Daily Devotions from Pastor Haefs

2012-02-01T08:18:00.002-05:00

Matt 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
When Jesus said to Matthew, "Follow me," He was making it clear His invitation to follow is not just for the religious elite, for the morally upright or for those who have their lives together. His invitation is for all of us who are hiding stains.

Read the following two paragraphs out loud, while standing in front of a mirror. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

"Anyone" is a pretty inclusive word. Anyone can follow Jesus. Anyone whoever thought to themselves, 'I've gone too far...my stains are too big...' Anyone who has ever lain awake at night and said 'I can't believe what I have done'. Anyone who has ever looked in the mirror and said to themselves, "I can't believe what I have become.'

Anyone who knows down deep that they've got really nothing to offer Jesus. Really, it's what Jesus offers us that changes things. On the day He said to Matthew,

"Follow me,"something changed in him that day. And how do we know all this about Matthew's life? How do we know about his past failures and mistakes? Because he tells us." Not A Fan Study

Anyone can follow.

2012-01-31T08:29:00.002-05:00

“She wants a divorce.” - Not A Fan Study

Like Eric in the movie, we’ve all had to say things we never thought we would have to say, such as: she wants a divorce, I am addicted, I am sorry I hit you, I had an abortion, I was fired, you are not my first lover, and so on. Think of the hardest things you have had to say because you had not been following Jesus. They will be painful to recall but the pain to recall can protect you from the pain to repeat.

If being a slave to sin has left you broken and bruised and you find your life is in pieces...
remember this: Jesus loves you and if you let him, He’ll take the pieces of your life and turn them into a beautiful mosaic. Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy burdened to come to him and find rest for your souls because his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matt.11:30). Your burden(s) are not to heavy for Him.

2012-01-30T08:05:00.004-05:00

1/30
1 Cor 7:22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

“I meet people every week who are slaves to something, but they found freedom when they became a slave to Jesus Christ. They were slaves to possessions or slaves to their own pleasures, they were slaves to people, what other people thought of them. But they discovered that true freedom is only found when they live as a slave to Jesus Christ. Instead of shame and bondage and death, we find joy and grace and eternal life. You will never know true freedom until you have completely surrendered and become a slave to Jesus Christ.” - Not A Fan Study

A fish freed from its cage called water is a pitiful sight, struggling, reeling, and gasping for breath. For a fish, to be freed from the constraints called water is to be enslaved in a foreign world. Think of a particularly tempting sin. When you throw yourself into that sin, what results?

Try saying the following out loud and noticing how you feel when you say each one:
I will be a slave to pleasure.
I will be a slave to possessions.
I will be a slave to what other people think.
I will be a slave to money.
I will be a slave to sex.
I will be a slave to status.
I will be a slave to my career.
I will be a slave to my family.
I will be a slave to Jesus

To what do you tend to become enslaved from the above list?

2012-01-30T08:05:00.002-05:00

Friday, January 27, 2012

Matt 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

“Doulos is the Greek word for slave. A slave had no rights. A slave signed over everything to the master, even his own identity. A slave’s one word job description was to obey. So Matthew understood, to call Jesus Lord, was to call himself a slave.” - Not A Fan Study

Think about this question: Do you want to be radical in following Jesus? Here’s an exercise for all of us to do. Make a list of your primary possessions - house, cars, bank accounts, etc. Then make a list of your skills - gardening, teaching, mechanical, selling, nursing, etc. Add a list of your core identities - husband/wife, coach, leader, dad/mom, etc. Then sign all these over to Jesus. Are you willing to do this? (Y / N)

Now answer this question: What possession, skill or identity is most difficult for you to sign over to Jesus? Why is that?

You either lay it all at Christ feet or you clutch that “thing” to your chest while telling Jesus “no”. Which is it for you?

2012-01-26T08:26:00.003-05:00

Matt 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Matthew understood that to follow a Rabbi was a twenty-four hour a day commitment, and he understood that it was not just knowing what Jesus knows, but to follow Christ was going to be living how Jesus lived. Matthew understood that in order to follow Jesus, he must call Jesus Lord.” - Not A Fan Study

What is on your schedule today? Teri ask me that question often - and like most men I give her a one word answer, “Work.” But I want each of us to take a few moments and imagine today. Anticipate situations that will likely occur. In each case, picture yourself following Jesus into that situation. For example, if you wake your children, envision yourself walking into the bedroom behind Jesus, with Him going ahead of you and showing you what to do and how to do it. Or if you have a client meeting, imagine Jesus walking into that office ahead of you, and you following His lead in how to listen, speak and act. What effect do you think this exercise can have on your day?

At the end of today go back and review your day in your mind’s eye. Notice any times you really did mentally follow Jesus into a situation, and allow Him to take the lead. Also, notice the times you simply forgot or weren’t willing to let him lead. Notice the difference. Following Jesus is a twenty-four hour a day commitment seven days a week. Its not to late to begin - start today and see what a difference that will make in your life and the lives of others.

2012-01-25T08:22:00.003-05:00

The Bible says in Rom 3:23 or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
In other words, none of us are good enough. We’ve all said things we should not have said. We have all done things we should not have done. And so we scrub and scrub at the stain, but the stain just wont’s come out.

And we reach this point, where we are not sure what to do. And so we live in denial of the stain. Or we blame other people for the stain. Or we rationalize and justify the stain. Or we just live in guilt and fear hoping somehow that no one will notice.” - Not A Fan Study

Now be honest what is one of your biggest stains? What failure, sin, has left a huge mark on your life? In the past, which of the following have you done with this stain? Denied it. Ignored it. Blamed others for it. Rationalized it. Justified it. Lived in guilt over it.

What effect have those ways of dealing with your stain had on your life?

Remember the scene in the movie where Kyle talked about the stain on their white couch put there by on of their daughters? As our life awareness grows, we recognize that there isn’t just one stain on one couch, but all of our furniture is marred - every relationship, every effort, every day is stained in some way.

What do you do with your awareness of not just a few stains but the chronic spilling and staining in your life? Hide it. Fight it. Medicate it. Minimize it. Confess it. Justify it.

Scripture tells us that 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Spend time today confessing to Jesus your sins - He already knows them. Confess and He promises to forgive you and remove your sins (stains) as far as the east is from the west.

2012-01-24T08:16:00.002-05:00

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” John 6:66

We have all seen at sometime in our life signs that read - “KEEP OUT” - RESTRICTED AREA - AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.” Let me ask you today this question: “Are there certain areas of your life labeled “off limits,’ or does Jesus have all access to your heart?”

Walk around your home, office, school, car, etc. with Jesus beside you - and ask yourself the question, is anything I am seeing off limits to Jesus?

“Death, That is really what it means to follow Jesus. We choose to die to ourselves and live for Him.” - Not A Fan Study

As you walk around your home, work, school, etc. say to Jesus, “I give you this, and this, and this...” Can you say to Christ “I surrender all”, Lord you are first place in my life.

2012-01-24T08:15:00.001-05:00

January 23, 2012

From Not A Fan Study - “Would you please tell him that the Bible teaches moderation in all things? Would you please tell him that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing!”

Rev 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

For something to be hot, it must be heated. To be cold, it must be cooled. If an object is lukewarm, then it is either being equally heated and cooled, or being neither heated nor cooled.

If you are to be hot, then you must be sufficiently heated. Every stimulus you allow in your life will either heat or cool your love for Jesus.

At the end of today think back over your habits - which ones “heat” your passion for Jesus and which ones “cooled” your walk with him? Write them down. Now note we are not asking is a certain habit is sinful or not. This question is about you and how these habits modify your spiritual temperature.

2012-01-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

Friday, January 20, 2012

1/23
“Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Lk 14:33

Ask yourself this question - “Is my relationship with Jesus moving from casual to committed?”

The dictionary defines admiration as “the sense of wonder, delight, and pleased approval inspired by anything fine, skillful, beautiful.
The dictionary defines devotion as religious worship; loyalty or deep affection.

Which description (admiration or devotion) looks most like your relationship to Jesus?

For a few minutes, close your eyes and imagine yourself wholly devoted to Christ. Picture yourself as a totally committed follower. What would you do? What expression would appear on your face? Don’t rush this exercise - take time to focus - What would be different in your life?

As you meditate and some sin comes to mind - confess it immediately and receive Jesus’ forgiveness. Do not give Satan a foothold by holding on to your guilt.

Thank the Lord for the good things as you recall them, and imagine Him receiving your thanks. Finally, imagine Jesus praying over you like a parent would pray over their child.

