FIRM FOUNDATION

BLOG HOST, 10-27-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN

Luke 6

In our reading for today, Jesus says:  "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

          Our lives can look pretty solid even when they are built on the shifting sands of priorities other than Jesus.  That is, they look good until the winds blow—until the storms crash.  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, there were beautiful homes such as this one that looked solid as can be:

          The beautiful old historic deMontluzine home before Hurricane Katrina.  It appears ready to withstand anything.  But add the storm.  The result:

     

          This beautiful, seemingly strong home, near the ocean, was reduced to rubble.  Unfortunately, this is what happens when the foundation crumbles. 

 

These were homes near the beach in Pass Christian.  They too were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.  Pass Christian is special to me—it was on a beach there on October 16, 1993, that I asked Dawn to marry me.  Standing there on the sugar white sandy beach, and looking out over the Gulf of Mexico, I proposed to Dawn.  I can attest to its beauty and charm, that is until Hurricane Katrina totally devastated it.  Unfortunately, that picturesque setting changed.

          Jesus says our lives are this way—some people look strong, but they have built on the wrong foundation.  When the pressures and storms of life come, they collapse.  Others build their lives on the words of Jesus.  They make Jesus Lord.  The same storms come—serving Jesus doesn’t exempt us from difficulty—yet, when the storm is over, they are standing.

          Hurricane Katrina hit Bay St. Louis hard also, and Christ Episcopal had some damage.  But yet, the cross and tower survived, pointing the cross heavenward. 

Our passage today has one very clear message:  the depth and endurance of our faith depends on building our lives on Jesus’ words, and truly making Him Lord of our lives!

didn't you know.....

Luke 2.49; 4.4-43

There were several times throughout my childhood when I had disappeared, and my parents didn’t have a clue to where I was.  They would start freaking, probably a lot like Mary & Joseph.  The normal scenarios that ran through their minds were usually, “Off in the woods with a broken leg”, or something crazy, where I had somehow maimed myself.  I wish I could look back and say all those times I was spending time with my Father, but most of the time my parents scenarios were closer to the truth. 

I started thinking, (and thus begin my digression) I don’t normally go missing for a period of time, but, to me, this statement Jesus made means more than just:  ⁴⁹"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?".  I think Jesus was making the statement “My Father’s work takes priority above all else........you should know that.” 

So when stuff comes up in my life, I want every person who I have encountered to know that “my Father’s work takes priority above everything else…..no doubt about it”.  Or when my faith or my morals are tested, that people will already know that my faith is grounded and I won’t do anything to compromise my morals and the God who gave them to me.  The way Jesus responded to Mary and Joseph with “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know…?”, He thought it should be obvious to them that His Father was #1.  So shouldn’t we want to make it obvious to everyone around us? 

Dustin

Did He say "ALL" the world?

There is a reason that "Jesus" is Jesus and that "Ray Bob" is NOT Jesus. As early as I can remember, my dad taught me to stand up for myself. At the beginning of this section, Jesus lets himself be led away by an angry mob. And if I had never read this before, I would have thought "AWE COME ON, SMITE THESE GUYS!" But Jesus, being infinite in wisdom, knew the path before him and lets God's plan for Him and for US come to pass. I don't think that I, if I had had limitless power, could have let myself be drug away to suffering and death. Jesus did, and for that we owe Him all of our thanks and praise.

At the end of Mark, Jesus gives the great commission. I LOVE that our church is so focused on this. I think it's awesome that we plant churches in the hardest to reach places. I get excited when our missionaires come in and have a project and we get to help out. It's so awesome to think that even though I'm not there, I'm helping them complete the work and spread the name of Jesus ALL OVER the world. I look foward to the day when JESUS is the most recognized name in all the Earth!

Jesus, give us oppertunities to spread your name daily. Let the Name of Jesus be recognized in every continent, country, region, and village. Give us the drive that we have never known before to make your Name known in all creation.

Ray Bob

Persecution Ahead?

