But God …

Finding one’s self under scrutiny by ‘the law’ is not at all pleasant, is it? Who likes to be judged? When the police car falls in behind us and follows us for a mile, what do we feel?  Some sense of discomfort, don’t we? We wonder, “Was I speeding? Did I make an improper lane change? Is the officer getting ready to issue me a summons?”  We are told that if we have not done anything wrong, we have nothing to fear. In a perfect world that would be true.

There is a perfect Justice!  God knows us – inside and out – every motive, every action, all the circumstances surrounding every choice. Does that cause you to fear?  It should because we all, even the best of us, know there are things we have done, words we have said, that do not align with God’s plan, that resist His purpose. The heavy weight of justice is bearing down on us … until the amazing Gospel reveals to us that His justice has been satisfied on our behalf! "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." (Ephesians 2:4-5, NKJV)

What a glorious thought. God who knows me better than I know myself is filled with compassion, loves me, and desires to settle the case against me, with an offer of forgiveness and peace.  Our God does not ignore the evidence. He does not choose not to see our sin! Instead, He turns to His Son, who gave Himself for us. What He gives is not amnesty nor is it a probation in which we prove ourselves.  We are ‘saved by His grace.’  Thus, we find a new life and there is "no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2, NLT)

Christian, trust Him. Love Him and let Him love you to life. The persistent lie that evil – whether from our old sinful nature or from the Devil’s demons – whispers to us is that God is angry, that He wants to destroy us. “Focus on your failures and imperfection,” is the message.  But God says, “Look on my Son!”  Alluding to a story from the Exodus, where faith brought healing - "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14-15, NIV)- John teaches us that a look of faith will bring us salvation.   

Are you hiding from God, fearful of His justice? Do you somehow think He will be unfair, or misunderstand who you are or what you have done?  That is untrue because “the One who knows you best, loves you most.”

Here is a word from the Word. Meditate on the promise. Don’t scurry into the shadows. Step into the Light. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21, NIV)
____________

Lord I Need You(worship at the link)

Lord I come I confess 
Bowing here I find my rest
 And without You I fall apart 
You're the one that guides my heart

 Lord I need You oh I need You
 Ev'ry hour I need You 
My one defense my righteousness 
Oh God how I need You

 Where sin runs deep Your grace is more 
Where grace is found is where You are 
And where You are Lord I am free 
Holiness is Christ in me

Where You are Lord I am free 
Holiness is Christ in me
 So teach my song to rise to You 
When temptation comes my way
 And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You 
Jesus You're my hope and stay 
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You 
Jesus You're my hope and stay

 Lord I need You oh I need You
 Ev'ry hour I need You
 My one defense my righteousness 
Oh God how I need You 
My one defense my righteousness 
Oh God how I need You

 Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher
© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License # 810055

Your Birthright!

I teach a small group of middle schoolers at our Awana (Sunday School).  Yesterday, we went over the most basic, amazingly wonderful, and transformative truth in all of Christianity.  And, what might that be?  I loved the earnestness of those students as they wrestled to understand this passage - "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19, NIV)  Sin came to us through Adam’s Fall. Life Eternal comes to us through Christ Jesus’ Resurrection!  On this Monday morning, I urge you to keep reading even if the story of Jesus and salvation is familiar. Let the declaration of God’s favor fill you up with joy.

Born Again! John tells us that Nicodemus came to see Jesus in the night to avoid being seen. Jesus saw his heart and His word were cryptic to the man, at first.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, NKJV) The man, learned in the Scripture, took Jesus’ words literally and he was confounded.  "How can an old man enter into his mother's womb and be born again?" Jesus responded to him with the explanation that just as we are born once naturally, we must be born again spiritually! The Bible summarizes the crisis this way. "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins." (Colossians 2:13, NLT)

By faith in Jesus, we are given a new heart, a new start -  "born again."  Let’s not think of this as just a metaphor for religious reform or a moral renewal.  God does not just put a new paint job on the old house. He rebuilds it. Jesus says we start over, fresh as a newborn baby before God! "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)  Some mistakenly make this only about gaining access to Heaven at the time of death. Wrong! New birth is the preface to living a new life, now. When we are born again, hate is replaced by love, forgiveness replacing bitterness, purpose shaping our choices around something more than the next meal. Because the Spirit makes our spirit alive, we can enjoy a daily conversation with God.

