That’s my son, Adam, in the video below.  We stopped by “Rita’s Italian Ice” (which is more addictive than crack, IMHO) and thought we’d let Adam try it.  As you can see from the video, he wasn’t sure that he liked it at first, but he kept going for more.  I think that even though his first reaction was negative, something inside him kept telling him, “Hey!  This is really good stuff.  Just hang in there and it will pay off!”  Eventually, it seems like a good thing to him.

Sometimes we may seem a bit like that with God and some of the ways that He instructs us in the Bible.  We may see a command or two of God as being “hard to swallow.”  At MJLifeChurch, one of our core values is that the Bible is our compass for living.  Sometimes when we first hear of something that God tells us to do, we try to push back.  It just seems contrary to everything that we’ve ever been taught.  We react a bit like Adam did in the video above.  We turn up our noses.  One example of this might be where the Bible talks about give our tithe, or 10% of our income.  Another might be where what God says contradicts our own “feelings.”

Once we walk with God for a while, it becomes evident that the One that made us actually does know a thing or two about how we can make our lives work best.  Psalm 1 tells us “blessed is the man…who’s delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law, he meditates day and night.”  God isn’t a cosmic killjoy, out to spoil our efforts to get ahead and have fun in the world.  His instructions and commands are actually for our good.

God doesn’t promise us an easy road.  In fact, Jesus said that “in this life, we will have trouble.”  It’s comforting to me to know that if I’m living in good times or in troubling times, I have a God that cares enough to give me instructions on how to navigate this life and make a difference at the same time.

Next time you're reading God’s Word and His commands are a bit tough to swallow, much like the “Rita’s Ice” was for my son Adam, trust Him and stay the course.  He not only sees the end of the journey, but also every one of your steps along the way.

It seems like an oxy-moron doesn’t it.  I mean, Christians aren’t supposed to be grouchy but I know that I’m a Christ follower and I occasionally have to work on my attitude.  How do we get to that point?  Jesus was never grouchy, unless you call him grouchy when he threw the money changers out of the temple.  That was more of a “Holy” grouchy and Jesus can do that.  Sometimes even when we try the “holy grouchy” thing, we look more like we’re judgmental and self-righteous.  (Not always, but sometimes.)

Most of the time when a person has a bad attitude it’s a reflection of a selfish heart.  Don’t believe me?  What do we get bad attitudes about?

• “That person cut ME off in traffic!”
• (At Walmart) “I wish they would hurry up and open another checking lane.  I’m late!”
• “They didn’t treat ME fairly!”

What’s in the heart is usually reflected in our attitudes.  One of my favorite chapters in the Bible that sets me straight in my attitude is Philippians 2.  Paul tells us that we should have the same attitude as Jesus.  He tells us to put others needs and desires ahead of our own and to consider others as more important than ourselves.  Seems that we “Christians” are always willing to helps others.  It makes us feel better about ourselves, but what about when we have to personally sacrifice to help others?  Would we give someone our own lunch if it meant that we will go without?  Would we give up our place in line when we’re in a hurry?  It’s not much of a sacrifice when it doesn’t cost us anything.

I heard someone say recently, “Everyone wants to be a part of a revolution but no one wants to do the dishes.” What’s in our heart comes out in our attitude.  You say you’re a Jesus-follower?  He was a servant.  He did the “dishes” and he didn’t complain about the “unfairness” of the Creator of the Universe having to wash the feet of His own creation.

Finally, I’ll close with another message from Philippians 2.

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe16as you hold out^[c^] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.  Philippians 2:15

The NEV (New Eddie Version) says it like this:

“Since we’re Christ followers, let’s stop fighting and positioning ourselves for the best and let’s think of others as more important than ourselves.  Don’t complain and whine.  Grumpy Christians need to get over themselves. Get your heart right and your attitude will follow, as you become an example of Jesus to your family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers.”  Don’t be a “Christian Grouch!”

What do you think?

It was Friday. Jesus had just been crucified. The son of God, killed by men. The creator, put to death by those that He had created… How could he have just let them do it to Him? With one word from His lips the soldiers would have been obliterated, yet He kept quiet and endured the pain of the nails through his hands and feet. It was Friday, but Sunday was coming…

The disciples were crushed. They hadn’t understood that Jesus was going to give His life up. They had thought it would be different. They thought that he would be a worldly ruler. They thought He was their deliverer. Now he was dead and they were scared for their own lives. They were hiding in case the Romans decided to come after them too. Except for John, they didn’t even have the guts to come to the crucifixion. Their hopes and dreams were crushed and put to death with Jesus. This was Friday… but Sunday was coming.

Jesus enemies just knew that their plan had worked perfectly. They had gotten the crowd to ask for Barabbas, the murderer, instead of Jesus. He was messing with their religious system too much. How did this Jesus dare to put them in the same boat as the “sinful” people? The Pharisees and Sadducees had been successful in removing the “problem.” Jesus was gone. Game Over. It was Friday…. But Sunday was coming.

All the demons in hell were happy too. Now Satan really was the ruler of the Earth. Jesus, his threat, was gone and in the tomb. Better enjoy it now, big guy. You’ve got Friday and Saturday…. But Sunday is coming!

Guess what? Sunday is here. The stone holding him in the grave was rolled away. He is alive. The God that raised His only son from the dead is the same God that loves you enough to send that son to die. I might like you but I wouldn’t send my son to die for you, and I have three of them. God sent His only son to suffer and die because He loves us. He has made it possible, because of Easter, for anyone to have a relationship with Him. We just have to acknowledge our sin, ask forgiveness, and decide to live for Him. Happy Easter!