January boasts the highest gym enrollment compared to every other month. It seems that the new year ushers in a intrinsic need for change inside of us. Why? We want to be a better us. We want this year to be better than last year, even if our last year was extraordinary. The truth is that any change that could make a difference in our lives evolves not over a fortnight, but over a span much longer than that.
Not surprisingly, gym membership drastically drops in February. The excuses are many: the results negligible. A few of those people stay of, but the vast majority have failed on their resolutions yet again. So what is the point of making a resolution that we aren't even sure we can keep? Why make one in the first place?
I would say that resolutions are in themselves a good thing. Most often, the desire is beneficial to ourselves. We want to develop better habits and ensure for ourselves a better life. The trouble is we aren't willing to work for them. If we want to change our life, we must first get down in the trenches and fight for that change daily. Some of our hopes might be beyond us, and we might fail at achieving our goals. But how will we know without seriously attempting to succeed?
The truth is that a new year brings new unforeseen obstacles into our lives. For me I have my final semester of high school before me - and then college. Maybe it's a new job for you. Maybe it's the first year without someone. Maybe it's the first year with a new responsibility. The point is that we don't know what the new year holds in store for us. Without omnipotence, are ultimate success may in fact be beyond us.
Say our goals did align with our walks of life for this year. For instance;
I myself want to further develop my leadership and mentoring abilities as well as continue in God's transforming works in Faithbridge's student ministry. Personally, I want to develop a greater understanding of who God is. I want to be able to develop a Christ centered focus towards my life. Many of these goals are not concrete objectives, but rather ideas which I will strive for.
Resolutions only go so far. Made with human wisdom - they are certainly not infallible. The Good News is that we aren't needed to fulfill our own purposes. Jesus Christ has come so that He can take our lives and transform them into his workmanship. Our goals wither underfoot of God's perfect plan. He knows the course our life is going to take this year, so all we have to do is get on board and live in faith. God doesn't call us to do the expected. Quite often God's call brings us to new, often scary places. The beauty of it all is that through his providence we are strengthened more than we could have ever hoped for. When we humbly come and ask to be a part of His family, admitting our need for Him, he answers instantly.
In 2010 feel free to make resolutions, hopefully ones you will seek whole-heartedly to fulfill, but make the bigger decision tonight as well. We won't know where it will lead us or who we will be by the time the year is over. We can't even guarantee we know what we're getting ourselves into. I urge you to make haste on this day and resolve to live this next year of your life alive.
Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty, is the only true source of life. No resolution you make can give you the fulfillment you can receive through Him tonight. Give your body as it says in Romans 12:1 as a living sacrifice. Christ doesn't call us to understanding but to obedience. His plan is what is truly best for us. Resolve to make Him the focus of your life, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
a bondservant and slave to Jesus Christ
-matt
31 December 2009
29 December 2009
Cielo: An Essay on Grace
I learned a new word today, cielo. It's Spanish for heaven. It's also the name of a remarkable song by Phil Wickham. Listen to it real fast before going on.
I picked up the guitar and started playing it immediately. I know my fellow musicians can attest to the how much more powerful worship can be when you get to play the music. As the chords frets were pressed by my fingers, the words became engraved upon my soul.
I can't sing loud enough. I can't bow low enough. I can't. Ultimately it doesn't matter. God grants us entrance into Heaven because of his majestic grace. We're thankful for that. But to what extent? None of us can give God anything close to what he deserves. He is holy, set apart from everything he has created. And that should awe us.
Other beliefs have there own versions of God. Mormons believe Christ was a created being, Muslims that he wasn't killed on the cross, Jews say he wasn't the promised Messiah. Without a right few of Jesus Christ none of this makes sense. Without Jesus' bloody brutal sacrificial death on the cross, ultimately what makes the One True God much better than the others?
Please here me out, I know that sounds blasphemous. I don't intend to be. My point is that if God doesn't send his son to wash us in his blood, then we're hopeless. Hell as the eternal destination for all of us. But Our God, Jesus Christ is different. Many think that the heavenly scales operate in a sort of "Santa Clause" fashion. If the good outweighs the bad then we're free to go. But I ask this: how can a righteous God allow a sinner to be with him? He can't and he won't. To every other major religion in the world, the purpose of life is to live for God by honoring a serving him - to be good enough. But if God is just, which he is, original sin condemns us all at our birth.
And this is the truth. Not every path leads to Heaven. Jesus says the narrow path is the only way, and few will find it. Do you get it yet? We're too worthless to stumble upon that narrow path through our own doing. The difference between the Truth and the lies of the world is that to be with God in Heaven you have to only accept the fact that we are all sinners in need of his grace. It's no longer about being good enough. God loves us in spite of our sin. We can't comprehend how truly miraculous this grace is.
