by this we know love

there was a time when signs saying john 3:16 were all over the place, well especially sporting events....

 <------here university of florida quarterback is displaying it on his eye black.

it is one of the most famous verses speaking about how God sent his one and only son to save the world.

but what most people don't know the verse which is very similar and instead in one of johns letters,
1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (NIV)

he laid his life for us. he took the punishment for our sin. he stood in our place.
one of my favorite songs is by this we know love by judah groveman and at Next 2009 he introduced us to this song.

the chorus goes like this:
by this we know love that He laid down His life
God’s very own Son, came from Heaven to die
suspended He hung, as He shed His own blood
what grace in His pardon, by this We know love

what a beautiful picture of his love for us. when was the last time you took one day and thought about the love of God and how it changed your life....if you haven't then you should make today that day....

marvelous

marvelous. what a cool word. 
- causing great wonder; extraordinary
- extremely good or pleasing; splendid.


declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people. -psalm 96:3


oh sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. - psalm 98:1


being able to stand back and watch God work in a marvelous way. but what works does he do that aren't marvelous?


when was the last time you took time to marvel at what he has done? what would you consider extraordinary, extremely good or pleasing, or splendid? 

take some time. sit back. enjoy God's marvelous gifts.

 

taking for granted

even when we see the glory of Christ's work in our lives and the immeasurable blessings he has given us we don't truly appreciate them.......

mercies anew -Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, 

       for his compassions never fail.

 They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness." - NIV

"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

         For His compassions never fail. 
  They are new every morning;
         Great is Your faithfulness." - NASB

"God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
   his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
   How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
   He's all I've got left." - The Message

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
      His mercies never cease.
 Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning." - NLT

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." - KJV

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

   his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness." - ESV

no matter what translation you read it in. it all says the same thing. every morning God's mercies are anew. great is your faithfulness oh Lord. his compassions never fail. follow God and stick with him cause he's the only thing that matters.

Mark 15:29-32

•  ²⁹And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰save yourself, and come down from the cross!" ³¹So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. ³²Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

Why did Christ not come off of the Cross and show his power to those who mocked him that he could save himself?

The reason why Christ could not save himself is because he knew his higher calling. It goes back to Mark 14 where Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane (v32-42), where he goes and prays to the Father. In verse 36 he prays, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Jesus knew God's plan for him. He knew he was going to die. In the Garden he told the Father that though he did not want to be separated but if it was His Will then that is what he must do.  So when the people walking past Him and mocked him and told him to save himself, he knew that was not possible. D.A. Carson writes about this in his book, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.

        The deeper irony is that, in a way they did not understand, they were speaking the truth. If he had saved himself, he could not have saved others; the only way he could save others was precisely by not saving himself. In the irony behind the irony that the mockers intended, they spoke the truth they themselves did not see. The man who can’t save himself—saves others. One of the reasons they were so blind is that they thought in terms of merely physical restraints. When they said “he can’t save himself,” they meant that the nails held him there, the soldiers prevented any possibility of rescue, his powerlessness and weakness guaranteed his death. For them, the words “he can’t save himself” expressed a physical impossibility. But those who know who Jesus is are fully aware that nails and soldiers cannot stand in the way of Emmanuel. The truth of the matter is that Jesus could not save himself, not because of any physical constraint, but because of a moral imperative. He came to do his Father’s will, and he would not be deflected from it. The One who cries in anguish in the garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done,” is under such a divine moral imperative from his heavenly Father that disobedience is finally unthinkable. It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was his unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and, within that framework, it was his love for sinners like me. He really could not save himself.

Isn't that mind blowing?

Christ knew ahead of time what was going to happen. And unless the work of God was in his life he probably would of taken the people up on their offer by showing his awesome power. If it was me hanging on that cross and I had the power to get off of it, I don't think I would hesitate. My pride at times can be so puffed up that I have to impress others. I think that is all human tenancy to not have our pride hurt in times of accusation. But that work of the Father in Christ's life shows through in Philippians 2 of how we are to emulate Him by applying his example to our lives.

