How Big is Your God?

It's easy to put God in a box, right?
To wrap Him up tight and pull Him out only when we're in a tight spot or in need of some Heavenly assistance.
Like a genie in a bottle.
But this isn't the way God intended for our relationship with Him to be.
He is the reigning Lord over our life. He is THE power, THE direction, THE purpose, THE meaning, THE source of our lives.
Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary to bring His son into the world? She was just a regular girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Nazereth wasn't known for a lot of good things, but it's where God appointed a young girl to do His will.
So why Mary? Of all people, what was so special about her?
After Gabriel came to Mary with the news of God's plan for her, she didn't freak out or stand in mocking disbelief like most people would today. Instead, she sang praises to God:

"And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.'”

- Luke 1:46-55

And that's why God chose Mary. Because even at a young age, she recognized the majesty and reigning power of God.

So are you worshipping the same God Mary did? Do you see Him the way she did?

We can't surrender to God and give Him control over our lives until we see how big and powerful and mighty He is. God can use us just like He used Mary, but first, we need to understand just how great He is.
Here are some verses that paint a clear picture of who God is. Read through them and reflect on who God is, or how you can give Him more glory in your life.
Exodus 34:5-7

Psalm 33:11-13

Psalm 59:9-10

Psalm 62:7-8

Psalm 68:19-20

Psalm 84:11-12

Psalm 116:5

Proverbs 30:5

Acts 10:34

Romans 5:5

1 Cor. 4:20

2 Cor. 9:8

Christ in Us...

"Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should." - Col. 4:5-6

Those who don't know Jesus make decisions about Christ by watching us.

When we are kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we are gracious, they assume Christ is gracious.

But when we're dishonest, or disrespectful, or harsh, what will an outside observer think about our Lord?

We bring honor to Christ by the way we interact with other people.

When you help a classmate figure out a tricky math problem,

Or when you eat lunch with someone who is sitting alone in the cafeteria,

You are bringing honor to Christ.

We bring honor and glory to Christ when we serve others and shine His light in the world.

How do we show the love of Christ to the rest of the world? He gives us a formula in 1 Cor. 13:4-7:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

When I am struggling with showing the perfect love of Christ to others, I look at this passage this way:

Christ in me is patient. Christ in me is kind. Christ in me does not envy. Christ in me does not boast. Christ in me is not proud. Christ in me is not rude. Christ in me is not self-seeking. Christ in me is not easily angered. Christ in me keeps no record of wrongs. Christ in me does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Christ in me always protects, always perserveres. Christ in me never fails.

Will we ever love perfectly? Of course not. But we are called to love above ourselves. By experiencing the love of Christ, we will love others.

So today, step back and think... What are your actions revealing about your Savior? Are they shining a spotlight on Him or distracting others from His grace?

Have a great weekend, BCSMers!

Switch Christmas Party this Sunday Night!

This Sunday.

2.5 days away.

Student Center.

5:00 p.m.

Switch Christmas Party.

You don't wanna miss this.

Bring a $5 or less gift and everyone you've ever met.

We'll see you there!

Wash Away.

After the Last Supper, Christ washed the disciples feet.

That has always blown my mind.

On the night before Christ sacrificed His life for all mankind, the disciples should have been washing His feet, not the other way around.

But no. What were the disciples doing? They were arguing.
"No, I'm the better disciple."
"No I am!"

While they are fighting, Christ is reaching for the water basin.

These hands will be pierced tomorrow. Why are they scrubbing dirty feet today?

John tried to convince Jesus to destroy the city. Don't wash his feet.
James wanted special treatment and a seat of honor. Don't kneal before him.
And Peter? He lost faith in you out on the water. Why serve him?
And Judas? Those same feet you are washing are about to sneak off to the Roman soldiers to turn you in. He doesn't deserve your affection!

So why did He do it?

Jesus saw it as a necessity to wash their feet. "If I don't wash your feet, you're not one of my people." - John 13:8

I often find it hard to understand God's kindness. In washing the disciples feet, Jesus is washing ours. We are part of this story. We are at the table. That's us receiving cleansing, not from dirt, but from our sins.

Jesus cleansed us because we can't cleanse ourselves. We can't remove our own sin. Our dirty, grimy feet must be in His hands.

When we recognize our own filth, Jesus dresses Himself as a servant, and washes away the darkest part of our lives.

Let him wash you in mercy and forgiveness, so you can in turn shower that same mercy on others.