Bloom Where You Are Planted!
As we are in the spring and planting is near, the phrase bloom where you are planted comes to mind. As I flew home from Kansas City yesterday I saw many fields below the plane where tilling had been done and the ground was ready for the seed. These crops will bloom where they are planted, if they get the nutrient and nurture they need.
How goes it with you? Are you blooming where God has planted you? Are you bringing forth a good yield? Are you being fruitful and productive for the Lord?
Could it be you need more nutrients? (the Word in church and study, prayer, fellowship with Christians, etc.) Could it be that you need more nurture? (teaching by the pastor and church leaders, the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the care of a Christian family in addition to your natural family, the care of God that comes from being in His presence and worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth).
Could it be that you need some weeding, to get toxic things (sin, disobedience, apathy) out of your life? Could it be that you need more light (from the Son) and more water (from the Living Water of the Holy Spirit)? If so, go to the Light and Water station that is your church every time you can and get filled up and warmed from the inside out.
Are you blooming for God? A blooming Christian is the opposite of a "blooming idiot" for the wisest thing you can do in your life is to give yourself to God and let Him help you to grow for Him.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Holy Week is a Special Time for Contemplation of Christ's Sacrifice for Each One of Us
Holy Week is approaching. The time is at hand to think about the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time is at hand to think about the Son of God voluntarily going to the Cross.
Each person needs to savor the meaning of the Cross. Each person needs to meditate on the meaning of the Cross. Each person needs to attempt to fathom the degree of sacrifice, the degree of humility represented in Jesus Christ going to the Cross.
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."(I Cor.2:2) Believers need to determine the amount of time they devote daily to Jesus Christ.
Believers need to determine the amount of time they will devote to the Lord Jesus Christ during Holy Week. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are important services that every Christian should attend. Each service is rich in content. Each service is rich in Scripture. Each service directs the mind and heart and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The soul of each person deserves attention throughout life. The soul deserves care throughout life. The point at which individuals become conscious of and begin to care for the soul can vary. A small number of individuals are serious about Christ from an early age. A small number of individuals are active believers from an early age and remain active throughout life. Some individuals are active and conscious sinners but at a certain point in life turn to Christ in repentance. When the commitment to Christ is made, concern for the soul arises.
The battle for the soul is a daily battle. The battle for the soul is a moment by moment battle. Temptations, passions, diversions, detractions, outside influences and internal thoughts can create tension in the person and put the soul in peril.Believers must remain close to Christ. Believers must turn to Christ in the face of temptations and distractions, in face of contrary thoughts and inclinations.
Only Christ gives the strength to battle for the soul. The First Epistle of St. John says: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."(I Jn.4:4)
The soul has greater value than the whole world(Mt.16:26) Holy Week is the time to contemplate the condition of the soul. Holy Week is the time to contemplate Christ and the care of the soul.
Holy Week is the time to contemplate what is valued most in life. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Mt. 6:21)Each believer determines the allocation of time and personal resources. Each believer applies personal time and resources to the pursuit of goals, to the living of daily life.
Family and friends, work and community, church and personal interests are allocated a portion of a believers time and resources. Time studies can show where waste exists. Time studies can show where a certain area or areas of life can receive greater emphasis and attention than others.
During Holy Week believers will answer the question of the importance given to the Lord Jesus Christ. During Holy Week believers will answer the question of weight and importance given to the soul. The Lord God deserves expressions of appreciation. The Lord God deserves acknowledgement of His Glory. The Lord God deserves expressions of love.
Holy Week affords the believer the opportunity to hear and study the accounts of Jesus crucifixion. Holy Week affords the believer the opportunity to join with others in being attentive to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
By coming to church during Holy Week, believers not only come to learn, believers by their presence witness to the importance assigned to the life in Christ. By attending church during Holy Week, believers declare by action that church services are an important part of life.
The soul requires nourishment. Holy Week provides nourishment for the soul. Opportunities exist for receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Christin the Lord's Supper. Holy Week should be a week of serious prayer. Holy Week should be a week of serious concentration on Christ. Holy Week is a movement toward the joy of the celebration of the Resurrection!
Believers know going into Holy Week where Holy Week leads. Believers know of the Cross and the Tomb. Believers also know about the Resurrection. Believers immersed in Holy Week open their hearts and minds to the experience of Christ.
Holy Week is an invitation to the full life in the Church. Holy Week is an invitation to share with Christ the experience of betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Holy Week can transform the believer if he or she enters Holy Week seeking transformation. Our Lord said: "All things are possible to him who believes."(Mk.9:23)
The mind, heart and soul have much to deal with in Holy Week. The mind, heart and soul have much to absorb. The mind, heart and soul are of central importance during Holy Week. Christ was upon the Cross between two criminals. Believers going through Holy Week come face to face with Christ upon the Cross. How many will shed tears of repentance? How many will shed tears of love? How many will shed tears of thanksgiving? How will you observe Holy Week this year?
Each person needs to savor the meaning of the Cross. Each person needs to meditate on the meaning of the Cross. Each person needs to attempt to fathom the degree of sacrifice, the degree of humility represented in Jesus Christ going to the Cross.
The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."(I Cor.2:2) Believers need to determine the amount of time they devote daily to Jesus Christ.
Believers need to determine the amount of time they will devote to the Lord Jesus Christ during Holy Week. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are important services that every Christian should attend. Each service is rich in content. Each service is rich in Scripture. Each service directs the mind and heart and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The soul of each person deserves attention throughout life. The soul deserves care throughout life. The point at which individuals become conscious of and begin to care for the soul can vary. A small number of individuals are serious about Christ from an early age. A small number of individuals are active believers from an early age and remain active throughout life. Some individuals are active and conscious sinners but at a certain point in life turn to Christ in repentance. When the commitment to Christ is made, concern for the soul arises.
The battle for the soul is a daily battle. The battle for the soul is a moment by moment battle. Temptations, passions, diversions, detractions, outside influences and internal thoughts can create tension in the person and put the soul in peril.Believers must remain close to Christ. Believers must turn to Christ in the face of temptations and distractions, in face of contrary thoughts and inclinations.
Only Christ gives the strength to battle for the soul. The First Epistle of St. John says: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."(I Jn.4:4)
The soul has greater value than the whole world(Mt.16:26) Holy Week is the time to contemplate the condition of the soul. Holy Week is the time to contemplate Christ and the care of the soul.
Holy Week is the time to contemplate what is valued most in life. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Mt. 6:21)Each believer determines the allocation of time and personal resources. Each believer applies personal time and resources to the pursuit of goals, to the living of daily life.
Family and friends, work and community, church and personal interests are allocated a portion of a believers time and resources. Time studies can show where waste exists. Time studies can show where a certain area or areas of life can receive greater emphasis and attention than others.
During Holy Week believers will answer the question of the importance given to the Lord Jesus Christ. During Holy Week believers will answer the question of weight and importance given to the soul. The Lord God deserves expressions of appreciation. The Lord God deserves acknowledgement of His Glory. The Lord God deserves expressions of love.
Holy Week affords the believer the opportunity to hear and study the accounts of Jesus crucifixion. Holy Week affords the believer the opportunity to join with others in being attentive to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
By coming to church during Holy Week, believers not only come to learn, believers by their presence witness to the importance assigned to the life in Christ. By attending church during Holy Week, believers declare by action that church services are an important part of life.
The soul requires nourishment. Holy Week provides nourishment for the soul. Opportunities exist for receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Christin the Lord's Supper. Holy Week should be a week of serious prayer. Holy Week should be a week of serious concentration on Christ. Holy Week is a movement toward the joy of the celebration of the Resurrection!
Believers know going into Holy Week where Holy Week leads. Believers know of the Cross and the Tomb. Believers also know about the Resurrection. Believers immersed in Holy Week open their hearts and minds to the experience of Christ.
Holy Week is an invitation to the full life in the Church. Holy Week is an invitation to share with Christ the experience of betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Holy Week can transform the believer if he or she enters Holy Week seeking transformation. Our Lord said: "All things are possible to him who believes."(Mk.9:23)
The mind, heart and soul have much to deal with in Holy Week. The mind, heart and soul have much to absorb. The mind, heart and soul are of central importance during Holy Week. Christ was upon the Cross between two criminals. Believers going through Holy Week come face to face with Christ upon the Cross. How many will shed tears of repentance? How many will shed tears of love? How many will shed tears of thanksgiving? How will you observe Holy Week this year?
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Fill My Cup Lord!
Like the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8), the story of Jesus's encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) reminds us that the kingdom He inaugurated is a realm of inclusion not exclusion, dignity not denigration, empowerment rather than exploitation, and affirmation rather than marginalization. His simple request for a drink of water provoked a dialogue with a marginalized woman that teaches us that
Jesus does not desire any human being to shrivel and die from a parched soul. Rather, he longs to quench the deepest needs and desires of each one of us with the "living water" of his Spirit.
As Jesus traveled from Judea to Galilee he stopped in the town of Sychar around noon time, tired and thirsty from the journey. There he sat down by a well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. That Jesus, a Jew, would talk to a Samaritan shocked the woman (4:9). That he would talk to a woman surprised His own disciples (4:27). In fact, through death or divorce, this woman had burned through five marriages and was then living with a boyfriend not her husband (4:18).
When you connect the dots of her story, you realize that in her one person this woman epitomized the many ways that society marginalizes people. Jesus shatters all the taboos that held sway then (and now) — gender discrimination, ritual purity (sharing a drinking cup with a Samaritan), socio-economic poverty (any woman married five times was likely poor), religious hostility, and the moral stigma of serial marriages.
In marked contrast to the male, rabbi, scholar Nicodemus in the previous chapter (John 3), the Samaritan woman displayed spiritual thirst, candor about her past, and genuine insight. She longed not only for literal water, but for the "living water" (4:11) that Jesus offered her, so much so that in her excitement she forgot her water jar when she returned to town (4:28). This thoroughly powerless woman made such a powerful impression upon Jesus and her own neighbors that John included an interesting eyewitness detail about Jesus's itinerary: upon the neighbors's request, "he stayed two days" in Sychar (John 4:40).
The woman embraced Jesus as the Messiah, her witness converted many other fellow Samaritans in town (4:39), and she became the cause of the story's punch line: "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we really know that this man is the Savior of the world" (4:42.
Will you fill yourself with the living water of Jesus Christ? Be filled with the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!
Jesus does not desire any human being to shrivel and die from a parched soul. Rather, he longs to quench the deepest needs and desires of each one of us with the "living water" of his Spirit.
As Jesus traveled from Judea to Galilee he stopped in the town of Sychar around noon time, tired and thirsty from the journey. There he sat down by a well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. That Jesus, a Jew, would talk to a Samaritan shocked the woman (4:9). That he would talk to a woman surprised His own disciples (4:27). In fact, through death or divorce, this woman had burned through five marriages and was then living with a boyfriend not her husband (4:18).
When you connect the dots of her story, you realize that in her one person this woman epitomized the many ways that society marginalizes people. Jesus shatters all the taboos that held sway then (and now) — gender discrimination, ritual purity (sharing a drinking cup with a Samaritan), socio-economic poverty (any woman married five times was likely poor), religious hostility, and the moral stigma of serial marriages.
In marked contrast to the male, rabbi, scholar Nicodemus in the previous chapter (John 3), the Samaritan woman displayed spiritual thirst, candor about her past, and genuine insight. She longed not only for literal water, but for the "living water" (4:11) that Jesus offered her, so much so that in her excitement she forgot her water jar when she returned to town (4:28). This thoroughly powerless woman made such a powerful impression upon Jesus and her own neighbors that John included an interesting eyewitness detail about Jesus's itinerary: upon the neighbors's request, "he stayed two days" in Sychar (John 4:40).
The woman embraced Jesus as the Messiah, her witness converted many other fellow Samaritans in town (4:39), and she became the cause of the story's punch line: "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we really know that this man is the Savior of the world" (4:42.
Will you fill yourself with the living water of Jesus Christ? Be filled with the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!
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