New Life Gillette Church https://newlifegillette.com Come as you are... Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:42:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 https://newlifegillette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-App-Icon_Final-150x150.png New Life Gillette Church https://newlifegillette.com 32 32 Conclusion https://newlifegillette.com/conclusion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=conclusion Mon, 30 Dec 2024 04:38:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12509

Conclusion

As you read this book, you may have noticed I missed some of the big events and teachings of Jesus. The truth is, I could have easily tripled the length of this book. John had the same struggle.

John 21:25

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. 
I chose to focus on stories that would call us out of spiritual complacency and into deeper devotion. My prayer for you now is that you have a renewed passion to give yourself more fully to following Christ, that you will set your eyes on things above. However, my goal was not to guilt you into deeper devotion. The church has too often used pressure, fear, and shame to lead people to obedience, but Jesus used kindness.

Romans 2:4

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 
Heaven is not a reward for good works, but there will be rewards in Heaven for those who do good things. There are consequences for sin and rewards for good works, but God’s love is unconditional.
 
Do I love one of my sons more than the other if he is more obedient that day? No. If I do, it is only because I am not a perfect father. The other day we had a particularly hard day with disciplining Lincoln. That night when I was putting him to bed Lincoln asked me, “Dad, do you love me as much as you love Titus?” I nearly burst into tears. Before he asked this, I was frustrated, and my communication with him was not gentle. When I realized what was happening, I told him, “I couldn’t possibly love either of you any more than I already do, and I will never love you any less.”
 
I may give Lincoln a reward for doing something good. I may discipline Titus for doing something bad, but that discipline is motivated by my love for them. They can’t do anything to earn my love, and they can’t do anything to take it away. I loved them when they were being formed in Darci’s womb, and every night I tell my boys: “I love you forever and ever, no matter what.”
 
God loved you into existence. You don’t have to perform well to earn his love. Before you were born, your Heavenly Father sent his only son to die for you. You didn’t do anything to earn it, but he died for you. Let that be your encouragement to give yourself more fully to him.
]]> How to Be Powerful https://newlifegillette.com/how-to-be-powerful/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-be-powerful Mon, 23 Dec 2024 04:27:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12504

How to Be Powerful

Who would you rather determine your life’s agenda—God or you? Our world chooses to follow the desires of their flesh, but true joy comes when we surrender. Surrendering to God’s will leads to a life of purpose and power beyond our imagination.
 
The last time anyone saw Jesus physically on Earth is recounted in Acts 1, the story of Jesus’ ascension to Heaven. Imagine the disciples’ emotions in those moments. Jesus, resurrected, and stood before them. It had been 40 days since Easter, and they had seen him several times. Yet, it still must have felt surreal. How often did they find themselves glancing at the holes in his hands and feet, marveling at this miracle standing before them?
 
Here they were, engaging in another deep conversation with Jesus, asking pressing questions. Then, suddenly, he was taken up into the sky. They were left standing there, awestruck. The disciples were likely still grappling with the reality of the resurrection, and now, Jesus was gone again, taken up into Heaven. Yet, this was no surprise to Jesus. He had predicted it.

John 14:28

Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 
Jesus’ ascension wasn’t an ending, it was a transition. He was returning to the realms of heaven, not abandoning his followers but preparing a place for them. While we might wish for Jesus to stay physically present, God’s plan required his departure so that he could send the Holy Spirit to us.

Acts 1:4-7

Once when [Jesus] was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.” 
The disciples focused on an earthly kingdom and nearly missed the bigger picture. They asked about the restoration of Israel, still clinging to their expectations of a political Messiah, but Jesus redirected them, emphasizing the coming of the Holy Spirit. They were about to experience a new form of baptism—not a physical act but an immersion in God’s presence and power. Jesus’ mission was not about political liberation but about a spiritual revolution. He was preparing them for a task far beyond their imagination. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he instructed them to focus first on God as the King of an eternal Kingdom.

Matthew 6:9-10

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 
It is God’s will that we are called to pursue, and his will is focused on his family. Jesus wanted his disciples to focus on the mission—making disciples of all nations. Their salvation was not just for them; it was also a mission.
 
Jesus ascended, but he did so with the promise that the Holy Spirit would come, empowering them to continue his work. The Holy Spirit’s arrival marked a new era. Jesus, in his earthly form, could only be in one place at a time. Through the Holy Spirit, he could be present in every believer, everywhere. This was a game-changing moment. The Holy Spirit would empower believers, enabling them to carry out the mission Jesus had begun.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 
The Greek word for “power” in this verse is “dunamis,” the root word for “dynamite.” The Holy Spirit’s arrival was like a spiritual explosion. It filled the disciples with a power that transformed them from fearful followers into bold witnesses.

Acts 2:2-4

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit. 
The Holy Spirit brings power, guidance, and transformation. He helps us to live righteous lives, gives us gifts to serve others, and empowers us to pray impactful prayers. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, enabling us to be effective witnesses of his love and grace.

Romans 8:11

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 
God’s agenda is far greater than our own. When we surrender our will to his, we become part of his grand plan to bring salvation to the world. This isn’t about adding Jesus to our lives as a side note. This is about making him the center.
 
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses. A witness is someone who shares what they have seen, heard, and experienced. We are called to testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. The world needs this truth, and it needs us to boldly proclaim it.
 
When Jesus ascended, he didn’t leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to continue his work. We are part of a movement that spans the globe and the ages, empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Let’s embrace this power, surrender our agendas, and fully commit to God’s mission. Who would you rather determine your life’s agenda—God or you? The answer should be clear. Let’s choose God’s agenda and witness the miraculous work he will accomplish through us.
]]> Enduring Pain https://newlifegillette.com/enduring-pain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=enduring-pain Mon, 16 Dec 2024 04:19:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12499

Enduring Pain

My wife Darci grew up in a farming community called Sharon Springs, Kansas. There was only one small diner and one small grocery store, which means it was a table community. In Sharon Springs, life happens around the table. The pinnacle of life in Sharon is Christmas, and Darci’s mom, Cathy, was the queen of Christmas. Decorations were everywhere, and the food was incredible. Cathy could cook, and it seemed we all gained fifty-five pounds every Christmas.
 
However, in 2008, the tradition was interrupted. While we were there, the house caught fire and burned down, right along with the new drill Darci’s dad gave me for Christmas. It was a horrible experience, but the next Christmas was even worse. We had just found out that Darci’s mom was really sick and couldn’t pull off the normal Christmas celebration. A month later, we found out she had stage four ovarian cancer. A few months later, she died on Mother’s Day. So Christmas 2010, in a rental house, without Cathy, wasn’t a fun Christmas.
 
Darci’s dad Kyle is the strongest man I’ve ever known. He carried the family, and amazingly, it actually drove him closer to God. This all happened the same year Darci and I got married, and even though it made our first few years of marriage really hard, it made our marriage stronger.
 
It’s times like these that we start asking why a loving God would allow bad things to happen. When you ask that question, you’re not thinking about not finding a good parking spot. You’re thinking about something big—someone who died, or someone who left you. But God is not far from us when we ask these questions. In fact, God can relate to our pain. When we blame God, we point the finger in the wrong direction. We cause our pain. Adam and Eve caused our pain. Sinful people cause our pain, and sinful people cause God pain. God’s chosen people killed his son, and on the cross, Jesus experienced incredible pain.

