Do It Out of Love

What do you believe it means to follow Christ? What does it mean to you to be a Christian? Do you understand what Jesus is asking of you? Have you read the guidance the apostles have written for you? Once you know, will it make a difference in your decisions?

Many who claim to be Christians don’t really follow what Jesus has commanded. They don’t follow the guidance of the apostles. In many ways, they are like people who want everything given to them without having to work for it. They don’t want to live as Jesus said we should live.

In the early church, meaning the first three to four hundred years, Christians considered the greatest honor being someone who was martyred. In contrast, today most Christians don’t want to face the least trial. They want it to be a bed of roses. At the first sign of someone poking fun at them or questioning if they are in touch with reality, they quickly deny Christ.

Make no mistake about it. It is hard to be counter cultural. Those who stand on the teachings of Christ are called old-fashioned, out of date, and often left behind by friends they have had for years. It is hard to be the one who doesn’t chase worldly desires. It can look like fun to be completely wild and crazy, not having a care in the world. Yet, all payments come due in time.

The Apostle Paul tells us to choose Jesus. He rightly tells us we will be gratified by Christ when the time is right. In fact, we will be rewarded, not only beyond what this world can offer, but beyond anything we can imagine. All that sparkles in this world will pale in comparison to what God has in store for us in eternity. Not only should we follow the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, but we should do so out of our love for Jesus.

I pray we all lay aside chasing after worldly desires. I pray we commit to following the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. I pray we put Jesus on and allow Him to guide our lives and provide all we need. Choose Jesus over the world. Commit to follow Jesus. Commit to following the apostles teaching. Do it all out of love for Jesus.

Romans 13:12b-14 Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Fulfill the Law

How much do you owe? How much debt have you accumulated? Do you follow the law? Are you legalistic in your view of obeying the law? Do you pick and choose which laws you decide to obey? What if you could follow all the law and owe nothing by following one principle?

We have mortgages, car loans, and credit card debt. We may owe more money than we can make in a year or two. We pay back loans over the course of several years. Mortgages may take thirty years to repay. Auto loans are now extending to six years.

Why does Paul tell the people of the church in Rome not to owe anyone anything? The simple answer is it is a form of slavery. By owing to others, we have no choice but to work to make money to pay off the loans. Don’t misunderstand. In today’s culture, it is rare that anyone can purchase a house or new vehicle without borrowing money to do so.

Perhaps the best we can do is follow his second piece of guidance. We are to love one another. Paul says by loving one another we fulfill the law. For the uninitiated or the one who isn’t thinking through this guidance, it may seem shallow, unrealistic, or simplistic. That viewpoint comes from a lack of understanding of the love Paul is talking about.

The love Paul is telling us to have, is the same love Christ has for us. In v.10, he says that “love does no wrong to a neighbor.” Think about it. Dive deep into what it means to love as Christ loves. It means to care about others, do what is best for them, and putting them ahead of ourselves. We won’t do anything that would hurt them or put them in harms way. If we see others as Christ sees them and love them as He loves them, we will inherently obey the law.

I pray we all strive to see others as Christ sees them. I pray we seek to love others as Christ loves them. I pray each one of us will obey the law by loving our neighbor as ourselves. See others through Christ’s eyes. Love others as Christ loves. Obey the law inherently. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you achieve the love of Christ.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Sing for Victory

Do you like music? Do you like to dance? Does music move you in ways nothing else can? Does it bring about an emotional response? Does it lift you above the fray? Does it allow you to soar with the eagles, if only for a little while? Do you view music as worship?

Many of us like music. We like various genres of music. Some like hip-hop. Some like country. Some like rock-n-roll. Some like classical. Regardless of the music genre we like, it is almost guaranteed there are songs in that genre that bring about emotional responses.

Our worship music should also move us. We should have an emotional response. We should be lifted on wings like eagles as we sing praises to God. Personally, it is hard for me to sing Amazing Grace without getting choked up at some point in the song. But there are also contemporary Christian songs that evoke an emotional response in me.

The Psalmist tells the Israelites, and us, to make melody to praise God. He used the tambourine and lyre as examples in today’s passage but uses other instruments in the next Psalm. When we sing praises to God, he is happy with us. He sees into our hearts and sees that we are praising him out of love for him and in awe of him.

Notice what God does when we sing in the above manner. He grants victory. Why? Because we have humbled ourselves before him. We recognize his amazing awesomeness. We sing out of love for him and what he has done for us. Again, we have humbled ourselves before our awesome God and it pleases him.

I pray we all humble ourselves before God. I pray we sing joyous songs of praise to God. I pray each one of us sing out of our love for God, in awe of his awesome power, and for what he has done for us. Be humble. Be in awe of God. Sing God’s praises. Sing out of love. Sing in awe. Sing to honor and praise God.

Psalm 149:3-4

Let them praise his name with dancing, 

making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. 

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; 

he adorns the humble with victory.

Celebrate the Lord

Are there special days you like to remember? Do you celebrate them in a special way? Do you throw big parties inviting family and friends to celebrate with you? Are there celebrations that last more than a day? Are any of those celebrations to celebrate what God has done?

All of us have special days in our lives. We celebrate birthdays, first dates, wedding anniversaries, and job anniversaries. As a community we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of a town or the dedication of a building. We celebrate national holidays.

Celebrations of special days are good. For many of us those celebrations break up the normalcy of life. They give us a break from the day-to-day humdrum. Family and friends come together. We grill. We make homemade ice cream. We exchange gifts. We eat pie or cake. On some occasions we eat certain foods, such as black-eyed peas or cabbage.

The Israelites were to eat designated foods on Passover as well. God had given them specific instructions on how to prepare the lamb, the bread, and even how they were to dress and the manner in which they were to eat. They were to conduct a festival to celebrate God freeing them from Egypt. How do we celebrate God freeing us?

Christmas has become so commercialized, even Christians who remember Jesus’ birth still spend exorbitant amounts of money on gifts. Easter has become a time when we feel compelled to buy new clothes to wear on that Sunday. We have become more focused on our celebration than on the reason for the celebration.

Take a few moments to look at how God told the Israelites to celebrate Passover, to remember him. It was an austere celebration. Dressed to leave at a moment’s notice. The lamb was roasted and the bread was unleavened, so they could take the bread with them. They were to mark the doorpost of their house, nothing more.

Do not misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with decorations, clothing, gift giving, nor special foods…unless they become more the focus than God, who is the reason for our celebration. It is only when we fully understand, deep in our heart, that God has blessed us with each day that we will focus on his amazing works in our lives.

I pray we all realize that each day is given to us by God. I pray we give him the honor due him for his amazing blessings. I pray each one of us will focus on God on those special days rather than on ourselves. Give thanks to God for each day. Put your focus on him. Give God the honor he deserves.

Exodus 12:14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Remember When…

Have you started over? Was there a time of new beginning for you? How did you feel about that new beginning? Is there a new beginning in your future? Is it one you are looking forward to? Have you begun anew with God? Are you continuing in that new beginning?

We have new beginnings from time-to-time. We have our first day of high school or college. Our wedding day is a new beginning. We start a new job. We may experience our first airplane ride. We may experience our first trip to a foreign country.

Firsts or new beginnings happen. But how do those change us? I can remember my first airplane ride. I was a senior in high school. I wanted a window seat so I could look out. I was filled in awe. I had seen airplanes and understand a small bit about how they fly. My first experience exceeded what I had envisioned. Many, many years later and many, many plane rides later, I am no longer as in awe as I once was. Yet, I still like looking out the window and seeing the earth pass below me.

God told Moses and the Israelites a new day was dawning. They were about to be freed from slavery in Egypt. Their entire calendar was going to be based on the freedom God was giving them. How amazing is that?! The way they would mark time from that day forward would be based on God’s actions in their lives.

