"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:9-10, 12-14).
This is the time of year when "new year's resolutions" are contemplated as we seek to make a better us. The problem is that the percentage of people who actually follow through with their resolution is minimal. So, does that mean that we just go through the year 2010 without caring at all about how the year goes? No, I don't think so.
These verses from Colossians 3 really challenge us to make a better and more Christ-like us. As we think about the new year and "turning over a new leaf" focus on making a new you. As a believer you have put off the "old nature" and put on the "new nature". However, continual renewal is necessary in order that the new life may have full dominion over your conduct.
Simply put, now that we have this new nature, we can't just leave it at that. We must continually renew by maturing. John MacArthur uses the illustration of a baby. The baby is born complete but immature and needs to grow. As new we are complete, just not mature. That requires our growing in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
This year I challenge you to grow; to become involved in a Sunday school class, men's or women's group, outreach ministry, or simply reading your Bible and meditating on what you've read each day.
The challenge from Paul is to be "renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Col. 3:10). Are you looking and acting more like the Creator? Whether or not you call it a resolution, make it happen in your life!
Why? Because only if we seek continual renewal in the knowledge of God and become more like our Creator will we be able to fulfill verses 12-14: "... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
H onor!
A nd glory! To God Who
L oved mankind so much that
L ong ago, His only Son
E ntered the world as God become man, to show this
L ove of God to and for
U s.
J esus Christ, Who
A lone can guarantee entrance into
H eaven.
C hristmas then should
H umble us as we
R ealize that this celebration
I s not just a sweet and simple
S tory about a little baby, who by some magic came
T o earth many years ago.
I nstead, it was the first step to the greatest
S acrifice ever made. And all who accept this fact
B ow their hearts and minds to the lovely
O ne Who thus became our Savior, Lord and King.
R ejoice! And again I say, rejoice! For
N ew life - eternal life - is now available for all who will accept it!
May this Christmas be the greatest ever for you! If you have not received the greatest gift, the gift of eternal life, then do so today! If you have, then spend time right now, thanking and praise God for that gift!
A nd glory! To God Who
L oved mankind so much that
L ong ago, His only Son
E ntered the world as God become man, to show this
L ove of God to and for
U s.
J esus Christ, Who
A lone can guarantee entrance into
H eaven.
C hristmas then should
H umble us as we
R ealize that this celebration
I s not just a sweet and simple
S tory about a little baby, who by some magic came
T o earth many years ago.
I nstead, it was the first step to the greatest
S acrifice ever made. And all who accept this fact
B ow their hearts and minds to the lovely
O ne Who thus became our Savior, Lord and King.
R ejoice! And again I say, rejoice! For
N ew life - eternal life - is now available for all who will accept it!
May this Christmas be the greatest ever for you! If you have not received the greatest gift, the gift of eternal life, then do so today! If you have, then spend time right now, thanking and praise God for that gift!
Friday, December 18, 2009
REAL CHRISTMAS
When you take the time to read the Christmas story this year, instead of turning to Luke 2, I encourage you to read John 1 instead.
Remind yourself that the real story of Christmas is so much more than just the baby in the manger. Remember that what happened when the Word became flesh is HUGE! The Christmas story is not just a nice bedtime story we tell once a year - it is an epic account of the Word who was in the beginning - without beginning stepping down into our world. It is the momentous occasion of the Light entering into the darkness.
What is the point of Christmas? It is glory. When the angels appeared over the fields that night to the shepherds they didn't sing "Jingle Bells", "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", or even "Jesus Christ is Coming to Town." The first words they sang were "Glory to God". Don't miss the point that Christmas is all about God's glory, and don't forget that "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him" (John Piper). If you took away all the presents, the activities, and even the family (and I love my family), would you still be 100% satisfied in Jesus? That is glory, and that is the real point of Christmas.
There is so much to celebrate in the Christmas story - so many miraculous elements to it. But what is the real miracle of Christmas? Is it the appearance of angels? Is it the star that guided the wise men? Is it the virgin birth? Is it God becoming a human being? These are all miracles to be sure, but don't see only the circumstances and miss the real miracle of Christmas - love. John 3 says that "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son..." The miracle is that Jesus did not have to come. God did not have to make a way for us. We did not deserve Heaven's perfect One, but nevertheless God's love prevailed. That is the real miracle of Christmas.
Please take a moment to push the pause button on your busy lives this Christmas season and spend some time with Jesus, remembering what's real this Christmas.
