Two Keys to Thinking Like Jesus

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. Philippians 2:56 (MSG) *** *** *** *** The first half of this mental shift is to stop thinking immature thoughts, which are selfcentered and selfseeking.  Babies, by nature, are completely selfish. They think only of themselves. That is immature thinking: “Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life” (Romans 8:5 MSG). The apostle Paul wrote, “To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before …

wow, impressive title

Seems I often encounter folks who, when pressed hard enough, will actually admit that they are a Christian. Yet it appears the last thing in the world they want to talk about is a relationship with GOD. They bore you to death with sports stuff, weather worries, financial flops, and political parties. Yet GOD, Jesus and Biblical truths remain a forbidden topic. Perhaps these “christians” should just say they are not Christians and get it over with. After all this title has more significance than a BS, an MA … a PhD … or a CEO. The title that identifies …

The Smiles Get Wider…

Right after Christmas, I went with Noah, my son, to Holiday in the Park at Six Flags. We had a great time, but we froze our “youknowwhats”.   Standing in lines is not my idea of fun and if you add cold, windy weather on top of that, I go negative on the “fun-o-meter”.   But its always fun to watch people and I noticed something odd when we were standing in line for the La Vibora ride.   The smiles get bigger the closer you are to the front of the line.   Duh.   I guess that’s to be …

intentional disobedience

On Monday of this week I was faced with another obedience decision. I could choose truth or careless indifference to the truth. While God was making my choice clear … at the same time Satan was doing his best to convince me it was just a small thing and no big deal. I can still hear the voice of the evil one telling me: “This lie will not dishonor your wife or your marriage, it is just breaking a small pledge and no one will probably find out anyway. —– I chose disobedience. Tuesday my devotional time took me to …

mickey for willie

In the 1950′s and 60′s my brother and I used to collect and trade baseball cards with our friends around school and the neighborhood. The heroes back then where men like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Sandy Kofax, Bob Gibson and Frank Robinson. It was a thrill to make a big trade … especially if you received one of your long time favorite players in exchange for a few “bad players”. The greatest trade arrangement in the world came on a hill just outside of Jerusalem . On that day 2,000 years ago Jesus offered the trade …

off line and doomed

I was born with no ability to measure up to God’s expectations. His standards are impossible for me to meet … and because I fall short and miss the mark … I will be judged according to a pattern of righteousness I cannot attain. The “plumb line” has been hung … yet I fail to measure up … and because God is JUST I must face his punishment. Then came Jesus. He not only took my penalty, he placed his spirit within me to live by. Now, by his grace, my life can line up with his Holy “plumb line”. …

Commitments Shape Your Life

Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! 2 Peter 3:11 (LB) *** *** *** *** You don’t have to understand all the implications of your decision when you choose to follow Jesus. You simply need to respond to his invitation, to make a commitment to follow Christ. Your commitments shape you life more than anything else. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you. Tell me what you’re committed to and I’ll tell you what you’ll be in twenty years. We …

The Practice of Surrender

“If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NCV) *** *** *** ***   Paul’s moment of surrender occurred on the Damascus road after he was knocked down by blinding light. For others, less drastic methods are needed to get our attention.Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event.Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB). There is a moment of surrender and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The practice of surrender …

Everybody Surrenders to Something

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. Philippians 2:6-7 (LB) *** *** *** ***   Everybody surrenders to something or someone in life.If not to God, you’ll surrender to popular opinion, to money, to resentment or fear, or to your own pride, lust, and ego.   We were designed to worship something, and when we fail to worship God, we create gods (idols) to surrender ourselves to. E. Stanley Jones said, “If you don’t …

Surrender Strengthens You

We are not our own bosses to live or die as we ourselves might choose. Living or dying we follow the Lord. Either way we are his. Romans 14:7-8 (LB)   *** *** *** ***   The paradox of surrender is that it produces power and victory. Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems can be defeated by Christ when handed over to him.   As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God, fell in worship before him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho.   Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens …