Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • freely

    —

    Dana

    An important principle of Kingdom living is communicated through Jesus’ simple words: “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 8:10)

    What we receive, we are to share. We know that the best encouragers are those who have walked through fiery trials because they have experienced God’s comfort and strength firsthand. “(God) comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (II Corinthians 1:4)

    Paul constantly emphasized that his ministry was a result of the grace he received. “For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you…” (Romans 12:3) The way he lived was “not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.” (II Corinthians 1:12) Paul depended on what he received in Christ.

    How critical it is that we humbly receive! Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet until he learned what was at stake. “Peter, if you don’t allow me to wash you with my own hands, you can have no part with me.” We really have nothing to offer if we do not allow Jesus to clean us, serve us, and fill us with himself.

    We are saved by grace, therefore, we share Jesus as the Author and Giver of salvation. We have been blessed with gifts and talents, therefore, we use our gifts and talents to bless others. The Father has lavished his love upon us, therefore, we love others the way Jesus loves us. Freely we have received; freely give.

    “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere.” Romans 12:6-9

  • in view

    —

    Dana

    I had an interesting two-part conversation with a young man last week. First, he told me how much God had blessed him and his family the past few years. “Tears come to my eyes nearly every time I think about what God has done, because I know I don’t deserve anything.”

    The second part of the conversation seemed a perfectly natural conclusion: “I just want to live for Him. I don’t want to be consumed with pleasing men; I just want to be faithful to the One who is so faithful to us.” If the character and love of God are in the forefront of our thinking, the result is a grateful heart.

    In a section of his letter to the Romans, Paul explained the position of his people, the Jews. As Jesus was rejected, the chosen people of God experienced a hardening of the heart. Paul was confident that God would fulfill his destiny for the Jews, but full of God’s Spirit, Paul grieved for his people.

    But while the Jews refused the gospel, a door was opened for the Gentiles. “Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.” (Romans 11:30-31)

    Paul seemed overwhelmed by the mercy of God. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Paul could not help but praise God (see Romans 11:33-36). When we see, we praise. When God’s truth is in view, we are changed. “Lord, give us ‘in view’ thinking.”

    • In view of how much God has forgiven me, I will forgive others.
    • In view of God’s mercy, I will show mercy.
    • In view of God’s love, I will love my neighbor as myself.
    • In view of the fact that God rescued me from this world, I will not conform to it.
    • In view of God’s provision, I will be content and share with others.
    • In view of the fact that Jesus washed feet and served others, I will do the same.

    “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

  • junior high

    —

    Dana

    School is well under way this new year and I have come full circle. In 1981, I entered my first year as a math teacher in junior high. After four years I started teaching high school.  This year I have returned to junior high as an algebra and Bible teacher.

    Last week I connected with a school visitor during lunch. “Coach Davis, I still remember a math lesson you taught when I was in the seventh grade!” Rob was in one of my pre-algebra classes my first year of teaching. He was also a key member of my first basketball team. I was taller than Rob at first, but by the end of the school year he was several inches taller than me.

    “What was the lesson?” I asked. Rob told me it was a lesson about math properties. “No kidding,” I replied, “I am teaching that very lesson in class today. What made it so memorable?” “Well, you were a little frustrated that we were not paying good attention, so you stood on your desk with chalk in one hand and and eraser in the other and loudly proclaimed your properties. At your crescendo, the principal walked in and asked, ‘Mr. Davis, is everything alright?’”

    I decided not to re-enact the math properties lesson that afternoon. First, there is no chalk to be found on our campus, and second, I’m not quite as agile as when I was twenty-one.

    I watched Rob and his friends grow up and make it to the state championship basketball game their senior year in high school. At 6’8″, Rob went on to play basketball in college, but sadly, he did not major in math.

    Do you know what he has majored in for most of his life? With a lovely wife and four beautiful children, Rob leads an organization called YouthReach International that blesses orphans across the world. Most of his work is in Russia and surrounding countries where there are many needs. Rob and his fellow workers train mentors to lead young people throughout the year. The Light of Jesus shines brightly through this ministry.

    You never know the plan God has in mind for a junior high kid.

    “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” I Timothy 4:11

    “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” I Timothy 4:7-8

  • two truths

    —

    Dana

    As Jesus lived in his Father, He knew two things were always true: 1) God is love. 2) With God, all things are possible. With these truths planted deep in his heart, Jesus lived the abundant life. His motivation and passion was the love of the Father, and no obstacle or resistance ever shook his faith.

    Most failures in our life can probably be traced to a lack of love on our part. Paul tells us that all God’s commandments “are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Romans 13:9) And how many times do we fail because of a lack of faith? If we simply remembered that nothing good is impossible for God, would we pray bolder prayers and live more courageous lives?

    The Holy Spirit helps us think on earth like Jesus thought on earth. He wants us to remember, when the lonely, addicted, or marginalized person crosses our path, that “God is love.” And while we know we do not control every outcome, we are called to have great faith… so we can pray without shrinking, and serve without growing weary, and persevere without giving up.

    Paul prayed that his brothers and sisters in Ephesus would know the power God offers his children and the incredible love He has for everyone. May these prayers fill our hearts with hope and joy.

    “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of the glorious inheritance of the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:17-19

    “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

  • Father’s house

    —

    Dana

    Competent and trustworthy scholars have translated original writings into both the New King James Version and the New International Version of the Bible.  Each version reads slightly differently, although each group strove to be true to the original meaning.  An interesting parallel can be made from these two translations regarding Jesus’ word in Luke 2:49. Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business? (NKJV) is the same question as: Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? (NIV)

    Twelve-year-old Jesus asked this question in the Temple in Jerusalem after being found by his parents listening to his elders, asking questions, and giving answers. Communication is a part of the Father’s business, but as we examine the life of Jesus, we know there is much more than words. The magnificent Temple was known as God’s house, but Jesus understood there is much more than a structure.

    The secret of Jesus’ life on earth was that He continually lived in God’s house. He did not live in the Temple; He lived in his Father. “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:2) Jesus, always about his Father’s business, lived with a deep understanding: “Father, you are my dwelling place and I choose to live in You.” As Jesus lived in his Father, his Father lived in Him.

    Where do we choose to live? This world continually tempts us to call it home, but this world is not our home. We are to live in Christ… and when we do, He lives in us. And when Christ lives in us, the Father’s work is done. Notice what Jesus said about Himself and us. Let’s choose to live in Him!

    “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father… Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me who is doing his work.” John 14:9-10

    “I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing… As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:5,9

    “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

Random Post

Categories

Archives