Over the last few decades medical researchers have been actively studying the subject of rest and sleep. The researchers are primarily trying to understand what exactly happens when our body rests and when a person sleeps.
Some of the important results of the research reveal what happens to various parts of our body during what is often referred to as ‘recovery.’ Recovery is when, during a time of inactivity, the muscles, tendons, joints and even down to the very cells the body is healed and rebuilt.
Some of the important results of the research reveal what happens to the brain when a person is sleeping. What occurs at a tissue level when someone is sleeping? What stage of the sleep cycle is most important for tissue to be rebuilt, etc.? What happens to the actual memories, emotions and thought processes as a person sleeps? What happens during the various stages of sleep? Which stage of sleep is needed most for optimal brain function?
One of the theories is that during certain sleep stages the brain organizes and rearranges bits of information and memories into reusable patterns. One thing that is becoming very clear is that without adequate sleep neither the body nor the brain functions correctly or even close to correctly. It is well known that without sleep people will go ‘crazy’ and ultimately dies from lack of sleep.
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV) The writer of the book of Hebrews writes about “the promise of entering his rest.”(Hebrews 4:1 NIV) The writer also declares: “Now we who have believed enter that rest, ….” (Hebrews 4:3 NIV)
Is it possible that when believers REST in Jesus’ love, acceptance, forgiveness and purposes instead of continually trying to gain his love, acceptance, forgiveness and purposes, that spiritual bodies were healed and rebuilt and in a time of rest or an attitude of rest their spiritual ‘brains, memories and emotions’ were rearranged and cataloged? What if continual striving, working and labor is a cause of people’s spiritual lives that go ‘crazy’ and ultimately ‘die?’
What is the application? Rest in Jesus’ love – He loves you. Rest in Jesus’ acceptance – He accepts you. Rest in Jesus’ forgiveness – He forgives you. Rest in Jesus’ purposes – He will work out His purposes in your life.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Relationship Quagmire
Don’t those words describe the reality of life? Relationship Quagmire!
No matter how short or long someone has lived they have experienced the blessings of relationships working well and the curses of relationships going sideways! It starts young: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” It seems to continue into later years: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” You and I have heard it from children and we’ve heard it from people way further along in life.
When does a person experience the greatest amount of growth in life? When life is perfect or when life pushes imperfection straight into our path? When the road is smooth and easy or when the road is rough and hard?
I’ve come to believe that God often uses people and relationship ‘processes and events’ to confront areas in my life where I need to find freedom in and experience growth.
Let me illustrate: If ‘fear of rejection’ or ‘fear of betrayal’ are underlying issues in a person’s life, does the most growth come from always experiencing acceptance and loyalty or does the most growth come from experiencing the very thing that is feared – rejection and betrayal? I believe that the answer is not one or the other but – the answer is both.
Experience and what is written in God’s Word teach me that growth happens when I experience acceptance and loyalty from others – but even greater growth happens when I have to wrestle through rejection and betrayal and come face to face with my fears.
How do I come face to face with the fear of rejection and betrayal? By being rejected and betrayed! Then I can either become bitter – letting rejection and betrayal have full destructive license with my heart and life, or I process the rejection and betrayal and let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in the very area of weakness and fear. That happens in ‘Relationship Quagmires!’
Choose to let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in your life!
No matter how short or long someone has lived they have experienced the blessings of relationships working well and the curses of relationships going sideways! It starts young: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” It seems to continue into later years: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” You and I have heard it from children and we’ve heard it from people way further along in life.
When does a person experience the greatest amount of growth in life? When life is perfect or when life pushes imperfection straight into our path? When the road is smooth and easy or when the road is rough and hard?
I’ve come to believe that God often uses people and relationship ‘processes and events’ to confront areas in my life where I need to find freedom in and experience growth.
Let me illustrate: If ‘fear of rejection’ or ‘fear of betrayal’ are underlying issues in a person’s life, does the most growth come from always experiencing acceptance and loyalty or does the most growth come from experiencing the very thing that is feared – rejection and betrayal? I believe that the answer is not one or the other but – the answer is both.
Experience and what is written in God’s Word teach me that growth happens when I experience acceptance and loyalty from others – but even greater growth happens when I have to wrestle through rejection and betrayal and come face to face with my fears.
How do I come face to face with the fear of rejection and betrayal? By being rejected and betrayed! Then I can either become bitter – letting rejection and betrayal have full destructive license with my heart and life, or I process the rejection and betrayal and let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in the very area of weakness and fear. That happens in ‘Relationship Quagmires!’
