Living for God

"The end of all things is near.

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks,

they should do so as one who speaks

 the very words of God.

If anyone serves,

they should do so with the strength God provides,

so that in all things God may be praised

 through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory and the power

for ever and ever.  Amen."

1 Peter 4:7-11

  

The end has been predicted on billboards, in newspapers and on the Internet.  The date when the world will cease to exist has been proclaimed boldly, much to the dismay of those who believe then discover disappointment when the day comes and goes without incident.  Many have been led away from the Truth by those who claim to be sent by God.  Wars run rampant, tyrants rattle their sabers, bullies in position of power make threats.  Almost every day there is news of another catastrophe taking lives and destroying property: earthquakes, famines, storms, tornadoes.  There is no doubt we have entered into the end times. (Matthew 24:4-8)

As one who knows the Truth and is spurred on by the hope of heaven, how should I then live?  It is not a time to lose focus, but to continue to live as one with a purpose: To live for God.

Clear-minded

"Stay calm."  This command is given many times by rescue personnel because it is difficult to make a sound decision when in a state of panic.  Adrenaline surges, making the mind muddled and confused.

As I see the world crumbling around me, it is easy to enter into a similar state of alarm.  Gay marriage is being legalized at an astounding rate.  Abortion is common place.  Little girls dress in provocative clothing.  Sex is a common topic on elementary playgrounds.  God's name is freely used to curse but otherwise banned from public use.  I want to do something to stop the madness.  I don't care what it is, I just want to take action!

This is when it's even more important for me to keep my cool, remember Who is in charge, and remind myself of my purpose.  When I recall that God is not alarmed or surprised by today's sudden turn of events and that He has a perfect plan, I can focus on discerning all the good He is bringing about throughout the ugly.  Then I can seek to make His name known in whatever way possible.

Nothing, however, is more important than to stay connected to the Source of all good things through prayer.  James reminds us that our prayers are powerful and effective.  A prayer offered in faith can heal the sick, stop the rain, or end a drought.  (James 5:16-18)  My prayers  show the state of my heart, the strength of my faith and the scope of my vision.  It is my desire to continue to believe in the good plan God has for us all and pray for Him to show His mighty hand so all will know that He is the Lord our God!

To live for God in the end times, I must become a prayer warrior.

Love Deeply

The man lay in pain in the middle of the road as commuters rushed past him on their way to work or school.  No one seemed to care of his suffering, leaving him to find his own fate as if he were nothing more than a turtle or a rabbit who had wandered into traffic.  There is no doubt that the love of most has grown cold in this day and age. (Matthew 24:12-13)

Just as it takes no effort to let a fire go out, it is similarly as natural for the love of God that is growing inside of me to be extinguished.  All it takes is for me to take up my own case, to turn inward as I guard my own interests, and harden my heart from any further hurt.  Suddenly I have morphed into a cold, detached human who cares not for another's plight but is only determined to look out for myself.

While I am inclined to grow cold, staying close to my loving Father changes my nature.  His compassion, grace and mercy flowing into my life compels me to love as He loves; looking past the sin and peering into the heart of a wounded child.  This endless spring of love spills over into the lives of others as it drives me toward a position of servanthood.  This divine nourishment is absorbed into my soul giving me a healthy exuberance for those who lay broken on the road of life.

To live for God in the end times, I must love deeply.

Use Gifts

I remember one Christmas when I made advent chains that were meant to be used to help draw the recipient's heart closer to God as the day approached.  I have to admit my frustration, however, when I discovered that some of my family members were simply using the gift as a decoration, hanging it where it could be seen but not reading the scriptures and devotional thoughts printed on each link.  It seemed to defeat the purpose of the gift.

In a similar way, I have been given gifts by God with the intention that I use them to build up the church and glorify Him.  How many times, however, do I let my gifts atrophy or only look at them as if they were some kind of adornment for my own pleasure or to bring admiration from others?

Instead, I can use the grace God has freely distributed in the way it was intended, making myself a good steward.  Whether it be to encourage, teach, serve, give, show mercy, prophecy, heal, discern or lead; using what God has given to me will bring glory to Him and help to build up the body of Christ.  

To live for God in the end times, I must use the gifts He has given to me.

Every day we are one day closer to the second coming of Christ.  As we go through these birth pains of the end, it is easy to get discouraged.  Instead, I must stay focused on my mission and stay rooted in prayer, make it my calling to let God's love run deeply and freely out to others, and to not waste what God has given but prove myself a good steward of His gifts as I use them as they were intended to be used.  In these ways I will be living for God in the end times.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I not get distracted by all the evil around me, but stay focused on my purpose.

How has God's love grown cold in my heart?

When do I use the gifts God has given to me?

The Training Ground

 "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
      but dwelling on it separates close friends."

Proverbs 17:9

"Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

Living with others is difficult.  God created me to live in community with others.  He did not fashion me lovingly out of raw materials, placing me purposefully within my mother's womb in order that I live a solitary life.

It is easy for me to be alone.  I enjoy my own company, I never disagree with myself, and I always get to do what I want.  But living alone is not where God has placed me. 

He has given me a family of six with whom I share a home and life, and He has placed me within a community of believers with whom I share a faith and life.  Consequently, I don't always enjoy the company, there is frequent disagreement and I don't always get my way.

Community was created by God for a purpose.  English poet Lord Houghton said, "The Christian home is the Master's workshop where the processes of character molding are silently, lovingly, faithfully, and successfully carried on."

Family, no matter how large or small, is used by God to mold us, train us and test us.  Even though our modern society tends to place the burden of education upon the schools, God has positioned this responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the family.  It is more than a place where we belong and are loved.  It is also the best place to learn how to graciously live with others.

Forgive

Ghandi proclaimed that, "The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."  Letting go of an offense another committed against me does take strength.  But God has called me to forgive, and He is faithful to provide the strength to do so. 

Jesus taught that we reap what we sow.  He said, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven. . .  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:37,38)  My life is a reflection of the way I treat others.  If I am unwillingly to let go of a hurt carried out against me, I will live a life of anger and bitterness.  But, if I choose to release the burden of the offense, my load will be lightened and I will be free to live as God intended.

There is a parable Jesus told of an unforgiving servant.  Out of mercy, the king forgave one of his servants of a very large debt. Unfortunately, that servant turned around and treated harshly one who owed him a small amount, expecting full payment and throwing him into prison.  The master called the servant in and turned him into the jailers to be tortured for his inability to pass on the forgiveness he had so freely been given.

Jesus then said, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

When I realize how much I have been forgiven by God, I can do no less than forgive those who have offended me.

Family is the perfect place to practice the art of forgiveness.

Come Alongside

I remember a time when I fell behind on paying my newspaper bill.  The carrier called me, and instead of chastising me or demanding payment immediately, she graciously gave me the benefit of the doubt, encouraging me to send payment as soon as I was able.  When I got off the phone with her, not only did I want to catch up on my payment, but I did not feel in the least angry or violated.  It seemed she was on my side and wanted only to help. 

This is how I am to live my life with others, especially those I love the most.  I am like most people and respond better to a gentle hand on the shoulder guiding me along to a certain destination rather than a shaking finger in my face, condemning me of my failure.

It reminds me of when a Navy ship needs fuel, food or other supplies.  Since it can't always pull into a port and receive these needed items, a support ship will come alongside and supply the needs of the working vessel as they both steam along its course. 

This is a beautiful picture of how I can support someone in need.  Instead of launching a frontal attack, I can come alongside and provide the encouragement and help they so desperately need.  In this way I am not stopping their forward progress, but am simply providing support as they make their way on their journey. 

The goal of coming alongside is always restoration with God and others.  It is not simply pointing out a wrong, but encouraging those who are struggling to seek God's course for their life and give them every resource available to help them reset their life-route toward God.

Family is the perfect place to practice coming alongside.

Pray

When living with others, there are many opportunities to practice the art of extending grace.  My actions may very well deserve harsh treatment from others, but always receiving what I deserve makes for a bleak and cruel existence.

There are many times when I have forgiven someone and have come alongside them, but they are not ready to change.  Even though talking to my Heavenly Father is vital at all times, during times when change will not come, prayer becomes essential. 

Prayer has a way of changing my heart and helping me to see others as God sees them.  Prayer puts me in touch with the heart of God and reminds me that He is the One who is in the business of changing hearts.

Eugene Peterson said, "In prayer, we are aware that God is in action and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, he will call us into action.  Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts."

