March 11, 2012

^"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing."  Matthew 26:36-44

God the Father loves us to LIFE with His tender love.

God loves us to DEATH

God’s love has a tough side to it.

Committed love means:

1)    It Has A Purpose

“There are two great days in a person’s life -- the day we are born and the day we discover why”.  SOURCE: William Barclay

YOUR PURPOSE IS TO LET GOD LOVE YOU SO YOU CAN LOVE HIM AND BEGIN TO FEEL LOVED SO YOU CAN LOVE OTHERS.

2)    It Has A Price

In The Cost of Discipleship Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:  “The cross is laid on every Christian. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death–we give over our lives to death. The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

To know the love of the Father in its fullest you will need to die. You must die to sin and self which keep you from receiving all the love God has to give you. If it required a cross for Jesus what makes you think the price will be lower for you?

3)    It Has A Promise

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1-3

Our Lord Jesus was willing to endure the unspeakable shame and agony of the cross because He knew the promise that awaited Him - and all those who would believe in Him.

In these two great portions of Scripture - The Prodigal Parable and the Prayer in the Garden - we have seen three different responses to  God's love:

REBELLION – The Prodigal

The story is told (by Ernest Hemingway) of a father and his teenage son who had a relationship that had become strained to the point of breaking. Finally the son ran away from home. His father, however, began a journey in search of his rebellious son. Finally, in Madrid, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in the newspaper. The ad read: “DEAR PACO, MEET ME IN FRONT OF THE NEWSPAPER OFFICE AT NOON. ALL IS FORGIVEN. I LOVE YOU. YOUR FATHER.”

The next day at noon in front of the newspaper office, 800 “Pacos” showed up.

This younger son who became the Prodigal did not receive the love of his father. Instead, he took advantage of that love and indulged himself at the expense of the father's love.

Is that how you treat the love of your Father? Do you selfishly grab the rewards but refuse the responsibilities and the relationship?

You will never know the love of God if that is how you respond to His goodness and grace.

RELIGION – The Older Son

“Religion is hanging around the cross, Christianity is hanging on the cross.” — Stephen Hill

Buddhism has a story similar to the story Jesus told about the Prodigal Son. In the story Jesus told, the father sees his wayward son, and runs to greet him. The prodigal says he no longer deserves to be considered a son, but the loving father throws a party for him and freely restores him to his full honor as a son.

In the Buddhist story, the father finds his wayward son and arranges for him to be given a menial job. Through many years of working as a slave, the son eventually earns his way back into his father’s good graces.

Those two stories illustrate the biggest difference between Christianity other world religions. It’s really simple. You study all the religions of the world and they come down to one word: DO. What can you DO to have religious success in life? What must you DO to earn favor with God? All the religions of the world come back to the word DO.

Here’s the difference. Christianity is all about DONE. It’s about what Jesus Christ has already DONE for us. It’s about God giving Himself to us in the person of Jesus. It’s about Him dying for our sins so that we can enter into salvation. It’s not about what we must DO to earn salvation. It’s about responding to what has already been DONE for us. That is a huge difference.

The older son was not rebellious like his foolish little brother, but neither did he enjoy the relaitonship with his father that he could have and should have. He tried to earn the Father's love and felt entitled to all the status, the security, the safety and the supply he enjoyed by virtue of his birth.

He illustrates those who hover near God and faithfully perform their religious rituals but never really know relationship with the Father or receive His love.

Does this describe your spiritual condition?

RIGHTEOUSNESS – Jesus

The third response to the Father's love is how Jesus responded. Even after He experienced the tough side of God's love, after He had heard the Father refuse Him three times when He had prayed to be spared from the cross. Still He chose to do the right thing and obey the will of the Father despite the incredible suffering it would cost Him.

Jesus valued relationship with the Father greater than His own life. He decided He would love God more than life itself. As a result, He received the love of God in ways that few others ever have known.

