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In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ. Ephesians 3:12 (NCV)
I remember sitting in Bible Study. We were discussing the life of King David and, in particular, his affair with Bathsheba. I asked the question, why does sin have such power over us? Think of David. The man after God’s own heart. The man who had seen God move in miraculous ways. The man who defeated a lion, a bear, a giant and an angry King. All this because of his faith. What would make someone who was so close to God commit such a heinous crime? Why does sin have that kind of power over us?
A very dear, elderly sweet lady gave an embarrassed grin and answered, “Because. Sin is so much fun!”
I was taken back by her answer, as were the others. Mary (I’ll call her) was the kind of person you would expect to have been sinless her entire life. Sin being fun in her mind was the furthest thing from my mind.
She’s right of course. That’s the draw. We know the right way to think. We know what the right words to say and what words will spark an argument. For those of us who know Christ, we know the attitude to take. So why are we often so easily led astray?
Not only is sin ‘fun’ (at least at the beginning) but sin entraps us. That’s the catch. Sometimes it starts small, an attitude, a sarcastic comment or two, an off-color jest, a hug that takes just a little to long. Then, if we allow it to, sin creeps in, taking more liberty. Asking more questions. Causing more doubt. Like the serpent in the garden, the question is asked, “It God really fair taking this pleasure from me? Will it really hurt just once? Don’t I deserve this justice?
Then like a steel trap, the jaws slam shut. We’re trapped with no way out. Have you ever been in that situation? It’s like being handcuffed and being led down the hallway towards the courtroom. Waste of time? You bet. Your guilty, but…. (There will be no buts in this courtroom).
That’s sin. The longer you are in it the more the guilt weighs you down. You knew better. How did you think for a moment you wouldn’t get caught? The longer it has you enslaved the more resigned you come to it’s dominion over you. The more it attacks, the weaker your resolve to fight back. Finally you just give up. It doesn’t matter anymore.
There is only one way out of this trap. Only one way to rid yourself of the guilt once and for all. Only one way promise can return to our lives. The only way we can be free of the penalty and power of sin is Jesus. The penalty has to be paid. There is no escape from that. But Jesus paid the penalty! Because of that, regardless of what you have done. Regardless of how many times you’ve stumbled and fallen. The Grace of God through Jesus Christ allows you to have a perfect relationship with your Heavenly Father. Enjoy the freedom to fly once again. Enjoy the freedom of being afraid of God’s wrath.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need to be reminded of your love and grace today. My thoughts, words and attitudes have entrapped me. I’m listening to the enemy’s lies. Please forgive me once again for my weakness. Thank you that because of you I am restored. Amen.
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. Romans 8:37 (CEV)
I’ve learned a lot of important lessons in life. Far too many to put in this short post. But here are some that come to mind.
- I learned early in life that there is safety in my father’s arms. Growing up I was afraid of storms. I was afraid of water and, when we took rides in my grandfather’s boat was certain we would die. But when daddy was there, my fear was gone.
- I learned to walk, and then run. The freedom of independence was exhilarating to say the least! But in the midst of that freedom, I learned that falling was sometimes inevitable, but that even though the fall hurt a bit, I could get up and try again.
- I learned that scary things often aren’t really that scary after all and that if I put my mind to it, I could overcome my fears. I still watch the clouds. I still am cautious around water. But I know that I can handle many things if I just take the time to evaluate the situation.
- I learned that I can take care of myself. First it was simple things like pulling up my pants all by myself, then it was learning to tie my shoes, then all too soon I learned I could take care of my family and my kids.
- I learned, the hard way, that things aren’t always as they appear. Friends don’t always keep their promises. God isn’t always easy to understand. Just ‘living on love’ doesn’t really work. Being a superstar is hard work.
- I learned that I can be me without your approval. You may not like my taste in clothes. You may not like my taste in music. You may question my actions from time to time. But even though I’ll make mistakes and errors in judgment, your opinion of me doesn’t affect who I am. Frankly, I refuse to let you take the right of ‘me’ away; you won’t spoil my day.
