Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #19

 

Memorial Day Reflection

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

 

His love for humanity was so great that He also

laid down His life for His enemies (Romans 5:6-8).

 

As we Remember the sacrifice of all who safe-guard America,

we thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all (even our enemies).

 

With humility we Remember that the graves of American Heroes

are marked by the Cross of Humanity’s Hero and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

The link that follows was shared with me by a Retired Marine Captain

who is a member of our church. Watch and Remember.

 

http://worriersanonymous.org/Share/Mansions.htm

 

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #18

Hi Friends!

As most of you know the primary focus of Connections Christian Church is to take our cues from Christ and to look to the examples of the 1st century church as recorded in the Scriptures of what it looks like to flesh out our fellowship with Him and with others.

To that end, what follows might appear to be some really difficult, perhaps unanticipated applications of the Christian life. But notice if you would that all of these applications were first voiced and lived out as truth with unconditional love by our Savior and Lord Jesus.

Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Mark 11:25: "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins."

Luke 6:37: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven."

According to Jesus, forgiveness is something that frees us to have right relationship with God and others: it is both an act of obedience and will and it is not the easiest or the most natural thing to do. Forgiveness is what Jesus did for us and is what He asks us to choose to freely "give away" to others.

Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Those words were spoken by Jesus from the cross of Calvary for me and for you and for all humanity. My hope is that the blessings God bestowed upon Jesus for speaking and living those words would inspire you to speak and live those words with others in need of your forgiveness.

If you hold anything against anyone, don't condemn them, but forgive them and know the forgiveness of God for having done so. This is not an easy teaching but it is what we see fleshed out in Christ and the 1st century church that we choose to model.

Recall a time (see Acts 16) when Paul and his companions were jailed for preaching Jesus in a culture that sought to eliminate His name from the mainstream. As you consider the opposition Christians face for mentioning the name of Jesus in culture today, consider this example.

When Paul and his companions were miraculously freed by God from prison, the jailor in Philippi antcipated condemnation. Instead, Paul and his companions afforded forgiveness and led the jailor and his entire household to the saving truth and grace of Jesus.

This is the example we seek to model at Connections Christian Church: that of Christ and the 1st century church. We're not looking to get even with people in the world who wrong Christ and His Church. We are looking to forgive people and lead them to the One who forgives all of us.

Do you hold anything against anyone?

Will you forgive that person as Christ forgives you and show them your Savior?

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #17

Hi Friends!

We're a couple of weeks into the series "Give Yourself Away" at Connections Christian Church and I'm grateful for your renewed desire and commitment (individually and collectively) to fulfill the commission of Christ Jesus.

As we have observed with increasing frequency over the past few weeks, there are many challenges in culture where healing can only be found in the saving truth and grace of our Savior and Lord. Our responsibility is to sacrificially share that truth and grace with a world in desperate need of peace.

To that end, the link below from Ravi Zacharias serves to address some of the challenges we face in our culture and I believe it will assist you in bringing the peace of Christ into the world in which we live. Please read it and reflect upon it and pray about how God would have you live in response to it.

Our son will have the opportunity to study with Ravi and other Christian Apologists for a week at Wheaton College later this summer. Please lift these spiritual leaders up in prayer as the world needs to experience peace and healing that is only found in Jesus and His teachings.

http://www.rzim.org/blog/cultural-issues/the-scourge-of-racism/

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #16

Hi Friends!

In the passage below, the Apostle Paul confirmed his commitment and that of his partners in ministry, to live and model the life goal of Jesus to others.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

My prayer is that like Paul and his partners in ministry, we will refuse to live for ourselves and choose to live for Christ who gave His all that that we might be saved from sin and death.

Remember that the love of Christ which compels you to "give yourself away" is the only love that never fails. Be blessed and be a blessing.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #15

Hi Friends!

During the month of May 2014 we will be focusing on the above theme which in reality is the life theme of Christianity.

Our primary verse for this series is Romans 12:1 which is written below for your careful and prayerful consideration.

Each week we will be focusing on a specific area to collectively minister to the needs of others as we seek to truly and properly worship our great God.

Each member of our ministry staff will be sharing a message during this series: pray for all to be used of God to encourage the church to live sacrificially in service of our Savior and Lord Jesus.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #14-Jesus Has Risen!

JESUS HAS RISEN-SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

Read the Story from Matthew 28 below

then click on the link for a fascinating depection of the Resurrection

 http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS

Matthew 28 (NIV)

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.

 

Happy Easter and God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #13-Easter Week

Hi Friends!

