John 14:1—10

Jesus the Way to the Father

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God, trust also in me.

I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the father except through me.

John 14

It is possible to be sad, disappointed even angry, yet without a troubled heart.

Do not be anxious about anything

But in everything by prayer and supplication

With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding

Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Loosening our grip on power and control, paves the way for a peaceful heart.

Just as Jesus was comforting his disciples and attempting to explain how letting go and allowing their hearts to trust and live in faith would enable them to dwell in the peace of his promise, he speaks to us today. 

        The challenges of this world seem endless. God’s people, like everyone else, will experience the hills and valleys of this life. Some days may be very difficult to carry on. A heart and soul that trusts in the promise of our Lord however, will view their valleys from more of a heavenly perspective.Through a lens of  contentment regardless of the circumstances. I choose to have such a heart.

        Father, your ways are indeed beyond our comprehension. We cannot thank you enough for your great love and mercy. Though our minds are not capable of understanding, our hearts are able to feel. Please continue to mold them into free and faithful hearts ready and willing to do all you ask and live each day in a way that will please and honor you. Amen.

Read/Listen to John 14:1-10

Know Your Story

John 5:15-20

Know your story…………. One would tend to think we DO know our own story, yet as I prepared to write about today’s theme, I got to thinking.

Are we paying close enough attention to the events in our lives to truly know all the ways the Lord has touched us?

Do we take the time to ponder, appreciate, and share the many ways we are guided and protected by the Holy one?

How often do our challenges manipulate and overtake our thoughts instead of us acknowledging that these trials are meant to be vehicles used to get to another place?

The radio station I listen to plays a short ditty at the end of one of the DJ’s shifts. It is sung by an unidentified individual who I picture as an older, bearded, wise man. Some of the lyrics are: “Take every knock as a boost, every stumbling block as a stepping stone.” I look forward to hearing that little song every day while driving home from work, as it offers me another perspective on the day’s events.

The story of the demon possessed man who was healed by Jesus at first glance doesn't seem to coincide with “Know Your Story.” However, it does. As Jesus was getting into the boat to leave, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. Jesus’ response was: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Going with Jesus may have been easier than what Jesus was telling him to do, but that was not part of his story.

As we settle into the reality of our own lives, no matter how long or short, we can get to know our own story much better if we take the time to do so. We are familiar with the verse; “Be still and know that I am God.” How about being still and reliving our own story, openly allowing our hearts to grieve our mistakes and accepting the grace and mercy of God?

Lord, please be with us as we take our knocks, and use those stepping stones to share the story of your Everlasting Love. Amen.

Read/Listen to Mark 5:15-20

The Details of Life

2 Corinthians 6

　
　
Do you have missionaries visit your church to share what God is doing through their ministry? That’s basically what Paul is sharing here. "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way". From this point forward he shares about his hardships in ministry, not to complain, but to validate his ministry and to give God the glory. Can you imagine what it would be like to sit in the congregation and listen to him?

But here’s the thing. We find it hard to relate to Paul. We could sit and listen to him and be amazed, but we’d walk away feeling like that’s good for Paul but not for me. So let’s consider someone else’s testimony - what about Jacob?

Jacob is someone we can relate to. He has lots of character defects. In fact, his name means deception. His testimony might sound like this: "My struggles with my twin brother Esau began in the womb. When I was forty I lied to our father to steal the family blessing. Later in life, after getting married, I worked for my father-in-law and stole the strong flocks leaving him with the weak ones. Yet God has used me in his plan of redemption."

If Jacob’s story doesn’t strike a chord for you how about Peter? "I followed Jesus passionately. I knew that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, and even deserted the family fishing business to follow him. I was there for Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus often asked for my opinion and even when he didn’t I would give it to him. I didn’t always say or do the right thing, but at least I said and did something. Then following his arrest I denied him. I was so ashamed. Thankfully, he still loved me and forgave me and wanted me to lead his sheep".

God used Jacob, Peter and Paul despite their sinfulness. He also uses you and me. He has called us to ministry, to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others. In doing this, Paul suffered greatly. Most likely, you haven’t had to experience anything like Paul did, but we are still called to give everything we have to the Living God.

In sports, coaches challenge their players to leave it all out on the field or court, to give 110%. Paul left it all out on the field. Verse 4 in The Message reads like this, "Our work as God’s servants gets validated -or not- in the details". It’s in the details of our life that God uses us in the lives of others. Let God validate your ministry in the details of your life?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.6

Matthew 7:1-6

Be Disciples: Do Not Judge

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

We do this all of the time, and typically without even realizing it. Our human nature is to observe and dissect the behavior of others. As young children we use these observations to learn, but it doesn't take long and these observations turn into judgments, caddy thoughts and cruel comments when we are teenagers. One would think that as we reach adulthood these tendencies would diminish, but not necessarily. It is something we must work on daily.

Scripture frequently reminds us to leave the judging to the Lord. It is not our place to internally or externally determine that what others do, is or is not favorable, right, or acceptable. "Live and let live" is not a biblical phrase, but is also a calling to live well. With my middle school students I use "MYOB." They do not like it, but it makes them think, and challenges them to focus on themselves. Perhaps we all need that reminder. We have enough to work on with ourselves and WE should be our focus, not others. God has challenged each of us to follow his word and be the best person we can be. How can we do that if we are focusing on the behavior of others? We can't clearly see much of anything with that plank in our eye!

Read entire passage here
Listen here