Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us
Line of sight is defined as an imaginary line from the eye to a perceived object. I
recently heard Matt Chandler talk and he asked the question what do people see
when the look at the church? A great question; one that we should probably use as a
guide.
What do people see when they look at the church? Do they see in fighting, jealousy,
strife? Do they see inward focused people; do they see people that show up only on
Sunday? Or do they see a people focused on Christ, loving one another, loving their
neighbors, serving as “tools in the hands of God”? Do they see an attracting light in
this dark and broken world?
We are truly surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses with Christ as chief, and
there is so much positive I see in the local church, but as humans we must be on
guard against things that hinder and entangle and insure that we are focused on that
which is truly important; the good news of Jesus Christ.
Any time there are people involved there will be disagreements, there will be
concerns, there will be issues. However, Matt Chandler gave some great advice as
we encounter these times; act Christianly...Even if we disagree about something
within the church or between churches or between ministries; let’s act Christian.
Better yet, let’s be Christian.
Grace and Peace!
I read that someone won the powerball lottery for $590 million (and the ticket was
purchased in Florida to boot) – amazing? I am not very good at math this early in
the morning but let’s just say a very large number of people had to buy tickets for a
175 million to 1 chance at winning.
Not good odds, not very assuring; yet some of
the poorest areas of the country are flocking to buy tickets...hmmm. Now don’t get
me wrong I am not judging; I will admit I think to myself sometimes...what if I won
that lottery. However there is something deeper here (at least for me). Where do we
turn for absolute assurance?
Hebrews 13:5-‐6 says:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say
with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere
mortals do to me?”
Of this verse Charles Spurgeon says; “This priceless scripture does not promise us
exemption from trouble, but it does secure us against desertion.”
Lottery ticket $2 dollars; The Lord is my helper...priceless!
Grace and peace!
Does living the Christian life ever feel a little mechanical to you? At times (at least for
me) it can seem that way; it can seem as if we (I) am just going through the motions.
I read on a Bible reading plan, pray, do a devotional, pray, study...you get the
picture. However, I have found my most meaningful times are when these same things are
done with passion, with feeling, with emotion...some might even say with the power
of the Holy Spirit.
I was reading recently and came across this from Francis Schaeffer; “The Christian
life, true spirituality, can never have a mechanical solution. The real solution
is being cast up into moment‐by‐moment communion, personal communion,
with God himself, and letting Christ’s truth flow through me through the
agency of the Holy Spirit.”
That really explains it so well. I know we are broken people living in a broken world
and my life, faith, worship, my very relationship with God will at times be tested.
However, I do trust that I will always be brought back into that moment-by-moment
communion with God with Christ flowing through me through the agency of the
Holy Spirit.... doesn’t that just make you want to shout AMEN!
Father, thank you that while my side of my relationship with you may not be perfect
I can trust that your perfect plan and your perfect relationship with me will always
be filled with passion, feeling and emotion. Abba Father, I love you!
Grace and Peace!
