Friday Focus #42

Get Near to Jesus

There was so much power in the physical touch of Jesus as he was God in the flesh. He could touch you and heal you. He could speak to you and heal you of an ailment that has plagued you for decades. There was nothing that he couldn't heal. In Luke 6:17-19, Jesus ministered to a bunch of people. The first thing he did was he stood on a level area (verse 17). That could just be a simple way of saying so he was balanced in a place where there was not much balance to be found (mountainous or hilly area). But you can metaphorically connect it to mean when you are going to do some preaching and teaching and ministering, make sure that your life is in balance, not imbalanced. Imagine watching someone stand in an area that was unstable. You could get distracted by watching them try to keep their balance. The same way we need to keep our balance with God's word and managing what we allow in our lives from the cultures that we live in. My second point is contained in verses 18-19 which show how people from various areas knew of Jesus and wanted to hear him speak and have him heal their illnesses. Those who had unclean spirits and were troubled sought to be healed by Jesus. They wanted to be healed by him because they knew he had power. Just getting near to Jesus can be healing. You must have faith to even believe that he can heal. If they didn't believe that he could heal, would they have gotten near to him or tried to hear him speak. Get near to Jesus.

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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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1 Peter 5: Shepherds of the Flock

Shepherds of the Flock

1 Peter 5:2-4 tells the reader to remember that leading a flock should be done with God given oversight (direction) and not human compulsion. Also it tells the reader to not dominate the flock but to be an example to them in said leadership. No one wants a leader who is telling you what to do and not being a good example of that. If my leader says that we should serve and read the word, and they don't serve or read the word, then they aren't being a good leader nor are they being a good example to the flock. We need flock leaders to hold themselves accountable and also be held accountable.

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James 2: Faith Without Works

Faith Without Works

James 2:19-20 exposes the view points of those who claim to be Christians/Christ Followers, but they lack evidence to prove their status.  Just because you known that Jesus is God in the flesh doesn't make you more of a believer than others nor does it solidify your belief either. Even the demons know that Jesus is Lord (James 2:19). Once you know Jesus is Lord then how does that play into your life? What do you do with that? Sit on it? Tell others? Serve others because you are a good person or because you serve the Lord and serve others? basically,m just because you have faith, if you do nothing with it, then what is the point (James 2:20). 

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Friday Focus #37

God's Grace is Free

Grace is a wonderful thing. It is an important intangible. Grace is not something you earn. It is given freely. It is a gift. A gift that we all need in our relationships and in our relationship with God. In Romans 11:6 we understand that when it comes to our salvation (our eternal existence in Heaven) that the only reason why we get that chance is grace. The grace comes from God freely. We literally do not have to do anything to receive this grace, other than accept. You don't have to serve 50 homeless people for 10 years. You do not have to memorize 40 Bible verses and wrote 6 essays. All you have to do is accept God's grace that is free to you in order for you to have salvation.

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1 Corinthians 7: Marriage and Living as You Are Called

Marriage and Living as You Are Called

Paul breaks down how men and women should treat their respective spouses. I have heard stories of spouses with holding sex from one another for whatever reason (not due to health reasons) and the marriage falls apart. I'm sure there are other reasons why it happens, but if you refuse to have sex with your spouse, what are you expecting to happen? Paul says that the wife has authority over her husband's body and the husband has authority over his wife's body. They are not to deprive one another (1 Corinthians 7:4-5). Deprivation isn't being done in love. That is often done due to bitterness, anger and unresolved hurts. We stop being loving when we no longer like that person. Also, notice that Paul did not make mention of men marrying men and women marrying women and how that should be done. Remember he has already spoken about homosexuality on numerous occasions.

Next, in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Paul addresses people in the church who were followers of Christ but were also confusing circumcision with being saved. It became a "Christ and", not just being saved by Grace. He mentions bondservants and how if they are that and are saved by grace then they are free in Christ. But if they get their physical freedom then they ought to take that opportunity. Serving the Lord was the priority, not your position or social standing. 

Lastly, Paul discusses those who were not married. He was not speaking to the time and into the future, but specific to the time. There was a problem that he slightly touches on but doesn't go into detail. He tells them that married men are at a disadvantage in serving the Lord as they have to divide their attention to pleasing their wife and other worldly things. He is not saying that having a wife is bad or against God, but you know that if you are married, the joy of your spouse and the contentment within your marriage will be a concern that will need addressing on a regular basis. That is a fair statement, generally speaking. But, those who are not married can focus more on pleasing the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:35).

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Acts 20: What Lies in Paul's Words

What Lies in Paul's Words

There are many things Paul says in Acts 20:17-35, but I want to point out transparency, humility in trials and and serving like Christ. Being transparent is not something that many of us Christ followers allow ourselves to be these days. We live lives of seclusion and don't want anyone holding us accountable for how we can become stronger in our walks or stop letting ourselves sin. Paul was transparent. As a leader he needed to be transparent. He was an example of what it was to walk in the Holy Spirit and follow Christ. He tells the elders of the church in Ephesus that they know how he lived since he lived among them in Asia (Acts 20:18).

Paul also served. I know that sadly is not something common in this "gimme gimme" society we live in, but a leader of the church spreading the word of Christ was serving. He served with humility and with tears and trials for all the things that happened to him while spreading the word of Christ and avoiding capture from the Jews (Acts 20:19).

Lastly, in verse 35 he really breaks down the true essence of serving and quotes Jesus. He says that he has shown them that when you work hard you must also help the weak and remember what Jesus said that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." For anyone who is a believer and is not serving from their heart to honor God's will for our lives and show love and be loving to others, then you may have missed the point of being a Christ follower.

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Acts 17: Paul Preaches and Uncovers Idols

Paul Preaches and Uncovers Idols

Paul and Silas made it to Thessalonica and Paul preached the word on three Sabbath days (as was his custom) that Jesus was the Christ and had to suffer and rise from the dead. More people began to follow Jesus and the Jews who did not like what was happening became jealous. The gathered wicked men and formed a mob to find Paul and Silas. Instead they found Jason (his house served as the church) and brought him before city officials. Jason and those that were with him had to leave a security deposit to keep the riots from happening again (Acts 17:1-9).

Paul and Silas were saved and were sent to Berea and went to another Jewish Synagogue. These Jewish people received the word and were more noble and eager to receive the word. But once the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were there, they went there too looking for them. Paul and Silas were made to escape which sent Paul to Athens and Silas and Timothy to meet up with him later (Acts 17:10-15).

While Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was full of idols. Some didn't want to hear what he had to say and other saw him to be a preacher of foreign divinities (they did not know of Jesus). Paul goes on to tell them that their "unknown God" (as was an inscription on some idols) did not live in temples made by man (Acts 17:17-31). 

As "cool" as it is to have a nice gold crucifix or a bracelet or set of beads, we must remember that God does not live in these items. If you need a reminder of what Christ did for you, then personally I understand. But personally, you have to make sure that what you have is not for looks or fashion or to be in awe of others. Just because you have the biggest crucifix necklace or the shiniest crucifix necklace, it doesn't mean that you are a believer. Your necklace and Christ inspired jewelry is not what truly represents your faith in Christ. It is what you do with that faith in Christ.Will you serve? Will you love others? Will you submit to the will of God? That is a true mark of your faith, not what you wear or what idol you have made.
 
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Friday Focus #15

Today or Tomorrow?

Hopefully we all had a good time with friends/family yesterday for Thanksgiving. But, what do we do the day after? I know there are stores with Black Friday sales (and chaos...and fights too). I know there is Cyber Monday that serves as the online version with no lines but still getting the best deals for stuff. I am not saying shopping is wrong, but I am once again going to bring up this question, what about service? When will we start serving? Today? Tomorrow? When??

I know we do many things as a family like meeting together and eating together and just spending time with one another. Those are all great and wonderful things. Continue to do them with love and unity for the family. But, I think about those that do not have any food. I think about those that do not have any friends. What about those that do not have any family?

As Christ followers we tend to forget to give to the needy. Where I live, I see plenty of homeless and downtrodden people. I can't feed every single one, but I can make an effort to feed the ones I encounter. You know when you go out to eat and you take food home, couldn't that food be given to someone who is homeless that struggles to eat daily? In Matthew 6:1-4 we see that we are to give to the poor (food or money or sit down and have lunch WITH them). We are not bringing attention to ourselves but seeking to show love to God by loving others as He loved us. I know we cannot serve every moment of every day, but can today be the first day where you just make an effort to look past your wants and start serving people in need; dire need? It actually pains me to write this knowing that there are so many of us who can make a difference, but chose not to. It doesn't have to be big, just let it be from the heart. Parents lead your children in this. Kids, get your teams and friends together in this. Adults, get your friends and small groups involved in this. It's about time...isn't it?

Please read more on giving alms on http://www.gotquestions.org/alms-almsgiving.html
 
This is not the way to talk about serving.

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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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John 15- True Vine and Branches

True Vine and Branches

We understand it is not our good deeds that bring us salvation, but salvation does require a action steps of faith like the bleeding woman (Matthew 9:20-22) following Christ unlike the rich man (Matthew 19:16-30) and most importantly over all else is grace from God (Ephesians 2:8). You must believe that Jesus is the son of God and was God in the flesh. And once that has been done, we do as Christ said with being born again of water and spirit (John 3:5).

But then what? After I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and follow him, can I sit on the couch and watch TV all day? Can I just hang out on social media and keep up with the Kardashians? I don't think that is the best way to serve God, by inactivity. When you love you serve. Serving is a way to show that Jesus is working through us. 

When he said "I am the true vine" Jesus was telling you that when you are connected to him (the true vine) which is cared for by God (the vinedresser) you will be pruned when producing fruit in order to produce more fruit. But if the branch (us) is not producing fruit, God takes it away.

The fruit is the proof that you follow Christ. How do you serve or do you serve at all? Do you love people? That is the fruit. The actions that you do out of love for people by following Christ. We have seen numerous examples of his heart and humility, purpose and service. Follow him and his example.

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Wednesday Wake Up #10

Thankless Serving

Christianity is not just about liking Jesus. It is not just about knowing that Jesus existed. Nor it is about just going to church and reading the Bible and "stuff." Stuff could include Bible studies, conferences, retreats and other "stuff" that we do to grow in our faith. There is nothing wrong with anything I have mentioned, but not many people see selfless serving as part of the Christian walk.

Have you ever read through 1 Corinthians 13? This chapter describes what love is and what it looks like in real life situations. In verse 4 we see that love is patient and kind. We also see that love is not boastful, prideful or arrogant. When we serve other needs we are not serving to get noticed. We are not serving to get acknowledged. And dare I say, we are not serving toi even get a mere thank you. a thank you might seem like something we should expect from helping those in need, but do we need a "thank you" to serve? If you need a "thank you" from someone to serve then you are not serving. You are looking for human validation to fulfill a need for others. That sounds like being in it for more than helping those in need. Remember when Jesus healed a leper in Matthew 8:1-4? He didn't ask for or demand a thank you. He just wanted the man to tell the priests of the healing (but that was for fulfilling prophecies, not for selfish credit).

Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that between faith, hope and love, the greatest of those three in love. We can tell people we love them, but we can say it even louder when we serve their needs and do it selflessly. Just remember how Jesus died on the cross for you and served our need to be connected to God. He didn't waste his energy or breath asking or demanding for a thank you. Our love for God is number 1 and our love for people comes from loving God (Matthew 26:36-40).

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Luke 10:38-42- The Good Portion

The Good Portion

When I read through Luke 10 a few things jump out at me that I am familiar with such as Jesus send people out to spread the word. Also, the story of the Good Samaritan (which is a good one on mercy in Luke 10:25-37).

But there is another section that I don't think gets enough attention. The story of Mary and Martha. In Luke 10:38-42 Jesus entered a village and was welcomed into Martha's house. Mary (Martha's sister) was busy or "distracted" with serving while Mary sat at Jesus's feet and "listened to his teaching." Do you see the difference between Mary and Martha so far? One was distracted and the other sat with Jesus listening to his teachings.

Martha complains to Jesus that Mary should be helping her instead of sitting. Jesus's response to her was not condemning Mary or even criticizing Martha for her complaint. Jesus simply pointed out that Mary had chosen the "good portion" referred to it as "necessary" and said that it will "not be taken away from her."

How often do we get so busy with work or doing things that we think are for the Lord and yet we have forgotten to actually "sit" with Jesus? What do I mean by sit? I mean, how often do we make time to study the word, his teachings and his life. That is very important. It is also important to serve, but if we are serving and selflessness for God's sake is not at the center, then we may as well just call it volunteering and helping. There is nothing wrong with volunteering or helping, but when you serve with God at the center, it takes the focus on centers it in God's will and what is righteous.




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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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Mark 9:35- Last of All, Servant of All

Last of All, Servant of All

I just finished reading through Mark 9 and then I decided to look up a couple of polls to see who people ranked as the greatest or most significant person in history (New Republic and Daily Mail UK). The answer may surprise you and then again, maybe it won't. I was thinking maybe someone who is super rich and wealthy like hip hop mogul a Jay-Z or a former president like George Washington. Well, I was wrong. In both of those polls and studies conducted, Jesus won. Jesus is seen as the greatest and most significant person of all time.

Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Capernum and when they had reached their location, Jesus asked them what they had been discussing on the way to Capernum. No one wanted to answer because they were discussing which of them were the greatest. Really?!?! That was on your mind? Well, that is my response, but that isn't the right response. Jesus informs them in verse 35 that if anyone is to be the greatest, he must be the least of all and the servant of all.

Think about that...the greatest must be the least of all and the servant of all. So, these words that were spoken over 2,000 years ago are still holding true. But, it isn't about doping things in order to get recognition, it is serving God by serving people, selflessly. Jesus did not die for our sins so that we could rank him #1 on the internet more than 2000 years later. He did that out of love. Now, I challenge you to show love to someone this week (aside from those you already are friends with).

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