Aaron Massey

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Following Jesus is not complicated or confusing. You need only know a few simple truths and practice a few simple actions. Yet it does not happen by accident just like physical health or a good marriage does not happen by accident. Here are a few key steps to remember:

• Learn the Gospel of Jesus.
• Develop a Relationship with Jesus.
• Embrace the Story of Jesus.
• Join the People of Jesus.
• Repeat.

Learn the Gospel of Jesus. “Gospel” simply means good news. This news is far better than news on T.V. or the Web. So the Gospel of Jesus = Jesus’ good news. First and foremost, Christianity does not tell you to stop lying or don’t steal—rather, it tells you a story. This story is about the way God interacted with people throughout history before Jesus. This story is about God keeping his promises to them through Jesus. Jesus is the “yes” to God’s promises. God chose to interact and make promises for people to receive his blessing and joy.

What is the best part? All are invited into this story to receive this joy and new life. He died for you so you can live.

Develop a Relationship with Jesus. After learning the Gospel, then pray to him. Close the doors, clear the table, and speak to Jesus. Ask him to be with you, to teach you how to live, to teach you about himself, and to give you mature Christians from which you can learn. Your relationship with Jesus is like any other relationship—it grows through time. This growth is not automatic—you must be intentional. Spend time alone and speak with Jesus. As you draw near to Jesus, he is certainly drawing near to you.

Embrace the Story of Jesus. This point is all about listening. It involves learning the biblical story-line, studying how God has acted through history, internalizing what he has said in history, and understanding how we can uniquely participate in that story. This also takes time and, believe me, growth will be slow. There are four basic parts to the story:

1. Creation: God created the world to be good—to be filled with his presence.
2. Fall: Humans redefined good according to their own desires—now it is not as good as it could be. As you know, some parts are very bad.
3. New Creation Begun: God uses people to begin recreating what he intended. God has begun putting the world right through Jesus. Before Jesus, God worked “through” the ancient Israelites to prepare the world for Jesus. When Jesus died, he paid the penalty for our fall. When Jesus Resurrected, he began the new creation.
4. New Creation Completed: One day, the world will be filled with people having new bodies that cannot rot or break. All people will represent and express God as God intended. The earth with be remade so that it is perfectly fit for these “new kinds of people.” And we will see God, himself, face to face in Jesus Christ. His hand will wipe your tears away and his presence will grow your joy more and more each day.

We are in part three heading to part four. This means that those who embrace Jesus’ story live new lives by turning from what is destructive and by turning to Jesus receiving his life-giving presence to live as God intended.

Join the People of Jesus. Following Jesus alone is an oxymoron. When I first began to follow Jesus, I went through a season where I tried to be a loner. The issue? People are created for people. God’s ways create unity and joy which cannot happen when you are alone.

Therefore, if you are trying to live a “loner” life or if you are trying to follow Jesus alone, stop.

Be brave. Stop watching so much T.V. and YouTube (while they are fun, too much dehumanizes you). Seek out a church that loves Jesus and the Bible. Find some people with which you can do life. And enjoy.

Repeat. It is simple. Keep doing the steps above.

Enjoy the good life. Look forward to your best life on the new earth. And share the love.

 

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron

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The answer to this simple question can change your entire life. But no one can ask it for you. Answering the question without interest in it is like eating cold, leftover enchiladas while you’re craving fresh, steaming Fajitas—it’s just not the same and definitely isn’t satisfying….

So, take a moment, pause, and ask yourself…What is the resurrection of Jesus? Who was Jesus? Does a man who died almost 2,000 years ago have any relevance to me?

Does a man who died almost 2,000 years ago have any relevance to me? No, he doesn’t…unless his words are worth remembering, his actions are worth replicating, and his influence is worth receiving.

Throughout history, we find such people. And many of them influence us—even if we take only a few hours to learn about them.

