No Cost Refi?

"...For I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing..."
2 Samuel 24:24

My husband have been considering taking advantage of the low interest rate offers for refinancing our home. After some considerable research, we came across a product that sounds pretty enticing. It's called a "No Cost Refi". Wow! Who could pass that up? No cost--really? Well, actually it does cost, just not up front. Still in all though, not a bad idea.

As often as I can, I try to see if there are any parallels to what is going on in the natural in my life to what God may be doing in the spiritual. So I asked myself, "What about a 'No Cost Refi' in my spiritual life"? Do I find myself "shopping" for the spiritual relationship that doesn't cost me much or for the church that doesn't ask much? Is bargain hunting a wise idea when it comes to spiritual things? Do I often approach my relationship with Christ like I do other areas in my life? Am I always looking for the best deal?

King David was a man after God's heart, not because he was perfect but because his heart was humble before God. He received correction, he desired to know God's will and maybe more than anything--he understood the meaning of sacrifice. In this passage, David was building an altar to the Lord in order to sacrifice and stop the plague on the people of Israel which his own sin had caused. Araunah the Jebusite not only sold David his threshing floor on which the altar could be built but also offered to give David the sacrifice as well. David knew this could not be. He could not make a sacrifice to the Lord which didn't cost him anything. You see, a sacrifice is not a sacrifice if it doesn't cost us something!

How expensive is your walk with Christ?

If Christ Did Not Rise

"...And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." I Corinthinas 15:14

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! This traditional orthodox greeting will be heard in millions of churches around the world this Easter Sunday. It is known as the "Paschal Greeting" taken from the Latanized spelling of the Hebrew word "Pesach" or "Passover".

Many times we shrink back at the mention of the word tradition and quite honestly many traditions unfortunately become meaningless half-hearted attempts at going through the motions of some long forgotten ritual. But many others are timeless and powerful. The Paschal Greeting seems to be at the top of that list.

I love the directness of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15:14. He is basically telling those struggling Corinthian christians, "Listen up folks! If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, then my preaching is a waste of time and, by the way, your faith is a waste of time as well."

The resurrection is central to all that we are and proclaim to be as believers. It is the focal point for everything that we are and believe and do--it defines us!

Sadly, I must confess that I am so often defined by pride, worry, concern and frustration. This is an obvious sign that my focal point is so often--me. Forgive me, Lord. As a follower I am to reflect You to this hurting world.

There is beautiful old chorus that our church often sings at our Sunrise Service each Easter:

I live, I live because You have risen
I live, I live to worship You
Thank you, Jesus
Thank you, Jesus
Because You're alive, because You're alive
Because You're alive--I live.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!