Well, the past couple of weeks I have been so sporadic in my posts. I apologize, I don't know what my deal is! I really wanted to talk about lukewarm Christians yesterday, when people were still at work, but I'm going to go ahead and talk about it today, and hopefully those off work who might not check their email at home will still get this next week. NOTE: I probably won't post tomorrow - fair warning! ha ha
Now, we are leaving 1 Corinthians for the day, because I wanted to talk about lukewarmness. If you have not read the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan I urge you to run out and buy it. Now. I'll wait. Oh wait a minute, it's Thanksgiving, and I doubt Wal Mart and Meijer carry it. So I won't wait, but tomorrow when you are out buying Christmas gifts, pick up this book for yourself.
Anyway, there is a point in this book that, when I read it, stopped me dead in my tracks and made me actually think. For days! He said, "there's no such thing as a lukewarm Christian." Huh? It's in the Bible! So I pulled out my handy dandy Word and found this in Revelation 3: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 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." (verses 15-17) And I realized that being spit out of Christ's mouth is not exactly in line with the Christian walk.
Let's not fool ourselves - if you have become lukewarm, I am concerned that you are no longer going to heaven, and you are no longer a Christian. I'm not being judgmental or condemning, I'm just repeating what Christ says! Somewhere along the line we came up with the term "Lukewarm Christian" but it's certainly not scriptural. And we need to get this right, don't you think?
Before you think I am being condemning, let's read the rest of the passage, from verses 18 to 22: "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. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 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 him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Jesus, who is talking to the church of Laodicea, doesn't just tell the truth ("I will spit you out of my mouth"), He tells the whole truth! "I stand at the door and knock." In other words, He's not telling the church, you're worthless, get out of my sight. He's saying, you're not on the right path, but I can help you get there. The Message version writes verse 19 this way: "The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!" He tells us the truth because He loves us and wants us to live the best life, and spend eternity with Him. Should we do any less?
When we see Christians stumble, even fall, how often do we act like it's not happening? Do we turn our backs? Or do we come alongside, earnestly and lovingly saying, not that way, this way. Do we let our brothers and sisters stumble all the way to hell because we don't want to get involved? Are we afraid of being judgmental? Or are we just too self-centered and self-focused to get involved in someone else's life?
Let's not let anyone we love fall into the trap of "lukewarmness." It's exactly that, a trap, and we need to recognize it as that. By the way, I definitely know that there's a difference between lukewarmness and spiritual struggles, where we are honestly and earnestly searching for God and His will. I'll talk more about the difference on Monday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
"Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims." 1 Corinthians 6:12, The Message
It seems in this world, we're all looking for the most we can get away with. How much can we drink, how much can we eat, how much can we say, before it's spiritually, morally and physically trouble?
Why are we like that? Do you ever wonder this? Why do we want to walk so close to the line between heaven and hell? I believe that in reality, though there's the saying "there's a thin line between love and hate," there's a huge chasm between heaven and hell. We like to act as if there's just a line, but it's much more than that.
How do I know? I know this - why would someone who loves God want to walk so close to the one thing He hates - sin? Why would you want to tempt yourself to walk away from God? God hates sin - it's black and white. But God loves us - also black and white. But as Paul says in the passage above, if I do whatever I want to do, I become a slave to whatever I want to do, and Jesus said that man cannot serve two masters. He said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." In this case He was talking about money, but isn't it true with everything?
It could even be true of church. Sometimes we become enslaved with the practices, rituals and piracy of church that have nothing to do with the Bride of Christ. Those are the only things that should color our choices: will the Bride be more radiant if I do this or that? Not, "How much can I get away with and still go to heaven?"
Listen, I'm going to make a bold statement - if you hear me say the above, know this: I can get away with nothing. Because if I am trying to get away with stuff and still make it to heaven, I have lost my first love as the church in Ephesus did in Revelation 2. Jesus said: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Revelation 2:2-5 (emphasis mine.)
Not everything is spiritually beneficial, which tells me EVERYTHING we do - what we eat, what we drink, where we go, what we watch and hear - everything should be in line with God's word. We should WANT to do what He wants us to do. Otherwise, we have become lukewarm, and will be spit out of His mouth.
You know, that makes me think of something - lukewarm Christians. And I'll have a whole other blog about that, tomorrow!
It seems in this world, we're all looking for the most we can get away with. How much can we drink, how much can we eat, how much can we say, before it's spiritually, morally and physically trouble?
Why are we like that? Do you ever wonder this? Why do we want to walk so close to the line between heaven and hell? I believe that in reality, though there's the saying "there's a thin line between love and hate," there's a huge chasm between heaven and hell. We like to act as if there's just a line, but it's much more than that.
How do I know? I know this - why would someone who loves God want to walk so close to the one thing He hates - sin? Why would you want to tempt yourself to walk away from God? God hates sin - it's black and white. But God loves us - also black and white. But as Paul says in the passage above, if I do whatever I want to do, I become a slave to whatever I want to do, and Jesus said that man cannot serve two masters. He said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." In this case He was talking about money, but isn't it true with everything?
It could even be true of church. Sometimes we become enslaved with the practices, rituals and piracy of church that have nothing to do with the Bride of Christ. Those are the only things that should color our choices: will the Bride be more radiant if I do this or that? Not, "How much can I get away with and still go to heaven?"
Listen, I'm going to make a bold statement - if you hear me say the above, know this: I can get away with nothing. Because if I am trying to get away with stuff and still make it to heaven, I have lost my first love as the church in Ephesus did in Revelation 2. Jesus said: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Revelation 2:2-5 (emphasis mine.)
Not everything is spiritually beneficial, which tells me EVERYTHING we do - what we eat, what we drink, where we go, what we watch and hear - everything should be in line with God's word. We should WANT to do what He wants us to do. Otherwise, we have become lukewarm, and will be spit out of His mouth.
You know, that makes me think of something - lukewarm Christians. And I'll have a whole other blog about that, tomorrow!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Who Is Da Judge?
It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment. So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God. 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (The Message)
Boy, is it tough for me to not care what people think! I didn't realize until the last year or so just how much of a people pleaser I am. The trouble with pleasing others? There is not way to do that! If you do everything you can to please one person, you've made someone else angry - for whatever reason. I've finally realized, being a people pleaser is an impossible way to live.
