Work as for the Lord

It has been said that “If you find something that you truly love to do, and can make a living doing whatever it is, you will never work a day in your life.” - I think though that ideal is born out of a messed up framework. Sure, finding a way to make a living doing something that not only fits well in our skill set but that we really enjoy doing is wonderful and if you can do that, you are far ahead of the pack. However, it also leaves something to be desired for those that can't seem to find a way to monetize their passions. For the grave majority of us, we are relegated to working a job. So, how do we have pleasure in that? How do we not allow the doldrums and monotony of a proverbial 9-5, weigh us down? The answer of course is in scripture. Though it is easier said than done. It is in our perception of what we consider work. If we consider it a task that we are forced to do and approach it out of distain or dread, then yes, we will feel stuck in a rut. But if we can approach our work, whatever it may be, through the same lens that the Apostle Paul had, then we can have a whole new perspective, one that leads to joy in the midst of scrubbing toilets, bucking hay, filing paperwork, dealing with rude customers, working with hot tar, scaling fish, cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, or even going to school and everything else that we consider work, in between. 

Colossians 3:23-24

Getting to Know Jesus (Part 1)

Most people skip over the genealogy of Jesus. Lets be honest its not the most fun reading. The truth is though, that the genealogy of Jesus has many purposes. It doesn't just demonstrate both the natural and the supernatural rights that he has to the throne of Israel, it also reveals to us that just as Jesus had many markers or indicators that pointed to him and him alone, we are also born with certain markers or traits that are all our own, given to us by God for a specific purpose, that make us a perfect fit for God's unfolding and eternal plan. 

“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

Not only that, but God chose so many underdogs, outcasts, and radicals to bring about his master plan. I challenge to do a deep dive into the lineage of Jesus and see what I'm talking about. You and I need to understand, with every fiber of our being, that Jesus was just like us. He was born with a history and a past that wasn't that shiny. He came from nothing to become everything. And, we have been created for the purpose of becoming like him in every way. God wants you to be a masterpiece of his grace by living for his glory and expressing his goodness to others. 

Getting to Know Jesus (Part 2)

Have you ever been in a really dark place, I mean dark, absolute blackout, can't see your hand in front of your face, dark? Sometimes, in our minds and our hearts we can get to places like that. We don't know where to turn or who to turn to. We can't get out of the fog we find ourselves in. We feel hopelessness and lost, alone, and afraid. Most of the time we are too proud to admit these feelings so we fail to ask for help. I have two observations on this. 

First of all, Jesus said that he is the light unto all the world. He is the light that can and will dispel any and all darkness in your life. 

Secondly, Jesus said that we, his disciples, are the radiance of his light, sent into the world. Therefore, it stands to reason, that when we find ourselves in the midst of darkness and we are feeling alone, needing advice or direction, needing help in some way, whether it be physical, spiritual, mental, etc. - we should turn to Jesus and his bride the church. 

Reaching out to other believers, joining in fellowship and worship, getting in God's word daily, talking with other believers; these are the things that will allow the light of God to creep into the darkest recesses of our minds and hearts and bring us into the light of salvation and hope. 

Original Poem: Blessings

Blessings are not the things we think we need or even the fulfillment of our dreams.

Blessings are not like presents on Christmas morning or like surprises met with glee.

Blessings are not always grandiose but when they are, our whole world takes note. 

Often times the blessings we receive are the ones we more often than not, don't see.

Blessings are not short lines of praise or favor, words meant for a desired end,

As if our words could bring about a more favorable outcome or status of being.

Blessings are the moments, both big and small that show us God's presence,

And demonstrates a deliberate faith – one that lives and dies at the Spirit's plea.

So, count your many blessings and name them one by one as the old hymn says. 

Pray that God would lift up and open your eyes, that his blessings are all you see.

~Ty Curry

Original Poem: Serving Others

If your serving is in order to make you feel better about yourself or to help you pay some sort of penance, 

If serving others is more about you than it is about others, you have a mighty big problem on your hands.

If, in serving you fret more about how hard it is, how tired you are, or how much longer will this take,

If your serving is done out of selfish ambition, greedy recognition, or any other reason than for Jesus sake,

Stop everything you are doing, repent of your wickedness. Turn back to Jesus and get a fresh start.

Surrender to him all of yourself, recognize all of which he has done for you, then go and serve others from the heart.

~Ty Curry

Original Poem: A Father's Reflection

I'm not the strongest man who ever lived, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the smartest man in the world, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the wisest person to walk the earth, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the funniest dad to ever tell a joke, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the greatest husband to love his wife, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the hardest worker to ever hold a job, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the fastest man to ever play a sport, but in their eyes, I am.

I'm not the greatest follower of Jesus to live, but in their eyes, I am.

And that makes me wonder if the Jesus they see in me, is the true I AM?

I want to be so much like Jesus that all they see in me is the Great I Am!

