Jesus Christ | Craig T. Owens

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Groaning

November 14, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

I’m a list kinda guy. I love making To Do lists, and shopping lists, and even prayer lists. These seem to work well for my temperament, helping me stay on task and feel like I am accomplishing something.

But I’ve noticed a danger built-in to these lists. I can use the lists to remove all emotion from my activities. I suppose that might be a good thing for my To Do lists and shopping lists, but it’s a bad thing for my prayer lists.

Many times when Jesus was moved to touch someone in need, the Bible says that Jesus groaned. Look at this:

Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him. He took the man off by himself, put His fingers in the man’s ears and some spit on the man’s tongue. Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, “Ephphatha!—Open up!” And it happened. (Mark 7:31-35)
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. (John 11:33)
Now Jesus, again sighing repeatedly and deeply disquieted, approached the tomb. (John 11:38)

I love the words of G. Morgan Campbell:

“No man can pray for the world unless the Spirit interpret to him the world’s agony, and the Spirit cannot intercede the world’s agony to any man unless that man live in the midst of the world’s agony. Not by retirement from the world, not by hiding away within a monastic institution, not by seeking to develop my own spiritual life by removing myself from the agony of the world, can I ever pray for the world; but because I live every day in the midst of its busy life, am close to it and know it, and because the Spirit of God in me leads me into the secret deepest meaning of the world’s agony and pain so that I no longer treat it as a superficial disease that can be dealt with by the nostrums of humanity, but as a great heart trouble that needs blood and sacrifice to deal with it, am I able to pray. Out of that revelation of the meaning of the world’s agony created by the Spirit in the hearts of believing men they are able to pray. The Church of God in the economy of God was created an institute of prayer.”

Are you close enough to lost and hurting humanity to hear them groan?

Are you moved by their groans?

Can you groan on their behalf? That’s how we should be praying, and then the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26).

Don’t just pray for the hurting around you; groan for them!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: compassion, emotions, G. Morgan Campbell, Gospel of John, Gospel of Mark, intercession, Jesus Christ, prayer, quote. Leave a Comment »

Thursdays With Oswald—Love Comes With Hatred

November 10, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.

Love Comes With Hatred

Love to be anything at all must be personal; to love without hating is an impossibility, and the stronger and more emphatic the love, the more intense its obverse, hatred. God loves the world so much that He hates with a perfect hatred the thing that switched men wrong; and Calvary is the measure of His hatred. The natural heart of man would have argued—“God loves the world that of course He will forgive its sin”: God loved the world that He could not forgive its sin.

From Biblical Ethics

God had to allow Jesus to become all of your sins and my sins, so that those sins which He hates so much could be nailed once for all to the Cross. Without the Cross, there could be no forgiveness.

Because He hated sin so much, Jesus chose to personally identify with us, and carry our sins away from us. God could not merely look away from our sin, so He allowed Jesus to take away our sin.

Such perfect hatred … such wondrous love!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary, Cross, forgiveness, God's hatred, God's love, Jesus Christ, Oswald Chambers, sin. 1 Comment »

Love For A Traitor

November 9, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Just a couple of hours before He would be arrested and so cruelly mistreated, Jesus had one last meal with His disciples. The meal began after Jesus had assumed the lowest of all positions, and washed all of His disciples’ feet.

Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.” (Matthew 26:27)

Do you realize that this “all of you” included Judas the traitor?

Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, was there. He ate the bread and drank the wine of the first Communion. Jesus washed Judas’ feet. The traitor was right there when Jesus said, “This is My Body broken for you. This is My blood spilled for you.”

But it’s even heavier to think that He also said to me, “Drink of this cup, Craig.”

For Jesus surely saw my sin and my betrayal before He went to the Cross. I was the traitor, and He washed my feet. I betrayed Him by my sin, and He told me to eat and drink the reminders of His suffering for me.

How can I ignore such wondrous love?

How could I ever treat lightly such a sacrifice?

How could I ever hang on to my betraying sins in light of the forgiveness He purchased for me?

