Today I ran across a post on another blog titled “15 Powerful Things Happy People Do Differently” and I thought I’d share it here.
The author of the blog does not approach the subject from a religious point of view but his/her points could certainly be supported biblically. As I read the article it struck me how simple the ’15 Powerful Things’ are in theory but how many of them do I practice in my daily life? Upon some self-reflection it is clear that I struggle with some of these things. How much happier would I be if I choose to love instead of fear; accept rather than resist; trust instead of doubt? Perhaps I will work on these 15 things to find out.
My wife and I have been taking classes on the Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith. We thoroughly enjoy our study and are learning so much. We are also ”trying out” everything (or most things) that we learn. Last Friday evening, we attended a Passover Sedar at a friend’s home. It was so meaningful and enjoyable. We read about the Exodus from Egypt, the placing of the blood on the doorpost, and the Passover Lamb. God is so good to have commanded us to set aside this time every year, “throughout all generations,” where we can stop, and take the time to remember how he has delivered us. Colossians 1:13 says, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”
Every year, in the Spring, many Christians celebrate Easter or Resurrection Day. We have set aside this time to contemplate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah. As I have had time to think about this time of rememberance, I realize that you can’t have one without the other. No Passover no Resurrection Day. When we look at each as separate and distinct religious holidays, we only get part of the picture. God’s plan of salvation was put in motion long before Messiah came. He is a God who delivers. He delivered the Children of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. They were a redeemed people, free to love and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were invited to walk out a redeemed lifestyle by obedience to the Commandments given to Moses on Mt Sinai. In Exodus 15:26 it says, “…If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” As we see, they also had the choice to obey God just as we do.
For three and a half years, the Word “that became flesh” taught us how to live. He said, “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart… and thy neighbor as they self.” He showed us how to live and then he gave His life for us. In fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, He died and rose from the grave…..this act of love simply sealed, for good, our deliverance from the bondage of sin, sickness and lack. And the invitation to walk the redeemed lifestyle as outlined in scriptures, is still extended to us today.
You see, I’m glad Passover was not just for the Jews. It is for all believers. Passover also gives us the opportunity to remember our deliverance from sin and affirm our desire to walk the redeemed lifestyle as found in the TORAH – God’s teaching and instruction. Every spring He gently reminds us to remember…..when I do, I can’t help but exclaim ”Oh how marvelous are thy works towards the children of men.” Amen!
Pastor Billy and I are usually quiet during our ride home after church. I’m thinking about the day’s events–sabbath school, praise and worship, who was not there and the sermon (yes, I think about it 
But today, I spent most of the ride home thinking about my conversation with one of our members over lunch. We were talking about the Church’s blog and she suggested (oops! I hope I did not give it away) that the Pastor’s Blog be renamed “Simon Says…” How fun I thought! What kid in America has not played the game – Simon Says. When I was growing up we would play Simon Says during recess. Everyone would line up and face the leader. The leader would call out commands such as “Simon says touch your nose”, or” Simon says stand on one foot.” Participants were to follow only the commands that were prefaced with Simon Says. If you obeyed a command that did not begin with Simon Says then you were out. Now, nobody wanted to be out because it meant standing on the sidelines watching everyone else still playing the game. The game was over when only one person was left…this person was the winner…they had followed all the commands correctly…yeah!
Playing Simon Says is not as easy as it may sound. Each time we started a new game, I would vow to listen more carefully…stay focused….keep my eyes straight ahead. But invariably, I would get distracted….loose focus….and start watching the person next to me.. ..sadly I would hear the words….you’re out. I would begin asking….”What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I follow simple commands?” Well, in a spiritual sense, I often feel the same way. Why do I keep messing up? What keeps me from staying focused on God and His Word? There I am standing on the sidelines, wondering if there’s any hope for me…I want to stay in the game….I want to win.
God says that He has provided a way for me to win. It’s found in I John 1:9 …”But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.” As I ponder all the times that I have been forgiven, I realize that with all my faults and deficiencies, God continues to offer me outrageous grace. It’s crazy…it does not make sense…but it can be my reality if I believe God’s word. You might think that this undeserved grace would cause me to just go for it…do whatever…but I can’t. This is a love I don’t understand, but I want so much to experience it. The more I realize what He’s done for me the more I love Him. His love constrains me. His love causes me to want to listen more closely….stay focused…and keep my eyes straight ahead on Jesus. Do I win? God says, yes I do….because Jesus did.