Choose to let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in your life!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Have life and have it abundantly
One of the most often quoted statements of Jesus is: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV) Have life abundantly!
What does having life abundantly mean? What is the first thing that you think of? Is one of the things that you think of an “All You Can Eat” buffet? Does it mean – any car I want to drive? Does it mean a plethora of shoes in the closet? Does it mean a different outfit for everyday? Does it mean one of each type of hobby tool? Does it mean the latest, greatest, fastest and coolest technology? Does it mean traveling anywhere? Does it mean having enough money in your pocket to do anything you want anytime you want?
What did having life abundantly mean to the Disciples that first heard these words? What has having life abundantly meant to generations of believers across the cultures of the world down through the centuries?
Have life abundantly does have a ‘material’ aspect to it but it is so much more! There are plenty of people that are followers of Jesus, who have full pantries that have no abundance in their life. There are plenty of followers of Jesus that have ‘everything’ but would not describe their lives as abundant.
The context of Jesus’ statement about abundant life is relationship. It is about the relationship of the shepherd to the sheep. The context is the relationship of Jesus to the Father and the Father to Jesus and those following Jesus.
Abundant life is not even about having more relationships. In our ‘Facebook’ world it has become normal for people to have dozens or hundreds of ‘friends’ but no friend. Abundant life is describing relationship with Jesus, with the Father and then ‘rich’ relationships with others.
No one worries about ‘stuff’ at the end of their life – they worry about relationships. At the end of life people don’t regret ‘not enough stuff’ but they do regret shallow and empty relationships.
When does ‘abundance’ become ‘indulgence?’ I’m not sure that there is a clearly defined line but when abundance becomes indulgence – no one wins and there is no ‘abundant life.’
Jesus, Teach us what you meant: to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ Amen
What does having life abundantly mean? What is the first thing that you think of? Is one of the things that you think of an “All You Can Eat” buffet? Does it mean – any car I want to drive? Does it mean a plethora of shoes in the closet? Does it mean a different outfit for everyday? Does it mean one of each type of hobby tool? Does it mean the latest, greatest, fastest and coolest technology? Does it mean traveling anywhere? Does it mean having enough money in your pocket to do anything you want anytime you want?
What did having life abundantly mean to the Disciples that first heard these words? What has having life abundantly meant to generations of believers across the cultures of the world down through the centuries?
Have life abundantly does have a ‘material’ aspect to it but it is so much more! There are plenty of people that are followers of Jesus, who have full pantries that have no abundance in their life. There are plenty of followers of Jesus that have ‘everything’ but would not describe their lives as abundant.
The context of Jesus’ statement about abundant life is relationship. It is about the relationship of the shepherd to the sheep. The context is the relationship of Jesus to the Father and the Father to Jesus and those following Jesus.
Abundant life is not even about having more relationships. In our ‘Facebook’ world it has become normal for people to have dozens or hundreds of ‘friends’ but no friend. Abundant life is describing relationship with Jesus, with the Father and then ‘rich’ relationships with others.
No one worries about ‘stuff’ at the end of their life – they worry about relationships. At the end of life people don’t regret ‘not enough stuff’ but they do regret shallow and empty relationships.
When does ‘abundance’ become ‘indulgence?’ I’m not sure that there is a clearly defined line but when abundance becomes indulgence – no one wins and there is no ‘abundant life.’
Jesus, Teach us what you meant: to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ Amen
I am the Gate
“I am the Gate,” is one of the statements that Jesus made about himself that we are going to look at in this Portraits of Jesus series. When Jesus referred to himself as the gate the real picture is much different than the one that people would often think of. When people hear the word ‘gate’ they often have a very specific picture in mind. Maybe it is a gate from their childhood. Maybe it is a gate at their present residence. Whatever ‘gate’ it is – it is probably a very specific picture.
Another statement that Jesus made about gates is found in Matthew 7. Jesus said: You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
People gain entrance into God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate. The gateway to life is ‘very narrow.’ What restrictive statements. How exclusive. How ungracious and harsh. How NARROW!
There are many people in this culture who see Christianity and the church as just that – NARROW, exclusive, restrictive, ungracious and harsh.
I’m reminded of a story I heard recently about a Bible teacher who was playing golf with a fairly famous professional golfer. As they started their day together the golfer asked the Bible teacher what he did for a living. When the Bible teacher told the golf pro what he did – the golf pro’s response was something like: That’s too bad. Bible people and church people have to live such restricted and narrow lives.
