A Greater Love

Marilyn Clark

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

 

I have read this verse many times.  Contemplated it’s meaning.  Wondered what could possibly ever take place that I would literally have to give up my life for a friend.  Then one day God (understanding my ability to over think things) taught me a simple life lesson.  It had been a long week filled with lunch appointments, nightly meetings and an all day Saturday Ministry event.  I left Church on Sunday morning looking forward to lunch in front of the TV with one of my favorite movies.  My cell rang on the way home.  A dear friend was recovering from surgery and needed some assistance that afternoon at her house.  She was even willing to pay for our lunch if I just picked it up on my way.  “No, Lord”, I thought.  “I’m tired and I just need some me time.”  Suddenly, all I could hear was that verse… that he lay down his life for his friends.  This time, however, there seemed to be an extra word.  That I lay down my life “agenda” for a friend.  There it was. A clear meaning.  God wasn’t dictating that I actually give up my living ,breathing life on this earth.  God was asking me to set aside my wishes, desires and my agenda to show true love for my friend.  What a great God.  He gave me understanding, a great evening with a friend and even a free lunch.

 

{Father, Help me to never think myself and my agenda so important that I am all that matters.  Help me to always be willing to lay my life down for others and be a willing servant.  Thank you for setting the example!}

Submitting to His Executioners

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  1 Peter 2:12-15 (ESV)

Christians are called to suffer. In countries where there isn’t religious freedom Christians are often brutally beaten and even killed. Many who willingly suffer for their faith call this the “doctrine of the lamb.” 1 Peter 2 tells us that Jesus is our example when Christians face persecution from government (2:13-17), an unreasonable employer (2:18-20) or a husband that is disobedient to the Word (3:1-6). Jesus modeled 4 steps in the face of persecution:

1. Check your heart attitude – Jesus was without sin (1 Pet. 2:22)
2. Refuse to retaliate with unkind words. Jesus blessed those who hurt Him (1 Pet. 2:23a; Lk. 23:34; Acts 7:60).
3. Deposit the situation into God’s hands through pray – Jesus entrusted the situation to the Father through prayer (1 Pet. 2:23b)
4. Keep the goal in mind (pain with a purpose) – Jesus suffered that we might be healed (1 Pet. 2:24)

The first time these 4-steps jumped off the page of Scripture was when I first read the book: Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow. She pointed out that these 4-steps are the key to change (spiritual healing) in the lives of those that are hostile toward us. The way Christ responded on the cross changed a Roman centurion (Matt. 27:54). These same steps can change an unreasonable boss at work or unbelieving husband in the home.

{Dear Heavenly Father, help me respond like Jesus did to those that harass me and treat me unkindly because of my faith. Help me check my attitude, refuse to retaliate, take it to You in prayer and never lose sight of the fact that my Christ-like response may bring them to salvation. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, AMEN! } 

“That Same Power…”

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
(Ephesians 1:16-20 ESV)

Last year during our Easter Celebration, we sang the worship chorus, “The same power that rose from the death lives in me”, from the Hillsong Collection. This powerful truth has been rolling around in my spirit as we approach another season of resurrection celebration
Throughout history many have paid very dearly to obtain power and authority, many times costing them or their loved one their very lives. The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians that their spiritual eyes would be opened to God’s incomparably great power for all who believe, power that is just like the power he exerted when He raised Christ from the grave.

Today I challenge you to meditate on the fact that the same power that raised Christ from the tomb on Easter Sunday Morning dwells in you and me as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. We now can say, Oh death, oh grave, oh sin, where is your victory? We are called this day to live out our lives in the power of our resurrected Lord and Savior.
Also, because Christ defeated death, hell, and the grave, he was given authority over all rulers, authorities, powers, and dominions in spiritual realms. Because of the resurrection we have been given that same authority from Christ in our lives as well. Let’s stand up brothers and sisters in Christ and take this given authority over all those things that are working against us to steal, kill and destroy our lives and our families. Let us speak out that authority in Jesus Name.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you and me! Hallelujah and Amen! Happy and Victorious Easter Celebration!

