Ephesians 3:16-19 explains Paul's desire for all of us to understand how wide and long and how high and deep is the love of Christ.
Beth Moore in her Bible study A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place(pg 168) shares her Inspired thoughts on this passage that I really wanted to share with you.
"How wide and long and high and deep - with His lavish love Christ embraces us equally in four perfect directions. This verse about the completeness of Christ's love for us might be applied like this: God's love for me extends in every direction. Because I am His child, all that is behind me must be worked toward good, even when I have failed (see Rom. 8:28). In addition, everything ahead of me belongs to God. My future is entirely His, and His love extends through circumstances I have not yet known (see Jer. 29:11). No matter how deep I sink into a pit of despair, His hand can extend that much deeper to lift me out (see Ps. 40:2). No matter what heights this human experience can boast, God's ways are higher. Every day I spend with Him, I am lifted out of insignificance to ascend and take my place in God's high calling in Christ Jesus (see Isaiah 55:9; Phil. 3:14).
God's Word states that this life is only a breath, a disappearing vapor, very brief. And we get only one opportunity to experience Him as mortals relating to an immortal Savior. Will you agree to experience Him in His fullness? Will you revel in your God through the breadth, length, depth, and height of this human experience? Can you say to Him, 'I want to experience every part of You that is possible this side of heaven'? If you can, then you will 'know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God' (Eph. 3:19)."
I hope you have a few minutes to think about this and to begin to grasp how great is the love of Christ Jesus (for each of us)!
Have a blessed day and Thanksgiving weekend!
Renee
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
I want to be with you
God wanted so badly to be with His people, to be with us. In Exodus, he even gave instructions how to build the Tabernacle that He would dwell in to be amongst His people, to dwell with them. However, He knew that His holiness would kill them if they weren't prepared so He protected them them with the veil. It wasn't until hundreds of years later, when Christ died on the cross as the final blood sacrifice for our sins that the veil was torn (Mark 15:38, Hebrews 10:19-22). Through Christ we now have access to God. Our God did all this so that He might be with us and we with Him! This is how much He loves us! He will do anything to be with us and live amongst us. In Exodus He gave detailed instructions to build His dwelling place. In the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we learn how He gave His life so that we may become His new living temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you."
God has done everything He could do to be intimately in our lives. Do you have anyone who has gone to such lengths to love you and be with you?! If you can say "yes" to that, you are truly blessed. But if the "yes"' is in reference to a person, sad to say, you cannot be with that person forever but with God it is forever. He has promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
With this act and belief, you too will have the afor mentioned indwelling of the Spirit of God and become His living temple and begin a truly intimate loving relationship with the Creator God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This is the greatest love we can ever know and have. It will last all eternity.
Will you believe? Will you accept His gift of love?
Just say,
"yes."
God has done everything He could do to be intimately in our lives. Do you have anyone who has gone to such lengths to love you and be with you?! If you can say "yes" to that, you are truly blessed. But if the "yes"' is in reference to a person, sad to say, you cannot be with that person forever but with God it is forever. He has promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
With this act and belief, you too will have the afor mentioned indwelling of the Spirit of God and become His living temple and begin a truly intimate loving relationship with the Creator God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. This is the greatest love we can ever know and have. It will last all eternity.
Will you believe? Will you accept His gift of love?
Just say,
"yes."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
____________________ (a catchy title lost to me)
Hebrews 2: 17-18 “For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
We may from time to time remember the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. It is unfathomable that He would give up Heaven to come to earth as a baby to eventually die a horrible death on the cross for our sins knowing how many times we would reject Him, ignore Him and blaspheme Him. Yet He chose to do these things for us to pay the penalty for our sins. That in and of itself is amazing and makes me just shake my head in wonder and awe.
But these verses in Hebrews talk of even more than the sacrifice on the cross. Jesus came to earth because He knew how fickle and untrusting we can be. He wanted to reach out to us in so much love it would take eternity for us to discover it! Jesus is omniscient (knows everything) and that in and of itself can be a bit much to wrap our heads around on a good day but what if we are having a bad day or maybe even a really bad day. A day of our own making or a day that catches us in the circumstances of life. Is His omniscience enough – knowing exactly what has happened and how it makes us feel simply because He knows everything? Does His omniscience bring us comfort? Not always at least I don’t think so when those days hit me.
I have a friend whose parent died this past weekend. She knows and believes in Christ and His character. Does this bring her comfort? I am sure it does. But does it bring her more comfort knowing that the God who saved her and loves her, knows exactly how she is feeling because while living on earth, He too experienced the same thing?* I would think the answer is yes.
Jesus came not just to die for us but to experience life as we do. He knew that in our time of sorrow, trouble, temptation and difficulty we in our human weakness would do better knowing that He understands exactly what we are going through not due to His omniscience but life experience. He loves us that much! He sacrificed and suffered that much to bring us more comfort and love us in a way that we could hang on to in our time of need.
*Did you catch in the gospels that when Christ was ministering to the Israelites and it mentions His family, it doesn't mention Joseph? Also when Jesus is hanging on the cross He takes the time to make sure John takes care of Mary. Why? Because He was the eldest son and he was responsible for caring for Mary when His father died. I know that it never states in the Bible Joseph died but it is inferred in a number of ways.
We may from time to time remember the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. It is unfathomable that He would give up Heaven to come to earth as a baby to eventually die a horrible death on the cross for our sins knowing how many times we would reject Him, ignore Him and blaspheme Him. Yet He chose to do these things for us to pay the penalty for our sins. That in and of itself is amazing and makes me just shake my head in wonder and awe.
But these verses in Hebrews talk of even more than the sacrifice on the cross. Jesus came to earth because He knew how fickle and untrusting we can be. He wanted to reach out to us in so much love it would take eternity for us to discover it! Jesus is omniscient (knows everything) and that in and of itself can be a bit much to wrap our heads around on a good day but what if we are having a bad day or maybe even a really bad day. A day of our own making or a day that catches us in the circumstances of life. Is His omniscience enough – knowing exactly what has happened and how it makes us feel simply because He knows everything? Does His omniscience bring us comfort? Not always at least I don’t think so when those days hit me.
I have a friend whose parent died this past weekend. She knows and believes in Christ and His character. Does this bring her comfort? I am sure it does. But does it bring her more comfort knowing that the God who saved her and loves her, knows exactly how she is feeling because while living on earth, He too experienced the same thing?* I would think the answer is yes.
Jesus came not just to die for us but to experience life as we do. He knew that in our time of sorrow, trouble, temptation and difficulty we in our human weakness would do better knowing that He understands exactly what we are going through not due to His omniscience but life experience. He loves us that much! He sacrificed and suffered that much to bring us more comfort and love us in a way that we could hang on to in our time of need.
*Did you catch in the gospels that when Christ was ministering to the Israelites and it mentions His family, it doesn't mention Joseph? Also when Jesus is hanging on the cross He takes the time to make sure John takes care of Mary. Why? Because He was the eldest son and he was responsible for caring for Mary when His father died. I know that it never states in the Bible Joseph died but it is inferred in a number of ways.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A father's keepsakes
Recently I have been planning out a picture wall of our family members. It has been fun to pick pictures from many years ago and more recent ones. It is so great to reminisce over old memories and good times. I know that when I finally finish that wall many in our family will enjoy the memories it will spark.
Keepsakes bring fond memories, feelings of love, laughter and people both close and far away. Many families treasure their loved ones in this way – through pictures and other mementos. Our heavenly Father is no different. He too has keepsakes, mementos that keep us close to Him until we can physically be close to Him.
