My List Is Longer Than Your List

Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (MSG)

Many years ago I sat in a Bible Study and we were talking about things we'd like to overcome. Now I was a new Christian and my list was super long. Pick something and even if you don't think it was on my list, it probably was. As we were going around the circle I was thinking "What can I say that doesn't sound too bad." Well, the lady next to me just happened to be the Pastor's wife and when it was her turn she said "I'd like to stop eating so many sweets."

Are you kidding me? That was what she wanted to overcome? I wanted to say "Excuse me, can you pick something that is actually a real thing? Who the heck cares about that? I am looking at a list here that would make you run screaming from the room and you are talking about sweets!"

I will never forget that. What I didn't know then and thankfully I know now is that to God we are all a new creation. When we say I believe in Jesus, he sees us as already changed. I was looking inside (and of course at everyone's outside) and comparing myself to them. God doesn't do that. He sees us all the same. No matter what your struggle is or what my struggle is, God isn't comparing them and saying "WOW, look at her list. That's pretty steep while this other person's list is easy." He isn't doing that. He's saying "Look at all my kids! Aren't they marvelous!?"

As you continue your walk with God, know that he sees you right where you are and loves you perfectly. Your worth in his eyes has nothing to do with what you are or are not doing. It has everything to do with your desire to follow him. You see, to God you are already perfect. You have been perfected by the love of Jesus.

Have You Ever Answered The Question?

When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” John 16:13-16 (MSG)

The other night in a book club we looked at this verse. The answer to who do people say Jesus is can be as varied as the number of people you ask. In our society, it is sometimes thought of as politically incorrect to even ask. And we tread so lightly around this topic that we don't really even think about it for ourselves.

As the conversation in the group turned to the next question Jesus asked “How about you? Who do you say I am?” we each shared who he was to us. Some of the answers were:

He gave me purpose
My Provider
My Best Friend
He shows me who I am and who I want to be
He gave me fulfillment and purpose
My Dream Maker
He is what I need

For every one of us, the answer is different. And for each of us individually, the answer varies at different times. One day I may recognize him as my Provider. The next day I may recognize him as my Dream Maker. Heck, even in the next moment I could recognize him as my Friend.

God is so multi-faceted. In the Bible, he showed up in novel ways to each person that encountered him. He is not a cookie-cutter God. For each and every one of us he will be something personal. He will show up how we need it, when we need it at exactly the right time. I praise Him for that! If he didn’t, the walk wouldn’t be so exciting.

How about you? Who do you say Jesus is? Make it personal.

A Minute In It

A little time in the Word every day changes you. Take a few minutes, put yourself in the story and ask yourself a few questions.

If you were Joshua and the Lord told you to do this, would you think it sounded crazy? Would you do it? How would you know it was God talking to you? If you were a member of an army and Joshua came to you and told you this is what you were going to do, would you trust he heard it from God? Would you do it? When the walls came crashing down with a tremendous roar, would you be amazed? Would you trust God more?

Jericho was shut up tight as a drum because of the People of Israel: no one going in, no one coming out. God spoke to Joshua, “Look sharp now. I’ve already given Jericho to you, along with its king and its crack troops. Here’s what you are to do: March around the city, all your soldiers. Circle the city once. Repeat this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven ram’s horn trumpets in front of the Chest. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, the priests blowing away on the trumpets. And then, a long blast on the ram’s horn—when you hear that, all the people are to shout at the top of their lungs. The city wall will collapse at once. All the people are to enter, every man straight on in.”

So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and told them, “Take up the Chest of the Covenant. Seven priests are to carry seven ram’s horn trumpets leading God’s Chest.” Then he told the people, “Set out! March around the city. Have the armed guard march before the Chest of God.” And it happened. Joshua spoke, the people moved: Seven priests with their seven ram’s horn trumpets set out before God. They blew the trumpets, leading God’s Chest of the Covenant. The armed guard marched ahead of the trumpet-blowing priests; the rear guard was marching after the Chest, marching and blowing their trumpets. Joshua had given orders to the people, “Don’t shout. In fact, don’t even speak—not so much as a whisper until you hear me say, ‘Shout!’—then shout away!”

He sent the Chest of God on its way around the city. It circled once, came back to camp, and stayed for the night. Joshua was up early the next morning and the priests took up the Chest of God. The seven priests carrying the seven ram’s horn trumpets marched before the Chest of God, marching and blowing the trumpets, with the armed guard marching before and the rear guard marching after. Marching and blowing of trumpets! On the second day they again circled the city once and returned to camp. They did this six days.

When the seventh day came, they got up early and marched around the city this same way but seven times—yes, this day they circled the city seven times. On the seventh time around the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua signaled the people, “Shout!—God has given you the city! The priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the blast of the trumpets, they gave a thunderclap shout. The wall fell at once. The people rushed straight into the city and took it. Joshua 6:1-17a, 20 (MSG)

On The Lam

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. Ezekiel 34:11, 16a (NLT)

Yesterday, Doctor went on the lam. Doctor is my son's dog. He is his pride and joy. The jury is still out on how exactly he got out. He tends to try to follow you outside and if you aren't careful, you don't see him sneaking past you. And he has, in the past, jumped the fence in the back yard. Once he's out, he goes on a walk about exploring his new found territory. Either way, I was dog sitting and when my son came to pick him up, we couldn't find him. Did I mention I had taken his dog collar off earlier in the morning and didn't put it back on? UGH!

Panic hit as we realized he wasn't anywhere in the house or in the back yard. Immediately, we ran outside and started yelling his name; screaming at the top of our lungs. Then, we each jumped in a car and took off in different directions searching for him. We went to places we thought he might go. We went to the neighborhood where he was found before when the wind blew the gate open. We went to the park where my son takes him to play. DOOOOCCCCTTOOORRRR! We called and called. No luck.

I went on line to the animal shelter and filed a Lost Dog report and my son kept looking. Then, we posted flyers all over the neighborhood hoping someone would spot him and call. The anguish we felt was horrible. We just wanted him to come back home and be safe.

Made me think of God and how he comes looking for us when we go 'on the lam.' We see something outside of our God comfort zone and go for it. We walk a little too far and then get lost. And like my son and I looking for Doctor, God comes looking for us. He calls our name over and over again trying to get us to hear him and come home. He comes to our favorite places. He sends people and circumstances (much like posting flyers) to let us know he's interested and he's looking for us. He is hoping against hope that we hear him and wander back to the place we know.

Someone found Doctor and turned him into the Animal Shelter. They notified my son that they had him and he could pick him up today. We were praising God that he was safe and would be home soon. And when Doctor gets home, he is going to get lots of treats and loving.

God does that too. When we come home, he throws a party. He showers us with love. Lots of celebrating when one of his kids is found....safe and home again.

Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent. Luke 15:6-7 (GNT)

Buffing Out The Imperfections

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my behavior. I keep hearing in my head that I am not good enough, that I shouldn't have said this thing or that thing. It's pretty much a constant barrage of negativity that only I can hear. I know Satan is trying to discourage me and make me feel bad. Right now, the battle is fierce.

The good news is that God is countering. In my time with him he is providing Bible texts and thoughts and devotions that talk about how he keeps working. He doesn't give up on us. We are his masterpiece after all. As the Master Artist, he has a plan for our lives.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

There are a couple of things I've realized on this particular journey.

1. I am not alone in this. I know there are a lot of people out there that Satan tries to bring down with his negative commentary. Ignore him. He's just trying to hurt you and God's plan for your life.

2. We can't totally ignore what we know we need to change. I know there are character traits I need to grow (or eliminate). I know there are areas where I need to face my sin and ask God for help. I need to have a new heart and a new spirit that want to be more like Jesus. There are days when my heart is stony and stubborn. Those days I especially need to rely on God to change me.

3. I also know that no matter what, God wants what's best for me. He wants me to be more like him. He wants me to grow. More importantly, he is not giving up on this masterpiece until it is finished. He's not giving up on your masterpiece either. He is going to keep chiseling, sanding, and buffing until his work of art, you, is complete.

In summary, ignore the mean voice, pay attention to where you need God's artistic touch and be willing. God will do the rest. It's his specialty as the Master.

A Minute In It

A little time in the Word every day changes you. After you read it, take a few minutes and ask yourself the questions below.

I waited and waited and waited for God.
    At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
    pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
    to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
    a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
    they enter the mystery,
    abandoning themselves to God.

Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
    turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
    ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
    of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
    comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
    and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
    account for you.

Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
    that’s not what you’re after.
Being religious, acting pious—
    that’s not what you’re asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
    so I can listen.

So I answered, “I’m coming.
    I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I’m coming to the party
    you’re throwing for me.”
That’s when God’s Word entered my life,
    became part of my very being.

I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,
    I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn’t keep the news of your ways
    a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
    I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
    let the congregation know the whole story.

Now God, don’t hold out on me,
    don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
    are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
    a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
    I couldn’t see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
    so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.

Soften up, God, and intervene;
    hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
    will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
    will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
    will be booed and jeered without mercy.

But all who are hunting for you—
    oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
    tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
    make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
    but God, don’t put it off
Psalms 40 (MSG)

Is there something you are waiting on God for? Where are you, in the mud on or on the rock?
When you are swamped with guilt and troubles, where do you turn?
Do you believe God loves you? Do you believe he will intervene in your life and make something of it or you?
Do you go looking for him? When you find him, have your words been able to describe him adequately?

Look for him this weekend. Look for him in ways you have not done before. You'll be blown away at the different places he shows up!

A Better Way

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” John 8:4-5 (NLT)

When they threw the woman caught in the act of adultery onto the ground in front of Jesus, they wanted her dead. Jesus got quiet and started writing in the dust. I wonder what was going through his head. I wonder if it was that the law they mentioned required testimony from two people who saw the couple in a sexual act: lying in the same bed, no mistaking what they were doing and able to positively identify each person. The two witnesses had to see these things at the same time and place so there story was identical.  It would be virtually impossible to do this if you hadn’t set up a trap.

I wonder if he was also thinking that the law required a person to step in and help someone who was about to sin by encouraging them to walk away. This required compassion. Where was the compassion here? And where was the man involved? He was obviously committing the same act but he was excused. Then, there is the public display of the case. Why wasn't this done privately? Were they really concerned with her welfare or Jesus' response?

I wonder if his Divinity flashed as he saw their careless regard for this woman's life. And I can't help but wonder if he thought to himself "This is why humans aren't in charge of the judgement." Obviously, we as humans can see when someone is doing something they shouldn't be doing. But too often we see it with blinders on. We neglect to look at our own sin and contemplate our own situations. We are so quick to look at others and snap to judgement. We are slow to see them with Jesus' heart.

Jesus said to her "Go and leave your life of sin." (v. 11, NIV) He wasn’t ignorant to what she was actually doing. And he didn't want her to continue her sinful behavior. But how he set her on a different path was immensely different. Jesus was interested in her future, in her eternity. His heart went out to her knowing she was hurting and in need of a better way. The accusers were only interested in proving their point even if it meant destroying her life.

So who do you most take after in this story? Next time we are tempted to pass judgement on someone, we should ask ourselves "What would Jesus do?"

Sing Your New Song

He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)

As she lay there at his feet weeping and trembling, thoughts raced through her mind. She was terrified. She had been caught in the act of adultery. The law said she would be stoned. Everyone knew this. There was no getting out of it. She was so overcome with fear she was frozen in place. The men were talking over her asking Jesus to validate what they were saying. She was holding her breath and waiting for the first rock to hit.

Jesus stooped down. He was writing something in the sand she could not see. What was it? After a long hesitation, he stood up and said something to the men. Then he stooped down again.

There was silence and one by one through her tears and hair she could see their feet leaving the circle that held her captive. Jesus stood up and said "Where are all the folks that accused you? Are they accusing you now?" "No." she said. Jesus said, "I'm not accusing you either. But going forward, stop sinning."

Jesus gave this woman a new song. Her life was exposed and healed because of her encounter with him. How about you? Maybe you don't have an overt sin in your life. Maybe life has just gotten really hard to deal with. Sometimes life just takes wickedly unexpected turns. The principle is still the same. As the old is flushed out it creates a space for the new and if you allow that new to be Jesus, your feet are replanted and redirected. You will end up with a new song to sing.

Yes, Jesus gave this woman a new song as he did Moses, Abraham, David, Rahab, the Disciples, you and me. Each time our lives take an unexpected turn whether it is because of something we did or circumstances we can't control, there is a different path we can take. Jesus will turn our story into a new song. And all of it will be for his glory.