DEVO May 1 - Is Jesus your life ... or just a part of your life?

I want to know Christ

and the power of his resurrection

and the sharing of his sufferings

by becoming like him in his death

Philippians 3:10

 

For the past few days, we’ve been making a case for simplicity being the secret to blessing and joy. Therefore, we’ve been pointing toward a simple focus, asking, “What is your one thing?”

 

Yesterday, we discovered that when David’s “one thing” was the Lord, there was light, hope, joy, and blessing. When, however, he focused on himself – and on personal pleasure – there was challenge, complication, and disaster.

 

As a pastor, I watch people all of the time. We want hope, joy, and blessing … but we go about by focusing on ourselves and chasing after personal pleasure. Do you see the problem? Do you live the problem?

 

It’s not that we don’t know God or love God, but for most of us, he’s just one of the pieces of our lives. When I’m at work, I do work stuff. When I’m at home, I focus on home stuff. When I’m church … or when a prayer concern pops into my mind … or for the twenty minutes that I do devotions … then I focus on God. Sound familiar? God is important. We know that. But for most of us (and even for me for most of my life) he was “a thing” (one of ten or twenty), but he wasn’t “everything.”

 

But something powerful and freeing happens when we change our focus …

 

·         What happens when work is about Jesus?! A public school teacher may be forbidden to mention Jesus’ name, but instead of focusing on reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, what if she focuses on seeing Jesus in each of these kids and inspiring them even if the only tools she’s technically allowed to use are reading and math. Can a manager start trying to see Christ in his employees? Can a clerk subtly share God’s love with in each person who crosses her counter? Can a truck driver use his solitary time for powerful prayer? What happens when work is about Jesus?

 

·         And what happens when home is about Jesus?! This doesn’t mean that all you do is study the Bible! It means when you play ball in the backyard, eat pizza for supper, and choose what to watch on television, you joyfully realize that there’s one extra member of your family with you at all times. Jesus is there. He’s part of your life, your family, and your conversations!

 

·         When Jesus is with us, we aren’t constantly pursuing the elusive goal of “happiness” and “pleasure.” Rather, he is our joy. And he helps us discover simpler (and less expensive) pleasures like gathering with fellow Christians and more purposeful conversations you’re your family … for wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he is there.

 

·         When Jesus is the focus of our lives, we are set free from so many complications in life. There’s forgiveness rather than the complexity of guilt. There’s hope rather than the anchors of regret. There’s confidence and simplicity of peace rather than the ravenous monsters of dread. There is freedom and offering and opportunity rather than legalism and expectations and duty.

 

·         When we know Jesus and grow in faith, we increasingly seek to live life his way. And think of the blessings …

 

o   of honesty rather than the maddening complexity of lies (Have you ever tried to keep all your lies and stories straight? Honest is easier and freeing.) …

o   of integrity rather than the complexity of sin (The consequences of sin always, eventually, and inevitably bring heartache.) …

o   of godly wisdom rather than the hit and miss nature of our changing opinions and the world’s changing morays …

o   of working toward forgiveness (even when it’s hard) rather than the complex, drowning, and never-ending baggage of bitterness.

 

That’s the benefits of making Jesus “the one thing” and the center of our life. Tomorrow, we’ll focus on how to do it … how to make Jesus not just a piece of your life, but the center of our lives.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants increasingly

to aim for the bullseye

 

(because that’s where Christ is

… in the center)

 

 

 

 

DEVO: Apr 30 - What is your one thing? The example of David

One thing I ask of the Lord,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house

of the Lord all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

 

Yesterday we ended with a question: What is your one thing?

 

According to this Psalm, David’s one thing was God!

 

·         He desired – single-mindedly – to dwell in God’s house, to live in God’s presence.

·         And more than just being there, he wanted to be there with a purpose. He wanted to actively seek God while in this house, while in God’s temple.

·         Why? Because the more he dwelt and sought, he knew that more and more and more he’d see the beauty of the Lord.

 

As long as this was David’s purpose, the experienced blessing, hope, and purpose.

 

But when he took his eyes off of God, that’s when trouble engulfed his life. Read 2 Samuel 11:1-2, and ask: Where was David and what was he seeking?

 

1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel [out to battle]. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his bed and was walking about on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, "This is Bathsheba, … the wife of Uriah ...." 4 So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.  

 

Where was David and what was he seeking?

 

·         First, he wasn’t where he was “supposed to be.” He wasn’t leading his people (out to battle like kings should do). Nor was he in the temple worshiping and seeking God. No – verse 2 – he was home in bed in the late afternoon. He’d grown fat and lazy and inattentive to God and kingdom.

·         And what was he seeking? Personal pleasure.

 

For David, it was sin, sex, self-indulgence, and adultery on both sides – to be sure – but focus on that phrase, “personal pleasure.” David was doing what he wanted to do. What he thought would make him happy.

 

Yesterday we asked the question: What is your one thing?

 

We’ll answer this in greater detail tomorrow, but look at David’s life:

 

·         When he sought God wholeheartedly, there was beauty, hope, light, and kingdom blessings.

·         When he turned his focus toward himself, there was sin, laziness, trouble, and generational curses.

 

Read that one hundred times until the secret to life comes joyfully alive in your heart!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who loves the song

“single-minded, wholehearted”

 

 

 

DEVO Apr 29 - Understanding the Trap of Complexity

Cast thy care, or thought,

[(or) busyness,] on the Lord,

and he shall fully nourish thee

Psalm 55:22 WYC

The parentheses and brackets are how

Wycliffe Translation prints it!

 

As we said yesterday, a key to peace and joy is … Simplicity! (Tomorrow we’ll focus on the simple solution to life’s overwhelming busyness.) Today, however, let me focus on our chronic lack of simplicity. Let’s call it the devil of complexity.

 

Think about the way most of us live. Aren’t we all trying to juggle too many balls?!

 

If I gave you five or six things and asked you make a list of all the things you have to do, think about how long would your list be?

 

·         How many work demands do you have?

·         How many home chores are there on your list?

·         How many daily necessities must we attend too like cooking, cleaning, laundry, shaving, showering, bill paying?

·         How many kid’s activities to you have carpool to and from?

·         How many volunteer opportunities might you have an opportunity to make a difference through?

·         How many things do you really want to do ... need to do … hope to get to?!

·         How much does all of this cost? (Because this is a form of financial complexity.)

·         And how many things does your spouse have for you on your honey-do list?

·         Are there hobbies you want to play at, books you want to read, shows you want to watch?

 

Are you tired yet?!! Complication is a form of bondage that Satan loves.

 

And while we may know that, that’s the way most of us live our lives. We’re buried under an unending and overwhelming checklist.

 

If, as we said yesterday, the key to peace and joy is simplicity, then what is the heart of simplicity? It is focusing on one thing. So, the question is …

 

In your life, what is your one thing?

 

Today, I’m going to leave you in an awkward place. I’m not going to provide a solution to the complexity … yet. (That’s for tomorrow.) Today, I want you to sit with this question – What’s your one thing?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’s casting

his cares on the Lord and

waiting for them to flourish

 

 

 

DEVO Apr 28 - An Introduction to Simplicity

Sound the trumpet …

hallow the fiftieth year …

proclaim liberty throughout the land …

It shall be a jubilee for you …

Leviticus 25:9-10

 

The trumpet has sounded (see Leviticus 25:9-10). Yesterday, we began our focus on God’s freeing principle of Jubilee. For the next six weeks, we’re going to focus – in very practical ways – on how to discover more joy, peace, freedom, and balance in our lives and in our families. And it all starts with …

 

Simplicity.

 

Yesterday, I read some reflections inspired by a little research on simplicity. It was all good (and I say that, not because I wrote it, but because it inspired me as I uncovered it!)

 

But when reading it in a sermon, it blows by too quick! So today, I’m just going to print it. And then through the rest of the week, we’ll reflect on it.

 

So today … Read it. Think about it. Let it seep into your heart. And starting tomorrow, we’ll start talking in more detail about how to make this message of freedom come more and more alive in your life.

 

Enjoyment of life is not based on how enjoyable our circumstances are.

Rather, enjoyment of life is an attitude of the heart.

 

It is possible to live our lives blandly.

It is possible to just go through the motions.

It is more than possible to be caught up in a spider web of complication.

 

And complication is a form of bondage.

It is the work of Satan.

The Prince of Darkness loves complication.

And he hates simplicity.

Why? Because of the joy and power it brings

 

Simplicity is focusing on one thing: Jesus.

(And it is learning to see Jesus in the lives of others.)

 

Simplicity is not doctrines and particulars.

It’s Jesus.

It’s spending time with him.

And it’s finding satisfaction in him … (and with his people).

And it’s not looking for satisfaction in possessions and activities and things.

 

Simplicity is understanding the freedom of Jesus’ offer of grace.

It’s forgiveness rather than guilt.

It’s hope rather than regret.

It’s confidence rather than dread.

And it’s freely offering rather than legalistic duty.

 

God doesn’t love us because of what we do.

He loves us because he loves us.

Simplicity comes from simply accepting that love.

 

Simplicity is trying to live life Jesus’ way.

It is honesty rather than the maddening complexity of lies (and trying to keep all our stories straight).

It’s integrity rather than the complexity of sin … and its inevitable consequences.

It’s godly wisdom rather than the hit and miss nature of our changing opinions and the world’s changing morays.

It’s forgiving others rather than the complex and drowning baggage of bitterness.

 

If you’re ready for some simplicity, find a horn and blow it. We’re declaring a season of Jubilee and we’re claiming God’s plan for freedom!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’d like to be

known as a simpleton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we said yesterday, simplicity is focusing on one thing. So, the question is this …

 

In your life, what is your one thing?

 

Wait! Let me give you a way to answer to that question tomorrow. A solution to life’s busyness. Today, however, let me focus on our chronic lack of simplicity. Let’s call it the devil of complexity.

 

Now, stop and think about the way most of us live. Aren’t we all trying to juggle too many balls?! If I asked you make a list of all the things you have to do in each of these categories, how long would your list be? How many work demands? How many home chores? How many daily necessities? How many kid’s activities? How many volunteer commitments? How many things do you really want to do ... need to do … hope to get to?! And how many things does your spouse have for you on your honey-do list? Are there hobbies you want to get to, books you want to read, shows you want to watch? Are you tired yet?!!

 

And yet, that’s the way most of us live our lives. It’s an unending and overwhelming checklist.

 

 

 

 

 

Our heart is glad in him

because we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 33:21

 

 

In my sermon

 

 

 

Enjoyment of life is not based on how enjoyable our circumstances are. Rather, enjoyment of life is an attitude of the heart.

 

Its Possible to

    Live blandly

    Go through the motions

Its more than Possible to

    Be caught up in a spider web of complication.

 

Complication is a form of bondage. It is the work of satan. The Prince of Darkness loves complication and hates simplicity because of the joy and power it brings

 

Simplicity is focusing on one thing: Jesus. (And Jesus in the lives of others. )

 

It’s not doctrines and particulars. It’s Jesus. (And it’s finding Jesus in the face of others.)

Simplicity is one thing: spending time with Jesus. It’s finding satisfaction in him (and his people) .,. not in possessions and activities and things.

 

Simplicity is understanding the freedom of Jesus’ offer of grace. It’s Forgiveness rather than guilt. Hope rather than regret. Confidence rather than dread. And Freedom rather than duty.

 

God doesn’t love us because of what we do. He loves us because he loves us. Can you accept that love?

 

Simplicity is trying to live life Jesus’ way. Honesty rather than the complexity of lies and keeping all the stories straight. It’s Integrity rather than the complexity of sin’s inevitable consequences. It’s Godly Wisdom rather than the hit and miss nature of our changing opinions. It’s Forgiving others rather than the complex and drowning baggage of bitterness.

 

THE NEXT BIG THING - Devo: Apr 24 - Lev 25:10

Proclaim liberty throughout the land! …

It shall be a JUBILEE for you …

Leviticus 25:10

 

We are NOT free. Just look at the statistics …

 

·         61% of workers report unrealistically heavy workloads … causing stress and often health problems.

·         55% of workers report job insecurity … which has a significant impact on stress levels too.

·         73% report that money and finances contribute to their stress level and more than half worry about providing for their families.

·         70% of families report health concerns in their family and extended family as another cause of stress.

·         The effects of stress include: Sleeplessness (47%), Irritability or Anger (60%), Depression (34%), Overeating or Indigestion (65%), Alcohol (18%), Headaches (34%), etc.

·         And even our children are not immune: For example, 42% of teens say they get headaches. (Although only 13% of parents report being aware of their children’s headaches.)

 

That’s not the way it’s supposed to be!

 

And it sure isn’t God’s plan!

 

The next BIG THING is coming to Spirit of Joy. And it’s NOT one more thing to do!

 

For the next several weeks (in a sermon series) and for the next several years (as we gently refocus our ministry), we will be utilizing God’s principles, including Jubilee, to help us restore balance to our lives.

 

Are you ready for more peace, joy, and freedom? We’re proclaiming a release to the captives! Join us, starting this Sunday!

 

In Christ’s Love,

Mr.

 

 

 

STARTING THIS SUNDAY - Devo: Apr 25 - Matt 11:28

Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are

weary and carrying heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

 

Are you tired of being tired?

 

God has a plan for your rest. For your peace. For your family’s greater joy.

 

·         But do you know what it is?!

·         Do you know the way to get there?!

 

Starting this Sunday we’ll be tracing a scriptural map to more freedom, peace, rest, and joy for your family … and for our church.

 

Join us Sunday’s starting this week. And come along as whole church discovers God’s plan for greater balance.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a joyful map reader

 

IT'S COMING!!! - Devo: Apr 23 - Lev 25:9-10

Have the trumpet sounded! …

Hallow the fiftieth year! …

Proclaim liberty throughout the land! …

It shall be a JUBILEE for you …

Leviticus 25:9-10

 

The next BIG THING is coming at Spirit of Joy. And thankfully it’s NOT one more thing to do!!!!

 

We’re proclaiming a release to the captives! (And aren’t all of us busy, exhausted, and captive too many of this world’s crazy ways?)

 

So … we’re sounding the trumpet. Our focus – starting this Sunday – is on freedom! We’re going to use God’s principles to help make our lives more jubilant and free.

 

This is much more than a sermon series! We’re tired of being tired. We want joy and peace and freedom and rest to permeate our lives … and our church … in very practical ways.

 

So … if you want to hear more wonderfully the trumpet of hope in your family, come and find out God’s plan for more peace and joy!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a jazz trumpeter

who’s starting to have fun!!!  

 

 

DEVO: Apr 21 - 1 Thes 4:13 - plus, an Easter Thanks!!!

But we do not want you

to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,

about those who have died,

so that you may not grieve

as others do who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

 

I want to share a picture with you at the end … but first let me say … what a glorious Easter Season!

 

·         Thank you to Rhonda, Ian, and ALL of our choirs and musicians. All of Holy Week was glorious!

·         Thank you to our members who shared their faith with their Good Friday reflections.

·         Thank you to all who beautified the church on a work day, lit the sanctuary … and decorated so magnificently for each unique Holy Week day.

·         Thank you to Prayer Team for coordinating the three day Prayer Vigil … and to those who coordinated Secret Church.

·         Thank you to our members who were willing to give up their seats on Easter because the sanctuary was so full!!!!

 

In a world that is uninformed and too often grieving, all of you helped proclaim the hope of the resurrection!

 

Indeed, because Christ is risen we do not need to grieve or fear like the rest of the world … even when … sickness is brewing … or earthquakes are trembling … or nations are warring … or blood moons are shining.

