Seeing, Growing and Halloween Candy

Romans 8:18-25

Brothers and sisters:

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing

compared with the glory to be revealed for us.

For creation awaits with eager expectation

the revelation of the children of God;

for creation was made subject to futility,

not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,

in hope that creation itself

would be set free from slavery to corruption

and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;

and not only that, but we ourselves,

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

we also groan within ourselves

as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. 

For who hopes for what one sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

When I read this I realize that I don’t really understand God, or rather I don’t the depth of God’s love.  I get so wrapped up in my day to day existence most of the time that I don’t realize that next to eternity my time on this world is a passing phase. When I pause and begin to ponder these points I ache as the text describes. I ache to be with God in heaven for eternity.

Luke 13:18-21

Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like?

To what can I compare it?

It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.

When it was fully grown, it became a large bush

and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches."

Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?

It is like yeast that a woman took

and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour

until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Now the first time I read this I was like, “Whaaaaa…..”, but my take on it is that the God’s kingdom seems small but when given the opportunity to grow it becomes massive. Just as I am made in the likeness of God, I am small and petty when I stay in of myself, but if I allow myself to be nurtured by God and his love I can grow to be great and help and feed many. But that’s just it, I have to choose. God won’t snap his fingers and make it so. It doesn’t work that way. I have to choose to love as he does. 

Jesus, 

There is a lot in this world that is calling me, and lets be honest, it’s not any good. Just like today my children will be going door to door getting candy on halloween, but if I let them eat too much they will get sick. Help me reject the sickness in this world. Help me to see sin for what it is. Help me to see sin period. Sometimes it’s dressed up so fancy and made to look good that you cant even tell it’s bad. Help me to see the love and joy in your way so that I will choose that instead so that I may grow in your love with your love. Cause deep down I know that is where true happiness that is lasting comes from. I love you Jesus you are so precious to me. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ’s name I pray,

Amen

Judging, Cheeseburgers and sick Women

Romans 8:12-17

Brothers and sisters,
we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, "Abba, Father!"
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.

These are some lines that I read and think, "Yeah, I'm good. I don't have anything to worry about", but then I am reminded about how hard I have to walk away from a good cheeseburger, and eat one not six. I remember how I have to remind myself that the beautiful women I see are people to be loved and respected, not treated like playthings of the mind even when they wear little clothing. I have to remind myself that big boy toys are fun but I do myself well to not collect so many. Too many people die of hunger each day. Do I really need another guitar?

Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
"Woman, you are set free of your infirmity."
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,
"There are six days when work should be done.
Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day."
The Lord said to him in reply, "Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?
This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?"
When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

I read these verses and think, "Wow pharisees must have been really mean." I mean, how could you think that you shouldn't treat a woman on the sabbath when they are in such pain? But, I can't tell you how many times I have heard people in complete shock because this or that person came to church wearing "X" and how that is so inappropriate. Or how "so and so" came to church and that was such hippocracy because everyone knows that they sin worse than the devil Monday through Saturday. I won't lie, I've found myself thinking similar things. 

Jesus, 

Thank you for loving me. I don't deserve it. I am sinner of the worst kind. I mean, I'm better than I used to be but I still mess up far too much. I really should know better. Help me to love like you do. Help me to heal the broken-hearted and the lost in this world. Not for me or for them, but for you, because you love them the same as you love me and you want to see them happy and at home in heaven. I love you Jesus. I love you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Half Time Pep Talk?

Romans 6:19-23

Brothers and sisters:
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature.
For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity
and to lawlessness for lawlessness,
so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
But what profit did you get then
from the things of which you are now ashamed? 
For the end of those things is death.
But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,
and its end is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I read these lines and my hearts swells. I don't know what you rake is but I see compassion on full display. I won't lie, in this world that we live in today it's hard to stay on the straight and narrow. Reading these lines is like hearing a great pep talk from the coach at half-time, "Don't give up! Not now, not ever! Winning is at hand! Do not falter." But that's it isn't it, its all in how you read it. 

Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father, 
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Similarly you could read this excerpt and think, "Wow Jesus is mean. He wants to set the whole thing ablaze. I actually appreciate these lines because they forewarn Christians that they will not have all sunny days and rainbows following him. If Christians didn't find division between loved ones following his ways then, well, they probably wouldn't be doing anything worth while. Jesus wants to save you from a world saturated in sin and Satan wants to damn your soul. If Satan didn't have a problem with you following Jesus it would be because you are still living a life a sin with no chance of changing where in which he would still get to see you damned in hell, food for thought. With this rallying cry Jesus is saying, "Don't worry. I knew this would happen. Stay the course. You were made for righteousness and I long to be with you in heaven. Do not fear."

