The more I study about people's lives prior to this last century, the more I believe we are WAY too busy. We desperately need to remember that just because we can doesn't mean we should.
Our priorities seem focused on "the best possible thing" at all times: The best organization to support. The best sporting event, college choice, T.V. show, electronic gadget, route to the best restaurant, and web site for what we need/want right then. The best teacher for our children, church for us, Bible study to inspire us, Bible translation, way to clean our house, Pandora station for our mood, and the best meal for our family that factors in the amount of time we have to make it vs. nutritional value.
The best use of our time.
What I've slowly begun to realize is that the best use of my time is not by filling it with the best "stuff". What is best, is relationship. Find the best movie you and you child can have a great discussion over. Visit the coffee house with the best area to have a comfortable conversation with your friend- even if you hate coffee. Find the best route to somewhere that allows you more time to talk with your family in the vehicle. Frequent the restaurant or other establishment where you have the best dialog with those who work there. Attend a Bible study you've already done to enjoy the sweet fellowship with those in your group as you encourage them. Join the church where you see a need that you most want filled- You just may be the best one for the job....
Striving for the best is not wrong. Just make sure it's the best best. The next time you are tempted into "keeping up with the Joneses", try instead to keep up with the Johns...
Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because 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 remains forever.....
....what we have seen and heard
we also declare to you,
so that you may have fellowship along with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
We are writing these things
so that our joy may be complete.
1 John 2:15-17, 1:3-4
*Emphasis mine
Showing posts with label Bible-1 John 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible-1 John 1. Show all posts
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, March 29, 2010
Mulling
What are you mulling over?
I believe the spiritual term is "meditating upon", but to put it in a language we can all associate with, I call it mulling. There is one particular passage the Lord has brought to my attention recently that will take some time and a lot of research to digest before posting it on here. I love it when He brings Scripture to life like that.
How about you? What Truth has He brought to your attention? Is there a aspect of His Word that is speaking personally to you? Perhaps your mulling is in how to respond. Is there a question you have about Christian living that seems to remain grey to you? Perhaps we can explore it together!
I believe the spiritual term is "meditating upon", but to put it in a language we can all associate with, I call it mulling. There is one particular passage the Lord has brought to my attention recently that will take some time and a lot of research to digest before posting it on here. I love it when He brings Scripture to life like that.
How about you? What Truth has He brought to your attention? Is there a aspect of His Word that is speaking personally to you? Perhaps your mulling is in how to respond. Is there a question you have about Christian living that seems to remain grey to you? Perhaps we can explore it together!
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we have observed,
and have touched with our hands,
concerning the Word of life-
that life was revealed,
and we have seen it
and we testify and declare to you
the eternal life that was with the Father
and was revealed to us-
1 John 1:1-2
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.
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