“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5
First of all, I would just like to point out that sometimes the ESV reads as if it was written by Yoda... or maybe that’s just me.
The key word I want to highlight in this passage is “abides”.
Abide: To remain stable or fixed in a state (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
I feel like so often in my life I have done nothing. I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’ve tried again. I’ve failed again. It’s a constant cycle of guilt and frustration. Growing up in the church, we are often overwhelmed with lists of things we should and should not do. We are told that we need to help the poor, reach the lost, and love our neighbors. We’re not allowed to drink, lust, or hate. We’re told that were supposed to by Christ’s ambassadors to the earth, which isn’t exactly an easy standard to meet.
And so we try, but continue to fail because there’s always a higher goal.
Sure, forgiveness is by grace through faith and not through works (because if it was by works we could boast and boasting is a sin which is the whole problem in the first place), but if faith produces works and we don’t have works then what if we don’t have faith?
That last “sentence” may have been confusing... Allow me to rephrase: We know that the Bible teaches we can’t earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God that we could never earn. But we are also taught that faith produces works. We are told that “good Christians” don’t do certain things. We are also told that we must do other things. If we fail we need to try harder and pray and read our Bibles everyday.
In my experience, walking through life with this perspective only leads to emptiness and exhaustion. We are essentially placing a standard upon ourselves which only the God of the universe ever lived up to. Are high aspirations a bad thing? No, of course not, but if I was to go for a swim right now and expect myself to swim as fast as Michael Phelps that would be slightly unrealistic wouldn’t it?
So what? We just don’t try? We just get to do whatever we want?
“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” We see in this verse that it is through living in Christ that we bear fruit. Without him we can do NOTHING. We must seek him first. We have to develop a thirst for Christ.
King David is a beautiful example of thirsting for God. Despite all his flaws, he was truly in love with God. I believe that he knew he would fail. He accepted the fact that he wasn’t God; that God was greater than anything he could ever hope to become. But through David’s love and devotion, God was able to use him for amazing things.
Let’s fall in love with God. Let’s pray that he would give us hearts that yearn for him. And when we fail, lets accept that he forgives us and loves us unconditionally. When we are focused on him it frees us from guilt and shame because we are full of so much grace.
Lets ABIDE in him. Stay in him. Long for him. Thirst for him. Hunger for him. Live for him. For apart from him, we can do nothing.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Soil- momentum day 1
Soil
In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the story of a farmer who was planting seeds. This farmer scattered seeds throughout the field, but not all the seeds had the same affect. Some of the seeds fell on the path and the birds ate them. Some of the seeds fell on shallow soil with rock underneath and were unable to put down adequate roots. Some seeds got caught in thorns and the plants were choked as they tried to grow. But finally, some seeds fell on good soil and produced a huge crop.
Why do I bring up this simple story?
Because as I am writing this I am in my dorm at Momentum Youth Conference which brings thousands of students together for a time where tons of seeds are being thrown by speakers such as David Nasser and Jeff Bouge, worship leaders like Jeremy Byng and Aaron Keyes, as well as our own youth pastors and fellow students.
What kind of soil are we going to be? Will we be unchanged and uncareing? Will we experience a "camp high" where we suddenly grow but then die out a week later? Will we grow but in the end be brought down by negative influences? Or will we truly be changed? Will we choose to become brand new and truly realize what our lives are meant to be about?
Only time will tell.
But I pray we won't waste our time.
And that the seed won't go to waste.
In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the story of a farmer who was planting seeds. This farmer scattered seeds throughout the field, but not all the seeds had the same affect. Some of the seeds fell on the path and the birds ate them. Some of the seeds fell on shallow soil with rock underneath and were unable to put down adequate roots. Some seeds got caught in thorns and the plants were choked as they tried to grow. But finally, some seeds fell on good soil and produced a huge crop.
Why do I bring up this simple story?
Because as I am writing this I am in my dorm at Momentum Youth Conference which brings thousands of students together for a time where tons of seeds are being thrown by speakers such as David Nasser and Jeff Bouge, worship leaders like Jeremy Byng and Aaron Keyes, as well as our own youth pastors and fellow students.
What kind of soil are we going to be? Will we be unchanged and uncareing? Will we experience a "camp high" where we suddenly grow but then die out a week later? Will we grow but in the end be brought down by negative influences? Or will we truly be changed? Will we choose to become brand new and truly realize what our lives are meant to be about?
Only time will tell.
But I pray we won't waste our time.
And that the seed won't go to waste.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
What if?
What if...
What if I took the Bible literally?
What if I took the words of Jesus seriously?
What if I rejected apathy and turned to action?
What if I rejected indifference and turned to passion?
What if glorifying God became the greatest goal of my life?
What if instead of focusing on me I focused on you?
What if instead of being judgmental I was forgiving?
What if I cared more about salvation then judgment?
What if I cared more about what Christ had done for you then what you’ve done wrong?
What if I realized that the only reason I’m worth anything is because of God?
What if I turned hate to love?
What if I died to myself?
What if I lived as Christ?
What if....
What if I took the Bible literally?
What if I took the words of Jesus seriously?
What if I rejected apathy and turned to action?
What if I rejected indifference and turned to passion?
What if glorifying God became the greatest goal of my life?
What if instead of focusing on me I focused on you?
What if instead of being judgmental I was forgiving?
What if I cared more about salvation then judgment?
What if I cared more about what Christ had done for you then what you’ve done wrong?
What if I realized that the only reason I’m worth anything is because of God?
What if I turned hate to love?
What if I died to myself?
What if I lived as Christ?
What if....
Friday, June 24, 2011
We're supposed to be CRAZY
If you've read the book of Acts you'll probably start to realize that the members of the early church were freaking CRAZY. I mean this group of people would stop at nothing to spread the gospel and share the love of Christ. People like Peter, and Paul, and Stephen. People who were killed, tortured, and willingly sold everything they owned for the cause of Christ and the encouragement of fellow believers. How on earth did the early church pull this off? During the years of Acts the church was spreading with a ferocity that is certainly not present in the United States today, nor was it, in my opinion, present in the last thousand years.
So what made these people so special? What did the early church have that we lack? What's the problem? Is God the problem? Or is it simply OUR problem. I think it's foolish to believe that what the early church accomplished is impossible in today's world. If we truly believe that God can do anything then why would we even suggest this? Now I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to this trend. There certainly are and have been people who have taken following Christ seriously, but it seems there is a definite lack of mass enthusiasm for living for Christ.
God didn't send his only son to earth so that we could just chill out here until he came back. "Oh, thanks, God, for the sacrifice and everything. I'll go watch tv now and then Sunday I'll go to church." I feel like we've so oversimplified "being a Christian" that anyone truly seeking "followers of Christ" would be truly lost in America.
Now I don't want to just sit here with a high-and-mighty attitude banging on the American church and acting as if I have the answers to all of life's questions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead I want to encourage the reader to take a serious look at the early church in Acts and in the writings of Paul and James and others, and ask yourself "Am I living even remotely as a should? By these standards would others recognize me as a Christian?" I don't mean to sound legalistic, and I am fully confident that we are saved by God's grace alone and there is nothing we can do to achieve that, but f we truly believe the things we say we believe, why don't our lives show it? Why do we simply fade into the crowd instead of boldly proclaiming the name of Christ? No wonder we are called hypocrites!
So what made these people so special? What did the early church have that we lack? What's the problem? Is God the problem? Or is it simply OUR problem. I think it's foolish to believe that what the early church accomplished is impossible in today's world. If we truly believe that God can do anything then why would we even suggest this? Now I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to this trend. There certainly are and have been people who have taken following Christ seriously, but it seems there is a definite lack of mass enthusiasm for living for Christ.
God didn't send his only son to earth so that we could just chill out here until he came back. "Oh, thanks, God, for the sacrifice and everything. I'll go watch tv now and then Sunday I'll go to church." I feel like we've so oversimplified "being a Christian" that anyone truly seeking "followers of Christ" would be truly lost in America.
Now I don't want to just sit here with a high-and-mighty attitude banging on the American church and acting as if I have the answers to all of life's questions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead I want to encourage the reader to take a serious look at the early church in Acts and in the writings of Paul and James and others, and ask yourself "Am I living even remotely as a should? By these standards would others recognize me as a Christian?" I don't mean to sound legalistic, and I am fully confident that we are saved by God's grace alone and there is nothing we can do to achieve that, but f we truly believe the things we say we believe, why don't our lives show it? Why do we simply fade into the crowd instead of boldly proclaiming the name of Christ? No wonder we are called hypocrites!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Crappy Situations
Recently I was talking to a friend, and they said something to the affect of “I almost feel like I can’t trust God at times, I feel as if every time I get super close to him something bad happens” This statement seriously took me aback. Firstly, because I really had no idea how to respond, and secondly, because I wondered how I would feel when placed in a similar situation. Is my faith in God based simply on my stable existence?
