Love God and Love Your Neighbor

One day, a teacher of the religious law challenged Jesus, which was the “most important,” commandment. Jesus answered the teacher, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT) He expanded on the topic, saying, “Equally significant is the commandment to ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 (NLT) Jesus tied the two commandments together. The two he made of equal importance. Loving God and loving your neighbor became the “Prime Directive” for every follower of Jesus. A disciple of Jesus isn’t truly loving God with all their heart, soul, and mind if they don’t love their neighbor. A person can love their neighbor without loving God, but they can’t love God without loving their neighbor. In Leviticus 19:18 (NLT), God commanded the Israelites to “love your neighbor as yourself.” JESUS QUOTED THIS MORE THAN ANY OTHER OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE. From the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” comes the Golden Rule “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Matthew 7:12. Jesus referenced “love your neighbor” so often that his brother James refers to it as the “royal Law.” People often ask, “What’s God’s will for my life?” Another way to state the question is, “What’s my purpose in life?” The specifics of those questions are different for every disciple. But the general answer could not be clearer. Love God and Love your neighbor. That’s God’s will. That’s God’s purpose. Jesus’ mother Mary told the first few disciples who were with them at the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned water into wine, “Do whatever He tells you.” John 2:5 (NLT) Do whatever He tells you. What has He told his disciple to do? Love your neighbor as yourself. Let’s do it.  

Sticks and Stones...

My recent examination of James' letter for Sunday teaching, along with some conversations and a blog I follow, has led me to review the importance of my word choice. The way I speak sows either life or death. As a child, I learned the adage, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Though widely quoted since 1857, the second half of the line is false. Words can definitely harm people. I could quote dozens of verses from every portion of the Bible about the power of how we speak and the words we use. I’ll just quote one passage from Jesus’ brother James. “It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.” James 3:5 (MSG) I’ve been guilty of careless and wrongly placed words. My words have damaged people’s worlds, “turned harmony to chaos” and muddied reputations. I’m not proud of some things I’ve said. I know they’ve hurt others and I will have to give an account for destructive words. The words we use are so important that Jesus said: “I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” Matthew 12:36-37 (NLT) Did you catch that? We “must give an account” for every idle, careless, useless word we speak and what we say will either leave us innocent or guilty. Those verses, and many others, fosters the fear of God in me. I wonder how “accounting” will work. Will my words be played back for me to review and defend? Will other people listen to the review of my words in a giant tribunal? I’d like to know how the “give an account” works. Maybe I don’t. If I knew what the defense of my words was going to look like, I might never talk again out of sheer panic. I periodically pray King David’s prayer: “LORD, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say.” Psalms 141:3 (NCV) Memorize his prayer for those precarious moments when your mouth is about to get you in trouble.

Self-Deception

I remember as a teenager watching, with my family, The Flip Wilson Show, the number two rated show on TV during its four-year run. If you’re over 50, you probably remember the show. One sketch I remember is “The Devil made me do it.” It was a sketch about temptation and the work of the Devil tempting people. You might remember that just after Jesus’ baptism, he went into the wilderness for 40 days where he fasted and prayed. During his time in the wilderness, the devil appeared to him and tempted him in three different ways. Jesus resisted each temptation and eventually the devil left him alone until a more favorable time. Luke 4:13 The devil tempted Jesus, but most of us don’t need the devil to tempt us. Our own desires lead us into temptation without the devil’s help. Jesus’ brother James described the work of our desires, saying, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” James 1:14 (NLT) James continued, “These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” James 1:15 (NLT) When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation,” or “don’t let us yield to temptation …,” he was teaching them to pray against desires that would drag them towards sin. (Matthew 6:13 ESV and NLT ESV) Temptation always works in cooperation with self-deception. When we are wrestling with temptation, we deceive ourselves by saying things like: “No one will ever know” or “Just this once” or “I’m not hurting anyone” or “I deserve this” or countless other self-deceiving justifications. Temptation won’t work on us unless it can find an inroad of self-deception. Pastor and author Tim Keller comments on self-deception saying, “Self-deception is not the worst thing that we do, but it is the reason we do the worst things.” Self-deception and its partner in crime, temptation, are why we need to pursue our relationship with Jesus constantly. Jesus is “The Truth.” When we’re connected to Jesus, self-deception loses its power. Jesus, “The Truth”, reveals every area of self-deception in our lives and teaches us to resist evil desires.

