I'm a Christ-follower. Let's take notice of the obivous. I follow by choice. That's the application of being a bond-servant. So, in theory, at least, I wait for Jesus to lead out then I follow in step and go wherever he leads. Even if he takes the seemingly most ill-conceived path to get where we're going it's not my role to question, just follow.
The biggest problem I have is my ego urges me to evaluate where it appears Jesus is leading me and how he's getting us there. So, I make course corrections. I make improvements. Please try not to laugh out loud as you read the obsurdity of my logic. You can imagine how my improvements add to my stress level and frustration. I cannot believe that the life Jesus offers me is intended to have this level of stress and frustration.
It isn't. There is enough trouble living in a post-Genesis 3 world. But, in Christ that trouble is manageable. It becomes unmanageable when I veer off Jesus' course and take my own. That's when I am living my own life.
"Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Mt. 16:25).
So, I give up. I give up my life and give everything I've got to make sure Sara, Alyssa, Jason, Jared, the people of Grace, and those who cross my path really live. I have now found my life. When I pour myself into the lives of others Jesus breathes life into me.
I surrender.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Are You Alive?
So, what does it mean to live (zoe)? What goes on inside a man who's really alive? Sometimes, the easiest place to start in defining a term is to start with its opposite. What's going inside a man who isn't alive?
There are a lot of confused men. I want to be alive. So, I look for other men who show evidence of life. I also see men live like they're dead. There are many more of the latter than the former. Every man goes through midlife but not every man has a crisis. It would seem that a man who's not alive cheats. He cheats on his wife and his taxes. And, a man who is alive is honest and has integrity. But, even this isn't clear cut.
Can a man who is a Jesus-follower live like he's dead? If not, why would Paul write so much about choosing to live like you're alive if you know Christ?
I believe I'm alive. I love my wife. I live my children, though sometimes I really don't like them. I really like my house. I enjoy what I do for a living and the people I do it with. Does this make me alive or is it just general evidence that I am?
So, men, are you alive? It would seem that you have to be alive before you can live like you are. And, from what I see the men who really are alive, live that way much longer and are generally much happier.
Paul wrote that God made a promise before the beginning of time to give us life. What do you think? How do you live like your alive? How can we help each other live?
There are a lot of confused men. I want to be alive. So, I look for other men who show evidence of life. I also see men live like they're dead. There are many more of the latter than the former. Every man goes through midlife but not every man has a crisis. It would seem that a man who's not alive cheats. He cheats on his wife and his taxes. And, a man who is alive is honest and has integrity. But, even this isn't clear cut.
Can a man who is a Jesus-follower live like he's dead? If not, why would Paul write so much about choosing to live like you're alive if you know Christ?
I believe I'm alive. I love my wife. I live my children, though sometimes I really don't like them. I really like my house. I enjoy what I do for a living and the people I do it with. Does this make me alive or is it just general evidence that I am?
So, men, are you alive? It would seem that you have to be alive before you can live like you are. And, from what I see the men who really are alive, live that way much longer and are generally much happier.
Paul wrote that God made a promise before the beginning of time to give us life. What do you think? How do you live like your alive? How can we help each other live?
Monday, June 21, 2010
More trust, less trouble
Do I really believe what God has promised me? It's easy when I don't need the promise to be true. But when I'm in a situation that requires that I claim that promise I have to get passed the stress and trust God.
For instance, Satan would love for me to believe that I'm all alone in the world. Yet, God has promised me that he will always be with me. I will never be alone. And, not only am I not alone, it is the Creator of the universe who accompanies me even into the darkest corners of my life. I might think they are too ugly for God show up. But, who am really kidding? God knows my ugliness better than I do and he still made the promise.
There is strength is numbers. I can be strong in the most difficult of situations when I know someone has my back. God has my back.
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the (deepening) of the faith of God's elect and the (growing) knowledge of the truth that leads to (more) godliness -- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," (Titus 1:1-2)
The only places where I have to trust God are the ones where I am stressed beyond my ability to cope. At first I will hang on with a clenched death grip trying to gain control. But I'm fighting a losing battle. It's when I let go and hang on to God that my situation improves and my stress level eases. That's where I grow in my knowledge of him because I have a greater understanding of his character. All this leads to me acting better, that is, more godly behavior.
