Everyone should have built into their day a period of time for meditation and self-examination. Self-examination on its own is not healthy or productive because it needs to be done in a proper context. They only proper context I trust is the Word of God. Self-examination on its own will create a sense of uselessness, failure and depression. We need to take time for self-examination but it must be done against a proper standard which also offers us hope, and that standard and hope is Jesus.
Too often we go through our day without much thought to what we are doing or saying. We are existing, surviving, making it through, and not realizing the consequences of our actions and words on ourselves and those around us. "Let things fall where they must" is our attitude not realizing we will be held accountable for every careless word and every callus action. The exercise of reflection, self-examination during meditation on God's Word, measures us against the standard of Jesus, revealing the things for which we need to confess, repent and repair where possible.
This is not a new notion:
Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.
We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned. (Lamentations 3:40-42)
Our spiritual journey is all about growth and maturity but if we refuse to acknowledge our mistakes we will never grow. Everything is already forgiven, that was the work of the cross, but there is a reason we have been told to confess our sins. Confession is an acknowledgement of wrong doing. It is when we say "I have messed up; I have sinned". It is when we repent of such behaviour and allow the Spirit to correct our ways. It is a time of saying sorry to people, of seeking forgiveness and making reparation if possible. It keeps us humble and moving in the right direction.
It is a healthy daily activity and attitude when done in the context of our relationship in Jesus. It is vital for our growth and maturity. It is conscience clearing and cleansing. It is tearing down mountains and filling in valleys so that our path is straight. I strongly suggest you start with today.
Showing posts with label Lamentations 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lamentations 3. Show all posts
Friday, September 26, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Do We Know What It Is To Love As Jesus Loved?
Relationship is far from easy. Even the best ones take a lot of work, investment and maintenance. We soon discover that if we do not look after our relationships they will slowly fade into non-existence. They can be complicated and at some point require us to make the decision to continue or walk away. But some of the best relationships are those that cost us the most.
Much of the philosophy today tells you to walk away from anything that isn't positive. But what is positive? I hope it is obvious that any abusive relationships should be abandoned. Emotional and physical abuse are not things that anyone should have to tolerate. This is certainly negative but much of the message from people these days is that any form of negativity should be cause for abandonment. If this is the case, Jesus would have walked away from everyone he encountered.
At some point the principles of the Kingdom need to rule your decision making, especially when it comes to relationships. According to what Jesus taught and demonstrated, relationships are not about what you get out of them but about what you put into them. Excellent relationships involve two sides who live by this Kingdom principle, but even if it is only you, that relationship is worth it because you are serving and ministering to that person. You are the aroma of Christ to them.
What is the reason you do not give up on your relationship with Jesus? It is not always easy. Many times we are asked to trust when we see no just reason to do so. Many times we are asked to do things that we disagree with. There are even times when we feel isolated and alone. So why do we keep going forward, seeking even greater intimacy? Is it not because of how Jesus served us; what he has done for us?
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
The Lord has proven his love for us many times over so when things get tough we are willing to trust him; trusting that he is for us not against us. That is the level of relationship we are to have with people. Friendship is proven in the fires of difficulties but it is built upon acts of love, mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness. It is not easy to love everyone but you soon discover that the best relationships are those that have cost you the most.
Jesus has never and will never give up on us. We know it, he has proven it and we move forward in that confidence. So now, be that friend to someone else. Be the person that people know they can trust to never abandon them even in the midst of their stupidity. Everyone needs someone to love them at their worst, so show them the sincerity of Jesus' love by loving them as Jesus has loved you.
Much of the philosophy today tells you to walk away from anything that isn't positive. But what is positive? I hope it is obvious that any abusive relationships should be abandoned. Emotional and physical abuse are not things that anyone should have to tolerate. This is certainly negative but much of the message from people these days is that any form of negativity should be cause for abandonment. If this is the case, Jesus would have walked away from everyone he encountered.
At some point the principles of the Kingdom need to rule your decision making, especially when it comes to relationships. According to what Jesus taught and demonstrated, relationships are not about what you get out of them but about what you put into them. Excellent relationships involve two sides who live by this Kingdom principle, but even if it is only you, that relationship is worth it because you are serving and ministering to that person. You are the aroma of Christ to them.
What is the reason you do not give up on your relationship with Jesus? It is not always easy. Many times we are asked to trust when we see no just reason to do so. Many times we are asked to do things that we disagree with. There are even times when we feel isolated and alone. So why do we keep going forward, seeking even greater intimacy? Is it not because of how Jesus served us; what he has done for us?
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
The Lord has proven his love for us many times over so when things get tough we are willing to trust him; trusting that he is for us not against us. That is the level of relationship we are to have with people. Friendship is proven in the fires of difficulties but it is built upon acts of love, mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness. It is not easy to love everyone but you soon discover that the best relationships are those that have cost you the most.
Jesus has never and will never give up on us. We know it, he has proven it and we move forward in that confidence. So now, be that friend to someone else. Be the person that people know they can trust to never abandon them even in the midst of their stupidity. Everyone needs someone to love them at their worst, so show them the sincerity of Jesus' love by loving them as Jesus has loved you.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
What To Do With The Broken Relationships In Our Lives
There is nothing more important in your life than relationships. At times we may lose sight of that fact as we become overwhelmed with school, work, illnesses, stresses, finances, sin but it remains a solid truth. You can have all the money in the world, all the toys, all the knowledge; you could have all the spiritual gifts and a great ability to communicate with people, but without love you have nothing and you are nothing. In the end the only thing that counts are the people you love and those you tried to love. Mother, father, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, wife, children, friends; but the most important of all is Jesus. Without his love you are completely lost.
Relationships require some special ingredients to work in our throw-away society. Too often we are prepared to throw away relationships that don't seem to be working, that somehow got broken. But we know from Jesus' perspective that relationships are worth pursuing at all cost and that with the special ingredients he supplies everything can be repaired. The ingredients are simple.
It starts with love. Not the Hallmark love but the trench warfare love. The love that says, no matter the cost, you will protect your buddy's life, the guy who is fighting beside you. You might not like some parts of his character but in the fight you have come to appreciate each other, despite the differences, and you would give your life to protect and defend him as he would for you. Love is a decision and from this applied decision other things begin to spring up.
Relationships grow strong where their is a decided reaction of forgiveness. No matter what your friends, or even your enemies, do to offend you, that relationship is so important to you that forgiveness covers over anything that offends. Love also demands vulnerability, a willingness to be hurt, trusting that Jesus repairs the heart. This means you take actions of trust even if the other person's idea of love may not be perfect. You decide to trust and live with the consequences. Wow, does this ever fly in the face of what is being taught today. Love is a risk but the rewards are so great that it does not matter.
Where am I getting this from? Watching Jesus. It is what he did for us. We were his enemies and he threw himself into our arms. He loved us from the start and because of that love he chose to forgive us even though we did not merit it. There are a lot of broken relationships in your life that do not merit your forgiveness, but they have enough value that they are worth the price of forgiving.
When Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to the cross there were no guarantees that anyone would respond to his sacrifice. He hoped, he trusted, he longed for us to respond, and many have. But many more have not. Most of the world has rejected his love, his forgiveness, his grace. Imagine the hurt he feels from this after all he did. But he considered relationship with us to be worth the risk of the sacrifice. Some of the broken relationships in your life will not be repaired despite your step of trust and vulnerability. There are those who have allowed their hearts to grow cold toward you, but don't let the brokenness remain due to your lack of effort and love. No one can accuse Jesus of not doing enough because he did it all.
There is a verse in Lamentations that we use a lot because it gives each day a sense of new hope. In context this it what it says:
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” (3:22-24)
It speaks of the great love of Yahweh for his people. Those people are us. In the fulfillment of his promise he sent Jesus to represent his love and forgiveness. It is because of his mercies that we are not consumed. His compassion for us never fails, even though we often fail in the relationship. He renews this relationship every morning as we open our eyes. His faithfulness to his promises, to us, is beyond words. We say it time and again: Jesus is our everything; he is our portion; our promise; our hope. And in this relationship of love he told us, "love as I have loved you".
How can we accept such incredible love, demonstrating to us how real relationship works, and then not love people in our lives in the same manner? It doesn't matter who broke the relationship, it only matters how we respond to the brokenness. You aren't responsible for how they react to you and if it is rejection then it is rejection, but you never give up. You never walk away. You love even if they become your enemy. There is a cost to love without there always being a benefit. That is the nature of Jesus' love. Relationships are all that matter and Jesus' relationship with us is the foundation in our life from which we build all other relationships. Doesn't matter if you like it; it is fact. Now are you mature enough to act on that fact?
Relationships require some special ingredients to work in our throw-away society. Too often we are prepared to throw away relationships that don't seem to be working, that somehow got broken. But we know from Jesus' perspective that relationships are worth pursuing at all cost and that with the special ingredients he supplies everything can be repaired. The ingredients are simple.
It starts with love. Not the Hallmark love but the trench warfare love. The love that says, no matter the cost, you will protect your buddy's life, the guy who is fighting beside you. You might not like some parts of his character but in the fight you have come to appreciate each other, despite the differences, and you would give your life to protect and defend him as he would for you. Love is a decision and from this applied decision other things begin to spring up.
Relationships grow strong where their is a decided reaction of forgiveness. No matter what your friends, or even your enemies, do to offend you, that relationship is so important to you that forgiveness covers over anything that offends. Love also demands vulnerability, a willingness to be hurt, trusting that Jesus repairs the heart. This means you take actions of trust even if the other person's idea of love may not be perfect. You decide to trust and live with the consequences. Wow, does this ever fly in the face of what is being taught today. Love is a risk but the rewards are so great that it does not matter.
Where am I getting this from? Watching Jesus. It is what he did for us. We were his enemies and he threw himself into our arms. He loved us from the start and because of that love he chose to forgive us even though we did not merit it. There are a lot of broken relationships in your life that do not merit your forgiveness, but they have enough value that they are worth the price of forgiving.
When Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to the cross there were no guarantees that anyone would respond to his sacrifice. He hoped, he trusted, he longed for us to respond, and many have. But many more have not. Most of the world has rejected his love, his forgiveness, his grace. Imagine the hurt he feels from this after all he did. But he considered relationship with us to be worth the risk of the sacrifice. Some of the broken relationships in your life will not be repaired despite your step of trust and vulnerability. There are those who have allowed their hearts to grow cold toward you, but don't let the brokenness remain due to your lack of effort and love. No one can accuse Jesus of not doing enough because he did it all.
There is a verse in Lamentations that we use a lot because it gives each day a sense of new hope. In context this it what it says:
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” (3:22-24)
It speaks of the great love of Yahweh for his people. Those people are us. In the fulfillment of his promise he sent Jesus to represent his love and forgiveness. It is because of his mercies that we are not consumed. His compassion for us never fails, even though we often fail in the relationship. He renews this relationship every morning as we open our eyes. His faithfulness to his promises, to us, is beyond words. We say it time and again: Jesus is our everything; he is our portion; our promise; our hope. And in this relationship of love he told us, "love as I have loved you".
How can we accept such incredible love, demonstrating to us how real relationship works, and then not love people in our lives in the same manner? It doesn't matter who broke the relationship, it only matters how we respond to the brokenness. You aren't responsible for how they react to you and if it is rejection then it is rejection, but you never give up. You never walk away. You love even if they become your enemy. There is a cost to love without there always being a benefit. That is the nature of Jesus' love. Relationships are all that matter and Jesus' relationship with us is the foundation in our life from which we build all other relationships. Doesn't matter if you like it; it is fact. Now are you mature enough to act on that fact?
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