Being Wise Instead of Foolish
The reminders are so important. Paul wants the church in Ephesus to focus on what is important and not what isn't important. Whether you are single or married there needs to be a focus on doing what is wise and not what is foolish. In Ephesians 5:3-4, Paul points out the foolishness he sees in the church such as sexual immorality, all impurity, filthiness, foolish talk or crude joking. Paul says that they are all out of place and should be replaced with giving thanks. Paul continues and tells the church to make the most of every opportunity, not for selfish gain, but as to what honors God. Those who are married have to also honor God, but differently than those who are single. Also, in Ephesians 5:22 tells wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Many will argue, but I say if your husband is not worthy of being lord in the home, you married the wrong guy. But also, in verse 25, we have a different take on things that focuses on the husbands responsibility to his wife. They should love their wives as Christ loved the church. If we all did what was God honoring, we all would be in a lot less trouble.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
'Tis the Season
'Tis the season to be jolly. It's a nice lyric. I don't know anyone who wants to be around a Scrooge type of person during what many call the "most wonderful time of the year" where we are "walkin' in a winter wonderland." But there has to be more about this season than just being jolly. This is the season (in conjunction with Thanksgiving) where many people want to donate their time to the homeless and the less fortunate. Now is a great time to start. I am 100% in favor of that. My hope and aim is that we can do more than just be jolly and joyful and loving during this season. I mean think about it, what if God only answered our prayers during holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas? He loves us all the time (1 John 4:19). We need to be loving all the time to Him and then to others as well because that is how people know we are disciples (followers) of Christ (John 13:34-35).
Psalm 41:1 teaches us that we are blessed for being considerate to the poor. This does not just mean the poor in finances. But, it can also mean the poor in spirit, the poor in health, in relationships. Another word used to replace poor was weak. That does not only cover finances. It covers those who need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear and a loving heart. It covers those who are sick in hospitals. It covers those going through a rough relationship time as well. It covers the emotionally and spiritually weak. The following verses tell us that there are promises of being sustained by the Lord in our sickbed (we get weak too). The Lord keeps us alive and restores us to full health. We don't do these loving acts because of what we get out of it from God, but we do loving things because we love.
And we can't forget about being joyous during these times. But what are we joyful about? Is it because we love the season and the cold and the fireplace being lit with hot cocoa in our hands? Those are nice things and are very comforting, but are we forgetting to give thanks to God for those nice times that we can have that are very relaxing? We can take for granted the lifestyles we have grown accustomed to, while completely overlooking the provider for us. It's like we only want to thank God when things are going well, but we are to thank God in all circumstances and always be joyous and pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We can't focus on the season without looking at the creator of the season. Can we?
Overall, God wants us to do these wonderful things at all times not just during certain days or months or holidays. He wants us to see Him first (Matthew 6:33). Let us remember to give to others and love others as God loved us first.
PLEASE
SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK,
PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
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.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Giving Thanks to God and Loving Family
As we get ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow let us not forget what is really important. It isn't about the food and the fixin's. It isn't about the football games (hard for me to say that one haha). But our focus should be on God first and then the family unity.
As we look at Psalm 100, the title of this chapter is A Psalm for Giving Thanks. The focus is giving thanks to God. The opening 2 verses tell us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and serve Him with gladness. We are to come in God's presence with singing. We are to be singing the Lord's praises. Yes, there are times were God needs to hear from us that we are upset, but are we complaining more to God than we are giving thanks to Him. We overlook what we are thankful about many other days of the year. Can't this be the year the beginning of a time where we let God know that we are thankful to Him for all He has done. Personally, God has done so much in my life from the jobs I have had, the people I have met, the schools I have attended. But, even more so the things I overlook every day. I don't always thank God for the fact that my car works (a huge blessing if you have known me since my first car in 1997). I have forgotten to thank God for where I live. I could have lived in a horrible neighborhood with horrible neighbors and crime, but I don't. When was the last time I thanked God for those simple things? Now is a very good time. And tomorrow. And for years to come.
And when it comes to family, how often do we tell them not just that we love them, but how we appreciate them? Do we come home and complain about work and life problems? Can't we start greeting each other with love and a "holy kiss? (Romans 16:16 and GotQuestions.org)" Let us pray with the family as we should. If we are not praying with the kids and our spouses and significant others, how then are our relationships based in God's word? We need to honor our parents, not just during holidays, but at all times (Exodus 20:12). Fathers need to not provoke their children to anger (Colossians 3:21). Mothers can wisdom and kindness to their children (Proverbs 31:26).
No matter which holiday has arrived let us remember to give thanks to God and let Him lead us as we connect with our families and friends whether it is a holiday or just any old day. Let us love regardless of the day (John 15:12).
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
And when he had given thanks...
Sometimes we can over look something so simple and easy. It may sound silly but when I come home late and there is a good parking spot in front of my house, I thank Jesus. When I make it home safely and pray before bed, I thank Jesus for my safety. I give thanks. In Luke 22:19, it is literally right in front our faces and we overlook because it is not a major part of the story, but still gives insight into who Jesus was and how we can interact with God.
During the Lord's Supper as he takes his bread, Jesus says thanks. It's just a piece of bread. Nothing major, but still food to eat and something that Jesus gives thanks to God for. Pretty simple and insignificant for some people. But for me, it shows how even in the small things, we can be thankful.
The small thing of giving thanks before eating the bread shows how Jesus could be thankful for something seemingly insignificant and small. remember Luke 16:10, "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." If Jesus were the type to over look even the smallest of things to be thankful for and to be faithful in such as giving thanks and his personal prayer life, then that would be evidence to show him to not be the Messiah.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus knew his body would be broken and his blood would be spilled but still gave thanks to God anyway before telling the disciples about the upcoming events. Give thanks.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
