Tag Archives: Jesus

SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT GOD

Several years ago my wife and I decided to build our would be dream home ourselves.   Our initial plan to simply supervise a general contractor went south in a hurry, and I found myself doing a lot of the labor myself.  In the process, I got quite familiar with the gentlemen who contracted various tasks on the project.   One of my favorite encounters during the building of our home was with Richard, the electrician.   Richard is an older gentleman with adult children who were my age at the time, and would often ask my perspective on various subjects.   We would talk for hours sometimes when we should have been working.

One day as Richard was installing the circuit breaker we began to talk about life and God.   He shared a point of view that I had heard several times before.  He began by saying, “I believe in God, I just don’t want to be fake and run to Him only when I’m in trouble”.   I sat quietly listening to Richard tell me of his upbringing, and experiences with the church.   He continued by saying, “One day I will get it together, but I just don’t want to play with God”.   Some of you may be able to identify, because you have heard or even said those exact words.

As Richard continued splicing wires, I asked him a few questions.    I said, “You’re a good dad, right”?  ”Yes”, he replied.   I continued, “Well, being a good father how would you feel, if your kids got into some trouble, and they refused to let you in on it”.   You could actually see him play the scenario in his head, as his facial expression turned from a man deep in concentration, to sincere anger.   He said, “I would be so upset”.   I could tell he meant it too.  ”Why?”, I pressed a bit more.   “Because, that’s what Daddy’s do, I would give my last for my kids”.

Suddenly he got it.   I didn’t have to say another word.  You could literally see the wheels were turning now, and he responded, “Oh!”   A huge smile came upon his face, as he said, “You’re pretty good”.  My rebuttal, “Nope, God is.”

At that point Richard, gave me a look as if he wanted to hear more.  I didn’t want to ruin this “Aha!”, moment but I felt there was a bit more truth that would drive the concept home.  So I merely shared a “Shocking Truth” from God’s word.  Jesus is intimate with what the temptation of sin feels like, and because of this He is our biggest advocate.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

What about you? Do you feel like you have to get it together all by yourself, before you can approach God? Pray that He reveals the truth, that you are able to approach him with confidence, because of His grace.

Failure? Meet Jesus at the Fire

In a day and age where it feels like our human pursuits are wrapped up in the idea of perfection. Equations like perfect job + perfect house / perfect family = happily ever after. I hate to kill your pursuit of perfection, but it simply isn’t obtainable. So drop the bar bells, and put down the protein shakes for a second, there is no such thing as a perfect body. However, the one perfect person wants to minister to you in the midst of the inevitable failures that you will encounter in life. As the Body of Christ, His Church, He wants to minister to us even though we are no where near perfect. Jesus takes our moments of failure to teach us invaluable life lessons, and display His everlasting love towards us. I was blessed with the opportunity to communicate this truth at Austin Christian Fellowship. (See video above on Vimeo)

In John 21:9-19, Jesus finds His friend Peter just after a terrible public failure. In the scriptures we see Jesus ministering to Peter at the fire. What does significance does that F.I.R.E. teach us about Jesus in our time of need.

(F) Focus on grace
Jesus knows our struggles, and wants to minister to us despite our ability to blow it. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

(I) Identify sin
Sin is the very thing that keeps us tangled up, Jesus wants us to identify those things that cause us to fail, and cast them away (Hebrews 12:1)

(R) Rethink your purpose
It’s not about us.  We need to learn how to get over ourselves and identify the good works we were created for.  (Ephesians 2:20)

(E) Expect to die to
Once we have navigated through the first three letters of the “Fire”, we must loose sight of ourselves and Follow the Lord.  (Luke 9:23)

 

Eternal Prayer

Hebrews 7:25 — “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”

Prayer on a mt“Pray for Me”. These three words are heard very often in Christian circles, as they should be. The scripture is clear that we ought to pray for one another (James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18). There is a certain comfort that strengthens believers when we know that our brothers and sisters are petitioning God on our behalf. However, there is no greater joy than knowing we serve a God who “Lives Forever”, and prays for us foremost. What a comfort to know when I am without strength, and quite frankly don’t know how God is working things out. There is an intercessor who knows exactly what I need.

Peter is one of the most colorful characters in the New Testament. Many are able to relate to his passionate outbursts, that seem to back fire on him. Just think about how many folks would not be able to quote, “Take up your cross and follow me”, if he had not attempted to reprimand the Lord for going to the cross. Tons of folks who quote that scripture leave off the part about self-denial, but that’s another topic for another time. Also, consider had Peter not cut off Malchus’ servants ear, how we would never see, “Live by the Sword, Die By the Sword”, tatoos all over the place. As you can see Peter has had some pretty significant things happen in his walk with the Lord, that have impacted lots of people, but none stand out to me more than his denial of the Lord.

How tramatic that must have been for Peter to have denied the Lord, who he followed with so much fervor. But even in his weakest recorded hour, we see that Jesus had already made provision to keep Peter’s faith in tact, through prayer.

Luke 22: 31-32
“31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” – NLT

Thank God for the prayers of Jesus. After the period of turmoil Peter was restored, and became instrumental in the founding of the Church (God’s people). Despite, what the situation looks like, and our inability to see our way out. God is still sovereign.

Prayer: Father, thank you for being sovereign. Help me to realize that you are in Heaven praying for your Church. And that you live forever, and don’t get tired of praying. Reveal yourself in a life changing way to someone who is reading this blog. Lord, I pray that it will cause your presence to rest upon someone in a life altering way. In Jesus name, Amen.