Yesterday, we stated that we have a problem. The problem is that no matter how badly I want to please Christ, I’m just not able to apart from Him. This may sound silly but plenty of us wake up every morning and try to do just that. As the band Big Daddy Weave sings in their song “Being In Love With You” – “My dilemma is an issue of the heart when I try to live for you without You.”
There are a few simple ways that we can make sure we are on the right track and that we are constantly filling our metaphorical cup up. The first way is simply staying in His Word.
Reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible.
Peter echoes the words of Isaiah when he tells us the following:
1 Peter 1:24-25
People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.
Divinely inspired, the Bible is the word of God. It is the most perfect truth that we can lay our hands on. Everything in it is for our good. It is to teach us how to love. It is to teach us how to forgive. It is to teach us how to be followers of Christ. You won’t find a situation in this life that the Bible doesn’t speak to.
For these reasons, we must cling to it. We must spend time taking it in. It must be a top priority in our lives. It has to be more important than football games, concerts, careers, boys, girls, money, and even the grand-daddy of all important things in life: T-ball games (no I din’t!).
In conclusion, one way that we are able to make sure we aren’t walking around like proverbial empty cups is to simply read our Bibles. If you never have or you’re not really sure how to get started, ask someone. Ask John. Ask Jason. Ask someone and ask them soon!
We have a serious problem and there’s no time to waste!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
We Have a Problem #1 (Really)
Refuge Church, we have a problem. A big problem… This problem has been weighing on my heart for a while now and I figured this would be the proper avenue in which to address it. It’s not a new problem. In fact, Paul speaks of this problem in Romans:
Romans 7:21-24 (NLT)
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart.But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am!
The problem is that we aren’t naturally inclined to do good things.
We aren’t born with a desire to love others.
We don’t possess, in and of ourselves, the ability to live a sacrificially selfless life.
These are big problems. They become even bigger in light of the call that Jesus placed on our lives as he ascended into Heaven. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all the nations. We read this and realize that most of us can’t even make disciples of our own families, much less all the nations.
This is a huge problem.
Don’t get too depressed though. Every problem under the sun has a solution. Paul shares the solution as we keep reading the scripture above:
Romans 7:24-25 (NLT)
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
It is extremely important that we, as followers of Christ, stay spiritually-healthy. If we are to live lives that exhibit qualities such as patience, goodness, and self-control, we have to maintain a constant connection to Jesus Christ. We need Jesus. He’s our only hope. We can do our best but even our best efforts won’t stand the test of time. We may burst out of the gates with a flurry of right living but all it takes is one conversation, one flat tire, or one tragedy to reduce us back into the spiritual infants that we are apart from Jesus.
So over the next few days, we’ll revisit some simple ways that we can maintain the close relationship with Christ that we must have to fulfill our purpose in this life.
After all, you can’t pour anything out of an empty cup.
Romans 7:21-24 (NLT)
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart.But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am!
The problem is that we aren’t naturally inclined to do good things.
We aren’t born with a desire to love others.
We don’t possess, in and of ourselves, the ability to live a sacrificially selfless life.
These are big problems. They become even bigger in light of the call that Jesus placed on our lives as he ascended into Heaven. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all the nations. We read this and realize that most of us can’t even make disciples of our own families, much less all the nations.
This is a huge problem.
Don’t get too depressed though. Every problem under the sun has a solution. Paul shares the solution as we keep reading the scripture above:
Romans 7:24-25 (NLT)
Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
It is extremely important that we, as followers of Christ, stay spiritually-healthy. If we are to live lives that exhibit qualities such as patience, goodness, and self-control, we have to maintain a constant connection to Jesus Christ. We need Jesus. He’s our only hope. We can do our best but even our best efforts won’t stand the test of time. We may burst out of the gates with a flurry of right living but all it takes is one conversation, one flat tire, or one tragedy to reduce us back into the spiritual infants that we are apart from Jesus.
So over the next few days, we’ll revisit some simple ways that we can maintain the close relationship with Christ that we must have to fulfill our purpose in this life.
After all, you can’t pour anything out of an empty cup.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, April 27, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
1. What are some things in life that you see as "certain?"
2. Think about a hard time in your life. Did you trust God completely as you walked through it? If you didn't, how might you have handled it differently if you had?
3. What are some temporary things in your life that you've held onto or put your faith in in the past? What made putting your faith and trust in these things seem more compelling to you than putting your faith and trust in God?
4. Have you ever been in a situation like Moses was in when God told him to simply speak to the rock? A situation where you knew what God was leading you to do but you did it your way anyway? How might the situation have turned out if you had done things God’s way?
5. What are some simple things you can start doing personally to make sure that your voice is a part of that “one voice” glorifying God?
6. What are some obstacles in your life that keep you from truly worshipping God corporately as a part of the body of Christ?
2. Think about a hard time in your life. Did you trust God completely as you walked through it? If you didn't, how might you have handled it differently if you had?
3. What are some temporary things in your life that you've held onto or put your faith in in the past? What made putting your faith and trust in these things seem more compelling to you than putting your faith and trust in God?
4. Have you ever been in a situation like Moses was in when God told him to simply speak to the rock? A situation where you knew what God was leading you to do but you did it your way anyway? How might the situation have turned out if you had done things God’s way?
5. What are some simple things you can start doing personally to make sure that your voice is a part of that “one voice” glorifying God?
6. What are some obstacles in your life that keep you from truly worshipping God corporately as a part of the body of Christ?
Thursday, April 26, 2012
One Voice #2
Romans 15:5-6 (NLT)
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What we find in the latter part of the scripture above is yet another aspect of joining together with one voice: Worship.
As we’ve discussed before, true worship is not just singing songs in church. Worship is how we give God glory in everything that we do. That being said, I want to focus on corporate worship today. Corporate worship is the joining together of voices during a church service to praise God for what He has done and is doing in our lives and in the lives of others.
God demands and deserves all glory. He demands and deserves to be praised by us through song. If you have given your life to God, you understand this. Yet, somehow we still let petty issues get in the way of us truly worshipping God during Renewal (Sunday mornings) and Equip 13/21 (Wednesday nights). Let’s put this into perspective:
“God, so-and-so said the muffins I brought for breakfast this morning were dry. How dare they? I just don’t think I can get over this in time to sing praises to Your holy name this morning.”
“God, my husband / wife make me so mad on the drive to church this morning. I know that I should just let it go but I just don’t think I can get over this in time to sing praises to You for saving my life.”
“God, my favorite team (Ole Miss) lost yesterday by one point (or in Ole Miss’ case, dozens of points). I’m just too bummed out to sing for You this morning.”
One of my personal favorites:
“God, I just don’t really like this type of music. Either the drums are too loud or the guitar is too quiet. Why can’t they get it right?!? Until they can get their act together, I’m just going to have to sit this one out.”
To a God who gave His all that we might be saved, these excuses just don’t hold water.
Choose every day when you wake up to worship God no matter what. Then when Renewal or Equip 13/21 rolls around…
…all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What we find in the latter part of the scripture above is yet another aspect of joining together with one voice: Worship.
As we’ve discussed before, true worship is not just singing songs in church. Worship is how we give God glory in everything that we do. That being said, I want to focus on corporate worship today. Corporate worship is the joining together of voices during a church service to praise God for what He has done and is doing in our lives and in the lives of others.
God demands and deserves all glory. He demands and deserves to be praised by us through song. If you have given your life to God, you understand this. Yet, somehow we still let petty issues get in the way of us truly worshipping God during Renewal (Sunday mornings) and Equip 13/21 (Wednesday nights). Let’s put this into perspective:
“God, so-and-so said the muffins I brought for breakfast this morning were dry. How dare they? I just don’t think I can get over this in time to sing praises to Your holy name this morning.”
“God, my husband / wife make me so mad on the drive to church this morning. I know that I should just let it go but I just don’t think I can get over this in time to sing praises to You for saving my life.”
“God, my favorite team (Ole Miss) lost yesterday by one point (or in Ole Miss’ case, dozens of points). I’m just too bummed out to sing for You this morning.”
One of my personal favorites:
“God, I just don’t really like this type of music. Either the drums are too loud or the guitar is too quiet. Why can’t they get it right?!? Until they can get their act together, I’m just going to have to sit this one out.”
To a God who gave His all that we might be saved, these excuses just don’t hold water.
Choose every day when you wake up to worship God no matter what. Then when Renewal or Equip 13/21 rolls around…
…all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
One Voice #1
Romans 15:5-6 (NLT)
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Walk into a restaurant today and think about what you hear. You probably hear a multitude of voices. Many voices saying many different things. Now, stop focusing on the voices and you’ll hear something different: Noise. From every direction. Imagine trying to listen to just one of the voices in this restaurant from where you’re standing at the entrance. You might be able to do it but it wouldn’t be easy. After a little while, you would probably have a headache from having to focus so hard.
In the same way, what if each member of Refuge Church was saying something different? What if, through our lives and way we love others, our voices were nothing but noise. One person saying this. Another person saying that. One person treating people one way. Another person treating people a different way. As a body of believers, instead of sharing with our community the love of Christ, we would be sharing something completely different: Pure chaos. Spiritual anarchy.
Is this how we’re going to share the love and Jesus and make a positive difference in the city of Greenville and our surrounding communities? Of course not! This is why Paul tells us time and time again that it is absolutely vital that we, as believers, live in complete harmony with each other.
Now ask yourself this: What if each member of Refuge Church was saying the same thing? What if, through our lives and way we love others, our voices were able to unite as one? What if this one voice was big enough to completely change Greenville and our surrounding communities?
It is!
Do your best this morning to speak love and encouragement into the lives of every person you meet today!
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Walk into a restaurant today and think about what you hear. You probably hear a multitude of voices. Many voices saying many different things. Now, stop focusing on the voices and you’ll hear something different: Noise. From every direction. Imagine trying to listen to just one of the voices in this restaurant from where you’re standing at the entrance. You might be able to do it but it wouldn’t be easy. After a little while, you would probably have a headache from having to focus so hard.
In the same way, what if each member of Refuge Church was saying something different? What if, through our lives and way we love others, our voices were nothing but noise. One person saying this. Another person saying that. One person treating people one way. Another person treating people a different way. As a body of believers, instead of sharing with our community the love of Christ, we would be sharing something completely different: Pure chaos. Spiritual anarchy.
Is this how we’re going to share the love and Jesus and make a positive difference in the city of Greenville and our surrounding communities? Of course not! This is why Paul tells us time and time again that it is absolutely vital that we, as believers, live in complete harmony with each other.
Now ask yourself this: What if each member of Refuge Church was saying the same thing? What if, through our lives and way we love others, our voices were able to unite as one? What if this one voice was big enough to completely change Greenville and our surrounding communities?
It is!
Do your best this morning to speak love and encouragement into the lives of every person you meet today!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Speak To The Rock
Numbers 20:7-12 (NLT)
And the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
Moses was in a pickle. There were over 600,000 Israelites wandering through the wilderness (because of their sins). They were tired and hungry and, in this case, thirsty and they all blamed him. Even though God used him to deliver them all from a life of slavery in Egypt, they constantly complained and even threatened Moses. Each time this would happen, Moses would hit his knees falling face-first before the Lord, seeking the Lord’s provision.
Here, we see God commanding Moses to simply speak to a rock. If Moses would just speak to the rock, water would begin to pour out of it. But for some reason, Moses saw fit to strike the rock with his staff instead. Even though water still poured out from the rock, Moses had disobeyed God. Because of his disobedience in this specific instance, God took from Moses the privilege to lead the Israelites into the long-awaited Promised Land.
We can learn something from this.
When we find ourselves in overwhelming situations, we know we should seek the Lord. We know we should seek His provision and His solution. A great number of us understand this concept but we still tackle situation after situation with only our common sense. Because of this, we miss out on the many blessings God has for us if we would just trust Him to provide for us in our time of need.
So today, when you’re faced with a situation that you don’t understand, call on the Lord and seek His face. Don’t try to fix it using your own common sense. Instead, place your trust in the creator of the universe and walk by faith with the knowledge that we serve a great, great God. One who is plenty big enough to provide for us in any situation we’ll ever face.
Just speak to the rock.
And the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
Moses was in a pickle. There were over 600,000 Israelites wandering through the wilderness (because of their sins). They were tired and hungry and, in this case, thirsty and they all blamed him. Even though God used him to deliver them all from a life of slavery in Egypt, they constantly complained and even threatened Moses. Each time this would happen, Moses would hit his knees falling face-first before the Lord, seeking the Lord’s provision.
Here, we see God commanding Moses to simply speak to a rock. If Moses would just speak to the rock, water would begin to pour out of it. But for some reason, Moses saw fit to strike the rock with his staff instead. Even though water still poured out from the rock, Moses had disobeyed God. Because of his disobedience in this specific instance, God took from Moses the privilege to lead the Israelites into the long-awaited Promised Land.
We can learn something from this.
When we find ourselves in overwhelming situations, we know we should seek the Lord. We know we should seek His provision and His solution. A great number of us understand this concept but we still tackle situation after situation with only our common sense. Because of this, we miss out on the many blessings God has for us if we would just trust Him to provide for us in our time of need.
So today, when you’re faced with a situation that you don’t understand, call on the Lord and seek His face. Don’t try to fix it using your own common sense. Instead, place your trust in the creator of the universe and walk by faith with the knowledge that we serve a great, great God. One who is plenty big enough to provide for us in any situation we’ll ever face.
Just speak to the rock.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Certain #2
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT)
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
Yesterday, we briefly discussed a couple of points from the scripture above. First, it tells that hard times will strike. We can count on it. Secondly, it tells us that God is in control of both the good and bad. He is sovereign.
Today, we’ll discuss a third thing. Something that we all seem to know yet don’t seem to grasp. It tells us that nothing is certain in this life. We know this yet we still collapse when life starts to hurt. We still cave when things are taken away. We still crumple when we lose loved ones. Things like this will always hurt. They will always be hard to take but they don’t have to destroy us.
When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are given a new perspective. We are given the unique knowledge that the only things we have to hold on to in this life are the eternal things. The things that are not of this life on earth. We learn that nothing is certain in this life on earth except for the things that transcend it.
The God that created the universe just by speaking and created us, in His image, in our mother’s womb.
Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who died a sinner’s death on the cross in our place.
The Holy Spirit that walks with us on a daily basis guiding us closer to God, the father and Jesus, the son.
We can hold onto these things.
They are “certain.”
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
Yesterday, we briefly discussed a couple of points from the scripture above. First, it tells that hard times will strike. We can count on it. Secondly, it tells us that God is in control of both the good and bad. He is sovereign.
Today, we’ll discuss a third thing. Something that we all seem to know yet don’t seem to grasp. It tells us that nothing is certain in this life. We know this yet we still collapse when life starts to hurt. We still cave when things are taken away. We still crumple when we lose loved ones. Things like this will always hurt. They will always be hard to take but they don’t have to destroy us.
When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are given a new perspective. We are given the unique knowledge that the only things we have to hold on to in this life are the eternal things. The things that are not of this life on earth. We learn that nothing is certain in this life on earth except for the things that transcend it.
The God that created the universe just by speaking and created us, in His image, in our mother’s womb.
Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, who died a sinner’s death on the cross in our place.
The Holy Spirit that walks with us on a daily basis guiding us closer to God, the father and Jesus, the son.
We can hold onto these things.
They are “certain.”
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Certain #1
Do you believe that God is in control? That God knows you and understands what you’re feeling? That He is holding the world in His hands? That He is present at this very second?
Of course you do. We all say we do. But when trouble strikes, we don’t always live like we do. We look for answers. We look for a way out. We look for someone to blame. We look for tangible things that we can touch. Things that we can feel. We come out of the womb with these instincts. It’s only through Christ and His work in our lives that we can face these situations with peace and with hope.
