Guest Blog: Is Jesus All I Need?

Jesus is...preeminent.

It sounds good, doesn’t it? But, do I fully comprehend it? And not only do I understand it, do I believe it so it influences how I live?

Imagine a small girl, hanging on to the hand of her Big Brother. When she believes her big bro is bigger and stronger and wiser than anyone else, she relaxes in his presence and isn’t afraid of what they may encounter as they walk together.

But, if she has any question about her Big Brother’s muscles, cunning or skill, she takes it upon herself to worry about their journey, what is around the corner, and any scary foes they may encounter.

The little girl’s belief does not alter what is true or minimize the fact that her Brother would likely lay down his life in defense of her.

But, her beliefs greatly affect what she thinks, does, says and believes as they walk together.

When I say Jesus is preeminent, meaning He is greater and higher than anything or anyone, how does my belief affect my walk with Him?

Can I relax knowing He always has my back?

Can I rejoice, appreciating that absolutely nothing we encounter will outwit or overpower Him?

Can I enjoy the journey understanding He knows the best way to get from here to there?

Can I anticipate with joy what is ahead, trusting He seeks my good and always keeps His promises?

Last term I told my students that faith and trust are “twins.” What or whom you believe in is what you trust. If you don’t trust someone or something you won’t have faith in them and vice versa. As your faith grows, so does your level of trust.

So, when I say Jesus is preeminent, do I trust what Colossians has to say about this quality of our Redeemer?

“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

“Him” in this verse refers to Jesus. “All” means just what you think, “everything, nothing excluded.” All things, everywhere, seen and unseen, great and small, were created through Jesus and for Jesus. This verse in a nutshell is preeminence.

This is unchanging, bank-your-life-on-it, stake-your-eternity-on-it truth. Truth is not altered or diminished whether you believe it or not. But, whether you embrace it or not dramatically affects your experience in this life and your future expectations. 

Preeminence is just one of Jesus’ many and amazing characteristics. What if you looked at each one - His grace, His goodness, His faithfulness, His mercy - and asked yourself, “When I fully believe this, how does my outlook change?”

The fact is, yes, the journey is important, but with Who you are walking is of greater importance. 

Can you and I have faith like a child; hang on to our Heavenly Big Brother’s hand, swinging it as we walk with Him? Can you relax in His presence knowing He is preeminent and so much more?

He is everything, absolutely everything you need Him to be. Believe it. Trust it. Live it.

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By Guest Blogger Ruthie Howard. (You can follow the link to view her Global Outreach page.)
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Please like and share to extend our digital reach...

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The High Maintenance Missionary and the Drooping Hedge

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

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The High Maintenance Missionary and The Drooping Hedge

The conversation between God and Satan that led to Job's trial always surprises me. (Leanna paraphrase coming up)

"What have you been up to, you old devil?" God asked. 

"Roaming around the earth, seeking whomever I can devour," admitted Satan.

"Did you notice my servant, Job? He's the best."

"Yeah, I noticed him. You have a hedge of protection around him and I can't get to him. Drop that hedge a little, and I'll show you how good he is. He'll curse you to your face."

God knew Job better than Job knew himself. He dropped the hedge a little. Satan attacked. Job agonized, grieved, and worshiped. "Though He slay me, still I will hope in Him," he avowed. 

As he walked through the trial, Job learned more about God and more about Himself than he'd ever known before. He had conversations with the Most High God that were nothing short of profoundly amazing. Those trials changed his life.

Job's ordeal was horrible. He was a good believer at the start, but he was a much better disciple at the end of it. God was glorified in a way that still stuns us and helps us through our own trials, thousands of years later. 

I don't know if you've ever had an experience with a dropped hedge and a horrible trial, but I have. More than once. I didn't think of it as a "dropped hedge" at the time, but this morning, I can see those hard trials in a new way. 

One difficult situation after another, one loss after another came until I was reeling. I remember being face down on the floor, saying, "Though you slay me, still I will praise you..." I offered a sacrifice of praise and something changed - in me and in my situation. 

Things began to improve. It was slow at first, but, gradually, the trial abated and I emerged, a little wobbly but a different woman from the one who encountered that first shattering trial. 

As I look back over these last few months, I have to wonder if my hedge has been allowed to droop a little. There's been one difficult situation after another... I've seen the enemy jab and shoot fiery darts. It's been hard. It's been beautiful.

I learned something important in my first Job Journey. We have a shield of faith that can stop the fiery darts. It only works, though, if we hold it up. We have a sword of the Spirit that can do serious harm to the enemy's assault, but only if we pick it up and wield it. 

If you're not in a Job Journey now, you've either been through one already or yours is still to come. 

Take heart. A drooping hedge means one very encouraging thing. God knows you can make it through. He's already planning the blessings for the other side.

"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him..." Job 13:15 nasb
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Please like and share to extend our digital reach...

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Praise Party Prayers and the Open Invitation

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus

The Praise Party Prayers and The Open Invitation

One of the topics I talk about when I'm teaching on prayer is the issue of "shopping list" prayers. I can't for a moment imagine that God likes them.  

You probably know this kind of prayer. I've prayed them myself. They go something like this... 

Hey, God. I need these twenty-two things. Hop to it. And thanks."

We don't verbalize our prayers in quite that way, of course, but it's the "bare bones" truth. 

If my son, Ryan, spoke to me in this way, he would not get a favorable response. I've prayed those prayers. I didn't get a favorable response, either.

It's taken years to develop my "style" of prayer, but it most often goes more like this...

"Hi, Dad. I can hear the birds outside my window and they're singing a great song today. And what an amazing sky you've painted. I love how you blend the blues. I loved it when you worked it out about that problem I mentioned yesterday, and how you worked in my friend's life. Wow. I can hardly believe it. You're amazing..." 

Technically, that's praise prayer. To me, it's just talking with my Dad and best friend about the great things He's doing.

I appreciate people thanking me when I've done something on their behalf, and God does, too. I don't think He gets enough of that from me, or from any of us. We could do a better job of gratitude. I could do a better job.

Do I ask God for things when I pray? Not always. 

I hate to admit that, because people ask me to pray for them pretty often. I do pray for them, but it might not always sound like people expect.

For example, sometimes I say, "I don't know what's best. I'm leaving that in your hands. I trust you with it." 

or, "Don't forget about ... We're still waiting on some help with that, Lord."

or, after going a little long on praise time, "I was going to talk to you about... but you know all about it anyway. We can't solve that for ourselves so we need your help." 

or, "I don't have any suggestions for you, but I wanted to tell you again how great you worked out my last problem... so I know you'll handle this..." 

Sometimes, I have the needs written on index cards as reminders, and I just hold them up before the Lord and say, "Lord, this..." with one card after another. 

It doesn't sound like most of the prayers we hear at church. I know. 

I believe God likes this kind of prayer. I know He does, in fact, because of the amazing ways He answers. 

Of course, I do pray quite a bit of the face to the ground, weeping my eyes out, begging God for my need and asking for a specific answer kind of prayer, too. That's important work. 

Most of my prayers these days, though, are much more about who God is and how great He is than asking Him for anything. That kind of prayer builds relationship. 

It's a kind of "here's our situation, our eyes are on you" prayer. (2 Chronicles 20)

I've told you all this to tell you about Praise Party Prayers. I don't do this often enough, but it's a lot of fun. Sometimes, I spend an entire day without asking God for anything. It's a prayer-filled day in which all prayer is either thanksgiving or praise. No asking allowed. 

I call it a Praise Party.

I'm having one of those days today, and, wherever you are, I'm inviting you to join me. (In case you've already done some asking, just start your Praise Party now...)

It will do something amazing in your heart and plant a sense of gratitude deeper than you can imagine... so what are you waiting for? 

It's a Praise Party Day, and you're invited...

"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord..." Psalm 150:6

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Please like and share to extend our digital reach...

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Untoasted Frozen Bread and the Unrepentant Heart

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus

Untoasted Frozen Bread and the Unrepentant Heart

My breakfast isn't often an elaborate affair. Usually, I have overnight oatmeal or some variety of quick bread with peanut butter. This morning, I looked in the refrigerator and realized I hadn't prepped a thing. 

