⁴⁵ “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. ⁴⁶ When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

—-read chapter—-

Almost every night when it is time for Lydia to go to bed we sit down and read the Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. We just read the story she wrote around that simple line “he sold everything he had to get it.”  The Kingdom of God is like being where God is - it is restored relationship with him - it is like finding a chest of hidden treasure  -priceless!  We may have to search-read-learn a little to find it, sometimes we might have to dig, and it will probably ask us to sell and get rid of all the lesser treasures we hold on to here in order to get it.  But, being where God is…well, there is nothing better.

It also reminds us of Jesus. Because Jesus came on a mission to find his missing, hidden treasure too - His children.  And he would get them back no matter what it cost - even though it cost him everything!

Pray: Thank God for the gift of His Son and for the opportunity for salvation and restored relationship with Him. Ask God to help shape your perspective around His Kingdom and His Passions.

¹⁷ ‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t mourn.’

—-read chapter—-

Can you picture it?  Jesus talking in the temple courts or the town square. People of all walks of life crowded around to hear, to see, to experience this man of growing popularity. And in the midst of some complements of John the Baptist (a well known preacher who had recently had the misfortune of being thrown in prison) Jesus says, “Let me see…how can I describe the type of people who typically gather around me?” There, in the center of a crowd of people, each with their ears turned towards him, he compares them to a child who sits in public and complains about the fact that no one is paying attention to them or responding to their requests.  “I played my flute, but no one danced….Mommy, watch this, watch this!”

Why is it that we continually insist that Jesus respond to our “flute playing?”  Why do we seem to expect him to do the things we want? And I seem to get grumpy when things don’t go my way.

The next paragraph Jesus speaks harsh words of judgment and warning over towns of people who experienced amazing works, miracles, and teaching and yet still did not believe - and worse, rejected him.  That is the truth that seems so strange to believe.  You would think that if they saw Jesus doing these amazing miracles they would believe him. Instead, they only expected more and when he would not give them what they wanted - they rejected him.  Today, Jesus is at work. His activity hear has completely transformed our world, our artwork, our calendar…and look at where we are today…still not believing.

Perhaps the reason our world is tired and weary has little to do with the way we manage time or use technology or discover a perfect job. Maybe there is something to the way we respond to Jesus that can change and should change the way we interact with God and each other. At the end of the chapter Jesus extends one of his frequently quoted invitations: “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest for your souls.” This is an invitation to those who need. He doesn’t say bring your resumes, your bank accounts, your accomplishments, your family values and activities - he says come all who are tired of working to prove themselves, to protect themselves, to preserve themselves because he wants to set your heart at ease.

Jesus isn’t calling us to come and beg  him to do what our wishes, desires, and flutes beckon him to do. He doesn’t even demand that we come to him proving our worth and our talent.  He extends a simple invitation to those who are keenly aware of their own inability and deep need for him.  Jesus is truly amazing. He came to sing us the song of freedom. He came to give his life and demonstrate his power. Lets stop spending our days saying, “Jesus do this, watch this, fix this, pay attention to me.”  May we believe that what he has already done here on this earth is the most significant act and attention he could ever offer us. Let us just come to him, receive his rest, his way of life, his salvation - day after day, until at last we enjoy him for all eternity.

Pray: Thanks God for the inviation to rest and experience salvation in Christ. Confess any of your self focused demands or expectations that you direct to Jesus. Ask him to help you experience his rest this week.

³⁵ ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
³⁶ Your enemies will be right in your own household!’^[l]

³⁷ “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. ³⁸ If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. ³⁹ If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. [read chapter]

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This is seldom the picture or conversation regarding Jesus. The stereo typical caricature of Jesus is a fun loving, hippie, toga party, doped out, friendly dude who talks about world peace and everyone getting along. But, as I read this passage today I was struck by the discord and “threat” he brings to our meager little lives here. I believe that after a brief encounter with Jesus in any of the Gospels we are hit with the truth that Jesus came to change things…to rearrange the parts of our lives, our broken world. And I think we all, on the outside especially, want to see our world repaired.  However, the thought of Jesus inside our hearts and souls causes us to be put on guard.  It is always easy to see how others need to change. It is difficult and humbling to admit that we need internal help …and then begin to believe it to such a degree that we invite change into our hearts and lives!

Here Jesus is telling his followers that our love for him must be unparalleled by any other love. Jesus is boldly proclaiming himself to be the most significant, most important, and most transformational relationship any person can pursue. Think about all the money, all the time, and all the energy we spend with those closest to us…moms, dads, brothers, sisters, spouse, friends. Jesus is asking…demanding to be unequivocally on the top of the list.

And then he says this statement, “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.”  Keep in mind, when Jesus spoke these words the cross did not have the same bling appeal it does today.  As Jesus spoke, people all over Rome where being publicly and gruesomely executed on the cross. Here Jesus is pointing to the most horrific form of death as a means of showing our devotion to him. His indication is that relationship with him is so valuable and so important, the implications are so great, that we should be willing to follow him even into the very pains and tortures of the cross.  And to not be willing to do that - means we are not worthy of following him.