Jesus, 

Thank you for all you do. Thank you for your sacrifice. When I take the time to actually imagine what you went through tears stream from my eyes. Thank you and I love you. Don't give up on me even when I give up on you and sin. Please forgive me. I need you and I want you in my life always. Help me to come through the fire purified ready for heaven. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Are You Ready for Him to Come Home?

Romans 6:12-18

Brothers and sisters:
Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies
so that you obey their desires.
And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin
as weapons for wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life
and the parts of your bodies to God
as weapons for righteousness.
For sin is not to have any power over you,
since you are not under the law but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law
but under grace?
Of course not!
Do you not know that if you present yourselves
to someone as obedient slaves,
you are slaves of the one you obey,
either of sin, which leads to death,
or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin,
you have become obedient from the heart
to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.
Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness.

What were you made for? Here in the above lines it's laid out pretty clear, but on an average day what do you think that you were made for. Most would say, "I'm made to go to work and pay my bills so I can take care of my spouse and children. This is something that strikes to the heart of it all though. Know this though, you were made for divinity. You were made to share in God's paradise. You were not made to be a slave to sin scrounging from one momentary pleasure to another like some animal living off instinct.

Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Then Peter said,
"Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?"
And the Lord replied,
"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
'My master is delayed in coming,'
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant's master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master's will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

We all need to choose what we are to do in life. How many times to you hear adults asking kids, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" It's important to choose so you know where you are going and so that you don't get lost, but all to often, even myself, I have found those who drift through life. Choosing by not choosing anything at all. Do you want peace, joy and serenity in this life? Follow God's way, even on your worst days, if you follow Jesus, you will have peace here and for eternity in the afterlife. Make no mistake you will die and there will be an accounting. If you want to live for the momentary pleasures please know that there is an eternity waiting for you that will be completely filled with the absence of peace and love. If you think that  you can be like the servant that lives for the moment without recourse, I tell you surely you are mistaken. But the choice is yours, God has given you free will. I pray you choose wisely. If you are in the midst of a lifestyle less than righteous or down right dirty, I've been there. It's not too late. God will always take you in if you come to him with a sincere heart, but don't wait too long. You don't know the hour which he will come a knocking.

Jesus, 

I am worried, I mean I get distracted really easily. There is just so much sinful pleasure in this world. Help me to see the empty promises of Satan and for what they are. Help me to be the man you made me to be. Help me to love like you do. Help me to claim my home in Heaven that God has prepared for me. I love you Jesus. I don't want your sacrifice on the cross to be wasted on me. It was too precious.

In Jesus Christ's Name I pray,

Amen

Do You Like Falling Like Dominoes?

    Romans 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21

Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

If by that one person's transgression the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
so that, as sin reigned in death,
grace also might reign through justification
for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I read these verses and think of dominoes. I have an appreciation of a really good setup done artistically well, but even more of an appreciation as I watch them all fall to perfection. Keep in mind though, we were not made to fall. We were made to be perfected pieces of art and to rise up into heaven. Do you like to knock things down in your life, or are you crafting your life as a piece of art? Just like any great piece of art you need the materials to work, good materials. That's where God's grace comes into play.

Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants."

The other question that begs to be asked is, "Do you even show up to play." I've had the pleasure to be in the presence of true artists. To watch one using their talents to their fullest can be mesmerizing. All to often though I have watched talented people waste time, money and talent pursuing other interests. I'll hear comments like, "Boy if I could do 'X' like _____ then I wouldn't waste my time. I would be making it happen". I often wonder if that is true. Thing I experience though is that people with talent take it for granted to often and waste it. Their talent is like air to them and that is sad. Just the same with God's grace. It's there for the taking, but all to often we refuse to ask or even acknowledge it is in our life already. So like a brand new box of dominoes, they go unused, stuck in the back of the junk drawer till they are sold cheap on a garage sale. Don't wait, God is waiting to work with you today, right now this very instant.

Jesus,

I love you very much and all that you do for me, and I am sorry that I don't take advantage of your help and love more often. I am sorry I walk away from you when you are waiting to help me. Help me to realize your grandness and  your glory. Help me to appreciate your sacrifice for me. Help me to be the best me, the me that your father made me to be. Please be patient, I'm pretty stupid most days.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

My Hard Work Get Me Where?

Romans 4:1-8

Brothers and sisters:
What can we say that Abraham found,
our ancestor according to the flesh?
Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works,
he has reason to boast;
but this was not so in the sight of God.
For what does the Scripture say?
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
A worker's wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.
But when one does not work,
yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited as righteousness. 
So also David declares the blessedness of the person
to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.

It's verses like these that give me pause, and sometimes make my ego sting. 

"...Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast;
but this was not so in the sight of God..."

