Author: DrJayCook

I Love…

DrJayCook Love , , , , ,

I realize that this is coming out several days before Valentine’s Day, but I wanted to talk about love.  No, not necessarily the love on display on February 14, but real love.

Most people get a little mixed up on what love is because we use that word for many reasons.

We think of love as an emotion or having butterflies or infatuation.  Love can include that emotion, but it is bigger.

We say that we love something that is not alive – like loving pizza.  We definitely can like inanimate things, but love is bigger.

We say that we love friends.  Again, love is bigger.

Love is caring about another person and doing whatever you can to express it.  That includes loving God, your spouse, family, friends, and the world.  Love is huge.

Jesus made it clear that true love is what He expects and demands from us.  He said in John 13:34-35: “‘I give you a new command: Love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”

That is not easy to do, and it is not natural for us.  I guess that is why Jesus said it is a new command because they had not understood it before.  Jesus spent His life and ministry showing us

Real love isn’t easy or natural for us – I guess that is why Jesus said it was a new command

And He spent His life and ministry showing us what love means.

We must love because love comes from God.  If you love others, you are proving that you are His.  1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

We must love because God is love.  So, if you know Him, you will know His love.  1 John 4:8 says, “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

We must love because God loves you more than you can imagine.  Knowing what we would do and who we have been, Jesus still took on the punishment that we deserve.  1 John 4:9-10 says, “God’s love was revealed among us in this way.  God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Sono to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

There is only one option here.  We must love – really love – truly love.  And enjoy Valentine’s Day, too.

Francis Chan wrote a convicting book on this kind of love that you may want to check out. Just click the picture to find out more…

Are the Instructions Important?

DrJayCook Bible , , ,

Have you ever assembled something without looking at the instructions?  Typically, it ends in leftover items and a spouse not happy with the results.

We do not always want to do things in the way we are told they should be done, but we often follow instructions when we know we should.  There are lots of things we do that we may not want to do because we want the outcome.  Some do not like to cook and clean dishes, but they do it to eat.  Some do not like working out, but they do it to stay fit.  Some do not like going to work, but they do it to earn an income.  Some do not like to cut the grass, but they do it to keep snakes and bugs away and to help their reputation.

Many people see the Bible as something that is important but not fun because they see it as a book of instructions.  The reality is that it is a gift.

God gave us the Bible, so we can know Him.  God gave it, so we can know who we are on our own.  God gave it, s we can see how others faced life.  God gave it, so we can know what honors Him and help us live.

How do you view the Bible?  Do you view it like Psalm 119:97 describes: “How I love your instruction!  It is my meditation all day long.”?

Do you recognize that knowing the Bible can help you live above sin – like we read in Psalm 119:11: “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.”?

Do you love to share the joy and truths found in it – like we read in Psalm 119:13:

“With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth.”?

The Bible includes instructions, but those instructions are to help you know how to live a life that is truly worth living.  The Bible shows us who God is.  The Bible shows us how God provided salvation to all who would accept it.  The Bible shows us so much.

Most of the time, instructions are important.  All of the time, the Bible is important.

I challenge you to spend time reading it every day.  I challenge you to be involved in a church that relies on and teaches it.  I challenge you to cherish the gift God has given us.

Consider the following resource to dig deeper into this…

Do You Have a Tissue?

DrJayCook Christian Life, God, Immanuel , , , , , , , ,

Our family is SO sad because our 14-year-old puppy left us this weekend.  I enjoyed walking my dog, and she loved it, too.  However, it was a little tougher with the COLD weather of late.

I normally am not one who has a runny nose, but walking in the cold changes that.  Suddenly, my nose thinks it is a running faucet, and I need a tissue.  I am not one to carry tissues with me, but when I need one, I need one.

And that caused a lightbulb moment for me.  How often do we treat God like a tissue?  How often do we fail to acknowledge or talk to Him unless we are in need?  How often do we forget that He is with His children – always?

We just exited the Christmas season where we sang about Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23).  But do we realize it?

Being a Christian is not about agreeing with some code or creed.  It is not about having your name on a membership role.  Being a Christian is about accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and when that happens, He saves you and comes into your life.  God lives in you.

Consider what Romans 8:9 states: “You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.  If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”  If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit is in you.