As we dive into this scripture, stop for a moment and pray that God will open up your heart to receive, understand, and put into action what He is showing us through this verse.
Done praying? Ok, here we go.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT)
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
The verse above states a few things. We’ll discuss two of them today.
The first thing to notice is that it tells us that hard times will strike. Notice that it doesn’t say, “…but IF hard times strike…” No, it says, “WHEN hard times strike.” Hard times will come. There’s nothing we can do to avoid them. Many of us know this well while some of us are just beginning to understand it. Hard times will strike.
The second thing it tells us is that God is in control of both the good and the bad. He is sovereign. We don’t have to worry that something got by Him. Before we even know about the situation, He knows. Furthermore, before we even begin to think about how to handle the situation, God has seen the outcome. God is in control at all times.
Pray that God will help you trust Him through the hard times.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
Of course you do. We all say we do. But when trouble strikes, we don’t always live like we do. We look for answers. We look for a way out. We look for someone to blame. We look for tangible things that we can touch. Things that we can feel. We come out of the womb with these instincts. It’s only through Christ and His work in our lives that we can face these situations with peace and with hope.
As we dive into this scripture, stop for a moment and pray that God will open up your heart to receive, understand, and put into action what He is showing us through this verse.
Done praying? Ok, here we go.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NLT)
Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
The verse above states a few things. We’ll discuss two of them today.
The first thing to notice is that it tells us that hard times will strike. Notice that it doesn’t say, “…but IF hard times strike…” No, it says, “WHEN hard times strike.” Hard times will come. There’s nothing we can do to avoid them. Many of us know this well while some of us are just beginning to understand it. Hard times will strike.
The second thing it tells us is that God is in control of both the good and the bad. He is sovereign. We don’t have to worry that something got by Him. Before we even know about the situation, He knows. Furthermore, before we even begin to think about how to handle the situation, God has seen the outcome. God is in control at all times.
Pray that God will help you trust Him through the hard times.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, April 20, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
1. What does the world faithfulness mean to you?
2. What are some scars that you carry that you now see with a completely new perspective through your relationship with Christ?
3. What are the biggest obstacles to gentleness in your life? Spend a few minutes lifting each of these obstacles to God in prayer, asking Him to help you overcome them.
4. Think of a situation in your life when you were shown gentleness and undeserved mercy. Ask God to continually remind you of this situation so that when the time comes, you'll be prepared to show someone gentleness and undeserved mercy as well.
5. What part of Philippians 2:1-11 stood out to you the most? Why?
6. Think of three areas in your life where you need self-control and ask God specifically to help you develop it.
7. One to grow on: Enjoy some fresh fruit today and think about these fruits of the Spirit as you do!
2. What are some scars that you carry that you now see with a completely new perspective through your relationship with Christ?
3. What are the biggest obstacles to gentleness in your life? Spend a few minutes lifting each of these obstacles to God in prayer, asking Him to help you overcome them.
4. Think of a situation in your life when you were shown gentleness and undeserved mercy. Ask God to continually remind you of this situation so that when the time comes, you'll be prepared to show someone gentleness and undeserved mercy as well.
5. What part of Philippians 2:1-11 stood out to you the most? Why?
6. Think of three areas in your life where you need self-control and ask God specifically to help you develop it.
7. One to grow on: Enjoy some fresh fruit today and think about these fruits of the Spirit as you do!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Fruit #15 (Self-Control)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Here we go.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that self-control is listed last. We don’t have a prayer of developing it until the other 8 fruits are healthy and growing on our Spirit Tree. It’s sort of like a cake.
You want cake but you can’t just have cake (or eat it too, right?). You have to have flour, eggs, sugar, oil, butter, water / milk, chocolate, cream cheese icing (the good cakes anyway…), and probably some other things that I can’t think of. Just like you must have all the ingredients before you can have a cake, you must have a healthy and vibrant Spirit Tree full of Spiritual Fruit. Too many metaphors? I digress.
God gives us the ability to overcome sin in our lives. He does that by granting us self-control. Situations and people who used to make us fly off the handle are now seen in a totally different light. Painful experiences in our lives that we don’t understand are now seen in a different light. Our Christian brothers and sisters that usually annoy us because they just can’t seem to get it right are now seen in a different light.
When God grows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives, we are finally able to see the big picture. We are finally able to see that every moment we find ourselves in is eternally vital.
Choose self-control and choose to live to love God and others with everything that you have.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Here we go.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that self-control is listed last. We don’t have a prayer of developing it until the other 8 fruits are healthy and growing on our Spirit Tree. It’s sort of like a cake.
You want cake but you can’t just have cake (or eat it too, right?). You have to have flour, eggs, sugar, oil, butter, water / milk, chocolate, cream cheese icing (the good cakes anyway…), and probably some other things that I can’t think of. Just like you must have all the ingredients before you can have a cake, you must have a healthy and vibrant Spirit Tree full of Spiritual Fruit. Too many metaphors? I digress.
God gives us the ability to overcome sin in our lives. He does that by granting us self-control. Situations and people who used to make us fly off the handle are now seen in a totally different light. Painful experiences in our lives that we don’t understand are now seen in a different light. Our Christian brothers and sisters that usually annoy us because they just can’t seem to get it right are now seen in a different light.
When God grows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives, we are finally able to see the big picture. We are finally able to see that every moment we find ourselves in is eternally vital.
Choose self-control and choose to live to love God and others with everything that you have.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Fruit #14 (Gentleness #2)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Another very important definition and aspect of gentleness is the word meekness.
Meekness is defined by the Miriam-Webster dictionary as follows: the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness.
Jesus Christ understood the value of meekness. Though He was fully God and a king deserving worship, He embraced humility. Paul teaches us this principle better than I ever could in the book of Philippians.
Philippians 2:1-11 (NLT)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 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.
Choose gentleness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Another very important definition and aspect of gentleness is the word meekness.
Meekness is defined by the Miriam-Webster dictionary as follows: the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness.
Jesus Christ understood the value of meekness. Though He was fully God and a king deserving worship, He embraced humility. Paul teaches us this principle better than I ever could in the book of Philippians.
Philippians 2:1-11 (NLT)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 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.
Choose gentleness.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Fruit #13 (Gentleness #1)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Gentleness is a fruit that exhibits itself through the development of kindness and goodness in our lives. So what is gentleness?
Gentleness is treating every situation we find ourselves in with care. It is treating every relationship we find ourselves in with care. It is putting others first and loving them like Jesus loves us.
One definition of gentleness is tenderness. We show our gentleness in how we handle our relationships with each other and in how we handle all of the tricky situations that life throws our way. Instead of getting angry, we are able to see the bigger picture. We are able to grasp the importance of every moment we find ourselves in. The things that we say. The things that we do. They all matter in light of the call on our lives to love God and each other.
A personal example: When I was 17 or 18, I worked nights at a local supermarket. One day, I left home a little late and decided I would play NASCAR to get to work on time. As luck would have it, I was clocked at 106 MPH by a state trooper about half-way through my journey (I was only going 106 MPH because that’s when my car would cut off. I had every intention of literally flying into the parking lot at work.). This was frowned upon and the trooper let me know it. My car was impounded and I was taken to the sheriff’s department to wait for someone to come pick me up. I called my dad and told him what had happened and told him where I was. I could hear the disappointment in his voice and even picked up some anger as the conversation ended. I feared the worst. But when he arrived, he showed me mercy. We spent the drive home talking and by the time we got home, I had learned that while driving 106 MPH was wrong, it wasn’t the end of the world. We spoke of Jesus and how his forgiveness was a lot like the situation I was in. Deserving wrath yet receiving kindness, patience, and love.
I’ve never forgotten that day and I hope that as we grow closer to Christ, we will begin to see each moment for what they are: Eternally important and extremely valuable.