Matthew 27:46

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 
The weight of all the world’s sin was placed on Jesus’ shoulders, and because he was now covered in the filth of sin, his Heavenly Father couldn’t look at him. The Greek word for “called out” here is “aneboēsen,” which means “to shout or scream.” In this moment, Jesus is nailed to a cross, screaming in pain.
 
Jesus spent his life in intimate fellowship with his Father. Now, in his moment of greatest pain, his Father has abandoned him. The Greek word for abandoned here is “enkatelipes,” which means “to leave behind.” In addition, almost everyone else in Jesus’ life abandoned him too. Judas betrayed him. Peter denied him. His disciples couldn’t stay awake to pray with him. The crowd turned on him, tortured him, and killed him.
 
Have you ever been rejected by someone you liked, by a friend, by a boss, or by a parent? Rejection is one of life’s greatest pains. Jesus didn’t scream because of the torture. He screamed because the pain of rejection was excruciating, but Jesus had to be abandoned so that we wouldn’t have to be. There is now no rejection in the Christian faith. When you feel like God has abandoned you, know that if you are a child of God, he’s right with you in your pain.
 
After Jesus’ resurrection, he gave his followers the Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples, but because the idea of continuing with the mission without Jesus was very scary to them, Jesus promised to be with them in spirit.

Matthew 28:20

I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 
You may feel alone, but God is with you. You may be in pain, but God is with you. You may feel abandoned, but God is with you.
 
If you’re wondering why bad things happen, ask God. Take your hard questions to God. Sometimes when my kids ask me a hard question, I say, “I don’t know, ask mom.” Then she tells them to ask me. God doesn’t do that. Go to God with bold questions. “God, why did this happen? Why did she die? Why didn’t I get the job? Why the divorce, the cancer, the wars, slavery?” I believe that if we honestly bring our questions to God, he will give us peace.
 
What does the world think when they see someone enjoying pain? They think that person is crazy, but the apostle Paul says God gives us the power to do just that.

Romans 5:3-5

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 
Why do we rejoice? We know life is more than the chapter we’re in. He’ll give us hope and help us persevere. We can persevere because we know this season is a part of our story, not the entire story.
 
The struggle is going to make you better, and it’s going to be a testimony God uses for good. Jesus died, but that was only part of his story. On the third day, he rose! The death is a testimony!

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 
What you’re experiencing is a chapter in your autobiography. It’s not the whole book. Someday we will be able to look back on our whole life and see how God worked it all together for good. God knows you so well that he knows your future. He can look forward and allow us to experience pain because he knows what it will produce.
 
Pain can be a great teacher. Ask God what lesson he plans to use your pain to teach you. If you want out of a season of pain, learn the lesson fast. If pain is meant to teach you, be a quick learner. Don’t keep making the same mistake. Learn the lesson. Jesus did.

Hebrews 5:8

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 
I don’t think Jesus was born with all the knowledge he needed for his ministry. He spent years learning and maturing. Pain taught even Jesus.
 
The apostle Paul said he had a thorn in his flesh. Scripture never tells us what the thorn was. Some say it was a sin he wrestled with. Some say it was an illness or relationship issue. I believe it was that he wasn’t picked to be the twelfth apostle that replaced Judas.

2 Corinthians 12:7

Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 
Paul claimed that Jesus spoke to him the same way he spoke to the twelve apostles. It felt like rejection from God, but it was actually God doing something in Paul.
 
So how do we persevere in our pain? We keep our eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 
Jesus could persevere on the cross because he knew the mission. He knew his pain had a purpose. Your greatest pain can lead to your greatest ministry. If you want to know your calling, reflect on your pain. Our pain can reveal our calling. God doesn’t usually cause our pain, but he uses it to lead us to our calling. We have new life because God used Jesus’ pain, and God can use your pain too.
 
Let’s return to the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus has just screamed about God the Father rejecting him. Then he more fully gave himself to God.

Luke 23:46

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words, he breathed his last. 
Don’t let your pain lead you away from God; let it lead you to God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 
Our cooperation with God’s plan for our lives brings glory to God. Our “yes” ascends to God for his glory! Jesus was asked to go to the cross, and because he had greater knowledge of what was coming, he said yes.
 
So, what about you? Do you trust God in your pain?
]]> Bringing Zombies to Life https://newlifegillette.com/bringing-zombies-to-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bringing-zombies-to-life Mon, 09 Dec 2024 04:14:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12494

Play Infinite Games

Just before Jesus died on the cross, he announced his victory.

John 19:30

He said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 
The Greek word for “it is finished” is “tetelestai,” and it was used in three ways during Jesus’ time. First, it was a financial term to announce that a debt had been paid. Second, it was a judicial term to announce that a punishment had been completed or that a sentence had been served. Third, it was a military term to announce that a victory had been won. When Jesus died and resurrected, he paid the debt of sin you couldn’t pay, took the punishment your sin deserved, and won the victory over death that you couldn’t win.
 
As proof of Jesus’ victory over death, he didn’t stay dead. Instead, he did the impossible: he rose from the dead. When Jesus’ followers went to his tomb, they encountered an angel who declared Christ’s victory over death. The great news is that Jesus’ resurrection didn’t only give him life. It also gave us life.

Matthew 28:6

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 
My oldest son sleepwalks. When you look at him, he looks awake. However, when you start talking to him, you realize…no one’s home. He is totally asleep. It is possible to look like you’re awake but actually be asleep.
 
For me, it’s after I faint. I am a fainter. When I get a shot, I faint. When I see my son after he gets his tonsils out, I faint. When I watch a violent movie, I faint. Lately, when I faint, it’s really hard for me to wake up. Actually, my body wakes up, but my mind won’t. I start to panic because I can’t put a thought together. I don’t know where I am or what’s happening. I don’t even know who I am. I’m awake, but I’m not awake. It is possible to look like you’re awake but actually be asleep.
 
As a pastor, I’ve been at the bedside of several people when they have died. I’ve noticed something strange that happens at the moment they pass away. It’s as if you can see their life leave them. You assume they’ll just stop breathing and moving, but it’s more than that. Their eyes might be open, but the life has left them.
 
So many of us spend our lives sleepwalking. We’re hypnotized. I hear people call it depression, but for most people, it’s just hopelessness. Depression is real for some, but a lot of people are just going through the motions. They’ve got video games, Netflix, shows, drugs, or activities, but there’s no real life there.
 
And it’s no surprise people are hopeless. The world desperately tries to convince you that life is hopeless. That’s the world’s agenda, but that’s not how they say it, is it? They say the Big Bang was a random chance event. What does that mean? That means you’re an accident, and you have no purpose.
 
You watch the news, and they spend almost twenty-four hours every day trying to convince you the world is worse off than it is. They focus on every little thing that is going wrong because if they can convince you the world is falling apart, their ratings increase.
 
They tell you to keep up with the Joneses, to look good and be successful. Then social media creates an impossible standard you could never possibly live up to. Everyone makes their lives look as perfect as possible, and we’re all left thinking our lives are terrible compared to theirs. That’s because we’re comparing the worst parts of our lives to the highlight reels of their lives. Look at Hollywood. There are so many perfectly airbrushed beautiful people there. You have no chance. If you compare yourself to that, of course, you’ll be depressed.
 
Rich, powerful people dominate our X feed. So we compare our lives to theirs, and we just feel hopeless. The crazy thing is, they likely feel more hopeless than we do. So, what do we do about it? Well, you know I wouldn’t be talking about it if God didn’t offer us a solution to the problem.
 
Our church recently did a survey of our town and learned that people in Gillette are six times less likely to regularly feel hopeless if they regularly go to church. If that hasn’t been your experience, it’s likely because you didn’t go deep enough or get connected to the church.

Ephesians 2:1-6

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 
Before you were a Christian, you were dead. This is as close to a description of a zombie as you can get. Your body was walking around, but internally you were dead. You were lifeless. Not only did our human nature cause us to live a lifeless, hopeless life, but it also kept us out of Heaven. You were walking around dead in this life because you were destined for Hell.
 
One clue you’re sleepwalking is that you can sin without regretting it. If you can lie or lust without regretting it, you’re asleep. If you can steal or hurt someone without regret, something is wrong with you. Jesus died to rescue you from that zombie life, and only Jesus can give you life.
 
You were dead because of sin, but sinning less can’t bring you back to life. Sin caused death, but being good can’t cause life. If cancer kills you, chemo can’t bring you back to life. Only Jesus can give us life, and when he raises us to life, we leave the zombie life behind. Our life that was once filled with darkness is now filled with light, the light that’s been lighting up our world since Jesus rose from the dead.

Ephesians 5:14

The light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 
Where does our light come from? Christ gives it to us. His resurrection allows us to be resurrected. It gives us life. Zombies, wake up! To be alive, we need four basic elements: water, air, food, and light. And what is Jesus? He is the living water, the breath of life, the bread of life, and the light of the world. We can’t live without him. So what about you? Take an honest look at your life. Does your life come from Jesus?
 
The prodigal son decided to chase after all the things the world promised him would make him happy. He took half of his father’s wealth and spent it on prostitutes, entertainment, drugs, and anything else he wanted. Eventually, he realized none of that gave him life and ran home to the only person who loved him unconditionally and who could actually give him the life he needed.
 
Jesus’ resurrection proves that Heaven is not a disappointment for which we’ll have to settle. The resurrection means we can stop settling and start living. If you will run to Jesus, he will give you life.
]]> Play Infinite Games https://newlifegillette.com/play-infinite-games/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=play-infinite-games Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:09:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12489

Play Infinite Games

When Jesus died on the cross, it appeared he had lost. People went back to their normal lives and assumed Jesus was just another fake Messiah, but Jesus had a bigger plan. He was playing the long game.

Luke 23:46

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. 
What gets your endorphins firing? Maybe it’s the stock market, movies, books, sports, sex, drugs, or alcohol. The problem with these stimulants is that the more we use these things to feel an emotional high, the harder it becomes to achieve that excitement. Over time, it takes more and more to get the same rush, leading to a depressing cycle. The solution is to stop living in pursuit of those feelings. That’s easier said than done, but the way to stop living for a temporary feeling is to start living for something bigger than yourself.
 
The happy feelings you will experience in Heaven will far outweigh anything you can feel on Earth, making it worth delaying gratification. However, that requires us to see the eternal nature of our lives. James Carse, a professor at New York University, identified two kinds of games humans play: finite games and infinite games. Finite games, like sports, have a beginning, an end, and a clear winner. These games have known players, clear boundaries, and rules, making them easy for us to understand and enjoy, at least for a while. Modern sports are the clearest example of this kind of game, and the greatest evidence that sports are finite is that referees now stop games to review plays to ensure everything is fair and the winner deserves to win.
 
Infinite games, however, are less familiar. In these games, the rules change, there are known and unknown players, and the goal is to keep playing. There’s no clear ending, and you don’t know who wins, which can be frustrating.
 
The church is in an infinite game, but often acts like it’s in a finite game. We think, “If we can just get more people on Sunday mornings than the church down the street, we’ll be happy.” But God called us to a different game. We are part of an infinite game that didn’t start with us and won’t end with us. If your goal is to find the bad guys in Christianity and separate from those who disagree with you, you’re playing a finite game. Instead, we should continually point people to Jesus. Our goal is to lead more people to Jesus, and we will never see the end of that mission. We are part of an eternal story of God creating his family.
 
In Genesis 22, we learn about Abraham, one of the most influential people in human history. God blessed him with a son, Isaac, through whom he planned to change the world. Then God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac on an altar on Mount Moriah.

Genesis 22:2

Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you. 
Abraham got up early the next morning without hesitation. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants along with his beloved son, Isaac. After chopping the wood for the burnt offering, they set out for the place God had instructed. On the third day of their journey, Abraham saw the place in the distance. Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he carried the fire and the knife. As they walked together, Isaac asked his dad where the sheep was for the burnt offering, and Abraham invited him to trust God.
 

Genesis 22:8

God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son. 
When they arrived at the designated place, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then, in an act of profound obedience, he tied his son Isaac and laid him on the altar atop the wood. Abraham picked up the knife to sacrifice his son, but at that very moment, the angel of the Lord stopped Abraham.

Genesis 22:12

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” 
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. This ram became the substitute for Isaac, showing that God indeed provides.
 
Like Abraham, we are called to trust and obey, believing that God has a plan and will provide for us in every situation, but imagine being in Abraham’s shoes. You’ve waited for a son your whole life, finally get one, and then God asks you to sacrifice him. Who do you love more? God or your son? This story foreshadows the crucifixion, when God gave his one and only Son. In fact, Mount Moriah is the same place where Jesus was crucified to cleanse us of our sins.

John 3:16

For this is how God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 
Moriah is not only where Jesus was crucified. It is also where the Jerusalem temple was built. In other words, things go to Mount Moriah to die so others can live. Isaac carried a cross up Mount Moriah 1900 years before Jesus carried a cross up Mount Moriah, and who held the knife that was going to kill Isaac? Abraham. In a purely just world, God should be our executioner, but instead, he provided a substitute.
 
Isaac didn’t know he was to be sacrificed, but Jesus willingly went to his death, knowing he was the Lamb of God. Romans killed Jesus, but they didn’t overpower God. God orchestrated the whole event. Jesus carried the cross, but God held the knife, while planning a resurrection.
 
We are like Isaac, meant to carry the cross, but Jesus took our place. Abraham trusted God because he was playing an infinite game. He didn’t need to understand every step God asked him to take because he knew God had a plan. When you are in the midst of pain, fear, or doubt, remember that God has a plan, and Christ died for us. Our pain is finite, but our life is infinite. We have eternal life because God sacrificed his Son so we could live. At the right moment, the Lamb will appear and make all things right.
 
