“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31 NIV)
Back in the day when Andre Agassi was a force in men’s tennis, he was a spokesman for Canon cameras. The slogan used in his commercials was, “Image Is Everything.” Years later he revealed in his autobiography, Open, that this slogan summed up his life. Early in his career, he was known for his long flowing hair. He writes that as his hair began to fall out, he began wearing a wig. He blamed that wig for a loss at Wimbledon because it began to come loose during a match and he worried that it would literally fly off in front of everyone! His book reveals how different his life was from the image he portrayed and was portrayed for him, and he admits he was miserable trying to keep up the image.
What motivates us to strive for a certain image? We may never be famous, but the creating and keeping of an image is not restricted to celebrities. We can construct images for our friends, our families, and our employers. And sometimes those images are contradictory. I have known students who, to their families, they are upstanding, godly people, but have a vastly different image among their friends on campus. What is it that drives us to create certain images of ourselves for other people?
Jesus, I think, gives us a hint in this passage. We are fearful of what people are going to think about us. For the student who is living a duplicitous life, she does not want to disappoint either her parents or her friends. So she creates a dual image in order to please both of them.
Jesus says, in essence, we should be much more concerned about our image before God, what He thinks, than the opinions of anyone else. For it is He who has our eternal destiny in His hands. But He also says something else that is so important to hear: He values us more than anything else in all of creation. He loves each of us deeply. So we should care most about what He thinks of us. Other people can think what they want.
Today, what image are you trying to convey and whom are you trying to impress? If it is anything but the real you and for anyone other than the Lord, then know you are missing the mark. For it is God that holds you in the highest value and it is He who holds the keys to Eternity. What He thinks of you is really all that matters.
© Jim Musser 2013
“Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ I say of the holy people who are in the land, ‘They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.’
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:1-8 NIV)
There is always pressure to conform to the standards set by a particular culture or cultural subset. On the college campus, “normal” college life is viewed to include a lot of drinking and sex. Those who refrain from participating in these activities are viewed as oddities. In the world of science, those who believe in a Creator who has designed the world and universe in which we live are often castigated as fools and considered outliers by their colleagues. I read an article recently written by a well-known news reporter and commentator who became a follower of Jesus. As she began to feel the pull of the Lord, she dreaded becoming “one of those people.”
This prayer of David was written in a time when people were worshipping other gods and engaging in unholy behavior. It wasn’t a lot different from the times in which we now live. David and other followers of the Lord felt the pressure to conform.
Yet David did what is necessary to survive with our faith intact when we live in a culture and are surrounded by people whose view of life is so different from our own. He recognized the truth and reminded himself of what He truly believed. To me, the key phrase is, “apart from you I have no good thing.”
David recognized that all good things come from God, that, as Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). David reminded himself that he was totally dependent on the Lord. The lie of his culture, and our culture as well, is that we have no need for God; we can get along in life without Him. Yet the truth is, and David knew it, is we are ultimately dependent on the Lord for every breath we take, for the food we eat, for all that is necessary for life. If not for God, we would cease to exist.
So he gives praise to God and recognizes all the good things He has given him. He also commits to keep his eyes on Him, like an ancient mariner keeping his eyes on the North star, in order to navigate his way through life without going off course and getting lost. He knows He can trust God to guide him. And he knows the course he is taking will lead him to a delightful end.
Today, remember that no matter what people are saying and doing around you to discourage you from following the Lord, He is your one true hope. Nothing you are being offered compares to what the Lord has given you and will give you if you remain faithful to Him. Fix your eyes on Him and never forget that apart from Him, there is nothing in life that is truly good.
© Jim Musser 2013
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31-32 NIV)
Because I have been sick most of this week, I have watched a lot of television to pass the time. And as a result of all the news about the Obamacare rollout, I found myself intrigued by how the president’s press secretary, his cabinet secretary overseeing the program, and the president himself have handled the outrage over his promise that “if you like your current healthcare plan, you can keep it. Period.” which turned out not to be true. It made me cringe to hear their answers, as they tried every way they could to avoid admitting the president had not told the truth.
Now I know there are political reasons why they are so reluctant to admit a lie. There always are for politicians. In this case, the administration understandably doesn’t want to give the Republicans any more ammunition in seeking to end the health care law. Yet, regardless of their motives, they are squirming now because people know the truth and are just waiting for them to admit it.
This is just a new version of a very old story, which began in the Garden of Eden when lies and deception first entered into our world. (Genesis 3) Since then, lying in order to get what we want or to avoid taking responsibility has been part of this life. Yet most liars will admit after the fact that they became slaves to their lies. Covering lies takes a lot of effort, not only mentally when we have to think through everything we say in order to continue the cover-up, but emotionally as well because we have been created by One who is Truth. Unless our conscience has been totally seared, telling and living lies is extremely draining. This is why so many who lie finally admit to it because they grow weary of trying to cover it up, or express relief when their lies are finally exposed.
Lying is natural in this fallen world, but our Creator does not lie; thus, lying exacts a price—slavery. We are held captive by the lies we tell until we confess the truth. By doing so, Jesus says we will be set free.
Today, are there any lies that you are living? If so, are you tired of bearing the burden of them? Know there is only one way to be freed from it—to tell the truth.
© Jim Musser 2013
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (I Thessalonians 2:8 NIV)
At all universities, campus ministries are considered clubs. They are supposed to elect officers each year, have a constitution, and have meetings. That’s what clubs do. And like clubs, pretty much anyone can join. Prospective members are not voted on. If they want to be involved, they can be. But there is a major difference. While club members may gather because of a shared interest, most don’t develop deep relationships with others in the club. With campus ministries, as with the Church, the common commitment to Jesus leads members to deeper, more committed relationships with one another. We share not only a common interest, but our lives as well.
It is with this in mind that I often experience sadness when I see how easily Christians can walk away from a community of believers. They’re around, they’re involved—and then they’re gone, typically with no explanation. Obviously, I am experiencing this from a pastor’s point of view. People in whom I have invested leave without so much as a good-bye. It’s as if they belong to a club instead of a family, which is what the Church is. This is why we call each other brothers and sisters.
Of course, students graduate and leave. People get new jobs and re-locate. These are expected and understandable. What is more perplexing are those who leave because they’re “burned out,” or “it’s time for others to step up,” or they’re “just too busy,” or they just “don’t get much out of it anymore.”
I suspect these are more just excuses than true reasons. There may be a desire to take a different path in life or guilt over something they know does not please God. But I think mostly it is a lack of truly sharing their lives and being known. When that is happening, it is much more difficult to walk away.
Today, recognize that the local church or campus ministry is more than just a place to gather around a common interest and participate in activities. It is a community in which we are to love each other in such a way that we are delighted to share our lives with one another. When we do that, it will be very difficult to walk away. As it should be in any family.
© Jim Musser 2013
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. (Isaiah 29:13 NIV)
Years ago, I learned there were students coming to our large group meeting who afterward would stand in the parking lot planning their next drinking party. These are the kind of people I think God is speaking about.
As humans, we seem prone to seek cover for our sin through religious rituals. I have known faithful churchgoers who have had affairs, embezzled money, cheated employees, abused their wives and children, and have been addicted to pornography. Even the infamous BTK serial killer in Wichita, Kansas was a faithful member of a local church.
All who are involved in a local church or campus ministry struggle with sin. The Lord is not speaking of those who struggle; He is speaking of those whose hearts are not committed to Him yet who seek “spiritual cover” through church or ministry involvement. There is a major difference between those who are truly seeking the Lord and fail sometimes and those who are bent on living life for themselves and seek to appease God or their consciences through religious rituals.
God’s favor cannot be earned or purchased. It is by His grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). And we receive His grace by putting our trust in Him and surrendering our hearts to His will. If our hearts are far from Him, then going to church or a campus ministry, putting money in the offering basket, or being in a Bible study will not gain us anything.
Today, recognize being involved in ministry activities serves no purpose if your heart is not committed to the Lord. It will not earn His favor. He desires only a heart devoted to Him.
© Jim Musser 2013
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13 NIV)
I think there comes a time in every believer’s life where there is a struggle with the Pharisaical mindset. You know the one, where we believe we’ve come to a sense of enlightenment that should be emulated by everyone else. Jesus summarized this thinking through His story of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee looks down on the tax collector and thanks God he is better because of his great righteousness. Jesus, of course, takes apart this self-exulted attitude and lauds the tax collector for his humility.
The problem with Pharisaical-minded people is they are arrogant and have forgotten their own shortcomings. They adopt a superior view of themselves and believe everyone should listen and follow their point of view. They are quick to tell others what they should be doing and quick to judge when they don’t do it.
I remember back in my early days as a follower of Jesus, struggling with the idea of baptism. Some of my Christian friends questioned whether I was truly a believer; while others cited their favorite Scripture verses about baptism, telling me I was being disobedient. I became so frustrated with them and resented their judgment of me. However, after studying the Scriptures myself, I came to the conclusion I did need to be baptized. Months later, I was working at a summer camp and the topic of baptism came up among the counselors. At that point, I entered my Pharisaical mindset and began to argue and judge in the same way my friends had done to me just a few months earlier. Sadly, I stayed in that mindset for several years.
Our pastor once said, “It is better to be kind than right.” To the Pharisaical-minded, that is blasphemy, but I think this is what Paul is telling the Colossians. The mindset of condemnation and judgment has its birth in our forgetting we have the same need of forgiveness as anyone else. Once we become “enlightened” about spiritual matters, we tend to forget that.
Do you realize how much you need the forgiveness of the Lord? If you don’t, then you are in danger of, or may have already entered into, having a Pharisaical mindset. Remember the words of the Lord at the conclusion of His story: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Today, bear with those with whom you disagree. Have grace for them and forgive them, just as the Lord has done for you.
© Jim Musser 2013
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
One constant working with college students is they are stressed much of the time. And I rarely notice much difference between those who say they follow Jesus and those who don’t. The college campus is a culture of stress that the inhabitants reinforce among each other. Like adults who constantly talk about how busy they are, often seemingly wearing it as a badge of honor, so do students talk about how stressed they are.
I don’t doubt they are, but what puzzles me is they never seem to seek a solution to how to deal with stress. It’s as if they think, “I am a college student, therefore I am stressed out.” And many seem to think once they graduate, life will become less stressful, which those of us on the other side of the diploma know is not true in the least. So what concerns me is this culture of stress is producing people where “stressing out” will be the norm for their lives.
Paul offers a solution, one not frequently embraced, but a biblical command nonetheless. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” “Anything” and “every” are comprehensive words; they don’t leave much room for interpretation. A paper due or an exam to be taken? Included. Plans for the future? Included. A relationship issue? That, too. A serious illness or tragedy in your family? Yep. No matter what you are facing currently in your life that is causing you stress, or what you may face in the future, the solution to dealing with it is the same—going to the Lord in prayer and, with thanksgiving, presenting your needs to Him.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But we know it isn’t because, if it were, the vast majority would be doing it. Rather, it is quite difficult because it involves letting go of our perceived control over a situation. If we are stressed about a situation, it gives us a sense of control, but if we give it over to God, then we need to trust Him to take care of it. Much harder to do.
But the reality is if we follow Jesus, by default, we are to trust in Him. So while stress will always be a part of our lives, how we handle it is to look much different from the world. In the midst of stressful situations, we are to have a sense of peace because we have handed over our anxieties to the Lord, trusting He is in control so we don’t need to be.
Today, what are you stressed out about? By following Paul’s command, you can set yourself free from the constant anxiety life brings and exchange it for a peace that comes when you entrust the Lord with control of every aspect of your life.
© Jim Musser 2013