Incense is a precious thing to God. He keeps it close to Him in heaven – right before the entrance to the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle that Moses built (Exodus 30:6) and next to His throne (Rev 5:8). It is so precious to Him that it is considered “most holy to the LORD.” (Exodus 30:37) This incense is placed near Him so He can breathe it in and be pleased with its aroma and what it reminds Him of. And what is that memory…
Psalm 141:2, Revelations 5:8 and 8:3 all speak of the incense as the prayers of the saints. Our prayers to God not only are heard but they are collected and stored in a golden bowl and are as incense to the Lord that He breathes in and that brings Him pleasure! Think on this…
God doesn’t just have pictures of us in His mind that He cherishes…
He doesn’t just listen to our prayers…
He saves them…
Savors them…
and breathes them in…
making them a part of Himself!!!
We are that precious to Him!
You are precious to Him!
Don’t ever forget that. Your prayers are not bouncing off the ceiling but being collected by God’s angels and placed in a bowl next to the Throne of God as incense to be breathed in and remembered, cherished.
Your prayers are the keepsakes of the Father.
Keepsakes bring fond memories, feelings of love, laughter and people both close and far away. Many families treasure their loved ones in this way – through pictures and other mementos. Our heavenly Father is no different. He too has keepsakes, mementos that keep us close to Him until we can physically be close to Him.
Incense is a precious thing to God. He keeps it close to Him in heaven – right before the entrance to the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle that Moses built (Exodus 30:6) and next to His throne (Rev 5:8). It is so precious to Him that it is considered “most holy to the LORD.” (Exodus 30:37) This incense is placed near Him so He can breathe it in and be pleased with its aroma and what it reminds Him of. And what is that memory…
Psalm 141:2, Revelations 5:8 and 8:3 all speak of the incense as the prayers of the saints. Our prayers to God not only are heard but they are collected and stored in a golden bowl and are as incense to the Lord that He breathes in and that brings Him pleasure! Think on this…
God doesn’t just have pictures of us in His mind that He cherishes…
He doesn’t just listen to our prayers…
He saves them…
Savors them…
and breathes them in…
making them a part of Himself!!!
We are that precious to Him!
You are precious to Him!
Don’t ever forget that. Your prayers are not bouncing off the ceiling but being collected by God’s angels and placed in a bowl next to the Throne of God as incense to be breathed in and remembered, cherished.
Your prayers are the keepsakes of the Father.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Valley of Bacca Traveler
Life sucks! Shit happens!
Can you relate? A bit harsh for a site like this you might think but sometimes that’s how you feel. Out of control, powerless, helpless and alone? Life is spinning out of control and just taking you along for the ride. Dizzy yet? Feel like hurlin’? Who’s merry go round is this anyway and
I want off right now?!
Maybe the road you’re on isn’t really a merry go round spinning out of control trying to make you dizzy and really crazy. Maybe just maybe it’s a road that is meant to be straight but gets a little out of whack with the distractions and exhibitions that pull us left and right and around this bend and short cut.
One of the fun memories I have as a kid is going on road trips. My family would go camping and on rainy days we didn’t head for the theatre or restaurant, we’d head on a road trip. No maps, no particular destination, just exploring. We’d find garage sales, interesting places to stop or maybe tourist sites to explore. It was fun…dirt roads, dead ends, farm land, various livestock, little towns with big houses and wrap around porches all strung up with red, white, and blue banners, and maybe little ice cream shops. It was fun.
But let’s say you’re on a specific journey. There is a definite place you want to be or need to be. You have a map, a MapQuest route or maybe a GPS laid out plan and then….CONSTRUCTION…traffic jam…accident…you name it. Something happens that ends up taking you off course. One turn and short cut leads to unfamiliar roads and sometimes newer roads that your GPS doesn’t recognize and you’re lost trying to get back on the right road again. All the fun sites that we passed on our road trips don’t bring you joy and excitement they bring you frustration, misery and very likely anger; anger at the situation and probably at the people in the car with you.
Did you ever realize that there was someone who was in control? Someone who desperately was trying to get your attention and wanting to lead you directly to the place that would bring you the rest, love and joy you’d been secretly or openly looking for? But as you did all the things you had to do or were responsible for and then just felt like doing for the heck of it, you turned off the road that you were meant to be on. Eventually the distraction led to misery, tears and suffering or maybe these things just happened and your detour/distraction kept you from running into the “strength” or help you were meant to have. Maybe just maybe when your conscious or nagging voice tells you to stop or get back on track…maybe just maybe it’s not a buzz kill trying to rob you of your fun but maybe just maybe it’s Someone trying to get you back on the right road to true and everlasting joy, hope and love.
