Brand Loyalty

(Guest devotion from my brother Chris)

Coke or Pepsi?  McDonald's or Burger King?  Jif or Skippy?  Chevy or Ford?  John Deere or Case IH?

As humans, we like to pick favorites.  Many of us are inclined to become fiercely loyal to the brands of our favorite things.  I don't just wear jeans, I wear Wrangler jeans.  Not just any corn flakes will do for me, I prefer Kellogg's corn flakes.  Why do we insist on this odd loyalty to things?  I've seen some go so far as to place stickers and emblems on their vehicles, on their person and recently saw an image online of a farmer who plowed the John Deere logo into one of his fields.  If our local store is out of the brand we espouse loyalty to, we'll pay more somewhere else to get it.  We're willing to invest time, money and effort into publicly supporting our favorite brands.  Marketing professionals the world over are jumping for joy when we do this. 

How then is it that the human race, who so willingly aligns themselves with one thing over another struggles so mightily when it comes to the simplest of brand choices; God or the devil?  The fleeting wisdom of the world or the eternal knowledge of God?

In Revelation 3:18, relaying God's message directly to the church in Laodicea, Paul writes... 

(Message Translation) 

"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from Me, it's gold that's been through the refiner's fire.  Then you'll be rich.  Buy your clothes from Me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half naked long enough.  And buy medicine for your eyes from Me so you can REALLY see."   

(NIV Translation)

"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fires, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."

The message to the Laodiceans then and to us today is that we need to be fiercely brand loyal to our God and Creator.  The day is near when He will return in triumph.  Every second that we waste invested in being loyal to this sinful world (a complex lie expertly created by the author of lies, Satan) is one that puts us in danger of being lost eternally.  Unfortunately, brandy loyalty to our Father in Heaven isn't as easy as just committing to buying Kraft mac n' cheese or Hershey's chocolate syrup.  It requires diligence, daily time studying His word, time in service to others, daily confession and prayer and a commitment to turning away from the way of the world and towards the light.  This has to happen daily; over and over again until our time on earth comes to an end.

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Dear Lord, motivate me to be loyal to you in ALL of my thoughts, words and actions.  Lead me to willingly repent when I fall short and to seek your freely offered forgiveness and mercy for choosing the wrong brand time and again.  Dear Lord, make me loyal to you; no matter what the cost.  Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

May I see your credentials?

• May I see your credentials?
• Driver's license and boarding pass, please.
• Can I see some ID for that?

We're asked for our ID a lot.

• For proof that we are who we say we are.
• For proof that we know what we're talking about.
• For proof that we're authorized or qualified to do something.

One of the crazy ways that God works is he says "no ID needed".

He doesn't need to see your credentials to let you in.

• ...Into his Word.
• ...Into the church.
• ...Into heaven.

He doesn't ask...

• Are you good enough?  Smart enough? Educated enough?
• Are you qualified?

So throw out the credentials and come on in... Philippians 3:7-11

Not only do you not need the "credentials" but you don't even have to be an expert of any sort.
Just a believer in Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

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Seriously, God?
I don't need to bring anything but my dirty, broken, messed-up self?
And you will let me in?
Wow.
WOW!
Thank you!
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Running the race...

(Guest devotion from my brother Chris)

Jude 1:24-25

Running the Race

Even if you're not a runner, you've almost certainly experienced the powerless feeling that comes from trying to run faster than your legs can carry you.  Perhaps you were a small child.  Maybe you lost your balance or a hill/incline was steeper than you anticipated.  Whatever the circumstance behind it; down you went.  

My wife is an avid lover of all things involving athletic competition, so she and I have been watching some of the Olympic trials taking place in recent weeks.  This weekend, we observed an immensely talented and highly favored distance runner simply outrun her feet. Down she went, narrowly avoiding all of her fellow runners on the way down and out of the race.  I can't imagine taking a tumble like that in front of the thousands in attendance and watching on TV.  She was an avid runner.  A well trained athlete.  Her muscle memory was established and her body well conditioned for the race that day.  But still, she fell.

In our spiritual race, how much are we like this Olympic hopeful?  We are well trained.  We are avid students of God's word.  Our conscience should be well established and our hearts and souls well conditioned for the race that is this life.  But still, we fall.  Daily.  Over and over and over again we fall.  We outrun our feet.  It would be easy to give up.  To do like the distance runner did and simply drop out of the race altogether.  Why bother?  What's the point?  I'll never catch up...

In the closing verses of the book of Jude, we're reminded where our spiritual ability to keep from stumbling comes from...

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

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Jesus assures us that the race is won and that He has won it for ALL of us, now and forevermore.  Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Weeds and Words

(BTW - I know this is an odd metaphor...just work with me here, people...)

As I was reading Philippians 1:12-18 - it occurred to me that the relationship between our world and God's Word is kind of like the one between me and the weeds in my lawn.

• I don't like the weeds in my lawn.  They make things difficult and mess up my beautiful plan.
• The world doesn't like God's Words.  It makes things difficult (reminding us of our sin) and messes up our beautiful plans for power, wealth, control.

• Weeds pop up again and again - where I least expect them.
• God's Word pops up again and again - where you least expect it.

• Weeds are spread in many different ways.  
• God's Word is spread in many different ways.

Paul brings up a couple of other good points in verses 16-18.
He mentions that the mechanism to spread God's Word is people.
And they don't all do it the same way.  And there's not only one way.

So as long as it is spread in it's truth and purity - it's a blessing.
That rubs me (and the world) the wrong way because my way is ALWAYS the best.

So to with the weeds - they don't care or worry about how they are spread.
They just do it.
(oh - and here the metaphor falls apart - because most of us don't consider THAT a blessing).

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Lord,
Help me think like a weed to spread your Word.
I know the world doesn't want it.  But it needs it.
And I need to just spread it, sprinkle it, spray it, plant it - wherever and however I can.
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

The winner!

I love a good story when it has a ends with a twist - something you didn't expect.
Something you didn't see coming.

So there is this team.
They have the best coach.
They've got the best equipment.
They've got all the plays and rules laid out for them.

But the team.
Oh, the team.
They've got no talent.
They are clueless.
They've dug themselves into a hole that they can't get out of.

BUT...
They win.
They WIN!
The team didn't see that coming - but it did.

Ephesians 6:10-18

A Fight to the Finish

...God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

So there are these people.
They have the best God.
They've got the Word from God himself.
They've got the best equipment.

But these people.
Oh, these people.
They've are no good - in every sense of the word.
They are sinful.
They've dug themselves into a hole that they can't get out of.
They can't get un-sinful and there is no way to make it right.

BUT...
Jesus steps in for them and...
They win.
They WIN!
The people didn't see that coming - but it did.

Grace, grace - God's grace.
Grace greater than all our sin.

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God - 
Thank you for making Your story - our story.
Didn't see that coming!
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Love like crazy

Love Like Crazy - Chris Rice

• Lyrics

I heard a rumor that love will make you crazy
Well is it true?
Well that's no rumor, look at the crazy things that love made Jesus do
The friends he chose were thought to be outrageous
And you could even find him touching the contagious
And the craziest is how he chose to save us
He gave his life away
Then he had to go and say
"Gotta love the same way that I love you!"

Ephesians 5:1-2
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. 
Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

What the world needs now is for love to spread
As fast as the rumors do
But to make it, we gotta take this thing from another whole point of view
We can start by keeping our vows, and not breakin' promises
And bring hope to the women at the well, and the doubting Thomases
And you kids, you gotta cheerfully do what your pops and your mama says
He gave his life away
Then he had to go and say
"Gotta love the same way that I love you!"

Ephesians 5:8-10
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it!

Love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
We gotta love like crazy
The way he loves you and me
'Cause if the world's ever gonna change
We gotta love like crazy

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Lord - 
Thank you for loving me like crazy.
Help me to love like crazy.  
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

"You go first"...or "You, go first"...

(spoken at the top of the slide at the playground)
You go first.
I'll go, too - but you go first.
(you see - I'm a little nervous about this and I'm not so sure I want to be here doing this but if you go and are OK then I'll see that it's not so bad...)

(spoken as a door is being held open)
You, go first.
Please - I insist - you go first.
(you see - I am honored that you're here and would like to make you feel special in any way possible - and the least I can do is open this door for you...)

The "You go first" phrase popped into my mind as I read Ephesians 4:1-13.
The apostle Paul is reminding us that Jesus "went first" and encouraging us to follow.

From verses 1-6
- "I don't want any one of you sitting around on your hands."
- "do this with humility and discipline...pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences"
- "You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly."

So - is he asking us to be a bunch of "Jesus robots"?

Absolutely not.
Because Jesus was not about robotic rules (just ask any Pharisee you happen to see).
Jesus was all about relationships.
And serving (you and me and everyone).

So - it's really a "You, go first" kind of relationship.
I'm honored that you're here and have something special to share with you.

From verses 7-13
- "That doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same.  Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift."
- "He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ."

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Jesus, you went first.
Help me to follow without hesitation and with conviction.
Thank you for holding the door open for me.
Remind me (constantly) that it is my job to hold that door open for others.
So that we all can enter your heavenly house.
And be "fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like" You.
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Imitate What Is Good

(guest devotion from my brother Chris)
Children and trained birds like the parrot or parakeet are great mimics.  They willingly repeat what they hear.  Praise God and show selfless love to those around you and your children will most likely do the same.   Do the opposite and the same is true.  

What we speak, our children hear and repeat.  What we do, our children observe and do so in kind.  

I've lost count of the number of times that I've experienced the "painful" realization that the behavior(s) of my children that cause me the most anxiety are those that they learned from me in the first place.

Paul understood our nature and our desire to mimic when he wrote in verse 11 of chapter 1 of 3rd John "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

In this letter, Paul is speaking directly to fellow called servant Gaius, but the words he uses speak just as loudly and clearly to us today.  These words convict me of my hypocrisy as a parent, an employee, a leader, a church member and most glaringly as a servant of Christ.  I know what is right to do and say, and choose the opposite.  I know that my words and actions can inspire others to action, either to sin or to seek salvation.  How often have I failed this test?  I choose to mimic the world, and not my Savior.  Forgive me Lord.

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Dear Lord, 
Help me to always, and in everything, imitate YOU and NOT what is evil.  
Guide me to speak words of love and encouragement, not hate and derision.   
Motivate me to live my life in selfless service to ANYONE in need and not to make excuses for why I'm too busy or too ill equipped for service.  
Guard my heart, my mind and my mouth from evil Lord, and, if it is your will, use me to set an example for others that leads others to saving faith in you.
Amen.
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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Ap-parent-ly

As a parent - there is no better feeling than hearing that your child has done well.
Sitting in the audience and witnessing them winning an award for faithful service that you had no idea about.
Hearing "I just want to tell you what a blessing your son/daughter is to me..."

We hear that from John as he writes in 3 John 1:3-4.
"Nothing could make me happier..."

Thanks - Lord - FOR GIVING me this opportunity to bring this child into the world.

As a parent - there is no worse feeling than hearing your child hasn't done well.
Sitting on the sidelines of their life watching unhappy events unfold.
Hearing "We'd like you to come in so that we can talk about your son/daughter's performance/attitude/behavior/etc."

"Nothing could make me sadder..."
But just as parenting continues until your last breath - so also does God's gracious love.

Psalm 13
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
...
But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Additional Help: 9 ways to encourage the parents of prodigals

Thanks - Lord - for FORGIVING me my failure (or my child's failure) to walk in Your truth.

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Lord, 

Thanks 

- FOR GIVING me this opportunity to bring this child into the world.

- for FORGIVING me my failure (or my child's failure) to walk in Your truth.

Bring me and them back to You - always.  And forever.

Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?