What if we marked time that way? Perhaps from the day we were baptized. Perhaps from the day we professed Christ as our Savior with our own lips. That day and the counting of time from day until the present could be a new calendar for us. Yet, the real question is this, did we change our outlook on life because of that day? The Israelites did…initially. Then they started grumbling. Perhaps it would be the same for us. We are initially overjoyed on the day we accepted Christ, but it isn’t long before we start grumbling. It still doesn’t change the fact that God acted in our lives, just as he did for the Israelites. He set us free.

I pray we all remember accepting Christ into our lives. I pray we remember how overjoyed we were on that day. I pray each one of us will commit to doing less grumbling and being more thankful for God acting in our lives. Remember accepting Christ. Remember the joy. Be thankful. God has set you free.

Exodus 12:2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you.

Gain Your Life

How many have been willing to give up their life for someone else’s? Have you been one of them? Are you still willing to give up your life? Will you give it up so that you may have a new life? Will you trust Jesus’ teaching?

Giving our life for someone else can be easy. Often, we are willing to do so for our family members. Some are willing to give it up for complete strangers. Others prefer to hold onto their life at all cost.

Jesus makes us a promise we probably don’t fully understand. If we did, we would jump on it immediately and wholeheartedly. We value our earthly human life quite a lot. We go to all lengths to stretch it out, live as long as we possibly can. Please do not mistake me. I am not advocating giving up this physical life.

However, I am advocating for giving up our lifestyle. When we pursue being like Jesus with as much, if not more, vigor than pursuing worldly fortune, fame, notoriety, and acceptance, we gain a new life.

What kind of life is it? A life free in Jesus Christ. He stated He came to set us free. Free from the trappings of this world. Free to live the life He desires of us. Free from the worries of this world. Jesus has and will break the shackles we wear daily.

Yes, we wear shackles, even if we do not see them. We are bound by striving to climb the corporate ladder. We are bound by a desire to be popular. We are bound by seeking to be accepted. We no longer need those things when we gain our life in Jesus.

I pray we all ask Jesus to remove our shackles. I pray we are willing to give them up. I pray each one of us will gain the new life in Jesus He is so willing to provide. Trust Jesus’ teaching. Give up your life to gain a new life in Jesus. Be freed from the cares of the world. Live free in Jesus.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Think As God Thinks

What occupies your thoughts? Do you think about your troubles? Are you always planning something for the weekend, vacation, or work? Do you continually think about things that need to be done? Are you so preoccupied with the cares of this world that you do not think about God?

We have many, many things on our minds. There are the daily tasks, projects at work, bills to be paid, and goals we strive to achieve. Our thoughts are focused on what is next. We often over commit ourselves, then wonder why we can’t complete it all.

There may be times we question if God is interested in what we have on our to-do list. Perhaps we should ask this question of ourselves, did we include God in our decision-making? Often, we don’t. Far too often we think in human terms rather than in God’s way of thinking. We commit to do something because we want to, then we ask God to bless our efforts and make us successful.

Peter was thinking in human terms when he told Jesus He could not suffer and be killed. Jesus immediately chastised him. Though Peter had been with Jesus for a couple years, he still had not caught on to thinking as God thinks. It would take the coming of the Holy Spirit for Peter to change his way of thinking.

We, too, need to change our way of thinking. We were given the gift of the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. We need to focus on the Spirit and allow the Spirit to guide our thoughts. It cannot be a one-time or pull out in case of emergency way of thinking. It must be a way of life that we think like God thinks. Peter learned this lesson. We should learn it, too.

I pray we all allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thinking. I pray we seek God in all situations. I pray each one of us set aside our human ways to pursue the ways of God. Change your way of thinking. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Seek God every moment. Learn Peter’s lesson.

Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Be Noble

Have you experienced bad things happening? Have you seen evil in this world? Have you done anything to oppose evil? Or have you allowed evil to creep into your life? Do you long for justice to be done? Would you like to convert bad people to good?

Bad things happen in our world. We may have had bad things happen to us. We may have seen bad things happen to others. We know there are bad people. We try to avoid them. But evil exists in the world, and we cannot always avoid it.

The Apostle Paul tells us to overcome it with good. That may sound like a wishful dream. We may think we do not have the strength for that. We would be right. But God can and has overcome evil. Paul tells us how we can work along with God. First, we are not to avenge evil ourselves but leave it to God (v.19).

Paul gives us several things we CAN do. Bless them (v. 14), think what is noble (v. 17), feed them (v. 20), and give them something to drink (v. 20). His advice may seem odd or out of place. It may seem to be counterintuitive. But we must remember that Jesus came into this world to turn it on its head.

Often, it is by showing kindness to someone that we help them step away from evil. Many people who have a bad attitude, do bad things, or are downright mean have not experienced the love of God. We can show it to them by doing what Paul tells us to do. Drawing them away from evil may not happen overnight, but if we are persistent and pray that God work in their lives, we will see them turn from darkness and into the light.

I pray we all adhere to Paul’s advice. I pray we seek to do good to ALL people. I pray each one of us will leave vengeance to God and pursue being noble in thought. Seek to do good. Seek to live in harmony. Bless others. Think noble thoughts. Feed your enemy. Give them something to drink. Be like Jesus.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Honor One Another

Do you like competing in contests? What kinds of contests do you like? What kinds are you good at? Are you better at physical or sporting contests? Are you better at educational or memory contests? Have you thought about competing to be more like Jesus?

We like to compete. There are hotdog eating contests, spelling bees, and marching band contests. We watch contests such as the Olympics, the Stanley Cup, the World Series, and the Super Bowl. Competition is all around us and we actively participate in it.

We compete in our jobs and in our families. We strive to get a promotion. We seek the attention of others. We work hard to outdo someone else to be recognized for our accomplishments. Competition is as natural as breathing. It is not bad in and of itself. But it can become bad if we are competing with the wrong attitude and for the wrong reasons.

The Apostle Paul encourages the church in Rome to compete. Not for trophies, but to show the love of God. He encourages us to outdo one another in showing honor. Imagine how our churches might look if we were to compete in showing honor to one another. They would be attractive to everyone who stepped in them.

How do we compete in showing honor? First, we must love one another as Christ loves us. Rather than nitpicking every little thing someone does that is different than what we would do, we appreciate them being different. Rather than arguing, we calmly debate and agree to disagree without making derogatory comments. We praise God and lift one another up for the work God is accomplishing through them. Honoring one another is a competition we should all compete in.

I pray we all seek to honor God. I pray we make every effort to love one another as Christ loves us. I pray each one of us compete to honor one another as the family of God. Honor one another. Celebrate diversity. Debate calmly. Praise one another. Seek to honor God in all things.

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

Gone Ahead

Have you driven through a desert? Was it a large desert or a small desert? Did you think about others who had been through the same desert? Did you think about those who built the road you were driving on? Are you going through a desert in your life right now?

Driving through a desert can be dangerous business. You want to ensure you are in a reliable vehicle. You need to ensure you have a full tank of fuel. You should also ensure your air conditioner and heater work properly. The desert can be hot during the day and cold at night.

I have not driven through a desert, though I have driven through barren land. I also experienced a flat tire while driving through a windswept and dry valley. It was warm outside but not unbearable. Thankfully, the rental car we were in had a spare and we had cell phone signal. I changed the tire, called the rental car company, and headed to the nearest rental car store to exchange that vehicle for another one.

While driving through that barren valley, I never gave a thought to the people who originally built the road nor the people who maintain it. We take those for granted, don’t we? But someone prepared the way. Someone went ahead of us. The preparation and work were done so we don’t have to.

This happens in other areas of our lives. God sends someone ahead of us. He prepares a way for us to go. God knows where we are heading before we do. What are we to do? We are to give thanks to God for going before us. Thank him for preparing the way, for providing what we need when we need it. Just as God sent Joseph ahead of the Israelites into Egypt, he prepares our way for us.

I pray we all understand God prepares our way. I pray we trust he will provide what we need. I pray each one of us will give God the thanks he deserves for preparing our way ahead of us. God knows where you are going. He prepares the way. Trust God to provide. Give him thanks for preparing your way.

Psalm 105:16-17

When he summoned famine against the land,

and broke every staff of bread, 

he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.