Intentionally Keep One Christmas Decoration Out

intentionally

Christmas is over and the un-decorating now begins, making room for all of the new gifts we received for Christmas. How do we repack the ornaments? Where we store the lights? And what we do with the nativity scene? As you put the decorations away, let me challenge you to intentionally leave one of the items on display. 

When you pack your nativity scene and safely secure Mary, Joseph, and the manger, don’t put Jesus in the box.  At least metaphorically, keep Jesus unpacked throughout the year.

Often, we denounce our culture for “taking Christ out of Christmas.” But do we conveniently leave Christ out of our lives when it seems beneficial to do so? We stand firmly against those who have “taken prayer out of our schools.” But we do regularly pray with our children or pray privately in our prayer closets? We lament culture’s attempts to remove the Bible from public life. But do our Bibles gather dust on our end tables and shelves in our homes?

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Jesus Sat Down, So You Can Too

Jesus sat

Sitting down can be a good thing.

I had to move some furniture around the other day and sitting became my friend. Thankfully, my friend and experienced hard worker, Randy Toney, was there to make it possible. We moved my daughter’s old bedroom furniture to the church for our yard sale. Then we moved the furniture from my mom’s guest room to my daughter’s bedroom.

After loading up the “new” furniture, we decided it was time for a lunch break at Chick-fil-A. I have never sat and eaten so slowly. I needed that sit down. In fact, I found it difficult to get back to work after sitting for lunch.

We finally unloaded and set up the furniture. I didn’t mention that we also moved a large TV to our house. Our TV from our den went to my daughter’s bedroom, and her TV went to our bedroom. So after unloading the furniture, I set up everyone’s TV and took the best shower I have ever had.

After enjoying a delicious meal at our friends, The Griffins’ house, I went on to church for a committee meeting. I finally got back home and was able to sit down…really sit down. This time, I sat because I was finished with all I had to do for the day.

Where Jesus Sat Down

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Gold Medal Living

The 2016 edition of the Summer Olympics drew to a close Sunday.  For me, these games were some of the most entertaining in memory.  The accomplishments of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in the pool, Simone Biles on the mat, and Usain Bolt on the track amazed us.  The U.S. Men’s and Women’s basketball team not surprisingly dominated their competitions.  At the end of the games, the U.S. led all countries in gold medal and total medal count.  Unfortunately the games also provided some unnecessary and embarrassing off-site moments, but the accomplishments far outweigh the ridiculous.

gold medal living

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Olympic athletes did not just show up and compete; they trained for years preparing for these 16 days.  They deprived themselves, pushed themselves, and extended themselves in trying to prove themselves best in the world.  Each one had a goal of winning a gold medal in their field of competition. 

Conversely, what would happen if we applied the same effort to our Christian life?  How different would our lives look if we worked at our faith likes these athletes worked at their sport?  Is it possible for us to “win” a gold medal in the Christian life? I think the Bible indicates we can.  Look with me at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

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Fan or Follower?

sports-fan

For several weeks, I have been thinking about how often we “play” at our Christian discipleship. We believe in Him, and we claim to be His, but do we actually follow Him? We are big fans of Jesus. We like what he does for us; we like that when we die we can go to heaven, but are we truly His disciples? If we are following Him we are living the way He would prescribe, we are following HIS steps.

In Mark 8:34, Jesus said,

…“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

This week I had the privilege of teaching a seminar on team building to a group of Community Ministries Directors from across Georgia. During the second day of the seminar I greatly enjoyed the presentation by Beth Ann Williams, Executive Director of the Woman’s Missionary Union of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. As I continued to think about one of the handouts she shared, I am reminded I cannot follow Jesus until first I take up my cross and deny myself.

Read carefully the excerpt below from the handout Beth Ann gave us.

Living Sacrifice.jpg

Now read Galatians 2:20 and Romans 12:1.

Challenging isn’t it?

Are you merely a fan of Jesus, or are you ready to be a follower?

Jesus doesn’t call fans. He calls followers.

Missing Jesus

They had made the journey to Jerusalem for Passover and now they were on their way home. Nothing like a 3-hour walk home after a miserable experience. When the stranger joined them on their journey, he inquired as to the reason for their long faces and melancholy, so they recounted their story to him.

They participated in the wave of excitement surrounding Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. They cast their hope toward Him that He was the promised Messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman rule. They watched in horror as the tide of events turned and they saw Jesus crucified.

To add insult to injury, some of the women who went to finish the embalming process reported that Jesus body was missing. Obviously delusional, they reported sightings of angels who claimed Jesus was alive. The women even went in and saw the empty tomb. Apparently, the events of the week had taken an emotional toll on the women.

They had followed Jesus’ “career.” He was a prophet, mighty in word and deed. They had even begun to believe that maybe He was indeed the Promised One. However, the events of the last three days served to dash their dreams and destroy their hopes. So now, it was back home, back to the routine, back to hoping, watching, and waiting.

The stranger began to explain from Old Testament Scripture how the events they had just witness actually fulfilled prophecy. His teaching intrigued them. They invited him to stay with them for dinner before continuing on his way. At dinner, he took bread, gave thanks for it, then broke it and shared it with them. They saw something in the way he did this, something familiar. Then all of a sudden the light bulb came on and they realized He was indeed JESUS.

How could they have missed it? How could they have been so blind? By their admission, while He was walking with them on the road and talking about Scripture, their hearts felt that familiar fire.

We miss it, too. Every day Jesus walks with us through the events of our lives. Do we see Him? Hear Him? Acknowledge Him and talk to Him? Do our hearts burn within us as we experience His presence?

