What if... for just one day you put God and His word first? This would mean that you would have to read it and DO what it says - to the best of your ability. There are only a few behaviors that you would really need to focus on. Using scripture as the basis, God says that what He requires is for us to do three things (Micah 6:8): do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. In the New Testament, while not abandoning these three, the requirement is to believe on His Son.(Acts 4:12).
I would suggest that to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly are behaviors based in our beliefs. It is not possible to consistently walk in those behaviors without first coming to salvation in Jesus and what He teaches. Next is to understand and know the behaviors that are just, merciful, humble and the ones that aren't. Without your own operational definitions of these behaviors, it's impossible to know if you are doing what you say.
In so many ways you really are what you do. Do you believe you could, for just one day, be just, merciful, and humble (with God)? It is as much purposing to act in those ways as it is to intentionally seek out opportunities to be and do what is asked. Since I believe in options and choosing, I believe that we all have the ability to do and be just and merciful and humble... for just one day. It is mindset living.
What if you did attempt to follow these three behaviors for just one day... what would be the result? And what if this concept caught on when you shared what you were doing and other people attempted to do the same ... for just one day - what would be the result? And after you tried it for one day, you tried it again - for just one day. What would be the result? Then again, perhaps that's the wrong emphasis - the result - how would you feel? Regardless of others doing the same thing, how would your thinking change? Possible? ... for just one day.
... but, what do you believe?
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Blessed
Do you feel blessed? Do you know you're blessed? Do you ACT like you're blessed? The last question is the most important but is based on your answers to the first two questions. Blessed is not arrogant, it simply is a confidence in who (and whose) you are and the path you are on. It defines your mental state, your mindset. It doesn't mean that everything you do or that happens to you is terrific, but it does provide the foundation for you continuing.
One of the most important of Jesus' teachings is His Sermon on the Mount - the Beatitude sermon (Matthew 5:3-12). In it He delineates 9 blessings. These are available to those who experience salvation and He was teaching His followers what was available to them. I believe that the blessings are meant to be an encouragement as well because they also indicate the behaviors and mindset that Christians are suppose to practice. The problem typically comes when we attempt to define what this looks like in behavior. The answer comes from watching Jesus' behavior in demonstrating these blessings.
Paul also provides a context when he tells the church (Ephesians 1:3) that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Paul was attempting to instill in the church that we have these blessings now - not just when we are in heaven. And... note that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing not every material blessing. 'Material' is part of the 'things' that come with seeking Him (Matthew 6:33). Never underestimate the power of the spiritual.
Blessed requires that you walk in what we see in Matthew 5 and how Jesus demonstrates this. So often we get deflected due to man's interpretation. And you? Does blessed describe who you are and how you live? It's interesting to discover the definition of 'blessed': indicates large or of long duration, an adjective suggesting happy, supremely blessed - a condition in which congratulations are in order, a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation. (Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV) Is this you?
...but, what do you believe?
One of the most important of Jesus' teachings is His Sermon on the Mount - the Beatitude sermon (Matthew 5:3-12). In it He delineates 9 blessings. These are available to those who experience salvation and He was teaching His followers what was available to them. I believe that the blessings are meant to be an encouragement as well because they also indicate the behaviors and mindset that Christians are suppose to practice. The problem typically comes when we attempt to define what this looks like in behavior. The answer comes from watching Jesus' behavior in demonstrating these blessings.
Paul also provides a context when he tells the church (Ephesians 1:3) that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Paul was attempting to instill in the church that we have these blessings now - not just when we are in heaven. And... note that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing not every material blessing. 'Material' is part of the 'things' that come with seeking Him (Matthew 6:33). Never underestimate the power of the spiritual.
Blessed requires that you walk in what we see in Matthew 5 and how Jesus demonstrates this. So often we get deflected due to man's interpretation. And you? Does blessed describe who you are and how you live? It's interesting to discover the definition of 'blessed': indicates large or of long duration, an adjective suggesting happy, supremely blessed - a condition in which congratulations are in order, a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation. (Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV) Is this you?
...but, what do you believe?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Without faith...
Have you ever really considered those two words? Without Faith... What comes next is critically important - it is impossible to please God. Impossible! That really puts the word in context. From the beginning of man's existence I believe God has been trying to teach man how important faith is. How faith is what will sustain man during the difficult times. And, faith is as much a verb as it is a noun.