Today while on twitter i saw a blog post on twitter and decided to check it out (shout-out to @Hollenbach at http://takingtheyoke.blogspot.com/). The blogger was commenting on the latter part of Philippians 4 where paul is thanking the church for supporting him while he is in prison.
Suddenly the connection hit me. Paul, formally Saul spent his life murdering Christians. Jesus essentially knocks some sense into him and he begins preaching the gospel in an incredible way. Everyone knows the impact Paul had on the early Church. I mean, he wrote most of the New Testament! Paul’s life has been revolutionized and he is “on fire” for the Lord, but how does God repay him? He lets him get thrown in jail. This wan’t a nice cute little Mayberry jail cell either. I’m sure it was dark, dirty, and food wan’t provided. Paul was completely at the mercy of others to bring him food.
Let’s just be honest. This is a CRAPPY situation. Fortunately for Paul the Philippian Church had been providing for him. Paul writes, "How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
Paul basically says, “Look, it doesn't matter if i have food or not because I have christ, it doesn't matter if I have clothes because I have Christ, it doesn't matter if I'm in prison because I have Christ...” That’s a pretty incredible state of mind to be in! NOTHING ELSE MATTERS, because, through Christ, I can do this.
But where does that leave me? Where does that leave my friend? It’s one thing to see an example in the Bible and a completely different one for me, as a human, living in the twenty-first century to truly see it as something that could be parallel to my life. However, the hard reality is that crappy situations are going to happen and the even harder reality is that waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t the way to deal with them because sometimes, there is no light.
Is Jesus enough for me? He should be. God desires for us to be SO dependent on him that WE DON’T NEED ANYTHING ELSE. He desires that when we experience loss or hurt that we have the faith to say “I got this, because God has me.” That’s defiantly something that I pray will become more true of my life.
Today while on twitter i saw a blog post on twitter and decided to check it out (shout-out to @Hollenbach at http://takingtheyoke.blogspot.com/). The blogger was commenting on the latter part of Philippians 4 where paul is thanking the church for supporting him while he is in prison.
Suddenly the connection hit me. Paul, formally Saul spent his life murdering Christians. Jesus essentially knocks some sense into him and he begins preaching the gospel in an incredible way. Everyone knows the impact Paul had on the early Church. I mean, he wrote most of the New Testament! Paul’s life has been revolutionized and he is “on fire” for the Lord, but how does God repay him? He lets him get thrown in jail. This wan’t a nice cute little Mayberry jail cell either. I’m sure it was dark, dirty, and food wan’t provided. Paul was completely at the mercy of others to bring him food.
Let’s just be honest. This is a CRAPPY situation. Fortunately for Paul the Philippian Church had been providing for him. Paul writes, "How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
Paul basically says, “Look, it doesn't matter if i have food or not because I have christ, it doesn't matter if I have clothes because I have Christ, it doesn't matter if I'm in prison because I have Christ...” That’s a pretty incredible state of mind to be in! NOTHING ELSE MATTERS, because, through Christ, I can do this.
But where does that leave me? Where does that leave my friend? It’s one thing to see an example in the Bible and a completely different one for me, as a human, living in the twenty-first century to truly see it as something that could be parallel to my life. However, the hard reality is that crappy situations are going to happen and the even harder reality is that waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t the way to deal with them because sometimes, there is no light.
Is Jesus enough for me? He should be. God desires for us to be SO dependent on him that WE DON’T NEED ANYTHING ELSE. He desires that when we experience loss or hurt that we have the faith to say “I got this, because God has me.” That’s defiantly something that I pray will become more true of my life.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Less
Less
God, make me less.
Those are hard words to say and even harder words to actually mean. We live in a society that's all about "me". The entire idea of the "American dream" is that if I work hard then I will gain wealth, repect, and glory. Glory feels good! Who doesn't love to be congradulated for ones accomplishments?
But there's a problem.
In reality, it's not about me. Out of almost 7 billion people in the world I am just one tiny, insignificant speck. If I was to die today only a miniscule fraction of that number would know the difference and an even smaller group of people would actually care.
Because, you see, those 7 billion people were not created for me. The earth doesn't continue to revolve around the sun simply because that's what makes me happy. All creation doesn't display my glory.
But the truth is, by human standards, there are things I could be proud of. I have talents, I'm in good physical condition, I make good grades in school, and most people seem to like me at least decently enough.
Pride is something that i believe is deeply rooted inside our human nature. From Genesis to Revelation we can clearly see how the pride of man can consume and destroy, and God makes it very clear how he feels about it. As proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
The scary thing is there are times where I'm tempted to be prideful of "my" accomplishments during a worship service. As if somehow I deserve recognition for my efforts/talents etc. Nothing could be more disgusting to God. The entire purpose of worship is to lift God up. Worship is surrender. It's dying to ones self and breathing for the sole purpose of glorifying God.
I'm reminded of a time in John the Baptist's ministry when many of the people who had once flocked to be baptized by him were instead going to Jesus Christ. In response to his disciples' questions about this John had the following to say:
"John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:28-30 (NLT)
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less
God, make me less
God, make me less.
Those are hard words to say and even harder words to actually mean. We live in a society that's all about "me". The entire idea of the "American dream" is that if I work hard then I will gain wealth, repect, and glory. Glory feels good! Who doesn't love to be congradulated for ones accomplishments?
But there's a problem.
In reality, it's not about me. Out of almost 7 billion people in the world I am just one tiny, insignificant speck. If I was to die today only a miniscule fraction of that number would know the difference and an even smaller group of people would actually care.
Because, you see, those 7 billion people were not created for me. The earth doesn't continue to revolve around the sun simply because that's what makes me happy. All creation doesn't display my glory.
But the truth is, by human standards, there are things I could be proud of. I have talents, I'm in good physical condition, I make good grades in school, and most people seem to like me at least decently enough.
Pride is something that i believe is deeply rooted inside our human nature. From Genesis to Revelation we can clearly see how the pride of man can consume and destroy, and God makes it very clear how he feels about it. As proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
The scary thing is there are times where I'm tempted to be prideful of "my" accomplishments during a worship service. As if somehow I deserve recognition for my efforts/talents etc. Nothing could be more disgusting to God. The entire purpose of worship is to lift God up. Worship is surrender. It's dying to ones self and breathing for the sole purpose of glorifying God.
I'm reminded of a time in John the Baptist's ministry when many of the people who had once flocked to be baptized by him were instead going to Jesus Christ. In response to his disciples' questions about this John had the following to say:
"John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:28-30 (NLT)
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less
God, make me less
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Blameless
Blameless.
That's a moderately sized word with massive implications.
Dictionary.com says that blameless means "free from or not deserving blame; guiltless." That sounds like something I'd like to be. I mean, I think we can all agree that weird rather be guiltless rather than guilty. Being blamed for something is no fun at all, even if it's something we truly did do.
I feel like a lot of times in the Christian church we "blame" each other. I don't mean we blame each other for when things go wrong, although we often do that as well. I mean that we blame other people for their mistakes. We sit on our little thrones and we examine each other's sins and judge just how "good" of a Christian they are.
I'm terrified of screwing up. I've seen others fall. I know what happens to them. Someone makes a mistake and instantly they're sidelined from serving God, at least in a church setting. It's really an interesting concept. NEWSFLASH everyone: I sin. Daily. At what point can I no longer lead worship? I mean, does God really have a limit to how much you can screw up before he can't use you anymore? Does God have a list of sins that suddenly make you a "no, no" for church service? I believe our culture certainly does.
I've never physically cheated on my girlfriend, but you know what? I'm going to be brutally honest with you; I have "checked out" girls before. Wait did I just admit to sinning? Yep, that's right the big secret it out, but everyone fails right? Most guys, if not every guy, has made that mistake once or twice. As long as I'm sorry it's no big deal.
Matthew 5:28 says, "But I say, anyone who ever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." So essentially it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to God if I look at a girl or have sex with her. It's exactly the same in God's eyes. But that's not what our culture says is it? If I cheated on my girlfriend both Christians and non-Christians alike would acknowledge that I was a jerk, but if I simply look at a girl once then it's "normal" and I'm "just human". To be honest, this really makes me mad. With all the talk in church about separating ourselves from the culture we kinda do a crappy job when it comes to forgiveness.
Here's the straight reality: because I have looked at any girl in a "lustful" way I am disgustingly filthy to God. He can't look at me. I am completely and utterly separated from God. There is nothing I could ever do to get to him. I am either dead in sin or alive. There is no in between, or less dead or less alive!
BUT Colossians 1 21-22 says, "You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result he has brought you into his presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." I am BLAMELESS. I'm not guilty anymore! Romans 8:1 says, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."
I don't want to act like I have all the answers. There is so much I don't know or understand, but there is one thing I can tell you: Without Christ we are all in the same filthy boat. With Christ, we are beautifully blameless.
If you don't like the idea of forgiveness I'm truly very sorry for you, because you don't like Jesus. As Jesus said in john 8:7 after the religious leaders of his day had brought a woman caught in adultery to him to be stoned , "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Obviously, Jesus being the only sinless person to ever live, was the only one who stayed. In verses 10-11 he asks, "Where are your accusers? Didn't one of them condemn you?" The woman answered, "No, Lord." And Jesus replied "Neither do I, go and sin no more."
Why do we condemn each other as sinful people when the sinless Lamb of God didn't?
Anyone who is in Christ is blameless. I am blameless. If you trust in Christ for forgiveness, YOU are blameless. That's all there is to it. Period.
That's a moderately sized word with massive implications.
Dictionary.com says that blameless means "free from or not deserving blame; guiltless." That sounds like something I'd like to be. I mean, I think we can all agree that weird rather be guiltless rather than guilty. Being blamed for something is no fun at all, even if it's something we truly did do.
I feel like a lot of times in the Christian church we "blame" each other. I don't mean we blame each other for when things go wrong, although we often do that as well. I mean that we blame other people for their mistakes. We sit on our little thrones and we examine each other's sins and judge just how "good" of a Christian they are.
I'm terrified of screwing up. I've seen others fall. I know what happens to them. Someone makes a mistake and instantly they're sidelined from serving God, at least in a church setting. It's really an interesting concept. NEWSFLASH everyone: I sin. Daily. At what point can I no longer lead worship? I mean, does God really have a limit to how much you can screw up before he can't use you anymore? Does God have a list of sins that suddenly make you a "no, no" for church service? I believe our culture certainly does.
I've never physically cheated on my girlfriend, but you know what? I'm going to be brutally honest with you; I have "checked out" girls before. Wait did I just admit to sinning? Yep, that's right the big secret it out, but everyone fails right? Most guys, if not every guy, has made that mistake once or twice. As long as I'm sorry it's no big deal.
Matthew 5:28 says, "But I say, anyone who ever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." So essentially it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to God if I look at a girl or have sex with her. It's exactly the same in God's eyes. But that's not what our culture says is it? If I cheated on my girlfriend both Christians and non-Christians alike would acknowledge that I was a jerk, but if I simply look at a girl once then it's "normal" and I'm "just human". To be honest, this really makes me mad. With all the talk in church about separating ourselves from the culture we kinda do a crappy job when it comes to forgiveness.
Here's the straight reality: because I have looked at any girl in a "lustful" way I am disgustingly filthy to God. He can't look at me. I am completely and utterly separated from God. There is nothing I could ever do to get to him. I am either dead in sin or alive. There is no in between, or less dead or less alive!
BUT Colossians 1 21-22 says, "You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result he has brought you into his presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." I am BLAMELESS. I'm not guilty anymore! Romans 8:1 says, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."
I don't want to act like I have all the answers. There is so much I don't know or understand, but there is one thing I can tell you: Without Christ we are all in the same filthy boat. With Christ, we are beautifully blameless.
If you don't like the idea of forgiveness I'm truly very sorry for you, because you don't like Jesus. As Jesus said in john 8:7 after the religious leaders of his day had brought a woman caught in adultery to him to be stoned , "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Obviously, Jesus being the only sinless person to ever live, was the only one who stayed. In verses 10-11 he asks, "Where are your accusers? Didn't one of them condemn you?" The woman answered, "No, Lord." And Jesus replied "Neither do I, go and sin no more."
Why do we condemn each other as sinful people when the sinless Lamb of God didn't?
Anyone who is in Christ is blameless. I am blameless. If you trust in Christ for forgiveness, YOU are blameless. That's all there is to it. Period.
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