by Whitey | Mar 9, 2013 | Thoughts
John 12:42-43: “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
This a danger for all of us who follow Christ. I see it especially here in Japan where there is so much pressure to conform and to please others. This fear of what others’ think leads to compromise, and even to denying Christ.
But it’s not just a Japanese thing. I too am tempted to keep quiet, to conform, to blend in. I don’t want to stand out or offend.
But isn’t God’s approval more important than man’s? Isn’t praise from God more desirable than praise from others? I want to live in a way that pleases God, that makes Him smile, that brings me His approval, no matter what others may think.
Lord, please give me the grace I need to stand up for — and stand out for — You today.
by Whitey | Mar 8, 2013 | Thoughts
John 12:25: “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those
who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.”
This is hard. There’s so much I still want to see and do and experience.
What about my needs? What about my desires? What about… ME?
Yet this the call of Christ. As He says elsewhere, “deny yourself, take up
your cross daily, and follow.” It’s a high calling. It’s not always easy.
It’s not always safe. And there’s no guarantee that you’ll have everything
you want.
But it’s good. Because He is good. And though the way may seem narrow and
hard at times, on this path is joy and peace and purpose.
On days when I feel weak or alone, on days when my list of unanswered
prayers seems too long to bear, it’s good to remember that Jesus didn’t
call me to an easy life, but to a good life.
And life is good. Because He is good. And He is with me.
by Whitey | Feb 27, 2013 | Thoughts
“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.” (Micah 7:7-9 NLT)
Sin is serious. Sin has consequences. When we sin we bring pain upon ourselves. And sometimes God disciplines us.
But the good news is that He disciplines those He loves. And when we repent, He forgives.
God wants what’s best for us. He loves us. Like Micah, Believers can be confident that God is on our side.
by Whitey | Jan 24, 2013 | Thoughts
“Go, and sin no more.”
Jesus said this kind if thing a lot. Yes, He forgives sins. But it’s not because those sins are OK. He forgives because He loves us, and because His sacrifice paid the price.
When we come to Jesus for forgiveness, it needs to be with an attitude of repentance; a willingness to turn from our sins and follow Him. The good news is, as with the woman in this story, Jesus will forgive. He will not condemn. He will say, “Go, and sin no more.”
May we live today in light of this grace, turning away from sin and with thanksgiving following Jesus.
by Whitey | Jan 15, 2013 | Thoughts
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” (John 5:39, 40 NLT)
Scripture is important because it helps us connect with Jesus. Yet it is possible to know a lot of scripture, and to know a lot about Jesus, but not actually know Him personally.
I want more than just head knowledge and wisdom from the Word. I want to meet Jesus in the Word. I want to know Him. May I avoid the trap of going through the motions of “doing devotions” as a merely a daily task or discipline. May I keep its purpose in mind — to know Jesus.
by Whitey | Jan 15, 2013 | Thoughts
“あの方はますます偉大になり、私はますます力を失う。” (ヨハネによる福音書 3:30 JLB)
このヨハネは、いいお手本だ思います。でも、
ものすごく大きいチャレンジですね。本当に自分のためではなくて、イエス様の栄光のために活動していました。イエス様中心の生活でしたね。しかも、喜んでそのように生きていました。
私もイエス様中心の生活にしたいのです。そんな一日がありますように。そんな今年がありますように。そんな人生がありますように。
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
(John 3:30 NLT)
Here John the Baptist provides a great example of the attitude a follower
of Jesus should have. But what a huge challenge to actually live that way!
John was content to let the attention and credit he had been receiving pass
on to Jesus. In fact, he was happy about it!
I want my ministry, my words, my actions — my very life — to point people
to Jesus. And I want to be excited about that, rather than the stuff that
brings attention to me.
May that be my intention and prayer as I begin a new year of missionary
work here in Japan — a nation that really needs to know this Jesus that I
follow.
