Reaping What We Sow
Father, Your Spirit was palpable in our worship today. It was a tough topic to address but I would ask that each person who attended would continue to be impacted by what they heard from You and be in a state of prayer into regards to what the future may hold. Amen.
Luke 6:38 (<<click to read the passage)
I think we all would agree that we reap what we sow in this life. When the Apostle Paul speaks of this in Galatians 6:7-8, he is more directly addressing an eternal consequence of response to God Himself. But it is applicable to our immediate lives, as well, when we interact with others.
When we interrelate with a person of caustic personality, does it not adversely impact us? If someone is nasty or belittles us or is simply unkind, how does that make us feel? For that matter isn’t a normal reaction to take it out on someone else, a loved one or friend perhaps? Doesn’t our associating with a sour person tend to make us sour, as well? I have seen it on numerous occasions and have experienced myself…on both the receiving and giving end of things, unfortunately.
In my research, a verse popped up from the Book of Proverbs and boy is it applicable! Talk about reaping what you sow!
Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. Proverbs 26:27 (AMP)
But the opposite is true as well, when we are around a kind, uplifting, positive, complimentary, joyous person doesn’t that rub off on us, too?
I don’t know how many times while working at Kohl’s, that I was able to diffuse a possibly volatile situation with kindness, understanding and a smile. I couldn’t always pull it off and would take offense at being unjustly hurt – and it would eat at me for the rest of the day like acid in my heart – but honestly, I worked hard to not take other peoples’ negativity personally and to love them instead.
Verse 38 in the Amplified Bible reads,
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
My Life Application Study Bible has this to say about this verse.
Jesus used the picture of measuring grain in a basket to ensure the full amount If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities will come back to us in full measure. We are to love others, not judge them.
Lord Jesus, may we diligently strive to be the positive – the holy, i.e. set aside for the use of God – in the world around us. May our impact leave marks of love and forgiveness, rather than the scars of hatred and rejection.
Feb 16th, 2020, Sun, 8:16 pm
To Judge or Not to Judge
We did get a good snow last night and we’ve had a non-hurried day at home. We got a few things done and have just enjoyed some down time from regular routines. Thank You, Father, for each other and the beauty of Your creation!
Luke 6:37 (<<click to read the passage)
Years ago, singer and entertainer, Sammy Davis, Jr., used the catchphrase, “Here come da judge!” in a comedy bit. It was a part of his intro, then he would do some sort of humorous skit with a white judge’s wig and long black robe. It was all in good fun. But judging others, especially in the culture of today, is taken pretty seriously.
When someone judges us in some way, we are quick to spout off, “You have no right to judge me!” Even amongst followers of Jesus, we are swift to quote the beginning of this verse or its equal in Matthew 7:1,
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”
But if you take time to slowly and thoughtfully read today’s passage, it shines a different light on things.
“Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]. Luke 6:37 (AMP)
And since you’ve read that, read the correlating footnote found under it in the Amplified Bible – read this thoughtfully, as well.
This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10); however, you cannot judge another if you are committing the same type of sin.
Here’s the first reference from this footnote (but the rest very clearly make the point, as well – and you can click on them, too). Jesus said,
Do not judge by appearance [superficially and arrogantly], but judge fairly and righteously.” John 7:24 (AMP)
No one likes to be called out when we’re in the wrong but if we are going to hold each other accountable for our actions in serving Jesus, we’ve got to learn to deal with it.
Another reference from the footnote – the Apostle Paul is speaking here.
It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 1 Corinthians 5:12 (NLT)
Yeah, it can sure sting but what’s more important, getting to heaven with toes that haven’t been stepped on or to be welcomed with a “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
Lord Jesus, may we welcome any that would help us along our journey to join You for eternity. May we graciously hear what is shared and may we also hold their words against Yours and take to heart and act upon what needs to change. You are ever molding us into Your perfect image. Amen.
Feb 13th, 2020, Thurs, 4:09 pm
Redirect Our Perspective
Father, we are in the midst of winter – cold and blustery. We may (or may not) get a good snow tonight but we are blessed with a toasty home around us and the warmth of Your abiding presence within us. What contentment there is in You!
Luke 6:35-36 (<<click to read the passage)
We get what we deserve, right? At least those who perpetrate evil deeds should get their just deserts. Pedophiles, rapists, murderers, those who “punish” their own children by starving them and caging them until they are the point of death – they all fall into the abysmal pot of the detestable refuse of life! …don’t they?
Our society today seems to fall heavily on that side of thought. Incarceration is too good for many of them. Many Regular Joe’s would be crying “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!”
That is from the Bible, you know. It is found in the Law given to the Israelites by God through their leader Moses. Exodus 21:23-25 reads,
“…the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”
I wrote about this a little over two years ago (see REVENGE!) but to cap that post, this law was not meant to give us free rein to punish the guilty – in actuality, it was included in the Law to place limits on those who would seek to vent their anger on those responsible for suffering and pain.
I couldn’t leave the passage that I’ve been looking at now for a couple of days without addressing verses 35 and 36. We are called to act “as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.” Verse 36 in the Amplified Bible reads,
“Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.”
