Romans 13:8 "Owe nothing to any man except to love one another...".
In this day of overwhelming credit card debt and maxed out lines of credit, we are barraged by ads touting bankruptcy as our solution. While that is a viable option for some, the real issue is trying to stay out of debt in the first place. Throughout the Bible we are reminded both of the dangers of debt and the obligation to pay what we owe.
However, there is a debt I can never fully repay, and I don't have the option of filing bankruptcy. Based upon God's undeserved, unfailing, never-ending love for me, I owe a debt of love back to Him, and He wants me to repay it by giving it freely to others.
Just as I don't like "automatic deductions" from my checking account, neither do I want them from my spiritual account. I want to be actively invoved in paying my debt of love to God (the "principal") by loving others (the "interest"). I don't know who the Holy Spirit will bring across my path today, but I do know He wants me to share His concern for them and to find a way to express God's love to them.
Lord, thank you for entrusting me with your love. Please love through me those I encounter today. Amen
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Rules are rules!...
John 5:10 "So the Jews kept saying to the man who was healed, 'It is not lawful to pick up your bed.'"
I put the following scenario to my teachers this morning: They have a student who struggles with creative writing. He just can't get his ideas organized and on paper. After a lesson in which the teacher tried a new approach, she saw the young man smile and start scribbling furiously on his paper. He finally got it and she could hardly wait to read his story. When she came to his paper, much to her dismay, she noticed that he had written his rough draft in ink...a cardinal sin! The rule said it must be done in pencil or it automatically goes in the trash. So....what should she do? After all, rules are rules.
The man in this passage had just been miraculously healed. After 38 years of being crippled, he found himself walking around with his bed roll under his arm! When the Jewish leaders (who must have seen him daily, lying at the side of the pool) saw him walking, their response was to me unthinkable. They accused him of breaking the law (which carried the punishment of stoning). He was breaking their law (not God's law!). They focused so much on the offense that they missed the miracle!
How often do I miss what God is doing in someone's life because I can't see past his "offenses"? Rules and procedures are necessary and good, but they sometimes get in the way of mercy and grace. I find it challenging to keep both concepts in perspective. That's why I must start my day in the Word, learning and remembering what Jesus would have me to do, realigning my priorities with His. Only then can I hope to consistently see others through His eyes.
God, please help me to balance rules with mercy today. Thank you that you do that in my life.
I put the following scenario to my teachers this morning: They have a student who struggles with creative writing. He just can't get his ideas organized and on paper. After a lesson in which the teacher tried a new approach, she saw the young man smile and start scribbling furiously on his paper. He finally got it and she could hardly wait to read his story. When she came to his paper, much to her dismay, she noticed that he had written his rough draft in ink...a cardinal sin! The rule said it must be done in pencil or it automatically goes in the trash. So....what should she do? After all, rules are rules.
The man in this passage had just been miraculously healed. After 38 years of being crippled, he found himself walking around with his bed roll under his arm! When the Jewish leaders (who must have seen him daily, lying at the side of the pool) saw him walking, their response was to me unthinkable. They accused him of breaking the law (which carried the punishment of stoning). He was breaking their law (not God's law!). They focused so much on the offense that they missed the miracle!
How often do I miss what God is doing in someone's life because I can't see past his "offenses"? Rules and procedures are necessary and good, but they sometimes get in the way of mercy and grace. I find it challenging to keep both concepts in perspective. That's why I must start my day in the Word, learning and remembering what Jesus would have me to do, realigning my priorities with His. Only then can I hope to consistently see others through His eyes.
God, please help me to balance rules with mercy today. Thank you that you do that in my life.
Monday, November 28, 2011
No ordinary response allowed...
Romans 12:17 "Not repaying anyone evil for evil; being careful to do what is right in the sight of all men."
How do you respond/react when someone attacks you? My natural inclination is to defend myself and counter-attack. After all, isn't that my right? Isn't that natural?
The little phrase, "being careful to do" is literally translated, "thinking beforehand", and the word, "right" means that which is intrinsically good (the exact opposite of "evil"). God wants me to to think before I react. He doesn't say not to defend myself, but He does say to be careful not to stoop to the level of the attacker.