The way we handle each situation we find ourselves in could be the difference in someone choosing Jesus or rejecting Jesus.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Gentleness is a fruit that exhibits itself through the development of kindness and goodness in our lives. So what is gentleness?
Gentleness is treating every situation we find ourselves in with care. It is treating every relationship we find ourselves in with care. It is putting others first and loving them like Jesus loves us.
One definition of gentleness is tenderness. We show our gentleness in how we handle our relationships with each other and in how we handle all of the tricky situations that life throws our way. Instead of getting angry, we are able to see the bigger picture. We are able to grasp the importance of every moment we find ourselves in. The things that we say. The things that we do. They all matter in light of the call on our lives to love God and each other.
A personal example: When I was 17 or 18, I worked nights at a local supermarket. One day, I left home a little late and decided I would play NASCAR to get to work on time. As luck would have it, I was clocked at 106 MPH by a state trooper about half-way through my journey (I was only going 106 MPH because that’s when my car would cut off. I had every intention of literally flying into the parking lot at work.). This was frowned upon and the trooper let me know it. My car was impounded and I was taken to the sheriff’s department to wait for someone to come pick me up. I called my dad and told him what had happened and told him where I was. I could hear the disappointment in his voice and even picked up some anger as the conversation ended. I feared the worst. But when he arrived, he showed me mercy. We spent the drive home talking and by the time we got home, I had learned that while driving 106 MPH was wrong, it wasn’t the end of the world. We spoke of Jesus and how his forgiveness was a lot like the situation I was in. Deserving wrath yet receiving kindness, patience, and love.
I’ve never forgotten that day and I hope that as we grow closer to Christ, we will begin to see each moment for what they are: Eternally important and extremely valuable.
The way we handle each situation we find ourselves in could be the difference in someone choosing Jesus or rejecting Jesus.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Fruit #12 (Faithfulness #2)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Having faith is not an option. Even for the person that likes to say that they don’t have faith in anything. They’ve put their faith in the fact that everything is meaningless and life ends when our heartbeat ends. Though it might seem to be misplaced, they have great faith in what they believe in. Trust me when I say that everyone has faith in something.
As Christians, we are put into a unique situation. Everything we do is based on faith and hope. We are to center our whole lives around something that we’ve never seen, can’t touch, and can’t come close to proving except by the lives we once lived and lives we live now.
Having faith is easier for some than it is for others. Some people encounter Christ and, in an instant, become a new creation that is easily visible. There’s no denying the change in these people’s lives. Then there are those of us that have spent years just going through the motions. Sunday School every Sunday morning. Prayer meeting on Wednesdays. Camps. Mission trips. But there is no change. Ironically, some of us even got baptized before we even understood what the word “ironic” means. Our church life before just turns into our church life now. It’s sort of like living with your spouse before you get married. There’s not really a difference after you’ve said your vows except for the extra weight on your ring finger.
Like I said earlier, having faith is easier for some than it is for others… There’s a reason and this is it:
When we completely place our trust in Christ, we are given hope. Hope for a more meaningful life on this earth. Hope for an eternity spent in Heaven.
When we surrender our lives fully to Christ, we are given a purpose. To love God and to love each other more than we love ourselves. To serve others.
It is only when we are fully aware of both our hope and our purpose that we can have true faith. A faith that is alive and well.
Choose faithfulness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Having faith is not an option. Even for the person that likes to say that they don’t have faith in anything. They’ve put their faith in the fact that everything is meaningless and life ends when our heartbeat ends. Though it might seem to be misplaced, they have great faith in what they believe in. Trust me when I say that everyone has faith in something.
As Christians, we are put into a unique situation. Everything we do is based on faith and hope. We are to center our whole lives around something that we’ve never seen, can’t touch, and can’t come close to proving except by the lives we once lived and lives we live now.
Having faith is easier for some than it is for others. Some people encounter Christ and, in an instant, become a new creation that is easily visible. There’s no denying the change in these people’s lives. Then there are those of us that have spent years just going through the motions. Sunday School every Sunday morning. Prayer meeting on Wednesdays. Camps. Mission trips. But there is no change. Ironically, some of us even got baptized before we even understood what the word “ironic” means. Our church life before just turns into our church life now. It’s sort of like living with your spouse before you get married. There’s not really a difference after you’ve said your vows except for the extra weight on your ring finger.
Like I said earlier, having faith is easier for some than it is for others… There’s a reason and this is it:
When we completely place our trust in Christ, we are given hope. Hope for a more meaningful life on this earth. Hope for an eternity spent in Heaven.
When we surrender our lives fully to Christ, we are given a purpose. To love God and to love each other more than we love ourselves. To serve others.
It is only when we are fully aware of both our hope and our purpose that we can have true faith. A faith that is alive and well.
Choose faithfulness.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Fruit #11 (Faithfulness #1)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother was in the house looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late.
Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
A few weeks ago, we studied the lives of Abraham, Noah, and Job and saw that even though they followed God as well as they knew how, they still encountered seasons of tremendous pain and uncertainty. But they didn’t give up. They looked past the pain that they were encountering because, deep down, they understood God’s character. They knew that they had no choice but to remain faithful because through it all, God was faithful. He is the same today as He was back then.
As we like to say, He was faithful, He is faithful, and He will always be faithful.
The same should be said for us. Faith is one of the most beautiful gifts that we, as believers, are given. We always have a hope. Even though we encounter many situations that change us forever and leave scars: The scars of a broken home. The scars of loneliness and depression. The scars of unexplained sickness. The scars of losing loved ones too soon. No one will ever escape pain and tragedy in this life.
No one.
God knows this and that’s why He tells us over and over again in scripture to place our faith in Him alone. If we can do that, we can look at our scars with a whole new perspective. We can look at our scars with great joy because we know that even though life may hurt right now, it will all be worth it the instant we see His face.
Romans 8:18 (NLT)
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother was in the house looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late.
Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
A few weeks ago, we studied the lives of Abraham, Noah, and Job and saw that even though they followed God as well as they knew how, they still encountered seasons of tremendous pain and uncertainty. But they didn’t give up. They looked past the pain that they were encountering because, deep down, they understood God’s character. They knew that they had no choice but to remain faithful because through it all, God was faithful. He is the same today as He was back then.
As we like to say, He was faithful, He is faithful, and He will always be faithful.
The same should be said for us. Faith is one of the most beautiful gifts that we, as believers, are given. We always have a hope. Even though we encounter many situations that change us forever and leave scars: The scars of a broken home. The scars of loneliness and depression. The scars of unexplained sickness. The scars of losing loved ones too soon. No one will ever escape pain and tragedy in this life.
No one.
God knows this and that’s why He tells us over and over again in scripture to place our faith in Him alone. If we can do that, we can look at our scars with a whole new perspective. We can look at our scars with great joy because we know that even though life may hurt right now, it will all be worth it the instant we see His face.
Romans 8:18 (NLT)
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, April 13, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
1. What kind of situations test your patience the most? Why?
2. Think of something you are currently waiting on? Stop right now and give control of the situation to God. Ask him to grow your patience as he grows your peace, joy, and trust in him.
3. Have you ever tried to play God by asking God for help yet never ceasing to attempt to fix the situation on your own? How did it work out for you? Would kind of difference do you think it would have made if you had just trusted God completely and waited for HIS solution?
4. Think back on how you treated people before Christ came into your life. Think of some particular situations and how they turned out. What would you have done differently if faced with those same situations today?
5. Spend a few minutes in prayer thanking God for how he has changed your heart and grown your ability to practice both kindness and goodness!
2. Think of something you are currently waiting on? Stop right now and give control of the situation to God. Ask him to grow your patience as he grows your peace, joy, and trust in him.
3. Have you ever tried to play God by asking God for help yet never ceasing to attempt to fix the situation on your own? How did it work out for you? Would kind of difference do you think it would have made if you had just trusted God completely and waited for HIS solution?
