JESUS – THE MOST APPROACHABLE PERSON

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2 NIV)

In Jesus' day, lepers and prostitutes and tax collectors were especially careful to steer clear of the rabbis, who were considered especially close to God. The rabbis' had the mistaken notion that their spirituality required them to distance themselves from people. The irony is that the only rabbi the outcasts could touch turned out to be God Himself.

Jesus was the most approachable person they had ever seen. The religious leaders had a kind of differentness that pushed people away. Jesus had a kind of differentness that drew people to Him. True spirituality is that way.

-- John Ortberg in “The Life You've Always Wanted”

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DELIGHTFUL DAY

“The Lord also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.”  (Psalm 18:19 NKJV)

Following a winter blizzard touted as the “storm of the century,” my bassets decide to do “snow angels” in the snowbank called my front yard. Though their backs were just about even with the top of it, they bounced atop the white stuff and ploughed on, leaving leg and belly marks.

I admit I laughed, though I also kept an eye on them to be sure they were safe. It was really rather fun to see them enjoying themselves and taking on a new challenge. They’d never seen this much snow.

Somewhat like a pet owner who gets a lot of enjoyment from the animal’s antics, I imagine God delights in watching us take on new things, enjoy the world He’s created for us, and learn more of Him. He didn’t create us to become our taskmaster, but because He wanted to share things with us noy only in eternity, but here on earth, too. Though Scripture contains many serious warnings and guidelines, there are frequent indications of the joy He has in His creation, and part of that creation is us.

So while we’re trying to do the right thing and follow His way intently, let’s not forget that we can also simply rejoice in the God who saved us. He delivered us because He delighted in us, and He wants us to delight in Him, too.

Make this a truly delightful day as you worship the Savior who loves you in so many ways. Remember, He wants to share the fun with you, too. 

-- Pamela McQuade, from “Daily Wisdom to Satisfy the Soul,” published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

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THE WORLD’S A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE…

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”  (Philippians 2:13 NIV)

Great historical events might never have “happened” if people’s spirits were not in touch with the Spirit’s movement in their lives:

The world’s a better place because Michelangelo didn’t say, “I don’t do ceilings.”

The world’s a better place because a German monk named Martin Luther didn’t say, “I don’t do doors.”

The world’s a better place because an Oxford don named John Wesley didn’t say, “I don’t do fields.”

The world’s a better place because Moses didn’t say, “I don’t do Pharaohs.”

The world’s a better place because Noah didn’t say, “I don’t do arks and animals.”

The world’s a better place because Ruth didn’t say, “I don’t do mothers-in-law.”

The world’s a better place because Mary didn’t say, “I don’t do virgin births.”

The world’s a better place because Mary Magdalene didn’t say, “I don’t do feet.”

The world’s a better place because Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t do crosses.”

Get in touch with the greatness of your spiritual heritage. Look to the future, and feel God’s Spirit stirring your own. Then watch in wonder as God transforms your life… and makes the world a better place.

-- Adapted from Leonard Sweet in “A Cup of Coffee at the Soulcafe”

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JUSTICE, MERCY AND HUMILITY

In the Book of Micah, God called all the mountains and hills to witness as He told the people of Israel what is expected of them. “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  (Micah 6:8)

Of all the demands upon the Christian, justice and mercy – not to mention humility – are perhaps the most often misunderstood.

Justice is a hard standard. Justice demands absolute conformity with God’s holy character -- righteousness in our hearts, righteousness in our conversations, righteousness in our conduct, righteousness in our jobs and lives, righteousness in our institutions. Because God is a holy God, He cannot be in fellowship with unjust people.

At the same time, God is a merciful God. He woos His people and calls them back to Himself. But His justice -- consistency with His own decrees -- means that sin has to be paid for with death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)…

Why didn’t God simply forgive and forget and let us begin again? Because His standard of justice, which demanded righteousness or death, could not be put aside.

So God shook heaven and earth, merging justice and mercy at the Cross by fulfilling the demands of justice through the one perfect sacrifice, His only Son, Jesus Christ.

When the Scriptures tell us to do justice and to love mercy, they require of us nothing less than the glorious, full-bodied justice and mercy God Himself showed. 

– Adapted from Charles Colson (1931-2012) in an article entitled “Doing Justice, Loving Mercy, Walking Humbly” in Discipleship Journal, No. 63 

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WHAT A PLEASURE!

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence.”  (1 John 3:18-19 NIV)

How are you serving the Lord in your home? In your office? At school? At church? In the community? Perhaps more important, what’s your attitude when you serve Him?

John 13:1-30 gives at least four characteristics of an attitude of service if you’re following the example of the Lord:

·      We’re to serve willingly -- when it’s not convenient or even when our service isn’t appreciated.

·      We’re to serve humbly. What job are you too proud to do?

·      We’re to serve obediently. What is your motivation for service?

·      And we’re to serve sincerely.

Psalm 103:20-21 says, “Praise the Lord, you His angels… who obey His word… you His servants who do His will.” What a pleasure to do God’s pleasure! The greatest joy you’ll experience on earth, other than worshiping our Lord, is the joy of working for Him -- willingly, humbly, obediently, and sincerely. 

-- Adapted from Anne Graham Lotz in “Fixing My Eyes on Jesus” 

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