Exchange
February 21, 2009 by Jay Messenger
Filed under Uncategorized
How about a trade? How about you give ME all your fears, your hurts, your insecurities, everthing that weighs you down, troubles your heart and rules your life…and I’ll take it away…on one condition…that I give you in return MY peace, MY purpose, My presence and My hope? Oh, and by the way, I won’t tolerate a half-hearted committment or response on your part…it’s ALL or NOTHING…no MIDDLE GROUND. You’re either IN or OUT. And if you do take me up on my offer your ASSIGNMENT will be to GO and TRANSFORM your community, the world AND the lives of those around you. And you’ll WANT to do it because of WHAT’S happened in your life. Sound to good to be true? Sound like a fantasy? Sound like a over-sold promise? MANY chose to respond that way…but it’s the GREATEST OFFER that’s ever been given to humanity…it’s the WAY things were always meant to be…before we BROKE the rules, put ourselves FIRST, made life all about US and refused to BELIEVE the promise that was given to us. You see, this is called THE GOSPEL. And it’s the message of Isaiah 61 that we’ll be studying this weekend at Grace.
But for those who REFUSE to believe there’s also another message to THE GOSPEL and Isaiah 61. If you want to keep substituing YOURSELF for JESUS your life will go to ASHES. That’s what happens when we SIN…it consumes us just like fire consumes wood and it will reduce you to ASHES. And if you want to make an ASH of yourself JESUS will let you…if you want life to be all about YOU JESUS will let you…until HE comes back. Then He will hold you accountable for your choices, for your refusal to exchange His BEAUTY for your ASHES and you will be punished and separated for HIM forever. But it DOESN’T have to be that way.
Respond to His offer to EXCHANGE Himself for You…allow JESUS to substitute Himself for You…by paying for your sin on the CROSS through His death, burial and resurrection. ASHES for BEAUTY. HOPE for DISAPPPOINTMENT. WHOLENESS for BROKENNESS. HEALING FOR WOUNDEDNESS. LIFE for DEATH. THE GREAT EXCHANGE…Who’s IN?
Hey Jay,
Love your challenge. I need more challenges to grow closer to the Lord. I’d love to hear what others are giving up. Most of the people I have asked have not thought of anything yet. Oh brother! I have decided to give up watching TV in bed. At first I thought that it was no big deal–UNTIL I STARTED. Man, I grab that remote and flip that thing on without a thought. I’d love to grab a remote and flip on my conversations with God like that. So, first I gave up the TV. Then I started reading. God convicted me a while ago to only read Christian book. And he really hammered it home when I was tempted to read some non Christian books. He just keeps telling me–whatever is good, right, holy, … dwell on those things. So, I started reading Gentle Grace by Kathie Lee Gifford. No, she is not a biblical scholar but that is the last thing I do at night. Just to put a pure thought in my head. I have plans to go deeper in the next 45 days. But, it started small and started with the giving up. (I am so glad the Lord didn’t ask me to give up pop or chocolate!!!)
Keep challenging us Jay!!
Judy