“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
Imagine, if you will, the scene of Jesus willingly submitting to death on the cross. He bore the weight of our sins, taking the full wrath of the Father upon His bruised and battered shoulders, bridging the chasm between humanity and God. At that moment, darkness seemed to have triumphed, but three days later, a glorious morning emerged—the resurrection of our Messiah. His triumph over death proved His divine nature and promised us victory over sin and the grave.
Through Jesus' victory, death no longer has the final word, and not just in our physical resurrection. It also gives us power over the unseen forces of darkness surrounding us now and takes away the sting of death, which is sin. So that, even in our darkest moments of grief and trial, we can hold onto this hope—the assurance that death is not the end and our bondage to sin has been utterly broken. For now, death still happens, but its power over the believer has been crushed.
Let us not forget the stark reality—death is our enemy. It entered the world through one man’s sin and was given power, pain, and destruction over all humanity. For all of history, it has stood opposed to God's plan of victory, and so, it still brings sadness and grief as it always has, but now, because of one man named Jesus, we have the promise and hope of life. His death and resurrection were part of a divine mission to restore us to God and to an everlasting life free from pain and death.
Jesus’ death on the cross removed the power of sin and, ultimately, rendered it powerless over those who believe. His resurrection marked the beginning of the end of death’s story. We no longer fear the unknown beyond the grave, for the only one who has returned from it assures us of everlasting life. Lastly, His promised return will mark the end of death forever. One day soon, it will be utterly devoured and something of only a faint memory.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4
As we navigate the trials of life, let us cling to this unwavering hope–that with Jesus, resurrection is not just a possibility—it is promised. In His victory over death, we find everlasting hope, knowing that no evil can withstand the power of our risen Savior and that through Him, we, too, will rise again and be transformed into new life. "Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord."
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1
and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15
Endurance is defined as the act of suffering patiently.
The life of a Christian is compared to a marathon of endurance, where the race is not measured in meters or miles but in the trials, long-suffering, and patience encountered along the journey. Just as a marathon runner faces a long and challenging path, the Christian's path is marked by faith that endures through obstacles and difficulties.
The race of the world is about suffering for wickedness, but rather, the race of the Christian is about suffering for righteousness.
We must lay off every weight that entangles us. The Greek word used for “weight” is “ogkos,” which describes a burden or something so heavy and cumbersome that it hinders a runner from running as he should. This world has enough trials of its own. If we get too wrapped up in the cares of the world or, worse, find ourselves embracing sin, we will not be able to continue on, as we will become hindered by the weight of our decisions.
We have a crowd cheering us on, and not just any crowd, but of those who have gone before us. Their cheers echo the enduring faith they demonstrated while awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises, reminding us not just to look to the end of the race where we will meet our Savior face to face but also to look at how He has gone before us and is with us. The promise of Jesus through His endurance on the cross is our great motivator and source of strength through every obstacle that lies in wait.
As we run with endurance, we must also wear shoes of peace. In this Christian marathon, the ultimate goal is not merely to cross a finish line but to grow in faith, draw closer to God, and reflect the love and peace of the Gospel to the watching world. It's a race that demands dedication, endurance, and unwavering trust in God's plan. Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy that was set before Him. (Hebrews 1:12) We are not running against those around us, we are running with endurance against shame. Shame is the weight that we must cast off. In doing so, we are able to embrace the joy set before us and, ultimately, put on the readiness given through the Gospel of peace.
As we strap on our shoes of peace, let us be reminded of the promise of salvation that is today and the promise of Jesus that is to come as our great source of joy, to grant us the endurance we desperately need. We have a glorious finish line ahead of us that we can look to with joy, but for now, let's continue on, enduring to the end and embracing a Gospel Peace that encourages others to join us in this race. The race that leads to eternal life.
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All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” Matthew 1:22-23
Holiness is required to distance itself from that which is unholy. But our compassionate Father has forged a path to bridge the gap between His holiness and our unholiness, all through His perfect and beloved Son, Jesus. The name Immanuel proclaims the truth that our God is not distant but actively present in the world. It is a reminder that God is not a passive observer but actively engaged in our lives as His beloved creation.
Christ had to be the one to find us in our lostness, and so, 2,000 years ago, He left the throne room of heaven to reside with the meek and lowly.
In Matthew 1:22-23, we witness the fulfillment of God's promise, the birth of Jesus Christ, our Immanuel. This event serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, His love for us, and His desire to be with us in every season of our lives. The miraculous truth then is that we don’t worship a God who merely holds open the door of heaven but who left heaven behind, running to us and embracing us with all grace and mercy to walk beside us on our way home.
“Immanuel” names our God an active pursuer and mediator of His creation. He takes the initiative in the relationship between humanity and Himself. It is not humans striving to reach God, but God actively seeking us. It emphasizes that salvation is not achieved through human efforts but through Christ's work. We cannot find our way to heaven on our own; instead, it is Christ who reaches out to us in our lost state. It is merely up to us to accept this invitation through belief and dependence on Him as our Savior.
The intentional design of this shirt is the topography of ancient Jerusalem. It is here that our Savior didn’t just walk among us and dwell with us, but where He also died for us, ushering in the gift of salvation to the world so that we ourselves could dwell with God forever.
Therefore, the wonderful and miraculous name of "God with us" takes on even more significance when we recognize that one day soon, it will transform into "us with God.” God walked with His creation in the garden, instructed the building of the Tabernacle in order to dwell with His people in the Old Testament, leading to His literal and miraculous dwelling among us by becoming human flesh, and is with us now through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, one day soon, we will be with Him when He makes all things new and makes an eternal home with us.
]]>“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11
Creation leads me to my knees before my Creator.
