"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isa 6:8
Far too often we are settled in our Christianity and in our faith. Once we have "made it in," we tend to have a seat and wait for whatever is coming. Though we are grateful, we sometimes feel entitled and that we have done all we need to do. Surely our benevolent God will provide for all of our needs and send us through a minimum of inconvenience and discomfort, right?
I wonder if we are acquainted with God at all. Throughout the divinely inspired scriptures, He is shown to be a God of action. He is never one to sit idly by and just let things happen. There is always a purpose for what He does and what He allows. Further, a casual survey of the scriptures reveal that He almost always requires something of us. Noah had to build the ark. Abraham had to leave his country. Moses had to lift his hands to part the sea. David had to pick up the 5 smooth stones. God is fully capable but requires us to do our part.
Beloved God is not looking for us to do things grudgingly nor out of necessity either. He loves it when we give of ourselves cheerfully. I believes that He enjoys enthusiasm and zeal as well. When we are commanded of God, we should run to the task like no other. Never should we shrink back and do the minimum if anything at all. God has given us so much that there is no task from which we should run as Jonah did, but in all things do as Isaiah did and volunteer to be sent!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Giving Thanks-11/23/2011
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations." Ps 100:4-5
We are taught from the earliest age to simply say "thank you" when anyone gives to us or does for us. Michelle and I have a 20 month old grandson who is still formulating his vocabulary but "thank you" can already be found in his limited repetoire. It is one of the most polite yet fundamental things we can say in response to everything from the a "God bless you" when we sneeze to the very sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Beloved as our nation and the world set aside this day to stop, reflect and be thankful, let us as Christians, in our own way, lead this effort. Let us do so by placing our thanks where they belong, at the God's throne of grace. Let us do so by encouraging one another to count blessings rather than complaings. Let us give as we have been given. And let us do so not just on the 3rd Thurssday of November, but every moment of our lives. Surely God blesses us so.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
We are taught from the earliest age to simply say "thank you" when anyone gives to us or does for us. Michelle and I have a 20 month old grandson who is still formulating his vocabulary but "thank you" can already be found in his limited repetoire. It is one of the most polite yet fundamental things we can say in response to everything from the a "God bless you" when we sneeze to the very sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Beloved as our nation and the world set aside this day to stop, reflect and be thankful, let us as Christians, in our own way, lead this effort. Let us do so by placing our thanks where they belong, at the God's throne of grace. Let us do so by encouraging one another to count blessings rather than complaings. Let us give as we have been given. And let us do so not just on the 3rd Thurssday of November, but every moment of our lives. Surely God blesses us so.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, November 21, 2011
Keep Going and Going and Going...11/21/2011 (rp)
"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good." 2 Thess 3:13
The Christian life lived right involves a lot of work. To be sure, the work is good, fulfilling, rewarding, beneficial and the right thing to do. In fact, we were made for it. It can, however, get tiresome from time to time.
We all lead busy lives. While most of our "mandatory" time is spent earning a living, getting an education or taking care of a household, for some of us, most of the rest of our time is built on pursuing the things of the Lord. There are classes to be prepared for and taught. There are members to visit in both homes and hospitals. There are things to be done to maintain the place of worship. There are meetings to be had, people to be counseled, administrative work to be done and prayer time to be spent.
Sounds exhausting right? For those who are doing it, there is no doubt that it can be and often is. But the encouragement today beloved, is to not become weary in the good that you are doing. Let us continually be motivated by the tiresome good that is done to us by God, despite the fact that we could not possibly hope to deserve it. Let us also be encouraged by the promises that have been made to us. The greatest of rewards awaits those who remain diligent.
The Christian life is a race of endurance rather than of speed. We need to remain consistent, steadfast and committed to doing that for which we were made. Let us be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. When He calls for us, let us not be asleep, but working while it is day, for night surely is on its way.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The Christian life lived right involves a lot of work. To be sure, the work is good, fulfilling, rewarding, beneficial and the right thing to do. In fact, we were made for it. It can, however, get tiresome from time to time.
We all lead busy lives. While most of our "mandatory" time is spent earning a living, getting an education or taking care of a household, for some of us, most of the rest of our time is built on pursuing the things of the Lord. There are classes to be prepared for and taught. There are members to visit in both homes and hospitals. There are things to be done to maintain the place of worship. There are meetings to be had, people to be counseled, administrative work to be done and prayer time to be spent.
Sounds exhausting right? For those who are doing it, there is no doubt that it can be and often is. But the encouragement today beloved, is to not become weary in the good that you are doing. Let us continually be motivated by the tiresome good that is done to us by God, despite the fact that we could not possibly hope to deserve it. Let us also be encouraged by the promises that have been made to us. The greatest of rewards awaits those who remain diligent.