Our journey as Christians is filled with moments where we don’t see the end, but we trust in God’s greater plan. Consider the broader implications of playing an infinite game in your own life. It means focusing on long-term goals and values rather than immediate successes. It means understanding that our efforts today may not show results immediately, but they contribute to a larger purpose. Our mission is not just about filling pews or achieving short-term goals. Our mission is about nurturing a lasting faith, spreading the message of Jesus, and building a community that endures beyond our lifetimes.
 
We are tempted to seek validation from social media likes, career achievements, or material possessions. We think these will bring us happiness and fulfillment, but true fulfillment comes from playing the infinite game—living for something greater than ourselves, investing in relationships, and cultivating a mature faith in God. In the grand scheme of things, our struggles and triumphs are part of a much larger narrative. The pain we experience, though real and sometimes overwhelming, is temporary. God’s eternal plan offers hope and redemption. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection provide us with the assurance that no matter what we face, God is with us and has a purpose for our lives.
 
When we shift our focus from finite to infinite, we become more resilient, more hopeful, and more committed to our faith. We understand that setbacks are not the end but part of the journey. God’s story is long, and his people are everywhere. Be faithful and play your part. We will be okay. Our families will be okay. We are part of an infinite game that will last beyond our lives, and God holds it all in his hands. At just the right moment, the Lamb will appear and make all things right. Take heart, for he has overcome the world. Let us live with the confidence that comes from knowing we are part of God’s eternal plan.
]]> God’s Approval https://newlifegillette.com/gods-approval/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gods-approval Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:04:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12484

God's Approval

Crucifixion was not only intended to be a brutally painful form of capital punishment, it was also meant to humiliate people and scare others into good behavior. As Jesus hung naked, mangled, and deformed on the cross, he demonstrated his incredible power. He did this not with physical strength, but through grace and perseverance. It is that strength that impressed one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus on a cross.

Luke 23:39-43

One of the criminals hanging beside [Jesus] scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
No one admired the criminals hanging on the crosses beside Jesus. They had absolutely nothing to offer, and their time to reverse that painful reality had passed. Yet, when one criminal acknowledged Christ’s lordship, Jesus saved him.
 
Do you know anyone who tries too hard to impress people? Have you ever seen a teenage girl taking selfies? She’ll take countless selfies until she finds one she likes, then upload it to Instagram and think, “All in a day’s work.” Our world takes too many pictures. It’s crazy. We have a terabyte of storage on our phones, and it’s still not enough.
 
Young people take a lot of pictures because they care about their appearance. Older people take a lot because they can’t believe it’s free. When I was younger, we had to be selective with our pictures. We’d take thirty-six pictures, wait for them to be developed, and discover that most were unusable. Today, pictures are free and instant, allowing us to take multiple shots of our food at a restaurant. We try every angle to make sure we impress as many people as possible.
 
Imagine pleasing everyone. Think about the people upset with you suddenly being pleased. Imagine that no matter what you do, everyone thinks you’re awesome. It sounds ridiculous because it is. It’s impossible. On the other hand, imagine pleasing God. That seems like a more difficult task, but it’s not. How could a perfect God be pleased with flawed humans? God can be pleased with us the same way parents are pleased with their children. And if God is pleased with me, why do I try so hard to please people?
 
This is the problem with most religion. Almost all religions are works-based, including a lot of Christian teaching. We naturally believe we must be good enough to earn God’s approval, but Christianity is not that kind of religion. Works-based religion is called legalism, and legalism does not impress God because it leads to pride.
 
Jesus was good for us because we couldn’t be good. The Israelites tried for millennia, and now we’re trying. Our efforts will fail. The gospel is called good news because God is good, not because we are good, and he has offered to give us his goodness.

Ephesians 2:8-9

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 
If I could earn my salvation or be good enough to keep it, I would have something to be prideful about. But I can’t. The thief on the cross did nothing good, but he’s in Heaven. If you add up all your good and bad behavior, you will always get a negative number. We deserve hell. That’s why the prophet Isaiah says all our good deeds are like filthy rags compared to the goodness God requires (Isaiah 64:5-6).
 
We want to be able to earn our salvation because then we would have something to boast about. We think, “I don’t drink, smoke, chew, or go with girls who do. Look how great I am.” We need a savior. We can’t save ourselves. We are drowning and can’t swim. We’re in prison without a key or even a spoon with which to dig. We’re stranded on an island with no boat or trees. The good news is our savior came.
 
The fastest way to forget what God thinks about you is to be consumed with what people think about you. Your Heavenly Father knows your flaws and loves you unconditionally, but we spend so much time trying to impress people who don’t love us. We’re all comparing, trying to impress people and be better than others, but comparison kills community. If you want to see a miserable group, find people trying to one-up each other. That’s what the Pharisees did.
 
Pharisees were known as the “Separated Ones.” They judged the world and separated themselves by doing a little better. They made up rules about how to act, eat, and dress. Initially, their goal was to worship God, but they ended up worshiping themselves. They felt holy by obeying their made-up rules, but they weren’t holy because they should have compared themselves to God, who is perfect.
 
Paul, an ex-Pharisee, said in Galatians 1:10 that he was not trying to win the approval of people but of God. If pleasing people was Paul’s goal, he would not have been a Christian. Today, it might be popular to call yourself a Christian, but not back then. To follow Christ, Paul had to become an outcast. His old friends hated him.
 
Human reasoning says, “I’m better than most, so I deserve more than most.” Human reasoning tries to be fair, but God’s grace isn’t fair. It’s all about Jesus, not us. Peter, speaking to religious leaders, declared that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. This bold proclamation amazed the leaders, who then commanded the apostles never to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again, but Peter and John couldn’t stop.

Acts 4:20

We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard. 
We obey God rather than men, not to earn his approval but because he gives approval even when we don’t deserve it. That’s why Peter and John couldn’t stop talking about it. It was that good.
 
Did you grow up in a church that said it believed in grace but convinced you that you weren’t good enough to earn or keep it? Do you still think you can be good enough? You can’t, but Jesus can. And he did. The only way to be good enough is by letting him be good enough for you.
 
Jesus was perfect, and that intimidated the Pharisees. So rather than follow Jesus, they rejected Jesus. They wanted people admiring them, not admiring Jesus. They could compare themselves to everyone else and feel like they won, but not to Jesus. If anyone could have earned salvation, it would have been the Pharisees. But Paul left the Pharisees to follow Jesus, recognizing that the best of Pharisaical obedience is filthy rags.

Galatians 6:14

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 
Don’t seek the approval of people. Seek the approval of God. Declare he is your Lord and follow him.
]]> But God Can https://newlifegillette.com/but-god-can/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=but-god-can Mon, 18 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12472

But God Can

Today we’re reflecting on the horrific torture Jesus endured before he died. Matthew 27 recounts how Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged with a lead-tipped whip before handing him over to be crucified. The governor’s soldiers mocked Jesus, dressing him in a scarlet robe, placing a crown of thorns on his head, and striking him repeatedly. This passage emphasizes the brutal treatment Jesus faced as the entire regiment beat him until they were too tired to continue. Jesus endured unimaginable suffering on the cross, and in his humanity alone, he couldn’t have done it.
 
Let’s ask two questions of Jesus’ crucifixion:
 
1. How did Jesus endure the cross?
 
Everyone has felt the urge to quit at some point. We all face moments of doubt. “I’m not smart enough. No one will help me. I don’t have enough money. I’m too shy. I’m too ugly.” Maybe you want to quit your marriage or job. Quitting is easy and perseverance is hard. You might have to work harder or fail more than others. You might have to be more disciplined. You might not be as smart, pretty, or wealthy, but God has given you everything you need to do what he created you to do. Do the best you can with what God has given you, and it will be enough.
 
There have been many days I wanted to quit my job. I think “I’m not a good enough preacher. People keep leaving! I can’t remember your names!” After four failed IVF attempts, my wife and I wanted to quit trying to have children, but we are so glad we did a fifth IVF. Our two sons are pretty happy about it too.
 
All through Scripture God asks people to do things, and they make excuses for why they can’t. He gives a command, and they respond with, “But I…”
 
God wanted Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and speak God’s words to Pharaoh, and Moses said, “But I am slow of speech” (Exodus 4:10). God asked Gideon to go to the Midianites, and Gideon said, “But I am the least in my entire family” (Judges 6:15). God asked Jeremiah to be a prophet, and Jeremiah said, “But I am too young!” (Jeremiah 1:6). God asked Esther to deliver his people, and she said, “But I have not been called to go to the king” (Esther 4:11). God wanted to make Abraham into a great nation, and he said, “But I’m too old.” Jesus told Peter to cast the nets on the other side of the boat, and he said, “But I already tried.” And in each of these stories, the reader wants God to say, “You can do it!” But he didn’t. Instead, God turned the focus away from the person and onto himself.
 
The city of Corinth was a thriving Roman city, the New York City of the first century. They had a saying: “In Corinth, only the tough survive.” Yet, in this city, there was a group of unskilled, uneducated people who started a movement that amazed everyone: the Christian church. In their struggle you’d assume Paul would write to praise them, Instead, he talked about their inadequacies. A lot of the people leading this church were poor or even slaves, but Paul didn’t lower his expectations. Instead, he pointed out their weaknesses.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
We make excuses for why we can’t do what God wants us to do, but it was never our strength we should have been relying on.

1 Corinthians 1:31

Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 
We’re tempted to say, “But I can’t do it. I’m not wise. I’m not popular.” The truth is, God is bigger than your “but.” Instead of saying, “But I,” Scripture says, “But God.” Those words will change your life. I’m not good enough, but God is!

Psalm 73:26

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart. 
Joseph said to his brothers who sold him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20). Jesus said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26).
 
How can we be good enough? How can we handle the pain? How can we face the problems? We can’t, but God can. God can do more through us than we could ever do in ourselves! He gives us strength.
 

2 Corinthians 12:9

[The Lord] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
How did Jesus endure the cross? In his humanity, he couldn’t, but God did.
 
The second question is about Christ’s intentions.
 
2. Why did Jesus endure the cross?
 
What did Jesus’ death accomplish? First, he won a spiritual victory over the spiritual world.

Colossians 2:15

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. 
In the Old Testament, we see an evil partnership between humans and spirits in Babylon, in Egypt, and throughout the Old Testament that isn’t possible today. Jesus took their power. The last thing Jesus said before he ascended to Heaven was a description of this reality.

Matthew 28:18

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 
Secondly, Jesus endured the cross to give us resurrection. We use the word “gospel” when we talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Gospel” means “good news.” Jesus’ death is good news.
 
There’s a difference between good advice and good news. We’re tempted to turn the gospel into good advice, a list of rules we need to follow or wise advice for living in this world, but that is a weak version of the gospel. Good advice is a teacher telling her students to study for the test. She says, “If you do the homework and read the book, you’ll do fine on the test.” That’s good advice, but what if the teacher said, “Scoot over. I’ll take the test for you.” That’s good news, and that’s what Jesus did on the cross. We were supposed to die for our sins, but he died for us. That student did not deserve to have the teacher take his test for him, but the teacher did it anyway. That is called Substitutionary Atonement. Religious minded people don’t like it. They think this kind of gift gives people license to sin. That’s what Paul emphasizes after laying out the good news in Romans 6.

Romans 6:1

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 
After he shared the good news, he had to clarify that we shouldn’t react to the good news by doing whatever we want. If our flesh still controlled us, we would use our flesh for selfish reasons. If my heart’s desire is to get human pleasure, I will use the gospel to satisfy my flesh. However, if I surrender to God, I am living with a renewed mind. When my “But I” mindset changes to a “But God” mindset, Jesus sanctifies us. If we don’t teach in such a way that people respond with, “but that doesn’t seem fair,” then I haven’t actually shared the good news. The beauty of God’s grace is that it isn’t fair.
 
When humans hear about God’s gift, it should sound too good to be true, but not all good news is easy news. Good news could be that you got a new job, but that’s not a promise that the job will be easy.

Matthew 16:24

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 
Jesus didn’t die so we can live in this world. Jesus died so we could die with the promise of resurrection. The good news requires death. The old self must die, but the new self is better. Imagine owning the whole world: Apple, Google, America…the Kansas City Chiefs! Jesus said that power would actually be bad for us.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
Trade your “But I” excuses for “But God” empowerment. You’re not who you used to be. You are a new creation. The old is gone. When I am weak, God in me is strong. Jesus’ death and resurrection should give you hope that you can endure anything in this world because you know this world isn’t your home.
]]> Wear Christian T-Shirts https://newlifegillette.com/wear-christian-t-shirts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wear-christian-t-shirts Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12445

Wear Christian T-Shirts

More than 60% of born-again Christians in America between the ages of 18 and 39 believe Jesus is not the only path to salvation. We’ve developed a consumeristic version of Christianity that says, “My faith is all about me, but if it’s not your cup of tea, you can pick a different religion.” As a result, evangelism is becoming outdated. In fact, almost half of practicing Christian millennials say evangelism is wrong. Our biblical mandate is to lead people to Jesus, but we are following the opinions of culture, not the truth of Scripture.

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 
Think about the storage room in your house. You’ve got one box for the clothes your kids grew out of, one for old photo albums, one for your wedding dress, and one for Christmas decorations. Who am I kidding? This is America, you’ve got five for Christmas decorations. When Christmas comes around, you pull out the boxes with the decorations, use them for a month, then put them away.
 
This is what we tend to do with our faith. We put our faith in one of our boxes, but we have a lot of boxes. When Sunday comes around, we pull out our Christian box, do the Christian stuff, then hide it away for the rest of the week so we can pull out the other things that are important to us. “I pull this box out on Mondays for work, this one on Tuesdays, this one on Wednesdays, and the dirty box is for Fridays. That’s the fun box. It smells bad, and I hope my wife never looks in it, or God, but I enjoy that box. Well, kind of. I enjoy it while it’s open, but when I have to close it, I spend the rest of the week cleaning up the mess that it made. In fact, this box affects the rest of my week more than my Sunday box.”
 