Closing The Gap

I heard a wise woman recently say, “The gap between her and Jesus was greater than the gap between her and people in her life far from God.” Interesting! I had to think about what she said. I wondered, is it true? Is the gap between Jesus and me, in character, nature, purity and holiness larger than the gap between me and people I know who snub God? After pondering and meditating on her statement, I concluded she was right. I might be a friend of Jesus, a child of God, walking in a relationship with Jesus, but I’m nowhere near the grandness, purity, and character of Jesus. Jesus has been working on transforming me since 1979, but the gap between Jesus and me is still massive. I have so far to go. I am being transformed into His likeness, but being transformed is a lifelong process. I will only be like Jesus when I see Him as He is. (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:2, Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 3:21) Realizing the gap between Jesus and me is greater than the gap between me and people who ignore God has changed my perspective and attitude towards friends and family. The gap between Jesus and me gives me common ground to love, care about and for people in my life. We are told to “love our neighbor, love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.” (Matthew 5:43 NLT) I can love them because I’m just like them. I wonder how many times Jesus has prayed over my life, “Father, forgive Matt. He doesn’t know what he’s doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT) You and I are a lot more like our neighbors and enemies than we are like Jesus. We need Jesus’ love, forgiveness and grace every day. Let’s not kid ourselves, we’ve got a lot of transforming to do. “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Runing With Endurance

The Apostle Paul references running throughout his letters to the various churches. He used the ancient Olympic games that happened every four years throughout the rule of Greece and Rome as an illustration of the race of faith. The Olympic games were familiar to the citizens of Rome. Paul compared running and “the race” to the Christian life. Running is an apt metaphor for the race of faith. When someone does not finish a race or event, the officials put next to the person’s name, DNF. DNF is the acronym for Did Not Finish. The officials do not list the reasons for DNF. For most serious runners, DNF is the worst result they can imagine. Runners will limp, crawl, creep, and fall across the finish line rather than DNF. Anyone can start a race. Starting a race is easy. In High School, I ran with someone who started every race in front of the pack. His starts were great, but he would lose steam and not finish well. Starting great but not finishing was one point of Jesus’ Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed. “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.” (They started well.) “But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long.” (They DNF) Matthew 13:20-22 (NLT) To the church in Corinth, Paul wrote: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step…. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) To the church in Galatia, he wrote: “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?” Galatians 5:7 (NLT) To the church in Philippi: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:14 (NLT) Towards the end of his ministry and life, he wrote to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) Paul ran with endurance. He ran to win; he ran to finish. There was no DNF next to his name. Over 40 years of ministry, I’ve seen lots of people start the race. Most of them with great enthusiasm. I wish I could say I’ve seen them run with endurance, run to win and run to finish. Too many have settled for a DNF next to their name. Many more start the Christian life than finish it. I’m always excited when I talk with someone or see someone who “dropped out of the race” but then re-enters the race. Maybe they “dropped out” because of a spiritual injury, or a team member who disappointed them, or a coach who was hard on them. Whatever the reason for “dropping out,” my heart surges with joy when I see them get back in the race. The letter written to Hebrew Christians encourages endurance and finishing the race. “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) Keep running! Get back in the race! Let nothing stop you from running! Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Can You Say, "Imitate me"?

The last few weeks I’ve been thinking about parenting and what parents’ “model” for their children. Everyone knows children learn by what they see their parents do. We have common statements that describe this reality. “Do what I say, not what I do.” “Monkey see, monkey do.” “The seed doesn’t fall far from the tree.” “Actions speak louder than words.” Children watch their parents closely. There is a tendency by the child to pick up the habits and practices of their parents. If the parents yell at each other, throw around insults and “name call” they almost guarantee their children will do the same. When confronted with the reality that children imitate their parents, people respond by saying, “I know a child who … his parents were the worst! He didn’t pick up his parents' traits. We can all think of situations like that. Those children are the exception and not the norm. The Apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth “… you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT) That is a very bold statement by the Apostle. He knows he is adequately imitating Christ and, because he is imitating Christ, he can challenge the believers to imitate him. I want to live a life that is worthy of imitating. Could I say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ?” or “Imitate my honesty, my integrity, my leadership, my serving, my compassion, my kindness, and my forgiveness?” As a parent, the onus is on me to live a life that is desirable for my children imitating. Do I want them to tell the truth? I better be a truth teller. Do I want them plugged into a church and regularly worshipping with God’s people? I better be involved and regular. Do I want them to be generous? I better be generous. Do I want them to live a life of service? I better be serving. The inescapable truth is our children will imitate us and they will live the kind of life we live. The Apostle Paul said, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Jesus, transform us so we live lives worth imitating. Amen