You are not alone…EVER. Jesus Christ is constantly pursuing you and inviting you to be with Him in the best relationship you will ever have.
The valley of misery, tears, and suffering (valley of Baca ) also has oases (strengths) to help you along the way. We can travel from strength to strength as we travel to God and His dwelling place with the help of Jesus along the way. (Psalm 84:5-7)
A rock band – Third Day, recorded a song called the Mountain of God that depicts just what we’ve been discussing. Here are some of the lyrics from that song:
“I thought that I was all alone, broken and afraid; but You are here with me, yeah You are here with me.”
“Even though the journey’s long and I know the road is hard, I must go through the valley to stand before the mountain of God.”
The post just below this one has a YouTube video of the entire song. Listen to it and realize that you’re not alone and the end of your road ends at the Mountain of God…His dwelling place waiting for you; a place of everlasting love, peace, and joy right in the middle of a lifefilled with misery and suffering.
Can you relate? A bit harsh for a site like this you might think but sometimes that’s how you feel. Out of control, powerless, helpless and alone? Life is spinning out of control and just taking you along for the ride. Dizzy yet? Feel like hurlin’? Who’s merry go round is this anyway and
I want off right now?!
Maybe the road you’re on isn’t really a merry go round spinning out of control trying to make you dizzy and really crazy. Maybe just maybe it’s a road that is meant to be straight but gets a little out of whack with the distractions and exhibitions that pull us left and right and around this bend and short cut.
One of the fun memories I have as a kid is going on road trips. My family would go camping and on rainy days we didn’t head for the theatre or restaurant, we’d head on a road trip. No maps, no particular destination, just exploring. We’d find garage sales, interesting places to stop or maybe tourist sites to explore. It was fun…dirt roads, dead ends, farm land, various livestock, little towns with big houses and wrap around porches all strung up with red, white, and blue banners, and maybe little ice cream shops. It was fun.
But let’s say you’re on a specific journey. There is a definite place you want to be or need to be. You have a map, a MapQuest route or maybe a GPS laid out plan and then….CONSTRUCTION…traffic jam…accident…you name it. Something happens that ends up taking you off course. One turn and short cut leads to unfamiliar roads and sometimes newer roads that your GPS doesn’t recognize and you’re lost trying to get back on the right road again. All the fun sites that we passed on our road trips don’t bring you joy and excitement they bring you frustration, misery and very likely anger; anger at the situation and probably at the people in the car with you.
Did you ever realize that there was someone who was in control? Someone who desperately was trying to get your attention and wanting to lead you directly to the place that would bring you the rest, love and joy you’d been secretly or openly looking for? But as you did all the things you had to do or were responsible for and then just felt like doing for the heck of it, you turned off the road that you were meant to be on. Eventually the distraction led to misery, tears and suffering or maybe these things just happened and your detour/distraction kept you from running into the “strength” or help you were meant to have. Maybe just maybe when your conscious or nagging voice tells you to stop or get back on track…maybe just maybe it’s not a buzz kill trying to rob you of your fun but maybe just maybe it’s Someone trying to get you back on the right road to true and everlasting joy, hope and love.
You are not alone…EVER. Jesus Christ is constantly pursuing you and inviting you to be with Him in the best relationship you will ever have.
The valley of misery, tears, and suffering (valley of Baca ) also has oases (strengths) to help you along the way. We can travel from strength to strength as we travel to God and His dwelling place with the help of Jesus along the way. (Psalm 84:5-7)
A rock band – Third Day, recorded a song called the Mountain of God that depicts just what we’ve been discussing. Here are some of the lyrics from that song:
“I thought that I was all alone, broken and afraid; but You are here with me, yeah You are here with me.”
“Even though the journey’s long and I know the road is hard, I must go through the valley to stand before the mountain of God.”
