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Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16

University of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino has made a mess of his life. The married father of four was having an affair with a 25 year old assistant when they wrecked on the motorcycle they were riding. From there it went from bad to worse as Coach Petrino tried to cover up the affair. He lied and lied, deceiving the college’s athletic director. Could it get worse? Oh, yes. He had hired the assistant to work for him personally. That was supposed to be cleared with the athletic director. He also provided her with $20,000 to buy a car. Good grief! Where do you turn when you totally screw up your life like that?

To Jesus. Turn to Jesus. He knows you. He knows life doesn’t always go smoothly in this world. He  knows there’ll be “Bobby Petrino incidents”…and worse. Look at the above verse, Jesus is aware of “trials and sorrows” in the lives of his people. He lived here. BUT. STOP. GET THIS. He says “take heart,” have hope, be brave. Not because it’s going to be easy to get things right, but because Jesus will help and prepare the way for you.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5

Have you seen the Katy Perry video for the song “Part of Me”? Her guy cheats on her and she dumps him. Then, on a gas station bulletin board she sees a small poster that says: All women are created equal, then some become Marines. She joins the Marines; she recreates herself. She gains confidence, begins to stand on her own. When she burns the letter her ex sent her, we know it’s over. Done. She is a new person. The final frame emphasizes the change as we see her as a Marine in her camouflage.

Jesus offers the same thing. Re-creation. If he were into housing construction, there’d be no fixer-uppers for him, it would all be building new structures. Fixing what’s wrong? Nope. Throw it out. Create the new. With him, you can become a new person. Jesus wants to get you to the point where you, like Katy Perry, can sing: “That was then, this is now…NOW, look at me!”

Are you ready for a new you? Well, if you get there, look to one who is in the re-creation business. All people are created, then some are re-created!

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There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3

There’s a youtube video out from the show “Britain’s Got Talent.” It shows a performance by 17-year-old Jonathan and 16-year-old Charlotte. When they walk on stage, Simon Cowell (yes, THE Simon) turns to another judge and says, “Just when you think things couldn’t get worse.” You see, Jonathan is a very obese young man. As Simon talks to the couple, he sounds arrogant and chides Jonathan for being quiet. The camera panning to the audience shows many of them agreeing. BUT THEN…Jonathan and Charlotte begin to sing. Oh, my gosh, nothing I could write can do justice to Jonathan’s voice. Amazing! Suddenly, all those pre-formed opinions change, as the audience rises to their feet, and even Simon begins smiling in shock.

Snap judgments are made about people everyday. Forming opinions based on physical looks, economic level, clothes, shoes, accents, and on and on it goes. The sad part is that behavior and treatment are based on those judgments. As with Jonathan, that can hurt and cause the loss of self-respect. That is not the way of Jesus. “For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” He chooses not to see any of that. He looks at the heart and soul. He treats people with respect. He preached equality, fairness, and love.

Consider, today, you are unique. You deserve to be treated with respect because of who you are. Consider Jesus.

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“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28

Part of the lyrics of the Adele song “Rolling in the Deep” say:

The scars of your love remind me of us

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless

I can’t help feeling

We could have had it all

The songwriter is obviously writing about a huge regret. Something that was really important that could have been so great, but it didn’t work out.

We all have regrets: words we wish we’d never said, things we wish we’d never done. They become difficult and messy situations in our lives. Some people can shake those regrets off and get on with life. But, usually it takes a long time to get over a regret like Adele is singing about.

Here’s a promise from God. He’ll be beside you always. Through the bad time, through the recovery regardless of how long it takes. And, he’ll be there as you move forward. It’s his desire, his nature, to help you.

Today. Think about giving him [is this an undefined pronoun?] the chance to help you. That’s what he wants. It’s who he is.

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.  Mark 10

Tim Tebow. Does anyone in America not know that name?! Star college football quarterback, Heisman trophy winner, the comeback kid of the Denver Broncos, and, recently, traded to the New York Jets as part of the Peyton Manning saga. Whew!!! In his first interview with the New York City media he tried to describe how he felt about this latest development. In 35 minutes he used the word “excited” 45 times! Maybe he was nervous. Maybe there wasn’t a better word. Maybe he was just emphasizing how he felt. One thing’s for sure: He’s EXCITED about being with the New York Jets.

In the New Testament of the Bible the word “love” is used over 250 times. That’s a lot! In this case it’s because there isn’t a better word. Love is THE word. The writers of the New Testament wanted to emphasize the love of Jesus. It’s a “genuine love.” It’s an unconditional love that’s not based on anything from the receiver. The closest we can get to understanding it is, perhaps, the love you have for your spouse and/or your children. It’s that “you don’t have to do anything” love. I will love you no matter what.

As you get ready for your day. Walk out the door, Go about your routine…know this. That genuine, unconditional love exists. In Jesus.