With so much love talk in the books of John, I find it interesting, yet refreshing, to hear what we are not to love. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us, “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one's lifestyle – is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God's will remians forever.”
Isn't it amazing how things never seem to change at the core. Two thousand years ago the people were being told not to fall for the lust of the flesh or the eyes, and not to have pride in one's lifestyle. Sounds just like today, doesn't it? Only God could write a Book that is as relevant today as it was during Moses' time over 3000 years ago.
Let's put it in a slightly different context than what we typically think of.
The lust of the flesh: We usually think of sexual sins when we hear this phrase. Let's take it further than that though. How about lusting after too much food or drink? How obsessed have we become with our own clothing or upkeep? Personally, I think we could insert most diet plans into this catergory. We are consumed by how our own flesh appeals to others. Now don't take me wrong. I think having a healthy diet is great and we need to be concerned about our physical bodies well being, but don't you think we have taken it to the exteme in the Western world? That is a lust of the flesh.
The lust of the eyes: Once again, we tend to think of sexual sins here, but this too can have a broader meaning. How much time do we spend in even one day watching T.V., movies, computer stuff, video games, or reading books? No. These things are not wrong in and of themselves, but how have we been influenced by them? I have to admitt, there are a good many movies and shows that Kevin and I love to watch. There is one in particular that we adore and were so entertained by, but the Lord started speaking to us that we needed to throw it away. We fought the conviction for a while, until the pressure was so strong everytime we thought about watching it, that we might as well toss it. We just couldn't watch it! Why? It had become a lust to our eyes. It confronted us with many of the worlds issues that we just didn't need any extra of. There are other shows we have that bring up some of the same topics, but we have not been convicted of those. I don't know why. All I do know is that if something of the like becomes a worldly lust to your eyes, it's best to get rid of it rather than eventually have your conscience seared.
Pride in one's lifestyle: This one can go in so many directions. Do you have pride that you can get away with more junk than other Christians? Perhaps you have been blessed by the Lord in some area and you want to make sure everyone you meet knows it, not for God's glory, but so that they can see what you think God feels you deserve. Here's one that cracks me up, yet get's all of us at times – What about pride in our humility? Do you feel you deserve to live in America and be given every liberty? That's pride in your lifestyle. Pride is certainly a roaring, shape-shifting beast we can not kill on our own. We need the Lord's strength for that.
Honestly, what we focus on most is what we love. Take some time today to make sure it is not things of the world, but of the Spirit.
Let's get a Spiritual eye exam and get things focused right.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
This Is How We Know
I think all Christians have questioned their salvation at some point. Not as to whether it is all true, but if they had really acctepted Christ as their Savior. If they really meant it, or perhaps took the right steps. It goes back to that saying, “Do you know that you know that you know.” While I agree we need to come to God daily and confess our sins to Him, I also know that Christ only had to die for our sins once. He was the perfect sacrifice which need not be repeated. So why do we think that we can lose the gift of grace given to us? Did that grace not cover us perfectly so that we must crucify Christ again? Certainly not.
With the assurance of that, we need to be reminded that just because we “say the right words and get baptized” doesn't mean we are His. I love my pastor's twist on the old Baptist saying, “Once saved, always saved.” He claims, “IF saved, always saved.” I couldn't agree more. (Read Hebrews 6:1-8 on this matter if you get a chance today.)
So, how do we know for sure?
1 John 2:3-6 “This is how we know for sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.”
There are a few things we must understand when reading this passage. The first is we are human and can never be perfect. We will make mistakes, and just because we do sin, or even have a season of sin, does not mean we were never saved. The differnece is repentance. Were we convicted by the Spirit while in the midst of the sinning season? Did you return, or can you feel the overwhelming burden to return to following Him now? That is the work of the Spirt who lives within you; The promised Seal from Christ (Ephesians 1:13).
Second, in order to walk like Him and keep His commands we have to know what they are. That means reading the Bible and spending time with God in prayer- not just prayer requests. Unfortunatley, we tend to think of the Bible as the same old thing and go to books about the Bible instead. While many of these are a wonderful tool in helping us understand principles of the Bible, we can not substitute them completley. Try asking God what His opinion is about a certain matter or subject before you fill your mind with what others think.
How do we know if we are keeping His commands? A lawyer asked Jesus which of the commands was the greatest. Jesus replied in Matthew 22:37-40, “...Love the Lord you God with all you heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love you neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” If we concern ourself with nothing but these two commands, we can not go astray. God loves us and wants the best for us. We must keep our hearts focused on Him, then He will lead us on the right path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Take time today to just love the Lord your God with all that is within you.
