Jesus is the Reason.

As we start this Holiday season, it's important to keep things in perspective.  I saw a sign at a church the other day that reminded me of this.  The sign read:

"Jesus is the reason...for ALL seasons." 

It was a moment for me.  When I read the first part, I almost didn't even finish reading because I just assumed it would say "for the season", speaking of Christmas.  I almost tuned out because I know this and our family works really hard to try and keep Christ in the forefront of our Christmas activities.  But this message was even more profound.  He is the reason for ALL seasons.

God set this world in motion with a word.  All of the things in space.  All of the amazing creatures in the ocean and on land.  All of the delicate intricacies within our environment, and within our own bodies.  He simply spoke it all into being.

If we can take this truth and apply it to our daily lives and live like Jesus is the reason for everything around us and make HIM the reason for everything we do, I think we would all be more fulfilled and at peace with our lives and surroundings.  So often we get so busy trying to do so many things, and trying to do it all on our own.  But when we can really let it go and remember that God has a plan for us, and start to do things His way instead of our way, that's when we can really experience the peace that passes all understanding, and really start to accomplish something with our lives.

Jesus, help me to remember in my daily life and actions that you are the reason for everything.  Not just Christmas, and not just on Sunday mornings--you are the reason for everything and every day.  I pray that you would help me to simplify my life around this one truth and truly give you your place as the center of my life and everything I do.

What is standing in your way?

So often, God speaks to me when I least expect it.  Back in the late summer, we were out for an evening walk and my husband, Chad, pointed out this tree to me.  You can see the trunk grows straight up to a point, then curves out almost at a 90 degree angle for a bit, then starts back up.  Being a forest ranger, he's kind of a tree guru, so I asked him why and the answer was simple.  The tree seeks out the light of the sun.  The tree needs the sun to grow and flourish, and naturally does whatever is necessary to get it.  The taller trees around it created too much shadow, and in order to get to the sunlight, this little tree had to reach out to get it.

This conversation really impacted me. We need God.  We need His light, His spirit in our lives to guide us, and in order for us to really live.  But, so often I find myself content to sit in the shadows of whatever is standing in my way. 

Like this tree, I sometimes need to take a different path of growth in order to get around all of the distractions and reach the light that I need.  It isn't always easy, but it's always necessary.  Christ's sacrifice cleared the way so that we could have communion and fellowship with God.  What is standing in your way?  Is it sin?  Too many empty commitments?  Too much attachment to the world?  Lack of time management?  Unforgiveness toward someone who has wronged you? 

There are so many things that can get in our way.  So many things that we allow to separate us from that perfect communion with God and His will.  But, we have to reach past everything that could get in our way, and seek Him above all other things.

I love this gentle reminder from Jesus to Martha, "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42. 

Only one thing is needed and I can't let anything of this world distract me from that.

Loving God through Loving Others

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  Mark 12:31

First and foremost, as we have been studying, we should love God with all of our being.  But, Jesus calls us to love others as well, and I don't really think the two can be separated.  John tells us this: "For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."  1 John 4:20.  We cannot honestly say that we love God unless we love each other.  Of course we all say that we love God, but do our actions speak love toward one another as well?

I think the concept of loving others can be summed up quite simply: Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31.  The Golden Rule, and I'm sure we all know it.  But, as with many things, so often we have a tendency to twist it around in a more self-serving way.  For us it's more of a "Do unto others as they do unto you." kind of thing.  And we completely let ourselves and each other get away with it.

This is NOT what God intended.  What God demands of us is that we love one another.  That we love each other as much as we love ourselves.  That we treat others the way we would WANT to be treated.  That we love each other as Christ loved us.  Jesus says: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" John 13:34.

I challenge you.  The next time you are dealing with a difficult person or situation, take a moment to ask yourself, "How would I want to be treated?"  And really think about an honest answer.  It's easy to get into a mindset of being "justified" and thinking that some people just "deserve" a short or rude response from us.  But, really no one wants to be treated badly, even if they deserve it.  I can think of so many examples when I have been short with someone who has responded to me with true kindness and love, and what that has meant to me.  That kind of love and grace is what I owe to those around me, to respond to them in a way that I would WANT to be treated, always acting in love and not reacting to how I have been treated.

It's not an option.  It is the second greatest commandment.

Lord, I pray that you would give me true love and compassion for those around me.  I pray that I wouldn't be judgmental or respond in kind when I feel I have been wronged.  I pray that I will give each person the benefit of the doubt and see them as you see them instead.  I pray that you will open my eyes and help me to reach out in love to those who are in need or suffering.  Lord, let me love them like you love me.  I know that I cannot do this alone, but I know that through you I can.

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This week's daily study verses:
Monday: Luke 6:27-32

Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 16:14
Wednesday: 1 John 4:7
Thursday: Romans 13:10
Friday: 1 Peter 4:8
Saturday: John 13:35
Sunday: 1 John 4:12

Join us in the forum for a discussion about this week's lesson and these verses.

Loving God With All Your Strength.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  -1 John 3:18

Love God with all your strength.  This is the one that really ties it all together for me.  We can say that we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  But, for the most part, those things are hidden away.  They aren't tangible.  When we start talking about loving God with all of our strength, that is when it really hits home.  This one requires action.

How do we love God with all of our strength?  We glorify Him through our actions and with our lives.  Philippians 1:27 says, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  Wow.  First of all, what is a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?  That is convicting to me on so many levels.  This applies to every single area of our lives.  I know that none of us are perfect, and we won't be in this life, but we have to keep striving toward loving God with all our strength, and I think that means glorifying Him in everything we do.

Spending time with your children?  Disciplining them, playing with them, teaching them--glorify God.  Going to work?  Glorify God.  Interacting with people that you love, dislike, or that irritate you?  Glorify God.  In every single action that we do throughout our days, we need to be glorifying Him, and conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  It's a tall bill, but I fully believe it.  More and more I am realizing that loving God with all my strength requires myself making a conscious commitment to Him every single day.

This is impossible for us to do on our own.  We NEED God to help us.  We need to be close to Him and committing ourselves to Him and His will through what we've been talking about over the past few weeks--through obedience to Him, and through loving him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds.  Only then can our actions truly be what they should be and bring Him glory.

Worry and Trust

Worry and I have been good friends all of my life!

When I was young, I worried all the time. I can remember being stressed and worried t hat had said the wrong thing to the wrong person and that person would tell someone else and everybody would be mad at me. I worried about every test and quiz in school. I honestly don’t remember all that I worried about.

As I have grown, my worry has lessened quite a bit along the way especially as my relationship with God has strengthened. I wish I could say I don’t ever worry any more but I can’t. As some of you know, the past few months and especially this week have been extremely worrisome for me. Yet I have had some peace with the situation and I have never experienced that at other times with my life.

I found myself asking – what was different? It was the presence of the Lord in my life and my focus on him and His Word. For the first time ever, instead of running to other people and talking about all that was worrying me (I still did a bit of this too as many know.) I spent time with God in prayer and scripture. I found comfort and strength in Him.

I have finally learned that my worry subsides when I trust in the Lord and his greatness. For me one of the greatest weapons against worry is turn it over to the Lord and know that He is in control.

So today I want to share just a few of the verses that the Lord has given me about worry over the past few months—

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ~ Matthew 6:25-27

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matt 6:33-34

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. ~ Psalm 9:10

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. ~ Psalm 28:7

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. ~ Psalm 118:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

As I started typing, I found there are so many verses that I turn to when in need so for today I will leave you with those above!!

Loving God with all your mind.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:2

This is another one where God took me in a completely different direction. I thought, this is an easy one. I had my direction to go, but every time I looked up something, and every time I thought about it, I kept going back to one thing: worry.

So, this week's lesson is more of a what NOT to do. Because, God showed me that I cannot love Him with ALL of my mind if it is filled with worry. Wow. I find myself worrying a lot over things that don't really matter in the scheme of things, but I never really thought about that interfering with my love for God. But, 1 John 4:18 tells us, There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. I am participating in a video study with Rick Warren, and he said that Love and Fear cannot co exist. If I am filling my mind with fear and worry, then I can't be loving God with all of my mind.

Let's take a look at some of the reasons we have not to worry. First and foremost, Jesus tells us not to in Matthew 6:34, Do not worry about tomorrow. Pretty clear. Earlier in that passage, Jesus tells us one of the important reasons that we shouldn't worry. Worry shows a lack of faith. Jesus reminds us that GOD will provide for us everything we need. Therefore we should have faith and trust in Him and not worry about things. Imagine how hurt you would be if your own children didn't have faith in you to provide for them and to do the things that a parent should do for their children. I think God feels that hurt when we worry over things.

Secondly, going back to our main verse for today, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." Most worry, at it's core, is based on earthly things. If we truly do what God says for us to do and set our minds on things above, then we will focus on God and His power. We will focus on Heaven, and remember that things of earth--all things on this earth, even our lives, are fleeting. If we truly focus our minds on things above, then we will have MUCH less to worry about.

And finally, to fill our minds with worry is to give victory to Satan. John 10:10 says "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus came to give us abundant life. When we are constantly in a state of worry over something--finances, jobs, health, etc.--we rob ourselves of the abundant life Jesus promises and wants for us.

I will admit, worry is a constant struggle for me, but God is helping me through it. Now I see that filling my mind with worry is taking away from loving God with all of my mind. I know there are a lot of things in my life that I need to turn over to Him. Is there anything you need to turn over to him this week?

Reflections of the Week

I have been learning so much from this week’s lesson. The whole week has reminded me to worship God for being God and not just what He can do or has done for me. I have learned several truths from the various verses this week and would like to share them. Basically, I am recapping my various thoughts from the daily verse that I posted in our forum. I hope that this post does not ramble or jump around but I feel like I learned much this week and want to share it!!

Tuesday's Verse -- John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.I didn't realize how much I worship the Lord only for and when He has helped me out rather than for just who is. Today's verse clearly speaks to the importance of worshiping the Lord with our whole being for just who He is. Our Lord is so amazing -- I can see that during this very difficult times my prayers, thoughts, hopes, worship have been all about me and things of this world and what God can and has done for me rather than just about His greatness!! I want to change this and worship Him for all that He is!!

Wednesday's Verse: Luke 4:5-8
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only"
As I read this verse this morning, I realized that I often do not make a concious choice to worship other things than God, I still do it! I think that happens because I have taken my focus off of God and put it on me and what I think I need!! I am so grateful the Lord gave us this study so that I can learn what it means to put Him first in ALL of me and my life!

Rachel also shared this thought that has really stuck with me – “I remember hearing in a sermon once: to evaluate what you worship you should look at how you spend your time and how you spend your money” I know I will be looking at this concept in the days and weeks to come.

Thursday's Verse - Matt 15:8-9
These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.
This verse made me ask how can I really worship the God. The answers I came up with--
--Following his commandments in deeds not just words
--Spending time praising Him for all that He is
--Glorifying Him in all opportunities
--Sharing my love for Him with other.
I am finding the Lord using this study of obedience to open my heart and my eyes to so many wonderful truths. This week I saw clearly that my worship is to not just focus on what God has or can do for me but rather on all that He is and all the ways I can serve Him!!