The Christian life is a race of endurance rather than of speed. We need to remain consistent, steadfast and committed to doing that for which we were made. Let us be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. When He calls for us, let us not be asleep, but working while it is day, for night surely is on its way.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Rewards for Works-11/8/2011
"For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." Heb 6:10
Have you ever done something for someone and walked away feeling un(der) appreciated? Oddly enough, this is particularly likely if you are doing the work of the Lord. Christ himself experienced this phenomenon:
Have you ever done something for someone and walked away feeling un(der) appreciated? Oddly enough, this is particularly likely if you are doing the work of the Lord. Christ himself experienced this phenomenon:
- "As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When He saw them, He said to them, " Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine — where are they? " Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" Luke 17:12-18
The good news beloved, is that God never forgets. The scriptures tells us that the things done in secret are rewarded publicly by the Lord. The key, however, is to do things for which to be rewarded. Though salvation is full and freely given by the grace of God through faith, not of works, we were indeed created for good works and have been encouraged to "work out" our salvation. In short, we need to be busy for the Lord, just as those who have shared with us have been busy.
If we do His work, not out of the expectation to receive, but because we have ALREADY received His great love, sacrifice and bounty, we will find that God is generous in His recognition and appreciation.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Being An Example-11/17/2011
"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." 1 Cor 11:1
The apostle Paul offers himself as an example to a young church in trouble. The church at Corinth was located in the New York City of its day and was subject to the outside influences that could be found there. There were issues with quarreling among members about who they were to follow, shameful incestuous behaviors, lack of concern for the needs of the poor, idolatry and failures in compassion to their fellow human beings. The church that was supposed to be helping others, itself needed help.
Beloved the world should be able to look to those who are members of the Lord's body to understand what love, grace and mercy are all about. It is not suggested for a moment that perfection is involved, but there should be an observable difference when the world looks at Christians. If there is not, how will any be won to him? Why would anyone even believe that God is? Instead, we earn the label of hypocrites for claiming to be one thing and actually being something quite different, something quite like a non-believer.
We have been called to a better way, to better behavior, to better practices and to a better life by He who made us. In so doing, we are called to share this illumination with others who remain in darkness. Paul offers himself as an example of one who was converted from some pretty bad ways to a devout follower of Christ willing to sacrifice all to know him and to share him. Each of us should strive to be able to make that same offer to those with whom we come into contact.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
The apostle Paul offers himself as an example to a young church in trouble. The church at Corinth was located in the New York City of its day and was subject to the outside influences that could be found there. There were issues with quarreling among members about who they were to follow, shameful incestuous behaviors, lack of concern for the needs of the poor, idolatry and failures in compassion to their fellow human beings. The church that was supposed to be helping others, itself needed help.
Beloved the world should be able to look to those who are members of the Lord's body to understand what love, grace and mercy are all about. It is not suggested for a moment that perfection is involved, but there should be an observable difference when the world looks at Christians. If there is not, how will any be won to him? Why would anyone even believe that God is? Instead, we earn the label of hypocrites for claiming to be one thing and actually being something quite different, something quite like a non-believer.
We have been called to a better way, to better behavior, to better practices and to a better life by He who made us. In so doing, we are called to share this illumination with others who remain in darkness. Paul offers himself as an example of one who was converted from some pretty bad ways to a devout follower of Christ willing to sacrifice all to know him and to share him. Each of us should strive to be able to make that same offer to those with whom we come into contact.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Can You Hear Him Now?-11/16/2011
"So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel,"'Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, 'Speak, for Your servant is listening.'" 1 Sam 3:8-10
God in His divine wisdom saw fit to call a young boy into his service. Samuel was a product of a devout father and a mother who struggled to bear children. For years she cried and prayed that God would bless her and that if He did, she would give the child to Him. God answered her prayer and she kept her promise. She left the boy with God's man Eli at a tender age and he began to be instructed in the way of the Lord. Then at a God determined point in his life, he was called into service by the very voice of the Almighty.
Beloved, there are many things that call to us today. We are inundated with messages from a variety of media that contend for our attention. Some of these messages are positive, some neutral and some negative. We must ask ourselves, however, if we are tuned in to God. It is His call that is quiet but firm, powerful and consistent. He placed within each of us to recognize His voice. Paul writes, "...that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" Rom 1:19-20. Contextually, this is a chastisement for those who have ignored the call of God and have acted unrighteously. But it clearly reveals that He has placed within us the ability to know and Him.
Further, His voice can be heard in our morality; our sense of right and wrong. Whether one is a believer or not, we all have a sense of what would we should do over against what we should not. This is then the God channel. It is not here stated that we hear God's audible call today. In fact Heb 1:1-2 tells us a bit of the history of His communication with us. The point is He still speaks. Be it through observed nature that make His existence evident or the conscience He has placed within us to respond to Him, He still speaks. When He calls, we need to turn everything else off and respond, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
God in His divine wisdom saw fit to call a young boy into his service. Samuel was a product of a devout father and a mother who struggled to bear children. For years she cried and prayed that God would bless her and that if He did, she would give the child to Him. God answered her prayer and she kept her promise. She left the boy with God's man Eli at a tender age and he began to be instructed in the way of the Lord. Then at a God determined point in his life, he was called into service by the very voice of the Almighty.
Beloved, there are many things that call to us today. We are inundated with messages from a variety of media that contend for our attention. Some of these messages are positive, some neutral and some negative. We must ask ourselves, however, if we are tuned in to God. It is His call that is quiet but firm, powerful and consistent. He placed within each of us to recognize His voice. Paul writes, "...that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" Rom 1:19-20. Contextually, this is a chastisement for those who have ignored the call of God and have acted unrighteously. But it clearly reveals that He has placed within us the ability to know and Him.
Further, His voice can be heard in our morality; our sense of right and wrong. Whether one is a believer or not, we all have a sense of what would we should do over against what we should not. This is then the God channel. It is not here stated that we hear God's audible call today. In fact Heb 1:1-2 tells us a bit of the history of His communication with us. The point is He still speaks. Be it through observed nature that make His existence evident or the conscience He has placed within us to respond to Him, He still speaks. When He calls, we need to turn everything else off and respond, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Can You See Him Now?-11/15/2011
"Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly." Mark 8:25
This passage is merely the midpoint of a fascinating trilogy of stories concerning faith, understanding and the identity of God's son. There was a man born blind found in the city of Bethsaida whom the residents brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus responded favorably to the request due to his compassion for the man suffering. He would not, however, perform the miracle within the bounds of Bethsaida because they had not repented despite his many miracles previously performed there. Jesus proceeded to apply healing to him, but when first asked if he could see, his reply was in the affirmative but only partially so. Jesus applied additional healing and he was then able to see clearly. Do not doubt that Jesus could not have healed him on the first try if that was his aim. He is in fact making a point.
The first episode of this trilogy occurred among Jesus' apostles. Having just come from feeding the 4000, they entered a boat to journey to the other side of the lake. One of them discovered that they had very little food and began to worry. Jesus instructed them to "beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and of King Herod." They mistook his words to be chastisement for not bringing more bread. When Jesus detected these thoughts, he reminded them of all that was left over from the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 when they had begun with so little. His reprooving question to them was, "Do you not see clearly? Have you no understanding?"
Part 3 of the narrative involved Jesus' famous question of the apostles regarding who the general population thought he was compared to who they thought he was. Peter supplied the answer, "You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God." This confession was evidence that the apostles could now see clearly who is.
Beloved, before we meet the Lord, we are blind, struggling in spiritual darkness, unable to find our way and without hope. Yes we live our lives and raise our families, but without Christ, we have not received illumination beyond this secular world. When we do meet him, we do not experience immediate clarity because a relationship is a process. The apostles had been with him for some time and witnessed things never seen before on earth, yet they, those closest to him, still didn't quite understand. They only saw partially. In the end, however, the experienced perfect understanding of who he is to the universe and more importantly, who he was to them.
Let us, in all that we do, pursue clarity of who Jesus is that we may understand all he has, does and will mean to our lives and eternal souls.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
This passage is merely the midpoint of a fascinating trilogy of stories concerning faith, understanding and the identity of God's son. There was a man born blind found in the city of Bethsaida whom the residents brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus responded favorably to the request due to his compassion for the man suffering. He would not, however, perform the miracle within the bounds of Bethsaida because they had not repented despite his many miracles previously performed there. Jesus proceeded to apply healing to him, but when first asked if he could see, his reply was in the affirmative but only partially so. Jesus applied additional healing and he was then able to see clearly. Do not doubt that Jesus could not have healed him on the first try if that was his aim. He is in fact making a point.
The first episode of this trilogy occurred among Jesus' apostles. Having just come from feeding the 4000, they entered a boat to journey to the other side of the lake. One of them discovered that they had very little food and began to worry. Jesus instructed them to "beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and of King Herod." They mistook his words to be chastisement for not bringing more bread. When Jesus detected these thoughts, he reminded them of all that was left over from the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 when they had begun with so little. His reprooving question to them was, "Do you not see clearly? Have you no understanding?"
Part 3 of the narrative involved Jesus' famous question of the apostles regarding who the general population thought he was compared to who they thought he was. Peter supplied the answer, "You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God." This confession was evidence that the apostles could now see clearly who is.
Beloved, before we meet the Lord, we are blind, struggling in spiritual darkness, unable to find our way and without hope. Yes we live our lives and raise our families, but without Christ, we have not received illumination beyond this secular world. When we do meet him, we do not experience immediate clarity because a relationship is a process. The apostles had been with him for some time and witnessed things never seen before on earth, yet they, those closest to him, still didn't quite understand. They only saw partially. In the end, however, the experienced perfect understanding of who he is to the universe and more importantly, who he was to them.
Let us, in all that we do, pursue clarity of who Jesus is that we may understand all he has, does and will mean to our lives and eternal souls.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
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