Jesus

Peace I give you…Opportunities to share that peace today.

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV)

I have two stories to share with you in this time of struggle. Maybe Jesus is leading us as Christians to be those who help bring peace not fear, to bring joy instead of heartache.

Today as I made my way out and about to do my weekly grocery stuff for the house I was was reminded that people need peace.  I went to Meijer to get groceries.  I stopped two people who were working after I saw them sound exacerbated with people asking questions and generally people being angry with the workers.  I just walked over stopped them and said “Thank you for serving us,  I really appreciate what you are here doing for everyone including myself.”  The two I talked with, for just a few seconds, were shocked and said thank you.  I hope it set their day in a new direction of peace in these tough time.

Later today I was outside with my kid and my neighbor walked over.  He was curious about some work I had done on my house and asked if I liked it.  As we talked about it our conversation turned to his anxiousness about what is happening between his retirement accounts, and getting food.  As we talked I had the opportunity to share with him about how God is working in all this and how we will all get through this. We cant control these things so I trust in Jesus to get us through this. He walked away thanking me for helping him feel less anxious.

These stories aren’t about me. They are about how right now our world needs to see peace and calm.  Our world doesn’t need more things to worry about, but needs to see Christians caring for our neighbors, sharing the peace we have in Jesus.  So today if it is your neighbor, or your family, or your co-workers be someone who brings peace and joy, not worry or tension.  People need that today as they do every day.

He who has ears let him hear…reading your bible while driving!

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I will be honest I have struggled to stay up on my reading of the Gospels through Lent. I knew that I would at some point fall behind, but I was committed to try and read during Lent. Yesterday I realized I was almost a week behind. I had about an hour drive for something yesterday by myself and thought I should catch up. I am sure you all are thinking while you drive you shouldn’t be reading your bible. And you are right. Driving and reading is not a good a idea unless you want to really meet Jesus face to face.

Instead of reading I got on my Bible app (before driving) and had it read to me. I would not say it is my favorite way to read the scripture. I like to highlight and take notes but it is what I needed. So there I was in the car by myself and I got to the gospel of Mark. Over and over in the first few chapters where those words:

And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:9 (ESV)

We don’t always like to listen. I don’t like to listen. Life can get so busy that I forget to be in the word or prayer. I can get caught up in all the memes, social media, and life drama and miss Jesus speaking to me.

So are you listening to Jesus? As we make our way to the cross are we listening to Jesus. I hope as we journey toward the cross I don’t get this far behind again. My prayer for all of us is that we take the time to listen and hear through the power of the Holy Spirit what Jesus is saying to us today and always.

Reading The Gospels During Lent

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I have neglecting my time of reading God’s word far too much lately.  This Lenten season I want to be in the Word and today I decided to read through the Gospels as part of my Lenten Journey.  If you want to join me I will be sharing some thoughts through the week about what I am seeing and learning.  You can also print off this PDF I made based on the break up of the readings.  I pray you all can hold me accountable for reading God’s Word this Lenten season.  Have a great day and may your Lenten Journey to the cross remind you of the great love Jesus has for you and me.

Lent Gospel readings 2020

 

Gym floor moments…Do you give yourself time to allow Jesus to be real.

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Last week I was privileged to be on a group mission trip in Knoxville Tennessee.  I love these trips.  l love what they do for students and for me personally.  One of my favorite parts of Group mission trips is what I call “The gym floor moment.” This year was no different and I would say we all need these gym floor moments. Too often we are so busy or preoccupied with life that we miss them.

So what is the gym floor moment?  A gym floor moment is the moments where you sit on the floor and allow yourself to drown out the noise around you and see Jesus in your life.   It doesn’t have to be a gym floor in fact the point isn’t the location, how you sit or even where it happens.  It is merely a moment in faith where you try to drown out the noise of life.  You see for me one of the most powerful moments in life are when we can slow down and allow Jesus into our lives.  Often in our lives we are so busy, overwhelmed, and broken that we miss seeing Jesus.  We miss seeing him walking along side us.  I love the gym floor moment because it gives me an opportunity to speak Jesus in the lives of students or to receive Jesus myself.  When we allow ourselves to be still we can have these moments.

So the question is are you sitting on the gym floor?  Are you allowing yourself to see Jesus holding on to you?  Are you too busy, broken, or overwhelmed that you have pushed him aside and missed it?  Have you focused on everything else and missed Jesus in your life?

I was struck this week, as I took time to be in the word, that Jesus did this very thing. Jesus took time to listen to his Father.  He often spent time in prayer resting so the Father could speak into him,  So here is some advice for you.  Take the time to slow down.  Take the time to have the gym floor moment so you can hear Jesus.  Take the time to slow down and let Jesus be real.  He is always there we just need to slow down sit and see the real Jesus.

34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,

Mark 1:34-36 (NIV)