"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matt 6:31-33
Anyone who even casually examines his or her life must acknowledge that they are blessed. Our Father is so benevolent, so kind, so long suffering, so gracious and so merciful, how could any deny it? How could anyone miss it?
In reality, we miss it all the time. We miss it because of God's over abundance (Eph 3:20-21). This gives us the very interesting trait of focusing on the things that are wrong, challenging, inconvenient, painful or wanting in our lives. It is as if we expect to lead lives where every whim is satisfied, and every desire is delivered. That is just not reality for anyone. The more we get the more we want and are thus never satisfied.
What is in fact reality is that all of us could lead lives that are far worse, regardless of our current circumstance. Fortunately we serve a God who not only knows our needs, but supplies them (and ever so many of our wants). Who do you know that is without food, drink, clothing and shelter, even if it is supplied by others?
If we would take the time to count our blessings, we would see how vastly they outweigh the things we think are wanting. We serve a glorious Creator. How could we do anything less than seek His righteousness and His kingdom?
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
"New" 12/28/2012
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17
As we prepare to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new, we are often filled with both optimism and determination concerning our soon to be renewed opportunity to start afresh. We make resolutions to be better than we have been in order to become better than we are. Whether it is to lead a healthier life, improve relationships, be smarter about finances or even read the bible more, many of us use this time of year as a point of demarcation with hopes of having accomplished our goals this time next year.
Beloved it is a wonderful thing to resolve to be better. This demonstrates our awareness that we are but fragile creatures who are prone to make mistakes and live beneath our potential. It is this humility that makes it possible to improve. Without regard to the time of year, the best example of this is when we became Christians. We clearly knew that we were outside of where we wanted and needed to be. When we learned about Christ, each of us was introduced to a way for us to become better. Through God's grace we were given a chance to become new. This was not, however, a destination, but the beginning of the journey toward perfection (completion) in Christ. We are on a path to becoming what we were created to be.
Let us then be mindful of the opportunity we have been given to be made new. Let us also look not just to the first day of a new year but to every day we wake and draw breath as an opportunity to renew our efforts to please God and spend eternity with Him. Surely we will become better along the journey.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
As we prepare to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new, we are often filled with both optimism and determination concerning our soon to be renewed opportunity to start afresh. We make resolutions to be better than we have been in order to become better than we are. Whether it is to lead a healthier life, improve relationships, be smarter about finances or even read the bible more, many of us use this time of year as a point of demarcation with hopes of having accomplished our goals this time next year.
Beloved it is a wonderful thing to resolve to be better. This demonstrates our awareness that we are but fragile creatures who are prone to make mistakes and live beneath our potential. It is this humility that makes it possible to improve. Without regard to the time of year, the best example of this is when we became Christians. We clearly knew that we were outside of where we wanted and needed to be. When we learned about Christ, each of us was introduced to a way for us to become better. Through God's grace we were given a chance to become new. This was not, however, a destination, but the beginning of the journey toward perfection (completion) in Christ. We are on a path to becoming what we were created to be.
Let us then be mindful of the opportunity we have been given to be made new. Let us also look not just to the first day of a new year but to every day we wake and draw breath as an opportunity to renew our efforts to please God and spend eternity with Him. Surely we will become better along the journey.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Don't Fire God 12/27/2012
"So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 1 Sam 8:4-5
The people of Israel looked around at all of the other nations and decided they wanted a king to rule them. To this point God had been king, provider, benefactor, protector, friend and father, even while they continually went after other gods. He even selected representatives to lead them in His ways, nevertheless they remained obstinate with an eye always toward what others who were not of God were doing.
We continue to have this problem today. We have a kind and gracious Father who loves us deeply, yet our eyes are so often cast toward the world and the perceived benefits of living a godless life. There are those who have it fixed in their minds that Christianity is restrictive and no fun but that without it, all of life can be enjoyed. Most of us, however, will not totally reject Him but will try to eat our cake and still have it. We show up at worship on Sunday, pray, give, sing and commune and then it is right back to the base detours of life. In essence, we have fired God from headship of our lives in favor of having what we perceive everyone else has.
Beloved we need to know what the people of the time should have known: God is in control. Deciding to reject Him does not diminish Him in any way. Doing so will only reveal that base living, as was demonstrated at Sodom and Gomorrah, has its consequences but godly living has the ultimate benefit. Understanding this will lead to the knowledge that Christian living is not restrictive and no fun but freeing and joyous. Most of the things we would do if we were not Christians (or that we do anyway) is bad for our health, finances, relationships and mental state, not to mention our spirituality. The loving and obedient life is good for every aspect of life.
Yes God had given us free will with which can we reject Him, but He is still God and we will all someday meet him, some as friends and some as enemies. Choose wisely.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
The people of Israel looked around at all of the other nations and decided they wanted a king to rule them. To this point God had been king, provider, benefactor, protector, friend and father, even while they continually went after other gods. He even selected representatives to lead them in His ways, nevertheless they remained obstinate with an eye always toward what others who were not of God were doing.
