What Does Your Jesus Look Like

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.-Colossians 1:15-

As a pastor in a local church, I have many conversations with people who are having a hard time following Jesus. They become entangled again by the same alluring sin. They struggle with maintaining even basic spiritual disciplines. Sometimes they want to live for Him, and sometimes they want to want that. They are exhausted, discouraged, and defeated. They are disappointed in themselves and believe that Jesus is disappointed in them as well.
On occasion, I have asked some of them this question: What does your Jesus look like? If you were to draw a picture of Him, what would you portray? A few give quick answers, though most have never given it much thought. When they do reply, the pictures are varied and unique. To some, Jesus appears kind and gentle, maybe even a little passive or wimpy. (You’ve probably seen Jesus’ senior picture — you know, the famous one where He’s gazing peacefully toward the horizon?) To others, He is an angry and frightening warrior, holding a flaming sword in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other. Sometimes He is smiling, surrounded by children; or assuring — the Good Shepherd caring for His sheep. But one man described His picture this way: “He’s standing with His back turned slightly away from me. His arms are folded, and His head is cocked as if to say, ‘Really? Come on.’ I can’t quite see His face, but I don’t think He’s necessarily scowling or angry. I just thinks He looks disappointed, wondering why I can’t get my act together.”
A question struck me as I listened: Who would want to follow a Jesus like that? If your image of Jesus has been tainted by your life circumstances, your local church, or your cynical friends, you may not be following the real Jesus. If your picture of Jesus looks more like your disapproving dad or a legalistic preacher or a hypocritical Christian, you might find that following that Jesus just doesn’t sound too appealing. And you’d be right.
The good news is, that’s not the picture of Jesus the New Testament paints. He is full of truth, yet equally full of grace (John 1:14). He is not condemning (Romans 8:1), but is instead advocating on our behalf (1 John 2:1). He is a trustworthy guide (Luke 1:79), a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19), and a watchful shepherd (John 10:11).
And I think you’ll find this to be true: As you come to know Him as He truly is, you’ll be drawn to following Him more closely.

Following Today
What would your picture of Jesus look like? Consider drawing Him, if not with a sketch, at least with a description. Does your picture or description match up with what the Bible teaches about Jesus? Prayerfully begin to re-paint His image in your heart and mind today.

“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

You may not be familiar with the name, Stephen Grellet. Grellet was born in France, was a Quaker, and died in New Jersey in 1855. That’s about all we know about him, except for a few lines he penned that have made him immortal: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good I can do, or any kindness that I can show any human being, let me do it now and not defer it. For I shall not pass this way again.”

One day a man came to Jesus and asked Him what the most important verse was in the Bible. Jesus said, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the whole essence of Christianity. That summarizes the whole law and all the prophets. What was Jesus saying? He was saying that nothing matters more than relationships. NOTHING. Your relationship to God and to other people.
Jesus also said that the hallmark of being a Christian is love. By this shall all men know you are His disciple. Not that you have Bible knowledge, but that you love. The word for love in action is “kindness.” Kindness is simply love in action. It is not a feeling. It is something you do.

The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread & butter, that would be kindness. But if they put peanut butter & jelly on it, that would be loving-kindness.”

“Jesus is the kindness of God.” (Titus 3:4)

How is Jesus Kind to me?
He understands my weakness – Read Hebrews 4:15-16
He tells me the truth – Read John 8:32
He forgives my sin – Read Romans 3:23-24
He affirms my worth – Read Psalm 139:16-17

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time

Read Ephesians 4:32

Woudn’t it be wonderful if Christians were known by their kind spirit instead of their judgmental spirit?
In the early days of Christianity, there was some confusion among the pagans concerning the words “chrestos” which means kind, and “Christos” which means Christ, and the confusion carried over into uncertainty as to whether these strange people wer followers of someone they called Christos or whether they had a religion based on kindness. A most fortunate point of confusion!

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any wrong motive in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anyone whom I need to show kindness to as I enter this day?”

