Not Law in Legislation, But His Love Through Us

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”    John 3:16-17 (HCSB)

In the next few days there are going to be some decisions handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court that have the potential to get people outraged. I believe it is a distraction. Whatever the government of the U.S. does, is not going to change God’s plan by one sentence or phrase. Jesus never spoke against the Roman government. He did not call His disciples to arms. He did not come to make Himself a ruler in this world.

A wise young woman named Leah once taught me this lesson: You can change the world by just investing in two people. Share your faith, share your life with two people and watch God multiple that as those two each share with two more!

  X
/   \
x   x
/      \
xx    xx
/ /        \ \
xx xx    xx xx

I seemed to remember that she had worked out the math to know that if we kept Jesus’ pattern all the world would be touched in a matter of years. Remember Jesus began with just twelve.

John Wesley said, “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.” I suspect with his mother’s approval Wesley would take women as well in that 100!

Jesus never said to go and legislate the Kingdom into existence. He said to go and make disciples just as He did, by teaching and sharing what we have learned from Him. There are no shortcuts. There is no easy way or instant way to make changes. There is only God’s Way. People are not going to come to know the LORD through legislation. They will know Him through Jesus’ ambassadors. That’s me and you.

It often happens that we will find that a pastor or teacher comes along in our fellowship and they just don’t “light up our lives.” They may have a different delivery style or try to be friendly but they are just a bit socially inept. Have you ever heard someone say, “If you don’t like your pastor/teacher, pray for him/her!” Frankly, I should pray for people who teach me whether I like them or not! And the same is true for my president, mayor, or boss. Why would I not pray for them? Do I doubt the power of the Holy Spirit to change them? God used a donkey. He uses me. Why wouldn’t God use whoever is in a government office? He used Pilate, didn’t He? And Pilate was horrifically notorious even for Roman standards! By not praying, believing in the power of God, we doubt that He can do what He has promised to do. We are saying, “Here, God, let me help You with this world problem. It’s beyond Your abilities. I know You want me to go and make disciples and be Your ambassador but I have some extra time here. I can do this too.” Until I do a perfect job in the harvest that I have been given, maybe I shouldn’t take on any jobs I haven’t been told to do!

God’s Kingdom will come to fruition when Jesus comes back. How large will the cloud of witnesses be? How many people will come with me to heaven? Who have I touched this week with God’s powerful love and healing words? Who has heard what Jesus has done in my life today? Jesus came to convict not condemn.

When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11“No one, Lord,” she answered.

“Neither do I condemn you,”said Jesus.“Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”     John 8:10-11 (HCSB)

Jesus went against those who wanted to stone this woman that they had caught in adultery. Jesus did not condemn her but instead told her what to do. Simply, make a turn and don’t sin anymore.

For two years, my son sat and listened to Rev Steve Hill preach about sin and repentance. “His eyes, Mom. His eyes could look inside me and I’d feel the conviction. But I also knew he loved me.” My son knew this man preached with the heart of Jesus. And that is what we are all to share – the heart of Jesus. Let us keep our hands to plow, our eyes on Jesus, and be productive Kingdom Builders.

Holy Love written and sung by Andy Park

 

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“I Want to Go with You, LORD, But …”

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus answered, “Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn’t worth a thing to God’s kingdom!”     Luke 9:62 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: 2 Kings 2:1-14, Psalm 77:1-20, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62

The title and the quoted Scripture is a dead giveaway that this isn’t going to be a “Twinkie” devotion. Just remember – God puts me on the anvil and pounds away before I pass it along to you!

This passage in Luke has been troubling to me long before the lectionary gurus decided to include it in the list for this week. I would really like to hear back from some of you on whether or not your pastors or teachers used it this week. I’m thinking that most will use the Galatians passage, especially since the lectionary leaves out verses 2-12. LORD, help us to understand that all Scripture is good for teaching (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

Jesus calls some more people to follow Him. The first one seems very gung-ho to follow Jesus “any where” but then when he hears Jesus say that He has no home and that essentially there is no earthly prosperity to this venture, he reconsiders and we do not hear from him again. Then Jesus invites the second one to follow Him but the person says he wants to bury his father first. That doesn’t seem to be a frivolous statement to me but Jesus isn’t sympathetic. “Let the dead bury the dead.” Ouch. The third person says he just needs to get his affairs in order, maybe make sure his wife and children have someone to care for them or put his manager in charge of the sheep. And Jesus comes back with the verse we began with: “If you can’t keep your focus on the Kingdom work, you aren’t worth anything!” Ouch again.

