Because He Lives

“So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.” Luke 1:1-4, The MSG

I can’t think of a better way to start off today’s post than the words above. How awesome is it that Luke, who wrote this book, wrote it with the intention of ensuring his readers knew “beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what (they) were taught?” I think it’s with good reason that Luke starts off his book this way, because the next heading in Luke 1 in The Message version reads, “A Childless Couple Conceives,” and the following one reads “A Virgin Conceives.” Luke may not have been the one including headings in his letter, but the content of his letter is the same today as it was so many years ago… and the contents of that letter are enough to make some people stop and question their reliability.

As someone who’s grown up in the church, I feel as though I’ve heard most of the Bible over and over again. But Luke’s focus on reminding believers that the things we have heard about over and over again really ARE true challenged me. Let it never become old to us that these incredible things did happen so long ago… a very old couple who hadn’t been able to have children had a baby, and a virgin conceived. These things happened, friends, and because they did we have hope for our lives today.

You see, the very fact that the miracles in the Bible are true means that the other things in the Bible are true- particularly, the fact that Jesus was here and He was who He said He was. My hope is that as we read Luke over the next few weeks and reencounter portions of the Gospel which are all too familiar to us, we will never lose sight of the fact that these things are real and that they happened. They have direct implications on our life today. Luke 1 may be about Mary becoming pregnant with Jesus, but later on we’ll read about Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and it’s important to read Luke 1 with this truth in mind.

One of my favorite songs is Because He Lives by Matt Maher, and part of the song says this:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives

Luke is going to take us through the life of Jesus, and as it does, I hope we can become recentered on the fact that these miraculous stories aren’t just stories, but true life events that happened and that mean we have hope for everything we face today. Be encouraged that our God is the very same God who was in the business of miracles 2,000 years ago, and that He is just as capable of being faithful today as He was back then.

Praise Him

Intro to Luke and Ps 48

Yesterday we finished our trip through the New Testament. For those of you who have been reading with us for almost two years, I wonder if this time through was a different experience for you? Did the slower pace this year allow you to dig in a bit deeper to God’s story? I’m hoping you felt less rushed as I did this time and that slowing down has helped all of us to absorb more of what God is trying to help us learn. Tomorrow we will start back in the book of Luke and take this last few months of the year to look at the gospels another time. Why you ask, would we start with Luke? The answer I was given was “to keep us all on our toes”.

So let’s refresh quickly on our author for this book and then we will spend most of our time in Psalms today. Luke was a doctor by trade and writes a sensitive and careful account of Jesus life on earth. He makes a point of showing us Jesus compassion toward women, the sick, the poor, and those who would be considered the outcasts of society. Luke also writes down more parables than any other gospel writer records. As we enter Fall and then the Christmas season, I love the thought of spending so much of these next few months looking again at Jesus birth, life and ministry. I’m praying that studying the gospels keeps our hearts focussed on why we celebrate Christmas as we walk through the season this year.

 

Ps 48

“Oh God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple. As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth.Your strong right hand is filled with victory.”

As I read these verses this morning, my thoughts carry me to last week when I had the opportunity to attend a banquet for some men, in a program, designed to reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction. Listening to some of their stories impressed upon me that these guys only hope was in God. Some had lived a good portion of their lives controlled by substances. They tried everything in their power to stop and get themselves out of their addictions, but no matter what they did, it wasn’t enough to make lasting change. Until these men could get in an environment where everything was stripped away and they had to get real with who they were and the value that each of them held in God’s eyes, things couldn’t change. But the beauty of a man’s softened heart and the light in his eyes after God has been invited in and allowed to “clean house” is a sight I won’t soon forget. When the daily choice is to “meditate on God’s unfailing love” and “praise God to the ends of the earth” people change. I think the beauty of this group of men is the visible 180 degree turn that each has made to put God above all in their lives. These men started this program at the darkest time in their lives and within a year they have seen and known “God’s right hand filled with victory”! It shows up more distinctly after an intense program, but what does putting God in His rightful place, above all, look like over my lifetime? Can others see the light in my eyes, do they sense a soft heart when they interact with me?

