John 13:35 NLT
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
We all must have some type of identifying information with us. When we drive it must be a valid operators license for the state we come from. If we want to cross the border into another country, we have to have an up to date passport. Want to open a bank account, apply for a credit card, go to a doctor or hospital? Need identification relevant to what you are applying to.
It is hard to imagine in this culture that you do not have to have a card or a mark on you to prove you are a disciple of Christ. "The proof is in the pudding". That is to say, our actions tell others who we are. When we have Christ in us and we are in Christ it shows.
When we are with another believer, our love one to another is evident. And even when we are with non-believers our nonjudgmental actions and the love of Christ we display lets them know we are different. We are disciples of Jesus Christ.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Monday, April 08, 2013
No In Between in 2013
2 Timothy 4:3 ESV
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
We look to what sounds good; what tickles our ears. Many go from church to church looking for what pleases them instead of allowing Holy Spirit to direct them. We say we are Christians and yet we do find ourselves caught in between the lure of worldly things and the hope of forever.
We spend time on both sides of the isle. And I not speaking about politics in Washington. One side of the isle I am referring to is our flesh and the other our spirit. We are about fun and that can lead us into many fleshly things.
We need the latest computer, cell phone, big TV, and vehicle. Our needs seem to be easily centered around things of this world. We spend our earnings and even go into debt to have them. Then we ask God in Jesus name to miraculously pay off our debt.
2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
The more time we spend hanging with other committed Christians, the less the worldly things matter to us. Our conversation is God centered instead of world centered. The only game in town is the race we are in to finish our quest to be more and more like Christ finishing the race He has set before us.
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
We look to what sounds good; what tickles our ears. Many go from church to church looking for what pleases them instead of allowing Holy Spirit to direct them. We say we are Christians and yet we do find ourselves caught in between the lure of worldly things and the hope of forever.
We spend time on both sides of the isle. And I not speaking about politics in Washington. One side of the isle I am referring to is our flesh and the other our spirit. We are about fun and that can lead us into many fleshly things.
We need the latest computer, cell phone, big TV, and vehicle. Our needs seem to be easily centered around things of this world. We spend our earnings and even go into debt to have them. Then we ask God in Jesus name to miraculously pay off our debt.
2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
The more time we spend hanging with other committed Christians, the less the worldly things matter to us. Our conversation is God centered instead of world centered. The only game in town is the race we are in to finish our quest to be more and more like Christ finishing the race He has set before us.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Do Unto Others
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (NIV)
This is often turned around both in a good way and in a bad way. Someone treats us poorly and we turn around and retaliate with similar treatment to them. It becomes a "Do unto them what they did to me" attitude.
We see it on the highway all the time. Someone is cut off or is riding too close and the other driver gets around them and does the same thing to them and usually at a higher speed; an accident waiting to happen.
Some folks in church are friendly and others tend to walk right by. They may be the ones who are shaking your hand and looking away and perhaps even talking to someone else. Are we to turn away from the ones who ignore us and only be with the friendly ones? I don't think so.
Then there is the "They gave us a gift or they had us over for dinner, we must do the same back to them" situation. It is that same attitude, but in the positive. Who made up that rule anyway?
My mother always said "Love is reflected in love" and she was right on. We are to do unto others as we would hope they would do to us. That does not mean we are expecting them to do it to us or expect to give to get something in return. It means we are to Love everyone and not to treat them in any way we would not want to be treated.
dick
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (NIV)
This is often turned around both in a good way and in a bad way. Someone treats us poorly and we turn around and retaliate with similar treatment to them. It becomes a "Do unto them what they did to me" attitude.
We see it on the highway all the time. Someone is cut off or is riding too close and the other driver gets around them and does the same thing to them and usually at a higher speed; an accident waiting to happen.
Some folks in church are friendly and others tend to walk right by. They may be the ones who are shaking your hand and looking away and perhaps even talking to someone else. Are we to turn away from the ones who ignore us and only be with the friendly ones? I don't think so.
