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Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category

Real Character Revealed

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope, Motivational on September 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Today’s Pray-As-You Go reading comes from Luke 2.  I listened this morning and reflected as the passage was read of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple after his birth.  We are told that the words of Simeon amazed them as he foretold what Jesus would accomplish.

The words that have stayed with me from this reading are these:  “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”

I have been wrestling with this idea all morning now.  Does he really mean that my innermost thoughts – my deep-seated fears and desires will come to light?  I believe he does.  Jesus brought truth to us.  Truth about ourselves.  Truth about our world.  Truth about God’s desire for us.  And when truth is put next to something – the real character is revealed.

For instance, Jesus has taught us that we are to show mercy to others (Matthew 5:7).  So when we have the opportunity to show mercy and we choose to withhold it, we reveal something about ourselves.

Simeon nailed it.

Jesus reveals the thoughts of the heart.

This past Sunday, my sermon spoke to the need for each of us to be real.  As believers – as followers in the Way – we must reflect Jesus.  When people see us, they need to see real followers – not those who just want to appear to be so.  Our actions and words, when brought into comparison to Jesus’ teaching, reveal our hearts – our true selves.  What will your actions and words reveal about you today?

Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  That is my prayer for myself today.

It is my prayer for you!

Be blessed this day!

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Feeling Overwhelmed?

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on September 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Occasionally, we all feel overwhelmed.  Life stacks up.  Things may be going fine one day and then the very next – wham!! – life piles up like traffic in north Dallas at 5:00 on Friday afternoon!

It is in those times we need to remind ourselves of a very important promise and truth from Jesus.  In Matthew 11, Jesus tells us that when we feel overwhelmed, weary and worn-out, that we can come to him and he will give us rest.

There are three things I take away from this promise:

  1. We all get weary sometimes – that is natural.  We get really busy doing really good things and we get really tired.  Jesus reminds us that we need balance.  When we focus all our attention on really good things but neglect the best, weariness sets in – which leads to the second thing.
  2. Jesus offers rest.  He is not referring to a nap, but refreshing, renewing relief.
  3. We have to turn to him for this relief.  I can try and find refreshment in a lot of different places and ways, but the only real relief comes when we draw near to him.

We get worn-out when we focus all our energy on the good things in life but neglect the best – our time with Jesus.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed today, rest in Jesus.  He offers the only relief that makes a difference.

Be blessed!

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A Simple Faith

Posted in Formation, Hope on August 25, 2015| 2 Comments »

In yesterday’s post I mused about the beginning of school and how children have a special place in the heart of Jesus.  I quoted Mark 10 in which we see a beautiful picture of Jesus’s compassion.  As I have reflected further on that text, something Jesus said has continued to stay with me.  In verse 15, Jesus makes a subtle but enormous statement.  He says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”   

Like a little child.

Jesus didn’t say, “Once you have matured and have a real grasp on theology and the workings of God, then you can receive the kingdom.”  He didn’t say, “As soon as you prove yourself with selfless acts and serve on 14 committees in the synagogue and teach a class in Sabbath school, then you will be worthy.”

He said we must receive the kingdom of God like a little child.

Children aren’t usually worried about adult stuff.  Their eyes are wide as they take in all that is going on.  Their innocence is moving.  Their hopes and dreams are in tact, still vibrant with passion and excitement.  The world has yet to steal them away.  They aren’t concerned about tomorrow – they simply trust.

When the world tells you it doesn’t work that way, relax and believe.

When your mind says, “I just have to figure this stuff out,” simply trust.

Even in the midst of the stress of life, rest with confidence in God’s arms.

Whatever life throws at you today, remember that God is in control.  What is going on may not make sense – today . . . but that never means God is not present. God will never leave you nor will you ever be forsaken!

S I M P L Y     T R U S T

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Prayer On the First Day of School

Posted in Family, Formation, Hope on August 24, 2015| 2 Comments »

Here we are . . . another beginning to a new school year.  This summer has been a whirlwind of milestones in the lives of my children – and family.  In the last three weeks, my oldest son graduated college from Texas Tech University (and is now completely employable by the way) and my youngest headed off to begin his college career.  Today he starts his classes at my alma mater – Hardin-Simmons University.  My middle son will begin classes at Texas A & M Corpus Christi on Wednesday.

So – here we are – milestones . . . new beginnings.

