In Sync with Jesus

Love is a word with a wide breadth of definitions, or at least a wide range of uses. If you look up the word love on dictionary.com, you will find there are 14 noun definitions and 10 verb definitions. They range for liking something strongly to passionate desire to warm affection.

What do we mean when we say we love someone? Which definition are we using? Do you think about our meaning? Do you ever wonder if the person hearing you understands what definition you are using? How can we be sure we are understood when we use the word love?

John talks a lot about love. He most often uses the term agape, which is a deep level of affection. We often say unconditional love because we are told to have this type of love for everyone, including our enemies. John uses the same word in today’s passage right after he tells us we are to believe in the of Jesus.

He follows up by stating as we obey Jesus’ commands, He abides in us, and we know that by the Holy Spirit. Isn’t that amazing and helpful? We know we are loving correctly, and Jesus abides with us because Holy Spirit tells us. Which begs the question; are we hearing (or feeling) the Holy Spirit tell us that we are in sync with Jesus?

We can only be in sync with Him by obeying His commandments and love one another. Anything outside of those two things puts us in opposition to Him. It isn’t hard to understand, even if it may be challenging to follow through with. Being in sync with Jesus and having the Holy Spirit confirm that should be our top priority.

I pray we all strive to obey Jesus’ commands. I pray we love one another. I pray one of us seeks to be in sync with Jesus and have the Holy Spirit confirm it. Obey Jesus’ commands. Love one another. Abide with Jesus so Jesus will abide with you. Listen for the Holy Spirit.

1 John 3:23-24 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

Love in Action

How willing are you to share what you have? Do you believe it is yours? Do you hold onto it with a tight grip? Are you willing to share what you have with others? Are you willing to give what you have to those who have little or nothing? Will you obey God?

Our culture encourages us to gather more and more. We see advertisements that continuously tells us we need this or that. In all the hustle and bustle we have lost our sense of what is needed versus what we want. In the process, we have lost our ability to follow God’s will.

God blesses us so that we can bless others. God is not about giving us riches so we can set back on our haunches and take it easy. I’m reminded of the encounter Jesus had with the rich young man who asked what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to go sell all he had and give it to the poor. The young man went away saddened. (Matthew 19:16-22).

We are often like that rich young man. We do not want to sell off our possessions and give the proceeds to the poor to follow Jesus. Unfortunately, we do not even want to give what we consider our little extra to help those in need. Instead, we put it away in savings or use it to buy gifts for family and friends. When we do give to help those in need, we like to pat ourselves on the back, as though we did some great work rather than simply doing what God wants.

If we will just take a little time to look around, we will discover more people in need than we can count. They are in our churches, on our streets, working minimum wage jobs, collecting disability, or a small pension. There are children in our schools who would not have breakfast or lunch, if the schools did not provide them. There are children who have no bed to sleep in.

The apostle John tells us that we are not showing God’s love if we have more than we need and do not share with those who do not. Showing God’s love is not merely putting a smile on and providing a few words of encouragement. It is much more than that. It is helping those who need help, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I pray we all ask God to show us how we can share his blessings. I pray we ask God to move within us. I pray each one of us will determine to show God’s love to those in need. Share your blessings. Help those in need. Show God’s love to others. Ask God to show you how.

1 John 3:17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Lay Down Your Life

Are you willing to give up your life for someone else’s? Have you ever been in a position to do so? Has someone else given up their life for you? What are your thoughts about one life being sacrificed for another? What if it was one life being sacrificed for many others?

Many people in this world are afraid of death. In fact, many do not even want to talk about death. The thought of dying terrifies them. It is sad that people are so afraid of death. It means they have no hope—no real hope. They only have a false hope for this life.

Yet, those of us who are Christians should have no fear of death. Rather, we should look forward to the reward it holds without seeking it. We should find solace in knowing how the story ends. True, there may be some bumps in the road. We may experience hardships along the way. But that doesn’t lessen the reward at the end.