In desperation, I opened the freezer for a loaf of bread to make toast. I found the bread wrapper with the tail-end piece of the loaf, a mere sliver of bread.

It wasn't much of a breakfast, but I stuck it in the toaster and poured a cup of coffee, took a sip or two, then reached to get my toast. It was still frozen. I'd put it in the toaster, but had failed to turn the toaster on.

As I waited for the bread to toast (once it was actually on) I pondered whether or not I could find a lesson in that frozen bread...

It seems to me that we have a tendency to be more like the frozen bread than we realize. When we're "in Christ," but without power, we're about as attractive to the world as my icy bread. We're brittle and easily broken. 

It's only when the power flows that we're thawed, warmed, and attractive, but we don't achieve that by pushing down a button. Power, for the Christian, comes when we are so connected to our Lord that nothing comes between us.

If our eternal destiny is sealed when we accept Christ, what can come between us? Unconfessed sin. 

1 John 1:9 tells us that, if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness . 

Sin + confession = forgiveness + right relationship with God

The problem is not on the forgiving side of this equation. The problem is on the confession side. Either we want to justify our actions and insist that what we did wasn't sin OR we want to keep our actions and continue our sin. Both of those choices yield unconfessed sin that can have an impact on our relationship with Christ for years to come.

Let's take a look at our hearts today. Are we, as disciples, as appetizing as frozen bread or are we are as warm and inviting as a rich, toasty slice of homemade bread? Which will bring people to Jesus? 

What sin needs to go in order to "turn the power on?"

Friends, we live in a dark and lonely world. People long for significant connection to others and to our God. We can help, but only if God's power flows through us. Let's live in such a way that we're a conduit of our Lord's grace, mercy, and love.

"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Psalm 32:5 NLT
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When We Want Proof but We Need Faith 

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus

When We Want Proof but Need Faith

"Why?" and "How do we know that?" were two of my favorite questions as a child. They still are. I don't easily accept "facts" without clear evidence to back them up, and the bigger the proof, the better.

The temptations Satan offered Jesus were for Him to "prove" His divinity and receive His kingdom by doing foolish tricks and worshipping the evil one, instead of walking the hard road of obedience. 

It's a very human response to want proof. As a physician, I want a well-designed, double-blinded controlled study to "prove" new theories and demonstrate the effectiveness of new treatments. 

It's easy to be deceived. We all want to be sure, don't we? 

In the Christian life, however, faith requires that we believe without seeing. 

In a way, our "proof" is relationship-based. Because we have a personal relationship with a loving God who actively involves Himself in our lives, we can see Him at work in our circumstances. We don't "see" the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Spirit gives us, but we can certainly recognize them when they're there. 

Jesus knew that the work God had already done was manifestation enough. 

He knew that the relationship He came to personalize was enough. 

He knew that the work of redemption He would do on the cross would be enough. 

Enough has been done, and response, not more doing, is required. 

The question, simply stated, is: what will we do about Jesus? We have two choices. One leads to life, the other to death. Trust and obey or reject and rebel?

Do we accept the proof that's already been given, or not? Are we enjoying the relationship that's already been offered, or not? Our response to Jesus becomes the evidence of our faith for the world to see.

What testimony is my life giving the world? What testimony is your life giving? Let's be sure we're demonstrating the faith we say we have.

And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; (Luke 4:9 NASB)
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: On Chargers, Cringers, and Having the Most Fun 

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus

On Chargers, Cringers, and Having the Most Fun

Last evening, I went outside to sit for a while. My usual seat is on the patio, but this time, I headed to a vintage glider underneath my favorite oak tree. It was a good thing I looked before I sat, because a huge piece of a bone was in the seat.

I pondered the reasons for a bone in the glider for a moment, then threw it on the ground. Maggie and Mamie raced to see what I'd thrown.

Maggie was all over the bone in an instant, sniffing, licking, trying to take a bite.  Once she'd determined it was a bone and, therefore, potential food, she grabbed on to the smallest edge and started gnawing.

Mamie, on the other hand, was more cautious. She stood a foot or so away and stared. She stepped forward long enough to take a sniff or two, then jumped back again. Mamie wasn't sure, so she didn't take a chance with the bone.

Their responses to the bone mirrored their responses to life. Mamie is cautious. She holds back. She cringes a little. Maggie tackles everything head-on. She charges. 

Their approaches extend to strangers and new situations, as well as to bones in the yard. 

This morning, as I've pondered the tiny adventure of the bone, I'm left wondering about our own approaches to life. Some of us are cringers, like Mamie, and some are chargers, like Maggie. 

The difference in approach is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to strangers or new situations, but what about living the Christian life? When we hold back on faith and obedience, or on following, serving, or loving, we miss out on the best part of our faith. We miss the relationship that moving closer will give.

When we hold back on our prayers and make only "safe and certain" requests, we miss the great joy that comes when God-sized prayers are answered. 

When it comes to trusting Jesus, to obeying with wholehearted abandon, to faith and matters of prayer, are we chargers or cringers? The cringers play it safe, but I think the chargers have all the fun.

If we've been holding back in our relationship with Jesus, let's step a little closer, obey a little quicker, love a little deeper. Move in with reckless abandon so that we can say, along with the apostle Paul, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain." That, my friends, is wide-open, reckless abandon, and it's where the excitement (and the power) begins.

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Craving Sin and Choosing Slavery

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus

Craving Sin and Choosing Slavery

"Hey, would you like to be a slave? Try this," said no one ever.

It would be more accurate if we did, though.

Romans 6 has tough words about sin versus obedience. 

"...our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, for he who has died is freed from sin..." (Romans 6:6-7 nasb)

When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we're supposed to give up our life of sin. We don't just say we're done with sin, we're suppose to BE done with sin. 

If we're dead to sin, we're freed from sin. 

The problem comes when, after we die to sin, we decide to embrace it again. Obey it again. Then, the unthinkable happens. 

We're enslaved again.

We are slaves to whatever we obey. That's what Paul said in Romans 6:16, and it's true. 

The concept is clear when we think about the urge to use heroin. If we crave it and use it, we're enslaved to it. 

What's more difficult to accept is that, when we crave the sin of gluttony and indulge in it, we're enslaved to it, too.

When we crave the sin of gossip and indulge in it, we're enslaved to it.

When we crave the sin of a judgmental and critical spirit and indulge in it, we're enslaved to it.

When we crave the right to use alcohol whenever we want, we're enslaved to it.

When we crave the sin of lovelessness toward our neighbor, we're enslaved to it.

Can you feel the sting yet? 

Disciples of Jesus are not supposed to choose sin over righteousness. 

In the first century, the mere shadow of Peter passing across a sick person brought healing. (Acts 5:15) A scrap of fabric that had touched Paul could convey healing. (Acts 19:12) People were healed with a word or a touch. Demons were cast out. The lame could walk. The blind could see. The deaf could hear.

We have the same Jesus, the same Holy Spirit, the same resurrection power. In many areas of the world, miraculous healing still happens. God still moves in stunning ways.

God didn't "use up" all His power getting the church started. He's bigger than that. 

There's a reason we don't see such miraculous acts of God in this country, and it's not a lack of power on God's part. 

I believe the problem of our sin is the reason for the difference.

We've become so cavalier about sin, so comfortable with it, so fearful of offending when we stand against it, that we've become enslaved to sin. 

In so doing, sin, not Christ, has become our master.  

If we want the power of God to flow through us, as it did through Paul and Peter, we have to do what they did. Get the sin out. Embrace righteousness in all its dimensions. Focus wholly on our God.

We know that already. We choose a different path, planting one foot in God's kingdom and the other firmly in the world. 

This should not be, my friends.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free, and the freedom He meant us to have is freedom from sin. 

We have a choice to make. Will we choose Christ or not? Will we live for Him or not? 

If we want to be the free, Spirit-empowered disciples Jesus meant us to be, we must relinquish our slavery to sin, escape our chains, and cling to the cross. We can't cherish and hold close our favorite sins. We must let them all go.

It sounds hard, of course, and it is, but freedom is worth it.

We have a choice to make, body of Christ. Sin versus obedience. Slavery versus freedom. Choose well, for our choice determines both our Master and our direction. 

"Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but also alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Weeping with Those Who Weep 

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus