Why Did My Savior Come To Earth?

Why did my savior come to the earth?  That’s the first line in a song in most church hymn books.  It’s an interesting question, it’s a great question and I like the answer.

The song tells us the answer “because He loved me so.” 

Jesus no doubt struggled with this decision (John 17).  Listen to his words in John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” (NIV)

Jesus poses a rhetorical question in this instance.  While the human nature of Jesus abhored death and the fact that he was going to have suffer these things.  His divine nature understood he had come into the world for this hour — to die for man’s sins.

Thank God He did. 

Here are some more passages on why my savior came to earth.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (NIV)

John 10:17-18 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from my Father.” (NIV)

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (NIV)

Ephesians 2:16 “and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross by which he put to death their hostility.” (NIV)

The song already had a lot of meaning to me and most likely to you as well.  But now I have a deeper appreciation for the actions that brought about the question and the song with each passing day.

Please remember wherever  you are in life — God loves you and he gave his son for you and that was the reason for Jesus coming to earth — to seek and to save that which was lost.

Trials

I Peter 1:6-12, the apostle Peter talks about something that we go through, have gone through and will continue to go through as long as we are on the earth — Trials.

But it’s interesting to note what he says.  He starts by saying that we must rejoice in the midst of trials.  Jesus alluded to this in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all of kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (NIV)

I Thessalonians 1:6 talks about suffering, which has much to do with trials.  “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)

Trials are continuous, but various kinds of suffering that is faithfully endured will be a blessing.  There will be blessings beyond belief.

Trials reveal our faith (or lack thereof). 

We need to understand the nature and meaning of trials.  God desires that we have a greater likeness to Christ.  God will also stand beside us in trials.  The apostle Paul near the end of his life said as much in II Timothy 4:16-17 “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.  And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ” (NIV)

Think back to the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 as the Lord stood by them and they survived the fiery furnace. 

Psalms 34:19 says “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

We learn from the scriptures of all the trials Paul endured preaching the gospel. 

Our faith is strengthened through trials.  Trials tend to bring us closer to God and closer to each other. 

Because of faith and our ability to deal with our trials — we will be crowned.  Salvation is coming when the Lord returns for those who are faithful to him. 

What’s more is that Jesus never gives up on people.  While we are alive, he will never give up on us.  There is nothing shallow about Jesus — shallow relationships are not the way of the Lord.

Let’s take time to be holy and let us remember that although trials may come and they may not be pleasant — they, like medicine,are good for us and in the long run it will pay off — big time!

Where do you stand?

Where do you stand?

I ask the question in regards to where you stand on Jesus?  In John 7:12-13 there are whispers among the people concerning Jesus.  “Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him.  Some said, ‘He is a good man.’  Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’  But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.” (NIV)

People were divided in their opinions on Jesus.  Some said he was a just a good man while others took the position to say that he was a deceiver.  He could not be both.  A good man cannot be a deceiver, because deceiving people would elminate them from being good.

There is still a division today.  If you admit that Jesus was a good man this carries with it the recognition that he was indeed, who He claimed to be — which is the son of God.

John 10:36 “what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’”? (NIV).

Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (NIV)

My stance is this — He claimed to be the son of God and in the words of a preacher by the name of Ken Joines “If a man walks out of his own grave, he is whoever he says he is.”  Therefore since Jesus accomplished that feat, he is more than just a good man, He is the Lord, He is the Savior, He is the Son of God. 

Believe him, obey him and follow him faithfully!

Would There Be Enough To Convict You?

In my job I spend a significant amount of time in travel.  My wife is a librarian.  So, I get plenty of chances to listen to audiobooks.  One audiobook that has stuck with me over the years was the autobiography of John Wooden.

For the uninformed, John Wooden was a legendary basketball coach for UCLA.  The Bruins were a dynasty in his tenure, winning 10 National Championships and producing many of the game’s great stars.

I was interested in the book and being a fan of basketball, especially college basketball, I was reallylooking forward to listening to this book.  Well, to my surprise, it was much more than about basketball.  There was plenty of that, but there was much, much more.  He talked life, he talked his faith also.

One comment that he made toward the end of the book is the inspiration for this post.  In speaking of his faith — he said “I hope there is enough evidence to convict me.”  Meaning he hoped his life, his example was enough for people to see that he was a man who had a deep faith in God.

I ask myself this question a lot.  If I were put on trial for my faith — to be proven guilty or not guilty of being a Christian — would there be enough evidence to convict me?  How about you?

There is a hymn often sung in our congregation with the words that say “we are the only Bible that the world will read.”  Or words to that effect.  Based on that, what kind of chance does the world have to turn to Jesus Christ if I’m what they base Christianity on?

We have a huge responsibilty as Christians to make sure that we are found  ”guilty” of being Christians, because in some cases we are the only Bible that the world will read.  If we are hypoctritical, if we are no different from the world, then the world doesn’t have a chance. 

Coach Wooden’s remark has had a profound effect on my life — it constantly challenges me to remember that I have a resonsibility as a child of God to be consistent, to be faithful all the time and not be selective or segment my Christianity for popularity sake. 

Coach Wooden is 99 years old.  I was too young to ever see him coach a game on TV and he wouldn’t know me if I standing in front of him, but I will never forget his challenge to me.  He will never know the impact that it has had on my life and I hope it can have an impact on yours.

 

OSU v. The Team Up North

It’s Michigan Week.  It’s hard to believe that we’ve have the end of the college football as far as Ohio State is concerned.  Of course, there is the Rose Bowl to think about.  But first things first.  It’s time for the THE GAME.  Ohio State vs. Michigan.

This is the game that you prepare for 364 days out of the year and the 365th day you take care of business, which is what the Buckeyes have done since Jim Tressel’s arrival in the Capital city.

Michigan is the team that makes me actually root for Notre Dame one time a year.  If they make a bowl, they make me want the Big Ten to go 6-1. 

Some will say that the game has lost some its luster the last two years because of Michigan’s current struggles, they brought that on themselves.  They had a perfectly successful coach, who until Tressel showed up, had his way with the Buckeyes, in the person of Lloyd Carr.  All the Michigan blowhards wanted him gone and now they have Rich Rodriguez.  How’s that working out for ya? 

But I digress, the game is important for both teams.  The Buckeyes want to complete the Novemeber to Remember and do not want to do anything to knock the bloom off the Rose (Bowl).  A top ten ranking and outright Big Ten Championship is on the line for OSU as well.  Michigan can become bowl eligible with a win.  And besides, it’s only the biggest rivalry in college football — enough said. 

OSU throttled the Maize and Blue last year, 42-7, and although the Wolverines have a very good offense, they employ the sieve defense, which should play right into OSU’s hands. 

 The Buckeyes are playing great football right now, but in the words of former coach Earle Bruce “You can’t judge them as great unless they played great against Michigan.”  There would be a damper on the season if the Buckeyes were to come up on the short end.

In this recent run of success against Michigan, the Buckeyes have been able to run the football and they must be able to do so this time in order to win. 

The defense should be able to handle the impressive freshman quarterback Tate Forcier and I just don’t think the Wolverines defense can stop the Buckeyes.

Regardless of the outcome — California Here We Come!!!!

Crank up Hang On Sloopy, The Buckeye Battle Cry and Carmen, Ohio and watch the Buckeyes deliver another blow to the Team Up North.  Go Bucks and as always, BEAT MICHIGAN.

Take Care of Our Own Business

We have heard the phrase “Mind Your Own Business” or “None of Your Business”.  We’ve probably used it a time or two in our lives.

We have an account in scripture where Jesus essentially uses this phrase and, as always, there is an application for us.

In John 21:18-24 Jesus is in the process of reinstating Peter if you will and then Jesus lays on him that he will die a martyr’s death.  Peter asked Jesus concerning John: “Lord what about this man?”  Jesus then explained to Peter that John’s fate, whether easier or harder than his was none of his business.  Verse 22 Jesus says “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Jesus then told him what his business is — “You must follow me.”

There in lies the lesson for us.  In order for us to take care of our own business we must not worry about what may or may not happen to others and make sure that we “follow Him.”

Sounds like a plan.  But, I gotta be honest — I struggle with it.  I’m right there with Peter sometimes, but I need to heed the words of the Savior when he says “You must follow me.”

If I take care of my own business and follow Jesus everything will work out and I’ll be more like what He wants to me to be.  And that my friends is a good thing!

Christ’s View of Greatness

There are many views of greatness today and many of them do not have anything to do with service or humility or even kindness. 

Mark 9:33-37 gives us great insight to Christ’s view of greatness. 

Most people are unaware that true greatness is achieved in service and humility.  However, we sure don’t teach that much — not in schools — nobody majors in it — nobody’s ambition is to serve, only to be served — except Jesus.  He came to serve.

In this passage in Mark, Jesus again must teach his disciples about the true meaning of greatness — that’s what they were fussing about in the passage.  Can you imagine Peter saying it’s me he gave me the keys to the kingdom, John saying it’s me — I am the disciple whom he loves — Andrew saying it’s me — I’m the one who got the little boy to give up his lunch so Jesus could feed the 5,000. 

I don’t know what specifically they were saying, but they were arguing about which one of them was the greatest.  Jesus said in verse 35 “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (NIV).

Talk about a bubble bursting — talk about getting put in your place — Jesus knocked them all down several pegs. 

Lest we get too high and mighty — the verse applies to us as well.  True greatness is in service and humility, not in the spotlight, not in our performance or our position.

He who wants to be first must make selfishness unselfishness and turn pride into humility. 

Jesus again remarked in Mark 10:43 “Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”  (NIV). 

That goes against everything we learn in society today, but as Christians it is Christ’s view we must follow.  He does call us to be different from the world no matter how hard — it is our duty.

Satan’s Plan

I Peter 5:8 warns us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

I have posted in the past about our arch enemy — Satan.

We know that God has a plan for our lives — but we must realize that Satan has a plan for us as well. 

With the help of my dad, who sent me this tidbit of information in the bulletin from the  church he attends and serves as an elder.  It’s simply called Satan’s Plan.

He can’t keep Christians from going to church.

He can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.

He can’t keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior.

He can’t break that connection with Jesus.

But,

He can steal their time.

He can tempt them to spend, spend, spend and borrow, borrow, borrow.

He can persuade wives to leave children and go to work, and husbands to work long hours, 6-7 days a week, so they can have lavish lifestyles. 

He can keep them from spending time with their children, until families fragment, and homes no longer offer escape from pressures of the day.

He can entice them to play the radio or cassette players, or ipods wherever they go, and keep a TV,  DVD, or PC going constantly in their homes.

He can pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.

He can keep them too busy to go out into nature and reflect on God’s creation, instead send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies.

He can convince them they are working within their own strength.

He can cause Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there, having little time for God or their families, having no time to tell others about Jesus.

Has Satan been sucessful in his schemes?

Does “BUSY” mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan’s Y-oke?

You be the judge!

I don’t know about but this really struck a chord with me.  It’s so easy to get wrapped up in things that don’t really matter and leave God out of the picture. We can do it without even trying.

In the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8 this is addressed in verse 14 — the thorny soil.  A crowded heart cannot please God.  We must be careful and be wise to the slick, unfair schemes of the Devil.

OSU v. Iowa

It’s Rose Bowl or bust for the winner of this week’s Ohio State/Iowa match-up in the Horseshoe.

Ohio State has rebounded nicely from the upset at Purdue and is in position for another Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1997 classic against Arizona State.

Ohio State has a big plus in that this game is at home, it’s the final game for the seniors and Iowa is missing its very talented quarterback, Ricky Stanzi, who was injured in last week’s loss to Northwestern.

All of those factors should spell victory for Ohio State and you know head coach Jim Tressel has preached all week about how good Iowa is, even without Stanzi and they are.

The Hawkeye defense is tough, but so was Penn State’s and the Buckeyes performed very well against that D in their home park.

The spread is 17 points, I’m not sure the Buckeyes will cover that, but I think OSU’s defense combined with a seemingly improving Terrelle Pryor, the Buckeyes should win the game and book passage to Pasadena.

Ohio State will surely get back into the Top 10 with a win over Iowa.  The Hawks want to salvage their season and they also feel a trip to Pasadena is an awfully nice consolation prize. 

There is a lot to play for— Iowa also must hope that OSU is looking ahead to the Michigan game — which I don’t think will be the case.   The Hawkeyes will have to play a freshman in the Horsehoe with the Big Ten Title at stake — in the past, that’s not been a receipe for victory and I don’t believe it will be this time either.

Go Bucks!

Humility Cures Worldliness

We are all the time looking for cures.  Whatever they may be.  The Bible provides us with many the cures that we need.

James Chapter 4 gives us the cure for worldliness, which is a huge problem in the church today.

The cure comes in versus 7-10.

“Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep!  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Those sound like pretty good words to me, but like many passages in scripture — they are easy to read, easy to learn, easy to say, but difficult to apply.

Let us continue to improve in the application of scripture to our lives and we will most likely find cures for many more ills.