Hi friends

I will Be on the road for the next month so the The Jesus Walk will be hit and miss as I have opportunity to access the Internet.

Pray for me as I go to India and share the gospel there. These are exciting times in the Kingdom of God and I want to encourage you to walk each day with Jesus...it makes the difference.


See you when I can!


Blessings,


Rip

James1: 2-4. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I must admit that I hate test. Growing up I did not like to study, especially spelling. Spelling words were difficult for me to learn. Long list of useless words, which filled the pages of our worksheets, bombarded my mind each and every Friday. Testing day was always on Friday and we would have a week to learn the new words. I confess that I waited until the last moment to study and I have a suspicion that this had something to do with my lack of testing well.

Test in life are inevitable, it’s a reality of life that each of us will face difficult times, yet it is in the midst of such testing or trials, that we discover who we are and how much we need the provision of our heavenly Father.

Struggle as much as I did in elementary school, the lesions I learned have guided me into my adulthood and have produced in me the qualities that I now process. Look at how this works which is lined out for us in scripture.

Trails produce faith, faith develops perseverance, perseverance finishes work, and this produces Christian maturity.

So Lord, bring on the test, I am ready to discover more of who you are and more of how much I need you in my life. And you said something about having pure joy? I want that as well. Amen.

James 4: 7 -10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

What does this say about us? I find it rather convicting that James is reminding church people that this life is lived best when we lose control, or more correctly when we give control to God. I have taught over the years that living life is a series of choices. Every choice has a consequence and reaction. Therefore it is important that we make right choices, choices the reflect God in our lives.

James gives us some important instructions for making this right choice. Let me highlight these words for you. I have added my insight for clarification.

Submit yourselves
Surrendering my desires to God so that He is in control

Resist the devil
Walking away from evil

Come to God
Trusting in His power and grace

Wash your hands
An image of being cleansed by the blood of Jesus

Change
An act of choice to follow after God

Humble yourselves
Realizing that we are not God

There is a promise contained in this passage. The promise is that when we live under God's control; one day, He will lift us up. I look forward to that day. Amen.

JAMES 1:5-8
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

“If any of you lacks wisdom.” I can’t tell you how many times I have found myself in this dilemma. More times than I care to count I have come to the realization I don’t know what to do next. If you look closely at this passage, you will see that it relates to verses 1- 4 that deal with facing difficult times in our lives. The promise is that God will be with us to give us all the things we need.

Here is the key: the first thing to do is ASK. Ask God to help you, to bring to remembrance the things you know to do and the strength to do them. Asking for wisdom is asking God to use that which I already know to fulfill God’s purpose in my life. The second thing to do is TRUST. How can we receive from God or anyone else for that matter if we don’t trust them to provide the answer? Trust God to provide the things He wants to give to you freely.

Prayer: Father, thank you for daily wisdom for the living of my life. Amen.

James 3:5b-12 See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Words that harm and words that heal. We have the ability to do both, you know. With a word we can cause a child to soar in belief that all things are possible, and with a different word said at the wrong time we can crush the creativity and destroy the soul. I wish I could take it back, that word or action or that negative feeling directed toward another person. The problem we face, however, is that once said or acted upon there is no taking back the consequences of our actions.

I was entering the seventh grade when I remember my first real negative words of despair. My seventh grade basketball coach said to me, “Jenkins, you will never amount to anything; in fact, you won’t even graduate out of high school.” I was devastated to say the least. I lost hope and actually believed him for a while.

It was words of hope, however, that brought me out of that slump, words that said I believe in you. Those words still ring true in my life. Every time I listen to the words of despair, I am reminded that God loves me and believes in me. His words do not lie.

Think about it, you have the power to heal and the power to harm. Which words will we choose?

Prayer: Father, teach me to control my tongue.

Harvest

Matthew 9:36-38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

I have just returned from an amazing trip to the northern part of Nicaragua. About ten minutes from the Honduras border is a community of 35,000 people eking out an existence and trying to find their way forward. The community is filled with all types of social problems and is one of the areas where child prostitution is rampant. My purpose was to build into some local pastors in that area the only hope of the world: Jesus Christ. I think this is somewhat what Jesus was talking about in this passage above.

Our first task was to encourage pastors who have been working, many for only a few dollars a month, to be true to the mission and ministry to which God had called them. I have long believed that the role of a pastor is to lead a life of Christian value and character, and that our lives should reflect the inner peace we have discovered in walking and living for Christ. But in difficult places and extreme poverty, this Jesus walk we often take for granted is compromised. How do we stay faithful when those around us have no hope? How do we lead when we ourselves are caught in the quagmire of legalism and even outward sin?

I was reminded through the passage above that these leaders were themselves helpless and harassed; in fact, they were like sheep without a shepherd. The challenge to do more than just encourage is something that we must take seriously, the future of the church in this area is dependent upon the faithful joining together to proclaim the unchanging work and word of Christ.

Even as I ministered to these pastors I was reminded of the countless others who were dependent upon the faithful proclamation of the word of Christ through them. The words of Jesus echoed in my mind, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them." If Jesus were here today, He would have compassion for them. We drove around the city through mud roads because of the rains, and viewed broken down homes and shanties which barley protected the villagers. It was easy to see the despair and hopelessness of the people; evidences were everywhere of the needs that these people of God so desperately lack.

As we left this town, I was reminded that indeed Jesus had been there today. He had been there with me, and His words, not mine made an impact. I was reminded that the food that they were able to eat this day was food from Jesus and not my hands; I was reminded that the words of encouragement, which I shared, were the words which Jesus wanted to share with them. I spoke to them because long ago I answered the call to join the harvest. My prayer is that you will join as well.

