For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Corintians 5:21
I have known that Jesus paid the price for my sin since I was eight years old and became a Christian. More recently I have been hearing that Jesus became our sin. My pastor has a great way of explaining this through scriptures, but I have never really let it sink in what that means.
As I read that verse tonight, I saw something. Jesus became our sin on the cross before He died. That is why He cried out "Father, why have you forsaken me?". He knew God hated sin. My sin, our sin - died there on that cross.
Daily I deal with people who have life controlling sin, they are blind to the great price that has been paid to free them from the bondage of that sin. But the Christian should not be controlled by sin. If I am a Christian, if I believe the Bible, and if I have asked for forgiveness - sin is dead. It has no hold on me. Jesus already took it to the grave. It was destroyed that day on Calvary. I was freed that day on the cross when he became my sin and overcame death and the grave. He overcame any power sin could have on me. He came to set the captives free. What can be more captivating than sin. Sin can only have the power we give because Jesus destroyed our sin there on the cross. It is dead. Christ lives in me and I should not take for granted what He did for me by continuing to live in sin. I must walk in His righteousness.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Prosperity and Success
(Joshua 1:8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
I was doing my study for tonight and came across this familiar scripture. I love when I read something that I can quote, but don't really understand or get. Then God just, puts it out there to me. Its like an "Ah Ha moment" and I think "gosh that's simple."
There are so many books out there about success and prosperity. Several titles come to mind that I have personally looked at. This scripture gives God's key. That is the key that unlocks prosperity and success that the world can not duplicate.
The key is God's Word. He alone holds us in the palm of His hands. He wants to direct our path but we must do certain things in order to obtain all that He has for us.
We must speak His words - "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth." We speak so many idle words. We add our opinion and our views to just about everything. Yet we fail to quote the one and only absolute truth. We use negative words instead of speaking life that comes from His word. The world tries to duplicate with positive self talk - but we can still be telling ourselves lies. If we would speak God's word in every situation, and trust it 100% we would find a complete change in our lives.
We must meditate on it - "you shall meditate in it day and night." Again so many times we meditate on negative things. We worry and fret. We spend time in regret. God tells us to meditate on His word. It will change the way we think. It will change our outlook. Meditating on God's word will give us answers to our problems thru the examples provided to us.
And then as we think and speak on His word, we must do it - "you may observe to do according to all that is written in it." We can stimulate our minds and speak out the positive - just like the world. But it will do nothing if we don't act on it. We must do what it says. Faith without action is dead.
I teach in group the importance of speaking positive and getting around people that will build up instead of tear down. I teach the importance of thought and how we have to change our faulty thinking. But the last thing I say to people is that it is their choice. We can give them all the right tools to use - but only they can chose to apply it. As much as I want to see people succeed, I can't force them to act.
It is the same way with God. He has put all the tools we need in a nice little package - easily assessable, and available for quick reference. He tells us "Speak it, meditate on it, do it. If you do, you will find success and prosper. He can tell us how to do it, but only we can chose to put it into action!
I was doing my study for tonight and came across this familiar scripture. I love when I read something that I can quote, but don't really understand or get. Then God just, puts it out there to me. Its like an "Ah Ha moment" and I think "gosh that's simple."
There are so many books out there about success and prosperity. Several titles come to mind that I have personally looked at. This scripture gives God's key. That is the key that unlocks prosperity and success that the world can not duplicate.
The key is God's Word. He alone holds us in the palm of His hands. He wants to direct our path but we must do certain things in order to obtain all that He has for us.
We must speak His words - "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth." We speak so many idle words. We add our opinion and our views to just about everything. Yet we fail to quote the one and only absolute truth. We use negative words instead of speaking life that comes from His word. The world tries to duplicate with positive self talk - but we can still be telling ourselves lies. If we would speak God's word in every situation, and trust it 100% we would find a complete change in our lives.
We must meditate on it - "you shall meditate in it day and night." Again so many times we meditate on negative things. We worry and fret. We spend time in regret. God tells us to meditate on His word. It will change the way we think. It will change our outlook. Meditating on God's word will give us answers to our problems thru the examples provided to us.
And then as we think and speak on His word, we must do it - "you may observe to do according to all that is written in it." We can stimulate our minds and speak out the positive - just like the world. But it will do nothing if we don't act on it. We must do what it says. Faith without action is dead.
I teach in group the importance of speaking positive and getting around people that will build up instead of tear down. I teach the importance of thought and how we have to change our faulty thinking. But the last thing I say to people is that it is their choice. We can give them all the right tools to use - but only they can chose to apply it. As much as I want to see people succeed, I can't force them to act.
It is the same way with God. He has put all the tools we need in a nice little package - easily assessable, and available for quick reference. He tells us "Speak it, meditate on it, do it. If you do, you will find success and prosper. He can tell us how to do it, but only we can chose to put it into action!
Monday, September 6, 2010
If He be lifted up
I was thinking about a conversation I had the other day with a person from another church. While I am sure her intention was to draw me to visit the church, I left only hoping my interpretation of what she was saying was wrong. I believe that church is suppose to be a fun place. Worshiping God, great messages, fellowship - it is fun. I also believe its okay for church congregations to do other fun activities that have nothing to do with God.
However, those fun activities should be in addition too, not in place of. I understand the desire to reach more people, but if you are reaching them through fun and games - when those pass they typically don't stay around. Christ did not say if you build a basketball court, have game nights every week, spend lots of money on special occasions - you will draw people to me. He said "If I be lifted up I will draw all men to Me."
Our primary purpose as the Church is to draw people to Christ - being his hands and feet. He loved people. He fed people. He healed people. His mere presence had people shouting and gathering. We should be so full of love and joy, and so willing to meet the tangible needs of people that the lost flock to the Church because they know the Church has the answer.
I am sure Jesus was fun to be around even when he wasn't preaching and teaching. He didn't have to come up with some gimmick to hold people's attention. People wanted to hear what he had to say. They wanted to be in his presence. Not just believers, but the lost too.
It is time that the Church stop trying to draw in the numbers and focus on lifting God up. I know that if we focus our attention on Him, people will be drawn by Him, to His Body, the Church. Numbers will increase not just momentarily but will multiple as others begin drawing to Him also. There will be plenty of time for fun and fellowship and other activities that flow out of the deep hunger for God and wanting to be in the presence of like minded people.
However, those fun activities should be in addition too, not in place of. I understand the desire to reach more people, but if you are reaching them through fun and games - when those pass they typically don't stay around. Christ did not say if you build a basketball court, have game nights every week, spend lots of money on special occasions - you will draw people to me. He said "If I be lifted up I will draw all men to Me."
Our primary purpose as the Church is to draw people to Christ - being his hands and feet. He loved people. He fed people. He healed people. His mere presence had people shouting and gathering. We should be so full of love and joy, and so willing to meet the tangible needs of people that the lost flock to the Church because they know the Church has the answer.
I am sure Jesus was fun to be around even when he wasn't preaching and teaching. He didn't have to come up with some gimmick to hold people's attention. People wanted to hear what he had to say. They wanted to be in his presence. Not just believers, but the lost too.
It is time that the Church stop trying to draw in the numbers and focus on lifting God up. I know that if we focus our attention on Him, people will be drawn by Him, to His Body, the Church. Numbers will increase not just momentarily but will multiple as others begin drawing to Him also. There will be plenty of time for fun and fellowship and other activities that flow out of the deep hunger for God and wanting to be in the presence of like minded people.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sad heart
Last night I watched "To Save a Life." There is a scene in the movie where the new kid at church calls the youth group on the floor about the judgmental hypocritical actions of the church. It was right on, a very powerful, convicting scene. However, the movie ended and I gave little thought after the fact to that scene.
But today I met a young man, and with passionate anger he made my heart sad. His anger was pure and raw. Had I been the object of his anger, I would have been fearful. Seven hours later his words still ring in my ears, tear at my heart, and have me on the verge of tears. I am enraged and so very heartbroken.
He told of his own plea to save a life and the actions of the people at the church. He told of the heart that went empty to the church only to be judged for outward appearance. Not a small slight, but outright to the face comments, that cracked the already broken spirit or vessel. That one life, pulled on the lives of all around it.
One person's negative attitude towards someone hurting and broken, broke her spirit and the life of others reaching out for help that day. He had worked for some time to convince this small group that God held the answer. And in a moment his work, and the work Christ died on the cross for, was discarded by a judgmental attitude of a "Christian."
As I drove home, my heart sank again as I was listening to the radio talk about "Make a Difference." Reaching out to others to reach them for Christ is what the Christian walk is suppose to be about. I try to make a difference for the short time I interact with people I meet. But the truth is, I want to point them to a place that will continue to pour into their lives after they have left mine. Ideally that would be the Church - a people and place that would continue to build hurting people up while God works to heal the hurts that life has thrown their way.
But the sad truth is that most churches no longer reach out to help those that are hurting. They are okay with the slightly injured, those they can place a mask on and parade around as changed until true change can come. The fake it until you make it is a popular slogan. But the time, energy and love that is needed to bring healing to lives of those hurting - most find it is easier to push them away and judge their behaviors as not trying. They refuse to help them work through the layers of pain and hurt, the cause of their sin symptoms, to minister the reconciliation and salvation Christ died to give them, that they are too hurt to accept.
