2 Corinthians 5:15 "and he (Jesus) died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
If you know my oldest son, Cal, you will notice three things about him: 1) he is loud, 2) he is high energy 3) his memory is excellent. At the age of two he could sing entire songs, while most of his peers sucked their pacifiers and looked at him like "What is up with this kid?". Cal also demanded a lot of attention back in those days, and his choice of songs to sing were ironic. His favorite was Toby Keith's, "I want to talk about me." I can vividly remember driving down the road with Cal all of 22 months singing the chorus:
"I want to talk about me, want to talk about I, want to talk about number one, oh my me my, what I think what I want what I see" and then bringing it home with some cranked up "I want to talk bout me!". It still puts a smile on my face as I think back on how much He, and life, has changed in the Stubbs' house. Cal is growing into a jewel of a young man.
When you dig into what could of been called the theme song of Cal's toddler years, it presents a truth for us all to wrestle with. From deep on the inside, there is something in me that wants to talk about and elevate me! We might not say it out loud, but we all think we are worthy to be treated better and known more broadly. Most people think that is just a healthy part of life. But is it? Paul, in 2 corinthians 5:15 above, clearly defines those who live (i.e. - Christ followers) don't live for themselves any more, but rather they live for Christ. I think it safe to say that living for yourself is a pretty good definition of sin and that living to honor and elevate Jesus is what God is after in us. This issue is the multi-millenia battle that has taken place in the souls of men and women of all skin colors and pay grades. Living for yourself is the path of least resistance and comes quite natural as our sin nature and culture can quickly teach us how to manipulate others and God (at least we think) to get what we want. Our sin nature craves for others to serve us. Jesus offers us a chance to see the selfish evil in that and serve Him and others. The walk with Christ includes a repurposed life indeed as we don't need to "talk about me" as we have some one much better to talk about - Jesus!
So look at your calendar and actions form yesterday and today- who did you talk about? Who will you? Whom will you work to elevate? It truly is either Christ or us.
The encouraging thing is that when we elevate Him, his love and grace saturate us and satisfy us like a rain in the desert and it replaces the wrong desires we have with a satisfaction in God!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Exposure
John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
The greatest source of light that we naturally see is the sun. Its brilliant light is a must have for us to live. Think about it. Imagine trying to live without any sun light ever. Does the word depressing come to mind? Light makes it possible for us to see things around us as we are unable to see clearly in the dark. That's not all light does though. Exposure to the sun's light changes things in a very real way. Think of spring just around the corner and all of the blooms of the floral world that will greet us as they reach out to the sun's light. Think about the times at the beach when you forgot to apply sunscreen , especially that time when you forgot about your feet. Ouch! Exposure to the sun's light caused a real change.
God's word is clear that the light provided in the Glory of God has the same effects when we are exposed to it. No, we don't need aloe vera, but Christ is the light that enables us to see truth and He changes us when we are exposed to Him in very real ways. Think of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by the light of Christ. Think of John in Revelation one, falling face down in fear as Christ in His brilliant glory puts a hand on him and says "Don't be afraid". What beautiful pictures of Light providing truth, heart change and true worship in spirit and truth.
Do you love the Light of the Gospel which burns bright in intimate worship of Christ, and is found in His Word which reveals Himself to us? If you find yourself hiding form the Word and time with Christ gut check yourself. Your love of darkness is blinding you and preventing the healing of Christ in the deepest regions of your soul. Exposure to the Light of Christ is the very thing that you need. Do you love your wickedness more than the freedom that lies on the other side of being exposed?
The greatest source of light that we naturally see is the sun. Its brilliant light is a must have for us to live. Think about it. Imagine trying to live without any sun light ever. Does the word depressing come to mind? Light makes it possible for us to see things around us as we are unable to see clearly in the dark. That's not all light does though. Exposure to the sun's light changes things in a very real way. Think of spring just around the corner and all of the blooms of the floral world that will greet us as they reach out to the sun's light. Think about the times at the beach when you forgot to apply sunscreen , especially that time when you forgot about your feet. Ouch! Exposure to the sun's light caused a real change.
God's word is clear that the light provided in the Glory of God has the same effects when we are exposed to it. No, we don't need aloe vera, but Christ is the light that enables us to see truth and He changes us when we are exposed to Him in very real ways. Think of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by the light of Christ. Think of John in Revelation one, falling face down in fear as Christ in His brilliant glory puts a hand on him and says "Don't be afraid". What beautiful pictures of Light providing truth, heart change and true worship in spirit and truth.
Do you love the Light of the Gospel which burns bright in intimate worship of Christ, and is found in His Word which reveals Himself to us? If you find yourself hiding form the Word and time with Christ gut check yourself. Your love of darkness is blinding you and preventing the healing of Christ in the deepest regions of your soul. Exposure to the Light of Christ is the very thing that you need. Do you love your wickedness more than the freedom that lies on the other side of being exposed?
Friday, February 3, 2012
UFO
The Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Growing up, my brother and I were infatuated with UFOs. Area 51, government cover ups, and accounts of visitors from another world captured our imagination and at times instilled some fear. From E.T. to V., and all points in between, we were intrigued by U.F.Os and other things that may be true , but are just on the fringe of being a proven reality. I believe the reason Chris and I were so intrigued, is that we all love being able to invent a perceived reality using our imagination, and things like UFOs present a hint of reality, but leave enough room for us to create our own. In the end, UFOs are still Unidentifiable Flying Objects for a reason, they are not a proven reality that has passed examination. Mysteriously living in an altar world of "maybe true", yet unproven, UFOs will continue to live in minds of people and not in reality for years to come.
