“You . . . will say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets’ . . . but he will say ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’” (Luke 13:26-27) Jesus was speaking to a large crowd telling them that one day many of them might be surprised to find they had it all wrong.
In the United States today there are many different religions. The big ones people identify themselves with, according to a Pew Forum on Religion & Public survey, are Protestant Christians (51.3%), Catholics (23.9%), Mormons (1.7%), Jews (1.7%), Atheists (1.6%) and Muslims (.6%). Clearly, the majority of U.S. citizens are religious, even the atheists. They are their own god.
Why are so many of us religious? Maybe we were born with an inclination to worship just like we were born with a desire to eat and drink. In our house of worship we may enjoy the feeling of community, helping others and learning. Our religious exercises may bring a sense of hope, a peace and security. Perhaps we even find some ease with the guilt we bear and helpful counsel for the challenges of our life. This appears good, but is that the overall purpose of our chosen religion or respective form of worship?
What if we got it all wrong? What happens if five minutes after we die the self-professed Christian, Catholic, Mormon, Jew, Atheist and Muslim all go “Oops!” Obviously, it is too late then. Now is the time to begin questioning our faith so we face our future with confidence and not fear or doubt.
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Well, what is the will or desire of the God of heaven? It is to love Him and love others. How do you love God? You love Him by obeying His commandments and believing in His only Son, Jesus. Through God and His mission for us do we find who we were created to worship.
Do not be among that number who will be eternally disillusioned five minutes after their last breath. Turn from your attempts at being religious. Discover what it means to know God personally through Jesus. Go beyond rituals to a relationship. Go beyond good deeds to a life transformed and on mission with God. Go beyond knowing about God to walking with Him moment by moment. Before it is too late, lay the title deed to your life down at the feet of the one who made you. Follow Him and embrace His hope for you today.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
HOPE FOR TODAY: A Resolution for Real Happiness
This year an estimated 139 million Americans will do some type of New Year’s resolution. That is about 45% of our population. By June, 92% will have failed to follow through while only 8% will make it to the finish line.
A resolution is a determination to make a change. It is a statement of purpose backed up with a sense of resolve and firmness, like “I make a resolution to lose 25 pounds this year.” Some of those changes are related to health, education, career, finances, relationships and habits.
What is the underlying reason for our resolutions? Likely, it is something deeper than just making changes. For some it could be because they are not happy with how things are going in their lives? Someone might have thought, “If I can just get this mountain of debt paid off I can be at peace with myself.”
With that in mind, consider this statement from author and motivational speaker, Stephen Shapiro. After reviewing the data from a major research project he said, “People who achieve their resolutions every year are NO happier than those who do not set resolutions or who are unsuccessful in achieving them.”
Personally, I found that surprising when I read it. However, after some further thought, it made sense to me. We can work hard at changing the outward circumstances of our lives thinking it will affect our inward restlessness. Yet, after some time has passed, no matter whether we were successful or not, that lack of happiness is still there.
Through sheer determination, self-will and a positive attitude we cannot control everything in our lives or world. We are not gods. We may be able to produce for ourselves happiness for a moment or a brief season of time, but we cannot produce anything that is for a lifetime that continues despite our circumstances from day to day.
There is only one God and He created us that we may know Him personally. Only through His Son, Jesus, can we find answers to the deep things of the heart and soul. In Him, we will discover that He is whom we have really needed all along. He once said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When we come to Jesus and walk with Him in faithful obedience, we will find His indwelling presence always there providing all we need no matter the situation in our lives.
You will only find temporary happiness in your resolutions, but you will find lasting peace through Jesus. In Him is your hope for today.
A resolution is a determination to make a change. It is a statement of purpose backed up with a sense of resolve and firmness, like “I make a resolution to lose 25 pounds this year.” Some of those changes are related to health, education, career, finances, relationships and habits.
What is the underlying reason for our resolutions? Likely, it is something deeper than just making changes. For some it could be because they are not happy with how things are going in their lives? Someone might have thought, “If I can just get this mountain of debt paid off I can be at peace with myself.”