Due to Jesus’ historical popularity, his impact across all levels of society, and his fascinating life, it is important for us to at least know something about him.

Who was Jesus? Jesus of the Bible was born around 4 BC and died between 30–34 AD. He was:

• born of a virgin in a small Jewish town called Bethlehem
• raised as a Jew in Nazareth
• experienced Roman rule and oppression
• travelled throughout Israel
• taught in a variety of towns
• rejected social norms
• attracted large followings who marveled at his teachings and ability to heal people
• condemned by Jewish leaders of his day
• beaten and crucified by Rome under the command of Pontius Pilate
• buried in the tomb of a rich, Jewish man named Joseph of Arimathea

…and resurrected with a new body seen by hundreds of people.

What is the resurrection of Jesus? At the end of the four first-century accounts, Jesus died but did not remain dead. He died on Friday and was buried in a tomb shortly thereafter. On Sunday morning, the large stone that covered the hole of the tomb was removed. Jesus’ body was not in the tomb as it was left.

What happened? He resurrected. Jesus’ body was recreated and his life restored. His old body was not simply reanimated or reenergized. Rather, it was newly developed without any imperfections or capability of destruction. And it happened just as he said it would.

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event for understanding Jesus and Christianity. And Christians would say it is the most important event for the world.

The resurrection:

• is the greatest miracle Jesus performed—he brought others back to life, but they never received new bodies like his
• validates Jesus’ words—he claimed to be God
• vindicates his unjust accusations and death—authorities did not accept his actions or words
• proves the purpose of his death—that he died on behalf of others
• initiates the plan of New Creation—those who believe in him will receive new bodies and will one day live on a new earth
• activates his followers to live new lives—his followers can partially experience the new creation life…right now.

As a Christian, it is easy to assume the resurrection of Jesus—we neglect learning about it or reflecting on it. As a non-Christian, it is easy to dismiss the resurrection of Jesus without studying it or spending time with those who’ve been changed by it.

If it happened, everything has begun to change.

 

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron

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Jesus’ Resurrection not only addresses the big questions of life—it also addresses the little ones. Without answers to big questions, we will live without aim or meaning—at least it will feel that way. However, everyone answers the big questions with their life. By merely living, we make choices and, by making choices, we are answering the big questions of life.

The details, however, are a bit trickier. With answers to big questions and no answers to the little questions, we aren’t able to accomplish what we actually want to do. We forego living as we intend. We do less of what we want to do and more of what we don’t want to do. Like: “I dislike snapping at my wife.”

Jesus’ resurrection gives you a big picture vision and an easy-to-read road map—one that is not having much need for an explanation.

As I mentioned before, Jesus overcomes the chaos and corruption through his death and resurrection. However, not all is vanquished—not yet anyway. God doesn’t immediately remove you from the chaos.

Rather, Jesus gives you joy in the midst of life’s chaos, power to endure the chaos, and the know-how to live in it.

Some chaos we can control and abolish, other aspects of life’s chaos we can’t. But it gets better.

By receiving Jesus’ presence, you begin participating in God’s new creation project.

So how do you live the new creation life? It is simple and allows you to be creative. You live the new creation life by using your life for the sake of others—for the sake of God’s purposes.

“Anyone who saves his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life, for my sake, will save it.” – Jesus

Jesus did not say this for you to serve him in joyless drudgery. He said this in order that you may be joyfully free. His resurrection reveals that this life is not all there is. There is the new creation—only there can you receive all you want…plus everything else.

Since this life is not all there is and since there is a future resurrection for his followers, you don’t have to use your life to get everything you want. You don’t have to try being better than everyone nor do you have to use others for your own ends. No one likes it when Steve is nice only to get something from you.

Furthermore, you don’t have to avoid doing what you don’t want. By embracing the new creation life, you can be thankful for being alive even if you don’t have that car you want or that job you’re seeking.

Each day, you are presented with opportunities to serve others. All you have to do is wake up, embrace the new creation mindset, identify with the powerless, speak the truth in love, and make life easier for people.

Also, don’t forget to spend time with Jesus while you’re awake—he is the source of your power, the source of your love.

What does “giving your life away” look like for you?

 

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron

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Promises can be awesome. Let’s think of two kinds: Those that pertain only to the future and those that pertain to both the future and the present. Of the first, Jim says to his neighbor, “I promise I will give you money to fix the fence.” Of the second, Jim says, “I promise I will give you money to fix the fence and here is $200 for now—count on more coming soon.”

Jim could tell his wife, “I promise I will spend more time at home.” Or Jim can tell his wife, “I promise I will spend more time at home—and I am taking two weeks off starting today to prove it.”

Life is not good without good promises. We need something to look forward to. But even more—we need something right now—we need an immediate spoon-full of the promised feast.  Jesus resurrected so you can have both. Here are a few ways of thinking about it:

Jesus’ resurrection gives you the end in sight. By resurrecting from the dead, Jesus disclosed the final judgment in the present time. N. T. Wright often says this. In other words, God points his finger and names what is evil through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

What is evil? When people point back in highhanded defiance and call good what God calls evil and vice versa. What else is evil? Death—the waves of human defiance crest into death. Death was never meant to be a normal thing.

According to Jesus’ resurrection, death does not have the final word. Humanity’s mess-ups do not capsize God’s plans. God will have a world one day where there is no evil, corruption, pain, or death. God will have a world where humans have new bodies and will live forever.

Jesus’ resurrection gives you hope for the end and clarity on what is happening right now. The resurrection is not like fantasizing about a $10,000,000 mansion and then awaking to reality only to realize you could never afford such a thing. Most likely, you will never connect to that mansion.

When Jesus resurrected, he was giving people a “picture” of a mansion and giving them the key to it. God, the new earth, and a new body—all are available. Jesus is the door to all.

Not only is Jesus going to make all things new, he is making all things new. Not only are you promised the mansion in the future, you can go ahead and enjoy the pool right now.

What will be the fresh and overwhelming difference in the new earth? God’s presence and love—both of which you can have now. And not only this, you can join God’s project of new creation—and be as you were meant to be.

Jesus’ resurrection power can give you the power you need to live during the present time before the new earth. Jesus doesn’t promise a mansion and then withhold the key from you. What is the key? His presence. What is the experience? God’s overwhelming love for us—Paul says we need hulk-like strength to comprehend it. What is the effect? Our love for others. Believe it or not, seeking to fill the joy-tank of others is the easiest way to fill your own.

Enjoy the love. Enjoy the joy. Experience the good life.

 

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron

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Jesus’ resurrection is the event of God. It is God’s event of history. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s “no” to all that is bad in the world and “yes” to all that is good in the world.

The resurrection matters to you because it reveals God’s purpose for the world. And by revealing his purpose for the world, he has revealed his purpose for you.

“I have come that they may have life—and have it more abundantly.” – Jesus

Jesus wants “them,” his followers, to have life more abundantly than they currently have. In other words, the normal human experience is missing something. In other words, life is missing something.

What’s it missing? Purpose. What’s it missing? Direction. What’s it missing? Joy.

What’s the solution? God’s presence. What’s the solution? God’s wisdom. What’s the solution? God’s promise—our hope.

Because of the resurrection, we can trust Jesus’ wisdom, receive Jesus’ promise, and inherit Jesus’ presence.

Jesus, being God, provided the solution to the world’s dilemma…to the human dilemma…to your dilemma.

God created the world to be blessed—to be filled with his presence as humans act as his representatives—we are the “blessers.” We were supposed to learn from God, design creative activities for blessing the world, and then execute. However, humans chose a different way of “blessing” the world which removed God’s ultimate blessing from them and the world. Now enter: chaos and dysfunction.

Anger, Dread, Drudgery, and Lust. Boredom, Tears, Misery, and Pain.

Instead of joy-filled relationships, we do our best to get along. Instead of meaning-filled work, we can’t wait to get off. Instead of fruitful conversations, we can’t wait to get away. Instead of sex-filled marriages, we can’t wait to get around…or just watch porn…or read 50 Shades of Grey.

Jesus resurrected. Now enter: project New Creation.

Jesus’ resurrection did not instantly eliminate the chaos nor will your participation in his work of New Creation remove you from the chaos…yet.

Instead, you will have inward power from God which will give you self-control, wisdom, and joy. You will learn from Jesus how to live in the midst of prosperity as well as poverty. Moreover, you can receive a taste of joy that will come in the end.

You will learn from Jesus how to have meaningful conversations, enjoy your work, enjoy your friends, and make the most of your life. Not only that, you will receive the power to do it because you will receive his presence. And in his presence, there is fullness of joy.

In what part of life do you need joy?

 

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron

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This blog exists so that you don’t do what you’re told.  For most of the day, we feel like we make choices according to our own thoughts and desires. However, you are far more influenced than you care to know. Each choice you make is influenced by your past experiences, education, movies, songs, work, friends, and family.

Unknowingly, you develop habits from your past and unconsciously do what you are told.

As you go about your day on the job, at school, or in your home, you don’t have time to thoroughly think through each decision you make. Decisions simply happen. “Olive Garden just sounds good.” “I don’t think we should go to James’ tonight.” “I don’t know, I just think the boss would want us to do it differently.”

Your right side of the brain does this automatically. It gives you just the right amount of info you need to make the decision. This unstated info guides you and then forms your assumptions and values. Assumptions are not stated and are always correct—in your own mind, at least.

Our “thinking-self” or “conscious-self” believes it is the star of the movie…but it is only the supporting actor of our unconscious and assuming self (as psychologist Daniel Kahneman likes to explain it).

This is a marvelous and mysterious event that happens. It is also dangerous.

Sometimes, you hold assumptions and values that aren’t worth holding. These assumptions are unknown because they are unstated in your mind. Sometimes, they come from your desires while, at other times, they come from people who influence you (whether friends, movies, books, etc.).

By focusing on Jesus’ resurrection, you can easily discover what bad ideas are influencing you…then you can make better decisions according to what you believe is actually important.

Why not think differently? These bad ideas cause you to make bad decisions and leave your “joy-tank” half empty…

“What is worth living for?” This is a million-dollar question. Many Millennials (born between 1981–97) care about living life with a purpose—living the good life. If you are reading this and feel that way, then this blog it for you.

Not all purposes are worth living for. Some lives are more significant than others. Some lives produce more joy than others. The significance of your life is found in what you value—in what you believe is important.

“What is worth living for?” Believe it or not, everyone answers this question. Your answer is found in the way you spend your time and money. Your answer is found in the relationships you build and the thoughts you have. You can’t not answer this question.

Stephen Covey helpfully points out that we have the unique ability to imagine we are looking at ourselves. We aren’t dogs. In other words, we have self-awareness. Self-awareness allows us to examine how we live and then discern if we are valuing the right things.

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” -Socrates

Jesus’ resurrection teaches what to value—it teaches what is important. By taking time to learn about Jesus’ resurrection and then reflecting on your own life, you will see that some of the values he teaches overlap with your values…and some differ.

“Wait, why embrace values learned from Jesus’ resurrection?”

Because Jesus wants your joy to be as full as it can possibly be. Your happiness does not have to depend on your circumstances. Your joy can be in your control.

Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him.

Jesus resurrected to extend this joy to you.

This joy can be yours now. It can guide the decisions you make so that you don’t unknowingly use wrong assumptions, make bad choices, and feel joyless.

For this reason, I started this blog to help you find your unique purpose, live in that direction, and experience the good life.

So what is your vision of the good life?

Thanks for Reading,

Aaron