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In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:20 (NASB)
Psychologists tell us that security is both a feeling and a reality. On the one hand, you can look at security in a mathematical fashion. For example, you may think the odds of being mugged on the street of a large city at night are more likely than being mugged on the street of a small town in the middle of the day.
Security is also a feeling. You can feel insecure even when the mathematical likelihood of being in danger are minimal. In the same way, you can have a false sense of security and tell yourself you are safe even though you are in dire danger.
Why is it important to feel secure? Feeling secure enables us to be who we are. Fear cripples us; security frees us. Fear keeps us from being all we could be; security empowers us to try new things. Fear keeps us from building strong relationships; security allows us to let other people into the darkest recesses of our souls. Fear paralyzes; security empowers.
There are all sorts of phobias out there. People are afraid of failure, of their past, of the future, of darkness and light, of animals and bugs and…fear itself. Fear is a hole in our soul that can only be filled with faith in Jesus Christ. We can seek security in money or relationships or crowds or the being alone in the wilderness.
Jesus paints a picture of true security for us. A picture of security that nothing will penetrate. The word picture is best envisioned by working backwards from his description. Jesus says we are in him and he is in us. It’s as though he is protecting us from the outside (we are in him) and protecting us from the inside (he is in us).
But it doesn’t stop there! Our protection is made stronger by the fact that we both are wrapped in the arms of a loving Heavenly Father. The God of the universe wraps us up in his arms of love and protection, while, at the same time Jesus is protecting us from the inside and the outside! We are double wrapped; double secured!
What shall separate us from this protection, this love of God? The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8. Nothing. Nothing will penetrate the shield of protection we have in God the Father. And, if by some chance it does? Jesus is the next line of defense.
Don’t let fear cripple you. Don’t allow fear to keep you from being all that you can be. Trust the double protection of the King of Kings to see you through any obstacle in your past or in your path.
PRAYER: Almighty God. I confess to you that all too often I allow fear to affect my actions and my attitude towards you and others. Empower me by your Spirit to act with courage and wisdom when fear tries to cripple me. Amen.
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Acts 2:32
For those of us who have lost a loved one, we know what it’s like. We are reminded of him/her in those little things of life. Sometimes they are unrelated events in life that trigger those feelings. Other times the memories come out of the blue. Events take place and we find ourselves wishing we could share with them what we are thinking.
It seems the closer we are to the passing of a person, the more passionate we are about talking about them. The closer our relationship with them, the more intimate our memories. Those of us on the outside may even feel like we know that person because of the stories.
Can you imagine then, the passion the disciples must have had in those days following Christ’s ascension? Add to their stories the power of the Holy Spirit to take away their fears, to grow their self-confidence and to strengthen their resolve.
Whenever they saw a blind man begging along the road, did they remember when Jesus gave sight? When storms rose up in the night, did they remember the night they were terrified on the lake? When the funeral procession went by, did they remember the first time they visited the empty grave?
I’m sure they did. Those memories of Jesus were vivid to those who had seen him long after the rest of the world had forgotten. It was, no doubt the memories that spurred them on to spread the good news of the gospel. Theologians may say it was the power of the Spirit that moved them, but the real passion behind them was the memories.
People around us aren’t really interested in the doctrines of the church, they want to know how to get rid of the guilt. People around us don’t need to be reminded of their weaknesses; they see those every morning when they look in the mirror. They don’t need to be reminded of the futility of life, the unpaid bills piled on the kitchen counter are reminder enough.
The disciple’s most intense proof of Jesus, their most powerful argument was simply the fact that they saw Jesus. In the same way, our most powerful weapon won’t be our church experiences, or our scriptural knowledge, it will be the reminders of what Jesus has done for us. When we remember what Jesus did for us it’s easier to show others the love and grace he has to offer them.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, let me never forget what you have done for me. Keep your grace and mercy towards me ever before me as I rub shoulders with those who need to find you. I remember, and I thank you. Amen.
But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin. Romans 8:10 (GNT)
‘Christ lives in you.’
Let those words dwell in your heart for a few minutes. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God indwells you. Jesus. The one who touched the leper, the blind, the crippled and in so doing restored not only their physical lives but their emotional, social and spiritual health.
Jesus, the one who reached out to the immoral, the rebellious, the confused and by so doing took away the shame and guilt that had plagued them for so long.
Jesus, the one who took a few uneducated, rough individuals and turned them into a mighty team who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6) with their teaching and miracles.
Jesus, the one who came so you could get to know the Father; who died so you could live; who rose again so you no longer need to be afraid of death.
This same Jesus indwells each of us. What a marvelous fact. No other religion in the world offers us the opportunity for God himself to indwell us like Jesus does.
Just before Jesus left us to sit at the right hand of the Father and intercede for us, he promised us that he would never leave us, never forsake us, never forget about us. His seal, his proof of the covenant between him and us was his Spirit.
In John 14 & 15 Jesus tells us about his Spirit. He calls him a comforter, a counselor, a friend, an advocate who will guide us through the storms, comfort us in the pain, and give us wisdom when we are under attack.