3.) Confession time
Q: Am I kind to others when I see their weakness?
Q: Do I tell the truth in love?
Q: Do I affirm the worth of those around me?

Spend a few moments in confession or your “poor” areas.

4.) Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Luke 10:29-37 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Ask yourself, “Would I react like the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan?”

5.) Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

7.) Petition Time
How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

8.) Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing God has impressed upon me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in My Obedience to God:

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – (Hebrews 10:24)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – God’s Word teaches that success in life plus failure in relationships = failure. Make a list of people with who you are experiencing failure relationally.

Wednesday – Commit yourself to the restoration of this relationship. Read Romans 12:18.

Thursday/Friday – It’s interesting to me that in Matthew 25, Jesus says that on Judgment Day, the one thing you’ll be judged for is how you treated other people. “I was thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, sick and in prison and you visited me.” What we’re talking about is the heart of Christianity –
Love in action.

For the next 12 days, minister to Christ by ministering to a hurting person.

Jesus Is My Hero

The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero.
-Isaiah 42:13-

Jesus is certainly superhero material. He may not have worn a flashy outfit, complete with leotard and a cape. He might not have had laser vision or bionic legs, but don’t let that fool you.
The citizens of first-century Palestine often sought His help. He multiplied a meager lunch into enough food for thousands. With little more than a few words, He transformed jugs of tap water into fine wine. His powerful hands healed incurable illnesses and lifelong disabilities. Violent storms were stilled by the sound of His voice. Demonic minions scattered at the mention of His name. On at least one occasion, He passed through a locked door as if it wasn’t even there. And though His sandals must have logged hundreds of miles during His life, He was not limited to such ordinary means of transportation. At the end of His life on earth, He ascended back into heaven without using a helicopter or a rocket suit.
Not even the archenemy Death could defeat Him. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? … Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). Jesus won that epic battle in a most decisive victory, standing up and walking out of His own grave.
Now that’s definitely superhero stuff. But do you want to know something truly incredible? Something absolutely amazing? Something really awesome? God gives that same power to those of us who believe in Him! It’s true! Hard to believe, I know. Not often experienced, I understand. But the better we know Jesus, the more we’ll imitate Him. And the more we know and follow Him, the more we understand the power-filled life that he promises (see Ephesians 1:17-23). God wants His power to be a part of your story. He offers you the power to overcome addiction, release the bitterness, repair the relationship, or whatever else you might add to this list. Nothing is too difficult for the God who conquered death.

Following Today
Are you living a life of power, or do you regularly feel defeated? In what areas of your life do you feel like you could use some heroic strength? Admit your weakness here. Then pray, believing God’s truth for you: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).

The Better Thing

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”-Luke 10:41-42-

Most of us resonate with Martha because we are a distracted culture.We are always on the move, always trying to get something done. Our phones are constantly dinging to let us know there is a text we need to return or an appointment we’re going to be late for.
Martha had Jesus right in front of her. I can imagine her grandchildren someday excitedly asking, “What was it like? Jesus in your home! That must have been awesome! What did He say? What was it like to be right there with Him?” And Martha would have to respond, “Well, to tell the truth, there were these fancy dishes I was trying to find. I never really even heard what He said. I just caught bits and pieces of the conversation as I flew back and forth through the room. Your great-aunt Mary will have to fill you in.”
How many times have we been so distracted that we’ve missed a divine appointment? How often does God long to speak to us, but He keeps getting our voicemail because we’re too busy to pick up.
The fruit of busyness seems obvious. Productivity. Effectiveness. Accomplishment. It’s easy to equate busyness with virtue or discipline. But Jesus evaluates it through a different lens, and the results become clear. Distraction. Anxiety. Misplaced emotion. So Jesus commended Mary for her choice to quietly sit and listen and learn. To set aside everything there was to do and simply take some time to be with Him. And in the end, Mary chose the best thing; in fact, it was the only thing that was really needed.