That doesn't mean it's an easy habit to break, however. In today's world of polls and politics, everything is driven by public opinion, not absolutes of what is right and what is wrong. Policies are made because of what people think or want, not for reasons of prudence or diligence.
Paul was right on the money when he said, "Comparisons are pointless." Not only in this area, but think of how many opportunities you have each day to compare yourself to someone else. You may look over at the car next to you and see luxury. As you are driving, you pass all these houses with perfect landscaping. You name it, you can compare it - looks, clothing, abilities, even children or spouses.
Why do we care about stuff like that? Is there someone who is the ultimate judge, the one who decides that we are good or bad, right or wrong, because of our clothes or our homes? Is there an eternal Simon Cowell ready to tear our self-esteem to shreds based on his opinion of us?
Not exactly. Paul says in the NIV version of verse 4, "It is the Lord who judges me." If you have a close relationship with God the creator, that's a comforting and worship-worthy verse. But if you don't, well, that's frightening.
Only God can continually weigh our hearts, and only He can move them in His direction. And He does that when we willingly and prayerfully turn to Him with a desire for His ways - only! His Ways, His Thoughts, His Heart. His Only! My desire this week is to pray to receive His opinion, and to put behind me the opinions of others - whether deserved or not, I find that I am much more likely to stray from my Father when His is not the only voice I am listening to.
Boy, is it tough for me to not care what people think! I didn't realize until the last year or so just how much of a people pleaser I am. The trouble with pleasing others? There is not way to do that! If you do everything you can to please one person, you've made someone else angry - for whatever reason. I've finally realized, being a people pleaser is an impossible way to live.
That doesn't mean it's an easy habit to break, however. In today's world of polls and politics, everything is driven by public opinion, not absolutes of what is right and what is wrong. Policies are made because of what people think or want, not for reasons of prudence or diligence.
Paul was right on the money when he said, "Comparisons are pointless." Not only in this area, but think of how many opportunities you have each day to compare yourself to someone else. You may look over at the car next to you and see luxury. As you are driving, you pass all these houses with perfect landscaping. You name it, you can compare it - looks, clothing, abilities, even children or spouses.
Why do we care about stuff like that? Is there someone who is the ultimate judge, the one who decides that we are good or bad, right or wrong, because of our clothes or our homes? Is there an eternal Simon Cowell ready to tear our self-esteem to shreds based on his opinion of us?
Not exactly. Paul says in the NIV version of verse 4, "It is the Lord who judges me." If you have a close relationship with God the creator, that's a comforting and worship-worthy verse. But if you don't, well, that's frightening.
Only God can continually weigh our hearts, and only He can move them in His direction. And He does that when we willingly and prayerfully turn to Him with a desire for His ways - only! His Ways, His Thoughts, His Heart. His Only! My desire this week is to pray to receive His opinion, and to put behind me the opinions of others - whether deserved or not, I find that I am much more likely to stray from my Father when His is not the only voice I am listening to.
Friday, November 20, 2009
I Am What I Am
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." 1 Corinthians 15:10
Today is my birthday. (Thank you, thank you very much. lol) I spent my 30s not enjoying my birthday. I cried every year from 30 to 39. Then last year I changed my attitude. (This year, I honestly forgot about it until my mother reminded me.) There was nothing big that changed my attitude, I just decided that I couldn't really fight aging, so I might as well buy cases of anti-wrinkle cream and get on with it!
But this summer, I heard a wonderful sermon that included a passage on the number 40. Apparently, in the Bible, 40 is the number of preparation - the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, the rain falling on Noah and family in the ark for 40 days, Jesus praying and fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. For the last ten years, I've struggled with the idea of aging and that my best years were behind me. Now I'm thinking, what if the last 40 years were just preparation for the next 40?
What if all the struggles, the victories, the highs and the lows, are to get me ready for what comes next? I know so much more about God now than I used to. I know HIM so much better. I love Him so much more. I can look back over my life and see my failures. Or I can see His grace working on me.
I am what I am. I am what God made me to be. When I am in His will, fully in His grace, living in His love, sharing His life and greatness and creation . . . I am perfect. Those who know me are thinking of lots of teasing to give me right now!! But it's true. I don't want to be anymore, or any less, than He created me to be. And I am what I am because of His grace. No other reason. Just Him.
There's a great song that Amy Grant used to sing called, "All I Ever Have to Be." Some of the lyrics are:
All I ever have to be is what you made me
Any more or less would be a step
Out of your plan.
As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find.
All I ever have to be . . . is what you made me.
I am what I am. I am not great. I am not small. I am His. And that is perfect.
Today is my birthday. (Thank you, thank you very much. lol) I spent my 30s not enjoying my birthday. I cried every year from 30 to 39. Then last year I changed my attitude. (This year, I honestly forgot about it until my mother reminded me.) There was nothing big that changed my attitude, I just decided that I couldn't really fight aging, so I might as well buy cases of anti-wrinkle cream and get on with it!
But this summer, I heard a wonderful sermon that included a passage on the number 40. Apparently, in the Bible, 40 is the number of preparation - the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, the rain falling on Noah and family in the ark for 40 days, Jesus praying and fasting in the wilderness for 40 days. For the last ten years, I've struggled with the idea of aging and that my best years were behind me. Now I'm thinking, what if the last 40 years were just preparation for the next 40?
What if all the struggles, the victories, the highs and the lows, are to get me ready for what comes next? I know so much more about God now than I used to. I know HIM so much better. I love Him so much more. I can look back over my life and see my failures. Or I can see His grace working on me.
I am what I am. I am what God made me to be. When I am in His will, fully in His grace, living in His love, sharing His life and greatness and creation . . . I am perfect. Those who know me are thinking of lots of teasing to give me right now!! But it's true. I don't want to be anymore, or any less, than He created me to be. And I am what I am because of His grace. No other reason. Just Him.
There's a great song that Amy Grant used to sing called, "All I Ever Have to Be." Some of the lyrics are:
All I ever have to be is what you made me
Any more or less would be a step
Out of your plan.
As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find.
All I ever have to be . . . is what you made me.
I am what I am. I am not great. I am not small. I am His. And that is perfect.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sticks and Stones
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" 1 Corinthians 4:20-21
Last night in my small group we talked about standards and rules versus relationships. We listed conventional thinking verses biblical thinking. Conventional thinking instills rules and regulations based on the fact that "we've always done it that way." Biblical thinking is radical, life-changing, love-driven.
Too often we fall into the role of Spiritual Comptroller. We become, as my pastor used to say, the Junior Holy Spirit. We want to let people know - I believe for a genuine loving reason - that they are doing wrong, that they are headed down the wrong path.
Is that wrong? No way! But it's all in your manner, you know? Think of yourself, of how you would like to be dealt with. In love? Or with a whip? It's those verbal whips that break people's hearts. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We've all heard that. And we all know what baloney that is!
We never want to see anyone go down the wrong path. But instead of standing behind them, yelling at them, why not be strong enough to walk up, take them by the hand, and lovingly remind them: "Not that way, this way. Come on, I'll show you." THAT is Christ's love.
It's easier to stand on the sidelines and scream and yell than it is to get in the game and play. You take a lot of hits when you are in the game. But the only way to win, is to play. So don't stand on the sidelines of someone's life. Get involved. Love them. Earn their respect, so that when it's time to say the tough stuff, you have the right to walk beside them, take their hand, and show them the way, with love and a gentle spirit.
Last night in my small group we talked about standards and rules versus relationships. We listed conventional thinking verses biblical thinking. Conventional thinking instills rules and regulations based on the fact that "we've always done it that way." Biblical thinking is radical, life-changing, love-driven.
Too often we fall into the role of Spiritual Comptroller. We become, as my pastor used to say, the Junior Holy Spirit. We want to let people know - I believe for a genuine loving reason - that they are doing wrong, that they are headed down the wrong path.
Is that wrong? No way! But it's all in your manner, you know? Think of yourself, of how you would like to be dealt with. In love? Or with a whip? It's those verbal whips that break people's hearts. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We've all heard that. And we all know what baloney that is!
We never want to see anyone go down the wrong path. But instead of standing behind them, yelling at them, why not be strong enough to walk up, take them by the hand, and lovingly remind them: "Not that way, this way. Come on, I'll show you." THAT is Christ's love.
It's easier to stand on the sidelines and scream and yell than it is to get in the game and play. You take a lot of hits when you are in the game. But the only way to win, is to play. So don't stand on the sidelines of someone's life. Get involved. Love them. Earn their respect, so that when it's time to say the tough stuff, you have the right to walk beside them, take their hand, and show them the way, with love and a gentle spirit.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I Know Nothing . . .
1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
What do you really know for sure? Have you ever thought about that? In today's world of moral relativity, where even science continually changes and facts are disputed, what do you know for sure?
Can you make a list of ten things? Can you list five? I'm thinking of some short-term things, like, today I know for sure that it is cloudy and cold. But that won't last tomorrow it might be cold and sunny. Or sunny and warm! (A girl can dream, right?) I know my husband loves me and I love him. Yet I also know that my ability to show that love will sometimes fail. Lots of us have known for sure that our marriages would last forever, that friendships will never change, that our families will stay the same . . . only to find all those truths flawed.
There is only ONE thing you can know for sure: Jesus Christ and him crucified! Paul is talking here about what happened when he first came to the Corinthians, how he came not with eloquence and showiness but one simple truth. I like the Message version of this verse, "first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified."
You can only share Jesus when you know him - really know him. If you feel like you are beating your head up against a wall spiritually, like you are getting nowhere and continually living in frustration, it's time to take a good hard look. Do you truly know him? Do you know the power of knowing him? If you know him and you know his crucifixion and resurrection, you will live like it! Right?? When it's 90 degrees outside, I don't live like it's below freezing, wearing a coat and scarf and mittens. I live the truth! It's warm and sunny, so I'm wearing my shorts and tank and flip flops! Why would I want to live in an unreal world?
And yet, when we live spiritually defeated, we are living in an unreal world. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! That's it!!! The devil is defeated. That's it!!! Why live any other way? The only key to spiritual success is to live the truth - accept reality. Stop running away from problems and troubles because you are afraid. You get to know better - you know the truth, because you know Jesus Christ and him crucified.
What do you really know for sure? Have you ever thought about that? In today's world of moral relativity, where even science continually changes and facts are disputed, what do you know for sure?
Can you make a list of ten things? Can you list five? I'm thinking of some short-term things, like, today I know for sure that it is cloudy and cold. But that won't last tomorrow it might be cold and sunny. Or sunny and warm! (A girl can dream, right?) I know my husband loves me and I love him. Yet I also know that my ability to show that love will sometimes fail. Lots of us have known for sure that our marriages would last forever, that friendships will never change, that our families will stay the same . . . only to find all those truths flawed.
There is only ONE thing you can know for sure: Jesus Christ and him crucified! Paul is talking here about what happened when he first came to the Corinthians, how he came not with eloquence and showiness but one simple truth. I like the Message version of this verse, "first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified."
You can only share Jesus when you know him - really know him. If you feel like you are beating your head up against a wall spiritually, like you are getting nowhere and continually living in frustration, it's time to take a good hard look. Do you truly know him? Do you know the power of knowing him? If you know him and you know his crucifixion and resurrection, you will live like it! Right?? When it's 90 degrees outside, I don't live like it's below freezing, wearing a coat and scarf and mittens. I live the truth! It's warm and sunny, so I'm wearing my shorts and tank and flip flops! Why would I want to live in an unreal world?
And yet, when we live spiritually defeated, we are living in an unreal world. JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! That's it!!! The devil is defeated. That's it!!! Why live any other way? The only key to spiritual success is to live the truth - accept reality. Stop running away from problems and troubles because you are afraid. You get to know better - you know the truth, because you know Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Face to Face
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Why do you think that Paul spoke at length in this chapter about love and then brought it to a conclusion in this manner? What does perfection have to do with love?
