Christ Still Stands

Scripture:

Job 19:25 (ESV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Devotional:

My redeemer lives, what an awesome statement.  No other religion, person, or group can say it.  This time of year, we celebrate the truth and fact that Jesus Christ our redeemer does indeed live.  Something I have wondered from time to time is why would you want to follow a dead savior?  No one else can save us.  No one else can pay our debt of sin. 

I’ve heard more than once that it takes more faith to not believe than it does to believe in Christ.  All we have to do is look around to see the evidence of God.  He presents himself to us all the time.  All we have to do is be open and to look.  I think people just do not want to see.  I think we can become too comfortable with the status quo.  Life is good, I have all I want, how can any god that is good and loving let these things happen.  I am in control of my destiny…  Do any of these sound familiar?  What is it that you say to yourself?

I do not pretend to have any or all the answers.  But, what I do know is that Jesus lived, died, and is now alive.  He returned from the grave alive and well.  He loves us so much that He allows us to make our own choices.  Because of our freedom we sometimes choose poorly, and bad and horrible things happen in this world.  There is sickness and even death.  What is amazing and awesome is that despite all our faults, rebellion, and sins, God loves us enough to send Jesus.  Jesus loves us so much he suffered and died.  He has risen and is alive.

God never promises a life free of pain and suffering.  He never promised that bad things will not happen.  (Remember He gives us the freedom to make our own choices.)  What he does promise is to be with us through it all.  Life is sometimes hard and difficult.  However, life is also good and wonderful.  It is what we make of it.  Our attitude will shape our lives.  Our focus will shape our attitudes…

Christ still stands and will stand at the end.  He is my savior and my redeemer.  What about you?

What is Precious?

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Devotional:

What is the most precious thing you have, or can think of?  Some might say their house or car.  Some people might say gold or silver.  Others might elude to millions, or even billions in the bank.  Some of the wiser people would say family.  For example, my wife and kids would be at the top of the list for me.  What would be at the top of your list?

Whatever it is no matter how precious we feel it is, it is nothing compared to being redeemed.  Nothing comes even close to what Christ has done for us.  So often we think of being a Christian as being religious.  We think it is all about religion.  Maybe I am wrong but I disagree with that way of thinking.  Christ is not about religion.  Jesus was a radical in his day.  He even called the pharisees a brood of vipers.  Jesus was all about relationships. 

It is true you do not have to go to church or belong to a small group in order to have a real and close relationship with Jesus.  However, it is very important.  You might even say critical to be a part of a group of fellow believers.  Can a single person build a house all by himself?  The answer to that is yes.  It would be difficult but not impossible.  If you have a crew to work on a new house it would be built much faster and better.  If you ever look at a job site you never see just one person doing all the work.  You have a crew that builds the foundation.  There are carpenters that frame the house.  Others enclose it, and a different crew put the roof on.  Someone else does the electrical.  Another team does the plumbing.  Many crews of people later you will have a complete house.

Many years ago, my mom and dad built a house.  It took them a long time to finish it, more than a year.  My parents built the house by themselves.  There were a few people here and there that lent a hand.  But most of the work was just them.  The house turned out great.  It is a solid and beautiful house.  Years ago, when I was a kid a house on the corner was torn down and a new one built.  From when the house came down to when people were moving in was about ninety days.  What’s the difference?  A crew built this house.

The church is the crew we belong to.  It isn’t a religious establishment, or at least shouldn’t be.  The Body of Christ is about fellow believers living life together.  It is about us sharing in the most precious gift we can ever receive with others.  One of the best things I love about our church is the main goal of everything we do is to “Be and build disciples.”  That’s it.  How we accomplish that is by being a bunch of people living life together.  We sometimes work together, we share the gospel together, we study God’s word together.  In short, we live life together.

What is important to you?  What is the most precious thing you have?  Mine is my relationship with Jesus.

The Debt of Love...

Scripture: Romans 13:8 (NIV)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Devotional:

Debt seems to be an increasing problem within our society.  Everyone knows it is better not to owe anyone anything.  Yet we rack up credit card debt, we purchase cars on loan, we purchase houses borrowing money for as much as thirty years.  I once read that in Japan you could get as much as a ninety-year loan.   There are other ways we can owe someone.  Have you ever done something for someone and when they thank you they tell you they owe you one?  Has anyone ever come to you with the comment “you owe me?”

Romans 13:8 simply states do net let there be any outstanding debts.  The only thing we should be indebted to is love.  We are to always love.  In fact, if you love others as Jesus loves us we would be fulfilling the law.  I bet you never thought you could fulfill the law.  OK, the truth is neither of us can, even loving others as Jesus does.  Why because it is impossible for us to do so.  However, and that is a huge however as in font 72 in bold, we can fulfill the law through loving others because of the helper Jesus sent to us.  That’s right, through the Holy Spirit we can love others as Jesus loves.  No, it isn’t easy.  No, we do not succeed all the time.  But, our goal should be to completely fulfill the law through love. 

If you are like me you are probably wonder how in the world can I do this.  It is hard especially when the other person is not a very nice person.  There are people who we just have a hard time liking.  We tend to feel hatred toward them.  So how can we show them love?  First take a moment and tell yourself God loves that person just as much as He loves you.  Second focus on Christ.  Think about Jesus, maybe sing your favorite hymn or Christian song.  Read or recount scripture verses.  Finally, something my mom always taught us, and it’s in the Bible, treat others as you would have them treat you. Yep that’s right.  You need to start treating that person in such a way that you want other people to treat you, or even that person.  It doesn’t matter what they say or do.  What matters is what you say and do.  Fall back on the strength of the Holy Spirit.  When we fail we need to pick ourselves backup and try again.  We will never get it one hundred percent right one hundred percent of the time.  We just strive to be…