"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you that you may be filled with the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9)
Have you ever heard a story,m who's imagery was so powerful you never forgot it? Maybe it even changed the way you lived or saw the world? I have one. It's so ingrained in my mind and heart, I've probably shared it with more than a few of you. So bear with me, because I think it's one that needs repeating.
A young pastor, and evangelist, came into a church and preached during a three day revival. he gave an altar call at the end of each service with varying degrees of response. But on the last night ,, the Holy Spirit broke through (as we used to say when i was a kid). many came forward to receive Christ for the first time.
As you can imagine young minister was feeling pretty good about himself, who wouldn't be. But as he began to leave that night he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. It was an older man, one of the dear saints of the church. the man said "You know, it seems to me it takes about 50 people to bring someone to the Lord, like 50 links in a chain. Isn't it funny how we only give credit to the 50th link?" And then he shuffled off into the night.
His point was that almost no one just decides to go to a church service and give their life to Jesus. God has brought many people into that person's life over the years. grandparents who prayed for them. parents who took them to church. A Sunday School teacher, a youth minister. A pastor. Maybe a friend. And while none of those people got to see the end results of their prayers and efforts, God used each of them and their love as a link in that person's salvation.
John Wesley referred to this as Prevenient Grace, the grace that goes before. It's God's efforts to let us know that He loves us and bring us to him long before we were even aware of him. of course it's not just people. God might use a circumstance, both good and bad, a piece of music or a sunset. That's one of the wonderful things about God's grace. There is a wildness to it that we cannot control.
My reason for writing this today is two fold. One is that this might be a good day for you to think about the links in your chain, all the people God used to bring you to him. Give thanks for them in prayer. Maybe, if you know where they are, you might send them a note and thank them. It's your opportunity to be a blessing back to those who have blessed you.
The other reason I write this is to encourage all of you who have a burden for someone on your heart. You have prayed, witnessed, invited them to church. And yet nothing seems to happen. Don't worry. It might just mean you are the 23rd link in a chain of 50. But each link is important and vital. each one is needed. Each is a vital part of the grace of God.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Success
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:29-30)
Epic Fail! You can look it up sometime. If you do you will find online pages and pages of pictures and videos of people failing. Some of them admittedly are funny. Sort of an online America's Funniest Videos. People falling, making a poor decision to cut a limb while they are sitting on it, you know that sort of thing. But some of them can be incredibly cruel.
One of the reasons these are so popular is that we can all relate. We have all field at some point, whether that be trying to walk across an icy parking lot to Ill advisedly believing that we can make it down that steep hill on a bike. I suspect these sites are also popular because it helps us know we aren't the only ones making mistakes or failing. There is a baser part of our natures that enjoys seeing someone else fail, because it keeps us from feeling so bad about ourselves.
And we all fail. None of us has a perfect success rate. None of us gets it right all the time. And today everyone will know about it. It's one of the unfortunate byproducts of our living in the age we do. No one's failings are privater anymore. Fail, and there will certainly be cameras flashing and posting before you get home.
Peter is fortunate he didn't live in today's world. Can you imagine? Here is Peter, walking on the water toward Jesus, and suddenly he panics. The waves are all around him. He begins to flail, sputter and sink. If this happened today, the other 11 disciples would all have their smart phones out videoing Peter.s epic fail.
Or was it? When I read this story it reminds me that God doesn't define success and failure the way we do. we are results oriented. the only way to measure if you are a success is by the results we have at the end of the day. Did we accomplish what we set out to do.
But Jesus doesn't view success in the same way. For Jesus success isn't measured by results, but by obedience. Let me say that again. God does not measure our success by the results of our endeavors, but by our willingness to be obedient to His call.
Isn't that Good News! When we understand this, it frees us from the feelings of anxiety and guilt we often carry. And it allows us to understand that sometimes what we see as a failure, God will use in a completely unexpected way to bring about His kingdom.
When we begin to understand this we see that Peter is not the failure in this story. The failure belongs to the eleven who refused to get out of the boat. Yes, peter needed Jesus to rescue him. It didn't go exactly according to plan. But Peter walked on water. He refused to stay in the boat. He answered His master's call. Just think. Eleven others missed an opportunity because they were too busy worrying about results instead of obedience.
Is God calling you to follow Him into unknown territory? Is He calling you to meet Him out on the water. Then, my friends, by all means start walking. Remember the ones who fail are not the ones who splash around. They are the ones who never get out of the boat.
In Christ,
Dr. Brian Jones <><
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:29-30)
Epic Fail! You can look it up sometime. If you do you will find online pages and pages of pictures and videos of people failing. Some of them admittedly are funny. Sort of an online America's Funniest Videos. People falling, making a poor decision to cut a limb while they are sitting on it, you know that sort of thing. But some of them can be incredibly cruel.
One of the reasons these are so popular is that we can all relate. We have all field at some point, whether that be trying to walk across an icy parking lot to Ill advisedly believing that we can make it down that steep hill on a bike. I suspect these sites are also popular because it helps us know we aren't the only ones making mistakes or failing. There is a baser part of our natures that enjoys seeing someone else fail, because it keeps us from feeling so bad about ourselves.
And we all fail. None of us has a perfect success rate. None of us gets it right all the time. And today everyone will know about it. It's one of the unfortunate byproducts of our living in the age we do. No one's failings are privater anymore. Fail, and there will certainly be cameras flashing and posting before you get home.
Peter is fortunate he didn't live in today's world. Can you imagine? Here is Peter, walking on the water toward Jesus, and suddenly he panics. The waves are all around him. He begins to flail, sputter and sink. If this happened today, the other 11 disciples would all have their smart phones out videoing Peter.s epic fail.
Or was it? When I read this story it reminds me that God doesn't define success and failure the way we do. we are results oriented. the only way to measure if you are a success is by the results we have at the end of the day. Did we accomplish what we set out to do.
But Jesus doesn't view success in the same way. For Jesus success isn't measured by results, but by obedience. Let me say that again. God does not measure our success by the results of our endeavors, but by our willingness to be obedient to His call.
Isn't that Good News! When we understand this, it frees us from the feelings of anxiety and guilt we often carry. And it allows us to understand that sometimes what we see as a failure, God will use in a completely unexpected way to bring about His kingdom.
When we begin to understand this we see that Peter is not the failure in this story. The failure belongs to the eleven who refused to get out of the boat. Yes, peter needed Jesus to rescue him. It didn't go exactly according to plan. But Peter walked on water. He refused to stay in the boat. He answered His master's call. Just think. Eleven others missed an opportunity because they were too busy worrying about results instead of obedience.
Is God calling you to follow Him into unknown territory? Is He calling you to meet Him out on the water. Then, my friends, by all means start walking. Remember the ones who fail are not the ones who splash around. They are the ones who never get out of the boat.
In Christ,
Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 14, 2013
Neverending Story
"For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him" (Acts 28:30-31)
I admit I like closure. I like things wrapped up in a nice bow. It's just a part of my personality. In fact whenever I've taken a personality test that's the part I score the highest on.
Therefore I've never liked movies that have an open end to them. You know the ones I'm talking about don't you? The ones with the cutesy, or artsy ending where you have to draw your own conclusions. My gut reaction has always been "Somebody got paid a lot of money to make this movie. And I know I paid a lot to watch it. Finish the story. I'm not not here to do your work for you." Again my apologies. As I said, that's the place my personality tests come out the strongest.
Maybe that's why for a long time I never cared for the way the book of Acts ends. It ends with the verses on the top of this page. Not exactly a climatic moment is it? I recently read through the book of Acts again, and I was struck by how many threads to the story are left unfinished. Many people, important at the beginning, just disappear. We don't know, for example what happens to many of the Disciples. Peter all but vanishes. We don't even know what happens to Paul. The book just ends with him under house arrest.
Of course one of the reason the story ends the way ti does is that Luke took the story as far as he could. At the time of his writing, Paul and Peter's stories hadn't been finished yet. Luke isn't so much avoiding an ending as he is bringing his readers up to date as best he could. But notice no one ever completed it. Stories such as the upside down crucifixion of Peter, or the death of Paul could have been included a short time later. The story could have been completed. Or could it?
I think there is a very good reason why Acts was left this way. The book is the story of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. It;'s the story of the church. Where do you end such a story? With the Martyrs? Withe spread of the Gospels to the Western world? With John Wesley? or the 2nd Awakening in America? the early 20th century revivals in Wales? With you in church last Sunday?
Acts doesn't end because God is still writing the story. The Holy Spirit is still working. In the church, in the world, even in you and me. God's power has not Waned. His spirit still does Miracles. He still changes lives. No the problem does not lie in a lack of God's power, but in a lack of vision on our part. We fail to see we are still a part of this story. We've stopped expecting God's Spirit o write a new chapter in our lives.
Maybe it's time we begin to do just that. I wonder what might happen if we would begin to pray, "Lord write the next chapter of the Book Of Acts in my life, in my church today." Would the Holy Spirit move through us? Of course he would! Praise God His story continues, and we are a part of it.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
I admit I like closure. I like things wrapped up in a nice bow. It's just a part of my personality. In fact whenever I've taken a personality test that's the part I score the highest on.
Therefore I've never liked movies that have an open end to them. You know the ones I'm talking about don't you? The ones with the cutesy, or artsy ending where you have to draw your own conclusions. My gut reaction has always been "Somebody got paid a lot of money to make this movie. And I know I paid a lot to watch it. Finish the story. I'm not not here to do your work for you." Again my apologies. As I said, that's the place my personality tests come out the strongest.
Maybe that's why for a long time I never cared for the way the book of Acts ends. It ends with the verses on the top of this page. Not exactly a climatic moment is it? I recently read through the book of Acts again, and I was struck by how many threads to the story are left unfinished. Many people, important at the beginning, just disappear. We don't know, for example what happens to many of the Disciples. Peter all but vanishes. We don't even know what happens to Paul. The book just ends with him under house arrest.
Of course one of the reason the story ends the way ti does is that Luke took the story as far as he could. At the time of his writing, Paul and Peter's stories hadn't been finished yet. Luke isn't so much avoiding an ending as he is bringing his readers up to date as best he could. But notice no one ever completed it. Stories such as the upside down crucifixion of Peter, or the death of Paul could have been included a short time later. The story could have been completed. Or could it?
I think there is a very good reason why Acts was left this way. The book is the story of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. It;'s the story of the church. Where do you end such a story? With the Martyrs? Withe spread of the Gospels to the Western world? With John Wesley? or the 2nd Awakening in America? the early 20th century revivals in Wales? With you in church last Sunday?
Acts doesn't end because God is still writing the story. The Holy Spirit is still working. In the church, in the world, even in you and me. God's power has not Waned. His spirit still does Miracles. He still changes lives. No the problem does not lie in a lack of God's power, but in a lack of vision on our part. We fail to see we are still a part of this story. We've stopped expecting God's Spirit o write a new chapter in our lives.
Maybe it's time we begin to do just that. I wonder what might happen if we would begin to pray, "Lord write the next chapter of the Book Of Acts in my life, in my church today." Would the Holy Spirit move through us? Of course he would! Praise God His story continues, and we are a part of it.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Power Of Grace
"If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (John 20:23)
I have been looking with much anticipation to seeing the movie version of Les Miserables. And so it is with a bit of frustration I write this ,today almost two weeks after it's opening that as of yet I've not made it to the theater to see it. Oddly enough Christmas time tends to be busy in the church, so making the time hasn't been easy. Add to that the virus that seems to be running rampant right now has kept at least one of our family members down for the count for over a week now. At least I've avoided that.
There are a few reasons why I wanted to see the movie. One of the main reason I confess is that it was eh musical Kelly and I saw on our Honeymoon in Toronto 23 years ago this past week. So being able to see the movie version come to life on or near our anniversary had a nice symmetry to it.
But it's more than the music as great as that is. It's even more than the reminder of the first days of our marriage, as important as they are to us. What draws me back to the musical , and in all fairness to Victor Hugo the book, is the message.
I've read much lately on how depressing Les Miserables is. And indeed there is more than a fair amount of depression, death, poverty, poverty and cruelty. Yes main characters die. But to only see this is to miss what I believe to be Hugo's main point. What I believe Hugo is trying to show is how one small moment of grace to one person can effect generations. And how if we ignore that grace we lose all hope.
In the story the protagonist Valjean, hating mankind, steals some silver from a Bishop. When caught not only does the Bishop forgive Valjean but gives him the "best of the lot" Silver candlesticks. That one act of Grace, of kindness, changes Valjean forever. In that act he discovers the redemption found in the arms of God.
The Candlesticks are in many scenes for eh rest of the play reminding us of God's life changing grace. Because Valjean is change, he saves others often at great risk to Himself. He even tries to spare the life of the man sworn to capture him, the man who refuses to recognize grace, Javert. In the end Valjean dies with his loved ones around him. Javert, unable to give or receive grace, commits suicide.
Life changing grace, no matter how small can change the world. That's what Jesus is saying in this often misunderstood and enigmatic verse at the top of our blog. Jesus reminds us that an act of forgiveness or grace, even if it seems inconsequential to us may be the difference between heaven and hell for others.
As we begin this New year, I can't help but wonder what would happen is we, who have truly experienced the grace of God, might try to extend in even small ways,. God's grace to someone else? What would happen if you would do this?
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
I have been looking with much anticipation to seeing the movie version of Les Miserables. And so it is with a bit of frustration I write this ,today almost two weeks after it's opening that as of yet I've not made it to the theater to see it. Oddly enough Christmas time tends to be busy in the church, so making the time hasn't been easy. Add to that the virus that seems to be running rampant right now has kept at least one of our family members down for the count for over a week now. At least I've avoided that.
There are a few reasons why I wanted to see the movie. One of the main reason I confess is that it was eh musical Kelly and I saw on our Honeymoon in Toronto 23 years ago this past week. So being able to see the movie version come to life on or near our anniversary had a nice symmetry to it.
But it's more than the music as great as that is. It's even more than the reminder of the first days of our marriage, as important as they are to us. What draws me back to the musical , and in all fairness to Victor Hugo the book, is the message.
I've read much lately on how depressing Les Miserables is. And indeed there is more than a fair amount of depression, death, poverty, poverty and cruelty. Yes main characters die. But to only see this is to miss what I believe to be Hugo's main point. What I believe Hugo is trying to show is how one small moment of grace to one person can effect generations. And how if we ignore that grace we lose all hope.
In the story the protagonist Valjean, hating mankind, steals some silver from a Bishop. When caught not only does the Bishop forgive Valjean but gives him the "best of the lot" Silver candlesticks. That one act of Grace, of kindness, changes Valjean forever. In that act he discovers the redemption found in the arms of God.
The Candlesticks are in many scenes for eh rest of the play reminding us of God's life changing grace. Because Valjean is change, he saves others often at great risk to Himself. He even tries to spare the life of the man sworn to capture him, the man who refuses to recognize grace, Javert. In the end Valjean dies with his loved ones around him. Javert, unable to give or receive grace, commits suicide.
Life changing grace, no matter how small can change the world. That's what Jesus is saying in this often misunderstood and enigmatic verse at the top of our blog. Jesus reminds us that an act of forgiveness or grace, even if it seems inconsequential to us may be the difference between heaven and hell for others.
As we begin this New year, I can't help but wonder what would happen is we, who have truly experienced the grace of God, might try to extend in even small ways,. God's grace to someone else? What would happen if you would do this?
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><
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