1 John 1: Fellowship and Confession

Fellowship and Confession

1 John 1:6 and 1 John 1:9 show us what it is to be honest about our fellowship with God. We can say we unite with God and walk with Him, but yet we live in darkness. Well, what does that mean? Living in darkness would be along the lines of 1) understanding what it means to be in unity with God and 2) actually doing it. If I meet someone and I say to them I am a manager of a job I have, knowing that manager is not in my job title or description, yet I give off the impression to others possibly to impress them that I am something that I am now, then I am lying. I might have similar responsibilities to a manager, but I am not the manager. So, when I say I walk with God and seek to be in unison with His will, someone would be able to see it by my actions and my words and compare them up against God's will. In addition, verse 9 isn't as deep with a diagnosis, yet it is just as important. Confession of sins is important as it shows us that our way of handling things, saying things, thinking and behaving isn't always in unison with God's will. Being in God's will is the focus. When we act outside of His will, we express selfishness and we sin. When we confess that we have sinned, we are admitting to God, "hey, I didn't get it right. I messed up, but I wanna be back in your good graces." When you can humble yourself and tell God that you want to try it again and get back on the right track, that shows God that we are willing to be humble and seek His ways over our own. 

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Wednesday Wake Up #40

Just Ask God

Just ask God for what you need and what you want in life. There is nothing wrong with asking God. The worst He will answer is no. He may say yes...or he may say wait. Either way, you can ask God for your needs and wants. God wants to hear from you. Just like a parent that says call all the time to their children it is a way to stay connected. It is also a way to prioritize what you want to ask God, not that He can't take all of your requests on (God is all powerful), but when you are requesting something from God it may spark some "would God want me to have this" thinking. Sometimes we want things just because we want them. Like "God please get me approved for this loan so I can get this sports car cuz I look so cool in it and I know that will attract women." Or "God please help me get this job so I can get discounts on their clothes." Whatever you take to God, needs or wants, asking Him will allow you to double check your intentions before you ask. This is what we learn in 1 John 5:14. The name of Jesus is strong as Jesus is the son of God, so whether we ask Jesus or the Holy Spirit or God himself for what it is we want or need, let it be in God's will. Check yourself. You may see that your intentions are not God honoring and it may allow you to reset your aims.

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Wednesday Wake Up #34

What Do I Get?

There are conversations I have had with people regarding their life situations and the Christ-like, God honoring response to an issue rather than the typically unfiltered human reaction. The question that usually comes from a conversation like that is "But why would I do that?" Basically, they are having an issue with not being encouraged to just respond the way that they are accustomed. They don't see the benefit in responding in a way that honors God or shows that they are a disciple/follower of Christ. I will say this, if you are a Christ follower then your focus should not be on "why be loving" but on "how can I be loving?"

Ask yourself "how do I serve the Kingdom of God (in terms of serving those who are poor and less fortunate). If you do not, can you? Of course you can. Maybe you truly cannot afford to buy the homeless food, but one thing people need is time. Would you ever spare some time? Can you spend some time once a month with the homeless in a shelter or some sort of function? You can. Maybe not the homeless, what about the elderly? Kids? The sick? The poor? There are all types of people who could use financial help or just some time. What can you do? Something. If you need some encouragement, read Proverbs 21:13 and know that when you hear that the poor need help and you answer it benefits you. But do it out of love, not obligation.

What about the problems we have with people? There are ways to respond and ways to not respond. First, think about James 1:19 and remember to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. We might think "But they said 'x-y-z'. I cant let them get away with that. My response is, look at how Jesus responded to the Pharisees. Read through the gospels and examine the responses Jesus had. When he "lost his cool" it was because people were being cheated in the church which was also being used for non church/God things. When it comes to people we have to remember to look at the perspective of not just what is best for us personally, but what benefits others and honors God. In Philippians 2:4 we read "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." In verse 3 Paul writes "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." So when you question "what's in it for me", rethink that and turn it into "how can I honor God?"

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Friday Focus #31

One Another-ing

It is very easy to get caught up in thinking about ourselves and our wants and even perceive those wants as needs. When we truly focus on what God wants from us we can see how important it is for us to honor Him and be loving to one another. During this times of the year there is much discussion regarding politics and a number of divisive things are being said. While not everyone engaged in these discussions are Christ followers, some of these people are or at least believe themselves to be overlooking that in favor of personal wants that are outside of the glory of God. Doing a Google search of "how many one another bible verses" I found a document that counts 59 uses of one another in the New Testament. Here are a few that I would like to highlight.

In Mark 9:50 Jesus is talking about having salt in ourselves. Salt here can be used as a reference to sacrifices that were covered with salt and/or salt being a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. Jesus says, " Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." This does not mean do it on your own accord but have the Holy Spirit in you as that also relates to a sacrifice of self. By that sacrifice of self and having the Holy Spirit in us, we can "be at peace with one another." It is hard to say or do divisive things when you have submitted your will to God. If you stay focused on being served then you are part of the problem.

We have probably covered John 13:34-35 numerous times about loving one another (Jesus's command) and that is how people will know we are Christ followers. But, let's take it a step further. What task is so beneath you that you would never do it? Cleaning toilets? Taking out the trash? Well, Jesus was so humble in his living that something as low as washing someone's feet was not beneath him. How would you sacrifice for your brother or sister in Christ if they needed you to? Would you allow yourself to be degraded in a sense to meet a need for them? Jesus says in John 13:14-15 that since he has done this that we should do the same type of activity as he has shown us an example of how to be. 

Finally, I leave you with one more. Being a Christ follower does not equate to perfection from the eyes of others. It means being dedicated to God's will. It means accepting the Holy Spirit as your guide and God's grace through Christ. In Romans 15:7, Paul says something very important that often gets overlooked. He says, "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." This does not mean that we accept sin and just say it is okay, but remember where you were when first became a Christ follower. Remember the grace you needed or had. Now apply that to others. We are all works in progress. Love them enough to let them grow.

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Philippians 3: Shed Selfishness, Seek Sacrifice

Shed Selfishness, Seek Sacrifice

For those who spent more time thinking about doing what makes them happy and doing what pleased them, they showed that they were not honoring the Lord. God is not waiting for us to find what makes us happy and just live doing that, but He is wanting us to sacrifice. Paul points out that some were focused on worshiping their bellies (literally and figuratively on living for self). Paul points them out in Philippians 3:19 and says their end is destruction (more figurative to eternal damnation). He says that since they worship their bellies, their minds are on earthly things. Look, we all slip up, but some are living lives of missing the mark when it comes to the target of seeking to be Christ like.

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Philippians 2: From Selfish Ambition to Humility

From Selfish Ambition to Humility

We really can get off track when it comes to our walk in the Spirit with the Lord. In Philippians 2:3-5, Paul gives another solid direction for the church to follow. This is nothing new, just a new way for the church to hear. Paul says "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit..." How often do we act selfishly towards other and speak over them as if what we have to say is more important? Or When we drive and our destination is so much more important than everyone else's that we cut people off and don't let them in? What if we reverse that and started letting people finish talking or drove more lovingly. He continues "...but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." That is such a great way to look at humility. One might say, "But why would I do that?" That question itself is selfish in this context. It is asking "what can I get out of it?" It isn't about you. Our mind should be focused on how can I serve others instead of how can I be served. There is nothing wrong with taking a break and getting re-energized to serve the Lord (even God rested on the Sabbath). But if we are often focused on what we are getting from people, then our focus is off in life. Think like Jesus.

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Friday Focus #30

No Greater Love Than This

Are you a friend of Jesus? How do you know? How do you check that or test that? Are you willing to do as He commands? Are you willing to lay down your life for your friends? You can say yes to all of these things, but the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. In John 15:13, Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." What did he mean?

In the very next verse (14) Jesus says "You are my friends if you do what I command you." If you think you are a Christian, it may only be in thought. If you are not willing to submit your will to be in accordance with what God says and how Christ taught, lived and commanded, then how can Christ be in any title that you associate with your spiritual perspective? Are you willing to die for you friends? If so, are you willing to stop, slow down and make a phone call? Visit? Before you say you can do the big stuff, are you already doing the small stuff? Or are you too busy?

Remember Jesus was not "some guy" but he was God in the flesh and was also human. He read the scriptures and learned from them. He applied them when applicable. He sacrificed himself for your sins and mine. We can't even sacrifice time for our friends so how can we say we would lay down our lives. We can't even sacrifice parts of us that make others stumble. Are we really friends of Christ willing to sacrifice? Or are we just being selfish and thinking we are doing what we ought to be. 

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Acts 5:16- What is Your Role?

What is Your Role?

It is very easy to just go to church and pray and consider that we are doing our part in the Kingdom of God. Yet, we never read our Bibles, we don't seek to understand the depth of God's word and we don't serve. I know I keep bringing up the message of selfless, God focused serving, but this topic keeps coming up in various ways in scripture. 

In Acts 5, we read about Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Ananias sold some land and while other's had given all of their sales of property to the apostles to divide among those in need, Ananias kept some of the sale of his land for himself. When he was called out for his sin, he died. He was convicted by being told "You have not lied to man but to God." His wife Sapphira was complicit in the cover up of the money as well and once she was called out, she died as well. Lesson: Hold true to your oaths. God knows what you do even when you hide it from man. Their heart was not focused on being selfless.

In Acts 5:12-16, we read that the apostles were regularly doing signs and wonders, more believers came to know Jesus and were added to the church. In Acts 5:15-16 we see, that members of the church did their part to help others who needed help. They carried the sick out into the streets in hopes that they could be healed by Peter's shadow (there is no text that states that his shadow did heal- could just be the thought of people). But, ultimately I see that others were helping those in need. We all have different abilities. What are you doing with your God given abilities to help others for the Kingdom of God? That is a question you can answer or ask someone who truly knows you. Don't be a lazy, selfish Christian.

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Friday Focus #4

Staying in God's Will

Think about a time that you regret doing something. Seriously, take a second to think about it.

Whatever answer you came up with, ask yourself this question "Was I in God's will when I did that?"

I have made many bad decisions in my lifetime and many of those are made out of selfish decisions that were not endorsed by God. God's word and will need to be first in my life, not secondary.

When we look at the story of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) we see two people who engaged in lustful acts that led to a child out of wedlock. Bathsheba was married and slept with another man and ended up pregnant. David conspired to have her husband, Uriah, come home from war in hopes that he would sleep with his wife and David and Bathsheba could cover up their sin. But, when Uriah came home he got too drunk and didn't sleep with his wife. So David sent Uriah back into battle, but put him in part of the battle with the hardest fighting and then draw back from Uriah so that he may be struck down and die in battle. Do you see how being out of God's will and giving into their own lustful thoughts and ideas led to a man's death? Is that in God's will?

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are to take every thought captive and align it with how Christ thought. That means making God's will first in our lives.

We are to live our lives like Jesus. We are to think like Jesus. In Philipians 2:5 we are told to have the same attitude as Jesus. That means thoughts of selfishness, envy, self-righteousness, wrath, lust, etc, are not of Christ. We are to become Christ like.

I found a video from Pastor Rick Warren on Recognizing God's Voice which really goes into detail on how to know when what we think or feel is of God or of evil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-827QmRDjUA



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Mark 10:45- Life as a Ransom

Life as a Ransom

James and John (two disciples) are asking Jesus if they can sit at his right and left hand. Didn't he just finish telling them and the other disciples (Mark 9) that it was not about earthly glory and accolades? It is about serving.

In verse 45 Jesus breaks down what his life means. He says that he came to serve not to be served. Now, right there can end the discussion. He focuses on meeting others needs over trying to fulfill our wants. Our wants can be very selfish, while attending to the needs of others if far more selfless.

The second half of verse 45 is where it gets even more real. Jesus tells them that even he came "to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus dying on the cross for our sins freed us from the guilt and shame and eternal damnation of our sin. If you want to be free from sin's power over you, follow Christ and serve others. Recognize what his death on the cross meant for you and others and let that be your example.

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Matthew 7:21

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of  heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." commentary- Jesus here is referring to those  who claim one thing verbally (as it pertains to doing God's will), but in their heart they are not focused on God's will. You can see how others live for God's will  by the fruit they produce. Does the Holy Spirit run their life or is it their own passion & selfish desires?