Look to Jesus

 

Jesus is completely unique in human history as the Divine Son of God. 

As the Son of God, Jesus reveals two important truths:

1. Jesus demonstrates what it means to be created in the image of God. To live as an image-bearer of God, we need to look to Jesus.
2. Jesus reveals God's character to us in a way that humans can understand. To know who God is, we must look to Jesus.

Elias Dantes' essay, The Incarnation of Christ and its Implications, in the book Christ the One and Only, emphasizes both these truths: "If you want to know what it means to be a human being and to stand for the humanity of man, look to Jesus Christ. If you want to know God, look to Jesus Christ."

The author of Hebrews also highlights these truths:

Hebrews 1:3 (CSB) "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Hebrews 2:14-15 (CSB) "Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death."

John wrote about these realities as well:

1 John 2:6 (NLT) "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did."

John 14:9 (NLT) "Jesus replied, 'Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?'"

Jesus is not only our example for living but also reveals the truth about who God is. By looking at Jesus, we can understand God's character in terms our finite minds can grasp.

Since we are created in God's image to reflect His glory, it should come as no surprise that these two realities are connected in Jesus. We are meant to imitate Jesus in our lives, becoming more like him each day. As we grow in our understanding of who Jesus is, we grow in our understanding of who God is.

In a world that often confuses and confounds us, the simplicity of looking to Jesus to know who we are and to know who God is can be a great help. As we face the challenges of daily life, we can find wisdom, confidence, and hope in the example of Jesus. 

Through Jesus, we can be assured that the temptations and trials we face are not meant to bring us down but to strengthen us as warriors and athletes of God.

Let us then look to Jesus, who is not only our example but more importantly our King and Savior. We need to commit to living as he did, and in that way, grow in our knowledge of who God is.

Let’s Talk About Sex

 

Many years ago I listened to a class taught by Mark Moore. During the final class session he gave the students some things to think about and one of the things he said was this: "Sex is sacred, but not essential, and our lives say the opposite.”

In our discussions about the role sex should play in our lives, I think this short quote provides us with three crucial insights that should guide our thinking.

The first insight is: “Sex is sacred…” 

Sex is to have a place of honor in our lives. The author of Hebrews wrote; “Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” (Hebrews 13:4; CSB). 

God designed sex to bring a man and a woman into an intimate relationship that cannot be expressed in any other way. It is not dirty or shameful nor is it common and ordinary. Sexual intimacy has a very special place in binding a husband and wife together. 

When we are unwilling to hold sex as something that is sacred then it loses its significance. It becomes a “fun” activity for consenting adults to participate in, but its ultimate purpose of God’s gift to married couples is diminished. As followers of Jesus we are to be good stewards of all of God’s gifts, and that means we must hold sex as sacred and leave it within the bounds of marriage where it belongs.

This includes the way we talk about sex. C. S. Lewis wrote; 

“The reason why I must is that you and I…have been fed all day long on solid lies about sex. We have been told, till one is sick of hearing it, that sexual desire is in the same state as any of our other natural desires and that if only we abandon the silly old Victorian idea of hushing it up, everything in the garden will be lovely. It is not true. The moment you look at the facts, and away from the propaganda, you see that it is not” (Mere Christianity; pg. 91-92)

Too often, the way we have talked about sex, both in the world and in the church, has led us to make sex common, and thus not sacred. I am not advocating ignoring sex, because, like every other area of our lives, we need discipleship and healing when it comes to sex. Rather I am advocating, that in order to hold sex in high regard it cannot be the foundation of our stories, jokes, and our lives.

That brings us to the second part: “but not essential…” 

Here comes a shocking statement: Sex is not necessary for a good life! 

This truth is contrary to what we have been taught and to what we believe. Sex is not essential to our happiness! You can have a joyful life, a fulfilled life, and still be a virgin. Jesus was at least 33 years old when He was crucified and He never had sex. 

For Jesus to command you to keep sex within the bounds of marriage means that He is not asking you to do anything that He has not already done. The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:1 writes; Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” (CSB). Sexual intimacy is not essential part of our discipleship or the calling that God has placed on our lives.