It reminds me of when I was a child and my mother was a smoker.  My grandmother would constantly nag her about quitting, clipping out newspaper articles about the harmful effects of smoking and repeat information she learned by watching television programs about how to quit smoking.

My grandmother meant well, but none of her efforts brought about the desired outcome.  My mom did not quit smoking until God changed her heart some years later, giving her the desire to stop the harmful habit.  He also gave her a bout with walking pneumonia to strengthen her resolve.  She has not picked up a cigarette since.

Since God is the Author of change, it is smart for me to spend more time praying for those who are close to me instead of trying to create a transformation I have no power to bring about.  It will only result in frustration and strained relationships.

Family is the perfect place to practice praying for one another.

No matter how big or small the family, it is an institution God has provided to help us to learn to live with others.  I can use it to practice forgiving, coming alongside and praying for others.

Like they always say, "Practice makes perfect."  While I won't reach perfect this side of heaven, at least the practice time I receive in the family will benefit me as I transfer the use of these skills in interacting with others out in the world.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will see my family for all the blessings of which they provide.

When do I speak first and pray later?  How can I remember to commit the unprepared heart into God's hands?  

When do I tend to be harsh in the way I handle conflict instead of coming alongside in love?



Soli Deo Gloria

". . .in all things God may be praised

through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory

and the power

for ever and ever.

Amen."  

 1 Peter 4:11

In years past, the day after Christmas has been a let down.  After working so hard to prepare for Christmas by shopping, decorating, sending out cards, baking, wrapping presents, attending performances, filling stockings, etc., the day after seems anticlimatic.  But this year is different.  This year I didn't do one bit of shopping, and I noticed a difference in my heart.  When we sang the words, "You alone are worthy. . ." on Christmas Eve, it grieved my heart to realize that I had placed many things before Jesus.  In an effort to make Christmas special for my friends and family, I had forsaken the One for which Christmas exists.  In my heart, I had placed these other things on an altar and worshipped them.  Once Christmas was over, and those things were gone, a hole was left leading to a feeling of disappointment.

This year, there is no descent down from the peak reached through the frenzy of preparations.  Instead, I see that today is a day to celebrate!  Jesus has come!  And in His coming, I have hope.  Not just a hope of heaven, but a hope of a life filled with meaning and purpose that is overflowing with the glory of God! The day after is a day in which to rejoice.

Restoration  Before Jesus came, I had no hope of a relationship with a holy God.  In His holiness, He is set apart from all sin and perfectly free from sin.  I am sinful from birth and have no hope of living up to His standards of perfection.  In this way, I cannot enter into His presence as a sinful being.  But while I was still in my sinful state, Jesus came in order for Him to take my punishment so that my relationship with God is restored through faith in Jesus Christ!  The day after Christmas is a day to celebrate because I can experience a personal relationship with the One Who created me and loves me with a love I cannot comprehend!

Emancipation  Before Jesus came, I was bound to sin much as a slave is bound to his master.  The slave has no choice but to do as his master bids.  He can try to rebel, but in the end, the master will get his way.  The master owns the slave, who has no free will of his own.  Rather, his will belongs to that of his master.  This is like me with sin.  Before Jesus came, I had no will of my own, no choice but to do as the sin within me bid.  Thankfully, Jesus has set me free from this burden and now I have the opportunity to walk in the light, living as a child of light!  The day after Christmas is a day to celebrate because I can live as a child of light, free from the burden of sin!  I am free!

New Creation  Before Jesus came, I lived for myself and my own desires.  This led to an empty existence lacking in purpose and understanding of my worth in God's eyes.  But now I am made new.  All the old ways have passed away and I have been created in Christ to do good works!  Through the power of God's Spirit working within me, I am now capable of doing good, whereas before Christ I was only capable of sin.  The day after Christmas is a day to celebrate because I am made new, living a life of purpose and worth!

I will no longer feel let down after Christmas, because I know that my relationship with my Father in heaven has been restored, I have been emancipated from the bondage of sin in my life, and I am a new creation!  These are all reasons to celebrate all year long, thanks to Jesus, my Lord and Savior! 

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can keep this spirit of Christmas in my heart throughout the year.

Where have I placed other things, activities or beliefs above God?

How can I set aside my sinful nature and walk in the light?  What sin is coming between me and God?