We know that Jesus laid down His life for us. We are told in John 3:16 that God sent his Son so that we may have eternal life. In today’s passage, 1 John 3:16, John tells us that we should lay down our life just as Jesus laid down His. Not that we will save the entire world, but we may save someone else.

How can we save someone else by laying down our life? We give up our preference to bring someone else to eternal life. We allow someone else space to learn how to follow Christ, rather than trying to force our personal beliefs on them. We come to understand there are multiple ways to follow Christ. After all, God created each of us individually.

I pray we all remember that Christ gave His life for us. I pray we lay down our lives for others. I pray each one of us are willing to give up our preference to bring someone to Christ. Know Jesus laid down His life for you. Give up your preferences. Give others space. Lay down your life for others.

1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

Bad Decisions

Have you made a very bad decision with long-lasting effects? Have you ever been chastised for making a bad decision? Did you realize it was a bad decision at the time? Did you make the decision based on a selfish desire, based on what you wanted? Would you change your decision today?

We all make bad decisions at some point in our lives. Some are worse than others. But it is the bad decision we made out of selfishness that we knew was bad at the time that often comes back to haunt us the most. When it becomes public knowledge, it just gets worse.

The Jewish leadership and Jerusalem populace had made a very bad decision to condemn Jesus to the cross. They had not merely enticed Pilate in the decision but had forced him into it. Otherwise, he would have had an uprising on his hands. Let’s not misunderstand. Pilate was not against using violence to keep the people in line. However, it was one thing to be forceful with a handful of people and another to have to deal with hundreds of them at once.

The apostles did not blame Pilate; they blamed their fellow Jews. Despite their decision, God used it to carry out his plan. Peter tells them that their decision fulfilled prophecy. But it still had to sting. To know you condemned a person you knew was innocent to death, that God had said it would happen through the prophets, and to know God was going to condemn you for it had to be very disturbing.

The Jews of that time had another choice to make. They could continue in obstinacy, refusing to repent, or they could repent and beg forgiveness. We, too, have that same choice when we make a bad decision. We can confess our mistake. We can ask for forgiveness. And we can turn from our wayward ways. When we do, we can be confident that God forgives us.

I pray we all own up to bad decisions we make. I pray we ask for forgiveness. I pray each one of us know that God is willing to forgive when we come to him with a repentant heart. Own your bad decisions. Confess them. Ask for forgiveness. Know that God will forgive you.

Acts 4:11-12 This Jesus is 

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; 

it has become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Ordinary People

Are you amazed by miracles? Do you like to read about miracles happening? Would you like to be able to perform miracles? What if you could? What miracle would you perform? Would you perform a miracle for the good of someone else? Would you perform a miracle for yourself?

Miracles happen in the world today. We sometimes hear the stories of miracles through news stories. Many times, there are books written about them. Sometimes, there are movies made about them. Miracles grab our attention. Miracles amaze us.

Peter had healed a crippled beggar. Not only that, but he and John were preaching the gospel. They were proclaiming Jesus on the temple grounds. The priests and other Jewish leadership were not happy about it. They decided to throw Peter and John in prison for preaching the gospel. The next day, they brought them before the high priest and other leaders.

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks truth. He calls them out. He tells them that they were the ones who had crucified Jesus. But he includes that God raised Him from the dead. They don’t want to hear it. They are beside themselves. They are wondering how they can get the apostles to stop spreading the gospel. With them healing people miraculously, they were gaining popularity.

God uses ordinary people to carry out his plan. He used two fishermen to heal people and spread the gospel. He used them to begin building his church. God can use each one of us as well. We may be ordinary. We may think we have no special skill. Yet, God doesn’t call the person who has it all together. He calls the person who knows they don’t and relies solely on him. That person will do great things for God as God equips them.

I pray we all see God using ordinary people to carry out his plan. I pray we know that God continues to perform miracles. I pray each one of us will humble ourselves and choose to be used by God. Know God uses ordinary people. Submit to his will. Rely on God. Allow God to use you.

Acts 4:8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.”

Open Minds

Have you opened your mind to God’s Word? Do you grasp the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection? Are you willing to listen to the witnesses of the crucifixion and resurrection? Are you helping spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ?

Many in our world today have a closed mind when it comes to God’s Word. Even some who attend weekly worship services. They hear the message but do not really believe it. They attend as a habit or as a social gathering. As unfortunate as it is, it is the truth.

Opening our minds to God’s revealed truth is not just a saying. In fact, it is challenging for us to do so. It is especially difficult if we think we already know it all. Our approach to God’s Word should always be as a learner—someone who seeks to go deeper into it.

I truly enjoy teaching the Bible. Why? Because, as I go about preparing the lessons, I seek to learn something new, something I did not already know. I grow in my knowledge and my amazement at how God works grows as well. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know. If we all approach reading God’s Word with an open mind, the Holy Spirit reveals to us new meaning—a deeper meaning. We, then, can be like the apostles on that first Easter.

I pray we all are determined to approach Scripture with an open mind. I pray we seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word. I pray each one of us will allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of God’s Word to us. Open your mind to the Holy Spirit. Seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Ask God to reveal the meaning of his Word to you.

Luke 24:45-48 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Terrified or Amazed

Have you ever been scared out of your wits? Have you been terrified? What caused you to be scared to death? What caused your heart to race and you to hold your breath? Was it something unexpected? Have you ever thought you had seen a ghost?

The apostles were sitting in a locked room. They were afraid they were next. They thought the Jewish leadership and Roman soldiers would soon come calling and haul them off to be crucified just like Jesus. However, the Jewish leadership and Romans had no interest in them.

But there was One who did. Jesus wanted to see them and show them He had risen from the grave just as He had told them He would. Jesus knew where they were and their fears. He had already seen a handful of people, but He wanted to see the apostles. So, during the late afternoon or early evening, He suddenly shows up in the room with them.

Put yourself in their shoes (or sandals). They are frightened. They are feeding on one another’s fear. They have barred the door. Then suddenly Jesus appears. He didn’t come through the door. He didn’t even knock on the door. They were discussing their options and perhaps arguing when suddenly Jesus is there.

They had seen Him die on the cross. They knew where He was buried. They may have even witnessed His burial from a distance. Now He is in their midst. How does that happen?! Where did He come from?! Their minds instantly jump to the conclusion He is a ghost. It is a mass hallucination. But they were wrong. It was Jesus who has risen from the grave. What an amazing surprise for them!

I pray we all know that Jesus rose from the grave. I pray we truly believe it. I pray each one of us realize the amazing power of God as exemplified in the raising of Jesus from the grave on the third day. Jesus rose from the grave. God’s power resurrected Him. Be amazed. 

Luke 24:36-67 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Author of Life

Who do you give credit to for your life? How did you come to be here and now? Who has overseen every moment you have lived? Have you acknowledged the One who knows every detail about you? Do you know the Author of life, the Word of God, the Creator of all things?

Most of us give our mother and father credit for bringing us into this world. We may also credit them for raising us and teaching us as children. Along the way, we have had many who have shared wisdom with us, teaching us new things, expanding our knowledge and understanding.

Though giving credit to our parents and many others is reasonable, they are not the only ones who have shaped our lives. In fact, it is God, specifically Jesus, who has given us life. He has given us life in two different ways. First, we are told He is the Word who became flesh in John 1. Therefore, through the Word all things were created, including we human beings. Second, through Him we are given eternal life.

Peter chastises the people who were astonished at his healing a lame man for being part of the crowd that rejected Jesus and sent Him to the cross. He states they killed the Author of life. This proclamation comes after he and the other apostles had been anointed with the Holy Spirit and their minds were opened to the Scriptures. They now knew how the Scriptures had pointed to the coming of the Messiah and understood that Jesus was the fulfillment of them.

Peter continues by stating they were witnesses to it all. Everything they had seen and experienced during Jesus’ ministry leading to the cross and resurrection made sense. The puzzle pieces fell into the place revealing the complete picture. We, too, can study Scripture and experience the picture being revealed to us. We can start by believing the witnesses to Jesus’ life and ministry on this earth and continue by crediting Him with our life.

I pray we all study the Scriptures. I pray we ask God to reveal his Word to us through his Holy Spirit. I pray each one of us believe the witnesses and credit Jesus as the Author of life. Study God’s Word. Ask God to reveal his Word. Believe the witnesses. Know the Jesus is the Author of life.

Acts 3:14-15 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Give God the Credit

How well do you give credit to others? Do you give credit to someone who assisted you? Or do you take all the credit for yourself? Do you prefer to be in the spotlight by yourself? Or are you willing to share it or even give it away to whomever deserves it?

Some of us like to be the center of attention. We like to be in the spotlight. We like to receive credit for something we’ve done…and sometimes take credit that isn’t due us. Others of us prefer to stay out of the spotlight, stay in the shadow.

But how do we go about giving credit when the credit should go to God? We have been given talents, skills, and the ability to think. We can use our skills to do any number of things. When we create something or do something that is special, but uses the gifts God has given us, shouldn’t we give credit to God? Even if we know we should, we don’t always do it.

Peter and John were walking by the temple when some folks brought a man who had been lame from birth. He had never walked. He would lay by the gate and beg. Peter told him that he had no money he could give to him. But what he did have was the authority of Jesus and the ability to heal the man, allowing him to walk and earn a living.

Others were amazed that Peter healed the man. But Peter was not taking credit for it. Instead, he gave the credit to God. Not only that, he told them it was by the authority of Jesus, whom they killed, that he was able to heal the man. He let them know that it was not by any special power of his own. He pointed them to Jesus, using the situation to preach the gospel.

We can use our own talents and skills, that are given to us by God, to point people to Jesus. We can give Him the glory rather than taking it for ourselves. It won’t be easy at first, but once we do it a few times, it will become natural. So, give God the credit he is due.

I pray we all realize our talents and skills are gifts from God. I pray use our gifts to do good for others. I pray each one of us give God the credit for our abilities and point others to Jesus. Know that God has given you talents and skills. Use your abilities for good. Give the credit to God.

Acts 3:12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?”

Sin Taken Away

Why did Jesus come into the world He created? We all know the answer, don’t we? But have we forgotten? Do we presume He came for some other reason? Do we think He came to make our lives free and easy? Do we think He came to give us everything we want?

We know Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. He came to take away our sins…and we often count on that far more than we should. We continue in our sin and say, “It’s alright. Jesus came to take it all away.” The statement is true, but it is inappropriately applied.

But Jesus didn’t just come to take away our own sin. He came to take away the sin of the world. Have you spent any time thinking about that? Imagine, all the sin in the world, both past and present. Think about how many billions of people have lived and how many more will live. Think about how many sins have been committed. We may not have a number large enough to count them all. And yet, Jesus came to take them all away.

Jesus came to take away the smallest and the most egregious sins. Of course, we are the ones who categorize them. To Jesus, they are all egregious. Even if there had only been one sin committed, He would have gone to the cross. Think about that. For any one of your sins, Jesus died for you because you deserved death.

How could Jesus pay the price we could not pay? He was sinless. Think about how difficult that would be. No sinful action. No sinful language. No sinful thoughts. Nothing! Yet His life was adventurous, eventful, interesting, joyous, loving, instructive, and timeless. Sounds like the kind of life many of us want to live. Perhaps we should all attempt to be more like Jesus.

I pray we all know that Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. I pray we know He took away our sin. I pray each one of us will strive to be like Jesus and live a life like His. Jesus takes away sin. Your sin. The sin of the world. Seek to be like Jesus. Live a life like His.

1 John 3:5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.