Paul is talking about the maturing, the growth that I have referred to in the previous posts. It's not that WE never fail, it's that LOVE never fails. And as we grow into love, we grow in perfection. These words all go together: growth, maturity, knowledge, perfection, completion. They are found often throughout the Bible. They mean that God has not created us as the already completed. We are born as infants and we act like infants. We grow into children, and we act like children. As we continue to grow, we (hopefully!) mature and act like adults. And even as adults, He is still working to complete His good work in us: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3
The day of Jesus Christ, the day of our completion, is the day we will see face to face. Not in a mirror, or through cloudy glass, but eyeball to eyeball. It's not a figure of speech - it is the truth! Our day of completion is coming - that is the joy Christians have! And as we wait for that day, we keep loving - we grow in our knowledge of love, in our ability to love. Love itself is perfect, though we are not. But imagine how much better we will love - how much our love is perfected - as we allow Love Himself to teach us how to love. That's like having Kobe Bryant teach us the perfect slam dunk, Peyton Manning teach how to throw a perfect spiral. The One who knows how to love perfectly teaches how to love. That's really all I need to know to want to love more people, love them better, and love them completely.
Are you blazing this week? If you don't know what I'm talking about, read 2 Samuel 22. See you tomorrow!
Why do you think that Paul spoke at length in this chapter about love and then brought it to a conclusion in this manner? What does perfection have to do with love?
Paul is talking about the maturing, the growth that I have referred to in the previous posts. It's not that WE never fail, it's that LOVE never fails. And as we grow into love, we grow in perfection. These words all go together: growth, maturity, knowledge, perfection, completion. They are found often throughout the Bible. They mean that God has not created us as the already completed. We are born as infants and we act like infants. We grow into children, and we act like children. As we continue to grow, we (hopefully!) mature and act like adults. And even as adults, He is still working to complete His good work in us: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3
The day of Jesus Christ, the day of our completion, is the day we will see face to face. Not in a mirror, or through cloudy glass, but eyeball to eyeball. It's not a figure of speech - it is the truth! Our day of completion is coming - that is the joy Christians have! And as we wait for that day, we keep loving - we grow in our knowledge of love, in our ability to love. Love itself is perfect, though we are not. But imagine how much better we will love - how much our love is perfected - as we allow Love Himself to teach us how to love. That's like having Kobe Bryant teach us the perfect slam dunk, Peyton Manning teach how to throw a perfect spiral. The One who knows how to love perfectly teaches how to love. That's really all I need to know to want to love more people, love them better, and love them completely.
Are you blazing this week? If you don't know what I'm talking about, read 2 Samuel 22. See you tomorrow!
Friday, November 13, 2009
The End of Love as We Know It
Well . . . it's been a great day here. Friday the 13th, bah ha ha ha!! But, having so much greatness around me, I nearly forgot to write! But I couldn't let it go until Monday, because I'm so excited to finish this love chapter with you.
Yesterday I gave you a few suppositions. First, that love is a verb. Second, that love changes because you change. And third, there are many, many ways to express this love. But let's move on to the most important truth, as found in verse 8: "Love never fails."
Are you like me, squirming in my chair, feeling very uncomfortable right now? Because, just like yesterday's post, I love people . . . but I fail. And therefore my love fails. It's enough to want to make us throw in the towel! But remember, love grows as my knowledge grows. I may make mistakes in my love, but when I am choosing to love in a way that is consistent with shedding yesterday and embracing today, that is patient and kind, all the definitions from the previous paragraph . . . then I know that my love is not failing. My body, my mind, my emotions, my intellect . . . all those things may fail. But love does not.
This is a reminder to us that we can have this kind of love because of God's love. Remember 1 John 4:7-12: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
God gives us the standard for love by His love for us. He's not asking us to do something that He hasn't already done. In fact, He's done it, He's doing it, and He'll continue to do it for eternity! So remember that love never fails, because He never fails. We do. True, God-seeking, heart-driven, soul-searching love? Never fails.
I spent a lot of time on those three little words: Love never fails. So we'll have to finish up the chapter next week. Until then friends!
Yesterday I gave you a few suppositions. First, that love is a verb. Second, that love changes because you change. And third, there are many, many ways to express this love. But let's move on to the most important truth, as found in verse 8: "Love never fails."
Are you like me, squirming in my chair, feeling very uncomfortable right now? Because, just like yesterday's post, I love people . . . but I fail. And therefore my love fails. It's enough to want to make us throw in the towel! But remember, love grows as my knowledge grows. I may make mistakes in my love, but when I am choosing to love in a way that is consistent with shedding yesterday and embracing today, that is patient and kind, all the definitions from the previous paragraph . . . then I know that my love is not failing. My body, my mind, my emotions, my intellect . . . all those things may fail. But love does not.
This is a reminder to us that we can have this kind of love because of God's love. Remember 1 John 4:7-12: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
God gives us the standard for love by His love for us. He's not asking us to do something that He hasn't already done. In fact, He's done it, He's doing it, and He'll continue to do it for eternity! So remember that love never fails, because He never fails. We do. True, God-seeking, heart-driven, soul-searching love? Never fails.
I spent a lot of time on those three little words: Love never fails. So we'll have to finish up the chapter next week. Until then friends!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Let's Make a Deal
OK, so we're trying to figure out what love means. Remember?? Hey, is anyone out there? Do you remember what I'm talking about?? lol
We (by we, I mean "I") decided yesterday that the dictionary definition of love isn't encompassing enough; in fact, it's just plain wrong. So where do we get our truth from? Anyone? Say it with me . . . the Bible. The B-I-B-L-E. You're singing it, aren't you?
So, if the Bible is our truth, then we can rely on it to explain to us what love is. Love is patience. Love is kindness. Love is protection, it is trust. Love is hope. Love is perseverance. Love is NOT jealousy. It's not arrogance or pride. It is not rudeness. It is not self-seeking. Love is not angry. Love is not a scorekeeper.
That's what 1 Corinthians 13 says, doesn't it? Starting in verse 4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Seems pretty straightforward to me. But wait, we say, I love my kids, but I'm certainly not always patient. Does this mean I don't love my kids? Of course not. It's important to see that love is a verb . . . not a noun. (Well, of course it's a noun too . . . but you know what I mean.) Verbs express existence, they express action. They express movement. Love is always moving, always growing, always encompassing more.
Have you ever noticed that your parents have so much more patience with your kids than you do? Or then they had with you? That's because they're ability to love has grown through the years . . . just as your abilities will change as you grow.
Love is a way of expressing existence, action and movement. Love is a decision to work towards those goals. I just had to apologize to my kid last night for being impatient with him. (He grounded me, by the way. Not sure how I feel about that.) I explained to him that I'm sure not perfect, and I make mistakes, but that I try to work to make fewer and fewer mistakes. That's what love does. If I didn't love him, I would care about growing to become a better parent. I wouldn't care that I was impatient with him in the first place! But I do care. And that's love.