We should be in awe. We're being given eternal life after living a life worthy of eternal damnation. I can't bow low enough. I can't sing loud enough. I can't reach high enough. Heaven is beyond my grasp. But Christ's outstretched arms are enough for all who come to him and ask for that salvation.
If you say you're a Christian then quit trying to earn it. You're spitting in Christ's face as he is pinned on the cross. He doesn't want you to earn it. He wants you to humbly come and accept what he has done for you. It's not about being good enough, in fact our offerings are compared to dirty rags. Heaven is open in front of us. Christ is bridging the gap between us and the Father. Accept that you're not able to jump the gap alone. Be in awe of that grace.
you're fellow undeserving sinner,
-matt
I picked up the guitar and started playing it immediately. I know my fellow musicians can attest to the how much more powerful worship can be when you get to play the music. As the chords frets were pressed by my fingers, the words became engraved upon my soul.
I can't sing loud enough. I can't bow low enough. I can't. Ultimately it doesn't matter. God grants us entrance into Heaven because of his majestic grace. We're thankful for that. But to what extent? None of us can give God anything close to what he deserves. He is holy, set apart from everything he has created. And that should awe us.
Other beliefs have there own versions of God. Mormons believe Christ was a created being, Muslims that he wasn't killed on the cross, Jews say he wasn't the promised Messiah. Without a right few of Jesus Christ none of this makes sense. Without Jesus' bloody brutal sacrificial death on the cross, ultimately what makes the One True God much better than the others?
Please here me out, I know that sounds blasphemous. I don't intend to be. My point is that if God doesn't send his son to wash us in his blood, then we're hopeless. Hell as the eternal destination for all of us. But Our God, Jesus Christ is different. Many think that the heavenly scales operate in a sort of "Santa Clause" fashion. If the good outweighs the bad then we're free to go. But I ask this: how can a righteous God allow a sinner to be with him? He can't and he won't. To every other major religion in the world, the purpose of life is to live for God by honoring a serving him - to be good enough. But if God is just, which he is, original sin condemns us all at our birth.
And this is the truth. Not every path leads to Heaven. Jesus says the narrow path is the only way, and few will find it. Do you get it yet? We're too worthless to stumble upon that narrow path through our own doing. The difference between the Truth and the lies of the world is that to be with God in Heaven you have to only accept the fact that we are all sinners in need of his grace. It's no longer about being good enough. God loves us in spite of our sin. We can't comprehend how truly miraculous this grace is.
We should be in awe. We're being given eternal life after living a life worthy of eternal damnation. I can't bow low enough. I can't sing loud enough. I can't reach high enough. Heaven is beyond my grasp. But Christ's outstretched arms are enough for all who come to him and ask for that salvation.
If you say you're a Christian then quit trying to earn it. You're spitting in Christ's face as he is pinned on the cross. He doesn't want you to earn it. He wants you to humbly come and accept what he has done for you. It's not about being good enough, in fact our offerings are compared to dirty rags. Heaven is open in front of us. Christ is bridging the gap between us and the Father. Accept that you're not able to jump the gap alone. Be in awe of that grace.
you're fellow undeserving sinner,
-matt
24 December 2009
The Christmas Invasion
As I've been reading through John I've been focusing on Jesus' description of light. He talks about it frequently ie. John 1:4-5, 8:12, 9:5, 11:9-10, 12:35-36,46 just to point out a few. And as Christmas is right around the corner, I feel it is appropriate to take a closer look into what he had to say. First, a verse to guide us, specifically John 8:12-
Simply put, Jesus the source of life. Lets examine the implications of this. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of a King in a little-known town of Bethlehem. Our Lord began his earthly life so that he could die and be our Savior. So if Jesus is Light, then what kind of world did he enter into? Darkness, or the absence of light. The truth is that this venture into humankind was an invasion. This world is enemy territory.
Jesus is Holy, therefor light can only consist of holiness. Since we are not holy, we walk in darkness if we are without the Light. Up until Jesus descended into this world, there was nothing but darkness. And that is where we live today. In a world filled with darkness, a world in which Jesus says we will have to choose between either walking in Truth or walking in the darkness. Jesus says in John 12:46 that he came into the world so that we would have light and no longer stay in the darkness.
The story of Christmas we often hear is of the cute baby Jesus lying in a manger. Frail and peaceful, just like any other kid. 'Cept this kid happens to be the Creator of the Universe. Jesus Christ came like a paratrooper. He dropped in and set up camp behind enemy lines. As my dear friend Matthew Rock likes to say, Christ came to subvert the empire. He's not just a cute baby. In fact, soon he will be riding a white horse ready to return and judge the world. When light came into this world it came down into utter darkness. This darkness was no match and the light began to spread to the followers of the Christ.
We are now part of the invasion. On Christmas we celebrate the brilliant entry of our King into this world. He never meant for his birth to bring forth signs of "Happy Birthday Jesus." He came under shadow of night, when all the world was still, but the north star shone upon the Light of the world. Jesus' birth was the beginning of a battle for control of humanity. A battle that ultimately Jesus will win.
So this Christmas, let us do two things. First, we should celebrate the birth of our Savior, for without him we would be lost in the darkness for good. Second, we should press on and continue to march. The enemy is afoot, attempting to spread darkness by surrounding the light. We can't and won't let Satan succeed. It is our mission to defeat darkness by letting our light shine within us and throughout the world. This Christmas let us not be distracted by all the trimmings of a big birthday party. Lets subvert the empire of darkness. The battle has begun.
your brother in Christ Jesus,
-matt
"...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Simply put, Jesus the source of life. Lets examine the implications of this. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of a King in a little-known town of Bethlehem. Our Lord began his earthly life so that he could die and be our Savior. So if Jesus is Light, then what kind of world did he enter into? Darkness, or the absence of light. The truth is that this venture into humankind was an invasion. This world is enemy territory.
Jesus is Holy, therefor light can only consist of holiness. Since we are not holy, we walk in darkness if we are without the Light. Up until Jesus descended into this world, there was nothing but darkness. And that is where we live today. In a world filled with darkness, a world in which Jesus says we will have to choose between either walking in Truth or walking in the darkness. Jesus says in John 12:46 that he came into the world so that we would have light and no longer stay in the darkness.
The story of Christmas we often hear is of the cute baby Jesus lying in a manger. Frail and peaceful, just like any other kid. 'Cept this kid happens to be the Creator of the Universe. Jesus Christ came like a paratrooper. He dropped in and set up camp behind enemy lines. As my dear friend Matthew Rock likes to say, Christ came to subvert the empire. He's not just a cute baby. In fact, soon he will be riding a white horse ready to return and judge the world. When light came into this world it came down into utter darkness. This darkness was no match and the light began to spread to the followers of the Christ.
We are now part of the invasion. On Christmas we celebrate the brilliant entry of our King into this world. He never meant for his birth to bring forth signs of "Happy Birthday Jesus." He came under shadow of night, when all the world was still, but the north star shone upon the Light of the world. Jesus' birth was the beginning of a battle for control of humanity. A battle that ultimately Jesus will win.
So this Christmas, let us do two things. First, we should celebrate the birth of our Savior, for without him we would be lost in the darkness for good. Second, we should press on and continue to march. The enemy is afoot, attempting to spread darkness by surrounding the light. We can't and won't let Satan succeed. It is our mission to defeat darkness by letting our light shine within us and throughout the world. This Christmas let us not be distracted by all the trimmings of a big birthday party. Lets subvert the empire of darkness. The battle has begun.
your brother in Christ Jesus,
-matt
23 December 2009
The Vines and the Branches: An Essay on Christ
Lately I've been reading through John and just picking it apart piece by peace. Today my focus was John 15:1-17. The analogous comparisons Jesus uses in this passage aren't new to me, but the Spirit chose to unpack them in a new form this afternoon.
First I just want to flush out more of this analogy that he uses. In Verse 5 Christ says, "I am the vine; you are the branches..." so lets start there. What is He really saying here? He goes on to say that only through connection to him can the branches bear fruit. It's cause and effect. Stay connected to Jesus = fruitful. So the purpose of our lives is to bear the fruit that Christ has enabled us to do. So why do we live apart from the vine?
I fear that Christians today get their spiritual "fertilizer" once or twice a week at church. They quite often aren't connected to the vine, Jesus, but rather they connect themselves to other sources that claim to offer growth and life. Christ says, also in verse 5 "apart from me you can do nothing." So if the purpose of our life is to bear the fruits that Christ has equipped us to bear, without him we bear nothing. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but a vine without fruit is dead. Without any signs of life why should it be assumed that it is living?
This works the same way for "camp highs" or good feelings you get from serving someone on a mission trip. Initially, small fruits may begin to form, but without connection to Christ they will undoubtedly wither and decay. Thats a reason why I'm not a fan of most camps and most mission trips. Hear me out first. Neither one is bad, and both can have tremendous results for God's glory. BUT: Christian culture today seems to send a message that you go on the trips and to these camps to experience Jesus. Again, that is a GOOD thing. BUT: The emphasis that is placed on experiencing Jesus at a lake, on the beach, in a foreign country is not relayed back to everyday suburban living. The truth is that the branches should be connected to the vine all the time, not just on weeks during the summer. As LeaderTreks always is quick to remind me; We are not called to go on mission but to live out missional lifestyles every day.
