Who is my neighbor?

Galatians 5:14, The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Wow! Easy? Perhaps-sometimes. Whom do you think of when you think your neighbor? That is the compelling question. I will suggest that it should not be just those that are close to us, but all we come in contact with-especially the poor/needy. Matt. 10:42 says, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Deut. 15:11 says, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Why does my heart harden for those in need as geographic distance increases-the temptation of situations and needs becoming impersonal/indifferent can arise. That is not the love that God demonstrates. If all people are important to God-why should I act any differently. “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God”-World Vision founder, Bob Pierce. Does this change the paradigm of ‘your neighbor’? It has mine-now I am challenged to live it. Blessing in your pursuit…….TO

Playing it Safe?

In the parable on the talents(Matt. 25:14-30), we see what God expects from our attitudes and effort in life. Two of the servants put forth effort and took chances to produce for their master-lived by faith/trust. The other one played it safe, cautious….thus lacked the faith/trust that God expects. These results demonstrate each one’s effort/attitude. For two of them, their talents increased/doubled. The other still had just the one talent given as he hid it in the ground. Further in the same chapter(Matt 25:35-46) we learn that unless we actively serve(the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, etc.) in a selfless way and not expecting rewards/pats on back/being seen by others, we are playing it safe and not being bold.
The question that is pulling at my heart is, ‘How am I playing in my faith/Christian walk?’ I have to admit for most of my life I have let my introverted/reserved/quiet demeanor control my life. I have not been bold for my Almighty God. Instead, trying to get by and being content going to church and being a good person. I ask God to forgive me when I cowardly and passively shy away from sharing the most precious gift-Jesus Christ. So, ‘How are you playing?’ Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Cut

There is a song from Christian artist ‘Plumb’(her band/stage name) called ‘Cut’. It is a beautiful song melodically-I know nothing about music-but it really sounds good. As far as the lyrics-I’m not certain what the exact meaning she had in mind. However, the title and a certain part of the chorus has brought me to make an observation. The line goes, 'I’m tired of feeling so numb, relief exists I find when I’ve been cut’. Life's trials(those valleys )can bring on feelings of lost, doubt, or as the song says-numb. The past two years, I have felt the pain/hurt of being deeply ‘cut’ in multiple events that have occurred. I have asked God where is He?, What have I done? Am I not living right in His sight? Natural questions, yet ones that show I need molding from God due to my lack of faith and trust (read James 1:2-5, 1 Peter 4:1-2 and 12-13). These ‘cuts/trials’ will cause us to react in one of two ways-either to humble ourselves and draw closer to God, or give up and let Satan rule our reactions. In Hebrews 12:11, we read- "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." While this period has provided much spiritual awakening and growth, it does not come without pain/sufferings-being ‘cut’. I do not always have the faith, trust, submissive/surrendering heart that I should. Hence this is God’s way of getting our attention, not being complacent-something so easily done in 21st century America. The good news-God will not leave us hanging, He loves and cares for each person. He will provide and comfort (Isaiah 41:10, Matt 11:28-30, Rom. 5:3-5, Psalm 46:1, Philip. 4:19). I’ll finish with a comforting passage from Psalm (34:18)- "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Let’s place our ‘cuts’ in God’s loving hands and trust Him-not easy-but the all knowing God wants us there. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Jordan River Moments

I was reminded this week that we all need to grasp onto moments in our lives where God was faithful in order to help us through the trials/struggles we will face in life. In Joshua ch. 4 there is a story about memorials/reminders. Just after crossing the Jordan river the Lord instructs Joshua to select 12 men-one from each tribe to gather a stone from the middle of the parted river and take these 12 stones and to place them where they stayed that night on the other side. It was to remind future generations of God's faithfulness to Israel during the journey to the Promised Land.