Christian churches are filled with good people who are trying hard to do good things. But, unless they are 'born again,' they are still ruled by Self and Sin. There is another powerful word used by the Bible about the state of those who have not accepted Christ Jesus and been born again.  That word? "Slave!"  "When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness." (Romans 6:20, NIV)  

Before you rush off to your busy week, spend some time with this story that John tells us. As you read thank God for a new birth. Ask the Spirit to shape your life by this transformative truth. Live in the amazing assurance that you are no longer a slave, but now a child of God, your beloved Abba (Daddy).

Here is our word from the Word. 

"There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. … For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. … those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants." (John 3:1-5, 16-17, 21, NLT)

Believe. Receive. Live!

__________________

No Longer Slaves

(worship at this link)

You unravel me with a melody

You surround me with a song

Of deliverance from my enemies

Till all my fears are gone

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I'm no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

From my Mother's womb

You have chosen me

Love has called my name

I've been born again into Your family

Your blood flows through my veins

You split the sea so I could walk right through it

My fears were drowned in perfect love

You rescued me so I could stand and sing

I am a child of God

Brian Johnson | Joel Case | Jonathan David Helser

© 2014 Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

Pastor Jerry Scott

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com

Monetizing Religion

“Follow the money” is an old phrase that suggests that the truth will be found where you find the person who enjoys the financial benefits. Given that the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” (1 Timothy 6:10) we need to be aware of how we think about it!  Do we mistakenly believe that having more will solve our problems? Are we connecting our worth as a person to the amount in our paycheck?  As we prepare our children for life are we encouraging them to find God’s will or just ‘make  a living?’

Bad things happen when religion gets tangled up with money!  In my own life as a pastor I struggle with the demands of the organization I serve always trying to keep fulfilling the mission of Christ and His kingdom more important than paying the bills. We need to find money to pay for the new roof, but that’s not the ‘why’ of our existence. Lord help us if we let it become that.  The Gospel must not become ‘big business’ though many do enrich themselves at the expense of God’s people!  Jesus saw it happening. John says, "After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:12-16, NIV)  Jesus was offended that the religious leaders had found a way to make themselves wealthy by exploiting those who came to worship.

Beware of ministries that put all the emphasis on collecting money! Ask questions. Look for financial accountability and transparency.

And …  we must also take care that we do not make our own faith in Jesus about money and things. A common corruption of the Gospel message is called the ‘prosperity Gospel.’  The basic message is that God blesses those He loves and that we can trigger a greater flow of wealth for ourselves by giving more, praying better, and doing good. One of America’s best known preachers wrote this in a best-selling book - “God has already done everything He’s going to do. The ball is now in your court. If you want success, if you want wisdom, if you want to be prosperous and healthy, you’re going to have to do more than meditate and believe; you must boldly declare words of faith and victory over yourself and your family.” (Your Best Life Now, Osteen)  

Not a few of you are wondering what’s wrong with that, aren’t you? The emphasis is in the wrong place. God invites us into His service, asks us for submission to lead us where He desires us to go. He real plans for you and me may or may not include prosperity!  Jesus says that those who would follow Him must ‘take up their Cross.’  Somehow, we have rewritten that into ‘receive your Crown.’  The Gospel has turned into a program to gain wealth and happiness.  Undoubtedly, Christians ought be to joyful, peaceful people – because they live in the center of God’s love and are full of hope.  Are you?  Or, have you  monetized your religion, making Jesus a source of more things?

Here is a hard question – do you love Jesus or do you love the life you believe that Jesus ought to provide for you? 

Have you unconsciously turned your Christianity into a ‘quid pro quo’ relationship that insists that God pay up for your ‘service?’

