"When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, 'Do you wish to get well?' The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.'” John 5:6-7
Jesus comes upon a desperate man who had been suffering for thirty eight years. What must have been maddeningly and tragically frustrating is that he was in close proximity to a cure but it might just have been a million miles away. Scripture states that there was a pool in a place called Bethesda that an angel would visit from time to time and disturb the water. The first person into the water would be healed. The Great Physician asks if he desires to get better and the man begins to explain the situation. Some might otherwise term this "making excuses."
Beloved, Jesus asks us that same question today; "do you wish to get well?" Do you wish to be freed from the slavery of sin? Do you wish to have peace in a world full of turmoil? Do you wish to stop the aching in your soul that comes from a lack of connection with your Maker? Do you wish to be free of that which corrupts? Do you wish to be made whole spiritually? When considering these questions, too often we begin to explain the situation. We tell the Lord we are not good enough, not ready, unable or that we do not know how. These are all excuses. Jesus is not taking a survey, he is offering healing. All that it is necessary to do is to say yes. He is making a house call. We just need to let him in.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Admitting When You Are Wrong 10/3/2012
"Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, " How could you do this?" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. So they said to him, "What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?" — for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you." Jonah 1:10-12
Have you ever been dead wrong and known it? Of course this is a rhetorical question. We all have at some point in our lives and this has surely happened multiple times. The real question is about how we handle it. For many, the automatic response is to continue to bull our way through and stand on our manufactured correctness no matter what. It must be asked what this accomplishes. Among the answers are estrangement, deterioration of trust and credibility, damaging of relationships, ostracisation and being labeled a liar.
Suppose instead that we humble ourselves and admit our error? We are all human and subject to the same mistakes. 1 Cor 10:13 reveals to us that "no temptation has overtaken us except that which is common to man." None of us are busy creating new ways to be wrong. Character and integrity, however, are revealed in how we handle the realization that we are outside of where we need to be.
Beloved, Johan knew that he was wrong. Seeing the affect of his actions on others, he immediately owned the problem by identifying himself and explaining that he was to blame. Further, he accepted responsibility by instructing his shipmates to throw him overboard and let God deal with him. In so doing, he confined punishment to where it belonged, upon himself. He caused the lives of the innocent to be spared. He gave them information that influenced them to worship God. And he ultimately received forgiveness for the mistake that he made.
Let us always pursue the freedom that accompanies truth by acknowledging our errors, admitting our fault and taking responsibility for our actions. God blesses these humble acts with forgiveness. We may similarly find that our neighbors will too.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Have you ever been dead wrong and known it? Of course this is a rhetorical question. We all have at some point in our lives and this has surely happened multiple times. The real question is about how we handle it. For many, the automatic response is to continue to bull our way through and stand on our manufactured correctness no matter what. It must be asked what this accomplishes. Among the answers are estrangement, deterioration of trust and credibility, damaging of relationships, ostracisation and being labeled a liar.
Suppose instead that we humble ourselves and admit our error? We are all human and subject to the same mistakes. 1 Cor 10:13 reveals to us that "no temptation has overtaken us except that which is common to man." None of us are busy creating new ways to be wrong. Character and integrity, however, are revealed in how we handle the realization that we are outside of where we need to be.
Beloved, Johan knew that he was wrong. Seeing the affect of his actions on others, he immediately owned the problem by identifying himself and explaining that he was to blame. Further, he accepted responsibility by instructing his shipmates to throw him overboard and let God deal with him. In so doing, he confined punishment to where it belonged, upon himself. He caused the lives of the innocent to be spared. He gave them information that influenced them to worship God. And he ultimately received forgiveness for the mistake that he made.
Let us always pursue the freedom that accompanies truth by acknowledging our errors, admitting our fault and taking responsibility for our actions. God blesses these humble acts with forgiveness. We may similarly find that our neighbors will too.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, October 1, 2012
A Little Help From Our Friends 10/1/2012 (rp)
"My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:19-20
The Beatles are famous for penning a lyric that states, "I get by with a little help from my friends." This points to the fact that none of us exists on an island or in a bubble. By necessity, we interact with and depend on one another. This is true of people that we know as well as those with whom we may not be acquainted. In Christian relationships, the importance of this increases exponentially. Why? Because we are talking about nothing less than our relationship with God and our eternal souls.
Beloved, God placed us in each other's lives for a reason. As siblings, we are to be a family. As His family, we are to care for one another in as near an approximation as we can to how He cares for us. We need to both celebrate and sorrow with one another. We need to fellowship in the glow of having Jesus in common. We need encourage one another. And sometimes we need to save each other.
Like the lost sheep that has wondered away from the flock, Christian family members sometimes go astray. It is at times like these when a little help is needed. Gal 6:1 famously says that "If a man be overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness." In so doing, we prevent one who has been won from being lost again. Not only is it important that we provide this loving and compassionate service to our brothers and sisters but we truly need to count on the same from them if and when we find ourselves going a bit astray.
