He Must Increase.

Living in a me-first world is tough. At times it seems no one is following Jesus call to life except you. A picture of our culture can be found on an airplane. You’re in the middle seat and the other two passengers are taking up all the armrests. Or the guy in front of you reclines his seat back as far as it will go leaving your tray in your gut. In America, we live for ourselves. It’s a me-first culture.

But Jesus told us, “You must lose your life if you want to find it.” Life cannot be about you in Jesus’ upside down kingdom. John the Baptist had a driving motto and it’s one I’ve adopted, although I drop the ball every single week. John says in John 3:30, “Jesus must become greater and greater; I must become less and less.” That’s a kingdom heart and the same heart Jesus wants all his followers to possess.

Jesus actually pointed at John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11, saying there had never been anyone greater than John. Why? Because John’s heart was a kingdom heart. His attitude was about self last and others first, indeed the King of kings was in the priority position in his life. So what were the things in John’s life that give us a better understanding of what it means to follow the risen Savior?

First, John’s parents were sold out for God. They created a rich heritage within the home that lived out Kingdom mentality. They served others and God with their Temple service. They had done that their entire life. So, moms and dads, grandma and grandpa…you have the opportunity to predecide you will live for Jesus and your life will be centered on serving him. Make a decision, no matter where you are in your family life that your house will be centered on Jesus by servicing others, regularly interacting with a local faith group and making your house scream you love Jesus with decor and scripture on the walls.

Secondly, practice NOT being #1. John did. He says in John 1:26-27, “I’m not worthy of being the slave of Jesus nor untying this shoes. John was humble and did not seek to be known. His only desire was to make Jesus known at whatever the cost. So many of us seek the spotlight and what the applause. But those of us in life, when we get the applause, acknowledge Jesus during the recognition. God is the one who put you in that position so let the world know it’s not about you but about Jesus.

Finally, when you have doubt, take it to Jesus. That’s what John the Baptist did when he found himself in prison because he was speaking truth about King Herod and his wife Herodias. We don’t know how long John was in prison but it was long enough for him to start asking some questions. He was alone, isolated, tired, cold. In Luke 7:19-22, he is asking Jesus, “I think…I believe you’re the Messiah but in this moment, I’m not 100% sure.” It’s a good story for us to read.

Each of us have moments when things are dark, negative, and stormy. We can’t feel God or see him working in our life and we ask, “Are you real?” The story, your story, will not always turn out as you had planned. But in a be-last kingdom, we are called to trust the Savior and realize, it’s not about me. It’s about exalting Jesus and letting the world see our faith and trust in Jesus, especially during the valley moments of our life.

So Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” So the challenge is to live the mantra of John, “Jesus must increase and I must decrease.” In this way, you will develop the Kingdom heart that says you belong to the Savior. Blessings on the journey.

Learning to Forgive.

You and I have had moments when we were hurt and betrayed. We have had moments when we were vulnerable and had our heart stepped on. We’ve had moments when we wanted to hide in a corner because of how someone treated us. So in these moments, how do we move forward?

Well, there are some characteristics we will develop if we do not forgive and move forward. These are not the type of people we want to be or want to be around so measure if any of these ring true for you in your relationships.

When we get hurt one of the first things we do is create distance. When we choose not to offer forgiveness, we create space in our relationship. We end up shutting people out. We don’t call them, text them or interact on social media. If not careful, we can become numb to the needs of the people we love.

If we do not deal with the distance, we build walls. We don’t want to hurt anymore so we build walls to block the pain. Walls do keep the negative people out. The issue is, we also keep the positive people out of our life as well. We become so protective we loose the opportunity to build life-giving relationships.

If we leave the walls in place, it moves to a place of escalation. The smallest offense becomes something so grand, it seems impossible to overcome. We end up saying things we don’t really mean.