The Bible teacher, ingeniously, responded something along the lines of: I live a restricted life? What about you? You restrict your life to these little fairways with very strict rules. I have seen areas of this golf course that you have never seen and experienced parts of the game of golf that you’ve never been a part of – yet you would see me as the poorer of the two of us because of that.
When the Bible teacher said these words it was like a light bulb lit up in the pro’s mind. He saw a truth about life that he’d never seen before.
Life lived without an element of ‘narrowness’ is a dangerous life. This is true financially, relationally, sexually, verbally and in almost every way. People who go ‘four wheel’ with their finances are quickly stuck in the mud. People who go ‘four wheel’ in their relationships, with their sexual life, with their mouth, etc. etc. are quickly stuck in the mud and are often looking for someone to pull them out of the mud.
Yes there is a ‘narrowness’ in following Jesus but the ‘narrowness’ is the way of freedom and not the way into the mud hole!
Go through the narrow – the very narrow – gate. It may be restrictive but it is the way to great freedom!
Another statement that Jesus made about gates is found in Matthew 7. Jesus said: You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
People gain entrance into God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate. The gateway to life is ‘very narrow.’ What restrictive statements. How exclusive. How ungracious and harsh. How NARROW!
There are many people in this culture who see Christianity and the church as just that – NARROW, exclusive, restrictive, ungracious and harsh.
I’m reminded of a story I heard recently about a Bible teacher who was playing golf with a fairly famous professional golfer. As they started their day together the golfer asked the Bible teacher what he did for a living. When the Bible teacher told the golf pro what he did – the golf pro’s response was something like: That’s too bad. Bible people and church people have to live such restricted and narrow lives.
The Bible teacher, ingeniously, responded something along the lines of: I live a restricted life? What about you? You restrict your life to these little fairways with very strict rules. I have seen areas of this golf course that you have never seen and experienced parts of the game of golf that you’ve never been a part of – yet you would see me as the poorer of the two of us because of that.
When the Bible teacher said these words it was like a light bulb lit up in the pro’s mind. He saw a truth about life that he’d never seen before.
Life lived without an element of ‘narrowness’ is a dangerous life. This is true financially, relationally, sexually, verbally and in almost every way. People who go ‘four wheel’ with their finances are quickly stuck in the mud. People who go ‘four wheel’ in their relationships, with their sexual life, with their mouth, etc. etc. are quickly stuck in the mud and are often looking for someone to pull them out of the mud.
Yes there is a ‘narrowness’ in following Jesus but the ‘narrowness’ is the way of freedom and not the way into the mud hole!
Go through the narrow – the very narrow – gate. It may be restrictive but it is the way to great freedom!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Who really was Jesus?
Who really was Jesus? What did He say about Himself? Is what we believe what He intended that we would believe?
There are many varying views of who Jesus was, what He was like and what He did. Many of these views are built on the preconceived wishes of those who teach them, rather then on truth.
For instance, for years there have been those that teach that, at the Wedding in Cana, Jesus didn’t really turn water into wine but into grape juice. This is taught based not in fact but in a belief that Jesus could never and would never create something that had the power to harm people?
There are those who teach that Jesus didn’t have brothers and sisters and that ‘His family’ that is referred to in the Bible were actually just cousins. This is taught based not in reality but on the view that there is no way that Mary, Jesus’ mother, could have ever had had sexual relations with a man.
There are those who teach that Jesus was married and had children. This is taught by those who cannot understand a man having such a close relationship with a woman and it be a pure platonic relationship. Each of these teachings is founded in one or more preconceived idea or wish.
During our teaching series, The Portraits of Jesus, I hope that you and I will gain a fresh look at Jesus, who He is, what He does and how our lives find their meaning and strength in Him.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the Gate. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Light of the World. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Vine. He is the Resurrection and the Life.
He is so much more! To say that He is so much more seems so inadequate. But that is what He is SO MUCH MORE!
Jesus, help us see you more clearly! Amen.
There are many varying views of who Jesus was, what He was like and what He did. Many of these views are built on the preconceived wishes of those who teach them, rather then on truth.
For instance, for years there have been those that teach that, at the Wedding in Cana, Jesus didn’t really turn water into wine but into grape juice. This is taught based not in fact but in a belief that Jesus could never and would never create something that had the power to harm people?
There are those who teach that Jesus didn’t have brothers and sisters and that ‘His family’ that is referred to in the Bible were actually just cousins. This is taught based not in reality but on the view that there is no way that Mary, Jesus’ mother, could have ever had had sexual relations with a man.
There are those who teach that Jesus was married and had children. This is taught by those who cannot understand a man having such a close relationship with a woman and it be a pure platonic relationship. Each of these teachings is founded in one or more preconceived idea or wish.
During our teaching series, The Portraits of Jesus, I hope that you and I will gain a fresh look at Jesus, who He is, what He does and how our lives find their meaning and strength in Him.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the Gate. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Light of the World. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Vine. He is the Resurrection and the Life.
He is so much more! To say that He is so much more seems so inadequate. But that is what He is SO MUCH MORE!
Jesus, help us see you more clearly! Amen.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Life and Death
There are dozens of passages in the book of Proverbs that compare and contrast ‘life or death.’ This ‘life or death’ can either be literal regarding the length of life or it can be symbolic of the quality of life. There are numerous illustrations in life of people who are ‘alive’ but smell in one or more areas of life like ‘death.’
The passages in Proverbs regarding ‘life or death’ teach that every year, every month, every day and even every hour we each make multiple choices that either lead to life or lead to death. Those choices either carry with them the fragrance of life or the fragrance of death. Jesus is continually at work to lead us, teach us and motivate us to make choices for ‘life’ but ultimately WE make the choices. He won’t make the choices for us. We choose ‘life or death.’
Here are a couple of the Proverbs that Solomon wrote down to teach future generations:
The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. (Proverbs 12:28 NLT)
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12 NLT)
The choices that you and I make with our thoughts – lean towards ‘life or death.’ The choices we make with our words, with our actions, with our attitudes, with our finances, with our habits and with our time all either lean towards ‘life or death.’
“Lord, teach us to choose life and not death. When we come to one of those moments, make us very conscience of our options and in that split second, help us to choose wisely. Amen.”
The passages in Proverbs regarding ‘life or death’ teach that every year, every month, every day and even every hour we each make multiple choices that either lead to life or lead to death. Those choices either carry with them the fragrance of life or the fragrance of death. Jesus is continually at work to lead us, teach us and motivate us to make choices for ‘life’ but ultimately WE make the choices. He won’t make the choices for us. We choose ‘life or death.’
Here are a couple of the Proverbs that Solomon wrote down to teach future generations:
The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. (Proverbs 12:28 NLT)
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12 NLT)
The choices that you and I make with our thoughts – lean towards ‘life or death.’ The choices we make with our words, with our actions, with our attitudes, with our finances, with our habits and with our time all either lean towards ‘life or death.’
“Lord, teach us to choose life and not death. When we come to one of those moments, make us very conscience of our options and in that split second, help us to choose wisely. Amen.”
Friday, September 17, 2010
Better peace with a dry piece of crust ...
Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict. (Proverbs 17:1 NLT)
Peace! What a wonderful word, what a wonderful idea – but not very common. Peace is not common in nations, peace is not common in states, cities, or community groups, and it’s not very common in families. Peace is something everyone wants but not something that people are willing to pay the price to get. They talk about peace and the desire for peace is high, but the sacrifice that people are willing to make to have peace is not as high.
People in our society often desire ‘a house filled with feasting’ instead of ‘a dry crust.’ Humans have a tendency to over-work, over-collect, over-consume and over-indulge all at the cost of peace. Is a ‘house filled with feasting’ really better than a ‘dry crust’?
Solomon looked out over the lives of people and over his life and made this observation: ‘Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict.’ Solomon had a ‘house filled with feasting.’ He had everything. Riches beyond imagination but was there peace? He must have noticed others who had nothing and yet there was peace in their home.
An interesting commentary people often make after having visited a country or village with much less than others have is, ‘they had almost nothing but they were so happy’ and ‘they had joy.’
Proverbs 17:1 is not really about stuff though. This Proverb is about the value of peace. Peace is way better than ‘stuff.’ If a person has a choice between peace or ‘stuff’ – it is wise to choose peace.
What are you willing to change in your life, in your marriage, in your home, in your habits so that you can have peace? Are you willing to make the trade? Will you serve your family so as to have peace? Will you stop demanding your way so that you can have peace? What are you willing to do? Do financial decisions and practices need to change? Do work habits need to change?
Better a dry crust eaten in peace ….
Make your choice today. I know I want peace and I’m willing to change to get it.
Peace! What a wonderful word, what a wonderful idea – but not very common. Peace is not common in nations, peace is not common in states, cities, or community groups, and it’s not very common in families. Peace is something everyone wants but not something that people are willing to pay the price to get. They talk about peace and the desire for peace is high, but the sacrifice that people are willing to make to have peace is not as high.
People in our society often desire ‘a house filled with feasting’ instead of ‘a dry crust.’ Humans have a tendency to over-work, over-collect, over-consume and over-indulge all at the cost of peace. Is a ‘house filled with feasting’ really better than a ‘dry crust’?
Solomon looked out over the lives of people and over his life and made this observation: ‘Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict.’ Solomon had a ‘house filled with feasting.’ He had everything. Riches beyond imagination but was there peace? He must have noticed others who had nothing and yet there was peace in their home.
An interesting commentary people often make after having visited a country or village with much less than others have is, ‘they had almost nothing but they were so happy’ and ‘they had joy.’
Proverbs 17:1 is not really about stuff though. This Proverb is about the value of peace. Peace is way better than ‘stuff.’ If a person has a choice between peace or ‘stuff’ – it is wise to choose peace.
What are you willing to change in your life, in your marriage, in your home, in your habits so that you can have peace? Are you willing to make the trade? Will you serve your family so as to have peace? Will you stop demanding your way so that you can have peace? What are you willing to do? Do financial decisions and practices need to change? Do work habits need to change?
Better a dry crust eaten in peace ….
Make your choice today. I know I want peace and I’m willing to change to get it.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
ReDiscover Church
ReDiscover Church
In your bulletin today is an invitation for you to utilize as you invite others to come to SWAG for our next teaching series. The invitation is labeled ‘ReDiscover Church’ as an encouragement to those that have dropped out of church as well as for those who have never had a regular routine of gathering with others in a church setting.
Recent surveys reveal that somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 people drop out of church every weekend across the country. There are all kinds of reasons why people decide to drop out of church or never begin in the first place.
Some of the most common reasons are:
• I don’t believe in organized religion.
• I have my own way of connecting with God.
• I get tired of the church always ask for money.
• My life situation changed and I just never went back to church.
• I don’t have to go to church to be a good person.
• I’m too busy and Sunday is my only day of rest.
October 3rd will start a new teaching series that I want to encourage you to invite those in your circle of friends, co-workers, co-commuters, neighbors, family and business associates to join you for the series. The series is called “Portraits of Jesus.” Each of the teachings will be a glimpse into who Jesus is directly from his description of who he is. My hope is that you and those you invite to join you will see Jesus in ways that he may not have been seen before.
Oct 3rd we are going to kick off the Portraits of Jesus series with breakfast and one service at 10:00 AM.
We will continue our normal service times of 8:30 and 10:30 on Oct 10th.
Next week we will have booklets available that might help those that you are spending time with think through ReDiscoving Church. Please pray and consider who to invite and then invite them.
In your bulletin today is an invitation for you to utilize as you invite others to come to SWAG for our next teaching series. The invitation is labeled ‘ReDiscover Church’ as an encouragement to those that have dropped out of church as well as for those who have never had a regular routine of gathering with others in a church setting.
Recent surveys reveal that somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 people drop out of church every weekend across the country. There are all kinds of reasons why people decide to drop out of church or never begin in the first place.
Some of the most common reasons are:
• I don’t believe in organized religion.
• I have my own way of connecting with God.
• I get tired of the church always ask for money.
• My life situation changed and I just never went back to church.
• I don’t have to go to church to be a good person.
• I’m too busy and Sunday is my only day of rest.
October 3rd will start a new teaching series that I want to encourage you to invite those in your circle of friends, co-workers, co-commuters, neighbors, family and business associates to join you for the series. The series is called “Portraits of Jesus.” Each of the teachings will be a glimpse into who Jesus is directly from his description of who he is. My hope is that you and those you invite to join you will see Jesus in ways that he may not have been seen before.
Oct 3rd we are going to kick off the Portraits of Jesus series with breakfast and one service at 10:00 AM.
We will continue our normal service times of 8:30 and 10:30 on Oct 10th.
Next week we will have booklets available that might help those that you are spending time with think through ReDiscoving Church. Please pray and consider who to invite and then invite them.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Grace and Truth
Grace and Truth
The Apostle John wrote: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17 ESV)
Grace the Truth, what a great combination. The two aspects of the work and the nature of God are held in perfect tension in Jesus and are seen in Jesus ministry on this earth. Jesus is not ‘grace’ alone and He is not ‘truth’ alone. He is ‘grace and truth.’