Fruit Of The Spirit

Paul the Apostle wrote to the Galatians about the “fruit” that is developed when the Holy Spirit is given permission to work in the lives of His believers. “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) The last sentence always pops out to me. “There is no law against these things.” Every one of the fruits the Holy Spirit produces are totally and always legal. There can’t be a law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus was the epitome of the “fruit of the Spirit.” Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control define Jesus. The “fruit of the Spirit” shone in His teaching, His healing, and His suffering. Hanging on the Cross, Jesus spoke words of hope to the thief, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” To the Father he prayed, “Forgive them they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus wants to produce in us the “fruit of the Spirit.” Producing fruit often requires the pain of pruning (John 15.) He prunes us to produce LOVE by bringing people into our lives that are hard to love. He prunes to produce PATIENCE by leading us into and permitting situations that try our patience. If the fruit came naturally, He wouldn’t need to prune us and it wouldn’t require the Spirit to produce fruit. The fruit doesn’t come naturally so it requires pruning and the flow of the Spirit to produce. That is why it is called “fruit of the Spirit.” Next time you are in a tough situation, ask yourself, “What is Jesus pruning in my life? What fruit is the Holy Spirt trying to produce or ripen in my life?”

Jesus Never Stops Working to Transform Us

God’s ultimate plan is to transform His children into the image of Jesus. Everything God does in His children’s life is about that transformation. The Apostle Paul instructed the followers of Jesus to “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him.” Colossians 3:10 (NLT) God created Adam and Eve in His image. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 (ESV) The image of God in Adam and Eve was altered when they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit. Their rebellion did not destroy the image of God in people, but disfigured it. God has been working since Adam and Eve’s “fall” to restore His image in his creation. Jesus is God’s key and ultimate work, enabling the restoration of people “in His image.” Followers of Jesus “all show the Lord’s glory, and… are being changed to be like Him. This change in us brings ever greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NCV) People often wonder what God is doing in their lives. I can tell you what God is doing. He is working to transform you into the image of Jesus. Our transformation will only be completed when we finally see Jesus face to face. As the Apostle John wrote: “… we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him, because we will see him as He really is.” 1 John 3:2 (NCV) Jesus never stops working to transform His followers. He’s working in your life to transform you! Don’t fight the transformation! Work with Him.

Listening to The Holy Spirit

I’ve been reading the scriptures for almost 45 years. I’ve read a variety of translations, some older and some newer. Almost every time I read the scriptures I see something new and wonder “How did I not see that before?” I read a sentence by R. A. Torey, one of the giants of the faith from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I had never seen his insight and I had to chew on the statement for a while. The idea was new to me. “The Holy Spirit came into this world to be to the disciples of our Lord after His departure, and to us, what Jesus Christ had been to them during the days of His personal companionship with them.” In other words, the Holy Spirit always does what Jesus would do if he were here walking with me. Jesus said: “All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” Some will remember the WWJD bracelets that were popular in the 1990’s. (That’s an odd sentece to write. It seems like only yesterday!) WWJD - “What would Jesus do?” Jesus would do exactly what the Holy Spirit wants to do. The Holy Spirit does what Jesus would do if He was walking with you. Is there a situation in your life that you are trying to figure out WWJD? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Ask and listen, ask and listen and you will find yourself doing “what Jesus would do.”

Be Brave

As the time for Jesus’ capture and ultimate execution came near, He talked to the disciples about the coming trials they would face. He knew His arrest, trial, conviction, and execution were right around the corner. He wanted them to be prepared for the coming hardships. The Apostle John remembers Jesus saying: “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 (NCV) Jesus’ words to the disciples 2,000 years ago are just as applicable today as they were when He spoke them. Every follower of Jesus can have peace in Him even though everything around them seems to be coming apart. Jesus reminded them, and us, that in this world and life we would all experience trouble. The types of troubles people face are varied and too many to list. Jesus’ encouragement is to trust in Him. By trusting in Him we can have peace and can be brave as we face troubles. If you are not facing troubles right now, you were recently or will in the near future. Not to be a “downer” but it is true. Trust Jesus! He warned you so you could have peace. Be brave! He’s with you.

God is in the Cleaning, Transforming and Restoring Business

I’m a collector of quotes and sayings. I have thousands of quotes saved. My Dropbox folder of “Teaching Resources” has 688 sub-folders, as of today. Each of those sub-folders has multiple files of quotes and sayings ranging from “abortion” to “zealots.” Anytime I’m reading and find a useful or memorable statement, I collect it. Recently, I saved a couple of quotes that have been running over and over in my mind. They have to do with God’s desire and ability to work in and transform our lives. He desires reconciliation with every person. “All our bad does not make us harder to save, and all our good does not make us easier to save. What saves us is Christ, and therefore all we contribute is honesty—admitting we are sinners and casting ourselves on him.” Dane Ortlund Someone else has said, “You can’t do anything to cause God to stop loving you and you can’t do anything to cause Him to love you more.” He loves us despite who we are, and not because of who we are. He loves us because of who He is. “No matter where you have been, what you have done, or what has been done to you, the grace of God can wash you clean, consecrate you as his child, and restore what sin has stolen.” Garrett Kell God is in the cleaning, transforming, and restoring business. Admitting we are sinners and casting ourselves on Him paves the way for Him to do what we have deep down wished could happen. Who doesn’t want forgiveness, freedom, cleansing, a new life, hope, purpose, and destiny? Don’t wait. Admit you are a sinner and cast yourself on Him. “Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (MEV)

Have You Dropped the Church?

This week, Bear Grylls, survivalist and TV host stated in an interview: “I think Jesus would really struggle with 99% of churches nowadays.” He commented on a variety of things that are wrong with churches. Some of the stuff he critiqued I agree with. The church has and always has had some messed up practices and behaviors. He said: “Drop the church if you need to …” That is terrible advice! Jesus did not and would not tell people to “drop the church if you need to …”* Leave unhealthy churches, yes. Find a healthy community of faith, led by healthy leaders, yes. Drop the church, No! Hear me out. Especially if you’ve “dropped the church.” The movement that we call the church is not like Rotary, Kiwanis or any other community group. The church is the Bride of Christ; it is the body of Christ. Jesus never dreamed that people would follow him without being part of a faith community. Read through the accounts of the life of Jesus and you’ll see Jesus inviting people into a community of faith, not telling them to abandon one. A person, as an individual, is not the “Bride of Christ.” A person, as an individual, is not the body of Christ. Jesus never intended for an arm, leg, foot, or tongue to be separated from the body. A hand is not a body, it’s not even part of the body unless it’s connected to the body. A body is a body! The 21 feet that have washed up on the shores of Puget Sound over the last few years**, are just those feet. Some feet were in a shoe or boot, and some were not. Authorities are hunting to figure out what “body” lost a foot. They aren’t bodies, they are feet. In the creation account, God said: “It is not good for man to be alone.” *** People say, “Nature is my church.” Nature is wonderful, amazing and soul refreshing, but Adam had nature in its untarnished state. But God said it was not good. God’s plan was for people to have people. God’s plan for your life is that you gather with other believers. Your spiritual health depends on it. “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Admitting Our Mistakes and Asking for Forgiveness

Just a few weeks ago, Liberty Mutual Insurance published results of their 2022 research from their “Responsibility Project.” Over 1,000 adults were asked about their attitudes toward responsibility. Participants were asked to define “personal responsibility.“ 46% choose “Doing what’s expected of you or what you’re supposed to do.” 31% choose “Admitting to or owning mistakes.” 23% chose “Doing something especially hard or challenging.” The definition I find interesting is “Admitting to or owning mistakes.” Admitting to mistakes or wrongs is foundational for followers of Jesus. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses.” Confession is necessary for healthy and obedient living. Jesus famously challenged people to stop pointing out the speck in someone else’s eye and ignoring the log in their own eye. “Speck watching” and “Log denying” are both contrary to admitting mistakes. Steps 4 and 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous are about “admitting to or owning mistakes.” 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. One of the primary causes of broken relationships is unwillingness to admit wrongdoing. Over the years I’ve heard countless people complain “they never ask for forgiveness.” Forgiving others does not depend on the offender admitting their wrong or asking for forgiveness. BUT, living a healthy life IS dependent on admitting offenses and asking forgiveness. How are you doing in this area? Do you admit your offenses? Do you ask others for forgiveness? Your health as a person depends on admitting your wrongs and asking for forgiveness. Strive to make admission and confession part of your life.

Put Your Full Trust in Jesus

Things in our world are changing so quickly that people are feeling unsettled. What used to be normal is no longer so. Every day seems to reveal something new and different. What was once “true” is no longer seen as true. Someone commented, “My kids tell me ‘That’s not how it is anymore!’ And I don’t know how to respond.” It’s like we are living in a land where someone changed the names of the streets. The on-ramps and off-ramps aren’t where they used to be, and familiar buildings are now empty and new buildings have sprung up. I want to remind you God doesn’t change. God is the same day in and day out. God does not change because “that’s not how it is anymore.” God spoke to Moses and said, “God is not man, that he should lie or … that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19) God declared through the prophet Malachi “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6) and Jesus’ brother James wrote “there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) In a changing and often unreliable world, God is reliably dependable! You may look around and wonder who you can trust. You may be like many who are wondering if there are any institutions that can be trusted. People find it almost impossible to commit when, at every turn, trust has been broken. Why would anyone commit themselves to leaders, businesses, churches, schools, governments, or movements when the landscape is pocked with immorality, unethical and untrustworthy behavior? When there are few who can be trusted, there is one who can be trusted. His name is Jesus! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) You can put your full trust in HIM! “Jesus, I need your wisdom, peace, and guidance to navigate this crazy world! Thank you, that you can be trusted and that you’ll walk every step with me. Amen!”

I Need Wisdom

Jesus' brother James wrote to first century disciples: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 (NLT) Another translation put it this way: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5 (ESV) I look to and rely heavily upon the truth and promise of James' statement. It is one of the foundation stones that I've tried to build my life on. Our world, nation, communities, and families grow more complex each week. Questions are being asked that we've never had to answer before. New conflicts arise daily. Many of these issues can be paralyzing. I feel a greater need for wisdom today than ever. If I don't receive wisdom and understanding, I can't lead like I know I need to. I need wisdom to respond to circumstances and situations appropriately. The good news is that God gives wisdom! I've experienced it over the years. You've experienced it. The moments when wisdom was needed and God gave it, taught us about ourselves, others, and life. Where do you need wisdom? Wisdom is available for the asking. The times I decided, reacted, or acted inappropriately are times when I didn't ask for wisdom. Because I didn't ask, I didn't receive it. If any of you lack wisdom … ask our generous God, and He will give it to you! Lord, I need wisdom! I need it as a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and community member. Thank you for being generous and never hesitating to give wisdom. Bring it on Jesus!

Don't Try to Impress Others

I received a package recently that was in a box much larger than its contents. The box was stuffed mostly with packing paper. It got me thinking about packages and packaging. There are all kinds of reasons companies package items the way they do. Sometimes packaging is about shipping costs. Other times, it’s an attempt to reduce shoplifting. Fragile items are protected during shipping by packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Small, expensive, and desirable items are put in those frustrating “clam shells.” I tend to scratch my head when a small item arrives in an oversized box filled with packing. I think, “Look at the waste. Why did they use that box? There must have been a cheaper way to ship this.” My thoughts then drifted to parallels in people. We all know big people who have lots of packing material but very little substance. They might look impressive when you meet them, but when you get to know them, they are mostly filled with “packing peanuts.” You’ve met them. They talk a great game, but they don’t have game. They like to talk about themselves, who they know, and their accomplishments. They seem to be a little item in an oversized box. I started checking my own life. Am I a little item in an oversized box - filled with packing peanuts and air? Or am I the real deal in the right-sized box? “God opposes to the proud but gives grace to the humble!” 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) Lord, teach me to walk in humility! “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Jesus, correct me when I start trying to impress others! “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Jesus, I want my faith to be genuine and not just packing! Jesus, do your work in me!

