Just one quick little nugget for you today...
1 Corinthians 1:23 reads "...we preach Christ crucified, and to Jews it is a stumbling block and to Gentiles it is foolishness."
A small verse - cryptic even, but so deep and beautiful and enlightening.
The whole section, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 purposes to explain the misunderstandings of God's message of the cross. And without the Holy Spirit to illumine me, I wouldn't understand it at all.
Once, in a children's ministry, it was broken down as simply as "God's plans and ideas and ways are upside down."
Christ's crucifixion made him weak in eyes of Gentiles and certainly not a role model.
Jews rejected him because he didn't save them from the oppressive Romans.
Because God asks Jews to accept Jesus as their Savior, they are locked out of Heaven. Christ IS the stumbling block.
Because God asks Gentiles to accept Jesus as their Hero, they are locked out of Heaven. Christ IS the rock of offense.
Paul tells us the Law reveals our sin. Similarly, Jesus' light is offensive to darkness.
Wednesday
Come to Jesus with Empty Hands
Last night’s discussion of grace (Matthew 19:23-21:17) brought about this quote, “God gives where He finds empty hands.” (St. Augustine of Hippo)
A Google search for more information brought me this blog post, which is fabulous. The orange juice analogy really is good once you figure out what the blogger is attempting to say.
But I think St Augustine wants us think about more than stuff. I don’t think he meant literally empty hands of tangible items. I think he meant empty like a blank slate. I think he meant empty like not trying to prove my worth.
And this blog about having “empty hands of repentance,” was good in a whole different way.
God’s grace is so thorough, so life-changing, so deep, so earth-shattering, so all-encompassing that it requires empty hands of repentance.
God, in his great love, wisdom, and mercy is not content to condone our sin. Rather, he is intent on forgiving it, cleansing us of it so it might not rule over us. When we come clinging to our sin, we are in no position to receive.
We cannot cling to our sins with justification or reasoning or acceptance and expect God’s entire grace. We have to have empty hands.
Empty of merit, of justification, of expectation.
Come to Jesus with empty hands that He might fill them up with peace and joy and love beyond measure.
A Google search for more information brought me this blog post, which is fabulous. The orange juice analogy really is good once you figure out what the blogger is attempting to say.
But I think St Augustine wants us think about more than stuff. I don’t think he meant literally empty hands of tangible items. I think he meant empty like a blank slate. I think he meant empty like not trying to prove my worth.
And this blog about having “empty hands of repentance,” was good in a whole different way.
God’s grace is so thorough, so life-changing, so deep, so earth-shattering, so all-encompassing that it requires empty hands of repentance.
God, in his great love, wisdom, and mercy is not content to condone our sin. Rather, he is intent on forgiving it, cleansing us of it so it might not rule over us. When we come clinging to our sin, we are in no position to receive.
We cannot cling to our sins with justification or reasoning or acceptance and expect God’s entire grace. We have to have empty hands.
Empty of merit, of justification, of expectation.
Come to Jesus with empty hands that He might fill them up with peace and joy and love beyond measure.
Thursday
A Blazing Offering
During the worship portion of the service I attended this week, there was one lined in one song that struck a chord. I felt connected to it and have thought about the repeatedly the last few days.
“…let my life be a blazing offering…”
We often hear the cliché “on fire for the Lord,” but this line was a nice twist that used “blaze” which creates a whole different word picture - and it resonated in my soul.
First of all, “let my life be an offering” is a wonderful goal in itself. But a “blazing offering” would have to be a lifetstyle in order for you to be successful.
Is offering myself to Christ a lifestyle that I live? Is it something people can’t help but see?
I have seen wildfires rage on hillsides in Southern California. You can’t miss them. They surround you, envelope you, shake you to your core. Is my life a “blazing offering?”
I do not tithe. I do not volunteer. I do not even attend church. I do not pray every night before I sleep. I do not listen to Christian radio. I watch “R” rated movies. I curse like a sailor. The list goes on and on (and on)…
But then I try to find just ONE thing about my life that might be pleasing to the Lord and I am instantly reminded that I set out many moons ago to be a Proverbs 31 wife to Chris.
“…for her worth is far above jewels…the heart of her husband trusts in her…she does him good and not evil…she clothes herself with strength and works hard…strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also praises her saying, “Many daughers have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
I have painstakingly worked to prove my worth to be far above any jewel. My greatest accomplishment as Chris’s wife has been to show him what unconditional love and commitment look and feel like. To be the best mother I know how to be for his children. I have not been perfect, but I have been consistent. And I can honestly say that Chris has noticed. He recognizes my value, my hard work and my intentions.
