If I Live Right

If I Live Right

 

Dear Champions,

 

The short excerpt is from Tim Keller, and the scripture is Matthew 5:45   God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

 

Over the years I have seen people getting completely destroyed by the troubles in their lives.  And here's why.  There's a premise underneath our lives that's so deep that we don't even realize it is there.  And the premise is this.  "If I live right, my life should go right."  So if your life goes wrong, you either say "Something's wrong with me.  I hate myself, because I must be a failure."  Or the other possibility is, "I hate God, because He's not treating me like I deserve."  Then, every mode of the experience is either going to lead you into self-hatred or God-hatred.  If that becomes a sustained theme in your life, you will be poisoned.  Something has to destroy the premise.  

 

Jesus Christ was a perfect, loving man anointed with the Spirit.   He went into the wilderness where He was tested and tried.  He was absolutely obedient, and He did it for us.  He was living the life we should have lived.  Years later this perfect Man ended up on the cross.  He says, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"  That's the only time in His entire life when He doesn't call God Father because on the cross He was losing His Sonship and relationship with His Father.  He was getting the punishment we deserved, so we can have it.  

 

We are accepted not because of the life that we have lived but because of the life that Jesus lived.  We must come and say, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling."  We must not come saying, "I have lived a pretty good life, and you owe me."  Instead, we have to say, "You have every right to send me to Hell, but I want your mercy because of what Jesus Christ did.

 

Champions, have a great week!-David Vining

The Water From Jesus

The Water From Jesus

 

Dear Champions,

 

The short excerpt came from the Caring Bridge Page of a friend, Elizabeth Meier.  I have been touched by her transparency and realness.  I've never met her husband, but he is an inspiration on how he has loved his wife and children through hard times.

Although I won the first battle with cancer, it seems this pesky disease wants to go another round with me. I'll admit, this battle has hit me hard. I have been hospitalized twice and I am now getting all my food, nutrition and hydration through an IV TPN bag. My sweet husband is now hooking me up to food each night while I sleep. I could have never imagined when I married this guy, the dignity, selflessness and tenderness he has displayed while doing some pretty unpleasant things. He is just as much in this rematch too - not only taking care of me but holding down a household with 4 kids and a sick wife. 

I've had a lot of issues with keeping food and fluids down - that's why I am on the TPN bag. As I am gradually able to eat and drink again, I am reminded of the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. When he asks the woman for a drink, she is shocked that a Jewish man is even talking to her, a Samaritan woman. I love what he says to her in John 4:13-14, "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

 

Like the woman at the well, Jesus has showed up so many times for me since this last diagnosis with comfort, replenishment and strength.  Battles are rarely fought and won alone. I am asking you to join me in this fight and provide me with the ammo I need through prayer and positive thoughts. Send all my way; it's what is keeping me in the right shape and frame of mind to continue the fight. What has been intended for harm has only brought me closer to my faith, my husband, my children and friends.  

 

Champions, say a prayer for Elizabeth to win round 2 in her battle with cancer!  Have a great week!-David Vining