Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Delight in Dawdling

  By Rachel | April 9, 2012 - 10:09 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Rose
My daughter is a dawdler.  She especially seems to love dawdling when we are getting dressed in the morning, eating meals, and getting ready for bed at night.

She will ask questions (why?), move at a snails pace, anything to prevent the quick movement from point A to point B or through whatever task or meal we may be sitting down to complete.

I find myself getting very frustrated sometimes.  Why?  That’s what I have been thinking about- and truthfully- all the reasons that I come up with mostly boil down to my own selfishness.  I want her to move faster so that I can move on to the next thing or focus on the next thing.

When I have a list in my head of things to do, I like to move through those things and get them accomplished.

Sometimes my son is crying and she is dawdling and I just want her to hurry so I can get back to him.

Maybe you are trying to take just a few moments to sit down and read for a few minutes, or eat something, or do a few exercises…go to the bathroom…

In the heat of the moment, how do you respond?  I believe those moments are glimpses of our true character- our discipline and self-surrender to Christ.  That’s why I posit it is my own selfishness that fuels so many of my reactions- those parts of myself that remain not given up or delivered in Christ.

Whatever the reason- these are times when I feel my character is being tested.  How will I choose to respond?  Will I yell and get impatient?  Will I calmly ask her to move a little faster and explain to her the reason for hurrying?  Will I let her dawdle- and dawdle with her?

Life is full of so many small- seemingly insignificant moments- but out of those things if we are watching- we can see patterns emerge.  Ways that we choose to deal with situations that frustrated us or raise our stress level.

God has been challenging me with the realization that everything I do- even these seemingly insignificant things- are teaching my children about my character- and their mother responding with the love of Christ- and in a way that teaches them about who God is and who He calls us to be as Christians.

Rather than letting these moments slip by unchecked- I have been praying that God will change my heart and continue to chip away at the selfish parts of me- bringing me more fully in surrender to Him.

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 3:20-21 (Great passage on a Christian household)

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Embitter: Cause (someone) to feel bitter or resentful.

Bitter: characterized by intense antagonism or hostility, hard to bear, grievous, distressful

Synonyms for Bitter: heartbreaking, disagreeable, antagonistic, distasteful, acrimonious, disturbing, unpleasant

***I think that though this passage says Fathers- that Mothers can endeavor to also avoid things that would embitter our children.

Contemplating the view, Willis Tower
So I pray that today, we would take time to consider our interactions with our children, and if you have no children presently- how you interact with your spouse or co-workers, friends, family…

Are there any situations that continually frustrate you or leave you feeling unsatisfied- wishing for a different outcome?  Are you hungry to live a more faithful example of Christ’s sacrificial love and patience?

I encourage you to pray- and seek accountability- to find Scriptures that can encourage you and memorize them- write them on your mirror- start today.

Don’t let another day go by- for we all know- time slips away quickly and before we know it- the time to change is lost- our children are grown- relationships are damaged or destroyed- because we failed to see the importance of those seemingly little things.

Romans 7:21-25

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

 

 

Considering Christ’s Suffering

  By Rachel | April 6, 2012 - 7:25 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Man of Sorrows

We all have hard times- times when we feel alone, overwhelmed.

Do you ever feel weary- tired from battling against sin and your own selfishness?

Do you have moments or days, when you want to give up?  When you are tired and in need of encouragement?

Do you ever wish you were more patient, a better listener, a more faithful friend-do you feel guilty and discouraged by your own shortcomings?

At those times, more than ever- we need to remember Jesus- and all that he suffered on our behalf. There is tremendous encouragement in Christ’s suffering- in His courage, His sacrifice, His unfailing Love.

I find that when I meditate on Christ’s death, and read Scriptures about what He endured- it bolsters me.  I know that if Christ can endure torture and death, I can endure whatever I face today- my own sufferings seem small and insignificant when I look at Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-3

 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Another passage that touches me deeply- and often brings me to tears- is the passage when Christ is in the garden of Gethsemane.
Agony in the Garden

Matthew 26:36-46 Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

I think of Jesus, so deeply troubled in spirit, considering what was before Him.  Asking for prayer and support from his friends- and they fell asleep.

I think we can all relate to that- being deeply troubled or struggling and needing support- and yet not finding those who will be there for us- who will pray with us and walk with us through our pain.

And then (Jesus) falling to His face before God- asking for the cup to be taken away- and His perfect submission of spirit- they will be done, may your will be done.

What an example for us- of self-sacrifice- of dread and perhaps fear of what was to come- yet courage in spite of that- and a resolution to do God’s will even when He prayed for another way.

He was alone in the garden- yet, no- not alone- God was with Him.