The post just below this one has a YouTube video of the entire song. Listen to it and realize that you’re not alone and the end of your road ends at the Mountain of God…His dwelling place waiting for you; a place of everlasting love, peace, and joy right in the middle of a lifefilled with misery and suffering.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
An Expectant Father
Ephesians 1:3-6
Vs.3 “…who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ…” This is past tense. He has already put forth the order to bless us with every spiritual blessing available in Christ Jesus. Christ said I must leave to prepare a place for you in heaven. The room is ready, the blessings are wrapped, gifts and talents are waiting. Are you ready to receive them? Are you looking? What have you found? Praise Him, thank Him. Are you living a like one who is blessed?
Vs.4 “…for the Father has chosen us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight…” When God chose to create the world, He knew we would fail Him, hurt Him, and disobey Him. He looked into the future and saw you, saw me and said,
“I want that precious one. I don’t want to miss out on the chance of having this one as My own. This one is too important to Me. I will create the world and send My only Son to die for the sins of this dear one, so that she/he can be holy and blameless and be a part of my kingdom.”
Jesus said,
“This precious child is worth all the pain and suffering I will endure.”
Do you know the Father’s love? Have you received the gift of salvation from the penalty of sin that Christ died to give you? *
Vs.5 “In love, the Father, determined that He wanted to adopt you and me through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will…” Adopting us brings Him pleasure and is in accordance with His will. Each of us is important enough to bring Him pleasure and be in His will. Each of us is a part of God’s plan! We are accepted, loved and pleasing to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants you to be a part of His will.
Vs.6 “…to the praise of His glorious grace, which He freely gives us in the One he loves.” Our part in His will (as if being in His will wasn’t enough) brings Him praise- just being and choosing Him, brings Him praise. Not what we do, what we have to offer, just choosing Him and being in His will. That is amazing! Think on this for a moment….when was the last time someone appreciated you choosing him or her? When was the last time you were valued for just being and not doing?
God knew before He created the world, which ones would choose Him and follow Him. He has been waiting, like an expectant Father, for the one who would say, “Yes”. He knew your name, who you would be and what you would look like. He waited thousands of years to die for you and than waited almost 2,000 more years to have you in His family. He did this knowing how many times you would fall short. He loved each of you enough to wait anyway and loves you despite your shortcomings. Wow!
He loves you more than you will ever know.
* Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Vs.3 “…who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ…” This is past tense. He has already put forth the order to bless us with every spiritual blessing available in Christ Jesus. Christ said I must leave to prepare a place for you in heaven. The room is ready, the blessings are wrapped, gifts and talents are waiting. Are you ready to receive them? Are you looking? What have you found? Praise Him, thank Him. Are you living a like one who is blessed?
Vs.4 “…for the Father has chosen us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight…” When God chose to create the world, He knew we would fail Him, hurt Him, and disobey Him. He looked into the future and saw you, saw me and said,
“I want that precious one. I don’t want to miss out on the chance of having this one as My own. This one is too important to Me. I will create the world and send My only Son to die for the sins of this dear one, so that she/he can be holy and blameless and be a part of my kingdom.”
Jesus said,
“This precious child is worth all the pain and suffering I will endure.”
Do you know the Father’s love? Have you received the gift of salvation from the penalty of sin that Christ died to give you? *
Vs.5 “In love, the Father, determined that He wanted to adopt you and me through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will…” Adopting us brings Him pleasure and is in accordance with His will. Each of us is important enough to bring Him pleasure and be in His will. Each of us is a part of God’s plan! We are accepted, loved and pleasing to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants you to be a part of His will.
Vs.6 “…to the praise of His glorious grace, which He freely gives us in the One he loves.” Our part in His will (as if being in His will wasn’t enough) brings Him praise- just being and choosing Him, brings Him praise. Not what we do, what we have to offer, just choosing Him and being in His will. That is amazing! Think on this for a moment….when was the last time someone appreciated you choosing him or her? When was the last time you were valued for just being and not doing?
