through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ I Corinthians 15:57 NLT
THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION! ~ We live in a day where conspiracy theories have become the norm! There is a rising number of people who doubt we ever went to the moon. They are convinced that the whole lunar landing was done in the 1960’s using green screen technology (which did not exist yet!). There are so many little things that ought to make us scratch our heads. For instance, most news broadcasts have become talk television to bolster ratings. I still believe we need a new service called JTN (Just the News) with no spin or opinions. So, how did we get here?
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21-23 NLT
Not prepared for some biblical truth today? Well, it’s not too late to change that. Our biggest problem is that we would rather make up stuff rather than simply worship our Creator for Who He is. Did you know that God loves you? This is not the kind of love we have for food, opinions, or passing fancies. This is an “I created you to be in a personal relationship with Me kind of love.” This kind of love doesn’t give up on you when you blow it. It is an unconditional love that endures, teaches, reproves, and sometimes corrects.
Life does not end when our hearts stop beating. That’s when real life begins for those who have trusted Jesus. The Bible says, “For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Do you see it? There are two promises. First, living for Christ is awesome, unlike anything else. Second, when we die, we don’t have to be afraid because our lives will be even better. This is not a conspiracy: it’s a biblical truth given to us by our loving God. And yes, we are still awaiting the sound of the trumpet and His return! 😊
6 Though HE was GOD, HE did not think of equality with GOD as something to cling to. 7 Instead, HE gave up HIS divine privileges; HE took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When HE appeared in human form, 8 HE humbled HIMSELF in obedience to GOD and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8 NLT
CHRISTMAS KENOSIS!What isKENOSIS? Think about your dream vacation. One commercial has a family dreaming of a trip to the beach, then the narrator leads them to think bigger. So, they decide to go to Hawaii. That is their paradise.Imagine living in the most beautiful place you can think of. Look around at all the majestyand glorious mountains, seashores, valleys, or other landscapes that sooth your soul. Now, take your imagination one step further. Picture yourself in charge of everyone and everything there in your paradise! You are in control of it all. You are not merely a resident; you are the king or queen of this eutopia ~ for all time. Heavenly, right?
You discover a problem. There is another land where everything is in ruin. The people have no hope, no light, no joy, and no peace. You know that you can go there and change all of that. However, in order to help these people, you must become like them. You must take off your title and leave this wonderful home. You know that you will not be respected or honored when you arrive. You cannot arrive as a royal dignitary; you must take on the role of a servant or slave in order to help these people. In fact, ultimately, you will have to give your life to save these people. Is it worth it to you?
My friend, that is KENOSIS! JESUS CHRIST left HIS home in heaven with angels following HIS every command to become a baby born in a feeding trough in a cave because even a shabby hotel would not have HIM. HE was born to very poor parents who could not honor HIM as THE KING deserved. It gets much worse! As we celebrate CHRISTMAS and the birth of THISBABY who came to save us, never forget that HE was wrapped in “swaddling clothes.”HE did not come to live on earth with us; HE came to die for us on a filthy wooden cross so we could live forever. That is The KENOSIS of CHRISTMAS!
Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS
Blessings inCHRIST
Pastor Wes
I Peter 3:15
PS ~ This illustration breaks down because…. unlike JESUS, you and I could never be:
Omnipotent: all powerful
Omniscient: all knowing
Omnipresent: in all places
JESUS left heaven to became a baby to live and die for you and me! That’s Christmas Kenosis ~ WOW!
Here are ten things I’ve learned after being forced terminated several times from churches for reasons like “we just don’t like you,” “we just want an old work mule instead of a stallion,” or “we don’t want the kind of people you’re reaching coming to this church.” To this day, I still don’t know what some of these phrases mean. Praise the Lord; I have never had to resign for “personal reasons,” even though some tried to “trick” me into saying it. I made it a point to spend my last minutes in each of those churches at the altar praying for revival to come to their community. So, if you’re like me (unfortunately there are many ministers today who are) I hope this comforts you and helps you grin a little more easily… (Oh, and for you terminators… this will probably ruffle your feathers just a bit… trust me: the Holy Spirit wants your feathers to be ruffled…)
SMILE ~ It’s been my experience {repeatedly 😉 } that you will survive the ordeal. It may not seem like at the time, but there will be a tomorrow… God is in control, and HE has a purpose for you.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH ~ Always leave with fresh breath. WHY? Everything is better with fresh breath! After all, you may have a wife like mine who will console you with a little huggin’ and kissin’, and believe me it’s one of the better parts of the process.
