changed

This is a GREAT story.
Well worth 18 minutes of your time.
This is the power of Jesus to change a life.
The power of Jesus to transform a marriage.

Come back wanderer

This past Tuesday marked the last teaching from Beth Moore on the book of James.  It's hard for me to articulate in words all that I've learned.  Today, I'll just try to articulate one thing (because if I tried for ALL, this post would be at least 12 pages long, and none of us wants that... especially you, i'm sure).

Have you ever read the book of James straight through?  or at least the ending?  it seems to have an atypical, abrupt ending.  These are the last 7 verses:

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. 

The end.

Keep in mind, it's a letter.  So, no goodbye, no peace out, no farewell, no see ya on the flipside.  Just "whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." 

Beth suggested that perhaps this ending was intentional and personal for the letter's author.  

James was Jesus' brother (well, half brother...)  Can you imagine being the sibling of Jesus? Talk about the "seemingly" perfect oldest child.  Scriptures tell us that Jesus siblings thought he was crazy.  More specifically, "OUT OF HIS MIND" (Mark 3:21).  Fast forward to the crucifixion.  No doubt the siblings would have known He was being crucified, and although they may have thought He was nutso, they likely were still disturbed and devastated.  I wonder if there was any regret... like, you think someone is going to live until they're old and gray and your personal issues with them will go away and then before you know it, they die a terrible death at age 33 and you wish you would have said something.

But then, check out 1 Corinthians 15: 4-7 

[Christ] was buried, he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James...  

Beth (Moore) taught me that perhaps this might have been the turning point for James.  Here he thought Jesus was dead and gone.  He would have heard people claim Jesus was God but he also thought his brother was crazy.  And he didn't have the scriptural accounts we have today, so he didn't know the end of the story.  So, Jesus, (dead and gone in James' mind) APPEARS TO JAMES.

Do you think that maybe James was walking along, going to the market or something when he heard someone call out "James" from behind him?  And you know how you can recognize familiar voices even though you can't see the person... well imagine if you heard the voice of someone who was supposed to be dead.  That'd sure as heck stop me in my tracks.  Then James would have turned around, seen his dear brother who he thought he had heard, and probably have been speechless.

I wonder if that was it.  That was James' moment and everything suddenly made sense, and he knew in fact, that Jesus was not a lunatic, but rather, He was who He said He was - the Messiah.     

AND furthermore, this Messiah did not condemn James or give him an "I told you so."  He didn't spit in James' face or act superior or... all the other things James would have deserved.  Rather, He graciously appeared to James and James' eyes were opened.  

When you think about it that way, the seemingly abrupt ending of James' letter makes more sense.  Read it again:

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James was a wanderer. and his BROTHER brought him back to the truth.  Jesus graciously and lovingly turned James from the error of his way, saved him from death, and covered over his multitude of sins in the ultimate way. 

This ending isn't abrupt or weird.  It is personal.  It's real.  It's the most important moment of James' life, and he shares it with his original audience and with us today.  As if to say, don't forget you were wandering and someone turned you from the error of your way, saving you from death.  Now, do the same for a brother or sister- point them back in the right direction that they may run back home to the sweet embrace of Jesus who is always full of mercy.

Wow. I am in awe.

Grateful, 
Renee   

the truth

lately God has reminded me of these truths:

I am his precious daughter because of HIS love, not because of my achievements.  Therefore, my lack of achievement does not affect his love.  Really, anything I do is out of the equation.  He loved me first.

He sees me as righteous through the blood of Jesus, not because of my good deeds.  Meaning, when I am conceited or rude or judgmental, he says to me "repent and use your freedom in Christ to be FREE from those sins that entangle you.  You have the freedom - choose it today.  I have washed away your sin and see it no more.  You're forgiven.  Live freely."

i need these truths. every day.  i need to have the truth way down deep in my heart and soul where even the enemy that is trying to devour me cannot take it away.  the truth sets me free. 

do you need to hear it too?  God values you. He loves you. do you know him?  he knows you and desperately longs for you to know him.  He sent the Savior of the universe, and the Savior of you and me to earth so that we might, if we so choose, know him intimately.  

can i get an amen? ;)

just visiting

lately, i've felt a bit... well, i don't know what the word is.  out of place, maybe.  socially awkward in a situation, longing to do something meaningful with my time, missing teaching in a classroom, but enjoying my private lessons, wanting a deep effortless conversation with a friend, wondering about future plans.  i've been content,  but just feeling out of place.

then, yesterday, i went to my first women's bible study for the year.  i am in a class that is doing Beth Moore's study on the book of James.  Wow!! the first video rocked my world.  i am stoked!  afterwards, i was thinking about what i'd just learned, and the Lord whispered this to me:

remember, you aren't at home here.  you were created to be with me in heaven.  you're temporarily on earth.  


how amazing!  that thought had nothing to do with the particular lesson from Beth Moore's study, but as i was thinking about God's Word, God gave that to me because he knew what i needed to hear. and as he spoke that to me, He brought to mind other bible verses that say the same thing:

Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body...


2 Corinthians 5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling...He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  So we are always of good courage.  We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.  Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.


i so needed that reminder - i am not at home here. at times i will feel out of place, content as i may be, i will still be somewhat a misfit.  because i belong with my jesus in heaven.  this reminds me of one of my favorite songs.

expectant,
renee

Fear not

Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Did you notice when Linus drops his "security" blanket?  :)

changed

I never get tired of seeing videos like this.
of hearing how God is moving.
of hearing how Jesus Christ is changing lives.
society puts labels on Christianity. All sorts of labels ...fundamental, weird, evangelical, right wing, Jesus-freaks,

but really, it doesn't matter what you wanna call it.
or what you say about it. or what anyone says about it.
Jesus is real.
He is alive.
He is risen.
and that day changed history.
the day that Jesus rose from the dead, conquered death once and for all...
it changed everything.

He changed me deep inside my heart.
He gave me new life.
He gave me a reason to live.
He has lifted me out of the slimy pit and he set my feet upon the solid rock.
I am not perfect. and I do not claim to know all the answers.  But I know that Jesus Christ changed my life.  
And I will never cease to proclaim that.

This is what real change looks like:

Thankful Thursday #3

Ooops! I missed Thursday... where did this week go!?

Today, I'm thankful for grace.  Costly grace.

I am reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship (slowly but surely) and his words have challenged me to meditate on the cost of God's grace towards me.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but he made himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (philippians 4:5-8)  [did you catch that or did you just read it?  Jesus Christ did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped. in order that he might provide a way for ME to know God.  Wow]

grace is receiving something one does not deserve.  (not to be confused with mercy, which is NOT receiving what you DO deserve).

Bonhoeffer writes, "Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"

Redeemed at high cost.

Christ paid a debt he did not owe because I owed a debt I could not pay.

The thankfulness that wells up in my heart when I think about that - i mean, really think about it - it can't really be put into words and yet here i am trying.

Sometimes I just listen to this song.  and think. and usually cry.  and it feels good.  to think about the Lord and all he's done for me.  (p.s. it's not the best version, but that's youtube for ya)

Forever thankful,
Renee

Distractions

Yesterday, I wrote about how Satan is a liar.  One way I think he lies is through distractions.  huh? you say... well, let me give you a personal example.

I use this website as a way to help me memorize (and remember!) scripture.  I usually do this first thing in the morning... cup of coffee in hand, of course ;)  Recently, I signed on to memverse, and while it was loading opened a couple more tabs for email, blogs, and facebook.  because, why not have social media overload.  oh, she moved there? and they got engaged? and answer the email from my mom.  and respond to new student emails. and fun new blog post. and.... wait, what did I get on the computer to do?

Now obviously we've all experienced this in other ways.  I.e. flashback to college.  for me, not that long ago.  get online to do research, next thing you know, 1 hour has passed and you're on facebook.  with no research.

But how much more detrimental to be distracted from God.  from meditating on his Word.

convicted.

I truly believe that Satan whispers things to us to distract us from activity that honors God.

Reading the Bible... He's whispering don't forget to do this later, you need to check the laundry, email so-and-so, put up that sign, post that blog, defrost that chicken.  seriously. personal experience. 

Quality time with spouse... think about this. read this book. you don't want to watch that movie.  what'd he say? whatever.

Getting ready for church... distracted by rushing around, petty arguments, tiredness

Small group... how is it that a million other things come up that night of the week to say "no" to.  Coincidence? I think not. 

you get the picture... 

So, no matter how long that memory verse website takes to load (sometimes, it's slow) I resolved not to open any more tabs.  I will wait patiently and not be distracted.  I will ignore the enemy and tell him to go away.  Because he is "roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking those he can devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Here's to resisting distractions!!
-Ren


p.s. I've been loving this blog, recommended to me by this friend... hence the rainbow text.  (scroll down the "whatever" blog and you'll see what I mean. the lady likes her rainbows)  you might be seeing more rainbows here. what can i say? it's cheery :)

Name the lie... insert truth

Satan is a liar.  John 8:44 says "When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

James 4:7 tells us to "resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Well, how do we resist lies? 

The most succinct answer I ever heard... name the lie, insert the truth.