Just a Simple Question

Dave Ryan

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
(John 13:14-15 ESV)

I recently finished watching a  video series by Chuck Colson on ethics. The discussion group included several college professors and students from Princeton University.  The discussions were quite interesting as the panel tackled different ethical situations and the apparent lack of ethical standards in today’s society.  My mind kept wandering back to a simple question that could get anyone through an ethical quandary: What would Jesus do?

I’m sure everyone remembers back a few years when WWJD was on t-shirts, bracelets, bumper stickers, and more.  If only that question was more than a fad, and everyone truly asked themselves, “What Would Jesus Do?” before acting, I think that would make a huge difference. The greatest ethics teacher to come to this world will always provide the right answer. Just ask Him.

{Jesus, thank you that You came and lived a perfect life on this earth as an example for us to follow. Remind us to look to you as we make decisions in our everyday life. Amen.}

Silver Lining

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV, 1984)

Have you ever had an experience in your life where you asked a lot of questions?  Why is this happening to me?  Where is God?  Why is this happening right now?  Why has God allowed this?  How am I ever going to get through this?  There is a long list of questions that seem to have no answers.  You muddle through your days, just trying to see some light ahead on your pathway.

I have been there a few times in my life and for a while there seemed to be no answers to any of my questions.  God was silent and the world around dark and closing in.  But God’s Word shed light on these times and gave me a silver lining to the dark clouds.  Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.”  And in John 16:33b it says, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Take heart.  God loves.  God knows.  God is working.  God will perfect you.  God will use you.

God didn’t promise life on earth to be easy, but He promised to work in and through all things that occur in our lives to His perfect plan and for His glory.  And if you are faithful and wait and keep an eye out, God will use your hurts and pain and questioning to help someone else along on their journey here on earth!  Trust Him, talk to Him and keep watching for your sliver lining!   

{Father, thank you for the reassurance that You know the hard times are coming, and that You have already mapped out Your plan for me in the midst of the times when I cannot see the road ahead or hear You speak. Help me trust, even in the midst of my hurt, that You are in control. Amen.}

Do It Anyway

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

I love how God uses people or maybe there are angels on Earth to keep us focused. Several years ago, I sat in an 8am service by myself, feeling very “by myself”. I don’t remember the message, but I do remember that it made me tear up.

I returned to my desk to find a piece of paper, purposely anonymous… here is what it said:

While we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10)

.
DO IT ANYWAY
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for the underdog anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help, but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you’ve got and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

And attached was a little prayer that I have prayed many times over the year: “Lord, I purpose today not to listen to my detractors or look to the left or the right, but to stay on the clear, sure path you have set before me.”

I thank God for how He used the purposely anonymous in my life on a day\season of ministry when I needed encouragement to persevere.  This has hung in my office for 5 or 6 years. I would love to know who gave this to me…hint, hint!

{Lord, I purpose today not to listen to my detractors or look to the left or the right, but to stay on the clear, sure path you have set before me. Please help me give You everything today. Amen.}

Hebrews 2: God Speaks, Therefore…

Hebrews 2: 1-4; 14-18

In my last post we saw that we worship a God who speaks.  God is not silent.

As we move to chapter two the writer tells us what our responsibility is to a verbal God.  Because He has spoken to us (1:1), we are not to drift away (2:1).    We are to take the spoken words of Jesus Christ and live them out.  Some of the Hebrews were walking away from Christianity and turning back toward Judaism.  A lifestyle and practice that was familiar to them.  How easy it is for us as well to forget the spoken words of our savior and go back to what is familiar.  Today there are many things that cause us to drift away.  I believe three of the biggest reasons are:

1. Friends – Next to our families our close friends are the most influential people in our life.  If we are walking in close fellowship to those in darkness, the odds are that our light will start to go dim.
2. A Slow Bleeding Sin – In the Bible belt we are really good at not breaking any of the big sins such as drugs, adultery, murder.  However, I believe we have a far more pervasive problem that I call the slow bleed.  These are things that people don’t see.  Maybe a pornography addiction, covetous heart, or vanity.  While nobody may notice, these sins slowly start to pull life out of us.  It’s doesn’t happen over night, but slowly when we indulge in these behaviors the heart becomes callous to the voice and love of God.
3. A Tragic Event – You don’t have to live in this world very long to realize its brokenness.  The effects of sin not only reach to the depths of our soul, but to our bodies and our planet.   Just about everyone no matter how young or old has experienced the loss of a loved one to sickness, war, or an accident.  Many have experienced abuse by loved ones and neighbors.  These events often raise the question, “Where was God?”

