Saying "NO!" to Sin and "YES!" to Righteous Living!

Many consider Tiger Woods to be the greatest golfer in the world (he is ranked #1 in the world) - perhaps in the history of the game. He is one lean golfing machine. But what I viewed on Sunday was not consistent with his ranking or reputation. He began the final 18 holes of the Players Tournament in second place, just four strokes behind the leader. If you know anything about Tiger's history, he was within easy striking distance to take over the lead. In the first few holes I watched in unbelief as Tiger hit one ball into the trees and another into the water. In a very short time he dropped from second place down to about 6th place (he finally landed in 8th place at the end of the day). I just scratched my head as I watched the great Tiger Woods unravel at the seams. One of the television commentators commented that it looked like Tiger brought his D- game (which would be great golf for me - but not so for Tiger!). It was a day that Tiger's play did not match up to his potential.

When I think of Christ-followers, I think for many of us that is also the case. Our walk, our daily reality does not live up to our potential. Here's what I mean. The Bible is clear - we are "in Christ." And because we are "in Christ," we can say "no" to sin (in fact we are commanded to do so!) and "yes" to righteous living. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:6-7, "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Did you hear that? Believers in Jesus Christ have been (past tense) FREED from sin! Yet far too many of us wallow in defeat. We give in to temptation all too often and all too easily!

I plan tomorrow (God willing) to discuss just why this is the case. Until then, strive to say "no" to temptation and "yes" to righteousness. Ask God to help you in this ongoing battle!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Friday Reflections

This morning, there are many thoughts bouncing around my brain. Thought I would share a few with you . . .

1. Life is precious! I have been struck with that truth every time I have held my new little grandbaby this week (which, by the way has NOT been enough!!!). The Scripture tells us that it is in God that we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Life is a gift from Him. Let's all purpose to not waste the lives he so graciously gives us!

2. God has a plan. I got to thinking about this as I mentally reviewed the life my wife and I have lived to this point: the places we have lived, the churches we have served, the people we have loved (and continue to love). In all of my life I can see signs of God's invisible hand guiding, providing, protecting. This concept of God's plan is called providence. We do ourselves harm when we lose sight of the fact that God has a plan and He is working that plan as he "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).

3. God's grace is unbelievable! This also hit me as I was taking a backward look at my life. God has given me FAR more, EXCEEDINGLY FAR MORE than I deserve! I am so thankful to HIM for the grace he has so generously showered upon me! We all need to keep this truth in the forefront of our thinking. As James reminds us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

National Day of Prayer

In light of the fact that today is the National Day of Prayer, I thought I would reflect for a moment on prayer. One passage that is often turned to in discussions on prayer is James 4:1-3. The text reads as follows:

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I see in this passage two major hindrances to prayer. The first is the hindrance of PRAYERLESSNESS! James says one reason his readers did not have was simply because they did not ask God!!! You see, God has a generous heart and is far more ready to give than we are to ask. Why do we so often fail to pray as we should? Sometimes it is busyness that keeps us from God's throne. Other times it is a failure to recognize just how dependent we are upon God (read this "PRIDE"). But whatever the underlying reason might be - we must be sure to intentionally build prayer into our lives.

The second hindrance I see in this passage is SELFISHNESS! James says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Here he reminds us that it is not enough to pray ... to present our requests to God. We must do so with the right motive. The readers to whom James was writing lacked the proper motive. They were asking for THEMSELVES, while they should have been asking for others, too! Consider the pronouns in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-11). It is NOT "Give ME this day MY daily prayer. Forgive ME MY trespasses..." Rather the pronouns are in the plural ... "Give US this day OUR daily bread, etc." So when we pray it is OK to ask about our own needs. But let me suggest before we do that, let's look around and pray for the needs of others!

So beware of these two hindrances to prayer: PRAYERLESSNESS and SELFISHNESS!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Baby Ella!

At 11:31 PM last night, Baby Ella arrived! She tipped the scales at a massive 5 lbs and 6 oz!!! She is a mere 19 1/2 long. And she is a stunning beauty!!! Our son, Tim called us at 11:33 with the news. In fact, he allowed Ella to inform us of her arrival - which she did with a lot of gusto for such a little one!!! This morning we enjoyed an hour long visit with Ella and the two very tired but very happy parents!

Thanks for all of you who prayed for Kelly and the baby. Her early arrival (she was due May 25th) does not appear to have had a negative impact on her health! For that we are grateful to Almighty God!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Our Granddaughter Has Arrived!

Late last night, our son and his wife welcomed their little daughter into their lives. We are heading to the hospital now to meet her. When I get back to the office, I will post more info.


Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In Spanish, "Cinco de Mayo" is "the fifth of May." Many Americans assume it is Mexico's Independence Day. But it is not. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on September 15, 1810. But "Cinco de Mayo" commemorates the date of a crucial battle that occurred on May 5, 1862. On that date, near the city of Puebla, Mexico, some 100 miles east of Mexico City, an underarmed and outnumbered Mexican army defeated the French forces of Napoleon III. This significant victory marked the beginning of the end of French control of Mexico. For more info on the history of this celebration, you can check out a brief but solid summary at http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm.

Just as "Cinco de Mayo" celebrates a huge victory in Mexico's history - we who follow Jesus should also celebrate a huge victory in human history. I am talking about the victory of Jesus Christ over the powers of darkness. Paul refers to this victory when he writes concerning Jesus' crucifixion, "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15). I know we spend time remembering this victory on Good Friday - but once a year is not enough! We need to be celebrating the victory of Jesus EVERY DAY! Take a moment right now and lift a word of praise toward the heavens. Thank God for the victory of His Son our Savior! Where would we be without it? Still in BONDAGE!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Transformed Lives!

This morning I had the privilege of attending a commencement ceremony held at Water Street Rescue Mission (recently the mission changed its name to Water Street Ministries). Nine men had completed the 12 month program. Two of these nine are part of our church family here at Grace (congrats Don and Chris!). All nine of these guys had hit the bottom of life's barrel. They had no where to go -- so they came to Water Street and there they found Jesus (or perhaps better said, "were found there by Jesus")! Each one gave a "speech." And each one told how Jesus Christ had transformed his life. Even though the room was a comfortable temperature - I found my eyes sweating on more than one occasion! All these guys discovered a truth about God that more people need to understand - God's grace is sufficient. Apart from Jesus we can do NOTHING - but we can do everything through HIM who strengthens us (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13)!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj