, doesn't mean we're beyond the 5th commandment.
#2--Honoring parents is a high priority. If it's a task that Jesus performs while on the cross, then it's a task we need to make time for regardless of how busy we are.
#3--If we're not honoring our parents, then we aren't honoring God. He requires it! (See Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2-3)
My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind. –Michael Jordan
When Jesus saw His mother and John standing near the cross, He placed her care in John's hands. The Bible says that John took Mary into his own home to receive care and provision. It's of note that as Jesus approaches death, He is concerned with the welfare of his mother. Jesus is showing us what it means to honor our mother and father even in the final moments of life. In the midst of the most important and essential mission ever conducted, Jesus doesn't overlook his responsibility to His own mother.
Here a few takeaways that I can see from the text:
#1--Our responsibility to honor parents goes way beyond our childhood. Just because we are grown, doesn't mean we're beyond the 5th commandment.
#2--Honoring parents is a high priority. If it's a task that Jesus performs while on the cross, then it's a task we need to make time for regardless of how busy we are.
#3--If we're not honoring our parents, then we aren't honoring God. He requires it! (See Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2-3)
My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind. –Michael Jordan
Thursday, April 02, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross #4
"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23:46)
Allow me to make three observations in applying this short verse today.
#1--As Jesus dies on the cross, He offers His life completely unto the Father. He holds nothing back as He releases His spirit into the Father's care. Jesus trusts the Father perfectly.
#2--With this statement, Jesus confirms the reality of life beyond death. There is a Father God with whom our spirit dwells. The Father can be trusted.
#3--Jesus dies with scripture on His lips. This sentence is a direct quote of Psalm 31:5. I would suggest you take the time to read the entire Psalm sometime today. It's about trusting God in our time of need.
"Pray, and let God worry." --Martin Luther
Allow me to make three observations in applying this short verse today.
#1--As Jesus dies on the cross, He offers His life completely unto the Father. He holds nothing back as He releases His spirit into the Father's care. Jesus trusts the Father perfectly.
#2--With this statement, Jesus confirms the reality of life beyond death. There is a Father God with whom our spirit dwells. The Father can be trusted.
#3--Jesus dies with scripture on His lips. This sentence is a direct quote of Psalm 31:5. I would suggest you take the time to read the entire Psalm sometime today. It's about trusting God in our time of need.
"Pray, and let God worry." --Martin Luther
Wednesday, April 01, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross #3
"Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
As Jesus was being executed on Mount Calvary, two criminals were also being put to death. One of them hurled abuse at Jesus, mocking Him. The other displayed a different action and a different attitude. He said to the other criminal, "We indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." He then turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" (Luke 23:41-42). Through this dying criminal's words we see an example that we would do well to follow.
#1--We see an example of owning our own sin and the consequences that it brings. The criminal says, "We indeed are suffering justly." That's a hard sentence to get out of my mouth when I'm in pain. "I'm suffering justly", "I deserve this", "I'm reaping what I've sown". It's true! Often the difficult experiences of life come my way because of my previous actions. Occasionally, I may suffer innocently, but not as often as I would like to think. Someone has said, "We reap tomorrow what we have sown today." If you are reaping pain, frustration, heart-ache, etc., maybe double-check the seeds you have planted in prior days.
#2--We see an example of recognizing the unique holiness of Christ. The criminal says, "This man has done nothing wrong." Jesus didn't die for His own sin--He died for my sin! When I'm suffering the consequences for my stupidity, can I look over and see Jesus suffering with me? Now this is where it gets real. I sometimes want to blame God for my pain. Because I don't enjoy suffering, I have in the past wanted to get upset with God when my plans don't work out well. Like the criminal I need to say, God has done nothing wrong! God is holy, perfect, righteous, and He does nothing wrong!
#3--We see an example of faith. The criminal says, "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Knowing that he will soon be dead, this dying man puts his trust in Jesus. It's comforting that this man who has no good works to rely upon, no record of church attendance, no prayer life, no Bible study, no baptism, and no sinner's prayer; this man is given access to the kingdom of God through the work and word of Jesus. We are saved through Jesus--nothing more and nothing less!
My friends, determine to own your sin and its consequences. Look to Jesus as the Perfect Son of God. Put your trust in His finished work on the cross. Paradise awaits . . .
As Jesus was being executed on Mount Calvary, two criminals were also being put to death. One of them hurled abuse at Jesus, mocking Him. The other displayed a different action and a different attitude. He said to the other criminal, "We indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." He then turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" (Luke 23:41-42). Through this dying criminal's words we see an example that we would do well to follow.
#1--We see an example of owning our own sin and the consequences that it brings. The criminal says, "We indeed are suffering justly." That's a hard sentence to get out of my mouth when I'm in pain. "I'm suffering justly", "I deserve this", "I'm reaping what I've sown". It's true! Often the difficult experiences of life come my way because of my previous actions. Occasionally, I may suffer innocently, but not as often as I would like to think. Someone has said, "We reap tomorrow what we have sown today." If you are reaping pain, frustration, heart-ache, etc., maybe double-check the seeds you have planted in prior days.
#2--We see an example of recognizing the unique holiness of Christ. The criminal says, "This man has done nothing wrong." Jesus didn't die for His own sin--He died for my sin! When I'm suffering the consequences for my stupidity, can I look over and see Jesus suffering with me? Now this is where it gets real. I sometimes want to blame God for my pain. Because I don't enjoy suffering, I have in the past wanted to get upset with God when my plans don't work out well. Like the criminal I need to say, God has done nothing wrong! God is holy, perfect, righteous, and He does nothing wrong!
#3--We see an example of faith. The criminal says, "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Knowing that he will soon be dead, this dying man puts his trust in Jesus. It's comforting that this man who has no good works to rely upon, no record of church attendance, no prayer life, no Bible study, no baptism, and no sinner's prayer; this man is given access to the kingdom of God through the work and word of Jesus. We are saved through Jesus--nothing more and nothing less!
My friends, determine to own your sin and its consequences. Look to Jesus as the Perfect Son of God. Put your trust in His finished work on the cross. Paradise awaits . . .
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
The 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross #2
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Jesus expresses the ultimate forgiveness as He asks the Father to pardon his executioners even while they are in the midst of killing Him. This is a crazy kind of forgiveness. There is no remorse, no repentance, no change of heart. Jesus expresses forgiveness--not years after the event, not even weeks--but while the event is still in progress.
Jesus notes their ignorance of God's activity. They don't know what they are doing. How often do we act decisively in the same way--not knowing what we are doing?
Let's apply it in two ways today. First, we are all guilty of living ignorantly. We have all acted, at times, in a way that was destructive to ourselves and others. We have behaved in ways that are contrary to the revealed will of God. Jesus offers forgiveness. Even now, He offers forgiveness when we look to Him and acknowledge His Lordship. Today, let me encourage you to confess your sins to Jesus and allow Him to wash you in His gracious forgiveness.
Second, we need to recognize that people all around us are acting ignorantly--they don't always know what they are doing. And consequently, we get hurt and those we care about get hurt. May we be quick to act like Jesus and ask that they be forgiven. May we graciously extend forgiveness to those who harm us, even as God forgives us.
Jesus expresses the ultimate forgiveness as He asks the Father to pardon his executioners even while they are in the midst of killing Him. This is a crazy kind of forgiveness. There is no remorse, no repentance, no change of heart. Jesus expresses forgiveness--not years after the event, not even weeks--but while the event is still in progress.
Jesus notes their ignorance of God's activity. They don't know what they are doing. How often do we act decisively in the same way--not knowing what we are doing?
Let's apply it in two ways today. First, we are all guilty of living ignorantly. We have all acted, at times, in a way that was destructive to ourselves and others. We have behaved in ways that are contrary to the revealed will of God. Jesus offers forgiveness. Even now, He offers forgiveness when we look to Him and acknowledge His Lordship. Today, let me encourage you to confess your sins to Jesus and allow Him to wash you in His gracious forgiveness.
Second, we need to recognize that people all around us are acting ignorantly--they don't always know what they are doing. And consequently, we get hurt and those we care about get hurt. May we be quick to act like Jesus and ask that they be forgiven. May we graciously extend forgiveness to those who harm us, even as God forgives us.
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