Can you imagine Moses’ surprise when God talks to him from a burning bush? As doors shut without explanation, Paul is surprised by a man from Macedonia calling to him in a vision, “Come over here and help us” (Ac 16:9 TLB). Well, He’s still the God of surprises Who says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Ah, there’s the challenge—our perception. We fail to recognize God at work! Maybe you’re saying, “I’ve prayed, claimed God’s promises, done all I know to do, yet nothing seems to be working for me.” Then try this promise. “Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you” (Isa 30:18). Notice the word “wait.” God has a plan and a timetable. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Pr 19:21 NIV). Even when your plans flounder, if your heart’s right God will still make things turn out for your good and His glory. When it comes to God’s guidance, here are some things you need to know: First, ideas go away, but His direction stays. There’s persistence in His leading; that’s why time is on your side. Second, His direction is impossible to follow without His help. He plans it that way. “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5 NKJV). Third, His direction usually begins with discomfort. “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest…The Lord…led him” (Dt 32:11-12 NIV). A baby eagle is shocked when its mother forces it out of the nest, but that’s when it “finds its wings.” Think about it!
from
Newlifeoakwood.org
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Surprise Party
The resurrection described in John’s gospel appears to be a series of many surprises. The stone was rolled away from the mouth of the tomb. Mary Magdalene was surprised. The tomb was empty. The Disciples, who raced to the burial site, were surprised.
The gardener surprises Mary, who did not recognize the resurrected Lord. You can imagine the surprise of the other disciples that night when Mary announced to them, “I have seen the Lord.”
It shouldn’t have been a surprise. Jesus told them He had a date with a cross. The reason for His coming, the capstone of His mission and the culmination of His earthly ministry was up on a cross and out of a grave -- ALIVE.
The portrayal of the life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospels could be termed also as a series of surprises. Surprise! Jesus taught with a fresh interpretation of the law, with an authority not seen before or since. Surprise! Jesus said love your neighbor and also your enemies, pray for them who despitefully use you, and forgive 70 times 7.
Surprise! Jesus taught seek first the Kingdom and the stuff your looking for will be added to you. Surprise! Jesus endured the cross and the shame for the joy at a time when we didn’t deserve it; for while we were sinners Jesus died on a cross.
Surprise! Jesus went further to reach people and to reconcile them to God crossing political, cultural and historical boundaries. He let nothing stand in His way. The Pharisees, soldiers, Herod and Satan all tried to stop Him. Peter tried to convince Him to choose another course of action and Judas tried to betray Him into military action.
We may even remain surprised at how important we are to Jesus Christ. Surprised that salvation is still available by grace through faith. Surprised that there is still healing in His hem when we are unworthy to unlatch the sandals from His feet. Surprised that even when we tripped over our own feet, stumbled into poor decisions, disintegrated in private or flopped in public Jesus was there for us.
Even when we didn’t deserve resuscitation, surprise, Jesus led the rescue effort.
What a great surprise party it was that day when Jesus rose from the grave with all power in His hands. The rules for inclusion were changed so that all who call upon the name of Jesus shall be saved; the grave has no victim and death no sting.
Let us gather together to celebrate the proclamation of this victory and the spread of a new community ruled by God’s love. Let us celebrate by recommitting our lives to the worship, work and witness of our resurrected Messiah. Tell our own story to all who would listen, like Mary, I have seen the Lord!
By
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
The gardener surprises Mary, who did not recognize the resurrected Lord. You can imagine the surprise of the other disciples that night when Mary announced to them, “I have seen the Lord.”
It shouldn’t have been a surprise. Jesus told them He had a date with a cross. The reason for His coming, the capstone of His mission and the culmination of His earthly ministry was up on a cross and out of a grave -- ALIVE.
The portrayal of the life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospels could be termed also as a series of surprises. Surprise! Jesus taught with a fresh interpretation of the law, with an authority not seen before or since. Surprise! Jesus said love your neighbor and also your enemies, pray for them who despitefully use you, and forgive 70 times 7.
