Be Ready to Share your Life!

I’ve always thought following Jesus was a two-sided coin. On one hand, he’s got all the answers so it’s straight forward. His teaching is easy and light. On the other hand, he’s got all the answers and sometimes it’s tough. Jesus has some difficult things to digest if you are going to follow him. Like In Matthew 5 when he says, “…turn the other cheek…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Really? Are you kidding me?

Right now in this very difficult time in our nation, we are discovering following Jesus really takes courage and resilience. We are called to love people no matter how they treat us. That’s easier to do when people are getting along. But right now with racial tension, conflict with authority, political nastiness, economic downturn, loss of employment AND COVID, we are are questioning Jesus design for life and asking “do I really?”

Jesus never abandoned truth but was equally full of grace and we are called to imitate him. We are called to live in such a way that our very life gives the reason for the hope we have in Jesus. We live in such a way that those who might be speaking ill of us will be embarrassed because we are actually living a life that lifts others up. We do our best to live at peace with everyone. Peter calls us to that kind of living in 1 Peter 3:15-16.

So how do we exemplify Jesus? Paul reminds us that when the Spirit lives within us, it yields a very different life than those who are in the world. Paul says in Galatians 5 that our lives will look like love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So our goal should be to look like Jesus and extend all of these Godly qualities to those around us…even when it is not easy.

So, always shine for Jesus. Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30, “Seeds of good deeds become a tree of life.” And we want to be life to those we touch every day. For example, when you know your neighbor has had an illness, take over some food or mow the grass for them. When there have been ill words, be the first to offer an apology. When there is silence, speak up. When tears flow, show compassion and give a shoulder to cry on.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:5-6 to be an example for those who don’t believe in a risen Savior. Live in such a way that there is gentleness and kindness in your language and life. As followers of Christ, we want the world to take notice of why we live like we do so they too can have the hope we share.

As a follower, don’t be a tyrant. Over the years, I’ve seen so many hold truth in a self-righteous way, brow-beating everyone around them. It’s a fear-based religion that we’ve never been called to live out. So ask yourself these questions with honesty: How do you address folks on social media? How do you carry yourself in the workplace? What is your voice like with your family? How do you show compassion when you are in the right? Jesus was not tyrannical. He held truth in balance with love. And so should we.

Finally, never compromise. After his incredible letter to the church in Rome, Paul ends with how we are called to live life on earth in Romans 12. He calls us to not be conformed to the way the world does life but be transformed into Jesus. Verses 9-21 specifically spell out the kind of people we are called to be.

So love with the truth in mind…be like Jesus. The Jews have a saying: “May the dust of your rabbi settle upon you.” It means may you follow your teacher (that’s Jesus for us) so closely that the dust he kicks up as he walks settles on you. We are all on a wonderful journey. It’s our time to shine. This world needs the hope that only Jesus can offer. Let your life be the story the world can’t get enough of! Blessings on your journey.

This is Really All that Remains to Do.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

When you think about your faith journey, what do you think is most important?

The rules you follow?
How often you attend church?
The time of the day you read your Bible?
The number of mission trips you have been on?

What if I told you that all of those things meant nothing if they weren’t done in love?

When we read the Bible, it is clear from the first to last page that love is the theme of God’s work in the world. Everything He does is rooted and built up in love. It’s His character – He cannot change!

The very same is true of Jesus. Being one with the Father, Jesus’s life and ministry were marked with love and mercy. No matter who came across His path, Jesus showed love in ways that changed the world forever.

Paul, writing to those living in the city of Corinth, needed to remind the believers there of the importance of love marking their lives. A sense of self-righteousness was beginning to show up in those who claimed to be true believers of Jesus. Paul wanted to stop this pride and arrogance before it infected the church with evil.

If we claim to follow Jesus Christ, shouldn’t our lives be marked with the same love He lived with? God, in His wisdom, has placed us among those who need to know the love of God before they know the “rules and requirements” of being a “Christian”. Perhaps our understanding of being a Christian would change radically if we lived with love.

How will your actions change if you begin with love? Live with love, and watch your faith and hope begin to rise in strength and power!

So, think of the love that Jesus showed while He walked on earth to all those He encountered. What are the ways that you need to show love to those you encounter every day?

And Paul says that love is more important than hope and faith. What is it about love that makes it so important to understand and show? How can you show that love in your life today? Blessings on your journey!

So...To Whom Should I Show Compassion?

We all like to be pampered. I’ve seen your social media posts. There’s massages, pedis and manis…restaurant plates…well, you get it. We love ourselves. We love to be pampered too when we aren’t feeling well. Chicken noodle soup in bed, our favorite blanket and a Netflix series we have been wanting to binge watch.

It’s interesting though, when it’s someone else, we have our doubts. We just say “pull up your bootstraps and let’s go”. We aren’t too worried about most people like we worry about ourselves. I’m mean, even the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:29, “No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it." Case in point…

So, there’s a lawyer who is interacting with Jesus in Luke 10 and he’s got an important question. He asks the Son of God, the Messiah, the Anointed One, “How do I inherit eternal life?’ That’s a fair question. I mean, we’d all like to know the answer. Tell me exactly what I need to do to get there. So both Jesus and the lawyer agreed that one should love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.

But then the lawyer asks a question that reminds us that we are ultimately about ourselves when he asks, “Okay. But who is my neighbor?” He asks because he doesn’t want to spend anymore on anyone than he has to spend. He’s asking, “Where is the line? I only have so much compassion to give. Where does it end?”

So Jesus tells a story to answer a question, like he does so many times. The story is found in Luke 10 when Jesus tells the story of a man traveling who gets mugged by some shady characters and left for dead. Other people are on the road as well.

A priest comes along but passes by on the other side of the road. He keeps his distance. He doesn’t have time to be bothered with this inconvenience. Jesus is saying that’s one way to interact with the world…just keep your distance.

Then a Temple servant comes along who notices the man. He goes over to take a look but eventually passes by as well. You have seen this in church folks as well. I can be intrigued but uninvolved. Folks, religion doesn’t make us loving. Jesus makes us loving. We can be so “righteous” yet unloving toward those around us. Jesus says that’s another way we could interact.

But then a Samaritan comes by who happens to be the enemy of the man lying in the ditch. He stops to mend, bandage, support, and use his own resources to help this man. Jesus says that we can also care for those around us. Jesus says this one, the one that stopped to help, is the closest to God of all.

So from this story, we learn what we can do to love our neighbor. How do I love my neighbor?

You and I must see the need to sympathize. In verse 33 it says, “when he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out.” The Samaritan looked beyond the labels and saw him. Sympathy is seeing people from God’s point of view. And you know, we have hurting people all around us. The homeless person just needing to be noticed; the single parent weeping in the common area; a tearful spouse wondering if her marriage is over; a bewildered student on a college campus weighing if there is more to life; a silenced person of color; a defiant teenager who’s home life is less than helpful.

So many people around you need to see the love of God from you. They need to know someone cares and sees them. So you and I need to slow down to empathize with those around us. The Samaritan’s heart was filled with compassion. We need to slow down, create margin in our lives and calendars in order to serve and listen. Johnny Cash’s song, “Walk a Mile” says it all.

Finally, we need to take the love God’s offered us and put it in action. See, love is something you do. The Samaritan physically takes care of the man who is hurt. Following Jesus is not easy. You and I are called to give some things up on the way in order to help other people. See, God has called us to be salt and light; to bring some flavor to our world…to shine light into the dark areas.

So it’s time to lay down that cold shoulder; it’s important to free up some time to serve those around you; It’s time to have a conversation with someone you’ve been avoiding; it’s time to reconcile with someone from who you’ve been withholding love. Our call as Jesus’ disciples is to love unconditionally…not judgmentally nor presuming the worst. Jesus says in John 13, “Love one another as I have loved you”. How did he love you? He gave his life for you. Love in such a way that people see Jesus’ love in you. Blessings on your journey.

What's Love Got to Do with it?

This world has gotten cranky. I mean, every little thing offends us. Sports team mascots, the type of car you drive, people not reciprocating a wave, your political party, your skin color, your church…well the list goes on. We act out when people don’t think like us or live like us and we copy Taylor Swift in singing, “Look what you made me do.” We fail to take ownership of our language, demeanor and actions. We’ve gotten good at the blame-game.

But Jesus calls his followers to a different type of living. In Matthew 5, he says we should be salt and light in the world. In Matthew 25, he reminds us that how we treat others is how we are treating him. And in Mark 12, he sums up our Jesus-Following life into two phrases, “Love God. Love People”. It’s just that simple.

We discover that God’s love is counter-cultural. Look around our nation right now. This country is screaming bigotry and violence on every corner. We are withholding compassion because we are not getting our way. We are in-sighting riots and chaos because we feel slighted that other people don’t think like we do. We are literally burning down our country because we didn’t get our way.

But Jesus through the Gospels is doing things no other rabbi is doing in his culture. He’s touching the leper, the blind, the sick. He’s talking to Roman army officers and healing their people. He’s walking into Gentile homes. He’s standing up for the adulterous woman. He’s interacting with a Samaritan woman at a well. He’s inviting a tax collector into his inner circle then going to a dinner party at his home afterwards. Jesus is counter-cultural. We are called to mirror him in our cultural as well. Be salt. Be light. Be Jesus in our current culture.

God’s love is also selfless. Paul reminds us of what Jesus did for us in Ephesians 5:25-27. Paul says to have the kind of love Jesus did for his church. Jesus died…gave his life…for each of us. And we should be that selfless as we interact with our world. Think of others before yourself.

In John 13, Jesus is in the upper room at the last supper with his disciples. Their feet are nasty, dirty, muddy, full of toe jam. Yet the Son of God gets down on his knees with a towel and a basin of water and washes their feet. He even tenderly washes the feet of Judas, who he knows will betray him in a matter of hours. Jesus is selfless and we are called to mirror him in our own lives.

Finally, God’s love is relational. We must break down the stereotypical walls in our cultural and build relationship with those around us…especially with those who don’t look like us. Jesus says in that upper room, “A new covenant or command I give you. Love one another like I have loved you. As I have loved you, love each other.”

Jesus came to give not get. Our country right now is all about getting but that’s not the life we are called to live in Jesus. Jesus says in Mark 10 that he came to serve others, not to be served. He goes on to say those who want to be first must end up being last and slave of all. If you serve like Jesus, people will follow you anywhere. See, our life in him is about showing love NO MATTER the color of skin, culture, background, life choice, denomination, political party, the size of your bank account. It’s an unconditional love!

So that’s the challenge this week. Love like Jesus. Be the servant of all. Put other people’s needs in front of your own. Bring flavor to the world around you. Shine your light into the darkness. What’s love got to do with it? It appears everything! Blessings on your journey.

You Can Do This (with God in your life).

I was in the Air Force Air Guard from 1989-1996. Our unit was activated for Desert Storm. I loved putting on the uniform and serving my country. But one of the beauties of serving in guard or reserve units is you get the best of both worlds. You serve in the military but you also have a civilian life.

Living for God and living by His wisdom is kind of like that. If you follow Jesus, you live in this world while pursuing the spiritual one as well. You live in the physical world while seeing everything through spiritual eyes. When you don’t have Christ in your life, you only see the physical world.

We all want smarts: the ability to live well, and live for something much bigger than we are. We need real wisdom to do that. Jesus says in Matthew 6, “Prioritize the Kingdom of God in your life, live like Jesus, and God will give you everything else you need.” God will give you wisdom, the smarts, if you simply ask him for it according to James. So, it’s time we prioritize Kingdom. But how do we do that?

First, ask God into your everyday experience. I’m not talking about planning for tomorrow. I mean inviting God into your today…those everyday small decision you and I make. Paul even says, “[everyday], think about heavenly things not the things of this earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Students will be made fun of for following Jesus on campus. We are going to help people and love on people despite COVID-19. We are going to pray for our difficult marriage even though our friends think we are crazy. Some of us will give up promotions at work in order to be home more with our kids. The list goes on of how we invite God into our everyday occurrences. People will look at you as if you’re crazy and that’s okay. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.”

Secondly, we going to involve God in our planning for tomorrow. When we recognize how larger than life our God truly is, the natural thing to do is bow in submission. We give him priority in our life. One way we honor God and show him respect is by involving him in our plans for tomorrow.

We have calendars and make plans but we know they never supersede the sovereignty of God. As we plan, we make sure the idea is “if it is the Lord’s will”. Who should I marry? Should I get married? Should I take this promotion? Do I need to move? Should I continue this relationship? Where should I work? While we make definite plans to answer all these questions, God should be included in each one. It is vital to having wisdom for our futures.

Finally, invest in eternity. By including God in all your daily and future decision-making, you are acknowledging there is a God and you are not him. See, this world is not our home. We are just passing through. Our treasure is not located here but in heaven. So have the wisdom that only God can provide. Set as the most important thing in your life the Kingdom of God. That is, his will and desire. Live that out every day and every tomorrow. Then, God will grant you everything else you need in life.

May the Spirit guide you as you discern direction. May you discover how God has called you to live. May you be empowered to include God in your life every single day. Blessings on your journey.

Your Best Friend isn't a Dog.

We’re all wired to want to be in the “know”. We want wisdom and smarts. It’s been that way since the beginning of recorded time. The story of Adam and Eve is evidence. God says “Don’t go near the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.” Eventually, Adam and Eve could not resist so they ate the fruit because they wanted to be in the “know”.

James tells us in James 1:5, “If you want wisdom, ask God and He will give it to you.” Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek God’s Kingdom, live righteously, and God will give you everything else you need”….(including wisdom). But there is secondary way to gain wisdom. We must first acknowledge it doesn’t happen overnight but is a life-long endeavor.

We realize we can’t build a life of wisdom by ourselves. And we have learned during COVID-19, we are better together than apart! We do seek wisdom from God first but God also embraces the value of people in your life. I’ve often said, “You show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” So let me encourage you three different ways today.

Develop healthy friendships. Proverbs 18:1 talks about being in isolation. But we discover that isolation is the enemy of wisdom. Indeed, it invites pride and arrogance and is a sign of immaturity. God said in Genesis, “Let US make humans in our image.” It’s an indication God has always lived in community. Since we are created in his image, we also are called to live in community and not isolated.

You need to find godly friends you can be connected to through Bible study and a small group setting. a Kenyan proverb says, “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, take others.” We learned over these last six months, we need each other!

Also invite Godly counsel. Allow others into your world to act as guardrails. Give permission for a close group of friends to be honest about your life and tell you when things are great or when things need to be better. We need straight-shooters in our lives. People who will be honest and revealing about our life and whether or not we look like Jesus. Find people you trust and give them permission to speak into your life.

Finally, invest in relationships that pull you up rather than pull you down. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I refuse to be connected to negative people. Folks who only see the bad and that the glass is half empty. Those kind of people will demoralize and depress you…help take your eyes off of all that God is really doing in your life and the world. If you have them in your life, find a way to move away from them. You don’t need them.

So, how do I accomplish these ideas? Well, every church family should have three circles and I’m advocating you need to be in every one of them to gain great godly wisdom for life.

The large circle is the Sunday morning experience. Recommit to being at a large group gathering once a week to celebrate Jesus in a big group. Sunday morning service has been the traditional moment for this. You all sing together, dig into the Word of God together and take communion together. It’s a huge encouragement as you all celebrate Jesus as one big family.

The medium circle is the small group or Bible study time. Usually, this group is 10-15 people digging deep into God’s Word really discovering practically how to live out what God calls us to do. You pray personally for each other…sometimes there is a meal involved. You journey in life together and take care of each other’s needs.

Finally, there’s service. Each of us has a spiritual gift. Discover what you are passionate about and use that to serve others. Maybe you enjoy teaching young kids about Jesus so find your Children’s pastor and work with the kids. Maybe you enjoy teens so you are willing to be a chaperone or host a group in your home. Maybe you love AV and tech so on Sunday’s, you’re in the sound booth bringing together media, lights, sound. Find your passion and start serving others with others.

Ask God for wisdom and he’ll give it generously. But being with others will also impart wisdom so discover how you’ll be involved in the “circles”. Don’t wait! Start today finding ways to get “smart”. Blessings on the journey.

What is a Priority?

Growing up, I seemed to butt heads with my dad. He was trying to be a father who was guiding me and I was playing the role of the stubborn son. I remember saying one day, “I want to make my own mistakes. Thanks for sharing your life experience but I am not you.” I ignored wisdom and paid the price.

There’s no doubt you’ve had similar experiences. Someone tried to warn you…tell you…explain to you how to be better in life but you had your own plan, your own agenda. But what I have discovered in life is that what you put first in your life will determine where you end up.

Many of you have seen or read Alice in Wonderland. There is a point in the story where she’s in the woods and at a crossroads. This is where she meets the Cheshire Cat. Alice asks, “Which way should I go?” The cat asks, “Where do you want to go?” Alice replies, “I don’t know.” To which the cat says, “Then one way is as good as another if you don’t know where you are headed.”

Jesus reminds us as Christ-followers what’s a priority and which way we should be headed. It’s during his famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 when Jesus says, “You can’t serve two. You’ll hate one and love the other. You cannot serve God and everything else.” You see our priorities will determine the path we take. And Jesus reveals a couple of things in Matthew 6:25-33 that are important as we better understand priorities.

First, he reminds you that God sees you. Not in a scary way but a comforting way. You have celebratory things and difficult things in your life everyday. You’re working in a career that doesn’t suit you anymore. You have a difficult marriage. Your parenting skills are being challenged. You have a gambit of emotions you work through with your friend group. But Jesus reminds us that worry doesn’t have to win. Jesus tells us when we choose worry, we are choosing the way of the world.

You see, God sees the birds and takes care of them. But God sees you too and aren’t you more valuable than birds? When we have faith in God to take care of us, we will be on the road of peace and not panic.

But equally, God cares about you too. Whatever brings tears to your eyes, know God sees that too. What Jesus tells us in this text in Matthew is that God is FOR YOU! We know this….Jesus changes everything!! The people who worry or have an anxious spirit are not living in Jesus. In fact, Jesus calls folks living like this pagans and unbelievers.

Right now is our chance to really shine for Jesus. We want to be different than the world recognizing God will provide all our needs. So, how ARE we different? Are you more focused on your new home rather than your new neighbors? Are you more concerned with the latest tech gear than being in God’s Word? Are you distracted by putting more stuff in your house and keeping up with the Joneses? Is your priority becoming Instagram famous? If Jesus is saying these things are not your purpose as a follower of him, then what is your purpose?

Jesus reveals that in Matthew 6:33. He says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all things, live in such a way that it gives God glory, and everything else will be given to you.” Remember, God is our father and He knows what is the best wisdom for the best life we can live. Seek God’s will and desire first then live it out in your life and everything else will be given to you.

May you bring the kingdom to your home, your work place, your neighbors. May your light shine in traffic, at the grocery store and Wal-Mart. May you see your purpose in seeking Kingdom right where you are and living out how God has called you to live. Blessings on your journey.

Peace in Presence

In the quiet early morning, as the sun’s first rays peak over the horizon, we may sense the presence of God. But as the day wears on and the demands of everyday life bear down upon us, we may become so wrapped up in earthly concerns that we forget to praise the Creator.

