This morning I happened to see on TV the outward transformation of 3 women pulled from the audience yesterday and given a new haircut, clothes, makeup, etc. Most people like those because the change is dramatic and more often than not gives that person more confidence about how they look.
And yet, that outward transformation did nothing to help them with the issues they are dealing with on an individual basis. No debt was eliminated, no worries were taken away, just given the privilege of looking better.
As believers, at the moment of our salvation, we were given a total transformation: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Cor. 5:17). That total transformation, that "new creation", is to result in a changed style of life. No longer are we to be living like we use to be. Verse 15 tells us "that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:15).
I can imagine that those 3 ladies spent some time standing in front of a mirror, admiring their "new look." How about you? If you were to look in the mirror, what would you see? Would you see the "old" you; the one who is living for himself? Or would you see that "new creation" who is living for the Lord?
As "new creations in Christ" we realize that any true change happens on the inside and is then outwardly manifested. We can't think that just "acting" the way that God wants us to will result in any true change. We must remember that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
The question you have to answer is this: Have you been a recipient of a "total transformation"? If not, it is as easy as acknowledging four truths: (1) All have sinned (Romans 3:23); (2) The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23); (3) Jesus died to pay for your sin (Romans 5:8); and (4) Jesus invites you to be saved today (Romans 10:13).
If you are a recipient of this total transformation then does it show?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
He's Watching You!
Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good."
Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him, but also made it clear that he did not have to play basketball if he didn't want to. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through his high school years he never missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the basketball team as a "walk on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did.
The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always put his heart and soul to practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.
This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years of college, but he never got to play in a game. It was the end of his senior basketball season, and as he trotted onto the practice court shortly before the big playoff game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it alright if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the seek off son and don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."
Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the locker room and put his basketball uniform on. As he ran to the bench, the coach and players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "Alright," he said, "you can go in."
Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and shot like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid stole a pass and making his way down the court threw up a shot and made the winning basket.
The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you have never heard.
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone.
The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes and said, "Well, you know my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it."
Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us. He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand for He knows what is best, and is willing to give us what we need and not simply what we want. God has never missed a game. What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest! Life for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life!
(story not original with Matt Zurowski)
Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him, but also made it clear that he did not have to play basketball if he didn't want to. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through his high school years he never missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the basketball team as a "walk on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did.
The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always put his heart and soul to practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.
This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years of college, but he never got to play in a game. It was the end of his senior basketball season, and as he trotted onto the practice court shortly before the big playoff game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it alright if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the seek off son and don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."
Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the locker room and put his basketball uniform on. As he ran to the bench, the coach and players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "Alright," he said, "you can go in."
Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and shot like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid stole a pass and making his way down the court threw up a shot and made the winning basket.
The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you have never heard.
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone.
The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes and said, "Well, you know my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it."
Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us. He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand for He knows what is best, and is willing to give us what we need and not simply what we want. God has never missed a game. What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest! Life for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life!
(story not original with Matt Zurowski)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A New You in the New Year
"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."
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."
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