We continue to have this problem today. We have a kind and gracious Father who loves us deeply, yet our eyes are so often cast toward the world and the perceived benefits of living a godless life. There are those who have it fixed in their minds that Christianity is restrictive and no fun but that without it, all of life can be enjoyed. Most of us, however, will not totally reject Him but will try to eat our cake and still have it. We show up at worship on Sunday, pray, give, sing and commune and then it is right back to the base detours of life. In essence, we have fired God from headship of our lives in favor of having what we perceive everyone else has.
Beloved we need to know what the people of the time should have known: God is in control. Deciding to reject Him does not diminish Him in any way. Doing so will only reveal that base living, as was demonstrated at Sodom and Gomorrah, has its consequences but godly living has the ultimate benefit. Understanding this will lead to the knowledge that Christian living is not restrictive and no fun but freeing and joyous. Most of the things we would do if we were not Christians (or that we do anyway) is bad for our health, finances, relationships and mental state, not to mention our spirituality. The loving and obedient life is good for every aspect of life.
Yes God had given us free will with which can we reject Him, but He is still God and we will all someday meet him, some as friends and some as enemies. Choose wisely.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wealth and Redemption 12/26/2012
"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:" Psa 49:6-7
In these days of conspicuous consumption, many hold riches as their god. It is not that people gather themselves into opulent buildings and worship currency on a prepared altar. The literal meaning of the word is to "prostrate oneself in homage." Today we tend to think of it as something which is indicative of reverence, strong emotion and the expenditure of a great deal of time, effort and resources. It is this that we do in pursuit of claiming riches for ourselves. It is perhaps human nature to always want more. If we are not able to obtain it for ourselves, we elevate those who have by being successful in lucrative fields. Even in the first century church, members were chastised for giving undue honor to those of means.
Beloved, though wealth is not in and of itself evil and much good is accomplished with it, no amount of it can save even one of us. What amount of currency, gold or jewels can we give to the very Maker of the earth to purchase our own salvation? It is more likely that the love of wealth will prevent us from gaining heaven than cause it.
There has only ever been one payment that would redeem mankind and that is the sacrifice of Jesus, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according tot he riches of his grace" Eph 1:7. It is not wealth itself, nor those who have amassed it who are to be worshipped, but him who paid the ultimate price to accomplish the ultimate good. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!"
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
In these days of conspicuous consumption, many hold riches as their god. It is not that people gather themselves into opulent buildings and worship currency on a prepared altar. The literal meaning of the word is to "prostrate oneself in homage." Today we tend to think of it as something which is indicative of reverence, strong emotion and the expenditure of a great deal of time, effort and resources. It is this that we do in pursuit of claiming riches for ourselves. It is perhaps human nature to always want more. If we are not able to obtain it for ourselves, we elevate those who have by being successful in lucrative fields. Even in the first century church, members were chastised for giving undue honor to those of means.
Beloved, though wealth is not in and of itself evil and much good is accomplished with it, no amount of it can save even one of us. What amount of currency, gold or jewels can we give to the very Maker of the earth to purchase our own salvation? It is more likely that the love of wealth will prevent us from gaining heaven than cause it.
There has only ever been one payment that would redeem mankind and that is the sacrifice of Jesus, "in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according tot he riches of his grace" Eph 1:7. It is not wealth itself, nor those who have amassed it who are to be worshipped, but him who paid the ultimate price to accomplish the ultimate good. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!"
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, December 21, 2012
Advent 12/21/2012 (rp)
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isa 9:6
It is this, a scripture that is among the greatest and most important prophecies of all time, that heralds the coming of the Messiah: the Savior of all mankind. During this time of year, more than any other time of the year, most of the world turns it's thoughts to the birth of Christ.
Beloved the goal is not to debate the timing of the birth of Christ. The bible gives us clues that it probably did not occur during the winter, but does not reveal to us the date or time of his advent. This being the case, it can only be taken that the information is not critical to our salvation or our relationship with the Lord. The relevant issue is that he was born. His birth and life, death and resurrection fulfilled all scripture.
Beloved, regardless of when we mark the time of his arrival, we should always celebrate the fact and more importantly, the result, in our hearts. He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to feed, heal and teach. And he came to prepare us. He came to love.
This (and all) season(s), let us give glory and honor to God for his bountiful gift of the son.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
It is this, a scripture that is among the greatest and most important prophecies of all time, that heralds the coming of the Messiah: the Savior of all mankind. During this time of year, more than any other time of the year, most of the world turns it's thoughts to the birth of Christ.
Beloved the goal is not to debate the timing of the birth of Christ. The bible gives us clues that it probably did not occur during the winter, but does not reveal to us the date or time of his advent. This being the case, it can only be taken that the information is not critical to our salvation or our relationship with the Lord. The relevant issue is that he was born. His birth and life, death and resurrection fulfilled all scripture.
Beloved, regardless of when we mark the time of his arrival, we should always celebrate the fact and more importantly, the result, in our hearts. He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to feed, heal and teach. And he came to prepare us. He came to love.