We are never alone.  In our suffering- whatever it may be- God is always faithful and present with us.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

So on this Good Friday- I pray that you will find strength and hope to carry on- remembering that we are saved and redeemed by Christ’s blood.

Romans 8:31-39

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

  By Rachel | April 2, 2012 - 6:57 pm | Hymns I Love, Thoughts for the Day
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A favorite hymn of mine that I am taking time to meditate on as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross during Holy Week.  I pray that it blesses you as well.

CHRIST CRUCIFIED

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

Be near me when I’m dying, O show Thy cross to me;
And for my succor flying, Come, Lord, and set me free.
These eyes, new faith receiving, From Thee shall never move;
For he who dies believing Dies safely through Thy love.

Cross

Here is a YouTube video that has a choir singing the first three verses- in case you are not familiar with this Hymn.

The Legacy of Women who Love God

  By Rachel | March 4, 2012 - 11:34 am | Thoughts for the Day
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tree of light

My Grandmother has passed away.  At the end of life, it is customary to remember all the days before- to think about- what is my legacy?

I can tell you what my Grandmother’s Legacy was to me.  A life spent loving God, serving God, sharing God, living a life honoring Christ.  She modeled, in so many ways, a life that said God is first in my heart.

I remember waking up in the morning when we were staying with them for family holidays or trips- and finding her sitting with her Bible and devotional book and her breakfast.  I knew not to disturb her when she was having her quiet time with God.

I had the thought- and wrote it down in one of my journals I kept as a kid, that Grandma always reminded me how important it is to spend time with God every day, and to put Him first.

My Grandma was a hard worker, and she was tough.  Not that she was lacking in tenderness- there was a sweetness so beautiful in her too- but I admired her work ethic- and how much joy she took from serving her family.

Boxes full of cards can be found in storage here at the house.  Many of them are from Grandma and Grandpa.  Their messages were always heartfelt and tender- talking about missing me, being proud of me, how much they enjoyed being with me and my children.  Their joy over my marriage to Phil.

It matters.  The love of the women who have gone before me.  They have modeled for me what a Godly woman looks like.

Proverbs 31:10-12,25-31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I am humbled and honored to have known women who love the Lord and serve Him all the days of their life.  To have had the chance to talk to my grandmother about being a Mom, to hear her wisdom and advice- to pray with her.

Through the jumble of emotions, there is joy.  I know Grandma is at peace, she is in the arms of Jesus.  Her suffering is no more- and I know I will see her again someday.
Sadness

I am singing the song below at my Grandmother’s funeral.

Neither Hot nor Cold

  By Rachel | March 3, 2012 - 3:43 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Revelation 3:14-20

14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
The open church door (explored)This passage has been on my mind a lot lately.  One of the most troubling things I see now in our country is apathy.

What is apathy?

  1. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
  2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.

Synonyms: coldness, detachment, disinterest, dispassion, disregard, passiveness, unconcern, stoicism

We just don’t care.  That’s a simple way of saying it.  We are concentrating on our own family, and our own concerns, our comforts, our life, our children.

The only problem with this is that as the church God calls us to love our neighbor.  He calls us to defend the defenseless- to take up their cause.  To help the poor, orphan, and widow.

We pay our taxes and decide to let the govt do it- but that’s not what God called us to do.  We are not only supposed to fill people’s pocketbooks.

What does the Bible say about money?  Love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10).  Money can potentially be a dangerous threat to intimacy with God.  We need to be sharing Christ with people AND meeting their needs.

Does the govt tell people about Jesus when they pay for their food stamps or Social Security?  Do they share about how God can heal us when they go in for their doctor appointments with Medicare and Medicaid?

It is a lazy answer.  We don’t want to get our hands dirty- to deal with interacting with people who haven’t bathed, may not have all their teeth, may not speak English well, maybe they don’t know how to read, or maybe they have been addicted to drugs or alcohol. They might not be like us.

But who did Jesus spend his time with?  That’s what disturbs me when I read Scripture.  I see myself (and the church in the US) more and more as the Pharisees and Sadducees- those who Jesus called white washed tombs.  We appear on the outside to be holy and do the things we are supposed to do- but inside our hearts- in our spirits- we are far from the things of God.

Matthew 23:25-39  Jesus is teaching here- the beginning of Matthew 23 is also very applicable to this discussion.

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

It gets messy when you open yourself up to love people.  Especially when you don’t know how they will respond.  To give in relationships where you do not expect to get anything in return.  We are used to equitable relationships- people who can do things for us if we do things for them.