Is that how you love God? Are you more committed to being right and remaining in relationship with God than playing it safe and avoiding the pain?

Three ways to respond to the CRAZY love of God:

Rebellion?

Religion?

Righteousness?

Which will you choose?

March 10, 2012

"He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing."  Matthew 26:42-44

A father's love has a tender side and it also has a tough side. I believe that is one of the tests of truly healthy love.

If you agree with that you would expect that the love of the Heavenly Father also has the tough and tender components. It does and I want to share some thoughts on that.

My previous post centered on the Father's love as illustrated by the parable of the Prodigal Son. You could see from that story God's love is giving and it is gracious and it is generous and it is gentle. He showed a tender love for both of his son's despite their obvious shortcomings.

There can be no doubt that the father in this parable is God. So, God has a tender love for His children.

But, God also has a very tough and committed love. His love is committed to what is best for you and me according to His will. That is dramatically proven by the encounter between Jesus and His Father in Gethsemane. Here in these intense and agonizing hours, Jesus cries out to His Father to be spared from the humiliation and suffering of the cross. Three separate times He asks if there might be another way to atone for the sins of mankind. So, arduous were Jesus' pleas that He actually sweat drops of blood according to the Gospel of Luke, the physician.

I have never been so emotionally wrought as to sweat drops of blood, have you? Jesus did!

But despite these three earnest pleas for the Father to spare His Son, each request was answered by a stern and resolute, "NO!"

Where was that tender God Who was so good and gracious and generous to the wayward son and so patient with the whining son? How could He say "no" to a Perfect Son when He had said "yes" to those troubled young men?

The answer is found in two words, "CRAZY LOVE"!

In each situation God's purpose was to provide the best for those involved and the best is HIM! God understands that knowing Him and loving Him and living in Him IS the best thing that can happen to anyone. So if it takes a "yes" to make that happen or if it requires a "no", that is what God is committed to do!

I could even make a case that by this standard, God's "no" to Jesus was more loving than the "yes" to the other two because the "yes" saved a couple but the "no" made salvation possible for everyone!

God is love whether in the "yes' or in the "no". When He says "no" it is only so He can say "yes" to something better!

Can you love God in the "no's" of life? Can you still believe in His "crazy love" even when He says "no" and His "no" causes you to suffer? Can you keep on loving Him until His "no" leads you to a greater "yes"?

March 9, 2012

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.  Luke 15:17-24

When Jesus wanted to give a word picture to illustrate how God loves He told a parable about a very wealthy and loving father who had two sons very different from each other. His younger son took his inheritance and ran while the older son stayed home and stayed bored.

You know this story as the Prodigal Son but the word "prodigal" means extravagant and the real extravagance is demonstrated in the extravagant love of the father. The father in this parable represents God, our Heavenly Father, and how He loves. This "Prodigal" father loved with a big hairy audacious love!

AUDACIOUS LOVE IS:

1) A Giving Love!

The younger of the two sons made a bold and unconventional request of his father. He wanted his share of the inheritance. Under the laws and customs of that day there was nothing obligating this father to grant this demand. But, because of the father's love for his son he made an exception to the norm and handed over the inheritance. I am sure he did this against his better judgment but love does that - love gives! God gives!

2) A Gracious Love!

It didn't take very long for this younger son to prove the foolishness of the decision to give him his inheritance. He was not prepared for that opportunity or responsibility and he soon blew all the money on wanton living. When he ran out of money he ran out of friends. With no money and no job and feeling too foolish to go home, he was in desparate need. His desparation is revealed in the fact that he was willing to take a job slopping hogs for a farmer. Jews didn't have anything to do with pigs but he was so hungry that he not only fed them but he ate with them!

Stinky, slimy and starving, this boy suddenly had his first good idea in a long time! He began to think about how good and decent and loving his father was back home. He remembered how much his father had once loved him and realized that returning humbly to his dad might be the best chance he had. If he was going to work for a farmer, why not let it be his father the farmer? He took a chance on the gracious love of His father.

