These days about the only TV I get to watch is PBS kid shows. It's funny, I have become so accustomed to this, that when I do turn on the TV and surf the channels, I feel awkward choosing to watch anything but kid shows.
Gone are the days of learning what's actually going on in the world, seeing as how news stories never flash across my screen anymore. Sometimes, that's kind of nice. But tonight, Tom (who still knows what is going on in the world) told me about a Kansas City Chief Football player who was in the news recently because he got in an argument with his live-in girlfriend, and shot her 9 times. Afterwards he drove to the stadium, told his coaches "thank you for all they've done", then shot himself in the head right in front of them. Horrible, horrible story, I know.
It caused me to reflect further on a subject that seems to be popping into my head a lot lately. Healthy Self-Control. I believe it's one of the fruits of the Spirit in the Bible. Most of us probably do have healthy self-control under most circumstances most of the time. But do any of us really have healthy self-control all the time? Jeremiah, the poor sweet thing, is only 2 and a half, and already he has to start learning this very difficult lesson. The preschool and Sunday school, they all expect him to be able to control himself. But in truth, when he becomes so emotionally overcharged, he doesn't know what to do. He can't control himself. He needs help, someone to show him how it's done. But I'm a little bit baffled on the best way to do this. Developmentally, I think this is normal for his age, and yet, why does it seem that the other kids are more able to keep their hands to themselves...they seem to have more self-control. I can only assume, they are wired a bit differently. Jeremiah IS strong-willed, dominant in nature and has a strong need to control everything at all times. God created him this way, created him to be a leader. But you know, learning to channel our God-given gifts correctly can be so hard. I imagine this will be a lesson that he will be learning for a loooong time.
And of course, I can't help but reflect on my own ability to maintain self-control. Most of the time, I do just fine. But, when emotionally overcharged, I tend to loose it, and act out in inappropriate ways. Unlike Jeremiah, I don't hit, kick, or throw things. Unlike some others, I don't typically resort to obscenities or name-calling. But I do scream and yell. Sometimes I FEEL like hitting or throwing things. Of course, this is just one form of self-control I am referring to, there are other things like the amount of food I eat or tv I watch, or when I choose to finally go to bed at night. Most things require some form of self-control. But isn't it kind of funny that I am expecting Jeremiah to learn these lessons now when clearly, I am still trying to get a handle on them myself? There's nothing like being a parent and a wife to challenge who you are as a person, and to strongly encourage a change in behavior. In other words, get your act together, so you can help others get their act together. Or is it something like take the plank out of your own eye first, so you can get the speck of sawdust out of your husband's or son's eye?
No real wisdom here, just Lord, please help me, because I'm pretty sure that plank has been stuck in my eye for a long time, and it doesn't seem to want to come out!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Love and Respect
Deuteronomy 10:12: And now Israel, what does the Lord require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
Recently did a marriage study on Love & Respect with Tom. The author reasons that women most need to be loved and men most need to be respected. He says the Bible is filled with verses that elude to this and quotes many of them. It's a new concept to us here in the "western world." We always focus solely on love when men are feeling so disrespected. It was a pretty good study. I think we could stand to do it again a couple more times. There is a lot to learn and take in.
The thing I found interesting, is the realization of how much I feel a need for respect. Of course, I think I may define respect in a slightly different way than what Tom does.
This verse above, got me thinking about the marriage study. What does it mean to fear the Lord? I think it means to respect Him, who He is, His authority. The God of the Universe is asking for...Love & Respect. He made man and woman in His image, we are both like Him, and therefore desire Love and Respect.
Oh Father, teach me what it looks like, how to show you respect, and then how to apply that to my husband, that I can show him respect also.
Recently did a marriage study on Love & Respect with Tom. The author reasons that women most need to be loved and men most need to be respected. He says the Bible is filled with verses that elude to this and quotes many of them. It's a new concept to us here in the "western world." We always focus solely on love when men are feeling so disrespected. It was a pretty good study. I think we could stand to do it again a couple more times. There is a lot to learn and take in.
The thing I found interesting, is the realization of how much I feel a need for respect. Of course, I think I may define respect in a slightly different way than what Tom does.
This verse above, got me thinking about the marriage study. What does it mean to fear the Lord? I think it means to respect Him, who He is, His authority. The God of the Universe is asking for...Love & Respect. He made man and woman in His image, we are both like Him, and therefore desire Love and Respect.