I'm not saying that most Christians don't live like complete Pagans during the school year and throw Christ to the side (although some do). I merely would like to examine what Christ has to say in this chapter. He tells us that we are either in or out. He says we are to "remain in [him] and [he] will remain in [us]" Being a Christian doesn't allow for half way doing it. And thats a sad truth that I am afraid might not be being conveyed as it should. To be a Christan you must give your life away. You must literally become a SLAVE to Christ as it says throughout Romans and the rest of the new testament. Jesus wanted our lives to be completely consumed by him. To all Christians who would argue that living a life for Jesus is anything but complete surrender and obedience I would say this: you are lukewarm, not fully connected to the vine that is Christ Jesus.
Look, the reality is that none of us, myself included, is as connected to the vine as we need to be. For Christ says also in verse 13 this: "Great love has n one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." That references the atoning sacrifice the He would make on the cross only four chapters later. The greatest act of love is to give yourself up to a friend. That is what we were called to in
His death. The fruit we bear should lead others to see lives which point to the cross. Jesus calls us his friends because He is connected to us even today through the Holy Spirit. It's going to be tough. Jesus speaks at the beginning of this chapter of the pruning we must go through as we approach righteousness. But, He warns later that the branches that are not connected to him are cast into the fire: dead.
There are many people alive today that have never experienced life. Bear fruit so that this may be changed.
To the Glory of the Most High,
-matt
First I just want to flush out more of this analogy that he uses. In Verse 5 Christ says, "I am the vine; you are the branches..." so lets start there. What is He really saying here? He goes on to say that only through connection to him can the branches bear fruit. It's cause and effect. Stay connected to Jesus = fruitful. So the purpose of our lives is to bear the fruit that Christ has enabled us to do. So why do we live apart from the vine?
I fear that Christians today get their spiritual "fertilizer" once or twice a week at church. They quite often aren't connected to the vine, Jesus, but rather they connect themselves to other sources that claim to offer growth and life. Christ says, also in verse 5 "apart from me you can do nothing." So if the purpose of our life is to bear the fruits that Christ has equipped us to bear, without him we bear nothing. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but a vine without fruit is dead. Without any signs of life why should it be assumed that it is living?
This works the same way for "camp highs" or good feelings you get from serving someone on a mission trip. Initially, small fruits may begin to form, but without connection to Christ they will undoubtedly wither and decay. Thats a reason why I'm not a fan of most camps and most mission trips. Hear me out first. Neither one is bad, and both can have tremendous results for God's glory. BUT: Christian culture today seems to send a message that you go on the trips and to these camps to experience Jesus. Again, that is a GOOD thing. BUT: The emphasis that is placed on experiencing Jesus at a lake, on the beach, in a foreign country is not relayed back to everyday suburban living. The truth is that the branches should be connected to the vine all the time, not just on weeks during the summer. As LeaderTreks always is quick to remind me; We are not called to go on mission but to live out missional lifestyles every day.
I'm not saying that most Christians don't live like complete Pagans during the school year and throw Christ to the side (although some do). I merely would like to examine what Christ has to say in this chapter. He tells us that we are either in or out. He says we are to "remain in [him] and [he] will remain in [us]" Being a Christian doesn't allow for half way doing it. And thats a sad truth that I am afraid might not be being conveyed as it should. To be a Christan you must give your life away. You must literally become a SLAVE to Christ as it says throughout Romans and the rest of the new testament. Jesus wanted our lives to be completely consumed by him. To all Christians who would argue that living a life for Jesus is anything but complete surrender and obedience I would say this: you are lukewarm, not fully connected to the vine that is Christ Jesus.
Look, the reality is that none of us, myself included, is as connected to the vine as we need to be. For Christ says also in verse 13 this: "Great love has n one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." That references the atoning sacrifice the He would make on the cross only four chapters later. The greatest act of love is to give yourself up to a friend. That is what we were called to in
His death. The fruit we bear should lead others to see lives which point to the cross. Jesus calls us his friends because He is connected to us even today through the Holy Spirit. It's going to be tough. Jesus speaks at the beginning of this chapter of the pruning we must go through as we approach righteousness. But, He warns later that the branches that are not connected to him are cast into the fire: dead.
There are many people alive today that have never experienced life. Bear fruit so that this may be changed.
To the Glory of the Most High,
-matt
15 December 2009
Love is Here
You are great
Even when I flee
You pursue
You love
You save
Beautiful feet come from Nazareth
A cry in the desert preludes your song
The world will never be the same
God is here
Love is here.
No longer must I fear men
Love has entered
to save all
Savior lives
Hope is true
Love is here.
I do not endure the enemy alone
You fight for me
"Praise the Lord" shout the nations
Love is here.
-matt
Even when I flee
You pursue
You love
You save
Beautiful feet come from Nazareth
A cry in the desert preludes your song
The world will never be the same
God is here
Love is here.
No longer must I fear men
Love has entered
to save all
Savior lives
Hope is true
Love is here.
I do not endure the enemy alone
You fight for me
"Praise the Lord" shout the nations
Love is here.
-matt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)