Me and Jesus

Yes - this really appeared on my screen during "Soda Crush"

From Tom T. Hall's song "Me and Jesus"
(my apologies to the grammar police...)

Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin',
Me and Jesus, got it all worked out,
Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin',
We don't need anybody to tell us what it's all about.

Jesus brought me through all of my troubles,
Jesus brought me through all of my trials,
Jesus brought me through all of my heartaches,
And I know that Jesus ain't gonna' forsake me now.

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This song might sound a little selfish.
But that is the relationship that Jesus wants to have with me (and with you).
A personal one.

He's not content being a voice on a TV screen.
Or being held at arm's length.
Or just "there when you need him".

In fact - it's the most personal and close relationship you can have.
Closer than mom, dad, spouse, brother, sister, bestest friend ever...
Because he is IN you.
The term we use nowadays is "in our heart".

Speaking to us in his Word and through his World.
Some of us physically feel it.  Some don't.
But through faith, we all KNOW it.
His love and life and death and resurrection guides our thoughts, words and actions.

Here is how close Jesus wants "me and Jesus" to be.
Listen in as he speaks to his Father about us in John 17:20-26 (Message)

I’m praying not only for them

But also for those who will believe in me

Because of them and their witness about me.

The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—

Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,

So they might be one heart and mind with us.

Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

The same glory you gave me, I gave them,

So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—

I in them and you in me.

Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,

And give the godless world evidence

That you’ve sent me and loved them

In the same way you’ve loved me.

Father, I want those you gave me

To be with me, right where I am,

So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,

Having loved me

Long before there ever was a world.

Righteous Father, the world has never known you,

But I have known you, and these disciples know

That you sent me on this mission.

I have made your very being known to them—

Who you are and what you do—

And continue to make it known,

So that your love for me

Might be in them

Exactly as I am in them.

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Father God,
Jesus and me got a good thing goin'.
All and only because of You ("For God so loved the world...").
Thank you for this gift that will keep on giving until eternity.
Past the day I die and on and on and on...
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

joyfully serious, seriously joyful

Life.
I don't know about yours - but mine seems to go between being Seriously Joyful and Joyfully Serious.
The only reason I can say that is because of my friend.
My friend Jesus.

(What's the big deal about Jesus?)

Joyfully Serious

From Titus 2 (NIV)
6 ...encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Seriously Joyful
Romans 12:11-13 (NIV)
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

From Colossians 1:9-14 (Message)
"As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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Jesus,
Thank you for the serious joy.
And the joyful seriousness.
Give me more, please!
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Go ahead, lose yourself.

Go Ahead, Lose Yourself.
These were the words printed on a shopping bag from a beauty supply store.

They want you to lose your purchasing inhibitions (and your bank account) in their store, of course.

But this phrase also could be a very scripturally sound Biblical bumper sticker.

Go ahead, lose yourself.
Lose yourself.
Lose YOURself.
Lose yourSELF.

Matthew 16:24-26 (Message version)
Jesus said...
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. 
You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. 
Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. 
Follow me and I’ll show you how. 

Self-help is no help at all. 
Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 
What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? 
What could you ever trade your soul for?"


Go ahead, lose yourself!

Luke 6:24-25 (Message version)
"...it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.
    Your self will not satisfy you for long."

Go ahead, lose yourself!

Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Go ahead, lose yourself!

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Jesus,
You lost yourself.  Your "God" self.  Your "Creator of the universe" self.
You became a human baby and went through every possible growing pain - for me.
You lived a perfect life - never doing anything wrong - ever - for me.
You volunteered to be cruelly crucified on a cross - for me.
You did this all - for me.
I need to, want to, must lose myself in You.
Help me to do just that.
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

May I have your undevoted attention?

May I have your undevoted attention?
Oh - I already have it - great.

I thought that might be the case - given the blank stare.
Or maybe it was the surreptitious glances down at your phone (yes, I see it).

I am great at giving my undevoted attention.
Unfortunately - I am greatest at doing that to the people who are most important to me in my life.
I catch myself saying "uh-huh" or "yes, dear" or [nod in assent - as though I am actually listening and reacting to what you said].

Call it a short attention span or ADHD or easily distracted - it ends with the same result.

I am faced with asking only one question.  "What?!?"
NOW, you have my attention (and I just realized I don't know what you actually said).
But I'm listening now...

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Now - pivot this thought to my quality time with my God.
My sister shared a devotion with us this morning that caught/convicted me with this sentence.
"Study the Bible with greater diligence than any other activity of your day."

Really?
Greater diligence / focus / thoughtful consideration than...
...commuting to work?
...actively listening to my spouse or someone important in my life?
...proof-reading/validating my work before turning it in?

God's answer is a solid YES.
Time with Him is more important than anything else I could do today.
Reading my verse/chapter of the Bible is not a "check that off my to-do list" item.

Colossians 3:1-4

3 1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

3-4 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

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Lord,
What was it I was going to ask you?
Oh - yes - fix my eyes on You today.
Open my ears to hear you - this minute!
And stress to me the importance of spending distraction-free time with You in your Word.
What advice and guidance do you have for me today?
Shhh?  Stop?  Listen?
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Stay 'til the end!

Have you been to a movie recently and had to answer the call of nature so urgently that you headed out just as the credits started rolling?

And then later you heard from someone about the "extra scene" with crucial plot information (usually setting up a sequel) that was saved until after the credits.

And you thought - "I should have stayed 'til the end"?

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Or the sporting event where many fans thought it was a lost cause.  
So they chose to beat the crowds in the parking lot and leave early.
Only to find out later that their team had pulled it all together and won?
They were definitely thinking - "I should have stayed 'til the end"!

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This Sunday in our sermon ("Jesus loves the Good Life") we heard about a young man who "should have stayed 'til the end".

The Bible recalls his story in three separate areas.
Matthew 19:16-26 | Mark 10:17-27 | Luke 18:18-29

A confident young man who "has it all" (it seems) comes to Jesus and asks what he has to do get to heaven - to be saved from any sin that he perhaps, maybe, might have committed.

Jesus recalls a few commandments and asks this young man if he's kept them.
Oh - yes - the young man is sure he has.  He's got those bases covered.

And then the kicker - just one more thing, Jesus says.
Take all of your wealth and give it to the poor - and then you will have treasure in heaven.
In other words - young man - what is REALLY the most important thing in your life?

In the Matthew and Mark telling of the story - we hear "At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.".

He should have "stayed 'til the end" - because Jesus went on to explain to those who were still gathered around him.

Mark 10:24-27

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said,“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Stay (in faith in Jesus Christ) 'til the end, my friend.
It's going to be AMAZING! 

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Lord - I am prone to wander off at the shiniest thing that grabs my attention.
I need your help to keep be steady, steadfast and true.
And to "stay 'til the end".
You've promised the most glorious ending - one that I can't even imagine.
Thank you!
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

The Power of a Plan

(guest devotion from my brother Chris)

The Power of a Plan

One of the best planners I've ever worked with/for was also one of the most divisive and destructive leaders I've ever encountered.   It was as recent as last year that God opened my eyes to allow me to fully appreciate just how much there is to learn from "bad" leaders.  But that's a discussion for another devotion. (Or someday perhaps a book or two!)  Today, I'd like to talk about one of this leader's amazing strengths; Organization and planning.

We aren't all as blessed as Solomon was when his father David documented in detail the clearly defined plan of God in a manner that made it virtually impossible to fail.  The building plans, documented.  The materials and resources, arranged.  The labor, both front line and management, identified.  In 1 Chronicles 29:19-21 we read, "19 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the Lord’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”"

It will be the rare, if ever occurrence, that a plan this well imagined and realized will be handed to us.  In most cases, we're on our own.  Back to the example I mentioned earlier...

He once led us through a 4 day, 10 hour/day exercise where every single hour spent, led logically to the next.  When we were recapping the accomplishments of that week on the final day it was incomprehensible that everything we'd done, every conversation we'd had, every exercise we'd completed brought us to exactly where this leader had intended us to be.

I don't know about you, but I sometimes struggle to deliver an intelligent hour long meeting for my team, and this man had managed to turn a mountainous task and turn it into something manageable; without us even knowing it.

How?  Planning and organization.  He put in the time...not just a little; a LOT!  After that meeting, I asked him what the secret was to leading such effective meetings.  In a nutshell, here's what he told me.
1)  It's bigger than you...no matter what "it" is.  Don't be so full of yourself that you forget to reach out to others.  Ask questions, get others involved.  Go to the experts.  You'll never regret doing this.

2) Know what it is you want to accomplish.  The answer can't be "We want to have a meeting..."  Meetings aren't accomplishments, they're tools to be used to drive accomplishments.  Know where it is you're going and then map backwards to get to the beginning.

3) Put in the time.  I was dumbfounded when I learned just how much time this leader had put into preparation for this nearly week long session.  Care to guess?  3 work weeks.  Something he said has stuck with me since then; "For every hour you plan on meeting, you need to spend at least 2 hours planning and preparing."  REALLY?  Who's got time for this, right?  If excellence in planning is our goal, we need to MAKE the time.

There's much more to being an excellent planner and, as noted above, this leader fell FAR short in many other areas, but I believe God crossed our paths so that I could gain invaluable insight into what it takes to be an excellent planner.

So let's apply this to something more important that leading a work meeting; our faith life.

It is bigger than me.  The expert is the Author of all things and His word is my infallible source of all truth.

What I want to accomplish is an eternity in Heaven with my Father and my Savior.  My place has been purchased and my salvation earned, but I must ensure that I do not allow my sinful ways to steal this gift from me.

Finally, I must put in the time to study, to grow, to learn; daily.  Time in worship, both publicly and privately, is a critical component to my faith journey; starting with confession and prayer and centering always on You and Your word.

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Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?