God is not a deal-maker.  He does love to bless His children. He is a good Father, but He does what is best for us for eternity, not just for today. 

The word from the Word today is a challenge to greater faith. Will you love Him enough to find to trust Him completely?

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24, NLT)

"Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NLT)

IMMEASURABLY MORE

Life can get awfully serious, full of responsibilities.  There are seasons when I feel weighed down by ‘stuff,’ when I forget an important fact-   Jesus celebrates!  He was a ‘Man of sorrows,’ to be sure. However, He laughs, too.  While suffering does an important work in us and it is true that we must not become superficially silly people, we need to know how to look up, to find the joy of the Lord.  Do you remember to celebrate, to laugh, to sit down and enjoy life?

At the beginning of John’s Gospel there is a story about Jesus’ first public miracle. It does not involve sickness, death, or tragedy. Jesus was at a wedding in Cana with His family and His disciples. Jewish weddings were a big deal, involving a celebration that stretched over several days.  The groom went to the house of his fiancé and brought her, in a public procession, to his home.  It marked a new beginning.  Weddings were so significant that Jesus made the wedding a parable to illustrate the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The Church, the Bride, looks forward to joining her Husband at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

At that wedding in Cana, there was a minor crisis for the groom. Somehow, he did not have enough wine! "The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:3-5, NLT)  The family was going to be embarrassed.  The celebration could not go on without the wine! Mary apparently believed that Jesus could and should do something about this fiasco.  Jesus insists that the problem is not His to solve, but Mary ignores Him and tells the servants to approach Him and to do what He tells them to do.  First lesson from this story is this -  To experience God’s sufficient provision know that obedience is a key factor. “Do whatever He says!”

Though Jesus tells Mary He is not ready to act, for reasons we are not told, He chooses to act. As you read, note the details.  "Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions." (John 2:6-8, NLT) 6 containers the size of an ordinary garbage can! Not 6 water bottles, but 6 BIG containers.  Getting those jars filled was no small task. Water had to be drawn from a village well, carried back to the house, poured into the jars which would have been too heavy to move. The work demanded the efforts of several servants for an extended time.  When they had finished, Jesus gives them cryptic instructions: “Take the contents from one of the jars to the best man.”   And, they did! 

There is some wry humor in the last part of John’s account. "When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”  (John 2:9-10, The Message)  Somewhere between the well and the best man’s lips, God made water into wine!  It was not just any wine; it was good stuff.

Here is my question to you today – is your celebration of life, your ability to feel joy being hindered by a development you did not foresee, a problem you cannot solve, a situation that came from nowhere? 

If the Lord of life would invest Himself in a wedding, in a village nobody cared about, can you trust Him to provide what you need for life? He is a good, good God!  Perhaps the thing stealing your joy is just an irritant, not really a big deal, but enough to keep you from singing.  Let me ask you -  was running out of wine a life or death matter? Of course not, and yet Jesus cared. He cares about your need today. So, ask Him for His provision.  Hear Mary’s words and take them to heart:  “Do whatever He tells you.”   In obedience you will find that He enters the ordinary and something amazingly wonderful will emerge, the best stuff, on the third day!  That’s just another way to say, ‘in a way and at a place when you least expect it.’

The word from the Word comes from my favorite part of the Scripture, from a letter that overflows with hope and promise.  There is a little phrase tucked into the passage that I try not to forget – “immeasurably more!”

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so 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.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)

________

Good, Good Father  (listen, learn, and worship at this link)

I've heard a thousand stories

Of what they think You’re like

But I've heard the tender whisper

Of love in the dead of night

You tell me that You’re pleased

And that I'm never alone

You're a Good Good Father

It's who You are

It's who You are

It's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am

It's who I am

It's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers

Far and wide

But I know we're all searching for answers

Only You provide

Because You know just what we need

Before we say a word

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways

You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Love so undeniable I can hardly speak

Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

As You call me deeper still

Into love love love

You're a Good Good Father

It's who You are

It's who You are

It's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am

It's who I am

It's who I am

Anthony Brown | Pat Barrett

© 2014 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Common Hymnal Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055