Blessings, Rip

Hi everyone, I am back in Nicaragua for two weeks. This place keeps calling to me and I know that God is working here in a great way. Please keep me in your prayers that I follow His leading. Rip

Glorify

John 17:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.”

WOW! This passage hit me like a rock today. The part that got me was this; in what I do, do I glorify God? Interesting question, most of the time I am pretty good about bringing glory to myself. I usually take care of my needs, I am a good father and husband, I am a friend, a hard worker, a good listener, a faithful follower of Christ, and have many other very worthwhile attributes, which attest to my value. But what good is all this about me if I only bring glory to myself? Who am I serving and whom am I calling attention to?

I am convinced that in God's wisdom He did not say, hummmmm, “I wonder how great I can make Rip today,” or “I think I will make Rip just a little special.” No, in actuality, I was created and you were created to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. It seems somewhat strange to me how we seem to get that backward in most of our lives. I don't think it is wrong to use our ability of talents to inspire or serve others; in fact, that is what we are created to do. What is wrong is when we don't put proper acknowledgment in what was accomplished. Here is some real truth: apart from God, I am nothing.

Apart from God I am alone, fragile, foolish, sinful, broken, prideful--the list could go on. Just fill in your particular weakness and it work. Apart from God we are incapable of anything that has lasting value and worth. I love this passage from Acts 17: 28, 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of our own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' The reality of our lives is that we can only find real value in Him and that our living should be a reflection of His glory so that we might share with Him in His eternal glory.

I hear some people say, “I don't know what I am called or created to do?” The answer actually is simple--to bring glory to God is a good first place to start. When you can't figure any of this world's issues out or places where you can plug in, then the best place to start is with a simple understanding that anything I do must bring glory to God. The next question is then: How? How do I bring glory to God?

Bringing glory to God is choosing to live in light of Christ's teaching and love. To have only teaching is not enough and to have love is not enough. It is the combination of both that brings about the proper glory. Jesus reminds us in the teaching from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

So let's get busy. The call is to bring glory to God through all we say and do.

Blessings, Rip

Troubled Hearts

John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

I suspect that this is one of my most favorite passages of scripture. I know that the background for this statement stems from the preceding encounter with His disciples; Jesus had just revealed to them the future events leading to His death and resurrection. Troubling times always need words of comfort. That was true then, and these verses of scripture ring just as loud and clear today.

We live in a world of “troubled hearts.” Read the newspaper or listen to the news, and you will see troubled hearts,. Listen to the words of popular songs, and you will hear troubled hearts. Look around at the problems of our economy and political unrest, and you will see troubled hearts. Look at the unemployment figures, and you will see troubled hearts. Take a look within your own soul, and you might see a troubled heart.

Jesus’ ministry was about healing troubled hearts. His words of compassion and hope brought people from far and near to hear His words and to believe again that with God all things are possible. But trust me, it is difficult to have joy in the midst of so much brokenness in our world and even in our own soul. Trouble eats away at us like a cancer invading every part of our body until it seems like there is nowhere to turn. Despair reaches the pinnacle, and we wonder within our troubled hearts is there an answer?

The reality of this answer is that for some there is no hope, for you see, the answer lies in the opportunity to believe in Jesus. This is not some simple statement that is used to placate the sorrow, but a statement filled with power, which will transform life. The reason some will not “get it” is because they will not choose to let go and let God, to coin a phrase. Letting go is difficult because it cost us the ability to be in charge. But that is exactly what Jesus is inviting us into. The invitation is to live a life that is impossible without His divine intervention.

I think the sorrow for me is that I don’t follow Jesus’ plan for living in His hope in my own life most of the time. I try to do it on my own and end up with little to show in return. You see that really the answer to troubled hearts is to believe in God and believe also in Jesus. This is heart knowledge not just head wisdom; this is an experience encounter with God through the power of His Spirit to guide us and to transform us into what we will become in Him.

The disciples will experience the truth of Jesus’ words in the passages which follow, and we can learn from them the path to belief. The journey to hope is belief.

Blessings, Rip

Life

John 11:25-27 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

I got it! It just came in an-email from Kohl’s this morning--the best ever, last chance, ultimate savings coupon of all time. Worth, now get this…an extra 25% off. WOW, you say, that is amazing. Kohl’s coupon worth 25% off, that’s unheard of, why, that’s the best news ever. Well, not really…I actually have better news to tell you today!

The news I have to tell you about today concerns not shopping, but LIFE. Your life, the life you live, day in and day out. It’s the only life you have, and it’s the only life you can do something about. And now that life you live can be different. You don’t need to be stuck in the mundane, or forgottenness, or brokenness, sinfulness, selfishness or lust. You can have amazing free life, which will never die.

The other good news I have for you is that this life is not based upon a once in a while coupon which you receive through the mail. This eternal life is given to you through Jesus Christ when you do one very significant act. This simple act of faith is found in the word believe. That’s it. No formula, no secret hand shake, no broken promises, just a wonderful belief in the One that gives to us freely everything we need.

His name is Jesus, and He says of Himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” It’s His unbroken promise to you and me, that if we believe in Him…I mean, really believe, not just with our head but our hearts as well, if we believe that He died for our sin, that He rose from the dead, that He is coming again, we can have LIFE. It’s His promise, and He does not lie.

There is no shortage of product, and you won’t get a rainy-day-check. No other coupon offered or needed. It is completely free, top-of-the-line, abundant, lively, joyfully exorbitant, everlasting life. And it’s yours, available everywhere.

