April 18, 2013

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him he iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished." Isaiah 53:4-8

 

The "Me to We" soulshift is a shift from building barriers to building bridges.

 

By nature we build barriers instead of bridges.

 

If you own a home you probably have a fence around your back yard. Your fence sends the message, "Everything inside this fence belongs to me!"

 

Fences have pros and they have cons. While they keep some things in they also keep some things out. They keep strangers from wandering into your yard, but they also keep friends from coming in. If it is a privacy fence it prevents people from looking into your yard, but it also keeps you from looking out. Fences have a certain beauty and a serve a purpose but they also are expensive and require a lot of maintenance.

 

Unfortunately, not only do we build fences to protect our houses but we often build fences around our hearts because we feel the need to protect them, too. Sometimes these fences are constructed intentionally but more often they are put up subconsciously.

 

Often it happens when we mentally size up others with "ME" questions like these:

 

1) How is this person like me?

2) How is this person different from me?

3) How am I better than this person?

4) How much should I trust this person?

5) How much can I benefit from this person?

 

In the very process of uploading these questions we begin considering where we need to stake out our boundaries and construct fences.These fences become barriers to intimate and meaningful relationships in our families, our workplaces and in our churches, in other words, the places where belonging is most necessary and needed.

 

Amazingly, Isaiah tells us that Jesus refused to construct any barriers to protect His self from those who were a mortal threat to Him. Rather, He submitted to the will of His Father and let the power, grace and love of the Father be His protection as He died to remove the need for fences.

 

This morning prayerfully consider, "Do I tend to build barriers or bridges?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 17, 2013

^"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."  John 1:11-13

 

Sadly ironic isn't it?

 

Jesus came from Heaven where He was not only accepted but exalted and worshipped to earth where He would be largely rejected. As the Prophet Isaiah foretold, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." Isaiah 53:3

 

If anyone SHOULD have been accepted it would have been Jesus, the Son of God Who shared in the creation of the world. Don't you agree? But clearly, these Scriptures tell us He wasn't.

On further thought, acceptance implies among other things, belonging. From that standpoint Jesus didn't really belong here, He belonged in Heaven. He certainly didn't belong in a feed trough in a stable in a tiny place like Bethlehem. Nor did He belong on a cruel cross beaten to a pulp though innocent and holy. The Son of God was out of place in a borrowed tomb for three days.

Maybe those are reasons to exlpain why He wasn't accepted even by His own. Maybe He wasn't accepted because He didn't belong. Maybe He was too good for this planet.

This wasn't a surprise to Jesus. He was well aware of Isaiah's prophecy when He came to earth. Not only did He know He would be rejected and reviled and crucified, it was the very reason He came!

What if He HAD fit in? What if He would have been accepted and lauded? What if he had been wildly popular and loved by all the religious establishment? Either He would not have been crucified OR it would have made it MUCH harder for Him to have submitted to such a degrading torturous death.

He had to be rejected on earth so you would have a chance to belong in Heaven. It isn't important that He be accepted by all those who rejected Him but it is extremely important for Him to be accepted by you!

".......Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God....."

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 16, 2013

 

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."  John 1:10-13

 

It was April 15, 1947 that Jackie Robinson ran to his position at first base with the rest of his Brooklyn Dodger team mates. While they were greeted by cheers, he heard jeers and boos and racial slurs. That historic moment 66 years ago changed the course of Major League baseball forever. But the first black man to play in the modern era of Major League Baseball was forced to endure threats, humiliation and in order to fulfill his dream.

 

On May 13, 1947, during Brooklyn Dodger infield practice at Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Pee Wee Reese, the Dodger shortstop and captain, suddenly stopped the practice. He walked diagonally across the infield and placed his left arm around the shoulder of Jackie Robinson, who was playing first base. 

 

He looked into the Cincinnati dugout and the grandstands beyond. Ballplayers and fans had been taunting Robinson with terms like ''shoeshine boy'' and ''snowflake.'' Reese, a slim white Southerner who wore No. 1, kept an arm draped in friendship around the sturdy black man who wore No. 42. 

 

Reese did not say a word. But his look shamed the racists into silence. ''After Pee Wee came over like that,'' Robinson told me years later, ''I never felt alone on a baseball field again.''

