Author: Jillian McGriff

 

Today’s Reading: Matthew Chapter 7

Spending time with my children has always been a blessing to me.  During the earlier years of their lives I had to work long days and did not have the privilege to spend significant quality time with them.  During the last several weekends, Oliver and I have been able to have some meaningful and important Father-Son time.

In April, we moved to a new house and now we have the chance to make special projects in the yard and the garage.  A couple of weeks ago, Oliver and I were able to clear some brush from around the backyard and we were able to fix the roof of our storage shed.  A couple of days ago, while I started work on restoring some tools, he came and assisted me.  The tools that we had to clean and restore were some axes and some hedge trimmers.  It was really fun and awesome to share some of my hands-on knowledge with him.  He learned how to brush off the rust from the metal, then file and sharpen the edge of the tools, then how to oil and keep the tools ready for use.

This has been something that I have looked forward to for a while: true bonding time with my son.  This is something that cannot be replaced with books, the Internet, or podcast.  This is time that is spent in the warm summer air under the Cedar tree in our backyard. These are memories that he and I will remember.    There are memories that I have with my father, uncles, father-in-law, and grandfather (Jillian’s Grandfather) that have had profound impact and memories that have shaped me to be the man I am today.

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount.  This is intimate time that Jesus is spending with his followers and I can only imagine the awesomeness of the scene and the words that he used.  The topics that we have are:

• Jesus teaches about Judging Others
• Jesus teaches about Asking, Seeking, and Knocking
• Jesus teaches about the Way to Heaven
• Jesus teaches about Fruit in People’s Lives
• Jesus teaches about building on a Solid Foundation

These topics all are relevant to today’s society and our walk with Christ, but one thing that stands out is what is your relationship with Christ and how do we increase the bond of this relationship. There are two basic types of relationship that you can have with God through Christ.  First type is one that is only reading the Word and seeing the world through the Word.  The second type is living the Word that you have read and bringing the Word to life in the world.  This is theory versus practice model.  This can be seen in these above topics.

• When we are in a true relationship with Christ and living out the love of Christ, we will be more likely to acknowledge our own areas of improvement and ask others to assist us to make each other better.
• When we are in true relationship with Christ we will be confident and know that the good things that the Father have for us will be given if we show up and ask.
• We know that the when in true relationship with Christ we will bear fruit that is like him. Fruit that will support each other and care for others.  There may be “good” people that do “ good” things, but the true faith and relationship with Christ is what holds true.
• As stated in the commentary of the solid foundation “ Many people do not deliberately build on a false or inferior foundation; they don’t think about their life’s purpose. It is the responsibility of the body of Christ to help others to reassess and support each other in our lives.”

The main theme is relationship matters. During the past several years, the lives of my family and I have changed many times over.  My relationship with each of them has grown and molded into a beautiful picture.  I have been able to spend more time with them:  I am able to drop off the kids at school; we eat dinner together; I read and pray with them at bedtime; and I able to be there in many of the precious times. This time that I have been blessed to spend with them has created this relationship that I cherish.  Some of the things that I have done with Christ to increase our relationship is: serve when there is a need; help others that cannot repay me; love when you have been hurt; smile when there seems to be all hope is gone.  I am continually seeking a relationship with God, through Christ, with the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Similarly, like the time that Oliver and I have enjoyed with each other, I seek to spend quality time with Christ daily.  My relationship is far from perfect and I will continually strive to grow in all my relationships daily.

Dear God, please allow me to know you more today than yesterday, and tomorrow more than today. Amen.

Todays Reading : I John 2:15-17

John has the distinction of being one of the most known apostles and known as the eyewitness of Jesus Christ.  In many of the historical accounts, it shows that the apostle John was first a disciple of John the Baptist and then was called to be a disciple of Christ after Jesus’ baptism.  So John was there with Jesus from his baptism, talked with him, saw him heal, heard him teach, watch him being tried and crucified, met him risen, and saw him ascend into heaven.   In this letter, John is addressing the church and modeling a method in which to acknowledge and battle against the flesh and heresies.  At the time that John writes this letter he is nearly 90 years old. He has had blessed life and continues to shine the gospel into the dark places of the church and our lives.

