Pray Expectantly

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and I will bring you back from captivity." -- Jeremiah 29:11-14a (NIV1984)

I finished my Christmas gigs last Saturday night. I always love playing the corporate parties and seeing how different people celebrate this time of year. My friend that I play with is a wonderful Christian woman. She has prayed for me in many situations, and I have prayed for her. I was telling her of how God had answered a specific prayer. When she dropped me off at my house, she said, "Emily, I've been praying specifically for that. But I think I'm a pessimistic prayer. I didn't think God would answer that prayer need so quickly."

Her comment caused me to examine my prayer life. I found her sentiment reflected what often times happens in my own prayer life. I pray out of obedience, but not always with expectation. I've decided that I need to re-frame the WAY that I pray. When I bring things to God, I need to bring them EXPECTING Him to answer them. I need to pray boldly.

One of my grandfather's favorite hymns was Sweet Hour Of Prayer. Listen to what the hymn writer, William Walford, pens in his second stanza:

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless:
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my ev'ry care,
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.

My prayer for all of us in 2011 is that we will pray boldy, with expectation.

Ephesians 6:18 (TLB)
Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

My Story

This Advent season, we have had several people won to Christ in our worship services. It has been incredible to hear the stories and to see the transformation in people's lives. One girl even wrote out her testimony and sent it to me last week. It touched my life as I read it, and read about the power of Christ in her life. As I've thought about it, I have been reminded of the grace that God has bestowed upon me. I have reflected on the day that I accepted Jesus. I would like to share my story with you.

I grew up here at First Baptist Church Arlington. When I was three, I sang the song, "I Am A Promise." I still remember the words, "I am a promise. I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital P. I am a great big bundle of potentiality. And if you listen, you can hear God's voice. And if you're trying, He'll help you make the right choice. 'Cause I'm a promise to be anything God wants me to be." What great lyrics to write on a little girl's heart. I've probably forgotten more than I can remember, but I have never forgotten those words and the TRUTH behind them.

At eight years old, I was sitting in Vacation Bible School. Dr. Wade was talking to us about Jesus. He told us how each of us were sinners and about how that sin resulted in brokenness and separation from God. He told us about Jesus. Jesus was God's Son and lived a perfect (sinless) life. Jesus died on the cross because He claimed to be the Messiah. He bore the penalty of death (the weight of our sin), and conquered death when He arose on the third day. He remained on the earth a short time, and then took His seat at the right-hand of God the Father until He will one day return. Jesus died for EVERY ONE of us. And Scripture tells us that if we confess with our mouths that 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God has raised from the dead, YOU will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NIV 1984)

I remember Dr. Wade gave an invitation for us to ask Jesus to come into our lives. I was so incredibly shy. I don't know what happened to the little girl who could stand on the steps and sing in front of everyone because this little eight year old was scared of her own shadow. But Dr. Wade extended the invitation. We sang, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." I remember every verse. I felt God tugging at my heart, and I stood frozen listening to the text of the song. Then, the song ended. I thought I had missed my chance. But Dr. Wade, sensitive to the Spirit as he was, said he felt like there was someone out there to whom Jesus was speaking. He said that he would pray a final prayer, and whoever that person was could just slip out the side door and meet him. I was that person! While he prayed, I quietly tiptoed past Mrs. Sondra Adair, and to the side door of the Sanctuary. I met Dr. Wade and Mrs. Waldrop and prayed to receive Christ that day. Jesus came to live in my heart, and my life will forever be changed.

My life has taken many twists and turns since then. I'd love to say that I've acted right every day since then. That would be a lie. But no matter what, I have NEVER DOUBTED the decision to FOLLOW JESUS. My faith has been tested, but never broken. I love the truth of the verse:
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV1984) Christ is unbreakable.

As a matter of fact, looking at that 2 Corinthians passage just a few verses earlier, we have the reminder: v.6 For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Since eight years old, that light has never extinguished in my heart. I praise God today for the prayer I prayed almost thirty years ago. I praise God today for the hope that is found in Him. I praise God today for reconciliation. I praise God today for redemption. I praise God today for renewal.