2012-01-19T08:08:00.001-05:00

“Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Lk 14:33

Who are you most tempted to put ahead of Jesus, to love more than Jesus? Whoever this person(s) may be are in competition with Jesus for preeminence in your life.

So for the next few minutes try holding a mental image of Jesus alongside a mental image of the person who would be in greatest competition to him.

Now when you have your prayer time imagine praying to the person(s) you are most likely to put ahead of Jesus. How would that go?

Jesus demands first place in our hearts. He will settle for nothing else. He said in today’s scripture if someone or something is ahead of Him in our lives then we cannot be His disciple. Is He first in your life?

Someone sent this to me yesterday and I it spoke to my heart as I pray it does yours as well.

Who knows you might be able to share it with a love one or friend one day.

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to

Leave the examination room and said,

'Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know..'

'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,

And don't know what's on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door;

On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,

And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room

And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

'Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside.

He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death,

But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

2012-01-18T08:55:00.001-05:00

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

“Is Jesus one of many, or is He your one and only?” - Not A Fan Study

Today’s exercise - Ok, here’s something I want you to try today. What is your favorite worship song? Got it - now - place an extra chair before you. Imagine Jesus sitting in that chair.

Now sing aloud, even if softly, the words of that favorite song to Jesus. This may sound childish or impractical but go ahead and give it a try. What do you have to lose in trying it?

If you are married, can you remember what it was like when you were dating your future spouse? You knew he/she were you “one and only”. Did you ever write a love note, poetry to them? I remember once when I was dating my wife, Teri, I was teaching a health class and we were studding the different organs of the body. One day I found myself drawing a human stomach and in it I drew several butterflies. In my note to Teri, I told her whenever I am around her I get butterflies in my stomach. I put this on a plaque that she still has today.

Here’s what I would like for all of us to do today - write a few words to Jesus telling Him what He means to you.

Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

You began singing to Jesus. Singing to Him is fitting because He is worthy of your love since He is perfect love. Knowing this should bring a smile to your heart and face.

2012-01-17T08:15:00.001-05:00

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

“Whenever I listen to you preach, I feel like you are trying to interfere with my life.” - Not A Fan Study.

Do you ever feel like Jesus is interfering with your life? Whenever Christ comes and speaks to our hearts it is always for our good.

Today’s exercise - try repeating this phrase aloud ten times, “Lord Jesus, come interfere in my life.” This may sound childish or impractical but go ahead and give it a try. What do you have to lose in trying it?

What would you change in your spirit when it comes to Jesus interfering in your life if you believed the words, Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Christ has a plan and a purpose for YOUR life - spend time daily seeking His will for you. Remember these words throughout your day today.

2012-01-16T08:22:00.002-05:00

1/16 - For the next 6 weeks devotionals will come from our Sunday AM / PM study of “Not A Fan”.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

“We say to Jesus, ‘I don’t mind you making some changes in my life,’ but Jesus wants to turn your life upside down. We say, ‘I don’t mind a little touch-up work’ but Jesus want complete renovation. We’re thinking tune-up, He’s thinking overhaul. We think a little decorating, why not, but Jesus wants a complete remodel.” - Not A Fan Study

If you worshiped with the GBC faith family yesterday hopefully you will remember that DTR stands for “Define the Relationship.” Think back over your life when there was a time you were asked to "define the relationship" with someone of the opposite sex. Questions like 'where are we in our relationship? How serious and committed are you? Can you remember a time in your life when you had a DTR talk? Today, I am asking all who read this devotional to take a few minutes and define your relationship with Jesus. What it is now? And what do you want it to be?

Here’s an exercise for you to try for five minutes - close your eyes and in your mind picture Jesus. Watch Him turn, look at you and hear Him say, “If you would come after me, you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” Hear Him say these words again and again.

After the five minutes have passed, write down your thoughts.

I close today with the scripture found in John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”

Jesus has invite you - not just you in general, not as part of the crowd, but you yourself, by name to follow Him. I was 28 years old when Jesus had a DTR talk with me. He called my name and I invited Him into my heart - committed to follow Him. I went from being a Fan of Jesus to being a Follower of Jesus. Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus?

2012-01-12T08:09:00.001-05:00

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

So often today, I hear about believers who are burning out, wiping out, and shipwrecking their faith because they’re just tired. They’ve worked and worked their entire lives for the ministry until one day, they just decide it’s too much, so they quit. And some even become so burnt out that they completely abandon their faith.

I don’t want that kind of burnout to happen to me and I certainly don’t want it to happen to you. And the best way that we can be sure it won’t happen is by walking in the presence of Jesus and giving time for him each day. We do this by spending time in his Word, seeking his will in prayer, and fellowshipping with one another.

The best part of the Christian experience is walking day by day, one step at a time, with the Lord. When you do that, being faithful to your family, to your friends, and to your church will be a natural outflow of your walk with Him.

So don’t get too busy in the work of the Lord that you forget the worship of the Lord. Walk with him each day and you’ll mount up like eagles and be given strength to never grow weary!

2012-01-11T08:37:00.001-05:00

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Somebody once asked me, “Pastor, which is more important? Witnessing with our life or witnessing with our lips?” Well, that’s like asking which wing of the airplane is most important… you have to have both!

When it comes to leading others to Christ, many Christians today think, “Oh, I’ll just live a good life and those people will see how good I am and jump right on board.” Now isn’t that arrogant to think that by our good lives, people will come to Christ? It’s not our lives but the life of the Lord Jesus Christ that they need!
You and I don’t just need to present ourselves and our good works. We also need to tell people the reason for the hope that is in us!

By our words and our actions, we’re to share Christ to the lost and the hurting. You can’t just sit in the life boat of a sinking ship and hope everyone else finds it. You have to tell them. So with your words and your actions, share Christ with everyone you can and allow God to draw them to himself!

2012-01-10T08:22:00.002-05:00

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Back in the1984 Olympics, there was a Swiss runner named Gabrielle Anderson-Scheiss who was at the very end of running the marathon event. But when came into that stadium for her final lap, her legs turned to rubber. She started wobbling and was about to collapse. My family and I were living in Paris, Texas at this time and I remembered as Garrielle staggered in, the crowd cheered enthusiastically (myself included) and the whole world watched as she finished that race.

The analysts were talking about what had happened to Gabrielle, who was really a great runner. They said she “hit the wall,” which happens when a runner’s blood sugar and hydration level get so low that dizziness, muscle paralysis, and even a total collapse can happen. But even though she hit the wall, Gabrielle finished the race.

There are many believers today who have hit the wall spiritually and are running on low spiritual energy. They’ve been disappointed and discouraged by what others have said or done to them or what they have done by their own choosing and they are to the point that they’re almost ready to throw in the towel and give up.

But the Word of God promises that, even in those times when you feel like you have nothing left—when you feel afflicted, crushed, or struck down - when you feel that your world is falling apart and there is no hope, no escape from your present circumstance - remember this you will never be destroyed solely because of your position in Christ. So when tough times hit and you feel like you’ve hit the wall, remember you have a Savior who will carry you to the finish. You and I have been given today - so run your face that God has given you to run and run it God's way.

2012-01-09T08:26:00.001-05:00

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt 4:19

If you’ve ever done any scuba diving or snorkeling, you know that right under the surface of the ocean, there are all kinds of beautiful coral reefs and spectacular sea life. And on many of the big reefs, you can see miles and miles of beautiful schools of fish and other creatures. Now when you go fishing, you take those fish out of that beautiful life when you bring them into your world where they can’t live.
But when you’re fishing for men, the exact opposite happens. You see, people are born into spiritual death. And apart from faith in Christ, they remain in death forever.

When you become a fisher of men, however, you play a part in taking men and women out of death and into a beautiful life. And not only that, you also get to share in the victory that comes when a sinner is brought to Christ as God supernaturally uses you to draw people to him!

So as you live your life, remember that your primary occupation is a fisherman who’s bringing people out of death and into eternal life in Christ. Every other job you have is just a lake where you can fish for more! God gave us today - now let us all go and be fishes of men!

2012-01-09T08:25:00.002-05:00

Friday, January 6, 2011

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

It’s funny how, as you read the Scriptures, one constant theme that you’ll find over and over is the idea of life coming from death. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, one of the first things God did was kill two animals and clothe them so their shame would be covered. They received life from death.

And that’s also the way that Jesus gives you and me life: through death. By his death upon the cross, he purchased life for us. And not only that, he invites all of us to come and die to ourselves that we might live to him.

That is the meaning of life! Real life is gained by the death of Jesus Christ. And eternal life is not just going to heaven when you die; it’s Christ coming out of heaven and into your heart by faith and trust in him. That is life!

