The Bells Of Easter

During the days preceding Easter, while Napoleon was preparing to overtake the Austrian village of Feldkirch, the residents gathered to pray for deliverance. On Easter morning the church bells rang to signal the day of worship. Napoleon heard the bells but didn't realize their significance; he thought the bells meant that the Austrian army had come to reinforce the village, so he sounded retreat. When the bells of Easter ring out, the enemies of God are forced to retreat. (McHenry's Quips, Quotes and Other Notes © 1998. Hendrickson)

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It Is Finished

When Jesus died on the cross late afternoon, Good Friday, he cried out one final phrase, three famous last words: “It is finished”. There were probably some within hearing distance who thought his words were a cry of despair, as if he were saying, "It's over. The dream has ended." The truth is, however, it was a cry of victory. "It is finished." This phrase can also be translated "Paid in full."

What did Jesus' death actually pay for? What did it accomplish? Simply put, Jesus' death paid the price for our sins. Through his death, we have forgiveness. With his death, Jesus bridged the gap between God and man, between sin and redemption, between this temporary life and life eternal.

So, when Jesus said, "It is finished," he was saying, "My work is complete...I have paid the price for the salvation of humankind." The writer of Hebrews said, "Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people." (Hebrews 9:28) Paul said: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

The message of the cross is "It is finished." There is nothing you can do to earn more of God's love or to gain his mercy or to deserve forgiveness or to receive salvation. Jesus paid it all. His work is complete. That's why his last words: "It is finished," is the message of the cross.

The message of Easter is: "It is just beginning," because through the power of the resurrection, we have been given new life. It's not that we follow a God who exists somewhere out there, far beyond us. This God becomes part of your life. He comes to take up residence inside you. His Spirit fills your spirit with his presence. He can take a life that is dead with sin and failure, and make it alive again. He does that for everyone who comes to him. He can do that for you.

There are many people today who desperately need an empty canvas. You need a blank slate - a fresh start. You need the etch-a-sketch power of God's forgiveness, and it's available to you. You can begin your new life today. You can become the person God created you to be, through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Come learn more about this marvelous revelation this Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.

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Hang In There

I read this blog from Steve May and decided to publish it word-for-word for you to enjoy. Maybe it will encourage you as it did me.

"We have no control over most outcomes in life. We do our best to influence them: eat right to stay healthy; drive carefully to avoid an accident; invest wisely to accumulate a net worth — we try to influence outcomes, but we can't control them. Sometimes we get sick anyway, sometimes the car wreck isn't our fault, sometimes seemingly good investments go south.

Several years ago I realized that I couldn't control outcomes, but I could control one thing that is biblically guaranteed to work in my favor every time. What is it? Perseverance. Stick-to-it-iveness. The habit of getting back up and trying one more time. I can't control results, but I can control whether or not I quit. No one else can make that decision for me. It's mine alone.

This is how Johann von Goethe said it: "Perseverance lies within the affordings of everyone; its power increases with its progress, and it but rarely misses its aim."

Here's what he's saying: Persevering is something anyone can do. The longer you do it, the stronger you get, and the more likely you are to succeed.

Every minister, missionary, pastor, church planter and Christian disciple needs to understand this. You'll have a chance, and sometimes many, to give up before you really get going. A greener pasture and a wider path will tempt you from time to time. Sometimes quitting just seems to make sense: it's easy and appears to be painless. But deciding to stay when leaving is easier is often the key that opens the door to God's abundant blessing.

Napoleon Hill said, "Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit." I believe he was speaking from both observation and experience; this principle has certainly been true in my life. Babe Ruth's take on it was, "You just can't beat the man who won't give up." (Even the devil understands this; when you resist him, he flees. James 4:7)

Paul challenges us: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Let's begin this week determined to keep doing good. Let it not make us weary. There's a harvest waiting if we don't give up."

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Son Shine

As Spring approaches, we are warmed by the sun rather than frozen by the chilling winds of Winter. I, for one, am glad to see the warmer temperatures! Another thing that happens is that our daylight hours are extended. Instead of waking up in the dark, we wake up to sunshine which lasts long into the afternoon and evening. As I think about the sunshine, I’m reminded that we are to be “Son shine” to the world. Jesus called himself “the light” and called us to be “people of the light”. What does that mean? It means that our lives are meant to bear witness to the love and grace of Christ. Being a witness doesn't always involve passing out tracts or bringing in the most visitors on High Attendance Sunday. Every Christian doesn't have the same gifts, but every Christian can find ways to reflect the light of Christ to the people he encounters every day. Maybe that would simply mean spending time with a co-worker who is going thru a difficult time at home or at work. Or maybe it could be simply having a good attitude even though things aren’t going so swell in your own life. Possibly it could mean that you show patience and understanding with a waiter that gets your order messed up. Whatever, being "Son shine" simply means that you carry yourself in such a way that shows the light of Christ within you. Live your life so that those in the darkness can see his light in you.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

