Category: Uncategorized

The End Does Not Justify the Means . . .

When terrible decisions aren’t realized until after you make them because in your mind you have justified the means for the end result, is it too late? Often we make decisions like this and they go unnoticed. However, there are times when they do get noticed and even the explanation sounds dumb. These decisions can have life altering effects on more than just you. i recently had the blinders taken off on just such a decision and in the process my life has been turned upside down.

The repercussions of this i will bear for a lifetime. i am sorry and sorrowful for the cause and effect that was created by it. As i have sat in the ashes of what’s left i have seen what sits above my doorway. It’s my life verse from the Bible, Micah 6:8. (NKJV)

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”

The sign specifically says simply this, “act Justly, love mercy, walk humbly.” The decision that i made in every way was the opposite of this verse that i have claimed as my own. Although, in the middle of it i was able to justify the means to myself because the end result would have been positive. Without going into detail, it was not just, it lacked mercy, and it became a matter of pride, “i am right, and i will prove it, come hell or high water!” Unfortunately, it appears, this realization has come too late in the eyes of men. However, it is never too late in the scope of eternity and in the eyes of the Lord.

He has shown repeatedly, in His Word, the power of forgiveness if one is willing to confess and repent. As i have confessed and admitted the decision i made was entirely wrong and completely unjustifiable, regardless of my intention, His forgiveness has flooded my soul. i have also repented and in so doing am assured in Scripture that the One who matters most has forgiven me. His covenant remains unbroken. Although, i am suffering the worldly consequences of my decision i have hope in my eternal forgiveness in the Kingdom of God. Yet, as a human my mind spins endlessly and it is drawn to Micah 6:8.

His desire for us to act justly is something that is present in every moment and decision we will ever make from this moment forward, forever. His desire for us to love mercy, the very act of being merciful to others, forgiving one another, is present in every situation, every error, every circumstance of ones life from now until forever. And finally, His desire for us to walk humbly with Him and through life is still His desire and because He lives out these very values He is willing to act justly towards us, being merciful towards us, all while walking humbly. He is our perfect example.

Through this i am relearning to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God. After all, even though it is easy to give up on ourselves, Jesus never will!

You are loved, cj

Pentecost

Pentecost

There are few points in History where we can honestly say our entire eternity hinged on it. The birth of Christ, the garden of Gethsemane, the Cross, the resurrection, Pentecost . . . etc. The list doesn’t end there but i want to focus on Pentecost. The marvelous day in which the promised Holy Spirit landed in the heart of the believer. The promised “helper” the very presence of God in our lives! That is pretty spectacular. And, it is absolutely necessary!

Take Romans 8:2-6 for example:

“2 The power of the Holy Spirit has made me free from the power of sin and death. This power is mine because I belong to Christ Jesus. 3 The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us. 4 In that way, Jesus did for us what the Law said had to be done. We do not do what our sinful old selves tell us to do anymore. Now we do what the Holy Spirit wants us to do. 5 Those who let their sinful old selves tell them what to do live under that power of their sinful old selves. But those who let the Holy Spirit tell them what to do are under His power. 6 If your sinful old self is the boss over your mind, it leads to death. But if the Holy Spirit is the boss over your mind, it leads to life and peace.” 

Do you see how important it is for us to have the Holy Spirit? It doesn’t stop there we could explore for days upon days the absolute work or the Holy Spirit and still not exhaust it absolutely. He empowers us on in love and good deeds. He is the one in us and through us enabling us to do even greater things! That is a really awesome thought, isn’t it? i hope that you will take time to sit in this passage. The fullness of His work in us, and the contrast of Him not being in our lives. The Spirit vs. the flesh. It is an eternity issue. Let us remember the day of Pentecost in the line of other “Holidays” because it is as important!

Imitators

Imitators

 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2

You are new in Christ, the old is gone. Therefore, it is time to start imitating God, walk in love. We need to look up to Jesus in such a way that we desire to imitate Him in all we do. He should be the filter for every one of our decisions. Have you ever had a friend or relative that you looked up to that you wanted to be like? In that way, we should want to be like Jesus.

you are LOVED,
cj

“GOAT”

“GOAT”

Yesterday was a great day for sports fans everywhere, ok maybe just California. The Golden State Warriors broke a record for regular season wins that may never be broken again. The Los Angeles Lakers said good~bye to one of the greatest of all time Kobe Bryant. And the Dodger bullpen didn’t screw up a lead and won the game against the Diamondbacks of Arizona. Ok some of those are not equal achievements but they are achievements just the same.

The Warriors 73 win season means they lost only 9 games. That right there is ridiculous. Single digit loss record in a competitive league?! Come on, love them or hate them you have to tip your hat to them. Kobe Bryant, 20 years in the league, 5 time Champion, Olympic Gold medalist, 81 points in a single game, 3rd all time scorer, 15 years all NBA…the list goes on, oh and did i mention he didn’t go to college?! Yep drafted right out of High School into the NBA. And the Dodgers bullpen yesterday was able to maintain a lead and win the game, that is quite the miracle this year.

All these great achievements, that i as a sports fan can really enjoy. i am a competitor, i have played, coached and cheered teams on to victory, to championships, to records. Humans by nature are competitive. Its no wonder that Paul, writes to the Corinthian Church:

“24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT

The Author of Hebrews wrote this:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Its ok to enjoy sports, its ok to celebrate victory and achievement but these Championships will fade, and records will be broken. However, it is necessary to focus on Jesus, He is the author and finisher of our faith…He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! Lets together focus on Jesus!

You are Loved,

cj