What’s the one room in your house you never show guests? The storage room. This stuff just hides in there. Do you store your Christianity in a box so you can just pull it out when you need it? Or do you wear your faith everywhere you go? Are you willing to wear a Christian t-shirt on Fridays? Christians, have you gone public with your faith, or are you afraid of awkward conversations? Are you living to bring glory to God? Or are you living to bring glory to yourself? You might say something like, “I swear too much. I can’t tell everyone I’m a Christian.” Or, “I don’t want to put a Christian bumper sticker on my car. I cut people off in traffic.” Well, stop it. You’ve got a mission. You’ve got a calling on your life, and those things that are keeping you from leading people to Jesus are holding you back.
 
Consider Peter’s story. When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Jesus and the soldiers at a distance, and eventually denied three times that he knew Jesus. Why did Peter deny knowing Jesus? Was he scared? Was he mad because Jesus made him put the sword away in the garden? Was he doubting Jesus was the Messiah? To answer this, we should look at a story that happened a few months before this event.
 
Jesus began to tell the disciples that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things. Peter took Jesus aside and reprimanded him for saying such things. Jesus turned around, looked at his disciples, and then reprimanded Peter.
 
Peter trusted Jesus when he thought he was on the way to the throne. Peter wanted power, but now that it appeared Jesus had lost, Peter doubted Jesus. Peter wanted life to get easier, not harder. Jesus never promised to make life easier. Maybe you started following Jesus because you thought he would make life easier, but then realized he wouldn’t. Jesus will make your life better, not easier. When you realize that, it will offend you. You too will be tempted to turn away from Jesus.
 
Eventually, this change of thinking needs to happen to every Christian. We stop seeing our lives the way the world sees their lives, and we start to realize we were created for something better than the pleasures of this world. That’s the transition we see Peter going through here. Jesus had to offend Peter’s way of thinking so Peter would begin to fully become the unashamed, passionate leader of the church that God created him to be.
 
Peter did deny Jesus, and when he realized what he did, he was emotionally broken.

Luke 22:62

Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. 
Jesus, however, did not leave Peter in this dejected state. After Jesus rose from the dead, he sought out Peter to reconcile. Like the Shepherd going after the lost sheep, Jesus went after Peter. That is when Peter had an incredible encounter with Jesus on a Galilean beach. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, then three times Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” Three times Peter said, “Yes,” and three times Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep.
 
After Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, Peter repented three times. Jesus led Peter through a process of renewing his mind, and he traded his shame for faith. We see Peter again in the book of Acts, preaching boldly about his faith in Jesus, and many people were saved.

Acts 2:41

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 
Peter invited people to repent. To repent literally means to “change your mind.” He invited people to stop seeing things their way and start seeing things God’s way. With this message, three thousand people were saved. By this time, Peter had reached a new level of faith maturity. Eventually, Peter was killed for his faith. They crucified him upside down.
 
What about you? Have you repented of your way and put your faith in God’s way? Are you ready to live a life unashamed of the Christian mission?

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. 
Don’t follow Jesus because it’s easy or because you want to sit on a throne. Follow Jesus because you want to bow to his throne.
]]> Who to Vote For https://newlifegillette.com/who-to-vote-for/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=who-to-vote-for Mon, 04 Nov 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12362

Who to Vote For

Who should we vote for? It is very difficult to find a politician who aligns with all of our values and opinions and, unfortunately for just about all of us, a vote for yourself is a wasted vote. You can write your own name in, but that won’t help the right candidate get elected. However, even though most people don’t vote for themselves, they do vote selfishly. Most of us are tempted to vote based on who will help us personally or who will help people like us. We ask, “Who will fill my bank account and make me more comfortable?”
 
For a Christian, this can’t be one of our first questions in choosing a candidate. Christ would instruct us to vote selflessly for the candidate who will help the most possible people and for the agenda that will do the most possible good. Making that determination will include some education, investigation, and math. Most politicians claim their agenda will accomplish the most possible good, but an honest look often reveals otherwise.
 
After Jesus’ baptism, while he prayed in the wilderness, the devil offered to give him control of the whole world. I am sure Jesus was tempted to take that control, to end the division in congress, to stop the rioting, to end the hunger, and defeat injustice. Wouldn’t it be great if Syria and North Korea bowed to the authority of Jesus? Wouldn’t we love it if China and America were led by the instructions of Jesus? We would all love to vote for Jesus in the next election, but we also know offers like this offer from the devil often come with a catch. In this story, the devil demanded that Jesus worship him in order to gain that power. We also know that the devil offered Jesus something he couldn’t give, but temptations are often unrealistic. We fantasize about having things we cannot possibly have, and those fantasies lead us to make terrible decisions. It’s like the United States government borrowing money from China to pay its debt to China.

Matthew 4:10

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
The good news is, Jesus rejected the devil’s temptation, and so can we. When we are offered power, we are tempted to forget that power will always come with consequences, good or bad. It’s easier to play god than to be God.
 
Jesus knew love had the power to do what power could not. With power you can force someone to do something, but only love can build a healthy relationship. That is one reason Jesus never used his power to force us to love him. Jesus came as a defenseless child, to live amongst us in servanthood, and that kind of love started a movement that physical dominance never could have.
 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 
Selfish politics uses power for personal gain. How do you get a dog to obey you? You teach it that you are in charge. You stand over it in discipline.
 
Selfish politics uses power to impress. If I can get people clapping for me, they’ll follow me, and self-righteousness starts to puff up. This is what causes people to ignorantly follow the political opinions of celebrities and athletes.
 
Selfish politics uses victimhood to control. Our society has glorified victimhood. I’m not talking about real victims, I’m talking about fakers. They whine us into submission, but that’s a short-term strategy. It doesn’t work in the long-term. Victimhood is never a victory.
 
After Jesus was arrested, he stood before Pilate who would determine his fate.

John 18:33-38

Pilate…called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 
Pilate wanted to know if Jesus was using his power for leverage over people or if Jesus was innocent. He wanted to know if Jesus was a victim, but Jesus chose not to play the victim card. He wasn’t a victim. He wasn’t weak. He could have destroyed all of Rome’s soldiers with a snap. Pilate expected a power play, but Jesus didn’t do it.
 

John 19:9-11

[Pilate] asked [Jesus], “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you? Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. 
Pilate boasted about his power, but it didn’t do for him what he wanted it to do. The irony is that Pilate had some power, but he was living in fear, fear of the mob, fear of Caesar, fear of a revolution. It seemed like Jesus had no power, but he was fearless.
 
Christians, we’ve been fighting with the wrong kind of power. I won’t tell you which bubble to fill in on your ballot in the next election, but I will tell you to vote for people who are truly victims, vote for the outcast, for the marginalized, and for the poor. Your vote gives you some power. So, vote for love.

Proverbs 19:17

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! 
To participate in democratic elections, we have to pick our battles. Because there will never be a politician that will agree with us 100% of the time, we have to decide which issues will affect our voting decisions.
 
Here are four ways that voters pick a candidate:
  1. Personalities: Many voters ignore the issues and vote for the candidate they like most. That’s how Hitler had so much power.
  2. Group Think: Most voters simply follow the crowd. They vote for the candidate their friends vote for to avoid extra work or ruffling feathers. The problem is that the crowd is often wrong. The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him.”
  3. Amount of Agreement: Some people vote for the candidate with whom they agree most often. This method isn’t bad, but it’s not the best.
  4. Issue Prioritization: The best way to vote is to determine which issues are most important and, within reason, vote for the person who is on the right side of the most important issues.
 
