By: Undre Griggs, Jr. As well as our intentions may be, we can only serve one being at a time. The Apostle Paul wants us to understand the most gracious and helpful person in our life cannot compare to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and as we a result, we owe our life and salvation to Him. The benefit of devoting our life to Jesus is it benefits us more than it benefits Him. Christ expects us to forgive, show love, compassion, as well as respect for others. We are to share the Gospel when the opportunity presents itself, and we are to grow in our knowledge of the faith. 1 Corinthians 7:23 (ESV): You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. When we allow ourselves to be burdened by the desires of others, they tend to want things that benefit them more than us. They may need financial assistance, help moving, or want to borrow something that belongs to us. None of these requests are issues within themselves; it is only if they require us to choose between God and man. If someone tries to make us choose between attending a Bible Study or helping them move, it is essential we choose the Bible Study. It is not to say we cannot request they change the day or time, but our priority is Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV): For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Our dedication to Christ should be above our relationships with our coworkers, friends or family. If there is a relationship where we are discouraged about sharing our faith, we need to consider ending that relationship. We cannot allow the burden of maintaining a relationship that is contrary to our faith to affect us. When we set expectations, the relationships worth maintaining will encourage and honor our commitment to Christ. If we have friends that only play sports on Sunday morning, we have to be okay with not participating in those activities. If we have coworkers who only hang out in exotic establishments, we have to be okay not associating with them outside of work. We were bought with blood of Jesus Christ, and our debt is to live our life as an example of Him and His glory. Be proud whenever the opportunity presents itself to share our convictions with others. We need to be the shining light in a world of darkness; and we should desire to be obedient until death so we can receive the crown of life.
There is something liberating about knowing as humans we are going to make mistakes. We are going to make mistakes we wish no one witnessed; some mistakes feel so bad we are going to think they are unforgivable, but is that the case? While we may know the answer is “all of sins can be forgiven”, do we truly believe it? Understanding the sacrifice of Christ can make Christians feel unworthy anytime we fall short, but does God share that feeling? Galatians 6:1-3 (ESV): Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. In his letter to the church of Galatia, the Apostle Paul encourages Christians to combat temptation by bearing one another’s burdens. Even if a Christian catches someone in the act of falling into temptation, they are still to treat their brethren with a spirit of gentleness. As difficult as this can seem in the heat of the moment, Christians are to take a moment to consider how they would want to be treated if they were caught in a temptation. There is the temptation to speak as though another’s burden is “heavier” than our own, but Paul tells us we deceive ourselves if we believe that. As Jesus stated, we are to treat others as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31). Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. There is not a person able to boast a lifestyle that earns them God’s favor. By faith and obedience we are offered God’s grace, but that is not be confused with us earning salvation. If God did not forgive our smallest sin, we would not be able to join Him in heaven (Romans 6:23). It is a human trait that has someone believe one sin is larger than another’s. In a world where everyone sins, some are compelled to make others feel their sins are more egregious. Jesus challenges this mindset with the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee knew of God’s greatness and lived a life many would believe is pleasing to God; while the Tax Collector knew of God’s greatness and lived a life many would see as an abomination to the Lord. Jesus said the Tax Collector was the one that went home justified, not because he lived a “better life”; but because he was humble and those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Let us be humble and gentle with our brethren so we may be pleasing and exalted by God.