Die - John 11:25

Continuation of series looking at the different words in John 11:25

Have you died today? If not today, when was the last time you died?

This was the question I posed to the church toward the beginning of the sermon yesterday as we examined death/die/dying.

It is easy to be selfish. You want something and you would like to get it. I think it is our nature. You can see it in kids, when they are told "no", they may get upset - or even worse. They desired permission to have something or go somewhere and they were denied. Our weak bodies generally lack the maturity to understand why we may not get something - even spilling over into adulthood.

Though we're growing all the time, one of the goals of a Christian is to die to self for the goodness of Him, the Kingdom, and others. When we don't "die" we may be holding on to something that doesn't allow us to flourish.

As we continue on with this concept, here are some applications to choose from this week...

1. Give this day to God...all the problems, all the appointments, all the errands, all the phone calls, all the encounters, all the conversations, all the meetings...Everything you do today, consciously think about doing it to the glory of God.
2. When something "dies" we miss them/it, but logically we cannot hang on to them/it, besides in memory. As you "die" daily, you may miss things about the past, but it is better to move on...so do just that.
3. Be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and die to the concepts incorporated with serving Him that are difficult for you.
4. Look forward to next week when we talk about the joy of living!

Think about if Jesus didn't die to self, before He died on the Cross. He displayed humanity when He was asking God to "take the cup" from Him. I have to presume He'd seen crucifixions. He'd seen the pain, embarrassment, and agony that was associated with death by crucifixion. He didn't want to go through it. However, He died to self for the sake of you and me and went through with it.

Are there things you need to die to, for the sake of someone else? Maybe your family, your community, or your church? Maybe there's something that you are holding on to that is keeping a restrain on others? If you "died" to that, the future would be better, just like the future was better when Jesus died. Think about it.

Dying, while living, is not easy, but it is what is expected of us.

Dying, Regularly... (or at least trying)...

Believes - John 11:25

There is so much mentioned in the news today that one may have a difficult time of knowing what to believe and what not to believe. You pass news/magazine stands and see the headlines and you must make a decision on what to believe. As a side note, I get a kick out of people who pick up the tabloids because they have "inquiring minds". You turn on the television and can go through the same struggles of deciphering truth from farces.

With all that we read, see, and hear in our society that makes us cautious and/or skeptical, it is no wonder that some people have a hard time believing in God/Jesus. "Man created by dust, woman by a rib...c'mon, what kind of a science experiment is this? One man's death can take away the wrong doings of anyone who puts their faith in Him and is baptized...you've got to be kidding. There's no way I'm going to put my faith in any man, they'll just disappoint me."

However, we're called, challenged, and expected to believe this. No matter how "out there" it may seem to put our faith in Him, that is the only way the world is going to be able to regain the Glory that sin takes away. As we looked at believing yesterday, here are some additional applications to choose from this week...

1. Take some time to examine what you believe and why you believe it - everything from why we practice certain things to Jesus being for real.
2. Pray that you will never lose your core beliefs, but that God will always mold you into learning new things to believe
3. Jesus tells Martha, "I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes this, though he dies, he shall live...Do you believe this?" What is your response to this? How far does it take you in your convictions? Pray that you will be convicted to stand up for your beliefs when needed.
4. Let your beliefs be a billboard for other people to see your faith in Him!

Believing is something that is personal. I don't fully think one can change another person's beliefs. That is something each individual makes the decision to do.

May others see your beliefs in action and want to be a part of what you are a part of, even if they do not know it yet that they want to be a part of it.

Believing in Him...

Life - I John 5:10-13

A continuation of looking at words in John 11:25

Sometimes we are given second chances. They could be when a friend forgives and you can make things right the next time. They could be having your heart restarted after suffering from a cardiac arrest. Usually, with second chances brings life. A kind of life that can rekindle an unknown excitement.

When I was in high school, our football team went 0-5, for the first half of the season. Then, came districts. This meant that you played three teams and the best record of those three teams went on to play the next round. Our school ended up winning all three games! We had a new life that wasn't there a few games back. We went on to win the next game, too! Then, we suffered defeat. However, it was interesting how you can go 0-5, and end up with a record of 4-6 and being District and Bi-district runner-up - all with a losing record!

As we see Jesus as the Life, we can get that spring in our step that no matter what happens, there is always a second chance. We can be figuratively resurrected each day/moment to win the second half! Yesterday, we looked at this concept and here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Praise God that you have life - physically and/or spiritually
2. Use your life to the fullest - by trying to make someone else's life better - a compliment, a smile, a random act of kindness, etc.
3. Wake up each day this week and make a commitment to resurrect the new self by leaving the old self/things with the previous day.
4. Start a new hobby/habit that will enhance your life
5. Find a way to volunteer for something - that tends to always make people feel better, even when your plate seems full.

Life is made up of choices. Those choices tend to decide how happy you are going to be. Make choices that will help you be happier in the long run, rather than the short-term.

Have a great day! Enjoy life!

God is good...All the time!

(the) Resurrection - John 11:25

I saw on the news that today marks the 50th Anniversary of the Barbie. Girls, over the past five decades, have collected and played with this fashionable doll. She has gone through changes through the years, both with fashion and with looks. Will she ever "die" out? Will the Barbie doll be here continually?

Jesus' friend, Lazarus, dies. Jesus has the power to save him or to let him remain "asleep". Jesus tells the sisters, "I am the Resurrection...". Jesus has the power and exercises that power to lift up his friend from the dead. To let him breathe, again. To let him walk, again. To let him hug and converse with his sisters, again. Jesus makes this profound statement and proves that He is THE Resurrection when He comes out of a grave of His own a little while later.

Yesterday, as we looked at our second part to this series, we examined the concept of Jesus being the Resurrection. Here are some additional applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Take a step in the direction of giving life to what has no life - be it a hobby, joining a club, rekindling romance, improving work life.
2. Pray about what is needing resurrected - or pray for wisdom to be revealed what is dead.
3. Die to self, so selflessness can be resurrected
4. Take the message to someone who needs Jesus and needs to be "resurrected".
5. Praise God for the awesome marvel of Jesus being able to overcome all odds and come out of that dark and lonely grave, why? For you and me, friend! He wants us to be with Him again, since sin separated us.

Is there something in your life that is dead and needs to be resurrected? Something that has lost life, vitality, or interest? He is the one who can bring it all back. Give your life to Him and see what life is like being resurrected!

Enjoying being resurrected...