Jesus is the Model..... Craig Denison

 Jesus is the Model

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, broken, needy, and sinful people. We constantly deal with our own wounds and those of others. Because there is no perfect person, the foundation for loving others must be based outside of the merit or worth of others. The foundation for love must come from the God who is love. As believers we must be constantly tapped into the love and grace of our heavenly Father so that we can love others selflessly and powerfully. May you receive the love of your Father and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love people.

Scripture:“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” >1 John 3:16

Devotional:

Everything Jesus did was done out of his perfect love for the Father and us. Every word, healing, prayer, and action was done out of unconditional devotion. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “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.” Scripture commands us to love others the way Christ did. Jesus is our model for living. And God never commands us without perfectly equipping us. If we are to “walk in love, as Christ loved us,” we must believe God will fill us up with the ability to love as Jesus loved.

The concept of living like Jesus always seemed unreachable. It often reminded me of motivational posters that read, “Reach for the moon—even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” But God’s word is not an unachievable suggestion. His word is perfect and true. And Scripture says in Romans 8:29, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” God’s plan is to conform us into perfect reflections of Jesus’ love. His plan is to fashion us into disciples who live, work, and love as he did.

We can live our lives in obedience to God’s command to love others for one reason alone: our heavenly Father is near, alive, and active in us. The same God who empowered Paul, Peter, John, Stephen, David, Daniel, and Esther lives in us today. Romans 8:11 says, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” And the Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit who dwells within us as believers is love. We can love like Jesus because his Spirit longs to produce the fruit of love deep within us. He longs to love people through us. He has a perfect plan to use you to reveal to a broken and searching world the unfathomable riches of Jesus’ love.

If we are to look to Jesus as our model, we must first believe that God can and will help us. We must believe that the Spirit is perfectly capable of taking what was dust and fashioning it into the likeness of the Son. Secondly, we must spend time allowing the Spirit to move in and through us. We must make space in our lives to be loved by God so that we can be used by him to love others. I can offer nothing of value that I haven’t first received from my heavenly Father. I can do nothing great unless God has done something great in me. 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” We have to be children who abide in Jesus so that we can walk in his ways.

God longs to love you and help you love others today. He longs to meet you and heal the wounds and insecurities that have kept you from loving others well. He longs to empower and transform you to live like Jesus. Run to him with open arms, and allow him to do a mighty work in you as you enter into guided prayer.   

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire for you to love like Jesus. Remember that God doesn’t command you to do something you are incapable of doing. Allow Scripture to fill you with desire and faith for what God has for you.

“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

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” >1 Peter 2:21

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” >Romans 8:29

2. Where do you need God to do a mighty work in you today? Ask the Spirit to reveal what areas he wants to heal today. Ask him to guide you to a wound or insecurity he longs to speak to and love.

3. Receive the love of your heavenly Father. Allow him to heal and empower you to love others. Ask him to transform you into the image of Jesus and fill you with his heart for others around you.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” >Luke 6:27

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” >1 Peter 4:8

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” >Matthew 5:43-47

It is impossible to be consistently loved by God and not love others. His love has this incredible ability to heal us and empower us at the same time. His heart is always to love us while helping us to love others. As you grow in your relationship with your heavenly Father, allow him to use you in increasingly powerful ways. Allow him to make you selfless and servant-hearted. Allow his love to make you more like Jesus. May you discover the joy and peace that comes from wholeheartedly loving others today.

Extended Reading: 1 John 3

How Can We Rejoice in Our Sufferings? ..... By: Amanda Idleman

 How Can We Rejoice in Our Sufferings? (Romans 5:3)

By: Amanda Idleman

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:3-5

While facing hardships in this life is inevitable; there are some surprising lessons to be learned when we are forced to walk through seasons filled with difficulties.

What is most unexpected, is that as believers we have access to unexplainable joy, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Where is this unreasonable joy found?

We find it when we fix our eyes on Jesus in our moments of need. Hebrews 12:2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We pause in the midst of facing life’s scary unknowns and we quiet our hearts in prayer before the Lord. Let his Word, filled with truth, permeate our minds. Take time to invite him into the scary places and grasp for the peace that he promises us.

God is the only one with the power to protect our lives, guide our steps, and give us joy beyond our circumstances. If you are struggling, replace the voice of fear and negativity with God’s words of hope and truth for your life.

In times of confusion, loss, or suffering we are most in need of God’s wisdom for our lives.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” God knows the unknowable and he generously will reveal to us what we need to know, if we are willing to humbly ask him to direct our steps.

The leader of our lives should be Jesus. He is the one that guides us in big ways and tiny ways. Once we surrender to his plan for our lives, we can let go of the angst that comes when we are trying to navigate our lives all on our own.

A result of loss is gratitude.

Our short-sighted minds often struggle to see the full value of something until we experience separation from it. Sometimes, suffering develops a deeper sense of appreciation in us that gives birth to new joy in our life.

It is like the changing of the seasons: we cannot appreciate the beauty of spring without experiencing the barrenness of winter. God gives us new eyes to see our lives through fresh lenses when we walk through trials and suffering. He does not let our brokenness go to waste but uses it as a teacher. He allows these moments to be redefined as places where we see His faithfulness in our lives, his mighty peace at work, and where our faith rises up in a new way.

God gives us supernatural joy that acts as our strength when we rely on him in the dark seasons of our life. This does not mean that we ignore the sadness around us but He can actually give us the strength to lean into the dark places and be the light of Jesus to those suffering around us. This is all true because as Christ-followers, we have access to the one true hope for our world.

As you face trials of many kinds, the prayer for you is that the joy of the Lord will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

A Letter to Josh..... by John UpChurch

 A Letter to Josh

by John UpChurch

Dear Josh,

Giving advice always seems such a dangerous task, balanced between two equally foreboding chasms: impersonal aphorisms that do little to instruct on the one hand and, on the other, a fruitless attempt to reach into your future based upon my past. After all, you already have the best book of instruction on all matters, a book you’ve already read countless times. How could I really add to that?

But since I’ve learned quite a bit vicariously from stories other people have shared of their own mistakes, I hope I can do the same for you. In other words, I hope that I messed up so you don’t have to. As always, lay down the prayer as you consider these thoughts. Seek God for true wisdom because He’s got the monopoly on that. I’m just trying to pick up the scraps.

First, beware the gradual loss of your joy and wonder. Attacks on our faith rarely come as a frontal assault—more often they grow like ivy, slowly covering our defenses and blocking out the light. Day by day, the joy you’ve known slips away, and bitterness fills the cracks. Make it a habit to praise God for something new each day. It’s much harder to lose your joy when you’re looking for reasons to be joyful.

Second, lead by serving those who follow you. This became a cliché in the church because it’s true. We lead others best when we serve them and do the things no one else wants to do. Jesus came as a missionary to our world and served the sick, dying, and hungry. He cleaned nasty feet, touched lepers, and made mud pies to heal a blind man. He didn’t have to. He didn’t need to. He wanted to. Joyfully serve and show others what loving people with reckless abandon means. (Did you notice I put that joy thing in here again?)

Third, don’t be surprised by sin. Sin isn’t a popular term. It’s not politically correct, and many people prefer to act like sin is just a social program away from being irradiated. But sin will smack you in the face from time to time—both your own shameful failures and the failures of others. When that happens, you may be tempted to be discouraged. Don’t be. God knows our sinful nature and loves us until we’re clean. That’s what really matters.

Fourth, remember your calling no matter what happens. You may already know or suspect God’s call for you. Keep that calling in mind. After all, there’s a reason Paul had to remind Timothy of his calling—it’s easy to question when times are difficult. Go where God calls. Go scared if you have to (and you may), but go.

Fifth, God’s not finished with us yet. Sometimes news stories about war and death may make you think that God’s finished with humanity. Web articles may make you feel like you’re the only one left who hasn’t bowed to Baal. And TV shows and movies may make you wonder how things could get so bad. But God’s not finished with us. And He’s never surprised by anything.

And, finally, love. Above all else—and this may sound elementary—love like you have no time left to love. Love by giving your life away. Love by pouring time and energy into others. Love by sharing what you have. Love by putting God first.

Wherever God takes you, I know He will faithfully bless and provide for the dreams He’s given you (and will yet give). You’ve only just begun to see how hard and rewarding it is to take up your cross daily.

But—and this is something you must remember—it’s definitely worth it.

A Prayer for Fear and Anxiety..... By Kelly Balarie

 A Prayer for Fear and Anxiety

By Kelly Balarie

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (Ephesians 1:4, NIV).

Anxiety feels not only like sweat, but also like a heart that beats out loud. It pounds and pounds until you’re certain your biggest fears, strongest worries and largest inadequacies will sound in unison and come crashing down.

What makes your anxiety come alive? Social situations? Dwindling finances? Health concerns? Relational issues? Your weight? Your future? Your past?

Anxiety speaks like a dictator and lives like bondage. Jesus speaks like peace and brings deliverance to life.

3 Ways to Wreck Anxiety and Fear

1. Acknowledge: God chose you. This means, out of all the millions of people He could have created, could have desired and could have accepted – by grace, He set His affections on you.

2. Accept: You are holy. By the sacrifice of Jesus, even in your worry, wrestling and hand writhing, God sees you as radiant and resplendent. You are his walking glory!

3. Affirm: You are blameless in His sight. Because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, you can walk as an imperfect woman, covered by His heart-aching death on the cross.

Anxiety is an invasive bully. It gets in your face and then under your skin, telling you you’re about to face ruin.

The best way to beat fear is to not fear it. The best way to beat fear is to acknowledge it, repent of it and then douse it with love. It can’t rage under the power of the Living Water (Jo. 4:14). It can’t thrive under the light of truth. It can’t strengthen when submitted to the God of all strength.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment… (1 John 4:18)

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, thank You. Thank You that You see us as holy and blameless. Thank You that You want us. Thank You that, because of your sacrifice, You see us as radiant. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We accept this as truth and we will walk by this truth today. We love You.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.