When we realize that any of us at any time is subject to losing our grip on constantly living a godly life, a little help from our friends is more valuable than gold and is as critical as breathing. Once restored to the fold, we can pick up the Beatles' next bit of wisdom, "I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends."
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
The Beatles are famous for penning a lyric that states, "I get by with a little help from my friends." This points to the fact that none of us exists on an island or in a bubble. By necessity, we interact with and depend on one another. This is true of people that we know as well as those with whom we may not be acquainted. In Christian relationships, the importance of this increases exponentially. Why? Because we are talking about nothing less than our relationship with God and our eternal souls.
Beloved, God placed us in each other's lives for a reason. As siblings, we are to be a family. As His family, we are to care for one another in as near an approximation as we can to how He cares for us. We need to both celebrate and sorrow with one another. We need to fellowship in the glow of having Jesus in common. We need encourage one another. And sometimes we need to save each other.
Like the lost sheep that has wondered away from the flock, Christian family members sometimes go astray. It is at times like these when a little help is needed. Gal 6:1 famously says that "If a man be overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness." In so doing, we prevent one who has been won from being lost again. Not only is it important that we provide this loving and compassionate service to our brothers and sisters but we truly need to count on the same from them if and when we find ourselves going a bit astray.
When we realize that any of us at any time is subject to losing our grip on constantly living a godly life, a little help from our friends is more valuable than gold and is as critical as breathing. Once restored to the fold, we can pick up the Beatles' next bit of wisdom, "I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends."
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, September 28, 2012
Your "Golden" Calf 9/28/2012
"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." Ex 32:1
As Christians, we have the potential to become distracted and to develop spiritual amnesia more quickly than we think. We can be bull headed, impatient and greedy. During the course of the 40 days Moses was on the mountain communing with God, the Hebrews evidently forgot the most amazing site every seen by anyone: the parting of the Red Sea. Because they were exposed to so many gods in Egypt, they were not satisfied with the one true and living God, but manufactured a facsimile of Him made of gold and credited it with their deliverance.
Beloved, this tragedy still happens daily. Yahweh, the sustainer of our souls and the source of our provision delivers us daily. However, if He does not perform according to our schedule or meet our momentary wants (vs. needs), we resort to other means and credit ourselves if and when it works out. As it was for the Hebrews, this continues to be a recipe for disaster. Any god that we must manufacture is no god at all, especially if it is ourselves. Trust in the one true God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
As Christians, we have the potential to become distracted and to develop spiritual amnesia more quickly than we think. We can be bull headed, impatient and greedy. During the course of the 40 days Moses was on the mountain communing with God, the Hebrews evidently forgot the most amazing site every seen by anyone: the parting of the Red Sea. Because they were exposed to so many gods in Egypt, they were not satisfied with the one true and living God, but manufactured a facsimile of Him made of gold and credited it with their deliverance.
Beloved, this tragedy still happens daily. Yahweh, the sustainer of our souls and the source of our provision delivers us daily. However, if He does not perform according to our schedule or meet our momentary wants (vs. needs), we resort to other means and credit ourselves if and when it works out. As it was for the Hebrews, this continues to be a recipe for disaster. Any god that we must manufacture is no god at all, especially if it is ourselves. Trust in the one true God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
It's Not About You 9/26/2012 (rp)
"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' "But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. "But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;" Luke 15:27-29
You may recognize this interchange as what happens at the end of the story about the prodigal son. The larger context here is that Jesus' adversaries, the scribes and Pharisees, were grumbling against him for receiving and interacting with sinners. Jesus relates three stories featuring different views on recovering that which was lost. In this last rendering, he is specifically referring to the scribes and Pharisees in the person of the son who stayed.
Beloved so often we think of ourselves in situations that involve others. When we are learning lessons that will keep us on the path of righteousness, that is a good thing. When we are providing the lessons through our own failures, well, you get the point. The son in this story was focused on the wrong thing. Though his younger brother displayed incredibly bad judgment, he was returned to the family. His return should have elicited joy. Not only was his flesh and blood sibling with whom he had grown up safe, sound and home, the "loyal" son's standing was not in any way affected. He was more concerned about a party than the weightier matter of a family reunion.
This story was a message to Jesus' adversaries. By entertaining sinners, Jesus was doing what he came to do. He was seeking and saving the lost. In this case, the sinners in question were not Gentiles, but members of the house of Israel. Whereas the scribes and Pharisees should have been rejoicing at the possibility of their brethren being saved (something they should have been pursuing themselves), they were focused on maintaining their own standing and being critical of Jesus, the one whose sacrifice would make salvation possible for even them. Let us learn from their mistakes. Sometimes, it's just not about us.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
You may recognize this interchange as what happens at the end of the story about the prodigal son. The larger context here is that Jesus' adversaries, the scribes and Pharisees, were grumbling against him for receiving and interacting with sinners. Jesus relates three stories featuring different views on recovering that which was lost. In this last rendering, he is specifically referring to the scribes and Pharisees in the person of the son who stayed.
Beloved so often we think of ourselves in situations that involve others. When we are learning lessons that will keep us on the path of righteousness, that is a good thing. When we are providing the lessons through our own failures, well, you get the point. The son in this story was focused on the wrong thing. Though his younger brother displayed incredibly bad judgment, he was returned to the family. His return should have elicited joy. Not only was his flesh and blood sibling with whom he had grown up safe, sound and home, the "loyal" son's standing was not in any way affected. He was more concerned about a party than the weightier matter of a family reunion.
This story was a message to Jesus' adversaries. By entertaining sinners, Jesus was doing what he came to do. He was seeking and saving the lost. In this case, the sinners in question were not Gentiles, but members of the house of Israel. Whereas the scribes and Pharisees should have been rejoicing at the possibility of their brethren being saved (something they should have been pursuing themselves), they were focused on maintaining their own standing and being critical of Jesus, the one whose sacrifice would make salvation possible for even them. Let us learn from their mistakes. Sometimes, it's just not about us.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
A Promise Fulfilled 9/25/2012
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32
There was a devout and righteous man filled with the Holy Spirit who served in the Temple of the Lord. The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah. One day Joseph and Mary walked in with baby Jesus to be consecrated before the Lord. It was upon seeing him that Simeon blessed God for his goodness and the fulfillment of His promise.
Beloved, are we seeking Jesus according to the promise of God. It is true that he was manifested thousands of years ago, but have we allowed him to be manifested in our hearts? It is only when we place ourselves in a posture of looking for him with anticipation that we will see him moving in our lives. When we are moved by the Spirit to recognize him, we too can bless God for his goodness and the fulfillment of his promise. The good news is, based on this fulfillment, there is so much more yet to come.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
There was a devout and righteous man filled with the Holy Spirit who served in the Temple of the Lord. The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah. One day Joseph and Mary walked in with baby Jesus to be consecrated before the Lord. It was upon seeing him that Simeon blessed God for his goodness and the fulfillment of His promise.
Beloved, are we seeking Jesus according to the promise of God. It is true that he was manifested thousands of years ago, but have we allowed him to be manifested in our hearts? It is only when we place ourselves in a posture of looking for him with anticipation that we will see him moving in our lives. When we are moved by the Spirit to recognize him, we too can bless God for his goodness and the fulfillment of his promise. The good news is, based on this fulfillment, there is so much more yet to come.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, September 24, 2012
Belief is Not Enough 9/24/2010
"You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." James 2:24
Talking the talk is an easy thing to do in life. Anyone can say anything they like. Anyone can make any claim they like. In order to be taken seriously, however, action must accompany the words.
Beloved, the same is true regarding our walk with the Lord. Anyone can claim to be a Christian. They may even go so far as to show up at worship. But is this enough? Is simply saying you believe enough to give the statement validity? James said, "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder" Jas 2:19. What he implies is that belief is not righteousness in and of itself. Certainly no one would consider a demon who believes God exists to be righteous.
Belief is demonstrated by action. Faith is seen in deeds. We believe that airplanes can transport us safely around the world so we board them. We believe that our employers will pay us for our labor so we show up and work. We believe our beds will hold us so we get in them, rest and relax. If we believe that God exists and the Christ died for our sins, our deeds should demonstrate it. Broadly this can be accomplished through obedience to His will and word. Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that does not believe will be condemned" Mark 16:16. Because we believe, we obey the command to be baptized. Conversely, there is no need to obey this command if there is no belief.
Let us not judge one another's belief, but let us be fully convinced of our own by doing the things required of us out of love for Him who made us.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Talking the talk is an easy thing to do in life. Anyone can say anything they like. Anyone can make any claim they like. In order to be taken seriously, however, action must accompany the words.
Beloved, the same is true regarding our walk with the Lord. Anyone can claim to be a Christian. They may even go so far as to show up at worship. But is this enough? Is simply saying you believe enough to give the statement validity? James said, "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder" Jas 2:19. What he implies is that belief is not righteousness in and of itself. Certainly no one would consider a demon who believes God exists to be righteous.
Belief is demonstrated by action. Faith is seen in deeds. We believe that airplanes can transport us safely around the world so we board them. We believe that our employers will pay us for our labor so we show up and work. We believe our beds will hold us so we get in them, rest and relax. If we believe that God exists and the Christ died for our sins, our deeds should demonstrate it. Broadly this can be accomplished through obedience to His will and word. Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that does not believe will be condemned" Mark 16:16. Because we believe, we obey the command to be baptized. Conversely, there is no need to obey this command if there is no belief.
Let us not judge one another's belief, but let us be fully convinced of our own by doing the things required of us out of love for Him who made us.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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