Have you ever been somewhere that takes your breath away? Was it the Rocky Mountains? The Pacific Northwest forests? The Atlantic Ocean? Maybe you’ve even had the privilege of seeing God’s creation through overseas missions. Maybe it’s the sunset on the other side of your bedroom window. Whatever your experience may be, some moments seem to “take us out” of the moment. Our breath is “taken” away because we are reminded that it’s not ours to begin with. We are reminded that everything we have, even the breath in our lungs, is because of God. Not another moment would pass by without Him speaking it into existence. Creation surrenders to this as it proclaims the glory of God.
As Jesus was being proclaimed as the King when he entered Jerusalem on what we now know as Palm Sunday, the religious leaders commanded Jesus to tell His disciples to stop. His response: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
When we don’t humble ourselves, creation tends to do it for us. When we keep silent, Jesus says that even the rocks will worship in our place. So, as you lace up your boots and embark on a hike or simply witness the rising of the sun on your morning commute, remember the beauty that surrounds you is a testament to your Creator. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes and still surroundings, witness the handiwork of your King and worship Him through a surrendered and filled heart. As the Psalmist says, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.: (Psalm 19:1 NLT) Join creation in signing the praises of God.
Experiencing humility through creation means gazing upon a mountain and not merely seeing a mountain but instead recognizing it as a magnificent display of God's boundless glory. Glory, so immense that it compels our heart, soul, and mind to bow before its Creator—our Creator. As a result, we are transformed into vessels of humility, where those around us no longer perceive merely us but instead witness the glory of our Creator in us. In this state of humility, we become recipients of abundant grace and mercy and become the very creation that humbles the world.
Creation is a profound reminder that I am but a humble participant in the grand symphony of the glory of God. Every sunrise, every mountain peak, and every rush of the wind reminds me of the majesty of God's creation. It keeps me humble.
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Go on a walk with Jesus.
Doodle with Jesus.
Go on a bike ride with Jesus.
Drink coffee with Jesus.
Knit with Jesus.
Go fishing with Jesus.
Spend time with Him.
Enjoy Him.
Let me explain:
As you lace up your boots and embark on a hike, remember the beauty that surrounds you is a testament to your Creator. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes and still surroundings, witness the handiwork of your King. As the Psalmist says, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.: (Psalm 19:1 NLT) Join creation in signing the praises of God.
As you mix and blend hues to create a masterpiece, remember that you were made in the image of the greatest Artist of all. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through each stroke, invite Jesus to guide your hands, allowing your artwork to reflect His beauty and truth. He is our greatest inspiration.
When pedaling along a scenic path with the wind rushing against your face, embrace the joy of riding a bike as a way to encounter Jesus. Just as a bicycle requires balance and coordination, our faith calls us to do the same. Let us invite Jesus to be our steady guide, helping us navigate the twists and turns of life. Even your bike can become a vessel that takes you closer to the presence of God and understanding your faith. Through rhythm, endurance, and focus.
Through campfire conversations and shared moments of fellowship, invite Jesus to be the center of your gathering, deepening your relationships with Him and one another. Find joy and laughter, dream about the future and what God will do, and spend time remembering and praising Him for all he's done. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who are mourning, and laugh with those who laugh.
You see, Jesus is not only in the quiet morning with an open bible and a pot of coffee, although He is certainly there. He is also in the mundane, celebratory, or even painful moments of life. Reading scripture shouldn’t only affect your quiet time, it should transform your life! Jesus wants to spend time with you while you mow your lawn in the summer sun, write music in the park, or rest in a hammock. Through the lens of His word, invite Jesus into all the places of your life. Resting with Him, and enjoy Him. Spend time with Him. It’s not about what you do; it’s about how you do it and who you do it for. Have quiet time with Jesus and enjoy life with Jesus. Invite Him into the hardest, most painful parts of your life, and invite Him into the part of your life that you enjoy the most. Enjoy His presence, declare His praises, and abide in Him, always.
It’s not about the element of your worship; it’s about the object of your worship. Jesus.
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Children are resilient. We all know it; we’ve all seen it. The 4-year-old riding their bike down the street, taking a sharp turn, falls off and scuffs their knee, only to hop up and get back on the bike and continue on, smiling.
Just as much as they may be resilient, they are just as much dependent. Startled by a dream, a child runs to their parent's bedside in tears, seeking comfort.
What is childlike faith? It’s innocence. It’s dependence. It’s genuine. It’s trusting. It’s joy in suffering. It’s running through a grass field, laughing, shouting, and dancing.
In this beautiful encounter recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus invites the children to come to Him. Even in the midst of crowds of adults who are eagerly seeking his presence and probably have more questions to be answered and needs to be met than these children do, he casts his attention on them. He acknowledges the pure, untainted, and dependant hearts of children and proclaims that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to those who possess this same faith.
As adults, we find ourselves burdened with the worries of the world, entangled by distrust in people who hurt us, and burdened by the pursuit of worldly success. As Jesus often does, He reminds us of the “upside-down kingdom” that we belong to. Reminding us of the beauty and need of childlike faith—an unwavering trust, innocence, sense of wonder, and humble dependence on our Heavenly Father.
Children naturally depend on others for their needs. Without even knowing it, they understand their limitations and eagerly seek help from those they trust. In the same way, we should acknowledge our insufficiency and rely on the provision and wisdom of our Father. Surrendering our pride and self-reliance, humbling ourselves before the Lord, knowing that He is our loving Father who cares for us and meets our every need.
Children also possess a genuine sense of wonder and awe. They marvel at the simplest of things—a rainbow in the sky, a tiny insect, water rippling on a glassy lake, or the beauty of a flower. Likewise, in our journey of faith, we should never lose our awe and wonder toward our Creator but continually be captivated by His creation, His love, and His mercy. Approach each day with a childlike curiosity and appreciation for the miracles and blessings that surround you.