I think the bigger question is, am I inviting God into my life on a daily basis and allowing Him to work on changing me? No matter what our lives have looked like up to this point, we have all missed the mark. There is not one of us who deserves a relationship with God because none of us can even be in His presents without Christ paying the price for our sin and washing us clean before God. The truth is that without God we are ALL in the same boat! Because of this gift, this purchase and this new life in Christ, am I “meditating on God’s unfailing love”? Am I “praising God’s name to the ends of the earth”? Does my life exhibit “God’s strong right hand filled with victory”?  After experiencing the fresh and intense beauty in these newly changed men, I am challenged! I have been washed clean just as they have, but I let time and complacency settle over me and I forget that I been gifted the same change as they have. How can I ever let my heart be unimpressed with the gift I’ve been given? Honestly I can hardly type that question. I’m so humbled and embarrassed before God to admit that there is ever a second of any day that I am not fall-on-my-face grateful for what He has done for me, but the truth is that I get distracted, busy, and think on my own agenda all the time, and before I even realize it, I’ve forgotten. Can we do better? Can we be conscious of His gift while we work? Is it possible to remember Who has purchased us as we interact with others?

I want to close today with the last verse in Ps 48. “He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die.”  One more gift to be grateful for. He will NEVER leave us! He will guide us until we are done on this earth and in His presents. If I will allow Him to have His rightful place in my heart day after day, He will guide me until I can be with Him in “person”! Praise Him to the ends of the earth!

Jude

There is only one chapter in the book of Jude, and it is this chapter that we will focus on today. First, though, I have to confess that I don’t think I have ever heard the word “Jude” and not thought of the Beatles song. Ever. Even now, the lyrics are running through my head! So, now that we have that out of the way…and now that most of you are humming along – let’s dig into this book together.

First, you might be wondering – as I was – who Jude was. Interestingly, most scholars believe that Jude was the brother of Jesus. Jude humbly downplays this relationship, however, by simply referring to himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1:1).

Jude initially intended his letter to focus on salvation. In Jude 1:3, however, we learn that he changed his mind: “I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.” False teachers had infiltrated the church and the culture. Jude says that these people have “come by in stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord” (Jude 1:8). Jude then refers to Sodom and Gomorrah, cities known for their sexual immorality, and compares the contemporary false teachers to the immoral citizens of these two cities by saying that their agenda is like “glory dragged in the mud” (Jude 1:8, MSG).

It is no secret that in many parts of the world, Christianity is currently being dragged through the mud. Jude reminds us that the apostles of Christ spoke to this, saying, “…there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires” (Jude 1:18) Not only will there be false teachers, but these people will “cause divisions…” (Jude 1:19).

Jude does not leave us without a solution, however. Instead, he suggests a path forward. He advises us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God…” (Jude 1:21). He also advises us to “be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin” (Jude 1:23, MSG). We have probably all heard this before: we must love the sinner while not tolerating the sin. This is not easy, and I don’t expect that it ever will be. But in this time of swirling chaos in our culture, we must continue to boldly proclaim the truth of God and His Word.

I love how Jude, the brother of Christ Himself, ends his letter to his readers with a benediction, a blessing. This is my prayer for our reading community today: “Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25)

Introduction to Jude

 

Psalms 46

Jude is an interesting person. He has been mentioned and referred to by many names throughout the Bible: St Jude, Judas Thaddaeus, Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus. He was one of the Twelve Apostles and the brother of James and Jesus.   He is mention in the New Testament twice: Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13.

The epistle of Jude was written around 65 A.D. The epistle is short, but packed with complex themes and messages. For centuries many biblical scholars have tried to analyze the messages and relay them in a fashion that is easy to consume. From the NIV Life Application Study Bible it states that the main themes are: False Teachers and Apostasy.   These themes are both valid then and now: be aware of those not teaching in accordance with the scriptures and walking in the truth of Christ; and do not drift away from our commitment to Christ.

Jude is sending us a wake up call. He is reemphasizing the need to be alert and forever on our guard. In the busyness of our lives, we have everything on a particular schedule: take the children to school; walk the dog; shop for groceries; prepare meals; schedule this practice; pick up this book/clothing/project for the family. But do we take the intentional time to schedule quiet time, devotionals, small groups, serving others, and being with other Christ followers. It is during these times of busyness we allow our spirit to drift away from Christ (Apostasy) and then we have weakened our armor and are vulnerable to the attacks of false teachers.  We must recommit ourselves to these intentional times to stay aligned with Christ.

