If you have ever dropped a full, unopened jar of prepared spaghetti sauce on a hard tiled floor, you know it makes one of the worst kinds of a mess. If it happened at the grocery store, your first impulse was probably to look up and down the aisle to see if anyone saw you. If not, you were most likely tempted to flee the spot as quickly as you could. If it happened to someone else, you probably just turned and walked away.
It can be an even bigger mess when it happens at home…in the pantry. Not only does sauce go all over the floor, it seems to splatter onto everything in an eight-foot radius…and not just in a straight line. And you can’t just wipe it off—the stain remains! On the cartons. On the walls. On the napkins and towels and dishrags you grab to wipe up the mess.
You have to be very careful, though. You never know how far the glass has spread. Sometimes the sauce does seem to keep the glass a little closer to the impact site. (It certainly is not as bad as dropping a piece of Corelle® dinnerware. It can take months to collect all the pieces—and the smallest ones are mere slivers…and so sharp they’ll cut you in an instant.) Scooping up sauce and glass is particularly troubling as you realize there is no way to save what was going to be your dinner.
Nevertheless, as big a mess as a shattered jar of spaghetti sauce can make; it is nowhere as big as the mess people make of the relationships in their lives on a much too regular basis. Sometimes friendships are broken through the same kind of careless inattention that knocks the jar off the shelf. Other times, people seem intent on seeing how much grief they can cause their mothers and father, sisters and brothers. (Imagine folks hurling jars of sauce at one another.)
While you may have never had the misfortune of watching a jar of sauce hit the floor, you have probably experienced the brokenness of a significant relationship. Even now, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to make things right.
There is one thing you should know: God is in the business of reconciliation…of restoring broken relationships through the power of grace. And God is not just concerned about how you are getting along with your neighbors; God is committed to restoring your relationship with him…through the life, death, and resurrection of his son, Jesus.
It is truly amazing!
Good news!
And another way the grace of God can transform your life.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Boundless Love
Consider this. A king comes to power after years of being relentlessly pursued by his predecessor. His rival is killed in battle, along with most of his family; but now the king discovers a lone surviving prince—the grandson of the former king. He sends his soldiers to bring his adversary’s heir to appear before him. The young prince is terrified. He is certain that his life is in jeopardy. As he steels himself to receive his sentence, these are the words he hears: “Don’t be afraid! … I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” (2 Samuel 9:7)
King David had received abundant grace from God for many years. Jonathan, Saul’s son and Mephibosheth’s father, had shown grace to David when his life was first threatened as Saul’s jealousy grew to rage. Now David shows astonishing grace and generosity to his rival’s descendant.
Now consider this: A religious leader marries a woman who has clearly lived a life of unfaithfulness. Once they are married, she begins to have children, but they are unquestionably not his own. He welcomes each of these children into his life and cares for them; even as his heart breaks with every additional indiscretion of his wife. She leaves him and becomes the slave of another. He is prepared to go on without her; but this is the word he hears from God: “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them” (Hosea 3:1).
Hosea was called to demonstrate the astonishing grace of God in the particularly personal and painful events of his life. The example of the grace he showed his unfaithful wife gave added power and authority to the word he brought to the people of Israel.
Why is the grace of God more amazing than ever? Because we can never fully grasp “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is” (Ephesians 3:18). God’s love for you is truly boundless. May God’s love fill you with peace and work in you “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20b).
King David had received abundant grace from God for many years. Jonathan, Saul’s son and Mephibosheth’s father, had shown grace to David when his life was first threatened as Saul’s jealousy grew to rage. Now David shows astonishing grace and generosity to his rival’s descendant.
Now consider this: A religious leader marries a woman who has clearly lived a life of unfaithfulness. Once they are married, she begins to have children, but they are unquestionably not his own. He welcomes each of these children into his life and cares for them; even as his heart breaks with every additional indiscretion of his wife. She leaves him and becomes the slave of another. He is prepared to go on without her; but this is the word he hears from God: “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them” (Hosea 3:1).
Hosea was called to demonstrate the astonishing grace of God in the particularly personal and painful events of his life. The example of the grace he showed his unfaithful wife gave added power and authority to the word he brought to the people of Israel.
Why is the grace of God more amazing than ever? Because we can never fully grasp “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is” (Ephesians 3:18). God’s love for you is truly boundless. May God’s love fill you with peace and work in you “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20b).
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Season of Grace
When you cross some people, you may wonder if there is any way you can make it right again. You think through the cordial words you hope will convince them of your sincerity. You consider gifts that might serve as a fitting peace offering. You wonder if there is some good deed you could do for them to show you are committed to restoring your relationship. Perhaps you do it all, but you still know they hold the offense against you.
Some people believe God is like that. They believe God will not forgive them for something they have done. Here’s the truth: ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Why will God forgive you? Because God practices grace.
Lent is a season of preparation and repentance. For some it may feel like a heavy burden. I hope you will discover what has encouraged many others—the grace of God is still amazing. For the next few weeks as we move toward Easter, we will be looking at the different aspects of God’s grace.
