The Scripture Passage Contradicts This Philosophy

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Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and See." Jesus wept.                         John 11:33-35 NKJV 

            One of the tragedies of our Western culture is an idea that has been passed down particularly to men. It is this: if you cry, you are a sissy and you are weak. Instead be strong; be a man; be courageous and "suck up" your feelings. The Scripture passage contradicts this philosophy. In fact it shows Jesus, the most courageous man who ever lived, showing His feelings. The passage succinctly say, "Jesus wept."  

            He was real. He was free to feel. He was not ashamed of letting His feelings out, and apparently did so publicly. Jesus showed us that courage does not mean hiding our feelings or not grieving when we experience loss. 

            Grieving is normal, following a loss of any kind. It could be the loss of a family member or friend, a financial loss, the loss of a job. Whatever the loss, allow the feelings to come, and have the courage to grieve and let the tears come. It will take some time, but grieving allows us to face reality and in time, move on in spite of the loss. 

            Think about this: May God grant me the serenity to be real, and the courage to let my true feelings out.

            Thanksgiving: This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them (Psalm 34:6-7 NKJV).; I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD (Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV).         

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.          

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Jesus's Life Was Well Documented

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Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.                                           John 14: 9-11 NKJV 

            Jesus was a man, just like any other man. He was born, grew up, learned how to make a living, and worked for a number of years. He got hungry and ate, got thirsty and drank, got tired and slept. He traveled around, made friends, and eventually made his mark on the world. When he died, he was buried like any other man. 

            But this ordinary guy made a very important claim: that he was God in person, that anyone who observed him would know what God is like. He backed up this claim as well, performing miracles with the power of God, teaching with the wisdom of God, reaching out to outcasts with the compassion of God, and forgiving people's wrongs with the authority of God. 

            Jesus was a man, and yet when he commanded a storm to cease, the wind and the waves complied. He was a human being, and yet when he spoke to the mob who came to arrest him, the entire throng fell to the ground. Jesus was made of flesh and blood, and yet on the third day after they laid his body in a tomb, he walked right back out. Jesus can completely relate to you, because he is every bit a man. Jesus can also teach you a lot about God, as he is every bit God himself. Simply watch what he does and listen to what he says. 

            Think about this: Jesus's life was well documented; the New Testament in the Bible chronicles his words and his actions. make a commitment to learn all you can about him, so you will begin to understand God. 

            Renewal: Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes"                            (2 Chronicles 19: 7 NKJV). I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:15-18 NKJV). 

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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A Teamwork Relationship, A Partnership.

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Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abides in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.                                                                                                 John 15:4-5 NKJV           

           True wisdom is found in establishing a balance in teamwork with God. It seem so often there is a tendency to go to one extreme or the other. We can adopt the philosophy of "Let go and God" and just sit back and expect God to do everything. However, if I am lazy, God won't do it for me. On the other hand, there have been times when I have gone to the other extreme of trying to do it all on my own and proceeding almost as if God was not around. That too, has usually ended in failure.

        Philippian 4:13  brings these two contrasting extremes into balance: "I can do all things through Crist who strengthens me." The verse is not saying I can do it all, period. Nor is it saying Christ does it all. It is a joint project, a teamwork relationship, a partnership. 

        Today's passage uses an example from nature to illustrate the same point. The branch without the vine or trunk soon withers and dies and produces no fruit. The trunk provides nourishment to the branches, which produce the fruit. Teamwork is God's mode of operation.  

            Think about this: Be wise and team up with God. Watch excitedly for the results of your partnership in your daily accomplishments. 

            Affirmation: Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases, and we hear its sound, but we cannot tell where it comes from, or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:3, 5-6,8 NKJV).

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.

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