Be Intentional
Our last day before Thanksgiving break, and we are all more than ready for the respite. Help us all to look to You, Father, as the source of our blessings and to praise You for them. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:16-11:1 (<<click here to read the passage)
What are the motivations in our lives? Some have only themselves to think about, but many have others with whom they are intimately connected. It could be spouses, or children, or parents. It could even be connections with people in our workplaces and numerous others that factor in.
Where the rub takes place is the fact that that may all be well and good for regular men and women of the world, but as believers, all aspects of our lives (whatever we eat, drink, or do) should be done with the intentional purpose of giving glory to God. That was your first thought…right? Probably not.
I’m not here to point fingers at anyone (remember, Point One Finger, Three Fingers Point Back). We are all guilty. And “we” includes me.
Now, before we sell ourselves short, there are things that at least some of us do that align with what God desires for us to do; we just may not understand what it is from that angle.
The beginning of verse 33 from the New Living Translation reads,
I…try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others…
I’ve stated many times before that I am by no means perfect, but I strive to live my life this way. I am a people pleaser, and I endeavor not to just think of myself. I really do work at doing what is best for others…
I genuinely love other people, and though it may not always be at the forefront of my mind, at least subconsciously, I do what I do so that many may be saved. The way the Amplified Bible puts it helps me process it, too. I live the way I do so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.
Paul is a good example to follow, and that’s because he follows Christ’s example (you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.)
So, if we can learn anything from this passage, we need to learn to intentionally give glory to God in all we do. And when we do that, we will be aiding people to be receptive to accepting Christ as their Savior.
May the Lord help us follow His example day in and day out. Amen.
Nov 21st, 2023, Tues, 3:42 pm
Lighten Your Burden
May our time be productive and yield much fruit, Father.
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I was perusing Facebook today and saw that one of my high school friends had shared a post from an online blogger, Catherine Shea. I found this post from last year to be very much what so many of us need to hear. Because we are on the cusp of going full-tilt into holiday preparation, it is the perfect time to take a deep breath and read this post before going any further. She wrote,
I just pulled over in my church parking lot to write this because it’s burning in my soul.
Christmas was never meant to be a burden.
Paying expedited shipping to make it magical and stressing about going into “more” debt and keeping up with all the pics we see on social media is an absolute scam.
A scam of evil proportions.
Don’t get me wrong.
I’ve done it.
That’s how I know…it’s a scam.
We’ve got to let it go.
I’m not going to pretend to know what that means for everyone, but I hope it gives you permission to release yourself from the charades and parades and all the demands that are never-ending.
He came to free us.
Not burden us.
There is really nothing more that needs to be said…except I will add what Jesus said.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
And then, in the last part of John 10:10, He said,
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. AMP
Remember, as we step into the up-and-coming season, He came to free us…not burden us.
Nov 19th, 2023, Sun, 7:14 pm
On the Outside Looking In
With a bus trip between routes today, I haven’t been home too awfully long. As You know, Father, I was productive while away, but now is the time for us to come together. Please open my eyes to see what is before me this evening.
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This has been weighing on my heart and mind recently. I regularly pick up a middle school student toward the end of my route. There are students in almost every seat, most sitting alone. They are new residents of the house where I stop, but I don’t know if they’ve been a part of our district for a while or not. What has been weighing on me is the look on the student’s face when they get on and find an empty seat. Their expression is one of loneliness—the look of one looking upon the inside from the outside.
To my knowledge, they have no friends on the bus, though I see them coming out of the school in the afternoons accompanied by others – they ride another bus to their grandparents’ home, I think.
There’s another event that ties into this one. Last weekend, our family went to a Christmas Bazaar at a large church in a neighboring community. Many vendors were selling their wares, and you could tell that many of them had invested a substantial amount of time, effort, and resources into their creations.
The ones that got to me were the ones whose wares were a little subpar. They weren’t awful, but the quality of what they were selling just wasn’t getting people’s attention. …the looks on many of their faces was heart-wrenching, at least to those who were looking…
Are you looking? Do you see the lonely and the lost? Do you see the faces of those on the outside pressed up against the glass, trying to get just a glimpse of those enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of those on the inside?