Jesus' invitation to let the children come to Him is an invitation for you and me to embrace this same childlike faith—a faith that trusts wholeheartedly, marvels at creation, is steadfast in suffering, and depends on Christ completely.
]]>A storm is coming. It’s on the horizon. Are you ready?
The most important part of a house is the foundation. It doesn't look pretty, it’s not decorated, and most likely, you can’t even see it. It’s there holding up the entire house. It doesn't matter how strong the walls are, how secure the windows are, how beautiful the curb appeal is, or how expensive the decor is; if your home does not have a foundation, one day, it will fall. One day soon.
Likewise, the foundation of our lives determines our ability to withstand the inevitable storms and tribulations that are certain to come. It is not the external appearance that matters—how well we can talk about things of faith, the illusion of strength we can create, or even the generosity or good works we have. No, it is the unseen, often overlooked foundation that truly matters. The rock upon which we build our lives is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the unshakable foundation that can withstand any storm. When our lives are rooted in Him, firmly anchored in His truth, love, and grace, we can face the fiercest trials with steadfastness.
Psalm 71:3 “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress”
What is the foundation of your life built on? Is it built on shifting sands, relying on temporary and fragile things? Or have you established your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ, who is steadfast and immovable?
One of my favorite verses was written by Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth, it reads: “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-2) The foundation of our lives must be the Rock of love. It doesn’t matter how lofty our pursuits, how abundant our good works are, or even how bold our faith is; if our lives are not built on love when our lives are met with trials and suffering, we will be left with nothing. Build your life on the love of Christ, for love is who He is. Then when the rains pour, the floods rise, and the winds rage, we can stand firm, knowing that our house will not fall, for we are anchored to the One who has overcome the world. Jesus’ great love for us was the reason He endured the greatest suffering on the cross and the reason we can endure this life and pick up our own cross, earnestly following after Him.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
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Do you live for the approval of man or from the grace of Jesus?
Desiring approval is not what Scripture condemns; it is seeking it from the wrong source. When we seek approval from those around us it will always end in exhaustion and utter disappointment. If you desire true satisfaction, lasting joy, and abundant peace, your desire for approval must be found in God alone. The good news is that those of us who have believed in Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins already possess His approval. In Him, we are transformed into new creations, and His righteousness is laid upon us. We can have abundant joy in the fact that we have obtained His righteousness. When you believe in Jesus, He certainly forgives your sin, but he doesn’t end there. He also grants you His righteousness, status, and satisfaction.
Living a life for the approval of man leads to inauthentic life where we try to manage the perceptions of others. We get so caught up in the facade that the person we are trying to prove we are to others is not who we become. Our pursuits end in emptiness when we realize the person we think everyone is impressed by isn’t even us. Sooner than later, no one knows us, and any perceived gain from human approval has been utterly lost. The Gospel, on the other hand, demands authenticity and leads to great freedom. Freedom to be real, genuine, and authentic, all of which lead to abundant peace and joy. Seeking the approval of the created only results in exhaustion, disappointment, and endless striving. Basking in the approval of Christ results in abundant life.
Love God and Love others because the Creator of the ENTIRE universe loves you, and He calls you friend. Bask in the goodness of that today. That Jesus calls YOU, friend! Not because you deserve it or even because one day, you will, but because He chose to love you and give His life for you. Surrender your life to Him, and let Him change you into who you were first created to be and who His word calls you to be. Christ’s love for you will change you, it is offered to us as we are, but it doesn’t allow us to remain as we are.
We must remind ourselves daily that our salvation is a free gift. Our actions and good works should flow from a heart that is filled with gratitude for what God has done for us, not as an attempt to earn His or others' favor. May our love for others and pursuit of holiness be a reflection of the love that we have already received from Him.
Seek Christ, find Him, abide in Him, and grow in Him.
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Heaven rejoices in the broken-hearted repentance of a sinner, not in the boastful pride of the righteous. Jesus makes a point to lay out examples of this truth time and time again throughout His ministry. One of the greatest of these examples that comes to mind is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) which is summed up like this: There was a religious man and a sinner, praying in a church. The religious man was standing tall with arms raised and proclaiming praises aloud. This was a man that many would have looked up to as living the model life, a man who could “do no wrong,” but we see that through his perception of his own perfection, he made the greatest error of all, believing he had no need for a savior. We see this man, arms seemingly raised to his savior while his arms remained crossed to his sinful neighbor. He begins to thank God aloud that he is not like the sinful man next to him. He finishes by listing off his own righteousness and, likewise, the tax collectors' unrighteousness, attempting to prove himself worthy. (Through his prayer, he reveals who he believes his savior to be. Himself.) But then Jesus gives us a look into the prayer of the sinner, who is seen beating his chest, face down, with tears down his cheeks and snot in the sand, and says ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This tax collector would walk home that day justified, knowing that he was in desperate need of it. But the righteous man would walk home un-justified, yet self-deceived, falsely believing he was. (Luke 18:14) For God humbles the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, because Jesus came to save the repentant sinner, not the self-righteous.
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7 (ESV)
Heaven sings along with the praises of redeemed sinners. The sinner who knows he doesn’t deserve salvation but has it freely because of Christ rejoices greatly in its reward. He boasts only of knowing Christ because it is the greatest underserved privilege of his life. But the “righteous” person tends to rejoice only in himself because he believes he deserves the reward for his labor.
As it has been said before, there are two types of people in hell; the sinner who believes they’re so good they don’t need salvation, and the sinner who believes they’re so bad that they can’t have it. If this is true, then there is only one type of person who is in heaven: The sinner who knows his desperate need for salvation, believes in the one who offers it, and rejoices in knowing Christ as the greatest gift and privilege of their life.
What does it mean to be “No Longer Bound?”