There is no sexual act that will give us the type of life that we long to have. The abundant life that Jesus gives is not found in a life of sexual freedom, but living a life that seeks to love God and love people. The truly fulfilled life is a life that has enjoyed all the good gifts of life: time spent with friends, the love of a family, the knowledge of a job well done, and enjoying the great outdoors. Sex is not required for living a good and fulfilling life.

The final part: “and our lives say the opposite.” 

I don’t need to remind us how sex has gone wrong in the world. That reality is seen all around us, and we are faced with it each and everyday. It should be no surprise that we find the world living contrary to God’s standard when it comes to sex. 

The way of the world has always been to twist God’s good gifts in order to lead people away from God. When Mark Moore says “our lives,” he is not making a judgment on people already living apart from God’s will. Rather, he is pointing out how Christians are not any different than the world when it comes to sex. 

The reality is sexual purity isn't very fashionable idea. I am continually amazed by the number of Christian people I know who are living with someone or are comfortable with talking about their  sexual encounters. 

When it comes to sex, Christians have been discipled by the world and not by the Bible.

The movies and television shows many Christians watch carry a message that is different to God's will about sex, and we don't give these messages a second thought. Keeping sex as sacred is more than just keeping sex between married people, it is about honoring the place sex is to have in our lives. Sex will not remain sacred when it becomes a common element in our entertainment.

The apostle Paul wrote: 

But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4; CSB). 

Whether or not we hold sex to be sacred is not only seen in our actions, but also in our speech. Too often we are trying to tell the world to honor sex while we are treating it with disrespect when it comes to our entertainment and our jokes.

In Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis wrote: 

“Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues. There is no getting away from it: the old Christian rule is, ‘Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence.’ Now this is so difficult and so contrary to our instincts, that obviously either Christianity is wrong or our sexual instinct, as it now is, has gone wrong. One or the other. Of course, being a Christian, I think it is the instinct which has gone wrong” (Mere Christianity; p. 90).

One of the reasons the early Church grew the way it did was because of the way Christians lived. They lived differently than everyone else. Chastity was one of those Christian virtues that set the early followers of Jesus apart from the rest of Roman society.

In a world gone wrong when it comes to sex, our way forward as disciples of Jesus is to adopt this same practice. Chastity must once again become a primary virtue for God’s people. The foundation of this crucial virtue is remembering that sex is sacred, but it is not necessary for us to live the abundant life God has for His people.

Sunday Prayer: An Easter Prayer

Gracious God,

On this Easter day, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude and joy, for you have given me new life through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.

I thank you for your abundant mercy and great love, which have given your people a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. I praise you for the imperishable inheritance that you have kept in heaven for all of us, who are protected by your power through faith.

As I celebrate this day, I pray that you would fill me with the joy and peace that come from knowing you and trusting in your promises. I ask that you would help me to live each day in the light of Jesus’ resurrection, empowered by the  Holy Spirit to love and serve others just as Jesus loved us.

May your grace and peace be with me always, and may I live in the hope of your promise of eternal life. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and Savior of the World.

Amen.

Making Impact

Our world has been corrupted by sin and evil. This reality means that poverty, abuse, racism, hunger, and numerous other tragedies are a common part of life.

As individuals, we feel powerless to solve the world's biggest problems like world peace, global hunger, or the crime in our communities. We can wonder if our actions make any real difference in the face of these huge problems.

As followers of Jesus we are called to be lights in the world. In other words, we are to be a positive influence in the world. The Bible teaches us that our choice to love, to forgive, and to serve can have a huge impact on the people around us.

In 1 Corinthians 13, commonly called the "love chapter," the Apostle Paul wrote about the power of love.

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; NLT)

Paul went on to describe love in terms such as patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Love is not only important, but it is essential to our relationships with others.

Love is crucial for influencing the world around us. Forgiveness is another powerful tool in making an impact on our families, churches, and communities. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus told Peter that he should forgive his brother seventy times seven times. This is not meant to be taken literally, but rather it emphasizes the importance of forgiving others, even when it's difficult. Forgiveness opens up the way for healing and restoration to occur. This is crucial to break the cycle of exclusion, retaliation, and revenge.

Service is a third way that we can make an impact in our communities. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus said that when we serve others, we are serving him. He went on to say that when we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and visit those in prison, we are doing it for him. Service is not only important in helping others, but it also allows us to see the face of Christ in those we serve.

