C.Mahaney Blog

The first time I heard Starfield's worship song, "The Saving One," I was receiving communion. As my church family went forward to receive the bread and wine, we were all singing these lyrics in joyful procession: "And Heaven can't contain the glory of the Son, Jesus is the Christ, the saving One. His love has made a way, the grave is overcome. Jesus is the Christ, the saving One." Walking back to my seat, holding the communion elements in my hand, and looking at the joyful faces around me, I was profoundly impressed by the image of Christ's glory bursting out of heaven in triumph over sin and death.


That song has been stuck in my head for months, but it keeps coming back as I read my friend, Elyse Fitzpatrick's book, Comforts from the Cross. The women of my community group are studying this book together and it keeps pointing me back to the majesty of the Son and why it is our love for Jesus that propels us into gospel obedience and, consequently, fruitful lives. The book is shaped as a month-long daily devotional that focuses us on different verses that provide comforting truths. On day 11, Elyse focused on Hebrews 10:14: "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Unpacking that verse, Elyse wrote this meditation, which I've excerpted:

The book of Hebrews was written primarily to, well, the Hebrews, people who were familiar with the demands, ceremonies, and sacrifices of the Jewish temple system. In that system offerings and sacrifices had to be made over and over again, since the blood of mere animals, though commanded by the Lord, could only cover sin, never remove it. The blood of bulls and goats could not atone for the sin that permeated the heart of the human lawbreaker. ...

You have got to get an idea of the shock the early believers would have felt upon reading those words. Perfected for all time? How could those words be uttered about anyone? They knew full well the sacrifices required to atone for sin: a young bird, a goat, a bull, a spotless lamb. They were well aware that their sins weren't some minor blemish but were serious enough that a living creature had to suffer and die. This wasn't merely a philosophical or theological persuasion. For their unbelief, warm blood streamed onto sticky stone; because of their covetousness, animals cried out in terror. And for those who lived in Jerusalem, there was the smoke that hung continually over the temple mount. Listen to hear the bleating of the soon-silenced lamb; smell the acrid stench of burning hair and flesh; see the white robes of the high priest darkly stained. They knew their imperfections--they were lawbreakers. 

In the the midst of all this, all they could do was hope their efforts were enough to atone for what they'd done, even though they knew it really wasn't enough; the deathly sacrifice would just have to be repeated again and again. Into that bloody, earthy, repetitive system of religion and death came these words: "And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. . . . For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Heb. 10:11-12,14)

The early Jewish Christians experienced something that their predecessors had never known: complete freedom from guilt, rest from the law's cruel lash, infinite acceptance before a holy God. Think of their joy and relief. No wonder they turned the world upside down.

Jesus Christ, the ultimate high priest, had accomplished what no other high priest had ever even dared to attempt. On the cross he spilled the blood of God to appease the wrath of God. This blood was so precious, being the very blood of the infinite, incarnate God, that just this one sacrifice was completely sufficient to atone for and bring to perfection all who would believe in it. Just one sacrifice was necessary to perfect them, to perfect you. 

  In the next daily devotion, Elyse focused on the verse from

John 14:15: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

This is an excerpt from her commentary on it:

Jesus is lovingly stating a fact, but he's also making a precious promise: love will motivate behavior. He completely knows us, even the inmost thoughts of our hearts. He knows of our desire to obey and our shame and sadness because of our failures. But he also knows this: as our love for him grows, our obedience will grow, too. 

The key to a godly life is not more and more self-generated effort. Instead, Jesus is saying, "Love me and your obedience will flow naturally from that love." The secret to obedience isn't formulaic steps found in a self-help book. It is a relentless pursuit of love for him. How then do I cultivate the sincerity of love that motivates obedience? By focusing more intently on his love for me than on my love for him, more on his obedience than mine, more on his faithfulness than mine, more on his strengths than mine.

As I read these words, I found myself humming "The Saving One." The joy and awe found in our Savior, whose glory cannot be contained by heaven, but bursts forth into our fallen mess of sin and hopelessness -- this is the Saving One. Amen and amen!

..God gave us a spirit not of fear...

Last night at missions conference skip talked about "the man that lost control". That man cared more for success and making his name great than anything else. That is what drove him, controlled him, and manipulated him. He so cared for what others had to say about who he was that he became what he thought people expected. so draining.. to keep up an image of someone you are not. draining, to keep everyone happy, draining to be success and not fail. How draining to live as if you are perfect or that you are God.What started out in his control ended up controlling him. All the while what was really happening, this self serving pride collapsed into fear. The very thing that he feared the most became his reality, that he really did not have any control in the first place. I so relate to this man. This need to be in the know and make things happen the way i think they should, "all for God's glory" of course.  So humbling when God does take all the things you do find security, comfort, and control away just to show how out of control you really are. I live in this fear, fear of messing up, fearing of not being liked, fear of being alone, fear i'm not a good enough christian, fear that i will end up settling, fear that i will not learn from my mistakes, fear that i will never look good enough, know enough, make enough. SO draining and so not the gospel. Jesus did not give his life away and die my death on the cross so that i would live in a state of fear.  

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you." Isa 43:1-2

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:14-15

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea Psalm 46:1-2

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 timothy 1:7

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.-1 John 4:18

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”-Deuteronomy 31:8

 "So we can confidently say,“The Lord is my helper;I will not fear; what can man do to me?” -Hebrews 13:6

I want to pray that i would believe these truths of the gospel... that He has redeemed me, He knows me by name, he is with me. God has adopted me and now i cry Abba father. He is my refuge and strength, He is very present in help,His love drives out fear,He goes before me, He will never leave or forsake me, and he has all authority on Heaven and earth. So why do i fear and have anxious thoughts. Why do i feel the need to control when He has been so faithful to me to this point. Why do i live in fear when he offers a life of freedom. Pray that i would enjoy "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding"(phil 4:7) God help me to not rely and give my life to the things that are fading but trust the one who is life giving and eternal. Amen Amen

Jesus is not American, Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian....

"Jesus is not American, Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian. He is in fact the King of Kings. And his heart breaks for every language, tongue and tribe." -Andy Lewis

Missions Conference at Mitchell Road started tonight with dinner and a panel of missionaries around the world. A few years ago i was able to spend a summer in South Africa with a handful of college students to share how God changed my life through Jesus. That summer seriously was a life changing event.I learned what true intimacy with the lord looked like, I was able to learn to share my faith with others in a different culture and there, God planted the seed in my heart for sharing my faith not only  for a summer trip but for a lifetime.

I loved my time in South Africa little things like how slowly they did life. "African Time" as they would call it. Meaning if someone said "i will meet you at 6" that really means 6:15 or 6:30. There is not an urgency to life there. What a change from go,go,go here in the states or "fast food" we want our food as soon as we order it. I loved how eager students were over there to know more about Jesus. It wasn't an attitude of "yeah yeah i already know this.. or i have been to church since i was five years old." But eager ears ready to listen about Jesus.

Tonight after hearing from a panel of missionaries i was brought back to this time in SA. This eagerness to know Jesus, people fighting to get their hands on the Bible.. risking their lives in order to read it. Humbling so humbling. I own several copies and struggle to read even one.

Psalm 19
"The law of the LORD is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
   and all of them are righteous."

Lord i pray for eagerness to know you. Pray that you would give me this sweet desire to be in your word. Thankful the Word is perfect,trustworthy,right,radiant,pure and firm. Thank you that the Word refreshes my soul, makes wise the simple,gives joy to my heart, reveals truth, and endures forever. Help me not take for granted this freedom i have to follow you, where others risk their lives in order to get a taste of who you are.

snow ball effect

Do you ever let your day to day emotions, thoughts, actions, or motives build up? Something that seems so small..something you think you can just "push aside" (not realizing it still has authority over me) but choose to just let it pass because "its easier". Eventually though it back fires, eventually it explodes, eventually it (whatever "it" may be)is born to mad chaos.

Pretty sure i just described how i live, a pattern so rooted in my being. Last night at bible study a sweet friend taught us about the importance of prayer and confession. So many things just kept pointing back to this irritating root in my life, the kind that keeps coming back even after the weed-whacker, and multiple weed killers. What does it really look like to live a lifestyle of confession? This is how i process whether i should confess:

is it worth it?
Is it that big of a deal to confront that person with that pety little sin?
does it really matter because its not affecting anyone else, just me?
It's only happened a few times..when it gets to be a lot then i will confess and ask for help.

