"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5)
This verse is actually written to the Dead Church in the Book of Revelation. As Christians, we know we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ when we place our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. When we confess Jesus as Lord, our names are written in the Book of Life. What an awesome promise! However, we are also warned, as was this church, to not let our guard down. We are still responsible to press on in faith, walking in obedience on a daily basis.
It scares me how easily it is for me to fall into my old self. Right now I am reading a series of books by George MacDonald. George MacDonald apparently was an inspiration to the great author, C.S. Lewis. In the book, The Marquis' Secret, the main character, Malcolm MacPhail, has never in his life told a lie. He is a man of upright character, and considers the Lord in everything he says and does. I, on the other hand, struggle with that. For instance, today we went bowling in the city with the kids. On the bus ride home, one of my fellow teachers was showing a card trick to one of the teenage boys. She told the young man to show me his card. He then whispered to me and said, "Let's cheat and pretend I have a different card." Now I should have immediately said that cheating is wrong and used that as a lesson to teach what is right. However, I knew he just wanted to tease the teacher and in the spirit of fun I agreed. In reality, I lied and cheated with him! Now I understand that it was not a major issue, but it was still wrong! It was a reminder to me that I still have to fight my sinful nature on a daily basis. We have the power to overcome sin when we submit to the Holy Spirit. Sadly, in that moment I chose the path of unrighteousness. I have since confessed my sin before God and asked for forgiveness. I know that I can have confidence in the promise that even though I acted unrighteously, I still have the righteousness of Christ. I look forward to that day when I will be dressed in robes of white because my name is written in the Book of Life. And it has nothing to do with my ability to abstain from sin, because as I saw today, I am unable to do that. It is only because of what Christ did on the Cross for me that I am righteous before God. Not only that, but since I confessed the name of Jesus as my Lord, one day Jesus will confess MY NAME before His Father and before the Angels as one who is blameless. Knowing that should motivate me to walk in obedience, if for no other reason than to honor and glorify Him who took my punishment.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Blessing of Trials
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about the throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)
Trials are something that every single person endures. I have had my share of them too. I watched my parents go through a divorce after twenty years of marriage. I have had my heart broken. I have had trials in ministry. I have experienced loneliness. There are two things that have been common to every trial I have endured. One is that it was temporary, the second is that each one has drawn me closer to God. That may not have been true in the moment, but as I think about each one, I realize that God used those trials to strengthen my relationship with Him. We also know that new trials will come. The thing I have learned is that I do not need to fear future trials. God allows suffering at times to test us. He tests our faith and our loyalty to Him. But we also have the promise that if we remain faithful, we will receive rewards in the Heavenly Kingdom.
I arrived back to the ranch today after almost eight weeks at the Bridge House in the city. During that time, I faced many trials, both large and small. Looking back, I can see how God gave me the grace to handle each situation as it arose. In the end, everything worked out ok, and I gained a little more life experience. I am thrilled to be back at the ranch. However, I am grateful for the experiences the Lord gave me while in the city.
Looking forward to the upcoming year, I already know it has the potential to be a very difficult year. However, I am not afraid to face it. I know now that as each trial comes, God will continue to give me the grace I need to endure. I also know that I do not have to fear, for the trials will be temporary. But mostly, I will rejoice, for I know that God will use each and every trial to grow and mature my faith, drawing me closer to Him still. For that, I will give Him honor and praise.
Trials are something that every single person endures. I have had my share of them too. I watched my parents go through a divorce after twenty years of marriage. I have had my heart broken. I have had trials in ministry. I have experienced loneliness. There are two things that have been common to every trial I have endured. One is that it was temporary, the second is that each one has drawn me closer to God. That may not have been true in the moment, but as I think about each one, I realize that God used those trials to strengthen my relationship with Him. We also know that new trials will come. The thing I have learned is that I do not need to fear future trials. God allows suffering at times to test us. He tests our faith and our loyalty to Him. But we also have the promise that if we remain faithful, we will receive rewards in the Heavenly Kingdom.