Jude tells that knowledge of all of the scriptures is good, but without the true relationship of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit we are not able to truly understand God’s purpose for us. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen our relationship with Christ and give us the understanding and awareness to be vigilant and ready for the challenges and schemes that lie ahead.

In the midst of the events that have unfolded last week I want to close the post with this verse :

Psalms 46 : 10-11

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

Go. Be. Hospitable!

Bible Journal Post – 3 John & Psalm 45

Has your week been as crazy busy as mine?!?! Some days, I make my list and schedule for the day and due to unexpected circumstances, NOTHING on that list or schedule is accomplished. Then, I feel frazzled, stressed, and rushed. But, I was reminded through our Bible Reading today, 3 John 1, that my focus needs to be on others! I get so caught up in my world of taking care of my families’ needs, work stress, and keeping a house that I lose focus on Walking in the Truth.

3 John 1:3-4 says, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

We can only know Jesus and share Him with others when we know Him personally and spend intimate time with Him. John tells Gaius in 3 John 1, that he knows that Gaius is walking in the truth because of what he has heard about Gaius’ actions. John praises him because he treats everybody the same. John is not only speaking about what Gaius knows, but about his actions that demonstrate truth. Gaius was not a well known person or a public figure. He seems like he might have been just an ordinary man in his community. But, he simply opened up the doors of his home to others that were traveling through his town. Even though these people were strangers to him he invited them in and was considered a partner in the truth.

3 John1:8 tells us that “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”

According to dictionary.com, hospitality is 1) the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. 2) the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

How do you show hospitality to others? I am sure that Gaius, like us, had other events happening in his life that made hosting others stressful. But, he did it anyway.

In this day and age, hospitality might look different.

Of course Facebook these days can be both a blessing and a curse. Yes, there are times that I spend too much time mindlessly scrolling through posts that mean nothing to me and add nothing to my day. But, every now and then I will read a post from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are giving their lives on the mission field that is priceless. As I was preparing for this post, I stumbled upon a post from Amy N’Todd Block who are missionaries at Village of Hope in Guatemala. I encourage you to find them on FaceBook and read the post that Amy posted on Thursday of this past week. It is a true definition of hospitality and a demonstration  living out the TRUTH.

We may not be missionaries out in the field, but how can we be missionaries here at home in our busy lives and support those around us? Of course, we can help financially support missionaries we know are spreading the Truth and join together with them in their endeavors.

But what about here at home during our daily activities? Sitting at the soccer field watching your children play a game? The baseball field? Grocery shopping? Doctors appointments? Picking up the dry cleaning? Grabbing lunch at a restaurant? Walking the halls at school or work? During your daily walk to get or stay healthy?

I have been impressed with a gal that I pass every morning during my walk on the trail. I am walking with my faithful companion (my dog, Sami), my hat on, head down (so I don’t trip) and ear buds in my ears. I used to not pay attention at all to those who walk by me. This was MY time. But, every morning as this one particular lady passes me, she steps closer to me, smiles hugely, and puts her hand out waving at me with a loud “Good Morning”! The first time I experienced her, I l was shocked because she made me smile and feel happy. Now, I expect it from her and am always ready to smile back and say good morning when we pass. That small act made me so happy that guess what? I have been intentional about getting others attention on my walk and smiling and saying “Good Morning”! I try and see how many people will smile and say good morning back to me! This is hospitality, treating strangers in a warm and friendly way!

The simple smile, a friendly “good morning”, and a little small talk may be the beginning of a relationship where we get to share the Truth! What are others saying about your actions?

Go. Be. Hospitable!