Surprise! Jesus taught seek first the Kingdom and the stuff your looking for will be added to you. Surprise! Jesus endured the cross and the shame for the joy at a time when we didn’t deserve it; for while we were sinners Jesus died on a cross.
Surprise! Jesus went further to reach people and to reconcile them to God crossing political, cultural and historical boundaries. He let nothing stand in His way. The Pharisees, soldiers, Herod and Satan all tried to stop Him. Peter tried to convince Him to choose another course of action and Judas tried to betray Him into military action.
We may even remain surprised at how important we are to Jesus Christ. Surprised that salvation is still available by grace through faith. Surprised that there is still healing in His hem when we are unworthy to unlatch the sandals from His feet. Surprised that even when we tripped over our own feet, stumbled into poor decisions, disintegrated in private or flopped in public Jesus was there for us.
Even when we didn’t deserve resuscitation, surprise, Jesus led the rescue effort.
What a great surprise party it was that day when Jesus rose from the grave with all power in His hands. The rules for inclusion were changed so that all who call upon the name of Jesus shall be saved; the grave has no victim and death no sting.
Let us gather together to celebrate the proclamation of this victory and the spread of a new community ruled by God’s love. Let us celebrate by recommitting our lives to the worship, work and witness of our resurrected Messiah. Tell our own story to all who would listen, like Mary, I have seen the Lord!
By
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Samson Went Down
Samson lost everything because of: (1) Wrong relationships. When God says no to a relationship He’s not being punitive, He’s being protective. “But I feel so good when I’m with them,” you say. God sees where the road leads, you don’t! It’s better to want what you don’t have, than end up with what you can’t handle. (2) Willful disobedience. Three times we read, “Samson went down.” The third time it was to Delilah! So, is this relationship taking you up and down? The poet wrote, “My old companions fare thee well; I will not go with thee to hell.” The Bible says, “Samson went down” to Timnath and married a Phillistine girl, breaking God’s law. And even though she betrayed him “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men” (Jdg 14:19 NKJV). Perhaps Samson thought God would excuse him because he was “special.” No, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed” (Pr 29:1 NKJV). Repent, before you run out of time! (3) Misplaced confidence. “[Delilah] said, ‘The Phillistines are upon you, Samson!’ So he awoke…and said, ‘I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!’ But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Then the Phillistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down” (Jdg 16:20-21 NKJV). When God’s blessing is no longer upon what you’re doing, it’s time to realize: (a) that there’s sin in your life and you must deal with it; (b) that the secret of your strength is in God, not you.
From
Newlifeoakwood.org
From
Newlifeoakwood.org
Monday, April 25, 2011
Now What?
This past weekend we celebrated Resurrection Sunday. People have many different traditions that they partake in during this time each year but I think overall most of us will agree that it’s a very special time for Christians.
It’s a time that many of us reflect on just how much God really loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His only son to die on the cross for our sins. Someone who had never sinned took the hit for the entire world. As a parent, it’s very hard for me to even consider such a sacrifice … but God.
During our reflections this season, some of us cried, some continuously praised God all weekend, some may have even re-committed their lives to Christ.
We love to hear the story of our Risen Savior and what it means for each of us. We meditate on those scriptures and sing numerous songs that fill our hearts with joy about God’s grace and mercy.
But now that the joyous celebratory weekend is over, I have to ask … now what?
Are you going back to life as usual?
You know exactly what I mean … the last few days even the closet Christians let their “light” shine a little. Are you going to now store it away until next year when the Resurrection Sunday cycle starts again? Or will you look for opportunities to share Christ with those around you?
Are you going to fall back into a rut of a defeated state of mind, focusing on what is not right in your life or are you going to make that shift and accentuate the positive?
Are you going to lose heart and faith because the circumstances or situations in your life right now look bleak or will you stand on the promises of God that you are an overcomer?
Are you going to return to the thoughts and actions that you “nailed to the cross” this weekend – or truly walk in your repentance, striving to keep all of God’s mandates?
Let’s not turn Resurrection Sunday into an external show; let’s make sure there is an internal change that took place and continues to take place daily in our lives.
You don’t have to wait until next spring to reflect on the goodness of God and the sacrifices that were made for us. Let’s make praise a lifestyle when it’s not convenient just as much as when it is.
Just as Jesus arose with all power in His Hand … it’s time for each of us to walk in the power that God has equipped us with. Today is a new day which gives you the opportunity to make a new commitment to be the Man or Woman of God that you were created to be. What a wonderful way to show God how much you truly appreciate the sacrifice He made for each of us.
By
Tanya S. James
It’s a time that many of us reflect on just how much God really loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His only son to die on the cross for our sins. Someone who had never sinned took the hit for the entire world. As a parent, it’s very hard for me to even consider such a sacrifice … but God.
During our reflections this season, some of us cried, some continuously praised God all weekend, some may have even re-committed their lives to Christ.
We love to hear the story of our Risen Savior and what it means for each of us. We meditate on those scriptures and sing numerous songs that fill our hearts with joy about God’s grace and mercy.
But now that the joyous celebratory weekend is over, I have to ask … now what?
Are you going back to life as usual?
You know exactly what I mean … the last few days even the closet Christians let their “light” shine a little. Are you going to now store it away until next year when the Resurrection Sunday cycle starts again? Or will you look for opportunities to share Christ with those around you?
Are you going to fall back into a rut of a defeated state of mind, focusing on what is not right in your life or are you going to make that shift and accentuate the positive?
Are you going to lose heart and faith because the circumstances or situations in your life right now look bleak or will you stand on the promises of God that you are an overcomer?
Are you going to return to the thoughts and actions that you “nailed to the cross” this weekend – or truly walk in your repentance, striving to keep all of God’s mandates?
Let’s not turn Resurrection Sunday into an external show; let’s make sure there is an internal change that took place and continues to take place daily in our lives.
You don’t have to wait until next spring to reflect on the goodness of God and the sacrifices that were made for us. Let’s make praise a lifestyle when it’s not convenient just as much as when it is.
Just as Jesus arose with all power in His Hand … it’s time for each of us to walk in the power that God has equipped us with. Today is a new day which gives you the opportunity to make a new commitment to be the Man or Woman of God that you were created to be. What a wonderful way to show God how much you truly appreciate the sacrifice He made for each of us.
By
Tanya S. James
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A New Relationship
On the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus didn't allow Mary to touch Him. He was essentially saying, "It's not going to be the way it used to be. You can't hold on to Me in the old way. It's a new covenant."
Then He made a radical statement: "Go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God' " (John 20:17). For Jesus to call God His Father was one thing. But He said, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father. . . . " In other words, "He is your Father now too."
If you came from a fatherless home, God can be the Father you never had. Jesus opened up a new relationship for us through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. No longer must we go through a high priest to seek atonement for our sin, because Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins. And He has given us free access to God the Father, to whom we can come in times of need.
Do you know God as your Father? Or does He seem like some distant force? If that is the case, I have good news for you: God is not some mere force or distant power somewhere in the universe. He is personal, He is caring, and He loves you. And that is why He sent His Son to die on the cross in our place.
By
Greg Laurie
Then He made a radical statement: "Go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God' " (John 20:17). For Jesus to call God His Father was one thing. But He said, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father. . . . " In other words, "He is your Father now too."
If you came from a fatherless home, God can be the Father you never had. Jesus opened up a new relationship for us through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. No longer must we go through a high priest to seek atonement for our sin, because Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins. And He has given us free access to God the Father, to whom we can come in times of need.
Do you know God as your Father? Or does He seem like some distant force? If that is the case, I have good news for you: God is not some mere force or distant power somewhere in the universe. He is personal, He is caring, and He loves you. And that is why He sent His Son to die on the cross in our place.
By
Greg Laurie
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