Isn't love awesome? The depth and breadth and width with which we can express love is amazing. What can you tonight to show your loved ones that they are, well, loved? Be creative, think about it, and then - be a verb! Just do it!
We (by we, I mean "I") decided yesterday that the dictionary definition of love isn't encompassing enough; in fact, it's just plain wrong. So where do we get our truth from? Anyone? Say it with me . . . the Bible. The B-I-B-L-E. You're singing it, aren't you?
So, if the Bible is our truth, then we can rely on it to explain to us what love is. Love is patience. Love is kindness. Love is protection, it is trust. Love is hope. Love is perseverance. Love is NOT jealousy. It's not arrogance or pride. It is not rudeness. It is not self-seeking. Love is not angry. Love is not a scorekeeper.
That's what 1 Corinthians 13 says, doesn't it? Starting in verse 4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Seems pretty straightforward to me. But wait, we say, I love my kids, but I'm certainly not always patient. Does this mean I don't love my kids? Of course not. It's important to see that love is a verb . . . not a noun. (Well, of course it's a noun too . . . but you know what I mean.) Verbs express existence, they express action. They express movement. Love is always moving, always growing, always encompassing more.
Have you ever noticed that your parents have so much more patience with your kids than you do? Or then they had with you? That's because they're ability to love has grown through the years . . . just as your abilities will change as you grow.
Love is a way of expressing existence, action and movement. Love is a decision to work towards those goals. I just had to apologize to my kid last night for being impatient with him. (He grounded me, by the way. Not sure how I feel about that.) I explained to him that I'm sure not perfect, and I make mistakes, but that I try to work to make fewer and fewer mistakes. That's what love does. If I didn't love him, I would care about growing to become a better parent. I wouldn't care that I was impatient with him in the first place! But I do care. And that's love.
Isn't love awesome? The depth and breadth and width with which we can express love is amazing. What can you tonight to show your loved ones that they are, well, loved? Be creative, think about it, and then - be a verb! Just do it!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Love, Love, Baby
Well we have begun a short journey through 1 Corinthians, and at the risk of sounding all mushy - give me some love, baby! It's all about the love! But love is such an overused word in today's language. You know that, I know, it's not a big surprise. We love pizza, we love movies, we love stuff. But true love is nothing like that. Let's check the dictionary for the official meaning of love: there are several definitions, and they almost all use the word, "affection." (Check dictionary.com for reference.)
Do you think this is the kind of love that God is talking about here? A tenderness, affection, a feeling? I have to be honest, I don't think true love has anything to do with these things, because feelings, affection, even tenderness, are all based on me. On how I feel at any given moment.
So how are we to know the true meaning of love, the way God intends? First, let's contrast the hope and joy found in the love chapter with the despondency found in Ecclesiastes: I thought in my heart, "'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8, 11.
The Ecclesiastes writer shows what happens when we don't have the true value of love. Everything is meaningless! (Don't you think it's awesome that God breathed a book into the hearts of man that allowed for the width and depth, the high and low, the entirety of human experience?) Without love, everything IS meaningless. Love for God, love for each other, and most importantly, His love for us are the driving forces for life as we know it. Don't think so? Just look around today. Love is shown in many forms, we just don't call it that. When you allow a driver at the stop sign to go ahead of you, that's love. When you smile instead of scowl at a mother in the supermarket whose baby is screaming, that's love. We make love choices every day. It's a matter of doing it purposefully.
Tomorrow we will find the perfect definition of love. It's right before our eyes . . .
Keep blazing!
Do you think this is the kind of love that God is talking about here? A tenderness, affection, a feeling? I have to be honest, I don't think true love has anything to do with these things, because feelings, affection, even tenderness, are all based on me. On how I feel at any given moment.
So how are we to know the true meaning of love, the way God intends? First, let's contrast the hope and joy found in the love chapter with the despondency found in Ecclesiastes: I thought in my heart, "'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8, 11.
The Ecclesiastes writer shows what happens when we don't have the true value of love. Everything is meaningless! (Don't you think it's awesome that God breathed a book into the hearts of man that allowed for the width and depth, the high and low, the entirety of human experience?) Without love, everything IS meaningless. Love for God, love for each other, and most importantly, His love for us are the driving forces for life as we know it. Don't think so? Just look around today. Love is shown in many forms, we just don't call it that. When you allow a driver at the stop sign to go ahead of you, that's love. When you smile instead of scowl at a mother in the supermarket whose baby is screaming, that's love. We make love choices every day. It's a matter of doing it purposefully.
Tomorrow we will find the perfect definition of love. It's right before our eyes . . .
Keep blazing!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
All You Need Is Love
I'm sorry for missing yesterday. I thought the flu bug was catching up to me, I had a lot of symptoms, but I never spiked a fever, and I'm feeling much better so far this morning. It started Sunday afternoon, maybe it was some kind of 24 hour thing. Anyway, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth - gotta lot to do, so I'm ready to move on now!
As I said last week, we are going to look at 1 Corinthians this week. And because the driving force behind the Ten Commandments was love, I thought we'd start in the "love" chapter, chapter 13. For today's musings, I'm using the Message version. (Side note - I love the Message. But remember that the Message is a paraphrase, not a translation. In other words, the author of the Message is simply restating the already-translated-into-English versions of the Bible in modern language. So he might not always get it right. It's important to also use a translation in your studies, so you know it is based on the original Greek or Hebrew. But the Message can also bring something into focus by using modern language, creating an avenue for us to re-think the way we've always thought about certain passages in the Bible.)
Let's start at the beginning of the chapter: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." (verses 1-3)
I love the last sentence: "I'm bankrupt without love." Just as love is the driving force behind God's rules for us, so is love the driving force behind EVERYTHING God does for us. Creation was done for love. Look it - he could have made a few mountains. But He made beautiful mountains, full and majestic, with ranges all over the world. He made the Smokies, where everything looks, well, smoky, and the Blue Ridge, where things appear, well, blue . . . you get my drift. We wouldn't have known any better. He could have made three really high mountains and called it a day. But He didn't. He longs to share His ability to make beauty with us. And why? Because of love.
