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Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Philippians 2:6
If you loved someone and they were in trouble, what would you do to save them?
We see stories everyday of heroes. Men and women who give their lives to save others. We even idolize them and for good reason. We say they have given their lives in ultimate sacrifice.
These men and women go to work everyday not knowing if they will return.
They chose what they do to help the very people who may at any moment turn on them in violence.
They risk their lives because of love for others only to have their love met with hate.
They risk their lives knowing that if they perish their sacrifice will leave a hole in the lives of those they leave behind.
While I admire and pray for these brave men and women, and appreciate what they do for us, there is one who gave far more than they could ever give.
Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice. Not only did he die for us, he gave up a Kings mansion. Imagine, living as the son of God. Imagine being God himself. Imagine moving out of His mansion, and giving up all of his power to live with a bunch of people that he knew would reject him. But he loved them anyway, and he loves us still.
How I suffer in far-off Meshech. It pains me to live in distant Kedar. Psalms 120:5
Have you ever been far from home? You are on vacation or away at school or perhaps your job has taken you away from the familiar surroundings of family and friends.
You love what you do. You have a good life. You feel truly blessed. Yet there is an emptiness, a longing for the stable structure of the familiar?
In Old Testament times Jerusalem and the Temple was home to the Hebrews. It was there that God dwelt. It was in Jerusalem that one felt truly at home socially, ethnically, and emotionally.
But life happened. Through exile and other things the Hebrews were scattered around the Mediterranean world. A few times a year they would go ‘home’ to celebrate God’s goodness, worship His faithfulness and reconnect with family and friends.
When they were with God and His people, life was good. But then the cycle would repeat. Life called them away with a longing for ‘next time in Jerusalem’.
Have you ever felt that longing? Perhaps sin has lured you away? Maybe it’s just the busyness of life. “Weekends are the only time I have for me.” It could be a bad experience when the body of Jesus abused or failed you.
Maybe it’s time to come home. Maybe you need to return to Jerusalem. There is an emptiness when we are far from Jesus. An emptiness he never intended.
Don’t allow the failure of people or the busyness of life keep you from enjoying Jesus!
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6
Anointed or appointed?
In reality you are both. Through your relationship with Jesus you are anointed with the Holy Spirit. This anointing comes with appointing.
The anointing is immediate and permanent. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal. We Are adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters. He is our helper. He is our guide. He tells God what we’re going through and helps us understand God better.
But appointing? That may change with time. Jeremiah says God has a plan to prosper us. It’s a good plan. Paul says in Roman’s that it’s a perfect plan and pleasing to us as well as God and others.
No where that I have found in scripture are we are told WE have a good plan for us. Yet, at times the enemy convinces us our plan is perfect for us.
God’s plan takes time. He may ‘appoint us’ at times to do things we don’t enjoy, things outside our comfort zone, things that are way too trivial for someone of our giftedness. Sometimes He may even appoint us to a time of rest!
Be patient. Be open. With each situation work to be a legacy, to make a difference in people’s lives. God’s promises are sure and His timing is perfect. Your appointment today is preparing you for tomorrow!
Thank Him for the anointing, and make a difference in people’s lives in whatever appointing you find yourself in.
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20
How are you today?
The question is a common one when people greet each other. There’s a couple ironies to the question though. Often we ask that without really wanting or waiting for an answer!
Secondly, when we are asked that question we respond with, “good!” or some other sterile generic version of the answer.
Then, of course, there are those people who, when asked, give you a detailed answer much longer you needed. (We tend to avoid that question to those people.)
For those times when we are sincere with each other, the question is a valid one. We want to know how the other person is feeling, what’s going on in their lives and perhaps how we can support/pray for them.
Feelings are powerful. They can determine our outlook on life, affect how we respond to crisis, and impact our relationships.
They also make us vulnerable and that’s the scary part. Few of us would respond to “How are you feeling today” by saying, “I’m feeling really guilty today” or “I’m really ashamed today, thanks for asking.”
During those times when our feelings can get the best of us it’s nice to know God not only knows our deepest, most secret feelings. He is stronger than them!
Rather than focusing on our feelings, which can be fickle, focus on our God and His promises to love, forgive and strengthen us when emotions try to tear us away.
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12
I think one of the most shocking things about my illness was what we didn’t know!
The fatigue, the pain I mistook for muscle pain, the spot on my chest were caused by something laying beneath the skin.
Had I seen the whole picture, I would’ve responded differently. But as with a lot of other things in life, I simply didn’t have all the information.
1 Corinthians 13:12 concludes a portion of Paul’s letter dealing with love. We often call it “the love chapter” and portions of it are used in virtually every wedding ceremony.
The love spoken of here isn’t just between husband and wife. This love is to be for all people. Especially those belonging to the body of Jesus.
Paul doesn’t call us to understand. Paul doesn’t challenge us to get all the information before we respond to people and situations. Knowledge and wisdom will never be as powerful as love.
Don’t ever let yourself think you see the whole picture. You don’t. Only God does. Love isn’t based on what we know but on who we know. Through the work of Jesus on the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit within us God will reveal what you need to know in order for you to do what He’s called you to do, love.
Love one another patiently. Love one another when you don’t understand or agree. Love one another when you’ve been hurt. Love one another even when you can’t trust.
Someday we’ll understand, but today? Love one another!
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 