        "³Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

These verses take what Christ was doing on the Cross and Paul is effectively transferring them into a way we can apply Christ's example to our lives. Though it looks different because Christ is dying and we don't get that opportunity like he did. The heart issues can still be present. Christ did not think for himself when he was on that Cross. He had the power to physically come down. But he did not have the power to disobey his Father's will. His relationship with the Father was that strong that he could not bare the pain of any kind of separation with Him.

Why don't we feel that way?
I have been meditating on this passage to see how I can live more like Christ did. That my relationship with the Father can be so strong that disobeying Him is something I don't think twice about. Christ gave us an example to follow so why not do follow? I know this is my prayer and my desire to fulfill. To live like Christ. And follow my Father. And not think twice about disobeying Him.

Do you take things for granted?

Ever stop what you are doing and ponder why you do what you do? Ever wonder what life without God and without his Son Jesus Christ would be like? Can you list all that he has given you? Do you realize all that he has done for you? Can you imagine?
What Grace, what mercy, what love?

I spent the evening hours last night and this morning studying Ephesians, and there is soo much in there, that talks about what Christ has done. For example:

Ephesians 2:1-10 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body [1] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But [2] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
• How amazing is it to realize what it really means to be saved by grace? How amazing is it to understand that God loves us, when we deserve eternal damnation? How amazing is it when we realize that God sent his son for us? How amazing is it when we comprehend that we were made in Christ Jesus for good works, and that God has already prepared them ahead of time? Grace Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me, How amazing is it to see the grace with which God poured upon me? Praise the Lord that he has not condemned us like we deserve, by his grace and through his son we are saved. Praise the Lord for without his never ending love, we are nothing.

I've just been reflecting in my own life and realizing how much I take things for granted. I'm so dependent for so many of the daily things I do, yet when do I take the time to thank God for the gifts he has blessed me with. Whether it be as simple as saying thankyou for a mother and a father, or saying thankyou for the air we breathe. Its always been there, but its only there because of God's design and for His purpose. I know I've failed here over the past few months, I just don't take time to thank God for all he's given me, and the list is endless. What about you?

Without the many blessings that God has given us, we are nothing, like dust we would blow around in the wind. At times I can get down because I feel like I don't know what I'm doing or where I'm going, but I'm starting to find comfort in that God planned it that way, He has his hand in it, and He is in control. None of the things that we take for granted would even exist, why we wouldn't even exist if it wern't for the love of God.

So I'd encourage you to take some time in the next few weeks to thank God for the mundane things in your life. They seem so meaningless, yet we are completely dependent on them. I know that I in my foolishness I have overlooked this aspect of the relationship I have with God and at times have viewed God as even needing me. He's got to be sitting up there laughing at my arrogance in thinking I can do something for Him. There is no thing that we can do to surprise God and nothing we can do apart from the gifts he's given us to do His will. What a fool am I!!!

DOUBT: Why do we do it?

DOUBT:

1 a : uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making b : a deliberate suspension of judgment
2 : a state of affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense
3 a : a lack of confidence b : an inclination not to believe or accept

WHY DO YOU DOUBT?

Have you ever pondered why humans, at every circumstance, doubt? We have an opinion that often interferes with decision-making. Now when you think about Jesus's life, did he ever doubt? Did he ever think God had uncertainty or used hesitation when he gave him instructions?  Did he have an inclination not to believe or accept what his Father instructed him to do?

Tell me you haven't had a time in your life where you have been put in a situation with your boss, parent, professor and they instructed you to do FILL IN THE BLANK. You don't want to do what they ask you to so give an appeal, an alternative, a plan B. We do whatever we can so that we don't have to do plan A.

In MARK 14 and MATTHEW 26,
Jesus took his Disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked them to "Stay there and watch while he went ahead to pray." He went before God and fell down and prayed for he knew what was to come next. "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me......" And then Jesus says something that most people don't really pay attention to.... "Yet not what I will, but what you will." 

Do you realize what he said??? "Yet not what I will..." Emphasis on I. "but what you will." He didn't attempt to go for a plan B. The Father instructed him that it was not possible for he is a just God. Sinclair Ferguson comments on this passage saying,

"Jesus was about to be exposed to the one thing in life he really feared: not the cruel death which would end it (he knew he would rise again), but the indestructible experience of feeling himself to God-forsaken. He felt he could not live - indeed, that life was not worth living - without the consciousness of his Father's love for him.
Yet the fact that he entered that darkness and experienced such grief is the source of all our comfort. It assumes us that he understands our darkest hours. But more, it means that he has drawn the sting from our darkest hour for he has entered our God-forsaken condition so that we might share his God-accepted relationship to the Father!"

He took the penalty for us so that we might have a plan B. So why again do we continue to doubt him when he doesn't work EXACTLY when WE want Him to?
1 Peter 2:21, "Christ Suffered for you, leaving an example, that you should follow in his steps." His prayer should be our prayer everyday, in every circumstance, through every trial. "Yet not what I will, but what you will." (v. 36)

God has the power to change our lives so we why should we doubt Him to work? We should plan on it and look forward to it. Let us all be followers who have a stronger grasp of what he has done and live according to it. This is my prayer for my life and every believers life.

Dug Down Deep

 

 I think I can say that I am like Jim Donahue when I say I am not very good at reading books. Its never been a passion of mine and I never have had a great desire to read, no matter what the book was about. But this book was different. It was the first book I have ever finished (Or at least that it is the first one I can actually remember finishing). I am beginning my journey to complete reading 25 books this year, hopefully 2 a month. I am behind but this is the first installment. 1 down......24 to go!

The book is Dug Down Deep, Josh Harris's 5th book (Kissed Dating Goodbye, Boy meets girl, Stop dating the church, Not even a hint: Sex is not the problem lust is) and I think his best. He has a very different way of writing but that is why he draws you in. The book is on Understanding Doctrine: Why it matters and Why I believe it. I love this book because you get to see who Josh Harris really is and how far he has come in his walk and how God has been there through many idiotic decisions. His words really spoke to me because I could relate at times with the decisions he decided to make and how horrible they were BUT God used it for his good and showed him his weakness and where he needed to pursue God more. 

I would recommend this book to any male for it has alot of application points we all can be making in our lives and though he isn't perfect, Josh has a strong passion to teach others about the saving power of Christ. I was strongly encouraged by reading this book and think anyone who has ever been through a rebellious stage in their life (if you haven't, i think it will encourage you as well) will benefit greatly from this book.

This is an exert out of the book that was really encouraging to me.

              "The message of Christian orthodoxy isn't that I'm right and someone else is wrong. It's that I am wrong and yet God is filled with grace. I am wrong, and yet God has made a way for me to be forgiven and accepted and loved for eternity. I am wrong, and yet God gave his Son, Jesus, to die IN MY PLACE and receive my punishment. I am wrong, but through fiaht in Jesus, I can be made right before a holy God.

              This is the gospel. This is the truth that all Christian doctrine celebrates. This is the truth that every follower of Jesus Christ is called to cherish and preserve. Even die for. It is the only truth on which we can build our lives and rest our eternal hope."

This is the new challenge for my life. Look back at the doctrine I have learned for so many years and turn it into application for my life. Look for ways to take the scripture and use them to their full potential to truly shape and guard my life. Use his Word as the guide for my decisions and actions. This has always been a desire in my life and I have been pursuing it but God is calling us all to step up, our name has been called and we need to be ready to take a stand for him. 

One last thing I will add that the book does say is that we all should be asking people more of their testimonies. 1. Because we all need to be reminding ourselves about what Christ has done for us on the Cross and how God has saved us from sin and this world. 2. We will grow stronger with other believers just by seeing where each other has been at. So ask someone. It doesn't matter how old they are. "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9. We are all brothers and sisters through Christ so find out others journey. You will be encouraged. So try it.

Read the book! Its amazing! I loved it and think you will too!