Friday, November 24, 2006

FAULTS
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NLT Colossians 3:13)

Software companies work hard at the creation of new applications for us to enjoy. The biggest at this time is Microsoft and many of us use Windows and Office just about every day; some all day long. New versions are in the making and should hit the retails stores soon. In an effort to remove all the faults, beta versions have been available as free downloads for months. These versions admittedly contain faults and it is the job of the beta tester to use the product and report the issues as they occur.

Even after the new software is released to the general public, faults will be discovered. As they surface, fixes will be created and downloaded to our machines. An old term for these faults in programming is the computer bug. Fixing bugs requires patches and as an application gets older the patches pile up until a new version of the software is released.

Encarta defines fault as a personal shortcoming, a failing, or character weakness. Although it may be difficult to admit it, we all come with faults. Some of our faults came as part of our DNA or our original programming; the result of generations past. Others faults are the result of choices made in our past. Our character is made up of the original programming plus the patches applied over the years.

When we gave our life over to Jesus, we became born again and a new version of the programming was downloaded to us. However, the old version is still trying to remain active. It is as if we have a dual boot system with two operating systems trying to be in control. When we boot our computer, we have the choice of which operating systems boots. In our lives, we choose which program to run—the old man or the new.

The old man still has faults. We sometimes do not even recognize the faults in our self. We like who we have become and expect others to be just like us. Their faults bug us. Why do they have to be like that? But, it is okay for others to have faults. The Lord forgave us our sins, our faults, and we need to make allowance for others.

Which programming are you allowing to boot today?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

GENEROSITY
You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for doing so you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. (NLT Philemon 1:6)

Paul wrote this letter to Philemon for the express purpose of encouraging Philemon to forgive his slave, who had run away. Philemon was a wealthy member of the Colossian church, which met in his house.

Paul begins by telling Philemon he is generous. Then he goes on to tell Philemon he must put that generosity to work. This can seem confusing. Is he or is he not generous?

Generosity is an attribute of Christ. When we become born again, we take on the attributes of Christ. That is, our new man has the attributes of Christ. I am generous because of who I am in Christ. This does not mean my earthly walk is evidence of that generosity.

The second sentence is the key. As we intentionally step out in faith, putting those attributes of Christ to work, we will take them on in the natural and come to an understanding of what we can do for Christ.

Paul is explaining to Philemon that as he chooses to become generous, he will become generous like Christ.

Faith is an action word. We must put our faith out in front of us; we must choose to use the attributes of Christ in our daily life knowing, in faith, that they are ours to use. As we are generous by choice, we become generous by nature.

As we walk in faith, we take on more of His attributes, and our character changes from that old man to the new man we really are--that born again child of God.
THE EXAMPLE
For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do. (NLT 1 Corinthians 4:15-16)

We have thousands of books and videos and programming to teach us all we could ever want to learn. But there is not one as worthwhile as the example someone we are in relationship with sets for us.

Show and tell is an exercise used in grade school. The students bring their favorite toy, a pet, or something else to class and share their excitement about this item. By showing someone else the love they have for that pet, another gets excited about having one of their own.

People do not become stronger Christians because of what we tell them. We must be an example in all we do and say. We teach by example.

Words by themselves can be taken the wrong way. Meant well, they might trigger some previous event in the receiver and take on an entirely different meaning. What we think should be projecting love might be sending a different message. As they see us show His love to others and to them, misinterpretation is less likely to occur. Instead of relying on past experiences to interpret, our example is creating new experiences for them.

Jesus was an example for all who followed Him and Paul an example for the gentiles. The Christ in us is that same example for all we are in relationship with. As we live our lives, we tell others by our words and our actions, about the living Jesus.

Be an example for someone you know today.?

Friday, November 03, 2006

OPPORTUNITY
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. (NLT Ephesians 5:16)

When we are rearing our children, we encourage them to do good by the words we say and by our expressions. They do not have to be rewarded with a special treat. It is our genuine praise they treasure more any physical things.

The same is true with our pets. Our dog treasures the touches she receives from us and feels good when we tell her she is a good dog. She does good because she knows it pleases us.

There are many opportunities for us to do good every day. How about slowing down and letting that car merge in front of you instead of speeding past them. Next time you see someone waiting to walk across the street, stop and let them go even if there is no one coming behind you. Open the door for the person behind you at the market and let the person with one or two items get ahead at the checkout line, and do it with a smile.

Do it because you can, because you know you should do good every day. The opportunities are there, all we have to do is grab hold of them. As we do, the Holy Spirit will open doors for us to share the gospel message. Just wait and see it happen.

Did you grab hold of an opportunity today?