 

I John 2:15-17

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

I John 4: 14-16

¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

 

As we look at today’s reading with additional support from later in the letter we have some defining moments in our faith and our reality. John instructs us to not love the world or anything that is in the world specifically: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

These three items are always present in our daily lives.  We all have been a victim to these items at some point and time because we are part of the flesh.  According the Life Application Study “The lust of the flesh is – gratifying the physical desires; the lust of the eyes – craving and accumulating things; the pride of life – obsession with one’s statue”.  These items are detrimental to us if these are the end goals and there is no thought of God or others.  God wants us to make him the main goal and prize for ourselves.

When I look at both passages it is almost impossible to truly love anything in the absence of God because God is Love and whoever lives in love lives in God.   God wants us to show discipline and control of the body, give unconditionally, and humble our selves to the service of the kingdom.  We have to be vigilant and ready to show God’s love in the world at all times.  May God allow us to continue to hold these teachings, so that we may be able to continue to shine the light of God into our journey.

Todays Reading : Phil 3:12-16

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

This is another one of my solid scriptures to mediate during the joys and the struggles of life. In the beginning of the chapter Paul gives an account of his stature before Christ.

Philippians 3:3-6

  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.  If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal ,persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

In the main section of Scriptures: 12-16, Paul tells that he has not made the goal or mark of fully living his life for Christ. Paul by many accounts would have been the best of the best.

• Circumcised on the eighth day
• Member of the tribe of Benjamin
• A Pharisee – high ranking religious official
• Persecutor of the Jewish law

But all of these “things” that he had were not enough to give him the richness that he has attained in Christ.  Even after Paul has been in the actual presence of the risen Christ, he still feels that he has not received the fullness that Christ has to offer.  Here we are seeing that the continual pursuit of Christ is the true nature of our faith. We should always search and seek the face and presence of God.

I have been fortunate to witness God and the embodiment of these scriptures with my son.  My son, Oliver, is a really amazing and beautiful person.  I know that I am biased, but it is true. He truly has a heart that is kind, loving, and affectionate.  He has become a constant reminder of the grace and the tenacity of faith that many aspire.  Two years ago, Oliver suffered several weeks in the hospital, where the physicians and providers could not find what was crippling my child.  We were in the hospital for 21 days and could not have a definitive answer.  During his stay, his stomach and intestines stopped work properly and he was in terrible pain. He had a condition that is called an ileus.  This condition can be remedied with surgery or walking.   We decided walking.  This was one of the hardest times for me as a father, because I was the main person who had to get him up every couple of hours to walk around the hospital.  This was both hard and challenging for both of us. But six weeks later he was able to run and play on the beach at East Bearskin Lake in Minnesota.   Two weeks ago, he again was at East Bearskin where he was still able to run and play in the lake.  Now he is able to kayak to the center of the lake and jump off the floating dock by himself.

After the hospital stay two years ago, Oliver was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.  This is where the body is fight against itself in the gastrointestinal tract. Many times individuals that are affected by this disease are left weakened and unable to do many things. Through God’s compassion and Ollie’s faith, he has been healthy and strong.  He will tell you proudly that he is 4’9”, 75lbs, and 7 & ½ years old.

Two weeks ago, Oliver also completed his first outside rock climb.  This was on a 40-foot cliff, without any predrilled or placed foot or hand holds. He climbed this cliff several times without stopping.    At the beginning, he looked up and stated, “ Let’s go”, not one word of hesitation or fear.   He knew he was ready and able to have faith in himself and God (and mom and dad) to take on this rock.

I write these things to express that

• Let us renew our child-like faith and attempt the impossible
• The circumstance that we face will prepare us for something amazing in the future – next week, next year, or two years
• No matter what has happened in our past or is affecting us, God is working on us to perfect us to his Glory.

 

 

 

Today’s Reading: James 1:19-27

Good Morning,  I apologize for the delay this morning.  Last night we didn’t have internet access, so this morning I made a 25 mile trek to the city to send off this post.  One amazing aspects of this journey is I saw my first moose ever. This was awesome.   Let’s get into the reading.

In the letter of James, the apostle is writing to the new church and reinforcing the teachings of Christ.  James is now an elder in the church and is witnessing some of the same issues that had been present before Christ in Judaism to continue in the new church among the Christians.   The issues that are presented are: 1.) Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 2.) Be doers of the word and not only hearers, 3.) Anyone who is doing the work of God, but doesn’t control his words is not doing true works of God.  In these issues presented there is a progressive refinement movement present where you cannot only do part of the process, but you must continually strive to get better.

