You remember your vows to those of you who are married? That part that said in sickness and health, for better or worse? I can't say how much this means to know that I have a spouse that will stick with me no matter what may come. My wife and I as well as our whole family have been hit with sickness for the past two weeks. I must say that when you feel your weakest you for sure appreciate your mate even when they are also tired and weary and feel like giving up. We never give up on each other, and I am amazed by God's goodness to me in my marriage.
After nearly 8 years of marriage and three amazing children, I have come to value the vows that I pledged to my bride on our wedding day. Each day that goes by I am more and more grateful that I married her. She has been a source of strength, comfort, rest and help in more ways than I could imagine. My hope is that our marriage would continue to flourish and that we could encourage others in their marriage to never give up on each other. God's design for marriage is to radiate the love of Jesus to the world around us. Through Godly marriages many will see Jesus. This is amazing. It is the kind of selfless love, sacrificial love, long suffering love, undying love, not just emotional based feely feely love....but eternal love that only the Father gives. Truly awesome.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Get up and walk!
So what do you do when you fall down?
I was watching my 9 month old boy yesterday as he was pushing his little walking cart. He is very determined to walk, and every time he falls down he gets right back up and struggles a bit but eventually grabs hold of the bars and keeps trying. He is determined to walk! How classic is that? Were we all not determined to get up and walk when we were little diaper dippin' babies? Was there not something built in us that was so natural it was like breathing? Its funny how sometimes the greatest lessons we learn are not from the great grey haired sage theologians, but rather the small infants, babes, and toddlers.
Jesus also was determined to teach His disciples to get right back up and walk whenever they failed or made a horrible fool of themselves. He could of laughed at them, ridiculed them, left them, been angry at them...but He chose to be patient and long suffering towards them. He taught them to fight for what is worth fighting for, namely the Kingdom of God. He taught them to persevere and not give up, no matter what trial or obstacle they were facing. He taught them the unseen glory of loving God when nothing made sense, when all seemed lost or destroyed. He taught them to live by faith and not by sight. This is deep, and beautiful. God incarnate, walking in the midst of flesh and dirt, who Himself became flesh. Jesus knew the weaknesses of the human heart. He knew how prone people were to fail, and to fail miserably.
The good news is for you and I is that we must get up and walk again after we have failed. Its not a question of will you fail, but rather when you fail. Fail we will, and at times miserably. Do not beat yourself over the head or wallow in condemnation, rather use it as an opportunity to discover the gift of grace, the gift of the blood of Jesus, and run into His arms rather than away. You are dearly loved today!
I was watching my 9 month old boy yesterday as he was pushing his little walking cart. He is very determined to walk, and every time he falls down he gets right back up and struggles a bit but eventually grabs hold of the bars and keeps trying. He is determined to walk! How classic is that? Were we all not determined to get up and walk when we were little diaper dippin' babies? Was there not something built in us that was so natural it was like breathing? Its funny how sometimes the greatest lessons we learn are not from the great grey haired sage theologians, but rather the small infants, babes, and toddlers.
Jesus also was determined to teach His disciples to get right back up and walk whenever they failed or made a horrible fool of themselves. He could of laughed at them, ridiculed them, left them, been angry at them...but He chose to be patient and long suffering towards them. He taught them to fight for what is worth fighting for, namely the Kingdom of God. He taught them to persevere and not give up, no matter what trial or obstacle they were facing. He taught them the unseen glory of loving God when nothing made sense, when all seemed lost or destroyed. He taught them to live by faith and not by sight. This is deep, and beautiful. God incarnate, walking in the midst of flesh and dirt, who Himself became flesh. Jesus knew the weaknesses of the human heart. He knew how prone people were to fail, and to fail miserably.
The good news is for you and I is that we must get up and walk again after we have failed. Its not a question of will you fail, but rather when you fail. Fail we will, and at times miserably. Do not beat yourself over the head or wallow in condemnation, rather use it as an opportunity to discover the gift of grace, the gift of the blood of Jesus, and run into His arms rather than away. You are dearly loved today!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Feed My Sheep
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep. (John 21:15-17 NASB)
Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Three times Peter said yes Lord I love you. Three times Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep. To those who are closest to Jesus, they will understand what his heart is. His heart is that His sheep are taken care of. He loves people and desires them to wholeheartedly love him back. Jesus is the good Shepherd and he knows his sheep very well. He understands everything about them, even their greatest weaknesses and frailties. He desires today that if you are his son or daughter that you know his voice very well.