We are constantly being observed, both by others and by God Himself (2 Cor 8:21). Both Christians and non-Christians are watching our actions and reactions to see if we are any different than themselves. It is easy to be ordinary in my reactions, but God wants me to be extraordinary. How do I do it? By thinking ahead of time; by anticipating; by asking God at the beginning of my day to help me respond to everyone in a way that directs them to Him.
Lord, I want to honor You in all things today. Please guard my heart, mind, and emotions. Help me, Holy Spirit, to respond to others as You would. Thank you for not repaying me evil for evil! Amen.
How do you respond/react when someone attacks you? My natural inclination is to defend myself and counter-attack. After all, isn't that my right? Isn't that natural?
The little phrase, "being careful to do" is literally translated, "thinking beforehand", and the word, "right" means that which is intrinsically good (the exact opposite of "evil"). God wants me to to think before I react. He doesn't say not to defend myself, but He does say to be careful not to stoop to the level of the attacker.
We are constantly being observed, both by others and by God Himself (2 Cor 8:21). Both Christians and non-Christians are watching our actions and reactions to see if we are any different than themselves. It is easy to be ordinary in my reactions, but God wants me to be extraordinary. How do I do it? By thinking ahead of time; by anticipating; by asking God at the beginning of my day to help me respond to everyone in a way that directs them to Him.
Lord, I want to honor You in all things today. Please guard my heart, mind, and emotions. Help me, Holy Spirit, to respond to others as You would. Thank you for not repaying me evil for evil! Amen.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Humble and proud of it!
Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
We all know people who are "full of themselves", self important, "legends in their own minds." We think to ourselves, "I'm glad I'm not like that." But...are we that different from them?
I like to think of myself as humble, not above associating with anyone. But am I really? How did I respond the last time an obviously needy person asked if he could clean my windshield while I pumped gas into my truck? Did I engage him in conversation? Did I even think of sharing the Good News with him? Was I genuinely concerned about his situation? Or did I brush him off, hoping he would go bother someone else?
I find myself facing decisions like that more and more often. My usual response troubles me, as I am sure it must trouble God. I don't need to always give money to those who ask, but I could go into the shop and buy him a cup of coffee and something to eat. I could take a few minutes to "associate with the lowly", hear his story, pray with him.
Where would I be if Jesus chose not to "associate with the lowly"? I'd rather not think about it.
Lord, as always, I ask You to direct my steps today and to see interruptions as Divine appointments, especially when I am "accosted" by those with whom I'd rather not interact. Lord, please let me see through your eyes, love with your heart, act as your hands.
We all know people who are "full of themselves", self important, "legends in their own minds." We think to ourselves, "I'm glad I'm not like that." But...are we that different from them?
I like to think of myself as humble, not above associating with anyone. But am I really? How did I respond the last time an obviously needy person asked if he could clean my windshield while I pumped gas into my truck? Did I engage him in conversation? Did I even think of sharing the Good News with him? Was I genuinely concerned about his situation? Or did I brush him off, hoping he would go bother someone else?
I find myself facing decisions like that more and more often. My usual response troubles me, as I am sure it must trouble God. I don't need to always give money to those who ask, but I could go into the shop and buy him a cup of coffee and something to eat. I could take a few minutes to "associate with the lowly", hear his story, pray with him.
Where would I be if Jesus chose not to "associate with the lowly"? I'd rather not think about it.
Lord, as always, I ask You to direct my steps today and to see interruptions as Divine appointments, especially when I am "accosted" by those with whom I'd rather not interact. Lord, please let me see through your eyes, love with your heart, act as your hands.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
What do you mean, it's not all about me?
Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who are rejoicing, weep with those who are weeping."
I heard an amusing, though uncomfortably accurate, definition of major and minor surgery. Major surgery is what happens to me. Minor surgery is what happens to you.
One of the best lines in Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, is "It's not about you." Therein lies the problem for many of us (me!). I become so self-absorbed and preoccupied with what's going on with me that I am oblivious to the situations of my brothers and sisters, at the most paying lip service to them ("I'll pray for you.").
Nestled in Paul's description of the church as the body of Christ is the phrase, "if one member suffers, all the members suffer; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." What happens to you affects me and vice versa. We're interconnected, interdependent. Fellowship, a key concept in body life, means that I participate with you in times of rejoicing and in times of sorrow. I'm not merely a spectator.
Lord, help me today to pay attention to my brothers and sisters. Help me feel with them, to encourage them, to bless them and, in so doing, to honor You.
I heard an amusing, though uncomfortably accurate, definition of major and minor surgery. Major surgery is what happens to me. Minor surgery is what happens to you.
One of the best lines in Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, is "It's not about you." Therein lies the problem for many of us (me!). I become so self-absorbed and preoccupied with what's going on with me that I am oblivious to the situations of my brothers and sisters, at the most paying lip service to them ("I'll pray for you.").
Nestled in Paul's description of the church as the body of Christ is the phrase, "if one member suffers, all the members suffer; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." What happens to you affects me and vice versa. We're interconnected, interdependent. Fellowship, a key concept in body life, means that I participate with you in times of rejoicing and in times of sorrow. I'm not merely a spectator.
Lord, help me today to pay attention to my brothers and sisters. Help me feel with them, to encourage them, to bless them and, in so doing, to honor You.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
How to deal with those who bug you...
Romans 12:14 "as to those who persecute ("pursue") you, bless them, do not curse them."
Our little ADHD puppy loves to pursue his two older "brothers". I'm sure Bentley and Rascal see him as persecuting them. He is constantly wanting to rough-house with them. Their reaction? From their ferocious growling, I take it that they are not blessing him!
For the early church (and the church in many countries today) this situation was the norm. They were constantly being persecuted. Just look at how the Jewish leaders doggedly pursued Paul in city after city. He didn't "roll over"...he confronted them. But in those confrontations, we never see him cursing them. I don't see him blessing them either, for that matter, but I assume he did.
This is a hard one for me. Why should I bless someone who is wrongly attacking me? It goes back to God wanting to make me more like Jesus (Rom 8:29). Look how He responded when persecuted. It also has to do with God's sovereignty and omniscience. He sees the "big picture" and has a plan, not only for us, but for those who are giving us a hard time...and He is allowing us the privilege of participating with Him in the process!
I can't remember a time when someone was pursuing me and seeking to harm me, but I often find myself harassed by telemarketers and others who want something from me, who interrupt my schedule. I'm afraid that I react a lot like my dogs. My first inclination is to growl. I think God would be more pleased if I saw those irritating interruptions as Divine appointments. What would that telemarketer think if I blessed him and asked if I could pray for him?
Lord, help me to respond like Jesus to everyone I encounter today.
Our little ADHD puppy loves to pursue his two older "brothers". I'm sure Bentley and Rascal see him as persecuting them. He is constantly wanting to rough-house with them. Their reaction? From their ferocious growling, I take it that they are not blessing him!
For the early church (and the church in many countries today) this situation was the norm. They were constantly being persecuted. Just look at how the Jewish leaders doggedly pursued Paul in city after city. He didn't "roll over"...he confronted them. But in those confrontations, we never see him cursing them. I don't see him blessing them either, for that matter, but I assume he did.
This is a hard one for me. Why should I bless someone who is wrongly attacking me? It goes back to God wanting to make me more like Jesus (Rom 8:29). Look how He responded when persecuted. It also has to do with God's sovereignty and omniscience. He sees the "big picture" and has a plan, not only for us, but for those who are giving us a hard time...and He is allowing us the privilege of participating with Him in the process!
I can't remember a time when someone was pursuing me and seeking to harm me, but I often find myself harassed by telemarketers and others who want something from me, who interrupt my schedule. I'm afraid that I react a lot like my dogs. My first inclination is to growl. I think God would be more pleased if I saw those irritating interruptions as Divine appointments. What would that telemarketer think if I blessed him and asked if I could pray for him?
Lord, help me to respond like Jesus to everyone I encounter today.
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