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Spiritually Stubborn

One thing I’ve noticed over the years in believers is a type of spiritual stubbornness that causes them to hold back from what God wants for their lives. For example, I’ve seen believers have a problem with another believer only to hold on to a grudge or discuss the issue with numerous other people, but they are too stubborn to follow the teachings of Matthew 18 in resolving conflict. I’ve also heard leaders say during leadership meetings, “I don’t know what the bible says on this issue, but this just isn’t Baptist!” Spiritual stubbornness can cause your heart to grow cold and your ears to grow deaf to the voice of the Lord. It will render both the Christian and the church ineffective. So what are some characteristics of being spiritually stubborn?

1. Being Overly Critical – Some people can find something to criticize about everything, even if they have to stretch the truth. And more often than not, their criticism is based more on exaggeration and deception than the truth. Dale Carnegie once said, “Any fool can criticize—and most of them do.” A critical attitude can cause once-enthusiastic Christians to fall; it can choke the life out of once vibrant churches. The best way to stop being overly critical is to: a) Don’t get caught up in the petty stuff. b) Make sure you know what you’re talking about (know the facts). c) Try doing what you’re criticizing. It’s easy to throw stones if you’re not the one being thrown at.

2. An Apathetic Attitude – This happens so often to churches that focus inwardly and never broaden their vision to what God has called them to be. Our budgets are focused on inward ministry and the comfort of the saints rather than on reaching out to the lost and disadvantaged around us. When we grow apathetic to the lost and stop caring about those who are hurting, we lose our effectiveness, both as individual believers and as a church.

3. Pride – This characteristic is rampant among the ranks of so-called “mature” Christians. They run from seminar to seminar, conference to conference, to book after book, and they can debate and present numerous doctrinal and philosophical doctrines. But the sad thing is, they’re not ministering to others. They have all the knowledge in their hearts, but it doesn’t translate to their hands. They have become “hearers of the Word but not doers of the Word.”

So, where do you find yourself in this post? Have you developed a type of spiritual stubbornness? If so, confess your sin to God and repent. Resolve to avoid spiritual stubbornness by serving. Serving others is the antidote for being overly critical, apathetic and full of pride. And when we’re serving, we’re being like Christ.

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How To Handle Frustration

Frustrations are an inevitable part of life – fear, worry, unhealthy thoughts, enemies, betrayal, financial difficulties, relationship struggles, health concerns, just to name a few. Oftentimes, when we’re facing such things, we tend to feel alone and struggle to work them out on our own. We think, “It’s my problem. No one else is going to fix this so it’s left up to me.” And when we try in vain to rectify the situation, it’s easy to get to the point where we say, “Well, I’ve tried everything I know how to do. I guess the only thing left is to pray.” The correct approach however, is to begin in prayer and continue in prayer. Some monastic communities have practiced this for centuries. They begin their day with prayer. At mid-morning they stop working and pray. At noon they stop working to pray and eat lunch. In mid-afternoon they stop working to pray. In the evening, as they finish the work-day, they pray again. Before they retire for the night, they pray again. Some communities even get up in the middle of the night to pray!
The idea is to return to God again and again through out the day. This helps you remember that Christ is your constant companion—at work and at home. Regardless of the frustrations you may be facing, Jesus is available always; every moment of every day can be spent in his presence. So, throughout the day, return to him again and again. As you do, you can count on these three promises.
1. When you talk to God, he will hear you. Psalm 55:17 says, “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”
2. Cast your cares on him, because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:7) David also wrote in Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” So when your frustrations are too much for you to bear, turn them over to God. He will strengthen you.
3. Trust in the Lord and he will save you. Psalm 55:16 says, “I call to God, and the Lord saves me.” Don’t trust in your own power and ability to get thru your struggles, trust in the saving power of Christ.

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TEMPTATION

Oscar Wilde is famous for saying, "I can resist anything but temptation." Temptation is one of the certainties of the Christian life; we never fully, permanently escape its presence. And we soon discover that once one temptation loses its power over us, another one comes along to take its place.

There's a Frank and Ernest cartoon where Frank asks, "Why is it that opportunity knocks only once, but every day temptation beats down my door?" Do you ever feel that way?

Jesus understands. Hebrews 4:15 tells us: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin."

The apostle Paul wrote this encouragement to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

When you go through the desert — when you struggle with an onslaught of temptation — it doesn't mean that God has abandoned you, it means that he is preparing you for something big. So prepare yourself. Spend time in the Word everyday. Spend time in prayer everyday. Decide now that God is first in your life, and there will be no shortcuts. When you endure, God will bring his glory to fulfillment in your life.

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BIG STUFF

A seminar leader was demonstrating the importance of making sure the "big stuff" in life is a priority. He showed the audience an empty wide-mouthed gallon jar, then put as many rocks in the jar as would fit. He asked the crowd, "Is this container full?" Of course, everyone said, "Yes." The leader gave them a knowing smile, then poured some gravel into the jar, filling the crevices between the rocks. He asked again, "Is it full?" They were beginning to catch on; most of them said, "Probably not."
Next he poured some sand it into the jar. "Now is it full?" he asked. The crowd had learned the lesson. In unison they shouted, "No!" And they were right; he then filled the jar with water.
Afterwards the seminar leader asked, "What's the point here?" Someone said, "Well, there are gaps, and if you really work at it, you can always fit more in your life." The seminar leader said, "That's not the point! The point is this: If you hadn't put these big rocks in first, you never would have gotten them in!"
He was saying: Make sure you do the big stuff first.
It's a habit we all need to develop. For me, I tend to attend to all the nagging little details first, trying to get them out of the way so I can focus on job one. Problem is, the nagging little details never completely go away. They keep coming back, there's always one or two to distract you. It's best to learn to ignore them and direct your attention to what really matters.
What really matters? This is something each person must define individually. Jesus told his followers that the list should begin with your relationship to God and your involvement in his purpose for your life. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) We often seek after sand and gravel and water, but those things are just filler. The big stuff needs to be done first. Think about it. What's your top priority? How will you tend to it today?

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Finding Grace and Mercy

Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”

When we get to know Jesus, we are getting to know God. What the Bible tells us about God is that He is not the tyrant He is sometimes accused of being. In fact, it is we who are the tyrants. We are the unreasonable. We are the unforgiving. We ourselves are imperfect, but too often we withhold forgiveness from others, as if we consider ourselves superior in some way to others.

However, Jesus shows us what it means to be truly merciful. He is perfect. He lived a perfect life, above sin. And yet, He understands our weaknesses, and He gives us permission to come to him anytime at all—with the assurance that we will always find forgiveness and strength. Let us, then, approach His throne with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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A CHANGE OF MIND

The Apostle Paul wrote, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Changing the way we think isn't easy, because thinking isn't nearly as easy as it looks. It's hard work. Henry Ford said, "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it."
Most of us allow our thoughts to be carried along by the whim of our emotions. Or we let our circumstances dictate the way we think. However, if you want to experience lasting change, you've got to take control of your thought life.
Instead of conforming your thoughts to the world around you, let the Word of God determine how you think. When you're tempted to think materialistically, think spiritually instead. When you're tempted to think negatively, make the effort to think positive. When you're tempted to give in to thoughts of despair, take a bold step and think thoughts of hope. When you're tempted to think only about this life on earth, learn to think with an eternal perspective.
James Allen said, "You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." It you want to experience change, you've got to change the way you think. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

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GOD's LOVE = God's POWER

In yesterday's post I said that "When we know who Christ is, then we can begin to make sense of who we are in Him." Well, today I want you to know that to the extent that we understand Christ's love, we experience his power in our lives. Paul said in Ephesians 3:19, "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

So what kind of power is Paul talking about? Is he speaking of power to jump tall buildings in a single bound? What about power to blow on people's foreheads and they "go out"? In reality, the power he is speaking of is the most important kind. Power over sin. Power over weakness. Power over fear. Power over shame. Power over despair. Power over rage. Power over lust. Power over greed. Power over pride. Power over doubt. Power over guilt. These are the things that so easily entangle us and drag us down. These are things that make our lives miserable. But the good news is that we don't have to live under their tyranny any longer. God promises us His power. And to receive His power, you only have to yield to His love.

Charles H. Spurgeon once said, "He is truly great in power who has power over himself." If you want to experience power over yourself, over your emotions, and over your circumstances, there are two ways you can go about it. You can try to grit your teeth and thru sheer determination force yourself to discipline, discipline, discipline. Or you can try the Biblical approach. Love, love, love. Guess which one works. (v. 20) Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

If you want to experience the power of God, immerse yourself in the love of God. Pray about it. Think about it. Meditate on it. Contemplate it. Believe it. Receive it. When you know His love, you will experience His power. His power at work within you will revolutionize your life. And you will begin to truly realize who you are in Christ.

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