- But maybe the most important thing I’ve learned is this: “God works more powerfully through me when I am at my weakest.”
I’ve gone through divorce. I’ve gone through rejection. I’ve made some really stupid mistakes in my life. I found out that I couldn’t live the life I wanted to live in my own power. I have stopped living the lie. It’s not about me after all. It’s all about Jesus.
So now, I believe what Jesus says about me. If he says I’m forgiven, I AM. If he says he’ll be with me through the rough stuff; HE WILL; If he says my needs (not my wants) will be taken care of; THEY WILL. If he says he loves me; HE DOES.
It’s so easy to listen to what others say about you. It’s easy to believe you have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make life go by yourself. But those are lies and are simply not true. Jesus says it’s by his strength, not ours, and it is. Going according to his strength is the key to success.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. I’ve learned many things in my life, but the best thing I’ve learned is that your love and promises are true. Thank you for making me, me! Amen.
When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:3 (NLT)
Imagine the setting. You’re sitting on your deck enjoying the last remnants of light from a warm summer evening. As you look to the west, lost in your thoughts, you see clouds on the horizon. It’s the makings of a beautiful sunset as the sun sinks prematurely below the billowing thunderheads.
Then you see it…you think. “Was that lightning?” You ask yourself as you continue to watch the horizon. A few moments later your suspicions are confirmed. A second flash of light brightens the darkening horizon. As you watch the approaching storm the signs of its inevitable arrival multiply. The once calm wind begins to blow, occasional rumbles of thunder are heard, the lightning flashes grow more frequent. A storm is coming.
The word picture can conjure up all sorts of emotions. If you are relatively assured of your safety and the safety of your loved ones you may look forward to the oncoming storm. There is nothing as awesome as a good ole’ fashioned summer thunderstorm.
On the other hand, you may feel some concern. Thunderstorms can bring hail to destroy crops. Heavy rain can wash out roads. Wind can cause massive destruction and even death. Your emotions about the coming storm depend on your feeling of personal safety and/or trust in the outcome of the storm.
When Jesus left the disciples he prepared them for his departure by promising his return. He didn’t tell them when he’d return, but he told them how and what to look for. He told them about the gathering storm clouds on the horizon; about the deterioration of the family as God ordained it; about economic upheaval; of political unrest.
He warned us of false prophets and teachings that would claim a new way, a better way than the way of the Good News of Jesus Christ. ‘Just as you know the signs of the seasons,” he would say to his disciples, “watch the signs of the times.”
We don’t know when Jesus will come back for us. Forget those who have all the numbers and the codes figured out. Forget the stories about asteroids and alien spaceships. Put away the white toga and take the ladder away from the roof. You don’t need to wait for a specific time or place. In fact, at a time we least expect his arrival he will come for those who have accepted his grace and forgiveness. How? Like the lightning. Just a flash and I’ll be gone.
If I’m talking to you at a coffee shop and suddenly disappear, it’s nothing personal. I’ve been called. If you see my car idling by the side of the freeway with no sign of me? I’m in a better place with NO traffic jams.
I see the storm clouds on the horizon. I know the signs. A storm will be here soon. I’m just waiting for the lightning!
PRAYER: Jesus, in spite of how many struggles we have here, I’m feeling truly blessed with my life in you. Still, I can’t wait until I get to see you face to face. Thank you for the promise that someday, maybe today, you will come back for me. Amen.
(thanks to pictureapromise for the great photo! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pictureapromise/264103118342?sk=wall#!/pages/Pictureapromise/264103118342 )
I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
Imagine what it must have been like for those who read the Prophet Jeremiah’s letter. They had been ripped out ofJerusalemand lost everything they had. The lost their homes, their jobs, their identity. Some had lost family members. They were strangers in a foreign land, forced to live among enemies.
