*If you have not read part one, please go below and do so first.
What did you decide would be the greatest honor for you? As I've mulled this over, I've come up with the same answer for the last few years now. Most of you may not understand why, but this comes from the deepest part of my heart: The greatest honor that could ever be bestowed upon me would be to be martyred for the name of Jesus Christ. I have no idea why this desire is so strong, but it is. Believe me, I'm not looking to go and find it either! I have no death wish. I just think being called to lay down my life for Jesus is the least I could give. I also know He give us nothing more than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), and if He gave me the privilege of martyrdom, that means He thinks enough of me to be able to handle it. What an honor!
But for now, my Lord has given me a much more difficult task than dieing for Him. He has told me over and over that what He has called me to, for now, takes even more strength. That is living for Him. What would a life totally sold out to God look like? I think He has taken me beyond to point of death. I have given my life to Him. I am willing to die this moment for Him. Now that I am in essence dead to all else, can I use the life I lay down before Him to live fully for Him. It's not an easy task and life often gets in the way. How blessed am I that He honors me to represent Him here on earth. I pray I am up to the challenge. Sometimes I think death would be easier.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Greatest Honor - Part One
What is the greatest honor you could ever receive?
I want you to think about this all day and decide on one thing. You may change your mind as different situations arise and thoughts come to mind. That's why I want you to take a full day to choose. I don't want this to be a spur of the moment idea, but for it to come from your heart. Tomorrow I will tell you mine.
*Even if you read these blogs a few at a time, please take a full day before reading part two.
I want you to think about this all day and decide on one thing. You may change your mind as different situations arise and thoughts come to mind. That's why I want you to take a full day to choose. I don't want this to be a spur of the moment idea, but for it to come from your heart. Tomorrow I will tell you mine.
*Even if you read these blogs a few at a time, please take a full day before reading part two.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Firm Compassion
There is a very fine line that Christians tread. We are to stand firmly for what we believe (Mt. 24:13, Eph. 6:11), yet we are to have compassion and mercy (Jude 22). The world we live in is riddled with sin and contempt for the ways of God, yet this is the same world we are called to be witnesses to. Not hostile witnesses, either.
A situation came up today where I needed to define this line a little more. As I sat pondering how to handle it, the only thing that came to mind was the old cliché, W.W.J.D. As much as the overuse and misuse of this acronym bothers me, it is very appropriate. What would Jesus do in this type situation?
The first thing the Lord brought to mind was that Jesus never backed down. Now, that is not the same thing as backing off. Sometimes we need to back off in order to let a person contemplate what they are hearing, or to experience a situation for themselves. We are, however, never called to back down from what we believe. Can you tell the difference in your own attitude between the two? Are you able to back off without backing down?
Another principle I learned was Jesus' wisdom in using parables. Jesus never said while teaching the crowds or His disciples, “Hey, remember what Bob from Galilee did? Well, that's a prime example of what you shouldn't do!” He always taught His lessons with generic people. He may have specified a people group, such as Samaritans (Lk. 10:25-37), but He never gave a negative lesson with specifics. We would be very wise to do the same. Being obviously discrete doesn't count either. You know what I mean... “There was was this older lady from my last church – a former Sunday School teacher of mine – who ....” Just because you don't use the actual name doesn't mean you are being good.
We also need to remember that it is our Father in Heaven who is Judge and not us. Therefore, we must be very careful the way in which we word things. If we disagree with something in particular, is there a Scriptural reason or a personal one? Is it a matter of doctrine or disposition? Even if it is a Scriptural reason, in what way are we verbalizing it? Basically, are gossiping, or being plain rude. I go by the rule that if it's not positive and I don't need to know it, then I don't need to know it. That goes in the other direction too. If the person I'm talking to doesn't need to know, then don't share.
I think this is a struggle we will have until the day we are given newly resurrected bodies. It's also something we need to ponder on now and again. Is your firm compassion on this world in balance?
A situation came up today where I needed to define this line a little more. As I sat pondering how to handle it, the only thing that came to mind was the old cliché, W.W.J.D. As much as the overuse and misuse of this acronym bothers me, it is very appropriate. What would Jesus do in this type situation?
The first thing the Lord brought to mind was that Jesus never backed down. Now, that is not the same thing as backing off. Sometimes we need to back off in order to let a person contemplate what they are hearing, or to experience a situation for themselves. We are, however, never called to back down from what we believe. Can you tell the difference in your own attitude between the two? Are you able to back off without backing down?
Another principle I learned was Jesus' wisdom in using parables. Jesus never said while teaching the crowds or His disciples, “Hey, remember what Bob from Galilee did? Well, that's a prime example of what you shouldn't do!” He always taught His lessons with generic people. He may have specified a people group, such as Samaritans (Lk. 10:25-37), but He never gave a negative lesson with specifics. We would be very wise to do the same. Being obviously discrete doesn't count either. You know what I mean... “There was was this older lady from my last church – a former Sunday School teacher of mine – who ....” Just because you don't use the actual name doesn't mean you are being good.
We also need to remember that it is our Father in Heaven who is Judge and not us. Therefore, we must be very careful the way in which we word things. If we disagree with something in particular, is there a Scriptural reason or a personal one? Is it a matter of doctrine or disposition? Even if it is a Scriptural reason, in what way are we verbalizing it? Basically, are gossiping, or being plain rude. I go by the rule that if it's not positive and I don't need to know it, then I don't need to know it. That goes in the other direction too. If the person I'm talking to doesn't need to know, then don't share.
I think this is a struggle we will have until the day we are given newly resurrected bodies. It's also something we need to ponder on now and again. Is your firm compassion on this world in balance?
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