1 John 4: Love Wins

Love Wins

Being genuinely loving is another mark of a true Christian. If you read yesterday's Wednesday Wake Up #42 you see that the passion for serving is one way to tell who is a true Christian. Another way to tell is by seeing who is being loving and who is not. This is not the love like you love ice cream but the true love like serve someone you don't know and forgive someone who has hurt you. Love you fellow brothers and sister in Christ. Be loving to your family. 1 John 4:7-8 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." If you are not being loving then you do not know God. How can you say you know God if you are not being loving? One another is everyone, not a select few. If you want to win people to Jesus and share with them who God is, just know that love wins.

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Wednesday Wake Up #42

Keep on Keepin' On

In reading Romans 12:11 it is one mark of a true Christian. Yes, there are others, but let's just focus on the regarding your zeal, your passion, your energy in serving God. Paul writes that the passion shouldn't be lacking when serving the Lord. The spiritual fervor is also part of that passion in serving the Lord. When you read the word, share with or teach others, feeding the homeless, whatever it is, do it with passion. Let that Holy Spirit work through you be the fire that fuels you to serve the Lord. You will know a true Christian by one who is serving the Lord with passion and intensity.

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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 #24

It Cannot Be Unsaid or Unheard

I remember being in a men's group at Saddleback Church a couple of years ago and discussing how saying mean or hurtful things is just like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. Once it comes out, it cannot go back in. The damage has already begun to take place. "I'm sorry" doesn't take the words back or make it so it never even happened. Another way to think about this too is what we type/text to people. Once they have read it, it cannot be unread. The eyes have already taken those words in. We need to be more mindful of what we say to people (and type) so that our words are coming from a place of love and not from anger that could lead us to regret them later.

If you have read through Proverbs, you have seen a ton of verses that could easily be used as daily reminders for self control. One of those verses is Proverbs 12:18. It compares our words to swords which cut deeply and or tongues (if used by the wise) as a source that can bring healing. Do we really want to be known as the type of person who uses harsh and rash words that just cut at people all the time? Or would you rather be known as someone who is looked at as one who brings healing with their words? I would rather be the latter rather than the former as I seek to do what is pleasing to God, not people. It might be very easy to do what others expect or would do in your shoes, but they don't have to deal with the consequences of your words, but you do. So instead of doing what you may feel pressured to do by people and expected social norms, do what you feel led to do by God.

And sometimes we can get caught up and say that we are just being honest or just speaking the truth. But, is the truth and honesty rooted in helping someone with love that builds them up? In Ephesians 4:29 we are given a reminder to not give into any unwholesome talk and let what comes out of our mouths be what builds others up. What we say needs to be helpful. Not helpful for doing what we want them to do, but what God would want them to do. It also needs to be for their benefit and for those who hear it. 

In Psalm 19:14 we look at the source from where our words should come. As stated previously is it what is it just that it is socially normal to speak that way or does it need to come from God's will. The focus of the verse is on the words and the heart being acceptable to God. He is where we look for our guidance as to what we should be saying and what we let come out from our hearts. Once it is said it cannot be unsaid, so make sure before you say it that it is pleasing to God.

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Friday Focus #3

Bad Company and Good Morals

In the Wednesday Wake Up for this week I covered being unequally yoked with people who do not follow Christ. This could be dating, marriage, close relationships, business, etc. If you follow Christ it doesn't make sense as to why you would unite with someone who does not follow or understand Christ as you do. How can they help you grow in your relationship with Christ? That is in conjunction with the 1st Commandment.

You can't charge your iPhone with a charger for your my phone. It is a completely different device. Would you seek a golf coach to become a pilot? Would you want to learn how to cook from someone who doesn't understand how to cook? Why be partnered with someone who doesn't match well with you for something so important to you?

In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul tells us not to be misled and that bad company corrupts good character. I struggle in my prayer life from time to time. The only people who can help me grow in that area are those who follow Christ. If I am having a down in the dumps kind of day, nice words are nice from friends, but couldn't I use some scripture too? People who don't follow Christ have never led me to seek scripture for anything I was ever going through. I need that. You need that. We are all a part of the body of Christ and we need to be strong to keep the body upright and healthy. Just like we need to eat right, drink water and exercise for the betterment of our own bodies, then we need to make sure the body of Christ is strong as well by checking out where we are plugged in and with whom we are connected.

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