Recent posts on A Look in the Mirror

Although I haven’t recently posted extended blogs here, I have written several for A Look in the Mirror. Here is a brief explanation and a link to each one.  

The Rock that is Higher – Trust in God our Rock even in difficult times… especially during difficult times.

Celebrate Their Goal – Inspired by the FIFA World Soccer Cup and my four year old daughter, I look at rejoicing with those that rejoice.

Mercy Triumphs over Judgment – How should we respond to those that do wrong, offend us or take advantage of us?

Enjoy.

Ramblings on "taking God's love out of the four walls"

These are totally random and have no real order. They're just a bunch of thoughts and you must determine their value. You must allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to apply them to your life.

Why be light in dark places? Why get dirty? ...because He shined so I could see his love; He got dirty so I could be cleansed. For those reasons I love him, I want shine in the darkness and get "dirty". I want others to see his love and receive his cleansing and forgiveness.

How can I get dirty?  (Getting dirty has reference to previous thoughts shared and internet conversations with a few college students. Jesus, perfect and holy God, came and lived in the world, among the dirt and the dirty. We should do likewise. This is the reason for the question, "how can I get dirty?" Philippians 2:5-8)

1. Pray - Jesus spent hours in intimate relation with Father God. John 8:38 "I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!" NET (New English Translation)
2. Go where the Father says go and do what the Father says do - Jesus did only what He saw the Father do. John 5:19 "So Jesus answered them, "I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise." NET
3. Shine at all times - where ever Jesus went people saw the light.
4. Speak God's truth and demonstrate God's love where ever you go - Jesus ministered to Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the tax collectors, the prostitute and the rich young ruler there was no condemnation, just forgiveness and the charge to change.
5. Jesus the Christ and his life, death and resurrection are the good news, nothing else (1 Cor. 15:1-9). Never allow theology and being right or wrong to be the center and focus. I'm not saying correct theology isn't important, but Jesus' sacrificial love for us is the focus.
6. Share the love of God; shine the light of Jesus; show (demonstrate) the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Do all for the glory and honor of the Father.

We can never merit God's love, but we can show him our sincere love and genuine appreciation by obeying him, sharing the good news and making disciples of all nations.

Faith without corresponding action is dead.

I came to you in the power of the Holy Spirit, not with fancy, convincing words.

Some of the darkest, dirtiest places in the world are clean, well lit offices.

Getting dirty is...

• being generous,
• not letting the right hand know what the left is doing (what you do, do it for God's glory, not for personal recognition, gratification or merit),
• caring for a friend,
• helping the helpless,
• encouraging the hopeless.

Getting dirty is being Jesus where ever you are.

Lazarus: a dead man walking

At four-thirty the curly headed drunk I call Lazarus wouldn't let me open the door at church, so I went to the store and bought us each a can of juice and a piece of bread.

As I opened the plastic bag to share the prize he mumbled, "when you left I thought you were mad at me."

I was a bit upset, but I let it go.

We sat in the van and ate and drank together. He continuously slurred incoherent words while he ate his breakfast, lunch and maybe supper for the day and I understood that he was thankful. As I said my good-byes his semi-toothless smile and dirty smelly hug let me know the twenty minutes it took and the two dollars I spent, instead of shaking him off him by dropping twenty-five cents for a fictitious tortilla, was worth it. Jesus was there.

I went inside to set up for class.

Maybe your Lazarus isn't a drunk; maybe he isn't dirty and smelly; but there is somebody in your life, today, that needs to be touched with the love, grace and patience of God.

Be ready.

The star

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 ESV

The Star lead the wise men from a far a way place to the house where Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus were living. It was their faithful guide.
Jesus, the bright morning star, is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Following Him and His direction, we will always make the right decisions and find the correct way.

The key? Keep the Star in the top place in your life, the first priority, the deciding factor, the ultimate guide. You’ll never go wrong.

“Bright and Morning Star, shine on me. Illuminate my life with your understanding and wisdom. Guide me into your truth for living. I will follow you where ever you lead.”

Other verses: 1 John 1:5; 1 John 2:8; Revelations 22:16; John 1:9; John 8:12; Psalm 119:105

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Mary’s Song - The Magnificant

And Mary Said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generations to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Luke 1:46-55 NIV

Elizabeth and Mary rejoiced together as their offspring cheered the goodness of God. Elizabeth honored God’s blessing in Mary while Mary praised Him. In their mothers’ wombs, cousins John and Jesus celebrated each other. John delighted in his Lord. What a party!

Mary sang of God’s favor. She gloried in God her Savior and proclaimed His greatness as “the Mighty One.” She exalted Him mentioning the “scattering of the proud” and remembering His blessing over Abraham and his family. What a beautiful song of praise!

What blessings present and past provoke worship in your heart?

"Good and merciful God, I thank you for your blessings. Thank you for my life and my family; for provision and protection; and for your goodness and salvation."

Advent 25: His Name is John
Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Shoot of Jesse, the Branch of Righteousness

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' Jeremiah 23:5-6 ESV

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:1-3 ESV

Notice the people among Jesus’ ancestors: Rahab the harlot and Ruth the Moabite. God wasn’t influenced by their sin or race; David was still chosen to be the bloodline of the Messiah. An adulterer and a murderer, he wasn’t an especially worthy man himself.

Besides defects, what do these three have in common? They had faith and they had repentant and obedient hearts. They became the roots and the stump where the shoot of Jesse grew. Jesus, the LORD our righteousness, came from a family of sinful people. That encourages me because none of us are perfect and God still wants to use us. That's grace!

‘Jesus, be the wise and understanding King of my heart. Grow there to be the Branch of Righteousness of my life.”

Advent 19: King of Peace

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Spirit of the LORD is Upon Me

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

God’s Spirit was sent for a purpose. Jesus didn’t minister publicly until the Dove descended upon him and His last commandment to the disciples was wait for the power of the Spirit. Years later, Paul encourages the constant filling of the Spirit. The “oil of God” is important for effective ministry.

The Spirit’s purpose is clear. He brings good news; strengthens the weak; frees the captive; opens blind eyes; encourages the repentant; and gives joy to the sad and crying. The Spirit plants us as solid oaks in His righteousness.

“Spirit of God come upon me as I share the good news and bring hope and healing to the hurt and discouraged. Strengthen me in Your righteousness as I live to bring you glory.”

Other verses: Luke 4:18-19; 24:49; Romans 1:17; 3:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:18

Advent 18: The Shoot of Jesse, the Branch of Rightousness

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Lamb of God

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? Isaiah 53:4-8 ESV

We find the ultimate expression God’s love in the Suffering Servant; the Lamb of God, slain to take away the sin of the world. Father God did not manipulate Jesus to obey His design, nor did the soldiers drag him to his death. He decided to die. He willingly went to the judgment and to the cross, silently, like a sheep before its shearers.

Instead of crushing the bruised or discouraging the depressed, he took their wounds and transgressions on himself; he suffered the punishment for their sins and the stripes for their healing. Jesus: the totally sufficient sacrifice lamb.

“Lamb of God, forgive me, heal me, encourage me. You are the only adequate sacrifice. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing of my sins.”

Matthew 27:13, 14; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelations 5:6

Advent 17: The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Servant King

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth. Isaiah 42:1-4 ESV

Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43 ESV

The title public servant is common but the concept of being a leader and a servant isn’t. Isaiah’s servant is anointed by the Spirit and brings justice, but his justice will not bruise or break. The Servant King, just as the Good Shepherd, will guard the weak and dependent, taking them in his arms to protect and carry them.

Jesus came to serve. He became a man and died an unjust death. He gave his life so we could live. Instead of pursuing a political kingdom with its riches and power, he humbled himself and become a servant. Through service his kingdom was established.

“King Jesus, anoint me with the spirit of service. Help me not promote myself, but to love, care for and bless others.”

Advent 15: Light for the Nations

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The way up is down; the road to influence is the path of service.

Born of a Virgin

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Divine choreography: God wrote the script, directed the play and was the primary actor. He desires our participation and allows our improvisation with complete knowledge that the redemptive plan will be fulfilled.

A righteous sacrifice to cancel the price of sin required a perfect man. God himself was the only one that could take the part and his stage entrance was the virgin birth.

God came as Jesus. Born of Mary, a virgin, he lived as a man on the earth, he died and was resurrected. God with us is the divine act.

“Emmanuel, dwell in me. I will be a part in your play so the world can see and know and experience your love, heaven on earth.”

Advent 11: Prince of Peace

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Sincerity

Sincerity is worth more than trying hard.

...a thought from July 3rd.

See post on A Look in the Mirror

Looking

"You must look into people as well as at them." - Lord Chesterfield

 

Italics mine.

A Man of Full of God's Grace and Authority

Friday, May 9, I was asked to translate for a visiting speaker for a local pastors' seminar. Since I really enjoy translating and since I want to help out with the pastors' group when ever I can, I agreed.

It was quite an experience and an awesome blessing. The man I was translating for was Emma Okorie, founder of Living Word Ministries - Nigeria. I translated during the morning and was super tired... Having to listen very closely because of his distint accent and having to also translate was definantely taxing, but it well worth the effort. The morning session dealt with Honoring the Call on Your life and the afternoon was about Apostolic Government and the Church.

Wow. I've been around the bush a few times in these past 40+ of being in the church; I've heard and read a lot of things regarding apostles and apostolic ministry, but this was the best.

Walk in the grace God has given with a humble heart, a servants attitude and an intimate relation with Him were the central theme in his message. I know I've heard the same on various occasions before, but I could tell he was real, a true man of the LORD. God's grace and authority were on him. It was so good and God was speaking to me so much that a few times I almost had to stop translating to soak it all in.

I was blessed, challenged and encouraged.

If for no other reason, God sent Emma Okorie to Nicaragua for me. Thank you Lord.