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. Every summer there appears to be a new superhero movie that millions of people feel compelled to see. Have you ever wondered what is it about superhero movies that draw our attention? Could it be because it provides an escape from the demands of everyday life? Could it be the nostalgia of childhood we want to share with our children or relive with our friends? Could it be all the action scenes filled with suspense, explosions, and special effects? While each of those things may be true, it is actually much deeper than that. As humans, we want to believe in the greater good. We like the idea that someone out there is willing to put their life on the line for someone else. Galatians 1:4-5 (NKJV): Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Superheroes provide us the ability to struggle, fail, grow, and succeed with them through their journey. When they lose, we lose and when they win, we win. We find things about their life that matches ours as we imagine ourselves doing what they do to make the world a better place. This may provoke the natural question; why do we go to fiction to find superheroes? Outside of superpowers, we find most people do not possess the superhero gene. John 15:13 (NIV): Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. If a hero is willing to sacrifice their life for another, then a villain is willing to preserve their life at the expense of another. As a result of sin entering the world, all have fallen short of the glory of the Lord (Romans 3:23). If we put man on a pedestal, they will surely let us down at least once in our life. That is why Christ wants us to build our house of faith on the solid foundation of His words. Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. If we build our house on a belief in man, that house may fall as the relationship shifts and experiences change. We must look to one greater than ourselves and find traits in Him that we wish were in us. We must then make the change in our lives because we can acquire the superhero gene. We enjoy superhero movies because they draw the best out of humanity and we enjoy seeing good triumph over evil. Well there is no greater example of good triumphing over evil than the account of Jesus and his triumph over corruption, death, manipulation, and misdeeds.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. When you think of Jesus and the life He lived, what do you remember most about Him? He had such a profound impact on the world that a dozen of us may mention something different. Some may remember Jesus for the miracles He performed. They will talk about the healing of the sick (Matthew 8:13), walking on water (Matthew 14:25-27), and raising Lazarus from the dead. John 11:43-44 (NKJV): Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Others may want to consider His compassion and humility. They will recall His compassion when He defended a woman accused of adultery from a mob seeking to stone her (John 8:5-11). Or they may mention Him washing the feet of His disciples as a powerful example of humility and selflessness. John 13:3-5 (NIV): Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. I suspect there will be those who speak on the wisdom of His teachings. Recalling the emphasis He put on loving others more than we love ourselves; as well as loving those who wish ill on us (Matthew 5:43-48). The clarity in which He tackled fear and anxiety (Matthew 6:25), judging others (Matthew 7:1-2), forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22), and obedience (John 14:15) are lessons we use to this day. It is hard to discuss Jesus’ teachings without mentioning His willingness to always speak the truth. Jesus was not afraid to tell it like it was; even if that meant ruffling a few people’s feathers. Mark 7: 6-8 (NIV): He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” It is an encouragement to think of the impact Jesus had on the world through His words and actions. May our words and deeds afford us the same opportunity to be as influential as Jesus; and may we be remembered as someone who was honest, loving, selfless, and brave.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. Mark 9:14-16 (NIV): When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. For those looking to be healed, they show a tremendous amount of faith. They travel incredible distances, endure ridicule and setbacks; yet their faith continues to strengthen. It is important to note this because as we continually see throughout scripture, it is our faith that heals us (Mark 10:52). We see a strong example of faith by the father whose son was demon possessed since childhood. This father likely explored several avenues over the years without success. He watched his son without control over his own body; try to kill himself by throwing his body into fires and water (v. 22). This father realistically spent most of his time in fear of his son’s (and his own) life being lost. And just when the father thought he found the solution to his problem, we see he was unsuccessful when he asked some of Jesus’ disciples for help in removing the demon. Mark 9:17-18 (NIV): A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” Like all of us, the spirit can be willing but the flesh can be weak. The father in a moment of weakness uttered the words, “if you can” to Jesus and Jesus immediately noticed. When Jesus followed up with the father, the father without hesitation acknowledged his weakness and asked Jesus to help him with it. Mark 9:21-24 (NIV): Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” We can see the example of the father requesting (praying) for his son to be healed and for help with his unbelief. We can also see Jesus crediting His ability to remove the demon to the power of prayer (v. 29). It appears the disciples did not pray as Jesus did, and like most of us, whenever we forget to pray, we end up failing. Let this be a healthy reminder that we have the power to change the world if we start with prayer. We have to lean on God’s strength and understanding, not our own.
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Dean Road
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