Being a Servant Surrounded by Praise

I read about the Triumphal Entry this morning. (Mark 11) It was cool to read that this morning, because we just discussed someones perspective on that passage last night at men's Bible study. Last night in the "Externally Focused Church" book that we are studying, we talked about how this donkey was being ridden by Jesus. As he came into town all of the palm branches were waving and being laid before him on the ground. The crowd cheered! For a moment the author says, the donkey may have thought all of this commotion was for him. After all he was the one doing all the work that day, but it wasn't. He then goes on to say that we are to be that donkey, and take Jesus with us, and we must remember that none of the praise and non of the glory belongs to us. It is hard to keep that perspective sometimes, because we receive so many blessings. The donkey got to walk on palm branches, He felt all the excitement being directed in his direction. When we are with Jesus blessings abound, we should rejoice, but remember all glory goes to him. I am thankful that he had me untied from the post of sin, so I can serve him.

Physical Health and Spiritual Health

I had two different discussions this morning before 9:00 am about the desire to get in shape physically. I actually really enjoy working out, but I certainly haven't always done it regularly. Sometimes it does not have the priority it should have. Sometimes I have things of greater importance to do, other times I don't want to pay for a gym membership cause I am cheap! :) However, it is important to work out physically. It is important for the obvious reason of being healthy physically, but it is also important for our spiritual lives. I feel healthier spiritually when I am healthier physically. I have more energy, to do the things of God. It is a worthy investment to do something everyday to improve our physical health, as it is a worthy investment to do something to improve our spiritual health. Here is one of those things that does not make a lot of since logically - If you are tired all the time, go work out so you wont be tired... :) It's true though! initially of course you will be tired, but overtime energy seems to increase. The physical affects the physical and the spiritual. Just a the spiritual affects the spiritual and the physical (healings and things like that). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we should take care of ourselves. Also, it is time for an increase in our energy level as Christians. It is a worthy investment to the kingdom!

Bringing Children to Jesus

Reading in Mark chapter 10 today. I like this passage:


Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch 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 I tell you the truth, 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, put his hands on them and blessed them.

It is our job as parents and as a church to bring little children to Jesus so he can touch them. It is the greatest time to accept Christ! Before the world has an opportunity to wound and scar them. It is a great responsibility to raise Cyrus, and it is a great responsibility to help other kids that don't know Jesus to get to know him. I'm convinced that we need to do more... God is good, and he will help us. Have a good day, and a good weekend!

Serving with a pure heart

Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Here is another example about how God operates different than we do. To be honest I am struggling a bit with a concept I have heard taught before, and I need to do more study on it. But I would like to hear what all of you think! I was thinking the other day about faith vs works in terms of salvation. I believe that we are saved by faith, not by our works, and I thought, how can someone do a good works to achieve salvation, because everything that they do would have a hidden and selfish motive, (their own salvation). So how good is that work if you have these motives ultimately. So, now "Christians"; if we are saved by faith and do good works to get a reward in heaven, how pure are our motives for good works if we are just in it for the reward in heaven? I know there are verses to support getting a reward in Heaven.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things DONE IN THE BODY, according to what He has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

"... and each one will receive His own reward ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR." (1 Corinthians 3:8)

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone ACCORDING TO HIS WORK." (Revelation 22:12)

I don't know... Perhaps we just need to forget about the rewards and do what we need to do, and be a servant with a pure heart, and then let God worry about the reward. We need to do good works because we love people, not for a reward. Chime in here! let me know what you think! Have a great day!

Confrontational Jesus

Yesterday was a busy day, dealing with issues after the storms rolled through the area the night before, so I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday. But today I do! I read in Mark chapter 8. Jesus loves us, and is very compassionate, but he is also confrontational. Not for the sake of confrontation, but for the sake of being obedient to his father and to be truthful and loving. To accept the loving Jesus only is comfortable, and pleasant and works out well for us. To accept Jesus fully for who he is a lot tougher! For me personally to live like confrontational Jesus is really difficult. I don't like to cause problems. I want everyone to be happy. But the question is do I love them enough to be confrontational. Jesus in chapter 8 goes through the whole multiplication of loaves of bread and fish for all the people following him for the second time, and the disciples still really don't get it. Later, he tells Peter, "Get behind me Satan" The Pharisees want a sign from him and he doesn't give them one, and then later talks to the disciples about the yeast of the pharisees, and they are still on the bread thing! And I think Jesus gets a little aggravated with them. I am convinced that I need to work more on be confrontational at the right times and in the right way, yet still be loving and compassionate. One of our students shared something in youth service on Sunday that was right on. I later had a separate conversation with someone who had positively been confrontational and made a difference in someones life that day. When things like that happen back to back, it is usually safe to say God is trying to tell you something. Have a great day everyone!

The God Factor

I read about the story of when Jesus feeds the 5,000 people to 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Under normal circumstances this would have been impossible, but with the God factor it was made possible. God not only can take bread and fish and multiply it to be enough, he takes you and I and can multiply the very limited amount that we have to offer God and use it to many great things. KJ-52 is a christian rap artist, and that is what the 5-2 stands for in his name. He knew he didn't have much to offer God what what had he gave, and God has multiplied it as he reached many many students in the generation. Are you feeling like you have nothing to offer today? Do you feel like you don't have enough money, enough energy, or enough love to go around? Offer yourself to Jesus and he will multiply what you can do on your own! I am needing this today after a busy but great weekend! Have a great day!

The Abnormal becomes Normal

I read this morning about the demon possessed man. This is the guy that had a legion of demons inside of him. He was barbaric and out of control. He was a mad man, who was tormented day and night, and roamed the countryside out of control. Most are familiar with the story I would assume, but Jesus comes and casts the demons out of the man and into a herd of pigs. The pig then jump off the cliff and drown, and the man is normal again. This is the part that made me think. Check this out:

Mark 5:14-17 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man-- and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

These people had made what was abnormal normal in there lives. The demon possessed man was supposed to be that way according to them. It was just a part of life. Jesus did a great thing, but change was just too much for these people. I think we should ask God, in what areas of our lives has the abnormal become normal. When we do this successfully, the things of this world are what become abnormal. Living in pain and sickness should be what is abnormal, but often it is normal. Normal should be the kingdom of God...