Ask any Christ follower, and they will have their own unique answer to this question. The beauty of it, however, is that while each story is unique, they all have a common thread: “I was one way, then I met Jesus, now I'm different.” This is our testimony and our personal proof of the gospel. If someone asks me why I personally believe in Jesus, I have stories to share of redemption that I can’t explain. For example, I used to consider myself a very depressed person. I remember constantly struggling with thoughts like “who am i?”, “what’s wrong with me?”, and “why does everyone else seem to have it together?.” I legitimately did not like myself and resorted to partying, isolation, & substance abuse just to get by. One day in college, I heard this gentle voice in my head tell me “go to the local church service…trust me.” I could tell it wasn’t me…and oddly enough, it felt like a good idea. So, I went. I remember walking up to the doors of the church. It was during the middle of the worship service so there weren't any greeters or people in sight. But, I was still greeted by something. As soon as I walked in the doors this 1000lb weight started to fall off my back. I walked closer to the music, every step feeling lighter. Tears started to fill my eyes as this warmth started to consume me. I ended up walking straight to the altar and was met by the Lord. Church members prayed over me, read scriptures over me, and I could feel every inch of my body being ignited with love and completeness. I remember thinking “Why is this invisible experience the realest and most profound thing in my entire life.” I decided that day to give my life to Jesus, and I have never been the same.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) When we surrender our lives to Jesus and ask Him to make us a new person, He does!!!
I know someone is reading this right now and thinking “Ok, well you probably aren’t as bad as me. I’ve done things God could never forgive me for.” That couldn’t be further from the truth! Jesus died for EVERYONE and ALL sins (1 John 2:2). Jesus gave us an extreme example of this when he invited the criminal next to Him on the cross to be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43). The criminal didn’t have time to do a bunch of good things. He was instantaneously washed clean, despite being a murderer. There is nothing you can do to separate yourself from Gods love (Romans 8:38-39). Hallelujah!
Thank you Jesus for making me a new creation. For tearing the veil and being the eternal sacrifice, so that I can talk directly to our Father and spend eternity in paradise. Help me not to fall into the patterns of this world, but live like a citizen of heaven. Bless my family, my friends, my coworkers, and anyone I come in contact with. May they all have faith to be set free…and be no longer bound
-Forrest Frank
The image of a horse breaking free, captures the freedom we can experience through Christ. In contrast, a horse trapped by a tight lasso represents the power that sin and the law can have over us, keeping us imprisoned by our pride and brokenness.
By placing our faith in Christ, who triumphed over death itself, we are released from the bondage of sin that holds us captive, just like a horse freed from its lasso. This newfound freedom allows us to run the race with joy, peace, and purpose. Free to live through our true identity in God, no longer bound by the constraints of sin and the law.
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“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
A little grammar lesson. Notice how this verse uses both past tense, present perfect tense, and continuous tense. Romans 5:8, just like all of scripture was, written for us now, those in the past, and for those in the generations to come.
This verse is the greatest news for all—for all time.
Continuous Tense: “God shows.”
Present Perfect Tense: “While we were still sinners.”
Past Tense: “Christ died.”
Christ’s death on the cross was the greatest act of love, and even though it happened over 2000 years ago, the great love offered through His death is still seen today. His salvation, grace, hope, and Word are still living and active. Christ died for all sins of all people who turn their hearts to Him in repentance—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In other words, Christ died for us, while we were still dead, so that we may live through the continual display of His love through His death.
While we were still in sin...
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— Romans 5:6-7
We might not even die for a righteous person. Christ died for us, the wicked and ungodly, so that we live out His righteousness and goodness forever. God demonstrated the greatest act of love by giving His own Son over to death once for all, in the past. But He demonstrates this same love to us today, through the continual display of his grace and mercy.
Jesus did not die for the perfect and righteous you. He died for the broken, wretched, sinful you. He died for you sharing gossip that could ruin your friend’s reputation, He died for you scrolling through images you never should be looking at, He died for you turning your back on that person in need, and He died for you (fill in the blank.) Jesus died for the worst of you so that you could become the best version of yourself through Him. He loved you so that you could love others. He died for us so we too, could lay down our life sacrificially for one another.
Love each other, because Christ first loved you.
Die to yourself, because Christ died for you.
Live for Christ, because He lives.
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Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
If you’ve been in the Church for longer then a few days, you’ve likely heard the phrase WWJD “What Would Jesus Do?” We’ve taken this question, looked for the answer in the Bible, and found that Jesus Died for us. It’s what he would do because it’s what he did. He died. So when faced with a hard decision, in an intense argument, or having a hard time loving someone, what are you to do? You are to die. Maybe you’ll never be faced with the choice to physically die for your faith or your friends, but you are still to die. Die to your sin, die to your pride, die to your selfishness, your anger, your hostility, and your will. You are to forgive, as Christ has forgiven you and paid the penalty for his death. Those who are forgiven much love much. (Luke 7:47) Do you know how much you need forgiveness? If you don’t, forgiving and being kind to those around you may be impossible.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
In order to treat others like Jesus died for them, you must first understand that Jesus died because of you.
We are called to radically love the sinners around us, not just the “saints.” Jesus said that He came not for the righteous but for the sinners (Matthew 9:13.) Jesus pursued the sinners, the castaways of society, and the ostracized with a pursuit so great that He laid down His life for them–and for you. Jesus did not die for the perfect and righteous you. He died for the broken, wretched, sinful you. He died for you sharing gossip that could ruin your friend’s reputation, He died for you scrolling through images you never should be looking at, He died for you turning your back on that person in need, and He died for you (fill in the blank.) Jesus died for the worst of you so that you could become the best version of yourself through Him. He loved you so that you could love others. He died for us so we could lay down our life sacrificially for one another.