Following Today
Read the rest of this short story from Luke 10:38-42. Think through what dominates your to-do list. What causes you to become “worried and upset”? Are you tempted to view “time away” with the Lord as a distraction from your work? If so, confess your misplaced priorities to Jesus. Then make a conscious choice to sit and listen to Him each day. What would happen if, for the next 14 days, you scheduled time with Jesus at the beginning of each day? Mark it on your calendar. Choose what is better.

Another Wipeout

“You will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” -Isaiah 49:23-

When I was a young boy, I remember one time racing some of my friends on our bicycles. We were speeding down a hill and preparing to navigate a sharp left turn. I squeezed the handlebar to slow down and suddenly realized that my brakes did not work. I had a split-second decision to make: Ride the bike over the curb into the woods ahead, or dismount as quickly as possible. I decided to bail, sending the bike crashing into the trees ahead as I tumbled onto the asphalt below. It was a spectacular wipeout!
My guess is that you have had your share of wipeouts as well, if not literally, then figuratively. You were expecting smooth sailing, but a storm came up. You worked like a maniac to navigate the roadblocks, and you crashed into them instead. You tried to slam on the brakes, but only accelerated into disaster. You were following your dreams, and they turned out to be rabbit trails. Fired from your job; served with divorce papers; flunked out of college, drowning in debt.
Wipeout. Failure. Disappointment. And it’s not just situational, but relational too. You reached out for a helping hand only to find pointed fingers. You searched nearby faces for empathy or grace, and instead found ridicule and judgment. Your trust was returned with betrayal, your kindness repaid in abuse.
But God can redeem our failure. He can rescue us when we fall. Those who hope in Him will not be disappointed. Those who turn to Him find grace and mercy when they need it most (see Hebrews 4:16). When we are humbled, he lifts us up with His strong hand (1 Peter 5:6). And when we fall, He doesn’t rebuke, but proves Himself mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17).

Following Today
How were you disappointed most recently? It’s not too late to let your personal failure or disappointment point you to God. Write out a prayer — a personal psalm of sorts — expressing your trust in Him to turn your defeat into hope. Expect Him to come through.

When Sunday School Answers Aren’t Enough

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord….I want to know Christ.”
-Philippians 3:8, 10-

Several years ago, I listened as a minister friend of mine described a season in his life when he began to question just about everything he had always known about God. My friend had gone through a particularly difficult experience with one of his children, and it proved to be more than a speed bump in his spiritual journey.
The conversation was more of a monologue than a dialogue. I listened as he vented, and his thought progression was honestly hard to hear. He questioned aloud whether God really worked in all things for good. He struggled, believing that a good God would allow something so terrible to happen. He wondered if God wasn’t so quick to forgive after all, instead thinking that perhaps God was a vengeful and wrathful God, punishing the child for the past sins of the father. He thought perhaps he had been living a lie all along and doubted he could ever be truly secure in his salvation. And then he summed up his thoughts: “I’ve heard all those things my whole life; I guess I just got to the point where all the Sunday School answers weren’t enough.”
I’ll be honest. It was one of those moments when I couldn’t manufacture a great pastoral response. After all, what right answer could I give him that wouldn’t sound trite or rehearsed? What could I tell him that he hadn’t already heard — and even preached — for years? He had grown up in church. He was a third generation minister. By this point in his life, he had spent nearly 20 years teaching biblical truth to many people. But I couldn’t help but wonder — maybe his problem was that he grew up knowing the right answers but never really got to know Jesus.
The apostle Paul knew all the right answers — he was a well-trained Pharisee and teacher of the law. He had the right lineage, preached the right sermons, and lived the right way. He knew the right people and had the right testimony. But he also had the right perspective: All those right answers and actions proved “worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
And he had the right desire: “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10).
By the way, (and this might go without saying), it’s not that the Sunday School answers aren’t true. It’s just that they pale in comparison with knowing the one who said, “I am the truth.”

Following Today
Can you identify with this minister’s doubts? Think of a time in your own life when you questioned beliefs that you had long held to be true. Is it possible you have spent more time learning the right answers than getting to know Jesus? Pray today that Jesus would reveal Himself even more clearly to you as you read His Word.

