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."
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.
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