The truth is- I am discovering this- the getting messy part- all over again.  It is easy to forget how hard it is to put yourself out there- to loan money to someone and they don’t pay you back.  And then they stop calling you.  Suddenly you are no longer their friend- and you are wondering if they ever were your friend or were just waiting to take money from you.

Sometimes we look foolish to others- they make judgments about whether or not we should have helped someone.  But what is more important?

It’s hard.  But no matter how many times we help, or what the outcome is, God calls us to continue.  To learn to give, not expecting anything in return and to share the gospel.

So I pray that this week we will be open to opportunities to reach out to the “least of these.” (Mat. 25:40,45) And that we would step out in faith and serve- trusting God with the outcome.

Impatiens sodenii 'Madonna' #2

Trust God to bring our bud to glorious flower.

 

Preparation for the Soul

  By Rachel | February 29, 2012 - 7:59 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Spade in soil

I was digging to plant my first Azalea a few days ago, and I got to thinking about how our spiritual lives are in many ways similar to the work that I do when preparing to plant a shrub.

To make sure that the plant is healthy and does well in the location where you have planted it, you need to give it the right kind of soil to grow.  Each plant is unique- so you have to pay attention to the particular conditions that really help that plant to be healthy.

We need healthy soil to be planted in- I like to look at this as our home life- what we do with our time during the day- what we are putting into our brains, what we are thinking about?  How much time do you spend focused on God and eternal things and how much time either escaping or focusing on things of this world?

You have to dig a big hole, usually two to three times the size of the plant ball that you are planting, and it is good to dig a hole twice as deep.
Preparing the Soil

How deep is your foundation?  Do you have basic knowledge and understanding of God’s Word?  When you feel tempted or discouraged, or stressed- do you have passages of Scripture that you look to for comfort? Do you spend time in prayer- or do you head to the fridge, television, video games, or alcohol to escape?  (This was very convicting for me- we talked about this at BSF last week)

Sometimes you have to remove rocks or take out a lot of the native soil because the plant needs a different mix to provide better drainage or to help encourage the roots to reach down deeper for water.

What do you need to take out of your life?  What is lingering in the soil of your soul, keeping you from continuing to grow closer to Christ?  What secret sin are you unwilling to let go of???

When you water the plant, you water for long periods, letting the water soak down deep, encouraging the roots to extend downward rather than staying close to the surface of the ground.

Do you have a solid root system?  Does your faith run deep, not easily shaken by life circumstances?  How do you respond when bad things happen to people?  How do you handle the doubts in your life- are you confident in the promises of Scripture?

Do you know the promises that we can claim as children of God?  Can you list some of the attributes of God’s character and point to places in Scripture that support your list?

A thick layer of mulch is necessary to keep the plant cool and to help hold moisture in the soil and keep weeds at bay.

What weeds have taken over in your soil?  Are there things that choke you daily and discourage you- do you feel like you are fighting a losing battle?

Do you use Scripture to combat those areas of weakness in your life?  Do you pray when hard times come or you lose your temper and say something that you regret?  Do you seek forgiveness from those you have wronged and from God?

Have you spent time preparing your soul today?  Are you so busy that you don’t have time to stop and even ponder the state of your soul?  What can you change- no matter how small- to make a conscious effort to make time for God today?

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Pink on blue

Living to Please…?

  By Rachel | February 27, 2012 - 4:36 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Bath In The Light

Who are we living to please?  This was the thought running through my head all day yesterday- because people-pleasing has always been a struggle- and the dreaded “comparing myself to others.”

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6  (working for the Lord- not to please man)

1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

I want to become more like Paul.  But how do we stop?  Tell me if you also have found yourself doing some of these things.

Being proud of what I have accomplished, and that I am not like others doing those “really bad things.”

Or commending ourselves for those things that we feel convicted about- for how much we are sacrificing- and seeing others who we don’t think are giving enough.

Comparing ourselves to others, looking to others to affirm us, taking too seriously others rejection and censure, seeking to please man before God.

I was reading 2 Cor. 10 as part of my “homework” for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) this week- and I came across this verse-(v12)- We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense.

Now I am a big fan of reading things in context- esp. with Scripture- to avoid the tendency to make it say what we want it to say- but I love what Paul says here.  And in context he is speaking to his own limitations and that his conscience is clear, he has done what he believes was required of him and does not concern himself with others expectations, nor does he boast in anything but the Lord alone (vs. 17).

It is so easy though to compare ourselves to others.  I find myself doing it far too often.

Apples & Oranges - They Don't Compare

Making sweeping judgments about people that I don’t even really know.  Or at least, not intimately enough to account for how they spend every moment of their day.

