Standard of Loyalty

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”  Psalm 27:1-3

What is God worth to you?

How would you estimate His value in your life?

How would you express that to Him?

The word "worship" comes from two old English words "worth"  and "ship".  It literally means giving worth to God or expressing His worth.

So, the purpose of worship is to express to God how much you realize He is worth to you. Now when that happens, several other good things begin to happen. As you realize how much He is worth to you you also get a fresh sense of how much you are worth to Him! Also, you begin to understand how valuable others are to Him - and you grasp how much others need Him. As you worship Him you catch a fresh glimpse of His holiness and your unworthiness. That humbles you and causes you to call upon Him more. Calling upon Him fills you with more of His presence and restores your hope - and so it goes! Worship is the life-blood of your Christian commitment!

Think about this:

I wonder what would happen if we applied the same standards of loyalty to our Christian activities that we expect from other areas of our lives? 

If your car starts once every three tries, is it reliable? If the postman skipped delivery every Monday and Thursday, is he trustworthy? If you don’t go to work once or twice a month, are you a reliable employee? If your fridge stops working for a day or two every now and then, do you say, “Oh well, it work most of the time.”? If your water heater provides an icy cold shower every now and then, is it dependable? If you skipped a couple of electricity bill payments do you think Dominion Power would mind? If you fail to worship God one or two Sundays a month, would you expect to be called a faithful Christian? We expect loyalty and reliability from things and other people - isn’t it reasonable then that God just might expect the same from us.

Is God worth one Sunday a month to you?

Is He worth two Sundays a month?

Even if you worship every Sunday, is that enough?

If worship helps you understand and express His worth more effectively, how much worship is enough? How much of God is enough?

Check out Romans 12:1-2 as you prayerfully meditate on these thoughts.

July 11, 2016

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”  Psalm 27:1-3

What is God worth to you?

How would you estimate His value in your life?

How would you express that to Him?

The word "worship" comes from two old English words "worth"  and "ship".  It literally means giving worth to God or expressing His worth.

So, the purpose of worship is to express to God how much you realize He is worth to you. Now when that happens, several other good things begin to happen. As you realize how much He is worth to you you also get a fresh sense of how much you are worth to Him! Also, you begin to understand how valuable others are to Him - and you grasp how much others need Him. As you worship Him your catch a fresh glimpse of His holiness and your unworthiness. That humbles you and causes you to call upon Him more. Calling upon Him fills you with more of His presence and restores your hope - and so it goes! Worship is the life-blood of your Christian commitment!

Think about this:

I wonder what would happen if we applied the same standards of loyalty to our Christian activities that we expect from other areas of our lives? 

If your car starts once every three tries, is it reliable? If the postman skipped delivery every Monday and Thursday, is he trustworthy? If you don’t go to work once or twice a month, are you a reliable employee? If your fridge stops working for a day or two every now and then, do you say, “Oh well, it work most of the time.”? If your water heater provides an icy cold shower every now and then, is it dependable? If you skipped a couple of electricity bill payments do you think Dominion Power would mind? If you fail to worship God one or two Sundays a month, would you expect to be called a faithful Christian? We expect loyalty and reliability from things and other people - isn’t it reasonable then that God just might expect the same from us.

Is God worth one Sunday a month to you?

Is He worth two Sundays a month?

Even if you worship every Sunday, is that enough?

If worship helps you understand and express His worth more effectively, how much worship is enough? How much of God is enough?

Check out Romans 12:1-2 as you prayerfully meditate on these thoughts.

July 10, 2016

"Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Matthew 10:28-31

As Jesus brings this session with His disciples to a close He gives them two more ways to overcome fear. First, know what really matters and second, know how much you matter to God.

Think about it. Doesn't it make sense that attaching yourself too tightly to things that can be lost, stolen, broken or become obsolete is a prescription for anxiety?

You have a forever part of you and you have a frail fleshly part of you. Where do you think you should invest most of your faith, hope and dreams? Doesn't it make sense that investing those things that matter most to you in the forever could be a stress reducer?

Jesus thinks so. In fact, He knows it will!

So, the Master after telling His disciples not to be afraid turns a "180" saying they should focus their fear on those things that can destroy their spirit not their body.

What are some things that can destroy your spirit? Self-centeredness, materialism, greed, lust or covetousness would form a short but deadly list. Are not each of these connected in some way to a love of temporary comfort or pleasure or security. Does not a strong focus on these distract you from developing your spirit? Doesn't that continual and passionate pursuit of earthly advantages foster the rise of fear within your heart?

