I Want That!

One of my struggles is that I’m always tempted to want something new.  Every time a new phone comes out I want it.  I want faster internet, I want a newer car, I want new clothes, new shoes, new computer, new glasses, just about anything new I want!  Isn’t that sad?  What I’m genuinely lacking is contentment.  I’m not being content with what I have but desiring something else.  This could fall also into the sin of coveting as well.  I just felt like I needed to be open and transparent about what I am struggling with right now.

And what makes matters worse the time and energy I spend desiring all the new things I covet is time that is wasted.  It’s time that could be spent being productive using the things already in my possession.  Precious brain cells are wasted away on the NEW rather than the here and now. 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13

I can easily quote Paul in saying, “I know what it is to be in need.”  I say that because I always feel like I need something.  But the thing I need above all else is Jesus Christ.  And within that need of Jesus is the need to be “content in any and every situation.”  Paul teaches us that we can be content every situation because it’s CHRIST who gives us the strength!

The question for today is this, what are you coveting/desiring right now?  How is that desire interfering with the plans that God has in front of you for today?  I was honest with mine, now it’s your turn!  Post your comments below.

VBS – Day 3

Grace throwing a water ballon at a VBS volunteer

 

There are two sides to our walk with Christ.  One side is a serious, respectful and contemplative side.  We should fear God, bow before His feet and realize that we are sinners.  Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  This is a humbling statement.  Christian life requires self-sacrifice, dying to self, and even times persecution because of our faith.  This is the serious or “adult” side of our faith.     

The other side to our Christian faith is filled with praise, thanksgiving, joy, excitement and FUN!  Where scripture is very clear about the serious side of our faith, scripture is just as clear about the positive side as well.

 

“Shout for JOY to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music”                     -Psalm 98:4  

 

“Sing JOYFULLY to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”            -Psalm 33:1  

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his JOY went and sold all he had and bought that field.”             -Matthew 13:44       

 

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.”            -John 15:11     

 

“And the disciples were filled with JOY and with the Holy Spirit.”      -Acts 13:52     

 

Jesus said, “And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”          -Matthew 18:3     

Some of our preschool kids experiencing what it is like to live in a tent.

 

Joy cannot be separated from our relationship with Jesus Christ!  Joy, excitement and fun are essentials to our faith!  Last night of VBS was a night of FUN!  Whether it was dancing and singing praises to God through the worship, throwing water balloons at the adults, walking through a tent (to experience what it is like to live in Haiti), or playing dead bug in the gymnasium while it was pouring down rain.  The kids had a blast. Being filled with joy and experiencing genuine Christian fellowship is one of the greatest attributes of being a Christian.  Knowing that we our saved and living a life of joy with other brothers and sisters in Christ is what church is all about.      

 

So we have two more nights of FUN at Vacation Bible School.  We will have fun to honor Christ and give thanks for the wonderful sacrifice that He gave for us all!      

Everyone singing during main session

 

Did Jesus ever get sick?

So I have another head cold.  Maybe it’s a sinus infection.  I’m really not sure which it is, but either way my head is full of snot!  I have the typical symptoms: scratchy throat, runny nose, headaches, and small cough.  I’ve had this cold/infection on and off for the last 3 weeks.  About 2 weeks ago I went to the doctor and was prescribed Claritin, nasal mist and a round of antibiotics.  The symptoms seemed to go away for a couple of days but yesterday and today everything is back in full force.

Thinking about being sick made me think about this question, did Jesus ever get sick?  Did he ever have a cold, the flu, a sinus infection, food poisoning, etc.?  Hebrews 4:15 (NASB) says,

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” 

When Jesus entered the human realm he entered into a human body which can be plagued by injury, sickness, and temptation.  He entered a human body full of weaknesses.  The same weaknesses that you and I face on a daily basis including but not limited to sickness.  Jesus chooses to enter the human world so he would encounter sickness in the same way you and I get sick.  Being sick is only a footnote in God’s massive plan of salvation but nevertheless it shows the grace, humility and servant hood of Jesus Christ.

So how did Jesus handle his sickness?  Today with modern medicine we have Nyquil, Dayquil, Claritin, Tylenol, Advil, antihistamines, decongestants, and antibiotics.  All of these medicines lessen the effects and sometimes shorten the duration of infections.  Jesus is the 1st Century did not have access to these modern remedies.  I’m sure there were ancient remedies that might have alleviated Jesus, but I’m sure it’s nothing compared to modern medicine.  That being said, if and when Jesus did get a cold, he had it worse that I have it right now!  Tylenol didn’t take the edge off the headache.  He didn’t have the soft, lotion laced Kleenex to blow his nose.  He must have had it rough.  On top of all of that he handled sickness without sin.  Something as simple as a common cold makes me more irritable, have less patience, and just a bore to be around.  In those times of weakness, Jesus pressed on.  He didn’t stop loving.  He didn’t stop teaching/preaching.  Even though he was weak, he did not sin in His human weakness.  He continued on his mission to reconcile the world back to God. 

For us today the message is the same.  Satan and the world are going to do everything in their power to stop us from remaining in Christ and doing the will of the father.  We must follow Jesus and regardless of our weakness (sickness and all) do all things to glorify our Savior.  

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.   Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB)