Get Your Weight Up!

I’m not a guy who likes to promote my life, but for this blog I have to slightly to give context to the story. Recently I have been working out more regularly than I have in the past few years. This past week alone I ran roughly 5 out of the 7 days. After all, I am getting married this summer to and amazing and Godly woman. Anyone getting married could tell ya, they have a slight desire to look their best for such a special day. I’m no different. Further, anyone who has wants to slim down will do some crazy things in order to lose the weight. Now I’m not a person who would ever do anything unhealthy to lose weight, but I do take tips from time to time about how to lose some stomach fat.

I realized something the other day while I was praying earlier today, God showed me something in a new perspective. I was at the gym earlier this week and there was an older gentleman doing an intense ab workout. It’s super hard to explain, but I can tell you that after seeing him do this workout and seeing the results it had on him, I instantly tried it out. “How was it,” you ask! All I can say is ouch. I’ve been hurting all week even when I do the workout again, it still leaves me sore. That’s the funny thing about working out though, it hurts sometimes. Sometimes, it can seem to be harder than you anticipate, and the struggle can make you want to quit, but any regular person who works out can tell you that when you push through the pain and struggle it’s all worth it when you see the results.

“Okay Bryan, nice story. I thought this was a devotional blog?” Check this out… God blew my mind with two different avenues today.

#1 Our faith journey is like an extended workout. We should never think of our faith as those twenty-minute “best abs you can have” workouts. It’s a series of daily workouts that help you gain stamina and endurance as you grow. Yeah certain muscles can be sculpted quicker than others, sometimes the workout for a day, or two days, or even weeks can feel awkward and super hard… but just like working out, you’ll gain spiritual muscle that will help sustain you during that time.

“4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:4-6

“1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Both of these passages show that faith is a process and persistence is necessary. Further, they also so our dependency upon Jesus, our perfecter and originator of our faith! We are in this life still, we still struggle with sin, and we still have a lot of work ahead of us. But with the end means in mind, similar to the workouts we do, it’s all worth it!

#2 This guy at the gym not once speak with me. Not once did he come and show me how to do his workout. Not once did he ask if I wanted his help. He just went through his regular routine of his workout. He didn’t care who was watching, didn’t care how much pain he looked like he was in, didn’t know he was impacting my workout plan, and didn’t anticipate being this example. Check this out, it was through his persistence in his own workout plan that he impacted me. Moreover, I was telling a friend this guy’s workout for abs and how it really was a good workout when I did it, and she looked at me and said he had already been doing that because she saw the same guy doing it, and also saw the results it produced on him.  You see, TALK IS CHEAP. But his actions spoke far greater than his words. In one week I found that a man impacted two peoples workout plans by simply working on himself.

You see there is a world of people who think that the Christian lifestyle isn’t worth it.  It would have been one thing if this guy told me the workout, or pulled out a paper showing me the workout, but instead he just did what he knew he needed to do! Now the paper he could have given me could have shown me the proper form, and his words could have be very helpful, but watching him do it sucked me right into it!

“2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

We should aim to be the living version of the Gospel. What if you are the only Gospel somebody ever reads? He lived it!

Are you aiming for a speed workout or the extended daily routine?

Are you a living example of the faith you claim to have?

Be blessed Beloved

That Sounds Interesting

Today we continue our trip through sections of John’s Gospel and today is no different then before. This passage may be small, but God has big plans for this word. Now normally verse 15 is the end note of the previous story but it has it’s place here so as to enlighten us to a characteristic of Jesus. Remember, Jesus just fed the 5,000 (closer to 7,000 or 10,000) right before this section.

15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself. 16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. 19 After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!” 21 Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. John 6:15-21 HCSB

We first find Jesus, after doing the unthinkable feeding, somewhat fleeing from people to the hillside by himself. Many biblical scholars will agree that this was a moment that our Savior was praying. His Apostles were most likely near by, but he was alone with His Father. Now he just fed the people around mid day and now after retreating to prayer I found something interesting. Verse 16 alludes to the idea that from his mid day rendezvous with his Father, has now turned into a 4 to 5 hour prayer and quiet time with him. From the mid afternoon all the way through verse 17 we are given the impression that Jesus prays until darkness. So involved in his prayer, that His disciples find it okay to leave him there. When is the last time we found ourselves in this situation. Did you ever think about how Jesus, being perfect, never had to ask for forgiveness, yet he is spending this much time with God. Some Christians wouldn’t know what to pray for that could last that amount of time. I struggle with this very same thing at times. We say we’re Christian, yet we don’t strive sometimes to seek God like Jesus.

Another crazy thought is who of the disciple first decided, “Hey guys, I think we waited for him enough, it’s time to go.” Not only did they suggest the idea, they were able to put it in motion. Jesus’ twelve best friends decide they don’t want to wait for him, and give the impression that they can get across that lake without Jesus. If it were me, I’d say, “How about we get far enough off shore to get Jesus’ attention, then when he sees us and comes… we go back and get him.” But that’s not what happens. They go 3 to 4 miles out into the lake.(The average person can take 20-30mins to run this distance, let alone row a boat this distance) When you row a boat, that’s a long time! On top of that, the water is getting rough and it’s dark outside. In my opinion, something is not adding up. They just left the miraculous Jesus and are in the middle of the dark and rough lake with no way to find land.. Then the word pointed the finger at me, how often do you misunderstand Jesus and decide that you know the easier way to do something? You may call these Apostles idiots, but you must remember you do the same thing sometimes! How often do we leave our self worse than we started sometimes.

Lastly, Jesus does something, which I will love him for, yet never understand. After being somewhat forgotten, Left behind, and utterly disrespected by his closest friends, he walks on water the whole distance to reach them. Notice his greeting is not one of frustration, not one disappointment, but one of joy and grace. This shadowy figure comes closer to the boat and cries out, “it’s only me, Jesus, don’t worry!” Jesus in spite of the right to let them perish in the lake, he pursues after them, and gently guides them to the right path.  He chose to love them in this time. Look for some of you reading this, you’re in the middle of what this story calls the rocky lake, it’s dark, and you’re terrified of what could happen next. Be encouraged because what may seem like a far off shadowy figure will turn out to be the Lover of our soul walking on water toward you. Literally acting in the supernatural and radically trying to grasp your attention. If that’s you today, give in to him. Be willing to let him in your boat!

How often are you praying?

How often are you telling Jesus to wait on the shore of your life while you think you can make it across the lake?

How often are you letting him in the boat?

I love you Beloved

The Little Things

1 After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick. 3 So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. 7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” 10 Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.14 When the people saw the sign He had done, they said, “This really is the Prophet who was to come into the world!” 15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself. John 6:1-15

Today I wanted to focus on the story of the feeding of the 5,000. In all actuality, it probably would have been closer to 7,000 or 10,000 if the women and children were included in the counting. That’s right Jesus actually fed that many people with five barley loaves and two fish. There is so much going on in this story that I could probably write several different blogs on it, but today I want to focus on one thing in particular.

It’s the idea that Phillip’s response is different than that of Andrew. Jesus asks Phillip a question to test him, “How are we going to meet all of these people’s needs?” Now in this instance it just so happens to be that food is their need. Phillip responds with what would seem to be a natural human response, “8 months worth of wages would even help everyone have a little.” In other words, in his own mind and in his flesh he can’t see a way to possibly help all of them. 

Andrew on the other hand says something quite different. I’m not sure exactly what was going on in his mind that made him say what he does, but we see a glimpse of faith in Jesus from Andrew that Phillip didn’t display. Andrew says, “I don’t know how it’ll help you Lord, but here is the little that we have.” If I was another apostle I probably would have chuckled under my breath and thought Andrew was ridiculous for even bringing that up.  He seriously thought that five loaves and two fish has the potential to make an impact in everyone’s lives, enough so to fill all of their needs. That’s crazy, and seems preposterous.

Check out what happens next though. Jesus takes the little of what Andrews offers up, he blesses it, and….. He meets their needs with it. Now That’s Crazy!! Imagine if we as Christians came to the Lord in a similar way to Andrew.

There is a lot of hurting people in our city, workplace, schools, and families. It seems as though that the challenge to meet their needs is unbearable. That all the work in the world we could do wouldn’t meet their needs. However, God is longing for a people, a generation to come to him with the little we have,  let him bless it, and watch it feed the masses. It in fact will not only feed them until they are satisfied, but it will fill them to the point of over flow.

Some of you reading this would say that you fall under the idea that, like Phillip, there is nothing you could possibly do! Does this story back that claim up?

What would it take for you to come to the heart of Andrew? One that says, "Here is the very little I have, but I know you can do something with it!"

I love you beloved

When SON Equals ONE

It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these, this is a common saying of my recent posts, but that’s about to change. For those of you who follow me on here, I have currently started a season of my walk with God that is always challenging me to improve as God graciously uses me to improve others. All of this being said, this passage will be a recap and a re-up for some on a challenge I’ve already issued, while for other a new challenge and experience altogether.

“16 Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” 18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill Him: Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus replied, “I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:16-23 HCS

This passage is one that is either very easy to read past, or it is too confusing for some people to dig at. Let’s look at its key components and see what’s going on.  Right before this Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and the fellow Jews are persecuting Jesus on doing such things on a day of rest, as we see in verse 16. Things seem to be a bit confusing around verse 18 because it seems outlandish in our modern American minds that when someone claims to be the son of someone, it makes you equals with that person. Almost seems as though these Jews were angry for no reason.

Let’s look at it this way. Everyone knows that England has a Queen! Duh.. What are some things that happen when the Queen enters the room? Out of honor everyone rises to their feet, as she walks past them they bow, and when she declares something to happen it HAPPENS. Why? This is because she is the Queen, and has the authority to have it this way. Further, everyone knows that the Queen of England has a grandson that was recently heard about all over the world. That’s right, he got married… YAY! Don’t get me wrong, marriage is a great thing, but people get married everyday and don’t get the press he did. Anywho, quick question, what happens when the Prince walks in the room? Everyone rises to their feet, everyone bows when he walks passed them, and he has a similar power to the Queen. He can look at the country and say something like, “By the power invested in me by the Queen of England…” about something and it will happen. Meaning he has the same power and authority of the Queen through his relationship with her.

This principle is almost exactly the same with what the Jews are feuding over with Jesus here. To call himself the Son of God, means he has the same authority and power as God and could be seen as equal to him all because of his relationship with him.

The rest of what Jesus says in this passage is actually focusing on this principle! But what does all of this equality debate have to do with us. As you read in earlier chapters of John, we see that by faith in Jesus as Savior, we too are now seen as sons and daughters of that very God. Which means everything Jesus is referring to in this passage could be said about us! This means we should only be aiming to do what we see the father doing. This means we should be aiming to do greater things that what has already been seen. This means we should have a relationship with God in such a way that people could read this passage and say or think, “I know this guy named Bryan who lives these very verses out in his everyday walk. Bryan owns this ability and his sonship so much so, that I can honestly say that what I see Bryan doing, it’s what I would see the father doing.”

I can’t honestly say that this is something that can be said about me all the time. I will say this, now that I know this standard, I will aim for it as much as possible. 

Take some time to think about what this means for your walk with God!

Where do you place yourself, Walking in God’s authority as the Prince of England does with his Queen, or not?

In what way can you improve or what area can you start to live this way?

(Feel free to leave your answers in the comment box below)

I love you beloved