One of the last things Jesus said from the cross was "It is finished." Jesus finished things like the fulfilment of the Old Testament Law and nearly 400 Old Testament Prophecies. He disarmed our adversary and ultimately paid in full (finished) the death penalty for our sins by His grace.

"It is finished" but Jesus is not finished with you!

 

Jesus is alive!

 

Three days after being crucified and buried in a tomb Jesus arose from the gave!

As you think about what this means for a Christ-follower I want to encourage you to consider a life scene in the first century church. After the Apostles Peter and John had healed a lame man, they responded to questions from the crowd with these words.

"Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed" (Acts 4:10 NIV). 
 
Isn't reassuring to know that the power that healed this lame man in the 1st century is available to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ in the 21st century? And what's more we continue to see God healing people in the name of Jesus Christ today: often physically but always spiritually.

(Ephesians 1:3 NIV) says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Our heavenly blessings are assured because Jesus finished His earthly work on cross with an empty tomb.

 

My prayer is that you will not allow physical pain, relational conflict, financial challenges, the loss of a loved one, or any other life issue to cripple your faith? I pray you will look to the cross and realize what Jesus has finished for you and then look to the empty tomb and see He is not finished with you!

 

Happy Easter my friends!

 

God's Peace,

Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #12

Hi Friends!

As we continue our series "Life for All" where we've been examining the 7 life-changing statements of Jesus from the cross, my heart was drawn in Spirit to the following Scripture.

1 John 3:16 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

The past several days have been filled with numerous opportunities for each of you to sacrificially love your brothers and sisters as Jesus does. Thank you for doing so as unto the Lord!

If I can personally befriend you in a way that blesses you and your family and honors Christ, please share your need by clicking the following link. jeff@connectionscc.org

It is a privilege to serve a church family that is willing to lay down self-will for God's-will and the good of His people. Continue to abide in Christ and His Word and love in His Spirit.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #11

Hi Friends!

As we study the words of Jesus from the cross, I was reminded of a verse in Ephesians where the Apostle Paul instructs the church about our speech.

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

We should be most grateful that Jesus had no corrupt communication from His mouth: He completely embodied truth and grace (see John 1) which edify and minister the gift of God to those who hear.

Isaiah 53 (see that passage below) speaks about how no guile was found in Him and Jesus tells us why: Jesus said "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

I am most grateful that Jesus had a heart filled with truth and grace and modeled the communication needs of humanity: even from the cross.

Join me in asking God to renew His Spirit within us to continue to speak His truth in ways that edify and minister with His grace to those who hear: may our hearts model His as we speak.

We are all sinners saved by the gift of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ from the cross: the words we speak as a church should model the forgiveness and assurance we find in Him even in a culture of crucifixion.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Isaiah 53 (NIV)

53 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
¹¹ After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #10

Hi Friends!

As we journey through the Lenten Season to Easter we will be exploring the 7 life-changing statements of Jesus from the Cross. The first statement is one of forgiveness.

“Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side. Then Jesus said, ‘FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:33-34 (NLT)

Jesus spoke these words during a time of intense pain and supreme self-sacrifice leaving us an example where excuses for resentment and bitterness wane. If there is a person in your life that would benefit from your forgiveness please pray and ask God to empower you through His Spirit to model Jesus and extend compassion to them.

I understand this can be a really huge challenge for people who have been significantly wounded by another but I would ask you to consider a couple of truths: 1) we serve a really huge God and 2) each of us have at some point significantly wounded another. The latter makes our need as great as those who have hurt us and the former makes forgiveness possible.

May we all celebrate the Lenten Season by fasting from bitterness and extending the forgiveness Jesus affords to us to others.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #9

Hi Friends!

It won't be long and people will be looking to cool off in a pool as opposed to warming up by a fireplace with a steaming cup of cocoa after shoveling out of the seemingly never ending accumulation of snow. See blog entry #8 below for a "forecast" of ministry opportunities at Connections and continue to pray and read the Bible (see Ephesians 6: 10-19) for strength and encouragement in Christ.

Speaking of encouragement in Christ, I want to encourage you to continue to look for ways to share your faith with others. Consider inviting a family member, friend, co-worker, or classmate to see the movie Son of God. Offer to purchase the tickets and then sponsor a trip to an eatery and enjoy some refreshments and conversation about the show. Imagine what God might do? Please pass along your praises as the Lord leads.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #8

Hi Friends!

For the next two weeks our focus at Connections Christian Church is on Modeling Jesus with respect to His handling of temptations as described in Matthew Chapter 4: Verses 1-11.

This week (Sunday February 23) we'll look at Verses 1-2 and see that the root of temptation is selfish pride and the ax that severs that root is the humility of Christ-like   faith.

