Suffered For Us

Think of all Jesus endured before He died.... for us...

Sweat blood in the garden

Soldier struck Him across the face for His silence

Betrayed by friends

Soldiers mocked Him

Palace guards passed by, spat on Him, and struck Him across the face

Battered

Bruised

Dehydrated

Exhausted from a sleepless night

Blindfolded and Blasphemed

Falsely accused

Dressed up to be made fun of

Stripped, hands tied to a post, whipped, and scourged

Crown of thorns pressed into His scalp.

Trades life for a death sentence of a murderer

Forced to carry a heavy beam of the cross tied to His shoulders

Stumbles and Falls

Nails driven through the wrists and arches of His feet

Cramps and lunges for Oxygen

Hung between two criminals

Insulted for saving others, but not for being able to save himself

Cursed by a criminal

Spear driven through His ribs, into the heart

Death

Is there any way you could say no to this man? Consider the suffering and pain Jesus went through leading up to His death on the cross, yet we gain so much because of His death. "Why should I gain from this reward? I can not give an answer." Thankfully, I can say I have life because of His death. Have you experienced true life, life with Christ as your savior? "How can you look in His tear stained eyes, knowing it's you he's thinking of? Could you tell Him you're not ready or give Him your life? Could you say you don't think you need His love?" I am so thankful that God showed us His love while we were still sinners and weak to allow Christ to die for us (Romans 5:6-8). Now I have been made strong through the power of God because Jesus conquered death. There is not a more beautiful story in this world that we can tell outside of our salvation and God's love for us! 

"Blessed are those...."

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:10-12

When Jesus went up on the mountain to teach, he opened by saying how blessed we are if we are peacemakers, meek, merciful, pure in heart. But, Jesus ends it by saying that we are blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness sake. Rejoice and be glad?? How can I do that when the world wants Christianity to be silent while other groups are pushing their agenda on us on a daily basis. 

As, you know by now, a well-known Christian, due to his TV show, was suspended indefinitely from filming due to remarks on his beliefs about homosexuality. His remarks have been turned into "hatred" toward a particular community; however, this was not Phil Robertson's intent, at all. If you read his comments, he does paraphrase scripture from I Corinthians 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 

If you have ever watched Duck Dynasty, you know the Robertson family are Christians and God believers. So, why are we surprised Phil believes homosexuality is a sin, along with other things listed there? The ones who are speaking out against him, more than likely, do not watch the show because of his Christian beliefs; yet, they are the same ones shutting him down. 

Phil, as a Christian, understands he will persecuted for Christ's sake. He also understands that we are blessed when people speak evil things against the Christian faith, because our "reward is great in Heaven." Do you think he is upset about being suspended? If I had to guess, I would say no because he is not going to compromise his beliefs in God to be on a television show. 

Here was Phil's response to the comments he made: 

“My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.” 

I support Phil Robertson. I am a Christian and believe in God. I believe in His word and the power it has to save mankind. Each one of us should have that mission mindset to Go Forth and tell people about the love of Christ. Not in hatred but in love. 

Romans 3:23 tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God due to our sin. The beauty of Christianity is that we are all sinners, but we strive daily to not live in sin.

Have a blessed day!  

"What will people think?"

It’s scary to admit how much we do to impress others—what John Ortberg calls “Impression Management.”

We shake our heads at the pressure teenagers are under to act a certain way to be accepted—or at least not rejected or made fun of—by their peers. But I’m not sure we ever get past that; it just changes forms. Why do we wear what we wear? It’s not mere comfort and warmth . . . we choose them to make an impression.

What people think of us influences what we drive, where we live (and how it’s decorated), how we talk and walk, everything. We keep it to ourselves, but we want to shape what people think of us: we’re smart, savvy, pretty, stylish, athletic, successful, well-read, funny, kind, or whatever. Impression management.

It even affects what we do religiously. There’s pressure at church—pressure to talk and dress and act a certain way so that we fit in, so other religious people know we’re part of the Christian “in” crowd. It shouldn't be there, but it is, and always has been. Jesus warns us about it here:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (6:1).

Everybody at the front of the church building feels the pressure, of course. The preacher wants people to like his sermon, and the song and prayer leaders want to impress with their leading. But it’s happening in the pew as well. Ever found yourself wondering—just for a second—if anyone noticed how beautifully you were harmonizing in that last song? Ever hoped that people might find out how much you give to the church? (They might be impressed)

Have you ever gone to a church event because you were afraid of what people would think if you didn't?

Ever picked out a dress for church and hoped that people noticed it?

Ever cooked a meal for someone and hoped word got out?

