Paid In Full

Growing up in Halfway, MD, persons ‘hung out’ at a place called Poole’s Store. Part grocery store, part gossip-parlor, part pharmacy – Poole’s Store had everything: Hershey’s Ice Cream – Wonder Bread – Jujy Fruits – cream-filled donuts – and Muriel Cigars. Now I didn’t smoke cigars, but boy did I love the cigar boxes, asking the counter girls to save them for me, to use for all sorts of things! But the best part of Poole’s Store was the post office. Why we’d go there for stamps, envelopes, mailing labels -- but whatever we’d buy, the transaction would always end the same: why we’d give the counter girl some money, she’d give us our items and then prepare our receipt. But before giving us our receipt – the counter girl would grab a very large hand-stamp, plop into a pad of red ink, and then raising it in the air – plop the hand-stamp onto our receipt -- plastering three reassuring words -- across everything -- PAID IN FULL.

As you visualize the work of Jesus, visualize those same three words plastered across ‘everything’ Jesus sought to convey -- PAID IN FULL. For ultimately the message of Jesus is a message of consummation -- fulfillment -- utter completion.

But we find it hard to comprehend. Surely there is one more thing we need to do – think – be – or perform. But Jesus -- in all His fulness declares: no -- there is not one more thing you need to do – think – be – or perform. Everything’s paid up -- wrapped up – settled – in Jesus.

Are you settled? So many of us aren’t. But God wants us settled…at peace -- in Jesus. For you are complete – in Jesus. For in Jesus “…all things are held together… [For] through [Jesus] -- God chose to reconcile the whole universe to himself -- making peace through the…cross…” (Colossians 1:17-20, New English Bible). "…But be on guard -- do not let your minds be captured by hollow…man-made teachings…For it is in Christ [alone] that…you have been brought to completion…” (Colossians 2:6-10, New English Bible).

What a radical message! For I do believe there is one more things I need to do – think – be – or perform. But if completion is in Jesus – I need to incorporate that reality more deeply in my psyche...in my soul.

It's as simple (albeit difficult!) -- as that.

Worry Is A Waste

Jesus 'nails it' in Matthew 6:27: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27) It’s fascinating: literally the image in this verse is of someone straining and stretching on tip-toe, in front of a mirror, trying to increase his or her physical height by sheer will-power. How ridiculous! But that’s exactly what worry is: it’s ridiculous! All that fussing, all that effort, all that ‘tip-toe anxiety,’ without any guarantee of tangible, positive outcome.

Such use of energy is especially tragic, since most of what we worry about either never occurs – is inconsequential – or beyond our control. Various studies confirm this, including a recent study by Cindy Holbrook. Why Cindy concludes: 40% of our worries never materialize. 30% have already happened. 12% are needless worries, such as what people think of us. 10% are petty, such as what to fix for dinner. And so, only 8% of our worries actually take place. But of that percentage 4% are things we can do nothing about, such as death, or an impending natural disaster. And the remaining 4%? Why the majority of those can be conquered by positive, pro-active, decisive action.

As you might recall, the flight of Apollo 13 almost ended ended in disaster. I mean after a devastating explosion – Apollo 13’s electrical system drained – its oxygen supply dried up – as Apollo 13 plunged helplessly toward the moon. Quizzing Apollo 13’s commander, Jim Lovell, after the disaster -- reporters asked whether Lovell was worried. Worried, Lovell said. Who had time to worry? Listen fellas, “I was too busy fixing the problem!!”

Are you fixing the problem, your concerns, your fears? 4% of your worries are legitimate. But good news: the majority of those concerns can be addressed through positive, proactive action. So stay positive, stay proactive, re-directing your energy away from worry, toward work. Work that can be done to successfully address your concerns.

Memorable Marks...To Strive For

I am always looking for simple, direct, memorable marks of faithfulness and Christian belief.

Recently, I ran across classic words from A.W. Tozer in that category. According to Tozer, persons who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:

1. they are facing only one direction,

2. they can never turn back, and

3. they no longer have plans of their own.

- as cited by Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books
Publisher, p. 187.

Well said -- but challenging -- as I strive to move increasingly away from my ambition toward the ambition of Christ.

In that regard I am reminded of Paul's classic words in Philippians 3 -- "All I want is to know Christ and feel the power of his resurrection; to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life." (Phil. 3:10,11)

I Am Accepted -- I Am Secure -- I Am Significant -- In Jesus

In a recent message, I shared that many Christ-followers are writing out identity statements, in a quest to strengthen confidance and authentic self-esteem.

Most Christian leaders conclude, this is done most faithfully, by naming our identity in Christ; Christ is the ultimate source of a secure self.

One of the best identity statements, in this regard, was penned by Neil Anderson years ago in his book, Victory Over The Darkness.

I AM ACCEPTED…

John 1:12
I am God’s child.

John 15:15
I am Christ’s friend.

Romans 5:1
I have been justified (declared righteous).

1 Corinthians 6:17
I am united with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27
I am a member of Christ’s body (the church).

Ephesians 1:1
I am a saint.

Ephesians 1:5
I have been adopted as God’s child.

Ephesians 2:18
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2:10
I am complete in Christ.

I AM SECURE…

Romans 8:1-2
I am forever free from condemnation.

Romans 8:28
I am assured all things work together for good

Romans 8:31-34
I am free from any condemning charges against me.

Romans 8:35-39
I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.

Colossians 3:3
I am hidden with Christ in God.

Philippians 1:6
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected.

Philippians 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven.

2 Timothy 1:7
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

Hebrews 4:16
I can find grace and mercy in time of need.

1 John 5:18
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I AM SIGNIFICANT…

Matthew 5:13-14
I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

John 15:1-5
I am a branch of the true Vine, a channel of His life.

John 15:16
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

Acts 1:8
I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16
I am God’s temple.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

2 Corinthians 6:1
I am God’s co-worker (see also 1 Corinthians 3:9)

Ephesians 2:6
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 2:10
I am God’s workmanship.

Ephesians 3:12
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

- Neil Anderson.

Well that's who you are in Jesus. And now the challenge -- absorb such truth...claim such identity -- in a deeper and more secure way!

Trusting God's Whistle and God's Word

Arabian horses are probably the most famous horses in the world. And for good reason: they go through the most rigorous training of any horses in the world. In fact: trainers of Arabian horses demand utter, total, complete obedience.

The ultimate test is beyond imagination. Why the trainers force the horses to go without water for many days. And then they turn the horses loose toward an apparent source of good water. Why the horses race and race toward the water. But then right before the horses get to the very edge of the water, the trainer blows his whistle, and presto ‘the tale is told.’ Why the horses that are truly trained, the horses that are truly obedient – stop – turn – and then return, amazingly to their trainer. And there they wait. Quivering, panting, they wait until the trainer is absolutely confident of their obedience. Then he blows his whistle again,sending the horses off to an even better source of water!!

God wants to send us off to an even better source of water!! Sure we’re thirsty; sure; sure there are apparent, popular sources of refreshment. But only God knows the better places of refreshment. And so we must submit to Him; we must obey Him, trusting God’s whistle and God’s Word.

John Wesley's Rule

There is great truth in simplicity, including the simplicity of these classic words from the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley.

A Rule

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

- John Wesley