Remind yourself that the real story of Christmas is so much more than just the baby in the manger. Remember that what happened when the Word became flesh is HUGE! The Christmas story is not just a nice bedtime story we tell once a year - it is an epic account of the Word who was in the beginning - without beginning stepping down into our world. It is the momentous occasion of the Light entering into the darkness.
What is the point of Christmas? It is glory. When the angels appeared over the fields that night to the shepherds they didn't sing "Jingle Bells", "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", or even "Jesus Christ is Coming to Town." The first words they sang were "Glory to God". Don't miss the point that Christmas is all about God's glory, and don't forget that "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him" (John Piper). If you took away all the presents, the activities, and even the family (and I love my family), would you still be 100% satisfied in Jesus? That is glory, and that is the real point of Christmas.
There is so much to celebrate in the Christmas story - so many miraculous elements to it. But what is the real miracle of Christmas? Is it the appearance of angels? Is it the star that guided the wise men? Is it the virgin birth? Is it God becoming a human being? These are all miracles to be sure, but don't see only the circumstances and miss the real miracle of Christmas - love. John 3 says that "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son..." The miracle is that Jesus did not have to come. God did not have to make a way for us. We did not deserve Heaven's perfect One, but nevertheless God's love prevailed. That is the real miracle of Christmas.
Please take a moment to push the pause button on your busy lives this Christmas season and spend some time with Jesus, remembering what's real this Christmas.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Reason for Christmas
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" - Luke 19:10.
Probably not the verse from the Gospel of Luke that you were expecting to read when it comes to Christmas. You were probably expecting Matthew 1 & 2 or Luke 1 & 2. Those chapters share with us the Christmas story. What I want to focus on is the why of the Christmas story.
If you were to ask a child "Why do we celebrate Christmas?" you would probably get a number of answers: to celebrate Jesus' birth, to give gifts, etc. And yet I don't believe that is even the most important question. I believe the most important question is "What is the purpose of Christ coming to earth in the first place?" The answer is THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS!
The verse given above is the reason for Christmas. Ultimately, Jesus was born of a virgin, was laid in a manger, grew up in a carpenter's home and lived for 33 years here on earth "to seek and to save what was lost." The purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the coming of our Savior for OUR sins!
We have heard it said over and over that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." As I have shared with my church family, I disagree. WE are the reason for the season. WE are why Christ came to earth. WE are why He was born of a virgin. WE are why He lived here on earth. WE are the reason for Jesus being betrayed, scourged, beaten, whipped, spit on, and mocked. WE are the reason for His death on the cross. WE are why He was buried in a borrowed tomb. WE are why He arose.
He did all of that for you and I. He did it all "to seek and to save what was lost." We were lost in our trespasses and sins. Our punishment for sin was death (Romans 6:23a) and Christ came to earth, took your sin and my sin on His body: "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of Christ, you can be saved. Because of Christmas, you can have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17).
As you begin to reflect on Christmas this year, may your thoughts pass by the gifts, food, lights, and party's. May your thoughts rest on Jesus Christ who loved you and gave Himself for you! Take time this Christmas season to share this wonderful, glorious, magnificent news with someone who needs the greatest gift of all: eternal life! Now, that is a present worth giving and receiving!!
Probably not the verse from the Gospel of Luke that you were expecting to read when it comes to Christmas. You were probably expecting Matthew 1 & 2 or Luke 1 & 2. Those chapters share with us the Christmas story. What I want to focus on is the why of the Christmas story.
If you were to ask a child "Why do we celebrate Christmas?" you would probably get a number of answers: to celebrate Jesus' birth, to give gifts, etc. And yet I don't believe that is even the most important question. I believe the most important question is "What is the purpose of Christ coming to earth in the first place?" The answer is THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS!
The verse given above is the reason for Christmas. Ultimately, Jesus was born of a virgin, was laid in a manger, grew up in a carpenter's home and lived for 33 years here on earth "to seek and to save what was lost." The purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the coming of our Savior for OUR sins!
We have heard it said over and over that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." As I have shared with my church family, I disagree. WE are the reason for the season. WE are why Christ came to earth. WE are why He was born of a virgin. WE are why He lived here on earth. WE are the reason for Jesus being betrayed, scourged, beaten, whipped, spit on, and mocked. WE are the reason for His death on the cross. WE are why He was buried in a borrowed tomb. WE are why He arose.
He did all of that for you and I. He did it all "to seek and to save what was lost." We were lost in our trespasses and sins. Our punishment for sin was death (Romans 6:23a) and Christ came to earth, took your sin and my sin on His body: "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of Christ, you can be saved. Because of Christmas, you can have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17).