My testimony is simple. But it is true. God made me His own, and I have been running the race ever since. I may have been lapped by others. I may have made a couple of wrong turns. I may have even fallen down a couple of times. But God, through His Son Jesus, lifted me up and even carried me when needed. He corrects my course daily as I seek Him. He surrounds me with people to lift me up, to hold me accountable and to love me.

What is your story? I'd love to hear it. Every believer has a story. Every story is unique.
Write me at emily.klophaus@fbca.org and tell me your story.

O Holy Night

John 1:9-11 (NIV) says, "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."

I love Christmas music. Well, let me back up...I like MOST Christmas music. There are some really BAD renditions of Christmas music out there (in my opinion). But there's something about hearing it, singing it, playing it. It's just different than any other type of music.

Last week, I bought the GLEE Christmas album. GLEE is not one of those shows that I would recommend--simply because I believe it has an agenda and its morals are not in line with what I'd want to promote. But, the talent of the cast is pretty incredible (if you like belting broadway singers, which I do). So, I buy a lot of their music.

As I listened, I was surprised by how much sacred Christmas music was on the cd. I even found it ironic that the Jewish girl in the cast was singing "O Holy Night." I wondered if they knew what that song was about when they had her sing it. I wondered if she knew she was singing about Jesus--the Jesus in the verses above. And, while I don't agree with the morals of the show, I was thrilled that the message of that song would be put out in the mainstream market. Millions of people will buy that album. Millions of people will hear that message. My prayer is that the text of that song will root itself in the hearts and minds of people who don't know Christ, and will cause them to seek Him.

"O Holy Night" is truly one of those unique songs. It grabs people's hearts. Two years ago, I was playing a job with a Muslim friend of mine. The choir on the job we were playing sang "O Holy Night". My Muslim friend thought it was the most beautiful piece he had ever heard. He had to leave the country shortly after that, but I've prayed often that he would hear that song again, and that the message would penetrate his heart.

Several years before that, I played in an orchestra where we played the most AWFUL arrangement of O Holy Night I'd ever heard. It was musically sub-standard in my opinion. But funny how God doesn't really care about my opinion on the quality of music. He used that evening, and that specific arrangement, to work on the heart of a neighboring violinist in the orchestra who broke down in tears before God after hearing that song. She hadn't been living right, and He convicted her and changed her heart through that song. It was a lesson to me that I need to be careful what I deem as "quality" and "sub-standard". The message is more important than the form, and God will use that message. He promises us that if we put His word out there, it will NOT come back void. (Isaiah 55:11)

Well, here's the abbreviated story of O Holy Night, and how it came about.

"Oh, Holy Night”, based on the poem “Cantique de Noel”, was written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847 in France. The song died out in France, but was discovered and translated into English by an American, John Sullivan Dwight. Being an abolitionist, the following verse really spoke to Dwight: “Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His Name all oppression shall cease.” The song achieved worldwide fame when Reginald Fessenden made the first broadcast over the airwaves on Christmas Eve. He read the Christmas story and then played “Oh, Holy Night” on his violin, thus becoming the first song ever heard via radio waves.

Since then, it has become a favorite of many, and one of the most beautiful carols sung during this season. Pray that songs like this will fall into open hearts who need to know Jesus. Then, pray that we will be sensitive enough to follow up and lead people to the Christ.

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." John 1:4 (NIV)

Obedience: The Least of These

Last Friday, we began our drive home for Thanksgiving. It was a good Thanksgiving. We spent two days with my parents in their beautiful cabin in Glorieta. My Mom is one of the best cooks ever, so we had turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce...and pumpkin pie and pecan pie... It was delicious.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had to come home because my husband was struggling with his back--so much so that he ate Thanksgiving dinner facedown in bed. So, Mom made my favorite leftovers for the road--turkey sandwiches--and we headed home.

If you've ever driven with me on a trip, you know that all I care about are four little words: "We made good time." This was my mission on Friday. My children were cramped in the car because Dennis had to lie down in his seat. Dennis was in intense pain. And I was the only driver. So I was anxious to get home!

As we were stopping for gas in Amarillo, something caught my eye. It was a man on the side of the road. He was sitting on the corner of the underpass with a sign that said, "I'm just hungry." I drove past him and into the gas station. But, as I pulled in to fill my car up with gas, Matthew 25:40 would not leave my mind, "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I paid for the gas and pulled out the lunches that Mom had made for everyone. I gave the kids and Dennis their lunches, but I couldn't eat mine. MY FAVORITE SANDWICH was in that bag and I couldn't even open it. I looked back at that underpass with the man and his sign. I wasn't hungry--I don't know hunger. Not many of us do. I pulled back around and pulled up to him and gave him the sandwich and a bottled water and dessert. He jumped up with a BIG smile on his face and ran over to the car and thanked us. This former statue on the side of the road came to life over the prospect of a leftover turkey sandwich.

As I drove away, I realized how desensitized I've become to people in need. I wondered how many people I drive by daily who are asking for help. I wondered how many times I could have helped someone, but was simply to self-centered to notice them or their need. I was ashamed that it this was just a sandwich, yet I had the spiritual battle of whether or not to be obedient rise up within me. My prayer quickly became, "God, please make me more sensitive to Your Spirit--to Your people."

I began to reflect on who Jesus was/is. Jesus is light. He came into a dark world, and he lit up this world! John 8:12 (NIV1984) says,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

But following Jesus doesn't just mean paying lip service. It means following in His steps, imitating His actions, growing in relationship with the Father. It means denying our very nature--our self-centeredness, our greed, our comfort -- and taking up our cross and following Him.

This Advent season, our theme is Jesus Christ: Light of the World. We have the opportunity to share that light in this world. As you go through this season, ask God to make you more aware. Ask Him to help you be obedient to His leading. Ask Him to consider "the least of these".

There are so many in need. We have such an opportunity to make a difference in the darkness of this world. Ulitimately, this is my prayer for all of us this season:
"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV1984)

Let Your Light Shine

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed and exasperated? That was my house this morning. Abby couldn't find her report card. She has gone almost a month without getting signed at school. She's really worked hard to do right this year, and she's matured so much. But, without that signed report card, she was going to get her name signed on her behavior report.

She was beside herself. She asked me where I put it (of course, it was all MY fault that it was missing). I told her it was exactly where I had left it when I told her to put it in her backpack -- on the dashboard of my car. She couldn't find it. She came in and threw an absolute crying fit (HIGH DRAMA!). Now, I know nothing like this ever happens at your houses, so don't judge! :)

Well, after about five minutes, I finally went out to the car, and sure enough, the report card was right where I said it was. I handed it to her and told her to put it IN her backpack. She continued to blame me for having "moved" it. Then, she went on to tell me all of the other things that were my fault. I took it for about a minute, and then said, "Okay, Abby. I realize that you are starting off rough this morning. So, go ahead...give me your best shot. Think of all of the things that you could possibly blame me for, and I'm going to stand here and just take it." Her tears immediately changed from ones of exasperation to ones of remorse. She sobbed as she grabbed me and hugged me and apologized. In that moment, she realized that she hadn't been treating me right. That tender, beautiful heart came out through the tears of my precious daughter. We hugged, and then dried the tears, and then she went on to school with a smile on her face.

I thought about that after she left this morning. That's what I did to Jesus. I cast all of the blame on him. He took the brunt of all of my sin. He carried the burden of my temper tantrums and poor choices and disobedience.

My prayer this afternoon was that God would make me more sensitive to His Spirit. We are filled with so much junk. We permit ourselves to act so badly sometimes. We get overwhelmed with life, and let the junk spill out instead of the light.

But, Jesus was light. He came into a dark world, and he lit this world on fire! John 8:12 (NIV1984) says,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

This Advent season, we sing about light. Jesus Christ: Light of the World. We have the opportunity to share that light in this world. As you go through this season, ask God to make you more aware. Sometimes, as in Abby's & my case, that's all you need -- that gentle reminder.