You see that is where i am so SO wrong. I let myself get too far gone (aka: control till i can not physically handle it anymore)  and then ask for help. Not till sin is full grown do i see the need to fight it. But if i am honest with myself the snow ball effect is awful, so draining, and overwhelming..

God however, is writing a new story in my life, one called redemption. He plays the role of Hero..A hero that comes to the damsel in distress.. embraces her, loves her, makes a commitment to her, takes her by the hand and whispers "come follow me."

Jesus i confess that i am a wreck. I try and try and try to be "good enough" but end up 5 steps backwards. I confess i do not see the depth of my sin day to day as important UNTIL its unmanageable.  Help me to kill sin before it kills me. Help me get deep into the root, rather than causally managing whats above ground and will soon regrow. So thankful that i can not add or take away from the gospel. what a relief! you love to hear my honesty, you love when i finally let the punching fist take a break and you love me as ashley adams.. the ashley here and now..still messy..still a sinner, still forgets you are on my side, still a insecure lil girl who tries to act like "everything is ok". Thank you for loving me even when i don't love you back.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

A life of Grace: How stuff works

while everyone else in the us is watching superbowl, I....

1)lay in my bed sick

2)work on some valentines for friends(www.emptywalletdesign.blogspot.com)

3)process the sermon from today(www.mrpc.com)

Things i walked away with:
*Through Christ i am able to fight sin

*the gospel is not to entertain but change us

*the Word clearly shows the affects of our sin and it starts in our minds(Eph 4:17-19)

*if sin starts with my thoughts.. what do i spend most of my time thinking about?

*challenged to mediate on scripture rather than believing my thoughts to be true

*Challenged by this question: what sin do you believe won't hurt you?

*"its the gospel that gives us balance"

*thankful for the calling to put off the old self...aka: putting off bondage

*thankful for the reminder that "putting off/putting on " is a process, does not happen overnight

*Thankful that Christ did not come to make me a zombie or robot, looking the same,acting the same, but gave us all different personalities and gifts to make one body.

*its not great talent God blesses-(PTL!)

*righteous and holiness do not have to be dull (why do i live like it is??)

*i want to learn how to rest in righteous and holiness that is radiant (aka:resting in Jesus)

* "The thief comes to steal,kill, and destroy but I have come to give you abundant life"-John 10:10 (pray that i would be eager to share this with someone who does not know this abundant life)

*so thankful this is the Lord who i trust and follow:Psalm 103"Praise the LORD, my soul,and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."

*quote i saw on twitter: plattdavid: 6,000 people groups unable to worship Christ this morning b/c they've never heard gospel; may our worship drive us to go to them. - ( i want this for my life)


For those of you interested ....


Notes from sermon:A life of grace: how stuff works- Ephesians 4:17-32


Eph 4:17-19
 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Sin: 
1) attacks the mind- you can not think clearly
ask yourself: *What sin do you believe will not hurt you?*What sin do you think you can control?
2)Darken in understanding- you can not see..then becomes separation from God
3) Heart  hardened- become ignorant
4)lose all sensitivity- you long to taste again, yearn to feel.
But "indulge" in every impurity to try to "feel" again
ex: this is why people cut, makes them feel alive again.

question: what are you several steps down this list in? (ex:control,lust,comfort,greed etc)

Grace: v.22-24
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

1) put off old(which is being corrupted by its decietful desires)
2) put on new( created to be like God)
* the gospel isn't take off old self so that you can feel inscure.. the gospel is grab onto whats beautiful and loving which is Christ.
*v.24 "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Christ did not come to make you zombies or dull. He came to make you radiant in joy and laughter..

Because of the Grace given we can live:
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Life:
1)put off: falsehood,anger,stealing,gossip,bitterness,rage,brawling,slander and every form of malice
2)put on: speaking truth in love, encouraging words to build up one another, Be kind, compassionate,&forgiving.

psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. psalm 19:14