Month: September 2017

Christ is everywhere

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And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b (NIV).

You are not alone. You are not left to fend for yourself. And you are not powerless. That’s because Christ “fills everything everywhere with his presence” Ephesians 1:23 (NLT).

That said, some people choose to be alone. They cut themselves off from Christ, refuse to be filled with Christ, try to build an identity divorced from Christ, and exclude Him from their lives by denying His presence and power.

Of course the Devil is the one who drives a wedge between a person and Christ. He steers people away from Christ through counterfeit offers. And He fights against Christ using any and all means to prevent people from knowing Christ. Why? Because he hates the fact that you’re loved by Christ. And he knows that when you’re filled with Christ, you’ll see him (the Devil) for the sneaky little thief that he is (cf. John 10:10).

So don’t buy into the lies of the Devil. There’s not a second in a minute, a minute in a day, a day in the week, a week in the month, or a month in a year when Christ isn’t there for you. As long as we’re doing what Christ wants us to do we He assures us that He’ll be with us “day after day after day, right up to the end of the age” Matthew 28:20 (MSG).

Matthew 28:20 is a great promise. One that we can bank on. But take note. It’s a conditional promise. Christ will be with us, strengthening and providing, just as long as we’re doing what He wants us to do. And what should we be doing? Matthew 28:19-20a says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” So get on with this Great Commission and as you do take courage knowing that Christ will be “with you always” Matthew 28:20b (NIV).

Made in the likeness of God

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Created-in-His-Image

When God created people, he made them in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1 (NLT).

You are created in God’s image. Now think about that …

God doesn’t make junk. You may look in the mirror and think you’re less than perfect, but that’s a lie from the devil. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (cf. Psalm 139:14). At your core, your identity is rooted and established in Christ. You are patterned after God.

When I look at my children, I see the family resemblance. The evidence is there for all to see. Christie, Matthew and Jonathan, are Murray’s. Look at the shape of their faces, the colour of their eyes, their mannerisms, their physiques – you can’t miss it. Just look at them and you’ll see something of their mother and father.

Similarly, you’re a chip off the original block. Not externally. But internally. You’re made in the image of God. You’re your heavenly Father’s daughter – your heavenly Father’s son. Think about that …

When people look at you there are things about you that give them a glimpse of your heavenly Father. Not in your physical resemblance. People may get a glimpse of your heavenly Father in the way you instinctively know right from wrong, in your desire to love, in your values, in your yearning to go deeper than materialism, or in your desire for meaning and purpose in life.

And then there’s your creative side. People may get a glimpse of your heavenly Father through the way you write, dance, sing, think, draw, joke or play. Your identity is intrinsically rooted in God. You are created as one related to Him. You are uniquely and profoundly an image bearer of the heavenly Father.

In the town of Stepanavan, Armenia, there’s a woman whom everyone calls “Palasan’s Wife.” She had her own name, of course, but the townspeople call her by her husband’s name to honour her. When a devastating earthquake struck Armenia in 1988, Palasan rushed to the elementary school where his son was a student. With the building falling down around him he pulled twenty-eight children to safety before an aftershock completely collapsed the building and killed him. So the people of Stepanavan honour his memory by calling his young widow “Palasan’s Wife.”

Sometimes a person’s greatest honour is not who he or she is but to whom he or she is related. You are related to Christ. You are His image bearer. You are identified with Him. And that’s why believers are called by His name – that’s why God’s children are called Christians (Christ in).

 

Growing in Grace

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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV).

There are few people more discouraging than grumpy old men. You know, the ones who humph and scowl a lot, who nit-pick, have sharp tongues, broadcast their displeasure, and douse other people’s dreams with icy water.

In my early twenties I made a pact with myself to never be a grumpy old man. I was determined, and still determined, to grow in grace. I don’t want to get to my eightieth birthday harbouring a life of regrets. I want to be careful with what I sow – intentional in the things I say and do. Tomorrow I want to be a little kinder, a little gentler, a little sweeter, a little blinder to the faults of those around me.

Growing in grace … What kind of an old person do you want to be? When I’m wrinkled and grey I hope I’ll be invited to parties and asked to dance. I want to be appreciated. I want young people to enjoy hanging out with me. I don’t want to be known for the clothes I wear, but for the love and acceptance I bring. I want my children and grandchildren to say, “The old guy’s cool!”

“Aging isn’t a choice, but our response to it is” Anonymous. I don’t have to be a grumpy old man, and neither do you.    So what do we need to do in order to be kinder, gentler and sweeter? Psalm 92:14 says, “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green” (NLT). Here’s how to stay out of mothballs: Keep on producing fruit. We remain virile by exercising patience, being kind, and showing love.

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Listen. The day’s coming when the hairs in your nose will be bushier than the hairs on your head. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Start today. Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. It’s never too late to grow in grace – never too late to be enthusiastic and thankful. So get to it. Examine your life and work on the things the Holy Spirit’s impressed on your heart. Do what God’s brought to your attention, and anything else you may need to do to grow in grace.