4. Think back on how you treated people before Christ came into your life. Think of some particular situations and how they turned out. What would you have done differently if faced with those same situations today?
5. Spend a few minutes in prayer thanking God for how he has changed your heart and grown your ability to practice both kindness and goodness!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Fruit #10 (Goodness)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Goodness. What does goodness mean? The opposite of badness? Now I’m wondering what badness is. Oh boy…
I figure goodness involves being good to people but that’s sort of what kindness is. Since both are listed, they must be different things. I honestly tend to associate the word “goodness” with the word “gracious” and that’s as deep as it goes for most of us (Goodness gracious!). But if Paul thought it was important enough to be its own fruit on the spirit tree, we should probably look a little deeper into what true goodness actually is.
While kindness is something that grows inside of us and changes our way of thinking, goodness seems to be the outward evidence of such a change.
Think of a good car. A good car begins with a ton of intensely thorough analytical work in a design room which carries it into a season of painstakingly tedious construction in a factory. Because of everything that happens before the car hits the lot, it becomes good. If that same car was designed by the “lay-flat collar” division of Hanes and built by a group of Microsoft software designers in my garage, would you end up with the same good car? No way!
In the same way, if we aren’t growing in Christ and the fruit of kindness isn’t growing within us, we won’t have the inclination to do good things for others. And if we don’t have the inclination to do good things for others, we’re either lying to ourselves or we’re insane when we call ourselves followers of Christ.
Ouch.
Choose goodness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Goodness. What does goodness mean? The opposite of badness? Now I’m wondering what badness is. Oh boy…
I figure goodness involves being good to people but that’s sort of what kindness is. Since both are listed, they must be different things. I honestly tend to associate the word “goodness” with the word “gracious” and that’s as deep as it goes for most of us (Goodness gracious!). But if Paul thought it was important enough to be its own fruit on the spirit tree, we should probably look a little deeper into what true goodness actually is.
While kindness is something that grows inside of us and changes our way of thinking, goodness seems to be the outward evidence of such a change.
Think of a good car. A good car begins with a ton of intensely thorough analytical work in a design room which carries it into a season of painstakingly tedious construction in a factory. Because of everything that happens before the car hits the lot, it becomes good. If that same car was designed by the “lay-flat collar” division of Hanes and built by a group of Microsoft software designers in my garage, would you end up with the same good car? No way!
In the same way, if we aren’t growing in Christ and the fruit of kindness isn’t growing within us, we won’t have the inclination to do good things for others. And if we don’t have the inclination to do good things for others, we’re either lying to ourselves or we’re insane when we call ourselves followers of Christ.
Ouch.
Choose goodness.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Fruit #9 (Kindness)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Psalm 41:1-3 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.
The fruit of kindness is one the more visible fruits of our relationship with Christ. Kindness plays a part in every decision we make and every encounter we have with other people. Also, and I don’t think this is any coincidence, our kindness grows as our patience grows. In order for us to fully love others as God commands us to, we must develop both. Paul tells us that love is both patient and kind. Patience and kindness are two different things yet they work as one.
As we’ve discussed over the past few days, patience involves a passive approach. Waiting. Expecting. Kindness is just the opposite. To exhibit kindness is to actively show love to others. This love is in our heads and in our spirits. Growing in kindness means changing the way we think. As we grow, we begin to put the needs of others above our own needs. Solomon tells us the following in his book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NLT)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
We should definitely be kind to people for no other fact than that we are called to love them but furthermore, it is only through kindness that we will have an opportunity tell of, and more importantly show tangibly, the love of Christ. The story of grace. They depth of God’s mercy. The freedom found in the Gospel story of Jesus Christ.
All of these posts that we hitch our faith to are on display when we are kind to others.
Choose kindness.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Psalm 41:1-3 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.
The fruit of kindness is one the more visible fruits of our relationship with Christ. Kindness plays a part in every decision we make and every encounter we have with other people. Also, and I don’t think this is any coincidence, our kindness grows as our patience grows. In order for us to fully love others as God commands us to, we must develop both. Paul tells us that love is both patient and kind. Patience and kindness are two different things yet they work as one.
As we’ve discussed over the past few days, patience involves a passive approach. Waiting. Expecting. Kindness is just the opposite. To exhibit kindness is to actively show love to others. This love is in our heads and in our spirits. Growing in kindness means changing the way we think. As we grow, we begin to put the needs of others above our own needs. Solomon tells us the following in his book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NLT)
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
We should definitely be kind to people for no other fact than that we are called to love them but furthermore, it is only through kindness that we will have an opportunity tell of, and more importantly show tangibly, the love of Christ. The story of grace. They depth of God’s mercy. The freedom found in the Gospel story of Jesus Christ.
All of these posts that we hitch our faith to are on display when we are kind to others.
Choose kindness.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Fruit #8 (Patience #3)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Patience. One more day. I want to touch on one more aspect of the Israelites’ waiting before we move on.
Do you remember when you were a kid on Christmas Eve? Do you remember the anxiety and the excitement? Santa was coming. You knew you’d been good. Good enough anyways... Santa had a great big bag of toys with your name on it. Hopefully, the one toy you’d been wanting was on its way to your house. That special toy. For this illustration, we’ll call it an aluminum bat (I know, I know… Just play along!). You want nothing more than a brand new aluminum bat. So here we are.You just watched the weather report on the news and saw that Santa was flying through Memphis so you jumped in the bed, eager to fall asleep so Santa would be sure to stop by.
Falling asleep... (we're always waiting for something!)
You knew that if you could just fall asleep, dawn would come quickly but no matter how hard you tried, you lied awake. Some years, it seemed like hours. As you waited, your expectations for Santa grew and grew. That aluminum bat was so close you could almost swing it. Finally, you’re sleeping.
You wake up. Wide awake in a matter of milliseconds. You get out of bed and peek into the den and there’s a bat. It looks like a bat anyway. So you run and wake up your parents. They shimmy out of bed and turn on the lights and you run like a little river into the den to grab your bat.
Wait. Santa brought me a wooden bat. Oh. I mean, thanks. I guess. Inside, your entire body is writhing with disappointment. You wanted an aluminum bat and you got a wooden bat. Wow, Santa really let you down this time.
Welcome to the Israelites’ predicament at the time of Jesus’ birth. As they waited on their savior, they formulated many ideas about how he would come. With these ideas, great expectations grew. The more their expectations grew, the more they longed for the day of his coming. A mighty king would fly down from Heaven, destroy their enemies, and deliver them!
But it didn’t quite happen like that.
Instead of a mighty king flying down from Heaven, they got a baby in a manger. Instead of a mighty warrior destroying their enemies, they got a carpenter. Perhaps the most disappointing thing was that instead of a way out, they got a narrow road. We could sum it up like this: Jesus was not at all what they were expecting. Because of this, they rejected Him. The rest, as they say, is history.
The point is this: As we wait on God and trust Him with certain situations in our lives, we must expect the unexpected. Don’t cook up and implement a solution to your problem and then expect God to play along. Trust God and take the advice Solomon gives us in his book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Wait on the Lord.
Choose patience.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Patience. One more day. I want to touch on one more aspect of the Israelites’ waiting before we move on.
Do you remember when you were a kid on Christmas Eve? Do you remember the anxiety and the excitement? Santa was coming. You knew you’d been good. Good enough anyways... Santa had a great big bag of toys with your name on it. Hopefully, the one toy you’d been wanting was on its way to your house. That special toy. For this illustration, we’ll call it an aluminum bat (I know, I know… Just play along!). You want nothing more than a brand new aluminum bat. So here we are.You just watched the weather report on the news and saw that Santa was flying through Memphis so you jumped in the bed, eager to fall asleep so Santa would be sure to stop by.
Falling asleep... (we're always waiting for something!)
You knew that if you could just fall asleep, dawn would come quickly but no matter how hard you tried, you lied awake. Some years, it seemed like hours. As you waited, your expectations for Santa grew and grew. That aluminum bat was so close you could almost swing it. Finally, you’re sleeping.
