Refocus

Refocus

By Crosspointe MinistriesReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Refocus episodes

  • John 10:3-6 • That Exquisite Waveform - Randy Boldt
    Jesus' shepherd parable continues in verses 3-6 of John 10 where he defined another one of the severe contrasts between the shepherd and the thief who he also referred to as a stranger. He described it as a difference in how the sheep respond to their voices. He said the sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice but refuse to follow a stranger because they don’t know his.
    The Greek word used in the original text means to know from observation. It’s the kind of knowing you gain by witnessing something firsthand. In other words, Jesus was saying that the sheep experience something with the shepherd that causes them to want to become attentive to the sound of his voice. And he made it clear that that something is a genuine concern for their well-being.
    He said sheep recoil from a stranger. They don’t trust him and have no incentive to develop a sensitivity to his voice because he hasn’t demonstrated any interest in their welfare.
    On the other hand, Jesus said the shepherd personally escorts the sheep to pastures where they can feed in safety, not only cares for the flock but for each individual lamb, and calls them by a unique name he’s given each one.
    Jesus clearly meant for us to understand that he’s the shepherd in this story and was illustrating the tenderness of his affectionate care for people. He was revealing his desire to invest in a relationship with each of us. And it’s that daily-demonstrated, individualized compassion that stirs our desire to know the sound of his voice – to hear and respond to it. We don’t want to miss a single word, especially when he lovingly calls us by name.
    One of the great pleasures of retirement is that my wife and I no longer have to wake up to an alarm clock signaling that it’s time to get ready for work. But a few days ago, we needed to make sure we were on time to volunteer for the early-morning shift at a local food bank. So, as I climbed into bed the night before, I said, “Alexa, set an alarm for 7:00 tomorrow morning.” Our voice assistant responded to the audio waveform associated with that name and processed my request. Now, talking to a machine is still a little hard for me to get used to, but I remember thinking that even an inanimate piece of digital technology comes to life – so to speak – at the sound of its name.
    We were meant to come alive at the sound of our shepherd’s voice as he calls to our souls with that exquisite waveform we recognize as uniquely ours. It lights us up in the spirit with the awareness that we’re deeply known and loved. Can you hear it? Let’s lean in and listen close so we can become increasingly sensitive and responsive to that glorious sound.
    Let’s not be like the Pharisees described in the final verse of this passage. We’re told that the sweet intimacy Jesus was describing was such a foreign concept to them that it all went right over their heads. They just couldn’t comprehend a God like that. But this is the God we have. He’s our shepherd. His name is Jesus.
    4 min
  • John 10:1-2 • Stray Cats and Thieves - Randy Boldt
    The first half of John 10 is most likely a continuation of the pointed rebuke of the Pharisees by Jesus that concluded the previous chapter. But when he used the phrase, “Most assuredly, I say to you," it meant he wanted even greater attention to be given to what would follow. And what follows is a lengthy parable about the shepherd and the sheep.
    A parable isn’t a riddle. It’s not meant to hide meaning. It’s meant to reveal it. When Jesus used a parable, he was painting a word picture describing images and experiences that would be very familiar to his hearers and building a bridge of understanding from something they already knew well to something he wanted them to discover.
    So, he used this beautiful shepherd/sheep illustration to describe the kind of relationship he wants to have with his followers. The passage is saturated with rich significance for every believer. And even though most of us today aren’t nearly as familiar with references to shepherding culture as his original audience, the heart of Jesus and the truths he conveyed easily bridge that gap.
    The first two verses introduce the hero and the villain of the story and offer the first of several stark contrasts that are made between them. As the starting point of his parable, Jesus said the shepherd enters the sheepfold – an enclosure that provides safety for the sheep – through the door, but a thief tries to gain access by other means.
    He was saying that anyone lurking in the shadows and attempting to infiltrate the security of the fold is a robber, someone intent on causing harm. And although he was clearly indicting the religious elite with this illustration, I think it’s also clear he meant for us to understand that anything seeking to breach the environment of our spiritual home is a serious threat.
    A couple of days ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and noticed light from our side yard security lamp filtering in through our bedroom windows. It’s activated by a motion sensor. So, I knew something was moving out there. And although it was probably just a stray cat, it unnerved me because only unwelcomed guests seek to access a home by means other than the front door.
    Is anything circling your heart’s defenses today in search of an unguarded way into that sacred space? What about fear, unforgiveness, guilt, pride, self-pity, lust, depression, anger, shame, or selfishness? These aren’t just stray cats. These are actual threats to your spiritual life. Don’t just lie there ignoring the light filtering in from your soul’s security lamp. The Holy Spirit may be alerting you to something moving out there that doesn’t belong, something the shepherd wants to protect you from if you’ll let him. But remember, he comes through the door. You’ll need to open it and invite him in.
    We’ve all been given the freedom to try and deal with these intruders on our own, but in my experience, that doesn’t usually work out too well. On the other hand, I’ve noticed that when I stop pretending I can secure the premises of my inner life by myself and choose instead to welcome and respond to the shepherd’s powerful presence, I’m increasingly able to rest deeply in the safety of the fold.
    I’m certainly not an expert on the subject, but I’ve read that because sheep are prey animals with little means for self-protection, their natural state is a hyper-vigilance that enables them to be ready to quickly respond to danger. But their well-being can be adversely affected by living with so much anxiety. So, shepherds work hard to help them be at peace.
    And that’s what Jesus wants for each of his lambs. It’s what he wants for you. He’s ready if you are. Just open the door.
    5 min
  • Psalm 46:10 • Be Still - Brian Goodell
    Psalm 46:10, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
    The word “still” in the Hebrew means to “let go, lean in to, relax, be quiet.”
    Another revelation of “be still” is seen as “a military command to cease, to stop fighting.”
    Kind of like a commander shouting “Attention!”
    God is saying to us…in the midst of the storm, the battle, your sickness, your brokenness – STOP your activity (even Christian activity FOR God) so that we can BE with Him.
    • To lean into Him
    • To quiet ourselves before Him
    • To rest in Him
    To receive from Him what you and I so desperately need.
    Resting has never been an easy thing for me. (always busy, Cynthia has helped me)
    I’m learning the value and beauty of doing nothing…just being, with others, with myself, and most importantly with God.
    I’ve even become fond of naps.
    God is faithful.
    He is still on the throne.
    BE STILL - You can trust Him!
    • For His promises (Dig into God’s Word)
    • For His Provision (He loves to take care of you…let Him)
    • For His Purpose in your life! (Let God have His way…He knows what He’s doing)
    5 min

About Refocus

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Short, daily, devotional content from proven Christian leaders with diverse perspectives that is Scripture-saturated, authentic, inspirational, and practical.