This is my prayer for all of us this season:
"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV1984)

Pick Me!

Tonight was a night filled with tears. My son came home...cut from the basketball team. This kid LOVES to play basketball. He was crushed. He was angry. And the tears flowed.

Of course, as a parent, I wanted to sympathize and tell him how rotten and stupid the coaches were. But the fact of the matter is, there is no basis for that statement. I haven't seen the tryouts. I don't know the criteria of the coaches. I don't know what they saw or didn't see in players. I don't know what my son's attitude was toward them. What I know is that he was hurt, and when he hurts, I hurt!

Last week, our Pastor shared a passage of scripture with us. God, as usual was working way ahead of us. He knew I needed this scripture fresh on my mind. It is from Ephesians, Chapter 1.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
--Ephesians 1:3-10 (NIV1984)

Read that passage again, beginning verse 4, and note the verbs used:

*He chose us
*He predistined us (adopted us)
*He has freely given to us the One
*He has lavished grace upon us
*He has made known to us Himself -- He reveals Himself to us and does not hide from us
*He brings unity to all things under Christ

This is a powerful section of scripture showing us our place in this world. My favorite verb in this passage is Chose. The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE CHOSE US! Let that sink in a moment.

There wasn't much I could say to comfort my son, or ease his ego about his basketball skills. But, I could let him know his place in this world--as an adopted (chosen) child of God. Junior High coaches may not have chosen him, but the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE did. God wants my son on his team. God wants my son as a part of His Kingdom work. He chose him. He chose me. He chose you!

When I read this passage with my son, and showed him those verbs--God not just watching from afar, but taking real action--his tears change from tears of sadness and sorrow to tears of thankfulness and deep-seeded joy.

All of us have disappointments in life. All of us are excluded at some point by some group. All of us experience doubts about ourselves and our abilities. When things like this happen, just read this passage, and be reminded of your place in this world -- child of God!

John 15:11 (NIV)
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

LOVE: Building Significant Spiritual Relationships

This week, I was riding in the car with a friend of mine. We were on our way to play a “gig” in Ft. Worth. She is an incredible Christian woman, and we were talking about a conversation she recently had.

She walked into a small shop in Arlington to sign her daughters up for sewing lessons. After talking with the woman for a short time, she made the comment, “Well God has certainly blessed you.” The woman immediately informed her that she didn’t believe in God. My friend immediately found herself in a spiritual conversation without even expecting it or preparing for it. But, she had the opportunity to witness to this woman. The woman didn’t accept Christ, but she did hug my friend and said she looks forward to future conversations as my friend brings her daughters for sewing lessons.

Sunday evening, several of the kids in the youth choir were telling me what God was doing in their lives. One girl – who almost never says a word – came and found me after rehearsal. She wanted to share with me what God was doing. God placed her next to a boy in one of her classes who claims to be an atheist. She has had the opportunity to have many spiritual conversations with this young man. Through time, he’s come to respect her and has told her so. She had tears in her eyes as she told me her fear that she isn’t going to know all the answers or say the right thing. I reminded her that God placed her there for a purpose and He would give her the words. It wasn’t about who she is, it’s about who God is.

LOVE – this is one of our growth areas. I’ll bet you expected me to say “SHARE”. But really, it all starts with LOVE. In both of these situations, it is going to take time to build a significant spiritual relationship. It takes time to earn trust and respect. But both of these women were available for God to use them—even when they weren’t expecting it, and maybe felt less than prepared.

We have an opportunity this week right here on our own campus to build significant spiritual relationships – to LOVE. On Monday, November 15th, we expect to have between 75 and 100 students from UTA here to hear Music Mondays with UTA. I would like to encourage you all to be here to meet them and support them. It’s a wonderful opportunity to love on them, to begin to build relationships with both students and faculty members. If you are available and willing, please come at 12:15 (or a little early to visit) and stay afterward to host these students and faculty for lunch. The recital only lasts 30 minutes.

If you can’t be here, please join me in praying for this opportunity. Also, please join me in praying for the four individuals I mentioned above – that the believers will be faithful to love, and that God will soften and change the hearts of the unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
I’ve been thinking about those words: Living Sacrifice. Sacrifice is not something that is natural for most Westerners. Most of us complain if the room is too hot or too cold, or if the food isn’t to our taste.

I was talking to my daughter the other day about how there are people in the world who don’t have food to eat. She said, “Why don’t we just buy them some food?” I told her the story of when I was in Cuba. It was shortly after a hurricane had hit the island. When I was picked up from the airport, I was picked up in an un-air-conditioned van that had huge holes in the floor (we suspended our feet as we drove). The man who picked us up told us that part of his daily routine was walking into town to see if there was food that day. If there was, they ate. If there wasn’t, they went hungry. I told him I’d buy him and his family some food. We stopped at every little town, and I offered my money. The problem wasn’t money—it was that there was no food. It was my first experience seeing people literally praying for food each day. As we went throughout the week, God provided rice and plantain for us each day. The last day, the family killed their rooster for us to eat. It was their sacrifice—their offering—to us to thank us for discipling them in the faith.

I say this, because we are such creatures of comfort. I’ve been convicted about this lately. Here is the question I have asked myself when I worship: “What have I sacrificed today for the Lord?” “What is my offering?” It may be something as simple as spending time away from the television and in the Word. It may be practicing for a rehearsal more so I can be adequately prepared to rehearse players and singers to lead worship. It may be denying myself something so I can give more generously to others. But, the Bible tells us clearly that we are to be “living sacrifices”. What does this mean? Here’s verse 2:

Do not conform 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.

The key is transformation. We need to be growing in the Jesus Way every day. This requires submission, surrender, study, and yes, sacrifice.

As we approach worship this Sunday, we are singing a new song called “Awakening” by Chris Tomlin. Before we can begin to ignite this world for Christ, we first need a revival in our own souls. That’s what this song calls for. Here are the lyrics. I urge you to meditate on these as you prepare for Worship this Sunday. Pray for awakening in your heart…in your city…in your nation…in this world.

In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
awakening.
Holy Spirit, we desire
awakening

For You and You alone
awake my soul; awake my soul, and sing.
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me.

From the Inside Out

This week, as I was beginning my youth band rehearsal, I had a kid (not in the band) say to me, "I need a minute to talk to you." I stopped and asked him what was up. He said, "You've been asking us what God is doing in our lives. I just wanted to tell you what He's doing in mine." We visited for a moment. It was great to hear about how He was listening to God's direction for his life. God was doing some great things in this young man's life, and he was so eager to share.

About 15 minutes later, we actually began rehearsal. We were halfway through a piece--just a normal rehearsal. Once of the players said, "Can we just stop and pray?" We stopped immediately and prayed. This young man felt the leading of the LORD to focus us and focus our hearts.

About an hour later, my youth choir came in. If you've ever been in a youth choir rehearsal, you may think it's complete chaos. I'll admit, there is that element. We began to sing. We were singing the song, "From the Inside Out". We got to the point in the song when it says, "My heart and my soul, I give You control. Consume me from teh inside out, Lord." I felt like we were just paying lip service. We stopped. We took a moment to pray. I asked them to focus on the things that they would praise God for right in that moment. Then, we sang the song again--not paying lip service this time, but worshiping from our hearts.

It was a POWERFUL afternoon of worship--probably one I'll never forget. These kids were so open, so unashamed before the Lord.

I went home, and read a story about the great violinist Joshua Bell. it said that Bell recently performed an experiment where he went into a Washington, D. C. metro station unannounced. He took his 1713 Strad violin (worth millions) and began to play the top pieces in his repertoire. A thousand people went by, and nobody recoginzed him or his talent, nor did they recognize the craftsmanship of the instrument. Finally, one woman recognized who he was and stopped to listen.

The point of the story was that, too often, we are so busy getting from one place to another that we are unaware of God's presence. We pass up so many opportunities with Him. The author used the passage from Matthew 11.

"Let him who has ears hear. To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance...'" Matthew 11:15-17 (NIV)

This was a wakeup call to me. I don't want to miss the Master playing for me. I don't want to miss a single opportunity to sit in His presence and learn.

WORSHIP. Take a moment to focus on these words to "From the Inside Out" by Hillsong.

A thousand times I've failed, still Your mercy remains.
And should I stumble again, still I'm caught in Your grace.

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades.
Neverending, Your glory goes beyond all fame.

My heart and my soul I give You control.
Consume me from the inside out, Lord.
Let justice and praise become my embrace, to love You from the inside out.

Your will above all else, my purpose remains,
the art of losing myself in bringing You praise.

When was the last time you heard His voice? When was the last time you lost yourself in praising Him? Find some time this week. Lose yourself in praise. It was amazing to me, as I began praising Him how my needs became so small, and the LORD -- His sovereignty, His grace, His provision, His greatness -- overwhelmed me. We worship THE Almighty God! What a privilege.

Imitate Me!

I'm reading a fantastic, challenging book right now by Bob Roberts, Jr. called Transformation. Transformation is a word we're going to be hearing a lot about. As a matter of fact, it is our (FBCA) theme for 2011. Our Pastor will be further unpacking the growth areas we've adopted as he teaches us how to be "Transformed along THE WAY."

Roberts talks a lot about how to measure spiritual growth. He issues a corporate challenge early on in his book. He says (p.24), "When people say the name of your church and the church you attend or in which you serve, what do they think? May it be that we love God with all our beings and are trying to live transparent lives of integrity. May they see us giving out all that we have and all that we are."

As I read this, I thought about our church and what people would say. I believe that, thanks to 150 years of healthy people that have gone before and healthy leadership now, many positive things would be said. But, then I took it a step further. "May it be that we love God with all our beings and are trying to live transparent lives of integrity." That statement hit me close to home. What facades do I put on? What areas of my life am I keeping hidden because I'm not fully walking the Jesus Way? This challenging word has caused me pause. It's caused me to re-evaluate some of the things in my life.

What would someone see if they looked into your everyday, unguarded life? Would they see someone who reflected Christ? We know that we are supposed to be like Christ. Ephesians 5:1 tells us, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." I often think about imitating Christ -- or the proverbial phrase, What Would Jesus Do? -- and, so often, I talk myself outof being Christ-like because, after all, none of us are expected to be perfect. Christ is the only perfect one who ever walked the earth, and the only one who ever will. What a cop-out on my part! Someone said recently that many of us [Christians] have learned how to "manage" sin. They said, "We believe it's okay to be a responsible sinner." In other words, as long as we're not committing the BIG sins, we're really okay, right? Our little sins don't really affect anyone, do they?

But Paul issues us (imperfect, human journeymen) a challenge of his own. He says in 1 Corinthians 4:16, "I urge you to imitate me." Is that something that you can say to others? Is that something I can say? People DO imitate us whether we say it or not. They imitate our compassion (or lack thereof). They imitate our commitment (or lack thereof). They imitate the way we love others, relate with others, etc. People watch and imitate.

Bob Roberts issues this challenge to us: "We [the Western church] talk about the qualifications for ministry in terms of education, ordination, rules, and regulations. However, isn't the main qualification for ministry the ability for a person to say, 'Imitate me'? Not that they are perfect, but that they are willing to live their lives as examples for others." (p.27)

Okay Bob & Paul...way to throw down a challenge! Is what I am doing, how I am living my life, how I love others, how I love God worth imitating?

I attended Barry Rock's class at DBU this past week, and here was one of the things he said. "The greatest problem in worship today is personal godliness. Worship means NOTHING apart from a transformed life." I believe he's right. I believe we (and I say this as a guilty party) find ways to justify or overlook our sin, and therefore stunt our growth as Christians and our ability to lead others along The Way.

This Sunday, we are participating in the Lord's Supper. Before the Lord's Supper begins, we have built in a small time of confession. Don't wait until Sunday. Find some time this week in your personal time with the Lord and lay yourself wide open. See what transformation He desires to take place in your life. Make it your prayer to be able one day to stand up in front of others and say these radical words, "Imitate me."