This is an impossible task, yet as Jesus said to His disciples, with Him, all things are possible. To treat people like Jesus died for them, we must look to Him again and be activated through His spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we must be humble, kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, sacrificial, and a servant to all. When we truly love and know Christ, we become a new creation and become more like Jesus himself. This causes us to humbly and sacrificially love EVERYONE around us, as He did us.
But He also rose again
John 13:34-35 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”
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Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
John 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Abide in me. What an incredibly powerful statement. God does not tell us to merely learn about Him, in order to grow in our faith. He instead tells us to abide, to “remain” in Him, and we will bear much fruit.
The greatest tragedy is that some will leave the road to heaven, not because they distrust Jesus, or because they are drawn to the ways of the world, but simply because they’re exhausted. Tired of taking two steps forward and one step back. Tired watering a tree that doesn’t seem to be growing. Maybe you’ve been watering so much that it feels like you're drowning in impossible expectations. Delusions have rushed in, saying you haven’t gotten anywhere. Maybe you’ve asked the question, even today, “how did I get here?”
Have you been so focused on your own will power, that you’ve lost sight of the will of God? Have you fallen so deep that you forgot the deep richness of God’s grace? When did you start thinking your growth was more important than the grace from the gardener? Have you forgotten to abide in Christ?
Maybe, just maybe, we are to stop watering on our own and instead abide in the life giving streams of God. Stop longing for instant gratification, instead of the patient endurance of faith in which we were first called, that leads to abundant fruit. There will never be a day in which we don’t need the grace and healing power of our Savior and the abiding of the Spirit. The well of Christ never runs out, because we’ll never run out of our need for it.
The farmer who plants a seed in the morning, doesn’t expect to pick fruit in the evening, but neither does he cease from watering and mending. The farmer patiently endures, having faith that growth will come, doing everything he can, yet constantly reminded that the rain and the sun will accomplish more than he could ever. He remains faithful and allows the sun to do the rest. Likewise, we are to remain in Christ, and let the Spirit do the work.
Religion can not give you fruit, only a relationship with Jesus can. Attempting on your own will result in utter failure, or even more dangerous than failure: a perception of success that leaves you further from God and closer to pride than you can ever imagine. Abide in God, and He in you, and fruit will be produced. You cannot of yourself live the Christian life, it has to be the Holy Spirit in you. There is a difference between merely looking like a Christian and bearing the fruit of Spirit–who raised Christ from the dead. When you receive Jesus Christ, HE produces the fruit. Not you. For they are the very characteristics of Christ himself. If your body is truly a temple of the Holy Spirit, your life will look like a beautiful garden of His fruit.
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Mark 4:39-41 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
The Hebrew word in Psalm 46:10 is "râphâh" which means: to "relax," "be still," or "be quiet." And in Mark 4:39-41, the Greek word used is "phimoō" which means: "to make speechless, and to hold one's peace." In both cases, there is a command to be still or, in other words, "calm down." This seems odd because when faced with turmoil or storms, we tend to freak out or act out. Making it seemingly impossible to remain calm or silent.
So how are we to do this, and why are we to do this? Our answer is found in one 5-letter word; Jesus.
Jesus provided us the reason for the command in Psalm 46, written over 800 years before His life. He commanded the winds and waves to be still, and they ceased. We now have further confidence to obey His same command of us, to be still! No matter what we are walking through, we need not be afraid, for He is with us.
As we see in Mark 4, there are only two options for those in the boat. To either fear the storm or fear the Storm Calmer. The truth is, this is a decision we all must make. Our lives seem to be a sinking ship in the midst of a terrible and never ending storm, where the rain is so fierce we can barely breathe and the wind so strong, we can barely see. However, someone is in the boat with us who has the power to calm the storm of our lives. Although He has the power to do it, we must also trust His timing.
Jesus humbled himself by becoming a man, living a servant life, performing miracles, and even calling peace to the winds. Later living out the greatest of them all, when He took the sins of this world on his shoulders, pinned on the cross, buried, and resurrected three days later. This beautiful understanding allows us to have peace in the power of Christ. He is our firm foundation.
The storm you are in the midst of may not be calm until the day you meet heaven's gates and leave this world behind. But you can remain calm, be still, and have courage. The One who has the power to do it is with you. He's in the boat with you. The storm surrounding you can either pull you away from Him or teach you to embrace Him.
Do you fear His power enough to trust Him, or do you only fear the storm which is all around you?
]]>The world will tell you one of two things:
Christ flips this narrative on its head. He says you were made on purpose with a specific purpose. Your life has eternal and deep meaning. You are made in the image of God and were creatively, intentionally, fearfully, and wonderfully made. You were made by a Good Creator, for a wonderful purpose.
There is meaning to your life because every breath you breathe and every ocean and mountain you see was and is spoken into existence by our faithful creator.
You were made on purpose. Before you were formed in your mother's womb, Christ knew how many hairs would be on your head, how many mountains you would climb, how many people you would love, the pain you would walk through, the sin you would commit, and the joy you would experience. He knew you by name and gave you the breath of life, creating you in His very image.
You were made for a purpose. You were created for “such a time as this.” A time to love your neighbor, to live steadfastly in trials, to serve the poor, to seek purity and holiness, and give generously. Whether you're walking in a valley or standing on a mountain, God is for you and God is with you. He has a plan for you. A plan for your good, and a plan for good works. (Eph. 2:10)
“On purpose” means with intention, design, and thought. God’s plan for creating you was completely intentional and beautiful. He created you for your joy and His glory. He desires for you to be truly satisfied in Him so that He can ultimately be glorified in you!
Not only did God create you on purpose, but He also died for you on purpose. This may sound silly to say, but I think we forget it too often. That Christ died for you, while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8). He didn’t die for the world, and then accidentally die for you too. He saw everything you ever did, mainly your sin, and said “I’m going to die an awful death for them”. He died to turn your weakness into strength, your sorrow into joy, your death into life, and your mess into a message. He saved you on purpose and He saved you for a purpose, to love others as He first loved you (1 John 4:19).
Read John 15 here: https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.15.ESV
Verse 12 commands us to love one another as Christ has loved us. This love is explained in verse 13, He loved us by laying His life down for us. This is the greatest love known to man.
These words in chapter 15 were told by Christ before His death, to show that Christ not only tells us how to love, but yet again shows us how,. Christ proves Himself to be a great teacher by being our great promise keeper. He isn’t merely our greatest example of love, but He IS greatest Love. It’s who He is, not merely what He does.
So, if we are to love like Christ, we must be love. Carry the weight it demands, but also except the freedom it gives. We are to be a servant of all. Some of us physically laying our lives down for the sake of Christ and for the sake of love, and others of us laying our lives down everyday by how we work, who we serve, who we love, where we go, and what we do.
Matthew 10:39 says, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” This is the Christian life, to lose your life for the sake of Christ who is love. If we lay down our lives, Christ promises to pick it up again. How can we know that He will keep His promise? Because He laid His own life down and picked it back up.
How do we lay down our lives?
Some brothers and sisters will truly lose their lives by being martyrs for Christ around the world. But this isn’t the future for all of us, every believer won’t be physical martyred, but every believer will lay down his life. We must do this by laying down our pride that entangles us, by setting aside our desire for status and find it in Jesus alone, setting aside our pursuit of fulfillment and pleasure in this world and direct our efforts towards the Glory to come in our next life—our true life, and we must sacrifice our time, resources, finances, and efforts for the sake of loving others, and ultimately furthering the Gospel. This is the call. Will you answer it?
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank you for being my Greatest Love and great promise keeper.
Thank you for not only telling me that you love me, but by showing it in the most powerful and sacrificial way, by your death on the cross.
Help me to love like You have, to pick up my cross and follow after you.
Give me the strength we need to truly lose my life for your sake so that I might find it in you.
I love you Lord.
Amen
]]>When we look at a world broken with suffering beyond comprehension, it sometimes seems impossible to find joy, hope, or peace. We can't help but be constantly reminded of the suffering around us and the brokenness within us, we are burdened, but we can have courage, for we have a Savior that suffers with us and a Savior who promises peace. For He is God on the mountain, and He is God in the valley.
We are stuck in the tension that Paul writes about in his letter to the church in Philippi. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Philippians 1:21-24) On the one hand, we feel deep within the yearning from the Spirit for our heavenly home, but we also see the mission field before us. Living in this tension requires patience and an undying faithfulness to the present circumstance God has placed each one of us in intentionally.
In John 16, Jesus puts our time on earth into a simple yet powerful illustration. We are to think of it like a woman in childbirth. In the words of Jesus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and our hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." (John 16:20-22)
We are in a VERY temporary dwelling, one that is, without a doubt, prone to destruction, pain, and trial. As said earlier, this should make us yearn for our true and eternal home built in heaven. When we truly know that this dwelling is temporary, our vision changes. Our main and only desire becomes to know Jesus and serve the builder and creator of our eternal dwelling. Make it your goal to please him, and remember the time you have on this earth is short, worldly pleasures are fading, and trials are coming—but there is a true home in heaven waiting for us. A home that is free from destruction, death, trial, pain, and tears. A home with unceasing joy...so be of good courage. There will be a day when our sorrow turns to joy and when death is no more. Let us wait both eagerly and patiently for this day, for as we learned last week in Romans 12, the reason this day has not yet come is for the salvation of God’s children. For He does not wish for any to perish but for all to reach repentance and come to the knowledge of the truth. He is patient with us; may we also be patient for His return. And may it produce in us a boldness to declare His salvation to the broken world around us that is in desperate need of it.
2 Corinthians 5:1-9... For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank you for your promises that stand forever.
Thank you for your promise of a future home.
Give me unceasing peace, patience, and joy in the midst of the destruction and trial that surrounds me on every side.
Help me be of good courage and walk by faith and not by sight.
Thank you for our future hope and our present peace found in the sacrifice of Jesus.
Give me the strength to make it my aim to please you in all that I do.
Lord Jesus, come!
Amen
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When we are poured out, Christ’s power can be poured in. When we depend on our efforts, our work, and our discipline, we distract from the power of Christ. But if we come to Christ with nothing, surrender, and give Him control to work through us, we empty ourselves to weakness, but are then filled with Christ’s power. We are far stronger when our foundation is surrender and weakness rather than self-effort and pride. Christ uplifts the humble, gives favor to the meek, joy to the mourning, satisfaction to the thirsty, and sight to the pure in heart. (Matthew 5)
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God. That is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:27-31
We must understand that we are insufficient to appreciate the grace given to us that is sufficient. We are but jars of clay, unimpressive and frail, but this weakness highlights and contrasts against what the jar holds; the all-surpassing power of God. So then we must pray for Christ’s power that doesn’t take away our afflictions but strengthens our shoulders to endure them, which establishes humility and sanctification. Christ makes us strong, gives us worth, and uses us for His powerful kingdom plan.
Are you experiencing hardship and trial? It is not wrong to want to escape affliction, but in your pleading with God to have it removed, ask God for His will to be done according to his timeline and ask that He would strengthen you and reveal the purpose of your suffering. He just might be allowing it so that you are conformed more closely to the image of His son. You can play it safe. But my gut is you want more than that. I choose different. I am a faith-filled, bet-the-farm risk-taker. I will never insult God with small thinking or safe living. If there are blessings on the other side of brokenness, then break me.
Questions to ponder:
What are you losing by clinging to your comfort?
What are you missing out on because we’re so committed to avoiding pain and discomfort?
Do you believe you’re a part of something bigger than yourself? Then why do you only rely on yourself to get it done?
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God delivered the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, and He now wants them to look at what He will do for His people next. What is this new thing? What is the way in the wilderness and river in the desert?
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38
Christ is the way and the river of living water. He gives direction to the lost and satisfies the thirst of our longing for meaning and affirmation. He gives life in the desolate place. The world today rejects the exclusivity of Christ. God has made a way through Christ, who claims to be the only path and lifeline to salvation and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. In Christ alone, condemnation can be avoided, not through our efforts, our parent’s faith, or any other worldview. Christ has become the path, so we don’t have to try and trail-blaze our own.
In order to appreciate this verse, we need to key in on the surroundings as well. God makes a way in the wilderness. The wilderness lacks direction making it easy to get lost and wander. Our life before Christ is aimless, wandering without hope or purpose. We fixate on the wilderness (this life) and forget about life outside of it (eternity). When you are so consumed with living in the wilderness, you can lose focus on what really matters. Secondly, God makes rivers in the desert. We can think of the desert as a place without life, vitality, or nourishment. Before Christ, we find ourselves lacking what is necessary to live, that being Living Water. We turn to every well of water that always leaves us unsatisfied as they quickly run dry and provoke us to search for the next source. Christ puts an end to this search for satisfaction.
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
Christ here declares that He is restoring creation in His revelation to John. Not only has God done a new thing in making a way for the lost and a river in the desert, but He will soon alter the whole landscape. There will no longer be a dismal wilderness surrounding the path to follow or a desert of discontentment and purposelessness that engulfs the ground except for the river. Instead, there will be a new creation where there will be no more death, no more crying or pain, and the older order has passed away.
In Isaiah 43, God calls the Israelites and us to put aside the past, the old thing, and their old sins and put on a new way of living. God has made a new way, blotted out our sins, and remembers them no more. This isn’t a call to forget God’s deliverance, but to forget the failures and focus now on the new way forward through His grace alone and praise Him for it in remembrance.
]]>Just as the Lord was faithful to His promise to deliver the people of Israel from the Egyptians and fulfill His promise of the coming Savior in Jesus Christ, He will be faithful to fulfill His promise to return and ultimately usher in the new creation. He will not fail to keep the day, which He has appointed. Our God is not a God of laziness nor slackness, as if He had snoozed His alarm too many times, but instead is a God of patience and faithfulness. He is not slow to fulfill His promise. He is patient and not merely by His wisdom, but because He cares for His children and desires for as many as will repent to come to salvation!
This promise of new creation and seeing all wrong made right creates great hope and motivation in the heart of the believer. Hope even in the days where the world’s darkness seems even darker. As believers when the trials of life come, for example; a cancer diagnosis, a lost job, unexpected financial burdens, and even persecution, we can have a certain hope that is foreign to the outside world. Consider the following true story. An epidemic hit the Roman Empire in the year 165. In the fifteen-year span of the epidemic, one fourth to one third of the population was wiped out. All contact with the sick was avoided as the people understood they were contagious, and they would also be thrown into the streets by the mounds of dead bodies. However, the Christians rejected this shunning of the sick and went and treated them instead, reducing the chances of death by two thirds with basic nursing methods. Christians healed pagans and Christians alike, and they were thought of as miracle workers. The Christians were willing to risk their lives by coming into contact with the sick because of this different kind of hope. This hope is rooted in an eternal perspective, that this life isn’t all there is and that the best is to come. We can loosen our grip on trying to control the outcomes of our life when we focus on Christ and give Him the reins.
Lastly, this promise creates motivation in us. Motivation to be missional and used as vessels through which the Gospel is proclaimed. We do this so that others might experience the promise of new creation, rather than the tragedy of destruction. The Lord has promised judgment and order; let us faithfully work to minister to the unbelieving so they may share in the inheritance of Christ alongside us.
Christ is the fulfillment of the promises of Old, and He will remain the fulfillment of the promises to come. He is our Great Promise Keeper, the one who knows us, who loves us, and who cares for our every need. We are now called to be true, stewards of THE promise, and faithful to keep our own. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. (Matthew 5:37) Entrust yourself to a Faithful Creator and Promise Keeper. (1 Peter 4:19)
This is not a passive finding, such as, where you reach down into your old jacket pocket and surprisingly pull out a $5 bill; this is an intentional seeking. Think of a time when you are running frantically late to an appointment and can’t find your keys anywhere. You begin running around, turning over your home, until that joyous moment when you finally find them. This may be a simple example, but I believe it gives some level of understanding to the earnestness of Christ as He seeks to save the lost.
Our King is both earnestly seeking us and patiently waiting for us.
At the beginning of this story, the son is a man full of pride, who desires only that of what he thinks he deserves. He ends up taking his father’s money and runs. He runs to the world, a world of indulgence, instant gratification, and perceived belonging. He begins “living his best life”, until eventually it all runs out. He drains his bank account, the people he thought he belonged to were quick to abandon him, and he now begins living his worst nightmare, where the only job he could find was feeding pigs, and starving to the point he desired to eat with them. In his greatest moment of depravity, the son remembers his father. The home he left in great pride and wealth is the same home he finally returns to with great humility and poverty, to the point of even becoming a servant. But while he is still far off the father sees him (which we can assume means the father was eagerly watching for his son to return), and he runs to the son, embracing, forgiving, clothing and celebrating him. (more in Luke 15)
The forgiving father and his character remain constant throughout this story and are ultimately a reflection of God. In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His merciful attitude to the lost. If you’ve ever wanted and chose the pleasures of the world over Christ, then you can put yourself in the shoes of the prodigal son. In great sadness, God allows his children to choose the world and forces none to stay. In pride, we may think the world has more happiness and freedom to offer, but we will quickly become enslaved to what we initially thought as freedom, a slave to our flesh and sinful desires. But in the patient enduring, our God is faithful, eagerly waiting for His children to return. He desires to lift up the humble, clothe the poor, and welcome the orphan. He waits eagerly for the return of the sons and daughters, to return in humility, and will never fail to run to them with all joy and gladness.