Lord Jesus, help me to have a heart sensitive to You. Let my eyes see, my ears hear, and let my heart know You are near. Let me abide in You as You abide in me.

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

The above story is paraphrased from Luke 24:13-35

When We Leave Jesus Out of the God Talk

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It is somewhat fashionable these days to talk about God. In many such conversations, God is viewed as a talisman, sugar-daddy, or teddy bear who only wants to make our lives successful, comfortable, prosperous, and without sickness or disease. Yes, it is fashionable to talk about God, as long as that talk is all positive and affirming.

Many dangers accompany such God-talk, not the least of which is a misrepresentation of the God of the Bible. Many today have broken the second commandment by verbally creating an image of God to worship that suits their tastes and perceived needs. The Maker of the universe, the Sovereign God does not stand ready to fulfill our commands.

Another subtle but even more dangerous element of this type of God-talk is that it leaves Jesus out of the conversation. I can understand why that is – this verbal golden calf God is nonthreatening, but Jesus is offensive. When we speak of Jesus, we are reminded of his cross and to the lost person that is offensive (1 Corinthians 1:18). That Jesus came reminds us that we are hopeless sinners who stand in need of God’s intervention.  We are not OK, we cannot look within ourselves for answers, we are desperately in need of a Savior.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the central focus of any conversation about God, life, death, eternity, etc.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him,“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:13-17)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Listen (and read) carefully what others are saying about God. If they speak of God only in general feel-good terms and leave Jesus, the Cross, repentance, and obedience out of the conversation then avoid and ignore them. Let’s talk up Jesus. Let’s proclaim Him. Submitting to His Lordship is the ONLY solution to our culture’s ills and the only answer to the deeply seated issues we face in life today.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…(Hebrews 1:1-3)

Connect the Dots in Your Mind

dotsLet’s play a little game of spiritual connect the dots, shall we?

Dot 1: The Bible clearly teaches us what God wants to accomplish in our lives:

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. – Romans 8:29

Dot 2: The Bible also clearly teaches is that our thoughts determine who we are:

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. – Proverbs 23:7a

Dot 3: If we are what we think, and if God wants us to become like Jesus, then it stands to reason that our thoughts should gravitate toward Jesus:

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

So, my simple challenge to you today is this: think much and often of Jesus. The more you fill your mind with Jesus, the more like Him you will become. First, avoid things that draw your mind away from Christ. Be careful what you let into your minds. Then, fill your mind full of God thoughts. You can play Christian music on your radios, CD players, and mp3 player, or surround yourself with Scripture verses – on index cards, desktop backgrounds, or wherever our eyes roam.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

We bring our thoughts captive to Christ when we intentionally think of Him on a regular basis. The more we think of Him and consider Him in our lives the more we become like Him. So I challenge you to begin connecting the dots between where you are and where God wants you to be. It all starts in your mind.

 

Challenge #3 – What Is the Church to Do with ME?

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The consumer mentality that drives our culture has seeped into the church as well.  In every facet of culture, we expect entitlement.  We have learned to assert our rights and to demand that we receive what we have coming to us…and more.  We expect others to give us more than we are willing to invest ourselves.

One of the first questions people ask as they consider joining a church is “how can the church meet my needs,” and one of the last statements disgruntled church people utter as they leave is “this church isn’t meeting my needs.”  We want music that suits, programs that entertain, preaching that tickles, and fellowship that affirms.  We want benefit without cost, blessing without effort, and gain without sacrifice.  We shop for church experience like shopping for a new car.  We search until we find one we think we will likes, then we dicker for membership at the lowest possible interest rate.

The problem with such a self-centered mindset is that it is not really the center.  Church isn’t about me, it’s about Jesus.  It’s HIS church.  Church is not about what I can get, but how I can invest and serve Him.

John 3:30 – He must increase, and I must decrease.

Matthew 16:18 (the words of Jesus) – …I will build MY church… (emphasis added)

Ephesians 3:21 – …to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 2:9-11 – Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 1:18 – …and He is the head of the body, the church.

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable of a man who went on a journey and entrusted portions of his possessions to his servants.  Two of his servants invested their master’s goods and gained him even more.  The master praised them and rewarded them for their investment.  The third servant played it safe and hid his master’s money, and the master chided the servant and punished him for his laziness and apathy.

Jesus has entrusted His most precious treasure to us – His Church.  He is not pleased when I hijack His precious possession and assert my preferences and wants.  He is not please with my desires to conform church to my image, but rather He is please with my determination to invest my time, resources, and efforts in His Church.

We will begin to experience the winds of revival when we die to ourselves and return Jesus to His rightful highest place in His Church.

TGIF

Read this. Slowly. Several times today. You cannot help but be moved.

 Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

3 He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

9 And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

11 He shall see the labor of His soul,and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.

10 Ways Jesus Is Better Than the Super Bowl

1. Broncos and Seahawks are created animals.  Jesus is the Creator.

2. Super Bowl Teams need 15 break at halftime to rest.  Jesus never sleeps or slumbers.

3. Super bowl features different teams and players each year. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

4. Super Bowl refs call penalties and take off yardage. Jesus offers grace and forgiveness

5. Boring announcers bring you the Super Bowl. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus.

6. Super Bowl includes entertaining commercials encouraging us to spend money.  Jesus offers eternal rewards for
investing ourselves.

7. Super Bowl halftime show ignorantly glorifies sin.  Jesus offers victory over sin.

8. Super Bowl lasts 60 minutes.  Jesus is eternal.

9. Super Bowl played in New York.  Jesus is on the Throne of Heaven.

10. Super Bowl results in a winner and loser.  Everyone who comes to Jesus is a winner.

Feel free to add your own in the comments section below.