Oh Father, teach me what it looks like, how to show you respect, and then how to apply that to my husband, that I can show him respect also.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Aching for Motherhood
I'm working at the YMCA now. I spend each day helping parents sign up their kids for different activities. Some kids are well behaved. Some are not. Watching how the parents react to their children varies quite a bit. Today, I was helping a mother of two, who told me I was lucky I didn't have children.
She doesn't know I've been trying to have children for almost 4 years. She doesn't know the emotional strain I go through watching all the mothers walk around with their new born babies. She doesn't know how much I wish I could be a mother. I'm not really offended. I know she doesn't know.
But as I listened to her tell me of the struggle of being a stay-at-home Mom, I could see how her life, all her days, really revolve around these two boys and raising them. She gets frustrated with their immaturity and their antics. She longs for adult conversation. She gets stressed out with trying to provide them a good childhood and all that it entails. This woman is not alone. I see so many who feel the same way. And yet, I know she wouldn't give them up for anything.
I admit, most of the time, when I watch a mother walk in with her 3, 5, or 6 kids in tow, and they are climbing the walls, I think to myself, maybe just 1 child is enough. Sometimes, I wonder if I should have children at all. I think about how drastically it will change my life, the life that Tom and I have grown accustomed to. I know that we will have to give up things that we don't really want to give up. And, oh, the money we will spend. It will stretch us in ways we never even imagined. And even with all that in mind, I know that I still can't even begin to fathom how hard it will be.
But today, when this woman was sitting there venting her frustration to me, I had this overwhelming desire to have what she has. I want to be a Mom who is stressed out with trying to provide her children a good childhood and all that it entails. I want all the pain and streif!
On my way home from work, the DJ on the radio said she had just said goodbye to her baby brother who was leaving on a mission trip. They would be out at sea, and she didn't know for sure where his ultimate destination would be. She didn't know when she would see him again. She was obviously very emotional over the goodbye. She posed this question to the listeners: How do you, as parents, say goodbye? How do you manage to be ok with letting your children go when they get older? when they go off to college?, when they get married?, when they leave on a mission trip? What she was saying is, Man, it's so hard to let go of someone you love so much.
All the struggle and all the stress of raising kids. It's worth it. Because the love and the joy is so great. It's also why we let them go. Because the love and the joy is so great.
She doesn't know I've been trying to have children for almost 4 years. She doesn't know the emotional strain I go through watching all the mothers walk around with their new born babies. She doesn't know how much I wish I could be a mother. I'm not really offended. I know she doesn't know.
But as I listened to her tell me of the struggle of being a stay-at-home Mom, I could see how her life, all her days, really revolve around these two boys and raising them. She gets frustrated with their immaturity and their antics. She longs for adult conversation. She gets stressed out with trying to provide them a good childhood and all that it entails. This woman is not alone. I see so many who feel the same way. And yet, I know she wouldn't give them up for anything.
I admit, most of the time, when I watch a mother walk in with her 3, 5, or 6 kids in tow, and they are climbing the walls, I think to myself, maybe just 1 child is enough. Sometimes, I wonder if I should have children at all. I think about how drastically it will change my life, the life that Tom and I have grown accustomed to. I know that we will have to give up things that we don't really want to give up. And, oh, the money we will spend. It will stretch us in ways we never even imagined. And even with all that in mind, I know that I still can't even begin to fathom how hard it will be.
But today, when this woman was sitting there venting her frustration to me, I had this overwhelming desire to have what she has. I want to be a Mom who is stressed out with trying to provide her children a good childhood and all that it entails. I want all the pain and streif!
On my way home from work, the DJ on the radio said she had just said goodbye to her baby brother who was leaving on a mission trip. They would be out at sea, and she didn't know for sure where his ultimate destination would be. She didn't know when she would see him again. She was obviously very emotional over the goodbye. She posed this question to the listeners: How do you, as parents, say goodbye? How do you manage to be ok with letting your children go when they get older? when they go off to college?, when they get married?, when they leave on a mission trip? What she was saying is, Man, it's so hard to let go of someone you love so much.
All the struggle and all the stress of raising kids. It's worth it. Because the love and the joy is so great. It's also why we let them go. Because the love and the joy is so great.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Trust in mysterious ways...
Tom and I had a good discussion this evening. It reflects well on the lessons I feel God has been trying to teach me lately. We were talking about love and respect and our God-given roles as a servant leader and as a helper. I believe that God clearly views man and woman as equal based on the way He has treated and used women to His glory over the ages. I also believe that when He calls the husband to love the wife as Christ loved the church, this means the husbands primary goal is to provide guidance to her to help her accomplish God's will and to aid in drawing her closer in a personal relationship with Him. In the same way, the wife is called to help her husband accomplish God's will and encourage a deeper and stronger relationship with the Lord.
Of course, how to help and encourage your spouse can be a lot more tricky than it seems. We end up fighting because we're always telling each other how God's will can best be accomplished. We don't do a very good job of accepting the other's differences. We often agree on what God's will is, just not on how to accomplish it. Our methods seem to differ greatly. But you know, the thing is, I really believe that Tom is a genius. His way may seem ludicruis to me, but that doesn't mean that it won't work or that it's wrong. I have to keep in mind that God, who does things in mysterious ways, may, and very likely will, choose to accomplish His will in Tom in some very mysterious way. I have to let go. I have to give up control. I have to learn to trust God and to trust Tom even when I don't know what the outcome will be. I have to trust that Tom means only good things for me and for us. I have to trust in His love for me, the same way I have to trust in these things with God.
Of course, how to help and encourage your spouse can be a lot more tricky than it seems. We end up fighting because we're always telling each other how God's will can best be accomplished. We don't do a very good job of accepting the other's differences. We often agree on what God's will is, just not on how to accomplish it. Our methods seem to differ greatly. But you know, the thing is, I really believe that Tom is a genius. His way may seem ludicruis to me, but that doesn't mean that it won't work or that it's wrong. I have to keep in mind that God, who does things in mysterious ways, may, and very likely will, choose to accomplish His will in Tom in some very mysterious way. I have to let go. I have to give up control. I have to learn to trust God and to trust Tom even when I don't know what the outcome will be. I have to trust that Tom means only good things for me and for us. I have to trust in His love for me, the same way I have to trust in these things with God.
Friday, May 9, 2008
The Great Commission Matthew 28
Have you ever thought of sin as if it were a person or some evil spirit who shouts out commands at you? Be Angry! Do the selfish thing! Put your desires before everyone elses! You know it’s the wrong thing to do, but you do it anyway. You just can’t seem to stop yourself. It’s as though you have no choice, you must obey. Sin used to have power and authority over us. But because of the resurrection, now Jesus has authority over us. We don’t have to listen to sin anymore! When Jesus was raised from the dead, He conquered death. He conquered sin. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can tell sin, No!We can choose to follow Jesus. (This week, as you feel tempted to be angry or selfish, will you ask Jesus to remind you that He is your Lord and not sin?)
In your lesson this week, you read about how Mary Magdelene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb. They had brought spices with them and were planning to give Jesus a proper burial, something that could not be done until after the Sabbath. As they got to the tomb, they began to feel an earthquake, and saw an angel that came down from heaven and rolled the stone away. The angel opened the tomb not to let Jesus out, but to show that Jesus was no longer inside.The guards were so afraid, they fainted right there. But the angel invited the women into the tomb to show them the proof that Jesus had risen, and gave them a message for the disciples. When the women left, they were happy, but they were also afraid.
In biblical times, women did not have the same respect that women have here in America today. They were belittled in their society, and they were not considered to be a reliable source for anything. Could it be that they feared that no one would believe what they had seen? No one would trust that their testimony was true? They probably felt they were not worthy or the right people to carry out Jesus’ command to tell the others. But the Lord often chooses those who are considered the least or the most unlikely source to tell His message, and to carry out His plan. What is the Lord calling you to do? Are you scared? Do you feel inadequate or unprepared? Jesus knew how these women felt. He appeared to them, reassuring them, saying, "Do not be afraid. Go…" He tells us the same thing today, and He promises to always be with us as we carry out His work. Are you trusting in Him to provide the words and the faith that is necessary as you tell others about His resurrection?
As the women were on their way to the disciples, the guards went to the chief priests and told them everything that had happened. The Jewish leaders panicked. They paid the guards to spread a lie that the disciples had stolen the body while they were asleep. The guards, not knowing what else to do, took the money and spread the lie. This false story is still being told today. Jew and Gentile alike still believe in it.
How do you think the leaders and guards felt as time went on and their lie spread? Did they start to believe that it was true themselves? Did they ever feel guilt or remorse? Did they realize they had fallen away from doing God’s work, the very thing that they claimed to devote their life to? Did they live in fear of someone finding out?
