Daily Dose #20 (Monday, April 6, 2020)

Good Monday morning church family, and welcome to Daily Dose #20 – thanks to those who are popping by the office, it’s great to connect with you.

And now, after focusing on the Triumphal Entry and our humble King Jesus yesterday, we move on to Monday in our journey to the cross.

I’m going to share a few Scripture texts today as we focus on God’s love for us that was part of what motivated Jesus to go to the cross.

Ephesians 5:2 tells us this truth – “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us.”

·      We are called to live a life filled with love.

·      And we are called to do this because Jesus is our example, the One whom we look to in order to know how to live our lives.

·      And as it says there, we live a life filled with love, because we follow the example of Jesus!  He loved us enough to offer His own life as a sacrifice for our lives.

 

As Jesus Himself says in John 15:13 – “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

·      The act of Jesus on the cross is the supreme act of love – that of laying down our life for our friends.

·      Jesus did that very act for us, while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”)

 

In John 3 Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus, and in this conversation Jesus talks about the love God has for His world.  John 3:16-21 has Jesus saying these famous words to Nicodemus – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

 

As followers of Jesus, we look to Jesus as our example in how to live our lives.  And if we focus in on Jesus, we cannot help but see His great love for people – both while He walked the earth in human flesh, and in His great act of love in laying down His life on the cross for all humanity.

·      And subsequently, as we focus on Jesus and His love, we are inspired as He calls us to live lives of love toward others around us.

Hebrews 12 reminds us: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

So as we journey together towards the cross and resurrection this Holy Week, and as we focus on Jesus and His great love for us, ask yourself this question – does my life reflect the life of Jesus in how I love the people around me in life?

·      Ask yourself – how does it look, right now, in my current reality, to love others?

·      Where is Jesus calling you to greater acts of love as you follow His lead? 

Our great Saviour Jesus, by His life and His words, inspires us to live a life filled with love towards others.  Jesus, come and fill us with your Holy Spirit – come and pour your powerful divine love into our lives so that it can’t help but overflow into the lives of those around us, so that they may see your love and turn and praise your name.

 

One further resource to pass your way – I received a card of encouragement from the Arrow Leadership Ministry that I was part of 7-8 years ago.  And it was good so I thought I would simply copy it here in order to share it with you.  It was titled “5 Certain Steps for Uncertain Times.”

1.     Find Focus

a.    Don’t get focused on the wind and the waves of circumstances.  Keep your eyes on Jesus – the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

b.    Hebrews 12:2-3 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

2.     Give Thanks

a.    Every day identify three things for which you are thankful.  Then aim for ten!  Gratitude changes our perspective in powerful ways.

b.    1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

3.     Pray Unceasingly

a.    Don’t underestimate the impact of prayer – on you, on others and on the world.  Pray people seek Jesus.  Pray wisdom for government and public health leaders.  Pray for scientists and healthcare workers.  Pray for the vulnerable and isolated.  Pray for Jesus-centered leaders.

b.    1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray continually.”

4.     Love Lavishly

a.    On any day, we have little control of what’s going on in the world.  We do have control on how we respond.  Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).  Love lavishly by washing your hands, social distancing, reaching out to the vulnerable and blessing others in practical ways.

5.     Spread Calm and Courage

a.    Choosing to trust Jesus allows us to be a calm and non-anxious presence in our anxious world.  Who could you give courage to today?  Give them a call or write a note.  Point them to the One who is your faithful guide, your provider and your protector.

b.    Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Feel free to print that resource off and leave it on your night stand or your bathroom mirror for when you get up in the morning – it’s a good and succinct reminder of some of the things we have already talked about in the last couple of weeks.  Keeping God’s Word in front of us – and His promises in our hearts and minds.