Serving is a spiritual gift that is given to those whom God has chosen. “We have different gift, according to the grace given us…if it is serving, let him serve…”
Romans 12:6-7 A server has the ability to see the needs of others and to act promptly to fulfilling them.
Jesus was the perfect model for serving. He was a servant first before he became the Savior. Greatness in the kingdom is not achieved by who is first, but rather, by being a willing servant of one another. Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 10:43-45,“...Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Richard Foster wrote, "When we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge." The essence of life is not about being in charge or the leader or the top dog. The essence of life is about modeling the servant life so that the needs of others are met and the attention and glory is given to God!
A server serves with humility. A worldview of service is: Since I helped you, you help me. I scratched your back, now you scratch mine. Jesus modeled a service lifestyle much differently than even his disciples had known. Jesus regarded service as a primary way of demonstrating love for those whom He served and a way to put importance of one person over another in perspective. Jesus told his disciples to follow His example of showing true servant-hood by washing each others feet in
John 13:12-16, "After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow.”
The point Jesus was making wasn’t that we need to wash each others feet to be true servers, but rather, a true server will use his/her gifts and abilities to demonstrate the value of putting the needs of others over oneself for the betterment of the kingdom and society. Peter said, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10
Paul sums it up by saying, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4,7
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Seeing Past the Manure
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” William James
There is a story told of identical twins: “One was a hope-filled optimist. “Everything is coming up roses!” He would say. The other was a sad and hopeless pessimist. He thought that Murphy, as in Murphy’s Law, was an optimist. The worried parents of the boys brought them to the local Psychologist.
He suggested to the parents a plan to balance the twins’ personalities. “On their next birthday, put them in separate rooms to open their gifts. Give the pessimist the best toys you can afford, and give the optimist a box of manure.” The parents followed these instructions and carefully observed the results.
When they peeked in on the pessimist, they heard him audibly complaining, “I don’t like the color of the computer…I’ll bet the calculator will break…I don’t like this game…I know someone who’s got a bigger toy car than this…”
Tiptoeing across the corridor, the parents peeked in and saw their little optimist gleefully throwing the manure up in the air. He was giggling. “You can’t fool me! Where there’s this much manure, there’s gotta be a pony!” (Excerpt from Chicken Soup for the Soul)
There are two kinds of people: Optimists and pessimists. Some will see the wonderful kingdom works that are being done, while others are always looking to find the bad.
Christian living isn’t about what isn’t, but rather, what is! Jesus is the perfect model of taking a bad situation and making something good out of it. There was no joy in suffering, separation, or sin being splatter all over Him. However, Jesus took our suffering and our separation, and our sin and created the most spectacular opportunity ever! Jesus healed us spiritually by His wounded flesh. By His bloody body, and by taking the sin bullet for us!
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was not a prayer of pessimism, but rather, a prayer of humility and service opportunity for mankind. Jesus didn’t see the last days of His life as doom and gloom. Jesus saw the last days as an opportunity to show case His Father’s limitless and unquenchable love for mankind. Romans 5:8 say, “God demonstrated his own love for us….”
The Jesus walk isn’t about whether we have all the latest gadgets in our worship gatherings, but rather, do we really have a joy for kingdom living? Do you love people for who they are? And, do we see people as an opportunity to show case God by the way that we live our life in the kingdom?
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
There is a story told of identical twins: “One was a hope-filled optimist. “Everything is coming up roses!” He would say. The other was a sad and hopeless pessimist. He thought that Murphy, as in Murphy’s Law, was an optimist. The worried parents of the boys brought them to the local Psychologist.
He suggested to the parents a plan to balance the twins’ personalities. “On their next birthday, put them in separate rooms to open their gifts. Give the pessimist the best toys you can afford, and give the optimist a box of manure.” The parents followed these instructions and carefully observed the results.
When they peeked in on the pessimist, they heard him audibly complaining, “I don’t like the color of the computer…I’ll bet the calculator will break…I don’t like this game…I know someone who’s got a bigger toy car than this…”
Tiptoeing across the corridor, the parents peeked in and saw their little optimist gleefully throwing the manure up in the air. He was giggling. “You can’t fool me! Where there’s this much manure, there’s gotta be a pony!” (Excerpt from Chicken Soup for the Soul)
There are two kinds of people: Optimists and pessimists. Some will see the wonderful kingdom works that are being done, while others are always looking to find the bad.
Christian living isn’t about what isn’t, but rather, what is! Jesus is the perfect model of taking a bad situation and making something good out of it. There was no joy in suffering, separation, or sin being splatter all over Him. However, Jesus took our suffering and our separation, and our sin and created the most spectacular opportunity ever! Jesus healed us spiritually by His wounded flesh. By His bloody body, and by taking the sin bullet for us!
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was not a prayer of pessimism, but rather, a prayer of humility and service opportunity for mankind. Jesus didn’t see the last days of His life as doom and gloom. Jesus saw the last days as an opportunity to show case His Father’s limitless and unquenchable love for mankind. Romans 5:8 say, “God demonstrated his own love for us….”
The Jesus walk isn’t about whether we have all the latest gadgets in our worship gatherings, but rather, do we really have a joy for kingdom living? Do you love people for who they are? And, do we see people as an opportunity to show case God by the way that we live our life in the kingdom?
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Giving the Gift of Gentleness
Fragile! Handle with CARE! Valuables. Breakables. Do NOT bend!
Gentleness is a demonstration of love and patience. Psalm 103:10 says “God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." Matthew 1 sets the stage for how God is going to put gentleness into motion by giving two important names to the baby born to Mary: Jesus: “He saves” and Immanuel: “God with us.”
The baby Jesus grew up and became a man. The values that he learned as a child would be put to the test. One of the most important attributes of Jesus’ ministry that would be tested to the very core was his gentleness. However, gentleness is one of the least talked about or even noticed abilities of his ministry.
There are three stories in the Gospels that give us a glimpse of how effective Jesus was in dealing with sinners and those who proclaimed self-righteousness.
The Well Water Woman - John 4: Through Jesus' unbiased and non-prejudiced attitude, He demonstrated the power of gentleness by treating her like a real person and not being judgmental even though he knew about her five marriages and living arrangements with the live-in boyfriend.
The goal was salvation, not condemnation!
Jesus, Lawyers, Pharisees, adultery - John 8: Gentleness? Yes! To a woman who had an affair? Yes! Sinner? Yes! Stoning rights? Yes! Were the law keepers and Pharisees sinners? Yes!
This scene of sinners is a teachable moment for those of us who are hard-nosed, judgementalist who think they have a market on rightness, holiness, and their own parking spot reserved for them when they get to heaven. Sounds harsh and with no evidence of gentleness, right? This is why it is so important to watch how we talk and treat others the way we want to be treated
Matthew 7 and 25 makes it clear that all judgment is reserved for Jesus, not us. Next time someone falls into sin, use it as a teaching moment, not a condemning episode.
The taxman and Jesus - Luke 19: No one likes a thief! The mentioning of the IRS will send chills down our spines. For Zacchaeus, he was the kind of man that took more than his share. He was disliked and avoided by everyone; well not everyone. Almost everyone. It is the Jesus factor. Jesus invites himself over to Zach's house.
That's right, the Messiah himself is now going to audit the taxman
This was no ordinary audit with calculators and spreadsheets, it was a soul-to-soul, heart to heart conversation about right living, not taking more than your share, and being fair and honest.
It had to be gentleness that broke through the barriers of Zacchaeus' obsession for money. He made a promise to Jesus that he would give money to the poor and repay those whom he cheated out four times the amount.
