January 2, 2013

After defeating sin, evil, death, and hell itself, He ascended back to the Father.  And His final instruction?

GUIDANCE

Grammatically there is but one command in His Commission.  The King of Kings, with all power given into His hands, gave us one marching order. 

PERSPECTIVE

In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands us to “make disciples of all nations.”

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

To neglect this directive is to miss everything that he lived, died, was resurrected, and ascended to accomplish.  Disobeying His charge invites chaos and welcomes destruction.   

On the other hand, pouring our lives into others for His sake is our true calling.  It’s how to restore all creation to Him and defeat His enemies.  Being an International Disciple Maker is our true identity.  Our heritage and destiny.

Just like His. 

-Tony 

December 19, 2012

It was His idea. 

GUIDANCE

In fact, it is the point of everything.  He wants children.  And He wants to bless each one. 

PERSPECTIVE

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on
whom His favor rests"  (Luke 2:13, 14 NIV). 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

Parents can know this joy.  MY child is born.  And thus, parents can know a little of God's family plan.  I want all my children whole, blessed, and home. 

-Tony 

December 5, 2012

Our evil enemy plans our devastation.  
But our Heavenly Father holds us still.

GUIDANCE

“My heart is not proud, O Lord,
My eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me” 
(Psalm 131: 1 NIV).

PERSPECTIVE

“But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul
within me”
  (Psalm 131:2  NIV).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

The safest place in the universe.
Even with hell’s fury pounding at the door.
Like a mother bear, fiercely protecting her young,
His tender embrace holds us still.

Tony

November 21, 2012

I’m eternally grateful.

GUIDANCE

The list of blessings given by our Father from the heavenly realms includes things like being blessed, chosen, adopted, forgiven, lavished upon by His rich grace, and revealed to (Ephesians 1:3-13).

PERSPECTIVE

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the additional blessing Paul mentions in verse 13:  Being included. 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

His stamp on me.  The privilege of serving Him.  A seat at His table.  A good forever family.  Included in His life, work, and future.  Such a King doesn’t have to include me.

But I’m eternally grateful He does.

Tony

November 7, 2012

Why?

GUIDANCE

Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, tells his persecuted church that “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (Revelation 21:7 NIV).  And then says something hard to accept.

PERSPECTIVE

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murders, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  This is the second death” (Revelation 21:8 NIV).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

It’s not hard to believe these people deserve the fiery lake.  But to start the list with the cowardly?  And even include the cowardly in the list with these horrible people?   When the Christians hearing these words are already being persecuted?

Perhaps standing up for Christ against a perverse culture means more to our King than we want to think.

Tony