Lent with Lozza — Day Fourteen

This morning in our weekly Christian Union in the secondary school we looked at Romans 8. Our YFC director, Mike, and his son, Thad, came to lead. It was the perfect chapter to look at because we've been studying the fruits of the spirit with the kids.

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

I think this is an awesome reminder that God is with us through the Spirit. The Spirit lives in us. It gives us life. Mike used a version of the Bible that talked about when we have the Spirit with us we are part of an adventure with God. I loved that. Life with God is an adventure. And we should be asking what's next?

Lent with Lozza — Day Thirteen

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

-1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Everyone recognizes this book and chapter as the "love chapter" and Paul makes it very clear that if we are to be Christians we must have love. Without it, all the things we do are in vain and worthless. God can't be fooled by a performance, no matter how good it is. And love is something that has become so ordinary to us - we love pizza, we love our favorite TV show, etc. A lot of times we cling to and show emotion for things that are shallow and short lived. 

We forget to realize that love was a gift, first shown to us for God. He loved us so much that he sent his son to live and die for us. As Christians we get to feel that love and practice it in our lives. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

-1 John 4:8

As we live lives centered on God we become like Him, like love. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Twelve

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

-1 Peter 5:5-10

This morning in our YFC team meeting our director Mike brought up this passage. I love the line I bolded. It's such an awesome description of the constant spiritual battle going on at all times. Satan will jump at any chance to catch us and he is playing for keeps. In order to keep him at bay we must be diligent in our faith. Mike made a good point saying that fatigue is a great window for Satan. When we are tired, busy and worn out we are weak, open to sin. God cares for us and in return we must treasure that relationship, guarding it and keeping it safe from Satan. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Eleven

This morning in Cafe Church we talked about burdens and the cross we each must bear as a Christian.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

-Matthew 16:24

Each of us has burdens in life. Some are great and some are small. It also may seem that some have hardly any at all and others are loaded with an almost unbearable amount. The Bible tells us that we must help one another:

Carry each other's burdens, 
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

-Galatians 6:2

Now this isn't to say that we should pick up someone else's cross and carry it for them. It's a reminder that we all may stumble at some point. As Christians and follower's of Christ we must lend a hand to our fellow believers. When they are in need we can help lighten their load and likewise. Ultimately though we have God to rely on:

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. 

-Psalm 55:22

If we rest our faith and lives in Him we will never fall. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Ten

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

-Romans 1:29-32

These verses are one of those eye opening reads. Here Paul places gossipers and slanderers in the same category as God-haters and murderers. Seems a little dramatic, but when you think about it it makes perfect sense. When we do something as small as gossip it's a little habit that grows and eventually hardens our heart to sin. Just because it's a small sin doesn't mean it still isn't a sin. 

Lent with Lozza — Day Nine

Did you know our tongue is the most powerful muscle in the human body? Did you also know it's probably one of the most valuable tools we have?

Take a moment to think about how you talk to people. Is it kind? Is it condescending? Is it hurtful?

I must admit I'm guilty of all of these at times. Sometimes I let my emotions rule my tongue before I think about what I'm doing. A few weeks ago we were studying the book of Proverbs and I really liked this:

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, 
but fools die for lack of judgment

-Proverbs 10:20-21

Christ commands us to love and serve others. Our speech is a great way to do that. This is so cliche, but if you "walk the walk and talk the talk" you can do great things. Of course this can be argued the other way too; we must show actions and not just words, but I think you get my point. Words are just as powerful as actions. 

May my tongue sing of your word,
 for all your commands are righteous.

-Psalm 119:172

Lent with Lozza — Day Eight

Today was our weekly bible study and we looked at Crazy Love again. Chan's second chapter is all about death. Sounds morbid, but it's another great thought to make you think.

Watch this:

Chan makes a really good point. Today could be our last day. We don't know when our time is up, but we do know who created us. 

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

-Colossians 1:16

We were created for God. Are we living each day working for His purpose? 

In the book, Chan talks about how easy is to stress, worry and just be busy. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:4-6

Right there. The Bible tells us not to worry or be anxious. If we are living our lives for God and are still worrying/stressing then isn't that like saying we don't trust Him or He isn't important enough?

Chan makes a really good analogy of asking you to think of life like a movie. So many of us live that movie like it is all about us when really we are just an extra. God is the main character. Our scene is brief and small. 

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

-James 4:13-14

How great is the line, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes"? If that doesn't put us in our places, I don't know what will. We have to stop living selfish lives, forgetful of the one who made us. 

He is everything. Not us.