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    • Jesus…our example

      Posted at 5:45 am by sneuhofer, on November 7, 2018

      John 13:14 – 17 (NCV) “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, a servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

      Today’s reading: John 13: 1- 17

      Jesus is our example to follow. He gave up the perfection of heaven to come to an imperfect world and show us the way to live, love, and serve. The biggest example of serving others is displayed in the verses of John 13:3-17. As we read, we see Jesus and his disciples gathered around the table for the evening meal. Jesus was fully aware of the circumstances he would face. In fact, the things he would walk through wouldn’t be easy…but in a few short hours, he would be back with the Father in heaven. Knowing this, he still continued to teach – there was still an example to set and a lesson to be taught.

      John 13:4 (NIV) “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.”

      Have you ever wondered what the disciples may have been thinking when they saw Jesus with a towel wrapped around his waist reaching for the empty bowl? Sometimes I wonder if they even questioned why he had gotten up from the table.

      Jesus reached for a pitcher of water and filled the bowl then began to take on the job of the lowest servant in the house…foot washer. Whoa… can you imagine what is going through their minds? Peter’s boldness breaks through the silence “You will never wash my feet—ever!” I love Peter’s zeal! Jesus replied, “Peter, you don’t understand what I am doing now, but you will later.” (v.7)

      Jesus is right Peter doesn’t get it. “No Lord you will never wash my feet.” He must have been confused about what he saw. Why would Jesus take on the job of a servant?

      “Peter, if I don’t wash your feet you’re not one of my people.” There is an immediate change in Peter. Can you just imagine him standing there with his arms open wide “Wash all of me, Lord!” The disciples didn’t yet understand what was happening but they would soon find out. Jesus responded “After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet.” (v.10)

      That night, before he ever washed the first foot, Jesus knew one of the twelve would betray him and one would deny him before morning, yet he still washed all of their feet. He cleansed their sin. He forgave them. By morning, Judas would hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver and Peter would reject him three times.

      It is so important to remember the fact that all twelve of his disciples were present in the upper room that night. Have you ever let that little detail sink in? Perhaps you feel as if you’ve done something so horrible, so detestable, that Jesus will never forgive you or even love you. Think again. Knowing his disciples and what they were about to do, Jesus still humbled himself and served every one of them.

      This display of service in the upper room should be a huge example for us, as Christians. Jesus died for all of us – not just the lovable. He died for the broken, the angry, the thief,  the poor, the peculiar, the adulterer, the liar, the murderer…and yes, even the most difficult to love. Take some time to search within yourself. Are there people you don’t want to be around because you feel you are better than they are? What about when it comes to acts of service? Are there people you won’t help because you feel like they are capable of helping themselves?

      Remember… Jesus served all and he wants us to follow that example. “For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” John 13:17 (HCSB)

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      Posted in becoming like Christ, christian living, Serving | 0 Comments
    • Are you telling yourself rational lies?

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on July 24, 2018
      As I read through Psalm 4 – 6 (written by King David), I can just feel David crying out to God. In Psalms 4 and 5 David cries out to God for answered prayer. “Answer me when I call, O God of my right!” (4:1 – NRSV) “Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” (5:2 – NRSV) As I continued to read both of these Psalms, David realized God would listen to his prayers. He was confident in the Lord. He knew he could lie down and sleep in peace (4:8) because he was certain the Lord was with him and would make him safe. He also knew God was his refuge in times of troubles. God was the only protection David needed (5:11) from any circumstance he faced.
      In chapter 6 David pours out his soul to God. David is not holding back or hiding a single thing from God. He is being completely open and honest. This, being completely opening and honest with God, is something I am working on as I continue to walk each day with Christ. Some days are better than others. I don’t know why I try to hide things. God can see everything I do right?
      I know when I get things wrong I try to internalize them and sweep them under the rug saying “Oh, things will be better the next time.” Have you ever done that? Instead of going to God, I try to “rationalize” my way out of it. A pastor that I listen to says the word “rationalize” means to tell yourself “rational lies”  and I believe him. I have “justified” so many stories I must have “rational–lies-ed” some real whoppers!
      In Psalm 6, David has complete trust in God. Instead of being a victim of his circumstance, he is choosing to deepen his faith by relying on God to deliver him. Remember it is only God who can put joy in our hearts and bring peace from the chaos in our lives.
      Do you trust God with absolutely everything in your life? Do you talk to him like he’s your best friend or do you just go to Him in times of trouble? God desires a close and personal relationship with all of us. Prayer is the way we communicate with Him. Find time to “talk” with God throughout your day, you will be blessed if you do.

       

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      Posted in christian living, life lessons; becoming more like christ; Quiet time, reliance on Christ, walking with Christ | 0 Comments
    • What do people see when they look at you?

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on July 20, 2018

      Ezra 7:10 (LB) This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the laws of the Lord and to become a Bible teacher, teaching those laws to the people of Israel.

      Ezra’s hearts desire was to learn God’s word and then apply and obey the commands he discovered therein. Because of this desire, he had a direct effect on how God used him to lead the 2nd group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra made a personal commitment to serve God “today” even before knowing what God would request of him.

      A skilled scribe (Ezra 7:6), Ezra taught the Jews of his day through speaking and by the way his lived his life (obedient to God’s word). I want to influence the people around me just like Ezra influenced the people of his day. To follow his example, I need to make sure I am:

      • Learning the Word of God, obeying and applying it to my daily life,
      • and teach others to do the same not only by what I say…but by the way I live my life (the things I do).

      Even if you don’t have a desire to be a bible teacher, the way you live your life is influencing someone. People are always watching the way you live your life. So the question becomes, how are you choosing to walk out your Christian faith? Are you getting into God’s word, learning what it says and then changing your life so that it aligns with the commands therein? Or, are you reading the word and choosing to remain unchanged?

      Related reading: Mark 4:1-20 (The parable of the sower)

       

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      Posted in Christian growth, christian living, living a life of influence | 0 Comments
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