3) A Generous Love

So, the son climbed out of the pig stye and started the long uncertain journey home. The way was long and dusty and he didn't have much strength left as he trudged to the top of the last rise before he reached home. All the way he had been rehearsing his apology that he hoped would give him a shot at landing a job with his dad. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I have sinned against you, my father" he repeated over and over.

Apprehension was growing as he reached the top of the hill - so much so that he hadn't heard the footsteps - of his father running to meet him. About the time he realized what was happening he was buried in the strong embrace of his father and it felt GOOD!

He was still trying to offer his apology while the father's servants were shoving a ring on his finger and covering him with a fine new robe as his feet were being washed and brand new sandals placed on his feet!

All he had hoped for was a job and now he was getting a party! What generous love for one who had blown a third of the family fortune!

4) A Gentle Love

It seems like every party has a pooper and this one was no exception. The older brother was not at all happy about the reception being given this underserving fool of a younger brother. Refusing to come to the party he remained outside having his own - a pity party.

Upon noticing that the brother was MIA at the party the dad came out and listened to his complaint. After hearing him out, the father reassured this other brother that he loved him, too. This father loved with a gentle love.

What a beautiful look at the ADACIOUS LOVE of God!

His love is a giving love giving us what He thinks will prove His love for us.

His love is a gracious love, calling us back when we stray from it.

His love is a gentle love, patiently bearing with us when we are unloving.

Where else do your find a love like this?

How can you refuse a love like this?

Why not receive it?

Why not now?

March 8, 2012

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13

One of the greatest honors that could be paid to fatherhood is to be compared to the Heavenly Father and His love!

There is a load of responsibility that comes with that as well.

If you were blessed with a good earthly father you likely had an easier time getting your heart and mind around the concept of God's love.

Throughout my entire childhood I have just three warm memories of my dad but they are powerful ones. I didn't have my dad around as I was growing up so the rare moments I got with him mattered to me.

One time when I was about 5 or 6 my dad, who was an over-the-road truck driver, took me on one of his trips. Another time he took me fishing for a whole day and we caught a lot of large bluegills and crappies. My other memory was when he took my sister and me to a major league baseball game. I gladly would have frozen any of those moments in time.


Because I only have those three memories I was determined to make a bunch of memories with my children and I still didn't do enough. But, I still have chances to make some more!

Fortunately, I have scores of memories and moments with my Heavenly Father and those have been life-changing! Matter of fact, I had one today!

If you were blessed to have a good father to compliment your Heavenly Father, you are doubly blessed! It should be easier for you to wrap your heart and mind and spirit around CRAZY LOVE!

So, do it! Embrace Him! Let His love embrace you! And if he is still around - hug your dad!

March 7, 2012

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:11-13

Children with involved Fathers are more confident, better able to deal with frustration, better able to gain independence and their own identity, more likely to mature into compassionate adults, more likely to have a high self esteem, more sociable, more secure as infants, less likely to show signs of depression, less likely to commit suicide, more empathetic, boys have been shown to be less aggressive and adolescent girls are less likely to engage in sex.

63% of teen suicides come from fatherless homes. That’s 5 times the national average SOURCE: U.S. Dept of Health

90% of all runaways and homeless children are from fatherless homes. That’s 32 times the national average.


80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes. 14 times the national average. SOURCE: Justice and Behavior

85% of children with behavioral problems come from fatherless homes. 20 times the national average. SOURCE: Center for Disease Control

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. 9 times the national average. SOURCE: National Principals Association Report

75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. 10 times the national average. SOURCE: Rainbow’s for all God’s Children

85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes. 20 times the national average. SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Justice

Daughters of single parents without a Father involved are 53% more likely to marry as teenagers, 711% more likely to have children as teenagers, 164% more likely to have a pre-marital birth and 92% more likely to get divorced themselves.