We cannot have love if we do not know love. And we do not truly know love if we don't know Him. In the above passage, we could substitute God for the word love. Check this out: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love (have God's love), I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love (God's love)."
It's nearly impossible to try to love others on our own power. I love my husband and my child - I know without a doubt I would die for them. But sometimes . . . oh, they drive me crazy! When I'm trying to show them love on my own ability, after awhile, that love falters. I don't have it in me! It's only when our love is drawn from the well of God's love that we can shower it on others.
I think I'm going to end here for today. I have more to say! But I would challenge you to think on those times in your life, those people in your life, who are difficult to love. Are you allowing God's love to pour into your life, so that it can overflow into the lives of others? Remember, this passage says that no matter what else you do - no matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, no matter how many boards and committees you serve on, no matter how much faith you have, without love - it's meaningless. Love is where it all begins.
Tomorrow we are going to compare 1 Corinthians with Ecclesiastes. Fun! ;0) And we are also going to answer the statement I've heard lately: "You think God is love. But God is also judgment." So stay tuned!
As I said last week, we are going to look at 1 Corinthians this week. And because the driving force behind the Ten Commandments was love, I thought we'd start in the "love" chapter, chapter 13. For today's musings, I'm using the Message version. (Side note - I love the Message. But remember that the Message is a paraphrase, not a translation. In other words, the author of the Message is simply restating the already-translated-into-English versions of the Bible in modern language. So he might not always get it right. It's important to also use a translation in your studies, so you know it is based on the original Greek or Hebrew. But the Message can also bring something into focus by using modern language, creating an avenue for us to re-think the way we've always thought about certain passages in the Bible.)
Let's start at the beginning of the chapter: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." (verses 1-3)
I love the last sentence: "I'm bankrupt without love." Just as love is the driving force behind God's rules for us, so is love the driving force behind EVERYTHING God does for us. Creation was done for love. Look it - he could have made a few mountains. But He made beautiful mountains, full and majestic, with ranges all over the world. He made the Smokies, where everything looks, well, smoky, and the Blue Ridge, where things appear, well, blue . . . you get my drift. We wouldn't have known any better. He could have made three really high mountains and called it a day. But He didn't. He longs to share His ability to make beauty with us. And why? Because of love.
We cannot have love if we do not know love. And we do not truly know love if we don't know Him. In the above passage, we could substitute God for the word love. Check this out: "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love (have God's love), I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love (have God's love), I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love (God's love)."
It's nearly impossible to try to love others on our own power. I love my husband and my child - I know without a doubt I would die for them. But sometimes . . . oh, they drive me crazy! When I'm trying to show them love on my own ability, after awhile, that love falters. I don't have it in me! It's only when our love is drawn from the well of God's love that we can shower it on others.
I think I'm going to end here for today. I have more to say! But I would challenge you to think on those times in your life, those people in your life, who are difficult to love. Are you allowing God's love to pour into your life, so that it can overflow into the lives of others? Remember, this passage says that no matter what else you do - no matter how many Sunday School classes you teach, no matter how many boards and committees you serve on, no matter how much faith you have, without love - it's meaningless. Love is where it all begins.
Tomorrow we are going to compare 1 Corinthians with Ecclesiastes. Fun! ;0) And we are also going to answer the statement I've heard lately: "You think God is love. But God is also judgment." So stay tuned!
Friday, November 6, 2009
To Put It All In Perspective . . .
Well, we have come to the end of our first series, The Ten Commandments. I hope you got something out of it. You know, I started this because I felt led by God. I'd like these devotionals to touch others and point them back towards God. So please tell your friends, pass them on, whatever . . . also, feel free to leave me a comment at any time! I worry about being too long . . . if you think so, just let me know! I can handle it, sniff sniff. Just kidding! I value your input.
Anyway, I hope you have learned, as I have, that the purpose, the value, and the result of the Ten Commandments is the same thing - love. God loved us enough to give them to us in the first place. We show our love for Him by honoring and obeying. Our love for each other grows as we obey God and honor each commandment. Isn't that amazing? God knew when he gave these Commandments to us how much better, fuller and richer our lives would be by obeying ten simple rules.
And yet, we fight God on this. We even resist the thought that God did it for love's sake, as opposed to doing it for the sake of rules. We throw out the Old Testament, viewing it as antiquated, the old law, not relevant in today's society. I hope you have seen just how wrong we have been. I'm confessing myself that in my walk I have not spent much time thinking about the Ten Commandments. Now that I've studied them, they are always in my mind!
You would think I'd have them memorized by now, but I don't. That is my next goal. To memorize them, in order. We should constantly be memorizing scripture so that we can pray and meditate on it throughout the day. I know for myself, Exodus 20 is my next goal!
Just remember, it's all about love. It's never about rules. It's about seeing and living a love so passionate and fiery that everyone will see it.
Next week, I'm going to start a series on 1 Corinthians. I'm not going verse by verse or even chapter by chapter; in fact, I'm going to start in chapter 13, the "love" chapter. Fitting, don't you think? So I'll be jumping around a bit. Will you join me next week? Hope to see you here!
Keep blazing for God!
Anyway, I hope you have learned, as I have, that the purpose, the value, and the result of the Ten Commandments is the same thing - love. God loved us enough to give them to us in the first place. We show our love for Him by honoring and obeying. Our love for each other grows as we obey God and honor each commandment. Isn't that amazing? God knew when he gave these Commandments to us how much better, fuller and richer our lives would be by obeying ten simple rules.
And yet, we fight God on this. We even resist the thought that God did it for love's sake, as opposed to doing it for the sake of rules. We throw out the Old Testament, viewing it as antiquated, the old law, not relevant in today's society. I hope you have seen just how wrong we have been. I'm confessing myself that in my walk I have not spent much time thinking about the Ten Commandments. Now that I've studied them, they are always in my mind!
You would think I'd have them memorized by now, but I don't. That is my next goal. To memorize them, in order. We should constantly be memorizing scripture so that we can pray and meditate on it throughout the day. I know for myself, Exodus 20 is my next goal!
Just remember, it's all about love. It's never about rules. It's about seeing and living a love so passionate and fiery that everyone will see it.
Next week, I'm going to start a series on 1 Corinthians. I'm not going verse by verse or even chapter by chapter; in fact, I'm going to start in chapter 13, the "love" chapter. Fitting, don't you think? So I'll be jumping around a bit. Will you join me next week? Hope to see you here!
Keep blazing for God!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Covet Covet Covet
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17
As always, I think the place to start is at the very beginning - defining the word. What does covet mean? According to dictionary.com, the verb "covet" means "to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others." To me, that's more than simply envy - to covet is to disregard someone else. In other words, it's to have the attitude that "I'll do whatever it takes to have that!"
Like a lot of women, I love to look at homes and decorations, books and magazines, etc. I like to drive around and look at homes. One of these days I'm going to get up the nerve to stop at a house by the reservoir and ask if I can look inside! I like to go to home shows, parades of homes, open houses . . . are you getting the picture? I love to see how people represent themselves through their homes. And I love to represent my family through our home.
I might go somewhere and say, oh that's a great idea. I have GOT to do that! So what do you think? Is that coveting? Is that envy? Is that sin?
Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand, but I don't think so. I like it when others have something for me to look at! I don't wish that they didn't have it so that I could. Coveting involves much more than that.
To covet someone's home, spouse, servant, animals . . . what God is really saying there is that the OBJECT of your desire is more important than anything. Say I go to my friend's house and all I can see is the stuff she has that I don't. Then I go home and look around and think about how nice her stuff would like in my house. If I don't resolve those emotions, can you see what's going to happen?
Folks, God really saved the best for last. Breaking this commandment truly leads to breaking the others. People steal because they covet. People kill because they covet. People lie because they covet. Lives are ruined, marriages shattered, churches destroyed, friendships are broken because of not honoring this simple commandment.
And most importantly . . . when you want something else so bad that it's all you can think about, it becomes your god. It takes over your list. And obviously, that destroys your relationship with God. The first and last commandment begin and end at the same place. When all you think about is what you don't have, you are saying that God is not taking care of you. You are saying you don't trust Him. When you plan and scheme to get what you want, you are trying to take control out of God's hands (as if that's possible!).
It's not wrong to want things. It's not even wrong to feel a twinge of envy once in a while. Just don't bury those feelings. You've probably heard me say before, you've got to name it to claim it! Admit that you are having an envy problem, before it becomes coveting. Ask God to replace your desires with His, and you'll be able to see a difference in your attitude.
See you tomorrow!
As always, I think the place to start is at the very beginning - defining the word. What does covet mean? According to dictionary.com, the verb "covet" means "to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others." To me, that's more than simply envy - to covet is to disregard someone else. In other words, it's to have the attitude that "I'll do whatever it takes to have that!"
Like a lot of women, I love to look at homes and decorations, books and magazines, etc. I like to drive around and look at homes. One of these days I'm going to get up the nerve to stop at a house by the reservoir and ask if I can look inside! I like to go to home shows, parades of homes, open houses . . . are you getting the picture? I love to see how people represent themselves through their homes. And I love to represent my family through our home.
I might go somewhere and say, oh that's a great idea. I have GOT to do that! So what do you think? Is that coveting? Is that envy? Is that sin?
Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand, but I don't think so. I like it when others have something for me to look at! I don't wish that they didn't have it so that I could. Coveting involves much more than that.
To covet someone's home, spouse, servant, animals . . . what God is really saying there is that the OBJECT of your desire is more important than anything. Say I go to my friend's house and all I can see is the stuff she has that I don't. Then I go home and look around and think about how nice her stuff would like in my house. If I don't resolve those emotions, can you see what's going to happen?
Folks, God really saved the best for last. Breaking this commandment truly leads to breaking the others. People steal because they covet. People kill because they covet. People lie because they covet. Lives are ruined, marriages shattered, churches destroyed, friendships are broken because of not honoring this simple commandment.
And most importantly . . . when you want something else so bad that it's all you can think about, it becomes your god. It takes over your list. And obviously, that destroys your relationship with God. The first and last commandment begin and end at the same place. When all you think about is what you don't have, you are saying that God is not taking care of you. You are saying you don't trust Him. When you plan and scheme to get what you want, you are trying to take control out of God's hands (as if that's possible!).
It's not wrong to want things. It's not even wrong to feel a twinge of envy once in a while. Just don't bury those feelings. You've probably heard me say before, you've got to name it to claim it! Admit that you are having an envy problem, before it becomes coveting. Ask God to replace your desires with His, and you'll be able to see a difference in your attitude.
See you tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Out of our Mouths, Into the Record
Yesterday, I was confronted so many times with the opportunity to put my feet to my faith, so to speak. We talked about the ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." If you recall, I wrote about how we should dig deeper into that commandment, making our word golden, not entering into record anything as fact unless we knew it for sure.
I cannot believe how many times I talked yesterday! I was constantly being checked. Coffee with friends, lunch with coworkers, telephone conversations . . . all start off so sincerely and genuinely. Yet it's not long before little comments - unneeded, unnecessary, and sometimes unkindly - begin to enter in. In almost every conversation, I had to offer my opinion! I kept trying to stop myself, and sometimes I was successful. But more often than not, I talked.
I don't believe I said an unkind or an untrue word yesterday. But I said many unnecessary ones. Words that didn't need to be spoken, especially when a friend was in tears and needed someone to listen. You know, I'm starting to think that technology, and the different opportunities we have to communicate, have done nothing but tear down true communication. Everyone knows I hate to talk on the phone and I would rather text. But I truly believe that that form of "talking" is destroying my ability to talk face to face (or mouthpiece to mouthpiece).
I assume I'm not the only one with this problem! That's why I'm taking today to talk about this again. The book of James, especially the third chapter is full of warnings about what comes out of our mouths: "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" verses 7-10, the Message.
Tomorrow we will finish the Ten Commandments, and Friday we'll do a summary of the whole series. Next week I'll be writing out of 1 Corinthians!
Will you join me today in focusing and praying on keeping our mouths, our talk, even our thoughts holy and pure? I wonder just how much God can do with Christians like that!
I cannot believe how many times I talked yesterday! I was constantly being checked. Coffee with friends, lunch with coworkers, telephone conversations . . . all start off so sincerely and genuinely. Yet it's not long before little comments - unneeded, unnecessary, and sometimes unkindly - begin to enter in. In almost every conversation, I had to offer my opinion! I kept trying to stop myself, and sometimes I was successful. But more often than not, I talked.