Why is it then, that this body of Christ we call the church has such a hard time with this Spirit of Christ sent to dwell within us? Go into any Christian Church on any given Sunday to talk about Jesus and you will be welcomed with open arms. But speak about the Spirit and people will squirm.
This Spirit you have within you is the Spirit of Jesus! We don’t have any problem knowing how Jesus would act, but we argue about what his Spirit can do in us, through us and for us. Jesus sent us his Spirit so that we could live in unity, power and freedom, yet we often live in discord, weakness and enslaved by legalistic thinking.
The ultimate irony! That which was given to us to empower us has divided us. That which was given to give us peace has brought fear. Let us, as a community of Christ come together and live by the Spirit of Christ that is within us. By so doing our words and actions will show the world the power of a loving Savior who came, not to condemn, but to free us from condemnation.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you for your promised Holy Spirit in my life. I praise you that your Spirit was given so that You could live in me. Forgive us Lord for failing to use the power within us to show the world your love and forgiveness. Empower us with your Spirit so that the world will see you in us. Amen.
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 NIV
When Moses came down from the mountain after meeting with God his face shone with such brilliance that the people asked him to cover his face in their presence.
When Isaiah entered thetempleofGodand saw him for who he really was he fell to his knees and cried ‘Woe is me!”
When ‘Doubting Thomases saw Jesus he exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” and fell to his knees.
When Mary saw Jesus in the garden she rushed excitedly to the others and exclaimed “I have seen the Lord!”
When the two on the road to Emmaus finally recognized their dinner guest they exclaimed to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us?”
When Peter, the denier, recognized the solitary figure on the beach he jumped into the water shouting “It is the Lord!”
The point is, when you truly meet with God a change occurs within you. A change that is evident to those around you because you are different in appearance, actions and words. When you see Jesus for who he truly is, you can’t help but proclaim to others that you are one with him, you are his.
The point is, too often we go through the activities of religion without any noticeable change. Going to church is good. It can be reviving. It can show you the way to life. But does it change you? Going to three Bible studies a week and religiously reading your Bible and praying can do wonders for your soul, but when you walk away do others say “He’s been with God today. He’s seen Jesus.”
When your kids are out of control, do they see Jesus in you? When your spouse is unresponsive doe he/she Jesus in you? When you are driving on the interstate can others see by your actions that you have been with God or do they think you are trying to send them to God?
It’s not enough to SAY you’ve been with Jesus. Spirituality isn’t measured by activity it’s measured by the spiritual fruit you exhibit to others on a daily basis. Spirituality is shown best when life is at its worst.
If Jesus has forgiven your sin, show others forgiveness. If Jesus has shown you patience in your weakness, show others patience. If Jesus has remained a faithful friend when you have rebelled and ignored him, show faithfulness to those who are untrustworthy. If Jesus makes you smile, show others the joy within you.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for all you have done for me. I praise you for your forgiveness, your grace your mercy and all spiritual blessings you’ve bestowed on me. I’m so unworthy. May others know, by looking at me, that I’ve been with you today. Amen.
Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles. Psalm 105:2 (NCV)
Everyone loves a love song. Even us guys like love songs although we don’t always admit it. Proof of that comes from the fact that many of the great song writers in history as well as our era have written songs to the one they love.
So, what love song have you sung to Jesus lately? You might think that an odd question to ask. Me? Sing a love song to God? How could I come up with the words to sing to him? How can I sing him a song of my love when I do such a bad job of showing that love? I mean, look at what I did last week! Look at the words I used when I got upset with my [co-worker, child, spouse, boss]! How would God accept my words of love for him when I can’t use words of love to others?
Or perhaps you are gifted in the area of music and words and you say, “I wrote a love song to him once. Want to hear it?” You may even be able to pop a CD in the CD player and let your music fill the room in praise.
You may be one who struggles with words. You may be one that is gifted in words and notes. Whatever your situation let me suggest a love song each of us can sing. A love song that will bring tears of joy to the eyes of the Father. A tune that will make the angels pause to listen. A message that will waft through eternity, long after the final stanza.
At the risk of offending anyone, I don’t think the Father is all the concerned about what type of music is played on Sunday mornings. I’m not so sure he’s impressed with guitars and synthesizers and drums. I’m not convinced he misses the piano and organs that may grace your sanctuary.
The love song the Father longs to hear from us comes from the heart, and songs from the heart are best sung with the hands. The music he longs to hear is the music of your patience with those around you. The music that thrills his soul is the tip you left on the table for the person that just gave you the worst service of your entire life. The music that touches his heart are the words of encouragement you speak to the one who has failed you…again.
Sing for Jesus! Sing his praises from the mountain top by showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The acting out of those words in our world are the words of the love song he longs to hear.
The motivation for our love song isn’t what others have done for us, but what Jesus Christ has done for us!
PRAYER: Lord, there are times in my life when the words of my love song to you are watered down by the circumstances I find myself in. When that happens I tend to give you lip service and don’t show my song to others. Empower me with your spirit to show the words of my love song to others regardless of how I’m treated. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 