“My Chains Fell Off”
In John 8:31-36 Jesus promises to set us free.
“Scandalous Love”
In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells a story about an incredible love.
“At God’s Expense”
In Hebrews 9:11-12 you hear about the price God paid to save his people.
“Changing Places”
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 you read of God's plan for reconciliation.
“A Sure Defense”
In Romans 8:26-39 Paul encourages believers to remember the protection God provides in the midst of persecution, struggle and trial.
“Clearing Up the Confusion”
In Isaiah 50:4-9a you find words of deep assurance of God's continuing care.
“Freed by God’s Grace”
In Romans 6:1-14 Paul proclaims the good news that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ you can experience new life.
I pray that this season of prepartion will help you discover that grace is more amazing than ever.
Some people believe God is like that. They believe God will not forgive them for something they have done. Here’s the truth: ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Why will God forgive you? Because God practices grace.
Lent is a season of preparation and repentance. For some it may feel like a heavy burden. I hope you will discover what has encouraged many others—the grace of God is still amazing. For the next few weeks as we move toward Easter, we will be looking at the different aspects of God’s grace.
“My Chains Fell Off”
In John 8:31-36 Jesus promises to set us free.
“Scandalous Love”
In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells a story about an incredible love.
“At God’s Expense”
In Hebrews 9:11-12 you hear about the price God paid to save his people.
“Changing Places”
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 you read of God's plan for reconciliation.
“A Sure Defense”
In Romans 8:26-39 Paul encourages believers to remember the protection God provides in the midst of persecution, struggle and trial.
“Clearing Up the Confusion”
In Isaiah 50:4-9a you find words of deep assurance of God's continuing care.
“Freed by God’s Grace”
In Romans 6:1-14 Paul proclaims the good news that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ you can experience new life.
I pray that this season of prepartion will help you discover that grace is more amazing than ever.
Friday, March 4, 2011
A Bold Witness
Let’s be clear from the start. You cannot save anyone; and neither can I. As Peter was standing before the High Priest, other leaders, elders, and teachers of the Law of Moses in Jerusalem—just days after the Holy Spirit had filled them with great power; he told them unequivocally, “Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone” (Acts 4:12).
If that sounds narrow or absolute or exclusive, that’s because it is. Was Peter suffering from a lapse of triumphalism? Was he just trying to make his audience angry? Was he overstating his case? No! Peter was faithfully responding to the Holy Spirit by telling everyone who would listen what he had heard from Jesus himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me” (John 14:6).
If you know Jesus, if you confess Jesus as your Savior, if you put your whole trust in his grace, if you promise to serve him as your Lord; to make the most of your life you will make the most of every opportunity to share the single greatest gift you can give to your friends and family members—an introduction to the God who created them, loves them, and has a purpose for their lives.
Those opportunities are around you every day. You can develop friendships with people who are far from God. By listening to them and showing genuine concern, you can discover the stories behind their life’s journey. Through prayer and seeking direction from the Holy Spirit, you can discern what “next steps” will help point them to faith.
If you are struggling with your commitment to witness, let me suggest that you commit to know Jesus in a more personal way. Think about Jesus. Communicate with him day to day, even moment to moment, in prayer. Read his words, meditating on them and memorizing them; not out of ritual, but out of love. As you get to know him better, it will be easier for you to tell others what he means to you.
Pastor Bill Hybels reminds us, “Pointing people to faith is something all of us can do.” I am thankful for those people who pointed me toward God and for all of you who continue to lead people closer to God each day. I pray you will continue to be true to your commitment to witness.
If that sounds narrow or absolute or exclusive, that’s because it is. Was Peter suffering from a lapse of triumphalism? Was he just trying to make his audience angry? Was he overstating his case? No! Peter was faithfully responding to the Holy Spirit by telling everyone who would listen what he had heard from Jesus himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me” (John 14:6).
If you know Jesus, if you confess Jesus as your Savior, if you put your whole trust in his grace, if you promise to serve him as your Lord; to make the most of your life you will make the most of every opportunity to share the single greatest gift you can give to your friends and family members—an introduction to the God who created them, loves them, and has a purpose for their lives.
Those opportunities are around you every day. You can develop friendships with people who are far from God. By listening to them and showing genuine concern, you can discover the stories behind their life’s journey. Through prayer and seeking direction from the Holy Spirit, you can discern what “next steps” will help point them to faith.
If you are struggling with your commitment to witness, let me suggest that you commit to know Jesus in a more personal way. Think about Jesus. Communicate with him day to day, even moment to moment, in prayer. Read his words, meditating on them and memorizing them; not out of ritual, but out of love. As you get to know him better, it will be easier for you to tell others what he means to you.
Pastor Bill Hybels reminds us, “Pointing people to faith is something all of us can do.” I am thankful for those people who pointed me toward God and for all of you who continue to lead people closer to God each day. I pray you will continue to be true to your commitment to witness.
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