This one little lie has caused so many people to fall away from God. People had a choice to make back then, to believe the disciples or to believe the Jewish leaders who tried to deny the resurrection and explain it away. Choosing to believe the disciples meant suffering rejection and hostility from the leaders of their day. It was not an easy choice. In fact, it probably seemed much easier to believe the lie. But the resurrection is a historical fact. Let’s consider the evidence:
1. If the disciples were to make up a story, they would not have chosen women, who were considered an unreliable source, as the first people to see Jesus alive.
2. The guards were at great risk of execution if the body was stolen. It is not likely that they would have spread a story that it was. If they had been caught by the Roman Govenor, it would have surely meant death. Instead, they would have tried to cover it up.
3. Sleeping guards would not have known who stole the body anyway.
4. The seal that was placed around the stone made it next to impossible to get in
5. More than 500 people saw Jesus alive over a period of 40 days
6. Matthew’s gospel was written at a time when the people who saw Jesus were still alive and could have disputed the story if it wasn’t true.
7. These 12 apostles and other believers were so sure of what they had seen, they devoted their entire lives to telling others. Some even died for it. Would you die for something that you knew was a lie?
Coming back from the dead does seem pretty far-fetched doesn’t it? And yet that is exactly what happened. We too, must choose who to believe. There are many today who, like the Jewish leaders, try to deny the resurrection and explain it away or even ignore it. What about you? Who do you believe? And if you do believe in Jesus’ resurrection, what are you doing about it? Are you choosing to give a true report to those around you? Are you resisting the temptation to lie or stay quiet?
Jesus’ resurrection is key to the Christian faith:
1. It shows that God is sovereign. He kept His promise and fulfilled all the prophecies. We know that we can trust Him to accomplish everything He has promised us, including His second coming and the bodily resurrection of all who believe.
2. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He has power over death and therefore can give us eternal life. It proves that He conquered sin, the wages of which is death. And it no longer has power over us.
3. He proves His authority in Heaven and Earth-God’s eternal Kingdom. He is our a spiritual King who can overcome all evil and rule in the heart of every person.
4. And we are given power through the Holy Spirit to help bring others to a new life in Christ.
When the disciples got to Galilee and saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. But there were some who still did not believe! Jesus had no ill will toward the disciples. He had forgiven them for deserting Him at the cross. As He spoke to them, He affectionately called them His brothers. He didn’t even get upset with those who were still doubting. Jesus knew what was in their heart. How easily do you forgive those who sin against you? Do you forgive even when they don’t apologize? Do you give them your trust again? Are you willing to help them overcome their sin and lovingly give them what they need? This is what Jesus did for the disciples.
With love in His eyes and in His heart, Jesus reassured those who were doubting, He told the disciples that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. He really was the King, the Messiah. Not just the King of Israel, but the King of everything, of everyone. including you and me.
Jesus told them to go and make disciples of all nations. He trusted them to carry out His great commission, the same men who had abandoned Him when He needed them most. This is what Jesus does for us. He forgives all our sins, even the ones we commit over and over again and He trusts us to carry out the work He has for us.
How can we do that? He tells us "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we also accept the Holy Spirit who then lives within us. We are turning away from (or dying to) our sin and turning to a new life in Christ.
Telling others about Jesus may seem like a job for experts such as a Pastor, or a Missionary, or someone special whom Jesus has called. Perhaps you feel as though you have no power or that no one will listen to you. It may seem like an impossible task. But Jesus Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations is for every believer. It is not an option but a command. He has given us all we need to accomplish His will. Remember He gave the promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." It is true that you and I can not in ourselves and our own strength convince anyone to receive Christ. But He endwells and empowers those who believe and obey Him.This is all we need. As we obey, we can take comfort in knowing that He is with us. What are you doing to obey His commission? Have you talked to Jesus about who He wants you to share the news of His resurrection with? Is there someone He wants you to pray for? Who might be waiting for you to invite them to church to learn about Jesus? The command is simple: Go and make disciples. The promise is also simple: Jesus will go with you.
In your lesson this week, you read about how Mary Magdelene and the other Mary went to Jesus’ tomb. They had brought spices with them and were planning to give Jesus a proper burial, something that could not be done until after the Sabbath. As they got to the tomb, they began to feel an earthquake, and saw an angel that came down from heaven and rolled the stone away. The angel opened the tomb not to let Jesus out, but to show that Jesus was no longer inside.The guards were so afraid, they fainted right there. But the angel invited the women into the tomb to show them the proof that Jesus had risen, and gave them a message for the disciples. When the women left, they were happy, but they were also afraid.
In biblical times, women did not have the same respect that women have here in America today. They were belittled in their society, and they were not considered to be a reliable source for anything. Could it be that they feared that no one would believe what they had seen? No one would trust that their testimony was true? They probably felt they were not worthy or the right people to carry out Jesus’ command to tell the others. But the Lord often chooses those who are considered the least or the most unlikely source to tell His message, and to carry out His plan. What is the Lord calling you to do? Are you scared? Do you feel inadequate or unprepared? Jesus knew how these women felt. He appeared to them, reassuring them, saying, "Do not be afraid. Go…" He tells us the same thing today, and He promises to always be with us as we carry out His work. Are you trusting in Him to provide the words and the faith that is necessary as you tell others about His resurrection?
As the women were on their way to the disciples, the guards went to the chief priests and told them everything that had happened. The Jewish leaders panicked. They paid the guards to spread a lie that the disciples had stolen the body while they were asleep. The guards, not knowing what else to do, took the money and spread the lie. This false story is still being told today. Jew and Gentile alike still believe in it.
How do you think the leaders and guards felt as time went on and their lie spread? Did they start to believe that it was true themselves? Did they ever feel guilt or remorse? Did they realize they had fallen away from doing God’s work, the very thing that they claimed to devote their life to? Did they live in fear of someone finding out?
This one little lie has caused so many people to fall away from God. People had a choice to make back then, to believe the disciples or to believe the Jewish leaders who tried to deny the resurrection and explain it away. Choosing to believe the disciples meant suffering rejection and hostility from the leaders of their day. It was not an easy choice. In fact, it probably seemed much easier to believe the lie. But the resurrection is a historical fact. Let’s consider the evidence:
1. If the disciples were to make up a story, they would not have chosen women, who were considered an unreliable source, as the first people to see Jesus alive.
2. The guards were at great risk of execution if the body was stolen. It is not likely that they would have spread a story that it was. If they had been caught by the Roman Govenor, it would have surely meant death. Instead, they would have tried to cover it up.
3. Sleeping guards would not have known who stole the body anyway.
4. The seal that was placed around the stone made it next to impossible to get in
5. More than 500 people saw Jesus alive over a period of 40 days
6. Matthew’s gospel was written at a time when the people who saw Jesus were still alive and could have disputed the story if it wasn’t true.
7. These 12 apostles and other believers were so sure of what they had seen, they devoted their entire lives to telling others. Some even died for it. Would you die for something that you knew was a lie?
Coming back from the dead does seem pretty far-fetched doesn’t it? And yet that is exactly what happened. We too, must choose who to believe. There are many today who, like the Jewish leaders, try to deny the resurrection and explain it away or even ignore it. What about you? Who do you believe? And if you do believe in Jesus’ resurrection, what are you doing about it? Are you choosing to give a true report to those around you? Are you resisting the temptation to lie or stay quiet?
Jesus’ resurrection is key to the Christian faith:
1. It shows that God is sovereign. He kept His promise and fulfilled all the prophecies. We know that we can trust Him to accomplish everything He has promised us, including His second coming and the bodily resurrection of all who believe.
2. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He has power over death and therefore can give us eternal life. It proves that He conquered sin, the wages of which is death. And it no longer has power over us.
3. He proves His authority in Heaven and Earth-God’s eternal Kingdom. He is our a spiritual King who can overcome all evil and rule in the heart of every person.
4. And we are given power through the Holy Spirit to help bring others to a new life in Christ.
When the disciples got to Galilee and saw Jesus, they worshipped Him. But there were some who still did not believe! Jesus had no ill will toward the disciples. He had forgiven them for deserting Him at the cross. As He spoke to them, He affectionately called them His brothers. He didn’t even get upset with those who were still doubting. Jesus knew what was in their heart. How easily do you forgive those who sin against you? Do you forgive even when they don’t apologize? Do you give them your trust again? Are you willing to help them overcome their sin and lovingly give them what they need? This is what Jesus did for the disciples.
With love in His eyes and in His heart, Jesus reassured those who were doubting, He told the disciples that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him. He really was the King, the Messiah. Not just the King of Israel, but the King of everything, of everyone. including you and me.
Jesus told them to go and make disciples of all nations. He trusted them to carry out His great commission, the same men who had abandoned Him when He needed them most. This is what Jesus does for us. He forgives all our sins, even the ones we commit over and over again and He trusts us to carry out the work He has for us.
How can we do that? He tells us "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we also accept the Holy Spirit who then lives within us. We are turning away from (or dying to) our sin and turning to a new life in Christ.
Telling others about Jesus may seem like a job for experts such as a Pastor, or a Missionary, or someone special whom Jesus has called. Perhaps you feel as though you have no power or that no one will listen to you. It may seem like an impossible task. But Jesus Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations is for every believer. It is not an option but a command. He has given us all we need to accomplish His will. Remember He gave the promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." It is true that you and I can not in ourselves and our own strength convince anyone to receive Christ. But He endwells and empowers those who believe and obey Him.This is all we need. As we obey, we can take comfort in knowing that He is with us. What are you doing to obey His commission? Have you talked to Jesus about who He wants you to share the news of His resurrection with? Is there someone He wants you to pray for? Who might be waiting for you to invite them to church to learn about Jesus? The command is simple: Go and make disciples. The promise is also simple: Jesus will go with you.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Price of Our Sin...final installment
After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea asked for permission to bury Him. This was a huge risk for him to take. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ones who were responsible for putting Jesus to death. He could have been kicked out. He could have lost His place in society. All of his friends, his family, the people he worked with, they all could have turned against him. This was not something he could just cover up either. Handling a dead body meant he could not participate in the Passover festivities. They would notice that he was missing. Joseph even gave his burial tomb to Jesus. He didn’t care what the others thought. He loved Jesus more.
What about you? What are you willing to risk, to sacrifice, to give up for Jesus? How much time do you give to Him each day? What people or things do you put in front of him? Do you sit and watch TV or play video games instead of doing your Bible Study or praying. Do you want to stay home and sleep instead of going to church on Sundays? What can you do this week to really make Jesus your heart’s #1 desire?
The Pharisees knew that Joseph had placed Jesus in his tomb. Realizing that Joseph was a follower of Jesus too, they must have been worried that Jesus’ disciples were up to something. They remembered that Jesus said he would rise again in 3 days, and they wanted to do everything they could to prevent that from happening. So they went to Pilate and requested his help. They told him the disciples would try to trick us all by stealing the body and telling others that Jesus had overcome death. Pilate ordered a guard to keep watch over the tomb, and the Pharisees sealed the stone covering it.
The Pharisees hated Jesus because He challenged their way of thinking. They worked so hard to live a life of righteousness on their own, and they didn’t like it when Jesus told them they were doing things wrong, that they were sinners just like the rest of us. The Pharisees didn’t want to believe in Jesus because it meant changing and that scared them. There are a lot of people today who don’t want to believe in Jesus because they don’t want to change either. They don’t want to give up their selfish desires. They’re scared too.
When Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment for all our sins, we were granted forgiveness before God. And the power of sin in our lives was broken. That is why we call Him our Savior. Jesus died in your place, giving you His righteousness through faith. He gave up His life for us. But now we have the chance to give up our lives for Him. And that means changing. When we make Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we start to let go of our selfish desires, to place God first in our lives, and to put others before ourselves. It may not always seem easy, but the love and joy we receive in return makes it worth it. Do you believe that? Have you received His gift of salvation and sanctification? How will you use it this week when you feel tempted to do something that is wrong, when sin threatens to overpower you? What guilt are you carrying that you need to take to the Cross?
What about you? What are you willing to risk, to sacrifice, to give up for Jesus? How much time do you give to Him each day? What people or things do you put in front of him? Do you sit and watch TV or play video games instead of doing your Bible Study or praying. Do you want to stay home and sleep instead of going to church on Sundays? What can you do this week to really make Jesus your heart’s #1 desire?
The Pharisees knew that Joseph had placed Jesus in his tomb. Realizing that Joseph was a follower of Jesus too, they must have been worried that Jesus’ disciples were up to something. They remembered that Jesus said he would rise again in 3 days, and they wanted to do everything they could to prevent that from happening. So they went to Pilate and requested his help. They told him the disciples would try to trick us all by stealing the body and telling others that Jesus had overcome death. Pilate ordered a guard to keep watch over the tomb, and the Pharisees sealed the stone covering it.
The Pharisees hated Jesus because He challenged their way of thinking. They worked so hard to live a life of righteousness on their own, and they didn’t like it when Jesus told them they were doing things wrong, that they were sinners just like the rest of us. The Pharisees didn’t want to believe in Jesus because it meant changing and that scared them. There are a lot of people today who don’t want to believe in Jesus because they don’t want to change either. They don’t want to give up their selfish desires. They’re scared too.
When Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment for all our sins, we were granted forgiveness before God. And the power of sin in our lives was broken. That is why we call Him our Savior. Jesus died in your place, giving you His righteousness through faith. He gave up His life for us. But now we have the chance to give up our lives for Him. And that means changing. When we make Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit enters our lives, we start to let go of our selfish desires, to place God first in our lives, and to put others before ourselves. It may not always seem easy, but the love and joy we receive in return makes it worth it. Do you believe that? Have you received His gift of salvation and sanctification? How will you use it this week when you feel tempted to do something that is wrong, when sin threatens to overpower you? What guilt are you carrying that you need to take to the Cross?
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Price of Our Sin continued...
It was then that Jesus knew He had completed all that His father had for Him and for our salvation, and so He committed His Spirit to His Father. (Luke 23:46) He cried out one last time, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and gave up His spirit.
At this very moment, the earth began to shake, rocks split apart, tombs opened, people were raised from the dead…The Roman officer and the other soldiers keeping watch at Jesus’ crucifixion were so terrified that it actually caused them to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. This man, whom just hours ago, they had beaten and mocked.
Why did the earth shake at this moment? Why did the curtain in the temple tear in two from top to bottom? The curtain in the temple separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple and from the people, all of whom had sinned against God. It was considered the place where God’s presence was.
Have you ever gotten in trouble with your Mom or Dad? What about your friends or your sisters and brothers? How often do they get in trouble? And when your Mom or Dad catch you doing something wrong, how do they punish you? What are the consequences? Do they ground you or take your allowance away?
For the Jewish people, the consequence of their wrong-doing was separation from God. The curtain was a symbol of the separation between God and His people. Because God is Holy and Righteous and we are sinners, there could be no relationship between Him and us.
Their punishment was death. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year. This was to offer the blood of a sacrificial Lamb to make atonement for the sins of the people, or to reconcile them to God.
But Jesus’ death opened the way into God’s presence. The shedding of His blood, for the sins of all who would believe.
Think about all the things you do wrong each year. Then think about all the things your friends and your brothers and sisters do wrong each year. What about the whole world? When the Jews sacrificed a lamb each year it was for the sins of everyone in their community. There are probably more people living right here in Katy, Texas than in the Jewish community back then. The blood of a lamb wasn’t enough to cover the sins of all the people in all the world for all time. But the blood of Jesus is. He is the one who took the punishment for all our sins. He is the only one who is strong enough, powerful enough, righteous enough to pay for the sins of everyone for all time.
At this very moment, the earth began to shake, rocks split apart, tombs opened, people were raised from the dead…The Roman officer and the other soldiers keeping watch at Jesus’ crucifixion were so terrified that it actually caused them to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. This man, whom just hours ago, they had beaten and mocked.
Why did the earth shake at this moment? Why did the curtain in the temple tear in two from top to bottom? The curtain in the temple separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple and from the people, all of whom had sinned against God. It was considered the place where God’s presence was.
Have you ever gotten in trouble with your Mom or Dad? What about your friends or your sisters and brothers? How often do they get in trouble? And when your Mom or Dad catch you doing something wrong, how do they punish you? What are the consequences? Do they ground you or take your allowance away?
For the Jewish people, the consequence of their wrong-doing was separation from God. The curtain was a symbol of the separation between God and His people. Because God is Holy and Righteous and we are sinners, there could be no relationship between Him and us.
Their punishment was death. Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year. This was to offer the blood of a sacrificial Lamb to make atonement for the sins of the people, or to reconcile them to God.
But Jesus’ death opened the way into God’s presence. The shedding of His blood, for the sins of all who would believe.
Think about all the things you do wrong each year. Then think about all the things your friends and your brothers and sisters do wrong each year. What about the whole world? When the Jews sacrificed a lamb each year it was for the sins of everyone in their community. There are probably more people living right here in Katy, Texas than in the Jewish community back then. The blood of a lamb wasn’t enough to cover the sins of all the people in all the world for all time. But the blood of Jesus is. He is the one who took the punishment for all our sins. He is the only one who is strong enough, powerful enough, righteous enough to pay for the sins of everyone for all time.
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