Can I trust God? Unequivocally, yes! I can still behave in a manner worthy of God when I my stress level goes off the charts. I can love my wife, lead my children and pastor our church. The more I trust God the less trouble I have in my life.
This is just a little of what God laid on me through the study for Wake Up Call and to preach Sunday the message of Genesis 32:1-21. I trust he's taking you places that stretch you, too.
For instance, Satan would love for me to believe that I'm all alone in the world. Yet, God has promised me that he will always be with me. I will never be alone. And, not only am I not alone, it is the Creator of the universe who accompanies me even into the darkest corners of my life. I might think they are too ugly for God show up. But, who am really kidding? God knows my ugliness better than I do and he still made the promise.
There is strength is numbers. I can be strong in the most difficult of situations when I know someone has my back. God has my back.
"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the (deepening) of the faith of God's elect and the (growing) knowledge of the truth that leads to (more) godliness -- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," (Titus 1:1-2)
The only places where I have to trust God are the ones where I am stressed beyond my ability to cope. At first I will hang on with a clenched death grip trying to gain control. But I'm fighting a losing battle. It's when I let go and hang on to God that my situation improves and my stress level eases. That's where I grow in my knowledge of him because I have a greater understanding of his character. All this leads to me acting better, that is, more godly behavior.
Can I trust God? Unequivocally, yes! I can still behave in a manner worthy of God when I my stress level goes off the charts. I can love my wife, lead my children and pastor our church. The more I trust God the less trouble I have in my life.
This is just a little of what God laid on me through the study for Wake Up Call and to preach Sunday the message of Genesis 32:1-21. I trust he's taking you places that stretch you, too.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Flying Thru Titus
All right fellas, we're flying now! It only took us 2 weeks to get through 1:1. We should pick up the pace a little bit once we get into a groove.
Titus is about our growth. As we apply what God lays on us from this letter our faith will grow, our knowledge of God will grow and our behavior will improve. Your mother and your wife will appreciate that a lot!
As you meditate on what we've done so far, what sticks with you? Typically, God will remind you of the things he wants you to get. Is there a word or phrase from v.1? Was there something someone said Wed morning? Or, has God brought something new to you since that didn't even occur to you at the time?
Thanks for contributing to my life by participating in Wake Up Call.
Titus is about our growth. As we apply what God lays on us from this letter our faith will grow, our knowledge of God will grow and our behavior will improve. Your mother and your wife will appreciate that a lot!
As you meditate on what we've done so far, what sticks with you? Typically, God will remind you of the things he wants you to get. Is there a word or phrase from v.1? Was there something someone said Wed morning? Or, has God brought something new to you since that didn't even occur to you at the time?
Thanks for contributing to my life by participating in Wake Up Call.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Summer 2010 Launch - Titus
Hey guys. I am excited about launching our study of Titus for this summer at Panera. Good discussion this morning as we talked about expectations and past Bible study experiences.
This will be a different format for this group and I have very high expectations of what God is going to reveal/teach me through each of you. Since we will be using the Inductive Bible Study (IBS) method we will each be spending time with the passage before we meet so we will have great discussion.
I've included a link to the outline of the IBS method below in case you need to print out a new copy or feel free to pass it along. See ya next week at 6:30.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV-yCVLji0G8ZGNwcThyczRfMGdtcmJ2Y2hi&hl=en
Blessings,
Roger
This will be a different format for this group and I have very high expectations of what God is going to reveal/teach me through each of you. Since we will be using the Inductive Bible Study (IBS) method we will each be spending time with the passage before we meet so we will have great discussion.
I've included a link to the outline of the IBS method below in case you need to print out a new copy or feel free to pass it along. See ya next week at 6:30.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV-yCVLji0G8ZGNwcThyczRfMGdtcmJ2Y2hi&hl=en
Blessings,
Roger
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