2/14/2020 0 Comments Happiness or Holiness?This week we have been talking about the world’s view of success or happiness vs. God’s view of success which calls for holiness. Happiness is largely dependent on external circumstances and can be easily stolen when things don’t go “my” way. Holiness, on the other hand, is largely dependent on the Holy Spirit and His work in and through my life, independent of my circumstances. Happiness can be fleeting and can fade. Holiness is settled and firm and guaranteed by God. Happiness is largely for my benefit in the short term. Holiness, coupled with living in peace, is for the long haul and will benefit others as well. So, which will you choose, happiness or holiness?
Questions for further thought: 1. How often have you made decisions based on immediate gratification rather than what you need in the long run? Think of some examples. 2. How have you seen sin play a part in which path you choose, happiness or holiness? What have been the effects of these choices? Challenge: Evaluate the long range effects of your decisions and actions. It may surprise you what you discover.
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2/13/2020 0 Comments Holiness or BustPaul is describing the sanctifying (or made holy) process of His people as part of God’s will. Have you ever thought that your and my transformation to holiness in Christ is actually part of God’s will? Wow, that is an amazing concept! He goes on to say that lustful passions should not control God’s people. Sinful action is always more dangerous than sinful desire, but the desire is always embryonic action. It will grow if unchecked and result in wrong actions that ultimately turn others away from God. We are to “live a holy life” (v.7) and “lead a quiet life and mind your own business” (v.11). How are we doing?
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways have you been pursuing a Holy life? If not, what is stopping you from pursuing that life now? 2. How do you see Bible reading and prayer as integral parts of sanctification and living a Holy life? (See 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) Challenge: Take heart and pursue living a Holy life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Make Bible reading and prayer a regular part of each day and let God do a great work in you. (See Philippians 1:6) 2/12/2020 0 Comments The TrifectaJohn is describing the triune god of happiness in the worldly culture of our day. Most of us would define worldliness and the supposed happiness it brings as something external –the people we associate with, the places we go, or the activities we enjoy. However, according to John, worldliness is something more than that. It begins with a heart attitude and is characterized by these 3 attitudes: (1) the lust of the flesh –gratifying physical desires; (2) the lust of the eyes – craving and accumulating material things; and (3) the pride of life – being obsessed with one’s status or importance. By contrast, God desires self-control, generosity, and humble servitude.
Questions for further thought: 1. In the contrasting values given above, what values are most important to you? 2. Do you think your actions reflect the world’s values or God’s values? What are some examples? Challenge: Start this week by taking an inventory of your life and where and on what you spend your time and energy. It may be hard, but this will give you a pretty good indication of where your loyalties lie, with the world or with God. 2/11/2020 0 Comments Strength to EndurePaul is cautioning the Israelites not to forget the lessons of the past. The Israelite people were notorious for having short memories when it came to God and His provision. This was a catalyst for them to bounce back and forth between sin and begging for God to save them. As a church, I fear we may have fallen into a similar pattern. Paul is calling us to remember the lessons the Israelites learned about God so we can avoid the same errors. God never said that the temptations we would face would easy, but He did say He would give us an exit ramp so we could endure it. The question remains whether or not we will look for it.
Questions for further thought: 1. In what ways has God provided an “exit ramp” when you are faced with a temptation to sin? 2. Do you remember a time when you didn’t take the off ramp that God was offering? What was the result? Challenge: For the next month or so, keep an eye out for the “exit ramps” that God will provide in tempting situations. It could come via other people or a simple desire to pray and let the temptation pass. 2/10/2020 1 Comment Sin or Repent?Sin can be pleasurable for a season, correct? However, it has been my regrettable experience that the enemy of our soul uses those enticements to distract us from living for Christ. I have found it so that sin overpromises and under-delivers every time and on time. Jesus did not condemn the woman of adultery, but He also did not condone or ignore her sin. In verse 11, He tells her to leave her life of sin. Jesus stands ready to forgive, but it always comes by confession and repentance. With God’s help we can receive Christ’s forgiveness and stop our wrongdoing. So what will you choose?
Questions for further thought: 1. When Jesus challenged the Pharisees in verse 9, why do you think the older ones departed first? 2. In relation to question #1, how do you think maturity factored in to this scenario? Challenge: In verse 11, Jesus gives the ultimate response of grace and truth. He says “Then neither do I condemn you, go and leave your life of sin.” Let us be a people that follow this example with humility and gentleness in our day to day lives! People are very, very different. As such, they have different priorities, manners of speech, daily habits, faults, etc. Many of these “irk” us to no end. It might surprise us that we have many of the same habits that “irk” others to no end also. Because of this infinite variety of faults to which we ourselves belong, we should forgive and “allow” for many of these offenses against ourselves, as hard as it is for us to do daily.
Questions for further thought: 1. Is there someone in your life who just “frustrates” you to no end right now? 2. Have you considered that, perhaps, the way they do or say things isn’t necessarily wrong as it’s just completely different from how you say or do things? Challenge: Lord, help us to see the differences in people that are just a part of them being who you created them to be. We are not to condone any sin that they do as correct, but help us be aware of people’s mannerisms as not necessarily an offense towards us particularly, but just as an expression of who they are. And, let us look for the commonalities among us all so that we may be at peace with our brothers and sisters as much as possible. Thank you, Lord. Amen. 2/6/2020 0 Comments Loving Your EnemiesThis is one of the toughest things to do, which is exactly why Jesus told us, directly, to do it. It was because He did it first, even unto His very painful death for all of us. If we love our enemies, we clearly are His followers, doing the toughest actions daily that we need to do.
Questions for further thought: 1. Who is a personal enemy that you need to love right now? 2. What was the exact first time that you knew you’d be “at odds” with this person and what stops you from loving him or her right now? Challenge: This is a tough one, at least if we are following our own desires and not those of Christ. IF we allow Christ’s power to “overrule” our own desires, then we will be much more able to do this very hard thing: loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. We pray that we can do those very things today, as hard as they are. 2/5/2020 0 Comments Sacrifice and LoveWe often hear of people who sacrifice for others and causes. Yet, if they’re not doing it with love, it’s not actually a sacrifice. Love for others, as well as God, is not about a rote memorization or empty ritual. It is about intentional love towards others, who are our own brothers and sisters whom God created.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are there things we do now, that we think are sacrificial but may not be in the way we intend? 2. In sacrificing our time and efforts, do we show love first towards those for whom we’re making that effort? Challenge: God never has accepted “empty sacrifices” and we shouldn’t offer any either. We should show love first to God and our fellow man, as the first is our Father and the second are His children. Anything we do for either should first have love as the goal, then the sacrifice of time and effort is actually pleasing to God. 2/4/2020 0 Comments Judgement Among the ForgivenA tough topic among Christians nowadays is what it really means to be unforgiven. We often don’t think about those who are unforgiven by God, but it can happen. Those who disbelieve the Holy Spirit, for example. We also are under judgment when we do not forgive, as the Lord forgave us. It’s a sobering thought and we should not dismiss it.
Questions for further thought: 1. What does God’s judgment – actual judgment – look like? 2. Do you think that God wishes judgment for any of His children? Why, then, did He threaten it? Challenge: Help us to remember that the Lord does, in fact, put those who do not forgive under actual judgment. We are to forgive others just as He forgave us, and He committed no sins against anyone, ever. Pray that we remember this portion of the Bible also. 2/3/2020 0 Comments Forgive Us Our TransgressionsSometimes, the very hardest thing in the world is to forgive others for their sins against us. Yet, we must. Why? Our Lord told us that we should, as He forgave us first. Because of that forgiveness to us, we are to extend that to others as well – even non-Christians.
Questions for further thought: 1. What is the biggest thing that stops you from forgiving others? Pride? Self-righteousness? Past hurts? 2. Who is the one person that you need to forgive the most right now? Challenge: Lord, help us to forgive those just as you forgave us. It is hard, but we know we must do it, because you did. And you had no sin at all against anyone, but took all sins upon you. Amen. |
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