 

And with those last words, I share a picture of the last week’s blood moons that Pat Ware’s nephew too. As you look at it (hopefully with the same awe that I did), let us celebrate that our God is always in control!

 

In Christ’s Love,

a joyful Easter-Christian

 

 

EASTER: Apr 20 - Romans 6:4

Therefore we have been

buried with him by baptism

into death, so that,

just as Christ was raised

from the dead

by the glory of the Father,

so we too might walk

in newness of life.

Romans 6:4

 

Lutheran funerals start with these words.

Easter centers on this truth too!

 

Christ was raised.

So we too [will] walk

in newness of life.

 

Today, pay attention to two words -- "was raised." Think about what that means.

 

If the consistent testimony of Scripture was that "Jesus rose," it would imply that Jesus might have done it under his own power. It implies that his death wasn't really death -- that he still retained some power.

 

But when Scripture says that he "was raised," it implies that Jesus submitted to full force of death. He was fully dead. He was utterly powerless. His sacrifice was total and complete. God -- the Son of God -- ceased to exist.

 

And then "by the glory of the Father [there was] newness of life"!

 

Jesus died. The Father raised him.

 

One day, you and I will die too. And "by the glory of the Father ... we too [will] walk newness of life"!

 

In Christ's Love,

Hallelujah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's why Peter denied Christ three times. He couldn't comprehend any purpose or value behind

 

 

 

But if wasn't for the power of the cross, Peter -- and all of us -- would be "perishing."

 

LENT: Apr 19 - Luke 24:17

And [Jesus] said to them,

"What are you discussing with

each other while you walk along?"

They stood still, looking sad.

Luke 24:17

 

Today is Saturday. Imagine standing in the shoes of the disciples. 

• Yesterday was horrific. Jesus was crucified.
• Tomorrow will be glorious. Jesus will rise from the dead.
• But today is Saturday. How must his followers be feeling?

Although the verse above is an Easter-Sunday-afternoon scripture, it shows the raw emotions.

 

Two disciples were walking along a road to Emmaus. They are debating about what will come next. The one they thought was the Messiah is dead.

 

They don't recognize Jesus (implying that his new resurrection body doesn't look quite like his old earthly body). So when he speaks to them, "they stood still, looking sad."

 

Our Saturday is different from theirs. We KNOW Christ is risen. They didn't.

 

Nevertheless, I invite you to sit in a little bit of awkwardness and in-between-ness today. Yes, we know that Christ is risen. But allow yourself to contemplate grief in this world ... and the only thing that can conquer it -- the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's known grief

and still has hope

 

LENT: Apr 18 - 1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message about the cross is

foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved

it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Mark is my favorite of the Gospels.

The interpretative key to Mark, is right in the middle. In chapter 8, Jesus asks, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter says, "You are the Messiah." And he's totally right. And half wrong.

Huh?

He's right, Jesus is the Messiah. But when Jesus begins to explain to him that the Messiah must suffer and die, Peter tries to rebuke Jesus. For Peter, "the message of the cross [was] foolishness."

• He couldn't envision any practical purpose behind Jesus' death.
• He couldn't stomach the bloody nature of this kind of sacrifice.
• He couldn't comprehend how the cross would conquer sin and death.

Peter tried to rebuke God's plan and Jesus' mission. He wouldn't be the last. The world still tries to rebuke, reject, and disrespect the Gospel. To too many, the cross seems like foolishness. And that's the middle, key turning point in the Gospel of Mark.

 

A half-a-Gospel later, Jesus is denied and betrayed. He is mocked and beaten. After being nailed to a tree, the sky turns black. The curtain of the temple is torn in two and Jesus breathes his last.

 

And it's at that moment, that the first human recognizes who and what the Messiah truly is. When the Centurion says, "Truly this man was the Son of God," suddenly, the cross of Christ is no longer foolishness. Rather it is the power of God for salvation to us who are being saved!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who sees in those

two intersecting boards

power and hope

not foolish meaninglessness