Sunday, March 7, 2010

His name

Jesus, thank you for a beautiful day. For time in worship, in prayer. For revelation and application. For encouraging words from brothers and sisters. For challenges. For heart checks. For the BODY of Christ.

This season of Lent is so much bigger than giving up Hulu. God has been using this time to grow my heart, to teach me more about Himself, to glorify His name.

Today, I've read articles written by men passionate about Christ. Today, I've listened to some podcasts with challenges that are rocking the way I view life. Today, I've heard God's truth through conversation with three friends I need to let deeper into my life.

And the gist of it all: It's about Jesus. It's about His name rather than mine. It's His story.

As we follow Him, He works out the details. He paints the bigger picture. And it's GLORIOUS!

An article I read this morning clarifies the vision:

"Personally, I don’t want to grow old and one day look back on my life with regret that I didn’t fulfill the call of Jesus on my life. I don’t want to be standing before Jesus one day, desperately trying to explain why I buried my life in the ground instead of multiplying it.3 No, I want to live passionately, adventurously, riskily! I am convinced, that with the right sense of perspective, these ‘mirages’ needn’t be stumbling blocks. They can actually become beautiful resources, solid stepping stones and dynamic launching pads – but only if we keep them fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ.
And maybe the first step is to realize that it’s not really on Jesus’ agenda to make us all happy. He has far better plans than that." (Kristin Jack, http://www.urbana.org/articles/jesus-doesnt-want-you-to-be-happy, 2009)
Here's another clip from a blog interview I was reading 10 minutes ago:

"Ed Stetzer: You survey quite a few false Jesuses from contemporary culture in the Introduction--Grammy Award Speech Jesus, Hippie Jesus, ATM Jesus, etc. Which one do you think is most prevalent in the church right now? And what is the book's response to it?
Jared Wilson: I don't have the research resources that you do, so I can't put a figure on this, but I can tell you that my biggest concern is actually about an Invisible Jesus. Jesus, the Best Supporting Actor. Cameo Appearance Jesus. The "Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain" Jesus.
In way too many churches - just one would be too many, but I know this is a larger problem than that because I have experienced it myself and I hear from many others across the country who have as well - Jesus barely or rarely shows up. He may make an appearance in an illustration or something, but he is not the point of the message. Sometimes his name is never mentioned. Perusing church websites or pastor's blogs or Twitter feeds, they hardly ever mention him.
It's bizarre. It's distressing. But it makes sense given the current state of evangelicalism." (http://www.edstetzer.com/2009/07/leadership-book-interview-your.html,  2009).
A lot to process. Praise His name!

1 comment:

  1. Pom PomMarch 10, 2010 at 5:45 AM

    Hmmmmm. It is hard to say the powerful name of Jesus. He is so intimate and HUGE. It's easier to dabble in what WE are good at or what we understand. The vastness of the SAVIOR is awesome.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Ephesians 5

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

hey guys