He doesn’t, however, see that Jesus is my power source.
And then I thought about my job and realized that my work ethic is a “blazing offering” to the Lord. And it has been every job since I worked at Red Devil Equipment Co.
Colossians 3:23 “What ever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Any boss I have ever worked for would immediately attest to how thorough, efficient and dependable I am. It is my joy and my honor to do work that is so praiseworthy. None of my bosses, however, could tell you that Jesus is my true boss.
And that brings me to the one point from the sermon I gained.
Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
I’ve done some great mighty things for God, but people don’t know that I am doing it FOR God. I’ve been a wonderful living sacrifice, a testament to all the Lord can do in and through a human being. Now, I’ve just got to let the world know, I do it all because Jesus first loved me.
“…let my life be a blazing offering…”
We often hear the cliché “on fire for the Lord,” but this line was a nice twist that used “blaze” which creates a whole different word picture - and it resonated in my soul.
First of all, “let my life be an offering” is a wonderful goal in itself. But a “blazing offering” would have to be a lifetstyle in order for you to be successful.
Is offering myself to Christ a lifestyle that I live? Is it something people can’t help but see?
I have seen wildfires rage on hillsides in Southern California. You can’t miss them. They surround you, envelope you, shake you to your core. Is my life a “blazing offering?”
I do not tithe. I do not volunteer. I do not even attend church. I do not pray every night before I sleep. I do not listen to Christian radio. I watch “R” rated movies. I curse like a sailor. The list goes on and on (and on)…
But then I try to find just ONE thing about my life that might be pleasing to the Lord and I am instantly reminded that I set out many moons ago to be a Proverbs 31 wife to Chris.
“…for her worth is far above jewels…the heart of her husband trusts in her…she does him good and not evil…she clothes herself with strength and works hard…strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also praises her saying, “Many daughers have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
I have painstakingly worked to prove my worth to be far above any jewel. My greatest accomplishment as Chris’s wife has been to show him what unconditional love and commitment look and feel like. To be the best mother I know how to be for his children. I have not been perfect, but I have been consistent. And I can honestly say that Chris has noticed. He recognizes my value, my hard work and my intentions.
He doesn’t, however, see that Jesus is my power source.
And then I thought about my job and realized that my work ethic is a “blazing offering” to the Lord. And it has been every job since I worked at Red Devil Equipment Co.
Colossians 3:23 “What ever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Any boss I have ever worked for would immediately attest to how thorough, efficient and dependable I am. It is my joy and my honor to do work that is so praiseworthy. None of my bosses, however, could tell you that Jesus is my true boss.
And that brings me to the one point from the sermon I gained.
Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
I’ve done some great mighty things for God, but people don’t know that I am doing it FOR God. I’ve been a wonderful living sacrifice, a testament to all the Lord can do in and through a human being. Now, I’ve just got to let the world know, I do it all because Jesus first loved me.
Sunday
I Need That Cup
Today, I went to church. I don't go often. I don't even remember the last time I attended the same church twice.
I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, soul and strength. Church, however, I do not love. I don't do cordial or casual well. I don't do small-talk , I don't avoid pink elephants; and in my experience, church is a lot of those things. Church is often "formulas for freedom," "patterns for perfection." It is cliches, alliteration, and very uncomfortable. Churches have a jargon, and as soon as something has words that outsiders don't understand, it becomes mostly irrelevant.
But every November, it seems, I try. And today's attempt, honestly, was mostly for my kids (but that is another blog post).
All that negativity being said, today's experience was likable enough that I am at least willing to do it again.
During his sermon, the pastor had a vulnerability about him, and it made me feel like just maybe this church is "real."
Oh sure, they had all the pomp and circumstance of a typical "non-denominational, seeker-friendly, contemporary worship" church service. But since it was smaller than a mega-church, the hubaloo was diluted. The bulletin was not six pages, the need for money didn't include building renovations, and the list of available small groups didn't meet EVERYone "where they are."
During the "communion meditation" this morning, the gentleman providing the devotional gave a little piece that will probably motivate me to go back...
He got it from someone else, but he said, "In my youth, I thought I'd have sin beat by the time I was old. Now that I am old, I know sin actually gets stronger as I age.
