One Week After the Boston Marathon

It's sad to think of all the tragedies that our country has experienced this last year. It started last Summer with the mass shooting in a movie theater in Aurora, CO. Then, last December, we were saddened by the news of the elementary school shooting in Newtown, PA. Then, most recently, one week ago today, we received word that two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, leaving many people severely injured.  Each of these were heinous crimes committed by people living in darkness.

In previous blog posts, I have addressed the sovereignty of God and why He allows these thing to happen, so I won't spend time with that here. I simply want to address the fact that our world needs Jesus. I am most certain that none of these tragedies would have happened if the murderers were living in Christ. Jesus makes all the difference. He is the answer.

Jesus words in John 10:10 are very clear, "The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Those who align themselves with the thief will walk in darkness. There are many false religions in the world that lead down a path of destruction. Verse nine in that chapter says that those who trust in Christ will be saved. When we make the decision to follow Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, who will radically change our heart and minds. We will no longer walk in the darkness of sin and death. We will step into the light of Jesus which inspires us to greatness. The blinders come off of our eyes and enable us to see the world as God sees it. We are changed people. The work of the Holy Spirit will bring about the fruit of the spirit which is: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Our world is decaying before us. As followers, we know that the world will become a more and more dark and sinful place. We need an awakening. We need revival. We need followers of Jesus who are willing to be salt and light in their workplace. People who are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's reach our neighbors for Christ. Who knows, we may have Tsarnaev's living next door to us.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Are we there yet?

Growing up, my family took several long road trips. I spent my childhood living in Homestead, Florida, which is at the southernmost tip of the state, just north of the Keys. In order to vacate in another state, we had to drive at least 10 hours. One Summer, our family drove from Homestead up to Maine for family vacation. Imagine that! As any child would, I struggled to stay focused during the drive. I knew where I came from and I knew where we were going, but the trip grew long. All I could see was the road ahead and the signs, trees and other cars we were passing. As a child, my limited understanding of mileage and time caused me to ask this famous question, several hundred times on that trip: Are we there yet? In other words, when would we reach our destination? 

I currently find myself in a season of life when I have been asking God this very question: Are we there yet? Eight months ago I was serving along side a lead pastor and enjoying ministry as his associate. Little did I know that soon after that, my senior pastor would leave the church leaving me to serve as the only pastor on staff in a church of 150+ people in weekly attendance. This season of interim ministry has been stretching. I have been stretched to fulfill all of the weekly ministry needs, in addition to leading a growing student ministry. At times I have felt in over my head. I have been more than ready for a lead pastor to respond to God's call to serve here. I know where we as a church want to be, but when will we reach our destination of having a senior pastor in place?

The disciples of Jesus found themselves in a similar situation as recorded at the end of Mark 4. They got into a boat to sail across the sea. While crossing the sea, a huge storm moved in. The wind was strong. The waves were so fierce that water drenched the boat. The disciples were stressed and ready to get to their destination. They couldn't handle the stress on their own. The disciples decided to wake Jesus from a nap, and they asked Him to do something about the storm. Jesus responded by calming the storm and then He told the disciples to relax.

What kind of situation do you find yourself in? Perhaps you know the destination and where you would like to be, but right now it is difficult to see the finish line. Maybe you're in the midst of a crises season of life and have been asking God: Are we there yet? Remember that Jesus is still in the business of calming storms. For me, God has given me strength during this interim ministry in being the lone pastor at my church. Trust in Jesus. He wants to calm the storm in your life and help you get to where you want to be.

Stop Doubting and Believe

I see too many Christians living as if Jesus were dead.  C'mon man, there is so much evidence to the contrary.  First of all are the eyewitness accounts of those who were with Jesus.  We read of those in the Bible and other books.  Then, we have the power of the Holy Spirit which came on the day of Pentecost.  Jesus promised there would come a Helper following His ascension the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit now resides in believers and is operational in those who have surrendered completely to Him.  I have seen the Holy Spirit work in my life and in the lives of others, further evidence that Jesus is alive.

Too often we allow our circumstances in life to create doubt that leads to our falling away from our faith in Jesus Christ.  This happened to Thomas.  We read in John 20:24 that Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus appeared on the first Easter.  Thomas withdrew from fellowship.  Thomas was dealing with the fact that his master, Jesus, had just been arrested and crucified.  He was distraught, depressed and had fallen away from his faith in Jesus.  We know this because when the disciples told him they had seen Jesus, he didn't believe them.  He wanted visible evidence.  Jesus met Thomas in his doubt.  Jesus wasn't turned off by Thomas' doubt.  Instead He proved to Thomas that He was alive.  Jesus told Thomas, "Stop doubting and believe."

Many of us need to hear those words, stop doubting and believe.  Are your circumstances so great, that you are questioning God's goodness and love?  Jesus wants to meet you in the middle of your circumstance.

If Jesus were to walk into the room where you are right now, how would you respond?  I know that I would fall on my face in worship.  This is how I want to live my life.  Romans 12:1 says, "Offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship."  We can worship God with our lives and live in light of Jesus' resurrection, by the power and filling of the Holy Spirit.  

In order for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we need to be completely surrendered.  If we're riding the fence of doubt, our witness will be mediocre.  Jesus doesn't deserve a mediocre follower.  There is no room in the kingdom of God for fence riders.  Jesus deserves His followers to be all in.

These are difficult days to follow Jesus.  The government is making it more difficult to hold to our Biblical values and faith.  When persecution comes, our faith will be tested.  Only those who are all in will take a stand for Jesus.

May our lives be empowered by His Spirit, may we be ignited with a holy passion to represent Jesus well.  May we live as if we've just seen Jesus.