Examples:

Lie - you're not good enough. you're a failure.

Truth - God knows me and loves me "How precious about me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:17)

Lie - nobody will know.  just try it.  

Truth - "Your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23) 

Lie -  nobody cares about you.

Truth - Indeed the very hairs on your head are numbered.  You are much more valuable than the sparrows which God cares for. (Luke 12:7)

Lie - you're not gonna make it. you're running out of money. do something drastic. worry worry worry! 

Truth - "If God so clothes the grass, whcih is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, o you of little faith!  and do not seek what you are to eat and drink... your Father knows you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." (Luke 12:28-31).

See how it works?  Identify the lie and insert the truth. 

  

 

My Utmost for His Highest

I picked up My Utmost for His Highest again for the first time in a long time.  If you're unfamiliar, it's a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers.  You can get the book at any bookstore, or check out the readings online. 

Here's a quote from today's reading that had me thinking all day:

"So often we mar God's designed influence through us by our self-conscious efforts to be consistent and useful.  Jesus says that there is only one way to develop spiritually, and that is by concentration on God... If you want to be of use to God, get rightly related to Jesus Christ and He will make you of use unconsciously every minute you live."

"My soul is sorrowful to the point of death."

Here is the link to a helpful article that explains why Jesus was "sorrowful and troubled" in the Garden of Gethsemane... (Matthew 26:37).  Click here to read!

John 4

This morning, I read part of The Gospel of John and this passage (John 4:4-26) spoke to me in a way that I can't really articulate.  I don't have some profound insight or response, so I just want to share the passage.

Now Jesus had to go through Samaria.  So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of the ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.  It was about the sixth hour.  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)  The Samartian woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.  How can you ask me for a drink?"  (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.  Where can you get this living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me the water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 
He told her, "Go call your husband and come back." 
"I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had 5 husbands , and the man you now have is not your husband.  What you have just said is quite true." 
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jersualem." 
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth."
The woman said, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.

In a little (but potentially life changing) book titled "More Than a Carpenter," authors Josh and Sean Mcdowell present this truth:

"Many people want to regard Jesus as not God but a good, moral man or an exceptionally wise prophet who spoke many truths.  Scholars often pass off that conclusion as the only acceptable one that people can reach by intellectual process.  Many people simply nod their heads in agreement and never trouble themselves to see the fallacy of such reasoning.  Jesus claimed to be God, and to him it was of fundamental importance that men and women believed him to be who he was.  Either we believe him or we don't."

Pause.  [More to come from that passage in a minute...] But, today, when I was reading John 8, this book I had read a year ago came to mind because of Jesus' emphasis on belief.  In the 8th chapter of John, Jesus and the pharisees are going back and forth.  Bottom line: Jesus tells them he's God and they think he's nuts.  Jesus claims "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  The pharisees challenge him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."  Jesus answers "Even if I testive on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going... but I am not alone... I am one who testifies for myself; the other witness is the Father, who sent me."  These excerpts are from John 8:12-18.  The conversation continues and escalates.  The pharisees argue "The only Father we have is God himself."  Jesus replies "If God were your Father truly, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here...why is my language not clear to you?  Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and youw atn to carry out your father's desire.  He was a murderer from the beginning... there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is the father of lies.  You do not believe me....He who belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."  The Jews then answer "Aren't we right in saying you are demon-possessed?"  (excerpts from John 8:41-48)

Ok.  So, clearly this is not a wishy-washy-you-think-what-you-want-and-I'll-think-what-I-want.  The Jews final response that Jesus must be demon-possessed, though clearly a false conclusion, makes more sense than thinking that He is a good, moral teacher, but not who he said he was.

In More Than a Carpenter, the authors go on to further explain this issue.

"Jesus didn't leave us any wiggle room for in-between watered down alternatives.  [Either we believe him or we don't.]  One who claimed what Jesus claimed about himself [see the rest of John 8] couldn't be a moral man or a prophet.  That option is'nt open to us, and Jesus never intended it to be."

C.S. Lewis (a Cambridge professor and former agnostic) also understood this issue clearly:


"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about [Jesus]. 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.'  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is the Son of God: or else, a madman or something worse.  You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.  But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to."


Bottom line?  Jesus claimed to be God.  He expects a response - do you believe it or not?  He is either true or false.  He asks his disciples (most famously Peter and Martha) "Who do you say I am?"


Either our response will be that of Peter and Martha, "You are the Christ, the Son of God," or our response will be that of the pharisees, "This man is demon-possessed and a liar."

As the authors of More Than a Carpenter write, "liar, lunatic, or Lord?"

So, who is Jesus to you?