You wake up. Wide awake in a matter of milliseconds. You get out of bed and peek into the den and there’s a bat. It looks like a bat anyway. So you run and wake up your parents. They shimmy out of bed and turn on the lights and you run like a little river into the den to grab your bat.
Wait. Santa brought me a wooden bat. Oh. I mean, thanks. I guess. Inside, your entire body is writhing with disappointment. You wanted an aluminum bat and you got a wooden bat. Wow, Santa really let you down this time.
Welcome to the Israelites’ predicament at the time of Jesus’ birth. As they waited on their savior, they formulated many ideas about how he would come. With these ideas, great expectations grew. The more their expectations grew, the more they longed for the day of his coming. A mighty king would fly down from Heaven, destroy their enemies, and deliver them!
But it didn’t quite happen like that.
Instead of a mighty king flying down from Heaven, they got a baby in a manger. Instead of a mighty warrior destroying their enemies, they got a carpenter. Perhaps the most disappointing thing was that instead of a way out, they got a narrow road. We could sum it up like this: Jesus was not at all what they were expecting. Because of this, they rejected Him. The rest, as they say, is history.
The point is this: As we wait on God and trust Him with certain situations in our lives, we must expect the unexpected. Don’t cook up and implement a solution to your problem and then expect God to play along. Trust God and take the advice Solomon gives us in his book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Wait on the Lord.
Choose patience.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Fruit #7 (Patience #2)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Yesterday, we talked about patience and the most practical foe that we face as our patience grows: waiting. Simply waiting. It can be for anything. Food. Weather. A relationship. As we mentioned yesterday, the Israelites had been waiting for their Messiah for centuries. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Singing songs to God about waiting. Keeping their eyes open at all times for this king. This Messiah.
I want to stop and hang out here for a moment. Today will be a little bit different. We’re going to jump into a few of the many Psalms of David that had to do with waiting.
For a few moments, think about some situations that you’re going through in your life right now where you are waiting. You may be waiting on an answer from a friend. You may be waiting on an answer from an employer. You may be waiting on an answer from a doctor. You may even be waiting on an answer from God. Take whatever it is you’re waiting on today and give it to God as you pray through these psalms.
Psalm 130:5-6 (MSG)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 27:14 (MSG)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6 (MSG)
God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.
Psalm 39:7-8 (NLT)
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.
Psalm 40:1-2 (ESV)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Waiting is tough. But as David learned in the verses above, we are able to find God in our times of waiting. So I challenge you today: Instead of looking for an answer or a solution to the situation you thought about earlier, look for God. Chase after Him with reckless abandon and you’ll find Him. And with Him, you’ll find the peace and the grace that you need to get you through this season of waiting.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Yesterday, we talked about patience and the most practical foe that we face as our patience grows: waiting. Simply waiting. It can be for anything. Food. Weather. A relationship. As we mentioned yesterday, the Israelites had been waiting for their Messiah for centuries. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Singing songs to God about waiting. Keeping their eyes open at all times for this king. This Messiah.
I want to stop and hang out here for a moment. Today will be a little bit different. We’re going to jump into a few of the many Psalms of David that had to do with waiting.
For a few moments, think about some situations that you’re going through in your life right now where you are waiting. You may be waiting on an answer from a friend. You may be waiting on an answer from an employer. You may be waiting on an answer from a doctor. You may even be waiting on an answer from God. Take whatever it is you’re waiting on today and give it to God as you pray through these psalms.
Psalm 130:5-6 (MSG)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 27:14 (MSG)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 62:1-2, 5-6 (MSG)
God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life. God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.
Psalm 39:7-8 (NLT)
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.
Psalm 40:1-2 (ESV)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Waiting is tough. But as David learned in the verses above, we are able to find God in our times of waiting. So I challenge you today: Instead of looking for an answer or a solution to the situation you thought about earlier, look for God. Chase after Him with reckless abandon and you’ll find Him. And with Him, you’ll find the peace and the grace that you need to get you through this season of waiting.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Fruit #6 (Patience #1)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
True patience is special.
A little girl visited a farm one day and asked to buy a large watermelon. “That big one you got on your hand costs 3 dollars,” said the farmer. “I’ve got only 30 cents,” replied the girl. “30 cents will buy you a small watermelon,” replied the farmer. “What about that one,” asked the farmer, pointing to a small watermelon in the field.
“Okay, I’ll take it,” smiled the little girl. “Here’s your 30 cents but leave it on the vine. I’ll be back for it in a month.”
This is a simple story that teaches us about patience in its most commonly thought of form: Having to wait. We don’t like to wait.
Musician Tom Petty makes big money singing that “the waiting is the hardest part.” We eat fast food because we don’t want to spend time or money preparing a healthier alternative. Sometimes we even use the drive-thru window so we don’t have to waste time or energy parking our car and walking inside. We order appetizers so we can eat before we eat. We record our television shows so we can skip the commercials. We pump chickens full of steroids so they’ll plump up faster. We litter our crops with fertilizers so they’ll grow faster. We charge up credit cards because we don’t want to have to spend time saving up our money. I could go on and on.
We just don’t like to wait for anything. God knows this. He knows us inside and out. That’s why he usually makes us wait. We pray for things and expect certain answers to be given within a certain time-frame. When they aren’t, we get impatient and sometimes angry.
The Israelites were faced with this same predicament. They had been waiting on their savior, the Messiah, for centuries. Year after year they waited. Their spirits groaned in expectation of this great day of God when their king, their Messiah would swoop down from the Heavens and deliver them from the pains of this life.
They found God in their waiting and so can we.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
True patience is special.
A little girl visited a farm one day and asked to buy a large watermelon. “That big one you got on your hand costs 3 dollars,” said the farmer. “I’ve got only 30 cents,” replied the girl. “30 cents will buy you a small watermelon,” replied the farmer. “What about that one,” asked the farmer, pointing to a small watermelon in the field.
“Okay, I’ll take it,” smiled the little girl. “Here’s your 30 cents but leave it on the vine. I’ll be back for it in a month.”
This is a simple story that teaches us about patience in its most commonly thought of form: Having to wait. We don’t like to wait.
Musician Tom Petty makes big money singing that “the waiting is the hardest part.” We eat fast food because we don’t want to spend time or money preparing a healthier alternative. Sometimes we even use the drive-thru window so we don’t have to waste time or energy parking our car and walking inside. We order appetizers so we can eat before we eat. We record our television shows so we can skip the commercials. We pump chickens full of steroids so they’ll plump up faster. We litter our crops with fertilizers so they’ll grow faster. We charge up credit cards because we don’t want to have to spend time saving up our money. I could go on and on.
We just don’t like to wait for anything. God knows this. He knows us inside and out. That’s why he usually makes us wait. We pray for things and expect certain answers to be given within a certain time-frame. When they aren’t, we get impatient and sometimes angry.
The Israelites were faced with this same predicament. They had been waiting on their savior, the Messiah, for centuries. Year after year they waited. Their spirits groaned in expectation of this great day of God when their king, their Messiah would swoop down from the Heavens and deliver them from the pains of this life.
They found God in their waiting and so can we.
We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Morning Message
Scripture References:
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Title or topic of message:
Notes:
Questions I have about the message:
How can I apply this message to my life?
Friday, April 6, 2012
Reflection and Meditation
1. Is your life bearing fruit that shows you belong to Christ? Be honest. What are you leaving in your wake? A trail of changed lives for the better or a trail of brokenness?
2. Have you ever pondered the fact that Christ tells us that loving each other is "equally important" to loving God? Stop right now and pray that God will grow your desire to love others.
3. We are shown a beautiful story of love through the Chapman's tragedy. What part of this story did you identify with the most? Why?
4. Think of a tough situation that you've gone through in your life. Can you find joy in that particular sorrow? If you can, thank God for showing it to you. If not, pray that God will open your eyes to it and show you the blessing you were meant to find through it.
5. Think of something you are struggling with right now. Now ask God to grant you peace through this struggle. Trust him completely to carry you through it. Now share that peace with others!
2. Have you ever pondered the fact that Christ tells us that loving each other is "equally important" to loving God? Stop right now and pray that God will grow your desire to love others.
3. We are shown a beautiful story of love through the Chapman's tragedy. What part of this story did you identify with the most? Why?
4. Think of a tough situation that you've gone through in your life. Can you find joy in that particular sorrow? If you can, thank God for showing it to you. If not, pray that God will open your eyes to it and show you the blessing you were meant to find through it.
5. Think of something you are struggling with right now. Now ask God to grant you peace through this struggle. Trust him completely to carry you through it. Now share that peace with others!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Fruit #5 (Peace)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
True peace, the kind of peace this passage is talking about, is one of the most beautiful attributes we can receive from Christ as our relationship with him grows. This isn’t simply referring to an absence of wars or everybody getting along. Peace certainly carries these things with it on a large scale but Paul is speaking to peace on a personal scale. The peace we feel when the world around us is crumbling. The peace we feel as we are confronted with an unthinkable tragedy. The peace we feel as we take our last breath.
This peace is different.
In the end everything will be all right, nothing can harm you permanently; no loss is lasting, no defeat more than transitory, no disappointment is conclusive. Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement and death will be part of your journey, but the kingdom of God will conquer all of these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever. - Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel)
A couple of days ago, we read the story of the Chapman family and the unthinkable tragedy they went through a few years ago. We spoke of the love that was on display in every chapter of this story. But just as powerful is the peace that carried this family through the pain that followed the incident.
Steven Curtis Chapman told about a discovery he made in the hours after the accident that has provided comfort in the days since.
“Maria had the morning of the accident drawn a picture of a flower and had written a word that she had never written before. She knew how to write her name. That was all I had ever seen, and maybe ‘I love Dad’ or ‘I love Mom,’” Chapman said. “But she had never written any other words.”
“And when she first died, Caleb and I, especially, kept saying if we could just see, if we could just have a dream, something, God, we’d believe it. If we could just see something that would tell us that she’s OK.”
“And the day after the accident, we went home to get some clothes for the funeral, for the memorial,” he said. “Sitting on the art table was this little picture that Maria had drawn the morning of the accident. She had drawn a six-petaled flower, and only one petal was colored in. We have six children. Only one is whole now, we believe, in the arms of Jesus.
“She wrote the word S-E-E,” he said. “She wrote the word see. And she had never written that before. She was saying, ‘See, I'm good. I'm OK.’”
True peace is ours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose peace.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
True peace, the kind of peace this passage is talking about, is one of the most beautiful attributes we can receive from Christ as our relationship with him grows. This isn’t simply referring to an absence of wars or everybody getting along. Peace certainly carries these things with it on a large scale but Paul is speaking to peace on a personal scale. The peace we feel when the world around us is crumbling. The peace we feel as we are confronted with an unthinkable tragedy. The peace we feel as we take our last breath.
This peace is different.
In the end everything will be all right, nothing can harm you permanently; no loss is lasting, no defeat more than transitory, no disappointment is conclusive. Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement and death will be part of your journey, but the kingdom of God will conquer all of these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever. - Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel)
A couple of days ago, we read the story of the Chapman family and the unthinkable tragedy they went through a few years ago. We spoke of the love that was on display in every chapter of this story. But just as powerful is the peace that carried this family through the pain that followed the incident.
Steven Curtis Chapman told about a discovery he made in the hours after the accident that has provided comfort in the days since.
“Maria had the morning of the accident drawn a picture of a flower and had written a word that she had never written before. She knew how to write her name. That was all I had ever seen, and maybe ‘I love Dad’ or ‘I love Mom,’” Chapman said. “But she had never written any other words.”
“And when she first died, Caleb and I, especially, kept saying if we could just see, if we could just have a dream, something, God, we’d believe it. If we could just see something that would tell us that she’s OK.”
“And the day after the accident, we went home to get some clothes for the funeral, for the memorial,” he said. “Sitting on the art table was this little picture that Maria had drawn the morning of the accident. She had drawn a six-petaled flower, and only one petal was colored in. We have six children. Only one is whole now, we believe, in the arms of Jesus.
“She wrote the word S-E-E,” he said. “She wrote the word see. And she had never written that before. She was saying, ‘See, I'm good. I'm OK.’”
True peace is ours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose peace.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Fruit #4 (Joy)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Last year, I saw the following phrase posted on Facebook, sent through text message, posted on the wall at the church, and spoken with an encouraging tongue:
I choose joy.
This is a decision that we have to make every morning. Because of our fallen condition, true joy does not come naturally. We try to fill the void with all kinds of addictions and bad habits. We try to find it in sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll. We try to find it by giving ourselves to our career. We try to find it by joining the gym or remodeling the house. We try to find it by having children. We try all sorts of things to find true joy and contentment in our lives but nothing seems to work. There is a good reason for this:
True joy is not something that we are able to claim outside of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Wikipedia (Teachers, calm down. You don’t have to grade this!) states the following about joy:
The Greek word for 'joy' is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for 'grace.' This is significant to note, for chara is produced by the charis of God. This means 'joy' is not a human-based happiness that comes and goes but, rather, true 'joy' is divine in its origin. It is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under great stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy. The Greek strongly implies that their supernatural joy was due to the Holy Spirit working in them. Paul even called it the "joy of the Holy Ghost".
We may have a few hours go our way today. We might get that raise or that promotion. Lunch may be extraordinary. You might reconnect with an old friend. You might win a free drink at Sonic. There are many things that could happen today that will bring about a momentary relief from the heaviness that is life but it is only through giving our lives wholly and completely to Jesus Christ that we will experience a true joy that not only surpasses the momentary relief we have been conditioned to seek but also lasts forever.
Jesus Christ is our only hope and it is only by living to please him that a fruit such as joy can grow in our lives.
I challenge you to choose joy by choosing Jesus today. Say it out loud: I choose Jesus.
True joy is now yours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose joy.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Last year, I saw the following phrase posted on Facebook, sent through text message, posted on the wall at the church, and spoken with an encouraging tongue:
I choose joy.
This is a decision that we have to make every morning. Because of our fallen condition, true joy does not come naturally. We try to fill the void with all kinds of addictions and bad habits. We try to find it in sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll. We try to find it by giving ourselves to our career. We try to find it by joining the gym or remodeling the house. We try to find it by having children. We try all sorts of things to find true joy and contentment in our lives but nothing seems to work. There is a good reason for this:
True joy is not something that we are able to claim outside of a personal relationship with Jesus.
Wikipedia (Teachers, calm down. You don’t have to grade this!) states the following about joy:
The Greek word for 'joy' is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for 'grace.' This is significant to note, for chara is produced by the charis of God. This means 'joy' is not a human-based happiness that comes and goes but, rather, true 'joy' is divine in its origin. It is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under great stress due to persecution; yet in the midst of it all, they continued to experience great joy. The Greek strongly implies that their supernatural joy was due to the Holy Spirit working in them. Paul even called it the "joy of the Holy Ghost".
We may have a few hours go our way today. We might get that raise or that promotion. Lunch may be extraordinary. You might reconnect with an old friend. You might win a free drink at Sonic. There are many things that could happen today that will bring about a momentary relief from the heaviness that is life but it is only through giving our lives wholly and completely to Jesus Christ that we will experience a true joy that not only surpasses the momentary relief we have been conditioned to seek but also lasts forever.
Jesus Christ is our only hope and it is only by living to please him that a fruit such as joy can grow in our lives.
I challenge you to choose joy by choosing Jesus today. Say it out loud: I choose Jesus.
True joy is now yours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose joy.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Fruit #3 (Love #2)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered an unthinkable tragedy on May 21, 2008. Maria, his 5-year-old daughter, had been on the playground in the backyard with her two sisters and ran towards her brother, Will, when she saw him backing up the driveway in an SUV. He didn’t see her and backed right over her.
Maria died soon after.
As paramedics arrived on the scene, Will, overcome with guilt and anger, just wanted to run. Will spoke of what happened next:
“And then Caleb (his older brother), not too long after that, just kind of ran and tackled me and just kind of jumped on me and it was just like, ‘You can't leave, you can’t leave,’ and just—was just on top of me saying, ‘Everything’s going to be OK. We love you. You can't leave.’ And just—it was just that—that was super important.”
As Steven rushed his youngest daughter to the hospital, he shouted out to his heartbroken son in the field:
"Will Franklin, your father loves you."
This father had every right to be angry at his son. He had every right to be disgusted at his son. He had every right to place the blame on his son. But he didn’t. Not even for a split second. All he knew to do was love his son.
“Will Franklin, your father loves you.”
This story brings me to tears today just as it did the first time I read it. I put myself in Will’s shoes. I would want to die. I would want to stop breathing. Just as he did, I would want to run as far as I could and collapse into nothing. But in the middle of this chaos, a voice.
“Will Franklin, your father loves you.”
Wow.
Jesus loves us even more than that. His love for us is jealous. It is powerful. It is passionate. We can’t earn this love and in the same way, we can’t lose it. Jesus is the ultimate model for how we are to love each other. The Chapman family, through terrible tragedy, showed us a beautiful story of this love.
A love such as this is ours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose love.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered an unthinkable tragedy on May 21, 2008. Maria, his 5-year-old daughter, had been on the playground in the backyard with her two sisters and ran towards her brother, Will, when she saw him backing up the driveway in an SUV. He didn’t see her and backed right over her.
Maria died soon after.
As paramedics arrived on the scene, Will, overcome with guilt and anger, just wanted to run. Will spoke of what happened next:
“And then Caleb (his older brother), not too long after that, just kind of ran and tackled me and just kind of jumped on me and it was just like, ‘You can't leave, you can’t leave,’ and just—was just on top of me saying, ‘Everything’s going to be OK. We love you. You can't leave.’ And just—it was just that—that was super important.”
As Steven rushed his youngest daughter to the hospital, he shouted out to his heartbroken son in the field:
"Will Franklin, your father loves you."
This father had every right to be angry at his son. He had every right to be disgusted at his son. He had every right to place the blame on his son. But he didn’t. Not even for a split second. All he knew to do was love his son.
“Will Franklin, your father loves you.”
This story brings me to tears today just as it did the first time I read it. I put myself in Will’s shoes. I would want to die. I would want to stop breathing. Just as he did, I would want to run as far as I could and collapse into nothing. But in the middle of this chaos, a voice.
“Will Franklin, your father loves you.”
Wow.
Jesus loves us even more than that. His love for us is jealous. It is powerful. It is passionate. We can’t earn this love and in the same way, we can’t lose it. Jesus is the ultimate model for how we are to love each other. The Chapman family, through terrible tragedy, showed us a beautiful story of this love.
A love such as this is ours to claim. It’s now up to us to share it.
Choose love.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Fruit #2 (Love #1)
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Love is paramount and it is all around us. It’s safe to say that our world is consumed with the word. Songs, movies, water bottles, and chewing gum all inspire us to love these days. Even more so as Christians, we say we love God and each other. All of us say that we love but do we really?
Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT):
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Wow. We are to love God with everything that we have while also loving each other as we love ourselves. Jesus also tells us that the second part of this commandment is “equally important.” It is just as important that we love each other as it is that we love God.
So how do we love God? Sure, we can tell Him that we love Him but how do we show Him that we love Him in a tangible way?
We can do this by loving each other. The commandment above is not a combination of two commandments. Loving God and loving each other aren't interchangeable. They belong together. We can’t do one without the other. We can’t love God and not love each other and we can’t love each other and not love God.
I challenge you today to love God in a louder way. Begin your day telling God that you love Him and then show Him the evidence of your love by showing the love of Christ to someone else. It’s the only way that we will change our community and point others to Him.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Love is paramount and it is all around us. It’s safe to say that our world is consumed with the word. Songs, movies, water bottles, and chewing gum all inspire us to love these days. Even more so as Christians, we say we love God and each other. All of us say that we love but do we really?
Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT):
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Wow. We are to love God with everything that we have while also loving each other as we love ourselves. Jesus also tells us that the second part of this commandment is “equally important.” It is just as important that we love each other as it is that we love God.
So how do we love God? Sure, we can tell Him that we love Him but how do we show Him that we love Him in a tangible way?
We can do this by loving each other. The commandment above is not a combination of two commandments. Loving God and loving each other aren't interchangeable. They belong together. We can’t do one without the other. We can’t love God and not love each other and we can’t love each other and not love God.
I challenge you today to love God in a louder way. Begin your day telling God that you love Him and then show Him the evidence of your love by showing the love of Christ to someone else. It’s the only way that we will change our community and point others to Him.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Fruit #1 (The Change)
Matthew 7:15-20 (NLT)
Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) uses an illustration to bring these passages to life. It goes something like this:
You’re a tree. You’re planted firmly in the ground. You have beautiful apples hanging from your branches. Along comes a passerby that can’t help themselves. They pull an apple from one of your branches and bite into it. Amazed at how perfectly juicy and flavorful the apple is, the person looks at you and says, “This is absolutely the best apple I have ever eaten. It is amazing.”
Instead of basking in the compliment, you become indignant. “That’s not an apple. That’s an orange. You see, I’m an orange tree.”
“No,” the passerby replies,” I’m eating an apple right now. A juicy red apple. There is no doubt in my mind that you’re an apple tree.”
You become frustrated. “No! It’s an orange! I am an orange tree! I repeat: I am an orange tree!”
Confused and a little bit concerned, this admirer of your fruit decides it would be best to just keep walking down the road. As they pick up their pace, one thought is running through their mind:
Either that tree is lying. Or it’s insane.
This story illustrates perfectly our relationship with those around us and how, whether we realize it or accept it, we are identified by the fruit our lives bear. When we say that we are followers of Jesus Christ and live our lives accordingly, the fruit we bear will show that. In the same way, when we claim the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians yet live our lives according to our own selfish desires, we will bear a different type of fruit. A type of fruit that will leave people in your wake pondering what the passerby in the story above pondered.
Either that person is lying. Or they’re insane.
May we live out our faith in authentic ways and produce fruit that will point those around us to Christ.
Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) uses an illustration to bring these passages to life. It goes something like this:
You’re a tree. You’re planted firmly in the ground. You have beautiful apples hanging from your branches. Along comes a passerby that can’t help themselves. They pull an apple from one of your branches and bite into it. Amazed at how perfectly juicy and flavorful the apple is, the person looks at you and says, “This is absolutely the best apple I have ever eaten. It is amazing.”
Instead of basking in the compliment, you become indignant. “That’s not an apple. That’s an orange. You see, I’m an orange tree.”
“No,” the passerby replies,” I’m eating an apple right now. A juicy red apple. There is no doubt in my mind that you’re an apple tree.”
You become frustrated. “No! It’s an orange! I am an orange tree! I repeat: I am an orange tree!”
Confused and a little bit concerned, this admirer of your fruit decides it would be best to just keep walking down the road. As they pick up their pace, one thought is running through their mind:
Either that tree is lying. Or it’s insane.
This story illustrates perfectly our relationship with those around us and how, whether we realize it or accept it, we are identified by the fruit our lives bear. When we say that we are followers of Jesus Christ and live our lives accordingly, the fruit we bear will show that. In the same way, when we claim the name of Christ and call ourselves Christians yet live our lives according to our own selfish desires, we will bear a different type of fruit. A type of fruit that will leave people in your wake pondering what the passerby in the story above pondered.
Either that person is lying. Or they’re insane.
May we live out our faith in authentic ways and produce fruit that will point those around us to Christ.
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