Living a 220 life

Jesus loves me, this I know!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This Sunday we heard testimonies from local parishioners who participated on recent mission trips. The missionaries had videos, pictures, music, and inspiring stories that no doubt stirred some to commit to missionary service in the future. The missions ranged from North America to South America and even to China. Despite the moving stories and awe inspiring video’s one simple message stood out to me; Jesus loves us very much and wants deeply to be our Savior.

It was said that a great theologian was once asked “what is the deepest theological truth you have learned?” After taking a moment to ponder the question the theologian responded with, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” This Sunday I was moved nearly to tears, not because of the missionary stories, but because I saw the beauty of Jesus’ love being passed to others who’ve never seen that beauty before.

I began to realize that this fundamental, most basic Sunday school teaching, must be the bed rock of any teaching we conduct. Any ministry the Lord calls us into must be driven by an intense love and gratitude for what Jesus did in pursuit of us. If we truly feel indebted, if we stand empty handed and able to offer nothing in return for His amazing Grace, we will naturally desire for others to know Him as well. We will have no alternative but to fervently spread the message of this Grace we received. Out of our love for Jesus we will share Him effectively with others.

If you’ve never taken time to ponder Grace I encourage you to do so soon. Take time to be alone with Jesus and ask Him to explain His love for you. If you’re not drawn to tears then you don’t understand His Grace. When we fully grasp that the Creator of the universe suffered and died for us all while we were hanging Him on the cross we will be broken. My friend, Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Your leg of the race

35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated– 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.Hebrews 11:35-40

I recently had the opportunity to see some of the holes and caves spoken about in verse 38. One thing stood out to me about the caves: they’re very dark. Due to the poor ventilation they couldn’t light fires therefore, they were both very dark and often very cold. The persecution of the early church was so great that our brothers and sisters would sometimes stay in these dark places for days, weeks, months, and even years at a time. This wrenched my gut to think fellow believers in Christ were treated in such a way. Then my faith was rocked to its core when I realized they chose to live this way. But why?

Verse 35 says that “others were tortured and refused to be released.” Why?! Why would they do this? Was this all just a move to get them into heaven? Was it really just selfishness at its core? As I had this very thought in my head God convicted me beyond belief. He revealed in verses 39 and 40 that my early Christian brothers and sisters endured all this in order that I might have the truth of Jesus passed on to me. WOW! They understood that they were the first leg of a very long relay race; they had the baton and weren’t going to drop it.

I realized, again, that my own pride and selfishness had blurred my vision not only of the sacrifice the early church made but of my role for the future as well. I carry the baton of Jesus in my hand. I have a responsibility to pass it on to the next generation. Friends, the early Christians suffered greatly and went to great lengths ensuring they passed the baton on to you and I. Are we so arrogant to receive the baton and then sit down? Are we so careless as to drop such a precious gift? You have the baton…what are you going to do with it?

When it’s all about you

What happens when life’s all about you? What happens when all your decisions are made in light of what makes you happy? This question is relevant today since this is how many Americans live their daily lives. This is how many Christians live their lives daily. I believe the financial disaster we’re currently experiencing is a direct result of this prideful principle lived out. This same pride was experienced during Jeremiah’s time as well.

In Jeremiah 44:16 we read, “As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you!” This is out right rebellion against God. They acknowledge God is telling them something but they still refuse to listen to it. Many Christians proclaim the same thing through their daily actions. Has God told you something that you completely ignored?

The reason for the rebelion is revealed in Jeremiah 44:17b-18, “for then we had plenty of food and were well off and saw no misfortune. But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” They are openly acknowledging that they will worship whatever makes them feel the best. They will serve whatever suites them best. How many believers today have turned their backs on what they know God has told them in order to make more money? How many mothers felt God’s call to be a stay at home mom in order to raise Godly children but chose a career for money? How many men felt God’s call to spend more time with their families but chose to work more hours for more money? The list of how we choose to serve others god’s goes on but the principle is still the same; our pride chooses happiness in the flesh over joy in the spirit.

If you’re currently living a life of service to other god’s I’d like to draw your attention to verse 27. Read it for your self and see if God doesn’t speak to your heart. He desires loving obedience which can only be given with a surrendered heart. Pray fervently that all your pride be taken and the Lord fill you with a passionate love for Him. Remember, it’s not about you! It’s about Jesus being manifest in our lives daily.

Am I the only one suffering?

Another lesson God is teaching me through my own fiery trials is that my pride leads me to believe I’m the only one suffering. At least, while I’m suffering I’m the only one I care about. This is completely opposed to the teachings of Jesus. While on the cross we can still hear Him saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus was focused on loving others no matter what the situation.

I know this is much easier to preach than to practice. When we hurt we naturally withdraw and focus on our own pain. I understand this. However, I believe we can move away from a prideful fixation on our pain by recognizing our position in the larger body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:16) My friends, we have pieces of the body suffering greatly all over the world right now. We must lift them up and remember them.

One particular story of persecution caught my attention and I’d like to share it with you. This story comes from “The Voice of the Martyres” web site located at www.persecution.com.

“Since late November, about 100 Christians, men, women and children, have been arrested by Eritrean authorities, VOM Canada reported. The wave of house arrests began in northern Eritrean cities and moved to southern regions before reaching the capital, Asmara, on Dec. 12. Some of the detained Christians were reportedly transferred to a military facility and were severely mistreated. Local sources indicate that an unspecified number may have died due to untreated injuries sustained in detention.

Jailed Christians are routinely subjected to physical beatings and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs. Police and military authorities continue to demand the prisoners return to one of the three “official” Christian denominations recognized by the government.”
These are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are apart of the same body as you and I! As a believer, I don’t see how your stomach can’t turn when you read accounts of persecution like this. Friends, through the tears and heart ache we must continue to lift our brothers and sisters up in prayer. Let us never forget those we’ve never met.

Spiritual warfare

I’m back after a long weekend filled with intense spiritual warfare. I deeply appreciate the prayers that were sent up on my behalf. Your prayers were fruitful, effective, and they strengthened my heart. Since you so diligently prayed for me and because God is so good I’d like to share my lessons learned from this time of refinement.

In the worlds view I face a very difficult and troublesome obstacle. In God’s view I face an amazing opportunity to view a demonstration of His power, majesty, and glory. The Lord desires that I see His glory so much that He caused me to rely solely upon Him; it was just me and God facing a mountain together. I believe I had the upper hand.

Before I stepped into the lion’s den I was reading my Bible and God had this promise for me, “If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand.” Jeremiah 42: 10-11

Only moments after reading this promise I began to have the intense awareness of both demons and angels. I could nearly see the slimy creatures hanging off some and the brilliant warriors standing guard next to others. As I entered the fiery furnace an initial sense of fear fell over me. The Lord quickly reminded me “not to fear the king of Babylon” and then strengthened me with an amazingly vivid image of a tall, muscular, angelic warrior with wings spread wide standing in the front of the room. God was reminding me that He is in charge and I’m in His hands.

As I stepped into the room with this formidable obstacle in my way, I felt much like Peter stepping out of the boat.(Matthew 14: 25-32) I trust in Christ and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He can walk on water…but I’m another story. Peter never doubted Jesus because Jesus was still standing on the water. No, Peter doubted himself and thus began to sink. I too must stop looking at my own actions as I’m walking on water and continue to focus on Jesus walking on the water. Only through a constant gaze on Jesus Christ can I be a part of the miraculous work God is doing.

Overall, the time in the fire was successful. I saw God work on Monday and lived to fight again. Though the battle was won, the war continues on. I covet your continued prayers and look forward to any comments you would like to leave. All for Jesus!