Blog Host: Steve Flores

Passage: Mark 13:11-20

This is a tough one to write. I’d much rather write about a more encouraging topic. Mark 13 begins with the disciples celebrating and admiring the temple they just walked out of – the building. Jesus redirects their thoughts and says something that was probably a little disturbing to take in, verse 2, “Do you see these buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” So, our passage today is part of a candid conversation between Jesus and his disciples when they asked Jesus what he meant by that comment. 

I don’t know what they expected to hear, but the future didn’t look promising – wars, earthquakes, famine, and beaten in synagogues. Then our passage today, verse 11, “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”

I wonder if they felt fear. I’m sure Jesus felt their fear knowing he’d face his own beatings and trial in the near future. We’re pretty comfortable in the United States when it comes to persecution. The most persecution we might face is being ignored, not invited, ridiculed, or even presumed strange and yet, for some that “persecution” results in silence.  But, that’s not what Jesus communicated his followers would face. So, the questions are:

* Do I have persecution-type faith (the type Jesus talked about)? 

* Am I fully surrendered to the cause of Jesus that in difficult circumstances (hatred, betrayal, beatings, famine, etc) I endure and not eject?”

HE IS EVERYTHING!

HE IS EVERYTHING

BLOG HOST, 10-20-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN

Mark 12

            I love verses 10-11 of our reading today:  ^“Haven't you read this scripture:" 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?"

            Make no mistake—Jesus is everything!  The Jews who were given the assignment of shining God’s light to the world, missed their Messiah.  They missed their destiny!  God sent prophets to remind them, and they killed them.  Then, the Father sent the Son—yet they began to act as if they were owners instead of tenants.  How sad—instead of realizing that they were favored to live on earth when God sent His Son, the Messiah, they missed it.  The rejected Jesus—even crucified Him.

            Their rejection didn’t change anything—He is still the “capstone,” the “Chief Cornerstone,” as I grew up reading in the KJV. 

            I don’t want to criticize the Jews.  Are we missing it?  Are we building our lives on Him?  If our lives are like houses, if we pulled the brick out of the wall that Jesus is, would the house crumble, or would the house go on standing, built with a different capstone?  Is Jesus top priority?  After accepting Jesus verbally, do we reject Him with our actions?

            The Jews missed it—they loved the façade of religious piety.  The widow woman at the end of our reading got it.  She gave away everything she owned, willingly.  She loved Jesus—He was at the center of her life.  How many times through our actions do we say that Jesus is not everything to us? 

            Whether we accept or reject—if we live our lives to reflect it or not—it doesn’t change this fact:  HE IS EVERYTHING!

           

“your reward is great…..servant”

scripture:  mark 10.29-52

The resounding message I get from these words of Jesus is that “sacrifice = reward”.  It is stated a bit differently: 

• “³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last first”,
• ⁴³Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all”, and
• "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel ³⁰will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life”. 

I do not believe Jesus was telling His disciples that sacrifice and “serving others” should be motivated by reward, but instead I believe He was simply trying to encourage them for the times when they don’t feel like “being last”, those times of persecution, and the times where they might wonder if it was worth it to pack-up and leave everything behind to become servants. 

And in this passage, Jesus didn’t just give them some good advice and go on his way, but instead powerfully displayed a servant’s heart by healing Bartimaeus, even while He knew He about to be put to death.  It would have been hard for me not to say “Sorry Bart, I got some heavy stuff on my mind…..no time bro”

Jesus, give us Your heart, to serve You and to put the needs of the Kingdom before our own.

Dustin

Hard mode

When I was younger, I used to play a lot of video games. When I first started, I would always set the difficulty to easy. It didn't take much effort, but starting out I wasn't that good either. With Jesus, he kicked the Christian life into "hard mode". No longer do you think marriage is tough and issue a certificate of divorce. This is now sin in all but God specified instances. And just following the ten commandments isn't enough. It's abandoning all you have to follow Christ. It's not easy. It's challenging. The cost of following Jesus can be high. But we owe him nothing less for him bearing all our sin on the cross. I'm thankful he paid the price for me. I hope I always remember what my freedom cost, and am always willing to lay it on the line for Him!

Ray Bob

Stop Talking. Listen.

Scripture: Mark 9:1-50

Blog Host: Steve Flores

I want to bring special attention to the story found in verses 2-8 – titled the Transfiguration.  I find Peter’s interjection quite comical.  I can’t imagine what was going through his head at that moment, but I can only speculate that he wasn’t really thinking.  Peter has wild ideas and doesn’t seem to be on the same track as Jesus some of the time.  Early on, in the book of Matthew, Peter tries to walk on water and fails, then Jesus calls him Satan, and near the end of the book Peter cuts  off a guys ear  – a little zealous and awkward.   This moment, on the mountain with Jesus, Peter has another wild idea.

Jesus was talking to two dead people – Moses and Elijah.  We don’t really know what they were discussing, but it’s got to be important.  Then, in a moment of zealousness, Peter pipes in, “Hey!  Jesus!  Isn’t it great that we’re here?!  Let me make three tents, one for each of you!” 

I just laugh as I picture this guy barging into a conversation suggesting to build tents!  The Bible says, verse 6, “For he did not know what to say,” he was afraid at what he saw.

It’s like CEO’s of a large organization discussing business and I barge into the room saying, “Hey everyone!  I bet you’re glad I’m here!!  Would you like me to book you a room at the Hampton Inn?!”  It’s insensitive to the current conversation, amazingly inappropriate, and just awkward. 

I love God’s response.  Notice not Jesus’ response, but God’s responding to Peter’s awkward interjection (my interpretation of verse 7), “Peter, shut up and listen.” 

How often do we talk too much during prayer?  Do we read scripture and quickly come to a conclusion rather than reflecting and listening?  Or, in real day to day living, do we quickly become a problem-solver instead of an active-listener?  Take a lesson from this passage today – listen.  I want to share with you something really deep (sarcasm): Minimizing talk time maximizes listen time.   If you don’t know what to say, listen.

TRADITION VS. ESSENTIALS

TRADITIONS VS. ESSENTIALS

BLOG HOST, 10-13-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN

Mark 7

            In our reading today, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders because they have traded obedience for lip service, and have replaced God’s essentials with the traditions of men.  Even their worship has become meaningless, because their heart isn’t in it.

            We may think these conditions are limited only to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, and yet, if we are not careful, we are becoming the “new” religious leaders of today.  Here are some questions to help us make sure we are not missing God’s best in worship, obedience and the essentials:

1.      Do I ever enter a praise service, and go through the motions of singing or lifting my hands, without my heart really being engaged?

2.      Do I have to have the right mood for worship, ie., dimmed lights and my favorite style of music?

3.      Do I cut corners in serving God in any area of my life?

4.      Does my heart truly break for the lost, and am I actively involved with reaching my community?

5.      Was there ever a time I was closer to God than I am right now?

6.      Have I ever made it difficult for a lost person to find Jesus through my actions?

7.      When I am with Christians, do I tend to talk more about God than I do when I am with lost people?

8.      Do the sins of people offend me and keep me from showing the sinner love?

9.      Is there any tradition I have elevated above an essential in God’s word?

10.  When people see my life, are they reminded of Jesus Christ?

Dear Lord, help us not to be critical of the “old” religious leaders, and subtlety become

the “new” religious leaders.  Help us remember that we approach you with empty hands, and it is only through Your grace that we have been changed.  Help us represent You well to the lost, so that they will want to come to You!  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

the Gardening Club isn't for Nerds

God’s love is contagious……. Jesus says that, in the Kingdom of God, when a seed is planted, that it begins to take root and grow into something amazing.  I think a lot of times we don’t realize the potential of a small seed….Just taking the time to let your light shine.  Maybe that means talking to someone about Christ, or maybe just living a life that properly reflects His love.  I may be straying from this passage’s initial purpose, but when I read this, I felt convicted.  I can’t speak for anyone else, but so many times I go through my days and weeks and months proud of myself if I talk to 1 person about God.  If I share the love of Christ 1 time in a week or month’s time, I feel pretty good about what I have done.  But God didn’t make us to be “part-time gardeners”.  If I have a feeling of contentment with every seed I plant, my heart is in the wrong place.  My creation’s purpose is to take the ground God has given me, and simply sow.  If I do not devote my life to sharing Christ, then I am not living out my purpose,  and I am wasting my life…..and the result of that could be people dying lost. 

I believe the businesscard God gave us looks something like this

Kingdom of Heaven, Inc

(place name here)

Gardener

"Jesus, I want to be working full-time for your purpose for my life.  Help us to be a contagious church that never becomes content with each seed sown."

Throw it all out there

We are all familiar with the parable of the sower. I know for myself, if I'm planting a garden, I'm only going to plant seeds in some good tilled up, fertilized soil. And if I'm honest with myself, that's how I see people some times. Some people just look like they would be more receptive to the Gospel.  But Jesus doesn't teach us that way. He wants us to spread the seed to EVERYONE! It's not our job to decide who looks well tilled and who is just a rocky path. And honestly, what do we know? There's a chance someone could have already been showing love and kindness for that person, or praying for that person every day. They may look like rocky ground, but their heart could be as fertile as Arkansas delta soil. So sow God's word and love to EVERYONE, no matter what you think their soil type might be.

Ray Bob

We Will Stand...United

Blog Host: Steve Flores

Passage: Mark 3:3-35

I’ve always thought it was strange that someone would be offended when something good is happening or has happened.  When Jesus heals this man with a withered hand, you would think people would be excited about it, but this wasn’t the reaction of all who were there. 

It kind of reminds me of how disputes within the church (as a whole) happen regarding tradition, and the excuse, “This isn’t how we used to do this.  We didn’t grow up this way.”  So, great things could be happening: people are coming to follow Christ, lives are being changed, disciples are being made, but still there might be someone (or a group of someones) who grew up in church (religious) that might have negative things to say about the “new” method.  To those comments Jesus responds this way, “If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.”

Throughout time, methods will change – it will look different, feel different, and be different.  We can’t focus so much on the methods that it creates us to become critics, even of the great things happening. 

Question: How can you make your voice known as a cheerleader, not a critic, to a new method within the church?  What is something that is being done differently now, than when you first starting going to church and how can you voice encouragement? 

CELEBRATE JESUS EVERY DAY

CELEBRATE JESUS EVERY DAY

BLOG HOST, 10-8-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN for KRISTA DUDTE
Mark 2

            Krista asked me to host for her today, and I am happy to do so.  As you may know, today is my birthday.  So, I am pleased I get to communicate again on my birthday.  Last year, for my 40^th birthday, I got to share a message on Legacy and Discipleship in our Thursday Night Homeless Service.  I cannot think of a better honor on your birthday, than to get to share God’s word and love.

            The reading today is so powerful.  I want to focus on one passage, though:

            Matthew 2:19-20:  “Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.”

            Next year, when we share the Ten Big Life-Changing ideas from Jesus’ words, and we take one idea a month, one of the months will be, that essential to following Jesus is this:  celebration.  Why is this one of the big ten?  Jesus’ earthly ministry was one big party.  I really believe we as Christ-followers have not fully appreciated the atmosphere surrounding Jesus’ earthly ministry.

            Quite often, and just as this passage begins, people would bring someone who was sick to Jesus.  As a matter of fact, Jesus would come to a town, and everyone who was sick or demon-possessed would be brought to Jesus.  And Jesus would heal EVERYONE.  Jesus would set everyone free.  It was a festive atmosphere when Jesus came to town.  

            When people encountered the religious leaders, they felt guilty.  When people encountered Jesus, they sensed hope and destiny.  The religious leaders presented a sober, painful, and judgmental religion.  On the heels of Jesus forgiving the sins and healing the body of a paralyzed man, he was confronted by the religious leaders.  “Why this party atmosphere?  Who do you think you are forgiving sins?  Oh, and why don’t your disciples practice the spiritual discipline of fasting?”  they must have questioned. 

            Jesus’ answer must have challenged them, and it should challenge us today.  While Jesus does not condemn fasting, He makes an incredible point.  This was the day of God’s visitation to earth—this was the day people got healed.  How could anyone grieve, or fast, when the mood of the day was celebration? 

            I wonder, would people accuse us of celebrating too much as Christ-followers?  Have we lost the essence of the atmosphere that should surround our meetings and our lives.  So, on my birthday, I have enjoyed thinking about this most important idea, that is too often overlooked—Jesus wants us to celebrate His presence every day!