God knew before He created the world, which ones would choose Him and follow Him. He has been waiting, like an expectant Father, for the one who would say, “Yes”. He knew your name, who you would be and what you would look like. He waited thousands of years to die for you and than waited almost 2,000 more years to have you in His family. He did this knowing how many times you would fall short. He loved each of you enough to wait anyway and loves you despite your shortcomings. Wow!
He loves you more than you will ever know.
* Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Where do you stand? Where do you live?
Psalm 84:10
“Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
It’s easy to say that we’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God rather than dwell in the house of the wicked but during our day, week, month and year where do we spend more time? Are we filling our time with things from God and for God or evil? Do we really take the time to distinguish what is truly wicked/evil in our lives?
My immediate thought is that anything against God and His desires could be classified as evil. And maybe even that which keeps us from doing what God would want is evil. I know that can be described as extreme or too black and white but think about it. If your sports activities, volunteer time, work, “good” book reading time, “good” TV time, vacationing…keeps you/me from spending time with Jesus in relationship and friendship, it is not for God, therefore, it is against God and ‘evil.’ (Luke 11:23)
Just a thought…
I know in my own life Jesus is causing me to look more carefully at my life. I want true intimacy with Jesus and I pray for this. But I have to look at what in my life is getting in the way of this. I can want something and pray for something for a very long time but what am I willing to do to move towards that intimacy? I also need to pray for the eyes to see through the “good” things and see what is truly getting in the way of the intimacy I desire. There was a phrase I used to use to evaluate decisions and give advice to others I was holding accountable: “Is it a good thing or a God thing?” So many times the “good” things get in the way of what Jesus really wants for us and what we really want from Him and with Him.
I am reminded of a theme verse from a retreat I attended
James 4:8a (NASB) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
“Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
It’s easy to say that we’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God rather than dwell in the house of the wicked but during our day, week, month and year where do we spend more time? Are we filling our time with things from God and for God or evil? Do we really take the time to distinguish what is truly wicked/evil in our lives?
My immediate thought is that anything against God and His desires could be classified as evil. And maybe even that which keeps us from doing what God would want is evil. I know that can be described as extreme or too black and white but think about it. If your sports activities, volunteer time, work, “good” book reading time, “good” TV time, vacationing…keeps you/me from spending time with Jesus in relationship and friendship, it is not for God, therefore, it is against God and ‘evil.’ (Luke 11:23)
Just a thought…
I know in my own life Jesus is causing me to look more carefully at my life. I want true intimacy with Jesus and I pray for this. But I have to look at what in my life is getting in the way of this. I can want something and pray for something for a very long time but what am I willing to do to move towards that intimacy? I also need to pray for the eyes to see through the “good” things and see what is truly getting in the way of the intimacy I desire. There was a phrase I used to use to evaluate decisions and give advice to others I was holding accountable: “Is it a good thing or a God thing?” So many times the “good” things get in the way of what Jesus really wants for us and what we really want from Him and with Him.
I am reminded of a theme verse from a retreat I attended
James 4:8a (NASB) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Giving joy away
It is always pretty amazing when the communications/worship leader is the one who does the sermon. I often marvel at the way these people in particular can take what they are speaking on and carry the theme of that message all the way until the end leaving us with a complete package of what the message was.
This happened again this morning. Our worship leader did the sermon at our church. We have been going through Philippians and the message this morning was on chapter 4 verses 1-7. I have heard and read many different messages on this popular portion of scripture. I have even written on this portion of scripture. The Holy Spirit never ceases to amaze me at how He can teach us something new from an “old” or familiar portion of scripture, if we keep our minds and hearts open to Him. This morning was no exception. Tom, our speaker/teacher this morning drew something from this passage that I don’t think I’ve heard before. He focused on the relationship and responsibility of the church to help bring resolution to conflicts and unity back to the church by helping two women who were having a conflict in the church of Philippi. He also brought out the Webster’s definition of rejoice that also shed new light unto the passage for me. Rejoice according to Webster means to give joy. To attempt paraphrase a 30min sermon, Tom was telling us that in and through Jesus we can give joy to those in the church to bring unity, resolution of conflict and in his words, power. Our willingness to give joy through word and action is powerful. He weaved the illustration of this power in light. He had a light bulb and then at the end a woman danced in the darkened auditorium with illuminated balls on string. It was a very powerful illustration for me regarding the power of joy as we give it to others.
