Stories of the Underdog

The Unlikely Heroes

This other day I watched an old favorite of mine, the 1992 Disney musical “The Newsies.” Just a few days later I watched the made-for-TV movie “The Fall of Sam Axe,” a spin-off prequel of the hit USA Network show “Burn Notice.” These two movies would seem an unlikely pairing for this post, if not for a common theme in both of them: the victory of the underdog. In fact, this theme appears often in American films and television. Hollywood loves a good underdog story. Up against the worst odds, the triumph comes to the unlikely hero.

But there was a place long before Hollywood where we see plenty of underdog stories—the Bible. David and Goliath, Gideon and his 300 men...the Lord delights in using the humble and the weak, that we may know nothing we have done is by our own strength, wisdom, or might, but solely through the grace and power of God!

His Grace is Completely Sufficient

This is meant to be tremendous encouragement for us. Whether you are sharing with a friend about Jesus, or feeling completely drained of all strength, or whatever activity of life you are doing, His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our strength is found in remaining in Jesus, the True Vine (John 15).

When we are living lives completely dependent on the Lord, people will take notice. In Acts 4:13, the apostles Peter and John are before the Sanhedrin after healing a man in the Name of Jesus. The members of the powerful Sanhedrin were astonished because they saw the boldness of these men, and “perceived they were uneducated, common men…they recognized they had been with Jesus.” How amazing that the Lord uses the ordinary to do extraordinary things, and that when we are weak, He is strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10). 

Encouragement

So brothers and sisters, let us humble ourselves before the Sovereign Lord and stop trying to run on our own strength. Rather, let the joy of the Lord be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). And be encouraged that God does not choose to use us as the world chooses, based on outward appearance—the charm, the good looks, the strength, but He looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). 

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

                                                             -1 Corinthians 1:26-31, ESV

Beauty from Ashes

Brokenness Aside

I came across a song the other day on the Relevant magazine website by the new band Sons and Daughters. They are a duo from Franklin, Tennessee with a newly released EP entitled “Brokenness Aside.” 

In the song, which happens to be the album’s namesake, the duo sings of the amazing forgiveness, faithfulness, and grace of God although we are so unfaithful, so “prone to wander,” as the great song “Come Thou Fount” says. 

They sing:

I am sinner/ if it’s not one thing, it’s another

Caught up in words/ Tangled in lies

But You are a Savior/ And You take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful, beautiful

Beauty Instead of Ashes

What an amazing truth that is. The Lord, through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, took our brokenness, our ugliness of sin, and made us beautiful, reconciled to a holy God. In Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) it says: 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

In the Luke 4, after reading the beginning of this passage in a synagogue, Jesus says: “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). 

This is one of the first statements Luke records Jesus saying at the start of His ministry. What an incredible introduction to our Savior. Jesus fulfilled this Scripture written hundreds of years earlier, that He would be the one to set us free from all our chains of sin, death, and darkness. He meets us in the ashes of our brokenness and through the power of the beautiful gospel makes us whole in Him. 

And yet, while we are on this earth, we still struggle with sin. We, like Hosea’s wife, continuously fall into unfaithfulness. But that’s why the gospel is not just for nonbelievers. We desperately need the gospel every day, to cling to the wonder of the Cross and what Christ has done for us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be convicted of our sin and repent, not standing condemned because Christ was the Ultimate Sacrifice!

He is Faithful

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the truth of Jude 24-25. At all times “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, ESV). 

And check out Sons and Daughters live in the Relevant Studio: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/sons-daughters/songs/25400-brokenness-aside

 

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

-2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NIV)

Strong Enough to Save

“Be That True?”

The fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga (On Stranger Tides) came out in theaters this weekend and I went with a few friends to check it out. There was one particular conversation that struck me during the film, a dialogue between two pirates and a missionary. The daughter of the infamous pirate Blackbeard says to her father: “Every soul can be saved.” Blackbeard turns to the missionary and says sardonically: “Be that true, young cleric?” The missionary, Philip, replies sincerely: “Yes. Though I see you as a bit of a long shot.” 

