Tag Archive - Jesus
23

LEGALISM: My Recovery From This Addiction

I don’t know when it started, I just remember when God spoke directly to me and told me it was wrong.

You see, I’m a recovering legalist.

There was a time in my life when I used to think it was up to me to do all the right things. To have more check marks than x marks on my list of do’s.

I’d even see people who were doing things and think about how much better I was because I wasn’t doing them.

It wasn’t like I didn’t have issues. It was just that mine weren’t as easy to see, weren’t as easy to point out. I’d see someone doing something in public that I thought was wrong and think about how much better I was because no one saw my junk.

What I came to realize is that many of these things weren’t undeniably wrong, they were just my way of judging and getting a leg up on others.

It took me some time, but I finally came to realize that God isn’t keeping score to see if He loves me or not, that’s already a given.

What He does care about is that I’m surrendered to Him, that I seek hard after Him.

Ultimately, I had to realize that God just wants me. Not my deeds, not my perfection, just me.

It’s freed me beyond explanation. What I do now, instead of trying to see another’s sins, I seek to be like Jesus.

The actions will come with it.

I’m Jonathan and im a recovering legalist.

Are you?


Written by on June 2, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement, Life

11

Looks Like Forgiveness

We talk a lot about forgiveness this time of the year…
for good reason.

For those of us that have received the forgiveness of Christ,
we really have no excuse not to forgive others.

But I have to admit,
I struggle with forgiveness.

I struggle to let go of things when people hurt those that are closest to me and dearest to my heart.

It’s always more of a struggle for me to forgive when it’s someone close to me that’s hurting than when someone has hurt me directly.

I tend to want to protect those that are closest to me…even more than myself.

And so I battle to forgive.
To forgive others and to not let bitterness harbor in my heart.

I’ve come to realize that forgiveness usually requires an action.

Sure, we have to deal with forgiving others on a personal level with God, but it usually requires we take action to move past the hurt with the person that caused it in the first place.

  • We reach out to them even though they may not deserve it.
  • We pray for them to be blessed and see growth.
  • We take the first step to repair the relationship.

Forgiveness usually requires action…it usually looks like something.

For Jesus it looked like a cross, 3 nails, and an empty tomb.

Where does forgiveness start for you?

What does forgiveness look like from a practical standpoint for your life situation?


Written by on April 21, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Life

6

Choking Under Pressure

Growing up, I loved playing baseball.

I was actually kinda good at the game, but there was one particular situation that I almost always failed in…

Executing under pressure.

I still remember the 2 outs, down by 1 scenario that every baseball player dreams of. What’d I do? I struck out for the first time all game.

The final out scenario when I got an easy popup at first base. What’d I do? I let the ball fall out of my glove.

I never was good at executing under pressure. I usually messed it up.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

Jesus took the pressure off.

The end is not in doubt. He’s already overcome the world.

What I have to do is just run up the score.

It’s amazing the freedom and joy that comes when the pressure’s off.

It doesn’t mean that I can quit, it just means that it isn’t up to me.

Operating in complete freedom and victory makes life a lot more fun than it would be if the end was in doubt!


Written by on April 6, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Life

32

Which Came First? Chicken or Egg?

The common question is what came first, the chicken or the egg.
I lean toward the chicken since God created it, but that’s not the point of this post.

The point? As Christians we have to know what comes first… Jesus or getting our actions right.

A lot of Christians want the egg before they have the chicken.

They want to change their behavior before they allow God to change their heart.
This leads to nothing but frustration and often quitting because it’s impossible to get right.

A lot of Christians want others to do the same… To become perfect before they will “accept” them.

It will NEVER happen.

The key to our Christian life isn’t trying to clean up and become a trophy to sit on the shelf.
A life truly lived for Christ seeks Him first and leaves the behaviors up to him.
A life truly lived for Christ is about fighting to become more about Him and less about self.

You see, I’ve noticed something during my short life…
When I seek Jesus, I become more like Him.

It’s the natural result.

If your frustrated with your actions and are on the verge of giving up or giving in, return to the Father and be changed from the inside out.

Spend time getting to know Him, beg Him to change your heart, and gain a better appreciation for His love and grace.

Don’t try to find the eggs before you have the chicken.

PS: I’m in no way calling Jesus an actual chicken. It’s just a metaphor. :-)


Written by on March 3, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Life

21

More Of ______.

Matthew 15:33 The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?”

Instead of looking at what’s in front of you, look at the capabilities of the God that is with you.

You have more than you think.

More than you see.

More than you can manufacture.

You have…

More promise.
More potential.
More resources.
More ability.
More comfort.
More future.
More purpose.
More hope.
More joy.
More love.
More _____.

Than you think you do.

You have more than what you realize.

The disciples sure did.

Matthew 15:37 They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.

What do you need to know that you have more of than you could have imagined? Fill in the blank…

I have more _______.


Written by on February 22, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Encouragement

27

5 Signs It’s Not About Jesus

We live in a messed up world.

People have taken something that is so easy and revolutionary and turned it into something complicated and regular.

Here are 5 signs that what you have isn’t Jesus, but something else…

1. You believe that people around you are suddenly unworthy of your company because you’re a “Christian.” (Mark 1:40-45)

2. You’ve locked yourself up in a bubble of Christian people. You make no effort to build relationships outside of the faith. (Matthew 9:10)

3. You have an easy time following Jesus. (Mark 8:35)

4. You believe that you don’t have to give to a local church because it’s YOUR money. (1 Corithians 10:26)

5. You believe that it’s possible to “go overboard” for Jesus. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Any more to add?


Written by on February 2, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Church Ministry, Featured

16

Feelin Around In The Dark

A few nights ago I had trouble going to sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning, I decided just to get up for a few minutes and try again later. Like every person awake well after their bedtime, I decided I needed something to eat. So, I grabbed the bag of M&M’s on the counter and started eating.

As I was pouring the second handful, I dropped an M&M. Knowing that chocolate isn’t good for dogs, I decided that I better not just try to kick it under the counter, but better pick it up. As I felt around in the dark, I couldn’t find it. I rubbed my hand across the floor all over, but couldn’t find it for anything.

Eventually, I had an idea…

I turned the light on. I found the M&M about 10 feet from the spot I was looking. Apparently that sucker rolled a while after I dropped it.

Aside from being a pitiful illustration, this taught me a lesson.

Don’t feel around blindly for something that can be easily seen in the light.

We all do it…

  • We jump from job to job looking for something to make us happy.
  • We chase goal after goal looking for purpose.
  • We try method after method looking for satisfaction.
  • We strive for perfection looking for acceptance.

The entire time, we’re just feeling around in the dark.

We seldom take the time to turn the light on – talk to God, listen to God, and obey God.

The truth is,

  • God does want us to be happy.
  • He does have a purpose for us.
  • He does offer satisfaction.
  • He already accepts us.

And He’s waiting to tell us.
He’s waiting to direct us.

Our first instinct is often just to feel around in the dark.

Turn the light on and turn the world UPSIDE down.


Written by on January 13, 2011 and categorized under Blog, Life

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