Can I Make a Difference?

We’ve all had moments in our lives when we said something like…”More than anything else, I want to _______.” For each of us it’s something different. I wanted to walk on to a University football team in Arkansas in 1986, but once this 140 pound dude saw that the biggest guys on the team could run as fast as him, I decided my football playing days were over. The window had closed on my opportunity to play.

If we aren’t careful we can think like that as well when it comes to our spiritual journey. Take a look at the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. In Acts 7-9, we read about a guy named Saul (who later will be renamed Paul) who is killing Christ-followers. He feels compelled to dismantle the church and erase the Name of Jesus from every mouth in Israel. But Paul has an experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus to arrest Christians and his life is changed forever. He turns into the most prominent Christian in church history.

If we listen to what our enemy thinks about us and not to what God has said about us, we can say we missed our chance to be a participant in the story of God. We can become a spectator rather than a participant. The great thing about God is no matter how young or old you are, God will use you in his story. No matter your skin color and the size of your bank account, God will use you in his story.

Sometimes we listen to those who’ve known us well. The voices tell us that we’ve ruined our reputation because of past choices so God could not possibly use us. We might say, after my abortion or divorce or addiction or issues with lust and pride, God doesn’t want to use me. But the very thing you believe is keeping you from God’s story is the very thing He will use in his story to draw others to him.

Sometimes we don’t participate because we don’t know where to start. We don’t do anything because we don’t know what to do. We see others are great speakers or terrific leaders of women. Some are great teachers or singers. We compare ourselves to others and disqualify ourselves. But we are called to use any gift or talent we have to the glory of God.

As we reflect on what we are doing in Kingdom work, I reflect on Paul. He was the ISIS of his day, killing people who loved Jesus. I think if God can use a man like Paul, He can use me in his story too. So know the widow is not closed on your usefulness. You have not done anything in your past to disqualify you from being in God’s story. You have more to offer in Kingdom work than you realize. So, get busy. It’s time to make a difference. Do something. Realize the time we’ve been given to share Jesus is really short. You can do this. He has got you. Blessings on the journey.

Be Bold.

No question you and I have done things in bold fashion before but then decided later to be quiet about it. Maybe it was kissing that one girl in high school or toilet papering the principle’s house or stealing something from grandma. We were bold in the moment but reserved afterwards.

My prayer is that, as followers of Jesus, we will be bold everyday about who Jesus is and what he has done for us in our lives. I’d hope Jesus was so impactful in our lives that we just couldn't stop talking about him and what he’s done and how our lives are so much better with him.

That’s what happened in Acts 3-4 with Peter and John. They had healed a crippled man in Jerusalem but then were arrested for it. They spent the night in jail for talking about Jesus. But we all realize, you can try to silence people but you’ll never quiet the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The morning after Peter and John’s arrest, they are standing before the entire weight of the religious and civil authorities of the entire Israel nation. They are being asked by what power and who’s name have you healed this cripple man? Peter replies, “The Powerful Name of Jesus.”

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:15-18, Jesus is so powerful that everything we know about and don’t know about was made through Jesus and for Jesus. That it’s Jesus that holds together the entirety of the cosmos. That’s the Savior we serve and love. He’s our brother and our Lord.

The Gospel continues to mesmerize the world. The Bible continues to be the number one selling book of all time. See, trying to stop the gospel story is like trying to stop a California wildfire with a water gun. It just is not going to happen.

Peter and John encourage us with their boldness in Acts 4:19-20 when they say no matter what the authorities do, they can never stop talking about what they have seen and heard. They will always talk about Jesus.

Some questions we might ask ourselves right now are: What would give God the glory in my life right now? What should I be doing with my talents and giftedness right now? How can I represent Jesus in my workplace, my friend group, my family? How do I retrain myself to be vocal about Jesus everyday, not just on Sunday?

I also love the encouragement thrown our way in Acts 4:13. It says those who were in power recognized that Peter and John were ordinary men but had been with Jesus. See, that’s me and you. We are ordinary people. You don’t have to be a preacher or pastor. You don’t need a seminary education. You don’t have to be eloquent of speech. God uses ordinary people like me and you to tell the incredible story of Jesus.

And when you say “yes” to Jesus, you realize that Jesus changes everything. He infuses you with his Spirit, his power, his mission. So be bold this year. Create change. Stand out. Cultivate something new. You can do this. You’re on mission…speak loudly. Blessings on the journey.

Real Life.

COVID has really hampered our getting together. Whether you are talking about family traditions, hanging out with friends, seeing your favorite movie, gathering with your church…everything has been hampered by the almost 2-year pandemic which is ongoing. But we were headed to isolation before the virus ever showed up.

When air conditioning was invented, we moved from the front porch into the house. Then we added the attached garage and garage door opener so we never had to get out of our car before entering our house. Then we fenced the back yard so we didn’t have to look at our neighbors.

With technology coming on in the last two decades, we found new ways to isolate ourselves using voicemail on our cell phones so we didn’t have to answer the phone to ordering online and having groceries delivered to our door to social media where we connect virtually with our “friends”. But we are not created to live in isolation.

The first century church showed us how disciples of Jesus live life together. They realized they could not do life alone and literally hung out together all the time. Read Luke’s account in Acts 2:42-47 and you’ll see what it looked like. They ate together and were in each other’s homes. They went to the market together and to church together. They shared everything they owned and met every day to check on each other. That’s the kind of family we have been born into if you follow Jesus.

See, we live in a country that highly values independence. To be a follower of Jesus is to be the direct opposite of that. Following Jesus is recognizing you must be dependent on Jesus for your salvation and dependent on each other for family and support.

We are called to share the love of Jesus with others in our church and with committed people in community. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 10 calls us to “spur each other on to love and good works, not forsaking getting together to do that.” Being together is so powerful. Presence matters to worship together, to do life together.

And we gain power through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit but also by journeying together in small groups. Some of those are small Bible study groups or prayer groups that meet outside of the Sunday morning event. Some of those groups are even smaller groups of followers that hold each other accountable in our life choices.

So the challenge is to lean into how Jesus called us to live. Live out loud together. Make a commitment to be a part of spiritual family. Find others on the journey who will partner with you to study and pray. We’ll have to be purposeful and intentional. It won’t happen on it’s own. We are better together with Jesus in our life and each other in our company. Blessings on the journey.

It's Go Time.

I know I’m giving it away but when my wife and I are at a party or gathering and I’m ready to go, I tug on my left ear lobe. Upon seeing me, she, then, knows I feel it’s time to go. Now, that doesn’t mean we are leaving because she may not be done socializing. But nonetheless, she knows I have had my fill.

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 28 to “go”. “Go into all the world…making disciples”. He tells them to “go”. And in Acts 1 just before Jesus ascends into Heaven, he tells them again, that they will be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” Jesus is telling us one of our mandates is to go and be a witness for the story of Jesus. Tell people and show people what Jesus has done for us. But the world is a huge place so where do we begin? We start by asking a series of questions.

Who lives with you? When Andrew finds Jesus and knows he’s the Messiah, Andrew goes to find his brother, Peter (John 1:40ff), who will later become foundational in the early church. We first go to the people we live with and call family. So, start where you are planted. We are called to tell our children about Jesus and teach them the Jesus’ way of life. We are called to journey with our spouse and daily tell the story. We have extended family members we love who need to hear from you how Jesus has changed your life. Ask, who lives with me?

Secondly, ask who lives near you? Those living near you include those in your cul-de-sac or on your street. But it also includes those with whom you attend church. We are called to make time for those with whom we do life. So get involved in a ministry like teaching kids about Jesus in a Sunday morning class or leading a small group in your youth group. Get involved on your praise team or in the sound booth. Be a real friend to your neighbors by helping out when they are down and out. Extend hospitality to those around you so they see Jesus in you.

Finally, ask who lives in you? Paul reminds us in Romans 8:11, “That the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that lives in you!” You will not be “going” on your own. Jesus will always be with you. That’s what he said in Matthew 28:20. He tells us to go and he’ll be with us. So don’t be afraid. God’s got this. He’s with you.

So it’s time to shed the “personal space” mentality. It’s time to look around instead of down at our phone. It’s time to create a space of sharing and inclusion. It’s time to go and be a witness for the one who gave you everything…and made you the best version of yourself you could ever be. Blessings on the journey.

Faithfulness All Year Long.

Right now is the season when we talk about being joyful and triumphant. It’s a time of celebration and festivities. It’s a time to reconnect with old friends and close family members. It’s supposed to be an exciting time of fun and excited anticipation. But not everyone is joyful and triumphant this time of year.

Some of us are working through depression and anxiety. Some are trying to mend broken relationships. Some are feeling the weight of a difficult marriage. Others are praying for their adult children who do not have a relationship with God. All of us are dealing with the pressures of work and a busy calendar. But you know, Jesus doesn’t call the joyful or the triumphant.

Jesus calls those who are weary and burdened (see Matthew 11:28-29). He also beckons those who know they need salvation (Matthew 9:12-13). There are moments when we’ve tried everything to make it work or heal the relationship only to discover after long nights that we really need Jesus. And Jesus invites those of us who are tired and worn out to follow him. But if he calls us in that state, he doesn’t leave us there.

You see, Jesus helps us become more faithful. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. When life happens. When darkness looms large. When we feel hopeless, we fix our eyes on Jesus who will lead us to our salvation. He is a faithful God. He will lead us through the deep water, the fire, the uncertainty (Isaiah 43:2-3).

Jesus also helps us become more joyful. His spirit living in us is what produces the love, peace and joy we desperately need right now. And know, joy and happiness, are worlds apart. See, happiness is determined by the happenings around me while my joy comes from Jesus. I can be upset about a relationship. I can be put off by what’s happening in the world. I can be crest-fallen by my work place. But joy never goes away because of Jesus.

Jesus also helps me become more triumphant. You see, the Living God has my back. Simply read Isaiah 9:6-7 to be reminded that we serve an incredible Savior. His story reveals his journey from a manger to a throne. That baby lying in a manger is the Lord of lords and King of kings. He’s the light of the world. He was born the King of angels…He is Christ the Lord.

This season is about gone but the faithfulness of God will never leave. He calls us to be faithful all year long as well. That’s the challenge: tell the story of our incredible Savior all year long. He gives us the faith we need; plants joy in our hearts; Jesus story is one of triumph. Blessings on the journey.

He is Emmanuel!

You and I enjoy this time of year because we get reacquainted. We get to see folks who have been physically absent in our lives most of the year. We travel to grandma’s house to sit around a dinner table with cousins we haven’t seen in a while. We go on vacation to see friends in distant states. We slow down to see that in fact, we are married and what a joy to take some time with the one we love so much!

This time of year, we celebrate the coming of Jesus. God with skin on. The God who moved into our neighborhood and lived among us. In Matthew 1, the angel tells us that Jesus’ name is Emmanuel which literally means in Hebrew, “God with Us”. The angel announces the prophecy made 740 years before Jesus’ birth by Isaiah. See, God is relational and He wants a relationship with you but what does it mean that God is with us, not only this season but all year long?

We can be assured that God IS with us. Gabriel announced to Mary in Luke 1, “Greeting! The Lord is with you.” God is ever-present in our lives. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1 that is is right along side us in life. Paul uses the Greek phrase, “Para kalaeo” which means to pull along side. No matter what is going on in your life, God is with you right now.

But God also WAS with you. Sometimes God can best be seen in the review mirror. I mean, we can look backwards in our life and realize God has been there through the thick and thin. The story of Joseph (with the coat of many colors) in the last half of the book of Genesis is a great story to illustrate this. He was a man who put God first in everything yet had a difficult life. His brothers hated him so they sold him into slavery. Once there in Egypt, he is falsely accused of sexual misconduct and thrown into prison. But in Genesis 39, it says, “But the Lord was with Joseph in prison…” By the end of the story, Joseph is second in command of the entire country. See, the Lord was WITH Joseph through the tough years to get him to the best life he could hope for. God has been with you too.

Finally, God WILL BE with you. We know the story of Jesus life and resurrection but young Mary did not. What if she could say at 12 years of age, I know God will be with me when I tell Joseph about my pregnancy, I know God will be with me with there is no room at the inn, I know God will be with me when we run to Egypt to save my baby’s life, I know God will be with me when I see my son walking down main street with a cross on his bloodied back, I know God will be with me when I kneel at the cross and he takes his last breath, I know God will be with me when we wait in silence the three days after his death but then find an empty tomb!!

You see, God is with you, he has been with you, and he will be with you. He’ll never leave or forsake you. The question is, “Are you with God?” You can only have the perfect peace and real love in your life if you say “yes” to the baby in the manger. It’s the season to believe and take the greatest gift you’ll ever receive in Jesus! Blessings on your journey.

A New Day with Jesus.

The Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night” was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adams. A priest in Southern France commissioned the song just in time for the Christmas mass in Roquemaurre. However, Placide was an atheist and Adolphe was a devout Jew who didn’t believe in the nativity story. It just goes to show you, God can use even those really unwilling to share the story Jesus. Even so, the hymn made it to America and was translated into English. It has become a staple Christmas song for two centuries.

The night Jesus was born must have been chaotic and dark. Born in a stable, in the dark, surrounded by animals and their smells with strangers from the field showing up to see what was up…seems very disorienting. Luke 2 tells the story of Jesus’ birth and we discover several things in the story.

We find a new day with Jesus brings exactly what we need in life. It may not be what we wanted but it will always be exactly what we need. We need Jesus in our every day struggle with temptation and addiction. We need Jesus as we work through the rough spots in our marriage. We need Jesus as we pray for our children to come home. We need Jesus as we work through our loneliness. We find a one day with Jesus changes everything.

We also find a new day with Christ brings hope to keep going. Jeremiah tells us in Lamentations 3:25, “[God] is good to those who hope and depend on him…” We can live without food for 40 days; live without water for 3 days; live without shelter during a storm for 3 hours; live without breathing in air in our lungs for 3 minutes. But we cannot live without hope.

People put their hope in some crazy things. People put hope in their bank accounts or retirement. People put their hope in their children, through whom they live vicariously. People put hope in relationships. People put hope in their college degrees and titles on a door nameplate. But all of that will eventually fail you. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:23 to put our hope in Jesus, who will never fail and who never lies. He can be trusted.

We finally find a new day in Christ brings the help you are seeking. It’s amazing what one day with Jesus makes. Jesus makes all the difference in the world! During Jesus’ ministry, just ask Lazarus, the man born blind or the paralytic who was down for 38 years. All of them knew how one day with Jesus makes all the difference in the world!

Because of Jesus, you have hope in the middle of your night. Jesus is exactly what you need. Your night is almost over. There’s a thrill of hope and a weary world rejoices…for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! The Light of the world has been born and we celebrate this season. It’s time you have hope. It’s time you reach for Jesus! Blessings on your journey.

Be Influential.

My wife and I enjoy watching the TV show, “Dancing with the Stars”. In the current season, they have several “influencers” on the show from Jojo Siwa to Oliva Jade, Amanda Kloots to Suni Lee. All of them have a massive following. Their comments and interests are influencing people all over the world to make choices and not always good choices.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be light and salt. Jesus uses those metaphors in Matthew 5:13-16 to tell us we are called to make a difference in the world. The truth is, we never know how one conversation, one word of encouragement, or one expression of love could change someone’s life. You are influencer.

While social media influencers use a platform to use their sway, followers of Jesus recognize that people always come before a platform. Here’s what’s cool about that idea. Each and every one of us have a sphere of influence. Each of us have a friend group, a family, a work place, a neighborhood. Each of those groups of people are subject to your influence.

There’s a great story about Jesus in John 4. The most unlikely influencer is this Samaritan woman Jesus meets at a well outside her village. She’s there mid-day, which is not normal for gathering water. We find out she’s been divorced 5 times and is shacking up with her boyfriend. Her town wants nothing to do with her. But once she realizes who Jesus is, she goes back to the town that doesn’t want anything to do with her and calls them to “come and see” Jesus.

They all come out to meet Jesus and the story tells us many of them believed in Jesus. Now this is so encouraging because it reminds me I don’t have to have it all together to point people to Jesus. We can be broken, messed up and an outcast but be an influencer for Jesus. You don’t need a theological degree or be an awesome prayer warrior…you just have to know Jesus!

You don’t need a platform with 1000s of followers. You just have to care about the person standing in front of you. Who does God use? Not Instagram stars or YouTube gurus or superstar athletes. He just uses normal, everyday, ordinary people like me and you.

You never know how one conversation, one encouraging word or one expression of love can change a person’s life. Go be light. Season those around you with salt. Blessings on the journey.

Obvious Devotion.

We are all devoted to something. Simply pull back the curtain of our life and it will be obvious. Some of us are fans of our favorite sports team. You can tell because we have season tickets, wear the colors everyday and fly the flag on our house. Some of us are devoted to our kids and we let them dictate to us adults how things are going to go in the home. Some of us are devoted to our careers and our marriages, parenting and spiritual life suffer for it.

But Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6) to invest in things that will last forever. Don’t waste time investing in things that will eventually fall apart. Jesus essentially says that we were created to pour, not store.

There is a story of a guy who was a great farmer who had a scarcity mindset. He was good at his job although he didn’t give any credit to God nor did he think about others. He simply thought about himself. He had a mindset of scarcity so he wasn’t willing to share or have a relationship with others and include them in the blessing God had given him. Luke 12 is where Jesus tells that story. Jesus reminds us in that story we are created to pour, not store.

Jesus tells another story in Luke 7 about a woman who had an abundant mindset. She was willing to give and share and include. So Jesus is invited to this dinner party at a religious leader’s house and once seated at the dinner table, a prostitute comes in and kneels behind Jesus and at his feet. The text says her tears fell on his feet and she wiped her tears with her hair. She had also brought an expensive bottle of perfume which she broke and poured over his feet. She had a mindset of abundance. She realized we were created to pour not store.

Then Jesus is preaching to this large crowd in another story found in Luke 9. We call it the feeding of the 5000. The people are getting tired and hungry and the only thing to eat is a little boy’s lunch which consist of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Once Jesus has the sack lunch, he divides it up so that everyone, all 5000+, has enough to eat! They even have 12 baskets of leftovers. It’s a reminder we serve a God who always provides more than enough. And there is a principle we can learn here which should flow into every part of our life: what you keep is all you have but what you give, God will multiply.

We are created to pour and not store. So, during this Thanksgiving season, be someone with a generous heart. Generosity is not an act, it’s a posture of the heart. God’s promised to take care of us. You can’t out give God. He even challenges us to test him in this very idea in Malachi 3:10.

I know, like me, you’re thinking if I start being a person who pours out, who gives, who shares, I might have to rearrange my life…like putting God first. YEP! If I decide to give like Jesus did, well that would take some crazy faith in God. YEP! God’s promised to give us more if we live this way. So this season, discover how you can change your life to one that shows your fully devoted to how God has blessed you. Blessings on your journey.

You are Not Replaceable!

I had moments growing up when my parents stepped in for support. They helped me edit and finish that paper for English class, let me cry on their shoulder after that first breakup and reminded me I’m a good worker after the first job I didn’t get. What they were doing was reminding me that I’m part of the family, I’m enough, I’m important…I am not replaceable.

Jesus reminds us of how important we are to our Heavenly Father. Jesus tells a story in Matthew 18 about this shepherd who loves his sheep. The shepherd keeps the lions and wolves away. He leads them to water and green grass. He cares for them. But one morning after counting, he notices one is missing. So, he leaves the 99 in the pen and goes to find the missing sheep. He puts the sheep on his shoulders and brings him back home. That’s how much God loves you. He’s willing to go find you, care for you, love on you.

As a follower of Jesus, we are part of a larger believing group called the Church. And Paul likens each of us to a part of our physical body. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that we each are important in the church. No one is more important than anyone else. When we come together as the church, we become the hands of Jesus as we serve those around us. We become the feet of Jesus as we take the Gospel to places that need to hear it. We become the mouth of Jesus as we speak peace into this world. And we become the heart of Jesus we to choose to love and show compassion to those around us.

Paul reminds us, though, to live fully into the Kingdom, each of us must do our part. Every part of the body matters, even if you think you are not important. I can do a little on my own but partnered with you and the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.

Now, there are moments when your arm or leg go to sleep. It feels tingly and “dead”. You have to work it to get it going again. Unfortunately, some of us in the church are asleep. We’ve decided to sit on the sideline and not be involved in actively being a part of the church. We think we don’t have much to offer and someone has told us we can’t so we believe them. But God has already told you if you are found in Christ, you are an adopted son or daughter. You’re part of the family. You belong.

So know, your presence is important in the body. The church needs your talents, giftedness and presence. Together, with the Holy Spirit, all things are possible. Nothing is impossible with God. Blessings on the journey.