Stonecroft Ministries
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FROM GENEVA - 1.08.2009

SHAKING UP THE STATUS QUO Geneva Vollrath, President/CEO

Hierarchies are good—especially if you can be at the top. The best way to control people is with a lot of rules and regulations. Power equals greatness. Those were a few of the tenets the Pharisees clung to. Can you imagine how the teachings of Jesus must have shaken them up?

Luke 7 records the story of a time when a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to dinner. As a religious leader who knew and studied the Scriptures, Simon should have recognized the Messiah. Instead, he seems intent on disproving the claims that Jesus was a prophet. He does not extend common courtesy or respect one would give an honored guest or a fellow teacher. He recoils in horror when Jesus allows Himself to be anointed by a sinful woman and he and his guests are further dumbfounded when Jesus tells the woman her sins are forgiven.

Jesus definitely set the status quo reeling. He reached out to everyone—and He actually seemed to enjoy hanging out with the outcast and disenfranchised. He influenced people through grace and love. And though an air of unmistakable authority clung to Him, He acted more like a servant than a king. It was revolutionary!

In a world marked by greed, power struggles, and a desire for our rights, Jesus calls His followers to the same revolutionary mindset. A life of giving instead of getting. Of relinquishing instead of clutching. Of surrender instead of struggle. Of humility instead of pride. A life like His.

As we head into 2009, let's shake up the status quo. Let's allow God's Word and His Holy Spirit to renew our mind, change our hearts, and infuse us with His strength and courage to live like Jesus.

Geneva Vollrath CEO/President, Stonecroft Ministries