Faith is a word like love; we all have our own definition but typically without ever really thinking about it. Yet, it really is incredibly important to know our definition so we can recognize the behavior when we see it in ourselves and in others. Scripture has many discourses and examples about faith, the most obvious example is Abraham who was told that he would the father of many nations yet he was childless. Though Abraham tried to make it happen, which has proved disastrous, yet God being faithful fulfilled His word to Abraham.
There are countless descriptions scripture provides which should indicate to us just how important faith is to God. Example: looking at only 3 scriptures we see that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), and that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:2). Even if you would consider only those three, they have far reaching implications.
The first description discusses the unseen aspect of faith. If our faith is based only in what we see then this is not faith. Faith takes us beyond the senses into a realm requiring us to stand on what we believe, what we know from what we have been promised. Always remember that God watches over His word to see that it is performed (Isaiah 55:11). The second description is a statement - it's impossible to please God without faith. And the third description gives us our foundation to life, how we should live. Faith is an action word, foundational to everything.
... but, what do you believe?
Faith is a word like love; we all have our own definition but typically without ever really thinking about it. Yet, it really is incredibly important to know our definition so we can recognize the behavior when we see it in ourselves and in others. Scripture has many discourses and examples about faith, the most obvious example is Abraham who was told that he would the father of many nations yet he was childless. Though Abraham tried to make it happen, which has proved disastrous, yet God being faithful fulfilled His word to Abraham.
There are countless descriptions scripture provides which should indicate to us just how important faith is to God. Example: looking at only 3 scriptures we see that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), and that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:2). Even if you would consider only those three, they have far reaching implications.
The first description discusses the unseen aspect of faith. If our faith is based only in what we see then this is not faith. Faith takes us beyond the senses into a realm requiring us to stand on what we believe, what we know from what we have been promised. Always remember that God watches over His word to see that it is performed (Isaiah 55:11). The second description is a statement - it's impossible to please God without faith. And the third description gives us our foundation to life, how we should live. Faith is an action word, foundational to everything.
... but, what do you believe?
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Milk and Meat
Milk and Meat in the Christian world really has little to do with the length of time one has been a Christian. It has more to do with how you've applied yourself. While you wouldn't give a steak to a baby, you also wouldn't give only milk to a person who needs strength to do their work. In so many ways we are encouraged to study so that we can handle the issues that arise as we walk out our Christianity.
In 1Timothy 2:15 we are admonished to study in order to show ourselves approved. Hebrews 5:12-14 tells us that,"... everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled... for he is a babe." The reason for the solid food (meat) is so that we can discern both good and evil. At the beginning of our growth we are encouraged (1Peter 2:2) to desire the pure milk of the word.... Milk is not the stopping place, it is the beginning, the launching pad.
You may not feel called to the full-time ministry but we all have been given the commission to go and make disciples, at least in our world. Obviously you can't make disciples without knowing and knowing comes from study. And study takes time, and diligence, and commitment - and this needs to be done joyful or it won't become part of you. Remember back to your school life - those subjects that you really didn't enjoy or become fascinated by, how much do you remember? Probably not much. The same is true in your Christian study. If it isn't important to you, if you don't see the relevance for yourself then your involvement is merely mechanical.
Actually, you should want to grow and learn, to understand and appreciate. Time spent in study, whether alone or in a group of like minded people, should engage you and motivate you to discover what the Lord is trying to teach you - not what man says you should believe. Desiring the meat will equip you to face and embrace your day as well as preparing you to make disciples. Why would you want only milk?
...but, what do you believe?
In 1Timothy 2:15 we are admonished to study in order to show ourselves approved. Hebrews 5:12-14 tells us that,"... everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled... for he is a babe." The reason for the solid food (meat) is so that we can discern both good and evil. At the beginning of our growth we are encouraged (1Peter 2:2) to desire the pure milk of the word.... Milk is not the stopping place, it is the beginning, the launching pad.
You may not feel called to the full-time ministry but we all have been given the commission to go and make disciples, at least in our world. Obviously you can't make disciples without knowing and knowing comes from study. And study takes time, and diligence, and commitment - and this needs to be done joyful or it won't become part of you. Remember back to your school life - those subjects that you really didn't enjoy or become fascinated by, how much do you remember? Probably not much. The same is true in your Christian study. If it isn't important to you, if you don't see the relevance for yourself then your involvement is merely mechanical.