When have you last thought of your Jordan River moments in life? Those events/circumstances that occurred that demonstrate God's faithfulness personally. These are part of our blessings. Things we can reflect upon during our doubts, trials, temptations and fears. We can use these to help us endure, strengthen and look to the future with joy. I tend to live too much in the past sometimes, when the issues I now face did not exist in my life-this is a joy robber for now and the future. One passage that has helped me tremendously is from Romans 5:3-5; "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." The scriptures are filled with comfort from our Heavenly Father( James 1:2-5, 1 Peter 4:1-2 are a couple more that have helped me).

What are your Jordan River moments? Blessings in your pursuit.......TO

Letting Go/Reconciling Wrongs

Have you been wronged by someone? Or, have you hurt another? Most of us probably have had the misfortune of this experience. If left unresolved, it can devastate us emotionally, physically and spiritually. God instructs us to reconcile-even if we have been the victim. It is called humility/humbling ourselves towards our adversary and our God. In Matt. 5:23-24 we read of the importance/urgency God places on reconciliation. It reads, ”If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, First, go and be reconciled with your brother, then come and offer your gift”. This is serious business! This demonstrates that we cannot worship God effectively as He desires until we have mended any unresolved issues with another-WOW! You may say, “but the other person was in the wrong”. God says to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up(James 4:10) . Matt 6:14-15 states that unless we forgive others, we will not be forgiven by our Heavenly Father. Only when we have at least attempted to reconcile can we maintain true fellowship with God. How can we effectively accept God’s reconciliation towards us/mankind through His only begotten Son-Jesus Christ, if we are not ministers of reconciliation ourselves towards one another? Our unwillingness to restore broken relationships can and probably will negatively affect our relationship with our God. Blessings in your reconciliations/pursuit…….TO.

Spiritual Cleanse

We have all probably by now become familiar with the process of a total body cleanse. I’ll avoid the details and simply say, it is a process to remove build up and toxins from our bodies-nuff said. Is this helpful? Necessary? How frequent? I’ll leave those questions to the health professionals. One thing I do know is that we need to be concerned with a regular spiritual cleansing. It is not only helpful and necessary, but commanded by our God. There are several actions to a healthy spiritual body. We can meditate as referenced in 1 Timothy 4:15, Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to study to show thyself approved unto God. Self examination/Attitude adjustment as Romans 12:2 says, Do not conform any longer 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. Pray-the Bible is filled with examples regarding the power of prayer. Matt 26:41, Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, the body is weak. We have a precious gift(prayer) with a direct 24/7 line to our Heavenly Father-1 Thes.5:17, Pray without ceasing. Fasting is yet another way to help us focus/renew/cleanse. Matt.6:18 says, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Worship is another as Psalm 100:2 says, Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Finally, I’ll suggest that sharing our burdens/confessing our struggles with one another will be therapeutic/cleansing. Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Christmas

My family has always enjoyed the Christmas season, baking goodies, family time, presents, etc. My father would, as we became older, had us read scripture and pray before diving into the presents. Having a daughter has allowed me the opportunity to continue with the heart of a child at Christmas. While I have played up the "fun" of what can be had at this time of year, I've tried to instill within my daughter the heart of Jesus Christ. Not just during this time of year should she only see or hear about our Blessed Redeemer and Savior. Yes, we have all heard it and probably said it,'Jesus Christ is the reason for the season'. While this is very true, my paradigm has changed to Jesus Christ is the reason period! For all occasions/life, this should be my thought process. It is a lifestyle we should aspire to live daily-the example of Jesus Christ. Our lives really should not change during a particular day, week or month-ever how one would define the Christmas Season. I believe Christians can enjoy Christmas and should celebrate our Lord's birth, life, death and resurrection. The challenge, at least for me, is to keep the commercialization into perspective and live obediently and enjoy the reason daily.
C-Christ, the reason, period!
H-Holy
R-Risen Lord
I-Immanuel, God with us
S-Savior
T-The King of Kings
M-Messiah
A-Almighty God
S-Sacrificial Lamb.....................Merry Christmas, Blessings in your pursuit.......TO