Jesus promised this.  He said (in John 14:17) about the Holy Spirit: “‘He is the Spirit of truth.  The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him.  But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.’”  And the reason is clear.  Jesus made a promise in Matthew 28:20: “‘…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

He is not to be treated like a tissue.  He is with you always.  And that should means something to us.

First, it means that He is at work.  God is still active and moving.

Second, it means that He has a plan.  He clearly wants you to be part of it.

Third, it means that we can trust Him.  He will never leave His child, and He loves us.

Fourth, it means that we should act like we know it.  Our daily lives should demonstrate that we are His and live for Him.

So – if it is cold outside, grab a tissue.  But as you live your daily life, do not treat God that way.  He already is with you (if you are His child).  Live like it.

For better thoughts than I had on this, check out this classic, beloved book on the subject…

It Is Cold Outside, But Is It Inside?

DrJayCook Christian Life, Revival , , , , , ,

This weather never ceases to amaze us.  The jokes about weather in the south going from cold to hot to rainy to sunny (all in one day) are definitely based on truth.  However, I have been cold lately.  Have you?

It led me to think about a concept we often use relating to being on fire.  It does not refer to temperature but to something deep in us.  It is referring to burning enthusiasm, being eager, and being zealous.  To “light a fire under” someone means that you want to motivate them to get things done.

Spiritually, we need to be “on fire” too.  We need to be zealous for God.  We need to be eager to grow and make a difference for Him.

It is a concept we see God desiring of everyone and demanding of His followers.

In Old Testament days you can see examples of many who were “on fire” – zealous for God.  David, Elijah, Hezekiah, and Josiah are just a few examples.  And because of their eagerness to live for God, God used the in mighty ways.

Then came John the Baptist.  When he referred to what Jesus was about to do, he told everyone that he baptized people with water, but Jesus was going to baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

When Jesus began His church, He kept the imagery going.  The Holy Spirit invaded our world to dwell the hearts of Christians, and as Acts 2 tells us, He entered “like flames of fire.”

God wants, demands, and deserves us to be passionate for Him.  If you are not, it is because you are either cold or lukewarm.  Those who are cold cannot be passionate for God because they do not have the Holy Spirit through salvation.  Those who are lukewarm are not passionate for God because though they have asked Jesus to save them, they have allowed other things to take control of their heart.

I urge you to be “on fire.”  And for some, that means you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  He is the only way to be saved.  Get in a good church and find out how – now – please.

For many of us, we need to stoke the fire.

Pray.  Talk to God, and listen to Him.

Read and meditate on God’s Word.  It is His message to us.

Serve God.  Life is not about what WE want or can get.  Life is about what we can do for Him.

Fellowship.  Build relationships with other Christians who can build you up.

Worship.  Actually worship.  Do not just go through the motions.

Share the hope.  Many do not know the hope that Jesus gives.

It may be cold outside, but I am urging us all to be “on fire.”

You may want to check out the following resource for more insight into this. Click the picture to find out more…

Who Are You?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , , ,

Who are you?

Really – who are you?

That question usually leads us to think about a label.  We think of a name, the family from which one comes, achievements or characteristics, one’s job, one’s failures, one’s flaws, or any other label we can attach.  But none of those things truly define who you are.

If you are a Christian, do you realize that you are the person God created to accomplish God’s great plan?

Many times we pay homage to God but do not truly trust Him until we face some form of devastation.  He definitely can help us overcome adversity, but we miss out on all that God could do when we fail to remain or abide in Him at all times.

Jesus said in John 15:4-5: “‘Remain in Me, and I in you.  Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in Me.’”  He can help us accomplish what we could never dream of doing on our own.

And He also enables us to see how great He is, how not-so-great we are, and how incredible His love and grace are.  It is like John stated in 1 John 3:1: “See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are!”

Christian, you are God’s child.  And God wants you to recognize who you really are, who you could be, and who you should be.

It is amazing to look through the Bible and see how often God used broken and imperfect people for greatness.  Those people had bad labels but trusted God, and He enabled them to do what they never dreamed possible.

So, yes, your identity is rooted in Jesus.  However, if you do not recognize that, you are asking for trouble.  It is like Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 15:48-49: “Like the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; like the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.  And just as we have born the image of the man of dust, we also bear the image of the man of heaven.”