These two aspects of the nature and work of God are seen in perfect tension in the account of the ‘Woman Caught in Adultery.’ The religious leaders found a woman who was at the time committing adultery with someone. They brought the woman to Jesus demanding that Jesus uphold the Old Testament Law and sentence her to execution by stoning. Jesus, in the end of the account, says to the woman: “I don’t condemn you;” [mercy and grace] “go away and sin no more.” [truth] Jesus extended amazing grace to her, yet he confronted, in truth, her sinful actions, exhorting her to change her heart and her way of life.
Often people, especially religious people, lean in one direction or the other. They lean towards grace or they lean towards truth. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God over a period of time do believers begin to, at times, hold grace and truth in tension.
Grace is giving someone what they don’t deserve. The person who leans towards ‘grace’ loves people and communicates a non-judgmental spirit. They accept others, extending a hand to people no matter what.
Truth is the reality about self, others and life that is held in opposition to falsehood. The person who leans towards truth loves truth and judges everything and everyone by what they see as truth. There are no extenuating circumstances, there are no excuses and there are no reasons. There is no room for mercy nor grace.
This is not the case with Jesus. Jesus held truth and grace in perfect tension. As you and I grow in our faith journey – Jesus wants to create in you and me – grace and truth in tension. Lord Jesus, create it in my life!
The Apostle John wrote: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17 ESV)
Grace the Truth, what a great combination. The two aspects of the work and the nature of God are held in perfect tension in Jesus and are seen in Jesus ministry on this earth. Jesus is not ‘grace’ alone and He is not ‘truth’ alone. He is ‘grace and truth.’
These two aspects of the nature and work of God are seen in perfect tension in the account of the ‘Woman Caught in Adultery.’ The religious leaders found a woman who was at the time committing adultery with someone. They brought the woman to Jesus demanding that Jesus uphold the Old Testament Law and sentence her to execution by stoning. Jesus, in the end of the account, says to the woman: “I don’t condemn you;” [mercy and grace] “go away and sin no more.” [truth] Jesus extended amazing grace to her, yet he confronted, in truth, her sinful actions, exhorting her to change her heart and her way of life.
Often people, especially religious people, lean in one direction or the other. They lean towards grace or they lean towards truth. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God over a period of time do believers begin to, at times, hold grace and truth in tension.
Grace is giving someone what they don’t deserve. The person who leans towards ‘grace’ loves people and communicates a non-judgmental spirit. They accept others, extending a hand to people no matter what.
Truth is the reality about self, others and life that is held in opposition to falsehood. The person who leans towards truth loves truth and judges everything and everyone by what they see as truth. There are no extenuating circumstances, there are no excuses and there are no reasons. There is no room for mercy nor grace.
This is not the case with Jesus. Jesus held truth and grace in perfect tension. As you and I grow in our faith journey – Jesus wants to create in you and me – grace and truth in tension. Lord Jesus, create it in my life!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Turtle on the Fence Post
Humility is rooted in the Fear of the Lord. As we’ve seen throughout the teaching from the Book of Proverbs on Wise Living, the Fear of the Lord is simply recognizing that He’s God and I’m not. Recognizing that premise is what humility is all about.
Alex Haley, the author of the book on slavery in America, ROOTS, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help getting up there,' explains Alex.
'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post.'
When I lose site of the fact that God is the Creator of all things, the One who holds everything together and the One to whom all of creation will ultimately be accountable. It is easy to get arrogant.
Arrogance is an ego that is out of control. EGO – Edging God Out. Even insecure people can have an ego that is out of place. An ego is out of place when people think that everything is about them and that all of the universe resolves around them.
Humility has been described this way: Humility is not thinking less of myself, humility is thinking of my self less.
How often do you think about you? Are you always thinking about you? Is it hard for you to figure out why other people aren’t always thinking about you?
The Turtle Didn’t Get There On His Own.
Alex Haley, the author of the book on slavery in America, ROOTS, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help getting up there,' explains Alex.
'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post.'
When I lose site of the fact that God is the Creator of all things, the One who holds everything together and the One to whom all of creation will ultimately be accountable. It is easy to get arrogant.
Arrogance is an ego that is out of control. EGO – Edging God Out. Even insecure people can have an ego that is out of place. An ego is out of place when people think that everything is about them and that all of the universe resolves around them.
Humility has been described this way: Humility is not thinking less of myself, humility is thinking of my self less.
How often do you think about you? Are you always thinking about you? Is it hard for you to figure out why other people aren’t always thinking about you?
The Turtle Didn’t Get There On His Own.
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