Some political issues are very important. Others are distractions. Can you imagine being Jesus in our world trying to decide who to vote for? Jesus knew the truth on every issue, but he only chose to fight for a few issues. He prioritized. I bet Jesus had an opinion about taxes, but when the religious leaders asked him to give his opinion, he just told them to pay their taxes. When everyone wanted him to become a political activist, he wouldn’t do it. Jesus was surprisingly silent on the political issues of the day. He just told them to obey the government leaders. Then he put spiritual matters above it all. We have to put the most important things first. Jesus seized his moment by neglecting earthly politics. Don’t give yourself to the most popular political issues of the day just because that’s what the news likes to talk about.
 
We are tempted to spend more time slandering our moment and criticizing people than savoring our moment and thanking God for the time we live in and the mission we’ve been given. We’re so angry that our political leaders don’t govern the way we think they should that we get distracted from what really matters. As a result, we make the politicians our enemies, but they are not our enemy. They are sick people in need of a hospital. They are lost people in need of Jesus.
 
When the church constantly nags the government, protesting and canceling, our voice is muffled. Eventually, they will start to ignore us. Then, if the Christians have no voice at all, we will be left with a totally depraved world.
 
In Europe, some forms of opposition to abortion are considered hate speech. America isn’t there yet, but if we keep talking like we hate everyone and everything with whom we disagree, the world will start labeling more of our opinions as “hate speech.” We must pick our battles. What if Christians became so known for their desire to love and care for as many people as possible that we changed our reputation from purveyors of hate speech to purveyors of love speech. Love speech. That’s our language. Let’s prioritize issues that will show love and care for the most possible people.
 
Rise above political disagreements and talk about what will do the most good for our world, not for us, but for the people we’ve been called to love.
]]> Homecoming https://newlifegillette.com/homecoming/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=homecoming Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12356

Homecoming

When you picture home, what do you see? Is the house small or big? A trailer or a mansion? When you think of home, do you think of a town or a farm, a building or a room? A more important question is, do you see places, or do you see faces? Do you have fond memories of times around the table, in the kitchen, or the yard? Or are your thoughts clouded by anger, by fear, or regret? Are your memories of home loving or lonely, happy or hard? The good news is, no matter how you answer these questions, there is hope for healing and joy because as long as you live in this world, your picture of home is not complete. You can choose to fill in the blank space with more of the same or with better times with more grace. The truth is, if you’re God’s child, this world is not your home. Your home is with your Heavenly Father. It is a place of beauty and fun, of joy and love. Our future is truly a homecoming. Our home is coming. God is bringing Heaven here.
 
Imagine this: You have just completed a two-week road trip to visit your in-laws, and you are driving home. You’re about an hour away, and you are desperate. You think, “Are we almost there? Are we almost home?” What do you want so desperately? You want your bed. You want your recliner, your shower, and pink luffa. You just want to be home!
 
Why do we say, “There’s no place like home?” It’s because there is rest available to us at home that’s not available anywhere else. At home you can really relax. You can totally be yourself, walk around in your underwear, make all kinds of embarrassing sounds, and wear those old, ratty sweatpants your wife won’t let you wear out of the house. But we can’t stay there. We have to go to work. We have to get the kids to practice and the dog to the vet. We have to go to every store in town because the Raman Noodles are sold out at every grocery store. Then there’s the bank, the gym, that meeting at the school, and we’ve got to do something about that rash. There’s so much to do, and we just get weary.
 
Have you ever felt weary? I mean really weary, burnt out, frustrated with life, sick of the job? Have you ever thought, “The kids are wearing me down. I can’t do it anymore.” Did you know Jesus felt like that? One time, the night before he was killed, Jesus was so exhausted and overwhelmed that his body began to shut down. He sweat drops of blood, so he asked his disciples to pray. Then he prayed. Why was he so distressed? He knew it was time. He knew that soon he would be killed.

Matthew 26:38-40

[Jesus] told them “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 
Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake and pray with him three times before he finally quit asking them. He let his disciples get some rest. Jesus and his disciples were exhausted. They had traveled all over Israel. They were ridiculed because of the statements Jesus was making. The glee of witnessing lives being changed and bodies being healed was exciting, but exhausting. In addition, they had just eaten the Passover meal. That’s a big meal. I don’t know about you, but when I eat a big meal, I get tired. The meal also included quite a bit of wine. That too can make you tired.
 
Maybe that’s why Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in that upper room. He knew they were tired and weary from their travels. After Jesus washed their feet, he delivered some encouraging words. He reminded them that they would never experience complete rest until they were home in Heaven, a home that would be bigger and better than anything they could possibly imagine.

John 14:1-6

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” 
This is a description of our homecoming. God is building a mansion for each of us, and someday he’s going to bring them to us. All your Christian family members who have died will be there. Your Christian friends will be there, and because God will be there, we too will be there.
 
Jesus is the way. If you’re trying to get to Heaven any other way, you won’t make it. We could never get to Heaven on our own. We are not strong enough, but Jesus bought it for us. He built a home for us, and he made a way for us to get there.
 
So, what about you? There is a home in Heaven for you, but there’s only one way there. Give your life to Jesus Christ. Make him your Lord. He built you a home in Heaven, then he died on a cross so your sins could be forgiven, and that forgiveness is the key to your eternal home. Jesus is the key. So take the key. It’s the greatest gift ever given. Someday Heaven will come to Earth, and all things will be made new. Will you be at home here?
 
Not long ago, after church, my 6-year-old son asked, “Dad, if the soldiers killed Jesus, then he rose from the dead, why didn’t he kill the soldiers who killed him?” I said, “Jesus died so he could forgive people for sinning, and the first people he forgave were the people who killed him.”

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 
If you have received God’s forgiveness, you are a child of God, and you will live in his Kingdom forever. He has built you a forever home, and because you have chosen to trust him to save you, rather than attempting to earn salvation, your eternity with him is secure. Today, spend some time attempting to imagine Heaven. What will it be like when you see all of your Christian family and friends in Heaven?
]]> Commune https://newlifegillette.com/commune/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commune Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12238

Commune

In the Gospels, Jesus is often found at a table, sharing meals and fellowship with his disciples and others. These moments at the table were more than just eating together; they were opportunities for teaching, building relationships, and creating intentional community.
 
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked about where they would eat the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17). Jesus instructed them to find a specific man in the city and prepare the meal at his house, and this preparation led to one of the most significant events in Christian history—the Last Supper.
 
As they gathered, Jesus revealed that one of the twelve would betray him, causing great distress among the disciples. In this moment of tension, Jesus continued to teach, using the bread and wine to offer them a new covenant.

Matthew 26:26-28

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 
Jesus didn’t die to start a religion. He died to start a relationship with us. This relationship is best described by the Greek word “koinonia,” which means participation in spiritual community or communion. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of his Father. This passage emphasizes the necessity of a genuine relationship with him. He’s not asking for religious rituals. He’s asking for our hearts.
 
