In Our Right Mind

As always, Jesus is God’s example of how we ought to live our lives.  In this Sunday’s reading, Philippians 2:5–11, Paul exhorts us to have the same mind in us that was in Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, “emptied” himself, taking the form of a slave and humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.  How can we have the same mind that was in Jesus?  How can we “empty” ourselves so that we can draw closer to God?   It is through the workings of the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation on God’s Word that we can do this.  We can empty ourselves of our vain desires and the anxieties that are part of our daily routine and reach out to God and embrace the great peace and light that comes from God. 

It’s so easy for us to lose our way because we are of two minds. One mind is set on the spiritual side of life; the other is set on the carnal side. This has been our state since the beginning of time with the story of Adam and Eve and the first bite of the forbidden fruit.  The “Good versus Evil” battle rages with in us, and we seem hopelessly caught in the middle.  If we focus our mind and actions solely on what we need and desire, we lose sight of God. It’s as simple as that.  Jesus emptied himself so that he could accomplish what he had come to do…go through the pain and agony of the events of Good Friday to bring salvation to the world.  We can empty ourselves so that we can become useful tools in God’s great handiwork.

Gracious God, Help me to empty myself of all that takes me away from you, and draw me close to your heart. Amen.

I Want to See Jesus

Songwriter, worship leader Paul Baloche has written a classic contemporary praise song called “Open the Eyes of My Heart.”  Paul prays that God will open the eyes of his heart because, he says, “I want to see you.” The prayer is that Jesus would make himself known in a very real way; that we might get a glimpse of his glory. What a wonderful prayer. We believe, but we have not seen. We want to see Jesus.

I was talking with my friend Julie Lynn one day and we were talking about faith, and she told me that Jesus was as real to her as the coffee table that sat between us.  She has a faith that is solid and sure. But what is faith? Hebrews chapter 11 is all about the meaning of faith. Hebrews 11:1: says that "… faith is assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen." and in verse six goes on to say, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." [NRSV] 

You can see Jesus at work though the saints that surround your life. Those who are always giving, always concerned, always willing to help are witnesses to the face of love which is Jesus. We can see God though the grandeur of nature, where one can find perfection and peace. We can be still, and through the stillness know that God is there, and with our very breath we can inspire the beauty of the holiness that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We can believe, and through our faith we can touch the face of God. 

Lord God, increase my faith in you, my love for you, and my devotion to your work. Amen.

Transforming Moment

In the season of Lent, we take our own walk toward Calvary’s hill. And as we walk, we can reflect upon where we have been and what effect we’ve had upon the lives we have touched along the way.  We can celebrate the successes and lament the failures. We can bask in the triumphs and we can stumble in the shames. But whatever our portion has been, we can be sure of one thing: God loves us. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus into this world so that, in believing in Him, we are saved and are called to a life with God in eternity. (John 3:16) 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus said. [John 14:1] The Christhood of Jesus is the pivotal, and transformational center of our faith, and by pattering our behavior on the way Jesus lived his life, we can live lives that are pleasing to God. While we make this journey we will stumble, sometimes we’ll fall down. But when we do, the grace of God will pick us back up and set us once again on the journey; the transforming love and light of Christ showing us the way.

My House

Jesus, in a final act of frustration over the Jewish rabbinical leadership, goes into the temple and creates havoc by throwing out the merchants and overturning the tables of the money changers.  The leadership had lost sight of the true meaning of worship and of what God requires as a right sacrifice, and Jesus meant to teach them a lesson.  This cleansing of the temple is symbolic of what Jesus wants to do in our lives. Jesus wants to enter our lives and get rid of anything that draws us away from a true relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you...and that you are not your own.”

Are there habits in your life that are not life-affirming? Things that are not God-centered can pull us away from the light of God’s love. God wants to clear all the road-blocks that stop us from having a close relationship with Him. Do you know what those obstacles are? Search your heart and you’ll know. A guilty conscience is one sure sign that something is wrong. Secrets are another sign. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you, and the Holy Spirit can work changes in you that can turn your heart around and lead you in a truer direction. That is a proper sacrifice. Psalm 51:17 says “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Gracious God, help me to allow the Holy Spirit into my heart to clear away the things that keep me from being in a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Take Up Your Cross

This is certainly one of the harder things Jesus asks of his followers, but what does this mean to you?  Many think that Jesus meant that we were to take up the burdens we bear, and willingly follow Jesus wherever he leads. He says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). Jesus was talking about dying to self, meaning absolute surrender to God.  This is certainly a difficult thing for those of us who live in a material world, where people believe the more you’ve got, the better you are. 

It’s all about priorities.  Jesus says that our first priority should be to follow God’s leading in all that we do.  Denying yourself means turning all of your problems over to God, trusting that God will get you through whatever you face.  Denying yourself means putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Denying yourself means entrusting in God’s grace for your life.  You are a beloved child of God, and nothing that you can do can separate you from God’s love.  God wants you. The beautiful hymn I Surrender All could be a mantra for you as you go about your day:

All to Jesus, I surrender; all to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Hiim, in His presence daily live.

-- Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1896