Transformation is an amazing thing, especially when it happens to a person. It's often been said that people don't change, that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. It's probably true to some extent, yet I tend to be an optimist. People can change, well sort of. I don't mean a Jekyll and Hyde sort of change. I mean really change.
Obviously, people change their minds all the time. Politicians change their views from one stump to the next. I've always heard that changing your mind is a ladies prerogative. But that's not exactly what I was thinking. Changing your thinking, yes. Changing your mind, not really.
My observation is that people can't change by themselves. They need help. Self determination and accountability can help, but the moment we let go of the wheel or lose our accountability we have a tendency to steer out of control and fall back into the same old patterns.
Yet, I firmly believe that people can change. I read the story of Zacchaeus, and I see obvious transformation. What made the difference? How was he able to change. Not through self will, but through the power of Jesus. Jesus is able to create change in us by helping us change thought process. Not doubt little, tax collector Zac was a mess. Not a lot of real friends. People thought of him as a "sinner." We might think "crook." Yet through his encounter with Christ, he was changed.
It's really a great phrase, one of my favorite in the Bible. "He (Jesus) has gone to be a guest of a 'sinner.'" That's one of the most encouraging passages. It tells me that Jesus wants to connect with people like me and you and even those with a not so hot reputation. It tells me that there is hope for me. It tells me change is possible for me. When I see Zac's transformation, I'm excited about the possibilities for me and others.
Jesus' response to the life change of Zac, "Today salvation has come to this house." If it can come to that crook's, Zacchaeus, it certainly can come to mine. It reminds me that Jesus loves me so much that He's willing to come looking for me in my plight. When He finds me, He loves me for who I am. Yet, He loves me so deeply that He won't let me stay there.
Change is possible through Jesus. I don't have to stay the way I am. Even thought Jesus invited Himself to Zac's house, He prefers that we invite Him to our house.
Jesus, come hang out at my house. I need you. Change me. Change my heart. Change my thinking to your way of thinking.
Showing posts with label transformation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transformation. Show all posts
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Daily Reflections on Lk. 12:1-3 (Yeast)
Over the years of ministry I’ve seen a lot of high profile persons demonstrate their feet of clay and come tumbling down in some scandal. It’s a devastating blow to every one involved and affects all of Christendom. The fall of Jim and Tammy Baker, Jimmy Swaggert and more recently Ted Haggard has struck a blow to the credibility of Christianity.
There has been plenty of others who have taken the dive off their pedestals. Preachers, teachers, spiritual leaders have succumbed to temptation and been forced out of effective ministry. Pornography addiction, sexual sin, gambling, embezzlement, etc, doesn’t just suddenly crop up overnight. It’s something that develops over time.
Jesus says beware of the yeast. Yeast has a slow but powerful effect. When my mother baked her own bread and rolls, she mixed the flour and eggs, etc. and then added yeast. She would cover the bowl and place it over a furnace vent or something similar. You could almost watch the mixture transform and grow in to a big puffy dough ball before your eyes.
Jesus warns us about letting the yeast of sin into our life. A little bit of yeast goes a long way. It doesn’t take much for that yeast of sin to grow under the heat of life. Without really noticing, that small amount of leaven has transformed your whole life and made it a big gooey mess. It can’t be contained or hidden any more and it bursts over the side for everyone to see.
Once the yeast is there, it’s only matter time before it does its thing. So the key is keeping the yeast of sin out of our life. Fires that destroy forests, home and lives always start with just a spark. Little things and practices produce big results; sometimes good, often times bad.
Jesus, help me pay attention to the little things in life. Help me to keep the yeast of sin out. Work into my life the seed of spiritual growth. Help me to do the things that are beneficial to me and the Kingdom.
There has been plenty of others who have taken the dive off their pedestals. Preachers, teachers, spiritual leaders have succumbed to temptation and been forced out of effective ministry. Pornography addiction, sexual sin, gambling, embezzlement, etc, doesn’t just suddenly crop up overnight. It’s something that develops over time.
Jesus says beware of the yeast. Yeast has a slow but powerful effect. When my mother baked her own bread and rolls, she mixed the flour and eggs, etc. and then added yeast. She would cover the bowl and place it over a furnace vent or something similar. You could almost watch the mixture transform and grow in to a big puffy dough ball before your eyes.
Jesus warns us about letting the yeast of sin into our life. A little bit of yeast goes a long way. It doesn’t take much for that yeast of sin to grow under the heat of life. Without really noticing, that small amount of leaven has transformed your whole life and made it a big gooey mess. It can’t be contained or hidden any more and it bursts over the side for everyone to see.
Once the yeast is there, it’s only matter time before it does its thing. So the key is keeping the yeast of sin out of our life. Fires that destroy forests, home and lives always start with just a spark. Little things and practices produce big results; sometimes good, often times bad.
Jesus, help me pay attention to the little things in life. Help me to keep the yeast of sin out. Work into my life the seed of spiritual growth. Help me to do the things that are beneficial to me and the Kingdom.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Daily Reflections on 1 Thes. 1:4-10 (Reputation)
I've played it. You've played it. Everyone's played it. Kids especially like to play it. Some people make thousands or maybe millions doing it. Mimicking. Sometimes it's done as a taunt. Sometimes it's done in jest. Sometimes it's done in anger or manipulation or to hurt. Sometimes it's done to make others laugh or to entertain.
Mimicking has long been a practice in business, sports, family heritage. Copy right laws were enacted to restrict various forms of mimicry. Parents want their children to follow in their family footsteps. Developing athletes often chose a professional athlete to mimic. Young basketball players all over the globe have worn 23 on their jersey and stuck out their tongue going to the hoop. Aspiring graduates often choose business magnates or other heroes after which to pattern their careers. Most of us have someone we look to as a model or inspiration.
When I was a kid living in Cincinnati, my dad often urged me to mimic Pete Rose's "Charlie Hustle" style and mentality. Running out every hit. Running to first base on a walk. Sliding head first into second base. Going hard after every ball. Hustle, Hustle, Hustle. 110% kind of thing. Determined. Gritty. Throw caution to the wind and go for it. I did and probably still do pursue things in life with that mentality. What I lacked in talent, I made up for in hustle. I confess, Rose's gambling and imprisonment for income tax evasion broke my heart.
Reputation is significant. Now instead of being known as the all-time hit leader, Charlie Hustle, Rose is known for impropriety and being banned from baseball. His on field achievements have been erased by his off field behavior. No one wants to be Charlie Hustle anymore.
Looking at Paul's description of the Thessalonian church in this opening chapter sounds like something I want said about my church. These people were eager to learn and follow after Jesus. Their transformed lives were contagious. and they openly and joyously shared with others the Good News of the Gospel. They appeared to be passionate about their relationship with God through Christ. They whole heartedly switched their allegiance from worldly worship to serving God, anticipating Christ's return and ultimate redemption. What a model to mimic.
God, I want to be infectious, contagious like Paul and like this church. I want my church to be like this. I want people to talk about us, not for the cool stuff we do, but for the transformation to us through Your Spirit. I want people to be drawn to through us.
Mimicking has long been a practice in business, sports, family heritage. Copy right laws were enacted to restrict various forms of mimicry. Parents want their children to follow in their family footsteps. Developing athletes often chose a professional athlete to mimic. Young basketball players all over the globe have worn 23 on their jersey and stuck out their tongue going to the hoop. Aspiring graduates often choose business magnates or other heroes after which to pattern their careers. Most of us have someone we look to as a model or inspiration.
When I was a kid living in Cincinnati, my dad often urged me to mimic Pete Rose's "Charlie Hustle" style and mentality. Running out every hit. Running to first base on a walk. Sliding head first into second base. Going hard after every ball. Hustle, Hustle, Hustle. 110% kind of thing. Determined. Gritty. Throw caution to the wind and go for it. I did and probably still do pursue things in life with that mentality. What I lacked in talent, I made up for in hustle. I confess, Rose's gambling and imprisonment for income tax evasion broke my heart.
Reputation is significant. Now instead of being known as the all-time hit leader, Charlie Hustle, Rose is known for impropriety and being banned from baseball. His on field achievements have been erased by his off field behavior. No one wants to be Charlie Hustle anymore.
Looking at Paul's description of the Thessalonian church in this opening chapter sounds like something I want said about my church. These people were eager to learn and follow after Jesus. Their transformed lives were contagious. and they openly and joyously shared with others the Good News of the Gospel. They appeared to be passionate about their relationship with God through Christ. They whole heartedly switched their allegiance from worldly worship to serving God, anticipating Christ's return and ultimate redemption. What a model to mimic.
God, I want to be infectious, contagious like Paul and like this church. I want my church to be like this. I want people to talk about us, not for the cool stuff we do, but for the transformation to us through Your Spirit. I want people to be drawn to through us.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Daily Reflections on Mk. 3:13-19 (Name Calling)
What is a "Son of Thunder" anyway? Does it mean that James and John had loud booming voices? Does it mean that they showed up after the lightening strike? Does it mean that they were always rumbling or maybe they found themselves always surrounded by some storm? Maybe they had short fuses or were prone to excitement. I'm not really sure.
What I do know is Jesus picked them to be a part of The Twelve. I do know that Jesus changed their names. And when God changes a name there is always a reason and purpose. God changed Simon's name to Peter and Jacob's name to Israel and Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah and Saul's name to Paul.
Whenever God calls us for a specific mission it usually involves a life change. God called Abram away from his home and family to give him a new land and make him the father of many nations. With that call came a new identity. So God gave him a name to match that identity. Perhaps that's why he changed James' and John's names to Sons of Thunder, to change their identity and image of themselves. The were fishermen by trade and now God was calling them to catch men, to proclaim the message of the Good News which would echo across the seas of time.
It's a basic principle. When you come and spend time with Jesus, He changes you. When you become a disciple of Jesus, your past character becomes irrelevant. It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done, good or bad (ie. Paul with all his religious and personal credentials/achievements and or Rahab, the prostitute), God is able to transform and give you a new character and calling, a new life (2 Cor. 5:17).
When Jesus picked The Twelve, it doesn't look like an all-star list of the top CEO's of His day. In fact, it makes you wonder how Christianity got out of the first century and changed the world. But that's God's transforming power. If you're bummed out with your life right now, don't like where it's going, then try spending some time hanging out with Jesus. Study Him. Watch Him. Experience Him. Talk with Him. Listen to Him. Get alone with Him. Take Him to work with you or at least on your commute. I guarantee, you'll be changed. Who knows, He might even change your name.
God, I'm spending my day with you today. I just want to hang out with you. I want to experience your presence today. Thanks for inviting me to dine with you and walk with you and learn from you.
What I do know is Jesus picked them to be a part of The Twelve. I do know that Jesus changed their names. And when God changes a name there is always a reason and purpose. God changed Simon's name to Peter and Jacob's name to Israel and Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah and Saul's name to Paul.
Whenever God calls us for a specific mission it usually involves a life change. God called Abram away from his home and family to give him a new land and make him the father of many nations. With that call came a new identity. So God gave him a name to match that identity. Perhaps that's why he changed James' and John's names to Sons of Thunder, to change their identity and image of themselves. The were fishermen by trade and now God was calling them to catch men, to proclaim the message of the Good News which would echo across the seas of time.
It's a basic principle. When you come and spend time with Jesus, He changes you. When you become a disciple of Jesus, your past character becomes irrelevant. It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done, good or bad (ie. Paul with all his religious and personal credentials/achievements and or Rahab, the prostitute), God is able to transform and give you a new character and calling, a new life (2 Cor. 5:17).
When Jesus picked The Twelve, it doesn't look like an all-star list of the top CEO's of His day. In fact, it makes you wonder how Christianity got out of the first century and changed the world. But that's God's transforming power. If you're bummed out with your life right now, don't like where it's going, then try spending some time hanging out with Jesus. Study Him. Watch Him. Experience Him. Talk with Him. Listen to Him. Get alone with Him. Take Him to work with you or at least on your commute. I guarantee, you'll be changed. Who knows, He might even change your name.
God, I'm spending my day with you today. I just want to hang out with you. I want to experience your presence today. Thanks for inviting me to dine with you and walk with you and learn from you.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Daily Reflections on Titus 3:3-7 (Pounding Erasers)
I did it because it was fun! Sometimes at recess and sometimes after school. As a third grader I had a blast with some of my classmates cleaning the erasers and chalk boards. We'd pound those puppies together trying to create the biggest dust cloud. Biggest dust cloud wins. Then it was a race to get your board the cleanest, the fastest. Every inch had to be sparkling green again with no streaking and no puddles of water on the floor. Our teacher must have thought we were nuts. No one asked us. We weren't being punished. We just thought it was cool.
I love to compete and I love to race. But in my hurry, I often had to go back and wipe the board clean again, because as it dried it would leave ugly yellow streaks and smudges on the green board. I'd look over at one of my meticulous friends who carefully and thoroughly was wiping every inch of the board with their damp sponge. I was totally amazed at the pristine nature of their board as it dried. I always had to go back and do mine over.
Although chalkboards have given way to dry erase boards and now smart boards and video projection, the image of the old dust flying from those erasers and seeing those green boards dry to a pristine purity depicts to me the cleansing power of God's grace through Jesus Christ. Without entering into a philosophical or theological discussion of "tabula rosa" or "TULIP," that image describes what God does in my life initially when I first come to faith in Christ and daily as I surrender my life to Him.
A lot of stuff gets written on my board. Sometimes I try to erase it and start over, but the dusty smudges are always there. The more I write or someone else writes, draws, scribbles or diagrams, the more cluttered and confusing my life becomes. When God washes me, I'm pristine again. Nothing that's gone on in the past is evident on my life board. I have what's known as a "clean slate." What I do with my life board from here on out is fresh and new. My past no longer clouds my future.
God, it's miserable when I cloud the issue with my own attempts at starting over. I'm frustrated by the smudges of my past. Wipe my board clean. Make me pristine. Allow me to articulate with clarity your glory, to artfully sketch your majesty. Better yet, you take the chalk. You write on my life. You draw your design. I trust you. I want to be a benefit to others. Communicate through me the splendor of your good news.
I love to compete and I love to race. But in my hurry, I often had to go back and wipe the board clean again, because as it dried it would leave ugly yellow streaks and smudges on the green board. I'd look over at one of my meticulous friends who carefully and thoroughly was wiping every inch of the board with their damp sponge. I was totally amazed at the pristine nature of their board as it dried. I always had to go back and do mine over.
Although chalkboards have given way to dry erase boards and now smart boards and video projection, the image of the old dust flying from those erasers and seeing those green boards dry to a pristine purity depicts to me the cleansing power of God's grace through Jesus Christ. Without entering into a philosophical or theological discussion of "tabula rosa" or "TULIP," that image describes what God does in my life initially when I first come to faith in Christ and daily as I surrender my life to Him.
A lot of stuff gets written on my board. Sometimes I try to erase it and start over, but the dusty smudges are always there. The more I write or someone else writes, draws, scribbles or diagrams, the more cluttered and confusing my life becomes. When God washes me, I'm pristine again. Nothing that's gone on in the past is evident on my life board. I have what's known as a "clean slate." What I do with my life board from here on out is fresh and new. My past no longer clouds my future.