As each new school year begins, I think back to those days when I walked my boys through the parking lot, holding hands to protect them from the craziness that is school drop off.  I remember the looks on their faces – a mixture of excitement and full on fear.  I remember walking away trying not to make eye contact with any other adults thinking that somehow they would not see the tears on my face.  I remember getting back to the car and just sitting, trying to collect myself and praying.  I prayed for their teachers.  I prayed for them to have an amazing day.  I prayed that God would be with them since I couldn’t.

So when we get to the beginning of a new school year, I remember those days.  Then I am reminded that my boys still need God to be with them in the same ways they did way back then.

If you are in the throws of the beginning of a new school year take heart, God will see your little ones through – and you as well.

Jesus had a special place in his heart for kids – and he still does.  Mark 10 gives a vivid picture:

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

He took them in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.  He still does!  What a beautiful picture!

Father in heaven.  Today marks another milestone in the lives of our children (and when we are honest with ourselves – our own lives as well).  Please protect our kids and offer peace to parents.  Put people in their lives that help them grow in their understanding and maturity.  Please walk beside their teachers and administrators as they give their lives to make the lives of our kids better.  Through all of it, grow them into the adults you created them to be and never stop drawing them to yourself.   Amen

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Faith In Action

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on July 29, 2015| 2 Comments »

What would the world look like if each self-professed follower of Jesus truly lived out their faith daily with passion?

I believe the world would look differently.  I believe our churches would be full of tired Jesus followers every Sunday – there to recuperate from living to the fullest the week before and regrouping to go out and do it again the next week.

It is easy to say, “I am a believer.  I have put my faith and trust in Jesus.”  But the test of those words comes in how we live.

James 2:14-26 forces a reality check.  The author of the book refuses to take our statement of faith at face value.  He pushes the issue and says that we cannot expect others to believe that our faith is real if it is not backed up by our actions.

Go out and live your faith today.  Words are hollow and meaningless if we don’t live them.

Be a blessing today.

If you are anywhere near First Baptist Corpus at 6:00 PM tonight, come and join the discussion about this text.

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Are You Alive – Fully?

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on July 22, 2015| 2 Comments »

Flyleaf – the Christian rock group – has a song titled “Fully Alive.”  As I listened to that song this morning, I thought about my devotional reading for the day.  The lyrics of the song describe a girl who has experienced suffering but through that suffering she has learned to believe in something more – something beyond.  And because of that belief she is ready to smile and love life.  She is fully alive because she knows how to believe in something more.

This morning, I read a prayer that Jesus offered, recorded in John 17.  This text was something I had read time and time again but it took on fresh meaning this morning (that is how scripture is – new and fresh everyday).  Jesus makes a concise statement of what real life, eternal life is.  In verse 3 he says: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Jesus gives us a beautifully simple definition of a fulfilled, sustaining and lasting life – to know the one true God.  When we know God – when we believe with our entire being that he is the only true God – then we are fully alive.

Are you fully alive today?

If you know the Father – then you are fully alive.

Now go live it!

Be a blessing today!

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Followers In the Way

Posted in Formation, Hope on July 16, 2015| 1 Comment »

Jesus is the Way.  We see references throughout the New Testament to the way.  In John 14, Jesus makes an emphatic statement that he is the way, the truth and the life.  His believers are often called followers in the way.

As I think back on my journey, I think I have mostly interpreted this concept of the way as a doorway or opening.  In John 10, Jesus referred to himself as the gate.  The idea is that no one gets to God except through him and his sacrifice.  This concept is reinforced in John 14:6 when Jesus makes his statement about being the way, the truth and the life by his following statement, “no one comes to the Father except through me.”  So understanding Jesus as the portal or entry point to the Father is certainly part of what he is telling us.

But I have come to see more.  Not only is Jesus the portal through which we must pass to get to God, he is also the path we must follow.  It is one thing to stand in a parking lot and tell a person how to get to a particular location across town – go down that way three blocks and turn right at the light; then go through two more lights and turn right at the water tower and go straight for 1/2 a mile and you will be there.

God didn’t just give us directions, he sent his son to escort us and show us the way.  Jesus’ teachings are the path we are to follow – the true way to the Father.

God, help me to grow in my passion and desire to be a follower in the Way today!

May that be your prayer too!

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Living Resurrected

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on July 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach from John 11 where Jesus stated that he is the resurrection and the life.  The scene was the raising of his friend Lazarus from the dead, but Jesus used this miracle as an illustration of a universal truth about himself.  The physical resurrection he offered to Lazarus, he also offers to all who will believe.

But before we can be resurrected, we must first die.  While Jesus was teaching that we would all be resurrected at some point from a physical death, he was teaching a deeper truth.  He was teaching us that the life he offers is a new life – a resurrected life.  But in order to receive that life, we must first die to ourselves.

in order to live a resurrected life, we have to first die to our own desires, our own drives, our own egos.  We must fully submit our lives to Jesus and his will for us.  And then through that submission, live for him each and every day – following his teaching and plan for us.  This is a daily commitment.  It is not a one time decision and then go and live the way we want.  

The bigger issue at work here is the distinction between seeing Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord.  The truth is, he is unequivocally both.  But we have a real tendency to focus on Jesus as Savior and put less emphasis on Jesus as Lord.  Yes he saves us, but he must also be the Lord of our lives.  If our faith in the risen savior does not result in a resurrected, transformed lifestyle, then James 2 would call into question whether or not it is legitimate faith.

Jesus offers a new life.

Are you living that resurrected life today?

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Community In the Desert

Posted in Community, Hope on July 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »

We like to think we are independent.  We are taught, particularly in this country, that if we set our mind to something and we commit our entire existence to it, we will achieve it.  It is ingrained in us that we need to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.  We take pride in being able to say, “I am a self-made man.”

While the optimist in me would like to believe that there is truth in all of that, last week, I was reminded that we need one another.  I had the amazing gift of getting to spend 3 days with 20 total, yet amazing, strangers.  When we converged on the Rapport offices in Las Vegas, Nevada, not one of us had ever met.  Nor did we really understand what we were about to experience.  But within 24 hours we would be a team – team 2664.  At the end of it all, my hope in mankind was renewed by the way we came together.

I watched as 21 people let their guards down and learned to trust one another.  We realized that we would not make it through the week without each other.  All the conditioning that “I can do this on my own,” was stripped away and we became completely dependent on one another.  it was a scary but cathartic undertaking – the result of which was a group of friends who were total strangers just hours before.

There will be many posts in days to come of the lessons learned in the desert of Nevada, but that will take time for me to process.  For today, the lesson is community.  We need one another.  No one is self-made.  We might puff up and try to make people think we don’t need anyone.  But the cold hard fact of life is that we can’t do this alone – not well anyway.

But here is what could be a revolutionary thought for you – or at least a liberating concept – we were never meant to do this alone.  God created us for relationships.  Genesis starts out in the very first chapter telling us that the first man needed someone else to be complete.  We were created for community.  That is how we are wired.  We need to know and be known.  WE NEED EACH OTHER.  This is not an admission of weakness.  In fact, it takes more grit and strength to admit we need another than it does to deny the truth and try and go it alone.

This truth is why the church is so important.  Church is never to be a place where people put on masks and act as if they are self-sufficient.  Church is the place we come for encouragement, support, instruction and relationships that help us make it through our days.  If that is not a description of any church that you have ever attended, keep looking – they exist – I happen to belong to one.

Be blessed today!

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So What Do You Think of Yourself?

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on July 1, 2015| 1 Comment »

As I opened my browser this morning, I focused in on the verse of the day on Bible Gateway.  The verse was Romans 12:3 which says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

I read the verse over several times and the words that kept jumping out at me were “sober judgement.”  Paul reminds us that we should have a healthy self-view.  We should not think too highly of ourselves.  Of course, scripture is clear that when we come to an authentic relationship with Jesus, we are a new creation – we are worth something.  So scripture does not suggest that we are pitiful, worthless individuals.  But we also have to be cautious not to begin to think too much of ourselves.

The reason these words “sober judgement” spoke to me this morning is because the key to healthy self-worth is not in telling yourself you are something you are not, nor is it beating yourself up over your faults.  The key to healthy self-worth is being completely honest and real with yourself and the Father.  God already knows everything about us – in fact, God knows us better than we know ourselves.  Sober judgement is having a view of ourselves that is not influenced by what others might think or what we want them to think.

Sober judgement is being real, transparent and open with ourselves and knowing that regardless of where we find ourselves on this day, God loves us!

You are loved today!

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