Brand New!

When it is best to attempt to ‘patch up’ something in need of repair or restoration and when it is time for ‘brand new?’  That is a real question.

A young friend who loves fixing broken things was talking to me about his love of older cars. He has spent many hours rebuilding his 23 year old Honda. I remarked that in Cuba many of the cars on the streets are old American models of 1950’s vintage. He said, “See, that’s my point. If you just keep on making parts, you can keep them running.” Fair enough and a discussion worth having in our ‘use it up and throw it away’ consumer culture.  Then, we moved on to the issue of corrosion and reached the conclusion that there is a time, especially here in the northern climate, when salt and rust have eaten too much of the car’s structure to make it worth fixing.

Is your Christianity an effort in ‘fixing up’ your life or focused on the faith that allows for a new life?

God, the Holy Spirit, makes people new! 

His work is not patchwork on the old. He offers us new life, one formed around eternal values that is far more than just an existence.  Jesus was speaking to some religious leaders who wondered why His followers did not keep their ritual laws. He said “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:21-22, NIV)  

Those men were attempting to make godly people by regulating behavior, attempting to ‘patch up’ the exterior. It did not work then and it will not work for us today.  If we try to patch a little love over a heart full of hate, if we try to do a small act of generosity while we are motivated by greed, if we try to make ourselves feel better about knowing God by stitching a couple of ‘spiritual’ moments into a day full of our own plans – we will find frustration, a life that lacks wholeness and beauty, rather like a coat with a patch sewn over a rip in the fabric.

Ezekiel preached to the people of the Lord who had lost their way, whose rituals were separated from their true devotion. God’s promise was a new heart! "I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NLT)  When our heart (the center of our being, our true self) is changed by the Spirit we walk with God, not out of duty or because of fear, but in the delight that is part of love.

A person who is in love does not need to be coaxed to spend time with his beloved. He does not have to be told to prioritize time with that individual. She fills his thoughts and he shapes his days around finding ways to be with her, to show his affection.  So it is with God. IF we receive His grace gift, IF we trust His Son to save us, the Spirit will come to live in us. The result is a change from the inside out.

Jesus told one of those religious leaders who came seeking to know the Truth about this transformation. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’" (John 3:6-7, NIV)  “Your Mom and Dad made you alive in your body. God, alone, can make you alive in spirit!”  Born! Brand new! Alive to God!  Does this describe you?

John, decades later, amplified Jesus’ thought writing to those early Christians. His words are true for us, today. "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:1-4, NIV) On this Monday morning, I want us to be encouraged by remembering that we are not just ‘patched up,’ that God’s work is making us new. If you want a truly changed life don’t focus on some incremental fixes in yourself. Instead, invite the Spirit to make you brand new in love, hope, and purpose. He will!

This is the word from the Word today. Keep it in mind. Meditate on it and find all things new. "Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:21-24, NIV) 

Video version of CoffeeBreak at this link
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All Things New

(a great song from Big Daddy Weave)

I've heard You can take what's broken
And make it whole again
Well here's the pieces of my heart
What can You do with them
'Cause I can't hold them all together anymore
So I let them fall surrendered to the floor

You make all things new
You make all things new
God of mercy and love
Do what only You can do
And make all things (new)

Only You can bring such beauty
From the depths of all my pain
Only You can take this shattered heart
And make it beat again
Oh You hold us all together in Your hands
I surrender all I have and all I am

From the ashes from the dust
I will rise up rise up
Out of darkness into the light
I will rise up rise up

All things
You make all things new

 David Leonard | Michael Weaver

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A Fanatic

 

Jim Elliott, a Christian missionary of the 1950’s who was martyred in Ecuador by native Americans he was trying to reach, authored a quote that I have loved for all of my adult life: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Elliott, who died at just age 32, lived with a passion for the work of God.  All other things in his life; success, accomplishment, wealth, family – were secondary to his love for Christ Jesus!

What’s your passion? 

I know people who are just plain over the top about sports. They love football, or gym workout, their job, or 5K runs.  I am not talking about the armchair fans. I’m talking about the people who get out there and compete, who push their bodies to the limits!   I know people who love their music. You get them talking about their classical collection and they  will give you an education. Some are passionate about their pets, others about their politics.  Whatever it is, passionate people will not stop talking about that ‘thing’ that makes them get up in the morning.  

I truly admire passionate people even as I question their sanity sometimes!  The downside of that kind of commitment is that it will consume the person, making it hard for others to ‘fit’ into their lives.  They are convinced that everybody should know and love what they love which can make living with that person a terribly difficult thing to do.  

 The opposite of passion is apathy – that bored sigh – “Whatever.”  Jaded or disappointed, those without enthusiasm refuse to get engaged because they have “Been there, done that.”  That kind of existence is, at least in my opinion, terribly said.

