It's March and that means NCAA conference tournaments and March Madness! Man, I love this time of year! It's amazing how every year, teams that have not done well during the regular season, somehow put it together and play well against teams that are much higher ranked. I just watch the replay of the last seconds of the Ohio State/Michigan game. With 2.2 seconds left, a player from Ohio State made a 3-point shot from just inside half-court; Ohio State wins!
Despite being down 2 points, those players on the court knew that until the buzzer sounds, the game is not over. No matter what had been done up until that point was irrelevant at the moment. Too focus on the last 39+ minutes would surely result in losing. The focus was on the present and what needed to be done in order to have a chance to win.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we "ARE God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (emphasis mine).
That word "are" means that the game is not over yet. God is still making/working/creating in us to be effective tools for Him. Which means that we still have work to do. For us to focus on the past, whether good, bad or indifferent, is not being focused on what God wants us to be doing right now.
So no matter what has happened in the past, whether yesterday or years ago, God wants us to be focused on the here and now. We should want the ball, figuratively speaking, and do what we can to forward the cause of Christ. It is no secret we live in a world that is overwhelmed by hopelessness. It is our responsibility, privilege and mission to share the hope of Christ with those we come in contact with each day. That is the game we have to play. It is time we get in the game, focus on the present and remember that God doesn't use our past to determine our future.
P.S. - Go Buckeyes!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Big Rock
A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel.
In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox. The lad dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very large.) When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall.
Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox. The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed, shoved - but his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his fingers. Finally he burst into tears of frustration.
All this time the boy's father watched from the living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears feel, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father. Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?"
Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"
"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."
With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.
We all have "rocks" in our lives. And we, just like the little boy, shove, push and pry, trying to get the rocks out of our lives. We know that we don't have the strength or ability to remove them, and yet we insist on trying. God is always available to us and willing to give us the strength we need to overcome obstacles and to accomplish great things for Him.
The psalmist says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Will you use His strength or insist on trying to do it all by yourself? Why not let the One who calmed the sea, raised the dead, turned water into wine, healed the sick, be the One that empowers you to overcome those "rocks" in your life?
Friday, February 19, 2010
True Forgiveness and Behavior
One of the people discussed quite a bit recently has been the golfer Tiger Woods. 85 days ago he was known for his golfing ability and his dominance on the course. However, due to a minor car accident, the personal life of Tiger has been brought to the forefront.
As I read a portion of his apology, I was struck by one powerful statement: “As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time.”(1)
Taking some time to reflect on what he said, this is exactly what Jesus had in mind. Let me give you one example. Take a few moments, grab a Bible and read John 8:1-11. What I want you to focus on is what Jesus tells this woman in verse 11. Let me share it with you from the NIV: “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11b).
What did Jesus mean? He simply meant that to be truly sorry, to ask for forgiveness and even receive it is not enough. There must be a change of behavior to prove that the apology is sincere. Another word would be “repentance”; word that is simple to define and yet is not as easy to apply. Repentance simply means “to go in the other direction.”
Temptation and sin lead us down the path away from God and His standard and desire for our lives. To repent is to change directions, to head in the direction of pursuing righteousness and holy living. Repentance is not words, but a change of behavior.
In each of our lives, there is sin that we must deal with. If you find yourself sinning, apologizing, and then doing it again, it is safe to say that you did not repent. You may have been sorry for what you did, but until there is a change of behavior, a changing of direction in your life and behavior, there has been no true repentance.
So what about you? Jesus is telling you today, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Maybe you view your sin as not as bad as what someone else has done. However, as God looks at our sin, it is all equal. So, take the time to take an honest look at yourself and determine if there is something you need to “repent” of. Oh, and by the way, don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk!