God, it's miserable when I cloud the issue with my own attempts at starting over. I'm frustrated by the smudges of my past. Wipe my board clean. Make me pristine. Allow me to articulate with clarity your glory, to artfully sketch your majesty. Better yet, you take the chalk. You write on my life. You draw your design. I trust you. I want to be a benefit to others. Communicate through me the splendor of your good news.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Daily Reflections on 2 Pet. 1:3-11 (Avoiding Embarrassment)
Ever want to run away and hide? I love the Southwest Airlines commercials that depict someone in an embarrassing situation and the voice over comes on, "Wanna get a way?" I've been there more than once. I've said those words that I wish I could take back. I've done those things that later I was embarrassed about. It's weird how some of the stupid little things we've said or done can haunt you for years.
I think today's passage is both exciting and intimidating. Through the years as a follower of Christ I've looked at these verses and thought I could never measure up. Adding all these things in increasing measure to my life seemed to be an impossible task. In fact, I used to wonder if I added all these things to my life if it would decrease my effectiveness or competitive spirit as an athlete. Besides, when I looked at the real Dave in the mirror, I knew those attributes weren't really there, at least consistently there.
As I've grown and matured in life and in Christ (and my athletic prowess has disappeared), I have seen Peter is right about a productive and effective life. I've realized that I can never achieve these character traits on my own by just working hard. That's why I need a savior. If I could do this with my shear will power, I wouldn't need Jesus. That's what's so exciting about this passage. God knows that. That's why He sent Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit to live within those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. God's gives me everything I need to grow in these areas; His backing, His Word, His coaching, His promise, His Holy Spirit, His presence, His family.
My responsibility? To make every effort to allow God to transform my life by seeking after Him, renewing my mind, following the example of Christ. I'm to live my life running with reckless abandon toward Him. Am I gonna stumble sometimes or get tired or have a really bad day? Absolutely! That's why I need the armor of God. This is spiritual warfare and Satan is a terrorist. That's why I have to get up and keep running toward Jesus. The good news is that if I keep running toward Him, I'm gonna win!
Wow, God, what a promise! I want to participate in your divine nature. I'd love to run away from, escape my own corruption, not to mention the world's corruption. I hate my actions and reactions sometimes. I really want to sense your Spirit ebbing and flowing in my life. I want to know you more intimately and deeply. I'm tired of my inept self. I want to live in your power.
I think today's passage is both exciting and intimidating. Through the years as a follower of Christ I've looked at these verses and thought I could never measure up. Adding all these things in increasing measure to my life seemed to be an impossible task. In fact, I used to wonder if I added all these things to my life if it would decrease my effectiveness or competitive spirit as an athlete. Besides, when I looked at the real Dave in the mirror, I knew those attributes weren't really there, at least consistently there.
As I've grown and matured in life and in Christ (and my athletic prowess has disappeared), I have seen Peter is right about a productive and effective life. I've realized that I can never achieve these character traits on my own by just working hard. That's why I need a savior. If I could do this with my shear will power, I wouldn't need Jesus. That's what's so exciting about this passage. God knows that. That's why He sent Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit to live within those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. God's gives me everything I need to grow in these areas; His backing, His Word, His coaching, His promise, His Holy Spirit, His presence, His family.
My responsibility? To make every effort to allow God to transform my life by seeking after Him, renewing my mind, following the example of Christ. I'm to live my life running with reckless abandon toward Him. Am I gonna stumble sometimes or get tired or have a really bad day? Absolutely! That's why I need the armor of God. This is spiritual warfare and Satan is a terrorist. That's why I have to get up and keep running toward Jesus. The good news is that if I keep running toward Him, I'm gonna win!
Wow, God, what a promise! I want to participate in your divine nature. I'd love to run away from, escape my own corruption, not to mention the world's corruption. I hate my actions and reactions sometimes. I really want to sense your Spirit ebbing and flowing in my life. I want to know you more intimately and deeply. I'm tired of my inept self. I want to live in your power.
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