HOUSE PARTY: December 2010

Rediscover You - Day 17 - Matthew 17

Nothing is impossible

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Do you ever have those days when you just want to shut down? Life is too much. Everything is overwhelming. You just can't seem to do it all. I have. Actually, this week has been like that!

This scripture is so simple and yet the promise is true - if you have even a tiny amount of faith, you can move a mountain! That's ginormous! Don't give up today. We serve a big God & we can do big things through Him, even with only a tiny bit of faith. Nothing is impossible for you.

Rediscover You - Day 16 - Matthew 16

^{Lose Your Life?}

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Today's portion from Matthew was a great reminder even for me that a relationship with God is a daily thing. In today's culture we just want instant gratification; do things with a push of a button, etc...I'm surprised we can't buy things by just breathing.

This scripture is saying everyday you have to take up your cross and follow Him. And in kind of a backwards thinking, if you want your save your life, you'll lose it. I know...crazy! Get this, whoever loses their life for Him will find it! If somehow you get everything in the world yet lose your own soul...what's the point? What have you really gained?

Take this as a reminder to seek after God, everyday! It's a daily process!

Rediscover You - Day 15 - Matthew 15

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease.

²¹ Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Gentile^[e] woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

²³ But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

²⁴ Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

²⁵ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

²⁶ Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

²⁷ She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

²⁸ “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

When I was asking if I should call a radio station that I had applied to work at, my college professor told me a funny phrase that I had never heard before- "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease!"

In whatever we do in life, we can choose to blend in with the crowd or stand out and speak up! Whether it is for ourselves and a job, or our family, or even for God, the ones that persevere will be richly rewarded, just like the woman in the story above. We have the choice every day to stand, will you?

Rediscover You - Day 14 - Matthew 14

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Stand For What's Right.

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ¹¹ His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

I don't remember what exactly it was that I got in trouble for, but I vividly remember sitting in the office of the place I worked as a teen getting ready for some sort of punishment and seeing a poster on the wall. It said "Stand up for what's right, even if you are standing alone."

That has stood with me since then, and the story from how John the Baptist died reminded me again that a lot of the time, saying the right thing and saying the right thing is tough and goes against the flow of what everyone else is doing. It might be awkward, embarrassing, or may even be costly in one way or another. It may even cost you your life someday. But never be discouraged in doing the right thing, and asking God to give you guidance and strength to do it!

Rediscover You - Day 13 - Matthew 13

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Don't Choke.

²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

This Christmas has been more stressful for me than previous ones, and I'm not sure why. I think I am worrying more about how I am going to pay for all the things we have gotten for ourselves and others in the last month, is it getting in the way of me living for Christ and following the Word?

Absolutely.

There are so many places in the bible that talk about not worrying about your life, that if you are following God's plan and focusing on Him, that things will work out. I have never really been able to do that... to "let go" so to speak of my life and let God fully handle things.

The accumulation of "stuff" is not what I was put on this world to do. What God really wants me for? Well I should spend some more time with Him to figure that out :)

Rediscover You - Day 12 - Matthew 12

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Words Matter.

³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

A few days ago I told my wife that she looked super skinny in this sweater she was wearing... The response of course was "so I don't look super skinny at other times?"

What a good reminder of how every word has meaning, something I have to remind myself daily, especially since my words go out to lots of people. But even though you may not be on the radio, remember that every empty word we say will be judged at one point. Our words have great ability to build up and to tear down, remember to use them to build today!

Rediscover You - Day 11 - Matthew 11

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Find Rest.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

What a perfect verse to find in this CRAZY Christmas season! My wife is constantly reminding me how behind we are in sending out Christmas Cards, getting Christmas Presents.... and we haven't even decorated AT ALL! ACK! Not to mention the parties and the get togethers and the volunteering and you get a time of the year that should be the most merry and relaxed but is the most rushed and stressful!

We know it's not gadgets or toys or eggnog that will bring rest to this season, ironically it is the reason we celebrate the season that brings true rest: Jesus Christ! Take those burdens and just like when you throw all your shopping bags in the back of your van and breathe a great *sigh*, throw the worries of this world on Him and take a deep breath!

Rest won't come to you this season, you have to find it, just remember where to look!

Rediscover You - Day 10 - Matthew 10

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Shake The Dust Off Your Feet.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. [...] 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

How do you deal with rejection? Is it something that you fear to the point where you are even afraid to start following your dreams because of the fear of someone making fun or looking down on what you personally believe?

Maybe you rely on other people's opinions too much, like I did as a kid. It was 6th grade, and at that point I wanted to be a Weatherman on TV. Until it was the weather chapter in my science class, and I got a C+ on the test. My parents were out of town so I was staying with a family friend, and when I shared the grade I got with them, the husband said, jokingly, "Maybe you aren't cut out for being a Weatherman!" I took that to heart and gave up on my dream of that time.

Isn't it incredible what a few words can do to change someone's life?

A good reminder both ways, that:

Don't squash other's dreams. Encourage them !
Don't let others try to squash your dreams!

For we are to be followers of God, not man! So live your dreams and let God guide you!

Doesn't Anybody Know The Real Meaning of Christmas?

That's one of the classic lines from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and I was trying to figure out how I was going to be able to watch it this year now that I don't have cable... Then I found out that ABC.com is streaming A Charlie Brown Christmas for FREE!

So gather the family around the warmth of the laptop screen to share in the classic that is A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas here.

(Also, check out this article about why, against all conventional wisdom, A Charlie Brown Christmas was a success and 45 years later is still required viewing)

Rediscover You - Day 9 - Matthew 9

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Who Needs a Doctor?

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Reading this is tough for me because it reminds me that it's not the ones that I usually gravitate to that need to be shown love. It's not the nicely dressed, well mannered, clean cut people that just need Jesus (although they need Him too!), it is the people that we might not want to talk to, let alone make eye contact with. It's with the people that don't act like they have everything together, the ones that are a little "rough around the edges." Those are the people that Jesus hung out with, even when everyone was asking why.

The reality for me is, it is the people I wouldn't ever want to show kindness or friendship to, that Jesus was with and that we should show love to as well.

So, next time you are at walmart or the DMV or some other public place where you see someone that you would usually try to stay away from, ask God if he has other plans, and see how you can be used if you are only willing to step out of your comfort zone!

Rediscover You - Day 8 - Matthew 8

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Can You Believe It?

⁵ When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer^[b] came and pleaded with him, ⁶ “Lord, my young servant^[c] lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

⁷ Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

⁸ But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! ... ¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.”

What has happened in your life because you believed? It is incredible to think of the things that start with faith. Faith in ourselves, faith in others, most importantly faith in God. And it takes more than just saying "I believe."

The Roman Officer's servant was healed because he truly believed that Jesus could heal just by saying the word. Not just SAYING but Believing, and that may be the hardest part.

I am really good at talking. (Good thing I get paid to do that on a daily basis, right?) But, I have said things that I, for one reason or another, have not truly believed. Sometimes it is fear and uncertainty. Sometimes it is doubt and inadequacy. But when I can break through those problems and believe that there is a God that truly cares for me, has a plan for my life, and can perform miracles, then belief comes, faith is strengthened, and lives can be changed!

So, believe today! What do you have to lose, and what is the alternative? Not believing that God is as powerful as he says? You lose nothing and have everything to gain!

Rediscover You - Day 7 - Matthew 7

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Judge, Jury, and Executioner

¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Of all the things I do in my life that is really bad, this one takes the cake. I am so quick to take one look at someone, or hear one thing secondhand, and make a full synopsis of their life and declare them to be "bad."

I find myself doing this a lot when I read a news story about a celebrity and the mistakes they make. I am so quick to make fun of it and say "they should know better" when in all actuality I do things as bad as they do, I just don't have photographers following me around wherever I go.

But if you think about it, that's what God is able to do. Being able to see whatever we do... nothing we do is in hiding or secret from Him. And even though our lives might not be splashed on tabloids in the walmart checkout, we are no better than the celebrities, the homeless, or the prisoners.

Rediscover You - Day 6 - Matthew 6

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

³¹ “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Economic turmoil. Depression. Recession. Inflation. Hyper-inflation. Deflation. I've heard a lot of these words thrown around lately, and yes, times have been tough for many, but even through the toughest times, God provides for his people.

If we worry about food, water, or clothing, we are not being the difference that the world needs. We are being just like anyone else who has no hope!

At church on Sunday my pastor defined hope as "future joy." I think that's a really good way to think about things. You might have a really bad life situation now, but as long as you don't give up that hope, and follow Christ, there is joy to come!

Worrying can't help things! Only faith and obedience to God can!

Rediscover You - Day 5 - Matthew 5

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Love Stinks.
⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?

What am I doing more than others? Good question. It’s easy to show love to people that you like to be around, but that person that even a mention of their name makes your skin crawl? Well that is a little tougher.

I was reminded of an old college roommate who I didn’t get along with very well during my freshman year of College. It’s the last person that I have ever told that I hated. Yesterday I saw a status update of his on Facebook, and memories flooded back about how much he would drive me crazy.

It’s a good reminder for me that, yes, even that college roommate needed to be shown love, and I would argue, more love than anyone else in my life.

And that’s why love stinks, or true love at least.

Because true love is hard and messy and sometimes it means you are wrestling with yourself about why you even give someone a nice word when all they do is harass you. it’s getting mud (and other smellier things) thrown at you over and over again, and while you are smelly from the mess being thrown your way, you are throwing nothing back but love. Love and prayers. let God’s rain clean the mess and wash the mud away. All you have to do is Love… especially when it stinks.

Rediscover You - Day 4 - Matthew 4

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Rediscover You.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

It is pretty interesting that before Jesus started his ministry, he was sent out to be tempted. He was able to resist it, although you do have to imagine it was still a struggle for him. (saying "he was hungry" is an understatement for the ages!)

We, on the other hand, will be tempted and will succumb to the temptation. Sometimes the same thing happens over and over again and you wonder why you can't get out from the things that get you down. All we can do is cling to that truth that "Man does not live on bread along, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

I haven't done this in a long time, so tomorrow I am going to try to make it without "bread" for a day... and start with that baby step. Maybe you need to try to make it without "bread" for a meal... or maybe it can't be food for you but making it without something else that you find essential to your life (iPhone, anyone?) and join with me tomorrow for God to provide!

Hopefully when I do this small step it will help me rely on God more in other places in my life, too. Wanna join me?

Rediscover You - Day 3 - Matthew 3

Rediscover you. A quest to
re-examine the life of Jesus.

Rediscover You.

⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. ⁹ Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

How often have I had the thought that I was safe in a situation because I'm a pretty good person, or that I go to church regularly. John the baptist says the above things to the Pharisees and Sadducees, two groups of people that spent lots of time in Church debating things and acting like they were better than anyone else, but their life did not prove that they had truly turned to God.

It's a good reminder and gut check to me to ask this question every day: "Am I Producing Good Fruit?" Whether at work, at home, or just driving around town, am I proving by the way I live that I have turned to God? It's not enough to go to church or even KNOW what the bible says. I've gotta live it out for it to make a difference at all!