DRESS YOUR BEST ~ If you have honored the Lord through the process, then they haven’t beaten you. There is no reason for you to feel anything less than your best. Besides, some of those in the room are usually on your side secretly. You are not alone!
DON’T CARRY A TORCH ~ You may want to burn that bridge. It may seem like they deserve your worst, but don’t do it! It dishonors the Lord, and you will feel like crud afterward. Sorry about the word crud, but if you have been through this you have probably said or at least thought worse. Of course, I realize there are those who will quit reading right now, but they are probably some of the ones who told us to leave because they can’t handle honesty and transparency! (Yeah… I moved into a moment of therapy… sorry!) With that in mind…
JUST KEEP SWIMMING ~ Disney got this one right! Get up in the morning, get dressed, have a quiet time regardless of the way you feel. Make a daily plan of things to do and stick with it. Again, many of you may have never experienced the deep depression that comes from rejection, but for those of us who have… the hurt runs deeper than you can imagine. Just stay alive! I love the movie, Last of the Mohicans. Hawkeye tells his love to “just stay alive, I will find you.” Listen ~ that’s great advice! Keep your faith alive. God will not struggle to find you. He knows where you are even though it may not feel like it to you. When you hurt the deepest, keep running the race!
GIVE YOURSELF TIME & LOTS OF IT ~ The deeper the hurt… the longer the process will be. I know that SUPER CHRISTIANS aren’t supposed to let anything bother them. However, here on a little planet we like to call Earth, we’re still wrapped in flesh (sarks – for you fellow Greek-nerds)… You will fight this battle your whole life. God designed it that way! We’ve all heard… Here it comes… I have learned more from my failures than my successes. It’s a cliché, but I have found it to be true. Guess what? I am still learning more from failure than success!
PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE ~ Some people are going to like you… Some people are not going to like you… Some people who don’t like now will grow to love you… Remember, some people who like you now are not going to like you later. The prescription ~ Love JESUS! He is going to love you through it all… He has not given up on you, and you are not forgotten!
DON’T ASSUME YOU KNOW WHAT’S NEXT ~ I wish I had a penny for all my “ministerial friends” who thought I quit the ministry. In my last 8 month full-time senior pastorate/unintentional interim, I finished with a resume that looked like Swiss Cheese. I sent resumes all over the world. No amount of embellishing, redirecting, long references, or imagination could make it look better. So, I spent a year “out of ministry.” HOWEVER!!! God’s Word tells me that all of life is ministry. No matter what you do for work God never says, “Oh, you’re only a teacher, lawyer, plumber, office worker, or laborer. Maybe, one day I’ll put My call on your life again and make you as special as the pastor.” Just enjoy being who He created you to be. God’s Word says that He called farmers, carpenters, and others to minister for Him who were not “full-time Christian ministers.” Your source of income does not dictate nor prove your call as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Some of the greatest ministers I’ve met have never received income for their ministry. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly unto the Lord.” (Col 3:23)
LOVE YOUR FAMILY ~ They were with you as you walked into what you thought was going to be an amazing ministry opportunity. They endured the experience with you. They rejoiced in the highs with you. They are hurting through this process, too. They are the ones who will remain with you throughout your life. Love you spouse! You married your spouse for a reason! Adore your children. They are watching you to learn how to deal with adversity. As you pour out your broken heart to the Lord… they will watch and love you all the more!
BE ENCOURAGING ~ since you’re still reading this ~ you care! If you know someone who is in this place or has been in this place… HELP THEM… LOVE THEM… ENCOURAGE THEM… They are your brothers & sisters in Christ! Again, I am still bruised myself and I can almost hear my brothers and sisters who’ve never experienced this kind of hurt… thinking, “Oh, that could never happen to me.” Well, I sincerely hope not, but if it does get ready for the worst emotional roller coaster… Just keep breathing… scream occasionally! Pray without ceasing! It really does help!
Wes Frank is a lead pastor, teacher, husband, father, pet owner, college football fan, and so much more… He has been a youth minister, campus police chief, US Army Airborne soldier, land surveyor, general merchandise associate & greeter, aquatic maintenance specialist, alarm system consultant, sandwich artist, not to mention substitute school teacher…
readyforafreshstart 