Yearly Archives: 2016

VOTD.06.07.16 The Peace Measure: Maturity

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  John 14:27
Come to me all you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Our next milepost on the journey of Christian maturity: Rest. Peace. Simply put, stress is a character trait of this world and its system. God gives peace, instead.

We’ve all been there. Too much on our plates and feeling overwhelmed. Or we face impossible problems, setbacks, disappointments, discouragements… Add to that, we’re exhausted. Jesus calls this “Weary and heavy-laden”.

How does the world respond to stress? Well, there’s always TV (books, surfing the web and other distractions). Then there’s endurance—putting our shoulder to the tasks and bulldozing through (that’s me). Some get into pumping ourselves up with positive self-talk. Others find something in the fridge. And don’t forget pity-parties and complaining. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.06.07.16 The Peace Measure: Maturity

VOTD 06.06.16 The Worship Measure: Maturity

I saw the Lord, high and exalted… And I cried, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  Isaiah 6:1,5

Last time we saw that our faith in Jesus is the measure of our significance and value and respect, because faith means looking away from ourselves to Jesus and embracing Him as the personification of all that is significant, valued and worthy of honor and respect.

And when that happens, we become Jesus-worshipers.

Focusing on Jesus is all it takes to transform you and me into passionate worshipers. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 06.06.16 The Worship Measure: Maturity

VOTD 05.24.16 Childlikeness: Maturity

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  Matthew 18:1-5

Mature Christians have a childlike nature. Let’s get a few things straight from the beginning; Being childlike doesn’t mean we’re immature…And being mature doesn’t mean we accept the joyless, bored life that is often associated with adulthood. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.24.16 Childlikeness: Maturity

VOTD 05.23.16 Mountaintops & Valleys: Maturity

The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:28

The Arameans thought they had been defeated because Israel’s God was the God of the mountains, which is where they had been fighting. So they devised to fight Israel in the valleys, where Israel’s God was powerless (they thought). But the God of the mountain is still God in the valley (1Kings 20:23-28). (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.23.16 Mountaintops & Valleys: Maturity

VOTD 05.17.16 Passing the Eye Test: Maturity

Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Spiritual maturity is not about appearance. There are people who “look the part.” This is sometimes called “passing the eye test.” In basketball, for example, that means being exceptionally tall with big hands. But many who pass the eye test aren’t good basketball players. Some who are shorter are exceptional at the game.

In the same way, when it comes to Christian maturity, there are many Christians who “pass the eye test”—they look the part, but that’s all. Last time we mentioned age, or even the appearance of age. But looks aren’t a very good indication of spiritual maturity. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.17.16 Passing the Eye Test: Maturity

VOTD 05.16.16 Age, Experience and Maturity

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Titus 2:2-3 

One of my co-workers had a coffee mug for years that proclaimed “You can’t stop getting older but you can be immature forever.” Unfortunately, this slogan fit him perfectly.

The very fact that Paul had to tell Titus in today’s verses to teach elements of wisdom and maturity to the older men and women is a sign that increased age doesn’t necessary mean increased maturity. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD 05.16.16 Age, Experience and Maturity

VOTD.05.10.16 Slaves and Sons: Magdalene

Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:35,36

Last time we were talking about the mysterious lack of interest on the part of the disciples to see the risen Jesus. What could account for it?

I bet Jesus wasn’t surprised. You see, He had seen all this before. Take, for example, the history of the Israelites’ rescue from Egypt. They’d seen the Egyptian nation go through 10 horrible plagues. They saw the mighty Egyptian army destroyed at the Red Sea. Even manna from heaven.

They were delivered from slavery and saw God’s pillar of fire by night and pillar of clouds by day leading them. But when the time came to see God reveal Himself on the mountain, they weren’t interested. Well, to be more accurate, they were interested, but not in God. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.05.10.16 Slaves and Sons: Magdalene

VOTD.05.09.16 Believing: Magdalene

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Matthew 26:32
“Don’t be alarmed,” (the angel) said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! …He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Then Jesus said to (Magdalene), “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10

Last time we saw what did Jesus’ leadership team did with Magdalene’s startling announcement that she had seen the risen Lord Jesus: They immediately did … Nothing. But here’s the really strange thing: (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.05.09.16 Believing: Magdalene

Album Review: I Will Praise You by Rebecca St. James

So I’ve been a long-time fan of RSJ (my sister remembers loving her song “A Cradle Prayer” ‘way back before I was even born… but that’s another story).  But her most recent release, I Will Praise You, is my favorite of any of the album she has ever released.  She has been in the worship music field for quite some time, but I find I Will Praise You to be her most anointed and worshipful release ever.  Some of the songs have carried me through difficult seasons in my life, and I believe that there is an anointing for encouragement on this album.

Quick Stats

Pros: It is more vertical worship than many of Rebecca’s other albums.

 Cons: If you don’t like covers (songs written and sung by others), you probably won’t like this album.  Rebecca does quite a few covers.  Personally, I actually prefer her versions much of the time

 

A Little Bit About the Album: Released in 2011 (more…)

Continue ReadingAlbum Review: I Will Praise You by Rebecca St. James

VOTD.05.02.16 One Thing: Magdalene

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may…gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him Psalm 27:4

Last time we were asking the question: Has Jesus revealed Himself to you like He did to people in the Bible? Would you want Him to?

If you are like a lot of Christians, you feel a certain obligation to answer ‘yes’ when asked if you’d like Jesus to reveal Himself to you like He did to Magdalene and others. And if you stopped to think about it, it would be a pretty safe answer because you believe that circumstance is pretty unlikely.

If you are like many other Christians you can hardly wait to emphatically shout out, “YES! And make it NOW, please!!”

Of course there would be other Christians who might honestly say, “Ummm, thanks for the offer, but…I don’t think I’m ready for this.” And these people would be right, too. (more…)

Continue ReadingVOTD.05.02.16 One Thing: Magdalene