God Is with Us

In Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and Juliet, one of the most memorable lines is “What’s in a name?” Juliet declared that a name is just a name and has no real meaning behind it. This might be true in some settings, but in other situations, names are pregnant with meaning. 700 years before Jesus, the Holy Spirit declared the name of the coming Savior through the prophet Isaiah. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) No other name given to the Savior Jesus is filled to overflowing with meaning. Think about it, “God with us!” Is there any statement that is more life transforming than the truth God is with us? God with us - God with me! Let the truth sink in. I would encourage you to ponder the name Immanuel. Take some time, limit outside distractions and ponder “God with me” long enough and the truth will explode in your spirit. Realizing even a fraction of the truth will energize any heart. Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus by quoting Isaiah 7. His name will be “Immanuel.” He ends his account of the life of Jesus with the same truth. “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NLT) From beginning to end, God is with us. Is there any truth more comforting, encouraging and transforming? I think not!

Thanksgiving

Throughout the last decade, mental health professionals have urged people to establish thankfulness or gratitude part of their regular routine. A brief search on Google for “mental health and gratitude” results in 58,000,000 websites. The websites are from medical schools, universities, ministries, therapist and countless people who have benefited from the regular practice of giving thanks. Harvard Health lists a paper: “Giving thanks can make you happier.” (https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier) I want to let you in on a little secret. Gratitude is not a new idea for mental health. Gratitude is a foundational spiritual practices followers of Jesus are instructed to practice. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 (NLT) “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. … And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NLT) “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Amid feasting on turkey, dressing, ham and pie, take a few minutes to thank God for the blessings and the trials. Blessings are wonderful, and trials strengthen us. Thank Him for both. BUT, But, but … Make giving thanks a part of your daily routine. Thank God for the little, the big and the trying. It will bring a new level of peace into your life. Peace “which exceeds anything we can understand.”

Though He Falls, He Will Not Be Overwhelmed

I’ve recently been thinking about a song I learned early on my journey of following Jesus. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord … though he fall, though he fall, he shall not be cast down.” The lyrics are taken from Psalm 37. “A man’s steps are established by the LORD, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand.” Psalms 37:23-24 (HCSB) I frequently tear up when I see videos or read stories of a runner who stumbles or falls and gets back up and finishes the race. These stories illustrate the Psalmist’s word in Psalm 37. Every follower of Jesus has tripped and even fallen. The promise of the Psalm is that even when a Jesus follower falls, he will not be overwhelmed. She might have some “road rash” and pain, but she’s not out of the race. I also tear up when I see videos or read stories of someone coming to the aid of a struggling runner. Maybe they pick the racer up and help them to the finish line or run alongside the struggler and offer words of encouragement. Isn’t that how followers of Jesus are called to respond? To pick up a fellow runner and run alongside them in the tough part of the journey? The Psalmist said “he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand.” Every runner has fallen either in training or in an event. Most runners (I wanted to say ALL but that would be exagerating) get up when they fall, brush off the dust and gravel, and get back to running. Every runner has also been helped by a fellow runner and if they are worth anything have helped other runners. I wish I could say the same for every Jesus follower! Some followers have tripped and fallen and then stayed down. Other followers have watched fellow followers struggle and looked the other way. We can do better! If you recently stumbled, get up and put one foot in-front of the other. If you’ve looked the other way when a fellow follower is struggling to get up and continue, don’t do it again! Help the struggling follower. Help her finish the race. “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)

Living the "Christ Like" Fragrant Life

Followers of Jesus find themselves in a world much like the pagan world of the First Century Roman Empire. That, of course, means we have many of the same challenges that the ancient church encountered. The ancient church of the First Century was “pre-Christian” and we’re living in a “post-Christian” world. The message about Jesus’ resurrection, forgiveness, transformation and hope to the “pre-Christian” world appealed to people, and the church grew by leaps and bounds. The message about Jesus’ resurrection, forgiveness, transformation and hope to the “post-Christian” world is less appealing and unfortunately, the church is losing ground in the Western world. Many have accepted the message down through the centuries, but many more have rejected it. Paul wrote about the appeal and rejection of the message about Jesus to the believers in First Century Corinth. “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT) The challenge for Jesus' followers, in this “post-Christian” world, is to live a “Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” Followers should not worry about being “perceived differently by those being saved and by those who are perishing.” Some in your life will appreciate the “Christ-like fragrance.” Others will scorn the “Christ-like fragrance.” How people respond to the “Christ-like fragrance” is not the follower’s responsibility. Living a “Christ-like fragrance” is. Simply put, to some, the smell of the faithful follower of Jesus will smell exceptional. To others, it is putrid. Don’t let people’s response sidetrack you from faithful living. Hopefully, my thoughts encourage you. Let's live the "Christ-like" fragrant life.