A Little Dose of Perspective.

I love God's Word. It is the absolutely critical 'perspective-giver' to our lives. Yesterday morning I got a little worked up and my heart rate got a little elevated when someone had implied that I had not done something that I know I in fact did do. I was trying to breathe and calm down but I kept thinking to myself, 'the nerve of someone...why I oughta..and other stuff.' So as I started to have my little 'life is not fair' pity party I was quickly reminded of this passage out of 1 Peter 2. Here it is in the message:

"20 There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. 21 This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. 22 He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. 23 They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 24 He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. 25 You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls."

Wow, Ok, God I will shut my mouth now. You see, God reminded me that part of our calling as Christians is to suffer well. When we go through false accusations, cruelties, tragedies, sicknesses, mistreatments, slandering, reviling, mockery, persecution, etc our job is to be like Jesus and to bless and pray for those who persecute us and to persevere and trust God through all our difficulties.

In Christ,

Brian

Our Fear Is Overcome.

As we sang "Our God is Love" this morning in church, I kept thinking of this verse.

1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Our God is a God of love. We should "run into His arms," with no fear. Jesus is perfect love. He drives out our fear. And through Him we will, one day, be made perfect in love.

Sing this powerful song once more this Monday morning, and let The God of love drive out all fear from your life.


Verse 1:
Every soul every beating heart
Every nation and every tongue
Come find hope in the love of the Father

Verse 2:
All creation will bow as one
Lift their eyes to the risen Son
Jesus Savior forever and after

Chorus:
This is love
Jesus came and died and gave His life for us
Let our voices rise and sing for all He's done
Our fear is overcome
Our God is love
Our God is love

Verse 3:
Every distant and broken heart
Every prayer every outstretched arm
Finding hope in the love of the Father

Verse 4:
Age to age let His praises rise
All the glory for all of time
Jesus Savior forever and after

Bridge:
Age to age we will be singing
In the light of all He's done
All the earth everyone singing
In the wonder of His love

In Christ's Love,
Joe

Jesus Prayed For You And Me

John 17:20--
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message"

What does Jesus pray for you and me?

He prayed that we would be unified.

He then stated, that our unity would be a witness to the world, that Jesus was God's Son.

Wow!!! Unity must be pretty important.

He then prayed that we would be in intimate fellowship with Him and with our heavenly Father.

He prayed again for our unity. saying that our oneness would show the world that God loved us.

Then He prayed that we would be with Him, that we would go where He goes, and that we would see His glory.

Jesus once again prays that we would be in intimate fellowship with Him.

So what is God's will for your life and mine?

Perhaps it might be wonderful fellowship with our Christian family, and an intimate fellowship with Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hmm to love God and love others.

Could His will really be that simple?

-Joe

John 17:20-24

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

What If You Jumped In?

Well, I was also talking to Brent Call on Sunday (see yesterday's devo by Joe) and I was very challenged by my conversation with him.  God has really been doing a powerful work in Brent and his wife, Leslie's, heart recently.  They have caught God's heart for the orphan and are working with a ministry to help build an orphange in Haiti and are trusting God for an adopted child as well.  One of the things that God has done in their marriage is intensify he and Leslie's heart to abandon all and follow Jesus.  He mentioned that recently they have been very open to scenarios like...moving to Haiti...selling whatever they needed to....letting go of whatever was holding them back and so forth.

It really got me thinking.  When you really dig in and take at face-value the call of Jesus to follow Him, He has some pretty tough words to hear.  For instance...'If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and children and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.'  (Luke 14:26)  I have wrestled with these words alot.  How do you really get to that point?  Do you just try really hard?  Do you grin and bear it?  Do you just force your way to that level of devotion?  No I think it begins by letting your heart overrule your mind and saying 'yes' to Jesus even though your mind and maybe others are thinking you're crazy.  I think really following Jesus will often feel like you are over your head and there's no other option but to pray like crazy and cry out to God to save you from drowning.  I bet anyone who's planted a church, adopted a child, started a food pantry, became a big brother, given sacrificially can testify to those emotions.  So maybe it's time to dive in and experience God like never before...go for it!

in Christ,

Brian

Why Are You So Happy All The Time?

So I was hanging out with Brent Call this morning in the Cafe.

Brent and his wife Leslie lead the worship ministry for our youth (oh and by the way, they're amazing).

Brent was sharing how a business acquaintance asked him why he was so happy all the time.

When someone asks you that, they just invited you to share the Jesus with them.

And that's just what Brent did.

Brent said that he goes through all ups and downs that life has to offer, just like anybody else.

