simplelife

This Lent, we spotlight qualities of Jesus as our model as well as our Savior and Lord. --- JESUS IS THE FRIEND OF SINNERS ---   When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees  saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them,  “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 2:16-17 Jesus is the friend of sinners. I know this because he is my friend. And I am constantly sinning against the perfect character of God and the people around me. The joy of going to church is knowing that I am welcomed among sinners. Those in front, beside, and behind me are equally loved by God. Regardless of our status, skin color, education, or salary - or the lack thereof, we are the beloved of Jesus, who befriends sinners. SELF-ASSESSMENT: Are you a good friend to yourself, knowing who you ar...

This Lent, we're exploring the qualities of Jesus that make him our model as well our Lord and Savior. --- JESUS IS OUR HEALER --- Many who know our family have prayed with us for the healing of our daughter, who has been ill for decades. We got to spend the weekend with the whole family and prayed over her again.  We know Jesus healed those who touched him - and we pray for his healing touch on her and others who suffer. Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was  healed  at that moment. Matthew 15:28 SELF-ASSESSMENT: Where do you need wholeness? What part of you needs healing? Do you believe that Jesus is able - and willing - to heal you? Why not ask him to touch you today?

For Lent, let's look at the qualities of Jesus that make him our model as well as our Lord and Savior. --- JESUS IS MERCIFUL --- Jesus ... said, “Go home to your own people  and tell them how much the Lord has done for you,  and how he has had  merc y on you.” Mark 5:19 When others walked by, Jesus stopped and asked a lame man, "Do you want to be healed?" It's the same question he asks us today.  "Do you want to be healed?" The man replied with reasons he was still in this state: "I have no one to help me." But that excuse disappeared when Jesus came by. And the man was healed.  A fascinating part of the story to me is that the man "tattles" on Jesus to the authorities - and sets up a fight between Jesus and his culture's religious enforcers. It hardly seems a grateful response to life transformation. Even when the man's body became well, he seems obligated by religious rules which had not served h...

During Lent, we're examining qualities of Jesus that make him our role model as well as our Savior and Lord. --- JESUS IS LIGHT --- What a claim. Each of us has the spark of God's image stamped on us - but to say, " I am the light of the world " at least twice? (John 8:12; 9:5) Jesus was bold in declaring that his light was unlimited, God's shining gift to humanity. Light reveals. It warms illuminates shows details brightens energizes SELF-ASSESSMENT: Are you full of light or darkness? Do you shine in a room or suck the energy out of it? How could you reflect the warmth and light of God in dark places around you, as Jesus did?

During Lent, we're examining the qualities of Jesus that make him our role model as well as our Savior and Lord.  --- JESUS IS GUARDING OUR SOULS --- You were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 Jesus watches over us - and guards our journey. Our souls - the interior lives that we hide from others - are utterly known to him. We can commit ourselves to following him in complete safety: he loves us ... even knowing who we are in our deepest joys, pains, attitudes, and actions. Jesus' protection over us parallels God's care for Israel: In his love and mercy the Lord redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9 NIV SELF-ASSESSMENT: Do I trust God with my secrets? Do I believe he loves me, knowing who I am in the parts of life I protect or hide from others? How can I move toward complete trust and confidence in Jesus as the guardian of my soul? P...

During Lent, we're examining the qualities of Jesus that make him our role model as well as our Savior and Lord. Here's a repost, from the perspective of Jesus about the betray of one of his best friends. --- JESUS IS FAITHFUL WHEN WE ARE FAITHLESS --- "I'd be the last one who'd run away," he promised. "I'd never say anything bad about you. Never leave you in the lurch." He was in my trusted inner circle. I took him and two others with me when the rest of the group stayed behind. I'd shown those three the real me; they'd seen my highs and lows. They knew me better than anyone else. And he was the outstanding spokesman among them. The one I was counting on to galvanize my plan into action when I left. I knew he was telling the biggest lies of his lifetime. He would be the one who would deny that he had anything to do with me. He would swear to be a stranger. He'd insist - THREE times! - that he didn't even know me. I warned...

This Lent, we're examining qualities of Jesus that make him our model as well as our Savior. --- JESUS IS WISDOM --- Do you have friends who give you good advice? Counselors who steer you in the right direction? Companions who make sure you take the best path? Jesus says: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Matthew 7:24 He is the kind of friend who can be trusted - one whose words provide a strong foundation for life and a good legacy. SELF-ASSESSMENT: Am I heeding the words of Jesus? How does my life align with my intention of following him and his counsel? In what ways could I hear and heed Jesus better?