Intentional Hands

We should intentionally begin everyday with open hands  – an openness to let go of the things that weigh us down, and receive all that God has in store for us. We need to open our eyes, minds, and heart to what God has in store for us. We see in Jesus’ life people had a hard time understanding this. 

“You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath?  Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” - John 7:20-24.

The people were unfamiliar with the personal ambitions of their leaders. It would be unthinkable to these people that their leaders would plot to kill a man. Therefore the only possible conclusion would be that Jesus was controlled by a demon or out of His mind.

Jesus reminded the crowd that circumcision regularly resulted in the breaking of Sabbath Laws (v.22). Law required it to be done on the eighth day regardless of what day that it fell on. The logic of Jesus’ argument was that if it is permissible to treat one part of the body on the Sabbath, then what was wrong with healing the whole body on the Sabbath? (v.23)

Jesus had done more than meet the physical need of this man. He had met his spiritual need as well. (vv. 5:8& 14)

Closed eyes, minds, and hearts keep people from meeting the Savior. Be open to all the Lord has in store for you through His Word.  Amen?

A Great Gift

In Luke 11 the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. They saw this as the greatest gift they could receive. This is what the Lord has taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13:

1. It’s for God’s glory. (vv 9-10) – We worship and acknowledge who the Lord is in our lives. We proclaim our faithfulness and obedience.

2. It’s for our good. (vv 11-13) – The Lord provides for our needs. He pardons us from our sins, and protects us from evil.

The Lord's Prayer
 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. - Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

What is your intent when it comes to serving God? Let’s give Him glory and acknowledge His goodness. Amen?

What You Can Be

The sermon on the mount is one of the greatest recorded teaching of Jesus. Like most great oratories the beginning is critical, and Jesus’ is – known as the Beatitudes. We will discover what God wants us to “be” in order to “do” His will. Through this teaching we will see what God’s intent is for people.

Jesus said: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. - Matthew 5:3-12

What the Lord has called us to be:

Seekers (vv 3-5) – know they are spiritually impoverished and mourn over their need for spiritual filling. The word meek means domesticated – “under the Master’s will.

Finders (v 6) – want, accept, and are continually filled with the Holy Spirit through their relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior.

Servers (vv 7-11) – show mercy, have pure hearts, and are God’s peacemakers. Great are their reward for being persecuted for Jesus’ sake.

Seek, find, and serve the Lord with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. Amen?

Dead Church

This story has been around for a while but is a great reminder of the responsibility each of us have to God and His church.

A young, ambitious pastor was called to serve in a certain church.  He was warned by his predecessor that this congregation was "dead". It was not even worth trying to save it. But this pastor accepted the call because he believed with God’s guidance he could bring life to that church. He was an optimist and he worked hard, visiting the members, preaching his best sermons enthusiastically, he tried to develop an outreach or lay visiting program so that visits might be done in the homes of the active, the inactive and new people moving into town.

The harder he tried, the more he knew that his predecessor was right; this was one seriously dead church.  It was a shrine for the frozen chosen - a mausoleum of faith. There was just nothing there. The spark for ministry, the excitement sharing the gospel was just not there.  So one Sunday he made a startling announcement to the few who were gathered for worship.

He said, "In as much as you are a dead congregation, unresponsive to resuscitative efforts, unresponsive to any effort of pumping life into the workings of the congregation, in as much as the vital signs of the congregation are dead, I will conduct a funeral for this ’dead ’church next Sunday morning at 10:00am."

The members, at least the few who were there, buzzed with excitement following the service. One said, "What’s he trying to pull anyway?" Another said, "I don’t understand?" The pastor and his announcement of a funeral for the church was the main talk of the tiny rural town during that week. The phone lines were hot with talk; the coffee shop was filled with men talking about what they expected next Sunday.

Sunday arrived, and as the people gathered, there was an open coffin in the front of the church. As the 10:00 approached, the pastor looked out and saw that every pew plus some chairs were filled for this funeral service.

He began the funeral service by reading scripture, he shared prayer, he even gave a very sad sermon on the demise of this over 100 year old church and congregation. After he finished his sermon, he did something which again startled the membership. He asked the members to please rise and pass slowly by the open coffin to pay their last respects to this now dead church.

Row by row, the people rose and walked past the coffin. And, each of them got the same sheepish, startled look as They scurried quickly away from it. The coffin was empty except for a mirror. As each person peered into the coffin to view the deceased each looked upon his or her own face.

Ask yourself what would my church look like if everyone: attended, gave, served, prayed, invited, and worshipped like me? Would it be Dead, Lukewarm, or Alive? It is something to pray about and act on. Amen?    

Intentional Response

What if someone said to you, “How can you say that Jesus is the only way?” We should respond not by getting offended but by getting excited. Jesus said,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:1–6

Remember - “Everyone is searching; not everyone knows it.” Here are three things we can do:

1. I should realize the intention of Jesus’ words. It’s Good News!

2. I must recognize the inclusivity of Jesus’ words. His words are not exclusive; they’re inclusive!

3. I will respond to the invitation in Jesus’ words. “I am the way”.  Notice that He doesn’t say, “I can show you the way.” He doesn’t say, “I will lead the way.” He doesn’t say, “I will give you directions, I will draw you a map.” He says, “I am the way.” He is not only the way TO heaven. He is the way OUT of darkness, the way OUT of sin, the way OUT of emptiness. He is the way of freedom from guilt, of deliverance from shame and death and despair.

Respond to Jesus’ invitation and find the object of your heart’s quest in Him. Wherever you were born, whatever you’ve done, however badly you’ve blown it, whether or not you’ve got issues, Jesus extends an invitation to you today. You don’t have to apply, you don’t have to qualify, because the invitation is universal … not exclusive … it is for everyone. It is for you. Amen?

Intent

Usually when we hear the word intent it is dealing with legal matters. Usually trying to learn if someone purposely did something. What about your intent as a Christ follower? Do you ever think about what a Christian’s objective to life should be? Let’s take a deeper look at the word.

Definition of Intent: resolved or determined to do (something)

Synonyms of Intent: aim · purpose · objective · goal · hope · plan · desire · ambition· absorbed · engrossed · fascinated

Does this word describe your pursuit of God?

Paul talked about God’s intent for us. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  - Ephesians 3:10-12

Today ask God to help your intent of pursuit in serving Him. Amen?

God's Intent

We say in church, "God is good - all the time and All the time God is good!"Now I believe that statement is theologically correct and it shows the essence and the never ending presence of the Lord's love, grace, and mercy. Hopefully we can all say Amen to that. The problem with goodness lies with us Christ followers (who are sometimes not "good"). Traditionalism, prejudice, meanness, anger, pride-fullness, and sin rears it's head - even in the church.  It breaks my heart, and I am sure God is shaking His head as well.

Change comes slowly but it must come. This is true in our personal and public lives. There are those people and things that will try to stop changes in your life. Don't let them! Keep your focus vertical with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. Desire the best that God has for you. Psalm 136 shows where our attention should be.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever. (vv.1-3)
He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever (vv.23-26) 
     
Stay around "Pro-grow" not "No-grow" people. You need to be in a community that will breathe life in to you, not drain you. Follow God's Word on how He desires us to be connected in community. It is part of His plan for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Remember His promise, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 Change your life today. Strive for the relationships God desires for you to have.  Amen?