 I am passionate about people experiencing the LOVE of GOD. 

More than anything else in the world I pray this, live for this, and desire this to happen in me and through my life.  Paul prays for others "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV) 

When we come to know God’s love, accepting it as a gift of grace, by faith – only then do we begin to live fully. I love Christ’s Body, the Church, but my passion is not about bringing people just into a church.  I am not really interested in getting others to adopt my cultural expressions of Christianity.  I want them to know Jesus … really to know Him… His love which indeed enables us to be overflowing with God’s best in life.

This is truth -  "Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him." (Philippians 3:8-9, NLT)  We can love Jesus with passionate commitment and He is worth it! 

If you have made it this far in today’s thought and wonder if Jerry likes ‘religious fanatics,’ think again.  I am as passionate about my dislike of religious fanaticism as I am passionate about people knowing and experiencing the love of Christ.  Being a humorless, socially odd, judgmental, narrow-minded, bigoted person is a caricature of Christianity that has nothing to do with passionate love for Jesus.  In fact, knowing His love is the most liberating experience that a person can have. 

Loved, we become loving.
Loved, we are free of slavery to sin. 
Loved, we know purpose.
Loved, we find peace and contentment.
Loved, we are filled with hope.

It is a terrible tragedy when the real life of Christ gets wrapped around rules about food, drink, dress, and ‘holy days.’  The Scripture says as much, though this passage is often ignored. "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." (Colossians 2:20-3:1, NIV)    

“Set your heart” is just another way to say “Be passionate about …”   And what does the Lord invite us to love whole-heartedly? Himself, not the religious rules written by others who wish to control us.

Ah, friend, I pray you will become a person of passion about Jesus. I pray He will fill up your thoughts, own your heart and mind, and bring you to the “abundant life” that He offers.

Here is a word from the Word. "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18, NIV)

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Father, I am so thankful that you loved me
when I cared nothing for You.

Win my heart again and again
for there are other ‘loves’ that catch my eye from time to time.

Draw my heart to Yours,
my affections going beyond words and romanticism.

Give me ‘one pure and holy passion’ to know You,
to serve You, and to enjoy Your Presence eternally.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Real and Deep

 

A young woman texted me about an amazing opportunity in life, then she said this:  “Imposter syndrome is real!”  She had doubts about herself, nagged by thoughts that she was not good enough, that people might discover who she really is, that she had come to her position through luck.  I know those feelings, too.  But, I know her and those opportunities are not ‘luck’ nor has she made herself something she is not. She worked hard, is bright, and blessed. 

Truth is, however, the world is plagued by pretenders, by those who somehow manage to gain places of influence or leadership for which they are unprepared. And, we all suffer when we have to deal with an imposter!

Here's the direct question - are you a 'for real' Christian or an ‘imposter?’   Have you submitted your life to Christ in full surrender? Are you doing the work of discipleship that brings about an authentic change of heart and mind OR are you just pretending to be devout, trying hard to impress others in your church, or worse, thinking that you can somehow fool the Lord Himself? 

An imposter is merely an actor. He learns the words, copies behavior, and creates and image unmatched by an inner reality.  Think of the difference between actually being a physician who has put years and years into study and preparation and playing one in a movie!

If you have been wrongly taught, or even if you have arrived at the mistaken conclusion that you can just act your way to deep faith  let me point you to the liberating truth.  You need not be an imposter or feel like one. God makes people who come to Him in faith into genuine saints, the outer image and the inner reality match.

Peter teaches us that "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)   Paul says “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” (Romans 12:2)

Becoming real and deep in the life of God starts with HIM, not us. Right now, where you are, I pray that this revelation will overtake your mind- God loves me!

God will not love you more if you are thinner, taller, smarter, admired by others, rich, or impeccably moral.  He loves YOU.  John was inspired to tell us  "God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1 John 4:9-10, NLT)

Jesus told a story to a group of religious leaders who knew all the right words but they were imposters, people who looked far better outside than they were inside. He said that there was a  man had two sons to whom he gave a direction. The first son waffled about compliance, actually refusing the order, but then changed his mind and did as he was told. The second son answered him, “Of course, right away,” but did nothing. 

Jesus finishes the story this way: “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:31-32, NIV)  It was not  ‘good acting’ that mattered.  It was heart-felt obedience.

God made you a unique person with preparations to fill a place in this world that belongs exclusively to you.  Self-acceptance can be difficult. Looking in the mirror- physically and spiritually - reveals reality which isn't always pretty.  However if we face the facts, get real with God and ourselves, and respond to His offer of love with faith, He will begin to transform us. He offers us His Spirit to work on us but not just for a 'make-over' on the outside.

He creates real disciples, full of the Spirit, marked by a depth of character that no one can deny! This is called sanctification. That just a big word for 'becoming like Christ' through the school of the Spirit! There will be blunders along the way, but - if we are committed to Him and to being authentic- we can be sure that His promise - "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)- will be true!

Before you hurry on your way, take a few moments to meditate prayerfully on Peter’s challenge to faith, our word from the Word. "Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts. For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God." (1 Peter 1:21-23, NLT)

Get real – with God, with yourself, and discover the amazing person He created you to be.

Click here for a video version of CoffeeBreak

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Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought
Since Jesus came into my heart

Since Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Floods of joy o'er my soul
Like the sea billows roll
Since Jesus came into my heart 

I have ceased from my wand'ring and going astray
Since Jesus came into my heart
And my sins which were many are all washed away
Since Jesus came into my heart

I'm possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure
Since Jesus came into my heart
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure
Since Jesus came into my heart 

There's a light in the valley of death now for me
Since Jesus came into my heart
And the gates of the city beyond I can see
Since Jesus came into my heart

I shall go there to dwell in that city I know
Since Jesus came into my heart
And I'm happy so happy as onward I go
Since Jesus came into my heart

 

Charles Hutchinson Gabriel | Rufus H. McDaniel

• © Words: Public Domain

 

 

Old Faithful

In Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming “Old Faithful” is the name of the world’s best known geyser. Around 20 times a day the water gushes to the surface and shoots to a height of 100’ from a vent in the earth.  A combination of a regular water source and the heat from the magma below the surface create the show! It is the predictability of the geyser that makes it famous- hence the name – “Old Faithful.” 

Are you known as a faithful person, someone who keeps promises, shows up on time, on whom others can rely? Few things frustrate me more than making plans only to have them cancelled or changed at the last minute because the other person just fails to follow through. Conversely, what a joy it is to share life with those who are reliable, who do what they say they will do when they said they would do it!  Faithfulness is a kind of integrity and is one of the evidences of maturity.

 Jesus urges those of us who are disciples to be people who keep our promises for God’s sake. He says "Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37, NIV)  When we discipline ourselves to be faithful, to avoid over-promising or under-performing, we are like our Father!

God is a faithful God!  Paul tells us that "As surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” (2 Corinthians 1:18, NIV) 

 The confidence that Christians enjoy rests on the faithfulness of God. The Word says  "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:20-22, NIV)   

 You may be objecting at this moment remembering a moment when God seemed not to ‘come through’ for you.  “Jerry, I prayed and prayed but He did not answer.”   God’s faithfulness does not mean that He will always do what I want Him to do, nor will He act within the agenda I write for him. If that is how you are measuring His faithfulness, then you may will conclude that He is not. The Word assures us, and I add my ‘amen,’ that “He is faithful and true!”  His purposes are accomplished, His promises are kept, just not always as I would wish.

When I was a very young and headstrong (Imagine that could even be true! Wry smile) I took my little family on an adventure to a town 2000 miles from our home and family, certain of my plans and God’s blessing. For a year, my plans were frustrated and my dreams largely became nothing more than fantastic ideas.   

Ah, but with the perspective of nearly a half century, it is so very clear how God’s faithfulness was operating for us. In that short year, the Lord brought people into my life that transformed the basic understanding of my relationship with Him. I began to know Him, not as a distant deity served with duty based on fear of punishment, but rather as a loving Father, trustworthy and full of grace for me.  God, the faithful One, took my failures and turned them into an opportunity to lead me to greater spiritual maturity and deeper character.  While I lost the markers of success in life, my faithful Lord was preserving my family, my heart, my life in Him.

On this Monday morning, I encourage you to lean into the faithfulness of God, even if you are in situation that challenges your faith. If you have a made a mess of life, trust Him to guide you, step by step, to wholeness. If you are tempted by pride, feeling yourself so much better than those people that just will not pull their lives together, you too need to humbly lean into His faithfulness, for time will come when you realize you are NOT as fully in control of your life as you might think you are.  How I love this declaration of the old apostle who assures young Timothy - "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (2 Timothy 2:13, NKJV)

The word from the Word is a rich promise.  Spend a moment committing these words to memory and recall them throughout the day, with a prayer of thankfulness.
“He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame
on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
God will do this, for He is faithful to do what he says,
and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:8-9, NLT) 

Should we fail (And we will!) we must turn again to Him,
humbling acknowledging our need for a Savior, and
wait, in faith, for His purposes to emerge. (And they will!)

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Great Is Thy Faithfulness

(take 4 minutes and listen to Veritas worship our faithful God)

Great is Thy faithfulness
O God my Father
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside

Words: Public Domain