"I need Jesus. I need that weekly cup of wine to remind me that through the blood of Christ, sin has been defeated."
We are called to be in fellowship with like-minded individuals, couples and families. We are called to worship in unison with a group. We are called to pray and serve and hold accountable and be accountable our brothers and sisters in Christ. I may finally be at a place where I am maybe willing to partake in that calling. Maybe.
Lord knows, I need that cup.
I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, soul and strength. Church, however, I do not love. I don't do cordial or casual well. I don't do small-talk , I don't avoid pink elephants; and in my experience, church is a lot of those things. Church is often "formulas for freedom," "patterns for perfection." It is cliches, alliteration, and very uncomfortable. Churches have a jargon, and as soon as something has words that outsiders don't understand, it becomes mostly irrelevant.
But every November, it seems, I try. And today's attempt, honestly, was mostly for my kids (but that is another blog post).
All that negativity being said, today's experience was likable enough that I am at least willing to do it again.
During his sermon, the pastor had a vulnerability about him, and it made me feel like just maybe this church is "real."
Oh sure, they had all the pomp and circumstance of a typical "non-denominational, seeker-friendly, contemporary worship" church service. But since it was smaller than a mega-church, the hubaloo was diluted. The bulletin was not six pages, the need for money didn't include building renovations, and the list of available small groups didn't meet EVERYone "where they are."
During the "communion meditation" this morning, the gentleman providing the devotional gave a little piece that will probably motivate me to go back...
He got it from someone else, but he said, "In my youth, I thought I'd have sin beat by the time I was old. Now that I am old, I know sin actually gets stronger as I age.
"I need Jesus. I need that weekly cup of wine to remind me that through the blood of Christ, sin has been defeated."
We are called to be in fellowship with like-minded individuals, couples and families. We are called to worship in unison with a group. We are called to pray and serve and hold accountable and be accountable our brothers and sisters in Christ. I may finally be at a place where I am maybe willing to partake in that calling. Maybe.
Lord knows, I need that cup.
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday
Oh Em Gee ! ! !
I read this post on my friend's blog, and let out a REALLY GOOD cry.
What a relief to finally put a finger on my distance from God.
"[Her pastor] describes lamenting as righteous complaining to God that can end with praising God or end with bitterness toward God."
My lamenting has ended with bitterness. For YEARS. I have been bitter with God for a loooooooooong time. And until now, I had no idea how to change my attitude.
Now, I am resolved to try and heal my relationship with God.
Please pray that I would find the words to praise Him with my whole heart.
What a relief to finally put a finger on my distance from God.
"[Her pastor] describes lamenting as righteous complaining to God that can end with praising God or end with bitterness toward God."
My lamenting has ended with bitterness. For YEARS. I have been bitter with God for a loooooooooong time. And until now, I had no idea how to change my attitude.
Now, I am resolved to try and heal my relationship with God.
Please pray that I would find the words to praise Him with my whole heart.
Wednesday
Luke, a Friend of Paul
I wrote this many moons ago, but I am reminded of it today as I begin my study of The Acts of the Apostles with BSF.
Last night was the Intro class. I haven't decided yet if I am fully committed to the study, but already I learned three things:
1. I can't ever run. Even when I'm trying to cover my running by going to a Bible study, God will follow and make sure I'm dealing with my emotions, my situations, my life, relationships and my attitude.
2. I must be who I am, who God created me to be. When I push against that is when I get all jacked up. To care more about others IS Christ-like. Lucky me that it comes so naturally. Embrace it. Live it. Don't let others sway me into thinking that I need to put myself first. It never works in my favor.
3. "Even our Lord Jesus Himself was anointed 'with the Holy Spirit and power' for the work He was obliged to finish (Acts 10:38)." Even Jesus Christ Superstar needed help. I can get the same help. I don't have to do it alone. When I am weak, He is strong.
posted from Bloggeroid
Last night was the Intro class. I haven't decided yet if I am fully committed to the study, but already I learned three things:
1. I can't ever run. Even when I'm trying to cover my running by going to a Bible study, God will follow and make sure I'm dealing with my emotions, my situations, my life, relationships and my attitude.
2. I must be who I am, who God created me to be. When I push against that is when I get all jacked up. To care more about others IS Christ-like. Lucky me that it comes so naturally. Embrace it. Live it. Don't let others sway me into thinking that I need to put myself first. It never works in my favor.