When Jesus tried to paint a word picture to illustrate the love of God He referred to the love of a father. In so doing, He placed a high value on the father-child relationship and the the power of a father's love on his child(ren).

Small wonder that fatherhood has come under such pressure over the past few decades.The Enemy knows that if he can distort how a child feels about his father, he may contaminate how that child will view God and the love of God.

If you have been struggling with this concept of God's "CRAZY LOVE" ,if you have had difficulty loving Him or receiving His love, perhaps you should prayerfully make sure you are not projecting negative notions about your earthly father upon your Heavenly Father.

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March 6, 2012

^“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”  Revelation 12:10

I found this today in one of the regular pastoral leadership emails I receive. In my experience one of the things that prevent us from receiving the love of God is when we believe the lies of the evil one. Here, Steve Furtick wisely reminds us not to buy into the half-truths of the Accuser but believe the truth of God’s Word.

As you navigate the story that is unfolding in your life, you’ll be quick to find that discouragement is everywhere. It seems that the harder you run after God, the harder the devil is going to try to prevent you from getting where you’re going. And all he really has to do to trip us up is drop one little hint of discouragement in our ears.

You’re unworthy.

You’re a terrible father. (mother, spouse, Christian, etc.)

You’ll never be any better than this.

He’s said it to me and I know that he’s said it to you. The worst part is, the devil doesn’t necessarily speak in complete lies. He gives us half-truths with just enough reality to hit us between the eyes. But here’s an easy way that you can overcome those conniving schemes:

Finish the devil’s sermons.

It’s simple. The devil is only giving you half of the truth—give him the other half. Yes, I am unworthy. I am absolutely nothing without Christ. But thankfully, He died so that I may become a new creation, void of you and full of the purpose that He has for my life.

No, I may not be a perfect father, but I am loved unconditionally by a perfect father who breathed the stars yet knows the number of hairs on my head. And He’s making me more like Him every day.

You’re right. On my own accord, I can’t do any better than this. But I am not doing this by myself—I serve the LORD, who is able to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.

You don’t have to be Charles Spurgeon to preach the devil out of your life. The name of Jesus alone is enough to send your enemy running for the hills.

The devil will always try to show you the downside of your story. Make him pay. Show him who Jesus says you are.

 

 

 

 

 

March 5, 2012

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." I John 4:7

I knew my mother loved me with a fierce and intense love. She still does. BUT she is my mom and she HAS to love me.

My dad should have loved me. I think he did as much as he could. I am not sure he knew what was involved in loving someone else. I don't remember him ever telling me he loved me or that he was proud of me although I think he was.

So, when I heard that God loved like a Heavenly Father I didn't have much of a frame of reference for that. While I had no reason to not believe it I also had no point of reference for it.

That is, until we walked into a little Wesleyan Methodist Church in Silver Lake, IN one Sunday morning and felt instantly loved and accepted. That was a new experience for us - but we liked it! When we went back the next Sunday it was the same way! And the next week was also the same!

Granted, the eight people in our crew gave a huge boost to their attendance average but they didn't have to love us! They didn't have to but they did. We were experiencing the power of God's love for the first time! We liked it! We have never been the same!

The question that we had to wrestle with was, "Why do these people love us like they do?" Exploring that question led to the realization that they loved us because they loved God and God loved us!

Being loved so well by the people of God set us on a search to learn more about His love. That search continues to this moment but, over time each of us made a decision to receive His love by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ.

Fifty-two years after being loved well by God's people and having been tranformed by it, I still don't understand it completely and probably never will. But I know this, I can't live without it nor do it want to. And, I am committed to be used of God to build a church that loves like that little church did so others can have their lives transformed as my family and I did!

So, we are studying this great little book "CRAZY LOVE" by Francis Chan and trying to understand how to receive more of His love so we can love each other better and lavish love on all who come to worship with us!

Will you help me? Will take this journey with me? Will you rid yourself of shallow love and selfish love and open your heart to God's "Crazy Love"? If you do, FredWes will never be the same nor will you!