Wow, where do I go from here? I mean my entire life I was taught that I should earn my way. My father instilled from me at an early age that I get what I earn/deserve. With lines like these I want to take pause. I wonder, "Does what I do mean NOTHING?"

What you and I do does mean something. Jesus will judge us on our works and what's in our heart. He wants us to have faith and then he wants to see us put that faith in action and to try and love as he does, but what was lost on me for so long was how bad I was. Now, I've never been to jail, committed a felony or anything that would typically cast me as a bad person. So by society's standard I'm a good guy, but in God's eyes I am a young brat because I fall short of loving like he wants me to. That shook me up the first time I considered it. 

Luke 12:1-7

At that time:
So many people were crowding together 
that they were trampling one another underfoot.
Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,
"Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.

"There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows."

In light of the first excerpt I see this one in a different light. 

"...that they were trampling one another underfoot..."

I'm just barely beginning to see what God sees now, and I wonder if anyone realized how deep and personally Jesus was talking to those around him. I read this as him saying, "Hey stop TRAMPLING EACH OTHER! I will stay here as long as it takes. You don't need to crush each other to get to me. God is watching you RIGHT NOW."

God is watching you right now. He's watching me too. What is he seeing? He sees it all. That my friend rocks me to my core, but Jesus reassures us here.

"...Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid..."

Jesus is telling us bluntly we are worth far more than we can imagine. I couldn't imagine trying to count all the hairs on my head. God has done already because he loves you that much. Jesus also tells us to not be afraid. In this day and age that's big, but do we hear it?

Jesus,

I love you and let me be honest. I am lost. I try to love like you do but I just get in the way of myself. Please forgive me. I beg of you. Please teach me. Help me to SLOW DOWN and to try and see things the way you do. Help me to love through everything. Help me to not fear. Help me to trust in you and your way. 

In Jesus Christ's name, 
Amen

Can You Stand To Be Knocked Down?

Romans 3:21-30

Brothers and sisters:
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
though testified to by the law and the prophets,
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ
for all who believe.
For there is no distinction;
all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.
They are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as an expiation,
through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness
because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,
through the forbearance of God–
to prove his righteousness in the present time,
that he might be righteous
and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out.
On what principle, that of works?
No, rather on the principle of faith.
For we consider that a person is justified by faith
apart from works of the law.
Does God belong to Jews alone?
Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one
and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith
and the uncircumcised through faith.

I gotta say that there are days that lines such as these knock me on my rear-end. Why?

"...all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God... What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out."

For a man that can have a wad of pride on his shoulder these are lines that can really take me back. Fact is the only reason I have life is because of God. I have not earned my life and I have not earned the rich life I have been born into. I have taken this life and then sinned. I have broken my relationship with God time and again. What does God do? He waits and gives me another chance when I ask for it. That is a love that is truly amazing. If I choose to believe him and follow God's ways and have faith in him. God will let me back in his good graces. Do I love like that? Do you? I'll admit I try to, but all to often I fall on my face, and that's okay. God is patient and forgiving in his love for us all.

Luke 11:47-54

The Lord said:
"Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets 
whom your fathers killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent
to the deeds of your ancestors,
for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said,
'I will send to them prophets and Apostles;
some of them they will kill and persecute'
in order that this generation might be charged
with the blood of all the prophets
shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah
who died between the altar and the temple building.
Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law!
You have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."
When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees
began to act with hostility toward him
and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

"I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets..."

Sounds stiff to me how bout you? But here's the thing, we all have a voice. When we sit and refuse to say nothing in the midst of injustice towards God's chosen we are just as complicit. Have you ever sat in a room with your peers while the made fun of someone for sharing their faith? Have you kept silent when those professing their faith in the media are mocked and denounced? Have you done anything for our brothers and sisters around the globe who are being persecuted, tortured and jail and worse for their faith in Jesus Christ?

I know what you are thinking... "Hey though, what can I do?" 

You're not alone. I'll admit it I have done little to nothing in my past. There are times now that I could often do more. I like verses like these though because they challenge us. Oh sure, we could let them insult us or we could try and make excuses, but I think that God here wants us to be challenged. He wants us to rise up. He wants us to be the champions (Saints) he made us to be. Sitting comfortable in their home, relaxing doing little has NEVER made anyone a champion.

Jesus, 

Your love blows me away. I mean really, I want to love like you do, but my ego makes it hard. Please be patient with me. Holy Spirit please come down and bestow on me the gift I need to get off my tail and share the word of God proudly. God please put the things I need in my path to become great for your will not mine, and if that means you need to knock me down hard from time to time. PLEASE DO IT BOLDLY AND LOUDLY. I want to serve you only because your love is the only that eternally satisfies,

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen