Good Friday 2013

Today is Good Friday.  This is the day that Jesus' trial began which ultimately led to His death, burial and resurrection.  It really is a big deal when you stop to think about it.  Too often I think we take this event for granted.  Really?!

There has never been another event in the course of history that has meant so much and done so much.  Think about it...

It is the dividing line of our calendar.  Every time we write the date, it says 2013 years after our Lord.  Even those who want to minimize the work of and reality of Jesus mark this historical event every day.

There is also the reality that no name in history has brought more discussion.  Think about it...at little league ball games, at football games, at graduations ALL over the country they are having prayers but are not allowed to end the prayer "in Jesus name."  There is power in that name and the enemy wants to limit the use of that name.

It is also that name by which souls are saved, demons are cast out, lives are released from the power and bondage of sin.

It REALLY IS a big deal.  Don't take this event for granted.  Think about it...let it simmer in your mind today - each day.  It has real power for you.  For me. If we let it...if we let HIM.

Being self sufficient

@JohnPiper: If you are sufficient for your task, it's too small.

Depravity

@desiringgod: "Knowing our depravity deepens our humility which sweetens and strengthens all significant relationships."

A Good Man

@JohnPiper: "When we ask whether someone is a good man, we are not asking what he believes, or hopes, but what he loves." St. Augustine

Worry

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

Mature in The Lord

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. (1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV)

Lord, don't let me forget

Today I was listening to something Brian McLaren video-blogged recently. I typically have nothing to do with Mr. McLaren - I believe some or most of his beliefs DO NOT match the word of God...he seems to embrace some form of universalism. But I was sent this link by someone and I wanted to check it out.

Like I said, I usually don't agree with McLaren but something he said today made me look inside myself. His main thought was "does the Holy Spirit not bring people to our churches because of our feelings of spiritual supremacy?" While I pray that is not true of our church today, it made me think...

I never want to forget all that God saved me from. The sins He freed me from as well as the hell He saved me out of. In a similar way, I want to always reach out to those who need Jesus - I want them to know I care and our church cares...no matter how broken they may be. "Lord, let me never forget and always reach out to those who need you."

I also can't change perceptions. I have loved people and stood for what Jesus says and still have had people say I am judgmental or unloving. In some of these cases the reason people are not becoming followers of Jesus is not because they are not loved, but because they don’t want to repent of their sin. Jesus said they hated Him and they will hate me, too. If I am going to be hated, I want to make sure it is because I am trying to be like Jesus, not because we’re being unlike Jesus.