Grace: The God who Stoops

Hello Friends,

What a great discussion last night.  I am still so impacted by the idea that grace is something that happens to us.  I appreciated all of you comments last night as we started this journey of growth.

As a result of never making it to chapter 2, you encouraged me to start a blog discussion about the chapter during the week, so here we go.

I don't know about you, but I love the idea of God stooping down to me.  Who am I that he would stoop down for me? In Max Lucado's opening story in the chapter about the woman that was caught in the very act of adultery, he makes the statement on page 18, "No one would speak for her.  But someone would stoop for her."  One of the big things that I hope we went away with last night was the fact that "grace is everything Jesus!"

"Grace is something that happens to us, it has a drenching about it, there is a wildness about it, riptide, turn-you-upside-downess about it.  Grace comes after you."

In chapter 2, on page 19 Lucado makes a statement I would like for us to discuss today:

I wonder how "Grace is a God who stoops," applies to us today?  How does it impact your life that Grace is a God who stoops? What would you say?

There are many accusers out there and there is one who is the master.  Will you listen the one who stands up in front of everyone and screams his accusations or will you listen to the One who stoops?

Thoughts?

Lavished Children

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God."  

1 John 3:1

Every time I come across this verse, I am attracted to the word "lavished." As I have studied the word, it implies being soaked by something.  Can you picture that? Being soaked by God's great love. Not a normal love, but a great love.  A love that is everlasting, a love that is unconditional, a love that is personal to you and personal to me.

I imagine that it is like standing in the shower being soaked by water. There is not a dry spot on me. It keeps on soaking and soaking.

Let me encourage you to meditate on God's great love for you every morning this week as you stand in the shower. I can't think of a better way to start the day than to remind myself of how much God loves me.

Remember these words?

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so.

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and Yellow Black and White
All are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves all the children of the world.

Blessings today.

Reckless Living

Today, I am reminded of the power of our Lord.  I am reading and meditating on the story of Balaam. (Numbers 22:5-24:25)  I am struck by how far the Lord will go to get our attention.  God used a loyal animal to get Balaam to finally see and hear God.  Once his eyes and ears are opened...

"The angel of the Lord asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me." (22:32)

I am forced to consider my own path this morning.  As I look at the path I am on, I don't see it as sinful, uncaring, world focused, harmful to others, etc.    But is it reckless?   Dictionary.com defines reckless as utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless.  The angel was warning Balaam that he was doing life before God in a way that was utterly unconcerned about the consequences of his actions.    And God opposed that!

As I think upon my "path," I wonder if I am unconcerned about the consequences of my path before God? Am I living before God without caution?  I don't think so, or at least I hope not.   I know that my perspective can be skewed.  My perception of my reality is easily tilted in my favor.  But, I am afraid that I am living way too safe at times.  It is part of my personality makeup to play it safe, and God is reminding me today that He opposes me choosing "safe" over "obedience."  There are times when my obedience will appear to others as being unconcerned about consequences.  They will potentially look at a decision and say, "Joel, don't you know what will happen if you do that?  Don't you realize the impact that is going to have on the church?  On your schedule?  On your family?  But there is one thing that I can be sure of: when I walk in obedience, God takes responsibility for the consequences.  I know without a shadow of doubt, that God will never leave me and never forsake me.  Jacob's life is a great example of this principle.  We may look at being sold into slavery, being thrown in jail for false allegations as being forsaken.  But God took all of his faithfulness and obedience and worked it out for His good and glory.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)

Balaam was living in such a way that was unconcerned about the consequences of his actions before God, and God opposes that.  In my case, my inaction is reckless before God.  My decision to not do something that God wants me to do is behaving in a way that appears to be utterly unconcerned about the consequences.  God opposes that!

Whether God wants me to do something, or not do something: the key lesson for me today is to be obedient!  To do otherwise is to live recklessly before my Lord and He opposes that.

Lord, help me walk in obedience.  Please forgive me when I walk as though I am not concerned about the consequences of my obedience.  Thank you for not giving me what I deserve and also for giving me what I don't deserve.  Amen

What are you looking for?

Last week I started a series of messages looking at people who had an encounter with Jesus when they weren't looking for Jesus.  I have discovered a couple of things in common with these stories.  The first is that Jesus notices people that are hurting.  I know that we have all seen the footprints in the sand illustration, but I really think it is true.  So I wonder why so many people start entertaining thoughts that God has left them during their hardest days of life.  Friends, I just want to remind you that Jesus notices our hurts.

The next thing that I have discovered in these encounters is that Jesus has something for these individuals to do.  "Go wash..."  "Get up..."  "Go and tell..."  Friends, when we are touched by Jesus, we need to go and do something with a grateful heart and we need to go tell someone about our Jesus touch.

Tomorrow, I can't wait to teach on the widow who was on her way to bury her son.  She wasn't looking for Jesus and she may not have even known who Jesus was, but then all of the sudden... there he was walking up to her.  He knew her need and he met her need.

This has been a powerful word of encouragement in my own life this week.

Blessings,

Joel

Making Wise Choices - ANGER

One of my favorite SNL skits has Chris Farley eating at a fine dining restaurant.  It shows him drinking coffee and at the end of his meal he is let in on a secret.  He has been drinking Folder's Crystals coffee rather than high priced coffee.  He then goes on a rage and terrorizes the whole place.  He is finally subdued by employees that beat him over the head with frying pans.  Later, after he had been bandaged up, he was interviewed and asked how he felt.  His reply:  "ANGRY!"

Our anger can make us do stupid things, say stuff we don't want to say, and ruin the day of those around us.  Why is it that we usually take out our anger on those that are closest to us, those that we care the most about, those that care the most about us?  Anger.

Proverbs 14:29 says, "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly."

I want to encourage everyone this week to slow down.  Don't be in such a hurry to blast the guy in the car in front of you that simply changed lanes in front of you.  This past week, I mentioned that I had to make the conscious decision years ago to drive the speed limit.  I had to make up my mind to not get bent out of shape over the way others drive around me.  If I didn't make that choice, I knew I was going to be angry every time I got in the car and I was going to ruin everyone else's day that was in the car with me.

I wonder... What was it about the other guys driving that got me so angry?  All he did was change lanes.  We know that anger is a secondary emotion.  What was the primary emotion that led to anger?  Did he scare me when he changed lanes?  Did he violate my space?  Was I scared of him? NO!  What was it that led to me getting angry?

I want to throw out the challenge: SLOW DOWN. It just doesn't matter how that other guy is driving.   Ask yourself:  Why do I get so angry at other drivers?

Friends, let put 1st things 1st when we get angry.  Let's take it to the Lord.  Ask Him to take those thoughts captive.  Claim the verse that tells us to take all of our anxieties to him because he cares for us.  Will you believe that God can help you?  Will you?

James 1:19 says, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

SLOW DOWN and take it to God.  SLOW DOWN!

Making Wise Choices - FRIENDS

I have had so much feedback from this past weeks message dealing with friendships in our lives so I wanted to do a follow up.  We need to make wise choices about who we are allowing to have influence in our lives.

Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

We need to first determine who or what are the influencers in our lives. Whether it is a person, place, thing, or attitude; we need to determine who or what is shaping our behaviors and attitudes.  One of the statements I have said for years is this: "You show me your friends and I will show you your future."  Make no mistake... behavior is modeled and attitudes are contagious.  Who or what is shaping you?

There are some friendships that need to be cut off and there are others that we simply need to stop watering.  Is it a person that is leading you toward a life that is contrary to the way God would instruct you to live?  Is it a place that you go on the internet? Have you become secret friends with a place on the web? Is it a possession that you are passionate about that has led you to have a greedy heart? What about an attitude? Sometimes, bitterness and anger and unforgiveness can keep us warm at night. Do you have an attitude that you need to let go?

Friends, I suggest we make these questions a part of our everyday living:

     1. Is it BEST? I am not taking about ok or good. I am talking about the BEST! The greatest enemy of "best" is "good."  I don't want you to just experience good.  I want the best for you.

     2. Does it BUILD? Does that friendship lead you toward godliness? Are you a better person because of that friendship? Does that friend lead you toward bad decisions and messing up? My desire for you is to be stronger everyday.

     3. Could it BIND?  Is it possible that this friendship could get you in trouble and put a strain on the other relationships in your life? Could it cost you your job, marriage, influence with your kids?

Ask God to give you direction in your friendships. Walk wisely in dealing with friends. Whether it is to cut it off or just stop watering... be wise.

Blessings.