No recording of bad-mouthing the taxman. No condemning the thief. A simple conversation that resulted in Jesus saying to Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to this house."
gentleness was the means that opened up the opportunity for conversations, which led to restoration.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Gentleness is a demonstration of love and patience. Psalm 103:10 says “God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." Matthew 1 sets the stage for how God is going to put gentleness into motion by giving two important names to the baby born to Mary: Jesus: “He saves” and Immanuel: “God with us.”
The baby Jesus grew up and became a man. The values that he learned as a child would be put to the test. One of the most important attributes of Jesus’ ministry that would be tested to the very core was his gentleness. However, gentleness is one of the least talked about or even noticed abilities of his ministry.
There are three stories in the Gospels that give us a glimpse of how effective Jesus was in dealing with sinners and those who proclaimed self-righteousness.
The Well Water Woman - John 4: Through Jesus' unbiased and non-prejudiced attitude, He demonstrated the power of gentleness by treating her like a real person and not being judgmental even though he knew about her five marriages and living arrangements with the live-in boyfriend.
The goal was salvation, not condemnation!
Jesus, Lawyers, Pharisees, adultery - John 8: Gentleness? Yes! To a woman who had an affair? Yes! Sinner? Yes! Stoning rights? Yes! Were the law keepers and Pharisees sinners? Yes!
This scene of sinners is a teachable moment for those of us who are hard-nosed, judgementalist who think they have a market on rightness, holiness, and their own parking spot reserved for them when they get to heaven. Sounds harsh and with no evidence of gentleness, right? This is why it is so important to watch how we talk and treat others the way we want to be treated
Matthew 7 and 25 makes it clear that all judgment is reserved for Jesus, not us. Next time someone falls into sin, use it as a teaching moment, not a condemning episode.
The taxman and Jesus - Luke 19: No one likes a thief! The mentioning of the IRS will send chills down our spines. For Zacchaeus, he was the kind of man that took more than his share. He was disliked and avoided by everyone; well not everyone. Almost everyone. It is the Jesus factor. Jesus invites himself over to Zach's house.
That's right, the Messiah himself is now going to audit the taxman
This was no ordinary audit with calculators and spreadsheets, it was a soul-to-soul, heart to heart conversation about right living, not taking more than your share, and being fair and honest.
It had to be gentleness that broke through the barriers of Zacchaeus' obsession for money. He made a promise to Jesus that he would give money to the poor and repay those whom he cheated out four times the amount.
No recording of bad-mouthing the taxman. No condemning the thief. A simple conversation that resulted in Jesus saying to Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to this house."
gentleness was the means that opened up the opportunity for conversations, which led to restoration.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Friday, December 2, 2011
Stepping Stones for Spiritual Growth
Our spiritual lives grow deeper when we our focused and taking steps to mature. If you are like me, it hard to be consistent in using the tools that equip us to battle sin, get along with others, and/or be faithful to the vows made to God. Most people do not wake up in the morning and say, “I wonder what sin I can do today.” When we were born again, we did not set out to live a mediocre spiritual life. But, in the busyness of our days, focus gets blurred and the steps to maturing gets steep and hard to climb.
There are four things that are key to spiritual growth that will enable each person to be a spiritual Christian each day.
Daily Worship – Worship is a 24/7 lifestyle: Revelation 4:8 "Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” When God becomes the center-piece of our lives and we see Him as the glorious and majestic God of heaven, it is then we worship with a heartfelt attitude toward Him. Worship is focusing on God: Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Being God focused means that we see clearly the richness of God, the power of God, and the gentleness of God. Our view of God will inspire us to worship Him with humility and reverence.
Daily Prayer – Prayer is an opportunity to Adore God: Psalm 8:1-2, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,...." God has given us everything to sustain us in life. Prayer is an opportunity to Admit our sins: 1 John 1:9,"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." Prayer is an opportunity to Appeal to God: 1 Samuel 1 is a powerful prayer chapter of a woman who makes an appeal to God for a child. Hannah is a story that demonstrates persistence, faith, and integrity.
Daily Bible Study – God's Word is not just words, but food: Matthew 4:1-11, "...not live by bread alone, but on every Word...." Regular bible intake feeds us spiritually. God's Word helps us grow-up: 1 Peter 2:1-5, "...may grow up in your salvation...." God's Word will help us mature as Christians. God's Word equips us: 2 Timothy 3:10-17, "...be thoroughly equipped for every good work" The Scriptures teaches us how to live.
Be Spirit-Led – Galatians 5:16 says that if we live by the Spirit, we will not want to be involved in things that take us to places that isn’t God honoring. Spirit-led people keep right focus, right living, and right relationships.
When our days are filled with worship, prayer, God’s Word, and the Spirit leading the way, a change will come about in our lives that no power of evil can over come us. And, No amount of distraction can detour us from our purposed life.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
There are four things that are key to spiritual growth that will enable each person to be a spiritual Christian each day.
Daily Worship – Worship is a 24/7 lifestyle: Revelation 4:8 "Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” When God becomes the center-piece of our lives and we see Him as the glorious and majestic God of heaven, it is then we worship with a heartfelt attitude toward Him. Worship is focusing on God: Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker." Being God focused means that we see clearly the richness of God, the power of God, and the gentleness of God. Our view of God will inspire us to worship Him with humility and reverence.
Daily Prayer – Prayer is an opportunity to Adore God: Psalm 8:1-2, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,...." God has given us everything to sustain us in life. Prayer is an opportunity to Admit our sins: 1 John 1:9,"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." Prayer is an opportunity to Appeal to God: 1 Samuel 1 is a powerful prayer chapter of a woman who makes an appeal to God for a child. Hannah is a story that demonstrates persistence, faith, and integrity.
Daily Bible Study – God's Word is not just words, but food: Matthew 4:1-11, "...not live by bread alone, but on every Word...." Regular bible intake feeds us spiritually. God's Word helps us grow-up: 1 Peter 2:1-5, "...may grow up in your salvation...." God's Word will help us mature as Christians. God's Word equips us: 2 Timothy 3:10-17, "...be thoroughly equipped for every good work" The Scriptures teaches us how to live.
Be Spirit-Led – Galatians 5:16 says that if we live by the Spirit, we will not want to be involved in things that take us to places that isn’t God honoring. Spirit-led people keep right focus, right living, and right relationships.
When our days are filled with worship, prayer, God’s Word, and the Spirit leading the way, a change will come about in our lives that no power of evil can over come us. And, No amount of distraction can detour us from our purposed life.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
How Can I Be Thankful?
“Give thanks in all circumstances….”
How?
My daughter is in Iraq. I am fighting diabetes. I have no job. My son is doing drugs. My marriage is falling a part. I’m depressed. My bank account is overdrawn. I’m tired of being sick and tired.
Circumstances affect each of us differently. It is easier to say, “give thanks in all circumstances” than to actually do it. Especially, if the person saying it has never gone through troubled times.
In this case, the one saying it knew exactly what he was talking about. Paul, an Apostle of Jesus had his moments in the suffering department.
Flogged 5 times with the Jews 39 lashes
Beaten by Roman rods 3 times
Betrayed by those who pretended to be a friend
Pummeled with rocks
Many sleepless nights and missed meals.
Paul said, “And that’s the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 (MSG)
No doubt, circumstances can make life difficult to deal with. The pain is real. Adversity is hard. And, trials take us on a journey of suffering. If allowed, difficult circumstances can wear us down, zap our joy, and defeat us. Our vision is blurred by what isn’t possible, rather than, what is possible.
Thanksgiving comes when we walk with God on the journey. God will lead us to the very place that restores our joy and hope. He allows us to take a breather and regroup so that we will be refreshed and strengthened.
Our circumstances may take longer than we desire and life may seem like it is crashing down. Never allow your hand to lose its grip from God’s nor your eyes from wondering off to find a quick solution. Trust God’s leading.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
How?
My daughter is in Iraq. I am fighting diabetes. I have no job. My son is doing drugs. My marriage is falling a part. I’m depressed. My bank account is overdrawn. I’m tired of being sick and tired.
Circumstances affect each of us differently. It is easier to say, “give thanks in all circumstances” than to actually do it. Especially, if the person saying it has never gone through troubled times.
In this case, the one saying it knew exactly what he was talking about. Paul, an Apostle of Jesus had his moments in the suffering department.
Flogged 5 times with the Jews 39 lashes
Beaten by Roman rods 3 times
Betrayed by those who pretended to be a friend
Pummeled with rocks
Many sleepless nights and missed meals.
Paul said, “And that’s the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 (MSG)
No doubt, circumstances can make life difficult to deal with. The pain is real. Adversity is hard. And, trials take us on a journey of suffering. If allowed, difficult circumstances can wear us down, zap our joy, and defeat us. Our vision is blurred by what isn’t possible, rather than, what is possible.
Thanksgiving comes when we walk with God on the journey. God will lead us to the very place that restores our joy and hope. He allows us to take a breather and regroup so that we will be refreshed and strengthened.
Our circumstances may take longer than we desire and life may seem like it is crashing down. Never allow your hand to lose its grip from God’s nor your eyes from wondering off to find a quick solution. Trust God’s leading.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Good News for a Broken World!
Gunfire. Roadside bombs. Suicide. Drugs. Abductions. Financial meltdown. Poverty. Bankruptcy. War. Rape. Divorce. Tsunamis. Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Drunk-drivers. Drive-by shootings. Murder. Hate. Cancer. Disease. Racism. Homeless. Layoffs.
Broken?
Hearing the news their son has been killed in Afghanistan has shattered lives. Homes have been destroyed by wildfires. A trusted financial advisor has swindle every last dime. A baby girl has been taken from her crib…where is she? The doctor said, stage-4 cancer; no cure.
Broken?
Any relief? Yes! When? The pain hurts. The burden is heavy. The days are long. When will the shooting stop? When will I get a job? I just want my life back! Help! Somebody…Help!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
To be broken is to be shattered. When we are hit with adversity, we are shattered into a thousand pieces. Our heart hurts and the pain cuts deep. However, we are not a lone. Never alone! God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.” Hebrews 13:5 (MSG)
God is in the reassuring business. Isaiah 40 says that he energizes those who get tired and for those who wait upon God get fresh strength…they run and don’t get tired. (MSG)
The gunfire may never stop and drunks may never stop driving. Cancer may not be cured and wildfires may rage on. However, we have a God who will get us through the difficult days and the painful nights.
Healing is God’s specialty. Comfort is a God promise. Hope is ours to keep. Strength is given freely. And, rest is on the lap of our Father.
Broken? Good News! God can fix it!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Broken?
Hearing the news their son has been killed in Afghanistan has shattered lives. Homes have been destroyed by wildfires. A trusted financial advisor has swindle every last dime. A baby girl has been taken from her crib…where is she? The doctor said, stage-4 cancer; no cure.
Broken?
Any relief? Yes! When? The pain hurts. The burden is heavy. The days are long. When will the shooting stop? When will I get a job? I just want my life back! Help! Somebody…Help!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
To be broken is to be shattered. When we are hit with adversity, we are shattered into a thousand pieces. Our heart hurts and the pain cuts deep. However, we are not a lone. Never alone! God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.” Hebrews 13:5 (MSG)
God is in the reassuring business. Isaiah 40 says that he energizes those who get tired and for those who wait upon God get fresh strength…they run and don’t get tired. (MSG)
The gunfire may never stop and drunks may never stop driving. Cancer may not be cured and wildfires may rage on. However, we have a God who will get us through the difficult days and the painful nights.
Healing is God’s specialty. Comfort is a God promise. Hope is ours to keep. Strength is given freely. And, rest is on the lap of our Father.
Broken? Good News! God can fix it!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Jesus, the Superstar!
Jesus was a walking attraction show. No matter where he went, he attracted an audience. Jesus was a superstar! People wanted to touch, see, and hear him. People would line the streets to watch him walk by, sit on the banks of the sea or the side of a mountain to listen to him speak, or climb a tree just to get a glimpse. Others would stretch their arms just to touch him.
Jesus’ star status wasn’t his music ability, acting skills, nor modeling career. His star qualities for the people of his day were his speaking ability, healing powers, miracle works, and raising the dead.
Thousands upon thousands just wanted a touch of an arm. A healing. A miracle. Or, a moment of his time. The people made Jesus their superstar. Legend. Hall of Fame. Most Valuable Player. Golden Globe. Oscar. Hero.
Jesus’ star status was not self-made. He didn’t sit around thinking up ways he could make millions of dollars and have tens of thousands screaming his name: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! His star attraction came about because he was faithful to living out the very ideas of his Father. When he was twelve and told his parents. “Why are you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” Luke 2:49 (MSG) also, his service to people made way for his popularity. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
Serving the needs of people is what got it all started: Jesus heals the sick, cures the man with leprosy, raises the dead to life, the blind can see and the deaf can hear, he feeds thousands, removes demonic spirits, eats with sinners, visits the home of a tax collector, forgives a woman who broke the law of adultery, talks to other people of ethnicity, forgives. Gives grace, submits, humble, and, kept his word to his Father.
Superstar status wasn’t Jesus’ idea. The way he loved people and served made him the attraction of his day. He didn’t’ sell tickets to his events, nor did he have any hidden agenda. He simply wanted everyone to see his Father. John 14 Jesus said, “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me…That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son….” (MSG)
It is just as important for our twenty-first Century world to see Jesus as an attractive superstar. Not as worldly, but as spiritual. Today’s world will be attracted to Jesus if we live life the way Jesus lived it: Making it about God and not self.
To be spiritually attractive, we live like Jesus: Simple. Prayerful. Loving God and people. Forgiving. Shaping lives. Mentoring. Sacrifice. Grace. Right living. Connecting with people. Mercy. Indwelled Spirit. Making it about God, not self.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Jesus’ star status wasn’t his music ability, acting skills, nor modeling career. His star qualities for the people of his day were his speaking ability, healing powers, miracle works, and raising the dead.
Thousands upon thousands just wanted a touch of an arm. A healing. A miracle. Or, a moment of his time. The people made Jesus their superstar. Legend. Hall of Fame. Most Valuable Player. Golden Globe. Oscar. Hero.
Jesus’ star status was not self-made. He didn’t sit around thinking up ways he could make millions of dollars and have tens of thousands screaming his name: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! His star attraction came about because he was faithful to living out the very ideas of his Father. When he was twelve and told his parents. “Why are you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” Luke 2:49 (MSG) also, his service to people made way for his popularity. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
Serving the needs of people is what got it all started: Jesus heals the sick, cures the man with leprosy, raises the dead to life, the blind can see and the deaf can hear, he feeds thousands, removes demonic spirits, eats with sinners, visits the home of a tax collector, forgives a woman who broke the law of adultery, talks to other people of ethnicity, forgives. Gives grace, submits, humble, and, kept his word to his Father.
Superstar status wasn’t Jesus’ idea. The way he loved people and served made him the attraction of his day. He didn’t’ sell tickets to his events, nor did he have any hidden agenda. He simply wanted everyone to see his Father. John 14 Jesus said, “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me…That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son….” (MSG)
It is just as important for our twenty-first Century world to see Jesus as an attractive superstar. Not as worldly, but as spiritual. Today’s world will be attracted to Jesus if we live life the way Jesus lived it: Making it about God and not self.
To be spiritually attractive, we live like Jesus: Simple. Prayerful. Loving God and people. Forgiving. Shaping lives. Mentoring. Sacrifice. Grace. Right living. Connecting with people. Mercy. Indwelled Spirit. Making it about God, not self.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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