Month: November 2008

Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. A policeman comes to your aid and to add insult to injury, he gives you a ticket for speeding and talking on a cell phone with a buddy while driving. But he also gives you a business card for one of the best repair shops in town. As the wrecked heirloom enters into the repair shop, the master mechanic is grieved that such a classic vehicle has been so damaged. But he is also thrilled that you have chosen him to fix such a prized possession.

The Father Creator has provided opportunity for restoration, now enters the Son of God. Jesus Christ expresses his role in the restoration process in John 14.6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus is the way in the sense that he provided the sacrifice that was necessary in order to stay God’s wrath (Rom 5:9; 1 Thess 1:9; Is 53). He is the gate by which we come to salvation and are reconciled to the Father (Jn 10.1-5).

Jesus is the truth. In the midst of Satan’s lies and the lies of the world there is one true way (Jn 8.44, 1 Jn 2.15-16). The way is narrow and that is the only way. Truth is narrow by definition (Mt7.14). All other attempts or methods of trying to gain God’s favor or affection are lies from the pit of Hell (Gal 1.8). Jesus is the only means by which a man or woman can gain access to God. The integrity of this method is not based on our perceptions or beliefs but is based on the prerogative of the Designer of salvation (Jn 3.16, Rom 9.20). He is the one who determines the standard by which we interact in a right relationship with Him. He and He alone determines what truth is, for he has created all things and knows all things (Titus 1.2).

And Jesus is the life. Not only an aspect of life that comes through breathing, a moving and being, but he has life in a sense of the example to follow (Jn 13.15, Lk 6.40, 1 Jn 2.6, Eph 5.1). He is the supreme prototype (Col 1.15). Where Adam failed, Jesus lives in victory. He is all that the original image was meant to be. He modeled for us what the first Adam could not do (Rom 5.14-17, 1 Cor 15.22). Now we see clearly what God intended us to be through the life of Jesus Christ. It is not only his death and resurrection that are so vital for our restoration, but it is also his life, which is as equally essential (Jn 10.10).

As we look to him and follow his example, we too are becoming all we were meant to be. This is why Jesus’ life is so important to us. He is the only person, the only example, which we can possibly trust to follow without reservation and achieve the goal of glorifying God. He is the perfect image of God in human form (Heb 1.3, Col 1.15).

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. A policeman comes to your aid and to add insult to injury, he gives you a ticket for speeding and talking on a cell phone with a buddy while driving. But he also gives you a business card for one of the best repair shops in town. As the wrecked heirloom enters into the repair shop, the master mechanic is grieved that such a classic vehicle has been so damaged. But he is also thrilled that you have chosen him to fix such a prized possession. As the Master Mechanic looks at the wreck, it is unrecognizable. He will need to look at an original in order to make the repairs. He could have simply exchanged the old wreck for the model but the sentimental value forces him to restore the heap of mangled metal. Each repair is made only after looking to the original model to insure quality restoration. To be continued…

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”‘ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
(Luke 15:17-20)

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. A policeman comes to your aid and to add insult to injury, gives you a ticket for speeding and talking on a cell phone with a buddy while driving. But he also gives you a business card for one of the best repair shops in town.

We’ve discussed our circumstances as broken and spiritually dead people. Damaged goods, if you will. We also talked about how modern Christianity has mostly ignored God’s design for complete restoration by not moving beyond new birth into further spiritual transformation. Now I want to focus on several important components of restoration. We’ll take a look at the roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, I want to spend some time explaining how the Word of God, fellowship, and our active participation in the Kingdom plays a role in the restoration process. These are the mechanics, if you will, in the repair shop. Each has a specific job in repairing the image. Remember that God’s objective in this process is to return every man to his original state in order for him to be everything he was intended to be.

Let’s start with the Father. The Paternal figure of the Trinity is the source of life and the Head of the family. He is both nurturer and disciplinarian. Jesus gives us a very vivid picture of the Father figure in His parable of the Prodigal Son. The father is waiting on the son to return and when he does, the father expresses his joy and relief for the son’s return with lavish love. The picture is one not only of rebellion and recklessness, but reunion and reconciliation as well.

God expresses these same concepts in the Old Testament. His desires is that men will seek Him and be reconciled to Him. But in order to reconcile, there must be a realization of separation (Isa 59.2). Just as in the story of the prodigal son, once we make that realization, the journey home begins. It is that active seeking to return that pleases God. A couple of examples: In Jeremiah 29.11-13, God disciplines the children of Israel but assures them He has a plan for their welfare. His deepest desire is that they simply seek to have a relationship with Him on His terms. In 1 Chronicles 28.9, David is admonishing his son to seek God with all his heart. There are a set of two-pronged consequences associated with Solomon’s obedience to David’s admonition. If Solomon seeks God, he will find Him. But, if Solomon ignores God, he will be rejected forever. So God’s desire is that we acknowledge our waywardness and our great need for His design for our lives. He is waiting for our return.

