"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
One way leads to life. One way leads to destruction. Wouldn't it be nice if we always chose the narrow road? If you're like me, more often than not you find yourself traveling the broad road and don't even realize it. We must purpose to stay on the narrow road. We must purpose to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, and by doing so, continue to walk the narrow road, to the small gate, to life.
-"The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost
May you walk the narrow road.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
SOnTheM 36
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12
I think this speaks for itself.
May those in your presence today know that you care more for them than for yourself, and may the love of Christ pour from your every movement.
I think this speaks for itself.
May those in your presence today know that you care more for them than for yourself, and may the love of Christ pour from your every movement.
Monday, February 25, 2008
SOnTheM 35
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
I'm reminded of a time when my friend Nate and I were in Greer, SC. Without giving too many details (because most of the details allude to my own stupidity), I'll say that our adventure ended with me twisting a chassis support in my Bravada. Well, when I told my dad, he wasn't too thrilled. A couple of days later, he drove from Summerville to Tigerville (about 3 1/2 hours, give or take) to look at the car. He was prepared to rent a car dolly, and tow the Bravada back to Summerville to have it fixed (and to remain there indefinitely). Well, instead, he left the Bravada with me (though it was undriveable) and a few days later, he returned with the part needed to fix it. He spent the day in the parking lot of North Greenville under my car, fixing the problem. Then he went back to Summerville.
I think what Jesus was saying was something like this: If you, even though you have evil in your hearts, are willing to take two full days off of work, drive a total of 14-15 hours, spent a day working on a car which a stupid college student messed up, just because you love your son and want him to have a car, how much more must God love us? I can't really answer that question...God's love is neverending. Even His wrath is spawned from His love.
May you know God's love for you today. May you spend the rest of your life trying to return it.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
I'm reminded of a time when my friend Nate and I were in Greer, SC. Without giving too many details (because most of the details allude to my own stupidity), I'll say that our adventure ended with me twisting a chassis support in my Bravada. Well, when I told my dad, he wasn't too thrilled. A couple of days later, he drove from Summerville to Tigerville (about 3 1/2 hours, give or take) to look at the car. He was prepared to rent a car dolly, and tow the Bravada back to Summerville to have it fixed (and to remain there indefinitely). Well, instead, he left the Bravada with me (though it was undriveable) and a few days later, he returned with the part needed to fix it. He spent the day in the parking lot of North Greenville under my car, fixing the problem. Then he went back to Summerville.
I think what Jesus was saying was something like this: If you, even though you have evil in your hearts, are willing to take two full days off of work, drive a total of 14-15 hours, spent a day working on a car which a stupid college student messed up, just because you love your son and want him to have a car, how much more must God love us? I can't really answer that question...God's love is neverending. Even His wrath is spawned from His love.
May you know God's love for you today. May you spend the rest of your life trying to return it.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
SOnTheM 34
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6
Pretty freaky, huh?
I thought so, too.
After being taught (by word and example) that we are too love everyone, why would Christ say that we shouldn't share the glorious truth of the gospel with everyone? He isn't saying not to live Christ to them, but rather that we shouldn't force the gospel in front of people, especially if they are clearly rejecting Christ with scorn and contempt. Does that mean we should wipe the dust from our feet and move on? Sometimes, it might. I think, rather, that at those times we should redouble our efforts to love and pray for these people. Rather than abandoning or overwhelming them, we should covertly show them what Christ has shown us. The secret mission of the followers of Christ.
May you be discerning today, listening for the Spirit to tell you who is ready to hear the gospel of Christ, and who just needs to be loved right now.
PS Happy Birthday, Dad!
Pretty freaky, huh?
I thought so, too.
After being taught (by word and example) that we are too love everyone, why would Christ say that we shouldn't share the glorious truth of the gospel with everyone? He isn't saying not to live Christ to them, but rather that we shouldn't force the gospel in front of people, especially if they are clearly rejecting Christ with scorn and contempt. Does that mean we should wipe the dust from our feet and move on? Sometimes, it might. I think, rather, that at those times we should redouble our efforts to love and pray for these people. Rather than abandoning or overwhelming them, we should covertly show them what Christ has shown us. The secret mission of the followers of Christ.
May you be discerning today, listening for the Spirit to tell you who is ready to hear the gospel of Christ, and who just needs to be loved right now.
PS Happy Birthday, Dad!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
SOnTheM 33
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5
This passage doesn't mean that all types of judgment are wrong. In fact, elsewhere Jesus tells us to make right judgments, and Jesus Himself judges (albeit, He is perfect and therefore is the only one with the authority to judge all others) others. Jesus is here telling His disciples not to be be judgmental, which is a lot different than making judgments.
As far as the plank in your eye, well, just remember that you can only lead others as far as you're willing to go yourself. If you're not seeking Christ, then don't try to help a brother or sister try. First, focus your heart, mind, and strength on Him, and then you'll be fit to assist others on their journey.
May you, today, make right judgments, focus your entire being on Christ, and lead others to do the same.
This passage doesn't mean that all types of judgment are wrong. In fact, elsewhere Jesus tells us to make right judgments, and Jesus Himself judges (albeit, He is perfect and therefore is the only one with the authority to judge all others) others. Jesus is here telling His disciples not to be be judgmental, which is a lot different than making judgments.
As far as the plank in your eye, well, just remember that you can only lead others as far as you're willing to go yourself. If you're not seeking Christ, then don't try to help a brother or sister try. First, focus your heart, mind, and strength on Him, and then you'll be fit to assist others on their journey.
May you, today, make right judgments, focus your entire being on Christ, and lead others to do the same.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
SOnTheM 32
"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34
This really is a continuation of the previous passage. Don't worry about your life. God will take care of you...if you're seeking Him. This doesn't mean you should quit your job because "God will provide" and you can "better serve Him without a job," but rather make him priority 1 in your life. Do what He calls you to do, and He'll take care of the rest.
Remember: Obedience is success.
This really is a continuation of the previous passage. Don't worry about your life. God will take care of you...if you're seeking Him. This doesn't mean you should quit your job because "God will provide" and you can "better serve Him without a job," but rather make him priority 1 in your life. Do what He calls you to do, and He'll take care of the rest.
Remember: Obedience is success.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
SOnTheM 31
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:25-30
Now that I'm married, it's much harder to do this than it used to be. I never used to find myself worrying about stuff. I knew that God would take care of me. I still know that. It's just harder sometimes, because I care so much for my wife, and I want her to be taken care of, even if I'm not.
This reminds me of a particular moment in my life. I don't remember specific moments very much, but this one will stand out for all time. It was a Sunday morning, in September of 2003. I graduated from North Greenville the previous May, worked all summer at Awanita, and was staying at home with my parents while waiting to move to Spartanburg for a particular job that I was very excited about. Well, before church, I went to check my email, and got a message from the person who would be my boss, and he said that he wasn't able to hire me on because of budget issues (OH WHAT COULD WE DO IF WE LIVED ON FAITH AND DIDN'T BASE ALL OF OUR DECISIONS ON BUDGETS!!!). Anyway, I had planned on taking this job for several months at that point, and so I didn't know what I was going to do. And what was worse, I had to tell my parents, and had to tell Sarah.
Well, during church that morning, we sang a song entitled "Made Me Glad." During that song, God completely reassured me that He had His hand on me, and that I didn't need to worry about anything. He was already planning to take care of it. Since that morning, I have had total confidence that God is going to take care of us, even when we don't know what to do.
May you live today without worry of what will come. May you instead focus on what God has in front of you, so you may succeed in obedience to Him, without concern of what tomorrow may bring.
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:25-30
Now that I'm married, it's much harder to do this than it used to be. I never used to find myself worrying about stuff. I knew that God would take care of me. I still know that. It's just harder sometimes, because I care so much for my wife, and I want her to be taken care of, even if I'm not.
This reminds me of a particular moment in my life. I don't remember specific moments very much, but this one will stand out for all time. It was a Sunday morning, in September of 2003. I graduated from North Greenville the previous May, worked all summer at Awanita, and was staying at home with my parents while waiting to move to Spartanburg for a particular job that I was very excited about. Well, before church, I went to check my email, and got a message from the person who would be my boss, and he said that he wasn't able to hire me on because of budget issues (OH WHAT COULD WE DO IF WE LIVED ON FAITH AND DIDN'T BASE ALL OF OUR DECISIONS ON BUDGETS!!!). Anyway, I had planned on taking this job for several months at that point, and so I didn't know what I was going to do. And what was worse, I had to tell my parents, and had to tell Sarah.
Well, during church that morning, we sang a song entitled "Made Me Glad." During that song, God completely reassured me that He had His hand on me, and that I didn't need to worry about anything. He was already planning to take care of it. Since that morning, I have had total confidence that God is going to take care of us, even when we don't know what to do.
May you live today without worry of what will come. May you instead focus on what God has in front of you, so you may succeed in obedience to Him, without concern of what tomorrow may bring.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
SOnTheM 30
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Have good vision.
Serve God.
First, Jesus talks about two ways to store treasure (earth or heaven), and then two ways to see (with good eyes or bad eyes), and now He talks about two people you can serve. When He says "serve," though, it's not something that we, as westerners, can really understand easily. Jesus meant that no one can be a slave to two masters. Sure, you can work for two different employers (I've been doing that for quite a while), but if you're a slave of someone, then that person owns you...completely. Of course, we don't like to think of God a slave-owner. But the truth is, all of God's children are his bondservants.
A bondservant (doulos in Greek means "slave") is someone who loves his master so much that he is willing to give up his entirety to serve his master. That means that God is not my owner because He's all-powerful and forces me to be His subject, but rather His love for me spawns a love in me for Him that is so powerful that it compels me to serve Him. What greater joy is there than to serve the Almighty? I have found none.
May you choose to be God's slave. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Have good vision.
Serve God.
First, Jesus talks about two ways to store treasure (earth or heaven), and then two ways to see (with good eyes or bad eyes), and now He talks about two people you can serve. When He says "serve," though, it's not something that we, as westerners, can really understand easily. Jesus meant that no one can be a slave to two masters. Sure, you can work for two different employers (I've been doing that for quite a while), but if you're a slave of someone, then that person owns you...completely. Of course, we don't like to think of God a slave-owner. But the truth is, all of God's children are his bondservants.
A bondservant (doulos in Greek means "slave") is someone who loves his master so much that he is willing to give up his entirety to serve his master. That means that God is not my owner because He's all-powerful and forces me to be His subject, but rather His love for me spawns a love in me for Him that is so powerful that it compels me to serve Him. What greater joy is there than to serve the Almighty? I have found none.
May you choose to be God's slave. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.
Monday, February 11, 2008
SOnTheM 29
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23
Just in case anyone is wondering, this actually has nothing to do with your eyes. Just because you were coke bottle glasses doesn't mean you walk in darkness.
Moving on...the body finds its way because of the eye, right? Yes, you can slowly walk through a dark room using your hands and feet to feel around you, but isn't it a million times easier when the light is turned on? Of course it is. When your eyes are working, light is provided to the body to go where it should go and stay away from those places it should stay away from.
Similarly, in a spiritual way, the heart tells the rest of you where you should go and where you shouldn't. If your heart is illuminated by the Light of Christ, then you will go where you the Spirit moves you. However, if your heart is not illuminated by the Light of Christ, then, even if you think you're on the right track, you're most likely way off.
This reminds me of something that happened a few months ago. My wife, Sarah, recently bought some glasses for driving. She's always been supposed to wear glasses to drive, but most of the time has just squinted her way through it (doesn't that make you feel safe?) and managed to be a pretty good driver without any glasses. Once she got her glasses, though, she was amazed at how clear everything was. Before, she could see what she needed to see, but after, she could see so much more, kind of like upgrading to HDTV (so I'm told...I've never seen anything on HDTV).
May your heart be illuminated today by the Light of Christ, and may His Spirit move you to the places you need to be.
Just in case anyone is wondering, this actually has nothing to do with your eyes. Just because you were coke bottle glasses doesn't mean you walk in darkness.
Moving on...the body finds its way because of the eye, right? Yes, you can slowly walk through a dark room using your hands and feet to feel around you, but isn't it a million times easier when the light is turned on? Of course it is. When your eyes are working, light is provided to the body to go where it should go and stay away from those places it should stay away from.
Similarly, in a spiritual way, the heart tells the rest of you where you should go and where you shouldn't. If your heart is illuminated by the Light of Christ, then you will go where you the Spirit moves you. However, if your heart is not illuminated by the Light of Christ, then, even if you think you're on the right track, you're most likely way off.
This reminds me of something that happened a few months ago. My wife, Sarah, recently bought some glasses for driving. She's always been supposed to wear glasses to drive, but most of the time has just squinted her way through it (doesn't that make you feel safe?) and managed to be a pretty good driver without any glasses. Once she got her glasses, though, she was amazed at how clear everything was. Before, she could see what she needed to see, but after, she could see so much more, kind of like upgrading to HDTV (so I'm told...I've never seen anything on HDTV).
May your heart be illuminated today by the Light of Christ, and may His Spirit move you to the places you need to be.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Student Teaching
So this week I started student teaching at Mauldin High School. I'm excited about it. It should be great fun and pretty educational. Hopefully, over the next three months, I won't get freaked out too much and decide not to teach (Sarah would kill me!). Pray for me as I start this new endeavor. Thanks.
SOnTheM 28
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
If you're like me, you grew up in church hearing this verse. It's kind of annoying, don't you think? I mean, it's almost as though Jesus is saying that materialism is wrong. What the heck? Oh wait, it is wrong! Nothing you gain in this life is worth anything. Paul knew that. He said that compared to Christ, everything is rubbish. Now, for you New Skool kids who don't know what rubbish is, it's pretty much garbage. I'd go as far as to say Paul wasn't even saying garbage, but that he was saying crap. Compared to knowing Christ, everything is excrement. So, if it's rubbish, why store it? Have you ever seen someone who saved a load of dung (besides Joe Dirt)? That's ridiculous. Of course not.
Several times prior to this, Jesus spoke about the heavenly Father rewarding those who followed His teaching. Guess what--that's how we store up treasures in heaven. Just follow Christ's teaching and let the Spirit reign in our hearts. If you're an intellectual like me, then there's your formula. Now go for it.
May you, today, be intentionally storing up treasures in heaven, not to be wealthy, but to show the love of Christ to all you come in contact with.
If you're like me, you grew up in church hearing this verse. It's kind of annoying, don't you think? I mean, it's almost as though Jesus is saying that materialism is wrong. What the heck? Oh wait, it is wrong! Nothing you gain in this life is worth anything. Paul knew that. He said that compared to Christ, everything is rubbish. Now, for you New Skool kids who don't know what rubbish is, it's pretty much garbage. I'd go as far as to say Paul wasn't even saying garbage, but that he was saying crap. Compared to knowing Christ, everything is excrement. So, if it's rubbish, why store it? Have you ever seen someone who saved a load of dung (besides Joe Dirt)? That's ridiculous. Of course not.
Several times prior to this, Jesus spoke about the heavenly Father rewarding those who followed His teaching. Guess what--that's how we store up treasures in heaven. Just follow Christ's teaching and let the Spirit reign in our hearts. If you're an intellectual like me, then there's your formula. Now go for it.
May you, today, be intentionally storing up treasures in heaven, not to be wealthy, but to show the love of Christ to all you come in contact with.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
SOnTheM 27
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18
I doubt that most of you fast on a regular basis. I know I don't. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that if we do fast, we shouldn't make it look like a struggle we're going through in order to please God (especially since our true intentions would be to look more godly than we are). If you should fast, be sure to be joyful about it. Be excited that you're doing something that will bring you closer to the heart of God. Don't be miserable because you've missed a few meals.
And let those missed meals be a reminder to you: your body is longing for sustainance...is your soul?
At Crossroads, we're in the middle of a 40-day fast. Our main directives are developing a kingdom mission and becoming radically generous with our money, possessions, time, and our lives. If you're interested in fasting, check out Fast For Greenville, a website that our Connections Pastor, Rich Butler, runs. There you'll find prayer directives for our 40-day fast, as well as links to numerous resources about fasting.
May your life be one that is obviously filled with the Spirit, and may any suffering you endure for the sake of Christ be joy to you.
I doubt that most of you fast on a regular basis. I know I don't. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that if we do fast, we shouldn't make it look like a struggle we're going through in order to please God (especially since our true intentions would be to look more godly than we are). If you should fast, be sure to be joyful about it. Be excited that you're doing something that will bring you closer to the heart of God. Don't be miserable because you've missed a few meals.
And let those missed meals be a reminder to you: your body is longing for sustainance...is your soul?
At Crossroads, we're in the middle of a 40-day fast. Our main directives are developing a kingdom mission and becoming radically generous with our money, possessions, time, and our lives. If you're interested in fasting, check out Fast For Greenville, a website that our Connections Pastor, Rich Butler, runs. There you'll find prayer directives for our 40-day fast, as well as links to numerous resources about fasting.
May your life be one that is obviously filled with the Spirit, and may any suffering you endure for the sake of Christ be joy to you.
Monday, February 4, 2008
SOnTheM 26
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15
Basically, this is a reiteration of what Jesus was saying in verse 12: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." The community of Christ-followers should always be forgiving, because our God and Father is always forgiving. Some of us haven't realized that we really aren't perfect, and that others aren't either. So why do we continue to hold back forgiveness? I think it may be some part of the old man rising again in us. I don't know for sure, though. All I know is, I should be MUCH more forgiving than I am, and I'm pretty sure each of you should be also.
May you forgive today, regardless of the harm that has been done to you. In doing so, you shall put a smile on the face of the Almighty.
Basically, this is a reiteration of what Jesus was saying in verse 12: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." The community of Christ-followers should always be forgiving, because our God and Father is always forgiving. Some of us haven't realized that we really aren't perfect, and that others aren't either. So why do we continue to hold back forgiveness? I think it may be some part of the old man rising again in us. I don't know for sure, though. All I know is, I should be MUCH more forgiving than I am, and I'm pretty sure each of you should be also.
May you forgive today, regardless of the harm that has been done to you. In doing so, you shall put a smile on the face of the Almighty.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Bachelorship
So, since Wednesday, Sarah has been babysitting for a couple who is out of town, which means she has been staying at their house with their children. May I take a moment and say that it stinks not having her at home. Maybe none of you guys feel like this, but I don't like going home to an empty apartment, knowing that I will have to sleep alone at night. Sarah, I love you very much, and I miss you incredibly. Hurry home!
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