Fasting ~
Fasting is another way to commune with God. I see it as, "I am really serious about seeking Your will regarding [blank] so I will deny myself food & focus on you for a given amount of time."
Food is very important to most of us. We spend at least three times a day thinking about what we are going to eat & then actually taking the time to eat it. By fasting, we are replacing all that time spent on food by focusing on God. When your stomach rumbles, you pray. When it's breakfast, lunch, & dinner time - you pray. It helps you really concentrate on God. Jesus fasted many times in order to really focus on God's will.
So, when you're fasting, you are obviously going to be hungry. Don't let it show. Fasting isn't about showing others how spiritual you are. It's not to get other's attention, pity, or admiration. It's about you & God. So keep it private.
If you have never tried fasting, I would encourage you to give it a shot. Take a day - sundown to sundown - focus on God & your relationship with Him. I bet great things will happen.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer ~
Prayer is one of the most important aspects of Christian life. Basically, you can't be in a relationship if you don't communicate with them. Or, as I tell my preschoolers, "You're not friends with someone if you talk to them."
Jesus is going to tell us how to pray:
1. It's a private thing!! Prayer is not about you looking good in front of others!! It's you talking to God - even if it's a corporate prayer. (out loud prayer in a group.)
2. It doesn't need to be repetitive, pleading, or long. Pagans pray to their false gods by chanting, yelling, or giving long prayers. Listen, God already knows what you need. Prayer is about having that conversation with Him. Asking Him let's Him know that you want His help & are willing to accept His help.
3. The Lord's prayer - this isn't an exact prayer to be repeated every time you pray. This is a pattern: Praise God, acknowledge His authority, ask for what you need, ask for your sins to be forgiven, ask to stay strong in your Christian walk.
4. Make sure you aren't asking for what you are unwilling to do yourself. If you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others!! It comes back to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Have you prayed today? This week? This month? Hmmmm . . . take a little time & talk with your Heavenly Father.
Prayer is one of the most important aspects of Christian life. Basically, you can't be in a relationship if you don't communicate with them. Or, as I tell my preschoolers, "You're not friends with someone if you talk to them."
Jesus is going to tell us how to pray:
1. It's a private thing!! Prayer is not about you looking good in front of others!! It's you talking to God - even if it's a corporate prayer. (out loud prayer in a group.)
2. It doesn't need to be repetitive, pleading, or long. Pagans pray to their false gods by chanting, yelling, or giving long prayers. Listen, God already knows what you need. Prayer is about having that conversation with Him. Asking Him let's Him know that you want His help & are willing to accept His help.
3. The Lord's prayer - this isn't an exact prayer to be repeated every time you pray. This is a pattern: Praise God, acknowledge His authority, ask for what you need, ask for your sins to be forgiven, ask to stay strong in your Christian walk.
4. Make sure you aren't asking for what you are unwilling to do yourself. If you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others!! It comes back to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Have you prayed today? This week? This month? Hmmmm . . . take a little time & talk with your Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Matthew 6:1-4
Giving to the Needy ~
This teaching is more about how you give than what you give. Don't make it a big deal. Listen - you don't give to the needy, either monetarily or with your time, in order to get praise from man. You give because it's the right thing to do.
In our country we have been so blessed, we have so much & we are called to help others. So, look for ways to help. How can you share your time, your money, your talents with those in need? When we give back, it fills some need within us. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and joy. However, if you're only giving so other's will pat you on the back - well you've gotten all the reward you're ever going to get.
Remember, it's all about your motivation. Why are you helping? Is it to get something in return, or is it because it's the right thing to do? Get out there and help people. Just remember to check your pride at the door.
This teaching is more about how you give than what you give. Don't make it a big deal. Listen - you don't give to the needy, either monetarily or with your time, in order to get praise from man. You give because it's the right thing to do.
In our country we have been so blessed, we have so much & we are called to help others. So, look for ways to help. How can you share your time, your money, your talents with those in need? When we give back, it fills some need within us. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and joy. However, if you're only giving so other's will pat you on the back - well you've gotten all the reward you're ever going to get.
Remember, it's all about your motivation. Why are you helping? Is it to get something in return, or is it because it's the right thing to do? Get out there and help people. Just remember to check your pride at the door.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Matthew 5:43-48
Loving Your Enemy ~
As Christians we are called to be light & salt. However, how can you accomplish that calling if you only treat those you like with respect & love? That's how the world works, but we are called to be something more.
Love your enemy, treat them the way you want to be treated, PRAY for them. Once again this is about your motivation & a deep understanding that others are more important than yourself. We are not to be self-centered, we are to be God-centered. God didn't hold back His love for us. Even as we spit in His face He is calling us home. He is reaching out to us. He has made a way for us. We are to reflect His perfect way.