(1-Read more: http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1966764-1,00.html#ixzz0g2dSZOec)
As I read a portion of his apology, I was struck by one powerful statement: “As Elin pointed out to me, my real apology to her will not come in the form of words; it will come from my behavior over time.”(1)
Taking some time to reflect on what he said, this is exactly what Jesus had in mind. Let me give you one example. Take a few moments, grab a Bible and read John 8:1-11. What I want you to focus on is what Jesus tells this woman in verse 11. Let me share it with you from the NIV: “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11b).
What did Jesus mean? He simply meant that to be truly sorry, to ask for forgiveness and even receive it is not enough. There must be a change of behavior to prove that the apology is sincere. Another word would be “repentance”; word that is simple to define and yet is not as easy to apply. Repentance simply means “to go in the other direction.”
Temptation and sin lead us down the path away from God and His standard and desire for our lives. To repent is to change directions, to head in the direction of pursuing righteousness and holy living. Repentance is not words, but a change of behavior.
In each of our lives, there is sin that we must deal with. If you find yourself sinning, apologizing, and then doing it again, it is safe to say that you did not repent. You may have been sorry for what you did, but until there is a change of behavior, a changing of direction in your life and behavior, there has been no true repentance.
So what about you? Jesus is telling you today, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Maybe you view your sin as not as bad as what someone else has done. However, as God looks at our sin, it is all equal. So, take the time to take an honest look at yourself and determine if there is something you need to “repent” of. Oh, and by the way, don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk!
(1-Read more: http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1966764-1,00.html#ixzz0g2dSZOec)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Love of God
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” – 1 John 4:7,11.
LOVE. One of the most widely used words in the English language. And because of that, we have lost touch with what it really means. We say we “love” to travel, we “love” pizza, we “love” summer, or our car. We even say we “love our neighbor – but most of us don’t do much more than just say it. No wonder we don’t have a very good idea of what the Bible means when it says: “God is love.”Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that because God is love that everything is going to be sweet and wonderful and no one will be punished for his sins. God’s holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God’s love provides the plan and way of redemption for sinful man. God’s love is the cross of Jesus, by which man can have forgiveness and cleansing. It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross!
Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as His holiness. No matter how terrible you sins, God loves you. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance in the future life. But God is love and His love for us is everlasting.
Remember that God’s love for you is not dependent on how you look, how you think, how you act, or how perfect you are. His love is absolutely nonnegotiable and nonreturnable.
No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated. Ever!
Our response to this love is to share it with the world. We must first possess a passion for God that burns deeper and hotter than anything else in our lives. As that fire burns for God, then the natural result is compassion for people.
The more you understand and experience the love of God in your life, the more it will overflow out of your life into the lives of others. To be able to love others the way He wants us to, demands that we first understand His love for us. Simply put: we can’t demonstrate and share something we don’t know much about. So, learn more about the love of God and it will have an impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
LOVE. One of the most widely used words in the English language. And because of that, we have lost touch with what it really means. We say we “love” to travel, we “love” pizza, we “love” summer, or our car. We even say we “love our neighbor – but most of us don’t do much more than just say it. No wonder we don’t have a very good idea of what the Bible means when it says: “God is love.”Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that because God is love that everything is going to be sweet and wonderful and no one will be punished for his sins. God’s holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God’s love provides the plan and way of redemption for sinful man. God’s love is the cross of Jesus, by which man can have forgiveness and cleansing. It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross!
Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as His holiness. No matter how terrible you sins, God loves you. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance in the future life. But God is love and His love for us is everlasting.
Remember that God’s love for you is not dependent on how you look, how you think, how you act, or how perfect you are. His love is absolutely nonnegotiable and nonreturnable.
No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated. Ever!
Our response to this love is to share it with the world. We must first possess a passion for God that burns deeper and hotter than anything else in our lives. As that fire burns for God, then the natural result is compassion for people.
The more you understand and experience the love of God in your life, the more it will overflow out of your life into the lives of others. To be able to love others the way He wants us to, demands that we first understand His love for us. Simply put: we can’t demonstrate and share something we don’t know much about. So, learn more about the love of God and it will have an impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Total Transformation
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?
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 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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