Do not let the labels distract you or keep you back.  Find your purpose and joy in Jesus.  Discover who you really should be.

Check out the following resource for more ideas about who you really are by clicking the picture…

Do You Have Margin?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , , ,

When I was working on my doctorate, we had to read Richard Swenson’s book called Margin.  I did not understand why it was necessary until I actually read it.  I am glad that I did.

We all know how busy life is.  It is so easy to fill (or overfill) your schedule with things pertaining to work, school, family, friends, and interests.  That is why we often feel like we do not have enough energy or time.  We do not have room for the unexpected.  And people constantly seem to want more of you.

We need margin.

Normally, we think of a margin as the empty space on the edge of a piece of paper – a boundary.  Margin in life is like that.  It is the space between what we try to do and what we actually can do – a boundary.  Whether we like it or not, we need some room in our lives, our schedule, our money, our emotions, our physical being, our relationships, and our spiritual life.

Jesus created margin.  He took time to get away, so He could be alone with the Father.  He took His disciples aside to get refreshed.  He took the time to make sure He and the disciples were focused on what they should.

If Jesus needed margin, we definitely need it.

We need to have time and energy for what really matters.  If we would live less frantic lives, we would be in a better mood.  If we had margin, we would be better people.  If we created margin, we could grow closer to God.

But how do we do it?

We must determine what matters to us.  There are certain things and people that mean a lot to us.  We need to be able to enjoy them.

We must plan out our lives.  We need to realize how much time we spend scrolling on our phones or watching television.  We need to realize how much time and money we could have if we planned out our lives.

We must ask God to show us what He desires.  Sometimes our plans and desires may not be exactly what God desires.  However, I can assure you that whatever He desires will be the best choice.  Ask Him.  Read the Bible.  Follow His path.

Margin can be a reality in your life or lacking from your life.  The choice is yours.

You may want to read Swenson’s book for yourself.  It could be a LOT of help.  Just click the picture below to check it out…

What Are You Doing for the New Year?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , ,

It is kind of funny how we stay up really late on December 31 and get up late on January 1 because of our celebration of the New Year.  But if you think about it, we are actually getting the last out of the old year while starting the new year a little late.  The way people gripe about each year (recently), it seems odd to squeeze everything out of it before going to the next.

At any rate, it is upon us.  And one of the things often done to ring in a new year is making New Year’s Resolutions.  We mean well, but we seldom keep them; in fact, studies show that only 9% of us actually reach those goals.  23% give up on the gals in the first week of January, and 43% give up by the end of January.

Goals are good, but I would like to suggest that we instead determine to have focused direction in the new year.  The new year is important, and we need to make the most of it.  Consider that Psalm 90:12 states: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”

First, we should focus on the past.  We need to think about the lessons we have learned, the prayers that have been answered, the blessings of God, and the faithfulness of God.  This will help us face the new year.

Second, we should focus on the present.  We need to be right with God, so we need to get right with God.  We must ask Him to help us do as He desires and to give us the direction we need.  We need to enjoy the family and other relationships we have.  And we must commit to grow by committing to our church, Bible reading, and prayer.  This will help us face the new year.

Third, we should focus on the future.  We must ask God to help us trust Him more, so we can face whatever the future holds.  We also need to take care of ourselves, so we can face tomorrow in the best way.  This will help us face the new year.

Make the most of the new year.  Remember the wisdom of Ephesians 5:15-17: “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

You might want to consider the following resource that teaches some good principles on focused living. Though it says that it is for leaders, the principles are true for everyone. Click the picture to learn more…

What Are You Giving for Christmas?

DrJayCook Christmas , , ,

As the song goes: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  Christmas is a wonderful time – no doubt about it.  There is a special feeling in the air.

We have created lots of traditions for the Christmas season, and one of the most obvious is gift giving.  The picking out, wrapping, and giving of gifts cannot be separated from the season.  We want people to feel special because of our gifts.  We want our gifts to be meaningful.  We want to be good gift givers.

This reality should not be a surprise to us.  We include the Wise Men in our Christmas celebrations, and giving is what they did.  We read in Matthew 2:10-11, “When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.  Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him.  Then they opened their treasurers and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

It is natural to give during this time.  It is like it is deep inside us.  And that should not surprise us either.  After all, Christmas is here because God gave.  John 3:16 states, “‘For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.’”

Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to come to the poverty of Earth – for us.  The Father gave us the Son.  And Jesus gave His life for us.  That is what God continues to do – give.

Christmas is about giving because God gave.  And 2 Corinthians 9:5 points out what we should do because of that: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

We have been given the greatest gift of all.  However, it is up to each one of us to decide whether or not we will receive God’s gift.  And if you do receive it, it is time to give Him your whole self (as the Bible puts it: a living sacrifice).  And if you do receive it, it is time to give the same hope to others.

Sure, we will be giving “regular” gifts this season, but like the Wise Men did, I hope you will give to Jesus.

You may want to read more about this. Consider the following excellent resource – click the picture to see more…

It It All About Jesus

DrJayCook Christmas , , , , , ,

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world is the Taj Mahal in India. The emperor Shah Jahan commissioned its creation to honor his deceased wife.  Since it is nearly four hundred years old, many legends have been created in connection with it.

One legend describes how passionate the emperor was to build a spectacular temple for his wife’s coffin.  He ordered that her coffin be placed in the center of the site as the temple was built around it.  Work continued for over twenty years, and one day during that time Jahan stumbled over a wooden box that was covered with dust.  He was upset at the inconvenience, so he ordered a workman to get rid of the box.  Later he discovered that he had ordered the removal of the box containing the coffin of his love – the very reason for the entire project.

I do not know if that is true, but I can imagine it happening.  After all, I see a similar thing happening every year.

Year after year, we prepare for and celebrate Christmas.  Many people get so wrapped up in the holiday details, traditions, festivities, and gifts that they neglect Jesus.  Some see Jesus as an inconvenience to the holiday and would prefer to remove Him from the holiday completely.  We do exactly what the Taj Mahal legend was about.

But it does not have to be that way.  Christmas comes back to Luke 2:11: “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Christmas is about the only One who can save our souls coming to us.  Christmas is about the Messiah – the Lord coming to us.  Christmas is all about Jesus, and anything else should point to Him.

Personally, I love the music, foods, gatherings, and festivities of Christmas.  However, my prayer is that I never forget why we celebrate it.  And I pray that you never forget why we celebrate it.  In fact, I pray that if you have not accepted the Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord, that you will soon.  It is all about Jesus.

The following book goes into detail about the amazing birth of Jesus. Click the picture to see more…

In Between the Holidays

DrJayCook Christmas, Thanksgiving , , , ,

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Technically, it is not Christmas yet.  We are in the in-between time, and what a wonderful time it is.

Two verses come to my mind about this wonderful time.  Psalm 106:1 states: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.”  And John 3:16 states: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  Those two verses remind us of what we should be thinking about: that God deserves our thanks for His love, and that love gave us Jesus.

We are in between the holidays, but we are on the other side of what they celebrate.  God has blessed all of us.  He deserves our thanks.  God has given us Jesus.  He deserves our devotion.

It is one thing to celebrate what the holidays represent and another thing to celebrate the celebration.  I hope you will not get wrapped up in the celebrating and not honor the reason for the celebration.

How about giving thanks?

Sometimes our thanks is based on the “stuff” we have.  But “stuff” gets old, goes out of style, goes out of date, and breaks.  We instead should focus on the amazing gifts that God gives: His faithful love, His presence, His salvation, family, friends…

How about focusing on the reason?

It is easy to get excited about sales and parties, but it is more important to get excited about what God has done for us, is doing for us, and has in store for us.  For those of us who are Christians, we must share the hope that was given to us.  For those of us with the money to have cell phones and frequents drive-through trips, we must share the financial blessings we have with others and especially with our churches.

How about praying to show the same love?

We are surrounded by people who are hurting.  We are connected with many who are struggling.  We could turn a blind eye, or we could ask God to help us see the needs around us and know how we can bless them.

The in-between time gives us a month to enjoy.  The in-between time could give us a month to spread joy.  I hope you will choose to make a difference.

Check out the following resource to prepare your heart (and mind) for Christmas. Click the picture to find out more…