Monday, April 27, 2015
Unsure of where I'm going, Sure of who goes with me
I was speaking to a man the other day about missions, and he told me a story and followed it with "We didn't know why we were there at the moment, but it turned out we were at the right place at the right time." And isn't that so true for all of us? We spend so much time worrying about where God is calling us and finding the right place to be, when in reality we're usually exactly where God wants us at that moment and time. And that doesn't mean we'll always recognize it, or always realize. I'm willing to bet most of the times we feel like we're the furthest from where God is calling us, when he changes our plans and we see His plan unfold right before us. All of a sudden the wrong place became very, very right. We won't always know. We won't always be sure of where God is calling us. But isn't that part of the beauty of it? Our lack of security in those decisions on where to go, it all illustrates our faith in God, our trust in His plan, our confidence in Him, and our willingness to go beyond our comfort. That right there, is beautiful. To step out into the world, unsure of where it will take you, but sure of the God who goes with you. And is there ever really a "right" place? I mean think about it, isn't any place the right place to be an example of Christ? Isn't any place the right place to witness? What would a wrong place look like? Because if the goals of your actions in that "right" place are to pursue God and lead others to Him, how is it ever justifiable that there is such wrong place to do so? We're always looking, searching, longing for that right place God is calling us. But if you take a second and look around you, why can't this be your right place? Who's to say you don't have a mission to fulfill here, people to impact, lives to change. Instead of looking for the "right" place to be to carry out God's plan, focus on existing where you are as you are, not overlooking the very opportunities around you. You insist on finding the right place to witness about God? Earth is that place. Wherever you are, in the midst of trouble or in the most joyous season of your lifetime, God is working in your heart and in your mind. No matter your physical place or where you're at emotionally, the perfect place to witness to God is exactly where you are NOW.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Don't fight the battle alone
How often do we tend to throw out the term "God won't give you anything you can't handle!" at the sure sign of trouble? When life gets rough, it's a common phrase Christians throw around like common knowledge, that we may face hardships but nothing we can't overcome. God won't give us anything too large for our own strength, right?
Wrong. If you really, really think about it, we get obstacles thrown at us left and right which could easily knock us out in an instance. And in reality, the world- life itself- is too much for us to handle. But that's simply the catch. There's a disclaimer to add here. Life, full of its obstacles and hardships, is indeed no easy journey- alone. When faced with all of the hurts of life, left to our own strength, we wouldn't make it past the first round of the fight. But because we have a God who walks with us every step of the way, those same difficulties are possible to overcome. The world will always throw things at us of which we have no where near the capability to handle- but God does. And His strength through us has the power to heal every wound, mend every broken part of us. God picks us up from where we've fallen with failures and struggles, where sin thought it had been victorious. Not because we have the strength or the might to face life alone, but because we have a God who is life, who defeated death, and who meets us in the midst of our pain to lead us on. Call me crazy, but don't you think if Jesus had the power to defeat sin and overcome death, he has the power to save you from your pain? If he can heal the blind and split the roaring seas into two, who's to say he can't defeat the battles you're facing? To say "God won't give you anything you can't handle" is merely an understatement. Yes, life will come and it will knock you off your feet. But when you face life head on with the King of kings and The Lord of lords on your side, there's no telling the depths of what you can overcome. It's not about life being easy, or being strong and facing life alone. It's about knowing that when life gets too hard to handle, you can turn to a God who can bear all of the weight and continue to walk alongside you on your journey. It's about knowing that nothing is too hard for our God to handle. It's about knowing you don't have to face your challenges alone.
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 NLT)
Wrong. If you really, really think about it, we get obstacles thrown at us left and right which could easily knock us out in an instance. And in reality, the world- life itself- is too much for us to handle. But that's simply the catch. There's a disclaimer to add here. Life, full of its obstacles and hardships, is indeed no easy journey- alone. When faced with all of the hurts of life, left to our own strength, we wouldn't make it past the first round of the fight. But because we have a God who walks with us every step of the way, those same difficulties are possible to overcome. The world will always throw things at us of which we have no where near the capability to handle- but God does. And His strength through us has the power to heal every wound, mend every broken part of us. God picks us up from where we've fallen with failures and struggles, where sin thought it had been victorious. Not because we have the strength or the might to face life alone, but because we have a God who is life, who defeated death, and who meets us in the midst of our pain to lead us on. Call me crazy, but don't you think if Jesus had the power to defeat sin and overcome death, he has the power to save you from your pain? If he can heal the blind and split the roaring seas into two, who's to say he can't defeat the battles you're facing? To say "God won't give you anything you can't handle" is merely an understatement. Yes, life will come and it will knock you off your feet. But when you face life head on with the King of kings and The Lord of lords on your side, there's no telling the depths of what you can overcome. It's not about life being easy, or being strong and facing life alone. It's about knowing that when life gets too hard to handle, you can turn to a God who can bear all of the weight and continue to walk alongside you on your journey. It's about knowing that nothing is too hard for our God to handle. It's about knowing you don't have to face your challenges alone.