With the assurance of that, we need to be reminded that just because we “say the right words and get baptized” doesn't mean we are His. I love my pastor's twist on the old Baptist saying, “Once saved, always saved.” He claims, “IF saved, always saved.” I couldn't agree more. (Read Hebrews 6:1-8 on this matter if you get a chance today.)
So, how do we know for sure?
1 John 2:3-6 “This is how we know for sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.”
There are a few things we must understand when reading this passage. The first is we are human and can never be perfect. We will make mistakes, and just because we do sin, or even have a season of sin, does not mean we were never saved. The differnece is repentance. Were we convicted by the Spirit while in the midst of the sinning season? Did you return, or can you feel the overwhelming burden to return to following Him now? That is the work of the Spirt who lives within you; The promised Seal from Christ (Ephesians 1:13).
Second, in order to walk like Him and keep His commands we have to know what they are. That means reading the Bible and spending time with God in prayer- not just prayer requests. Unfortunatley, we tend to think of the Bible as the same old thing and go to books about the Bible instead. While many of these are a wonderful tool in helping us understand principles of the Bible, we can not substitute them completley. Try asking God what His opinion is about a certain matter or subject before you fill your mind with what others think.
How do we know if we are keeping His commands? A lawyer asked Jesus which of the commands was the greatest. Jesus replied in Matthew 22:37-40, “...Love the Lord you God with all you heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love you neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” If we concern ourself with nothing but these two commands, we can not go astray. God loves us and wants the best for us. We must keep our hearts focused on Him, then He will lead us on the right path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Take time today to just love the Lord your God with all that is within you.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
1 John- Tough Love
I think a great synoptic title for the book of 1 John is Tough Love. If we truly love someone we do what is best for them, no matter how it may hurt them, or us, at the time. The trick is in the way we do it though. We can stand our ground firmly with a smug look, or we can do it with tears in our eyes. That is why I believe the passage we looked at yesterday in Matthew 7 goes so well with this book. We need to make particularly sure this kind of love is done from with the right and humbled heart. Then, we need to remember, the point of true love is to stand and not back down.
The first verse of tough love comes early on. 1 John 1:6 says, “If we say, 'We have fellowship with Him,' and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.”
Where do I walk? I ask this of myself less frequently than I should. What about you? Is there any darkness in our walk?
One thing I know for certain is that it is our duty as children of God to grow in maturity and not be satisfied with any aspect of our sin nature. When was the last time you felt the Holy Spirit convicting you to walk more in the light? If it has been a long time, you need to go to the Father and ask Him to show you where you have become too comfortable in the sins of this world. Trust me, unless you are dead, you are not perfected.
Perhaps you still think you've gotten it all together though. Take a look at 1 John 1:8. “If we say, 'We have no sin,' we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Take some time today to go over the areas in which you tend to walk in darkness. Ask the Lord to strengthen you once again, in order for you to turn to the light and stay there. I know I am. If you need to, find another Christian with whom you can be completely honest and ask them to keep you accountable. It really does help keep you straight knowing you will have to admit a lapse to another person.
The first verse of tough love comes early on. 1 John 1:6 says, “If we say, 'We have fellowship with Him,' and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.”
Where do I walk? I ask this of myself less frequently than I should. What about you? Is there any darkness in our walk?
One thing I know for certain is that it is our duty as children of God to grow in maturity and not be satisfied with any aspect of our sin nature. When was the last time you felt the Holy Spirit convicting you to walk more in the light? If it has been a long time, you need to go to the Father and ask Him to show you where you have become too comfortable in the sins of this world. Trust me, unless you are dead, you are not perfected.
Perhaps you still think you've gotten it all together though. Take a look at 1 John 1:8. “If we say, 'We have no sin,' we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Take some time today to go over the areas in which you tend to walk in darkness. Ask the Lord to strengthen you once again, in order for you to turn to the light and stay there. I know I am. If you need to, find another Christian with whom you can be completely honest and ask them to keep you accountable. It really does help keep you straight knowing you will have to admit a lapse to another person.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Apostle John- No Longer #1
We are studying 1 John in my Life Group (Sunday School) this month, and I'd like to talk about it over the next few days.
When we think of the Apostle John, we tend to first think of him as “the one who Jesus loved” (John 13:23). His writings are full of talk about love. The problem is that our society often tends to view love as lacking strength or boldness. It's just being super nice to people no matter the consequences. The most well known verse, up until recently, has been John 3:16. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This niceness we've been taught to show has been taken to the extreme so that now the most quoted verse is Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.” They problem is that most tend take them out of context.
Please take some time to read John 3:16-21 and Matthew 7:1-6 below. It is still not the full text around these verses, but it gives one a better understanding of their context. First, ask God to open your heart to what He would have you glean from these Scriptures today. There is always something He wants to teach us. Then, read them slowly with some pencil and paper. See if there is something you need to jot down in order to look up later. It might be a thought or question that occurs to you. Make sure to take the time to explore it over the next few days.
John 3:16-21 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condem the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and the people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
Matthew 7:1-6 “Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss you pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.”
Do you see a connection between these two passages? With these verses as a base, we'll take a look at 1 John tomorrow.
When we think of the Apostle John, we tend to first think of him as “the one who Jesus loved” (John 13:23). His writings are full of talk about love. The problem is that our society often tends to view love as lacking strength or boldness. It's just being super nice to people no matter the consequences. The most well known verse, up until recently, has been John 3:16. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This niceness we've been taught to show has been taken to the extreme so that now the most quoted verse is Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.” They problem is that most tend take them out of context.
Please take some time to read John 3:16-21 and Matthew 7:1-6 below. It is still not the full text around these verses, but it gives one a better understanding of their context. First, ask God to open your heart to what He would have you glean from these Scriptures today. There is always something He wants to teach us. Then, read them slowly with some pencil and paper. See if there is something you need to jot down in order to look up later. It might be a thought or question that occurs to you. Make sure to take the time to explore it over the next few days.
John 3:16-21 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condem the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and the people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
Matthew 7:1-6 “Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Don't give what is holy to dogs or toss you pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.”
Do you see a connection between these two passages? With these verses as a base, we'll take a look at 1 John tomorrow.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Are You Living In Neverland?
I get to return to the Magic Kingdom this Wednesday! We haven't been since Elijah, who is now 6, was just a few months old. Unfortunatley, Kevin won't get to go with us since he has to stay home and work. The kids and I are actually going down to help my mother move from Florida to Kentucky, and we figured as long as we were there, we'd make one last swing over to the Mouse House with both of their grandmothers.
It seems weird though. Kevin and I use to go over to Epcot every Sunday afternoon after church when we were first married. That's the nice thing about being a Florida resident and having season passes. Now, we haven't been in six years. How times change. How our reality has changed! I've tried telling people who have never lived in central Florida how it really is another world. Especially if you go to Disney all the time. It just isn't reality.
It began making me think recently: That is how it is being an American. It's like living in Disney World. The rest of the world doesn't work that way in general, but we just can't comprehand that people don't really have a Zip-a-dee-doo-da time everywhere else. Is that how we are as American Christians?
Many of you know our family has a passion for those of our brothers and sisters in other countries who are persecuted, or looked down upon because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. We are amazingly blessed to live in a country where there is even the pretense of a nationwide Christianity, though this is beginning to change. Let's not take it for granted. Sadly, many Christians in other parts of the world view American Christians as weak, and, in general, I think they are right.
Take a few moments today to pray for the endurance of the saints around the world. Also, thank God for how easy Christians have it here in the United States. They day will come when we do not.
Take a moment, if you will, to check out an organization that Kevin and I love and support. They have a free newsletter which you can request if interested.
The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/
It seems weird though. Kevin and I use to go over to Epcot every Sunday afternoon after church when we were first married. That's the nice thing about being a Florida resident and having season passes. Now, we haven't been in six years. How times change. How our reality has changed! I've tried telling people who have never lived in central Florida how it really is another world. Especially if you go to Disney all the time. It just isn't reality.
It began making me think recently: That is how it is being an American. It's like living in Disney World. The rest of the world doesn't work that way in general, but we just can't comprehand that people don't really have a Zip-a-dee-doo-da time everywhere else. Is that how we are as American Christians?
Many of you know our family has a passion for those of our brothers and sisters in other countries who are persecuted, or looked down upon because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. We are amazingly blessed to live in a country where there is even the pretense of a nationwide Christianity, though this is beginning to change. Let's not take it for granted. Sadly, many Christians in other parts of the world view American Christians as weak, and, in general, I think they are right.
Take a few moments today to pray for the endurance of the saints around the world. Also, thank God for how easy Christians have it here in the United States. They day will come when we do not.
Take a moment, if you will, to check out an organization that Kevin and I love and support. They have a free newsletter which you can request if interested.
The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday Worship
I have truly come to love Sundays. On Saturday, I start gearing up for Sunday morning worship, and just can't wait. The wonderfully, amazing thing is that my preparation is totally different from what it use to be.
Saturday afternoon, I use to debate over what I was going to wear and how to dress the kids, thus I would usually start a load of “Church Laundry”. Next, I would look over the lesson and study it. The length of time I spent, honestly, was connected to whether I was teaching a lesson the next day or not. Then, waking early the next morning, we would rush around and get there just in time for me to hurry to each person and thing I needed to talk to or accomplish. After the service, I would talk to the people I couldn't get to before, and we would run home just in time for Kevin to get ready for work as I shed myself of my Sunday fixings! (...I hate dressing up.) Whew!
Things have changed a bit though. Now, I just make sure we have something clean to wear. I've given up dressin' up. It's not that I'm being disrespectful, in fact, I'm being even less so now. I use to sit there miserable in my dress clothes, and often in pain for various reasons. Now, the time I spent rearranging my attire is spent rearranging my heart. I know that not everyone feels that way when dressing up, but I did, and I'm grateful to attend a church where they are accepting of my jeans and flip-flops every Sunday.
I also love the worship music! I use to lead music at a small church we attended, and while I am truly blessed to have done so, I love just getting to participate now. I was raised in a church where we clapped for a few songs, but never lifted our hands before the Lord in praise. Though not many in my current church do, there are enough people who lift their hands to the Lord, that I have felt comfortable in doing so when prompted by the Spirit. As I've told some of my friends, I may lift my hands, but seldom do I show my armpits. I just haven't made it that high and lifted up....yet.
I still read over the lesson- occasionally. Actually, I have found that when I am current in the Word of God and have been doing what He has asked of me, I get more, and am able to contribute more, to the lesson. That's the wonderful thing about the Bible. Genesis to Revelation, it all points to Jesus, and all Scripture is relevant to any other portion.
There are still things I need to do and people I may need to see when at church, but they have become a blessing to me instead of a list of things to do. A large part of that is due to the fact that I spend time in prayer every Saturday, asking for the next day of worship to be a blessing to myself and my family. I desire for us all to love worshiping there, to love the people, and to love spending time together in corporate worship with them.
Am I human? Yes. That means that this doesn't happen every Sunday, but it happens so much more often than it use to.
And I LOVE it.
Saturday afternoon, I use to debate over what I was going to wear and how to dress the kids, thus I would usually start a load of “Church Laundry”. Next, I would look over the lesson and study it. The length of time I spent, honestly, was connected to whether I was teaching a lesson the next day or not. Then, waking early the next morning, we would rush around and get there just in time for me to hurry to each person and thing I needed to talk to or accomplish. After the service, I would talk to the people I couldn't get to before, and we would run home just in time for Kevin to get ready for work as I shed myself of my Sunday fixings! (...I hate dressing up.) Whew!
Things have changed a bit though. Now, I just make sure we have something clean to wear. I've given up dressin' up. It's not that I'm being disrespectful, in fact, I'm being even less so now. I use to sit there miserable in my dress clothes, and often in pain for various reasons. Now, the time I spent rearranging my attire is spent rearranging my heart. I know that not everyone feels that way when dressing up, but I did, and I'm grateful to attend a church where they are accepting of my jeans and flip-flops every Sunday.
I also love the worship music! I use to lead music at a small church we attended, and while I am truly blessed to have done so, I love just getting to participate now. I was raised in a church where we clapped for a few songs, but never lifted our hands before the Lord in praise. Though not many in my current church do, there are enough people who lift their hands to the Lord, that I have felt comfortable in doing so when prompted by the Spirit. As I've told some of my friends, I may lift my hands, but seldom do I show my armpits. I just haven't made it that high and lifted up....yet.
I still read over the lesson- occasionally. Actually, I have found that when I am current in the Word of God and have been doing what He has asked of me, I get more, and am able to contribute more, to the lesson. That's the wonderful thing about the Bible. Genesis to Revelation, it all points to Jesus, and all Scripture is relevant to any other portion.
There are still things I need to do and people I may need to see when at church, but they have become a blessing to me instead of a list of things to do. A large part of that is due to the fact that I spend time in prayer every Saturday, asking for the next day of worship to be a blessing to myself and my family. I desire for us all to love worshiping there, to love the people, and to love spending time together in corporate worship with them.
Am I human? Yes. That means that this doesn't happen every Sunday, but it happens so much more often than it use to.
And I LOVE it.
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