3. "Even our Lord Jesus Himself was anointed 'with the Holy Spirit and power' for the work He was obliged to finish (Acts 10:38)." Even Jesus Christ Superstar needed help. I can get the same help. I don't have to do it alone. When I am weak, He is strong.
posted from Bloggeroid
Saturday
For about a week, the Verse of the Day app on my phone has given me a verse that really speaks to me.
8/12/2011 Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This verse was the first verse to hit home in many many months. I think it was because it's saying that NO MATTER WHAT, I am still God and you are still my daughter. I will ALWAYS be here for you, even though you put me away on a shelf in the storage shed for months at a time.
8/13/2011 2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Chris and I had been fighting, and this verse reminded me that I should love like Christ. Love first. And maybe if I gave God a little more attention, loving would come easier.
8/14/2011 1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Just in case I missed the message about love yesterday...
8/15/2011 James 3:7-9 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Oh, tongue. You little devil. I had realized the evening prior that the way I treat people is not necessarily loving...I lack the ability to communicate my exact revelation to you, but if you've ever dealt with a person who is constantly correcting you, bossing you around and/or irritated with your sheer stupidity, then you've probably experienced a conversation or two with me.
8/16/2011 Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
These verses are some of the most powerful in the Bible to me. On this day, "...hope does not put us to shame..." is the part I needed. Continuing to try, to believe I can be an amazing wife, mother, friend, etc WILL pay off in the end. Do not give up trying to be the best you can be, even though it feels like you often fail. Even though it feels like no one appreciates your efforts. Even though your reward is decades away in Heaven, endure.
8/17/2011 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
I saw someone I do not particularly like, but my Verse of the Day app was right there to remind me that God created this person (and probably put her in my life for a reason).
8/19/2011 Revelation 4:11 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.
And the week finished off with a verse that just reminds me that the Lord God IS Almighty.
It's not that I have ignored God, I just don't make Him a priority. I'm still torn between being gung-ho for Him and forgetting all about Him...
I still pray, I still thank Him, I still try to abide by His guidelines, I still serve others in the hope that they will see His Glory. I just don't evangelize, I don't go to church, I don't read my Bible (who has time with a six-year-old, a five-month-old, a sixteen-year-old, a cat that pees all over the house, a cat that pukes all over the house and a husband?!). And truthfully, I don't really seek His will for my life.
I believe it's all a sign to attend BSF for the study of Acts in 2011-2012. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I am leaning in that direction.
8/12/2011 Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
This verse was the first verse to hit home in many many months. I think it was because it's saying that NO MATTER WHAT, I am still God and you are still my daughter. I will ALWAYS be here for you, even though you put me away on a shelf in the storage shed for months at a time.
8/13/2011 2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Chris and I had been fighting, and this verse reminded me that I should love like Christ. Love first. And maybe if I gave God a little more attention, loving would come easier.
8/14/2011 1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Just in case I missed the message about love yesterday...
8/15/2011 James 3:7-9 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
Oh, tongue. You little devil. I had realized the evening prior that the way I treat people is not necessarily loving...I lack the ability to communicate my exact revelation to you, but if you've ever dealt with a person who is constantly correcting you, bossing you around and/or irritated with your sheer stupidity, then you've probably experienced a conversation or two with me.
8/16/2011 Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
These verses are some of the most powerful in the Bible to me. On this day, "...hope does not put us to shame..." is the part I needed. Continuing to try, to believe I can be an amazing wife, mother, friend, etc WILL pay off in the end. Do not give up trying to be the best you can be, even though it feels like you often fail. Even though it feels like no one appreciates your efforts. Even though your reward is decades away in Heaven, endure.
8/17/2011 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
I saw someone I do not particularly like, but my Verse of the Day app was right there to remind me that God created this person (and probably put her in my life for a reason).
8/19/2011 Revelation 4:11 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.
And the week finished off with a verse that just reminds me that the Lord God IS Almighty.
It's not that I have ignored God, I just don't make Him a priority. I'm still torn between being gung-ho for Him and forgetting all about Him...
I still pray, I still thank Him, I still try to abide by His guidelines, I still serve others in the hope that they will see His Glory. I just don't evangelize, I don't go to church, I don't read my Bible (who has time with a six-year-old, a five-month-old, a sixteen-year-old, a cat that pees all over the house, a cat that pukes all over the house and a husband?!). And truthfully, I don't really seek His will for my life.
I believe it's all a sign to attend BSF for the study of Acts in 2011-2012. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I am leaning in that direction.
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