The Central Moment

In a world that is increasingly fascinated by Jesus but disapproving of those who follow him, Jesus gives us the resolving perspective. Some will follow, some will reject, but God’s Spirit is always working!

We can love others because we have first  been loved ourselves. It’s true psychologically and is certainly true spiritually. In Jesus we are loved and chosen so that we can get on with loving others and making a difference!

Loving God is more than having an emotional experience or an inspiring moment. Loving God does engage our affections, but it is ultimately active obedience--obedience to God’s command to love each other.

Hunger for God leads to influence with God. He wants to answer our prayers and live through us to touch the world. Discipleship is therefore not a burdensome duty, but an overflow of Jesus' life in us.

Living the Christian life is not all up to us. It is a life centered on abiding in Jesus’ life. It’s not stressing or striving, but surrendering to him and exchanging our strength for his.

Jesus acknowledged  the limits of our fallen world, but revels in abundance.

Jesus was intentional, but never hurried.

Jesus came as the King of Kings, but He was willing to serve.

Jesus alone was the Son of God, but He invited others along the journey. 

This week on The Central Moment, Pastor Jill McDaniel will look at how Jesus handled the complexities of life, and how we can model our own life after His example.

There are times to simply get on with things. God has been faithful and brought you to new places. Build on those places without holding on too tightly to the familiar or the predictable. Above all, keep serving Jesus even when your past spiritual influencers gone.

As a friend of mine once put it, God is looking for people who know what they are living for, live it 100%, and change their surroundings rather than yielding to them. It all starts with the decision as to who you will serve.

Have you stopped recently to reflect on all that the Lord has done for you? As the song calls us to do, “Count your blessings, count them one by one!” Let’s never forget what the Lord has done!

Holiness means to be set apart from sin and set apart to God. Can we be both? Joshua’s answer to that question ought to keep us walking in the fear of God and hungry for the holiness of God.

Are you staying close to fellow believers and are you actively engaged in the mission of Jesus? Are you serving him with all of your heart and soul? In the end, that is what will matter!

God’s promises to us in Christ are enough to carry us through whatever we face. Not only do they mean answered prayer, but God’s promises mean participating in the very resurrection life of Jesus himself.

Where can we find safety? There is crime in our streets, violence in our schools and uncertainties all around us. Yet the Lord makes places of refuge for us as we flee to the safety of Christ’s cross.

What are you putting off? Perhaps this is the day to finally confront your procrastination, put away your excuses, and get on with what the Lord has put in your hand. God’s work needs you!

It’s easy to succumb to a spirit of defeat, even when we have everything going for us. Our self-talk can be vicious and the devil’s lies pervasive. But may faith replace every lying spirit and may we see God’s victory against all odds.

Getting old? Feel like you’re done? No matter what you have accomplished in your life, there is probably more ahead. If the Lord is calling you to step up, may the faith-filled courage of Caleb be yours as well by God’s Spirit.

In light of the teachings of Christ, how do we understand the violence and blood-shed inflicted by Joshua? Jesus brought a new order of God’s Kingdom rule, but the ancient conquests of Joshua remind us that there is still a spiritual battle that we all must wage.

In spite of the trouble we get ourselves into, God can still step in and help us -- simply because we are his people. Does this mean that we presume on God, or play games with him? No, but it does cause us to bow down in awe of his love for us.

God’s second best, when we choose it, will always turn around and victimize us in some way. It will complicate our lives with distracting clutter and unwanted battles. It’s better to listen to the counsel of God’s Word and not compromise with the world.

Have you ever charged ahead without concern for what God might be saying to you? Have you ever been in such a hurry that you have made rash decisions that you regretted later? Joshua was tested at exactly that point, just as we are.

With strident voices everywhere and people’s passions on the edge, discernment and steadiness are more important than ever. As a follower of Jesus, don’t just listen to words or fall for appearances. Look for the fruit.