Do you want to really live? Trust in the One who died for you, then die to yourself. There’s no other way it can be done. And when you give your own self up for a life lived in Christ, you’ll discover that life any other way is not life at all!

2012-01-05T08:43:00.001-05:00

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14

If you were to walk up to random people on the street today and ask them, “What’s your purpose in life?” you’d probably hear, “I just want to have fun.” or “I want to be happy.” The truth is that for so many, that’s what life is—a vacation to simply be enjoyed in perfect self-sufficiency doing what they want when they want.

And I’ll be the first to admit, there is pleasure in sin… for a season. In fact, I think we make a mistake when we tell others that there’s no pleasure in sin. But amusement and pleasure, while they may gratify, will never truly satisfy.

As a matter of fact, amusement and pleasure just arouse the appetite for more. Sin thrills and then it kills. And even the pleasures and the passions that some people enjoy for a while become a bore and end up bringing addiction, slavery, and habits that are ultimately deadly.

So when it comes to making the decisions that shape who you are, remember that while sin brings pleasure for a little while, it can never give you the kind of joy you can only have when you walk with Christ.

2012-01-04T08:02:00.001-05:00

All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:6-8

I have some good friends who, years ago, were on their way home from church. And as they came to an intersection, another driver ran a red light and they were hit by a truck in the front of their car. To make matters worse, the driver sped away instantly to avoid taking responsibility. Now, if my friends had left church just a split second earlier, they most likely would’ve died that day.

If you and I ever believe that we’re guaranteed one more day, one more breath on this earth, we’re dead wrong. These may be the last words you ever read. These may, in fact, be the last words I ever write. All flesh is, without a doubt, like grass.

That’s why James says, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). In the scope of eternity, even if you live to be 115 years old, your time here is nothing but a quick blip on the radar of eternity.

Now I realize you may be thinking, “Pastor, that’s harsh!” Yes it is, but it’s also reality. So the question is this: What are you going to do with your blip on the radar screen? Well, the only thing you can do that will have eternal significance is live your life for God. Lead others to him; serve him in everything you do. When you do that, you can turn your blip into a powerful marker of an eternal impact!

2012-01-03T09:07:00.001-05:00

The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. 2 Chronicles 33:10

One day several years ago, an older lady came to me and said, “Pastor, I get up early every morning to pray.” Now, I know this woman, and she wasn’t bragging. As a matter of fact, she even admitted next, “But I don’t listen to God enough. I do all the talking!”

That brought a tear to my eye. Here’s a lady who knows that prayer makes the difference. But most importantly, she knows how necessary it is to not just talk to God, but to listen to what He has to say. And really, I think that’s a trap that so many Christians fall into today… they like to talk, but completely forget to listen.

You see, it’s one thing to bring your requests and petitions to the Lord, asking for His favor and blessings in your life. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all! But it’s another thing altogether to open yourself up to Him and be willing to hear when He talks back!

So when you pray, spend some time in quietness and listen to what God is saying back. Ask Him to speak to you in those moments, and be willing to hear Him even if it might change how you think. Once prayer becomes more about aligning yourself with God’s will, you’ll open up a whole new line of communication with Him! Prayer is a two-way line of communication with the Lord. So when you pray ask Him to speak to you and spend some time listening to what He has to say.

2012-01-02T18:10:00.002-05:00

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Have you ever heard someone complaine about not getting what they deserve? They say they don’t get the recognition they deserve. They don’t get the rewards that they deserve. They don’t get the money they deserve.

Well, to tell you the truth, I hope I don’t get what I deserve, because what I deserve is judgment. What I deserve is the justice of God. But in His love, God has given you and me His grace and His mercy.

This is the Gospel! Because of God’s love, He takes away what we deserve—His justice—and replaces it with what we don’t—His grace and mercy. And if we are men and women of the Gospel, then we will live by the grace of God. For without the grace of God, we’re lost!

One day when you and I stand before Jesus, we’ll see a full glimpse of the beauty of God’s grace and the ugliness of our sin. But until that day, we live by faith, knowing that beautiful exchange has already taken place and because of Christ’s work on the cross, we get grace.

Pray and thank God today that in Christ, you don’t get what you deserve. Instead, you get the unending riches of His grace!