Desperate

“Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.”
-Psalm 142:6-

In October of 2014, my daughter went to the hospital with a kidney stone. Kidney stones are very painful and very common for a lot of people. The situation was not handled properly at the hospital and a couple days later my daughter was back at the hospital in horrible shape. Her kidney stone had become infected and the infection found its way into her blood stream. She went into sepsis and septic shock and very quickly was in a life and death situation with her blood pressure dropping dangerously low at 80/40. We almost lost her several times. She was in the hospital for almost 3 months.
I’m happy to say that she survived and now almost a year & a half later she is pretty much back to normal. We are so thankful she is ok now and for the prayers of a lot of wonderful people on her behalf. But I remember especially my prayers for my daughter. I had never prayed like that before. They were not just prayers, but passionate, anxious, emotion-filled prayers. Prayers of desperation. Prayers through tears.
I’ll never forget the feeling of desperation as I called out to God. Have you ever found yourself in that kind of moment? The time when you had no idea how you would pay the mounting medical bills. The day you came home and found the note from your runaway child. The night your husband stormed out of the house. The appointment where you learned it was cancer. The officer at your door with a bowed head and a tragic report. The silent ultrasound. The joyless marriage. Your first Christmas without that loved one.
Here’s what I hope you’ll realize: In your moments of greatest desperation, you’ll discover that you can depend on Jesus. Desperation leads to dependence. So, run to Him. Cry out to Him. You’ll find a friend who sticks closer than a brother. You’ll experience a peace that surpasses your understanding. You’ll climb into a strong refuge and a safe hiding place. You’ll get to know Him as Immanuel, God with you.” And you’ll learn that He can be depended on when you need Him the most.

Following Today
Read Psalm 88. What words of the psalmist can you identify with? Recall a desperate moment or season in your life. Where did you run for help? Write out several lines of a prayer that begin with this phrase: “Lord, I need You to help me with. . .”

Glory In Suffering

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character; and character, hope.” -Romans 5:3-4-

Most of us don’t do suffering very well. We skim right over the word in Scripture, having bought into the false idea that once a person becomes a Christian, everything should be smooth sailing from that point on. We’d prefer to think that suffering is for other people.
It’s true that you do see plenty of suffering wherever you go. A simple walk through your neighborhood turns up some: Through an open window, you hear a husband and wife yelling at each other. You find out that your neighbor across the street just got a foreclosure notice. The weedy yard of the elderly couple on the corner tells you that the husband has died and his wife is now in a nursing home. The middle school student constantly on your doorstep has no desire to return to his abusive home.
But when YOU are the one with marital or financial or health problems, suddenly you want to call, “Time out! This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I’m on God’s team, and He’s supposed to make everything right.” You run to the nearest marital, financial, or health expert so they can supply you with a quick solution. “Dear God, suffering hurts too much!”
Have you picked up your Bible lately? It’s right there in black & white: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The point isn’t to elude problems and suffering, but to grow and learn from them. As the apostle Paul came to understand, we can actually “glory” in our sufferings, because they produce an abundant harvest — perseverance, character, and hope.
You are on God’s team, and He is making everything right! Remember that this valley you are walking through is only a shadow, and where there is a shadow, there is a light. So keep on walking. Keep following. Because Jesus, too, knows what it means to suffer. And he is walking right beside you.

Following Today
Read the beautiful and familiar 23rd Psalm. It’s only 6 verses, so read it slowly, more than once, maybe even out loud. As you do, make two distinct lists: In one column, list the verbs that indicate what you do (the word walk will come up, for example). In a second column, list the things that God does. Thank Him for the faithful goodness, comfort, and mercy.

