Our Most Important Decision

“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor 

      and gave him the name above all other names, 

 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

      in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

      to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

There is a place that was never designed for human inhabitants... where there is no joy... no light... and no friends.  It’s name?  Gehenna.  Hell.   What’s there?  Separation of Creator from creation... A division between humanity and hope... an eternity where all is lost forever. 

If you are reading this post today... there’s still hope.  And that hope has a name.  Look at today’s passage.  Paul tells us that God called His Son Jesus... “name above all other names” and that when we hear it... “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”   Scripture tells us in Romans 10 that all who call out this Name and believe that He is Lord will be spared the eternal separation and pain of hell.  When we call out and confess Jesus Christ as Lord... name above all names... we are saved forever.

What does eternity look like for you?  Take some time to think about that.  We have a lot riding on what side we take.   I urge you to investigate the claims of Jesus... and it is my prayer that one day you might confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and spend eternity with Him.  

It’s the best and most important decision you will ever make.

Our Gifts

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13

“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:42-45

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”  1 Cor. 4:1-2

“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”  Luke 14:23

“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,”  Matthew 20:26

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...” Philippians 2:1-30

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”  John 12:26

“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’”  Mark 12: 29-31

We are here with a purpose.

We all have gifts.

Our gifts are not for us.

They are to serve others.  

Serving His people is what we were created to do.  Loving on the lonely... reaching out to the hurting... serving those that are seeking Christ.   

The road to our God potential leads us through the valley of selflessness... putting others first... sacrificing so that people we may not even know can come face-to-face with a Savior who sacrificed everything on their behalf.

And we get to do that.  

We get to be servants.

Let’s make today a time of using our God-given gifts to care for those that He brings our way.

Lives will change and God will get the glory.  

Do What It Says

I read an news report about a man who has spent his entire 71 years on the planet in school.  Michael Nicholson of Kalamazoo, Michigan has an interesting hobby:  he collects degrees.  So far he has 29 and is on course for his 30^th.  His accomplishments include one doctorate, three specialist degreees, one bachelor’s degree, two associate degrees, and 22 masters.  When asked about it, Michael says that he just loves to learn.   

And while we might at first celebrate his decision… it doesn’t take long before we realize the tragedy in this story.  Mr. Nicholson has spent his entire life learning disciplines without putting any of it to use.   He’s filled his head with knowledge and his walls with paperwork… but his legacy remains locked away in his briefcase.  Learning is important… but without utilizing the knowledge we receive… it’s practically useless.  The same goes for our study of the Bible.  James tells us in chapter 1 and verse 22 that we should not merely listen to the word… but we are to “Do what it says.”  Knowing who God is and doing what God wants are two different things… and one without the other is simply missing our purpose.   While it’s very important to study and memorize scripture… it’s equally as important to take the message out of the confines of the mind and into the world through our hands and heart.   

Same Energy

Mother Teresa was once asked “Don’t you ever become angry at the causes of social injustice that you see in India or in any of the places in which you work?”  She thought for a long moment and replied, “Why should I expend energy in anger that I can expend in love.”

During the course of a day, we have a limited amount of both time and energy.  And decision by decision, we get to choose how we use it.   Should we become furious and yell... or be forgiving and loving?  Same amount of time.  Same amount of energy.  So which one is what God wants?  Scripture tells us in James chapter 1 that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  And if our goal is to become more like Christ (which it should be), then the choice is clear.  Why waste time throwing our hands in the air and yelling... instead, why not use that same passion to calm a situation, extend grace, show mercy, and help people see Christ reflected in our love for them.  While this isn’t always the easiest choice, it is the most effective one as we strive forward to reach our God potential.

Missed Shots

Michael Jordan once said “ I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Has that ever happened to you?  You’ve dropped the ball when someone asked you to carry it.  You’ve missed a shot... Perhaps you feel the sting of failure as a parent... a husband... a wife... a student... or even as a child of God.   You’ve wanted to give up and quit... you’ve wanted to walk away... and you’ve wondered if God knew you were going through any of it.  Today’s verse is just for you. 

God’s word says that we are to run the race of life “with endurance.”  We are to be strong...steadfast...and determined.  Being sure all the while to keep our eyes on He who never failed... Jesus Christ.  Michael Jordan may have missed some baskets, but he wasn’t a failure.  You’ve missed a few things too... but I would define you in the same way.   You aren’t a failure.  People are counting on you to stay on your feet and keep at it.  The race God has for you is specifically yours... your lane... your time.  Run with faith.  Go at it with your head up, your eyes on God, and the thought of permanent failure banned from your vocabulary.  Will you slip up?  Sure.  Learn from it.  Fail forward.  God trusts you with your mission... He has given you potential... live boldly! 

Possible

Today I bet that there’s something in your life that you have ruled out as impossible.  Can’t happen.  it would take a miracle.  

If that’s you, I have good news.  Nothing is impossible to God.  Nothing.   

That marriage that seems like there’s no hope.  Recovery is possible.  The low bank balance.  Replenishment is possible.  An uncontrollable teenager… a demanding boss… a medical setback?   All solvable.  All doable.  All possible through the One who promises that He will never leave nor forsake us.  (Deut. 31:8)

When we have no more stamina… He carries us.

When we are out of answers… He assures us that He has all that we’ll need. 

When the world tells us we’re nothing… He reminds us that we are more than just something.   We’re a masterpiece.   

His arms are strong enough for our heaviest burdens.

In 1 Peter 5, we read about God’s “mighty” hand!    No matter where we find ourselves today... God’s hand will be big enough.  He’ll cradle us with it when it hurts. He’ll provide for our needs with it.  We can grab it when we’re nervous and it will be there to protect us if need be.  

Today, don’t live limited by what you can carry in your own hand... give it to Him... He is more than strong enough. 

Moving Forward

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”  Ephesians 4:31

A 23 year old man in Boca Raton, Florida is trying to snag a 2.5 million dollar mansion for free.  He has moved into the home and has filed an “adverse possession claim.”  In other words... he’s a squatter.  Someone who moves in like he owns the place and won’t leave.  As upset as the neighbors are at this... they can’t seem to get him out and claim that his being there will ruin the neighborhood.

Unforgiveness is a lot like that squatter.  When we’ve been wronged and choose not to pardon someone, it takes up residence in our hearts and refuses to move.  And it doesn’t come alone.  It invites bitterness, resentment, and anger to live upstairs as well.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians to get rid of all of these if we want to get past our past.  The other person may not deserve it (or even ask for it)... but when we forgive, we begin to move forward and our heart can start to heal.   Ready to evict what doesn’t belong?  I’ll be praying for you as you take that brave first step.

Intentional Words

There’s a great scene in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” between Dorothy and her straw-filled friend, the Scarecrow.  As they meet for the first time, the Scarecrow confesses, “I haven’t got a brain... only straw!”  Dorothy thinks for a moment and asks, “How can you talk if you haven’t got a brain?”  He replies, “I don’t know... But some people without brains do an awful log of talking... don’t they?”

There’s a very short distance between our mind and our mouth... and all too often, if we aren’t careful, we engage the latter before using the former.  Speaking without thinking is not only foolish... but unbiblical.  In Ecclesiastes 5:2 it says “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God...”  Everything we share should be intentional and well-thought through... encouraging, uplifting, God-honoring, and purposeful.  Once they come out of our mouths, we can’t take our words back... so let’s think about each one... and use the brain God gave us to brighten the world.  

Ordinary?

Author Philip Yancey wrote about a television show he watched about survivors from World War II.  On the show, soldiers talked about how they spent a particular day in the foxhole.  They described it as ordinary... a German tank drove by and they shot at it... they played cards... a few got involved in some firefights... just a typical day.  Later, they learned that they had just participated in one of the most decisive engagements of the war, the Battle of the Bulge.  To them, it didn’t feel decisive... they were doing what they always did.  But because they held down their position...just miles away, their fellow countrymen could take new ground.

Maybe today started out a lot like those soldiers.  You hit the alarm clock, dressed, ate breakfast, and went to work.  Just an ordinary day.   But your day is far from ordinary.  God’s is in this day... and He’s making things happen.  You may not see the big picture...your position may seem inconsequential to you... but have no doubt... you play a critical role on this planet.  What you are doing matters.  You matter.  There are no small responsibilities when it comes to serving God and all of our efforts add up... no matter what we’re doing for Him.

Yancey finishes that chapter with this statement “Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks...”  Winning this world for Christ is a team effort.  Be the best you that you can be, honor God with your words and actions, and remember... everything matters...even the things that seem ordinary.  When we live that out, before long, the victory over the enemy of this world will be complete.

What We Have

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”  Hebrews 13:5 

How many of you like popcorn at the movies?  Most of us, right?  A study of moviegoers in Philadelphia found that people will eat more popcorn if it is in a bigger box.  We see it so we eat it... even when our stomachs tell us we’re full.      

This got me to thinking about contentment.  How many of us live our lives with our eyes instead of our stomachs. We see more so we want more... even when we know we have enough.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have... not spend our time trying to have all of our wants satisfied.  Look around you today... are all of your needs met?  Stop reaching into the box.  Instead, focus on giving thanks for the blessings!

Hearing From God

According to Prevention magazine, our ears continue to grow throughout the course of our lifetime.  When we are very young, they are proportional to our body size.  After age 10, the growth slows down but continues steadily until we die.  So using this logic, we should have better hearing as we get older… larger ears means better sound processing right?  Not really.  In fact, as we age, our hearing ability actually decreases.  

Sad but true.  

But there is one aspect of our hearing that should improve as we get older… hearing from God.  Why?  Because if we’re doing it right when we’re young… we should be getting to know Him more and more!  Spending time in His word… hearing messages in His church… writing about Him in our journals… telling others about Him when the opportunity comes…  We should be growing closer to Him… and His voice should be getting louder as the shadows grow longer.  2 Corinthians 4 tells us that although we are physically failing over time… we are actually being “renewed day by day” by God.  Want to know what God sounds like?  Spend time with Him.  Pray.  Ask Him to tell you and teach you what you need to know.  And as the years pass… your ability to hear physically may fade… but your capacity to hear from the One that matters will sharpen. 

Last Day

62 year old John Brandrick was given a grim diagnosis.... pancreatic cancer... 6 months to live.  John decided that he was going to go out in style!  He quit his job, stopped paying his mortgage, emptied his savings accounts and sold all that he had.  He lived lavishly... enjoying expensive dining, entertainment, and travel.  Problem is... 6 months passed and Mr. Brandrick’s health remained the same.  No deterioration.  No pain.  A follow-up scan revealed that he didn’t have cancer at all.  He never did.  He had been misdiagnosed.  And while relieved, John now faced financial ruin due to the error.  

John lived carelessly because he feared that he was dying.  Some of us live exactly the opposite... we live carelessly because we feel we’re going to live on earth forever.  We build wealth without being generous... avoid a relationship with God because we think we’ll have the chance later... and spend a majority of our time on things that won’t come with us when our life is over.  If this is you... it’s not too late.   Ask yourself... How would life change if tomorrow were my last day of breath?   What would I tell the people in my life that I hold most dear?  What would I do about my eternity?  Scripture tells us in James 4 that we shouldn’t think we know what tomorrow holds... So why not do those things now?  Today.  Secure your place in Heaven by allowing Christ to lead your life.  Tell those around you how you feel about them.  Invest your money in eternal things through the local church.  Make the choice to live with purpose and intentionality... knowing that life truly begins when we prepare ourselves for what happens when it ends.  

Damage

VanMoof bicycles had a problem.  The Dutch company would ship orders to people that wanted one… but far too many were damaged during the process.  Careless delivery drivers, cargo shifting during transit, and airplane storage problems all took their toll on these beautiful vehicles before they could arrive at the homes of those awaiting them.   The solution?  Not one that you would expect.  The co-founder of the company realized that their bikes were about the same size (in the box) as a large flatscreen television.  He knew that flatscreens arrive at their destination far less damaged than his bikes because those that handle them believe them to be more fragile.  Thus… VanMoof began to print pictures of large televisions on their boxes.  

The damage rate fell 70 to 80 percent.  

People protect what they perceive to be valuable…at least when it comes to televisions and the like.  

What about the things that REALLY matter?  How protected are people’s hearts and minds?  How careful are they about protecting their thought life?  What are they letting in that could permanently damage what God created to be pure?   Problem with most people is that they think the mind is like those bicycles… able to take mental hit after hit and still remain viable and healthy.   It’s just one movie.  It’s only an image on a computer screen.  It’s a tasteless book, a dirty joke, or a friend who’s a bad influence.  Each of these hurt us.  Collectively they can cause our lives to derail, our faith to wither, and cloud our ability to make God-honoring decisions.  

Scripture tells us in Philippians 4:8:  “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Great advice.  For some of us this is an hour-by-hour or minute-by-minute commitment.  Some are in environments that are not conducive to Godly thinking.  In any case, take today and recommit to protecting what goes into your mind.  Once it’s there… it’s there.  You can try to imagine it away or think about other things… but when it comes to filling your head with inappropriate images and words… there can be permanent damage.  See your mind like those shipping clerks did when they saw that image of a TV on the box… and handle your thought life with extreme care!

Spot

No matter where you live you’ve probably seen it.  In fact, I would guess that it irks you and may cause you to feel angry and upset.  What is it?  It’s someone who takes up two or more parking spaces with their vehicles.  It never fails… you are desperately looking for a place to park and think you’ve finally found the perfect spot.  That is until you go to turn in and the car next to you is over the line… or better yet… parked diagonally across two or more spaces. 

I ran across one person’s solution to this dilemma. They leave a note.  Not a note that chews the driver out or calls them all sorts of words that you wouldn’t find between the covers of the Bible.  No, this note is more subtle.  They draw a picture of a dog and below the sketch write: “I am giving you this dog, his name is Spot.  I thought you might want him, as you seem to be trying to take as many spots as possible.  I hope this helps.”

Clever, right?

But how does the person receiving the note feel?  If I’m guessing I would say that the message isn’t seen as “kinder”… it’s seen as sarcastic, passive, and unnecessary.  The driver more than likely balls up that sketch and throws it to the ground in disgust… vowing to take up three spaces next time they park.

But why?  It was meant in fun… a sweet reminder that they were out of line.

Problem is… just because we mean a message in one way, it doesn’t mean it has to be taken that way.  It happens all the time… we text something and the reader reacts in a completely different way than intended.  We send an email only to have it returned with question marks and hurt feelings in the reply.

The Bible tells us to watch our communication… in any form.   It is to be Godly and well thought through… each word or image specifically chosen to glorify God, encourage another person, or bring peace to a situation. 

Colossians 4:6

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Proverbs 16:23

“The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.”

Proverbs 18:2

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Proverbs 15:1

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

While we can’t control the reaction to our words…we can control the words (or images) before they leave our mouths or minds.  Let’s make every effort to bring peace with our speech… in all forms… so that even if the person receiving our communication reacts poorly, we know that we have done our level best to glorify God with every syllable.  

Staying in Touch

How many times do you touch your phone in a day?  Maybe you just tapped the Facebook icon to read this… or to unlock it.  Perhaps you swiped the screen to answer a call, send a snapchat, or make a photo bigger or smaller…  In any case, you probably make contact with the smooth glass screen more often than you realize.  A research study was conducted that found that users average between 2,617 and 5,427 touches in a DAY!  Hard to believe.  When confronted with the data, the people in the study were initially shocked… only to admit that even though the numbers were high it wouldn’t change the amount they used their device.  

But here’s the question… how many touches with God do we have in a day?  How often do we stop and think, pray, sing to, or interact with Him?  My guess is far fewer.  Scripture tells us that we need to be in constant contact…

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8)

“Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Church on the weekend should reinforce the relationship that you spend building all week long through daily consistent interactions with God.  It’s not meant to be the only source of spiritual contact.  Find yourself in a tricky situation at work?  Pray.  Need encouragement and guidance?  Turn to your Bible.  Feeling melancholy or weak?  Write down some scripture that reminds you that you are far stronger than you realize.   It is through intentional touches with God that we are able to have joy in the storms and hope when things seem to crumble around us.  

So today, rather than reaching for your phone every time it beckons… spend some time in the Word.  Hear your text message tone ringing?  See that as a call to prayer.  Feel your pocket vibrate with an alert?  Use that as an opportunity to thank God for what He’s doing in your life.  Keeping up with the world is important… but staying in touch with the One who created you for greatness is even more so!

Hospital Food

Hospital food has quite the reputation.  It really doesn’t matter what name is on the outside of the building, the food served inside leaves much to be desired in many cases.   Interestingly enough, the quality has changed very little regardless of the number of complaints from patients, physicians, and guests.  The leadership in one hospital in Ottawa, Canada wanted to change all of this.  They figured that the only way to truly understand what people were griping about was to eat the food themselves.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served to the executives for a solid week directly from hospital kitchen.  

The verdict?  A major change was needed… and fast!

It’s easy to act like there is no issue or problem.  We can go through our day nodding that adjustments need to be made or feigning concern about a cause or situation.  But when we step into the shoes of those affected… our viewpoint changes!  That’s why Christ came. He put on flesh and was born as a baby so that He could fully experience the human condition.  Heartbreak, loss, victory, justice, elation, and gratitude… Jesus felt all of these and so much more.  When we pray that we’re hurting… He’s felt it.  If we are asking God for strength, He’s experienced that too.  

Jesus did more than just create the human race… He joined it.  And because of this we know that He truly understands and addresses our needs specifically.  Today, take a few minutes and thank Him for what He’s already done… and know that whatever you are asking Him for today He has felt it too.  He understands.  Personally.

Three Ways

As I was reading through God’s word, I came across this important instruction from the Apostle Paul.  

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”  Ephesians 5:15-17

In this passage of scripture, he gives three distinct ways we are all to live our lives. 

1) We are to live wisely… How do we do this?  We should make choices that follow God’s direction instead of our own.   We need to apply past failures to move us forward into future successes.  We are to surround ourselves with friends who help us in our walk rather than pull us backward.   And finally, spend our time serving and giving to others.  Generosity and a servant’s heart are two pieces of evidence that reveal a life moving in the right direction.

2)  We are to make the most of every opportunity… This includes maximizing our lives.  Eat well, sleep enough, save some money, seek joy over happiness, do something that fulfills us, connect with others, grow, read, etc.  And we do these not for their own sake… but so that we can be prepared when God gives us opportunity to move forward.  There is nothing more unfortunate than something we’ve been praying for coming to light… and not being prepared to seize the chance to make it happen. 

3)  We are to understand and act on what the Lord wants us to do.  What is that?  What is it that God wants  ALL of us to do with our lives?  We talked about it a few days ago.. fulfill the Great Commission as explained in Matthew 28:18-20.  To go out and share the Good News with those that have never heard it…. to be the hands and feet of Christ serving others… to be the living church…. active, loving, and providing for others.  

Paul is telling us to live wisely following God’s example, be prepared for and seize opportunity, and fulfill the Great Commission… are you willing and ready?

Your Word

Biblical scholar Howard Hendricks once told his son Bob, “Be so dependable that if you say you will be somewhere and don’t show up, they send flowers.”

Are you thought of as reliable?  Are the commitments that you make as good as done?  If you don’t fulfill a vow to be somewhere… will those you’ve made a promise to think a bad thing has happened?  If this doesn’t sound like you… I’ve got good news:  today is a new day.  Making our word our bond requires a steadfast commitment.   Scripture echoes the importance of being good on our words in Matthew 5:37.  It says,  “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”  If you’re given the opportunity to make a commitment…stop and think about it.  Are you really going to honor it?  Will you really show up?  If so, great!  If not, remember, it’s better not to make a vow, than to make one and break it later.  Be a person of integrity… someone that people can trust… and when you say “yes” or “no” in the future, those around you will know exactly where they stand and what’s going to happen as a result of your decision.  

That Same Small Rope

If you’ve ever gone to the circus, you know the size of the mighty elephant.  But did you know that when they are behind the scenes, they are kept in place by tying a tiny rope from their leg to a small stake in the ground?  How does this work?  Simple.  When they were baby elephants, that same small rope used to hold them securely.  Sure, they could easily break it now... but because it used to be strong enough, they’ve become conditioned to believe it always will be. 

Many of us are the same way.  A mistake early in our life ties us to the post of failure.  We think... why bother trying to break free?  We’re just like that elephant that stops trying to tug on what used to hold them in place.  Fact is, you aren’t bound by your past to a lifetime of defeat... If you know Christ as Savior, you have His strength to break free.  In Philippians 3, Paul tells us that he has forgotten the past and is focused on the future.  Do the same!  Pull against that tiny rope of your past mistakes and watch it release you.  It’s time to be the person God tells you that you are!

The Real Story

Xiang Junfeng’s wedding was an incredibly special day in her life.  So much so that each day she gets up and puts on her wedding dress… or one of her other wedding dresses… and spends the entire day in it.  When asked why she does this, she says that the gown represents the proudest day in her life and wearing it reminds her how happy she is to have married her husband.  

Sound strange?  There’s more to the story.

She wasn’t just a celebrating being a bride that day… she was celebrating her freedom.  Earlier in her life she had been kidnapped and sold as a slave… forced to marry an elderly man and spend 15 years plotting an escape in a life she never wanted.  As she ran from where she was being held captive to Liujiazhuang Village, she met a woman who did whatever she could to help.  Not long after Xiang met this woman’s brother… they fell in love… and got married.  

How many times do we rush to judgment when hearing about someone’s life?  If I would have stopped after the first paragraph, many of us would have walked away thinking this woman is eccentric… odd… someone who needs to come to grips with “the right way to act.”  But when you hear the rest of the story, things get clearer and start to make more sense.  She isn’t wearing a wedding dress everyday just because she’s a happy bride… she wears it as a symbol of emancipation and of the true love she’s found in her heart for her new husband.

As we head in to 2017… let’s dedicate ourselves to digging below the surface in the lives of those we know.  Let’s stop with the pleasantries and spend the time getting to really know people.  Jesus modeled this so many times in scripture… His discussion with the woman at the well (John 4), his talk with the woman who committed adultery (John 8), and his choosing of the original disciples (Luke 5).  Christ didn’t judge any of these people by who He saw on the surface… He pushed through the apparent and uncovered the potential.

There are people all around you today that are begging you without words to ask that second question.  Rather than just “How are you doing?”… they want “How can I help?  What do you need?  or Is there more you need to share?” They want you to ask for the story behind the story and genuinely care about it.   There is so much more to people’s lives than a first impression.  And if we are really going to love them like Christ does, we have to be willing to hear them out and get the whole picture.   

Want to be a real friend?  Dare to ask questions, seek understanding, and get involved beyond the surface of the relationship.  It will help illuminate, enhance, and bring maturity to a bond that can last a lifetime!

Living Free

I recently read the story of Sammy Luciano.  A couple years ago he was arrested for the 34th time.  34 arrests.  34 mugshots.  34 bookings.  I can hear you thinking as you read this… why?  Why was this man allowed back on the street after the first ____ arrests?  His rap sheet is a who’s who of crimes:  robbery, fleeing and eluding, battery on a police officer, drugs, etc.  Why isn’t this man in jail with no chance at seeing freedom ever again?