I arrived back to the ranch today after almost eight weeks at the Bridge House in the city. During that time, I faced many trials, both large and small. Looking back, I can see how God gave me the grace to handle each situation as it arose. In the end, everything worked out ok, and I gained a little more life experience. I am thrilled to be back at the ranch. However, I am grateful for the experiences the Lord gave me while in the city.
Looking forward to the upcoming year, I already know it has the potential to be a very difficult year. However, I am not afraid to face it. I know now that as each trial comes, God will continue to give me the grace I need to endure. I also know that I do not have to fear, for the trials will be temporary. But mostly, I will rejoice, for I know that God will use each and every trial to grow and mature my faith, drawing me closer to Him still. For that, I will give Him honor and praise.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Outworking of Love
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." - 1 John 3:16
Christ showed His love for us by His sacrifice. We are called to do the same for others. Very few of us will ever actually have to give our lives for someone else. But how many of us actually sacrifice for others? We are commanded in Scripture to love one another as Christ loved us. What does that mean in our everyday lives? Some people think I have sacrificed by coming to Honduras. That's true in part. However, that still isn't enough. We are called to lay down our lives daily for others. As I think about this, I realize how many times my selfishness sets in. There are many times when I pass up opportunities to bless others. I tend to put me first when things are not necessarily convenient. Of course, there are times when that is necessary. However, lack of convenience is not a reason to disobey the command to sacrifice ourselves for others. The past seven weeks, my pastor has been teaching on the church. We are the body of Christ. It is through us that Christ shows His love. As the church, we should be ever ready to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters. That means reaching beyond ourselves, even beyond our comfort zones. That means looking for opportunities to bless others, reaching out to others, even when it is not convenient. Only then can we truly share the love that Christ offered us by His sacrifice.
Christ showed His love for us by His sacrifice. We are called to do the same for others. Very few of us will ever actually have to give our lives for someone else. But how many of us actually sacrifice for others? We are commanded in Scripture to love one another as Christ loved us. What does that mean in our everyday lives? Some people think I have sacrificed by coming to Honduras. That's true in part. However, that still isn't enough. We are called to lay down our lives daily for others. As I think about this, I realize how many times my selfishness sets in. There are many times when I pass up opportunities to bless others. I tend to put me first when things are not necessarily convenient. Of course, there are times when that is necessary. However, lack of convenience is not a reason to disobey the command to sacrifice ourselves for others. The past seven weeks, my pastor has been teaching on the church. We are the body of Christ. It is through us that Christ shows His love. As the church, we should be ever ready to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters. That means reaching beyond ourselves, even beyond our comfort zones. That means looking for opportunities to bless others, reaching out to others, even when it is not convenient. Only then can we truly share the love that Christ offered us by His sacrifice.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
The Children of God - or Spoiled Brats?
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." - 1 John 3:1
John expresses amazement that God should call us His children. I too am amazed that a Holy God would look upon us and call us His own. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we can know and understand this truth. And yet, even as we know it, we tend not to walk in it.
One of my main purposes in serving at an orphanage in Honduras is to share the love of Christ with the kids. I want them all to know and understand that they too are the children of God. I want them to know that God loves them and that they are His very own. I get frustrated when the kids become ungrateful and do not attribute their blessings to the One from Whom all blessings come.
And then I catch myself . . . do I not do exactly the same thing? Even just today, I was thinking on certain things I desire for my life that God has not provided. I have to stop and thank God for what I DO have. I do not deserve any of it. What I have are blessings. What I do not have, I have absolutely no right to demand. There are many times when I act like a spoiled brat, begging for things that I think I want. When a small child wants to eat candy, the parent usually withholds that from the child, because they know it is not good for the child. So much more, our Heavenly Father knows what is and is not good for us. He gives us what is good, because it is His very nature. He withholds those things that will not benefit us, either for our own protection or because it will not bring Him glory. Whatever the reason, do I trust Him enough to rest in His providence? Do I really believe that God loves me and calls me His child? I need to start acting like a child of God and stop acting like a spoiled brat. Only then can I model this very principle to the children I have come to serve.
John expresses amazement that God should call us His children. I too am amazed that a Holy God would look upon us and call us His own. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we can know and understand this truth. And yet, even as we know it, we tend not to walk in it.
One of my main purposes in serving at an orphanage in Honduras is to share the love of Christ with the kids. I want them all to know and understand that they too are the children of God. I want them to know that God loves them and that they are His very own. I get frustrated when the kids become ungrateful and do not attribute their blessings to the One from Whom all blessings come.
And then I catch myself . . . do I not do exactly the same thing? Even just today, I was thinking on certain things I desire for my life that God has not provided. I have to stop and thank God for what I DO have. I do not deserve any of it. What I have are blessings. What I do not have, I have absolutely no right to demand. There are many times when I act like a spoiled brat, begging for things that I think I want. When a small child wants to eat candy, the parent usually withholds that from the child, because they know it is not good for the child. So much more, our Heavenly Father knows what is and is not good for us. He gives us what is good, because it is His very nature. He withholds those things that will not benefit us, either for our own protection or because it will not bring Him glory. Whatever the reason, do I trust Him enough to rest in His providence? Do I really believe that God loves me and calls me His child? I need to start acting like a child of God and stop acting like a spoiled brat. Only then can I model this very principle to the children I have come to serve.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The Test of Knowing Him
"But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:5-6)
Last night I had the Bridge House residents over for pizza and the first two Bourne movies. While eating, one of the girls asked me, "Has it been hard to be in charge of us?" I laughed and jokingly said, "If you all would just do what you're supposed to, it would be easy!"
We laughed in the moment, but what I said was the truth. There have been difficult moments in my time here, but it has been because of poor choices the youth here have made. Things would be much easier if they would just do what they are supposed to and obey the rules of the house.
After reading 1 John 2 this morning in my quiet time, I wondered how often God says the same thing about us. Things in our lives would be much easier if we would just obey God's commandments. If we truly love God and have a relationship with him, it should be evidenced by our obedience to His Word. That is the true test of our knowledge of Him.
The purpose of the Bridge House is to help the young adults of our ministry grow and mature. We do that by helping them through trials and setting boundaries for them. We expect them to obey our authority so that we can teach them how to be responsible adults. Just like them, I should obey God's Word so His love will mature in me. Then I can see if I pass the test of knowing Him.
Last night I had the Bridge House residents over for pizza and the first two Bourne movies. While eating, one of the girls asked me, "Has it been hard to be in charge of us?" I laughed and jokingly said, "If you all would just do what you're supposed to, it would be easy!"
We laughed in the moment, but what I said was the truth. There have been difficult moments in my time here, but it has been because of poor choices the youth here have made. Things would be much easier if they would just do what they are supposed to and obey the rules of the house.
After reading 1 John 2 this morning in my quiet time, I wondered how often God says the same thing about us. Things in our lives would be much easier if we would just obey God's commandments. If we truly love God and have a relationship with him, it should be evidenced by our obedience to His Word. That is the true test of our knowledge of Him.
The purpose of the Bridge House is to help the young adults of our ministry grow and mature. We do that by helping them through trials and setting boundaries for them. We expect them to obey our authority so that we can teach them how to be responsible adults. Just like them, I should obey God's Word so His love will mature in me. Then I can see if I pass the test of knowing Him.
Friday, November 30, 2007
A New Endeavor
Ok, so I am new at this whole blog thing. I thought this might be a good way to keep people updated on a more regular basis than my bi-monthly newsletter. If no one reads it, I can at least use it to journal my experiences here in Honduras. I may also use it to share thoughts I have or things I learn. Basically, it may turn into a hodgepodge of things. Whatever it ends up being, I will make an attempt to write regularly. That's not a promise, just a goal. :)
I am open to any thoughts, comments, or responses you may have. Remember, this is all new to me!
I am open to any thoughts, comments, or responses you may have. Remember, this is all new to me!
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