As God has shown you grace and love - may you and I show His grace and love to others as we begin this New Year.

2011-12-30T13:28:00.001-05:00

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Matt 25:34

I have a good friend in Texas that I have known since high school. Several years ago, he and his wife began having marital problems, so they split up. My friend was at the end of his rope when one day, he was at a gas station in East Texas and saw a Gospel tract on the ground. So he picked it up, read it, and invited Jesus Christ to be His Savior!

He began meeting with some Christians in the town where he lived and began growing by leaps and bounds. But he knew he had to try to get his wife back even though she wouldn’t talk to him.

So he wrote her a letter that said, “Dear Susan, I have come into a great inheritance. Contact me immediately!”
Well, sure enough, she called him and he explained how this great inheritance was nothing less than Jesus Himself. They were eventually reconciled and Susan became a believer as well. And it all happened because my friend receiving his great inheritance in Christ!

When you think about Christ, do you see Him as the true inheritance He really is? Do you treasure Him above all else? Jesus is the greatest gift you’ll ever receive. So treasure Him in your heart each day as you remember the inheritance you have in Him!

2011-12-29T08:33:00.001-05:00

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:1-4

Years ago during the days of segregation, there was a church that took a staff vote and decided they weren’t going to allow people of different races to be baptized in the same water. So one minister who opposed the vote stood up and said, “Follow me outside.”

So the ministers of the church all got up and walked outside. As they stood in the parking lot, this particular pastor pointed up at the church sign and said, “We need to change this sign. We’re no longer a church, but a country club!” And he resigned his position that day.
While years have passed and attitudes have changed, Christianity today is as cultured, comfortable, and air conditioned as ever. It’s easy come, easy go, take it or leave it. And so many people join churches like they’re joining country clubs rather than accepting the heavenly call of advancing God’s Kingdom.

The real church is not a country club, but a rescue mission. And those who go on rescue missions get dirty and even put themselves in danger for the sake of their mission. So remember that the church doesn’t exist to serve you. You exist to serve it!

2011-12-28T08:54:00.001-05:00

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.1 Peter 4:8

I heard about a man who was always griping at his wife. He said to her one day, “Honey, I want two eggs!” So she asked him nicely, “Well, dear, how would you like them cooked?” And he said, “I want one scrambled and one sunny side up.”

So she scrambled one and cooked the other one sunny side up. But when she put it in front of him, he snapped back, “You scrambled the wrong egg!”

Now, there are some people who are just like that. They gripe and demand this or that. And whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of that kind of attitude, today’s verse is for you because you’re called to love one another even when it’s hard!

If you and I are honest, there are people who get on our nerves. And the funny thing is that if other people are honest, we probably get on theirs! Why? Because we’re different from one another.

But despite our differences, we’re called to love each other because it’s in love that we’re able to look past the annoyances and see others as God sees them. So if you have someone in your life who irritates you, show them love by looking past their quirks and see them as God does!

2011-12-27T08:57:00.001-05:00

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Lk 1:46-55

Yesterday, my little granddaughter, Charis, said she wanted Christmas to be another day like today. I explained to her that Christmas comes once a year like her birthday. She understood but did not like my answer. It’s always a little sad, isn’t it when Christmas is over. The decorations will come down and be put away in boxes for the next 11 months. It’s like we experience this feel-good high that crashes to the ground on December 26th.

Unfortunately, that’s the way many live the spiritual life, just waiting for the next big event so they can get their feel-good fix. But Mary’s first Christmas was anything but feel-good. She and Joseph had traveled a great distance and then could not find a clean room but settled for a stable filled with animals. And there she gave birth. No heater to keep she and her child warm just the clothes on her back and the swaddling clothes she had brought with her. And yet, Mary sang and praised God for the same reasons that we ought to be singing every day of the year: She sang because of her salvation. Mary knew the challenges that were on the horizon and was getting ready to face some severe scrutiny for turning up pregnant and unwed! And never mind the anguish she was going to cause her family, who would be forced to disown her or face the same rejection.

True praise isn’t grounded in your circumstances. So as you unwind from Christmas this year, don’t just settle back into business as usual. Take something special from this Christmas like a better appreciation of who Christ is and what he did. Because while you celebrated the birth of Christ on December 25th, you should experience the life of Christ every day as he lives through you.

The Christian life shouldn't be based on feel-good events but on your daily relationship with Christ.