Flip the Script…Change Your Focus!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Flip the Script – LISTEN HERE)
Do you like optical illusions?
They do funny things with your brain depending on where you focus. I remember the “3D” holograms in the late 80s’ that you had to “look through the picture” to see the image pop up in front of you. It was tough because you couldn’t focus on what you could see in front of you, you had to look “beyond the surface” and then the image became clear in front of you.
It’s easy to focus on what is in front of us. It’s what is reality in the moment. Our days are filled with tasks that need accomplishing. We have homes to clean, homework to do, reports to finish, calls to make, meals to prepare, cars to fix, etc. So it’s hard to think and focus on something beyond the urgent of the day.
But is that really where we should focus?
Thomas, for whatever reason, wasn’t with the disciples when they were gathered on the evening of the resurrection. (I always wonder where he was…) Jesus appeared to the disciples that were there and they told Thomas. But Thomas wasn’t buying it. He wanted to see for himself.
John 20:24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
I’m not sure why the credibility of the other ten disciples didn’t convince Thomas, other than the reality of the moment could not comprehend the reality of the resurrection. Jesus loves Thomas enough to help him see what was real.
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I’m glad Thomas challenged the report of the disciples. I probably would have done the same. Through the interaction, Jesus affirms that our focus should not always be on what we can see, but one what we have not seen.
Jesus helps us realize that focusing beyond just our personal experience to the promises and truths that God has given us gives perspective on the day at hand. What do I mean?
When we win the day, we focus on the long game, not the immediate. What keeps us close to Jesus and on the path to heaven. The world and all it has to offer is not the end game, heaven is with Jesus.
When we win the day we realize the temporary things of this world are minor in comparison to the eternal realities Jesus has both won for us and promised to us.
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
So flip the script today…focus on what is eternal, not just on the temporary.
Apply: What happens when you see your tasks today in light of eternity? Do some tasks fall off your list? Do other activities make the list?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for moving our focus from only what is temporary to that which is eternal. Guide our days to always walk in the way of the eternal! AMEN.
Flip the Script…with a new story!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Flip the Script – LISTEN HERE)
The narrative that goes on in your mind is a powerful story. This story is made up of past experiences, personal interactions, and powerful memories.
According to a study done by Emory University, the best predictor of a child’s emotional well-being is not getting them into a great school. It’s not giving them lots of hugs and kisses. It’s not taking them on a pilgrimage to Disney World. It’s not watching Pixar films. According to these researchers at the Emory University, the number one indicator of emotional well-being, drum roll, is a child knowing their family history.
Think about this for a moment. You can probably still hear the words your parents spoke to you…positive or negative which determine your confidence, sense of value, or significance. Perhaps a teacher in school discounted your abilities and you still let that recording play over and over again. On the other hand it could have been a positive comment that replays constantly. Our story is a powerful component of our day to day thinking and mindset. If we have a narrative that is full of confidence, positivity, value and worth…it’s probably easier to win the day. If we have a narrative that is filled with negativity, self-deprecation, low confidence and sense of worth, we may struggle even to get out of bed in the morning.
What I’m about to share next is in no way minimizing the struggle that some feel. (Professional counseling can be an avenue to re-write narratives in our minds.)
The disciples had a story. In fact “nicknames” were perhaps indicators of their story. “Doubting” Thomas…The “Sons of Thunder”…the tax-collector…fishermen…zealot…etc. While these aspects were part of their story, what changed was the intersection of Jesus into their story.
On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples were locked in a room because they were afraid of the Jews. They didn’t want to be next in line to take a spot on the cross. Their immediate story was one of fear, uncertainty and questions.
John 20:9 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus didn’t want their stories to be defined by their past or by their most current emotions. He appears to them to affirm their value, settle their hearts, and commission them for his purposes. Jesus’ personal interaction with the disciples indicated they were significant, valued, and important to Jesus.
It didn’t matter what the Jewish leaders thought. It didn’t matter what the people in Jerusalem thought. It didn’t matter that they were fisherman or tax-collectors. Jesus flips the script of their story by intersecting them with his story.
Jesus’ opinion is the only one that matters. No matter what our past story is, we can allow our minds to form a new story based on our interaction with Jesus…a story that each day plays the very true narrative that you are loved, forgiven, a child of God with a heavenly purpose for your day.
So with a new story beginning to play in your mind…Win the day!
Apply: What narrative from your past affects your days on a regular basis? What begins to change when you allow Jesus’ narrative to begin to replace the old story?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for intersecting into our story to instill in us that we are forgiven, gifted, children of yours. Let us win the day because you won our eternity! AMEN.
Flip the Script with One Word!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Flip the Script – LISTEN HERE)
One word changed her day from defeat to victory.
It was not a great weekend.
Her friend in whom she had invested time, energy and effort was condemned to die and crucified on a Roman cross. The agony of burying his body was compounded by the need to rush to complete before sundown and the beginning of the Passover Sabbath day. 24 long hours of waiting, doing nothing and able to do nothing other than opine about Jesus being dead and the hopes that were had for his kingdom restored. As soon as the first hint of dawn arrived, she and a few other ladies took their spices and ointments and headed to the tomb to finish honoring the body of a friend and rabbi.
As they approached, the tomb that was heavily sealed and guarded was open. What could have happened? Who could have done this to open the tomb and steal the body of Jesus? Insult was added to the already deep injury of losing a loved friend.
Mary of Magdala didn’t wait to get inside the tomb – she left.
Only to wander back a bit later. Distraught. Crying. Beside herself as to what to do next.
A man approached her.
“Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Whether her heart and mind were so distracted with her story of a stolen body or Jesus simply hid his identity, she did not recognize Jesus. Until…
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
One word turned her day from one of extreme loss to one of extreme joy.
Her name.
Of all the people in the world to be the first to see Jesus alive, Mary was it. Into her sorrow and distress, Jesus same with not only the affirming love of his presence, but the personal love of his care for her.
In an instant, it didn’t matter that the stone was rolled away. It didn’t matter that Jesus died three days before. It didn’t matter that moments before she didn’t know how to move forward. It didn’t matter that she had abandoned the other ladies.
All that mattered was Jesus knew her, loved her, and appeared to her.
Jesus flipped the script.
Insert what is on your heart and mind today. You may have great stress over a health situation, a work situation, or a relationship situation. You may feel anxious about the future of the country, the world, or just your own family. You may be stuck as to how to move forward after being laid off, suffering a loss, or struggling with mental challenges.
What changes when you close your eyes and imagine seeing Jesus and him saying your name…
“Michael.”
All of a sudden the story and the script playing in my mind changes to the enduring love, presence and faithfulness of Jesus. His presence is all I need. His promises are all I need to hold on to. His personal affirmation of me and my existence are all that really matter.
While the situation I’m facing doesn’t go away, I know Jesus is with me. While I may judge my identity on how others think or by the events that surround me, I know what matters is what Jesus thinks of me.
With one word, Jesus flips the script to remind me that no matter what today brings, I am loved, valued, gifted, child of Jesus.
And that’s the only opinion that counts.
Apply: Visualize Jesus appearing to you as he did to Mary. What changes in your mind and heart when you see Jesus and hear him call your name?
Prayer: Jesus thank you for caring so much for me that you would reach me personally with your presence, love and grace. AMEN.
Win the Day…Flip the Script!
(This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s message: Win the Day…Flip the Script – LISTEN HERE)
Jesus lives!
Does it matter today?
Our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is over a week old. As you begin another week, does Easter still make a difference?
If so, how?
The Apostle Paul expounded on the reality of the resurrection and then concluded with this thought:
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Because Jesus lives, we can make each day a productive day of serving the Lord.
So how come it isn’t?
I will be the first to admit that the reality and impact of the resurrection can pass all too quickly and leave us back on the hamster wheel called life with many tasks, but perhaps little satisfaction.
Our days can be filled with activity, but lack a feeling of significance or purpose. Our days can be filled with discouragement that leads us to question who we are and why we are here.
As a result, we labor little for the Lord and we struggle to win each day for the Lord.
These next weeks are to bring the impact of the resurrection to bear on each day. As Jesus won the day on Easter morning, the importance and impact of that event are to continue in each day we start.
So where do we start?
Research has shown that about 80% of a person’s thoughts are negative. Negative self-talk. Negative stories about others. Negative thoughts about perceived future events. Negative evaluations of current challenges. Negative…
Starting the day being consumed by a negative outlook is challenging to overcome everyday to experience a positive outcome.
The solution? Flip the Script…better yet, let Jesus flip the script…best…let the reality of the resurrection flip the script!
We will consider this thought all week, but perhaps today simply reflect on these questions:
If you were a follower of Jesus who saw Jesus crucified, what is the “script” that is running through your mind on Sunday morning?
If you were a follower of Jesus who saw Jesus alive on that Sunday, what is the “script” that is running through your mind Sunday when you go to bed?
What changed that script?
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for carrying stinking thinking in my mind and allowing negativity to permeate my thoughts all too often. Replace the script in my mind with the script you want me to hear every day so that, for you, I can win the day. AMEN.
Win with a different purpose!
(This morning’s devotion is based on the Easter message: Jesus Wins! (CLICK HERE)
Same old…Same old.
Another day… another dollar.
Nothings going to change.
Stuck on the hamster wheel called life.
Ever feel this way? Does life seem somewhat meaningless and pointless at times? Or perhaps just like what you do each day doesn’t make a difference?
These thoughts have rolled through my mind at times. I’m guessing I’m not alone.
Even as a pastor, life can have moments where it seems like what you are doing isn’t making a difference. You do your best to serve people and one thing goes wrong and they leave the church. You do your best to prepare a biblical, gospel-centered, practical sermon and someone hears something that they are upset about for over a year before you know about it. You spend hours planning, setting up, and executing a large outreach event to have no one show up at church after the event.
Sometimes it just seems like what you do doesn’t matter.
What makes it harder is everyone has a desire to do something that makes a difference. While it may not have to change the world, it would be nice if something you did mattered to someone and made a positive impact in someway.
Insert the resurrection.
I wonder if the followers of Jesus felt like they had just wasted 2-3 years of their life to spend with Jesus. Their hopes of a Messiah perhaps vanished when the Roman soldiers seemed to have the last move by nailing him to the cross. As the two disciples on the way to Emmaus said, “We had hoped he would be the Messiah.”
Death seemed to dash those hopes.
Insert the resurrection!
What seemed like an utter failure all of a sudden took on significant meaning and purpose. Jesus wasn’t a fake. Jesus wasn’t dead. Jesus wasn’t a waste of time. In fact, his resurrection changed everything. Life now had a new perspective, a new hope, and yes, a new purpose.
At the end of 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul ends with this conclusion as a result of the reality of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Because Jesus lives, we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because all we do for the Lord always has purpose!
So begin today with a new sense of purpose. You don’t work for your boss…you work for the Lord. You don’t work for your family…you work for the Lord! You don’t work for your teacher…you work for the Lord!
The resurrection gives us significant purpose as we go about our days with a new perspective…I serve the living Lord!
Apply: THink about what you are doing today. What changes in your mind and heart when you FIRST think, “I am serving the Lord”? Does your attitude to do those things change?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for rising from the dead and giving every aspect and every activity of my day meaning and purpose! AMEN.