 

Jackie Robinson belonged in a major league baseball uniform. He was one of all-time greats as evidenced by these career stats:

 

137 HR, .311 BA, 734 RBI, 2B/3B/1B, inducted into Hall Of Fame in 1962, 1949 NL MVP, 1947 ML Rookie of the Year, 6xAllStar, Dodgers 1947-1956

 

But the prejudice against his skin color kept him from showcasing his talents until well-respected men, Dodger general manager, Branch Rickey and popular teammate, Pee Wee Reese risked their reputations to help him find acceptance.

 

Incendently, Branch Rickey was a devoted Christian. I encourage you to go see the inspiring movie "42" that tells this story.

 

In the same way, Jesus left Heaven where He was loved, accepted, worshipped and adored in order to face a rejection much worse than that endured by Jackie Robinson. And He did it to make it possible for you to overcome the barrier that kept you out of Heaven - your sin.

 

Jesus longs to come beside you and place His arm around you and declare you ACCEPTED. Will you believe in Him? Will you accept Him in order to be accepted?

 

 

 

April 15, 2013

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2: 12-13

 

How do you respond under pressure?

It has been suggested that who you are under pressure is revealing of who you really are. I tend to believe that.

 

You must keep in mind as you read and study James that these are Christians under pressure. Pressure most of us have never known, the pressure of persecution.

 

As James describes what faith should look like and how people of faith should live, it is being lived out under pressure. Faith is giving your best when life deals the worst! Do you return mercy for malice?

 

In these verses he reminds you that you will be judged and your faith will be judged based on how well your actions and attitudes match those of the Savior. If you say you have faith but do not demonstrate love your faith will be judged as insincere.

 

The context for faith in this instance is within the meeting of believers. How do you show love to a guests who comes into you meeting? Do you size them up or do you serve them? Do you act differently to a wealthy looking person than to a shabbily dressed one? Faith looks for what it can give rather than what it can gain. Here's an example:

 

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he ought to worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned, “If Christians have caste differences also, “ he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.

 

Bad judgment.

 

Your faith is being continually judged by how you treat others. You will be ultimately judged by how you treat others. If you want to be judged mercifully, give mercy. Ask God to help show kindness and grace today even when  under pressure.

April 14, 2013

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."Proverbs 14:34
 

What does it mean when a nation is exalted? That sounds like a good thing, but how good is it? What are some specific benefits wrought by righteousness?

 

Let me share at least three things that are meant by "exalted".

 

Exalted means "lifted".

 

Righteousness lifts a nature and a culture. It lifts the morality of that people. It lifts the civility of that society. The morale of that nation is higher than cultures where people don't value righteousness. Doing the right things obviously results in positive and constructive outcomes.

 

Exalted means "lightened".

 

Righteousness flows from truth. Truth originates in the character and very nature of God. With God as your source and His Word as your resource there is going to be knowledge and wisdom. Jesus said that He is "the light of the world". When you have Jesus you have light and in Him is no darkness. From the light of God's Word, truth and wisdom beam forth revealing what is right and what is wrong. Being "lightened" by righteousness leads to rightness in actions, attitudes, values and moral decisions.

 

Exalted means "liberated".

 

A people who are lifted by the truth and lightened by the truth will find freedom and liberty from His Word. Truth results in freedom. Ignorance leads to bondage. Ignorance leads to confusion and doubts. Ignorance leads to strife and fear.

A people lifted by truth and lightened by truth are free to become who they want to become in Christ. They will act right and have the right attitudes which will enrich their relationships and increase their opportunities for freedom. Listening to His truth and living in His truth shape a godly character that is free to pursue godliness.

 

How is a nation exalted by righteousness? Simple!
 

A nation is exalted by people who are lifted by the righteousness of God's Word. As a result they tend to think right, which leads to right decisions, which translates into godly living. Godly living results in lifting God high in the estimation of those who may be seeking for solid answers. God is exalted by the practical everyday decisions, actions and values you make.

 

A nation is exalted when lighted by the truth of God's Word and the principles it gives to live by. It makes better decisions and is better able to make quality decisions. Truth reveals the right thing to do in all decisions, and clarifies the application of that truth in daily situations. God is exalted by a people who know and show His truth.

 

A nation is exalted when God's children live in the liberty of His knowledge and His love. God's children live within the law and finds freedom in self-governing his thoughts, feelings, and atutides. An ignorant nation will not endure as a free nation. Study history. You will see.

 

I know you love the USA and desire to see her rise to the exalted standard. You, af all people will understand the value of self-governing and liberty of self-discipline. God WILL set you free!

 

"Righteousness, or rightness, allows God to get involved personally in that project. God will be strong and powerful in the life of those who have chosen to walk in the light of His power and glory. And over time, people will be set free and God will be glorified!

April 13, 2013

".......for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

These are amazing days.

As I have been following the news regarding the gun control debate and the immigration discussions. Not only am I interested in the outcome of these crucial issues, I am fascinated by the whole thought processes surrounding them.

Perhaps I am too simplistic in my thinking but how does it help to address these very complex and important social problems by creating new and more restrictive laws when we have not been committed to enforcing the current laws?

If our elected law-makers were really committed to resolving these pressing issues would that not be evident in their commitment to prosecuting offenders of existing gun laws and immigration rules? There were over 15,000 cases of illegal gun registrations during the previous administration but only 44 of those were prosecuted.

Pardon me if it raises some suspicion concerning their actual motives for crafting more restrictive gun regulations and less restrictive laws toward immigration and citizenship. I can't help wondering if they are really concerned about resolving the root problems when they don't make every effort to arrest and prosecute those who violate the laws we have now.

But I am not a political commentator, I am a pastor and teacher. Here is the teachable moment in this discussion - it illustrates the sinful human nature. Romans 3:23 defines sin as "falling short of the glory of God" as demonstrated by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The original interpretation of this text means "to miss the mark". Adam and Eve were charged with giving God glory by obeying Him and enjoying His presence. But they "missed the mark" when they disobeyed and "fell short of the glory of God". Once the "mark" is missed our tendency to try to correct the error by lowering the "mark". The result is a downward spiral of increased lawlessness.

It was a similar problem of lawlessness that Jesus came to address. In the beginning God gave Adam and Eve just one law to keep and they broke it. Centuries later God gave Moses ten laws to declare to His people. Those laws were soon broken and by the time Jesus came to earth those laws had been expanded to over 630 laws, rules and interpretations of laws. So, just like our modern lawmakers, they responded to breaking God's law by making more laws. During His earthly ministry Jesus again narrowed it down to two commandments when He pronounced we should love God with all our being and then love our neighbors in the same way we love ourselves.

So, our foolish notion of adding new laws in place of enforcing existing laws has a long tradition in human behavior. The root cause of this harmful habit is a desire to escape accountability and consequences for our actions. It is as old as human nature itself. It is the notion that brought Lucifer down and it was the deception that lured Eve into disobedience. You see, it is hard to be held accountable to multiple laws, but you will be condemned by one.

How sad and heart-breaking that our once great nation has descended into such a lawless state. How tragic that our lawmakers crave the control of power but want to escape the responsibility and consequences of it. It always leads to destruction and we should not think that it will be any different this time.

April 12, 2013

"But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them." Hebrews 2:6-8

The fear of insignifcance is very real. It drives some people and causes others to live constantly frustrated and unfulfilled lives. Everyone wants to matter. No one wants to think that his life has been wasted. Why is that so important? Why do you have that need?

Why does a former superstar athlete or actor always crave the spotlight? Why do they die dreaming of a comeback?

Once you have tasted of significance anything less seems insignificant.

According to Scripture, you were created for significance. Adam was handmade by God Who breathed the breath of life into Him and placed Him in paradise. That's significance!

God gave Adam authority over all the earth and blessed Him with a woman to be his helpmate. Every day the three of them walked and talked together through the perfect splendor of Eden. That's significance!

You and I were shaped for significance - greatness just short of angelic! We had it until Adam lost it! But we still desire it. The loss of it leads to a loss of significance.

Had we never had significance you or I would never have missed it. But to have known perfection and lost it leaves a longing. To have known paradise and to have been banished from it leaves an awful void.

Significance was lost in disobedience and rebellion. It can only be regained through repentance and maintained through obedience. It was lost at the feet of God and can only be regained by returning there with a broken and contrite heart.

The washed up actor will never win another leading role. And the athlete past His prime will never make another team. But you - you can recapture your lost significance when you allow yourself to be captured by the grace and goodness of God!

You were made a little lower than the angels, don't live like the devil........