If you answered yes to any of these questions I urge you to give a second look at the Word of God. I implore you to give Him a listen when He calls you to change your fleshly focus to a forever focus. When you do you will notice an immediate peace that will continue to grow as you continue to follow.

One more truth gleaned from this saying of Jesus is that fear will decline as you increase in your awareness of God's love! No one ever has nor ever could love you as much as God does and Jesus came to prove that.

His follower, John, who knew Jesus as well as anyone on earth wrote, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend!"

The call to follow Jesus is a call to live in His love, to learn of His love, to lavish in a love which provides everything for the present life and the life to come!

Jesus is reminding His followers yet again how much His heavenly father enjoys caring for those who trust Him. He delights in it! He is good at it!

Essentially, Jesus wants you to know if you will care intentionally, passionately and primarily about the things He cares for then He will make sure your needs are cared for!

I feel relieved just thinking about it!

Don't you feel your tension level dropping?

July 9, 2016

^“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still! ”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:37-41

Do you still have no faith?

Isn't that a piercing question?

What He is really asking is, "Do you have a faith that's greater than your fear?"

Still a piercing question!

Why did Jesus allow His disciples to endure such a fearful experience as this fierce and frightening storm?

Jesus knew the only way to learn how to handle fear is to experience it. Fear is a decision. Not always a rational one but a decision none the less. 

Faith is also a decision, a rational one. So, faith is coming to a rational decision in the midst of irrational fears. Faith is suddenly remembering that Jesus is in the boat during a storm. Faith is consciously shifting your focus from the storm to the Savior.

Unless you go through some storms and get scared to death you won't learn that God is faithful in the storm. And if you don't learn it there will be plenty more storms to help you learn it.

Until you have accused Him of not caring about your life can you learn the reality of how - and how much - He really does care!

Until you experience the terror of feeling your life is out of control do you fully understand the power of being under His control.

Only when you have had some, "Who is this that even the waves and winds obey Him" moments can you appreciate His sovereign power.

Once you have been terrified (feared with a great fear) in His presence you can begin to understand that faith begins with the fear of God. When you fear God more than you fear anything else then you are at a place where you can rationally choose faith.

Don't be surprised by the storms.

Don't despise the storms.

Don't go through a storm without Him.

Don't waste the fear you feel in the storm!

Facing a storm without Him should be your greatest fear. 

Fearless

n the Gospels, 125 times Jesus says something as an imperative statement like, "Love Others." These 125 statements are on a number of different topics or themes. The number one theme, which is 21 times, is a variation of "Don't be afraid," "Fear not," "Have courage". The next closest is eight and that is the "love your neighbor" theme. What makes Christianity unique is that we are the Faith that teaches love. And yet, even though love is the central theme of Christianity, the number one statement that Jesus makes more than any other statement is, "Don't be fearful. Don't be afraid." Jesus knew fear holds too many people back from God's best for their lives.
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/faith-over-fear-the-bibles-1-statement-is-dont-be-afraid-129050/#BxLiwyXbYhJjfo1g.99

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/faith-over-fear-the-bibles-1-statement-is-dont-be-afraid-129050/#iaWjwhUmMvCm59dS.99

If you are a follower of Christ, what is the benefit for you?

What is the end game?

When you are 70 or 80 years old and you look back at your years of following Jesus, what will be of most value to you?

Does Jesus call you to follow Him to make you a better person?

Is that His end game?

Is that why you follow Jesus?

Everyone who I know who follows Jesus has become a better person. I have become a better person. But is that what Jesus had in mind when He calls you to follow?

If so, how do you measure "better"?

Will there ever come a time when you couldn't be "better"?

What if your life ends before you become "better"?

Just those few questions make it obvious the end game for following Jesus is not simply becoming a better person.

Is it about heaven? Is that why Jesus called you to follow?

I know I certainly want to go to heaven and I'm sure you do as well. We just don't want to go anytime soon!

People who faithfully follow Jesus do end up in heaven when they come to the end of the earthly life. 

And there is only one man in history who will end up in heaven without following Jesus. That man is the thief on the cross. Everyone else who makes it to heaven will make it because they followed Christ.

But is that the main reason calls us to follow Him?

That's not what the Gospels indicate.

Is follow Jesus about finding a pain-free and problem-free life?