There is a real UFO issue going on in the US, its a condition of people claiming to have a King and Lord named Jesus who are Usually Fighting Obedience (UFO). Despite a clear biblical reality of Christ followers enjoying submission to this gracious king marked by a joy of the Cross putting their flesh and self image to death as they glorify Christ. Its almost like somewhere along the way a new option was created where one can claim to be a Christian, but only opt-in for a savior missing Christ as treasure and King. These UFOs will call themselves Christians, but fight obedience at the basic commands like "baptize yourselves so that you will be marked out from the World as mine", or go and make disciples of all nations so Christ can receive more praise. Many of these UFOs have capitulated on tithing, or at least some level of giving, but mostly out of some guilt ridden emotion and a fear that God will strip them of their luxuries. I know because I was a UFO that called himself a Christian for 28 years, before God showed me that was not an option in reality, but only in my imagination, just like the space ships and aliens.
Following Christ is marked with a joyful "bearing fruit in keeping with repentance" instead of trying to invent new more "refined and enlightened understandings" of what God really meant to say and self-prescribing a path to salvation. Knowing Him as treasure captivates your imagination and heart, and knowing Him as King allows you to finally fold your self identity and will into His which leads to His glory and your deepest satisfaction.
A.W. Tozer said it best when he said "the idea that God would let a rebel into heaven who has not quit his rebellion is not only unbiblical, it lacks common sense". The devil does not want God to receive glory and us to give up our identity, so he tempts us with "You don't need to get dunked in a pool of water to profess and praise Christ, your good- what will people think about you?". He doesn't want Christ praised as Savior and king from the lips of His Children around the world, including your own, so the devil whispers into our souls "this disciple making stuff and missions are for other people, not you, your busy with other stuff and God understands". When you defy obedience it is to save and elevate your own identity and that is the quickest path of being like Lucifer. It is only when we truly know that God is good and are ready to turn our backs on our sin and self-identity, and run to Christ in joyful obedience, that we quit being a UFO, and become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Is your life marked by obedience to God's will? Is elevating the Glory of Christ a necessity in your life, or are you more worried about saving your own image of yourself?
UFOs are indeed an invention of imagination, both in the sky and in the Church. It is perhaps the most serious issue I see on a daily basis. If these words are triggering a desire to kick against these truths, it might be that God is trying to bring you into the reality of a relationship with Him. Are you going to continue to rebel in disobedience?
Growing up, my brother and I were infatuated with UFOs. Area 51, government cover ups, and accounts of visitors from another world captured our imagination and at times instilled some fear. From E.T. to V., and all points in between, we were intrigued by U.F.Os and other things that may be true , but are just on the fringe of being a proven reality. I believe the reason Chris and I were so intrigued, is that we all love being able to invent a perceived reality using our imagination, and things like UFOs present a hint of reality, but leave enough room for us to create our own. In the end, UFOs are still Unidentifiable Flying Objects for a reason, they are not a proven reality that has passed examination. Mysteriously living in an altar world of "maybe true", yet unproven, UFOs will continue to live in minds of people and not in reality for years to come.
There is a real UFO issue going on in the US, its a condition of people claiming to have a King and Lord named Jesus who are Usually Fighting Obedience (UFO). Despite a clear biblical reality of Christ followers enjoying submission to this gracious king marked by a joy of the Cross putting their flesh and self image to death as they glorify Christ. Its almost like somewhere along the way a new option was created where one can claim to be a Christian, but only opt-in for a savior missing Christ as treasure and King. These UFOs will call themselves Christians, but fight obedience at the basic commands like "baptize yourselves so that you will be marked out from the World as mine", or go and make disciples of all nations so Christ can receive more praise. Many of these UFOs have capitulated on tithing, or at least some level of giving, but mostly out of some guilt ridden emotion and a fear that God will strip them of their luxuries. I know because I was a UFO that called himself a Christian for 28 years, before God showed me that was not an option in reality, but only in my imagination, just like the space ships and aliens.
Following Christ is marked with a joyful "bearing fruit in keeping with repentance" instead of trying to invent new more "refined and enlightened understandings" of what God really meant to say and self-prescribing a path to salvation. Knowing Him as treasure captivates your imagination and heart, and knowing Him as King allows you to finally fold your self identity and will into His which leads to His glory and your deepest satisfaction.
A.W. Tozer said it best when he said "the idea that God would let a rebel into heaven who has not quit his rebellion is not only unbiblical, it lacks common sense". The devil does not want God to receive glory and us to give up our identity, so he tempts us with "You don't need to get dunked in a pool of water to profess and praise Christ, your good- what will people think about you?". He doesn't want Christ praised as Savior and king from the lips of His Children around the world, including your own, so the devil whispers into our souls "this disciple making stuff and missions are for other people, not you, your busy with other stuff and God understands". When you defy obedience it is to save and elevate your own identity and that is the quickest path of being like Lucifer. It is only when we truly know that God is good and are ready to turn our backs on our sin and self-identity, and run to Christ in joyful obedience, that we quit being a UFO, and become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Is your life marked by obedience to God's will? Is elevating the Glory of Christ a necessity in your life, or are you more worried about saving your own image of yourself?
UFOs are indeed an invention of imagination, both in the sky and in the Church. It is perhaps the most serious issue I see on a daily basis. If these words are triggering a desire to kick against these truths, it might be that God is trying to bring you into the reality of a relationship with Him. Are you going to continue to rebel in disobedience?
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