~Ty Curry

Our Work, His Power

This coming week in Vacation Bible School the kids are going to be learning all about the power of Jesus. Jesus is truly all powerful. He is powerful enough to overcome any obstacle we face, any hardship we endure, any setback we encounter. It is so easy for us to tout that. We often times rattle off lines like that as if we are claiming victory but then we sink back into doubting it and all to often we find ourselves stuck in this seemingly never ending loop of doubtfulness. 

The truth is that Jesus is all powerful. Our problem is not that Jesus doesn't do what we need him to do. Our problem is that we don't truly put our faith in him to do it. We name it and claim it but then we forget about it and start trying to figure it all out ourself. There is something to be said for the self-started who doesn't wait around on help and dives in to get things done. There is even more to be said for and about the one who goes to work knowing that Jesus is their strength and that he will handle it all and trust in him the whole way through and then on the other side, gives God all the praise and glory, humbled by the majesty of the God they serve. Work for God and he will work for you. He already got started back at the cross. He is just waiting on you to catch up and get to work.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men...” Col. 3:23

Choice Is Yours

Satan attacks us at our weakest points and moments. He uses our successes and our failures against us. He leverages our choices and our actions for greater destruction, to keep us down and to further separate us from the only truly good thing we have, and that is Jesus. Make no mistake, Satan has dominion in this world. God allows it so that we may be tested, that our resolve might be pushed to the limits. God does want and has no use for mediocrity. He has no place for those with only their toes in the water. You are either all in or you are all out. He demands nothing less of those that claim to be his disciples. The beauty of the Christian life is that once you choose Jesus and surrender your life to him, He too will leverage all of your choices and actions, your successes and failures for His greater good, all for his glory and for our benefit. Choosing Jesus does not mean that life will get easier. In fact, the truth is that anytime we choose Jesus, Satan will go on the attack. He will hit us squarely where it will affect us the most in hopes that we experience failure and setbacks. The choice to allow Jesus complete control will be hard but the rewards far outweigh the risks and whatever suffering we endure from Satan. 

“...choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Goals of A Christian Life

Any coach will tell you that in order to succeed you must set goals. We mess it up by setting arbitrary goals that can't really be measured. That way we can't really be held accountable. Goals have to be measurable in order to know whether or not you are reaching them or if you are even moving in the right direction. Ephesians 4 set these goals for us as Christians. 

It says in Eph. 4 that we are to “attain” in other words, reach a set goal. Then it lists the goals... 1.) unity of the faith, in other words, unifying ourselves with other believers in service; 2.) knowledge of Jesus, which simply means that we are to strive to become more and more like Jesus by learning all we can about him; 3.) spiritual maturity, which means we can't simply drink spiritual milk and honey or else we will starve ourselves into spiritual malnutrition. We have to ween off of the lesser and dive into the deeper parts of spiritual truth in order to grow healthy and mature.

The text then gives us a measuring stick by which we are are to keep track of our progress. It says, “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...” 

We are measured and weighed against the “fullness of Christ,” Doing these things will get you there. Not doing them will leave an orphan child “tossed around.”

Get In and Stay In

We work hard to learn things that matter to us. Even when we don't really care about it, if it is required of us, we work at it. If we want good grades in school, if we want a promotion at work, if we want a better relationship with a spouse, if we want to be recognized for something, whatever it is that we want; we work at learning everything we can, committing it to memory, wrestling with the various concepts, and applying it to our daily life. So, why do so many people that profess to be Christians, fail at this? To a Christian there should be nothing more important to their everyday life than to know Jesus and his word so thoroughly that it impacts every aspect of their life. Their bibles should be worn out from study and use. God has told us that we are to study to show ourselves approved and to be prepared in season and out of season to give an account for our faith (2 Tim. 2:14-15, 4:2; Luke 6:46-48). The word of God is the be kept, meditated on, obeyed, and used as a guide for everyday life (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:105,111). This world is tough and only getting tougher. As followers of Jesus we must be in the word of God if we are going to persevere as we are commanded to do. 

“When the world beats you down, open up your Bible.” -Lysa TerKeurst

Loss Is Hard

Loss is hard! It hurts! It is messy! It is unavoidable! August and September are really bad months for me personally. My son's birthday, my father's birthday, my brother's birthday, the anniversary of my son's passing, also of my father and my brother. So much loss, so much pain, so much turmoil and struggle internally as I wrestle with the loss but also with the joy of knowing where they now are. The only peace I have is in the fact that my father and my brother had surrendered their lives and hearts to Jesus and in the truth that my son was an innocent in the eyes of a loving and caring Father, God. That does bring comfort to me and most of the time it sustains me. But there are times like these two months when the messiness of loss resurfaces and my mind and heart are pulled into an emptiness, a sunken whole within my chest, a black recess within my mind. So, I say it again, loss is hard! Hear me when I say, I get it. I really do. But loss, no matter how painful it is or emotionally draining it can be to endure, can never still our joy unless we let it. The joy of knowing Jesus, the joy of experiencing his tender compassion, the joy of sharing in his goodness, can never be taken away unless we allow it to be. My strength, in times like these, comes only from Jesus and often times Jesus comes to us through his church, to love on us, to comfort us, to share in our sorrows and our burdens and our joys.