While they were told their captivity would end and God would restore them, some died never seeing their belovedJerusalemagain. Others were born in captivity and died knowing nothing but a life of slavery. The onlyJerusalemthey knew was from stories from the elders. They lived and died as captives in a foreign land. Some were born late in the captivity and ‘return toJerusalem’, butJerusalemwasn’t really their home. As Hebrews the only life they knew was the life lived inBabylon. They ‘returned’ to a home that was based on their heritage, not necessarily their heart.
You may be going through a time in your life right now when you feel like one of the captives. Everything that was familiar and ‘safe’ has been ripped from your hands. You feel like a foreigner in a place that doesn’t understand your morals, your way of thinking or your heritage.
Once you knew “Jerusalem” in your heart. You walked close to God, felt his presence, enjoyed the company of his people but then the road of life took and unexpected turn. Now you long for the presence of God in your life like it once was, but things have changed and many of those changes are out of your control.
Perhaps you feel as one born into captivity. The things the rest of society consider ‘normal’ don’t match the standards God has told you to follow. You long for the ‘Jerusalem’ others have talked about; but still, there is nervousness about the future. You know God will be there, but the unknown concerns you.
God’s tells us he has a plan for our lives and it’s a good plan. He KNOWS his plans for you but he doesn’t always tell us what those plans are. He only promises that his plans for you are good, offer hope, and will come to pass in his time. There will be times when we feel like a captive, like an alien in a land where no one understands us, but during those times we can rely on the promise that God’s plans for us are good.
So, what do we do in the meantime? What action does God expect from us while we are in captivity? Jeremiah 29:7 says “Also do good things for the city where I sent you as captives. Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also.”
There it is! The answer to how we should live as captives. Not worried; not angry; not demanding the right to live according to our heritage; not moaning and lamenting our plight. Nope. Just the opposite. While we are here in this foreign land we are to make our corner of the world the best we can make it because when good things happen to those around us, life will be easier for all of us.
PRAYER: Lord, I ask that while I am ‘captive’ in this foreign land, you would keep my attitude positive and my eyes on the promise of your deliverance. May the things I do today make my world a better place because I know your ultimate plans for me are good. Amen.
From this time on we do not think of anyone as the world does. In the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks, but we no longer think of him in that way. 2 Corinthians 5:16 (NCV)
When Jesus walked on earth he didn’t see men or women, he saw his very own creations. He showed everyone his unconditional love. He invited all to be healed, to be filled, to have their wounds anointed with the healing oil of his touch.
When Jesus walked among us he was, no doubt, uncomfortable with our sin. He, and only he, had the unique ability to look at our sin as God does, yet fully understand the frustration of living as God wanted us to live.
When Jesus walked the dusty roads ofPalestinehe was tempted. Tempted just like you and I. Tempted to worry. Tempted to be full of lust. Tempted to be angry or offended. Tempted to have the respect and status he deserved. We may not like the thought of it, but Jesus may even have looked at a young couple in love and wished he could have that. Remember. He was human as well as God.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are to see others as Jesus saw them. One of the hard truths of Scripture! To see others as Jesus did? To look past how they have hurt you? To look beyond how they have desecrated the faith you hold so dear? To turn the other cheek when they offend you. To work towards restoration when you would prefer revenge.
In essence, Jesus calls us to look at people as he did. Jesus sees Jesus sees people who are one breath away from eternity with him or one breath away from eternity separated from him. One breath away from eternal bliss and contentment or one breath away from eternal torment and anguish. One breath from being perfected in Christ or one breath away from being rejected by Christ.
There are really only two kinds of people in the world. Those we need to pray for so they will find Christ, and those we need to pray for that they will continue to grow in their faith.
The world judges according to gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, status, race, beauty, wealth and a whole list of other requirements. Jesus uses two, those that know him and those that don’t. Both groups are one breath away from eternity.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me for judging others as the world does. Give me your eyes to see others as you do. Give me the urgency to pray for those who need you as lord and savior. Empower me to show them the way.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 