There is one catch, however, and here it comes. You knew it was too good to be true; there had to be a catch; nothing is free in this world today. Well, the catch is this. Our world is broken, and it’s going to end one day and Christ will return in His glory to bring about the end. Then it’s finished; this free offer of life will no longer be available. The amazing thing is that you don’t need to wait to the end to know how you are going to turn out. You can know today. Just believe. That’s it, and life can be yours. Jesus said so!

Blessings, Rip

Freedom

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

It’s all about freedom--always has been, always will be. It’s about what Jesus Christ will do in your life to break the bonds of sin—the disbelief, disobedience and doubt, just to name a few. It’s what Jesus does, and He does it very well. In fact, He did it perfectly.

I had the amazing blessing yesterday to watch as a friend of mine made this life-changing journey from not being certain to becoming very certain of her salvation. She laid hold of all that Christ wanted to offer her and in so doing reminded me and others that freedom is what Jesus came to do. He came to set the prisoners free so that we might have the blessing of being called children of God.

Freedom is not something to be taken lightly. I marvel at times when I hear stories of military personal that declare that what they are doing is worth the effort. No sacrifice too great is their common story. The same can be said for the sake of the cross. No sacrifice too great was the story of the life of Jesus; He gave everything in order that we might be set free. Remember He even said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Freedom is only found in Him and Him alone.

I have realized in my life that everything else except this amazing love of Jesus usually ends in bondage. Church work can be bondage, tithing can be bondage, scripture reading can be bondage, and if these things which are good cause bondage, then think what the acts of our sinful nature cause--the answer, more bondage.

Lies, deceit, deception, lust, anger, strife, addictions to things and a host of other stuff have bound me, and these things have always landed me in more bondage. How true it is that the one thing we want to escape from is the very thing that will control us, except for this amazing grace of Christ.

Being a Christ follower is a journey to freedom. Sometimes it happens in an instant, sometimes over the course of learning and struggle, but the end game is our freedom. Christ is on our side, and He is calling us to be free--free from this world to experience the beauty of living a life filled with His love and the Love of our Heavenly Father.

The choice is simple; choose freedom. In so doing, release the things which bind you and turn them over to Jesus, All those things died on the cross with Him at Calvary. Then surrender your will in a different way, in submission to a greater authority--the power of God to experience anew freedom from above.

That’s what I’m looking for today. How about you?

Blessings, Rip

The Word

John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

As I thought of this passage of scripture today, I was taken by the completeness of it. Everything we were in need of, creation, life, hope…were all summed up in this announcement from John found in the opening of his Gospel. So what I want to do today is embellish upon this passage and cause us to consider the complexities of its depth and reach of its completeness.

In the beginning was the Word, and guess what, the Word will be there at the end as well. One of the amazing truths of scripture found here is that God is, has always been and will always be. We know that this reference to “the Word,” spoken of here, is, in fact, speaking about Jesus Christ. He was with God from the beginning; all things were made through Him. In Him is life and light, and the light shines in our dark lives.

These seven ideas contained in this passage give us a complete life and work of the person of Christ. Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and Conqueror--these form the basis of everything Jesus is doing. No wonder John writes that in verse 9, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” After all the darkness, now the light has shown and Christ is come.

It is complete in that Jesus was Creator and ends with Him being the Conqueror which nothing can overcome. It is complete in that He provides everything we need to live; life in Him is provided. Light and life, hope and forgiveness--all these are found in Him because He created everything that is.

I love the phrase from time to time said in our churches, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.” It was in His goodness that He created us and gave us everything we needed, and it is in His goodness that He sustains us and provides for us living faith. It is in His goodness that He will bring us to Himself at the end so that nothing will overcome that which He has created.

In the beginning was the Word; always has been, still is and always will be. Thanks be to God.

Blessing, Rip

Come

Luke 19:5-6 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

Perhaps this is one of the better known and best loved short stories in all of scripture. Who among us growing up in Sunday school has not sung the song relating to this story of Zacchaeus, the wee little man? And yet, this story has amazing power in its teaching about giving up everything and following Jesus. That really is the purpose of the story, you know--not that Jesus was going to his house but that Jesus was calling him to change his life.

Change his life it did. If you follow the story, you will see that Zacchaeus made a radical life change which started that very moment with his Jesus encounter. He gave back things he had wrongly taken; he restored over and above what he had stolen and he gave half of everything to the poor. Significant for sure! However, I think the greatest thing he did was after this first encounter. Jesus said it this way, “Today salvation has come to your house.”

What was the core change in Zacchaeus? Was it how he handled money or power? No, I think it was how he lived from that moment on. For many of us, it’s easy to make a declaration of change at the moment of encountering Jesus, but the proof is in how we finish the course set before us. Quick change rarely finds its completion in lasting and significant things. It is only in sustained living the Jesus Walk that we sill find at the end of the journey the life of fulfillment and joy that we were seeking.

This radical call from Jesus to Zacchaeus is the same call to each of us. “Come down; I’m coming to your house today.” It’s the same call each and every day in the life of a Christ follower. The way you choose each day is directly related to your joy and obedience in following the life Christ has planned for you.

Zacchaeus could have ignored this call from Jesus. He could have said, “Not me, not now.” Yet he came down and the passage tells us, “welcomed Him gladly.” Salvation came to Zacchaeus because he responded and in so doing, his life was changed.

Jesus calls each of us to come, follow, and receive.

