"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him that hath chosen hom to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4
What does it mean to be a soldier? Your life is not your own. You rise in the morning, preparing for the day, unsure of what might come your way over the course of the next 24 hours. Your mind must be prepared, able to recognize the sights, sounds, and smells around you. What constitutes a real threat and what is merely a distraction? A soldier is trained to be alert, ready and watching. The world throws many distractions our way: relationships, work, bills, homes, cars, media and so forth.
What is a distraction? The affairs of this life that would try to throw a soldier's focus off where his eyes are meant to be. What is the remedy?
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you." Philippians 3:14-15
Press on! The ending phrase of verse 15, if I may paraphrase...if you don't get it, He will show you! That's a gentle teacher and loving Father! Our job is just to stay focused. Keep moving in the direction of the Light! Amen
Friday, February 19, 2010
Love the Light
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Only three verses prior, Jesus was making known to His followers that His Father in heaven loved them all, every single one. So deep was this love that Jesus was essentially telling them why He, the only begotten Son of the Father, was there on earth with them. I can almost hear the pleading in His voice as He recounts this. "My Father loves you.... do you get it? I mean really loves you. That's why I am here. I am not here as a harsh ruler or judge. I came to fulfill the law and the prophets, not add more rules to your plate. Can't you see? It is in Me that you will find freedom. In Me you will have life, not just life, but abundant life, wholeness, freedom, peace! I am not here to condemn you. I'm here to save you from condemnation. But, look around you. The condemnation you feel is not of me, but it is there. The condemnation is brought on by men. They would rather walk in darkness than step out into the light of My salvation. It doesn't have to be that way with you. Learn to love the Light. Walk in truth and the darkness will have to flee."
In chapter 15 of John, Jesus speaks again to the disciples about abiding in Him. He is the true Vine and apart from Him, nothing can grow. Plants cannot grow without light. There is a phenomenal instinct in plants called "phototropism." It is a form of plant growth in which the direction of growth is determined by the direction of the light source. In other words, it is the growth and response to a light stimulus. What a fascinating thing to observe. No matter where a plant is in a room, it will grow toward the light. Our Heavenly Father is most certainly interested in details!
Only three verses prior, Jesus was making known to His followers that His Father in heaven loved them all, every single one. So deep was this love that Jesus was essentially telling them why He, the only begotten Son of the Father, was there on earth with them. I can almost hear the pleading in His voice as He recounts this. "My Father loves you.... do you get it? I mean really loves you. That's why I am here. I am not here as a harsh ruler or judge. I came to fulfill the law and the prophets, not add more rules to your plate. Can't you see? It is in Me that you will find freedom. In Me you will have life, not just life, but abundant life, wholeness, freedom, peace! I am not here to condemn you. I'm here to save you from condemnation. But, look around you. The condemnation you feel is not of me, but it is there. The condemnation is brought on by men. They would rather walk in darkness than step out into the light of My salvation. It doesn't have to be that way with you. Learn to love the Light. Walk in truth and the darkness will have to flee."
In chapter 15 of John, Jesus speaks again to the disciples about abiding in Him. He is the true Vine and apart from Him, nothing can grow. Plants cannot grow without light. There is a phenomenal instinct in plants called "phototropism." It is a form of plant growth in which the direction of growth is determined by the direction of the light source. In other words, it is the growth and response to a light stimulus. What a fascinating thing to observe. No matter where a plant is in a room, it will grow toward the light. Our Heavenly Father is most certainly interested in details!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Abundant Living Water
"And whoever will be cheif among you, let him be your servant." (Matthew 20:27)
True leadership comes from underneath. Christ was not ashamed to bow His knee and lift the weary foot of all of His disciples, including Judas, who would soon betray Him. He washed them and wiped them dry. Travelling a dusty road, shod in sandles, I can only imagine what their feet looked like, but I am sure He didn't wince. Imagine what they smelled like! Cut and scraped, hard, calloused, sweaty, smelly dirty feet! And the King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator of the universe, knelt and held those feet in His hands. I wonder if just a touch of those precious hands healed every cut on their feet. Did the water get dirty and need to be dumped out? Somehow, I don't think so. A soaking in living water, the abundant supply poured out on mere men. Just as He did with the water and wine, the loaves and fishes, He is a God of abundance and His supply never runs dry. It never gets low.
I am reminded of the lyrics to a song my mother used to sing when I was a child. " And Jesus said, 'Come to the water, stand by My side. I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied. I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died."
True leadership comes from underneath. Christ was not ashamed to bow His knee and lift the weary foot of all of His disciples, including Judas, who would soon betray Him. He washed them and wiped them dry. Travelling a dusty road, shod in sandles, I can only imagine what their feet looked like, but I am sure He didn't wince. Imagine what they smelled like! Cut and scraped, hard, calloused, sweaty, smelly dirty feet! And the King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator of the universe, knelt and held those feet in His hands. I wonder if just a touch of those precious hands healed every cut on their feet. Did the water get dirty and need to be dumped out? Somehow, I don't think so. A soaking in living water, the abundant supply poured out on mere men. Just as He did with the water and wine, the loaves and fishes, He is a God of abundance and His supply never runs dry. It never gets low.
I am reminded of the lyrics to a song my mother used to sing when I was a child. " And Jesus said, 'Come to the water, stand by My side. I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied. I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died."
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