Friday, Mar. 28th, 2008    Good Puppy	We used to have a dog named Dexter.  He was a good dog.  He knew how to do all the basic tricks: sit, stay, lay down, roll over, etc.  He knew that “performing those tricks would earn him a treat.  He loved treats.    Dexter also had “bad dog” moments.  He would chew on something he shouldn’t, eat something he shouldn’t, leave “things” on the floor that he shouldn’t.  He knew that when he did something bad , he was going to get swatted on the “bum”, kicked outside, or even worse, have his nose rubbed in it.  It was not uncommon for him to hide from us when he knew he did something bad.  But that’s how dogs are.    What about us?  I’m amazed at how many people have a similar view of their relationship with God.  Why else would people run from God when they do bad things (Gen 1:7,8), and happily approach Him when they do good.    We are God’s children (Rom 8:14-16), not His pets.  And He loves us more than we love our animals.  We are instructed to boldly approach God (Heb 4:15,16) when we are tempted.  Not to run and hide form Him until we get everything right.    We need to we view God as a loving father, instead of a frustrated pet owner.  When we do, our relationship becomes more dependent on His love for us and less on our performance.  And when we focus on His love, our performance will naturally change to become what He desires for us.    I’m glad God doesn't have rolled up newspaper.
Friday, Feb. 8th, 2008    Who vs Do	As believers we spend a majority of our effort trying to be who God said we should be.  We want to do what is right.  Often it is because we look at the Bible as a list of do’s and dont’s.    While the Old Testament does present God’s righteous requirements for our relationship with Him, the New Testament presents a different view.    Knowing we could never live up to all that was required of us, He sent His Son Jesus to stand in our place.  Jesus was able to live the perfect life.  When He died on the cross, He exchanged our sin for His righteousness (2Cor 5:21).    So now, in the New Testament, we see more of who we are, as opposed to what we are to do.  Lets look at the Book of Ephesians as an example.  It starts by referring to the readers as “saints” and “faithful”.  Verse 3 describes us as “blessed”.  In verse 4 we are called “holy” and “blameless”.  There has yet to be anything we are instructed to do.  This is who we are based on our acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.  In fact, you will have to read quite a while before you are told to do something.  Before you get to a “do” you are called  predestined, adopted, sons (or daughters), redeemed, forgiven, wise, understanding, and chosen, just to name a few.    If that weren’t cool enough, it gets better.  The first time we are told to do something is found in Eph. 2:11.  We are told to remember who we used to be, and who we are now.  (I can hear the voice of James Earl Jones as Mufasa in “The Lion King”.  “Remember who you are.”)  We aren’t told to act or live a certain way.  We are told to remember who God has made us to be.    If our focus is on who we are instead of what we need to do, our “doing” will be much easier and more natural.    Remember who you are.
Friday, Jan. 25th, 2008    What are you thinking about right now?	Recently, I saw a bumper sticker that read "Don't believe everything you think".  I'm not exactly sure what point the author or owner of the sticker was trying to make, but it is a profound thought.  Just because you think it, doesn't mean its true.    Wouldn't that be scary.  What would you do if all of your thoughts were true, real, and unchangeable?  What if every random thought, good or bad, was solidified for all eternity?  That could cause a lot of problems for some people.    The good news is, we won't be held accountable for every thought we have.  Just the ones we act on.  When you allow a thought to become and imagination, you give it life. (Jms 1:14, 15)  The more you think about it, the greater the chances you will do it.    So check your thoughts.  Phil 4:8 says,Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. (NIV)    Think about what you think about.
Tuesday Jan. 8th, 2008*    Be who you are                           *adapted from my myspace blog.	The Bible tells us who we are, not who we are supposed to be.    Anyone who has accepted the sarifice of Jesus has been made a son (or daughter) of God.    Check out these scriptures; Rom 8:14, 2 Cor 6:18, Gal 3:26, Eph 1:5, and 1 John 3:1.  Each of them call believers "sons of God".  What do we have to do to be God's children?  Are we supposed to act a certain way, dress a certain way, and talk a certain way?  Or, are we His children because He calls us His children?    I think most would agree that we are children of God based on what He has done, not on what we do.  But what about scriptures like 2 Cor 5:21 where we are called "the righteousness of God in Christ", or Col 3:12 which says "God's chosen people, HOLY and dearly loved", or Rom 1, Eph 1, Phil 1, and Col 1 where we are included in the list of "saints"?  Do we have to act righteous, holy, or saintly, to be a righteous, holy, saint?    Just like our performance doesn't determine our sonship (or daughtership), our performance doesn't determine our righteous, holy, or saintly standing with God.  We are those things beause He called us those things, not because we acted like those things.    Don't let your relationship with God be determined by your performance, it will never be good enough.  Let God establish the relationship on His merits, because they will never change.  Then, your walk with God will be much easier, because your focus is on what He did, not what you do. peace
Thursday, Jan 3rd, 2008*     Look on the inside          *adapted from my myspace blog.	Jesus didn't come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people alive.    I think too often the church focuses on the wrong thing.  It tries to get people to act a certian way.  It focuses on behavior.    I don't believe that's why Jesus came.  He didn't come to change our behavior, He came to change our heart.  Focusing on behavior never changes it.  Focusing on what is inside allows it to come out.  God loves us, not because of what we say or do.  He loves us because he loves us.  Responding to his love will bring out the good things he has placed on the inside of us.    Let Jesus make you alive. Ask him to be a part of you life. peace