Tag: resurrection power

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Giants in the Kingdom

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Philippians 2:3

Ever notice how batteries and memory chips in today’s electronics have gotten smaller, yet exponentially more powerful? Real power can be found in small packages. The same is true in life. The real stature of a person has nothing to do with size.

Too often people equate size with power. For instance, in the modern era, taller men have been seen as stronger leaders in military and politics. Even in fairy tales, there’s always a giant in the kingdom who holds all the power. Yet in reality, physical size and looks have nothing to do with one’s ability to think or lead. So why do we tend to think in such terms? Because we look on the outside, rather than the inside.

However, God always looks on the inside. The truth is real leadership is born out of a humble nature, and St. Paul shows us the life of Jesus as our example. In the opening verses of Philippians chapter two, we see Paul calling believers to have the same mind and character as Jesus. People are not usually drawn to follow conceited personalities. Humility always trumps haughtiness.

True leaders always put the interests of those they lead above their own. The ability to do so, to lay down selfish ambition and esteem others as better than ourselves, is not part of our human nature, it reflects real power –resurrection power. Do you sense that power within you?

Are you living dad to day in the power of the resurrection, finding victory even in what looks like defeat? Let’s face it, life can seem to defeat us if we only see the need to raise ourselves up. But, when we stop putting ourselves and our ambitions first, and begin to see our life as a tool for Christ to love others through, then we find the quiet, confident power of the resurrection at work within us. Then, He raises us up to be giants in His kingdom.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for my selfish and conceited ways. Help me to live daily in the power of your resurrection that allows others to see you and your spirit, in and through me. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/07/08/how-tall-are-the-2016-presidential-candidates

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Hurt So Good

29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Philippians 1:29

The American Pop Philosopher, John Cougar Mellencamp sang, “Sometimes love don’t feel like it should. You make it, hurt so good”. Somehow, I don’t think John was talking about Jesus – but he was right. Jesus can make our suffering and pain hurt so good. Suffering can actually breed strength. Sounds ironic, doesn’t it?

The world doesn’t comprehend such thinking. In the eyes of the world, suffering often means weakness, or at least bad luck. But, the New Testament turns the wisdom of the world upside down. The Philippian people were suffering for their new found faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed St. Paul was writing from prison, and for nothing more than being a Christian. Suffering seems to be the common denominator uniting all followers of Jesus through the ages.

Why is it we are called to suffer? Because Jesus suffered, and the servant is not greater than his master. Paul speaks of our suffering as something we are “granted”, as if it’s a privilege similar to the gift of faith. Sadly, many do not see suffering as a gift from God. In fact, we often pray to avoid suffering and pain.

While we shouldn’t go looking for suffering, it’s imperative that we not try to avoid it when it comes. Suffering, when properly understood is redemptive. We can take comfort in knowing that in all suffering we have the resurrection power of Jesus to sustain us. God will not allow a burden of suffering, for which He also does not give the strength to endure.

The strength to endure suffering in any form, is the strength of Christ at work in us; it is the redeeming power of the cross, and the triumphant power of the resurrection. Could there be a greater compliment? Our Father has trusted us with the character to live as over-comers, even as did Jesus. So remember, if you are currently suffering, you’re not alone. All who suffer unite at the Cross of Christ, for it has been granted to us, even as our faith.

And remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

God of all mercy, help me not to avoid the suffering I am called to endure in this life. But, rather help me to unite my suffering with your cross that others may come to see you, and I may come to know you better. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://myat40.wikia.com/wiki/John_Cougar:Hurts_So_Good

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The Life You’re Meant to Live

“21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

I think if St. Paul had heard Bobby McFerrin’s song “Don’t Worry”, he would have included those lyrics in the Book of Philippians. Can’t you just heart it… “Don’t worry, be happy”! I often meet Christian people who are so caught up in their cares and problems they don’t really enjoy life. I must confess…I’ve been there too. When that happens, we need to be reminded of Paul’s words – “To live is Christ”.

As followers of Jesus, we need to follow Him in all our being, not just in belief. Our faith should make all the difference in how we approach this life. Paul is saying that to live in this world is to live as Christ would live in it. That doesn’t mean we never have cares and concerns, Jesus had many. Remember His agony in the garden? And, how about all those long nights spent in prayer instead of sleeping? It means we don’t let our cares steal our joy.

“To live is Christ” means we live with an eternal optimism that no matter what happens to us in this world, we will make it through. The power of the resurrection is the power of His Spirit within us to overcome all obstacles. And, even if we die trying, guess what… “to die is gain”!

Sometimes we fail to live with the assurance that death isn’t the end of life, it’s the beginning. Only in death will we fully realize the power of the resurrection, when God raises up even our physical bodies from the grave to life eternal. When we leave this world behind, we also leave time behind. It will seem as if in the twinkling of an eye we’ll all be together again in the resurrection on the last day, until then remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Help me to see you and your victory in all I face in this world, until at last I am victorious with you in Heaven. Amen. Alleluia!

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When the Ugly Becomes Beautiful

“12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,”

Do you live with regret for things in your past? Most people do, but a sad way to live. Certainly no one’s past is perfect, and their will always be things of a sinful nature we wish we hadn’t done. But, what about the testimony of the gospel to make something beautiful out of something ugly?

We serve a God who has promised to make all things in our lives work for good, somehow, someway (Rom. 8:28). It may be hard to see how some of your past can actually lead to something good, especially the deep, hurtful things. But, think about it with me for a moment. You wouldn’t be who you are today if not for those things

I know someone reading this can say “But what about that horrible violent thing that happened to me?” Of course, you wish that hadn’t happened…but it did. And, God wants to use ALL of your past to make you who He wants you to be. The testimony of who you are in Christ today is so much stronger because of what you’ve been through. God has redeemed your life from the pit.

St. Paul was writing the Philippians from Jail. Jail is certainly embarrassing. Today if one our church leaders was put in jail, we’d probably wonder what they did wrong. Well, like your past, it’s not always about what you did wrong. Sometimes bad things happen to innocent people, like Paul…perhaps like you.

Paul was confident the gospel message he preached was going to be even stronger because of his chains. We too can know that God wants to use our entire life’s testimony as a powerful witness to His resurrection power. Go ahead. Hold your head high no matter what you’ve done in the past. Our God is in the business of making something beautiful out of something ugly. Remember, you’re a child of the King, He loves you, and so do I.

And remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father of all mercy, thank you for saving my life from the pit. Thank you for making me your beautiful child. Help me to be a witness to your resurrecting, and remaking power in this lost and broken world. Amen. Alleluia!

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The Secret of Fruitfulness

“10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ,to the glory and praise of God.”

Perfection, for us humans, can only be found within the context of Jesus’ resurrection. Quite often, we don’t even try to live a perfect life because it seems futile. We are reminded over and over each day that we are fallible. But, the life of Christ calls us to be sincere in our efforts for righteousness.

It seems we too often forget that all our “fruits of righteousness” are “by Jesus Christ,”. Without the resurrection power of Jesus at work in our hearts we have nothing with which to truly praise God. He raised us up in His power to live righteous and holy lives; that’s the message of new life in Christ that comes to us at Easter. Should we not then try to live holy?

The power of the resurrection was actualized in the life of the first believers on the day of Pentecost. The risen Christ had ascended but He had not left them alone, and neither does He leave us alone. We have the Holy Spirit who brings resurrection power to our lives; He is the secret power of our fruitfulness.

I find great hope in St. Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians to “approve the things that are excellent,” and to “live without offense”. If you aren’t seeing any fruitfulness in your life, perhaps you haven’t discovered the right source of power – the secret of His fruitfulness. As you begin a new day, won’t you consider how you should be living. Put your trust in Jesus to bring His fruits to bear in your life.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Lord of life, you call all people to be holy. Show me the fruit of your resurrection blooming in my life, that I may approve all things that are excellent to the glory of your Name. Amen. Alleluia!

image credit: http://www.revelatrium.com/all-fruitfulness-flows-from-intimacy-theres-no-other-place-to-get-it/

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You Can Do It!

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

How confident are you in your Christian faith? I meet people all the time who believe in Jesus, but live as though they’re not really sure about all His promises. You know, promises like He’ll never leaving us, always hearing our prayers, and the big one – “I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) If you can resonate with those doubts, today’s devotion is just for you.

If we are ever going to live the victorious Christian life in the power God, we must be confident people; not over confident in ourselves, that would be arrogant. But, confident in the work Christ began in us when He regenerated us by His Holy Spirit. St. Paul knew the Philippians needed that confidence, and so do we.

God doesn’t do anything half-way. When we experienced Gods’ saving grace, at whatever point in life that happened, we entered into “new life” in Christ. In our “new life”, we were made into a, “new creation”. The old self is gone. The old self didn’t have the power to be confident in Christ, but the new one does; it does so because it comes in the resurrection power of Christ. The power that raised Christ physically, raises us spiritually.

Today, if you are “in Christ”, you can be confident that through all things you will face, you will have victory in Jesus. There will never be a day when God is not at work in you. Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for saving me, and for giving me your resurrection power to face all things. Help me to be confident in your power at work in me. Amen. Alleluia!

image credit: http://humansareweird.com/2012/12/27/are-you-lacking-in-self-confidence/

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Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 27

“33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.”

 

Mark 8:33

Read Mark 8:27-9:1

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

What Side Are You On?

Have you ever found yourself on the wrong side of an argument, when you knew you had to be right? I know I have. Sometimes we think we know what the right thing to do is only to realize we were wrong all along. None of us are right every time (though some think they are), but we can know what it takes to be right. This idea of thinking we know what’s right is really intensified in election years. It’s pretty obvious this year that all the Presidential candidates think they’re right. However, we must remember, there is only one truth, and they can’t all be telling it. But, how do we discern what’s right? Read on and I’ll tell you.

I often wonder if, before he met Jesus, Peter was one of those persons who thought he was always right. You know, sort of a Donald Trump personality. I don’t mean any offence if Trump’s your guy in this election, but I have noticed throughout his career that he’s brash guy who often speaks before he thinks. Scripture shows Peter as one with a brash, outspoken personality. He often spoke before he thought things through; that is until he met the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. In today’s gospel, Peter even thinks he knows better than Jesus. Ouch, that’s pretty bold. But, before we’re too hard on Peter, we often do the same thing, don’t we?

Life’s Ultimate Resource Tool

The only way to really know the right thing to do in life is to be led by the Holy Spirit. King David said in the Psalms, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105). No matter what decisions we face in life, there is no better guide than the Bible; it is the ultimate topical resource tool; I challenge you to think of a topic or problem it doesn’t deal with in some way.

One of the things I love about Lent is spending more time in the study and devotion of God’s word. Often, Lent becomes a time of testing for me personally, on things that are of great importance to me. I dedicate my fasting, prayer and study to finding God’s truth for areas of concern in my life. Of course, we can and should do such things all year, not just in Lent, but I’m glad the church devotes a season to encouraging us to be intentional in such things.

As the season leading us to Easter, Lent is the perfect time for challenging ourselves to be sure we’re on the right side of things in our life. After all it is the power of Christ’s resurrection that empowers us to overcome all things.

How about you? Are you on the wrong side of something right now? Do you need power to discern right from wrong, to make the right decision, no matter how hard? Then, let the words of St. Paul in the Philippian letter be your prayer today, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Phil. 3:10) When we die to Jesus, all things become possible. His divine, resurrecting power is the power that raises us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6