As Tom was speaking of the light and the power of the light, I couldn’t help but remember 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...” We can only give powerful and lasting joy away when we have gotten it from Jesus Himself, the Light of the world. There was one moment when Tom was standing near the light and from my perspective his face was obscured by the brightness of the light. Essentially, Tom disappeared and only the light was visible. Isn’t this what we want in the church? If we are close enough to the Light and interact with others (the church in this sermon) those we are interacting with won’t see us at all just the Light, Jesus.
Hmm….something to meditate on….
Another interesting thing about Tom’s sermon was his challenge to us to not give up on each other. We have the choice to just do nothing, nothing at all. When we choose to do nothing either the person we could have brought power, hope and joy to will die in some way or we will. So we either choose life or we choose death. This weekend my husband and I were on a retreat for our church and Tom and his wife were there as well. Tom may not have realized it but his comment to me about how he has read my blog when it’s posted on our church facebook page, brought life (power) to me. As you know, I have given into the relaxed schedule of the summer and have not posted a blog for some time. His simple comment encouraged me to make the time to sit down again and do what I know God has asked me to do. Thanks, Tom for bringing power into my life by giving away some the joy Jesus has given you!
Cavat: I just learned from Tom that Jeff Smith was the one who helped with the program. Way to go Jeff!
This happened again this morning. Our worship leader did the sermon at our church. We have been going through Philippians and the message this morning was on chapter 4 verses 1-7. I have heard and read many different messages on this popular portion of scripture. I have even written on this portion of scripture. The Holy Spirit never ceases to amaze me at how He can teach us something new from an “old” or familiar portion of scripture, if we keep our minds and hearts open to Him. This morning was no exception. Tom, our speaker/teacher this morning drew something from this passage that I don’t think I’ve heard before. He focused on the relationship and responsibility of the church to help bring resolution to conflicts and unity back to the church by helping two women who were having a conflict in the church of Philippi. He also brought out the Webster’s definition of rejoice that also shed new light unto the passage for me. Rejoice according to Webster means to give joy. To attempt paraphrase a 30min sermon, Tom was telling us that in and through Jesus we can give joy to those in the church to bring unity, resolution of conflict and in his words, power. Our willingness to give joy through word and action is powerful. He weaved the illustration of this power in light. He had a light bulb and then at the end a woman danced in the darkened auditorium with illuminated balls on string. It was a very powerful illustration for me regarding the power of joy as we give it to others.
As Tom was speaking of the light and the power of the light, I couldn’t help but remember 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...” We can only give powerful and lasting joy away when we have gotten it from Jesus Himself, the Light of the world. There was one moment when Tom was standing near the light and from my perspective his face was obscured by the brightness of the light. Essentially, Tom disappeared and only the light was visible. Isn’t this what we want in the church? If we are close enough to the Light and interact with others (the church in this sermon) those we are interacting with won’t see us at all just the Light, Jesus.
Hmm….something to meditate on….
Another interesting thing about Tom’s sermon was his challenge to us to not give up on each other. We have the choice to just do nothing, nothing at all. When we choose to do nothing either the person we could have brought power, hope and joy to will die in some way or we will. So we either choose life or we choose death. This weekend my husband and I were on a retreat for our church and Tom and his wife were there as well. Tom may not have realized it but his comment to me about how he has read my blog when it’s posted on our church facebook page, brought life (power) to me. As you know, I have given into the relaxed schedule of the summer and have not posted a blog for some time. His simple comment encouraged me to make the time to sit down again and do what I know God has asked me to do. Thanks, Tom for bringing power into my life by giving away some the joy Jesus has given you!
Cavat: I just learned from Tom that Jeff Smith was the one who helped with the program. Way to go Jeff!
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