No Smoking!

When I was a kid I remember how my parents laid down the law about the evils of smoking early and often. The only problem with their argument was that I knew there was a carton of Camels in the kitchen drawer which I began snitching on Saturdays when I was about 11. Those pesky cigarettes made me wonder a little about laws in general – even God’s laws. But the good news is that Jesus isn’t like me or my parents. He not only tells us the right thing: He does it Himself! So when Jesus told us to ask, seek and knock, it is wonderful to know that He also put into practice everything that He asked us to do.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 ESV

Now stop for a minute and ask yourself, “Why does the creator of the universe need to ask for anything?”  Then remember when Jesus says. “Come to me all who are thirsty. Come to me and drink” He doesn’t chase after us with a garden hose! Instead He asks and then patiently waits for us to come. Also there are times when we get so tangled up in sin that we just can’t get out. That is when He comes seeking us like a shepherd. He willingly leaves the safety of Heaven just so He could find us at the cross. Last of all recall that He doesn’t break down my doors of doubt and anger (though He could). Instead Jesus stands outside knocking; and then waits until I open. What an amazing Savior we have! Jesus didn’t just come to lay down the law. He came lay down His life!

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Kingdom Thinking

In the middle of all the debating, fighting and even war over politics let’s pause and remember. The only difference between left wing dictators and the right wing guys were the identities of their victims.

But we have peace with God because our king gave His life for ours and His kingdom is in Heaven!

Taking Advantage

Taking advantage of an opportunity sometimes goes down the wrong staircase. What begins as a bright possibility sometimes steps down to focusing on our own goals and forgetting people around us. From there sadly it is not such a giant leap to gently manipulating friends to get what we want. But Jesus, who had the closest friendship with the very highest friend, never once pulled strings for His own advantage. Instead He humbled Himself and yielded His life for us.

We will never find freedom to be who He has called us to be till we cease looking to get ahead and simply serve those he sends us to. Remembering all that He gave up to come to our rescue how can we do less for Him?