Blessings, Rip

Write it Down

Luke 1:3-4 “It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

One of the things I have learned to do over the course of my years in ministry is to write things down. I forget stuff. Not the big stuff; in fact, I still remember places and people from my past with clarity. I still have fond memories of meals together with friends and loved ones. I can still recall phone numbers and addresses of places where I lived, but sometimes I can’t remember what to pick up at the store.

I don’t think it is an old age problem (perhaps it is); I think it is a priority problem. Some things have a greater priority to be remembered. Luke, in this opening to his gospel, gives a very good reason for the practice of writing things down. He says, “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” God has a way of bringing certainty to the things He has done so that we may have no fear in believing.

Here it is in white and black. These things are true; you can trust the authenticity of this writing. I remember when I first started buying Microsoft products and there was a seal of authenticity on the package and still is. This gave evidence that the product inside was indeed a Microsoft product.

The seal of our Christian walk is the Holy Spirit; the Spirit gives certainty to our turning from the old nature to the new, while at the same time giving us the tools we need to walk this walk. We have this written down so that we can come to this place from time to time and be reminded of who we are and to whom we belong.

I have discovered as well the importance of having something I can turn to when things get difficult. When I can’t seem to find my way forward spiritually, I am reminded in scripture that God is my guide. I can return to His book, the Bible, and remember that He spoke to me there. Perhaps, what I need is to be reminded of this from time to time because there is certainty in these writings for the living of my life.

So write it down.

Blessings, Rip

Abundance

Mark 44 "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

We put value on many things--our possessions, our children, our spouse, our jobs and even our religion. Possessions take time to care for and to manage well. And the mandate from scripture concerning our wealth is that we are to be stewards of all that we have been given. So what do we do when it seems like we have less than needed?

I think the answer is found in this simple act of the widow in this story. We continue to give. It’s not really an option; it is a life choice. Giving is easy when you have abundance and plenty to share around. I enjoy that type of giving; however, I have discovered that you can’t really judge the results of giving when you give in this way. Some will respond because you are able to make a change in their lives and this ultimately leads to displaced dependence. The focus is on your ability to give and not the heart intent of why you give.

Real giving is when you make a life choice to give regardless of the outcome. You give because you know it is the right thing to do and your thoughts are not based upon reward or return but upon the joy that is part of giving.

This week I have been working at my sister’s home, not for reward, even though she did take me out to eat a few times, but because I love to give. I receive an inner joy from doing what I can to help others, and sometimes, I even like to give money.

I believe that everything I have is an opportunity to give, and in the act of giving I am learning that possessions are not important. That was what this widow understood. Her things were only opportunities to choose to give, and she chose wisely. Even Jesus noticed and we all know her story. Interesting isn’t it? We don’t know the stories of the other givers of abundance; we know however the widow’s.

We continue to give; it’s that simple. It is a choice we make based upon our belief that all we have belongs to God and that we have been entrusted with the stewarding of these resources.

So how are you doing with this giving thing?

Blessings, Rip

Choices

Matthew 25: 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.”

Everyone is responsible. Everyone has a purpose. Everyone is involved. Everyone is given something. The issue at hand is what are you going to do with what has been given to you?

I think that more times than not this passage of scripture has been used to guilt people into action. Pastors always point to the last servant who did nothing with his talent with the admonition that you and I don’t want to end up in the same place as he did. Truly this is part of the teaching from Jesus on this subject. Wasted talent is sad to see. Wasted opportunities are never regained; wrong choices are filled with consequences that plague us for a long time. But on the other hand, very little is made mention of the faithful servant.

I have often wondered what made him special? What set him apart from the others? The truth is this. The only thing that made him different was that he made a choice to be faithful. He did not have more ability or talent in proportion to the others; what he had was the right choice. Because he chose rightly, he was blessed. Right choices lead to fulfilled dreams.

I doubt that you and I are any different from the characters in this teaching. Each of us has ability unique into ourselves. That’s the way God made us. We are gifted in certain ways to fulfill tasks that are suited to the call of God in our lives. I don’t think that I am a car mechanic; I have tried and not been too useful. Yes, I can change oil and spark plugs…they still use spark plugs? But, I don’t do major repair. I make the right choice. I trust those who have the ability to do the work well.

This Christ journey that we have been called to walk is filled with opportunities to use the abilities that have been entrusted to us. The only thing that matters now is the choice we will make. I read a good book a few years ago with this title, “You Can Get Better or Bitter.” The author was stressing the power of choice. I think that is true in our lives more than we want to admit. The power of choice is ours. Sometimes choice is for good; sometimes it is for worse.

So what do we do with this choice? I would direct your thinking to the choice of the first servant. It says that he went at once and used his talent--not because he was special but because he decided to go. The choice was his to make; the choice is yours to make.

Choose well.

Blessings, Rip

Simple Gospel

Matthew 22:37-40 “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’"

A good friend of mine who died a few years ago had a profound way of looking at this passage of scripture. He would say, “The gospel is really quite simple; it’s all about loving God and loving your brother and sisters.” I think that not only did he speak these words, but he lived them as well. There is something unique about the person who figures out how simple being a Christ’ follower really is.

Simple gospel is God’s way of providing for us the basics for living life to the fullest extent. I am always somewhat amused by the type of person who makes more requirements for living as a follower of Christ than Christ did Himself. Legalisms have a way of robbing us of the joy of faith and produce very little in return. In fact, Jesus Himself says that, “I have come to bring you life and that life will be abundant and free.” What is it about free that we don’t get?

In reality, when you put everything into perspective concerning the gospel, it really is all about loving God and loving each other. Perhaps that is why for some people it is difficult. Loving God and loving others is the result of being able to fully love ourselves. Therein is the problem; un-forgiven people do not understand the freedom that results when they are fully forgiven through the love of God in Christ Jesus. Let me say that again. The ability to love others results because of the power of God’s love demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ.

That’s not simple, my friends; that is profound. When we realize that God created us as receptors of His love in order to fully love and be fully loved. The mystery of the gospel is that God loved us even when we were unlovely and living in sin.

Now the opposite becomes attainable. We can love God fully and at the same time enjoy the opportunity of loving others as He Himself loves. In fact, this is not an option but a command for the living of life, because according to scripture, everything--the law and the prophets--hinges upon this love relationship with God and with others.

So here is the practice for our living life. Begin today to tell God you love Him; He knows it but you need to reinforce it. Tell others you love them. But watch out for the unexpected.

The simple gospel--not really so simple is it?

Blessings, Rip

Maria

Matthew 19:13-15 “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.”

I often visit orphanages while I travel around Nicaragua. Children are everywhere with almost half the population under the age of 15. (42% was the last report from the W.H.O.). These are precious children--many hungry, unclothed and in need of care and security. I will never forget the impact one girl had on my life as I visited with her the first time. She came from a family that lived in the city dump of Managua, La Chureca. This dump is home to several hundred people, mostly women and children trying to survive day to day. “For to such belongs the kingdom of God...”

The first time I saw Maria she was a wild-haired and scary-eyed girl of age 8. Life had not been good to her I would soon find out, having been abused and beaten by her aunt and facing the certain sexual trafficking most young girls in the dump will face. I recall how she would not even look at any male adult and would cling to the house parent at the orphanage. “For to such belongs the kingdom of God…”

It was several months later before I returned to the orphanage where Maria lived. She had been in my mind from time to time thinking of her life and how she was rescued just in time to save her from a life filled with despair. I wondered how she was now…but God has a way of changing people. The moment I got out of my car and began to approach the home for girls this wild-haired and scary-eyed girl came and jumped into my arms. She did not know that I was helping support her or that I had been praying for her. What she had discovered was that someone cared and her heart was being changed. “For to such belongs the kingdom of God…”

I have returned to the orphanage many times over the past few years to share with this young girl in her life, studies and playtimes. I rejoiced this past summer when word came that Maria had accepted Jesus as her Savior. “For to such belongs the kingdom of God…”

Maria, like countless others, is a precious child of God, and God cares for each one-- just as He cares for each one of us regardless of our age. You see, we are all His children, and He is seeking us wherever we are.

Blessings, Rip

Mountaintops

Matthew: 17 1-2 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”

Mountaintops are an important part of life. We use these times to remind us of the grandeur and superiority of the life to which we have been called, especially when so much of life is lived in the brokenness of this world. It’s not hard to become discouraged when faced with the reality of what is happening in our world--people hurting, hungry, jobless, and alone. It doesn’t take long to form the impression that things are not well in our world, and often times in our lives we get bogged down over situations that leave us struggling.

But that is exactly the times that God interrupts the scene. It is in the midst of these times that Jesus beckons us to remember that the journey we are called to follow leads to something better.

As a Christ follower, we have a unique perspective on life. It goes like this…This present reality is not the end of the journey; it is only the path that we must traverse, but we take this path for a purpose. I have discovered over my many years that the path often is filled with bumps and detours, which bring adversity into life. In the midst of these bumps and detours, it is difficult to see the end result. SO what keeps me moving forward instead of folding up shop and calling it quits?

I believe it is the recollection of MOUNTAINTOPS that help me focus on the really important stuff. It was no accident that in this passage of scripture Jesus took with Him these three close followers: Peter, James and John. Each one will eventually play a vital role in the building and establishment of the Church. I can’t help but think that in the midst of the struggles that these three wanted to give up. However, they were reminded at those times of the glory which was shown to them on the mountaintop, and they continued forward.

What is it for you? What keeps you moving forward when the world is screaming STOP? It’s the knowledge that God is in this with us. His glory has been revealed and for just a brief moment we are allowed to see into the majesty of Him who has called us to follow.

One of my mountaintop moments happened at a church in Managua--God speaking to me and calling me to serve these people. It has changed my life. This calling is not always easy but is always present in my thoughts and prayers. What’s your mountaintop moment? I would love to hear it.

Blessings, Rip

Interlude

Matthew 1-2 “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.”

I find it interesting that it has been one month since I have written in the JesusWalk Blog. I started this past journey with the intent of taking some time to discover what Jesus did when He got alone--to practice some of that discipline and to take some time to discover things about myself. Sometimes self-discovery is not a pretty thing. There are dark areas of life that I don’t like to visit, and often it is in the midst of taking time away from our regular routine that we come face to face with stuff that needs to be dealt with.

Depression, sorrow, anger, fear and a host of other issues need to be confronted from time to time so that we can discover what really is important in life and then choose a better course of action. I think that is what Jesus did when He got alone…by himself, to discover the better course of action. Life is difficult, and many times things don’t work out the way we think they should. Therefore, each junction of the journey we are faced with the questions about, “What Now?” What now is part of the process. However, you can’t stay there. Inaction breeds more of the same negative emotions, which lead to the very issues we must stand against.

If you notice in this reading, Jesus did not stay at the shore of the sea for long. The ministry to which He was called to fulfill was upon Him, the crowds gathered and He did what He always does. He was their teacher, healer and leader. Life is like that. We are called to do what it is we do, yet in the midst of the doing we need the interludes--the time in-between to gather ourselves. We need to define our course and to focus our emotions for the task which lies ahead.

It’s not wrong to have these times. Jesus teaches us throughout scripture that He got alone. He needed it; we need it, plain and simple. Not to take time to be alone leads down paths of darkness which will rob us of the love and joy which God the Father wants to fill us with through His spirit. Sometimes we want to stay there, but ministry calls and there is work to do, people to love and hungry to feed. The Good News is ours to share.

Interludes--a time in-between the times of ministry to sit by the sea, to think, to pray, and yes, sometimes even to cry because of the pain. But that is all it is, a time in-between. It is not the journey but the oasis for the refreshing of our souls.

So it is time to get back to work, for a season until the next time that the seashore calls to confront us, to cause us to sit in silence, and listen for the voice of God in the midst of all the worlds’ voices. The journey is ours to take. As a good friend of mine is fond to say, “Have faith; it all comes right.” Thanks Pastor Mike Sanders.

Walk on my friends, Rip

Alone

Matthew 13:1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.

One of the most amazing things about the life and ministry of Jesus is that He took time for simple things. There is nothing really spiritual about sitting on a beach at the seacoast. Not much ministry happens when you get alone; not many lives are touched when you just hang out with friends. Yet, I believe that all of ministry needs these times; in fact, if we don't take these times we will dry up and become caught up in stuff that really has nothing lasting or significant about it.

If you follow this blog, you have read in the past how important I believe this principle is in living the Jesus walk. In fact, one of the key 5 points of the Jesus Walk is the necessity of taking time away. Ministry is difficult at best, and problems and disappointments are found at every turn. We tend to become isolated and start to believe that what we are doing is worthless. Please hear this; I am not writing to you as one who is telling you what you need. I am writing as one who has experienced firsthand the harsh realities of ministry and the deep disappointments which face us each day. However, I can also stand on the truth that “Joy comes in the morning.”

The question is how do we make it through the night so the joy can flow in the morning? I know that you can search hundreds of web sites and find instruction and places to go to renew and restore. Whole ministries are slated to that purpose. They see the importance and need of healthy, spirit-lead and spirit-filled people who don't rely upon self but know the inner peace that comes from knowing God. Seminars and conferences are offered to encourage and exhort to better ministry and better tools for doing ministry. Sometimes, however, all this becomes just so much more noise--one more thing to do and one more meeting to attend which just leads us down the same path to spiritual destruction. So what's the answer? Let me offer just one simple thing. Get alone.

Jesus did it--OFTEN. Time and time again Jesus took off for the inner place. He put aside the things of the day and got alone, sometimes at the seashore, or the mountain, or the garden. Regardless where it was, Jesus found time for solitude and inner reflection. And so should we. It's imperative that we get away, to reflect, to allow God to renew our souls. We need that; in fact, we crave that. We need food for our souls--things like a good book, a walk in the park, or even a movie with friends. We need to be alone from time to time.

SO here is the deal. These next two weeks I am going to be in Nicaragua. Most of what I am doing is listening. I am trying to hear God, to refresh my soul and to rest my mind from life. I will not be following the regular study of the Jesus Walk; instead I will be reflecting on what I am hearing and seeing. I invite you to journey with me wherever you are. Together we can reach new depths of love for God and discover new directions for our next great big adventure in ministry.

Blessings, Rip

Living Large

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

Is it really that simple? Does doing the smallest act of kindness bring such great rewards? If we are to live the Jesus Walk, then passages such as these must have an impact upon what we do. However, this passage is not simple when you think about it. How many of us actually do simple acts of kindness? Most of us are looking for something grander, something that makes a bigger kingdom impact. Not a bad thing to do by our world’s standards, but if we miss this call to simple things we might get lost in the magnitude of bigger is better.

I think what Jesus is teaching here is that even the simplest things given in His name become large. Living large requires that we understand that small is good as well, that forgetting the small acts of kindness because we are too busy or we don’t want to get our hands dirty does matter. The Christian life we live requires that we practice even the smallest things, and here is the promise--when we do these small things…God sees.

Isn’t it just like Jesus to turn things upside down? While we think doing great things make the difference, He is inviting us to do the small things. While we think great tasks bring great reward, He is calling us to do the menial task so that our reward will be preserved. Often the tedious, boring, less than glamorous everyday task of ministry are the very tasks that in the long term create greater results.

Living large is not about doing the big stuff. Living large is doing the right stuff for the right reason. It is living in such a way that even the smallest act of kindness done for the right reason brings about the godly character we are called to live. Living large requires that we step aside, so that God’s purpose in every act we do is fulfilled. That’s the problem for most of us. We forget that this is not about us, but about God.

So here is the challenge. Every morning for a week ask yourself what small act of kindness can you do today that no one will notice except God? What simple task can I perform with great diligence so that only God can receive the reward if that task makes a difference? It’s harder than you think, my friends.

Blessings, Rip

Willing People

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.

I love the simplicity of this calling in the life of Matthew. I believe that often we miss the callings of Jesus in life because of their simplicity. We love the extraordinary, we crave for the glitz and glitter, we rush to the fire--that’s the type of people we are. However, this calling of Matthew is simple: “Follow me.”

Now I am sure Jesus was aware of who Matthew was; this was not a random calling. None of our callings are random in the eyes of Jesus, He has a plan, and He knows where He is going. On the surface it is so simple. There was nothing to think about, nothing to do before following, nothing to tell anybody else about, just get up and follow. In fact, in another account of this calling of Matthew in the Gospel of Luke, it states that Matthew left everything there and immediately followed.

