When I was a kid, my parents had a big white family bible that was placed in the center of the coffee table in the living room. On the front of the bible was a picture of Jesus. Long flowing blonde hair, nice tan, and baby blue eyes. He looked like a GQ model. I wondered for a long time if that is what Jesus really looked like.
For centuries, scholars and artist have tried to concoct some type of picture of Jesus. Long hair. Short hair. Blue eyes. Brown eyes. Green eyes. Tall. Tan. Light skinned. Muscular. Skinny. Beard. Mustache.
So, What does Jesus really look like?
Is it the appearance of Jesus that really matters or is it the heart? God said to Samuel “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the Heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Commercials and infomercials are constantly trying to sell us products that will keep us looking younger, getting rid of wrinkles and removing unwanted facial hairs or blemishes and make-up that will change the way you look. We rush to buy these products because we think the outward looks are far too important to play around with.
But, God looks at the heart!
So, what does Jesus really look like?
-To Zacchaeus, Jesus looks like salvation – Luke 19:9.
-To the adulterous lady, Jesus looks like mercy – John 8:11
-To the 5,000 people, Jesus looks like generosity – John 6:1-13
-To the woman who was living with a guy, Jesus looks like hope – John 4:7-26
-To the murdering thugs, Jesus looks like forgiveness – Luke 23:34
For millions in our world, the first glimpse of Jesus’ face is ours. What do they see? Hope? Mercy? Generosity? Love? Acceptance? Kindness?
Putting on the face of Jesus isn’t a morning ritual that we mask on and then in the evening, take off. Wearing the face of Jesus means a spiritual face-lift that will dramatically change the scope of what we look like.
Being the face of Jesus is no easy task. It may mean rejection and disappointment. However, the permanent change will give eternal hope to those who become the face of Jesus.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Rescue 911
It was nearly 4:30 a.m. our mission team just completed a ten day preaching and teaching work in one of the cities in Mexico. We are now headed home! No one but our caravan of cars was on the road; so we thought!
As we were driving out of town, a police car passes us with his siren lights on. We didn’t pay much attention to it because most of the police keep their siren lights on as they drive around town. All of a sudden, the police car turns his car to block the road. We slam on our brakes. When we stop, about five black trucks pull up beside us blaring music and out comes about twenty-five masked gunmen screaming to get out of the car, while pointing their AK-47’s at our heads.
Not knowing how to speak Spanish, I was totally reliant on our Mexican preacher to help me. But, the gunmen separated us. My friend Barbara was following behind us and they pulled her over, too. I couldn’t see what they were doing to her.
Is this the way my life is going to end? Are we going to die at the hands of someone who may think we have invaded their territory or have drugs? I’ve heard all the stories of the Mexican drug cartel and now we are experiencing it first hand. He asked for my I.D and Passport. Finally, there was an English speaking person, however, he wasn’t interested in chitchatting, but rather, interrogating me as to why I am in Mexico and why am I leaving so early in the morning.
I wondered, “How will they kill me?” “Will it be a bullet in the back of the head or a machete to take off my head?” I prayed, “Surely God, this isn’t the place where my life will end, is it?” I thought about my wife, Sondra and my two children, Roman and Tessa. I thought about where I put my life insurance policy. I thought about Barbara. I thought about my dad and my siblings.
As I stood there surrounded by masked gunmen, with their weapons pointed at my head, I was scared. I didn’t want to leave my family, however, I knew that if this was the place God allowed me to stand for the last time on earth, I will thank Him for the gift of life, but mostly, for the gift of rescuing me from sin and the home He will give me in heaven eternally.
The drug cartel let us go after nearly an hour of interrogating Barbara, our Mexican preacher, and me. I am grateful and give God all the glory for our rescue.
God is in the rescuing business. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is deep. His forgiveness is limitless. His grace is abundant. His mercy is relentless. His salvation is free. God doesn’t make us accept his gifts, but when we do, it changes our destination for all of eternity!