Even a casual reading of the Gospels will make it clear Jesus never had that in mind when He called you to follow. In fact, when He was preparing to send them out on a ministry assignment He made it clear they would have both pain and problems:

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking — it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.” Matthew 10:16-22

If following Jesus isn't primarily about being a better person, or about going to heaven or about gaining a pain-free or problem-free life, what does Jesus have in mind when He calls someone to follow.

Here's a hint!

The phrase Jesus used more than any other during His earthly ministry was "fear not".

If you will take the challenge to read through the Gospels I believe that will become quite obvious to you.

Would you like to be fearless?

If following Jesus faithfully over time could help you overcome your fears, would that make you want to follow Him?

July 7, 2016

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another." Matthew 10:21-23

When the Twelve answered the call to follow Jesus it was the trendy thing to do. This young rabbi from Nazareth was rock star popular and everywhere He went everyone wanted to be there. Locals flocked to the sea shore or the mountain side or the synagogues or wherever He happened to be speaking.

Now, He was sending them out to the villages and cities to preach and minister in His Name. Before He sent them out He counselled them and tried to prepare them for their first encounters with opposition.

The popularity they were currently enjoying was about to change. Family members would reject them. Life-long friends would turn on them. There would be times they would forget why they agreed to follow Jesus and seriously consider unfriending Him before they were unfriended by the hometown folks.

Why did you begin following Jesus?

What has it cost you?

Are you willing to part with friends and put up with the disapproval of family members?

Jesus needed His disciples to count the cost and face those fears before they went any deeper into this discipleship thing.

Anyone can follow Jesus when it is pleasant and popular. But can you follow Jesus when there is pressure, prejudice, punishment or persecution?

The fact is if you follow Jesus long enough you will experience the pain from each of these forms of opposition.

Does this frighten you?

I'm sure it left the disciples wide-eyed.

I invite you to listen to Jesus' repeated reassurances to them - "fear not" - "don't be afraid" - "trust me and don't worry".

What was going on here?

Could it be that Jesus was attempting to strengthen their faith?

What is the primary obstacle to faith?

Isn't it fear?

What happens every time your faith is challenged by a fearful situation?

You are confronted with the choice between faith and fear!

What happens to your faith when you cling to it instead of being fearful?

Following Jesus is choosing faith when you are faced with fear or even when you are feeling fearful. That's how faith is strengthened.

As you prepare for today, there could be some fearful circumstances facing you.

Jesus would say, "Fear not!"

What will you say?

When, Not If

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you." Matthew 10:16-26

These are some of the first words Jesus shared with His newly recruited followers. I want you to try and put yourself in the place of these new recruits early in their indoctrination. How would you have been thinking as you listened to these dire predictions from Jesus?

1) "I am sending you out as sheep among wolves."

Okay, so what happens when a sheep is turned loose into a pack of wolves?

Carnage happens. The defenseless sheep will be savagely seized upon and torn to shreds.

2) "For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues"

Notice, Jesus does not say, "If you are arrested or if you are flogged" but rather, He says, "when you are arrested and flogged".

Being arrested was a bad thing. No one wants to end up on the wrong side of the law. But being flogged is far worse than being arrested. Flogging tore flesh from the back, or the shoulders or the thighs and left life-long scars. Occasionally a person would die from the flogging.

Jesus frankly informed them that as they followed Him there would arrests and floggings in their future.

3) "You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers"

As a result of choosing to follow Christ these disciples would find themselves arrested and brought before very powerful and corrupt officials.

How fair do you suppose that trial might be?

4) "When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say"

Notice, Jesus didn't say "if" you are arrested He says, "when" you are arrested.

Wow! They are being told one of the results of following Jesus will be ending up on the wrong side of the ruling officials.

5) Family members and friends will turn against you and turn you into the officials seeking to arrest you for following Jesus.

How would you feel about the prospect of your family turning against you OR even turning you in to the authorities just because you have chosen to follow Jesus?

Would this make you reconsider your decision to follow Jesus? Would you begin to worry? Would you find yourself becoming fearful? Would you ask to be excused?

Were these the things you signed up for when you decided to follow Jesus? How do you feel about your decision to follow Him if this is where it leads?

Jesus must have sensed their growing apprehension or more likely, He saw it on their faces when He continued, “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you."

Say, what? Have no fear?

So, how do I do that?

How can a follower of Christ be made fully aware of the potential perils of following Him and have no fear?

You can start by remembering WHO it is you are following.

You can remember all the promises made to those who follow faithfully until the end.

You can continue to follow the blog this week as I lead you to Jesus' answer.