This (and all) season(s), let us give glory and honor to God for his bountiful gift of the son.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Knowing Relationships 12/19/2012
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." Eph 1:17 (NIV)
One of the greatest things about relationships is the acquiring and possession of knowledge regarding another person. When the relationship is new, it is filled with excitement by the knowledge and information gathering process. Think of budding romantic relationships where all of life is a distraction that hinders contact with the object of your affection. As much time as possible is spent together both in person and on the phone. Poems are written, song lyrics are dedicated and through it all, learning takes place.
Later, this foundational knowledge is used to make continued interaction as enjoyable and successful as possible. A wife has learned to read a husband's facial expressions and determine his mood. A husband has learned how special certain occasions are and to be sure not to miss them. In stages later still, the frantic chatter of getting to know one another has given way to companionable silence that rest in the peace derived from a life time together and the knowledge that the other is always there and ever shall be until the Lord calls them home.
It must also be said that gaining knowledge of another with whom you are in a relationship almost always lends itself to greater knowledge of yourself. It is unavoidable to learn about what you do well and areas that could use some work.
Beloved our relationship with Jesus has many of these same attributes. For almost all of us, when we begin our relationship with him, we laud it as the best decision we've ever made and the best thing that has ever happened to us. We spend all kinds of time in prayer, bible study and worship. We seek him out in everything we do and we live our lives according to his word. In so doing, we also learn quite a bit about ourselves. Our shortcomings become obvious but our desire to improve them, based on our knowledge of Jesus, becomes paramount. As our relationship with him matures, however, our desire to know him continues to grow and it is we who have become better by conforming to him.
Let us always pursue our relationship with the Lord. Even as we continue to learn more about those with whom we are in a relationship, there is always something fascinating and new to learn about our Savior.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
One of the greatest things about relationships is the acquiring and possession of knowledge regarding another person. When the relationship is new, it is filled with excitement by the knowledge and information gathering process. Think of budding romantic relationships where all of life is a distraction that hinders contact with the object of your affection. As much time as possible is spent together both in person and on the phone. Poems are written, song lyrics are dedicated and through it all, learning takes place.
Later, this foundational knowledge is used to make continued interaction as enjoyable and successful as possible. A wife has learned to read a husband's facial expressions and determine his mood. A husband has learned how special certain occasions are and to be sure not to miss them. In stages later still, the frantic chatter of getting to know one another has given way to companionable silence that rest in the peace derived from a life time together and the knowledge that the other is always there and ever shall be until the Lord calls them home.
It must also be said that gaining knowledge of another with whom you are in a relationship almost always lends itself to greater knowledge of yourself. It is unavoidable to learn about what you do well and areas that could use some work.
Beloved our relationship with Jesus has many of these same attributes. For almost all of us, when we begin our relationship with him, we laud it as the best decision we've ever made and the best thing that has ever happened to us. We spend all kinds of time in prayer, bible study and worship. We seek him out in everything we do and we live our lives according to his word. In so doing, we also learn quite a bit about ourselves. Our shortcomings become obvious but our desire to improve them, based on our knowledge of Jesus, becomes paramount. As our relationship with him matures, however, our desire to know him continues to grow and it is we who have become better by conforming to him.
Let us always pursue our relationship with the Lord. Even as we continue to learn more about those with whom we are in a relationship, there is always something fascinating and new to learn about our Savior.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Difference of Light 12/18/2012
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." Titus 2:11-13
There ought to be a difference between those who are the children of God and those who are not. That difference should be able to seen in behavior and readily apparent to all who observe carefully. This is not to say that we should walk around evaluating one another but that the things we choose to say and do should be indicative of our status as members of the family of God. Regardless of what was thought about Jesus, the fact that he healed the sick, fed the hungry, preached love, reached out to the poor and hopeless, and helped those in need (rather than judge them) was undeniable to all who observed him. Even his enemies dealt very carefully with him so as not to incite an insurrection against themselves by the recipients of his goodness.
Beloved we are called to be the presence of the Lord on earth. Jesus has said to us and of us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt 5:14-16. The light that comes from him yet shines through his own is to be a beacon to those who are seeking love, truth, peace and salvation. Let us not ever send mixed messages. Let us not be confused with those who do not know God. We should strive to be different because, through His grace, we are different. Let that difference attract others even as they were when The Light shone among men.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
There ought to be a difference between those who are the children of God and those who are not. That difference should be able to seen in behavior and readily apparent to all who observe carefully. This is not to say that we should walk around evaluating one another but that the things we choose to say and do should be indicative of our status as members of the family of God. Regardless of what was thought about Jesus, the fact that he healed the sick, fed the hungry, preached love, reached out to the poor and hopeless, and helped those in need (rather than judge them) was undeniable to all who observed him. Even his enemies dealt very carefully with him so as not to incite an insurrection against themselves by the recipients of his goodness.
Beloved we are called to be the presence of the Lord on earth. Jesus has said to us and of us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" Matt 5:14-16. The light that comes from him yet shines through his own is to be a beacon to those who are seeking love, truth, peace and salvation. Let us not ever send mixed messages. Let us not be confused with those who do not know God. We should strive to be different because, through His grace, we are different. Let that difference attract others even as they were when The Light shone among men.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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