The Long Shot

I wonder if in our human perspective we mentally react this way towards nonbelievers. Do you ever write off someone as a “long shot?” Or do you ever feel discouraged by a friend whose heart seems so hard against the gospel? Some of Jesus’ listeners once thought about these questions as well. Jesus had just finished speaking with a rich young ruler, who asked how he could have eternal life. Christ strongly addressed the materialism in his heart and the man went sadly away, unable to lay down his love of worldly possessions. Many who were nearby later asked Jesus: “‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God’” (Luke 18:26-27). What encouragement that is! It is God who saves, not us. And there is no one whose sin is “too big” for God to forgive, if they accept Him.

Saul to Paul

One of the greatest examples of this is the apostle Paul’s testimony. Through the power of God Paul wrote most of the New Testament and became an incredible missionary for Christ. But he before he was saved he used to be a persecutor of the Church! In fact, Paul even says: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15, NIV). The Lord used the most unlikely “long shot,” to take the gospel to many nations. Amazing. And do you remember the criminals being crucified next to Jesus? One of them was saved while he was hanging on the cross! And so there is hope, even to the end. 

Encouragement

Brothers and sisters, have great hope. Don’t give up on the “long shot,” for it is God who saves souls, not us. We are merely seed planters and “waterers,” but the Lord makes it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). Continue to faithfully and lovingly share the gospel and your lives with your friends (1 Thessalonians 2:8), and even in the situation where you can’t see progress: “fix your eyes on the unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Also, check out this great video from Tenth Avenue North’s Matt Donehey. He discusses this topic in his video blog about their song: “Strong Enough to Save.”

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

-Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Jesus Has Overcome

Happy Birthday, Kate

Today is my friend Katelynn’s third birthday in the Presence of her Savior. She went Home to be with Jesus after a car accident on February 7, 2009, when she was only 23. There is so much I could tell you about Kate, about the amazing life she lived for the Lord. And there is much that God taught me through Kate’s life and death, and through the way her family deals with her absence from this earth. But all of that only has meaning because of Kate’s relationship with Jesus first. I was listening to the song “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin this morning…the lyrics so powerfully speak of the hope we have in Christ. Hope that one day we will be with Him forever. I know I’ve written about longing for that Day a few times now. But this song also tells us why we have this hope: it’s only through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. 

It is Well

The opening lyrics of the song say:  

There’s a peace I’ve come to know/ Though my heart and flesh may fail, 

There’s an anchor for my soul, /I can say “It is well.”  

It’s a pretty big statement to say you have joy and peace no matter what the triumph or the trial... to say “It is well with my soul.” I know Kate had this joy and peace. She understood and believed that God, perfect and holy, loved her so much that He gave His Only Son Jesus to die on the Cross, as the ultimate sacrifice for her sin. And because she placed her faith in Him, she was reconciled to God and could have assurance that when she left this world, she would go to be with the Lord for all eternity. Do you have peace anchored in the Cross? Do you have a steadfast joy, a wellness of your soul, even in the midst of sorrow?

The Victory is Won

In the song’s hook, Tomlin sings: 

Jesus has overcome / and the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won / He is risen from the dead

The victory is won. Jesus is alive! He has overcome the grave, overcome sin, overcome death. He has offered wellness for your soul. He has offered life. In Christ, there is peace that surpasses all understanding (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7). There is joy that will be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). There is perfect love that you will never be separated from (Romans 8:38-39). And there is no place left for fear, for that same perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18).

Brothers and sisters, how great a God we serve.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”

 – John 11:25-26 (ESV)

True Rest

Taking a Look at Print Media: Sleep Thieves by Stanley Coren

A friend of mine bought me the book Sleep Thieves by Stanley Coren for my birthday this year. The book addresses the sometimes unrealized price of losing sleep, something I am quite familiar with when a busy day rolls around (which seems to happen quite too often). I read the introduction and first chapter yesterday, where Coren describes how an hour or two of sleep tends to get ousted first when we are trying to fit more activities into our day: “‘I’ll simply set the alarm clock a half hour earlier…” (Coren 6). 

A Dose of Reality

The truth of the matter is we need eight hours of sleep. Even reducing our sleep to seven hours can be detrimental to our health and performance efficiency. But that’s another discussion for another time (and a lesson I still need to learn myself). Even the Lord rested (Genesis 2:1-3), and He created the Sabbath for man and woman to rest (Exodus 20:8-11). But in addition to physical rest, there’s another kind of rest God has been impressing on my heart: spiritual rest in Him. 

The Deepest Rest

Where do you go to find your rest? Another friend of mine asked me this question the other day. As important as food and sleep are, are they the source of your deepest rest? If you need to rest for 15 minutes before work, do you flip on the television and find a lighthearted comedy? Or maybe turn on your iPod? None of these things are bad in of themselves, but sometimes I find it’s easy to develop a pattern of doing the above more often than using those 15 minutes to meditate on the Word of God or pray. Ultimately, true rest can only be found in the arms of Jesus. As believers, God has made rest a state of our spirits and souls. We are not to work to rest, but work from the rest of the Lord He has already given us.  Christ has left His peace with us (John 14:27) and quiets us with His love (Zephaniah 3:17). One day, we will experience the epitome of God’s rest when we are with Him, in His Presence for all eternity. But until then, we can still take refuge in Him daily.

So brothers and sisters, be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Know that the Savior King is your Comforter and Sustainer. Know He is your strength and your fortress (Psalm 18:2, 28:7). Let the joy of the gospel refresh your spirit. Rest in Jesus. 

For further reading on spiritual rest, Hebrews 4 is a wonderful chapter.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

– Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Amazing Love

The Voice

Over the past week or two I’ve been loving NBC’s new show “The Voice,” which puts a twist on the typical singing reality show. In the first rounds of the competition, the celebrity judges have their backs turned to the contestants in order to select them solely on their vocal performance (rather than appearance). When a judge likes the contestant, they press their button and their seat turns around to reveal the face behind the voice. In doing so, the words “I want you” light up on their chairs, signifying they have chosen that contestant to be on their team. However, if multiple judges choose a performer, then they compete for the contestant to select their team. After that, the celebrity artists work personally with their teams, helping to mold and shape them as artists. 

What He’s Done

And so I got to thinking about how the Lord has chosen each one of us as believers. The difference is that He doesn’t choose us based on our performance. There’s nothing we can do to earn His love or salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God, perfect and holy, sees our every imperfection and loves us anyway: “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That is truly amazing. We aren’t saved because of what we do or have done, but because of what He did. While we were still a long way off, God saw us and ran to us (Luke 15:20). And now in belonging to Him, He is working personally in us to mold us more and more into the likeness of His Son. 

I Want You

God pushed the “I want you” button in a stunning display of love on the Cross. But the thing is that there’s spiritual warfare over souls. Satan’s also pushed the “I want you” button. The enemy wants you for himself, wants to win you over on his team. And he will do anything to deceive you and make that happen. He will go to every length, wrapping sin up in the most enticing package as possible. So brothers and sisters, stay strong against the enemy in the full armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6:13-20).  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”  -James 4:7-8a.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days…”

–Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)

Hope and Home

Outside Her Tower Walls

I’ve taken a liking to Walt Disney’s newest animated feature recently: Tangled. It tells the familiar story of Rapunzel, the girl who lived locked in a high tower with long, magical hair. Disney takes it own great twist on the fairytale of course, with endearing and witty characters, gorgeous animation, and a spectacular score by Alan Menken. 

In the movie, Rapunzel, now eighteen years old, is longing to see the world outside her tower. She has been there since her alleged “mother” kidnapped her from her real, royal parents. (I’m not spoiling anything here you wouldn’t learn in the first 60 seconds of the movie, so don’t worry). Rapunzel’s heart yearns for something better (her first song is “When Will My Life Begin?”). She doesn’t know exactly what she’s missing; she just knows that her tower isn’t where she’s meant to be…there’s something so much more. Her true home is calling her, and so she has hope.

Our True Home

And we know that our true Home is calling us. The Bible says that there is a better country, a “heavenly one,” with a city God has prepared for us (Hebrews 11:16), and that “we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Ambassadors are sent on a temporary assignment to represent another in a foreign land. Likewise, as believers we are called to share the gospel and our lives with others while we are here on this earth, loving them with the love of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV).  It is a privilege and a joy to live for Christ in this way. But we also know that “to die is gain,” (Philippians 1:21) because we will then be with Jesus, face to face forever. As I talked about in my King of Kings post, this is cause for great joy!

So brothers and sisters: “…do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). So let us share the Good News (Isaiah 52:7, Matthew 11:28), and let us also take encouragement today that the trials of this earth are fleeting. But there will be a day when we’ll join with hosts of angels, praising the Name Above All Names forever. Hold fast to this promise and hope. 

Below is a song by a favorite artist of mine about longing for our True Home. Check it out—“Heaven Song” by Phil Wickham. 

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”  
–Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Ready for Battle

Tedashii’s New Release- May 31st

Rapper Tedashii’s newest album “Blacklight” drops on May 31^st, courtesy of Reach Records. I became a fan of Tedashii when I attended a 116 Clique concert last year, where he rapped with other gifted artists like Lecrae and Trip Lee. What impressed me so much about that night was that the performances were not only excellent, they were edifying to listeners. The entire event was completely gospel-centered and they gave all the glory to God. It was awesome. Check the artists out on http://reachrecords.com/. 

Trix Are for Kids

This week I had the opportunity to watch the first music video from “Blacklight”: Tedashii’s new single called “Need It Daily” featuring PRo. The second verse of the song really resonated with me. PRo raps:

“Satan try to trap us like ‘Go pursue sin’
I'm like ‘Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids.’
I know only in Christ we gon' be free
Through His blood we've been redeemed
Them chains no longer holdin' me”

Armed Against Attacks

The other day my friend reminded me that in any battle, it’s important to know who the enemy is and what your own weaknesses are. It’s like that in our battle against Satan. He is the father of lies; his weapons are deceit, trickery, and manipulation.  Read Matthew 4:1-11 or Genesis 3 to see some of his tactics. Often, he will start with a half truth and quietly slip lies into the midst, or even try to twist Scripture. He likes to sow seeds of doubt about who God is: “If God really loved you, then He wouldn’t have let this happen…”  Satan knows our weaknesses and lusts and plays into them. Why? It makes him angry that you no longer belong to him but to Christ!

But brothers and sisters, the enemy has no hold over us. We are no longer slaves to our sin; we can be aware of the enemy’s tricks and pray against them. Remember if you have accepted Christ as the Savior and Lord over your life, you are dead to sin and alive in Christ (Romans 6:11). The precious blood Jesus shed on the Cross has washed your sin away. Now that doesn’t mean that we are suddenly perfect, without struggle or sin. But when we stumble, we can repent, knowing that the blood of Christ has redeemed us and gives us strength to walk in His light.  

For further reading: Romans 3-8, Ephesians 6:10-20, and Jude 24-25 are some amazing passages of encouragement and instruction on this topic.  And check out Tedashii’s newest single “Need It Daily,” off his upcoming album “Blacklight,” in stores and on iTunes May 31^st!

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 
-1 Peter 5:8-11 (ESV, emphasis added)

King of Kings

Twenty-three million Americans watched the Royal Wedding on Friday, with millions more around the globe. I watched it as well—although not at 4am. Thanks YouTube.  

The captivation of the media and the world with the wedding was fascinating. I admit I was dazzled too when the soon-to-be Mrs. Prince William stepped out of the car with lovely poise and elegance (and a gorgeous gown!) It strikes a chord with all the women who dreamed of being princesses when they were little girls, playing dress up with gowns several sizes too big. There is something that speaks to our hearts when we see the beautiful moment of the bride headed toward her groom. 

But I wonder if as Christians we allow ourselves to be as excited and enthralled at the idea of being the Bride of Christ. In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul writes of how marriage is supposed to be an earthly representation of the far greater union of Christ and His Church. Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. Wives are in turn commanded to respect and to submit to their husbands as the Head of their relationship, as Christ is the Head of the Church. 

Now this post isn’t about submission—I could talk for hours about God’s amazing design. But rather, as I was thinking about the Royal Wedding, and about the joy and anticipation of some of my friends who are engaged, I feel convicted and encouraged to share that same joy and anticipation—remembering that Christ, the Bridegroom, is returning for us, His Bride.  Although we know not the day or the hour when that will be, as believers we have that hope and faith that one day we will be with Christ forever. And that is cause for great celebration! The Lord is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3). He made the ultimate pledge of love when He died on the Cross for our sins—what a proposal. 

So let us keep saying Yes to Jesus. Let us live with unquenchable joy and anticipation. As a bride and a groom’s eyes are fixated on each other the moment she begins to walk down the aisle, let us in turn fix our eyes on the King of Kings, drawing closer to Him with every step...until finally, we are with Him for eternity. What a royal wedding that will be.

Blessings,

Joanne Michelle

“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”  -Revelation 16:9 (ESV)