I am as interactive with my student as I can be, as they get on and off the bus. But that is my only contact. I call them by name every single time, hoping that that communicates their importance, to me at least.
Maybe I should have at least stopped and chatted with the downhearted vendors. It probably wouldn’t have hurt to buy some small thing from them, but…I didn’t…
The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle (letter),
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. 1 John 3:17-18 AMP
Saying we care about people and love them is not enough. We must take action […because practical acts of love are more than words].
May we strive to see the world through the eyes of Christ. Our powers of perception are too narrow and limiting. Only the love of Christ, in action through us, can truly make a difference in the lives of others.
Nov 16th, 2023, Thurs, 6:23 pm
What Do You Bow Down To?
It’s been a busy morning, but I am grateful for some time to sit with You this afternoon, Father. Bless this time together. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:14-15 (<<click here to read the passage)
As “modern” men and women, it is easy to blow past this sort of Scripture. We get it in our heads that we have nothing to do with idolatry – at least, most of us don’t. In our minds, we don’t bow down to images of stone, wood, or precious metals in our culture in particular. The only time we see those kinds of things is in movies or possibly documentaries on television. But excluding ourselves shows a very narrow perspective.
We may not bow down to stone or wood, but some still bow down to precious metals…gold in particular. The desire for wealth and the supposed security it brings controls many of us.
Here’s a good Old Testament verse to tie in here.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV
The Apostle Paul hits the nail square on the head when he says in today’s passage,
Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. I am speaking as to wise and sensible people; judge [carefully and thoughtfully consider] for yourselves what I say. AMP
(A…just as a side note, you’re told to “run” here. See yesterday’s post, Don’t Just Stand There! Run!)
Wealth can be an issue, but note what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” AMP
The problem is not money in and of itself; it is loving money more than God. We’re in trouble when we stop controlling money, and money starts controlling us.
But don’t think that money is the only potential idol. The Amplified Bible’s exposition of the word mammon (the word many translations translate as money) tells us a lot about other things we allow to control us – possessions, fame, status…
We can be worshippers of paper idols. We can be controlled by the insatiable desire to get as many letters behind our name as possible – BA, BS, MD, PhD, MBA, just to name a few. How many certificates can you hang on your wall? Again, education is a wonderful investment that often benefits others and ourselves. We just mustn’t value it more than the Lord.
It all goes back to the very first commandment given to the people of Israel via the servant Moses,
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 NIV
That pretty much covers it.
Nov 14th, 2023, Tues, 12:59 pm
Don’t Just Stand There! Run!
Image by cookie_studio on Freepik
Thank You, Father, for the nice weather today. I got quite a bit done outside, and now for some inside work!
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the many safety protocols we’re supposed to teach our students is that if they are crossing a road to get on or off the bus, first, they are to watch the driver. In Ohio, at least, we lift our hand, and when it is safe, we lower it, signifying that the student can cross. We keep the other hand on our horn so that if danger arises, we can lay on the horn, warning the student who is crossing.
Now, they are supposed to quickly look around, ascertain the danger, and respond appropriately. They should only look at us if they don’t see the threat.
Thankfully, I’ve never had to use my horn in that situation. However, it’s a little worrisome in that I’ve used my horn when a student hasn’t looked at me before crossing, and they give me that big “What?” look!
If danger is imminent, they cannot just continue on, oblivious to it. They need to determine the best course of action and act! I admit most of us, child or not, would have a hard time deciding what to do in a timely manner! What’s scary is that in those situations, it could easily be a life or death (or at least serious injury) decision.
Spiritually, the Holy Spirit serves as our guide throughout life. He lets us know when it is safe to proceed if we pay attention. Temptation is ever present, and we must always be on our guard.
The Amplified Bible translation of today’s passage is excellent!
Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
There is a lesson there for us all.
Also, my Life Application Study Bible states regarding this passage. Running from a tempting situation is your first step on the way to victory.
And along the lines of crossing the road, my mind took that as meaning, “Don’t just stand there! Run!” It could easily be a life-or-death situation, spiritually speaking!
Nov 13th, 2023, Mon, 5:43 pm