You can be very confident of this one thing, that you will always be loved and cared for by the great Shepherd himself. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He even leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost, if you are lost today, then he will find you.
Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Three times Peter said yes Lord I love you. Three times Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep. To those who are closest to Jesus, they will understand what his heart is. His heart is that His sheep are taken care of. He loves people and desires them to wholeheartedly love him back. Jesus is the good Shepherd and he knows his sheep very well. He understands everything about them, even their greatest weaknesses and frailties. He desires today that if you are his son or daughter that you know his voice very well.
You can be very confident of this one thing, that you will always be loved and cared for by the great Shepherd himself. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He even leaves the 99 sheep to go after the one that is lost, if you are lost today, then he will find you.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Love in the air
Can you imagine the woman whom was about to be stoned to death for allegedly being caught in an affair? What must have been going through her heart and mind? Jesus knew what these Pharisees were trying to do, which was to set a trap for him to see what he would do.
Verse 7: When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "let anyone of you who is without sin to be the first to throw a stone at her".
One by one they all began to leave. Jesus straightened out and asked her, who are they that condemn you? No one sir, she said. Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.
What do you feel when you read this? What emotions does it stir deep in you regarding the nature of Jesus? Do you think she would ever be the same after that encounter with the Christ? I highly doubt that.
Verse 7: When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "let anyone of you who is without sin to be the first to throw a stone at her".
One by one they all began to leave. Jesus straightened out and asked her, who are they that condemn you? No one sir, she said. Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin.
What do you feel when you read this? What emotions does it stir deep in you regarding the nature of Jesus? Do you think she would ever be the same after that encounter with the Christ? I highly doubt that.
Monday, February 11, 2013
A closer look within...
Behold the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have divided between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you that he should not hear.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue uttereth iniquity. There is none that calleth upon justice, neither is there any one that judgeth truly; but they trust in a mere nothing, and speak vanities; they have conceived labour, and brought forth iniquity.
Isaiah 59:1-4
A chilling reminder that the Lord is the only one who is righteous in all He does. We as humans are truly filled with iniquity at every corner. If it was not for the great mercy of God we would all be doomed. Just when I think I am a good person, I get a reality check and I am reminded that nothing good comes from this body. Only the Spirit of God living in me and the power of the blood of Jesus cause righteousness to spring forth! Oh how I desire to be pure, truly in every way. We must continue to run the race and not lose hope. One day it will pay off, whatever you have suffered for righteousness sake you will be blessed. Jesus is our exceedingly great reward. Stay the path of truth, do not deviate from it one direction or the other. Keep your eyes focused like a dove, locked straight ahead. Bring others along with you, persuade them to walk this narrow path, for life they will find. He who searches the hearts and minds of men is not deceived. If we sow to righteousness, then we shall reap righteousness. Let us walk in the light, as He is the light. I am challenged today.
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue uttereth iniquity. There is none that calleth upon justice, neither is there any one that judgeth truly; but they trust in a mere nothing, and speak vanities; they have conceived labour, and brought forth iniquity.
Isaiah 59:1-4
A chilling reminder that the Lord is the only one who is righteous in all He does. We as humans are truly filled with iniquity at every corner. If it was not for the great mercy of God we would all be doomed. Just when I think I am a good person, I get a reality check and I am reminded that nothing good comes from this body. Only the Spirit of God living in me and the power of the blood of Jesus cause righteousness to spring forth! Oh how I desire to be pure, truly in every way. We must continue to run the race and not lose hope. One day it will pay off, whatever you have suffered for righteousness sake you will be blessed. Jesus is our exceedingly great reward. Stay the path of truth, do not deviate from it one direction or the other. Keep your eyes focused like a dove, locked straight ahead. Bring others along with you, persuade them to walk this narrow path, for life they will find. He who searches the hearts and minds of men is not deceived. If we sow to righteousness, then we shall reap righteousness. Let us walk in the light, as He is the light. I am challenged today.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
how do you explain light through the clouds?
Yesterday I was mesmerized by light rays shining through the clouds.
It took me to another realm for a moment, one beyond this earth.
Thoughts of eternity flickered like a bright flame through my minds eye.
Smile on my face seemed to be hard to wipe off.
Alas, how do you explain that kind of light shining through the clouds?
Glorious...yes, very much so.
I wonder what light looks like when there is no more darkness?
Been dreaming about that day, really since yesterday.
I dreamed that I was a little boy flying through the sky, catching rays of light.
Perfect, yes perfection in a moment.
Back to this realm for now, but I will visit soon again, very soon.
It took me to another realm for a moment, one beyond this earth.
Thoughts of eternity flickered like a bright flame through my minds eye.
Smile on my face seemed to be hard to wipe off.
Alas, how do you explain that kind of light shining through the clouds?
Glorious...yes, very much so.
I wonder what light looks like when there is no more darkness?
Been dreaming about that day, really since yesterday.
I dreamed that I was a little boy flying through the sky, catching rays of light.
Perfect, yes perfection in a moment.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Walk Carefully
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
There is no doubt in my mind that the days we are living in are seeing an increase in darkness, sin, evil and destruction. The days are evil and they always have been since Christ walked the earth and even before. You see ever since mankind fell in that garden the introduction and display of evil has been made manifest. Sickness, pain, sorrow, toil, hardship, and despair have become the portion of the soul. The only rescue and hope we have is the blood of Jesus Christ. He became sin who knew no sin in order that we might become the righteousness of God. Amazing indeed.
We must walk very carefully with great wisdom and calculation. How do we keep ourselves occupied with truth and righteousness? How do we set ourselves apart from the darkness that so sets in around us? How do we not lose faith in the midst of the trial and the pain? Bring your hearts before the Almighty and He will guide you through His words of life. Our hope is found in His word. This alone is life and truth.
There is no doubt in my mind that the days we are living in are seeing an increase in darkness, sin, evil and destruction. The days are evil and they always have been since Christ walked the earth and even before. You see ever since mankind fell in that garden the introduction and display of evil has been made manifest. Sickness, pain, sorrow, toil, hardship, and despair have become the portion of the soul. The only rescue and hope we have is the blood of Jesus Christ. He became sin who knew no sin in order that we might become the righteousness of God. Amazing indeed.
We must walk very carefully with great wisdom and calculation. How do we keep ourselves occupied with truth and righteousness? How do we set ourselves apart from the darkness that so sets in around us? How do we not lose faith in the midst of the trial and the pain? Bring your hearts before the Almighty and He will guide you through His words of life. Our hope is found in His word. This alone is life and truth.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Beautiful People
Look around you today and open your heart to see
All the beautiful people, who long to be set free
Created to know and worship the Creator
People so far have strayed from their maker
Mountains and Oceans surround them
Trees and Rocks around them
Creation groans and aches for God
Begging all to return to the One who died for them
Beautiful people, who have lost their way
Restore them to the garden today
Where all is well and with you they dwell
No longer on a highway leading straight to hell
Heaven calls them, longs to see, choosing life over death
You who know who you are, from afar, draw them in
Speak worth, speak truth, speak beauty, speak love
Speak hope, speak light, speak peace, speak carefully
Speak after listening, speak softly, say their names.
All the beautiful people, who long to be set free
Created to know and worship the Creator
People so far have strayed from their maker
Mountains and Oceans surround them
Trees and Rocks around them
Creation groans and aches for God
Begging all to return to the One who died for them
Beautiful people, who have lost their way
Restore them to the garden today
Where all is well and with you they dwell
No longer on a highway leading straight to hell
Heaven calls them, longs to see, choosing life over death
You who know who you are, from afar, draw them in
Speak worth, speak truth, speak beauty, speak love
Speak hope, speak light, speak peace, speak carefully
Speak after listening, speak softly, say their names.
Friday, February 1, 2013
January 31, 1865
Last night I realized as I was at the theater watching the movie Lincoln that it was January 31st. One Hundred and Forty Eight years ago(148) the 13th amendment to end slavery in America was passed. If you have seen the movie Lincoln produced by Steven Spielberg then you have an idea of what this meant. As I was being entertained I realized that something deeper was stirring in my thoughts and heart. The question of justice, and what God thinks about justice for people that He created to be free. I began to think about the modern day slave movements of human trafficking and the exploitation of children in different countries, and how this world is dark with oppression. I realize that God cares deeply about justice for the fatherless, the widow, the orphan and the oppressed. Just as Abraham Lincoln was raised up to be a voice for the oppressed and ultimately the one who pushed to see reformation. It costs him everything, and in the end his very life. We must also be willing to pay the price no matter how much it costs to be a voice for the voiceless, including the innocent children that are aborted everyday. I am deeply challenged and convicted in my own life in areas that I know I can do better to be a voice for the oppressed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)