This Holy Week, I am once again moved by the words to Charles Wesley's hymn, "And can it be that I should gain?"
May it bless you this day!
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain-
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all: th'Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father's throne above
So free, so infinite His grace-
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray-
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
On Trial
"I am on trial because my hope is in the Resurrection of the dead!"--Acts 23.6b
The Apostle Paul, leader in the early church had been called before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the most powerful political institution of the Jews during the Roman occupation of Israel. They had called Paul to account because of his preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everywhere he had gone, there was a mixed response to the gospel. Some believed, were baptized, and joined the exploding number of new Christians. Others violently opposed the spread of the gospel, even attempting to murder Paul on several occasions.
Called before this powerful council, Paul made his defense. His crime? Setting his hope on the Resurrection power of Jesus! As I read this today, I wonder, could I be convicted of such a "crime?" Would those around me know by the way I live my life (not just by what I preach) that my hope is in the Resurrection power of Jesus? I always feel that the signs could be much more evident than they are. How about you? Are the "signs of the Resurrection" evident in your life? If we surrender our lives to Jesus this day, to the hourly movement of God's Holy Spirit, the signs will be there!
The Apostle Paul, leader in the early church had been called before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the most powerful political institution of the Jews during the Roman occupation of Israel. They had called Paul to account because of his preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everywhere he had gone, there was a mixed response to the gospel. Some believed, were baptized, and joined the exploding number of new Christians. Others violently opposed the spread of the gospel, even attempting to murder Paul on several occasions.
Called before this powerful council, Paul made his defense. His crime? Setting his hope on the Resurrection power of Jesus! As I read this today, I wonder, could I be convicted of such a "crime?" Would those around me know by the way I live my life (not just by what I preach) that my hope is in the Resurrection power of Jesus? I always feel that the signs could be much more evident than they are. How about you? Are the "signs of the Resurrection" evident in your life? If we surrender our lives to Jesus this day, to the hourly movement of God's Holy Spirit, the signs will be there!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Father's Great Love
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."--Luke 15.20
Sometimes we feel so guilty about some sin we have committed, some mistake we've made, some way we've mistreated others, that we wonder if we can ever bridge the distance to God again. Sometimes we feel so haunted by the past that we wonder how God could still love us. Sometimes we feel that we've so neglected our spiritual life that we're not sure why God would love us.
If you've ever wondered those things then this Scripture is for you. No many how many steps we take from Jesus, he's always just one turn away. That's what happened to this sinful son who had squandered the blessings his Father gave. When he turned to go home, the father ran to meet him with compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Know today that you are loved by a God of extravagant grace and love!
Sometimes we feel so guilty about some sin we have committed, some mistake we've made, some way we've mistreated others, that we wonder if we can ever bridge the distance to God again. Sometimes we feel so haunted by the past that we wonder how God could still love us. Sometimes we feel that we've so neglected our spiritual life that we're not sure why God would love us.
If you've ever wondered those things then this Scripture is for you. No many how many steps we take from Jesus, he's always just one turn away. That's what happened to this sinful son who had squandered the blessings his Father gave. When he turned to go home, the father ran to meet him with compassion, forgiveness, and love.
Know today that you are loved by a God of extravagant grace and love!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Purpose 4: You were shaped for serving God
"God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen."--1Peter 4.10-11
You were shaped for serving God! This is the fourth purpose of your life as outlined in The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. But this is not just an idea that Rick Warren came up with. It runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we see regular people using the time, talents, and treasures God gave them to serve God and other people. You may not feel very gifted, but God custom designed you for a mission of service to him and others.
Yesterday, in the Sunday service, I noted that you can even use Martial Arts for Jesus! It's true! The evangelism ministry, Kicks for Christ, gets people's attention with martial arts and then shares the gospel. (Check them out at http://www.kicksforchrist.com/)
There are bikers for Christ, cowboys for Christ, even metal heads for Jesus! You can use whatever talents and passions you have in life to serve God. What talents, time, treasures, or even trials you've experienced in life could you use today to bless others with the love of Jesus?
You were shaped for serving God! This is the fourth purpose of your life as outlined in The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. But this is not just an idea that Rick Warren came up with. It runs throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, we see regular people using the time, talents, and treasures God gave them to serve God and other people. You may not feel very gifted, but God custom designed you for a mission of service to him and others.
Yesterday, in the Sunday service, I noted that you can even use Martial Arts for Jesus! It's true! The evangelism ministry, Kicks for Christ, gets people's attention with martial arts and then shares the gospel. (Check them out at http://www.kicksforchrist.com/)
There are bikers for Christ, cowboys for Christ, even metal heads for Jesus! You can use whatever talents and passions you have in life to serve God. What talents, time, treasures, or even trials you've experienced in life could you use today to bless others with the love of Jesus?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Purpose 3-Becoming like Jesus
"I am confident of this: that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."--Philippians 2.6
The third purpose of our lives, as outlined in The Purpose Driven Life, is to become like Jesus. Now, in itself, this would be an impossible task. Most days, we are all too aware of our sins and short comings. And if we are in doubt, the world will be sure to remind us of these.
