STANDPOINT360

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:16 NLT

Often the challenge of following Jesus is to obey and follow through with His direction in our lives. John writes about this in very clear terms. 

• “And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” 1 John 3:5-6 NLT
• “Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.” 1 John 3:7 NLT
• “But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 NLT
• “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” 1 John 3:9 NLT
• “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” 1 John 3:10 NLT
• “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 NLT
• “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.” 1 John 3:14-15 NLT

Reflection

Following through with Jesus is critical.  We are to adjust our lives away from sinning.  We are to focus on loving others in sacrificial ways.  

Encouragement

God is for us. He has adopted us as His children.  He is showing us how to live through the example of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for reminding us of who we are and how we are to live.  Thank You for reminding us not to accept any patterns of sin in our lives.  Thank You for calling us to beautiful and sacrificial work of loving others.  

In Jesus name, Amen

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

Deuteronomy 6:4 NLT

The Israelite people were about to make a significant transition that had taken several decades.  The journey from being slaves in Egypt was about to change upon entering the promised land.  The promised land was abundant in nearly every way.  Good soil, plentiful water and established infrastructure were awaiting the people of Israel. 

In the promised land were also many “trip hazards” that could cause real harm. There were a variety of religious belief that worshipped other gods, unmerited abundance developed by others and substituting ownerships over stewardship of all that God is providing, to name a few.  

Part of the preparation for this incredible journey are clear directions and commands from God with a simple message:  Obey my commands and things will go well for you and yours.

At the center of this message was a constant reminder:  The Lord is your God.  He is one true God.   Always remember your God.  Remember Him in times of abundance.  Obey Him even when other religions would seek to pull you away.  Stay connected to His teaching.  Remind your children of God and His ways always. 

Encouragement:  The same holds true for today.  God is our God.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God.  It is a real challenge to follow as there are many “trip hazards” surrounding religious diversity and personal prosperity.  Jesus Christ is the way, truth and life.  Not matter what comes our way, there is nothing better than following Jesus. 

Prayer:  Dear Father, today we declare faithfulness to You in all circumstances.  We need Your help in not getting lost in the swirl of cultural confusion. We recognize our continuing need and growing desire for You and Your ways. Lead on God.  Lead on Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Our one true God.  In Jesus name, Amen

As one get’s older there is a desire for things to be predictable and reliable. Even at my young age (58) I find myself longing for stability and predictability with the people I love, live and work with who are half my age.

It only takes a little reflection to remember days of unplanned adventure and unacceptable risks. There is a necessary time for every generation to see life as an opportunity without much awareness of real obstacles and dangers.

Parents and grandparents everywhere pray their children through these seasons of life. In the midst of it is a consistent reflection of parents and grandparents: Certainty, Stability, and Opportunity.

Seasoned leaders seek to give meaningful opportunity and space to emerging leaders while wanting to safeguard the good work that has been accomplished to date.

In a recent conversation with friends in our same season of life, Bev, my wife, was reflecting on one of these young adult adventures we are interacting with. She said with clear conviction that God has let her know that “He’s got this, He is going to see this through”

“And I am certain that God, who began this good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” Philippians 1:6. This was Paul’s way of saying, don’t worry, God’s got this and he will see it through.

Be certain that God began something good and he is going to see it through.

Be certain….

The Church is the tangible expression of God’s presence in this world. In the US culture there is a real struggle going on over how the church receives and works with the people who are broken and hurt in many ways.   

A focused time of spiritual discernment and honest conversation is needed by the body of Christ  about who is actually welcome at church.  There are too many people approaching the church today who leave bewildered, wondering if, in fact, they are really welcome.   

Here are some factors that are important to bring into a time of spiritual discernment and conversation about who is here: 

Safety is not the substitute for fear:   

The number one value expressed by parents today in relationship to their children and family is the value of safety.     

One of the top fears church leadership experiences is not being perceived as a safe place for others.   

The response to this tension is that too often policies and practices put into place are done in the name of safety, but in reality, they are a response of simply being filled with fear.  The unintended consequence is that people who are broken in many ways come to understand that they are not welcome here.   

The challenge for the church in responding to this value is to not respond in fear with restrictive positions and policies, but to rather create an atmosphere that people from all different contexts in life can participate in.