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 NLT)
Sunday, April 5, 2015
It is finished
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” (Matthew 28:2-7 NLT)
Every Easter people around the world come together as one to worship not only a living God but a victorious one. However, how many of those people return to worship the next week? The week after that? For many followers of Christ, living out faith is only applicable on two occasions: Christmas and Easter. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with having people worship and hear the word of God, would it not be better to have the same crowds weekly that most churches only witness to on two occasions? What we see here in the story of Jesus's resurrection is not only a story of victory over death and sin, not only a battle in the grave for all of humanity, but there is also a calling straight from heaven directed to each and every one of us.
When Mary approaches the grave and finds an angel there, the angel orders her to go and tell the disciples. Beyond to go, Mary must also remember- something we so often lack the ability to do. As followers of Christ, it is our mission to tell the world of the great love God has for us and the grace we now receive because of Jesus's victory over sin. Like Mary, we must go. We must go beyond our comfort zones, outside of our neighborhoods, to the ends of the earth to share who God is and what he has done for us. We must share. Because in reality, if we receive God's love to the fullest, and we believe His word to be true, how could we keep quiet? How could we keep that amazing gift of grace and forgiveness to ourselves. It contradicts itself to call ourselves followers of God, who teaches love, if we do not also spread His love around us.
The angel that morning also told Mary to remember. You and I, I'm willing to bet we have a hard time with that sometimes. Ever forget the keys on the counter, leave your purse in the car, misplace someone's name? Too often we forget the smallest things but no, God's love is all too powerful to be simply forgotten. Many of us hear the Easter message and by Monday morning we are back to normal, only to come back and hear the story once more a year later. However, we live because Jesus rose to life. Without the crucifixion on the cross, without the empty tomb, and without a celebration of victory we would not live to see days as great as we do. Darkness held the world in its fingertips until Jesus rose from the ashes to bear light. We cannot go day by day without remembering the Savior who made those days possible. As the year goes on, sure people may stay in their boundaries or become absent minded of the victory Jesus held over the grave, however as followers of Christ we must lead by example and continue to go. Day by day, don't only remember how great God's love is for you, but share that truth with those around you so that they too can experience the abundance of grace gifted to us. It is finished, indeed!
Every Easter people around the world come together as one to worship not only a living God but a victorious one. However, how many of those people return to worship the next week? The week after that? For many followers of Christ, living out faith is only applicable on two occasions: Christmas and Easter. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with having people worship and hear the word of God, would it not be better to have the same crowds weekly that most churches only witness to on two occasions? What we see here in the story of Jesus's resurrection is not only a story of victory over death and sin, not only a battle in the grave for all of humanity, but there is also a calling straight from heaven directed to each and every one of us.
When Mary approaches the grave and finds an angel there, the angel orders her to go and tell the disciples. Beyond to go, Mary must also remember- something we so often lack the ability to do. As followers of Christ, it is our mission to tell the world of the great love God has for us and the grace we now receive because of Jesus's victory over sin. Like Mary, we must go. We must go beyond our comfort zones, outside of our neighborhoods, to the ends of the earth to share who God is and what he has done for us. We must share. Because in reality, if we receive God's love to the fullest, and we believe His word to be true, how could we keep quiet? How could we keep that amazing gift of grace and forgiveness to ourselves. It contradicts itself to call ourselves followers of God, who teaches love, if we do not also spread His love around us.
The angel that morning also told Mary to remember. You and I, I'm willing to bet we have a hard time with that sometimes. Ever forget the keys on the counter, leave your purse in the car, misplace someone's name? Too often we forget the smallest things but no, God's love is all too powerful to be simply forgotten. Many of us hear the Easter message and by Monday morning we are back to normal, only to come back and hear the story once more a year later. However, we live because Jesus rose to life. Without the crucifixion on the cross, without the empty tomb, and without a celebration of victory we would not live to see days as great as we do. Darkness held the world in its fingertips until Jesus rose from the ashes to bear light. We cannot go day by day without remembering the Savior who made those days possible. As the year goes on, sure people may stay in their boundaries or become absent minded of the victory Jesus held over the grave, however as followers of Christ we must lead by example and continue to go. Day by day, don't only remember how great God's love is for you, but share that truth with those around you so that they too can experience the abundance of grace gifted to us. It is finished, indeed!
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