But the difference is, he goes through it with Jesus.

Brent didn't know it, but his joy really encouraged me. I had a bit of a tough week. And I needed a little reminder.

A reminder that the Difference Maker is Jesus.

John 16:33--
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Through Christ we shall overcome,

Joe

Do Not Be Discouraged.

In Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus he challenges them to not be discouraged or 'to lose heart.' Do you ever feel discouraged? Do you ever wake up and feel like, 'wow, I just feel overwhelmed..' or 'I just don't think I can do it today...'. I know I do. Paul's next action after challenging them to not lose heart is to pray over them the prayer in the paragraph below. Paul makes it very clear that when we start to lose heart when need a heaping portion of Christ's love to fill up our hearts. This is the love of a God who leaves the 99 and goes after the 1. This is the love of a God who says, 'I forgive you,' knowing full well everything we've done. This is the love of a Father who says I'm proud to call you my son. This is the love of a Father who says you are beautiful my daughter.

Here's a great prayer for you and I to receive today:

16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 19 Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. 20 God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 21 Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 3:16-21)

Walk in courage today and let the love and compassion of Christ flow through you!

Brian

Footprints.

The last week I've been feeling God impress upon me how He is always there with us, even through toughs times. No one enjoys going through rough spots in life. It's hard. I might even say: It stinks. But God always leads us through these dark times into the light that follows.
But we aren't strong enough to go through these trials all by our lonesome.

God carries us when we are weak. This message has been resonating to me through books, songs, and poems.

My favorite poem now, and as a child, has always been a poetic interpretation of "Footprints in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson (I do not know who wrote the rendition I grew up knowing, but here goes).

Footprints

In deepest sleep one night I dreamed
that on the beach I walked.
God was by my side each step
and quietly we talked.
Then on the sky my life was flashed,
the visions all serene.
Two sets of footprints
were there in every scene.

Then, I noticed, in some scenes
of suffering, pain, and strife,
a single set of footprints
at the worst times of my life.
"God, You said that You'd stay by me
in good times and in bad.
Why, then, did You leave me
each time my life was sad?"

"My precious child" God answered,
"When your life was in pain,
I knew.
Those single sets of footprints
were the times I carried you"


Sometimes it's hard for us to understand that, even in our darkest hours, God is with us. Carrying us through those rough seas.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.- Psalm 34:18

Hailey

Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken.

When I was in high school trying to find out if I "had what it takes," I remember endlessly comparing myself to others. I wanted to be absolutely sure I was "winning." This constant comparison fueled a performance mentality and was rooted in insecurity.

God had a better plan for me. He had uniquely designed me, and all of us, with a specific purpose that only we can fulfill.

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

My constant comparisons weren't helping me discover my gifts and talents. They were born out of a fear that maybe my gifts and talents were not good enough.

If God prepared in advance the works I am to do, then surely I am properly designed to do them.

Jesus knew His purpose.

Jesus wasn't looking to please, but to redeem.

He came to not to manipulate, but to serve.

I truly believe the only way to be comfortable in my own skin is to walk with Jesus.

Walking with Jesus and free to be me, and you're free to be you.

Joe

It's About Relationships.

Well, I was pretty bummed to see the Houston Texans historic season come to an end on Sunday in Baltimore. It was a great effort but they just came up short. One of the interesting things that happened after the game was a scene involving the veteran Ray Lewis of the Ravens and the running back of the Texans, Arian Foster. The camera zoomed in on these two opposing players as they had taken their jerseys off to sign and exchange them. It was a touching scene as you could tell they had a huge mutual respect for one another despite playing for different teams. The guys from CBS caught up with Ray Lewis after the game and asked him about this scene. Here's the quote about his relationship with Arian, “My relationship with him is past special, and that’s what I told him. I love him to death. I love him as a man. I love him as a brother. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. I told you guys, I told him the same thing today, this ain’t about wins and losses. It’s about real relationships. It’s about relationships that create bonds, and that’s what we have. It will last a lifetime.”

I think that's a great thought for us today as well. I can get so caught up in the game of life and in the race of my to-do lists and activities that I can blow right by what really matters, relationships. I took the day off today and as the morning began I had a list of projects that I was anxious to get done. As I was about to really get cracking on things a little cotton topped munchkin appeared on cue at the foot of the steps. I could just plop him in front of the TV and go on with my list or I could spend some time with him. I chose the latter. So I grabbed my cup of coffee and he grabbed his hot Ovaltine and we headed outside into the 65 degree weather and we talked about following Jesus and faith and other sorts of questions that my little 5 year old boy had bouncing around his brain. When Jesus was asked to sum up God's law He bascially replied, 'Love God and love people.' At the end of the day that's what really matters.

in Christ,

Brian

A Lesson From A Lettuce Plant.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." - 2 Corinthians 9:6 As I was walking out in my garden earlier this week I noticed that some Romaine lettuce was growing in a couple of spots in one of my raised beds. It kind of puzzled me because I know I hadn't planted any lettuce myself. I then remembered that several feet away from the bed was a pot that had a Romaine lettuce plant in it. This plant had grown and eventually produced flowers that were full of seeds. The wind blew and carried the seeds all over my yard and into my raised bed where it started growing into a new plant.

Our lives are like that Romaine lettuce plant. Every day we have the opportunity to sow seeds of life, joy and peace into the lives of the people around us. We never know when that kind word we share, a prayer we pray, that hand shake we give, or the listening ear we lend will sow a seed in someone's life that will produce life change in them. The other day l learned that a young kid that used to live in our neighborhood that I had thrown the football with from time to time had sat and listened to one of my sermons through the StoneBridge App. His mom shared with me that he was excited to sit and listen to the whole message because I was the guy who threw the football with him. Today, don't underestimate how God might use your words and actions to sow seeds into the lives of the people you encounter.

in Christ,

Brian

Lunch With Jesus.

Today I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year and a half. Even though we hadn't seen each other, or spoken much, in the last 7 months we still got to sit and chat for an hour without missing a beat. We picked up and talked about everything from our victories to our failures and tragedies like we hadn't been apart at all.

I love those kinds of friendships.

Having said that, it reminded me if my relationship with Christ. As is the habit of our society and this era, we are busy people. Sometimes, we even get so busy that we forget to make the time to spend with Him.
This last year has been a long journey of getting into the habit of making sure that, each day, I spend time with God, have a quiet time, and read the bible. Just like my lunch with my friend, it never matters how long I've spent away from His constant presence; He is always there to pick it all right back up (you see, he never forgets about spending time with us). He is always there to listen and to talk like we never stopped in the first place. And,you know, the more I make it a habit to have my quiet time the more I become dependent on it and the more I NEED to read His word every day.

I know that our society is full of demands and little spare time, but everyone gets a lunch break.

Go have lunch with Jesus,
Hailey

Can You Really Love Someone You've Never Seen?

Peter writes, "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,"

I believe it is possible to love Jesus even though we don't yet see him. I've really known that all my life.

But as I was reading that verse tonight, it struck me that I am experiencing love for someone I've never met.

My daughter Katy Ruth is in the last two weeks of pregnancy. Very soon we will get to hold in our arms our granddaughter, Melody Ruth Rogers. And though I've never seen her, I already love her.

I know that Jesus loves me and He knows that I love Him. But tonight He showed me that really loving someone you've never met is not nearly so far fetched as some might imagine.

Joy though faith.

Joe

Do It For Dad!

Last Thursday I was at the gym where my son was doing gymnastics. I have to admit that alot of times I am doing lots of things like talking, playing on my tablet, reading a book, etc and not watching my son like he thinks I have come to do. So this particular day I decided to lay aside all of those other things and just watch my son out there. At first I was watching him and he was kind of half-heartedly going through motions and the different stations his coach had him doing. AND THEN....I saw his eyes glance over and connect with my eyes and his face just totally lit up! All of a sudden it wasn't just another somersault he had to do because coach told him but now he was showing off his gymnastics dominance to DAD! It cracked me up because literally after every jump, somersault, cartwheel attempt, etc he would immediately look over at me and smile real big and proud. His half-hearted effort transformed into a 110% eveything he had performance.

I challenge you to read Matthew 6 today. There is this really powerful picture that repeatedly shows up over and over. The picture is our Heavenly Father watching us in secret and cheering us on! That's right. Jesus is saying that when we are giving, praying and fasting that we are to remember that we are doing it for our Dad. Our Heavenly Dad loves it when we pray and talk to Him and when we give because we want to be like Him and when we fast because we want to draw closer to Him and bless others. So pray for someone and then look over at your Dad....help some one out and then look over at your Dad...walk away from temptation and look over at your Dad. I think if I could be more like Joshua and realize that my Dad is watching me and cheering me on, it would make a a huge difference today!

in Christ,

Brian

Smellin' Coffee By Chris Rice.

Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday
Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head
But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away
‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and
My eyes ain’t even open yet

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps
And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah
Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song
Now I can’t dance hard enough
‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to You’re smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

Every little breath, every heartbeat
Is a gift of love that You give to me
You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep
‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me
I wake up, my past is gone
‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun
I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day
‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

One of my favorite songs. Hope it helps start your day right. Check it out on YouTube.

Joe

The Art Of Badgering.

One of the things that I have noticed that comes pretty naturally to kids is a skill called 'badgering'. Badgering is when a little blond-haired boy or a little brown-haired girl shamelessly wears out a parent (perhaps like myself) with a 'badgering' of persistent requests. Here is a mathematical portrayal of how this works. ('Daddy, can I please have a dessert?') X (63 repetitions) = Daddy saying 'OK, OK, You can have a dessert.'

What's wild is this is how Jesus challenges us to be with our heavenly Father in our prayer life. Jesus shares a parable about a friend that shows up at your door at midnight needing some bread to share with an unexpected guest. The guy in the house basically in a half-asleep groan tells the friend to come back later. Yet, the friend keeps on knocking and finally the sleepy home-owner awakens not because it's his friend but because of continued persistent knocking. Check out Jesus' conclusion in Luke 11, 8 "I tell you, even though he will not getup and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find ; knock, and it will be opened to you.

When you look at some of the original language here the word translated 'persistence' in verse 8 also means 'shamelessly'. In other words this guy had no problems continuing to knock. Also, the tenses of the verbs in verse 9 literally read, 'keep asking' and 'keep seeking' and keep knocking'. I have to admit, I am very poor at this quality. I often give up to easy in my requests to God. God is challenging you and me to 'badger' Him and 'shamelessly' wear him out with our requests. Perhaps He wants to see and test how badly we desire to 'see His kingdom come and His will be done' around us.

in Christ,

Brian

We Are The Light.

There's a song that's been on the radio recently called We Are by Kari Jobe and I just love it. The lyrics are very evidently inspired by
Matthew 5:14-16; 14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Here are the lyrics to the chorus of the song:

We are the light of the world
we are a city on a hill
we are the light of the world
and we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine


I was reminded of this tonight at a birthday dinner for a friend at the Cheesecake Factory. We were a fairly large crows of about 20, mostly college freshmen.
What struck me as really neat was that, even though we were a large group of younger adults, we still all joined hands, bowed our heads, and prayed before our meal.
It was a bit chaotic since the table didn't really accommodate one unified prayer, but still we had two prayers going on to bless our meal and our time together.
I viewed that as a pretty big light to shine in a crowded place and I was just so excited to be a part of it.

Let your light shine like a city on a hill, even if you're in a restaurant or just at home with family.


Hailey

What Is Soulful?

The online dictionary defines it as meaning:

"Full of or expressing deep feeling; profoundly emotional."

I think Mark Holter plays his sax soulfully. It is an outpouring from the fullness of his heart.

I made a quick study of the New Testament, looking for the word full. Here is how the bible described what Jesus and His followers were full of.

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,

Luke 10:21
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit,

John 1:14
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 17:13
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

Acts 6:3
3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

Acts 6:5
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;

Acts 6:8
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

James 3:17
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I would like my Soul to be full.

Full of:
The Holy Spirit
Joy
Grace
Truth
Life
Wisdom
Faith
Power
Mercy.

Not that is what my soul longs for,

Joe

What Time Is It?

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 it says, "1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."

As I am thinking about 2012, I love this passage because it challenges me to ask the question, 'what do I need to start doing and what do I need to stop doing?' As I walk outside and look at my spring/summer garden plants and their shriveled up remains, I realize it's definitely time for some uprooting. As I walked in my garage last night I was very graphically reminded that it's time to give and throw a lot of stuff away. In my relationships I am challenged to bite my tongue in certain situations and to fight being passive and speak out when I am tempted to be silent. What about you? As we are now in the first few days of 2012, what is time for you to do?

in Christ,

Brian

Wake Up It's 2012.

Today as we were singing, I was struck by the following words.

"Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my Awakening"

It is only the voice of Jesus that can awaken our soul. He alone can rouse us from our slumber. He has the words of life. He is calling us to be fully alive, not half hearted.

I thought of the story of Jesus raising Lazurus from the dead.

John 11:11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

Jesus woke him up alright. He brought him back to life!!!

I know Jesus is the Ressurection and the Life. And I know that all those who trust Jesus will live with him forever. And I know that will be a glorious day.

But I believe Jesus is calling us to be fully alive now.

Full of life.
Full of Joy.
Full of adventure.
Full of song.

Let 2012 a year of awakening.

Awake my soul and sing,

Joe