Our actions may not result in world peace or solve global hunger or diminish crime in our communities, but our choice to love, to forgive, and to serve can have a huge impact on those around us.

When we choose to love, we create an environment of kindness and respect. When we choose to forgive, we break the cycle of exclusion, retaliation, and revenge. When we choose to serve, we help meet the needs of those around us and show them the love of Christ.

We need to remember that we can make a difference in our communities by choosing to love, forgive, and serve those around us. Followers of Jesus need to strive to embody the love, to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us, and to serve those in need. When this becomes our way of life, the church can make a real impact on the people in our communities, and we can bring a little bit of heaven to earth.

The Foolishness of the Cross

 

Good Friday is the day when we remember the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. It is important that we take time to ponder how Jesus, in obedience to the Father, laid down his life to be the sacrifice of sin.

One of my concerns, especially for us who have been around church for most of our lives, is that we lose the foolishness of the cross. The cross, an instrument of execution, as a means to victory makes no sense.

It is foolishness to believe that life can emerge from death, or that winning can come from losing. The apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 highlight this reality:

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.(CSB)

Notice that Paul never said the cross is anything but folly or foolishness. We find power and transformation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but we will not fully understand its significance.

The cross is a crucial part of God's plan to rescue creation from sin, decay, and death which means the crucifixion of Jesus is a product of God’s wisdom. Since God’s ways are far above our ways means that we will never be able to fully understand all that happened because of the cross. Systematic theologies have explained the cross in doctrines like justification, atonement, and sanctification, but we miss something vital if we do not find the cross a little bit odd.

While we may never grasp the full wisdom of God displayed in the cross, we can still find healing in its purpose. We may wonder how the death of one man saves all those who believe in him, but we can still put our faith in Jesus.

We do not need to understand the crucifixion in all of its complexities in order to take advantage of the gift of life, forgiveness, and mercy that is found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our salvation is not based on our understanding, but on our faith in the Jesus.

The power of the cross does not lie in our understanding but in God's love and grace. We may not understand the purpose of the cross, but we can trust the One who worked through. The point of Good Friday is not that we understand God's ways, but that we trust God's love.

The ME Centered Life

 

American society seems to prioritize the individual over the community. I think this reality is reflected in our rampant consumerism. Consumerism is the constant acquisition of goods and services in the pursuit of happiness. This means we prioritize our own desires over the well-being of others and the environment. For example, we are willing to discard last year's model for the smallest improvement on this year's model.

This one of the reasons why I think the fundamental issue with consumerism narcissism. We tend to prioritize our own wants and desires, without considering the consequences of our actions. We often seek pleasure and immediate gratification, without thinking about the long-term effects on ourselves or others.

This narcissistic mentality is pervasive in the world. We can see it in a cheating spouse to a teenager seeking a quick high. Our world teaches us to chase the momentary pleasure without considering the long-term consequences of our actions. When we have this mind set what matters more than anything else is getting what we want.

However, a life centered solely around ourselves will eventually catch up with us, and the pain and misery of the consequences always outweigh the short-term pleasure we sought.

In his book Uprising, Erwin McManus wrote:

In the midst of our growing fragmentation, we have never been more focused on the individual than we are today. This focus plays itself out in unbridled consumerism. While materialism is certainly an outgrowth of consumerism, it isn’t its primary focus. Consumerism’s primary product in our culture is narcissism. Remember, narcissism is a life in which everything is about us.

While pursuing a life centered on ourselves may bring temporary pleasure, it inevitably leads to negative consequences that outweigh any enjoyment we may have experienced. Unfortunately, the world's solution to avoiding these consequences is to pursue an even more self-centered lifestyle.

However, the key to a fulfilling life is found in focusing on relationships with others, rather than on ourselves.

In contrast, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of community and loving one another. Our best experiences in life come from investing time and love in other people. If relationships are the most important thing to us, then we will prioritize loving others rather than gratifying our desires.

As the Apostle Paul wrote,

Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Ultimately, the life of a Christian is not about putting ourselves first but rather focusing on loving God and loving our neighbors. We are not the most important thing in the universe, and living our lives as if we were will lead to a dissatisfying existence. By prioritizing relationships and serving others, we can discover the fulfilling life that Jesus promised us.