And so I am left with a sad heart. I have seen too often the hurt that churches can cause on an already injured person. The Church is suppose to be the hospital for hurting people, emergency, trauma, long-term acute care - whatever is needed to heal completely. Instead, I have seen and heard that many are more of a screening center and specialty practice where people can get just the parts they want touched up. That is not what Christ died for. He came to heal the brokenhearted; not turn them away. He came to set the captive free; not make their burdens feel heavier. He came to lead people out of the darkness; not push them deeper into it.
I wish I could easily sum this up and have the solution to this problem. The simple answer is that we need to do as Christ did. We need to be moved by compassion. We need to love. We need to realize that we all fell short and that God was patient with us and loved us while we were still sinners. We need to realize that God didn't clean people up before he accepted them. He accepted them and in that relationship people were changed. I don't know how God can handle the evil that some people have went through, but I know that in my sin state God sees me the same as he does the person that has been through things that I can not even fathom occurring. He loves them, and I am called to do likewise.
So I am left with a sad heart, praying not only for those who are are in the depths of despair, but for those who are suppose to be reaching out, especially within the four walls of the buildings that are suppose to be God's house.
But today I met a young man, and with passionate anger he made my heart sad. His anger was pure and raw. Had I been the object of his anger, I would have been fearful. Seven hours later his words still ring in my ears, tear at my heart, and have me on the verge of tears. I am enraged and so very heartbroken.
He told of his own plea to save a life and the actions of the people at the church. He told of the heart that went empty to the church only to be judged for outward appearance. Not a small slight, but outright to the face comments, that cracked the already broken spirit or vessel. That one life, pulled on the lives of all around it.
One person's negative attitude towards someone hurting and broken, broke her spirit and the life of others reaching out for help that day. He had worked for some time to convince this small group that God held the answer. And in a moment his work, and the work Christ died on the cross for, was discarded by a judgmental attitude of a "Christian."
As I drove home, my heart sank again as I was listening to the radio talk about "Make a Difference." Reaching out to others to reach them for Christ is what the Christian walk is suppose to be about. I try to make a difference for the short time I interact with people I meet. But the truth is, I want to point them to a place that will continue to pour into their lives after they have left mine. Ideally that would be the Church - a people and place that would continue to build hurting people up while God works to heal the hurts that life has thrown their way.
But the sad truth is that most churches no longer reach out to help those that are hurting. They are okay with the slightly injured, those they can place a mask on and parade around as changed until true change can come. The fake it until you make it is a popular slogan. But the time, energy and love that is needed to bring healing to lives of those hurting - most find it is easier to push them away and judge their behaviors as not trying. They refuse to help them work through the layers of pain and hurt, the cause of their sin symptoms, to minister the reconciliation and salvation Christ died to give them, that they are too hurt to accept.
And so I am left with a sad heart. I have seen too often the hurt that churches can cause on an already injured person. The Church is suppose to be the hospital for hurting people, emergency, trauma, long-term acute care - whatever is needed to heal completely. Instead, I have seen and heard that many are more of a screening center and specialty practice where people can get just the parts they want touched up. That is not what Christ died for. He came to heal the brokenhearted; not turn them away. He came to set the captive free; not make their burdens feel heavier. He came to lead people out of the darkness; not push them deeper into it.
I wish I could easily sum this up and have the solution to this problem. The simple answer is that we need to do as Christ did. We need to be moved by compassion. We need to love. We need to realize that we all fell short and that God was patient with us and loved us while we were still sinners. We need to realize that God didn't clean people up before he accepted them. He accepted them and in that relationship people were changed. I don't know how God can handle the evil that some people have went through, but I know that in my sin state God sees me the same as he does the person that has been through things that I can not even fathom occurring. He loves them, and I am called to do likewise.
So I am left with a sad heart, praying not only for those who are are in the depths of despair, but for those who are suppose to be reaching out, especially within the four walls of the buildings that are suppose to be God's house.
Monday, August 23, 2010
To save a family
I was doing Bible study with the kids Friday and we were reading in Acts 16 about Paul, I was surprised at the number of times the chapter had comments like "and their family." Men, women, and children were coming to be saved and the whole household was being saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit.
Maybe because I have been waiting for my husband to surrender his life to Christ for at least fifteen years, this really interested me.
Acts 16:15 Lydia and the members of her household were baptized.
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Acts 16:33 Immediately he and all his family were baptized
Acts 16:34 He had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
So what is different in Acts 16 than it is today. I mean Paul nor Silas were disciples that walked with Christ. We know Paul had an encounter with God when he was still Saul. And Silas had came into the picture just the chapter before, although he is described as a leader among the brothers. They were obedient to Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and bold in thier actions.
These same things are available to the Church today. I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So that must mean the Church is the one that is not walking in obedience, completely led by the Holy Spirit, and in bold faith. I want to see whole families come to Christ - saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit at a single setting. I want to see God work as He has, through His body, the Church in today's times. We have to get back to bold, spirit-filled obedience.
Maybe because I have been waiting for my husband to surrender his life to Christ for at least fifteen years, this really interested me.
Acts 16:15 Lydia and the members of her household were baptized.
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Acts 16:33 Immediately he and all his family were baptized
Acts 16:34 He had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
So what is different in Acts 16 than it is today. I mean Paul nor Silas were disciples that walked with Christ. We know Paul had an encounter with God when he was still Saul. And Silas had came into the picture just the chapter before, although he is described as a leader among the brothers. They were obedient to Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and bold in thier actions.
These same things are available to the Church today. I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So that must mean the Church is the one that is not walking in obedience, completely led by the Holy Spirit, and in bold faith. I want to see whole families come to Christ - saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit at a single setting. I want to see God work as He has, through His body, the Church in today's times. We have to get back to bold, spirit-filled obedience.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
True Freedom comes through Submission
I was teaching a group today on how our behaviors are motivated by needs that we want met. One of the needs identified was the need for freedom. Under the description one of the statements read "the need for freedom is met when do do something that we don't have to do."
Tonight in church our discipleship class talked about "How to Have a Dynamic relationship between Leaders and Followers." We were talking about submitting to those in authority over us. Pastor Curtis Holt pointed out that our leaders are held accountable for the decisions they make, we are held accountable for the way that we handle our opinion and words. He said "It's not submission until you disagree with it."
I realized as he said that, true freedom comes when we chose to submit to those in authority over us, especially if we don't want to. We always have a choice to submit. Even in the worst circumstances a person can go down fighting when they are forced to do something against their will. But true freedom comes when we make the choice to submit with a good attitude and right heart even when we disagree with it.
Tonight in church our discipleship class talked about "How to Have a Dynamic relationship between Leaders and Followers." We were talking about submitting to those in authority over us. Pastor Curtis Holt pointed out that our leaders are held accountable for the decisions they make, we are held accountable for the way that we handle our opinion and words. He said "It's not submission until you disagree with it."
I realized as he said that, true freedom comes when we chose to submit to those in authority over us, especially if we don't want to. We always have a choice to submit. Even in the worst circumstances a person can go down fighting when they are forced to do something against their will. But true freedom comes when we make the choice to submit with a good attitude and right heart even when we disagree with it.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Overflow
On Wednesday night our discipleship class is studying "Getting a Grip on the Basics of Serving God" by Beth Jones. Last week our focus was week 8, How to be an Asset to your Local Church and God's Kingdom.
A comment from the book jumped out at me. It said "Everything about fruitful service to God comes from the overflow of your prayer and Word life with God." (Pg 84)
I immediately pictured a cup that represents our individual life.
At the bottom of the cup was an object, the thing we so desperately want God to do - the loved one that needs Christ, the disease or illness that needs healing, the financial burdens that need lifting, the deepest desire of our heart.
As we pray, read God's Word, and worship Him our cup fills up with the fruit that comes in a deep relationship with Him and our service to the Kingdom.
As it fills, the desire of our heart rises and then overflows into being - not because we "wished hard enough", not because we were "good enough" but because out of relationship with God, the fruit of our life speaks so loudly that the desires of our heart flow naturally. Our cup is so full it spills out into the lives of others changing them also from the inside out.
As more Christians walk in the fruitful service to God, more cups overflow. Collectively, we have the ability to bring a tidal wave from our personal overflow that washes over the needs of this world.
A comment from the book jumped out at me. It said "Everything about fruitful service to God comes from the overflow of your prayer and Word life with God." (Pg 84)
I immediately pictured a cup that represents our individual life.
At the bottom of the cup was an object, the thing we so desperately want God to do - the loved one that needs Christ, the disease or illness that needs healing, the financial burdens that need lifting, the deepest desire of our heart.
As we pray, read God's Word, and worship Him our cup fills up with the fruit that comes in a deep relationship with Him and our service to the Kingdom.
As it fills, the desire of our heart rises and then overflows into being - not because we "wished hard enough", not because we were "good enough" but because out of relationship with God, the fruit of our life speaks so loudly that the desires of our heart flow naturally. Our cup is so full it spills out into the lives of others changing them also from the inside out.
As more Christians walk in the fruitful service to God, more cups overflow. Collectively, we have the ability to bring a tidal wave from our personal overflow that washes over the needs of this world.
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