"Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them." Isaiah 1:23
In spite of our political state maybe looking more and more like this, I spend too much time being critical of the government and its ways. Yes I think it's inefficient and wastes a great deal of resources for the wrong reasons...but I'm forgetting the larger picture that God is in control. Always.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and please God our Savior...." 1 Timothy 2:1-3a
I complain. I don't pray. I don't act on my own. This is a problem.
One of my favorite movies of all time is Shawshank Redemption. There's a famous line that Morgan Freeman says so well in his Morgan Freeman voice: "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
I could spend a lifetime and find endless channels to criticize this or that regarding government, or I could decide to use my time in trying to set up a parallel government. A government of righteousness and peace, bringing God's Holy City to earth.
Christ's government is characterized by love, mercy, justice hope, faith...not whiners and complainers.
The real complaint lies with the attitude of my heart, not big uncle Sam.
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
10.29.2009
the beginning too!!
I tend so often to view and live out a faith that sees Christ as the end of all things.
Like Paul says in Romans 10:4, Christ in many ways tends to be the end goal. The end goal of worship, of trying to honor, of trying to live like and live for, of trying not to sin against...
I seem to so easily forget that Jesus is the beginning too!!
And I know that in my mind (John 1), but not in the way I live my life out.
I should do a better job at believing Jesus, for He very plainly says "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13).
That's crazy to me, because dare I say, Jesus encourages that we can and we will do greater things than He did while He was here on earth.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14 NIV)
Now, I need to be clear. We're not nor I am not as an individual going to save the world from their sin...and I doubt that I'll be resurrected to this physical life again, it could happen, I believe I'll be resurrected in Christ, but not back to the earth as I knew it. And Christ is very clear. Apart from Him, we're toast in our ability to do anything. It is only through Him can we do "greater" things than He did.
A distinction is necessary: I think we'll be able to do greater things than Jesus in the "what" but not in the "how" He did them.
Take any of Christ's examples. The miracle of feeding 5,000 people. It's going to be difficult to replicate just creating bread out of nothing, but we can grow wheat, bake it, and then distribute it to hungry mouths...it'll take time, but we can feed thousands of people. Even raising Lazarus from the dead dare I say. Modern science and doctors can do amazing things nowadays, to bring people "back" from death...but we'll never do it like Jesus did by just saying "Lazarus, come out!"
I don't often tend to look at Jesus as an "enabler" but I think that is what Scripture is telling me. Again, my perspective is often that Christ is the end of the law, the end goal in worship, the end goal in all I try to do...but I think Scripture is trying to convince me that He's much more than that.
He's the beginning of all things that are on God's heart. Sharing the truth of the gospel. Feeding starving people. Serving the poor. Healing the sick. Comforting the broken-hearted. Dissipating hate. Reconciling lost relationships.
It can only be done 1. because of Jesus and 2. with dependence upon Him.
Jesus, help me always remember You are the beginning, the starting point of all things too!!
Like Paul says in Romans 10:4, Christ in many ways tends to be the end goal. The end goal of worship, of trying to honor, of trying to live like and live for, of trying not to sin against...
I seem to so easily forget that Jesus is the beginning too!!
And I know that in my mind (John 1), but not in the way I live my life out.
I should do a better job at believing Jesus, for He very plainly says "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13).
That's crazy to me, because dare I say, Jesus encourages that we can and we will do greater things than He did while He was here on earth.
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14 NIV)
Now, I need to be clear. We're not nor I am not as an individual going to save the world from their sin...and I doubt that I'll be resurrected to this physical life again, it could happen, I believe I'll be resurrected in Christ, but not back to the earth as I knew it. And Christ is very clear. Apart from Him, we're toast in our ability to do anything. It is only through Him can we do "greater" things than He did.
A distinction is necessary: I think we'll be able to do greater things than Jesus in the "what" but not in the "how" He did them.
Take any of Christ's examples. The miracle of feeding 5,000 people. It's going to be difficult to replicate just creating bread out of nothing, but we can grow wheat, bake it, and then distribute it to hungry mouths...it'll take time, but we can feed thousands of people. Even raising Lazarus from the dead dare I say. Modern science and doctors can do amazing things nowadays, to bring people "back" from death...but we'll never do it like Jesus did by just saying "Lazarus, come out!"
I don't often tend to look at Jesus as an "enabler" but I think that is what Scripture is telling me. Again, my perspective is often that Christ is the end of the law, the end goal in worship, the end goal in all I try to do...but I think Scripture is trying to convince me that He's much more than that.
He's the beginning of all things that are on God's heart. Sharing the truth of the gospel. Feeding starving people. Serving the poor. Healing the sick. Comforting the broken-hearted. Dissipating hate. Reconciling lost relationships.
It can only be done 1. because of Jesus and 2. with dependence upon Him.
Jesus, help me always remember You are the beginning, the starting point of all things too!!
7.16.2009
diversity of service
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:40 NIV)
Although we humans are creatures of habit, I think we need to be prepared to be Christ's hands and feet on this earth in different ways. It was Jesus' example for us -- He met a variety of different needs.
He was a doctor and healed people of their severe and intense disease and afflictions. He fed people. He spoke Truth when Truth need to be heard. He comforted a woman living in societal sin and disgust...the list goes on.
Jesus, in His perfection, had multiple gifts and outstanding abilities. I'm going to go ahead and say we don't have that. It might be going out on a limb, well, no it's not, we don't have that.
Certain people have the gift of encouragement or the gift of empathy, maybe the gift of service or the gift of speaking Truth gently but firmly, or maybe the gift of making delicious birthday cakes...
the point is Jesus met/meets people where they were/are and was/is willing to serve them there. Jesus didn't ask them to come up to some level or modify themselves so it was more convenient for Him to serve and love them.
I think this is one part of Christ's example we should seek to follow.
Although we humans are creatures of habit, I think we need to be prepared to be Christ's hands and feet on this earth in different ways. It was Jesus' example for us -- He met a variety of different needs.
He was a doctor and healed people of their severe and intense disease and afflictions. He fed people. He spoke Truth when Truth need to be heard. He comforted a woman living in societal sin and disgust...the list goes on.
Jesus, in His perfection, had multiple gifts and outstanding abilities. I'm going to go ahead and say we don't have that. It might be going out on a limb, well, no it's not, we don't have that.
Certain people have the gift of encouragement or the gift of empathy, maybe the gift of service or the gift of speaking Truth gently but firmly, or maybe the gift of making delicious birthday cakes...
the point is Jesus met/meets people where they were/are and was/is willing to serve them there. Jesus didn't ask them to come up to some level or modify themselves so it was more convenient for Him to serve and love them.
I think this is one part of Christ's example we should seek to follow.
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