In the first issue, we are called to listen and allow this to guide our thoughts and actions.  We should be proactive and not allow the situations or our feelings dictate our responses.  This is an area that is more difficult to harness without practice.   It seems that many of the early church leaders would allow their own personal opinions and perceptions cloud their judgement and this would lead to frustrations and conflict.  How many times in a day can you allow your own emotions to interfere your service?  How many times are you not fully listening to others and assuming you know what the other person is wanting or how to react?  This is an area that I am continually progressively refining in myself. As I write this, I am reminded of a situation today where I helped my son to rethink his reactions to his sisters. Progressive refinement.

The second issue, is to be doers and not only hearers of the Word.  We can listen to all the newest sermons, bible talks, podcasts, and other outlets; but if we are not actively engaging and being intentional in our service we are no better than those who do not know the Word.  In the first issue, we were not hearing the word.  Then James tells us since you are listening and hearing the word, you must continue to move forward and now be active in the word.  There are times that we have listen to the word and then we get excited and start to become active and motivated.  After a while we are back to where we began or sometimes further than where we started.  We should be intentional about the service and the way God moves in our lives.  We must engage God, through the Spirit to actively be a part of our lives and work in us for the Glory of the kingdom.

The final issue, you are doing these works that you have heard from God to be active in His works, we must be careful to not allow our own ambitions and desires cloud the true objective.  God is in search of you and desires you to promote the kingdom which is the true objective.  We should seek God, do His will, and remember that it is not us that is in charge. Sometimes, I forget that this is not my life and my hopes and dreams, but it is God’s purpose for me that allows me to be here and serving him.  Again James makes it plain and simple,

James  1:27  “ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their afflictions”

 This is true religion.  It is not who is better than the other, it is not about who can speak better than the other, it is not about who can out do the other.  True religion is love others unconditionally, without the expectation of acknowledgement in return.   When we have question if the works that we are doing are pleasing to God, we should ask ourselves “Are we taking care of those that are not able to assist themselves and are we doing it with love?”

As we look at these issues, we must see that it is not a finite and limited progression of growth, but a constant changing and dynamic process.  We have a glimpse of the road map, but we need to continually ask for direction and clarification of the directions that Christ has for us.  Progressive Refinement.  James continues to give us insight if we are receptive to the Word.  Be Blessed.

Today’s Reading: Psalm 90, Luke 19:5-23, Mark 13:35-37

Good Morning it’s another Monday and I’m so blessed to be back with you! Mr. McG has been covering for me due to some travel and I’m so grateful! As your Monday hostess, I have the honor of introducing a new series we’re beginning on the character of God. As a newer Christian, I think this concept can be one of the most complex aspects of a living faith. As we mature in our faith we begin to deepen our interaction with God just as we do with our parents. Today we have three separate readings that highlight the big-ness of God. After studying each of them, I’d like to just focus on them separately today in our study together and allow you to draw some connections as you consider the character of God in your own faith journey.

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses, this Psalm speaks of the sovereignty of God over creation, life and death. When I first became I Christian I really struggled to understand the meaning of the word sovereignty. The dictionary defines sovereignty as: supreme power and freedom from external control. Moses reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to God. He is not limited by time. It’s easy to get so very discouraged when situations don’t seem to change when days, weeks, months or even years go by. Sometimes we wonder if God can see into the future. But what we learn from Psalm 90 is that God is completely unrestricted from time. Because of his sovereignty, God knows all of our sins.

“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” Psalm 90:8

This should encourage us to come to him rather than trying to cover our sins from him. The end of the psalm reminds us that our time here on earth is so very finite. By loving and serving God we can weather the difficult times knowing our desires can only be satisfied by Him! If you’re going through a hard time that seems endless right now, this Psalm is for you. Take time to read it again, He’ll be with you when you do.

Luke 19:5-23

I love this story about Zacchaeus the crooked tax collector and his change for Jesus. It shows us that each of us have the capacity for change and the call to believe the best in others. Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the ten servants. If you are a part of the Eastview Christian Church congregation, you may have experienced this parable first hand with our Serve Project. Jesus followers are commanded to use the resources we are given to build and expand God’s kingdom. Understanding that there is no wealth that is truly ours is the key to a life in discipleship with Him. While we await the coming of Jesus again we must do Christ’s work.

 Mark 13:35-37

Finally, we arrive at Mark 13, the cornerstone of our readings for today. The message is simple; watch for God. I was reminded of a little yellow bracelet my children wear from VBS when I read this passage. The bracelet literally says, “Watch for God” The intent was to give the kids a tangible reminder that God is always with you and that one day Jesus will come again. At the end of each day of VBS, the children were encouraged to share a moment in which they saw signs of God in their lives. They wrote them down on little post it notes and covered a wall with them by the end of the week. Mark is essentially giving us a bracelet that says, “Watch!” Sometimes I think it may be helpful to us as adults to write down our God sightings and post them on our wall. I know that I can get caught up in the day to day and miss the opportunity to see Him. Jesus tells us through this parable that we must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecutions. We must stay alert and be guided by our moral compass until he comes again.

 

Have a great week!

 

Today’s Reading : Matthew 21:28-32; John :19-20; Psalms 130

Matthew 21:28-32

²⁸ “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

 

 

Parables are great teachers of hidden truths and realities.  The message of the “Two Sons” is a direct answer to the direct affront that Jesus was being subjected to by the Chief priest and the elders of the temple. This was a manner in which Christ was redirecting and questioning the true intentions of his accusers.  In the passage before this parable, Christ is questioned on the authority that he teaches in temple and he redirects the elders with the question of John the Baptist’s Baptism.

 

In this parable, Christ is using a similar style where he uses their own beliefs to hone in to the critical point of the essence of the elders.  In Jewish tradition similar to our tradition of respect and obligation, when a person gives their word or promise, that is the correct manner of respect. But the true essence of respect is not only to commit with words, but also to complete the action.  By completing the action, you have completed your duty to the requestor.  In the parable the chief priest and the elders are the proverbial “second son”. They commit by words, but their actions are not aligned with the request of the father. The tax collectors are the “first son” where they have heard the request of the father and deny at first, but submit to the will of the father later.

 

Being a father and a son, I can see both aspects of this parable in my life.  There were many times as a child and young adult where I submitted to the request of my parents, but there are also times where I didn’t submit to the request.  As my wife and I raise our three children, there are times that the children comply with our request and at times they submit to their own devices.  But as reading this passage, I have the realization that these two sons’ roles are present in each of us on a daily basis. It is dynamic in nature as well. If we are in Christ, we are ever searching to be aligned with God, but sometimes we may do something that is not aligned with His will. Sometimes we may say, “ God direct my path” and decided to keep our own Mapquest at hand.   Other times we may feel the need to serve and will start wherever we are. These two scenarios are ways that we can see God working in us.  We are imperfect beings with access to a perfect being.  We will not always do the correct choice, but by grace we will have the chance to grow in Him.   Be Blessed.

;  Psalms 130

 

²⁸ “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ ²⁹ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. ³⁰ And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. ³¹ Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.³² For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Parables are great teachers of hidden truths and realities.  The message of the “Two Sons” is a direct answer to the direct affront that Jesus was being subjected to by the Chief priest and the elders of the temple. This was a manner in which Christ was redirecting and questioning the true intentions of his accusers.  In the passage before this parable, Christ is questioned on the authority that he teaches in temple and he redirects the elders with the question of John the Baptist’s Baptism.

In this parable, Christ is using a similar style where he uses their own beliefs to hone in to the critical point of the essence of the elders.  In Jewish tradition similar to our tradition of respect and obligation, when a person gives their word or promise, that is the correct manner of respect. But the true essence of respect is not only to commit with words, but also to complete the action.  By completing the action, you have completed your duty to the requestor.  In the parable the chief priest and the elders are the proverbial “second son”. They commit by words, but their actions are not aligned with the request of the father. The tax collectors are the “first son” where they have heard the request of the father and deny at first, but submit to the will of the father later.

Being a father and a son, I can see both aspects of this parable in my life.  There were many times as a child and young adult where I submitted to the request of my parents, but there are also times where I didn’t submit to the request.  As my wife and I raise our three children, there are times that the children comply with our request and at times they submit to their own devices.  But as reading this passage, I have the realization that these two sons’ roles are present in each of us on a daily basis. It is dynamic in nature as well. If we are in Christ, we are ever searching to be aligned with God, but sometimes we may do something that is not aligned with His will. Sometimes we may say, “ God direct my path” and decided to keep our own Mapquest at hand.   Other times we may feel the need to serve and will start wherever we are. These two scenarios are ways that we can see God working in us.  We are imperfect beings with access to a perfect being.  We will not always do the correct choice, but by grace we will have the chance to grow in Him.   Be Blessed.