One of the core aspects of Jesus’ ministry was intentional community. Jesus focused on mentoring a few, who in turn mentored others. This created a ripple effect that changed the world. He mentored his disciples closely, showing them how to live and serve. This mentorship was hands-on and personal, often taking place around the table. As parents and leaders, we can emulate this by making our table time sacred, mentoring our children and others intentionally.
 
People often fail to recognize their need for community outside of a few key relationships. Most of us desire a relationship with our immediate family, a few friends, and a romantic partner, but we can’t stop there. Communion is a statement of our intention to commune with God and each other. It’s a commitment to make time for deep conversations, to ask meaningful questions, and to share life’s fluctuations.
 
Today, we face many distractions that pull us away from genuine relationships. We have prioritized entertainment and convenience over meaningful interactions. Facebook friends are not friends unless you turn them into friends. Cell phones at the table can kill family dynamics and prevent us from engaging deeply with one another. Instead, we should use our table time to learn from others, to mentor, and to share our hearts.
 
Without close relationships, deep truths and core values are not passed from generation to generation, from family to family, or from community to community. If we have any humility at all, we learn from the people with whom we have relationships, and those lessons form our communities. The Christian growth plan is dependent on Christians leading other Christians. Discipleship and mentorship help us grow.
 
Do you have a mentor? If not, find one, then set a regular schedule of meetings. The meetings don’t have to happen every week or even every month, but the time spent together should be intentional and relational. Ask your mentor thoughtful questions. Take notes. Ask for homework assignments. Take it seriously, and let it form you.
 
The great command, to love God and love each other, is not simply a rule by which we live. It is the defining characteristic of who we are, and as we love God and love each other, we become more like God and more like each other.
 
The Apostle Paul addressed the importance of community in his letter to the Corinthians. He urged them to live in harmony and use the Lord’s Supper to heal divisions (1 Corinthians 1:10; 11:18-22). Paul emphasized that genuine communion with God and each other transforms us, making us more like Christ and helping us to love one another. Jesus develops the best parts of us and quiets our selfish and anxious thoughts.
 
Jesus created us. He put everything in us that we would need to do the things he called us to do. However, because we were born into a sinful world, those qualities and gifts often need to be developed, to be called out of us. Jesus often used questions to teach and engage with his followers. He asked 307 questions in the Gospels, using them to foster reflection and learning. This method of teaching is powerful because it encourages introspection and personal growth.
 
We are then called to serve others the way Jesus served us, to call out the gifts that God has given to our Christian brothers and sisters. Jesus calls us to move from being sheep to shepherds. This transition calls us to mentor someone else as we take responsibility for our own spiritual growth. Everyone should have a mentor and also mentor someone else. The key is to not wait for perfection but to start leading others where we are.
 
Who are you mentoring? Will you make a commitment to build relationships that reflect the love and grace of Christ, to disciple others the way Jesus is discipling you? The impact of a life is measured by how much it is given away. Jesus, as the ultimate shepherd, gave his life for us and calls us to shepherd others. Just as Jesus used the table to teach and build relationships, let’s use our tables to do the same. Make it a priority to commune with other believers at the table, to celebrate the Last Supper by serving someone who is one or two steps behind you in the spiritual growth journey.
]]> The Money Test https://newlifegillette.com/the-money-test/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-money-test Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://newlifegillette.com/?p=12225

The Money Test

In a world fixated on accumulating wealth and possessions, Jesus offers a counter-cultural teaching: to store our treasures in heaven. This principle is vividly illustrated in Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus contrasts the offerings of the rich with the humble gift of a poor widow. She gave two small coins, which was everything she had, demonstrating extravagant generosity and complete trust in God’s provision. Jesus celebrated her sacrifice, highlighting that true generosity isn’t measured by the size of the gift, but by the portion of our wealth we are willing to give back to God.

Mark 12:43-44

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” 
This widow’s story teaches us that our sanctification leads to sacrificial generosity, reflecting the heart of Jesus who gave everything for us.
 
A few years ago, my son Lincoln and I were playing in our front yard when he told me, “I have good news, and I have bad news. The bad news is, we’re gonna have to excavate your house. The good news is…you got a package!” Usually, when we receive good and bad news, they are not equally impactful. When it comes to wealth, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is we are rich. Compared to most humans throughout history, we are crazy rich. If you have access to a car, a phone, or modern entertainment of any kind, you are crazy rich. The bad news is we are rich. Wealth can distract us from our dependence on God. The pursuit of more can consume us, making it harder to enter the Kingdom of God.

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God! 
Why is it difficult for a rich person to join God’s forever family? Because the pursuit of money takes all of our attention. Marketers make you think that what you don’t have is what you need. We are tempted to focus on our lack rather than our blessings, but happiness is found in contentment. God tells us that he will supply all of our needs while we follow him. This promise allows us to focus on what really matters while he takes care of the rest. God is omnipotent. He can take care of the small details and the most important details simultaneously, but focusing on insignificant details distracts from important details.
 
In addition, focusing on temporary pleasure leaves a hole in our lives that cannot be filled by anything physical, and as we attempt to fill a spiritual hole with physical assets, we develop addictions to physical assets. Consumeristic addictions lead to overconsumption and gluttony. If you’re reading this, you’re rich, but because of the availability of loans, our pursuit of more can make you poor. An inability to delay gratification leads us to borrow from the future to fulfill the desires of the present.
 
Are you in debt? If yes, what is that debt costing you? What is it really costing you? Not just financially, but also emotionally and spiritually. You’re rich. That’s great, but be rich spiritually.
 
There’s a biblical perspective on wealth that provides balance. Ecclesiastes 5:19 points out that wealth and the health to enjoy it are gifts from God. Our task is to recognize this gift and use it responsibly, not for self-indulgence, but to honor God and serve others.

1 Timothy 6:17

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 
Paul’s advice to Timothy encapsulates the balance we need. Wealth isn’t inherently evil; it’s our attitude towards it and how we use it that matters. We are called to be rich in good works and generous, storing up treasures in heaven through acts of kindness and generosity. Our reward is in Heaven. Jesus promised great rewards for those who follow him faithfully, emphasizing this 75 times. Living generously is about investing in eternity.
 
Let’s stop pursuing the fleeting riches of this world and focus on storing treasures in Heaven. By living generously, we reflect the heart of Jesus and make an eternal impact. Our ultimate reward is not in earthly accolades or comforts but in the eternal joy of seeing lives transformed for God’s kingdom.

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 
In the story of the widow’s coins, Jesus didn’t criticize the rich people for being rich, and he didn’t necessarily criticize their generosity. Instead, he celebrated the extravagant generosity of the widow. She had incredible faith in God to provide for her. Jesus calculated the percentage of their generosity. It’s not about the size of our gift. Jesus was teaching his disciples to do the math and calculate the percentage of their generosity. God trusted us with everything we have. He trusted us to do the right thing. Our sanctification leads us to extravagant generosity, and Jesus celebrates the moments that we give the way he gave, when we give sacrificially.
 
Reflect on your giving habits today. Generosity is a key indicator of spiritual health and maturity. Jesus often used money as a test of loyalty and commitment, and the money God has given you is a test, a test to grade your spiritual maturity. Are you passing the test?
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