Ultimately, we reach a place of hostility toward the one who hurt us. We begin to go out of our way to make sure the “enemy” is as hurt as we are. But Paul tells us to act differently in Ephesians 4:31-32. He reminds us to get rid of all anger and rage and forgive others just like Jesus forgave us. If we are to become more like Jesus, it requires us to forgive others who have hurt us and move forward into a more positive place.

We all want a blessed life. Jesus told us if you want a blessed life then be a peace maker. A peace maker is a forgiver (Matthew 5:9). So what should I do if I want a blessed life?

Receive God’s forgiveness. Think about all the things in your own life that would keep you from Jesus and a blessed life. Aren’t you glad for God’s forgiveness? I am! How do I get that? By saying “yes” to Jesus. He gave his life for you and it’s through Jesus’ sacrifice that we find the peace and life we so desperately want.

Secondly, give what you have received. Healed people offer healing and forgiven people forgive people. Now remember that forgiveness doesn’t equal trust. When people hurt you, boundaries may be needed. Trust must be earned again. But start the process by offering forgiveness.

Finally, go first. I always say the most spiritually mature person will go first to listen, say “I’m sorry”, make reparations, and be compassionate. It will take faith on your part to move first but with the power of Jesus, you can do it. After all, Jesus went first in your relationship with him, right? Paul tells us in Romans 5:8 that while you were a sinner, Jesus died for you. He went first. So imitate him.

Look, it’s not easy forgiving those who hurt you but with the power of Jesus, you can (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiving is a powerful remedy to bring healing, peace and positivity to your life. Through the power of the Spirit, you can have all of it. Blessings on your journey.

Can I Get a Witness?

I am not sure what you have ever been afraid of. Maybe asking that good looking girl on a date. Or staying out too late and you knew your dad was waiting up. Or maybe that spider you saw in your summer camp cabin. I’ve been scared many times but one moment was in 1989 when I got off the bus at Air Force Basic Training. The drill instructor was yelling in my ear and he didn’t stop for about 8 weeks!

I’m not sure I’ve know fear though like the disciples, though. They had been with Jesus for 3 years and had seen him multiply some kids lunch, heal the sick, walk on water, and raise the dead. They knew Jesus was the Messiah. But then he was arrested and killed.

In John 20:19, it says the disciples were hiding behind locked doors. They were afraid, scared, anxious, and worried. That sounds a lot like us today with the COVID-19 scare. We too are finding ourselves hiding behind locked doors wondering if we are next.

But only five chapters later in Acts 4, those same disciples are boldly telling the story of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. They are also doing miracles which gets them arrested. While they are interrogated, they tell the authorities all about Jesus, the Name above all names.

Those authorities recognize a couple of things about the disciples in Acts 4. One is that they spent time with Jesus.

I want to encourage you to spend more time with Jesus and less time watching the news or scrolling social media. When we read about how incredible Jesus was and is through his Gospel, we become challenged and encouraged to be different than the world around us. Indeed, we become more emboldened to look and act and speak like Jesus. So, find time to be in God’s Word and take on Jesus’ personality.

After I get ready in the mornings, I jump into Jesus’ story. I start my day that way. It’s some assurance that no matter what I face when I walk out that door, Jesus is with me and I know what my responses are going to be. Are we going to take precautions? Of course. But we are going to imitate Jesus as closely as we can. As a disciple, that is the promise you made in those waters of baptism.

Secondly in Acts 4, we see those disciples asked God for boldness. So we want to be in prayer. Use that social media account to flood the internet with prayer for the sick, prayer for our medical teams, prayer for hospital staff, prayer for church ministers, prayer for children, prayer for quick healing, prayer for peace and a non-anxious spirit. We need to pray for boldness to find ways to serve other people.

As we all get unplanned time at home, it’s a great opportunity to find others you can serve. Check on those older members of your neighborhood or church or workplace. See if they need anything you can drop by their home. There are lots of ways to serve those around us.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he’s 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.”

Blessings on your journey.