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. A policeman comes to your aid and to add insult to injury, he gives you a ticket for speeding and talking on a cell phone with a buddy while driving. But he also gives you a business card for one of the best repair shops in town. As the wrecked heirloom enters into the repair shop, the master mechanic is grieved that such a classic vehicle has been so damaged. But he is also thrilled that you have chosen him to fix such a prized possession. To be continued…

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

Another devotional on Lordship. These are the changes one may see as they make Jesus the Lord of their lives.

Lordship Changes

Changed life – Gal 2.20
Changed direction – Lk 9.23
Changed mind – Rom 12.2
Changed mission – Mt 4.19
Changed occupation – Mt 4.18-22
Changed plan – Jer 29.11-13
Changing our God – Lk 24.52

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

Here’s a small devotional on the first steps to making Jesus the Lord of your life.

What does it mean to follow Jesus (Lordship)

Hear His voice – Jn 10.27
Take up a Cross – Lk 9.23
Obedience – Jn 14.21
Friends – Jn 15.4, 10
Be like Him – Lk 6.40
Forgive like Him – Lk 24.47

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

I’m going to be a little short on time over the weekend so I’ll post a few devotionals for your kitbag.

This is my introduction to Lordship (making Jesus not only my Savior but my Lord). When I’m talking to men about making Jesus the Lord of their lives, I point out Jesus’ submission to the Father. This helps me to explain the concept of lordship and continue to underscore Jesus as the model.

Jesus and the Lordship of the Father

Greater than Family – Mt 12, 46-50
Greater than Food – Jn 4.32-34
Greater than His own Will – Lk 22.42
Greater than His Life – Phil 2.8
It was His Job Description – Jn 6.38-39
Obedience = Love – Jn 14.21

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch.

The restoration of God’s image in His creation is so important He mentions His plan in the very beginning. In Genesis 3.15, God predicts the outcome of the great battle between Himself and Satan. There is an exchange of two wounds. Satan bruises the heel of the One come, but the chosen One will crush Satan’s head. This is the first mention in the Scriptures of God’s plan for restoration through a Messiah. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come and die for the sins of the people and then rise again on the third day. But Satan will be dealt a final death blow and his temporary reign will end.

It was thousands of years before the Messiah came. The relationship between man and God has its high points but normally falls far short of God’s desires. Although the Law of the Old Testament is instituted by God to help us, it is temporary and never meant to be a final solution for the marred image (Gal 3:17-29). Mankind waited for a Savior. It isn’t until Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead that real restoration begins (1 Pet 3.18).

But notice I said begins. Far too often this is where our spirituality begins and ends. The unfortunate focus of modern American Christianity is to secure salvation through whatever expedient means available. I believe in salvation by faith through grace and that conversion is an immediate, irrevocable gift from God (Rom 5.9-10). But, I also believe that many have been duped by the enemy into thinking that reciting a few words in prayer will unconditionally secure eternal life (2 Cor 13.5, Mt 7.21-23, Mt 13.24-30; Mt 13.36-50). An individual’s salvation is not hinged on a particular mantra they recite.

Salvation is directly connected to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Jn 14.6). The struggle in contemporary Christianity is not just securing an authentic conversion (justification through faith in Jesus Christ) but actively following the Savior Who has provided such a great salvation (Heb 5.12-6.1). Although many have received a true conversion, the real challenge lays in experiencing ongoing spiritual transformation (sanctification, Phil 2.12-13, Rom 12.1-2).

God’s plan to restore the image goes far beyond the cross (Col 2.6-7). It is a process of restoration evident by real change in a person’s life. It ultimately finds its end in a completely repaired image of God (glorification, 1 Cor 15.51-53). The remainder of this article will talk about the restoration process. So stick around and keep reading as we pursue the restoration of the image of God in us.

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. A policeman comes to your aid and to add insult to injury, gives you a ticket for speeding and talking on a cell phone while driving. But, he also gives you a business card for one of the best repair shops in town. To be continued…

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

It’s like a mint condition ‘57 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch.

Adam and Eve have the perfect environment with a perfect relationship with God. But Satan will have none of that. He tricks the two into disobeying their Creator by twisting His words. It is interesting that the temptation for them is to be even more like God (Gen 3.5). After eating the fruit, the serpent promised they would have knowledge like God (Perhaps Satan’s temptation sounded more like, “You can be gods yourselves.” It seems this temptation plagues us to this day).

This is not part of God’s original intent and when they fall into sin, the image is marred. There can be too much of a good thing (Gen 3.22). In fact, the image was so ravaged by sin, it was no longer recognizable and separated them from their Maker with a spiritual death (Gen 3.8, Rom 6.23).

And now we have great difficulty bringing glory to God, as was intended. Instead, like a little god, we strive to bring glory only to ourselves. But even in this state of separation and destruction we still maintain our value with God. His sentiments are still with us because we are crafted in His image. So much so, that if one is murdered, it is the image that makes this crime so horrific (Gen 9.6). And now, from the prototype to the present, every reproduced image has the same self-destructive flaw of sin (Rom 3.23). The image of God’s offspring is in desperate need of restoration.

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. As you are driving it home, you take the corner too fast and roll the antique car in the ditch. To be continued…

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

It’s like a mint condition 1957 Chevy given to you by your grandfather. To be continued…

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus