And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NLT
Have you ever wondered how you would feel if you found out that your conversations were being recorded? What if your actions were being secretly video taped? I have thought about it. It made me cringe. Would I be pleased if I had to play back the way I sounded when dealing with my children? What about a disagreement with my husband? Did I sound respectful or like a nagging wife? What about the attitude I had in Wal-Mart with two children in tow and a crowd of people around? It’s quite possible someone was watching. What about those secret conversations where we are being vindictive or making cutting remarks about someone, gossiping or complaining? Even if no-one else is watching or listening, God is.
This verse reminds us that as children of God, we are representing Christ. Always. At home with our spouse and children, at the grocery store, at a ball game, at work, on social networks…always. Our actions and our words (including how we say them) are to glorify God. I don’t know about you, but I know I have failed at this more than I would like to admit. So how do we go about achieving this instruction? We have to deliberately do it. We have to make a quality decision and a conscious effort to control our tongues and behave in a way that is pleasing to our Father. We know what pleases Him by reading His word. The New Testament, especially Ephesians, James and 1 Corinthians, is rich with scripture about how we should conduct ourselves and relate to other people. But it's not enough to read it, we have to do it. (James 1:22,23) We should dwell on developing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and ask the Holy Spirit to work in us to do so. The Spirit's fruit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Galatians 5:22-23
We can’t control what other people do or what they say, but we can be good representatives of the Lord when we seek to please Him in our words and actions. By doing so, we are being obedient to God. The second part of the verse says to give thanks to God through Jesus. Being a representative of Christ is not a burden but a privilege and an honor. Let’s make sure to thank him for that blessing.
Whatever we meditate on becomes our words and actions, so let this be our prayer: "May the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
For further study, see Ephesians 4:17-32.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
To Die For
Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am not ready only to be bound but also to die for the name of Jesus." Acts: 21:13
There is a very slim chance that any of us reading this will ever have to die for the name of Jesus. We may be made fun of, talked about, ridiculed, fired or rejected by “friends”, but we probably won’t lose our lives. Although, there are people all over the world who are dying for their belief in Jesus. I admire and pray them.
Look at the passion and devotion that Paul had in the passage above. What are we willing to do for the name of Jesus? How much do we love him? Are we willing to sacrifice our time? Our resources? Our attitudes and selfish desires? Are we willing to face rejection? Are we willing to let go of pride and humble ourselves before him so that he can use us? Are we ready and willing to say “yes” to whatever it is that God wants us to do? How much is too much?
Jesus left nothing undone when he finished his work here on earth. He made the ultimate sacrifice, a brutally painful and agonizing sacrifice. Do we love him enough to follow him whole-heartily like Paul did? No, we haven’t been blinded by a bright light and heard the audible voice of Jesus, but if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives, we still have the same salvation that Paul does. We are no less saved than he was. God may not be calling us to carry the cross of being an international missionary like Paul. However, He still deserves everything we have and all that we are. Whatever mission field he has placed us in, we should give him our all.
There is a very slim chance that any of us reading this will ever have to die for the name of Jesus. We may be made fun of, talked about, ridiculed, fired or rejected by “friends”, but we probably won’t lose our lives. Although, there are people all over the world who are dying for their belief in Jesus. I admire and pray them.
Look at the passion and devotion that Paul had in the passage above. What are we willing to do for the name of Jesus? How much do we love him? Are we willing to sacrifice our time? Our resources? Our attitudes and selfish desires? Are we willing to face rejection? Are we willing to let go of pride and humble ourselves before him so that he can use us? Are we ready and willing to say “yes” to whatever it is that God wants us to do? How much is too much?
Jesus left nothing undone when he finished his work here on earth. He made the ultimate sacrifice, a brutally painful and agonizing sacrifice. Do we love him enough to follow him whole-heartily like Paul did? No, we haven’t been blinded by a bright light and heard the audible voice of Jesus, but if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives, we still have the same salvation that Paul does. We are no less saved than he was. God may not be calling us to carry the cross of being an international missionary like Paul. However, He still deserves everything we have and all that we are. Whatever mission field he has placed us in, we should give him our all.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
3 Simple Requirements
No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The Israelites wanted to know what kind of sacrifices they should make to the Lord to make up for the way they had neglected him. They suggested sacrificing thousands of goats and even their firstborn children to pay for their sins. (vs.7) However what God required of them really wasn’t a difficult thing: do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with God. That’s a far cry from sacrificing thousands of goats or your firstborn.
Do What is Right.
That doesn’t sound too hard right? I think most believers know what the right thing to do is. In most cases, it’s pretty cut and dry. In the instances when it isn’t so clear, we always have the Bible as our guide and the peace of God that comes through prayer. Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15
Love Mercy
Mercy is defined as compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy or another person in one’s power. The disposition to be compassionate. An act of kindness, compassion or favor. God’s mercies are new every morning. He has shown mercy toward us by giving us His son, Jesus, and through countless other ways. He requires that we show mercy to other people as well. That’s not always easy when someone has offended us or our children have disobeyed. Yet God requires it.
Walk Humbly With Your God.
There are two parts to this simple phrase. ‘Walk humbly’ and ‘with your God’. We are to allow God to be God and realize our place compared to Him. He is wiser, more powerful and completely holy all on His own. We are also to walk with him, not lagging behind, trying to get ahead of him or going our own way. Walk WITH Him, obediently, on a daily, lifelong basis.
These 3 simple things are what God wanted the Israelites to do. This is what he wants us to do too. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do it. Let’s put it into practice to follow these 3 simple guidelines.
The Israelites wanted to know what kind of sacrifices they should make to the Lord to make up for the way they had neglected him. They suggested sacrificing thousands of goats and even their firstborn children to pay for their sins. (vs.7) However what God required of them really wasn’t a difficult thing: do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with God. That’s a far cry from sacrificing thousands of goats or your firstborn.
Do What is Right.
That doesn’t sound too hard right? I think most believers know what the right thing to do is. In most cases, it’s pretty cut and dry. In the instances when it isn’t so clear, we always have the Bible as our guide and the peace of God that comes through prayer. Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15
Love Mercy
Mercy is defined as compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy or another person in one’s power. The disposition to be compassionate. An act of kindness, compassion or favor. God’s mercies are new every morning. He has shown mercy toward us by giving us His son, Jesus, and through countless other ways. He requires that we show mercy to other people as well. That’s not always easy when someone has offended us or our children have disobeyed. Yet God requires it.
Walk Humbly With Your God.
There are two parts to this simple phrase. ‘Walk humbly’ and ‘with your God’. We are to allow God to be God and realize our place compared to Him. He is wiser, more powerful and completely holy all on His own. We are also to walk with him, not lagging behind, trying to get ahead of him or going our own way. Walk WITH Him, obediently, on a daily, lifelong basis.
These 3 simple things are what God wanted the Israelites to do. This is what he wants us to do too. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do it. Let’s put it into practice to follow these 3 simple guidelines.
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