Athletes: a staple icon of the American culture. They inspire us with their comebacks, delight us with their victories, and entertain our society. While the success of a pro athlete can be fleeting, and sports teams rise and fall, we still love to love those who seem to have endless athletic talent and can achieve anything.
I don't know any of today's big athletes personally. I don't know their stories and don't get a share of their victories. But I do know a man who walked the earth over 2,000 years ago and scored some pretty major victories. He healed the un-healable, performed miracles for the hopeless, and then he made a move toward the end of his game that gave all of humanity a piece of victory.
This man has the longest winning-streak in the books. He still has a winning record. He isn't motivated by championship rings or superbowl trophies. It isn't the dollar amount on his contract or the name on his jersey that matters to him. He is motivated by the daily battles in our lives and in the world around us. He even has time to fight for righteousness on behalf of you and me!
You would think by today's standards someone who has been on a 2,000 year winning streak would be too famous to be reached. But I know this man personally. He wants to know the battles he can fight in my life for me. He is successful in all he aims to accomplish. And because I am his child, I am a joint-heir to his victory and treasures!
The man I'm telling you about is my hero, my close friend, my Father, and the ultimate victor. Through His power, the impossible IS possible. His desire is to bring me peace, joy, and continually shower me with love. Unlike today's famous athletes, this man wants to know you personally. He wants to fight for you, and he wants you to share in his victories. If you don't know him, getting to know him is easy. He has been pursuing you from the day you were born--and is standing at the door of your heart, knocking, waiting to be accepted as your personal Savior. All you have to do is let him in.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in."
-Revelation 3:20
Dear Victorious Jesus,
I know I'm a sinner and I know I can't fight this fight on my own. I believe you died for my sins. Right now I turn my from my old life of sin and open the door of my heart and life. I receive you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Little Bo Peep
It seems like yesterday I was a little tike singing along to the Little Bo Peep nursery rhyme. I think its safe to say we all learned this in our lifetime:
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them!
Leave them alone & they'll come home,
Wagging their tails behind them.
I think our society has adapted the belief Little Bo Peep had when it comes to lost sheep--those who wander. We all know wanderers. People who take the wrong path in life, go through a rebellious phase, or lose themselves for a season. When someone close to us wanders astray, it can be scary. But as Little Bo Peep teaches, we are to leave them alone--let them have their fun and eventually they will find their way back home. And when they do, they will be overcome with shame and guilt that they look like sad puppy dogs with their tails between their legs. Oh well, its the course of life, right? People wander, people lose themselves and what matters to them, but we say don't worry about them--they'll hopefully make it back alive.
I wonder if those who wander know there is someone who doesn't see them as sad and shameful dogs. The Bible tells a different story of what happens when a sheep wanders. In Luke 15, Jesus tells this story:
"If a man has 100 sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the 99 others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends saying 'Rejoice with because I have found my lost sheep!'
In the same way, there is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over 99 others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"
This story captivates the renewing love and hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Can you imagine being part of a big group or company and quitting your job or no longer attending club meetings--what happens? Does the head of the company or president of the club push the other 99 members aside to find you? To make sure you are ok and joyfully welcome you back?
Christ does. He is searching out each and every one of his lost children right now--those who don't know him, those who are rebelling against him, and those who are living blinded by sin. He is pursuing and will continue to pursue until you answer the knock at the door of your heart and welcome Him in. He will change your life, love you unconditionally--and unlike the world, welcome you into his arms without condemnation. He's a loving Father, not a harsh disciplinarian. He is waiting to carry you joyfully in his arms & Heaven is waiting to throw the biggest party when they see Jesus' pursuit of the one lost wanderer become victorious! A life with Christ is not bland or strict, it simply requires obedience and repentance from sin. It offers a refreshing escape from this cold & careless world. You may feel like just another lost person trying to find their place in this big world, but in God's eyes, you are an important sheep in his flock. He knows you by name, he knows everything about you, He desires to bless your life and keep you in His watch forever.
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them!
Leave them alone & they'll come home,
Wagging their tails behind them.
I think our society has adapted the belief Little Bo Peep had when it comes to lost sheep--those who wander. We all know wanderers. People who take the wrong path in life, go through a rebellious phase, or lose themselves for a season. When someone close to us wanders astray, it can be scary. But as Little Bo Peep teaches, we are to leave them alone--let them have their fun and eventually they will find their way back home. And when they do, they will be overcome with shame and guilt that they look like sad puppy dogs with their tails between their legs. Oh well, its the course of life, right? People wander, people lose themselves and what matters to them, but we say don't worry about them--they'll hopefully make it back alive.
I wonder if those who wander know there is someone who doesn't see them as sad and shameful dogs. The Bible tells a different story of what happens when a sheep wanders. In Luke 15, Jesus tells this story:
"If a man has 100 sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the 99 others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends saying 'Rejoice with because I have found my lost sheep!'
In the same way, there is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over 99 others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"
This story captivates the renewing love and hope that is found in Jesus Christ. Can you imagine being part of a big group or company and quitting your job or no longer attending club meetings--what happens? Does the head of the company or president of the club push the other 99 members aside to find you? To make sure you are ok and joyfully welcome you back?
Christ does. He is searching out each and every one of his lost children right now--those who don't know him, those who are rebelling against him, and those who are living blinded by sin. He is pursuing and will continue to pursue until you answer the knock at the door of your heart and welcome Him in. He will change your life, love you unconditionally--and unlike the world, welcome you into his arms without condemnation. He's a loving Father, not a harsh disciplinarian. He is waiting to carry you joyfully in his arms & Heaven is waiting to throw the biggest party when they see Jesus' pursuit of the one lost wanderer become victorious! A life with Christ is not bland or strict, it simply requires obedience and repentance from sin. It offers a refreshing escape from this cold & careless world. You may feel like just another lost person trying to find their place in this big world, but in God's eyes, you are an important sheep in his flock. He knows you by name, he knows everything about you, He desires to bless your life and keep you in His watch forever.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Who is your boss?
We spend 8 hours a day or more logging hours behind a desk. Work, career, and accomplishments have become staples of our world that "define" a person's life and how successful they are. Imagine the inner struggles with self-esteem and value we could avoid if we understood our identity and value is found in God, the person He has crafted us to be, and not by anything we accomplish in this world!
I love listening to MercyMe's version of "The Little Drummer Boy." I think we all can identify with how they sing this song--from a voice of humility, feeling nothing we have to offer is a worthy gift to give the son of a King!
"Shall I play for you? Mary looked at me and nodded. The ox and lamb kept time. Oh I played my drum for Christ. Oh I played my best for Christ. I played my best for Christ!"
How often do we give our absolute best effort to Christ? You know, the type of effort we exert to win a game match, or to fight hard for a new job, or to even protect our reputation in the eyes of others? We often give God our leftover energy. But this is the opposite of how we should be living--God's commands given to us should receive our absolute best effort, and the world's demands on us can have what's left in our tank. What God calls us to accomplish will produce a result more amazing than we can ever achieve by our own efforts in this world.
In addition to playing our best for Christ, it is important to maintain a Godly attitude in the workplace. Although bosses may take advantage of us or work makes us miserable, we ought to work to accomplish each task as though God assigned it to us. Just because He's not physically sitting across from you in your next job interview or signing your paychecks, He is the manager of every job, promotion, paycheck, and career that will come your way. Remember who you're working for, and your work will take on a whole new, glorious meaning when you know it is pleasing the Lord!
I love listening to MercyMe's version of "The Little Drummer Boy." I think we all can identify with how they sing this song--from a voice of humility, feeling nothing we have to offer is a worthy gift to give the son of a King!
"Shall I play for you? Mary looked at me and nodded. The ox and lamb kept time. Oh I played my drum for Christ. Oh I played my best for Christ. I played my best for Christ!"
How often do we give our absolute best effort to Christ? You know, the type of effort we exert to win a game match, or to fight hard for a new job, or to even protect our reputation in the eyes of others? We often give God our leftover energy. But this is the opposite of how we should be living--God's commands given to us should receive our absolute best effort, and the world's demands on us can have what's left in our tank. What God calls us to accomplish will produce a result more amazing than we can ever achieve by our own efforts in this world.
In addition to playing our best for Christ, it is important to maintain a Godly attitude in the workplace. Although bosses may take advantage of us or work makes us miserable, we ought to work to accomplish each task as though God assigned it to us. Just because He's not physically sitting across from you in your next job interview or signing your paychecks, He is the manager of every job, promotion, paycheck, and career that will come your way. Remember who you're working for, and your work will take on a whole new, glorious meaning when you know it is pleasing the Lord!
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