Jesus loved me—the traitor, the betrayer—and died for me. What a beautiful Savior!

My friend Dilip has released his debut album The Great Reversal (I hope you will buy this amazing CD), but I love the words of his song Beautiful Jesus:

All my words cannot describe just how beautiful You are

Earthly love cannot compare to the Perfect Love that bled and died

Beautiful Jesus, I stand in awe of You

Beautiful Jesus, I’m captivated by Your wondrous love

So I bow my knee, humbled by this mystery

How can it be? King of Majesty, You rescued me

You gave it all for me

More than I could ask for

All I ever need is You, Jesus, Lover of my soul

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Communion, Cross, Dilip, forgiveness, Gospel of John, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot, Last Supper, lyrics, music, passion, sin. Leave a Comment »

Watch Your Prepositions

November 7, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Prepositions are interesting words: they tell us the position of something relative to something else. Changing just one small preposition changes the whole meaning—“I left my wallet in the car” or “I left my wallet on the car.” In the first case, you can probably find your wallet again. In the second case, your wallet could be anywhere along the side of the road!

There’s a well-known story in the Gospels where a woman anoints Jesus with an expensive perfume. Some people are upset that she would “waste” something so valuable. But as Jesus corrects their incorrect view of this, notice the preposition He uses:

She has done a beautiful thing TO Me. (Matthew 26:10)

Most of the time we think we do things for Jesus. But He really doesn’t need us to do anything for Him, does He? After all, He is all-sufficient, all-powerful, all-knowing.

But Jesus loves when we do something beautiful TO Him!

We often praise God because of what He has done; that is, we praise Him for His deeds. But what if we praise God for Who He is; that is, give praise TO Him?

For is good, but TO is best.

I’m going to be watching my prepositions, to make sure I’m not only doing things for Jesus, but to Him as well—not just giving praise for what He’s done, but praise TO Him for Who He is.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Gospel of John, Gospel of Luke, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Matthew, grammar, Jesus Christ, lifestyle, worship. 3 Comments »

Thursdays With Oswald— Publicly Holy

November 3, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Publicly Holy

Try and develop a holy life in private, and you find it cannot be done. Individuals can only live the true life when they are dependent on one another. …

In the early Middle Ages people had the idea that Christianity meant living a holy life apart from the world and its sociability, apart from its work and citizenship. That type of holiness is foreign to the New Testament; it cannot be reconciled with the records of the life of Jesus. The people of His day called Him “the Friend of publicans and sinners” because He spent so much time with them.

From Biblical Ethics

Jesus never told us to stay, but to go.

He didn’t tell us to separate, but to season and shine.

We cannot influence people from a distance. We must live and work and interact where they are.

Jesus taught us: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Jesus prayed for us: “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. … As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (John 17:15, 18)

I must be around people who need to see The Light.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Christianity, community involvement, friendship, Gospel of John, Gospel of Matthew, holiness, Jesus Christ, Oswald Chambers. Leave a Comment »

Is ‘Mine’ Loose Enough?

November 2, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Most people who have read the life of Jesus know about His triumphal arrival in Jerusalem, where the people waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” But there’s a little backstory tucked in this major event.

Jesus needed to ride a donkey into Jerusalem. So He sent two of His disciples into town, and told them where to find the donkey He would ride. He said, “If anyone asks you why you are taking this animal, just tell them, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

The disciples went, and found the donkey just like Jesus said. And, sure enough, the people there asked what they were doing. This story is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After the disciples said, “The Lord needs it,” here is everything the donkey’s owners said: .

That is: they said nothing. Not a single word.

That got me thinking:

Could I do that?
If Jesus needs something of mine, do I ask for clarification?
Do I bargain when He asks me to give something of mine up for His use?
Am I holding on too tightly to mine?

What about you? Is your mine loose enough?

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Gospel of Mark, Jesus Christ, Palm Sunday, stewardship. 1 Comment »

Thursdays With Oswald—Not To Tell Us, But To Make Us

October 27, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Not To Tell Us, But To Make Us

Our righteousness has to be in excess of the righteousness of the man whose external conduct is blameless according to the law—what does that produce? despair straightaway. When we hear Jesus say “Blessed are the pure in heart,” our answer, if we are awake is, “My God, how am I going to be pure in heart? If ever I am to be blameless down to the deepest recesses of my intentions, You must do something mighty in me.” That is exactly what Jesus Christ came to do. He did not come to tell us to be holy, but to make us holy.

From Biblical Ethics

Does it ever bother you that Jesus tells us, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”? It bothers me, because it sounds too hard, even unrealistic. Okay, let’s be honest: It sounds impossible!

It is impossible if I try to be perfectly righteous on my own. But the death and resurrection of Jesus paid for my atonement—my “at one-ment” with God. And Jesus has also asked the Father to send me the Holy Spirit. He is sanctifying me — making me into a holy, perfectly righteous saint in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.

I can’t do it.

But I can surrender and let Him do it.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: atonement, Gospel of Matthew, holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Oswald Chambers, sanctification. 2 Comments »

What Do You Owe Jesus?

October 21, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Charles Spurgeon was called “the prince of preachers” because of how he could use words so eloquently. This is an excerpt from his outstanding devotional Morning And Evening that got me fired up this morning:

“How much do you owe my Lord? Has He ever done anything for you? Has He forgiven your sins? Has He covered you with a robe of righteousness? Has He set your feet upon a rock? Has He established your goings? Has He prepared Heaven for you? Has He prepared you for Heaven? Has He written your name in His book of life? Has He given you countless blessings? Has He laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye has not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of His love.

“…Who will accept a love so weak that it does not motivate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin.

“…Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labor. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honor Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an zeal never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus.”

How much has Jesus done for you? Then do something today worthy of His love!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Charles Spurgeon, faith in action, Jesus Christ, love, serve. Leave a Comment »

Crumbs

October 19, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

When you’re starving, a crumb doesn’t seem to satisfy you.

When you’d like a special dessert, a crumb seems so unfulfilling.

What about when you are asking God for something big? Will a crumb satisfy you?

A Canaanite woman came to Jesus with a pressing need. Her daughter was possessed by a demon and was absolutely miserable. It looked as though nothing short of a major outpouring from Jesus could help this woman.

But she said, “Just a crumb from the Master’s table is enough for me.”

A crumb?!? The smallest of pieces, yet this woman knew that Christ’s power was so sufficient, that just a crumb would be more than enough!

How many times do I wait around for a feast? I say, “God, do something huge!” How small is my faith that I think God has to do something earth-shaking to answer me.

I want to be at the point where I know that just a crumb is more than enough. Just one word—one crumb—from His mouth can meet my every need.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: faith, God's power, Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Christ, video, YouTube. 1 Comment »

Exhaustion Relief

October 3, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

I was reading and meditating on Matthew 11:28-30. These are the notes just as a jotted them down in my journal. I pray they will be as helpful for you as they were for me.

Come—without delay

to Me—Jesus is my only Source

all—no one is ever excluded from Christ’s call

you who are weary—I feel like I have been working hard, but gaining little ground

and burdened—and my conscience is bugging me because I feel I’m falling short of what God requires

and I will—only Jesus can do this

give you rest—a quiet, calm, patient expectation of a better future

Take—I need to apply what Jesus says to my life right now

My yoke upon you—Christ’s power to fulfill God’s requirements

and learn from Me—I must get in the habit of doing things His way

for I am gentle—strong enough to help me, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm me

and humble in heart—He has the perfect attitude toward our Heavenly Father, and He can show me how to live this way too

and you will find rest—an intermission from my struggles

for your souls—the real me

For My yoke is easy—virtuous and pleasant

and my burden is light—relieving my conscience from worry and guilt

Why do I wait until I am wearied and burdened before I come to Christ? Why don’t I just take His yoke upon me daily? It’s my self-imposed burdens, from trying to do things my own way, that wear me out and beat me up! O stubborn pride! that keeps me toiling away, trying to do life my way. Submit and be free, O my soul!