That last verse - be perfect. Wow, that's quite the calling. How can we be perfect? Well, my Study Bible gives some pointers, let's take a look at them:
1. In character - aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.
2. In holiness - Devote yourself to God's desires rather than your own. Carry His love & mercy to the world.
3. In maturity - God expects different behavior depending on our stage of spiritual development. A new Christian is bound to make more mistakes than a mature Christian simply because of their experience & knowledge.
4. In love - seek to love others as completely as God loves us.
Remember - it all comes down to motivation. You can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. Perfection takes time & thoughtfulness. So, slow down & really think before you do something. Are we perfect now? Absolutely not, but as we draw closer to Him, as we put into practice His ways above our own ways - we will step closer & closet to His perfection.
As Christians we are called to be light & salt. However, how can you accomplish that calling if you only treat those you like with respect & love? That's how the world works, but we are called to be something more.
Love your enemy, treat them the way you want to be treated, PRAY for them. Once again this is about your motivation & a deep understanding that others are more important than yourself. We are not to be self-centered, we are to be God-centered. God didn't hold back His love for us. Even as we spit in His face He is calling us home. He is reaching out to us. He has made a way for us. We are to reflect His perfect way.
That last verse - be perfect. Wow, that's quite the calling. How can we be perfect? Well, my Study Bible gives some pointers, let's take a look at them:
1. In character - aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.
2. In holiness - Devote yourself to God's desires rather than your own. Carry His love & mercy to the world.
3. In maturity - God expects different behavior depending on our stage of spiritual development. A new Christian is bound to make more mistakes than a mature Christian simply because of their experience & knowledge.
4. In love - seek to love others as completely as God loves us.
Remember - it all comes down to motivation. You can do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. Perfection takes time & thoughtfulness. So, slow down & really think before you do something. Are we perfect now? Absolutely not, but as we draw closer to Him, as we put into practice His ways above our own ways - we will step closer & closet to His perfection.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Matthew 5:38 - 42
An Eye for an Eye ~
We are still talking about motivation & attitude. An "eye for an eye" was part of the Mosaic judicial law dealing with restitution. If you get into a fight & maim someone's eye - you can demand their eye be maimed too. This law was put into place to give people a natural consequence for their actions that would make them think twice before making a poor choice. It was also placed in order for the victim to stop being a victim. You had such & such happen, here is the resolution - now move on with your live.
Now, is Jesus telling us there is no more restitution? Nope. What He is telling us is we shouldn't be out looking for what we deserve. It's not about making sure the other person pays for their actions. Instead, we are to show Christ's love and forgiveness. After all, what do we really deserve from God? Are we spotless, sinless? No. We deserve His judgement, the wages of sin is death. Instead, He sent us His Son to die for us that we might be forgiven. We deserved death, yet Jesus took out place.
So, treat others the way God treated you. Maybe that should be our golden rule. God forgives us, loves us, ensures that our needs are met. Jesus didn't fight back - He knew NOTHING on this earth was worth more than His relationship with the Father. So, that's were He put His focus. That's were He found joy, peace, self-confidence & control.
It's not about what someone else owes you. It's not about what they deserve. It's about you loving them. When they see that love in your eyes, in your attitude - it will draw them closer to a relationship with Jesus. And that is where our focus should be.
We are still talking about motivation & attitude. An "eye for an eye" was part of the Mosaic judicial law dealing with restitution. If you get into a fight & maim someone's eye - you can demand their eye be maimed too. This law was put into place to give people a natural consequence for their actions that would make them think twice before making a poor choice. It was also placed in order for the victim to stop being a victim. You had such & such happen, here is the resolution - now move on with your live.
Now, is Jesus telling us there is no more restitution? Nope. What He is telling us is we shouldn't be out looking for what we deserve. It's not about making sure the other person pays for their actions. Instead, we are to show Christ's love and forgiveness. After all, what do we really deserve from God? Are we spotless, sinless? No. We deserve His judgement, the wages of sin is death. Instead, He sent us His Son to die for us that we might be forgiven. We deserved death, yet Jesus took out place.
So, treat others the way God treated you. Maybe that should be our golden rule. God forgives us, loves us, ensures that our needs are met. Jesus didn't fight back - He knew NOTHING on this earth was worth more than His relationship with the Father. So, that's were He put His focus. That's were He found joy, peace, self-confidence & control.
It's not about what someone else owes you. It's not about what they deserve. It's about you loving them. When they see that love in your eyes, in your attitude - it will draw them closer to a relationship with Jesus. And that is where our focus should be.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Matthew 5:33-37
Oaths ~
I promise, I swear I'll do such & such. I'm telling the truth . . .
In the Old Testament people were reminded to keep their oaths. Don't enter a contract or make a verbal oath that you don't intend to keep. Yet, Jesus takes it one step further - don't even make the oath.
What can you promise by? What can you swear by? Heaven or earth which you have no control over? On your mother's grave or by the hairs on your head? What power do you have over those things? How do these things give you the ability to keep your promise?
How about you not make oaths in the first place. It occurs to me that the need to make an oath shows that you are an untrustworthy person. Think about it - if your "yes" can't be trusted, what does that say about your heart - your motivation? What does that say about you as an individual?
Let's make every effort to be trustworthy Christians. People who are known to follow through, to get the task accomplished to our best ability. Let us be people of integrity & worth. If you find yourself making promises - examine your heart. What do you need to change?
You may not have power over heaven, or earth, or even the aging of your own body - but you do have power over your actions. Let's put our focus there.
I promise, I swear I'll do such & such. I'm telling the truth . . .
In the Old Testament people were reminded to keep their oaths. Don't enter a contract or make a verbal oath that you don't intend to keep. Yet, Jesus takes it one step further - don't even make the oath.
What can you promise by? What can you swear by? Heaven or earth which you have no control over? On your mother's grave or by the hairs on your head? What power do you have over those things? How do these things give you the ability to keep your promise?
How about you not make oaths in the first place. It occurs to me that the need to make an oath shows that you are an untrustworthy person. Think about it - if your "yes" can't be trusted, what does that say about your heart - your motivation? What does that say about you as an individual?
Let's make every effort to be trustworthy Christians. People who are known to follow through, to get the task accomplished to our best ability. Let us be people of integrity & worth. If you find yourself making promises - examine your heart. What do you need to change?
You may not have power over heaven, or earth, or even the aging of your own body - but you do have power over your actions. Let's put our focus there.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Matthew 5:31-32
Divorce ~
In Jesus' day, many rabbis interpreted the Mosaic laws of divorce very loosely, allowing a man to divorce his wife for something as simple as burning his toast. This removes the sanctity & unity of marriage & makes it more of an employment contract - "As long as you please me, I'll keep you around."
The attitude toward divorce today has also become increasingly permissive. Marriage was designed by God to be an intimate partnership in which the other person's needs are more important than your own. Marriage provides love, support, and comfort. Yet, it also teaches us submission & sacrifice. There is a reason our vows state, "to have and hold from this day on, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.” Notice we don't say, "As long as you please me I'll keep you around." Rather we say in good times & bad, I'll be here for you.
Marriage is hard work, but it is the second most rewarding relationship you will ever have. (Can you guess what the first relationship is?) Jesus tells us not to disrespect marriage. Divorce for frivolous reasons will not be accepted by God & both parties will be seen as adulators in their next relationships.
This doesn't mean you must remain married to a person that has broken the marital vows. Divorce is permissible for marital unfaithfulness. This implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a confessed and repented mistake. It is always better to try to work things out.
Finally, please don't read this & think that an abusive relationship is OK in God's eyes. Ephesians 5 tells us that marriage is about sacrifice & submission. No where in Scripture is there justification to beat or berate a spouse; and a battered man or woman has a right to dissolve a marriage that causes undue distress or harm.
So, what should we glean from this? God sees marriage as a holy commitment. Don't enter into it lightly. Once you do, make every effort to make yourself worthy of the commitment. Before you berate your relationship or your spouse, honestly ask yourself, "What can I do to make this better." Not, "If they did such & such, this would be better."
In Jesus' day, many rabbis interpreted the Mosaic laws of divorce very loosely, allowing a man to divorce his wife for something as simple as burning his toast. This removes the sanctity & unity of marriage & makes it more of an employment contract - "As long as you please me, I'll keep you around."
The attitude toward divorce today has also become increasingly permissive. Marriage was designed by God to be an intimate partnership in which the other person's needs are more important than your own. Marriage provides love, support, and comfort. Yet, it also teaches us submission & sacrifice. There is a reason our vows state, "to have and hold from this day on, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.” Notice we don't say, "As long as you please me I'll keep you around." Rather we say in good times & bad, I'll be here for you.
Marriage is hard work, but it is the second most rewarding relationship you will ever have. (Can you guess what the first relationship is?) Jesus tells us not to disrespect marriage. Divorce for frivolous reasons will not be accepted by God & both parties will be seen as adulators in their next relationships.
This doesn't mean you must remain married to a person that has broken the marital vows. Divorce is permissible for marital unfaithfulness. This implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a confessed and repented mistake. It is always better to try to work things out.
Finally, please don't read this & think that an abusive relationship is OK in God's eyes. Ephesians 5 tells us that marriage is about sacrifice & submission. No where in Scripture is there justification to beat or berate a spouse; and a battered man or woman has a right to dissolve a marriage that causes undue distress or harm.
So, what should we glean from this? God sees marriage as a holy commitment. Don't enter into it lightly. Once you do, make every effort to make yourself worthy of the commitment. Before you berate your relationship or your spouse, honestly ask yourself, "What can I do to make this better." Not, "If they did such & such, this would be better."
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