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 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 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…
“For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
(Mark 13:19-20)
My first duty assignment was at Ft. Bragg, NC. My fear that something bad could happen during a jump subsided and so did my chapel attendance. But during one of my sporadic spells of superstition, I met an ex-Special Forces guy named Tom. He was a very committed Christian and he played soccer with a bunch of guys on Sunday afternoons. So we started hanging out together. He invited me to a Bible study, which I attended a couple of times. I listened to what they had to say about Jesus dying on the cross and how faith in Him would give me forgiveness for my sins. I had heard all that before but these guys were living their daily lives like it was really true. I thought they were religious fanatics and distanced myself. One day out of the blue, Tom invited me to a movie (based on a bestselling book) called “The Late Great Planet Earth.” It was about the end of the world and the return of Jesus Christ. I was so interested (and scared) I bought the book as well. At the end of the book, there was an invitation to receive Christ as a personal Lord and Savior. I thought that if I would pray this little prayer, I would have eternal life. I wouldn’t have to worry about the end of the world or Hell or any other bad thing. So I prayed the prayer as though I were buying fire insurance. I really wasn’t sorry for my sins nor did I have any intentions of changing my life.
Chapter 1: The Beginning
Chapter 2: Jesus is Watching You
Chapter 3: Paratrooper Religion
Chapter 4: Afraid of being Left Behind
Chapter 5: The Geographical Solution
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 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
Motivation for the Word
On a scale of 1-10 how important is…
· The Word of God tells the truth – 2 Tim 3.16
· It is essential to my success – Josh 1.8
· It gets to the root of my problems – Heb 4.12
· Reading it is a priority – Mat 6.33
· Its essential for effective ministry – 2 Tim 2.15
Ezra 7.10, Mat 4.4
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 have heard many people use Jesus’ words “do not judge” as a parry to any exhortation or rebuke to their lifestyle. But that is not what Jesus said nor was that His intent (Luk 17:3). Again, I think Jesus is going after motive and purpose. If the accuser has the intent of condemning or retaliation, they are clearly in the wrong. But if their purpose is for correction and restoration then they are following the “love your brother as yourself” principle (Luk 6:31). Introspection is the key to correcting sin in another’s life (Gal 6:1). As we see the log in our own eye, we are far less likely to attack a person for their short comings. When we consider our own failings we come with a sense of humility and compassion. This does not mean we cannot be direct but it does mean we should tell the truth in love (Eph 4:15).
But what about matters of restitution and discipline? These are matters for the assembly, not the individual. Jesus clearly outlines in Matthew chapter 18 how an unrepentant member of the Family of God should be addressed. We first appeal to them as an individual (Mt 18:15). If that does not work, we are to go to the brother with two or three (Mt 18:16). If they are still unrepentant, we are to take them before the assembly (Mt 18:17). The assembly, not the individual, determines matters of restitution or discipline (1 Cor 6.1-8, Mt 18:17, denial of fellowship).
As Disciplemakers, we will be involved in correction, exhortation, and rebuke (2Ti 4:2). How we go about delivering the message is just as important as the message itself. Two ingredients help us tell the truth in love: humility (Phil 2.5-8) and restoration (Mt 18:15). Looking in the mirror and reviewing our own areas of sin should help us with our attitude and approach as we correct. The goal is always restoration, never retaliation or revenge (Rom 12.17-21). The process is meant to be helpful, not condemning.
Tips for correcting a disciple
· Pray (and pray some more)
· Know the circumstances
· Go to the source (third party triangles will always get you in trouble)
· Ask questions
· Don’t accuse
· Help them understand and own their failure
· Give examples of the infractions
· Share your own struggles in that particular area
· Use Scripture when appropriate
· Be gentle (Chuck Wood’s definition of gentleness: using only the amount of pressure to get the object to move)
· Pick your battles wisely
· Earn the right to be heard
· Use encouragement more often than correction
If you have other tips or passages on correction or rebuking, I’d love to hear them.
FJ86
Read Mt 7.1-6, Lk 6.37-42
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
(Matthew 7:1)
Jesus makes it clear that the way we treat people is the way we will be treated.
This is not only an amazing statement as it refers to self-preservation but also has implications for how to teach others to live. Our natural bent when offended is to require justice; that the wrong be righted. This is especially true when we are personally affected. We require some restorative or punitive action for the wrong committed. That would be justice. Jesus, on the other hand, asks His disciples to absorb such an offense and apply mercy and grace. Jesus Himself was the perfect model of absorbing wrongs for the sake of the Kingdom (Luk 23:34). However, the principle goes deeper than our actions toward others; it has a direct connection to how others will treat us (both by men and by God, Luk 6:31, Mt 18:35). Acting like Jesus has great personal value. When we are compassionate, we receive compassion. When we are merciful, we receive mercy. On the other hand, if we demand justice, that is exactly what we will receive (and I doubt anyone standing before the Righteous Judge of mankind will demand justice rather than mercy for their own personal deeds).
Teaching others to have this attitude in them is easy enough but seeing them live it out is another thing (Phil 2.5-8). This gets at the core of who the disciple really is. Their character is challenged as they scratch and scrape for fair treatment. The way of the Master is to absorb such affliction and then forgive (1 Pet 2.21-24). Certainly, there is room for correction but not retaliation (Rom 12.17-21). True transformation is seen when a disciple begins to trust God for the outcomes and respond as Jesus would. The Old Covenant way leaves plenty of room for personal justice (Exo 21:24). The New Covenant way leaves plenty of room for Jesus (Mt 5.38-48).
Today we talked about individual justice in light of Jesus’ way, next time, corporate justice…
FJ85
Welcome to the new readers from Botswana and Burundi, Africa.
For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…
Jesus establishes the top priorities for every disciple.
The life of a disciple is simple: seek the Father’s ways first. His ways are wrapped up in two elements: His Kingdom and His righteousness. Pretty basic, right? Well in concept at least. But it is clear that God’s interests come before any other. Whether they be family, career, recreation, school or even personal desires, they all become subservient to the Father’s lordship and character.
Again this goes back to changing a person’s values. Discipleship is putting God at the center of every decision I make. It is teaching disciples how to consider the Kingdom before they buy that next car or house. God’s righteousness should be integrated into every relationship in which they are engaged. Jesus Christ should be at the center of everything they are and do. If we want to know how much work it will take to infuse these priorities into a young disciple’s life, we don’t have to look any further than the mirror. This is why modeling and patience is so important. We have to set the example for Kingdom living. We have to recognize that spiritual transformation in light of God’s righteousness takes time. Keep plugging and praying.
Some Thermometers of Kingdom Living
· How do I spend my time
· How do I spend my money
· How do I recreate
· Whom do I hang out with
· Whom am I serving
· How often do I say “No” to myself
· Do I do all of the above in light of God’s Kingdom and Righteousness
FJ84
ToBeLikeJesus 