I don't believe I said an unkind or an untrue word yesterday. But I said many unnecessary ones. Words that didn't need to be spoken, especially when a friend was in tears and needed someone to listen. You know, I'm starting to think that technology, and the different opportunities we have to communicate, have done nothing but tear down true communication. Everyone knows I hate to talk on the phone and I would rather text. But I truly believe that that form of "talking" is destroying my ability to talk face to face (or mouthpiece to mouthpiece).
I assume I'm not the only one with this problem! That's why I'm taking today to talk about this again. The book of James, especially the third chapter is full of warnings about what comes out of our mouths: "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!" verses 7-10, the Message.
Tomorrow we will finish the Ten Commandments, and Friday we'll do a summary of the whole series. Next week I'll be writing out of 1 Corinthians!
Will you join me today in focusing and praying on keeping our mouths, our talk, even our thoughts holy and pure? I wonder just how much God can do with Christians like that!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
What Do Your Words Say?
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16
Note: I'm losing my mind here in Muncie! Totally forgot to post yesterday - forgive me! I'll get this right eventually!
This is yet another of God's commandments that we as Christians could be tempted to easily check off our list. We have learned this commandments as "do not lie" and we don't lie, right? You ask me how old I am, I'll choke out the real number. (You didn't ask, so I'm not telling!) However, I believe that we are called to dig a bit deeper in our understanding of what God wants us to do.
Remember, we keep saying that everything that involves the Ten Commandments is about love. They are driven by God's love for us, motivating our love for God in return, and inspiring our love for others. So let's look closely here. The word "testimony" means "evidence in support of a fact or statement." Do you think that's a little different than lying?
What about when you repeat a rumor that you do not know to be true? Anything, any words that you say, you are offering into evidence. I mean ANYTHING!! "This food is cold." "It's sunny out today." "I don't feel well." You are stating those words as fact.
The same thing is true when you say, "Did you hear that Jack and Jill are getting a divorce?" You are offering those words as a fact, whether you know it for a fact or not. Even prefacing your statements with, "Now, I'm not sure if this is true or not, but did you know . . .?" Hedging your bets on the truth does not make your statement right.
Any kind of gossip is wrong. If you don't know something as a FACT, you are offering into your life's testimony a false witness. I would even go so far as to say that there are words that do NOT need to be said, factual or not.
Have you been hurt by gossip, true or untrue? And yet, we have to admit we've all done it. In fact, our society today is driven by gossip! I get so frustrated with so-called legitimate news sources who offer gossip as factual news, or who use their air time to perpetuate rumor instead of truth. Lives are ruined by rumor and innuendo. Jesus said, "Simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) Read the Message version of Matthew 5:36-38: "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." WOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
In other words . . . "I'm only telling you this so you can pray about it . . ." How many times have we done that? JUST as wrong as out and out lying about someone. Let your yes be yes. If I say to you, "Do you know anything about Stephen?" and you do, say yes. Then if I say, "Will you tell me about it?" say, no. You don't need to embellish and explain. Yes means yes and no means no. Too many words get us in trouble! Proverbs 10:18-20 says, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
I know that I am a talker (some of you are shocked, I know). This verse makes me want to speak a little less. I want to be wise, and hold my tongue, not just regarding gossip or lies, but also with advice that I am just sure someone needs to hear, or words I think need spoken. Sometimes silence is golden.
This is an area in my life that I am pledging to work on, and I am thankful that God has brought this to my attention today. Thanks for digging a little deeper with me today. Will you trust God with your words? Or perhaps the question should be, Can God trust you?
Keep Blazing!
Note: I'm losing my mind here in Muncie! Totally forgot to post yesterday - forgive me! I'll get this right eventually!
This is yet another of God's commandments that we as Christians could be tempted to easily check off our list. We have learned this commandments as "do not lie" and we don't lie, right? You ask me how old I am, I'll choke out the real number. (You didn't ask, so I'm not telling!) However, I believe that we are called to dig a bit deeper in our understanding of what God wants us to do.
Remember, we keep saying that everything that involves the Ten Commandments is about love. They are driven by God's love for us, motivating our love for God in return, and inspiring our love for others. So let's look closely here. The word "testimony" means "evidence in support of a fact or statement." Do you think that's a little different than lying?
What about when you repeat a rumor that you do not know to be true? Anything, any words that you say, you are offering into evidence. I mean ANYTHING!! "This food is cold." "It's sunny out today." "I don't feel well." You are stating those words as fact.
The same thing is true when you say, "Did you hear that Jack and Jill are getting a divorce?" You are offering those words as a fact, whether you know it for a fact or not. Even prefacing your statements with, "Now, I'm not sure if this is true or not, but did you know . . .?" Hedging your bets on the truth does not make your statement right.
Any kind of gossip is wrong. If you don't know something as a FACT, you are offering into your life's testimony a false witness. I would even go so far as to say that there are words that do NOT need to be said, factual or not.
Have you been hurt by gossip, true or untrue? And yet, we have to admit we've all done it. In fact, our society today is driven by gossip! I get so frustrated with so-called legitimate news sources who offer gossip as factual news, or who use their air time to perpetuate rumor instead of truth. Lives are ruined by rumor and innuendo. Jesus said, "Simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) Read the Message version of Matthew 5:36-38: "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." WOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
In other words . . . "I'm only telling you this so you can pray about it . . ." How many times have we done that? JUST as wrong as out and out lying about someone. Let your yes be yes. If I say to you, "Do you know anything about Stephen?" and you do, say yes. Then if I say, "Will you tell me about it?" say, no. You don't need to embellish and explain. Yes means yes and no means no. Too many words get us in trouble! Proverbs 10:18-20 says, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
I know that I am a talker (some of you are shocked, I know). This verse makes me want to speak a little less. I want to be wise, and hold my tongue, not just regarding gossip or lies, but also with advice that I am just sure someone needs to hear, or words I think need spoken. Sometimes silence is golden.
This is an area in my life that I am pledging to work on, and I am thankful that God has brought this to my attention today. Thanks for digging a little deeper with me today. Will you trust God with your words? Or perhaps the question should be, Can God trust you?
Keep Blazing!
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