God Stories Worth Telling

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9-

As a pastor, I really get into hearing people’s God stories. Often, it is my privilege to hear somebody’s story first hand in my office, or in the moments immediately following service at our church. Many of the stories are the Christian equivalent of rags to riches: Having been thrown out onto the trash heap of life, a person finds Jesus (or rather Jesus finds the person) and everything changes.
These are the kinds of stories that get retold. The details capture our attention: “I remember the day my husband left me, and I was suddenly a single mom with no job.” “I cried for days after I got the diagnosis.” “Then the stock market crashed and I lost everything.”
The outcomes bring glory to God: “My faith community surrounded me in a way my family never had.” “I never would have guessed how much God would teach me through no the months of chemotherapy and hospital visits.” :I learned firsthand that God will supply every need.”
Maybe you don’t have that kind of dramatic story. The details might seem fairly mundane and ho-hum. You may appreciate it, but other people might not observe much amazing about it. Maybe your story wouldn’t make the cut when the book of incredible testimonies is being compiled. But you still have a story worth telling. You have been saved by grace, through faith.

Following Today
Think about your personal God story. Does it seem revolutionary — or boring? Jot down a chronological outline of it. Try to remember the “mile marker” kind of moments where you put a stake in the ground or turned to go a new direction. Indicate those times when you clearly saw the hand of God at work, providing or guiding.

“Joy is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God.”

The true story is told of the translation of the New Testament from the English into the Eskimo language. Problems arose for the translators when they encountered certain words in English for which there is no corresponding word in the Eskimo language. For example, there is a passage which tells us that the disciples are filled with joy on seeing Jesus. But since there is no word for “joy” in the Eskimo language, the translators had to find another way to express the meaning of the passage. In their research, they discovered that one of the most joyful times for an Eskimo family is when the sled dogs are fed in the evening. The dogs come barking & yelping, running about and wagging their tails furiously, and the children are squealing with delight, and the neighbors too become part of the happy commotion. It is altogether a “joyous” time. Consequently, the translators used that particular event to help them convey the meaning of the Biblical passage. As a result, when the passage was translated back into English, it read: “When the disciples saw Jesus, they wagged their tails.”

Why I can be joyful in spite of circumstances:
*Because God is with me – Isaiah 43:2
*Because God has a plan for me – Psalm 50:15
*Because God will help me – Psalm 43:5

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time

Focus on the goodness of God. Think about the 3 reasons why you can be joyful in spite of circumstances. Which one of the 3 fills you with the most joy? Which one do you tend to forget? Spend a few minutes and let God’s Joy flood your life, regardless of your situation.

2.) Waiting Time
Zephaniah 3:17 gives us an interesting insight into the character of God when he writes: “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Knowing that God takes great delight in you, allow Him to :

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any wrong motive in my life that might steal away my joy.”

Show You.
“God, You know what potential difficulties I will face today. Prepare my heart for them and give me joy regardless of my situation.”

3.) Confession Time
Every relationship needs joy…not happiness.

Happiness is external. Joy is internal.
Happiness is based on chance. Joy is based on choice.
Happiness is based on circumstance. Joy is based on Christ.

Yet, many Christians seem to be without Joy!

Confess to God areas in which you seem to lack Joy…

4.) Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Romans 5:1-11 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

The secret of Joy is PERSPECTIVE!

5.) Meditation Time
After praying the Scripture, meditate on these thoughts:

Joy comes from understanding truth – v. 2
Joy comes from having a hope in the future – v.2
Joy comes from seeing the big picture – vs, 3-5
Joy comes from being accepted – v.9
Joy comes from having peace with God – v.11

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time by asking God to give Joy to the people for whom you are about to intercede. Remember, “The Joy of the Lord is our strength.”
Name Request

7.) Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to petition God properly:
…Talk to Him about the “little things”
…Be honest with God
…Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

8.) Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing God has impressed upon me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God:

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse – (John 15:11)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Read John 15:1-11. What things did Jesus talk about that will give us Joy?

Wednesday – Focus on giving rather than receiving.
Read 2 Peter 1:7

Thursday – Focus on healing rather than hurting.
Read Colossians 3:13 & Romans 5:3-4

Friday – Focus on God’s power rather than your problems.
Read Philippians 4:4