The pursuit of a self-centered life may bring temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leads to negative consequences. The key to a fulfilling life is found in prioritizing relationships and focusing on others, rather than solely on ourselves.

Study the Bible and Know God’s Will

As believers, we should have a desire to know God's will, not only for our lives, but for the world. This is why we pray, “Your kingdom come and Your will be done.” It is why seek guidance from older wiser Christians who have faithfully followed Jesus. It is why we study the Bible, God’s word to His people.

The Bible is God's inspired word, which means it is the ultimate guide for our lives. Through the Scriptures God reveals His character, His plan for humanity, and His will for our lives. Therefore, if we want to know God's will, we need to become students of Scripture.

How do we become students of the Bible?

Here are three things you can do to become a student of God’s word.

Personal Reading and Study

Personal Bible study is a crucial discipline for every Christian. It is through reading and meditating on the Word of God that we come to know Him intimately. Reading and studying the Scriptures allows us to discover the character of God, His love for us, and His plan for our lives. It is also through personal Bible study that we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with God.

To get the most out of our personal reading and studying we need a plan. Earlier this year I wrote about what I do to study the Bible (Take Time to Study). When it comes to reading find a plan that works for you and don’t get discouraged if you are inconsistent with it at first. The goal is to read, even it is just a chapter a day. When it comes to studying, I would suggest choosing a book of the Bible and reading through it a good study Bible and taking notes. Olive Tree Bible Software is good way to go to help in this process.

Study with Qualified Teachers

In addition to personal study, it is essential to sit under the instruction of qualified teachers. Pastors, Bible study leaders, and other Christian leaders who are well-versed in the Scriptures can help us understand and apply the Word of God to our lives.

However, we must be discerning in our choice of teachers. We need to seek out those who are faithful to the Scriptures and are committed to teaching the whole counsel of God. In other words we want to find teachers and preachers who use the Bible as the foundation of their teaching. One of the ways I do this is to study and teach the Bible through some of the themes that run through Scripture. The two big themes that have influenced my teaching recently are the themes of covenant and Kingdom of God.

Diligence and Intentionality

Finally, we need to be diligent and intentional in our study of Scripture. This requires that we carve out time for it on a regular basis. We need to be reading the Bible everyday as it gives us truth to meditate on and to guide our prayers. Our personal study of Scripture can also be daily as we do our own study with commentaries and study Bibles on one day, studying with a group on another day, and listening to sermons and podcasts on another day. The goal isn’t about learning on the information that we can, but to gain wisdom. Biblical wisdom is the knowledge for living well in God’s world.

The intentionality of studying and reading is crucial. Find a rhythm of reading, meditating, and study that works for you. We need to set aside distractions and other priorities that can hinder our ability to focus on studying God's Word.


If we want to know God's will we must become students of Scripture. Personal study and sitting under qualified teachers are essential parts of this process. We must also be diligent and intentional in our study of God's Word, making it a priority in our daily lives.

As we seek to know God through His Word, we will discover His will, not only for our lives, but for the world. This will influence the way we live as we follow Jesus.

EDC Wednesday: Carry a Knife

 

Human beings have been carrying knives for centuries, as they are versatile tools that can come in handy in a wide variety of situations.

The first knives were sharpened rocks, bones, or metals that had some sort of handle for a person to hold. These knives were used for cutting and scraping tasks, and because of their usefulness, people began carrying knives with them all the time.

The exact origin of folding knives is unknown, as they have been used for centuries and have evolved over time. However, evidence shows that folding knives were used in ancient Rome, Greece, and even in the Bronze Age. These early folding knives were made from bronze, iron, and eventually steel. 

During the Middle Ages, folding knives became popular among nobility as a symbol of status and wealth. Folding knives became popular in the American colonies in the 1600s as an essential part of daily life for farmers and other people who made their living with their hands.

Although our technology has made the daily need for a good cutting tool almost obsolete, a good folding knife is still an essential part of a good EDC. Whether you're working in the yard, doing a DIY project, cooking supper, camping, hiking, or just running errands around town, having a folding knife in your pocket can ensure that you are prepared for any cutting tasks that may come your way.

A few of the knives in my collection.

Here are some reasons why carrying a folding knife is a good idea:

Everyday tasks

From opening packages to cutting rope, there are countless everyday tasks that can be made easier with a folding knife. Instead of struggling to open a package with your bare hands, you can simply use your knife to slice through the tape. Instead of trying to break that dangling thread on your shirt, you can simply cut it off. Instead of tearing open that birthday card from your mom, you can make a nice clean cut with your knife instead. Instead of searching around for a clean knife in the kitchen, slice those veggies up with the slicer in your pocket.

Emergency situations

In an emergency situation, a folding knife can be a lifesaver. Although a knife with a blade less than 3 inches long is perfectly capable of handling 98% of the cutting tasks that will pop up in our daily lives, in many emergency situations that might arise, such as cutting a seatbelt in a car accident or creating a makeshift shelter in the wilderness, a larger knife provides you with the tool you need to get the job done. It's always better to be prepared for the unexpected, and a good medium to large folding knife can help you be prepared.

Utility tool

A folding knife is also a valuable utility tool when the right tool isn't within reach. It is important to remember that while we have all used a knife for something other than cutting, these are not approved uses for a knife. You can use a knife to tighten screws, strip wires, or even to remove a splinter. With a little creativity, you can use a folding knife to tackle all sorts of tasks.

Self-defense

While we hope to never find ourselves in a situation where we need to defend ourselves, it's always better to be prepared. The reality is that unless you are trained to use a knife for self-defense, you are just as likely to hurt yourself as you are your attacker. But, in a life or death situation, using a knife might help you ward off an attacker or create an escape route. Of course, it's important to remember that using a knife in self-defense should always be a last resort, and only used when absolutely necessary.

Personal Expression

For many people, carrying a folding knife is a way to express their personal style. This is particularly true among the EDC community, where there is a wide variety of knives available in different colors, materials, and designs. Personally, I still want a brass handle knife because I think it looks cool when paired with leather.

However, it's important to remember that carrying a knife also comes with responsibilities. You must be aware of local laws and regulations governing knife ownership and use.

Some states and many cities have ordinances that limit the blade length on folding knives to less than 3 inches. To comply with local laws, I bought a Kizer Dukes with a 3-inch blade to carry when traveling.

Since knives are tools and not toys (although the fidget factor on many folding knives is pretty high), we should treat them as such. It's important to handle your knife with care and never use it in a way that could harm yourself or others.

Carrying a folding knife can be a valuable tool for a variety of situations, whether you're out camping, running errands, or going about your daily life. By keeping a knife in your pocket, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Fight Against Sin

William Wilberforce was a British politician and Christian abolitionist who dedicated his life to the eradication of the slave trade in the British Empire. He believed that slavery was a sin and that it was the duty of Christians to fight against it. In his book, Real Christianity, Wilberforce wrote, “"In the same way, God has called us to be the sworn enemies of sin. We are to wage war against it and strive to give it no opportunity in our lives." (p. 65)

In the same way that Wilberforce fought against the sin of slavery, he believed that Christians should wage war against all sin. He understood that sin was a destructive force that had the power to harm individuals, families, church families, local communities, and entire societies.

 

Wilberforce believed that Christians had a responsibility to fight against sin and strive to give it no opportunity in their lives. When we deal with our own individual sin it lessens the impact that sin has on those around us.

The Bible also teaches that sin is a powerful force that can lead to death and destruction. Romans 6:23 (CSB) says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Sin separates us from God and leads us down a path of destruction.

Followers of King Jesus are called to be sworn enemies of sin, because we know the destructive nature sin has in our lives. 

To be an enemy of sin means that we should not tolerate sin in our lives and that help others to overcome the sin in their lives. We are to strive to live a life that demonstrates God’s character and avoid the paths of temptation that lead us to sin. 

We live in a sin corrupted world which is constantly trying to pull us away from following Jesus. This means being an enemy of sin, even when we know it is evil, will not be easy. Temptation will still come our way and sin will still be present in our lives. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can make progress in overcoming sin and live a life that honors Jesus’ sacrifice and reflects the image of God into the world.

Waging war against sin also means that we should be actively involved in fighting against the sin in our world. This includes standing up against injustice, as we fighting against poverty and oppression, and working to bring hope and healing to those who are hurting. We should use our resources, talents, and influence to make a positive impact in the world and to fight against the forces of sin and evil. 

Remember, we can’t win this fight on our own, so we join forces with others working in these areas, offering our prayers and money to extend our love into areas we wouldn’t otherwise be able to go.

This quote from William Wilberforce reminds us that as Christians, we are called to be sworn enemies of sin. It is crucial that we wage war against it and strive to give it no opportunity in our lives. 

For us to do that we need to live a life that bears God’s image of love and holiness by loving our neighbor, working to make a positive impact in the world, and doing what we can to fight against the injustice that is in the world. 

My prayer is that we will be inspired by Wilberforce's example and live a life that is dedicated to fighting against sin and promoting righteousness.

The Good of Inconvenience

In June of 2004 I met a young girl named Kylee while being a family leader and teacher at First Chance Camp. At first, Kylee was very quiet but by the mid-day of the first full day of camp, she had attached herself to me, literally. 

It was irritating that she called me Baldy (I had shaved my head due to a hair cutting accident), stole my hat, and hung on me constantly. I was very annoyed when she grabbed my hand on the last night of camp and pulled me to the campfire to sit by her. I did not want to sit by her, I wanted to do whatever I could to get away from her.

On the way back to the cabins after the campfire, God used Kylee, a nine-year-old girl, to remind me what is important. She told me that her dad was killed in an accident in April and that I was now her dad. 

This caused my eyes to tear up as my perspective shifted. Now, I understood why she harassed me, or as she put it, terrorized me. While I was focused on my comfort, I had missed the pain in Kylee's life.

Dealing with difficult people is something we all have to face. Some people are so needy that they drain our strength. Others seem to get on our nerves just by existing.  Still others tell such outlandish stories that you wonder if you can believe a word that they say. 

Everyone has "unlovable" people in their lives.

The reason we believe they are "unlovable" is because we only see one side of them, and we miss the part of their lives that few people know about. Tragedy, abuse, accidents, and family life all have a significant impact on shaping who we are. 

I bet there is a reason why the annoying people in your life are annoying.

As we seek to tell people about God's love and serve those in need, we won't always deal with people whose personality is compatible with ours. Sooner or later we will encounter people who make life uncomfortable for us. These people provide us with the ultimate test of love. 

It is easy to love the people we enjoy, but it is different to love those who inconvenience our lives.

In Mark 6:31-34, we see that Jesus was being inconvenienced. People came from all over to take from Jesus. They were sick, crippled, and poor, which meant they had nothing to offer. They just wanted Jesus to help them. There were so many people that Jesus didn’t even have time to eat. His desire was to retreat, to go to a solitary place and rest. But  people discovered where he was heading and were waiting for him when he arrived. Jesus offered no rebuke or excuse. Instead, he had compassion on these inconvenient people and took time to help them.

Jesus is our example of how we are to act towards those difficult people in our lives. We may be tired, uncomfortable, and inconvenienced, but we still need  to do our best to help those who cross our paths. We should have compassion on them, not because they have something to offer us, but because they are people created in God’s image.

On the last day of camp, Kylee's mom came to pick her up. She explained to me how Kylee's father died and apologized if Kylee had been a nuisance. I shook my head and said, "She was no problem." My perspective had changed. I no longer saw Kylee as an annoyance but as a little girl who needed to be loved. 

To demonstrate God’s character in this world means we need to show compassion to those inconvenient people in our lives.

Sunday Prayer: Thank You For Transforming My Life

Dear God,

Today I thank You for the Holy Spirit and the transforming work he is doing in our lives. I am grateful for the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that comes from his presence in my heart.

I affirm my commitment to You. I belong to King Jesus and I  have crucified my flesh with all of its passions and desires. I ask for your guidance and strength to continue, that comes from the Spirit, so I am able to keep in step with your will.

Lord, I  pray that you help me to avoid becoming conceited, being divisive, or being envious of others. May I always remember to show love and kindness to those around me, and to extend grace and forgiveness to people just as you have shown me.

I ask that you continue to work in my heart, transforming me from the inside out, and empowering me to live a life that honors you. 

I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and King. Amen.