Month: January 2017

One Constant

One Constant

Theresa May is the new Prime Minister of Great Britain as of course Donald Trump is the new President of the United States. These democratically elected officials work with their respective governing bodies to enact law, provide for the common wealth, and protect its citizens. Their power is limited, and ability to do anything is based on their ability to build consensus. They make speeches and share thoughts in order to do just that, although they only need a simple majority to get  most things done. Which means there might be nearly 50% of people left feeling less than represented. This is government and this is how it works, eventually one side or the other assumes power and shifts happen in the populous. Like it or not, people, broken, fallen, hurting people make decisions, cast votes, and change over time.

There is one constant, only one. There is One Eternal King, only one. There is one eternal government, only one. There is one way into this Kingdom, only one, Jesus.  One does not just enter the Kingdom, the Word is clear on that. Regardless of mans feelings or opinion the Sovereignty of God stands supreme. The path into the Kingdom is narrow and few find it. So in light of this, let us seek out how one is to live in this Kingdom. If indeed you have chosen to become a follower of Jesus then what must one do?

Well lets look at Colossians 3:12-17

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

It is about us conforming to the ways of the King not the other way around. He sets the laws, makes the judgments and declares the punishments. He is the Sovereign King. And if we desire to live within the Kingdom, if we desire to live this new life in Christ Jesus we better get to it…we better start putting on Christ and getting rid of those old garments. We in and of ourselves are not able on our own, therefore Jesus knowing this made a way for us through the cross. His Spirit now in us abiding with us is our change agent. He is the One doing the work in us to make us more and more like Christ. We however, forgetting what is behind us, we must press on towards Christ Jesus our Lord.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.”

You are Loved,
cj

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day
Hello, Greetings from afar yet truly just down the street from where you are, grace and peace to you. It is my hearts desire to express to you my prayers for you. That you would be bold in your faith and that you would walk humbly with Jesus as He calls you onward and upward; challenging you to walk as He walked.

i spent the day watching the Inauguration of the 45 President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump and in a video conference call about summer camps. Watching the Inauguration  reminded me as the media did the play by play of the days events that although we submit to the government our hope is not in it but in Christ alone. Whether you voted for Trump or not remember that. Looking at the world we really do have a great system of checks and balances and in four years we will go through this again, if the Lord tarries.

However, the power in the Heavenly realm will never change. Jesus is King now and forever. Although, i believe He does look upon our world governments His concern is for the church. It was displayed in His last arrival into Jerusalem when He went to the Temple and not to the governors house. (Matthew 21)

9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”

11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

My favorite part of this passage is the end, “Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in…” The Church has work to do regardless of who sits in earthly authority We must be busy making room for the less fortunate, the weak, the blind, the crippled, the hopeless and the lost. May we be about the work of the KING!
you are loved,

cj

Infinitely More!

Infinitely More!

The bills piled on the desk in two stacks, need paid, and pay later. The money wasn’t flowing in like it once did and the realization that they were living above their means was becoming more and more apparent; but how to break the cycle wasn’t coming to mind.  Jim and Amanda, had been married for eight years, both once had great paying jobs but when the economy turned down so did their employers. Amanda was laid off first and could only fined part time work in a cafe. Although she loved her job it barely kept food on their table. Jim was a bit more lucky in his employment.

Simon’s, was a local appliance store, Jim sold refrigerators. Although, the business had downsized its employee’s Jim had been spared thus far but sales were down and therefore so was his commission. He brought home enough to pay the mortgage so at least they had a home but the decision was do they keep the heat and electricity or keep the car, the only car they had between the two. Jim mostly drove the car to and from work, Amanda took the bus. The discussion went back and forth, there were times Jim worked a later shift and the buses stopped running at 7. He could walk home but that was 7 miles. He could ask a co worker but there were times he closed the store and would lock up alone. It seemed everything they could think of had its down side and things were only looking worse. Recently, Jim found out that Simon’s would be letting another sales associate go at the end of the month if sales didn’t significantly improve.

Rick lived across the street and had been pretty much unfazed by the down turn in the economy as he was the leading marquee name at the Law Offices of Brown & Marquez. Rick would see Jim and Amanda work in the yard, walking their dog ‘Digger’ and they always seemed friendly and welcoming. He saw them one other place each week and that was church. Faithfully every Sunday, Jim and Amanda sat just in front of Rick. Rick was struck by their joy in worship, even though he knew some of their struggle. Not because Jim and Amanda complained but through conversations of life.

Amanda mentioned one morning when she was out with “Digger” that she had been laid off by the advertising agency where she had worked. However, she was so thankful that Cups was hiring and that they hired her.  He had just had a conversation the night before with Jim’s boss, Mr. Simon’s. Mr. Simon’s shared of the difficult decisions he was faced with when Rick was in buying a new washer and dryer.

On this particular Sunday the Pastor presented a message out of Ephesians on the Church and the provision of God. He read from Chapter 3:14-21:

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

That was when it became clear to Rick that God was going to provide for Jim and Amanda. Jesus, speaking directly to Rick’s heart through His Word. Rick heard Jesus say, “‘Rick, today you will invite Jim and Amanda out to dinner. You will share with them how God has been working in you mightily and how I have directed you in ‘love’ to help them financially.’ Rick,” the Lord continued, “Pay off their car releasing them from that burden allowing them to put their money to better use supplying their needs. Also, offer Amanda the receptionist position you are about to post.”

That day Jesus did more than Jim and Amanda could ever ask or think and Jim felt the mighty hand of God at work in him.

What is the Lord calling you to do? Or how is He calling you to trust Him?

You are loved,

cj