Many of the commentaries of this passage make mention of how Matthew was not the best choice to be a follower of Jesus because he was a tax collector; however, I think he is the perfect choice. He was perfect not because he was unique or special in anyway. In fact, he was not a good person at all. Just read verse 10-13 and get an idea how tax collectors were viewed. Yet that is why this is all the more incredible.

Here is some truth. Jesus doesn’t call the best people; Jesus calls the willing people. Yes, some of these people are good and they are best at what they do. But that is not why they are called. Jesus calls them according to what He sees in them and what He knows the outcome will be. That’s why the simplicity and beauty of this passage is so important. That’s why when we respond, we must do so willingly, leaving everything behind and following. I find this a unique quality in today’s world.

How did Jesus call you is the question that I want to pose. I doubt that there was writing in the sky and lights going off, or even angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus. I suspect that your calling and mine was in the same way, quite simple. Jesus called and we followed. Some with hesitation, some with fear, yet others with more prompting and nudging needed, but all of us are called in the same way. “Follow me,” Jesus says, and we decided the answer to that question needed to be, in fact could not be anything else but, “YES!”

SO here is the challenge today. I challenge you to renew your calling, to examine how and why you were called. I invite you to journey with me over the course of the next few days as together we think it through. Join with me to consider the implications and dimensions of this call and search the ways we can be faithful. The end result will be the same. I am simply called to follow and so are you. Lead on Jesus.

Blessings, Rip

Over-Comers

• Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
• Matthew 4:7 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.
• Matthew 4:10 You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

These passages of scripture above taken from the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the desert have for us three distinct directions for fighting our own temptations. Each passage is powerful and was able to cause Satan to flee in light of the truth of scripture. SO here is the key for us. Speak the word of God and find victory in your life.

We should note from the beginning of this study that the first steps require a complete trust in God. This is not magic potion type of stuff; this is speaking out what we believe and what we know to be truth. So much of life revolves around belief. We believe in God, we believe in our friends and significant others, we believe in our spouses and children, and we can believe in the word of God as well.

In the spiritual war that wages in our lives and minds, the only weapon used as the offense is God’s word. Yes, we have been given the armor of God (reference Ephesians 6), but there as well, our only offensive weapon is the sword, which is called the word of God. Here is some truth: God’s word is all we need in our offensive attack against the evil that comes to tempt us into evil.

Before you get off on this idea, let me say that every part of the armor of God is important. We are in a spiritual battle, and defense is vital as well. We need to know how we are grounded with truth and righteousness and how we are to believe and to pray. These are the things that protect us. But when it comes to doing battle, we need the strong word of God. The battle is the Lord’s; God is at work in us performing His will and purpose.

The question is this. How can we overcome if we do not practice and speak the words of God when tempted? I can protect myself, I don’t need to watch certain types of TV or internet, I don’t go past bars where I am tempted to drink, I don’t let myself get bogged down with negative friends, and the list could go on . However, in all I try to do, I am never strong enough to protect myself from these things without God’s word. Sin creeps in when I least expect it too.

On the other hand, if I am actively speaking and feeding on the word of God, then this becomes the place where I have the advantage to overcome the things that try to overpower me in my life. Here is the challenge. Start today to actively speak and study God’s word. Put into practice the words that speak to your issue. Feed upon scripture that builds you up, and then at the end of the day ask yourself: “With God’s help, did I overcome today?”

I know the answer in your life and mine will be YES!

Blessings, Rip

God With Us

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Sometimes it is easy to forget that God is with us. We get caught up in the struggles of life and so trapped by the blindness of our heart that we forget one of the first promises found in scripture. In fact, if we were to do a study of all of scripture, one of the overriding components would be this idea that God is with us. Actually, let’s take it one step further and say that God is not only with us, but God is for us as well.

What does this mean then that God is with and for us? I believe that it stresses the unique relationship that God desires to have with His people. We are created in the image of God. As God was creating us, He chose the best there was to fashion us after, which was Himself. Think about that. God the creator, created us in the design of Himself. In essence and design, we are the image of the creator. We are created with His heart, His breath, His hands, His legs; all that He is, is in us. Yet we are not God. We are His creation.

The problem is that we have taken our eyes off the creator and placed them upon the creation. We look to ourselves for the answers when, in fact, the answers are only found in the one who created us. But therein is the good news, God declares that He is with us. Hey, He says, “Look up! I am here, all you need to do is seek me and I can be found.” “Come to me,” He says, “and I will give you rest.” God with us, the hope of Glory!

I love the song from Mercy Me, “God with Us.” I have included a link below if you want to listen, but here are the lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys4YgiZ392Y

Who are we--- that You would be mindful of us?

What do You see--- that's worth looking our way?

We are free--- in ways that we never should be.

Sweet release--- from the grip of these chains.

Like hinges straining from the weight,

My heart no longer can keep from singing.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

The debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Lord, You know--- our hearts don't deserve Your glory;

Still You show--- a love we cannot afford.

Like hinges straining from the weight,

My heart no longer can keep from singing.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

The debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary;

Nevertheless,

We lay it at Your feet.

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary;

Nevertheless,

We lay this at Your feet.

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified:

Emmanuel, God with us.

My heart sings a brand new song.

My debt is paid, these chains are gone.

Emmanuel, God with us.

Blessings, Rip

Freedom

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

What price would you pay for freedom? We make the decision all the time, every day, When someone else gives his/her life defending freedom, there is a price that is paid. Whenever we get free from debt, there is a price that had to be paid. Whenever we choose to live free from sin, there is a price to pay. The reality is this: freedom has a cost. The opportunity of complete freedom is not something you get just because you want to be free; it comes with a high cost.