Merciful… Responsive… Compassionate… Tender…
Hmmm… it just doesn’t seem fair, does it? What about all the heinous acts committed against innocent victims?
Let’s redirect our perspective. How about us? Is there anyone who is not guilty? If others had access to our closets, how many skeletons would they find tucked away in the corners?
Let’s redirect our perspective once more. If we, in faith, have confessed our sins to our Heavenly Father, how does He see them? His response? “What sins?”
Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Romans 5:9 (AMP)
He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103:10-14 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, may we seek Your heart of compassion. May we realize that sin is sin and that we are all guilty. May we extend the mercy that is graciously extended to one and all by You. Strengthen us, O Lord.
Feb 12th, 2020, Wed, 12:33 pm
In the World Not of the World
Father, You are my God. You are my all in all. I am because You are. And thanks to You I am complete, no longer lost, no longer searching for what life is all about. Praise Your Holy Name!
Luke 6:32-36 (<<click to read the passage)
I find the idea of parallel universes intriguing and its concept, though viewed as pure science fiction to many, is held to be at least a possible reality by some in the scientific community (see The Case for Parallel Universes, from Scientific American, July 19, 2011).
First of all, for all of you non-nerdy types, a parallel universe is a hypothetical self-contained plane of existence, co-existing with one’s own. Or in even more simplistic terms, we have our world, but some believe that is another world (or several worlds) that exists (usually with some variation) alongside ours though we cannot see it.
Yes, it’s out there (but it does make for some entertaining movies and television shows!) But before I lose you entirely, I want to make the proclamation that believers in Jesus do live in an alternate universe!
Each day those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus wake up and realize that we are just sojourners passing through this world. We live here. We work here. We love here. We eventually die here.
But truly, we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in God’s kingdom. If we are seeking to follow and love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength then the things of this world are not enough.
Loving only those who love you? That’s not enough. That’s what the world does.
Doing good only to those who do good to you? That’s not enough. That’s what the world does.
Lending money only to those who can repay you? That’s not enough. That’s what the world does.
Jesus calls us to walk in the way He has walked before us – a parallel universe, if you will. In the world but not of it.
Shortly before His arrest prior to the crucifixion, Jesus prayed for us. Here are His words. (These are a few excerpts but read the whole 17th chapter!)
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.”
“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.”
Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:9, 14-16, 17-19
What the world does is not enough but the kingdom of which we are citizens places us with the citizens of this world so we can show them the true and right way.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:35-36
Lord Jesus, may we be as You in word and deed. Amen.
Feb 11th, 2020, Tues, 12:42 pm
Division Eradicated
Due to several contributing factors, this day has been a bit of a downer (except lunch with Karen!). But Father, You are the even keel in times of turbulent seas. Karen and I can share and encourage one another but You are the only one that can actually do something about it! And even if it is Your will for us to go through those kinds of things, You are a sure foundation upon which to stand when everything else is shaking us up!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Lord Jesus, I am finding great reward in the new vein of sermon preparation that I have been undertaking the last few months. I don’t know about other bi-vocational pastors but for me I have found it easiest to work through other preachers’ sermons, making them my own. I’ve had about three pastors from whom I have found great treasures to share and I always give them credit for their work.
But recently, I have gotten my core from my denomination’s Discipleship Ministry’s website. It provides me with just enough of a base that I can run with it from there. I’ve been striving to write my own sermons but with working and with posting this blog five times a week, it’s not an easy task.
We have been working through 1 Corinthians and after reading through this Sunday’s foundational core I sat down to write this afternoon and my mind just sort of began whipping all my thoughts together.
The Corinthian church was a church divided and the Apostle Paul’s letters to them were aimed at helping them to regain their focus. And that focus was Jesus – not Paul, or Peter or Apollos. They were all great men of faith and God surely used them in a mighty way to impact the infant Church. But not one of them placed themselves above their Lord and Savior but humbly bowed at His feet in submissive service.
No matter where you look, our world is a world divided – homes, families, places of employment, governments, and sadly the church continues to be a part of the mix, as well. I guess if you think about it, even the very first brothers – Cain and Able – were divided. Able did what God wanted, and Cain did what Cain wanted – division. It is what sin does. Sin divides.
“In the beginning” (Genesis 1), Adam and Eve had a beautiful union with God. But when given the opportunity, they allowed sin to enter the picture and in doing so they put a division between God and us, one which we could not overcome.
But God knew what we would do before we were even created (Ephesians 1:4) and He laid the groundwork to redeem us, though it would cost Him dearly. And now we can have that division eradicated for eternity if we will but come to Him.
Lord Jesus, in my heart of hearts I know that You, and no other, can heal the division which we have between us – between us and You and between us and others. There is hope and healing only in submission to You. And Lord, You don’t want us corralling this in just a couple areas of our lives. You want us to diligently seek to eliminate division from every aspect of our lives.
Lord, use me as a catalyst for change, in my home, at my job, in my church…throughout my life. In Your strength and wisdom may I be used to bridge the many divisions. Only then will peace – true peace – abide. Amen.
Feb 10th, 2020, Mon, 12:32 pm