These are harsh words. Frankly I have had times in my life when I felt these very words from God. At one point I decided that being a disciple was just too hard and I would be content to be just a believer. I was going to go back to being an hour-a-week Christian and not fully commit my life to God.

2 Kings 2 This is the recounting of Elijah passing on his mantle to Elisha. I read that Elijah, the prophet who took on Jezebel’s prophets and won and then ran away in fear, has come to the end of his race. Elijah was not mentioned by name in the book of Hebrews Honor Roll of Faith but he was a prophet that served God, though not perfectly, and yet God comes in a chariot of fire to take him to heaven.

Psalm 77 This could be a song from me to God on any given day. I cry out to God. I wonder if He is listening. I wonder if He has forgotten His promises. And then I remember what He has done for me in the past. I remember how He has come to me in His power. I remember that He has answered my prayers much better than I ever prayed them, even answered when I forgot to pray!

Galatians 5 I cannot imagine why the lectionary people left out verses 2-12 except that they thought it made the passage too long and so people would get tired of standing while it was read. That is a sorry commentary on us if that is true! Those verses remind me that whatever God gives to me He does it out of His great love not because I followed the Law so perfectly. Life by the Spirit is a life that produces abundant fruit like love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. When I try to live this life in my own strength of my flesh, what I produce will be ugly and destructive.

And so in that season of wrestling about whether I would be a disciple or only a believer, I decided that while a disciple is a commitment and the payoff is not instantaneous – the other option is just too lukewarm and unsatisfying. With God’s help, I am going to keep following Jesus. He has proven to me already that He will take care of my family. We will live together and that makes any place a home. With God’s help, I will follow Jesus – period.

My Guy (God) written by Mary Wells and sung by the sisters of Sister Act

 

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Family: The Omega

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from May 7, 2010]

“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (WEB)

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. 22:39 A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”          Matthew 22:37-40 (WEB)

Here I am at the end of the week and what principles can I take away from God’s words about family?

If I am betting on having a ‘good’ family, make sure God is running the table. God must be Head of the House. He must be where the family turns not just in the crisis but every day. It must be more than prayers at meals and one hour on Sunday. In every aspect of the family life, God has to be a part of it.

It takes two parents. It is unfortunate that many times this does not mean that ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ are married to each other. But Mom and Dad need to be grown-ups and keep their eyes on what is best for the children, leaving their egos at home in the closet. Too often children become ‘collateral damage’ even ‘collateral casualties’ because their parents use them as tools to manipulate and supposedly inflict pain and inconvenience on the other spouse. Children need the gifts that each parent brings to their lives. They may have a non-biological parent(s) that bring a tremendous Godly impact as they show unconditional love that comes from their God-given overflow of love.

Children need to listen to their parents! Parents need to listen to their children! God listens to me no matter how many times I come whining. He listens and doesn’t ignore me because it’s trivial. I matter. God is my example. Taking time (or making time) to listen and speak words of encouragement, wisdom, love, and any thing that produces fruit in the lives of all members must be a priority in the family. Daily attention to my relationship with God shows me the importance of daily attention to my relationship to my family.

God’s love is sufficient. Receiving the love that God has for me fills me with the best love to spill out on to my family. It gives me extra measures that I may need. In my flesh, those that I love the most have the capacity to hurt me the most. God’s love is sufficient. His Spirit supplies me with the gifts of forgiveness and patience and kindness and – see Galatians 5:22 – that of course I will need! Every member of the family will need it!

Family begins and ends with God. He leads through the valleys and will carry every member through when they think they cannot make it. God is there in the celebrations, watching with joy when the family stands together and bends their knees in worship, prayer, and thanksgiving for all the many, many ways He has held them together with His mighty, gentle Hand.

If your family has always walked with God, do not take that blessing for granted but rejoice and give thanks every day for it! If you have not been part of a family that walks with God, grab on to His hand and start today! You and He together are a family. Watch how He is your Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, and Best Friend.

Thank You, Lord, for my family…ALL the generations!

You Are My Hiding Place written by Michael Ledner and sung by Selah

 

 

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Family: The Alpha

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from May 3, 2010]

For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.       Ephesians 3:14-21 (WEB)

Some days God speaks to me in my devotion time and I know it is just for me. Other days what God says is for me first and then I am to share that with you. Most days I do not second guess and it is just like transcribing what I hear. And then there are days like today when I have peace about writing it down but it does feel like I am out on a limb.

I doubt there is anyone reading this today who does not have a prayer in their heart for their family. Marriages are under attack and crumbling under the pressure from all directions. Children are navigating through turbulent waters that have threatened generations before them but at the same time are uniquely treacherous to them. Parents are alternately buying into allowing their children the freedom to “be themselves” and pulling in the reins so tight, thinking that if they can just do everything “right” that their children will be “all right”. Adult children are struggling with parents who are living longer and government support (Medicare and Social Security) – it’s not looking good, is it?

It is not surprising that statistically the families that are individually and as a group committed to their relationship with Jesus are the ones who are thriving. Why is that? I believe that it is because when I accept Jesus’ free gift of love, my heart receives this new and bigger capacity to love. The ‘conditions’ that I may have put on love changes, even disappears.

Priorities change. And when the family members become ‘Jesus servants’, to each other and those outside their family circle, the family discovers their ‘calling’ as a family. As they grow and mature, their calling may draw them away from their unit but they will always support each other and encourage each other.

As we study what God says about family this week, let us stand together in prayer for each other. God knows each one of us. God knows each of our needs.

Lord, I lift up the families of those who are represented here. You know each one of us,Lord, by name and every hair on our heads. We need You, Lord. We need Your love; Your protection; Your strength; and wisdom and faith to seek You in all that we do. We thank You, Lord. We thank You that before we even call, Lord, You are already answering. It is because of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

The Love of God written by Vesphew Benton Ellis and sung by The Gaither Vocal Band

 

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Lonely Heart

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.      2 Timothy 3:10-17 (NIV)

It is the last sentence of this passage that is often quoted to make various points. But as often happens when I read the “before and after” I hear something more for me to consider and let simmer in my heart.

I hear Paul, the mentor and teacher of a young disciple of Jesus, pour out his heart and give Timothy a look into his private thoughts and how his experiences have left their mark on him. First, Paul reminds Timothy that he does already know a great deal about him and so what he is about to hear, he can trust to be true.

The life of a disciple of Jesus Christ will involve times when you know the rescue of the LORD. Whether it is a near miss on an interstate highway or the wisdom not to become involved in a relationship with someone who is not who they appear to be, God’s hand holds His children – even in the times of darkness. A disciple’s life will also involve times of great pain. It can be a physical pain when illness, a part of this life, comes and pulls me down. It can be rejection and isolation as I follow Jesus through a desert or path that is narrow and unpopular. God will never abandon His child.

Paul applauds the time that Timothy has put into studying Scripture. The years of reading, studying, and contemplating what he has read has been time well spent and Timothy will see in the days ahead that what he has learned about God will be useful when combined with his faith in Jesus.

All Scripture is useful. It is important that I read and understand all Scripture in context of the all. John 3:16 says that God loved us so much that He gave His Son so that if we believe in Him, we will have an eternal life with God. John 3:17 says that Jesus didn’t come to condemn but to save. In context, as a disciple it is an eternal life that I am promised. It is my life in Jesus that is abundant with His love and strength and wisdom. My earthly life will not be like my promised eternal life but it will be a life of purpose.

2 Timothy 4 goes on to charge Timothy to take this Scripture and faith and share it with others. He is to correct, rebuke and encourage. With the Holy Spirit’s help, he will do these three things in the right amounts. Scripture wasn’t meant to just encourage but neither was it just to rebuke. It is all there to build us up in our relationship with God.

The life of a disciple can seem lonely and often difficult. Jesus showed by His example of living with the twelve that we should come together to encourage each other, learn from each other and break bread. Hebrews 10:5 encourages us to meet together. However well we obey or fail to do that, we can always count on Jesus to meet with us every day to encourage, rebuke and correct, leaving us better than when we arrived.

Healing Rain written and sung by Michael W Smith

 

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Deep Cleaning

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from August 11, 2011]

Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.      John 3:7-9 (HCSB)

Our cat, Cheena, keeps herself clean by licking herself. She removes dirt, and other stuff, off her body by licking. Now this can cause a hairball. (Yes, that is a disgusting picture.) She scratches furniture. She does her business in wrong places and lays out in the middle of the floor or bed like she owns the house. It’s her nature. I would love to deposit a bit of “Jody seed” into Cheena. Just enough to stop her licking and scratching and doing things in wrong places. Does that seem like a weird idea? Well, it was God’s idea before it was mine.

I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings.     Ezekiel 36:26-17 (CEV)

God was a heart transplant surgeon long before Dr. Christiaan Barnard did one in 1967.

Nicodemus is tired of trying to have a relationship with God through all the rules and regulations that give no rest. He has tried and tried to get them all correct and it’s impossible. There’s even a sacrifice on Yom Kippur to cover any sins he can’t remember to confess! Nicodemus is looking for a better way and he is desperate enough to visit this Jesus at night in the hope of finding The Way.

God doesn’t clean us superficially like I do a window with a spray cleaner and a rag. He works from the inside – out. So why do I keep falling down? My 6-month-old granddaughter and 1-year-old grandson are just learning to navigate around this world they find themselves in. They spend a lot of time in toys that help them learn balance and scooting and walking. Their parents try to make their home safe from sharp-cornered tables as they stumble and toddle their way through a day. Even my 6-, 7-, 8-, and 13-year-old grandchildren stub their toes and bang their heads on objects that they do not see because they aren’t paying attention. They haven’t experienced or learned to watch for unexpected objects that block the path. Do I live my life like a toddler or a wise, watchful adult?

Jesus tells me that, if I will allow it, He will make me brand new, with the new mind and spirit just like we see in a newborn. There is no old baggage, the dirt and slime of past experiences and injuries. All that is taken from me and I will never have to carry them again. And because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, I now have a relationship with God, not because of anything I have done or can do, but because of God’s grace, His extravagant love. Jesus can take what seems impossible and make it possible. And He gives His Spirit to remind me of His teachings that help me to stay on the path that leads to eternal life with Him.

As we do our routine cleaning today, wiping the counters, vacuuming, brushing our teeth, or sweeping the porch let us allow our minds to connect with Jesus and allow Him to cleanse us better than clean. Let’s embrace our new life that He offers.

Change My Heart Oh God written and sung by Eddie Espinosa

 

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More Than a Believer

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water,
I truly am thirsty for you, my God.
2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God.
When will I see your face?
3 Day and night my tears are my only food,
as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?”

4 Sorrow floods my heart,
when I remember leading the worshipers to your house.
I can still hear them shout their joyful praises.
5 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you!
And I will praise you again because you help me,
6 and you are my God.

I am deeply discouraged as I think about you
from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and from Mount Mizar.
7 Your vicious waves have swept over me like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall.

8 Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you,
the living Lord God.

9 You are my mighty rock.
Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad?
10 Even my bones are in pain,
while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?”

11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you!
And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.         Psalm 42 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: 1 Kings 19:1-15, Psalm 42, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39

The lectionary texts this week are timely for me. There are so many prayer requests that I have laid before my LORD. So many seemingly insurmountable needs. Only my LORD can know what is best for each person and I trust Him for it.

1 Kings 19: 1-15 “I have had enough.” Ever feel like that? I have certainly felt like Elijah. There are seasons that are difficult when I feel like every day is a 20-hour work day. There are even days when I feel no one is encouraging us. Elijah went off and isolated himself under a broom tree.

God is faithful. He didn’t leave Elijah to sulk under the tree. He doesn’t leave me to wallow in my pity party when things get rough. God wants me to come to His mountain. He wants me to call out and in His still, calm voice – He answers.

Luke 8:26-39 Jesus set this man free from a legion of demons. He is so grateful that he wants to stay with Jesus, travel with Him. I want to just stay with Jesus too. The other night I was praying and this warmth came over me. It was like being wrapped in a soft blanket. I knew the presence of God was all around me. I wanted to stay like that forever.

God likes those times when we are so close, too. But God keeps the bigger picture in His vision. He never forgets all His children who are out there hurting and alone. He wants me to spend time with Him but He also wants me to go and share what He has taught me and done for me with others.

Galatians 3:23-29 Paul says that once all we had was the Law to keep us safe in God’s way. It was the Commandments given only to God’s Chosen People. Now we have Jesus. And in Jesus there is an open door for all equally.

This seems like such an obvious concept for Jesus’ Church but we rarely allow children an active part in our worship, no teens are part of the planning and implementing process of our local congregations, and laity are not equal partners in ministry with the ordained. When will we trust God that He knows best and wants us to step out and follow His plan? He did not send the demon-posessed man to seminary before He told him to “Go and tell everyone what God has done for you.” Let us equip and empower and release our children and women and men to share the Good News of Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit.

How I thirst for my LORD! People are desperate for someone like Jesus in their life but they need to know that He is “big enough.” He is all that I need no matter what problems and difficulties may come. Let us stop minimizing our LORD and instead magnify who He truly is. If someone should wonder, “Where is your God?” I can quickly answer, “Right here with me.”

Satisfied with You written by Andy Park and sung by Lindell Cooley

 

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A Coin Has Two Sides

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”                Matthew 18:1-6 (NLT, my emphasis)

“Who is the greatest?” I wonder sometimes, as I am reading the gospels, about the expression on Jesus’ face when the disciples asked these questions. And then I remember my own thoughts (“Well, look at him/her! I would never do that! What were they thinking?!”) and wonder if God is rolling His eyes or slamming some heavenly door thinking, “Here We go again with Jody looking at the sawdust in someone’s eye instead of the plank in her own!”

Jesus doesn’t hesitate to bring His lesson home to the disciples. He takes a small child right into the middle of the lesson and the group. Now in this time, children should not be heard but also rarely seen or acknowledged by adults, certainly not when something as important as a conversation about God! Before I move on I’d like to suggest that today we haven’t come much farther in the Church. Oh we have Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and maybe on Mother’s Day we bring the children in the church out to sing a song or handout flowers. Maybe we even have a childrens’ moment in our worship service. How big of us to give them a moment of the worship time that is geared to them!

Jesus ignores the disciples’ wrong question and shocks His listeners by telling them that unless they turn from their sins and become like this child they will not enter Heaven. What??! By their very question, the disciples thought they had the Heaven thing sown up and they had moved on to how big their mansion was going to be or how close to Abraham they were going to live! And that was their sin – P – R – I – D – E! Arrogance!

Jesus isn’t done with His teaching. There is always two sides to Jesus’ teaching coin. There is the positive lesson of what I should do and then there is the warning of the consequences if I choose to disobey.

Jesus repeats a lesson I have heard before. It is the least, the weakest, the children, who are greatest in God’s eyes. It is their simple childlike faith that is so pleasing to our LORD. Those of us who have grown in our relationship with God are charged with the responsibility to teach and protect God’s young children. And if I should cause someone who is young in their relationship with God to stumble by misleading them or tempting them to disobey, then I might as well throw myself off the Three Mile Bridge with a huge stone tied around my neck. As a parent, as a grandparent, even an adult walking in the halls of a church or an aisle at Wal-mart, my witness to my LORD is there for others to observe and learn, for good or bad. A witness also has two sides.

Jesus came to earth because of God’s great love. He promises who ever believes in Him will have eternal life and not be condemned. But if I choose not to believe, if I reject God’s free gift, then I am condemned (John 3:16-21). Jesus is Light and so if I choose to grow and learn from Him then He will shine His Light on my life and my sins will be exposed. Jesus also said, “Repent and believe the good news.” (Mark 1:15) He wants me to turn from my sins and live my life in Him. He loves me. One side of the coin. He wants me to turn from sin. The other side of the coin. I cannot have one without the other.

Awesome God written by Rich Mullins and sung by Michael W Smith

 

 

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Are You Saved?

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from November 17, 2011]

[Jesus said] “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”     Luke 19:10 (NLT)

If someone asks, “Are you saved?” what do they mean?

I first heard this question when I was 14-years-old. I had been raised Catholic. I knew Jesus was God who came to earth to die for my sins and three days later rose from the dead and now lived in heaven. I had a young teen crush on a boy who walked me to class and ate lunch with me in the public school we attended. He invited me to a revival. I had never been to a church service with “Amens” and loud, shouting preaching. I had never seen an altar call and found myself the focus of people (4-5) that came up to me asking, “Are you saved?”. I had no frame of reference to know what they meant. And now, 40 years later, I can say, “Yes, I am saved” but my meaning and any 20 other people can mean 20 different things. What did Jesus mean? His meaning is the one that matters, isn’t it?

Jesus was clear in Matthew 4:17 that there was a need for us to “make a change” (repent) because God’s Kingdom was coming and God and sin did not mix! In the Luke passage Jesus said that He came to save those who were “lost.” If my Creator and I are not living together, then one of us is lost. Jesus also told the leadership of the Church that He came to call sinners, not the righteous (Matthew 9:12-13). Throughout the gospels Jesus brings the message from the Father that He desires to be with His children. He loves His children. He sent His own Son to bring us to the safety of the sheep pen (John 10). So when someone speaks about Jesus and questions a person, “Are you saved?” I believe Jesus’ answer is more encompassing than the answer most of us require.

Too often my requirements for someone to be “saved” from their sins is more about their relationship with me not God. I want to hear the person say the “right words” so I know they are “right with God.” I want them to agree with my interpretation of specific important Scripture passages. (Which Scriptures are more important?) I want them to stay away from “certain sins.” Sins that aren’t a temptation for me so I can’t see how they could do such things! I want people to be “clean” inside and out before they attend my church. (Hmmm. Jesus said He came for the “sick” so doesn’t that make a church = a spiritual hospital?) Do I eat with those who are “unsaved”? Jesus did. Do I spend time sharing everything Jesus has shared with me – including His love? That’s what Jesus said to do (Matthew 28:19).

Am I saved? Yes, because I am a sinner loved extravagantly and unconditionally by God Himself. He loved me before I loved Him. I cannot do anything without my LORD. I cannot “save” myself from sin. I need Jesus. He came, died for me, and now guides me with His Holy Spirit to live my life as a servant until He brings me home with Him forever. I am saved by Love.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. [I pray] that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. [I pray that] you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and width, height and depth, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.     Ephesians 3:14-19 (HCSB)

The Cross, covered in the Blood of God’s Son, is also the symbol of His Love – not condemning but convicting as it comes with complete forgiveness for all God’s children who will hear His voice to “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.”

Saved written by Bob Dylan and sung by Lindell Cooley

 

Posted in Ephesians, Luke | Comments Off on Are You Saved?

What Am I Here For?

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence [hope] of our salvation.

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.      1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT, my emphasis)

Do I remember that moment when I knew I was dying? Oh, I don’t mean physically. I mean when I was bone-scared that hell was real and I just might end up there! For the sake of others who are dying or are uncertain about what will happen when they die, that may be as an important a memory as the moment I accepted and committed myself to Jesus. It is why I am here.

Jesus said that as disciples that we are to go and teach and make disciples and baptize (Matthew 28). I am to teach all that Jesus has taught me. Some people have a spark in their hearts to share with those who don’t know Jesus as Savior. Some people, like my husband, share with those who reject God’s existence. My passion is that people would know the assurance of how much God loves them and when they acknowledge Him; He promises they will live forever with Him in Paradise. Remember the thief on the cross? (Luke 23:39-43) It’s just that simple and just that for sure.

Paul speaks truly to the church at Thessalonica and to me when he says that in darkness we sleep and do things we would not do in the light of day. Our world is often described as dark. If I spend any time at all reading or listening to the news, I will feel the darkness attempting to block out the light. Wars and rumors of wars, starvation, disease and despair push people into grabbing the momentary relief that their money might buy. But it is faith and hope and love given to me freely and in abundance by Jesus that will strengthen and sustain when all else has been washed away. It is the armor of God (Ephesians 6), put on like any soldier headed into battle, that protects my mind as I remember to Whom I belong. I stand, not in my own merit, but under the righteous breastplate of Jesus. I walk in peace because I walk in His Good News. I look at the world with the belt of His truth grounding me. I am protected from the arrows of deceit because of faith and wield a sword that is the Word of God. I do not have silver or gold to give anyone but I give what I know to be true and that is Jesus Christ.

Life lived with the assurance of Jesus and His promises is simple but it isn’t easy. I share almost daily with people that living in assurance means letting go of doubts and misconceptions so that you are able to grab hold with nothing more than a miniscule seed of faith that God will grow into a strong refuge where you can always find shelter when the storms come. It is the faith of a child, God’s child.

Come to Jesus written and sung by Chris Rice

 

Posted in 1 Thessalonians | Comments Off on What Am I Here For?