One For All

Posted on April 26, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

Amidst the heinous bombings at the Boston Marathon shine the heroes who risked their lives to help the wounded. One story in particular keeps replaying in my mind.

(Photo credit: United States Marine Corps)

Carlos Arredondo, the “Latino cowboy” immigrant, cheered for a friend who was running in honor of his son, who died fighting in Iraq almost 10 years ago.

Immediately after the blast, instead of running away, he ran toward the scene. He crossed the street and tore pieces of a fence that separated the runners from the crowd. Then he scaled the fence and tended to victims.

This American hero reminds me a little of my action hero.

God the Father―who also knows the pain of losing a son―cheers for us as we run our Christian race (Romans 8:31; Hebrews 12:1).

Jesus crossed the universe, defied physics, and hurdled time by entering earth’s history (John 1:1-15; Isaiah 7:14).

Instead of running away from sinners, the light of the world ran to us (Luke 15:2-7).

Jesus tore away obstructing sin that separated us from our holy God (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9).

Through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, God triumphed over Satan’s rule of sin and death (Hebrews 2:14).

After Jesus ascended to heaven, He distributed His plunder by giving gifts to His children/church (Ephesians 4:8). Paul, during his imprisonment in Rome, compared Jesus to a conqueror marching to the gates and taking tribute from the fallen city (Psalm 68:18). The following links open to a study of these spiritual gifts:

http://www.bible.org/seriespage/spiritual-gifts-1-corinthians-121-11

http://www.qualityoflifeministries.info/purpose-of-gifts

Christ’s resurrection helps us find meaning, even in great tragedy.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” – Hebrews 6:19-20

All For One

Posted on April 19, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

Before my 10 year-old attended camp, my husband and I told him: “Remember, you represent us.”

Translation: “Behave!”

Before the apostle Paul taught about spiritual gifts to the Ephesians, he admonished:

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” – Ephesians 4:1

Translation: “Behave! You are Christ’s own. You represent the King. Therefore, be humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful.”

About five years earlier, Paul appealed to the Corinthian church to be unified. Their spiritual gifts had become symbols of spiritual power, causing rivalries instead of God’s intended purpose of building and edifying the church.

How important is unity to our Lord? On the threshold of His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for us―future believers:

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know you, (God the Father), sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” – John 17:22-23

Christ in Gethsemane (Christus in Gethsemane), oil painting by Heinrich Ferdinand Hofmann (Heinrich Hofmann). The original is at the Riverside Church (Riverside Church, New York City). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul continued on this thought:

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit―just as you were called to one hope . . . .―one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:3-6

I counted nine ‘ones’ in the above two passages. Working together in unity is extremely important to God. Thankfully, our oneness doesn’t make us clones. Wouldn’t that be boring! God’s work involves many different individuals with a variety of gifts and abilities.

As the body of Christ―God’s church―we can accomplish far more together than we ever could individually.

God’s oneness of believers is opposite of society’s definition of being number one (Luke 14:19). By seeking God’s approval we can avoid the superstar syndrome.

How can the church be one and avoid division with our diversity? I would love to see your comments.

God’s Masterpiece

Posted on April 5, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

While our efforts can’t earn salvation, our gratitude for Christ’s free gift should result in acts of service. We are not saved just for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up His church.

You are special! In Christ, you are God’s work of art, His poem. And God had you in mind for a specific job(s) when He created you.

God has blessed you with abilities and, (if you are His child), spiritual gifts. No one will ever possess your unique set of talents, ideas, abilities, feelings, and exact physical traits.

God’s plans for you are as unique and special as you are. God knows you inside and out (Psalm 139). He will not only use your strengths, but also use your surrendered weaknesses for His glory (2 Corinthians 12:10).

From Jacob’s 12 sons to the 12 disciples, it’s clear: God specializes in using ordinary people in extraordinary ways. And in God’s economy, the seemingly insignificant tasks―when done with the right attitude―honor Him (1 Corinthians 12:22-25).

The Christian life is full of paradoxes. In a society where self is glorified and competition reigns, the idea of serving God and others fly contrary to our selfish desires and comfort zones. But when we place Christ first and follow His lead, we position ourselves to experience His abundant life; the greatest fulfillment. If that isn’t enough, God also uses our obedient faith steps and rewards our efforts, even though He knows we’ll mess up at times (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Reading the Bible, prayer, trust in Christ, and listening to godly counsel are the keys to knowing God’s directives.

What are some of the good works God has prepared for you?

Me, A Saint?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by KD Manes under Sanctification

When I think of “saints,” the following thoughts surface: 1) the song, When the Saints Go Marching In; 2) Saint Patrick’s Day; 3) Mother Teresa; 4) martyrs who have died for their faith, (and last, but not least); 5) I know I’m saved and am trying to become more Christ-like, but I am not a saint.

I admit, the fact that God calls His children “saints” causes me to squirm. I’m well aware of my shortcomings. Maybe that’s why God prods me to explore this topic more in depth.

“Saints” appear 95 times in the Bible. The Greek word for saints is hagios, which signifies being separated from sin and consecrated to God. It is used of people and things concerning their devotion to God―divine demands upon the conduct of believers who are called hagioi, “saints,” “sanctified,” or “holy” ones.

This sainthood is not by achievement or attainment, but is rather a state into which God in grace calls people (2 Timothy 1:9); yet believers are called to confess sin, become cleansed, and forsake sin. We are admonished to live a holy life so we might experience fellowship with our holy God (1 Peter 1:15; 2 Peter 3:11).

When a person is spiritually reborn into God’s family he/she has the greatest experience of love and the greatest inheritance. Those who become Christians are purposed to be His holy children―saints―that are set apart for His service.

God views us as righteous only through our union and identification with His Son, Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30).

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Thankfully, holiness is God’s master intrinsic work … phew!

Jesus is the fulfillment and culmination of God’s revelation through the centuries. When we know Him, we have all we need to be saved from our sin and to have a perfect relationship with God (Hebrews 1:1-2). If we are in Christ, God looks upon us as saints … I know, mind boggling, but exciting just the same! So, the question arises, are we saints in Christ? Or, are we trying to be saints by our own efforts? When I’ve strived apart from Christ, I’ve always wound up frustrated. How about you?

Below is Chris Tomlin’s song, Jesus Messiah. The corresponding video is graphic, but a good reminder of the extent Jesus suffered that we might have life.

God Bless,

K. D.

*This article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/19BNQF0

Don’t Forget Your Helmet

Posted on January 21, 2013 by KD Manes under Salvation

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“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17.

Satan wants us to doubt God, Jesus, and our salvation. The helmet protects our minds from doubting God’s saving work for us through His Son, Jesus.

My boys often think they are invincible. With only a skiff of snow and being near their school, they think gym shorts are suitable for watching basketball games. “All the kids do it, Mom. Besides, the gym’s hot.”

“It’s below freezing. And if you get stuck outside you’re asking for frostbite!” My reasoning settles in their minds like snow flurries in the wind. Time to switch tactics. This time I put on my Commander hat.

“You will wear your jeans and your coat. NO shorts.” My battle ready stance tells them I’m not backing down. After a few grunts and rolling eyes, they comply.

God often uses my children to drive home a point. How many times do I react like my kids to God’s instruction? How often do I skim over a Bible passage while my mind is distracted with daily tasks? Or I’ll read, ponder it, but then fail to apply it throughout the day. Like my boys, do I wave it off by reasoning: I’ll be fine … everyone else does it (or isn’t doing it)?

Ephesians 6:10-18 commands us to put on God’s armor. Like a parent who knows what’s best, Paul illustrates how we can be strong in the Lord so we won’t get knocked over by the devil’s schemes. Four times, he writes “stand firm.” Why? God shows us our struggle is not against people, but against the spiritual forces of evil, (vs. 12).

Don’t neglect wearing your helmet of belief, for “whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son,” John 3:18b.

Do you have any additional thoughts about God’s armor, (Ephesians 6:13-17)?