Blog: E-Lifts

Know Jesus, Know Peace

12/3/2019

" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" John 14:27

  Murdo McRae, Adam Lopez and Marc Tewksbury; cover of John Lennon's "
"Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKyK-ladS7I

Back in the third century Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage wrote to his friend Donatus: "It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered, in the midst of it, a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy, which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians, and I am one of them.”

So what is the “great secret” of the “quiet and holy” people? It is found in the message of the advent candle we light this week: peace.   Jesus, our Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) models for us what peace means.   The root meaning of the Hebrew word peace means “to be whole.” It is both an internal, personal state of being (i.e., calmness, freedom from anxiety, relaxed, blessed) and a social condition (absence of war and strife, people comfortable and at ease with each other). Peace is rooted and grounded in Jesus, in his actions, his teachings, the compassionate way he ministered to people. Everything Jesus did was to lead us to the wholeness, the abundance of life.” I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10).” The promise of abundant life is not abundance of material things. It is abundance of love and peace. Even in our imperfections, through Christ God’s peace radiates through us and touches the restless hearts of those around us. This happens without even speaking a word!

So as we follow Jesus on our Advent journey, we remember that Jesus knew a principle of peace that we often forget in our self-centeredness and focus to get ahead: It is this:

‎"People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used."

Remember the Angel’s song on the night Jesus was born: it is God's purpose is for there to be peace on earth (Luke 2:13, 14). It begins with love. Love brings peace.

Yes, our age, like every age before, has its bad aspects. How then shall the world know wholeness? Abundance of
spirit? Security? Freedom from anxiety? Each one of us, in a “quiet and holy way” or in an exuberant, outspoken manner, must, this Advent season learn to love as Jesus, and let peace flow from our love to the hearts of those around us.

The grace and peace of Christ Jesus be with you!

PRAY:  "Jesus our Peace, fashion us to leave as a peaceful people. May we know your peace and may it lead us to love in your name, Amen."

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"Love Revolution"

11/19/2019

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"... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" Phil. 2:4

Listen to: Israel Houghton & New Tribe: "Love Revolution" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PycBIqjZSjw

We live in a time of greater and greater division in our country, among the classes, across the world.
During difficult situations, we are tempted to give in to cynicism or despair. To give up. To turn inward and care only for ourselves and the small group around us. As Christians, we have a powerful mandate in face of social and personal chaos. Jesus calls us to use the situation we are in as an opportunity to grow in faith. To trust more deeply. To practice patience and forbearance To love more sacrificially. To reinvest our energies, even when we ourselves are hurting, in the world.

No matter who the president is, God is our eternal Sovereign. We carry God's standard: so we must be the salt and leaven of our communities. We bring God's order: so we must listen to those who don't have a voice. We must see those made invisible by injustice and sin. We must touch those who are angry, fearful and forsaken.

Today is a new day and there is much ministry to do. There are devastated communities we can help repair. There are hearts that need mending. There are needs out there that fit the longing of our own hearts. If our communities are to be restored, we must model giving and service. We discover, in the process, our own spirits are touched and healed.

This is a great, spiritual truth: as we focus on and meet the needs of our neighbor, we in turn find peace and a balm for our souls. Giving is key to our spiritual maturity. For as St. Francis said, "in giving we receive." Let us carry Jesus' words as go forth this day:

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you" Luke 6:38

PRAY: "God, out there is a need with my name on it. Lead me to it. We remember that you are for us -- and yes, Lord, we are for your people. So today we give: with all our hearts, we give, in your name."

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Carrying Each Other's Burdens

11/13/2019

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“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Cor 1:8,9”

Listen to:   KUTLESS, “What Faith Can Do”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR_v4iSr6vI

The Lord of the Rings,The J.R.R. Tolkien story, is one of our family favorites. An unlikely band of creatures (men, dwarves, elves, hobbits, wizards) forge a fellowship that overcomes their differences in order to resist a common evil enemy, Sauron. On their journey to destroy an evil ring and vanquish Sauron and his cohorts once and for all, the fellowship encounters death, grueling hardships, misunderstandings, betrayals, challenges to their faith, and battles – internal and external. They experience blessings and unexpected encounters that give them unexpected gifts needed for the journey, and forge additional alliances that help in the fight to defeat evil.

The story teaches us of the power of the holy bounds of friendship,of help that comes from a place greater than ourselves, and of continuing the journey even when faith and hope seem lost. God is present, whether we believe it or not. Our faith will challenge us to act as Jesus expects of us – even when devastation is great and no rest in sight. We learn in these trying circumstances that we act on a power greater than ourselves. We just need to do what we can do, and leave the rest to God. This is what the Apostle Paul learned in his trials throughout his ministry. At times Paul felt crushed. Yet he persevered. So we are not exempt from hardship. We persevere because God is there, leading us through it, even when we don't understand .

There is one scene in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,  that always brings tears to me eyes. The Hobbit, Sam, is helping Frodo up Mount Doom, where the evil ring must be destroyed.   Frodo is nearly wasted from carrying the ring. He can barely move. So Sam says, “I can’t carry it (the ring) for you, but I can carry you! Come on!” And so Sam carries his dear. weakened friend up the steep pass. This is what we are called to do. We can't always take away another's heartache. But we can be there with them and ease the load where we can when the pain is too much.

     We can all carry something. Like the Tolkien fellowship, we are a motley group, forged by our love of Christ and desire to meet and serve our Lord in our neighbor in need. Let us move forward, in faith, trusting our journey will bring forth good and shape us into holy bounds of friendship and care – forged and centered in the love of Christ.

PRAY: “There are times when the burdens are so heavy. It’s too much for us. We need you. Help us to rely on your strength. Help us to forge holy bounds of fellowship with those you have placed in our lives – so we may, with your grace, find strength in you, confront brokenness and evil, and give witness to your never-ending love.”

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Yoked to Jesus

10/28/2019

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Listen to: Troy Sneed, "Lay It Down"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThHMlSTPjnI&playnext=1&list=PL7vy24BGVZRlyP7-vTjrvBnXd7bYssbVF&feature=results_main

A young ox, being trained to the yoke, is placed with an older more experienced animal. The older one carries the brunt of the load. Most of the weight is put upon him. The younger one must learn to pace itself, not too fast, and not too slow. It learns when to start and stop. It learns which way to go. It learns from its partner how to be in "relationship".

So it is with Jesus. When we give our lives to God, we are invited to remember that we are spiritually yoked to the Lord. So as we go through life, we encounter heavy burdens. We face obstacles that we must overcome. We grow weary. At these times Jesus reminds those who are weighted down by life's cares to come to him. Twice in these two verses he promises rest. Rest is part of God's plan. Rest gives us restoration of strength and spirit. Yoking ourselves to Jesus gives us balance -- work and rest. If we are workaholics we are taught to let go, to lay down the burden and rest. Jesus will carry the brunt of the weight.

As we walk along side Jesus, we learn the task of plowing through life's soil and becoming more like him. Jesus assures us that he is "gentle and humble in heart." He leads us securely, patiently, so we can develop a heart that is gentle and humble. Imagine: gentleness carrying the burden of our lives. Humbleness soothing our weariness. Such is the way of the Lord.

God has also spiritually yoked us as brothers and sisters in faith. We help carry each other's heavy burdens in our sharing and caring. We help each other to turn it over to God. We build in opportunities to rest, relax and fellowship. And together we learn to be gentle and humble with each other ... as we are yoked to Jesus,who shows us how to plow and prepare God's fields for an abundant crop of spiritual growth.

PRAY: "Lord, I am tired. I am weary. My burden's are heavy, as they are for so many others. Teach us to lean on you and find rest."
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

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"God Morning!!"

10/8/2019

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"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

"I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day. I had so much to accomplish that I didn't take time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task. "Why doesn't God help me" I wondered, He answered: "You didn't ask." I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak. I wondered why God didn't show me, He said "But you didn't seek." I tried to come into God's presence. I used all my keys at the lock. God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock." I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day. I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray."

If you're anything like me, the minute I'm up I'm dashing to throw on clothes, run a brush through my hair, and get the dogs out for their walk. Then of course they need to be fed and watered, not to mention Bobbie Cat, sitting by her bowl, patiently waiting for her 9-Lives. Is there coffee to gulp down? Glance at the New York Times and see the latest calamities in the world. Then fire up the computer to see the latest emails, Face Book posting..

What's wrong with this picture?

Like many, I forget: Put First Things First. The morning is precious time. Just rested from sleep, not yet bombarded by the demands of the day, our brains and spirit are open. That's when we need to connect spiritually with God. Maybe I need to consciously turn that dog walk into a "walking prayer," asking God to bless my neighbors, and all who have asked me for prayer. Maybe I need to review a "gratitude list" as Gracie and Betty Boo are trying to chase the squirrels. Maybe I need to have a devotional ready and a scripture, to read with my cup of coffee. Maybe before I read my emails, I can read a spiritual posting from the many sites on line.

The point is: Put First Things First. That's what Jesus did. We need to charge up our day with spiritual energy, so we can be positive, engaging people who can minister to others just by our presence. Our presence can bring peace to others -- if we are adequately prepped. That's the best witness we can give to Jesus Christ -- to be a people whose spirits are open, ready to listen and minister, because we are nourished by prayer, and because we are in conscious contact with our God from the time we open our eyes.

Have a wonderful day. Remember: First Things First.

Listen to: Good Morning by Mandisa (featuring Tobymac)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOVv8ySJREs

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Know Jesus, Know Peace

"Love Revolution"

Carrying Each Other's Burdens

Yoked to Jesus

"God Morning!!"

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