Focus and Press on!

It always saddens me when the Olympics come to an end. Over the last two weeks I have watched the Olympics every evening. I enjoy seeing the greatest athletes compete against one another on the biggest stage. I will watch any event, even the ones I have no clue what is going on! More so, I delight in the stories of athletes who have overcome various difficulties in life to reach the top. Athletes come from many backgrounds with various obstacles. Some have overcome injuries, unfortunate circumstances, poverty etc. Yet others have overcome struggles they brought on themselves by making bad choices or following poor advice. When asked how they succeeded, most give a similar response, FOCUS and press on!

 As Christians, we will face various struggles and obstacles in our lives as well. These have potential to hinder us from pressing on if we let them. It is no wonder, Paul and the Hebrew writer both compare the Christian’s life to sporting events and challenge us with the same message, Focus and Press on.

The Hebrew writer urges Christians to, “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Unfortunately even as Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin. We must keep our focus in the direction of Christ.

In a comparable way, Paul encourages the Philippians saying: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14). In our life there will be situations and circumstances that threaten our forward progress. We need to choose, as Paul did, to let go of the past and press on toward the future.

In our walk with God, we will face hurdles. Some may come as a result of circumstances beyond our control, others will come from choices we make. Whatever the cause, Let us take the advice of Paul and the Hebrew writer by maintaining our focus on Christ and always pressing forward toward the goal!

Blessings,

Jeremy 

You can't follow from the front!

Not too long ago, our family went to a waterpark. After having a snack, we headed back to our spot. Knowing the best route, I told the family to follow me. In response to his excitement, my son kept jumping out ahead. Every time we came to a turn, he guessed the wrong path resulting in me correcting him. Finally, after several turns I said to him, “Buddy, you can’t follow if you are in front!” As those words left my mouth, I was immediately reminded of similar words from Jesus. 

First, in Matthew 16:24 Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Second, in Matthew 19:30 Jesus says, “But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” Jesus is informing us, we cannot follow from in front. Being a true follower requires a lowering of self. In the same way my son could not see the correct way to go, when 
we put our wants and desires above Christ, we will be blinded from seeing the example Christ has given us.

It is impossible to follow Christ if we put ourselves in front of him. We have to deny ourselves so we can properly see andfollow the example that He’s given us. As we are witnessing, humility is not a popular concept in the world. Humility creates much difficulty. From a worldly perspective, it is unpopular to lower ourselves. Though there is often difficulty that comes while following Jesus, the rewards are amazing!

Blessings,

Jeremy

What does your image say about you?

Why does everyone feel the need to decipher which parent a baby looks like? When our daughter was a  baby, every couple of weeks people flopped their opinion. One week someone joked saying: "she's lucky dad, looks just like her mom." Sure enough, two weeks later her luck shifted, as everyone would say, "she's a spittin image of dad!" For the life of us, we could not figure out why people went back and forth so frequently. Until, one day it dawned on me. Babies go through stages of "chunky" and "thin". During her thin stages everyone insisted she looked just like mama and just like me in her chubby stage.

What does your image say about you?  When people look at you, what do they see? More importantly who do they see? We talk about and resemble the things we are most interested in. Do you know the people who love golf or are diehard supporters of a sport's team? How do you know them? They talk about it, they wear the clothes, and they participate in those activities. Who or what do your resemble?

As Christians, the bible tells us who we are supposed to resemble. We must look like christ. John says this in 1 John 2:6 "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." When people see us they should see Christ. Jesus began his ministry encouraging people to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:16).

Does your life resemble Christ? When people see us, do they see Christ or something else? Is Christ resembled in our speech? How about in our actions? Most importantly, do our attitudes reflect the attitudes Christ displayed in his ministry? 

To be honest, I don't care who my children look like physically, as long as their spiritual lives resemble their savior.  We must take a deep look inward and ask, do I resemble Christ in my life? 

Blessings,
Jeremy 

Representing something Bigger!

Have you ever seen a company vehicle with their logo on the side? Many times the bumper will have a phone number and the question "how am I driving ?" I don't think the owner of the company is necessarily concerned with feedback from everyone on the road. Instead, the primary purpose of that sticker is accountability for the driver.

The driver needs to be reminded that they are representing something bigger than themselves! When that driver gets in his/her personal vehicle and cuts someone off, it only reflects that individual. When that same person gets into the vehicle with the company name plastered to the side, their driving suddenly affects the image of the entire company. Passers-by will judge the company's credibilitynd reliability based on how he or she drives the vehicle. This places a ton of responsibility on the individual driving.

In the same way, as Christians, we represent something bigger than ourselves. We are representing God and His Kingdom. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells those listening, "You are the light of the World, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven."

The above verse points to two things. First, we are representing God! How we act may form an opinion of God in the minds of others. You might have heard the saying, "we may be the only bible some people read." Do your actions match up with the view of God you want to portray?

Second, Matthew 5:16 points out the proper motivation behind good works. This time of year people are in a generous mood. I tend to give and help others more in December than any other month. The temptation many of us have is to give for personal gain or recogniton. I fight the temptation to do good works in order to 1) give a good opinion of myself to others or 2) to avoid a negative opinion from others. These are selfish motives.

As Christians, our motivation needs to be bringing glory to God! We are representing God. How are you doing?Ghandi is often quoted saying something like, "I like your Christ but your Christians look nothing like your Christ." The question needs to be asked, is this me?

Blessings,
Jeremy 

Who is Undeserving?

When I first moved to Lubbock TX to go to preaching school, I drove past a little restaurant every day on the way to school. I am especially particular of the restaurants I will try. My first criteria is the appearance of the building. Even though I am particularly fond of Thai food, I drove past a little Thai place with a thought of disgust saying, "I would never step foot in there". The outside of the building was so undesirable, I would keep on driving.

Several years later I was watching the health inspection reports for the city. There was only one restaurant in the entire city that received 100% every week I watched. It was the Thai place I had written off. My first thought was, someone is paying off the health inspector. However, I finally let go of my skepticism and tried it out. You know what? It was the best Thai food I have eaten to date. I loved it. The sad thing is I only lived in Lubbock 1 more year.

I am ashamed to say that it is not only with restaurants that we determine our involvement based on the outward appearance. This also becomes true in opening our life to people and sharing the Gospel with them. I know we would never say consciously that we deem people as undeserving of the gospel, but we do when we neglect to build relationships with them and share with them the gospel of  Jesus.

Ephesians 2 tells how we were dead in our transgressions and sins but God showed mercy and grace toward us because of His great love for us! The truth is that you and I are no more deserving of God's Grace than any other person on this earth. We all have sinned! Had Christ found us undeserving, we would not have a hope of everlasting life.

In Luke 15, Jesus gives several parables to show how God reacts to those who are lost. We see in the parable of the lost sheep that God leaves the ninety nine to search for the one who is lost. Do we have this same attitude as Christians that we would seek out those who are lost to show them the way to God. All are undeserving including us, but God loved us all so much that he would give us the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Blessings,
Jeremy

Catching Bubbles!

We have a video of my son when he was under a year old sitting on the kitchen floor while mama blew bubbles toward him. The excitement on his face is priceless as he anticipates the fun of catching the bubbles as they softly float to the ground. As you probably know, bubbles are impossible to catch. We watched as each bubble would explode in his hands. Before long the laughter and smiles turned to frustration, anger and eventually tears. What seemed like a lot of fun in the beginning had turned into great disappointment.

My wife and I watched the video and laughed several times, but every time I watch the video I cant help but see the similarities between catching bubbles and life. There are so many things in life that on first glance seem like they would be a lot of fun to be involved in, that in reality can lead to much pain and suffering and ultimately eternal death.

This past month we heard devastating news of millions of sins revealed due to the hack of an adult website designed to help people have extramarital affairs. With the revelation of the hack came devastation to millions of men, women and families because of the sins people are involved in. Following the initial blow has come many stories of ruined marriages, torn apart homes, lost jobs and even suicide. The end result of sin (Eternal consequences aside) can be very rough.

God is not one who desires for us to be miserable and like any good parent, he is looking out for our best interest. In a very well-known parable found in Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. After the younger son asks his dad for his portion of the inheritance, he takes it and lives indulging in sinful activities. It isn't until after the money is gone and he sees the negative effects of his living that the bible says, he came to his senses. After that turning point, he returned to his father where he was welcomed with open arms and celebration.

Sin does bring terrible results and much pain and suffering, but we have a God who loved us so much that he provides freedom from our sins through the blood of Jesus. Won't you turn from the sin that brings destruction and obey the life saving gospel of Jesus?!?!

Blessings,
Jeremy

Don't let them take God out of our Schools!

Over the last several years I have heard statements of how different our schools are now compared to years past. Especially this time of year as kids are going back to school, I have heard several people make statements such as, "they are taking God out of our Schools?" These kinds of comments raise two questions in my mind, 1) Who is "They"? And 2) do "they" really have that kind of power?


The bible tells us, when we become Christians that Christ lives in us and our life should reflect him (Galatians 2:20). Jesus also tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world! (Matt. 5:13-16). So, as long as there are Christians in our schools living by Faith in Christ, no one can take God out!!!

 The danger comes when Christians stop living through Faith in Christ in our schools! In other words, to partially quote a famous bear, "Only YOU can take God out of our schools." As another school year has come upon us, and as we hear more and more that school boards and courts are choosing to stop prayer or keep teachers from teaching about their Faith, I want to encourage all who may have a part in keeping God in our schools to do just that.

1. Students - don't let them take God out of our schools! As you face the pressures of the world that are ever present in our schools, do not be conformed to this world! (Romans 12:2) Remember who you are in Christ and be transformed proving what the will of God is. Don't allow anyone to take God out by keeping him first in your life!

2. Teachers - Don't let them take God out of our schools. What you teach and say about your Faith to your students can be controlled by the school system, but the way you live out your faith cannot. Fortunately, the loudest message you can ever preach is by your actions. As you daily influence the lives of many students, remember the words of Christ, "let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

3. Parents - don't let them take God out of our schools. As parents, God has entrusted us with our children. With that comes the responsibility to teach them and guide them. We have the task of instilling within them Faith in Jesus Christ. It is not the job of the school or even Sunday school. Proverbs 22:6 tells of the importance of raising our children in the way they should go. Let us all do our part to keep Christ in the lives of our children!

I want to encourage all of those involved in school, but this principle extends to all walks of life. The only way God can be taken out of a society is if Christians cease to live by Faith in Him. Let us boldly and courageously live by Faith in Jesus!

Blessings,
Jeremy