Focal Pointe February 2010 Vol. 2

Do You Look Like Jesus?

Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) – And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Did you catch that? Look at it again. “We…all reflect the Lord’s glory…” and “being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory”. Wow! What a thought!

Do you look like Jesus?

Reminds me of a pastor I know who described watching an eclipse. He said, “As I watched the moon appear smaller and smaller, I was reminded that to whatever extent the world gets between the sun and the moon is the extent to which the light of the sun upon the moon is diminished.” And then he gave this keen observation. He said, “The same thing is true with you and me. Jesus is the sun; we’re the moon. And to whatever degree we allow the world to come between us, His light in our lives will fade proportionately. If you were to chart your own life, would you be a full moon, a three-quarter moon, a half moon, a quarter moon, or an eclipsed moon? It all depends on how much of the world you allow to creep in between you and the Son.”

Allow God to sink that deep into your heart this week as you seek Jesus. He has good things for you this week! Go get them!

Blessings,

Shane

Who’s Imitating You?

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

At a very crucial time, there are problems with the church at Corinth. Paul communicates to the church that their conduct in ministry is out of line with the gospel. Paul wants the Corinthians to work together and act toward others in a way that will not inhibit the advance of the message. He wants all Christians to live as examples. So much so, that he encourages them to imitate himself, as he imitates Christ.

Friends, it pains me to say it but, if you imitated me all of the time, you would probably look bad some of the time. I try to imitate Christ, but it’s hard, isn’t it? I say the wrong thing. I get frustrated. I’m told you can see it on my face. Thank God that I can look to folks in my church family for an example of Christ-like behavior.

You know, I think God has designed the Christian life so that much of our progress comes through imitating other Christians. Who are you imitating? Better yet; who’s imitating you? I can guarantee you that someone within your ministry is. You wouldn’t want them to look bad, would you?

Every night this week at 8pm I’m going to ask myself, “How have I imitated Christ today?” Will you join me? Feel free to comment below and let me know.

Have a blessed week!

Shawn