Should society give up on Sammy Luciano?

Many would say yes.  He’s caused enough trouble and violated enough laws to justify it.  He deserves to spend the rest of his life as a statistic… the evidence of a broken and fallen world.  

But the Bible gives us a whole other way of thinking… Should we forgive someone no matter how many times they have wronged us?  Let’s look at what Christ told Peter…

“Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22, NLT).

Seventy times seven.  So 490 times Jesus?  So on the 491st offense I can give up on them?  No… Jesus was making a point.  He wasn’t doing it for mathematics sake… He was telling Peter that no matter how many times someone has wronged you, there is always a reason to forgive.  

Not forget.

Not pretend it didn’t happen.

Not “let them win”

But forgive.  

And when we forgive we allow ourselves to move on.  Should Sammy Luciano not pay for his crimes?  Of course he should.  He has violated the laws of the land and needs to face the punishment for it.  Should we as Christ-followers dismiss his existence and treat him as though Christ didn’t die for him too?  

No.  We are to forgive and move forward.

What relationship in your life needs forgiveness?  They have wronged you.  Called you names.  Stood on your last nerve until you just couldn’t take it anymore.  They may have said “I do!” but didn’t.  Lied to you.  Cheated on you.  Raised you in a home where verbal and/or physical abuse was the norm…

And we’ve decided that they don’t deserve forgiveness.  That we will put ourselves into the cage of unforgiveness… firmly crossing our arms and refusing to budge.  And each morning we’ll wake up bitter and angry at something that happened a long time ago… desperately begging God to make things right by going after the person who did us wrong.  Little by little, our choice not to forgive poisons our ability to love and trust.  We hurt ourselves and the person who hurt us doesn’t even think about it anymore.   Doesn’t seem fair. 

We don’t serve a fair God… we serve a just One.  God’s justice is different than our own.  He makes things right in His own way, timing, and method.  All we are asked to do is forgive.  

We may think we aren’t as bad as Sammy Luciano.  After all, we don’t have that kind of past following us around.  But remember… we are all sinners.  We all miss the mark.  Daily.  We may not have stolen a car but we lied to our boss.  We didn’t sell drugs but we had lustful thoughts about a co-worker.  Are they the same severity?  No.  But in God’s eyes they are both sin.  And they are both detestable to a Holy God.   We think God should forgive us for the minor sins and hold them accountable for the major ones.  To God… all sin is the same.  Every single one.  

Fact is, we love receiving forgiveness but hesitate giving it.   Today, I challenge you to look closer into your heart.  Is there bitterness there?  Anger?  A driving passion to either seek revenge or judge someone’s else’s sins as greater than your own?  Take a moment and seek God in this.  Ask Him to help you forgive the offender regardless of the number of offenses.  And He promises to forgive us if we do it: 

Matthew 6:14 “"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

Sammy Luciano may have done nothing to us personally.  But our reaction to his story reveals a lot about who we are and how we feel about forgiveness, grace, and the ability for a person to change.  Who in your life needs you to see them with new eyes today?  Forgiveness may not be an easy thing, but it will release you from a lifelong prison of bitterness and hate.  You hold the key to that cell… it’s time to live free.

Unspoken

A Hebrew poet once said, “As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave.”  So true.  Words are powerful.... they can change the course of a relationship...or ignite a revolution.  But once they escape our lips... we are responsible for their affect on the world.  

Scripture tells us in Proverbs 21:23 “"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble"   Studies have shown that the average person speaks around 13,000 words per day... that’s a lot of opportunity to make mistakes!  But it’s also a tremendous chance to share love, grace, encouragement, and, most of all, the Gospel.  Today as you have conversations... choose to be verbally intentional. Think through each syllable... weigh out each phrase.... And remember, you can’t take words back... but you can make them count for Christ.