Life is uncertain, but God isn’t. He is with us every step of our journey. No matter if it’s the drug cartel or hundreds of Christians surrounding us, God is present. It is by faith that we accept God and Jesus as Lord and Savior. Once we have accepted Christ as Lord, we see the value in:
Acknowledging our sin and our need for God’s gifts - A sinner is one who goes against God’s plan for their lives. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God “cannot tolerate wrong.” A person sins in many different ways: - I.e. Lying; telling dirty jokes or saying bad words; talking about others in a negative way. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even though we try to do things God’s way, there is no way we can ever be perfect and sinless.
Making changes by repenting - When a person repents, they make a change in their daily lives by living God’s way. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out….”
Connecting with God by being baptized - Baptism removes the dirtiness of our sinful life and makes us clean into a spiritual life. We are washed clean of our sins and raised to a new life in Christ Jesus. Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It is the baptism that connects us with God, Jesus, and Spirit according Romans 6:1-11.
Baptism is our response to God for all he has done for us. Baptism is not a work to earn salvation as Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been save through faith—and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God.” but our connection into His glorious family! What a God rescue plan!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
As we were driving out of town, a police car passes us with his siren lights on. We didn’t pay much attention to it because most of the police keep their siren lights on as they drive around town. All of a sudden, the police car turns his car to block the road. We slam on our brakes. When we stop, about five black trucks pull up beside us blaring music and out comes about twenty-five masked gunmen screaming to get out of the car, while pointing their AK-47’s at our heads.
Not knowing how to speak Spanish, I was totally reliant on our Mexican preacher to help me. But, the gunmen separated us. My friend Barbara was following behind us and they pulled her over, too. I couldn’t see what they were doing to her.
Is this the way my life is going to end? Are we going to die at the hands of someone who may think we have invaded their territory or have drugs? I’ve heard all the stories of the Mexican drug cartel and now we are experiencing it first hand. He asked for my I.D and Passport. Finally, there was an English speaking person, however, he wasn’t interested in chitchatting, but rather, interrogating me as to why I am in Mexico and why am I leaving so early in the morning.
I wondered, “How will they kill me?” “Will it be a bullet in the back of the head or a machete to take off my head?” I prayed, “Surely God, this isn’t the place where my life will end, is it?” I thought about my wife, Sondra and my two children, Roman and Tessa. I thought about where I put my life insurance policy. I thought about Barbara. I thought about my dad and my siblings.
As I stood there surrounded by masked gunmen, with their weapons pointed at my head, I was scared. I didn’t want to leave my family, however, I knew that if this was the place God allowed me to stand for the last time on earth, I will thank Him for the gift of life, but mostly, for the gift of rescuing me from sin and the home He will give me in heaven eternally.
The drug cartel let us go after nearly an hour of interrogating Barbara, our Mexican preacher, and me. I am grateful and give God all the glory for our rescue.
God is in the rescuing business. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 5:8 says that “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is deep. His forgiveness is limitless. His grace is abundant. His mercy is relentless. His salvation is free. God doesn’t make us accept his gifts, but when we do, it changes our destination for all of eternity!
Life is uncertain, but God isn’t. He is with us every step of our journey. No matter if it’s the drug cartel or hundreds of Christians surrounding us, God is present. It is by faith that we accept God and Jesus as Lord and Savior. Once we have accepted Christ as Lord, we see the value in:
Acknowledging our sin and our need for God’s gifts - A sinner is one who goes against God’s plan for their lives. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God “cannot tolerate wrong.” A person sins in many different ways: - I.e. Lying; telling dirty jokes or saying bad words; talking about others in a negative way. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even though we try to do things God’s way, there is no way we can ever be perfect and sinless.
Making changes by repenting - When a person repents, they make a change in their daily lives by living God’s way. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out….”
Connecting with God by being baptized - Baptism removes the dirtiness of our sinful life and makes us clean into a spiritual life. We are washed clean of our sins and raised to a new life in Christ Jesus. Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It is the baptism that connects us with God, Jesus, and Spirit according Romans 6:1-11.
Baptism is our response to God for all he has done for us. Baptism is not a work to earn salvation as Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been save through faith—and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God.” but our connection into His glorious family! What a God rescue plan!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Thursday, March 3, 2011
15 Items or Less Lane
The sign clearly says, 15 items or less. Not, 16, 22 or 30! I get all worked up over the fact that people in the “speedy” checkout lane can’t count! Can they read? Just because you have 24 of the same item doesn’t count as 1!
Am I overboard? Almost every time I go to the “speedy” (and I use the word “speedy” very loosely) I count the number of items that the people have who are in front of me. If they are over, I pitch a hissy fit. I sigh…loudly. I make comments to my daughter, “can’t people count?” To which my daughter, Tessa will say, “dad, do you remember that sermon you preached about patients?” Then I will say, “You pick a fine time to quote me.” Then she will say, “See, I told you I listen to your sermons!” Then I will say, “it’s not about patience, it’s about respecting the rules.” Tessa’s comeback is: “Well, who made the rules?” I say to her, “WALmarttttttttttttttttttttttttt!” In my very irritated tone!
Respecting rules are important. Someone says, “Rules are made to be broken.” Really? At what cost? Throughout the Scriptures, there are numerous times in which God deals with those who break the “rules.”
- Moses – Numbers 20:1-13 (Struck the rock, instead of speaking to the rock)
- Ananias and Sappphira – Acts 5 (Not telling the truth about some property)
- Lot’s Wife – Genesis 19:12-26 (Looked to see Sodom & Gomorrah destroyed)
What’s the big deal anyway? So what that Moses struck the rock or Ananias told a little fib or Lots wife wanted to take a peek behind her. So what that the “speedy” checkout lane says 15 items or less?
I am as much about grace as anyone. I also understand that we are not under law and can never earn our salvation. It is fully God’s gift to all of us. However, Romans 6:1 clearly states that we can’t go around breaking God’s biblical truths and turn right around and say, “I’m covered by the grace of God!”
We must respect God’s Word as truth and live according to its teachings. The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 5:19-22 that there are consequences for totally disregarding God’s instructions for our life.
When we respect the Word of God, the way we conduct our lives will be godly and honorable. When we respect something as simple as the 15 items or less lane, not only will those around you be less irritable (including me!) it fully demonstrates that the indwelled Spirit of God is leading every aspect of your life.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
Am I overboard? Almost every time I go to the “speedy” (and I use the word “speedy” very loosely) I count the number of items that the people have who are in front of me. If they are over, I pitch a hissy fit. I sigh…loudly. I make comments to my daughter, “can’t people count?” To which my daughter, Tessa will say, “dad, do you remember that sermon you preached about patients?” Then I will say, “You pick a fine time to quote me.” Then she will say, “See, I told you I listen to your sermons!” Then I will say, “it’s not about patience, it’s about respecting the rules.” Tessa’s comeback is: “Well, who made the rules?” I say to her, “WALmarttttttttttttttttttttttttt!” In my very irritated tone!
Respecting rules are important. Someone says, “Rules are made to be broken.” Really? At what cost? Throughout the Scriptures, there are numerous times in which God deals with those who break the “rules.”
- Moses – Numbers 20:1-13 (Struck the rock, instead of speaking to the rock)
- Ananias and Sappphira – Acts 5 (Not telling the truth about some property)
- Lot’s Wife – Genesis 19:12-26 (Looked to see Sodom & Gomorrah destroyed)
What’s the big deal anyway? So what that Moses struck the rock or Ananias told a little fib or Lots wife wanted to take a peek behind her. So what that the “speedy” checkout lane says 15 items or less?
I am as much about grace as anyone. I also understand that we are not under law and can never earn our salvation. It is fully God’s gift to all of us. However, Romans 6:1 clearly states that we can’t go around breaking God’s biblical truths and turn right around and say, “I’m covered by the grace of God!”
We must respect God’s Word as truth and live according to its teachings. The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 5:19-22 that there are consequences for totally disregarding God’s instructions for our life.
When we respect the Word of God, the way we conduct our lives will be godly and honorable. When we respect something as simple as the 15 items or less lane, not only will those around you be less irritable (including me!) it fully demonstrates that the indwelled Spirit of God is leading every aspect of your life.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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