Even though we are guilty of sin and have knowledge of sin because of the law, God has given us “a great salvation” through Christ (2:2-3).   We should never take this salvation for granted and live as if we are unsaved.  Not only do the redeemed get to enjoy eternal bliss, but they also have a savior that understands what they are going through on this earth.

Hebrews 2:14-18

The power of the blood of Christ gives us power over the devil in this life (2:14), not just in the life to come.  No matter what temptation we are experiencing we have a savior who knows what we are going through.  And if the Son of God himself was not exempt from pain and suffering, why do we think we should be?  Jesus knows what it’s like to have a friend betray him, he experienced separation from the Father because of sin upon his death, and he experienced rejection and abuse at the hands of those who were suppose to love him.  I don’t know anyone who would say that the Father was not with Jesus through his earthly life.  We can be assured that He is with us even in the midst of our suffering.  We should follow the example of Jesus.  When we are suffering or hurting our first reaction should be to pray.  We have a High Priest in Jesus Christ who can help us because he has been through it himself.

Hebrews 1: God Speaks

The first thing we are shown in the book of Hebrews is that our God Speaks.

God is not silent; he desires to communicate with his people.  He even created and it says here he sustains everything by His spoken Word.

“He is not silent. God communicates. He means to connect with us. He is not an idea to be thought about. He is a person to be listened to and understood and enjoyed and obeyed. He is a speaking Person. There is no more important fact than this: There is a God who speaks that we might know him and love him and live in joyful obedience to him.” –John Piper

 

How does He speak?

 1.      Through the prophets
God speaks using people.  How awesome is that?  When the prophets in the bible spoke.  It is as if God himself was speaking.

It also says that he communicated in many times and in many ways.  He wants everyone to get it.  God used a variety of people to speak in the Old Testament, so if you didn’t get the message of one prophet there are a bunch more to look at.  God uses a variety of different people and ways to communicate with his people.

 2.      Through Jesus Christ
Now the point here is that if God seemed ready and eager to communicate himself in the Old Testament, how much more is he ready to communicate in the sending of his Son!   The writer shows us in verses 2b-4 why Jesus is better.  Everything that we need to now about matters of life, salvation, and who God is, is shown to us through Jesus Christ.

A Wonderful Time of Year

Great Family Event, & Christmas Bible Readings

WOW!  Our Family Christmas Event was sooo much fun this past Saturday.  We decorated cookies and took family photos and ate the cookies we decorated and then ate some other cookies and… 

Hearing how all of our Christmas traditions began was incredible as well.  I had no idea that a Christmas tree had anything at all to do with Jesus…but it does!  If you missed out on the event, I have found out that you can order the dvd at http://www.buckdenver.com.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the Children’s Ministry and ALL of the volunteers who helped to make this event so much fun.  Pictures will be uploaded in just a few days so you can see all the fun we had.

Since I am on the subject of Christmas…  

We have found out that YouVersion has 5 Bible reading plans that are centered around the Christmas Story.  Why not choose one from the links below and read through the Christmas story this month?

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Begins with Christ

Rediscovering the Christmas Season

The Christmas Story

Happy Christmas!
Pastor Ira

Day 40 – Strength in the Spirit

Pastor Kyle Wall

 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)

For twenty-six years I have had the privilege of serving in churches as a pastor/shepherd. In every setting, I have known that I was in over my head. Every situation was beyond my ability and skill set. Without a doubt, God knew that I needed it to be that way in order to force me to be dependent upon Him.  And in every situation, God has been faithful to strengthen me with power “according to the riches of his glory.” Today, I may come across as a confident leader to you. Just know, that is the result of the Holy Spirit strengthening my inner being with power.  Will you ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your inner being according to the riches of God’s glory? He desires to do that for you today!

{Father, I need you! Life can be overwhelming, stretching and difficult. And yet, the riches of Your glory are unending. According to Your riches, strengthen me through Your Spirit! Whatever I am facing today, I turn to You for strength. Thank You that You never fail. In the name of Jesus, amen!}

 

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