In the passage above, Jesus sets the cost for becoming free. If you want real freedom, Jesus says, then abiding in His word is the cost. I speak with people all the time who say to me, “I’m just not where I want to be in my relationship with God, or I can’t seem to make it through the day without thinking a wrong thought or saying a bad word, or my marriage is falling apart and we can’t seem to work things out. Here is the key--abiding in the word of God.

Think for a moment why this would work. If our minds are centered on the truths found in scripture, then we can face the lies of this world with something of substance. Here’s the reality; we face daily problems with what we know. It’s our knowledge base that enables us to make it through problems, (and of course faith helps as well). However, if our knowledge base of what we know to do is not based on scripture, then we are not really equipped to overcome life’s problems. In fact, the opposite is true. We fail because we do not know the truth of scripture--God’s answer for the living of life.

Knowing the word of God and even more, abiding in the word of God, means that we are spending time learning what God has to say about life and how this life should be lived. Just like this passage says, “Abide in my word and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” How simple is that? And the kicker is this: Jesus is speaking to His disciples. Incredible, all of us who call Him Lord, He says to us, “abide in my words.”

So here’s the question. How often do we abide in His words? I find it is easier at times to ignore His words, to think I can do it on my own, and to claim that my way is better. Yet, each time I follow my own course of action I usually end in defeat and the end result is less freedom.

Practicing this tactical approach abiding in scripture and applying scripture to life is the only way to be free Jesus says. Anything less ends in bondage. Wow, that’s the truth!

Blessings, Rip

It’s a Hard Life

John 6:66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

One of the realities of walking the “Jesus Walk” is that at times it becomes difficult. The Christian life is difficult alot of the time. All of us are faced with challenges in this walk, which can either make us stronger or cause us to give up in despair and disappointment. Each of us face choices, which if followed, will move us forward, or cause us to drift back to old ways and bad actions.

The reality is that it is a choice. We have the freedom to choose. God gave that to us as agents of free will, to discover the power He can have in our lives. Strange as it may sound, God wants us to choose, because in the choosing we demonstrate who and what we have become. I know this sound simplistic; however, what we choose determines who we are and what we are. Wrong choices can result in wrong actions; right choices can produce right actions. What we need to learn is how to know the difference.

God wants us to choose because it is the only way we can fully understand the call He has for our lives. The Christian life is a series of difficult choices that will separate us from what the world is expecting and calling us to follow. Here is something to ponder. If our Christian choices don’t differentiate us from the rest of the world, why be a Christian? The life of a Christ follower has always been different than what this world expects. That’s the draw of Christianity, a higher call to a different life, a life of sacrifice and service.

And herein lies the problem. When faced with the choice that causes us to be different, which will separate us from the rest of the world, we draw back. It’s hard to be different, to live for others and not for self, to see things from a different perspective, and to love God above anything else. No one said it was going to be easy, only that it is possible. Yes, sometimes things get tough in the Christian life and we want to give in and give up, but the choice we make at that point will demonstrate what we are made of.

That is what is so sad about this passage above. Even the people of Jesus’ day, when faced with a difficult teaching decided to fall away and to turn aside. How easy it is to give up, to think that what we do makes little or no difference, to get caught in the lie that following Jesus is not worth it. On every side we are bombarded with the lies and desires of this life, which pull at our hearts to draw us away from Christ. Jesus knew it was going to happen, and Jesus knows today that people will fall away. But the call is still there. Come, follow, and believe.

Our answer should be the same as given in the next passage of John 6-69. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The Christian life is hard…welcome to the ride of a lifetime.

Blessings, Rip

Worshipers

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

What were you created for? What is your purpose? How do you glorify God? These questions should be on the minds of Christ’s followers every day. Here is the good news. We all are created to worship God--plain and simple. That’s it in a nutshell. Worship is the core of living in authentic devotion to God.

How about a definition of worship? First let’s start with what worship is not. Worship is not about what I get out of it. It is not self-gratifying or self-serving. Worship is not doing or going to a worship service at a church, or singing hymns or praise courses. Worship is not listening to a sermon or receiving communion. Worship is not gathering together to support one another and even offering prayers. That’s not worship. That is what we do to get to worship.

So let me ask the big question. Are you a worshiper? By definition, a worshiper is one who is in relationship in an intimate way with God. It is about putting God first in everything and looking to Him for our source of strength. It is about forsaking all and taking up our cross to come and follow. Here is truth: worship services are easy, worship of God is difficult. It is difficult because it diminishes how we do things and places the importance on why we do things. Worship, my friends, is about God, and our relationship with Him.

So how do we get to this place where we become worshipers instead of just doing worship? The key is found in the passage of scripture we started with from John 4:23 on spirit and truth. Spirit is the attitude of worship, yes enhanced by the work of the Holy Spirit, but primarily the extent of where we need to go in our life of our self-surrendering everything to God. We do this so that we can stand before Him unconstrained in our purity of worship. Another way to say that is, we have come to the place in our life where nothing else matters except knowing God.

Truth in worship is coming to the place in our life where we can stand before Him without any contamination of self-wordiness. We become transparent before God who knows already everything there is to know about us. Here is the beauty of this statement. God already knows our darkest stuff, so when we come to worship we need to understand that He knows everything already. That’s what makes it authentic. There’s no hiding the truth from God.

One more point of “Good News.” Scripture says that worshipers such as these are the very ones God is seeking. We don’t have the excuse that we can’t get to this high demand on worship because it is too high or unachievable. Our hope is in the fact that God is seeking us to worship Him in exactly this way. Take heart, it is possible to be a worshiper today and every day. See you in worship.

Blessings, Rip