Next week (Sunday March 2) we'll look at Verses 3-11and see that even though Jesus was tempted just as we are, that He never sinned, in part because He disarmed our adversary by quoting and obeying God's Word.

Then (Sunday March 2) we'll also attend the new movie release "The Son of God" and look to discuss the movie with respect to Christ's sinless life and perfect humility. This movie comes highly recommended by many of my peers that helped shape it and I trust it will bless all.

As we process this passage in Matthew Chapter 4 over the next couple of weeks, I put together the graphic above to remind us that as we come to the fork in the road, that God's Word should serve as our guide for each step we take. The Bible teaches that we live in a fallen world with trials that by nature come to us all, and with tests of faith designed by God to bring the best out in us.

And then there is temptation that comes to us courtesy of Satan who lives to entice us to sin and bring the worst out in us and ultimately kill us and have us experience eternal death and separation from God. And so for the next couple of weeks my blog post and my daily devotional emails will be centered on the graphic above and the accompanying Scripture from Ephesians 6:10-19.

I have posted the Scripture below and the link that follows will take you to an on-line reference where you can study this contextually and find many other resources to assist you in overcoming temptation by humbly and fully relying on God's Word.

My encouragement from Scripture is for you to do everything you can do to stand firm in God's Word and to ultimately enjoy His affirmation as Jesus did: to hear your Heavenly Father say and to fully know that you are His child whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased.

God's Peace,
Jeff

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A+10-19&version=NIV

Ephesians 6:10-19

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #7

Hi Friends!

Bible Commentaries remind us that when Jesus said, “But I tell you,” he was not doing away with the law or adding his own beliefs. Rather, he was giving a fuller understanding of why God made the law in the first place.

Sometimes I think we feel righteous for having never done a certain sin. We sometimes feel like we can put a notch in our belt for that accomplishment so to speak. But I wonder if there is a blind spot where we are keeping God’s rules but have closed our eyes to His intent?

Jesus teaches that we miss the intent of God’s Word when we read the rules for living without trying to understand why He made them. My conviction from Scripture is that God made rules for living to help us love Him and love others as He loves each of us.

And so with this entry I just pass on to you what I trust is true of the majority of people reading this blog: murder has never crossed my mind but I do find myself being angry from time to time.

And yes, there is such a thing as righteous anger, where we see Jesus being upset over actions and attitudes that are contrary to the will of God. But what I'm talking about here is personal anger, where I get upset because something is contrary to the will of Jeff.

If you struggle with personal anger from time to time, join me in praying that we will see   the resolution to this sinful root to be the unconditional love of our great Savior and in praising Him that through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can root out our personal anger with His great love.

Thank you Jesus for your intentional love!!

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #6

Hi Friends!

The comments below are centered in some thoughts I shared by email earlier this       week with those who receive the CCC Daily Word. Should you like to receive those daily devotional emails just respond to jeff@connectionscc.org and let me know and I will add you to the distribution list.

The above verses are the beginning of what is commonly called The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) because Jesus shared these teachings from a hillside near Capernaum. Most scholars believe the sermon was given over an extended period            of time, perhaps days.

Imagine sitting with Jesus on a hillside for several days—imagine hearing Him speak and explain the teachings of God ? If you believe that would be better than anything in this world then continue to read and obey His teachings and be found ready to sit with Him and listen to Him when He returns for His church.

Imagine sitting with Jesus in heaven and listening to Him speak—will you live for that opportunity today and every day of your life? I encourage you to listen to the song "I Can Only Imagine" by the group Mercy Me as it serves well to help us focus today on eternity.

The following link to the song may contain an ad before playing but I hope the lyrics and images will enhance your imagination and inspire you to continue to live for Jesus every day of your life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII&feature=kp

God's Peace,
Jeff
 

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #5

Hi Friends!


The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18).

The cross confronts us with the reality of our sin (Romans 3:23). It calls us to repent: to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus (Acts 2:38). It challenges us to trust Jesus as the perfect embodiment of absolute truth (John 14:6).

Why do people refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior and often react with hostility at the mention of His name? Because the modern mind has been conditioned by moral relativism to believe the cross is foolishness and that truth is self-defined. The problem with such a worldview is that it continually and consistently compounds sin and its consequences.

For example: how many shootings have occurred over the past 14 days on college campuses in America? How many young people have died? Is it because there are guns available to students or is it because shooting someone is a matter of morality and the heart?

Has it occurred to anyone that we are becoming increasingly desensitized to man's inhumanity to man because we have been taught to believe that higher education is possible apart from absolute truth?

Has it occurred to anyone that America led the world in civility, creativity, intellectual construction, and humanitarian compassion when Bibles were open and prayers were offered in public schools?

Could it be that the modern mind conditioned by moral relativism is running out of answers for the consequences of education devoid of absolute truth?

Perhaps we'll pass another law...

Perhaps we'll do some more research...

Perhaps we'll spend some more money...

Perhaps we'll repent and readily admit that higher education apart from absolute truth is in effect lower education with diminishing civility, creativity, intellectual construction, and humanitarian compassion.

Perhaps rather than perish and accept man's escalating inhumanity to man as the social norm and measurable outcome of education apart from God, perhaps rather than being foolish, we once again will see the cross as the power of God that saves us from our sin.

My heart breaks for the diminishing returns in education devoid of absolute truth.

My heart breaks for young people who desire significance and have been conditioned to believe they will find it apart from God.

My heart breaks that we fail to see that education apart from the absolute truth of God's Word is rendering the lowest test scores for humanitarian harmony in American history.

I believe at some point absolute truth will prevail over moral relativism and eliminate the futility of education apart from God. My prayer is that the church be courageous and gracious in modeling Jesus in hopes of returning communities across America into safe havens of higher education.

I've shared this before but in the link that follows Ravi Zacharias speaks to the root issue of sin and waywardness in our culture. May the applause and laughter signify that the battle for the human heart is ultimately God's and we are called as followers of Christ to simply be compassionate stewards of His truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Y9bR3zcAcDY


God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry#4

Hi Friends!

I want to encourage you to take a moment and read Matthew 2: 1-12 which is the passage we'll be leaning on and learning from this week at Connections Christian Church. www.connectionscc.org

This passage is often examined in the Christmas season and rightfully so as it speaks to both the natural and supernatural events surrounding the birth of our great Savior Jesus Christ. But let me ask  you this: do you think we might miss something that God would have for us when we limit a particular Scripture to a particular season? If so, read the passage above and I believe you will be blessed with some wonderful truth from a glimpse of Christmas in one of the coldest January's on record.

I was impressed through prayer, Bible study, life experiences, the Holy Spirit (pretty much every pass that I took at this text) with a single word: worship. The word shows itself multiple times throughout this short passage and as a Christ-follower I believe it is a word (an experience) that is to show itself with my every thought, attitude, action, and even my every breath.

Compare and contrast the differences between the way the Magi and Herod use the word. Ask yourself whose example we should follow? Then ask yourself if we are following it? My thought is that we should see the Magi pouring out praise to Jesus expecting nothing in return as a model we should ask the Holy Spirit to reproduce in our lives. And what of Herod?

Well, I'm convicted there's more of Herod in us than we might care to admit. Our worship seems to be something along the lines of what we can get from Jesus as opposed to what we can give to Jesus. In effect I think that's why many people in American culture tend to see the reality of church as a day at the mall. If I can't find what I want at store A then I just go to store B. We tend to be consumers of worship rather than givers of worship.

How will you worship today? tomorrow? Tuesday? Wednesday? Thursday? Friday? Saturday? and next Sunday and everyday thereafter? Will praising God for who He is vs. what we can get from Him be the heart of our worship? Will our worship be more like the Magi and less like Herod or will we come to Jesus in an attempt to have our way with Him vs. letting Him have His way with us?

Don't get me wrong: because of God's inherent nature we will always receive much in worshipping Him. But the reason we worship (the motive if you will) should be something other than looking to swipe our card with the supernatural cashier, trusting we got what we paid for and will be happy with it. And if not, well then, we'll just return it or pitch it as it is no longer useful to us.

Where's your heart when it comes to worshipping God? Are you looking to make a transaction or are you looking to offer your life as a gift of gratitude for the inherent nature of God our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend?

I remember my childhood preacher and I've heard many other preachers say "wise men still seek Him." I'm thinking wise men (women and children) still worship Him as Magi. My prayer is that we might be found worshipping Him in Spirit and Truth in every season of our lives just because He is who He is.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #3

 

Hi Friends!

Each morning this year I have been sending out a daily email to a group of you as requested. I've expanded the email from simply providing a Scripture verse to also providing a short introduction to the verse as well as some possible applications from the verse. I will do my best to be consistent with this and ask for your grace should there be a day from time to time where I am unable to do so.

Should you not be receiving the email and would like to receive it, please click the following link: jeff@connectionscc.org and let me know. My goal in sharing the Scripture verse each day is to help others 1) go deeper in The Word and 2) go deeper in the world without becoming part of the world.

As stated in prior posts, these are my goals for Connections Christian Church in 2014 or stated another way, we are looking to "Model Jesus" and have His "Love Take Us Over." Thank you for your positive feedback about our goals and lesson series from the gospel of Matthew. This week we will be reflecting upon the miracle of the virgin birth of Jesus.

Matthew 1:18 says, "This is how the birth of Jesus came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 1:22 says, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'-which means, 'God with us.'"

Do you believe in miracles? If you desire to "Model Jesus" you must believe in miracles. A miracle is literally an act of God contrary to the laws of nature as we understand them. Some skeptics, even some scholars, mock the virgin birth of Jesus. What about you?

Thanks to modern medicine a virgin can give birth today through artificial insemination. In light of what man has learned to do, should anyone really doubt what God has already done? The miracle of the virgin birth is critical to salvation.

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin giving Him a sinless nature that manifest itself fully on the cross of Calvary with His humble, atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therein lies another miracle of life.

We celebrate The Sanctity of Life this Sunday at Connections Christian Church. We also celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this Monday. We celebrate both knowing that the miraculous story of Jesus allows every conceived child of every race the opportunity to be one in Him.

Long before there was legalized abortion or even a formal civil rights movement there was a song that I learned as a child. It says "Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the world; red and yellow; black and white; they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."

That song is still true and the miracle of Jesus' birth, death, burial, and resurrection prove it. The only thing I would add to the song is a lyric that says, "Jesus loves all the children of the world; children of all races; all born and all unborn; all nurtured in their mother's womb; Jesus loves all the little children of the world."

If you believe in miracles, please join me in asking God to supernaturally bring all people to saving a relationship with Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel and the ministry of His Church. In so doing, abortion clinics would shut down and racial harmony would just be known as harmony amongst all God's children.

God's Peace,
Jeff

FOCUS '14-MODELING JESUS-ENTRY 2

Hi Friends!

People awake every morning and immediately check the weather, the stock market, sports scores, you name it. I want to encourage you each day to check your heart...not the physical health of your heart that is best assessed by an MD...but the spiritual health of your heart which is best assessed by the teachings of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have a pulse for God's Word?

More specifically do you have a pulse for the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Consider reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5-7) this week and reflecting upon what Jesus has to say about the Christian life. Warning: not all of His teachings are easy! Reward: all of His teachings are completely true and profitable for right living on earth and eternal life in heaven!

Having read the Sermon on the Mount take a few moments to record your spiritual pulse. Where by God's Grace and Obedience to His Word can you overcome sin and live a healthier spiritual life? Pick a pulse point and focus on your faith in Christ and ask Him to put you in perfect rhythm with His Will. The joy is in the journey...just check your spiritual pulse daily.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry 1

Hi Friends!

Matthew (Levi) was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Once he was a despised tax collector, but his life was radically changed by Jesus. Matthew wrote this Gospel to his fellow Jews to prove beyond doubt that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah and Savior of the world) and to explain God’s Kingdom.

This Gospel forms the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments and is filled with Messianic language (“Son of David” is used throughout) and Old Testament references (53 quotes and 76 other references).

KEY VERSE

 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

 References: Matthew Henry Bible Commentary; NIV Study Bible and Commentary

  APPLY

 

What does it look like for Jesus to fulfill the

Law and the Prophets through us (His Church)?

See last week's blog and listen to the lyrics of "Love Take Me Over" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. This continues to be my prayer for the church as we seek to go 1) deeper in the Word and 2) deeper in the world in the New Year!

God's Peace,
Jeff

2013 Christmas at Connections-entry 5

 

 



Hi Friends!

Just reflecting upon the fact that there is so much build up to Christmas...and then in a single day most move on to the pace we call life...someone once said (I'm paraphrasing to the best of my memory) that life is what happens while we're busy making plans how to live.

I'm not ready to say so-long to Christmas this year...when a child is born is when others have the opportunity to enjoy the life conceived...that's my focus in transitioning to the New Year...I want to take the life conceived in Christ with me and enjoy life in Him.

My goals for the church in 2014 center around that journey...they are two-fold with the theme of "Modeling Jesus"...and a song by Stephen Curtis Chapman "Love Take Me Over" serving as the rhythm for our days.

Goal 1: Go Deeper in the Word (allow His love to take us over)
Goal 2: Go Deeper in the World (share His love in the world without becoming worldly)

So in essence I want to continue to Celebrate Christmas...to make a Crescendo for Christ in the New Year...I'm not ready for Christmas to end when the Christ-child was born so I can live each day like Him...what of you?

The lyric video for "Love Take Me Over" is posted below...I hope you will be blessed by watching and listening to it...to Model Jesus I know I must rely much less on me and much more on His Spirit to produce love in and through me.

Will you join me in committing to rely more on Him in 2014?

God's Peace,
Jeff