He is Risen!

As we continue through this Holy Week, people in general are arguably the most open to spiritual things than any other time during the year.  As followers of Christ we have an incredible opportunity (and responsibility) to introduce people to the gospel of Jesus Christ and what His work on the cross means in eternity. 

Our service to Jesus is our obedience in how we live our lives.  We learn in Matthew 20:28 that "even the Son of Man did not come not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many"  You and I are part of that "many".  Because of His payment for our sin on the cross, we celebrate Easter this week.  Will you join me in praying about who God will have us invite to church this Easter Sunday?  If we are faithful in asking, He will be faithful in answering. 

Jesus, thank you for Easter and what that means for us today and what it means in eternity.  Will you lead us to people and lead people to us this week that need a relationship with you?  Will you help us live lives that point to You so that people may ask, "why are you different?" and we may respond by proclaiming your name as our life changer!  Help us Lord to fill seats in church not so we can boast about numbers, but so that we can boast about how awesome you are, and so others may hear the true Easter story, about our RISEN SAVIOR!  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Sold!

What if we were to do an inventory of all material possessions that we own?  This would have to include big items, small items, bank accounts...everything.  First of all it would take a while and likely change pretty regularly.  But let's just imagine for a moment.  Now, let's separate our list into three columns.  Column A would include the things we own that have no impact (neutral) on our relationship with Christ.  The next column will contain a list of things that enhance or perpetuate spending time pursuing our relationship with Christ.  And finally, (you know where this is gong!) the last column is the list of things that we allow to prevent us from spending time investing in our relationship with our savior.

Now, what kinds of things are on your lists?  In Matthew 19:21 Jesus told a man to sell his possessions and to follow Him.  The implication here is that this man loved his wealth and his "stuff" more than he loved God.  Do you find that at times you have the same problem?  I sure do.  The idea is not to have a liquidation sale of everything on column C.  We just need to learn how to put Him first, always.  It is OK to have nice, fun, exciting, expensive, entertaining, cool stuff.  We just have to remember where it came from and where our hearts should be, in HIM.  So cancel the yard sale, remove your listings from Craig's List and end your auctions on E-Bay.  Keep your stuff, (All three columns) and glorify God.  Matthew 6:33 reminds us to Seek first the kingdom of God and the rest of these things will be given to us. (Mike's paraphrase)
God, help us to know that every good and perfect gift comes from you.  Help us to be fully surrendered to you so that you can use us to bring honor and glory to yourself and that others might see You live through us.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML

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Michael P. Lane
Livewire GCC Youth Ministry
Grace Community Church
912.661.0548

For Better and For Worse

You know when God created man in the and woman in the Garden and determined that the two should be together, He knew what He was doing. (DUH!)  There were some very clear instructions given as well something along the lines of leaving their home and becoming one flesh.  There is some discussion about what God has joined together, let nobody tear apart.  God intended marriage to be for real.  With a divorce rate that is nearly 50%, it seems that we as a society missed some of that.  Now, I do not intend to sound as if I am condemning those who are divorced, I am a product of divorced parents.  What I would like to do is encourage others to begin praying today for your marriage.  If you are married, pray for your spouse, that there will be a hedge of protection placed around it.  Eliminate the words divorce and separation from your vocabulary.  If you maintain the mindset that your marriage is a forever marriage, you will be hard pressed to work it out!  If you are not married, pray for the one who you will marry.  God has the perfect mate for you if you are willing to wait on Him.  And finally, if you are a parent, pray for the one your kids will marry.  God already knows who that will be.  It is never to soon to begin praying for that relationship.

See, God wants to be a part of every aspect of our lives.  He wants us to be fully dependent on Him... For everything.  Marriage and all that comes with it is a gift, let us embrace it and reap the intended benefits. The key to a successful marriage relationship is to have a successful relationship with Jesus.  When the vertical relationship is intact the horizontal relationships are as well.

God, I pray for the marriages represented here.  Would you put your hedge of protection around them.  Would you remind us that you created us and you created our mate and you allowed us to be together as one.  Help us to love each other the way you love us. Help our marriage relationships be a reflection of our relationship with You.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML

70 times 7?

In Matthew 18 Jesus tells Peter to forgive a person 70 times 7 times.  Peter was fairly proud of himself for coming to terms with the possibility of forgiving 7 times.  Where would we be today if Jesus only forgave us 7 times?  I think we all know the answer to that!  The teaching in the bible on the subject of forgiveness is very clear.  In the Lord's prayer we see where Jesus taught us to pray "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"  The implication here is that in order for us to receive the gift of forgiveness from Jesus, we must forgive others. 

I had done a lot of teaching on this topic.  One thing I always emphasize is that forgiveness is for the benefit of the forgiver not the other way around.  The person who you are forgiving may not even know they have hurt you or maybe they do not even care.  Holding someone in unforgiveness ensures that you are held captive by it, it eventually turns into bitterness and before you know it there is a stronghold in your life that threatens your relationship with Christ. 

By the way, holding ourselves in unforgivenss is sinful as well.  If we ask Jesus to forgive us and he does, how is it that we can hold ourselves in unforgiveness?  Are we greater than Him?  We must not allow the devil to use unforgiveness as a tool to hinder our walk with Jesus.

Lord, help us to truly submit to you today.  If there is bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts will you please let us remember the work you did on the cross.  Help us to turn these things loose and trust you with them.  We know that it is your will for us to live in peace and harmony and love like you love.  we can only do that with your help Lord.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML

95, 96, 97, 98, 99 Sheep

No, I am not trying to put you to sleep by having you count sheep. (That rhymed!)  Remember when you used to sing "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so".  Well, I was saved at 23 so I did not really learn that song until I was an adult, however I have wondered how many children have looked for the passage of scripture that says... "Johhny, (Insert your name here) I love you.  Sincerely, Jesus.  Well, the song says that the bible tells us that right? 

I am finding that the more I read God's word and the more I spend time with Him, the more I find passages of scripture that say, "Hey you, with the big bald head and bushy gray beard- I love you.  Always have, always will.  Sincerely, Jesus."  As I was continuing my study in Matthew today I found myself in chapter 18.  After having the back of my cranium rearranged on the topic of pride I read on to verse 10 about the lost sheep.  I was reminded that Jesus loves me so much that He would leave behind 99 others to come after me.  Doesn't that scream, "I love you!"  We serve an awesome God. 

God, will you help us to rejoice in your love today, knowing that if we were the only one, you would have still died for us.  Thank you for the work you did on the cross and for your expression of love through your word.  Help us to live in humility today as we seek you.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Stop, Drop & Roll, er… Worship

Shortly after Peter confessed his belief that Jesus was Lord, Jesus took him and a couple of their buddies on a walk.  It was likely more of a hike since there was a mountain involved.  With Jesus, you never know what you are in for.  If He had shared with them where they were going and what they would be doing there would have been so many questions and so much doubt!  Isn't that the way we are?  That is why God often times only reveals small glimpses of His plan because we have the tendency ensure that our will is done.

So they get up on this mountain and here comes Moses and Elijah.  Wait a minute...  These guys have not been around for a while.  This is a little freaky.  And why is Jesus glowing?  Peter is so impressed and decides the occasion needs to be marked by building 3 tents as sort of a shrine for each of them.  As he is making his plans God's voice thunders down and He affirms His Son Jesus. 

Well, there goes Peter's plans.  He forgets about the building plans and falls to the ground.  Not from fear, not from pain, not because he didn't get his way... HE WORSHIPPED.  Our plans are really not that important when considered in light of God and His will for our lives.  Sometimes we just need to be still and know He is God! 

God would you help us today to take time just to worship.  Help us set aside our plans and just be in awe of You.  Help us to not burdened by the cares of this world but to have our hearts set on things with eternal value.  Help us to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  Amen.

Waiting on Him,
ML