The comparison game drives people apart in churches all the time-we make assumptions about people – thinking we give more time than they do and why don’t they give more- or how can they not be passionate about this ministry or am I the only person who cares about ____ (fill in the blank)?

But so often we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt while assuming the worst of others.

People have a tendency to exhibit a self-serving attribution bias, that is to attribute positive thoughts and motives to our own actions but negative thoughts and motives to factors beyond one’s control e.g. others, chance or circumstance.

This is a known and studied psychological principle.  Watch for it, and you will be amazed how often we see it in action.

Example: Have you ever been driving somewhere and realized you weren’t paying attention and were doing 10 miles below the speed limit- then you look in your rear view mirror and see someone riding your bumper?  You may think to yourself- “geez, no need to be so impatient”- or feel offended that this person is riding your bumper.

We immediately may assume this person is a reckless driver and rude for riding so close behind us.  But what if they have a family emergency?  We don’t know what is causing them to drive fast, yet, I believe we have a tendency to get defensive- to protect and defend our own motives while assuming others have the worst.

Here are the two points to take away with you:

  1. Let’s work to please God first and foremost- and even at the exclusion of man at times.
  2. Recognize our tendency as humans to compare ourselves with others and to rule more favorably for ourselves- and pray that God will help you to cultivate humility and compassion for others.

All these things serve only to distract us from seeking to please God first and last.  We are not to seek to please people- and if we do or we don’t- that should not influence our desire to serve in the capacity the Lord has called us to.

We are only to obey Him- for He holds us accountable and knows our hearts like no man ever could.

Paul’s confidence and ability to suffer many trials for Christ was directly related to His right thinking about this very thing.  He did not concern himself with pleasing man, but only with what was pleasing to God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (This section of 1 Thess.  is called Living to Please God (in the NIV))

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

 9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

I pray that today we may seek to be obedient to God’s call on our lives, to repent for the sin in our own lives, and with humility consider others above ourselves (Phil 2:3).

 

The Great Divide

  By Rachel | February 23, 2012 - 2:50 pm | Random
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Canyon

Why do we focus on the things that separate us?  We spend so much time and energy reading books and listening to people talking about how our side is right and the other side is wrong that I think sometimes we forget what is truly important.

Political division has the potential to turn brother against brother, friend against friend.  Do we hold more tightly to political beliefs than to Jesus Christ?  Do we hold more tightly to our political position than our love extends to others?

Roman 12:9-21

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[ says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Are we more concerned with being right- our side is superior- than we are with trying to live out what the Bible teaches us?  There is so much that we don’t know in this life (God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways)- so many things we can speculate about.

Would Jesus have been a liberal or a conservative? When people ask questions like that- it makes me angry.

Why?  Because it focuses on what divides us, and it can keep us from loving fully- when we argue political position rather than following Christ’s example.

Just live out the Gospel.  Can’t we all agree on that?

Is our pride in being right more important than loving and serving those around us?

Do you making sweeping judgments about a political group- lumping everyone together?

Do you mock and belittle their position- taking pride in your superiority of thought?

If you truly feel that a brother or sister in Christ is being deceived, do you pray for them in love and reach out to them?  Or do you think about how ignorant they are?  What is going on in your heart?

I have wrestled with this so much over the years, but the older I get the more I find that those things that preoccupy my thoughts have nothing to do with political position and everything to do with obeying God’s Word and serving the people He has called me to serve.

If we all just sought to be obedient and use the gifts that God gives us- to support and love each other-despite our differences- to not turn away from each other in anger but give each other the benefit of the doubt…

We can’t know another person’s heart.  Yes, we can watch for fruit- (Matthew 7).  But I think sometimes we are so set in our position- that becomes our focus- ideology supersedes our love for people. (Look up confirmation bias and belief perseverance- be aware of our tendency to cling to our own position- even in the face of evidence that is in direct contradiction)

When we post something on Facebook or other social mediums- are we more concerned with being right and flaunting our position or making fun of the other side- or are we seeking to love, encourage- and “spur one another on to love and good deeds?” (Heb. 10:24)

As I post this, I am thinking these things over seriously concerning my own actions- and praying that I will be seeking to encourage- to share my passion- to spur on my brothers and sisters in Christ and not focus on what divides us.

This does not mean that we water down truth- or we have to compromise our convictions. We must endeavor to be obedient to God’s Word- even though that may cause tension or division at times.

Please hear my heart- take some time to think about your motivations when it comes to your political convictions- and how much energy are you extending to prove you are right- are you motivated by pride?

If you have said things that have hurt a friend or co-worker, and now regret it, will you seek reconciliation?  We can disagree politically and still respect and love each other.  We can focus on the things that unite us in Christ.

If you have other thoughts to share- I would encourage you to comment on this post.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

 

 

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Stopping to Ask for Direction

  By Rachel | February 22, 2012 - 5:29 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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A very old crack

Making a plan, keeping the schedule, crossing things off the list, sometimes it can seem like days are filled with so much of going from one thing to the next we don’t really have time to think about it.

But do you ever have days when you can feel a whisper or nudging- go open your Bible, or pray about that…but you are so preoccupied with what you are trying to do that you don’t even really notice?  God is trying to break in- but you can’t hear Him or see what He’s trying to do because you are too busy getting in your own way?

Well, that’s what happened to me yesterday.  I was so preoccupied by certain tasks I was trying to get done, that I didn’t stop to spend time with God- to really put it all down and just sit with Him.

I took some “quiet time” but it was really about 15 minutes of reading a devotional and it was encouraging- but afterwards I still felt unsettled in my spirit- I still needed more- but I pushed those thoughts and feelings away and just continued to work.

Today, this morning, I finally took the time (in part at home, in part at BSF).  I stopped and really listened- and He comforted me.  He encouraged me- He met me right where I am.

Here are some of the meditations from 2 Corinthians that blessed me so richly today- and I pray that they will encourage and strengthen you as well.

How do we respond to trouble in our lives?  Do we run from it, avoid it, ignore it, eat or drink alcohol to numb ourselves from the pain of our circumstances?  Or do we embrace it, seek to not just endure our trials but do I enlist?

Enlist means to join the cause- fight the good fight- participate in the battle- go on the offensive- not just slump our shoulders under the burden but take courage- have faith in God and stand firm.

Our troubles, the cracks in our jar- reveal Christ’s glory. See 2 Corinthians 4:1-15.

1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Trials are opportunities for the light of Christ to shine through our brokenness.

So let us shine, may the light of Jesus light us up- may we have on us the fragrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 2:14-17).

 

 

 

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Judge Not?

  By Rachel | February 13, 2012 - 4:20 pm | Thoughts for the Day
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Gavel & Stryker

In our culture of tolerance, what positions do we take as Christians?

How do we continue to be faithful to God’s call, to speak the truth in love- when societal pressure argues that everything is permissible and dare we say- beneficial?

Today at church, we talked about Matthew 7- a famous (infamous?) Scripture passage that is often taken out of context.

 

Matthew 7

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

   3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

   6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

I have had several people over the years, and recently someone online quote me Matthew 7:1.  Judge not, lest you be judged.

What does this mean?  Jesus is teaching in this passage- and I don’t think that He is telling us to suspend all judgment- could we even do that?  We make judgments every day.

Here are some definitions of judge:

  1. an authority who is able to estimate worth or quality
  2. a public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
  3. form an opinion of or pass judgment on
  4. determine the result of (a competition)
  5. judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
  6. pronounce judgment on
  7. put on trial or hear a case and sit as the judge at the trial of

We make decisions about what to eat for breakfast, how to spend our time, we make moral judgments constantly- deciding whether we feel something is acceptable or not.  How do we judge what is right or good?  As Christians, we have the Bible as our standard.  And we are supposed to judge, or make judgments, based on what the Bible tells us is right, and what is sinful or wrong.

What measure are we using?  See verse two- if we are using the measure of the Bible- then that same measure will be used on us.  We must be careful in passing judgment on others- and watch out for hypocrisy- making sure that we are not more concerned with the sins of others than we are about being watchful for sin in our own lives.

But we need each other’s help.  Sometimes we are not aware of the sin in our own lives- and we need someone to come alongside us in love and confront us with God’s truth.  We do this in humility and love.

We also need to be careful of judging harshly those who don’t know God.  We are to share the gospel with everyone we meet and lovingly encourage them to accept the gift of forgiveness and grace the Lord offers- but we are not to judge them by the same standards as those in the church who have already accepted Christ.

Yet, sometimes I think we get it backwards.  We are much more harsh and judgmental of those outside the church, and seem reluctant- or unwilling even- to come alongside a brother or sister in the church and confront them in love.

I pray that we would be willing to confront each other in love- to help each other as we strive to be obedient to what Scripture teaches, and to use the Bible as the standard- to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24).

My husband has brought up this quote several times when we have talked about the movement of our culture toward tolerance.

“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” G. K. Chesterton

Let us hold tight to our convictions- never forgetting all that Jesus sacrificed to take the penalty for our sins.  Let us remember the mercy and compassion that God has shown us so that we are gracious and compassionate to each other.

I pray for discernment for us that we may reach our friends and neighbors with the love of Christ- and be bold in our witness for Him.


 

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