With that in mind, consider this statement from author and motivational speaker, Stephen Shapiro. After reviewing the data from a major research project he said, “People who achieve their resolutions every year are NO happier than those who do not set resolutions or who are unsuccessful in achieving them.”
Personally, I found that surprising when I read it. However, after some further thought, it made sense to me. We can work hard at changing the outward circumstances of our lives thinking it will affect our inward restlessness. Yet, after some time has passed, no matter whether we were successful or not, that lack of happiness is still there.
Through sheer determination, self-will and a positive attitude we cannot control everything in our lives or world. We are not gods. We may be able to produce for ourselves happiness for a moment or a brief season of time, but we cannot produce anything that is for a lifetime that continues despite our circumstances from day to day.
There is only one God and He created us that we may know Him personally. Only through His Son, Jesus, can we find answers to the deep things of the heart and soul. In Him, we will discover that He is whom we have really needed all along. He once said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When we come to Jesus and walk with Him in faithful obedience, we will find His indwelling presence always there providing all we need no matter the situation in our lives.
You will only find temporary happiness in your resolutions, but you will find lasting peace through Jesus. In Him is your hope for today.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HOPE FOR TODAY: Miracle Beyond 34th Street
In 1947, one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all-time was released, “Miracle on 34th Street”. It was an instant hit winning five Oscars, obtaining millions of viewers and becoming one of the top 10 most inspiring films of the last 100 years, according to the American Film Institute.
In the movie, Kris Kringle (the real Santa Claus), becomes incensed when he observes the designated Macy’s Santa flat out drunk during the Thanksgiving Day parade. Eventually, Kris is awarded the job himself. Despite his success at the job, he spends the movie trying to convince people, especially the adults, that he is not a fake, but the real Santa. Through a number of twists and turns the end of the movie finds a judge being put on the spot to decide if Kris Kringle is the real Santa or not.
Although I love the heartwarming film, the real story of Christmas is noticeably absent. Just as Kris Kringle was incensed at his Santa imposter so Jesus likely is at the revision of modern Christmas where He is replaced with a business friendly Santa Claus. The origins of Christmas go back to between 3 and 5 B.C. On a starlit night in the small country town of Bethlehem was born a little baby boy named Jesus who would eventually grow up to change the world. Years later, followers turned His birth into a celebration calling it Christmas after Jesus the Christ child.
Santa can offer the gift of a toy and or other things, but only Jesus continues to offer the original and greatest Christmas gift ever – the forgiveness of sins for all those who will believe in Him. The Bible says about Jesus’ birth, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This gift promises to bring the hope of a new life, freedom from guilt and rest for the soul. As part of your task to find the perfect gift this Christmas, turn to the Bible and read about the greatest gift that is still available and without charge. May Jesus bring hope to your Christmas this season.
In the movie, Kris Kringle (the real Santa Claus), becomes incensed when he observes the designated Macy’s Santa flat out drunk during the Thanksgiving Day parade. Eventually, Kris is awarded the job himself. Despite his success at the job, he spends the movie trying to convince people, especially the adults, that he is not a fake, but the real Santa. Through a number of twists and turns the end of the movie finds a judge being put on the spot to decide if Kris Kringle is the real Santa or not.
Although I love the heartwarming film, the real story of Christmas is noticeably absent. Just as Kris Kringle was incensed at his Santa imposter so Jesus likely is at the revision of modern Christmas where He is replaced with a business friendly Santa Claus. The origins of Christmas go back to between 3 and 5 B.C. On a starlit night in the small country town of Bethlehem was born a little baby boy named Jesus who would eventually grow up to change the world. Years later, followers turned His birth into a celebration calling it Christmas after Jesus the Christ child.
Santa can offer the gift of a toy and or other things, but only Jesus continues to offer the original and greatest Christmas gift ever – the forgiveness of sins for all those who will believe in Him. The Bible says about Jesus’ birth, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This gift promises to bring the hope of a new life, freedom from guilt and rest for the soul. As part of your task to find the perfect gift this Christmas, turn to the Bible and read about the greatest gift that is still available and without charge. May Jesus bring hope to your Christmas this season.
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