two lists and a prayer

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Colossians 3:9-10

The contrast could not be more clear, my Lord. As I read Your commands about how to deal with remaining sinful desires and actions, I resolve to want to live in my new self, putting on the character of Christ, for Your glory. Make me, by your Word and Your Holy Spirit, such a person.

Amen

brought to light

No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

Luke 8:16-17

There are a couple of ways the gospel brings to light what is around us. Primarily, through its consistent preaching, the gospel exposes what is wrong and as light shows us what is right in Jesus. We are reminded of the seriousness of sin, not only in our culture, but in our own hearts first. The gospel always shines on Jesus so we can see what we need most.

That is why churches should carefully construct public worship around the gospel. It isn’t about hip songs, fog machines, stage lighting, “relevant” feel-good sermons, and large crowds. It is however about preaching that Jesus died and rose again to forgive sin and bring the world true life. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That light must shine and never be hidden in the expensive, confusing veils of relevancy or theatrics.

The preaching of the gospel exposes what is dark in our hearts. It gives unbelievers light in which to repent, believe a Savior, and find forgiveness and eternal life. It gives believers light to continue in repentance and faith and thus follow Jesus as He keeps exposing our need. And it also calls everyone to remember that there is indeed a Day to come where everything is brought to light as Jesus judges this world. All judgment has been given to the Son. He will make what seems hidden (both in this world and in His church) manifest. Secrets WILL BE KNOWN and judged by Him. Your darkest thoughts and secrets will come out. My darkest musings will come to light. And that future light should call all of us in absolute seriousness and the fear of the Lord to live consciously in His light right now!

Disarmed

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Colossians 2:15

What power does this world have over me?

Jesus has ALL the authority.

He broke through all worldly power

at resurrection’s mighty hour!

The earthly powers are put to shame

by the mighty victory in His name.

What control does this world have over me?

Jesus commands ALL my destiny.

Following Him is worth all the cost

because He triumphs through the cross.

Nothing in human history

matches His holy victory.

Why be enamored with worldly power?

Death lost forever in that resurrection hour.

A stone was rolled away

for the dawning of our Savior’s day.

And the world is never the same

under the new rule of Jesus’ name!

Broken swords, mangled armies lay

shattered on Christ’s resurrection day.

Satan lost, all worldly fame

now trembles at the mention of Jesus’ name.

Worldly power has all but retreated

for in Jesus they are ALL now defeated.

Disarmed by Jesus they no longer stand

as the gospel advances from land to land.

Saints may boldly preach good news

as Satan’s forces are bound to lose.

We must believe, stay in the fight,

love and trust our Lord and ALL HIS might.

hope of glory

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

The “them” at the beginning of this verse are the “saints” of verse twenty-six. Paul was delighted to rejoice in his ministry of bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He is rejoicing in the overwhelming response the gospel has had among the Gentiles. And he is encouraging the Colossian church that they are part of a much bigger work. God is building a people for Himself — saints — holy ones of God’s own choosing — all around the world. And in each and every believer Christ is living and building His church. And that church will last as a testament of His power and glory forever.

This sustaining perspective and hope still brings much needed encouragement. The world may seem hopeless. In Christ we are not however without hope. The world may seem out of control and doomed. It certainly is, but with Christ in us, His people are not that way. We are bought, redeemed, made holy, and empowered to bring glory to God the Father through Christ! Christ is in us, the hope of glory!

And so I have hope today. No world event will ever change that. No disease can end that eternal hope. Nothing can take away Who Jesus is, or what He has done for me.

power of life

Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Luke 7:14-15

Only God brings life to what is dead. And Jesus, in raising this young man showed His command over death and life. He simply commanded a corpse, and life entered into him again. The young man sat up, spoke up, and was raised up. The needs of the widow were met with a son God returned to her from the dead. And the power of God was known in Jesus Who commands life to the dead.

Jesus showed this kind of power repeatedly in His public ministry. He proved to all those following Him that there was something more to Him than mere claims and teaching. There was power to do what only God can do. And this brought both fear and wonder to all who witnessed it.

Jesus raises the dead still. And in salvation, each Christian is a dead person raised to a new life. In Christian baptism each believer pictures this death and resurrection. We believe this. We know this. We are raised to life in Christ. And one day these bodies do die. But in Jesus they will be raised again to new life. In that hope, I celebrate my new life in Jesus every day, knowing in Christ, death never has the final say!

Shared Trouble

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Philippians 4:14

It’s easy to attend a party

to share joy and celebration

but there’s more meaning by far

to join another’s tribulation

Some may walk away ashamed

unsure as how to share in pain

Others come near in the heartache

brothers still in pouring rain

When life is broken and lamented

and hearts are in their greatest need

that’s when true companionship is found

that’s when a friend is a friend indeed

What is kindness if all is happy?

There must be need as kindness is shown

and sacrifices with love beside us

are how true kindness through trouble is known

Look for hard times and hard lives

be a friend when trouble falls

support and comfort in the bad times

that’s when true fellowship really calls

Make a difference with your kindness

share in troubles, grief, and pain

love like Jesus in their sorrow

finding grace, hope, and love again

digging deep

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Luke 6:46

And with this penetrating question Jesus pushes into the closing application of His most famous sermon. To live by His kingdom rules requires the mind of a true disciple. It means that His work changes us at the heart level, so that new fruit is produced in what we say and do (Luke 6:43-45). And Jesus, as our Lord, fully expects to see us live differently. If I claim Jesus’ Lordship then I MUST live under and by His rule!

The result is a strong life that bears witness to the control and love of my Master. I must dig down deep, with the foundation of life in Christ deeply built on a solid rock foundation of believing and living by His teaching (Luke 6:47-49). And such a life will withstand the floods around me. Let the rains come. Let the wind blow. Let the waters rise. My life, built upon Christ lasts forever. Not even death destroys this soul.

But Jesus warns against mere lip service. I must hear His words AND do them. Failure to do them is not digging deep. It may look acceptable to others, but there is no foundation. And such a life is built to fail miserably. Jesus says that without His proper foundation based on both hearing and doing, a ruinous fall is immediate. Only taking Jesus in all seriousness prevents such collapse. As Lord, Jesus brings all I need to be a successful exhibit of His transforming grace. And so to call Him Lord means I must do what He says.

Lord Jesus,

It is worth it to dig deep. And on the foundation of knowing You, believing You, hearing You, and obeying You, I have a life that can withstand it all. Thanks for the warning and the call to follow You well.

Amen