Then there is the "They gave us a gift or they had us over for dinner, we must do the same back to them" situation. It is that same attitude, but in the positive. Who made up that rule anyway?
My mother always said "Love is reflected in love" and she was right on. We are to do unto others as we would hope they would do to us. That does not mean we are expecting them to do it to us or expect to give to get something in return. It means we are to Love everyone and not to treat them in any way we would not want to be treated.
dick
Monday, March 25, 2013
Be Humble and Gentle
Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. (NLT)
One who is humble is said to show meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit. They are not arrogant or prideful and show submissive respect. Being gentle is about being considerate or amiable. And patient is about being tolerant; showing understanding and handling whatever the situation is with calmness.
I bet you know someone who displays those traits. I wish I could say I do all the time. In low pressure situations, we all can put on those traits. We know how to act so we tailor or reactions to fit what we know to be correct.
When someone makes a mistake in front of us, how do we react? Do we move on and help them or jump on them telling them how they should have done it?
When the clock is running and we have to be somewhere, how do we react to that slow driver in front of us, or the one that cuts us off and makes us miss the green light?
When someone compliments us do we humbly accept it or does pride show its face with an "of course I was great" look?
"Holy Spirit, show me what I have to do to change; to be able to more easily show these traits in all my interactions with others. Make me more Christ like. In Jesus name, I pray."
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. (NLT)
One who is humble is said to show meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit. They are not arrogant or prideful and show submissive respect. Being gentle is about being considerate or amiable. And patient is about being tolerant; showing understanding and handling whatever the situation is with calmness.
I bet you know someone who displays those traits. I wish I could say I do all the time. In low pressure situations, we all can put on those traits. We know how to act so we tailor or reactions to fit what we know to be correct.
When someone makes a mistake in front of us, how do we react? Do we move on and help them or jump on them telling them how they should have done it?
When the clock is running and we have to be somewhere, how do we react to that slow driver in front of us, or the one that cuts us off and makes us miss the green light?
When someone compliments us do we humbly accept it or does pride show its face with an "of course I was great" look?
"Holy Spirit, show me what I have to do to change; to be able to more easily show these traits in all my interactions with others. Make me more Christ like. In Jesus name, I pray."
Monday, March 18, 2013
Hide and Go Seek
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (NLT)
Remember playing "hide and go seek" when you were a kid? Or maybe you do now with your own children or grandchildren. The game has been around of hundreds of years and does not require an Internet access or a cell phone! One person is "it" and closes their eyes for a count of whatever while all the other participants hide.
Remember shouting out "Olly olly oxen free"? That was the phrase used to indicate that anyone still hiding could safely come out into the open.
An offshoot of that game is called "sardines" where one hides and all the others look for them. When the person is found, that seeker hides with them as well until all but one seeker remains. The number of those hiding in one place is likened to a can of sardines.
Our Lord knows the plan for our life, but He is not playing "hide and go seek." He will not come looking for us. We are to look wholeheartedly for Him and we will find Him. He will lay out the best plan for each day of our life, a plan to walk with Him into the next layer of life, one step closer to eternity with Him.
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (NLT)
Remember playing "hide and go seek" when you were a kid? Or maybe you do now with your own children or grandchildren. The game has been around of hundreds of years and does not require an Internet access or a cell phone! One person is "it" and closes their eyes for a count of whatever while all the other participants hide.
Remember shouting out "Olly olly oxen free"? That was the phrase used to indicate that anyone still hiding could safely come out into the open.
An offshoot of that game is called "sardines" where one hides and all the others look for them. When the person is found, that seeker hides with them as well until all but one seeker remains. The number of those hiding in one place is likened to a can of sardines.
Our Lord knows the plan for our life, but He is not playing "hide and go seek." He will not come looking for us. We are to look wholeheartedly for Him and we will find Him. He will lay out the best plan for each day of our life, a plan to walk with Him into the next layer of life, one step closer to eternity with Him.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Actions are Louder
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT)
We think we can tell all about someone by what we read about them and what they have written. And we have all heard the words of Napoleon Bonaparte that a picture is worth a thousand words.
We tell everyone we love them as we walk around and shake hands on Sunday morning. We make sure we do not hang up the phone with our friend until we say "I love you".
Truth is no matter what facade someone presents to us, the real person comes across by their actions.
When an event happens in their life, a catastrophic event or even just an illness that puts them at home in bed for a few days, where are we? Sure, we say and probably do pray for them. Do we show up to help? Do we bring a meal or two? Do we call others to have them pray or be part of a food chain? Do we offer to come and clean?
The fact is, actions do speak louder than words. If someone were to take our picture, what would those thousand words say?
"Lord, help me be the person you made me to be. May my actions speak your love to others in all circumstances of life:"
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT)
We think we can tell all about someone by what we read about them and what they have written. And we have all heard the words of Napoleon Bonaparte that a picture is worth a thousand words.
We tell everyone we love them as we walk around and shake hands on Sunday morning. We make sure we do not hang up the phone with our friend until we say "I love you".
Truth is no matter what facade someone presents to us, the real person comes across by their actions.
When an event happens in their life, a catastrophic event or even just an illness that puts them at home in bed for a few days, where are we? Sure, we say and probably do pray for them. Do we show up to help? Do we bring a meal or two? Do we call others to have them pray or be part of a food chain? Do we offer to come and clean?
The fact is, actions do speak louder than words. If someone were to take our picture, what would those thousand words say?
"Lord, help me be the person you made me to be. May my actions speak your love to others in all circumstances of life:"
Monday, March 04, 2013
Words of Encouragement
Ephesians 4:29
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)
Why is it that when people visit someone in the hospital they talk about all the other people they know that are sick or have been in the hospital? And even about people who have died with the same condition the person they are visiting is dealing with.
It reminds me of the story about the person who comes to work feeling really good. Had a good nights sleep and a great breakfast. The drive in was uneventful and he is ready for a good day. The first person who sees him remarks, "Are you feeling alright? You look like you had a tough night!" Wow, he sonders to the restroom and checks himself in the mirror.
My mother used to tell that "if don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." And yet we find it so easy to say just the wrong thing so often. God, forgive us.
The definition of foul or abusive language sure has changed over the last half century. What a commotion it caused when those words "I don't give a damn" were used in Gone with the Wind. What an uproar that made. Then look where we are now. Todays PG-13 flicks are filled with much worse language. It is like the movie could not tell the same story without the expletives. I don't think so.
So we should be watching our words in a couple of ways. Simply stated, we need to keep them clean and encouraging. Anything less is not shining the light of Jesus everywhere we go.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)
Why is it that when people visit someone in the hospital they talk about all the other people they know that are sick or have been in the hospital? And even about people who have died with the same condition the person they are visiting is dealing with.
It reminds me of the story about the person who comes to work feeling really good. Had a good nights sleep and a great breakfast. The drive in was uneventful and he is ready for a good day. The first person who sees him remarks, "Are you feeling alright? You look like you had a tough night!" Wow, he sonders to the restroom and checks himself in the mirror.
My mother used to tell that "if don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." And yet we find it so easy to say just the wrong thing so often. God, forgive us.
The definition of foul or abusive language sure has changed over the last half century. What a commotion it caused when those words "I don't give a damn" were used in Gone with the Wind. What an uproar that made. Then look where we are now. Todays PG-13 flicks are filled with much worse language. It is like the movie could not tell the same story without the expletives. I don't think so.
So we should be watching our words in a couple of ways. Simply stated, we need to keep them clean and encouraging. Anything less is not shining the light of Jesus everywhere we go.
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