As Jesus followers, we know that we should live in such a way to bring honor to him. If you have read much of my ramblings then you know I am always pushing to be true to our calling. But today I have a simple question for you, what is your motivation for following Jesus?
That’s it. Leave me your answers here or by email – bhill33@me.com
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What is on your mind today? What is weighing heavy on your heart?
Maybe it is trouble at work. God says, “I’m here – remember I gave you that job.”
Maybe it is a strained marriage. God says, ” I called you into this relationship – hold strong.”
Maybe it is uncertainty about the future. God says, “I hold the future in my hands, nothing surprises me – trust me.”
Whatever is on your heart today, lay it down at God’s feet and lay yourself into God’s arms. God is saying to you in a soft but strong voice, “I’ve got this.”
Be blessed today!
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Yesterday, I had a young man meet me at my office to discuss baptism. He was raised in a different faith but has been attending our church for quite some time. I was excited about his initiative – through our friendship, he actually approached me with his questions.
As we began, I explained the differences between the beliefs common in the Baptist denomination and those common in the faith of his childhood. We discussed the importance of having a real life relationship with Jesus. We also discussed the reasons for following through with Jesus’ example of baptism.
Then we moved on to being a part of a church family and the benefits of actually putting down roots and getting involved.
Through all of this discussion he was in agreement and had his mind made up that he wants to “go public” with his decision. He wants to make it official and get plugged into our 1st B family. So we began to discuss the process that our church recognizes for taking this step. He has been in our services long enough to have seen the process play out and he is ready to take that step.
All of what I have shared here is exciting. But what he said next made me sit back in my chair. He relayed to me that he knows this is what he needs to do for his own journey, but he also really wants his young daughter to see her dad take this stand.
Parents, it is so important for you kids not only to hear what you have to say about faith and following Jesus but to also see you modeling it for them. Kids have the innate ability to sense “fake.” We can tell them all their lives what they should do and how they should live but if we are not living it out in front of them, our words and empty and meaningless. You have to live it.
Make sure you model Jesus’ love for your family today!
Be blessed!
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Everything is virtual. Well not really. But our world is moving toward a virtual way of doing just about everything at a scary pace. We can talk to people around the world and actually see their image on the screen in front of us. We can hold meetings with multiple people at the same time without being in the same town much less the same room.
We can order just about anything we want and have it shipped to our homes and never leave the sofa. It is possible to live in our world with little to no human contact.
But that is just sad!
This week in our church we will be talking about the importance of connection. One might argue that the things I have mentioned here would qualify as connection but for me, I believe what our world is missing and needing desperately is IRL connection. Sound technical? Nope – IRL is in real life.
Living resurrected lives meanswe are called to make an impact on those around us – in real life, in real time.
In most ways, the church stays behind the times when it comes to advances in technology and other things. But here is an instance that the church has been on the cutting edge. For years, we have been doing ministry and missions virtually. Long before technology supported a virtual world, the church had built a system that promoted virtual ministry. People, in the comfort of their pew can write a check so that someone else will serve others – virtual ministry.
But Jesus called each of us to get our hands dirty – to get involved.
That is living resurrected. It’s a pretty cool way to live. Give it a try today!
Be blessed!
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Easter has come and gone. Or has it? The Christian calendar now actually moves into the season of Easter. For the next 50 days (leading up to Pentecost), we will be in the Easter season.
I must confess, I was not raised to pay an overwhelming amount of attention to the Christian calendar so when I talk as if I know of which I speak – I really am just learning – part of my journey. At any rate, I don’t suppose I have ever really given much thought to the idea of a season of Easter. But as I have thought about the importance of Easter – the day – I have begun to realize that there is so much more going on here than just a single day.
Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the miraculous resurrection. Part of that celebration is the realization of what it means for you and for me. As believers, we live in and through this resurrection. We no longer have to fear death and be, as Hebrews 2 says, slaves to that fear. We begin to understand that Easter is not a day but a way of living.
This Sunday, we will start a new sermon series entitled Living Resurrected. I ask that you pray for our 1st B family as God teaches us what it means to live resurrected lives.
I am also asking for your input (which just might make it into the sermon). What does the idea – living resurrected – mean to you. Comment here are leave me a message on Facebook, Twitter or email.
Be blessed today.
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Today is Friday of Holy Week – Good Friday. This is the day we remember the cross. It began with a mock trial that ended with an angry mob yelling, “Crucify.” It then moved to beating and humiliation and then ultimately to the cross where Jesus was brutally murdered. All of this for my sin and for yours.
Walk carefully through this day. Think about the sacrifice. Follow Jesus up the Via De La Rosa to the hill of the skull. Listen as the hammer bounces off the spikes. Watch as Jesus is hoisted up into the air and left there to die.
This is what he endured for you and for me.
Stand at the foot of that cross today and let the sights and sounds wash over you. Don’t turn away – face the reality.
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Today is Thursday – Holy Thursday. We have walked with Jesus this week as he has moved closer and closer to the cross. This morning we turn our thoughts toward tonight. Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for the Passover. I can imagine that they hurried around purchasing the items for the meal and getting the room ready. They were excited about celebrating this time together.
As they gathered that night, Jesus took the opportunity to spend his last few hours with them trying to pour into them as much as possible. He had taught them that the last will be first and that the true way to greatness in God’s eyes is through serving others. But tonight we will remember one of Jesus’ most vivid illustrations of service.
He took off his outer garments and wrapped a towel around his waist. He put water in a basin and then he went one by one to his disciples and washed their feet. This was one of the most lowly acts known to their culture. The disciples were shocked.
Have you ever had someone show you this type of kindness? How did it make you feel? Uncomfortable?
That is what the disciples felt. Here was their teacher – their master – doing what they would never think to do. Foot washing was the lowliest servant’s task. But that was what Jesus was doing. Peter even tried to stop Jesus.
But Jesus persisted in order to make a point. If the disciples were to follow him – really follow him – they would have to learn to put others first. They would have to come to the realization that being a true follower means serving.
I pray that as we move through this day and rememberer the events of Maundy Thursday, that we will be reminded of who we are called to be and what we are expected to do – the first will be last and the last will be first.
So Holy Week continues. Keep walking.
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