We probably need to hear these words from Jesus again. What we do religiously needs to be motivated by gratitude for what God has done for us, not to make people think we’re good or holy or righteous.

It’s amazing how quickly spiritual things can become self-centered, isn’t it? In fact, religion becomes negative when it stops being about God and starts being about us.

This would be a good prayer theme for today.

Lord, help me to obey you because of you. Help me to follow Jesus because of Jesus. Help me not to be merely religious, but to be you-centered. Create in me a heart that is concerned about what you think but doesn't obsess over what others think.

- Written by Chuck Webster, Minister for Hoover Church of Christ, Birmingham, AL

Spiritual Health

Growing up I played little league baseball. I always had teammates who had younger siblings and coaches who had sons that were not in our league. Sometime, the coach's son would come to practice with us. He would "help" his dad with practice, round up loose balls on the field, etc. Essentially he was a part of our team (without the uniform); however, when gamedays rolled around and it was time to get ready and put our uniform the coach's son watched from the stands as we played ball. He's a noticeable outside on gamedays, but in practice you would think he was a valuable part of the team. 6 days a week he would come and be part of the team, but on the day it mattered he was an outside playing the role of fan. The one important day when everyone dresses up, he's left out.

Do you ever feel that way in your spiritual life? You do all the right things but have no meaningful influence. You see the coach's son parallels our lives because we are doing what seems to be all the right things but we have no meaningful impact because of our own spiritual lives. When we do not value our spiritual life, our contributions become sidelined. It is foolish to think our spiritual growth can come from helping others grow spiritually. It's common for those doing God's work to live with spiritual neglect and fatigue.

Don't misunderstand me: you don't need the knowledge of a Bible scholar or the spiritual disciplines of a monk, but you do need a heart that's tender toward God and open to His leadings. You need to be in love with Jesus.We can get so caught up with being busy doing the work of God that we forget the importance of being God's people.

Being connected to God on a daily basis is more important than any book you read, conference you attend, or church event that your are a part of. Jesus said, "Abide in me and I'll abide in you, but apart from me you can do nothing." This image of being connected to God in John 15 is the picture I want you to focus on. You must value your spiritual life to survive the marathon of life.

Tell it to Jesus

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
For Christ’s coming kingdom are you sighing?
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

This hymn was on my mind this morning and I wanted to share it with you. I pray that you receive comfort in knowing that in life's tough times you can tell it to Jesus. 

Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me." - John 14:1-6

A Cheerful Giver

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

—2 Corinthians 9:7

There are so many ways that we can be cheerful givers. 

Everyone has to make his or her mind as to how much to give and how much he or she can give; this is an individual and personal decision. God loves a cheerful giver and he blesses those who are cheerful givers. 

When we put God first in our giving, he is able to make this up to us by giving us everything we need, and more, so that there will not only be enough for our own needs but enough left over to give joyfully to others.

This is our Test of Mercy. Taking care of the poor and the needy and helping people in other ways is a test for us in being merciful. How we extend ourselves to the widows, orphans and the needy in other ways will test the genuineness of our faith. 

"When Not to Come to Church"

I receive a daily devotional e-mail from Chuck Webster of the Hoover church of Christ. Today I wanted to share with you one of his devotionals.

"When Not to Come to Church"
Chuck Webster - Minister, Hoover Church of Christ

Two quick questions:

Are you angry with anyone right now?

As far as you know, is anyone upset with you?

If so, it’s probably bothering you. It might be hurting your productivity at work or your relationships at home. It might be causing stomach problems or sleepless nights. It’s distracting you.

It also might be making your Sunday worship nothing more than a couple of wasted hours.

Might as well leave your Bible in the church foyer, Jesus says, than to sing praises to God from a heart with resentment in it. Sounds drastic, doesn’t it?

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny (Matthew 5:23-26).

There’s a consistent theme in the Bible: God hates worship when it comes from people who aren’t getting along with—or treating fairly and kindly—the people around them. The vertical can’t replace the horizontal, and problems with people can make worship empty, ritualistic, and worthless.

So what’s Jesus saying? His words are set in a Jewish context, but we get the gist: Do everything you can to reconcile to fellow Christians every day. Especially before you worship.

If you’ve been around Christianity for long, you might’ve witnessed some ugly church fights—children of the same God treating each other poorly and refusing to reconcile.

God help us.

Help us obey Jesus. Help us take his words seriously. Help us do whatever we can do to get along with other Christians and, when problems arise, pursue reconciliation vigorously.

So before you come to church on Sunday, ask God to help you see if you’re at odds with anyone. If you are, do what you can to make things right, then you’ll be able to worship God with a clean heart.