Self-condemnation is an ugly thing. It keeps us from growing in our relationship with Jesus. I find myself locked in the struggle between self-condemnation and God’s love through Christ. I know in my mind there is no condemnation for those who follow Jesus and there is nothing that can separate me from His love. But this inner voice jumps in and reminds me of behaviors I have that are not Christ-like. “A true follower of Jesus would not behave this way,” the voice says. Self-condemnation then wraps its grisly arms around me making me feel like a failure. The truth is I am unconditonally loved. I am accepted. I am known. I encourage you to banish the self-condemnation monster from your life and embrace who you really are: a life created and loved by Almighty God.

Life is transient, temporary. We are here for a short period of time and then we’re gone. How we invest our lives is the difference between living and dying. Those who are wealthy and do nothing with that wealth outside their own benefit are happy now. But it is the only happiness they will ever know. When theyare gone their happiness will be gone as well. What is the use in spending your life chasing after things that never truly satisfy and in the end are all taken away? Instead invest your life and your time following the One who changed and is changing the world. Following Jesus, investing in the lives of others, expanding the kingdom, living a life of service is the way to living the abundant life. It is the best investment you will ever make and the rewards are eternal.

Jesus says if I trust Him, I will no longer remain in the darkness. But what does it mean to come into the light? I think it means that I will observe life from a different perspective. Living in the light means I’ll see the world as it really is: broken, confused, searching for answers. Living in the light means I’ll see who Jesus really is: God in the flesh – kind, loving, compassionate, caring, giving. Jesus is the answer to all the questions the world is asking. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the light. Jesus is the One who created us and the world in which we live. He loves me and wants me to live the life He has given me to live. I will spend the rest of my days risking whatever it takes to connect people with the love of Jesus because the world cannot live without light.

How often I forget that the Spirit of Jesus dwells within me. I accept this more as a concept than a reality. But it’s true. Ever since the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has come to reside within those who follow Jesus. This is why Jesus told his disciples, “it is good that I leave.” We would never have received this precious gift otherwise.

Every day when we seek Jesus’ guidance and inspiration for our lives, we do not have to look to the heavens and ask, “Lord, where are you? Can you hear me?” Just look inside your heart and listen. Jesus says, “My beloved child, I am right here within you.” When we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit within, the search is over. We know that Jesus is and always will be right here with us no matter what.

So often we get caught up in wanting to do things for God. We think the more we serve Him the better we are. And yet there is nothing we can do for God. He doesn’t need us to do anything for Him. What He desires is for us to love Him by serving others. He sent Jesus to be our example. God touches people and changes lives through those who love Him. That’s why we must constantly be seeking His will and spending time alone with Him on a daily basis. I encourage you to pray this prayer:

Lord, how do you want to work through my life today to change the life of another? I put myself aside. I am ready and available for your use. Lead and direct my steps toward the accomplishment of your will, in Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

There is an incredible story in the Bible (John 11:38-44) where Jesus raises His friend Lazarus from the dead. When Lazarus walks out of the tomb he is bound with grave clothes. He has new life but he still needs help. Jesus says to those standing around Lazarus, unbind him and let him go. Jesus could have done this Himself. Why did He tell the onlookers to unbind Lazarus and let him go? It is because Jesus wants their involvement. He wants them to understand that everyone has a role to play in bringing people to new life. This is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus. When someone receives Jesus into their lives all their struggles and burdens do not automatically melt away. They need the help of others to become the people they were created to be. As the church, the body of Christ, the community of faith, we are called by Jesus to help others with their struggles; to unbind them so they can truly live and experience the new life that only Jesus can offer.

Jesus calls me to love my enemies. I am to love those who do not like me as well as those who hate me and wish me harm. Followers of Jesus are not to withhold their love from anyone.

There are people in my life today that I do not love. I do not want to love them, I do not want to care about them, I don’t even want to like them. But I cannot be a true follower of Jesus if I continue to have this attitude. If Jesus is truly the Lord of my life then I must allow Him to love others through my words and actions. And that means to love those who do not love me, who do not like me, who even hate me. This is the hardest thing in the world – and yet it is one of the most powerful ways to connect people with the love of Jesus and to turn an enemy into a friend.

There is nothing more aggregating than working for weeks on a jigsaw puzzle only to discover at ther very end there is a piece missing. Here you are looking at a beautiful picture with a hole in it. The puzzle is ninety-nine percent complete, but you just can’t get past that empty space. And so the search begins. You look under pillows and cushions, behind couches and chairs, searching every nook and cranny of your home for the missing piece of the puzzle, knowing your picture will never be complete until you find it.

We experience this in life as well. No matter who we are or how successful we are, there is a sense that something is missing and we know we are never going to be satisfied until we find it. We delve into materialism, power and prestige; we flirt with drugs and alcohol; we invest in illicit sex and meaningless affairs all in an effort to find the missing piece of the puzzle. The result is we return home with empty hands and broken hearts.

There is an answer to what’ missing in our lives and His name is Jesus. I’m not talking about religion. I’m talking about a relationship with the only One who can fill the empty space in your life. When you let Jesus into your heart you will discover who you are and what your life is really all about. You will find meaning and purpose, satisfaction and fulfillment. With Jesus filling the gap, you will see your life as it truly is – an original priceless work of art!

My wife and I took a drive over to Anna Maria Island, about an hour and a half away from our home in Tampa. It was a beautiful day and the island was spectacular – a little slice of heaven without leaving Florida. We dined on crab cakes and grouper watching the sunset while children skipped and played on the beach. In the midst of our surroundings I was reminded that everything we enjoy in life comes to us from God. Blue skies, sandy beaches, magnificent food, good conversation – all thanks to the One who created it all.

Why is it so easy for us to take the awe and wonder of life for granted? We live from day to day inside a miracle barely taking the time to notice the fingerprints of our Creator on everything we see, hear, smell, taste and touch. Many of us believe that life is what we make it, and yet there is not one facet of life that we have made. We live in a world of the living, but we do not have the capability to create life. This is a gift from God.

When we realize that life is a gift we begin to experience the transcendent. We sense there is something “bigger” than ourselves, and we have this deep desire to lift our hands to the sky and simply say, “thank you.” And if we listen closely, we will hear that still small voice whispering into our ears, “you’re welcome!”

Passion is defined as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. It comes from the heart and is the fuel that ignites our soul. Passion is the great motivator. It inspires us to get out of bed in the morning and fills our days with anticipation. People will devote their entire lives as well as all their time, energy and income to whatever drives their passion.

Did you know that God has a passion as well? It’s true. He thinks about it constantly and it inspires and motivates everything He does. That passion is you and me. God is passionate about people! And God’s passion for people resonates from His heart. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to us as an expression of His passion. Listen to the words of Jesus and you hear the passion of God’s heart.

Do you lack passion in your own life? Do you feel like something’s missing but you don’t know what it is? I encourage you to give your life to Jesus and experience the passion of God for yourself. It will ignite your soul as it fills your heart with a love you never thought possible.