Love

Today’s reading:  2 John 1, Psalm 44

Today’s post is written by my friend Paige Holt. I’ve loved getting to know Paige over the past few years through our weekly small group Bible study.  She is a wife, a mother, and a surgeon who’s passion, love and care for people is simply contagious –

From the time I found out I was pregnant with my first child, Parker, I was worried about being a mother.  I had known that I wanted to be a mother for my entire life but once the reality hit that I was actually going to have a baby I couldn’t stop my mind from racing.  My biggest fear was that I would not bond with my child.  I was consumed with reading books about nursing, baby milestones and growth.  I talked to mothers about their journey trying to gain insight in to how it was that they developed the deep love and connection that they had with their children.  My own mother was detached and absent and my fear was that I would have that same relationship with my child.  Even after Parker was born, I struggled with fear.  I worried that I would become hardened, that the late night feedings would wear me out and that I would begrudge my baby for my lack of sleep.

I remember quite clearly when Parker was about four weeks old and he was nursing in a quiet midnight feed that it dawned on me how much God loved me.  In spite of my sin, in spite of my life of sin, he had entrusted this precious little human to me.  He had given me a soft heart for this little child.  He was giving me the ability to love this little human that he had created.  And, it was during that quiet middle of the night time, that God started speaking to me.

It was during those quiet times, with dimmed lights, that I realized how much I loved this little human.  Yes, he was cute and cuddly.  But it was much deeper than that.  I knew that I would give my life to protect this child.  And it dawned on me that God loved me so much that he sacrificed his own son so that I could be saved.  To be a new parent, holding this little snuggle bunny, and to feel the weight of love that God had for me by his sacrifice of His own Son is a feeling I will never forget.  It made me think about how heavy the burden of sin is that it would take such a sacrifice.

2 John 1 encourages us to love one another.  The author states that we should be full of love.  The truth will be with us forever.  And the passage shows the imagery of mother and child.  I am very grateful for those doubts and questions and concerns about motherhood.  It was the time in my adult life when I started to hear God’s voice again. The little nudges. The quiet whispers in the middle of the night.  All leading to the epiphany that God loved me in spite of my sin and made the ultimate sacrifice to be with me.  And in the end, I am his.

No matter where we are

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

What a promise. What is on your heart today that you believe is in God’s will that you need to ask him for? I know it is in his will that we share the gospel, share his love, that we give, that we repent, that we flee from sin and that we turn our hearts and will toward him.

How often do we take this promise too lightly? No matter where we are, anytime, we have the ear of the almighty God, creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Lord of All, and oftentimes my prayers are just so lame it is embarrassing.

I repent right now Lord for treating you so small. You rescued me, you gave me mercy and grace. You offer perfect truth through your Holy Spirit and your word in the Bible. Thank you for forgiving my sin, for loving me, for listening, for your mercy and grace that I can never repay.

Taking God’s promises too lightly in my world is a result of my own selfishness, which ends up becoming idolatry; me first, everything else second.

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:21 NLT)

I asked my boys to read 1 John 5, then share any thoughts that the reading might have provoked. They both (separately) mentioned verse 21. The ESV uses the word idols, but I sure love how the NLT puts it in our terms today and basically defines idols as anything that might take God’s place in our hearts.

Preston related this verse to having the desire to play video games that he knows are wrong/bad for him. Peyton related it to choosing sports over spiritual growth. Pretty sure we can all relate!

Even during the writing of this post I allowed myself to be distracted by looking for the best hotel for an upcoming business trip. Hmm, the one with a 4.4 rating or the 4.3 rating that looks like nicer rooms but not as desirable location? Pretty sure I checked out for 15 minutes browsing photos and reading reviews. In the end, my investment in that search was about about seeking what would please me and would give me the most comfort. After wasting time on this search I literally felt empty and even a little depressed. Nothing on this earth will ever satisfy like the living water of Jesus… nothing.

Lord Jesus I need you, every day, every hour, every second. I repent for allowing the things of this world to take your rightful place in my heart. Renew me, restore me, guide me today for your glory. Amen.

Today’s reading links: 1 John 5 & Psalm 43

What Is Love?

1 John chapter 4 and 1 Corinthians chapter 13 two books you hear quoted a lot in weddings. Whether they are Christian or not, the Bible always seems to be read in one or both of these chapters. Why is that? Well, I think the main reason is that both of these chapters focus on love, but what is love?

 

Do we really know what love is? We use the same word to share our feelings with our significant other as we do to our favorite burger joint. I LOVE you has become a watered down phrase we say that marks the next step in our relationship. Love doesn’t mean forever anymore, Love is temporary and only there under the best of circumstances. Luckily, we have a savior that first LOVED us.

 

I was a camp counselor my sophomore year of college at a sports camp in Missouri. That summer I was stuck in a log cabin with 8, 9-year-old boys that didn’t know what they got themselves into. As a part of that trip we memorized verses but to make it easier for the kids they made songs out of it. I remember specifically learning 1 John 4:10 because they paired that verse with “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift. Still to this day I have that verse memorized.

 

That verse is probably the most important verse to look at in this chapter. It states, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. “ (1 John 4:10)

 

Let’s break this verse down. Even though we have not loved God, he still CHOOSES to love us. Can you even wrap your mind around that? When’s the last time you truly loved someone that hated every bone in your body? I’m talking lay down your life because you love them so much. I don’t think we, as imperfect beings, could even wrap our mind around that. Even though we hated him, he chose to love us AND sent his Son to die for us. That love just blows me away.

 

As your week comes to an end, remember what love really means. In a culture that only wants to devalue the word love, I challenge you to give that word more value as you use it in your day to day life. Have a great Thursday!

Salvation Test

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.  – 1John 3:10

The NIV starts verse 10 out this way, ‘This is how we know’.  All throughout Scripture, obedience and love are the hallmarks of a true believer.  1 John 3:10 answers the question every believer should test themselves on: how do I know that I am saved?

God assures believers of their salvation through the Spirit. (1John 3:24)  A believer’s renewed heart compels them to obey the will of the Father in obedience to His word and to love God and others in deed and truth.  The presence of Christ in a believer is unmistakable to them over time.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. – 1John 3:24

Obedience and love.  Like all of Scripture, 1 John chapter 3 continues to return to these two hallmarks of a believer.  As you read through today’s Scripture: 1 John 3 and Psalm 41, be on the lookout for these.  As you enjoy the fellowship of Christ today, feel the Spirit leading you to obedience and love.  

If you have not committed your life to Christ, placed your trust in Him alone and repented from trusting in all other promises, imagine for a moment what your day would be like if you had.  Your whole life made new.  Ever going with a Companion who will reign in your heart and will never leave you.  A companion who is Master over all, King of Kings, who leads you beside still waters in righteousness, who makes you to lie down in green pastures. 

 

My Dear Children…

I don’t get too many handwritten letters anymore but, when I do I think about the time, effort, love, and focus that was put into crafting a letter to speak to someone. When I first read 1 John 2 I sit back and imagine reading such a letter as John starts out, “My dear children…”

Today’s Reading 1 John 2 and Psalm 40

John was an older (experienced) and wise man when this letter was written.  Reflecting on the remarkable life of John I think of the opportunity he had to follow Jesus from his youth. He was our last living apostle and he wrote some beautiful letters to reassure our faith and to remind us to trust God’s word and watch out for false teachings.  This whole letter is full of so may amazing truths about our Father but I selected a few takeaways for today.  1) Know who is on our side 2) Remember how to live out our daily lives 3) Remember the importance of our spiritual growth.

  1. Know who is on our side.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.    1 John 2:1-2

We can be reassured that though we are broken and sinners, we can find hope that our advocate Jesus has already paid the ultimate price and will stand with us at time of judgment. Hebrews 7:25 says “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

2.  Live out the life God calls us to.

We are then reminded to know and keep His commands.  1 John 2:3 “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands.”  and 1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” What joy we encounter when our day is filled with serving Him and submitting to His will.  I pray to have more of these days living in a servant, kind, forgiving, selfless, gracious, and loving way like Jesus did. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.  1 John 2:10

3. Importance of Spiritual Growth

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on the account of His name.

I am writing to you, fathers (mothers), because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men (women), because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, Fathers (mothers), because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men (women), because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14

To all believers of all ages.  continue to walk and search for Him each day.  Stay in His word and take each step with it guarding you in your heart and mind.   Men, women, young and old all have different spiritual walks.  Don’t let this journey get static. Grow, develop, and share His wisdom to not only build you up but to share this glory with others.  Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22  or Ephesians 6:10-18.  

 

17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 

“I desire to do your will, My God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

 

Remain in Him and He has promised us eternal life.

 

Elevation Worship – Your Promises

References: Tyndale & David Jeremiah Study Bibles