Actually, you should want to grow and learn, to understand and appreciate. Time spent in study, whether alone or in a group of like minded people, should engage you and motivate you to discover what the Lord is trying to teach you - not what man says you should believe. Desiring the meat will equip you to face and embrace your day as well as preparing you to make disciples. Why would you want only milk?
...but, what do you believe?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hey! I worked hard for these wrinkles...
You think I'm facetious?! Not! Turn on your TV and you'll see someone hawking this cure or that approach or a 'you'll look years younger...' What is with this? Why the overwhelming emphasis on youth or becoming younger? What's wrong with having wrinkles? I think they show amazing resilience, a kind of - look what you've achieved! While wrinkles don't always mean greater wisdom, they do represent an achievement.
You do appreciate that 'age' is an achievement. Wisdom is a far greater one but the mere fact that you are the age you are is a testimony to how you've weathered the storms of life. Storms are a fact. We all face them, but it's how we get through them that marks us. Our attitude is the single greatest determinant of our 'health'. Two quick questions to illustrate my point: 1- when you are out walking do you look down or up as you walk? and 2- when you wake in the morning is there typically a smile or a frown on your face? Attitude.
I said that I worked hard for the wrinkles. Absolutely! I have had to learn and sometimes relearn lessons that allow me to not just go through the motions but to engage life and all it brings. You can't be so afraid of potential problems that you miss the joys that also present themselves. Yes there are hurts, yes there are mistakes, yes you are taken advantage of ... but there are also peaks of personal achievements, there are times of great fun with others, there are moments of creativity that sparks your next adventure. Yep... it's all about attitude, yours.
Wrinkles come. You really can't put them off indefinitely so embrace them. Allow them to also show you new paths, new people, new. Wrinkles come in stages so when one appears - greet it. Then when it is joined by others, it won't bother you. It would be far worse if all the wrinkles displayed themselves in one gigantic fell swoop. Wrinkles indicate achievement, a kind of triumph over age. They're like friends that were lurking below the surface but decided to come out and play with you. Yup... attitude.
... but what do you think?
You do appreciate that 'age' is an achievement. Wisdom is a far greater one but the mere fact that you are the age you are is a testimony to how you've weathered the storms of life. Storms are a fact. We all face them, but it's how we get through them that marks us. Our attitude is the single greatest determinant of our 'health'. Two quick questions to illustrate my point: 1- when you are out walking do you look down or up as you walk? and 2- when you wake in the morning is there typically a smile or a frown on your face? Attitude.
I said that I worked hard for the wrinkles. Absolutely! I have had to learn and sometimes relearn lessons that allow me to not just go through the motions but to engage life and all it brings. You can't be so afraid of potential problems that you miss the joys that also present themselves. Yes there are hurts, yes there are mistakes, yes you are taken advantage of ... but there are also peaks of personal achievements, there are times of great fun with others, there are moments of creativity that sparks your next adventure. Yep... it's all about attitude, yours.
Wrinkles come. You really can't put them off indefinitely so embrace them. Allow them to also show you new paths, new people, new. Wrinkles come in stages so when one appears - greet it. Then when it is joined by others, it won't bother you. It would be far worse if all the wrinkles displayed themselves in one gigantic fell swoop. Wrinkles indicate achievement, a kind of triumph over age. They're like friends that were lurking below the surface but decided to come out and play with you. Yup... attitude.
... but what do you think?
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Born again is not a license.
Let me repeat that - when you are born again, it is NOT a license. Can salvation be lost? There are arguments on both sides of this issue and scripture that seems to support both positions, but since scripture is neither confusing nor contradictory - it must be our understanding. However, this is not that discussion. What I'm saying, in this context, is that once you have been born again, you aren't finished and you can't use this status as a blanket 'protection' from all your wrong acts, especially willful ones.
James (2:26) talks about producing works that evidence your faith. I think the same suggestion can be applied here. In Paul's writings, he talks many times about our walk and that it should represent who we are becoming as a result of being born again. Paul sets forth what we now need to do in Colossians 3, especially verses 3, 8, 10, 12-17. We are to ... shine as lights in the world... (Philippians 2:15). From that directive it is more than apparent that we can be examples of all those things we have been redeemed from - we are to show forth what has happened.
While there are many arguments as to why we need to prove who we are, I think there are 2 major reasons. 1 is for ourselves. We need to know with a deep conviction the 'why' we accepted the Lord's invitation as well as the 'who' the Lord is and lastly, who we are becoming. You can't do this without a mindset of discovery and study. What was no longer is. 2Corinthians (2:17-21) tells us that we are now a new creation. And while this is true, we need to study to understand what we have become and how we go about doing this.
The other reason is as a witness to others. You speak volumes by your actions and when they bear witness to a changed life, this tells others that being born again is not a once off nor unimportant. You don't need to say anything because your actions show forth this new creation when you walk (Ephesians 4:1-3). There is a saying that you may be the only Bible that another person will 'read'. This is part of the motivation for your witness of a changed life.
...but, what do you believe?
James (2:26) talks about producing works that evidence your faith. I think the same suggestion can be applied here. In Paul's writings, he talks many times about our walk and that it should represent who we are becoming as a result of being born again. Paul sets forth what we now need to do in Colossians 3, especially verses 3, 8, 10, 12-17. We are to ... shine as lights in the world... (Philippians 2:15). From that directive it is more than apparent that we can be examples of all those things we have been redeemed from - we are to show forth what has happened.
While there are many arguments as to why we need to prove who we are, I think there are 2 major reasons. 1 is for ourselves. We need to know with a deep conviction the 'why' we accepted the Lord's invitation as well as the 'who' the Lord is and lastly, who we are becoming. You can't do this without a mindset of discovery and study. What was no longer is. 2Corinthians (2:17-21) tells us that we are now a new creation. And while this is true, we need to study to understand what we have become and how we go about doing this.
The other reason is as a witness to others. You speak volumes by your actions and when they bear witness to a changed life, this tells others that being born again is not a once off nor unimportant. You don't need to say anything because your actions show forth this new creation when you walk (Ephesians 4:1-3). There is a saying that you may be the only Bible that another person will 'read'. This is part of the motivation for your witness of a changed life.
...but, what do you believe?
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Clean slate
There is something almost intoxicating about a clean slate. Nothing is written on the slate and there is nothing you have to do. The sense of freedom lasts until you put the pen to paper or chalk to slate. And now... your slate is being filled in. How does that make you feel? Pleased - because it is you who is making the new entries? Disappointed - that the clean status didn't last longer?
The point is that a clean slate provides a 'new beginning'. Do you think that you'll do it 'better' this time? Or you'll be more (fill in the blank) in order to accomplish 'more'? But first... is the slate truly clean or are there remnants of previous 'to dos' or unfinished tasks? Are those unfinished items the first ones that you enter onto the clean slate? Are you merely carrying yesterday into tomorrow? Or, more precisely - do you want to and/or do you need to enter the unfinished items? How do you think your clean slate should look?
It seems that after you enter the very first item that a snowball begins and your slate gets filled up faster than you imagined. Are you only in a same o, same o situation? Can you do anything to change this yesterday way of doing things? Of course... but it takes knowing what you want and whether or not you will pay the price to get to what you want. While you may be looking at a clean slate you need to determine how you want what you want.
We all like 'second chances', the ability to change something we didn't do right the first time. Clean slates provide this. However, they don't work in on-going areas in which you still have responsibility. Those must be completed. The fresh start though will work for new projects if you are willing to try new ways of thinking and doing, if you level of risk is high enough to accept 'loss'. A clean slate invites you into a mindset of thinking outside your box. In the final analysis... what do you really have to lose?
...but, what do you think?
The point is that a clean slate provides a 'new beginning'. Do you think that you'll do it 'better' this time? Or you'll be more (fill in the blank) in order to accomplish 'more'? But first... is the slate truly clean or are there remnants of previous 'to dos' or unfinished tasks? Are those unfinished items the first ones that you enter onto the clean slate? Are you merely carrying yesterday into tomorrow? Or, more precisely - do you want to and/or do you need to enter the unfinished items? How do you think your clean slate should look?
It seems that after you enter the very first item that a snowball begins and your slate gets filled up faster than you imagined. Are you only in a same o, same o situation? Can you do anything to change this yesterday way of doing things? Of course... but it takes knowing what you want and whether or not you will pay the price to get to what you want. While you may be looking at a clean slate you need to determine how you want what you want.
We all like 'second chances', the ability to change something we didn't do right the first time. Clean slates provide this. However, they don't work in on-going areas in which you still have responsibility. Those must be completed. The fresh start though will work for new projects if you are willing to try new ways of thinking and doing, if you level of risk is high enough to accept 'loss'. A clean slate invites you into a mindset of thinking outside your box. In the final analysis... what do you really have to lose?
...but, what do you think?
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