The Good News is that we are not charged to become like Jesus in our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. And the encouragement of the Scripture listed above is that by the end of our lives, God will complete that work of making us like Jesus.
Our role is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, to give the Holy Spirit room to operate in our lives. We do this by worship, prayer, reading the Bible, doing good works for other people. All these spiritual disciplines are what John Wesley called "means of grace," tools that God uses to grow us like Christ.
So, remember today your goal, your focus, to become like Jesus. And remember that the Holy Spirit is working in you to achieve that goal.
The third purpose of our lives, as outlined in The Purpose Driven Life, is to become like Jesus. Now, in itself, this would be an impossible task. Most days, we are all too aware of our sins and short comings. And if we are in doubt, the world will be sure to remind us of these.
The Good News is that we are not charged to become like Jesus in our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. And the encouragement of the Scripture listed above is that by the end of our lives, God will complete that work of making us like Jesus.
Our role is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, to give the Holy Spirit room to operate in our lives. We do this by worship, prayer, reading the Bible, doing good works for other people. All these spiritual disciplines are what John Wesley called "means of grace," tools that God uses to grow us like Christ.
So, remember today your goal, your focus, to become like Jesus. And remember that the Holy Spirit is working in you to achieve that goal.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Made to belong
"Christ makes us one body . . . connected to each other."--Romans 12.5
The Second Purpose for our lives, as outlined in the Purpose Driven Life, is that YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD'S FAMILY. Rick Warren writes that "we were made to belong not just believe." It seems that people are more disconnected than ever. I believe that's why texting, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are used so much. It is the desperate attempt by a desperately isolated people, desperately trying to connect to each other.
The Good News is that God has already created a family for you, a place to belong; it is called the Church. It is a place to belong, to learn how to believe, to share burdens, and to share service in Jesus' name. You are not alone! I encourage you to connect with your sisters and brothers in the church today! Why not give one of your friends in the church a call, email, or text and let them know that Jesus is with them today! Ask them how you can pray for them and then share with them how they can pray for you. You were created to belong in God's Family!
The Second Purpose for our lives, as outlined in the Purpose Driven Life, is that YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD'S FAMILY. Rick Warren writes that "we were made to belong not just believe." It seems that people are more disconnected than ever. I believe that's why texting, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter are used so much. It is the desperate attempt by a desperately isolated people, desperately trying to connect to each other.
The Good News is that God has already created a family for you, a place to belong; it is called the Church. It is a place to belong, to learn how to believe, to share burdens, and to share service in Jesus' name. You are not alone! I encourage you to connect with your sisters and brothers in the church today! Why not give one of your friends in the church a call, email, or text and let them know that Jesus is with them today! Ask them how you can pray for them and then share with them how they can pray for you. You were created to belong in God's Family!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Draw close to God
"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." --James 4.8
Reflecting on the first purpose of our lives, TO GIVE GOD PLEASURE, Rick Warren writes, "You are as close to God as you choose to be." Now this may be a little surprising, maybe even a little hard to believe. Why? Because in our human relationships, this is not always the case. Live long enough and you will experience the pain of rejection. Whether it be from a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, teacher, parent, or child, rejection hurts. Sooner or latter, we will experience the frustration of trying to draw closer to someone in our life and them rejecting that.
But God is different! God promises to draw close to us when we draw close to him. We don't need to fear rejection from God. God, in Jesus Christ, has promised to never leave nor abandon us. If we want to be closer to God, God will always grant that request.
So, how do we do it? Worship, prayer, Bible study, being with other Christians, and serving in Christ's name. As we offer ourselves in this way, God is faithful and will come closer to us.
Reflecting on the first purpose of our lives, TO GIVE GOD PLEASURE, Rick Warren writes, "You are as close to God as you choose to be." Now this may be a little surprising, maybe even a little hard to believe. Why? Because in our human relationships, this is not always the case. Live long enough and you will experience the pain of rejection. Whether it be from a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, teacher, parent, or child, rejection hurts. Sooner or latter, we will experience the frustration of trying to draw closer to someone in our life and them rejecting that.
But God is different! God promises to draw close to us when we draw close to him. We don't need to fear rejection from God. God, in Jesus Christ, has promised to never leave nor abandon us. If we want to be closer to God, God will always grant that request.
So, how do we do it? Worship, prayer, Bible study, being with other Christians, and serving in Christ's name. As we offer ourselves in this way, God is faithful and will come closer to us.
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