That is not the kind of things we hear Jesus saying in our television shows. Why not? Truly, even for me, there is something uncomfortable inside as I consider these things.  Part of me says, “I kinda like the loving Jesus.  The fun, party going, Jesus-is-my-homeboy, Jesus.” This passage speaks of something potentially painful and costly…hmmm.

Truth: Sometimes, I just want a Jesus who makes me more comfortable here and now.  Because these words that he says implies that if I really call myself a “christian” - If I say that I believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord I should be willing to pay whatever price. If I truly believe that statement is true, Jesus Savior, then why wouldn’t I? Unless of course, there is a part of me that does not believe it is true OR that is holding onto something here and now that is in competition with him.  What parts of this life do I cling to? What stuff am I afraid to lose? What other affections have become more significant than that of Jesus?

Prayer: Ask God to help reveal the “here and now” things that become more significant to us than Jesus. Confess those things and ask for Him to give you a heart that longs for Jesus above all.

Well I took a couple weeks off because of the arrival of my new born son. Samuel James was born on May 10th - Mother’s Day. What a joy it is to be a Daddy “again”. As he slept on my chest last night I was thanking God that he allows and invites us to participate in such an adventure. Though the task certainly has its challenges and requires things of us that some are not willing to give. By God’s design, being a parent forces us to reconcile the selfish parts of our hearts that are much more interested in self preservation and self satisfaction than a life defined by love.

It is with that in mind that I read todays chapter and was struck by the final verse: When people commend themselves it doesn’t mean much. Commend - to praise, to justify one’s self, to show worthy of something or someone…meaningless. The important thing is what God commends. Do you believe that? I mean, do I even believe that?

We live in a world that seeks the praise of others and even the praise or commendation of self. You hear it when people say: how can I love others if I don’t love myself.  What does the Lord commend?

Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

There is a mystery to the message of Christ. And Paul is reminding us that the praise of man or even the ways in which we try to self talk ourselves to positive places are meaningless. Our only hope, our only care, our sole focus should be on what does Jesus praise and commend? and how are we focusing, pursuing, and living that?

What are the thoughts that have held your mind captive to meaningless things this week?

PRAY: Take a moment and ask God to help you think about the things that are really important to Him. Pray that God would free you from the meaningless things that your mind is captive to.

The verses that follow this one talk about cultural head coverings during worship. The previous passages discuss  food sacrificed to idols. How easy it is to read past this simple sentence, these ten words easily missed.

Imitate me as I imitate Christ.

Questions this requires of us:

1. Do I imitate Christ? Is my hearts desire to allow His work, His life to define all I do? Is my passion to live all my life in submission and to the glory of God?

I have never been at a place when looking at my life where I can answer a solid yes. There are moments of fear and lack of faith. There are segments of my day where prayer and dependance upon the Holy Spirit were forgotten or intentionally skipped. There were affections for things not godly. Sin, period. However, my desire deep inside is to imitate Christ. Though I often fall short and lack what it takes to live this way - these questions bring me to a place of prayer - asking God to continue to shape me into the image of His Son. Take this afternoon and post a little note asking God WHAT? What do I need to repent of? imitate?

2. Who are the people I am inviting to follow me?

Paul understands that faith is not a personal, individual pursuit. It has been, is, and will continue to be a communal journey. Some of you have people that serve as “tour guides” - those ahead of you that you seek to imitate. Who are these people? Do they know you “follow” and listen to them? If you don’t have a person (of the same gender!) who you are following - you NEED to prayerfuly seek that out!

However, you as you pursue Christ, you should also be offering this invitation to those around you. This doesn’t need to be large, though it doesn’t need to be small either. It just needs to involve someone!

Begin asking God to reveal the WHO? Who do I need to connect with? Who should I be following? Who could I invite to walk with me?

1 Corinthians 10 ¹² If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. [read chapter]

Temptation. We love it and we hate it. The word itself refers to the things that appeal to us. What are some of the small things in your day that tempt you? Shelly, who works at CedarCreek has this little hut of M&M’s. When I go by her office, I am always tempted to scoop a little pile into my hands. Of course things like Starbucks, the smell of a grill, a local race, the latest techno-gadget…all those things tempt me. What about you? Don’t we love those little things that tempt us?

Then there is the dark side of temptation. If the word means that it is the act of being attracted to something – that makes lust, anger, doubt, fear, jealousy, insecurity all look a little different. For example, if someone is having a rough day and there is a confrontation with a fellow employee – each of us are tempted to respond in different ways. In other words, each of us are attracted to a different response to the rough day altercation. Some of us are prone to anger. Others are insecure. A few walk around jealously looking around and using that as leverage or vengeance. What emotions are you tempted by the most? What emotional responses to difficult situations are you “most attracted” to do?

God invites us into a new life of love: Loving Him above all and loving others more than self. In this new life we are called to put our temptations under control and submission to those two truths. Even more, God promises to help provide an escape when the temptation comes on strong. This means in difficult situations there will be a loving way out. Now, don’t get me wrong – that doesn’t’ always mean “nice guy” way out or timid way out…but, loving way out – where you love Him and Others more than your temptations.

So, today – let’s not think of ourselves as particularly strong and put together. Instead, invite God to reveal to you where you are tempted the most…maybe even where you don’t see it yet. And then ask Him to help you see the LOVEly way out.

Just this morning on my way in to CedarCreek I saw two men preaching on the street corner. Sins, damnation, and hell were the verbal bullets they were shooting at the busy intersection. While the onlookers returned fire with middle fingers, strange looks, and honks. I am not sure why I get uncomfortable with this picture. Something deep inside says that everything about that is wrong. Something is desperately missing.

Here in Paul’s address to this church he is reminding the Corinthians why he is an apostle and the way he lives his life. Though he is free -not bound to anyone, he becomes a servant to all to help point them toward Christ. Why?

Though hell is not a place I would want anyone to go, and heaven sounds like a splendid place, the goal of this life is to know Christ and be changed by Him. Our mission is to point people there - and, yes, heaven and hell are involved but never the focus. Jesus is, period. Paul says that he does everything he can to point them to Christ. Yes, that does involve repentance however Christ is still the point. It is his work alone that saves, transforms, and in the resurrection gives us hope that though this life is valuable it is not all there is.

These street preachers totally miss the point when the emphasis is on condemnation, hell, and sins. Gospel means good news. Gospel points us to Jesus. Which leads to the question: what kind of Gospel do you share with those around you? Are you a carrier of Good News or Condemnation?

Beyond that Paul speaks very challenging words for me: “I try to find common ground with everyone…” to help them towards Christ. If I am honest, I love to find common ground with people who are just like me. And I become full of excuses and blame shifting when it comes to people who are very different from me. Sometimes I am even tempted to believe some people won’t understand or be responsive, essentially denying them the chance to respond to the Gospel. For this I need to repent and seek opportunities to connect with those in my every day life.

Who are some of the people in your life you have been avoiding or not willing to connect with? Perhaps today, this week, you should make a connection and begin serving, learning, and conversing with them in hopes to share Christ with them.

1 Corinthians 8: ⁵ There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. ⁶ But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. [read chapter]

Here we have a group of Corinthian Christians trying to justify some of their behavior. The Corinthians responded to Christ in a culture completely alien to the Jewish way of life and completely built on the Greek “gods”. This presented some challenges for this church as they tried to balance their culture, and a new way of life in Christ.

In a significant way, this isn’t too unlike what people face today, only there are no statues and temple practices under the name of a “god”. Instead these idols are attitudes and affections of the heart. Idolatry is and always has been a flagrant violation, because it is a refusal to acknowledge and live under the one true God. In some ways, I imagine it must be easier to deal with this issue when there were statues. If you asked most people today if they worshipped idols, they would laugh at the question and say no. The truth: idols are anything we seek more than God himself. Idols are inward desires our hearts are infatuated with. These idols have names like: physically attractive, successful, financial freedom, better house, sexuality, personal freedom, and the list goes on.

You see, in my head I have a “picture” of what hell on earth would be like: i.e. lonely, ineffective, no one likes me. With that picture in mind, I begin to pursue (give my time, money, affection, life…worship) whatever I think will save me from my personal hell (work, clothes, success, parties). Each of those pursuits are not bad things, in fact, they can be good things. However, when we make them essential or ultimate things they become idols. Another way to identify the “gods” in your life is ask these questions:

Q1:Is there something I sense that I cannot life without? That if I were to lose this one thing, life would be difficult, if not impossible, to go on? -if there is any other answer than God, then you have an idol. A good thing that has turned into and idolatrous thing.

Q2: What are the things I am most afraid of? Not simple phobias, but deep, heart fears. At the heart of this question you will begin to identify the fears of the heart that often times motive your desires for idols.

Good news! Jesus invites us to bring our idols to the cross. To repent, to break them there, and to make Him the sole pursuit, the sole affection, the only Savior and Lord of our life. What do you need to take to Him today?

The reading plan has finished Galatians and moved to 1 Corinthians - a church that has been plagued by division. Some people follow Paul’s teaching, others personally dig Apollos, some are trying to stay purists and say they only follow Christ. The tragedy is when personal preferences begin to make our decisions for us…or even worse, when we start judging or dividing over what we personally like.  We live in a world of personal preferences…church service styles, preaching/teaching techniques, worship mixes, and though each of these are not “bad” - when they receive too much attention or become a means of conflict, division, and judgmental statements.  What is the great commandment - the goal of a heart made*new by Christ? To love God our Father with complete devotion, our prayer, our thoughts, desires, and muscle and to love our neighbor.

Questions that I am thinking about:

1. What are the source of some of my conflicts with other “christians”? If it is based in personal preferences - what do I need to do to stop causing conflict and unite on the person and work of Christ?

2. What do I take pride in? The size of a church? The style of a church? What does it mean to boast in Christ and Him alone?