Marriage At Easter

 There is so much symbolism surrounding the Easter story. Jesus entered the world and was placed in a tree (manger) and he left the world on a tree (the cross). Jesus was the perfect lamb sacrifice for our sins and we don't have to sacrifice animals ever again (praise the Lord)! But one symbol you may not know is about the cup at the Lord's supper. 

Matthew 26:27-28 gives us context for what I'm talking about. It says, "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Of course, there is the obvious symbolism here of that not really being Jesus' blood. But there's another picture here. According to Ann Voskamp in her book The Broken Way when an engagement was happening back in Bible times, a Jewish Rabbi "said that when a man decided he wanted to marry a woman, his father would pour a cup of wine and pass it down to his son" Next the son would look at the woman, hold the cup out, and say:"this cup is a new covenant in my blood, which I offer to you." 

When I read this, it was a mind blowing moment for me. Jesus didn't just offer us his body as the perfect sacrifice, he also offered us a marriage covenant. He offered to take on the role of protector for all of us. Then he died on the cross for our sins. Jesus is an example of a good husband. He made his covenant with us and then he took action to show us that he meant that covenant. 

As Jesus is the ultimate example of whom we should try to emulate, I have a question for all of us: are we taking action as well? We have a calling while we are on this earth. If we don't know Jesus as our personal savior, then our calling is to accept him as that. Then we grow in him. If we do know him as our personal savior, then our mission is to grow in him and tell others about what he's done for them. These are our action steps as the bride of Christ. The church is his bride and he showed that through the symbol of the cup and his blood. A bride doesn't just sit around waiting for the groom to arrive. She takes action steps and prepares for his coming. That's what we are called to do as well.

So, do you know Jesus as your personal savior? Are you spreading the good news of the gospel? How can you grow closer to him?

Stand Out

    For those of you who know me you know I enjoy Disney movies. One movie many people forget about is A Goofy Movie. In the movie Max Goof is in school and feels like he is invisible and ridiculed. He wants to stand out so a girl at school will notice him. To do this, he took over the last school assembly and lip sang to a song by a famous artist in that world.

   The song he sang was called "Stand Out." Most of the song is about how a boy wants to be noticed by a girl. But there are some lyrics that apply to our Christian walk. They are: "To stand out above the crowd, Even if I gotta shout out loud." As Christians, we are not to blend in. We are born again to stand out.

   Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We are not to be like the world. We are not to blend in. As Christians we are to stand out and be transformed in God. We are to reflect his glory and light each day, so others are led to Christ.

   So, are you standing out as we are called to do? How do you reflect God's glory each day?

What is True Luck?

   Do you know anyone who just seems to have all the luck? You know, that person who seems to always be picked, who wins all the things, and who finds the lucky penny? Okay, maybe that last one is a stretch but you get my gist. I'm talking about the person who gets the promotion. The person who just seems to have everything. You have someone in mind?

   New questions: that person that you are picturing, do they have joy? Are they following God? These questions may not seem connected but they are. I've talked in the past about how happiness is fleeting. It is temporary. Joy is something we can have at all times because God gives us joy and we can have joy in him. If we are following God, we have access to that joy. 

   Did that person you were thinking of strike you as someone who has joy and is following God? Maybe they are and maybe they are not. If they are following God, then that will show in their life through their actions. They will not follow the way of the world and be selfish. Instead, they will show attributes of God. They will be giving and kind. They will have joy because they are following God. 

   Whether or not you have luck or wealth, we will all be judged one day. Matthew 16:26-27 says, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done." If you had all the wealth in the world but didn't know Jesus as our personal savior, none of that wealth would matter. All things in this world will pass away. The only thing that matters in eternity is our souls.

   You probably know this. But now I want to ask you a question, and I'm asking myself this question just as much as I'm asking you. What are you doing with the things you have been given? Are you using your possessions and gifts for yourself or others. Look back at those verses in Matthew 16. It says Jesus will reward each person according to what they have done. What have you done with the things you've been given? Have you told others how "lucky," and I say lucky to go along with the St. Patrick Day theme, you are to know Christ as your personal savior. Have you shown his love to others through gifts and actions as we are called to do? See, in the end, we are all blessed to have the opportunity to join God's family. We get to spend eternity with God. While here on earth we need to show God's love to others, tell others about what Jesus did for them, and grow in God. That's what true, eternal wealth is.

The Straight Path

    One time I was at camp and my siblings, and I were walking back from a campfire in the woods. We could have kept going on the path or we could have cut across the ballfield which was a shorter distance between where we were and our dorm. 

   We chose to walk across the ballfield. As we were walking across the ballfield I said, "the straightest distance between two points is a straight line." My siblings and I began to laugh when we realized what I said. What I meant to say was "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line."

   While that fact is true, sometimes we are not asked to walk the shortest route in our lives. Sometimes God leads us down paths that seem difficult or curvy in our lives. During those times we need to remember that God has a plan for our lives. He knows where we need to grow and loves us enough to walk with us on our paths. 

   Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Many times, we wonder why God isn't opening the doors we want him to open. God knows what we need. He makes our paths straight even if they don't seem straight. 

   So, are you walking with the Lord today? How can you trust God on this journey of life? 

 

Hidden Sin

    I have a question for you and it's one of my favorite kinds of questions: it's a would you rather question. You ready? Would you rather have a rash that wasn't itchy, didn't hurt, and wasn't permanent in a noticeable place (like on your face), or a rash that hurt, itched, and was permanent in an unnoticeable place (like your upper leg or back)?

   It's not really an easy question, is it? I think we would all say we would rather not have the rash at all. But as annoying as it may be for a few days you would probably take the noticeable not permanent mark, right? 

   Well, what if we equated this to sin? If you are a Christian and sin in the open, you should have Christians who hold you accountable. They should see your sin and, in love, correct you. The sin wouldn't last long, hopefully. But what about when we sin in private?

   Hidden sin is dangerous. The longer it goes on the more ingrained in your life it becomes. Then it's hard to let go or let others in to help you get rid of it. How do you get rid of the itch of hidden sin?

   You have to bring it into the light. You need to tell others what is going on and ask for help. You need to ask God for help and forgiveness. Then take steps to remove the sin. In the itch illusion you need to put the medicine on to cure it. In this case, the medicine is prayer, reading the Bible, bringing others in to help you stay accountable, and getting rid of the things that would encourage you to continue in that sin. That's how we get rid of hidden sin.

   So, do you have any sin you need to bring into the light? How can you grow in God?

Support When You Need It

    Some of you may know that I am expecting a little one this year. It's exciting but it's also been a journey. Those of you who have been pregnant before know what I'm talking about. Being pregnant comes with so many changes, pain, and emotions. Some of these things are considered normal when it comes to pregnancy. But, if you are like me as this is my first child, you don't know what is considered normal. Sure, you can Google your symptoms and see what the Internet says, but sometimes you don't know for sure because the Internet lies sometimes.

   One symptom I've had more recently is crying for no reason. I don't like to cry. I don't like people seeing me cry; and I'm even struggling sharing this with you all right now. But, I've always prided myself on being authentic with others, especially in my writings. And, as usual, there is a lesson in this. 

   On a Saturday, which was a nice relaxing day overall, I began to feel sad. Honestly it began with a thought: am I going to be a good mom? Sure, I've taught and worked with students who are preschool age and up, but it's different when it is your child. You are responsible for them completely. I am happy to say, I cut that thought off and didn't go down that spiral. I began to focus on the good things in my life, or I tried to. Then suddenly I began crying. I didn't think about anything negative but I just kept crying. It began to freak me out, but I tried to rationalize. "This will pass. My husband says this is okay and normal. God will help you through this. Everything is okay." And, just when I thought I was done crying, I would start up again. I was confused and scared. The only thing that stopped it was going to bed.

   I woke up the next day tired. It was Sunday and my husband asked me if I wanted to go to church. My head said "no, I don't want to go. I don't want to risk crying there." But I knew that I was just as likely to cry at home and I would be focused on it instead of God. I also knew that Satan was possiblity trying to get a foothold in my life. He wanted me to isolate so I would feel alone and sad. So, I said I wanted to go to church. 

   We went to church and worship began. I felt the spirit in me a bit but was also trying not to cry so I didn't completely let myself get into worship. Then we had a break in between singing and the message. My husband left to get coffee. The pastor came up to me and asked how I was doing. I said, "okay" because at that point I was. She asked how I was feeling and how the baby was doing. I told her that all the scans from the doctors were good. The pastor nodded and said, "well, we are praying for you." I lost it. Tears trickled down my face. Placing a hand on my shoulder she said, "it's been rough for you hasn't it?" I nodded and she continued, "the Bible tells us that this is only a season and, after the child is born, you will forget about all this and have joy." Then she hugged me and told me that my husband and I would be good parents.

   My husband came back and saw I was crying. He gave me a hug. Then the service continued. After church, we had a fellowship meal. Two more women came up to me, asked how I was doing, I kept it together, I told them the truth, and they both encouraged me and told me that we were going to be good parents. I hadn't told any of these women the thought I had that I wouldn't be a good mom. Yet, they knew exactly what to say. If I would have stayed home, I wouldn't have gotten encouraged or the support they gave me.

   This is why it is so important to have a church family. These people know you and can support you. They love you and will call you out if needed. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us this as well. The verse says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Meeting as the body of Christ is important. It shows that we have unity and we can do more together than we can do separately. 

   So, are you part of a body of believers who support you and care for you? How can you support and encourage someone today? 

Peace in Knowing

   One series of movies and shows that most of my family enjoy watching is Star Wars. A while back they had a show originally on Cartoon Network called Star Wars The Clone Wars. My favorite character in this series was Ahsoka Tano. She was a Padawan who was being trained by her master, Anakin Skywalker. Throughout the whole series I was concerned she would die because she was not in any other Star Wars movies or shows. Then, after season 4 the show was taken off Cartoon Network. 

   For years I did not know what happened in season 5 and 6. But a new show came on Disney called Star Wars Rebels. In this show I got the surprise that Ahsoka was in it! How she survived order 66 or being Anakin's padawan I did not know but she was alive! I was so excited.

   Years later Disney+ came out and had seasons 5 and 6 of the Clone Wars on it. I was excited to watch it to find out more about my favorite character. But I was also comforted. See, when the Clone Wars originally came out, I was always concerned that Ahsoka would die. But now that I had seen Star Wars Rebels, I knew she would live. Because of that I had peace.

   Just like I had peace during scary moments in those shows we can have peace too. We know that no matter what we face on earth God is with us. He has told us how the story will end.

   1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

   We know Jesus is coming back. He died on the cross for our sins so we can be with him in eternity. That means we do not have to worry about death if we know him as our personal savior. We can have peace in knowing Him.

   So, do you know Jesus as your personal savior? Are you comforted by the fact that you know the end of the story?