“We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work”
1 KINGS 6-7
51When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.(7:51)
LUKE 23:27-38
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”c And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
JOURNAL
Jesus' life is the opposite of selfish. His life was lived in complete love and service to God and others. So one of the toughest enemies to living life in obedience to God is the temptation to move backwards...back to the comfort of regress. To me...all sin is rooted in this tendency to pull back from challenges and problems. To try and find ways around the struggles of honesty, love and work. Sometimes the struggle is obvious and sometimes it's so subtle. Anything that takes me away from giving my best is a move away from God.
Jesus' life and death put me face to face with my own darkness. It forces me to confront my own selfishness and sin. Yet this confrontation is not intended to shame me but rather to free me. He promises that I can receive his spirit of power, love and self-discipline. He promises that I no longer need to wallow in shame and despair but rather can experience joy and triumph.
That also means that joy is found in the everyday and the ordinary. I don't have to wait for vacation or hitting the lottery or some grand event in order to experience full life and joy. Joy can be found right here, right now. That's the beauty and power of the gospel.
Jesus' life is the opposite of selfish. His life was lived in complete love and service to God and others. So one of the toughest enemies to living life in obedience to God is the temptation to move backwards...back to the comfort of regress. To me...all sin is rooted in this tendency to pull back from challenges and problems. To try and find ways around the struggles of honesty, love and work. Sometimes the struggle is obvious and sometimes it's so subtle. Anything that takes me away from giving my best is a move away from God.
Jesus' life and death put me face to face with my own darkness. It forces me to confront my own selfishness and sin. Yet this confrontation is not intended to shame me but rather to free me. He promises that I can receive his spirit of power, love and self-discipline. He promises that I no longer need to wallow in shame and despair but rather can experience joy and triumph.
That also means that joy is found in the everyday and the ordinary. I don't have to wait for vacation or hitting the lottery or some grand event in order to experience full life and joy. Joy can be found right here, right now. That's the beauty and power of the gospel.
That also means that joy is found in the everyday and the ordinary. I don't have to wait for vacation or hitting the lottery or some grand event in order to experience full life and joy. Joy can be found right here, right now. That's the beauty and power of the gospel.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
COLOSSIANS 3:22-24
COLOSSIANS 3:22-24
No comments:
Post a Comment