In the same thought where the prodigal’s father announces that his son was dead and is now alive, he states that his son was lost and is now found. To be lost is spiritual death, and to be found is life everlasting. It is important to note that the father says “is found” and not “found his way.” Christ is the pursuer, the first mover in our relationship with him. We cannot find our way into heaven by our own power. Christ must be the one to find us in our lostness.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
We have a father who runs to us while we are still far off and greets us with a warm embrace, and we have a friend in Christ who stays by us even when we are plundering the good gifts of God for our selfish gain. Christ died on the cross not merely because people were coming home, but because His children had run away and, in His great mercy, chose to humble himself by subjecting himself to a cross so that we may see our need for Him and return to the home we belong. Ultimately, we don’t worship a God who merely holds open the door of heaven, but who left heaven behind, running to us and embracing us with all grace and mercy, to walk beside us on our way home.
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John 19:30 "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
On this Friday 2000 years ago, Creation took the breath of the One who breathed it into being.
He was flogged 39 times, one single whip away from death.
The soldiers thought they were forcing Him to carry His own cross,
But little did they know he was willingly carrying the sins of the world.
Our Creator nailed to a tree He created.
Hanging next to a sinner telling Him to save himself and him,
not knowing that if Jesus saved himself, the sinners only true hope for salvation would be lost.
Our Savior hanging on that bloody cross,
hands pierced,
flogged to the bone,
and crowned with thorns,
pulled himself up by the rusty nails through His wrists.
To breathe His final breath.
The Son of God who breathed all creation into existence,
even the tree He hung on and the hill he died on,
willingly breathed His last.
And with His last breathe came one final word,
tetelestia.
It
Is
Finished.
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming.
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”” John 12:13
Palm Sunday,
Jesus walked in
Thousands gathered around
With hands raised in worship
They were crying out with a loud voice
H o s a n n a
Lord, save us.
They saw a Savior
and wanted to crown Him king.
But when Jesus told them to drop their swords at their feet
and instead wash their enemy’s feet.
Their cry’s became shouts.
Only five days later,
Good Friday,
Jesus walked in
Thousands gathered around
With fists raised in anger
They were shouting with a loud voice
C r u c i f y h i m
The same voices who cried “hosanna” cried “crucify him” just a week later
Christ didn’t save them from the Romans like they wanted,
Instead, he saved them from themselves.
Christ will answer your cry of salvation in a way you may never expect
but He will save you none the less.
So, let the cry of hosanna remain
until the day our King returns.
Even when He asks you to be servant and not a King.
Lord, save us.
Lord, you saved us.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
God chooses to put His infinite treasure and glory, in us; fragile clay jars. He does this so that any power or glory is only found in Him and not in us.
We are broken vessels holding the most precious treasure. So that, when others look at us, they never see us, but they see the One who is in us. Christ uses broken vessels so that His name and His renown will be the main desire of our hearts.-- This truth makes it impossible to be self seeking, and makes it our desire to be Christ seeking.
Christ gives us worth.
The treasure gives value to the jar. God’s glory gives us value. Before coming to Christ, we were worthless fragile clay jars, but now we have significant value and eternal worth, not because something we have done, but because Christ has been added to us. When we come to know Christ, He doesn’t make us into a new vessel, instead, we are still a fragile clay jar as we were before, but now have the greatest treasure inside of us. In Christ, we become a new creation, not because we become better, but because the best thing is added to us; Jesus. This doesn’t mean we never change, it means that we are changed because of Christ alone. God doesn’t make us a “worthy vessel” before He puts His treasure inside. Instead, He puts His treasure inside, and that’s what makes us worthy. Because of this, when people look at us, they don’t see us, but instead see Christ in us.
WITHOUT CHRIST: we are fragile clay jars, empty and powerless. We are afflicted and crushed, perplexed and driven to despair, persecuted and forsaken, struck down and destroyed.
WITH CHRIST: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
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Isaiah 52:7 ESV “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.””
We have been invited to join the creator of the universe, on the greatest endeavor in the universe. There seems to be countless ways that Jesus and HIs Word calls us into this venture. “There are other sheep, that need to be brought into the fold,”(John 10:16) “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers few,”(Luke 10:2) “leave all behind for the sake of Christ,”(Mark 10:28) “Take up your cross and follow Me”(Mark 8:34), “Go and make disciple,” and “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” I could go on and on, probably be able to fill a book, but someone already did that, it’s called the Bible. You are commanded through an invitation. You won’t be dragged into this mission and you won’t be coerced, but you have been handed an invitation to join GOD on His mission. It certainly will be challenging and it will be frighten, but HE will be with you, and on the other side of the Journey is glory, forever.
If you believe that this calling is truly beautiful, then you will carry it, and your feet will be called beautiful. If you truly understand the beauty of the Gospel, then you will want nothing less than to bring it to the world. To every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
You must be sent. Scripture never says that people will be brought to you, that Gospel opportunity will fall in your lap, or that it will be easy. But it does say that there is a plentiful harvest, it does call you to go, and if you do, you will find the hurting and the lost, it does say that God will be by your side and on your side, and it calls the feet of those who bring the good news beautiful. You must go. You have been given the most beautiful gift, a gift of peace and salvation…now go and bring it to the world. We can no longer stand idly by expecting the work to get done, we must join in and be laborers of the harvest that is plentiful. God has invited you in to a great calling. What is stopping you?
The broken and divided world around us is in desperate need of the good news. Not just any good news but THE Good News that is the Gospel! Are you willing to bring it to the world?
Bring Good News.
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