As you begin to reflect on Christmas this year, may your thoughts pass by the gifts, food, lights, and party's. May your thoughts rest on Jesus Christ who loved you and gave Himself for you! Take time this Christmas season to share this wonderful, glorious, magnificent news with someone who needs the greatest gift of all: eternal life! Now, that is a present worth giving and receiving!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving - All about God, not our Stuff!
May this time of Thanksgiving be an opportunity for all of us to focus on the Provider of our stuff, rather than on the stuff!
May this be your prayer: (from The Valley of Vision, Praise and Thanksgiving)
O MY GOD,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou are to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.
May this be your prayer: (from The Valley of Vision, Praise and Thanksgiving)
O MY GOD,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou are to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.
Friday, November 13, 2009
FREEDOM!
Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" (NIV).
When we think of being free, we usually associate it with no boundaries or barriers; those things that keep us hemmed in. However, the Psalmist is very clear that as he follows the commands of God he is free.
Paul tells us that we need to "run the race." Not walk, crawl, or even jog. We are to run. We are to move quickly in the commands of God. We are to obey quickly. My father-in-law has defined obedience as this: "to immediately do all that is asked with the right heart attitude." And when we do obey the Lord, freedom is what we find.
This week we have reflected on those who served and are serving to keep our freedoms secure. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, do you see yourself as free? Are you running free? If not, my encouragement to you is to "run in the path of your (God's) commands." Allow the Word of God to be your focal point.
Run free today. Don't walk. Don't crawl. Don't slither. Run. Run free in what you do. Run free in your life. Run with total reckless abandon following the running track laid out by God Himself. Remember: following God's commands, all of them, results in freedom!
When we think of being free, we usually associate it with no boundaries or barriers; those things that keep us hemmed in. However, the Psalmist is very clear that as he follows the commands of God he is free.
Paul tells us that we need to "run the race." Not walk, crawl, or even jog. We are to run. We are to move quickly in the commands of God. We are to obey quickly. My father-in-law has defined obedience as this: "to immediately do all that is asked with the right heart attitude." And when we do obey the Lord, freedom is what we find.
This week we have reflected on those who served and are serving to keep our freedoms secure. When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, do you see yourself as free? Are you running free? If not, my encouragement to you is to "run in the path of your (God's) commands." Allow the Word of God to be your focal point.
Run free today. Don't walk. Don't crawl. Don't slither. Run. Run free in what you do. Run free in your life. Run with total reckless abandon following the running track laid out by God Himself. Remember: following God's commands, all of them, results in freedom!
Friday, November 6, 2009
You Can't Fail!
"My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile" (1 Cor. 15:58 CEV).
Bad news, tragedy, horror, illness, and death. The list could go on of events and issues in our life that can shake us and deter us from accomplishing anything. And yet, God says to "stand firm and don't be shaken." We must understand that we will fall but we have the strength to rise. No matter what may come our way, we must not allow the philosophies, ideas, and morals of the world to distract us or cause us to fall. God wants us to be standing firm because that is the only way we will be able to keep "working for the Lord."
In the midst of those strong wind blowing days, keep in mind that what is done for the Lord has extreme worth. Keep close to your heart the words of Paul found in Romans 8: "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Vv. 31-32,35,37).
Because of our relationship with Christ, as believers, we are victors! We are already winners! We are on the winning team! We have nothing to lose! It is a done deal. What is done for Christ will ALWAYS accomplish what God wants it to. So if it is for God, go for it. Don't let the assumed difficulties or your own personal apprehensions to defeat you. YOU are a winner!
What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail? Just remember what Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
Bad news, tragedy, horror, illness, and death. The list could go on of events and issues in our life that can shake us and deter us from accomplishing anything. And yet, God says to "stand firm and don't be shaken." We must understand that we will fall but we have the strength to rise. No matter what may come our way, we must not allow the philosophies, ideas, and morals of the world to distract us or cause us to fall. God wants us to be standing firm because that is the only way we will be able to keep "working for the Lord."
In the midst of those strong wind blowing days, keep in mind that what is done for the Lord has extreme worth. Keep close to your heart the words of Paul found in Romans 8: "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Vv. 31-32,35,37).
Because of our relationship with Christ, as believers, we are victors! We are already winners! We are on the winning team! We have nothing to lose! It is a done deal. What is done for Christ will ALWAYS accomplish what God wants it to. So if it is for God, go for it. Don't let the assumed difficulties or your own personal apprehensions to defeat you. YOU are a winner!
What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail? Just remember what Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
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