God is everywhere we have ever been and everywhere we will ever be. When we turn to Him often, we are blessed by His presence. But, if we ignore God’s presence or rebel against it altogether, the world in which we live soon becomes a spiritual wasteland.

Since God is everywhere, we are free to sense His presence whenever we take the time to quiet our souls and turn our prayers to Him. But sometimes, amid the incessant demands of everyday life, we turn our thoughts far from God; when we do, it feels hopeless.

Are you tired, discouraged, or fearful? Be comforted because God is with you. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your Heavenly Father. Are you bitter? Talk with God and seek His guidance. Are you celebrating a great victory? Thank God and praise Him. He is the Giver of all things good. In whatever condition you find yourself—whether you are happy or sad., victorious or vanquished, troubled or triumphant—celebrate God’s presence. And be comforted in the knowledge that God is not just near. He is here.

So get up and move. God has things He wants to show you. Listen closely and stay on His path, focused on His Kingdom. Blessings on the journey.

What Were You Thinking?

Here’s a proven way to build character: learn to control the direction of your thoughts Your thoughts, of course, are intensely powerful things. Your thoughts have the power to lift you up or drag you down; they have the power to energize you or deplete you, to inspire you to greater accomplishments or to make those accomplishments impossible.

How will you and your family members direct your thoughts today? Will you follow the instructions of Paul in Philippians 4:8 by dwelling on those things that are honorable, true, and worthy of praise? Or will you allow your thoughts to be hijacked by the negativity that seems to dominate our troubled world?

Are you fearful, angry bored, or worried? Are you so preoccupied with the concerns of this day that you fail to thank God for the promise of eternity? Are you confused, bitter, or pessimistic? If so, God wants to have a little talk with you.

Watch what you think. If your inner voice is, in reality, your inner critic, you need to tone down the criticism now. And while you’re at it, train yourself to begin thinking thoughts that are more rational, more accepting, and less judgmental.

It’s up to you and your loved ones to celebrate the life that God has given you by focusing your minds upon “whatever is commendable.” So form the habit of spending more time thinking about your blessings and less time fretting about your hardships. Then, take time to thank the Giver of Life for the gifts that are, in truth, far too numerous to count!

With less media intake and the help of the Holy Spirit, you can do this. Get into God’s Word. Talk to God through prayer everyday. Continue to focus on blessing and not cursing. Be the light. Blessings on your journey.

You been Frustrated Lately?

The frustrations of everyday living can sometimes get the better of us. Like me, you have probably seen numerous videos posted of folks going off in a grocery story or a retail store because they were asked to wear a mask. I mean, life was sometimes difficult and then COVID-19 came along and added stress to our teachers, store clerks, restaurant wait staff, church members….well the list goes on.

The question we all have to ask ourselves is, “Will you control you or allow your emotions to control you?” See, when we allow ourselves to become overly irritated by the inevitable ups and downs of life, we may become overstressed, overheated, overanxious and just plain angry.

Anger often leads to impulsivity; impulsivity often leads to poor decision-making; and poor decision-making tends to tear down character. So, if you’d like to increase your storehouse of wisdom while, at the same time, strengthening your character, you should learn to control your temper before it controls you.

When you allow yourself to become angry, you are certain to defeat at least one person: yourself. When you allow the minor frustrations of everyday life to hijack your emotions, you do harm to yourself and to your loved ones. So today and every day, guard yourself against the kind of angry thinking that inevitably takes a toll on your emotions and your relationships.

As the old saying goes, “Anger usually improves nothing but the arch of a cat’s back.” So don’t allow feelings of anger or frustrations to rule your life, or, for that matter, your day—your life is simply too short for that, and you deserve much better treatment than that…from yourself.

If you think you’re about to explode in anger, don’t! Instead of striking back at someone, it’s usually better to slow down, catch your breath, consider your options, and walk away if you must. Striking out in anger can lead to big problems. So it’s better to walk away—and keep walking—than to blurt out angry words that can’t be un-blurted. Blessings on your journey!