No Conceit

     We compare and compete too much don’t we? We tend to focus on the things we lack, or point out the lack in others. What would it look like if we began to give others the benefit of the doubt? Can we view others with compassion? How about seeing ourselves with that same spirit of compassion?

     Maybe, just maybe the things that drive us crazy about others are actually a part of us, too? God made you and me just the way we are for a reason. We need each other to fill in for what we lack. It causes us to be interdependent; not dependent and not fully self-sufficient. Feeling overwhelmed with life? Ask someone for help. Have a need? Ask others to pray. Feeling lost? Tell someone. All of it. I rely so much on the effort and support of those around me and I pray I return their selflessness with the things I have to give. Of course, Take these Words into your hearts today:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:13-18

How in the world do we do it? With the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord,

Give us the ability to keep the peace when it would appear impossible. Keep us humble and faith-filled. We pray for each other today. We pray with hope and joy.

Amen

     

Without Grumbling

You may hear God chuckle this week. Yes, I am entertaining. For many of you, entertaining may not strike a chord of fear within you or cause anxiety or complaining.

You might be familiar with the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible. All of us are gifted by God in unique ways and we make up the body of Christ together. I have a passion for helping others discover their spiritual gifts. Because of that, I researched many of the books and classes offered on discovering gifts.

There are around 20 spiritual gifts and the gift of hospitality always comes up with a big round 0 for me. Those of you with this gift may not even recognize it as a gift. I am always amazed at friends and family with the ability and even the desire to open their doors any hour of the day or night to others. They have a way of making others feel immediately at home.

If an event is planned I often feel like Mary in the Mary and Martha story in the Bible. I may seek out someone looking lonely or uncomfortable (the gift of mercy) or encourage someone in need (the gift of encouragement or counsel). I hope someone else will offer to set up the chairs and decorations (the gift of helps) or organize the details of the entire event (the gift of administration) and others to serve and welcome guests (the gift of hospitality).

How wonderful it is to use our gifts for God. He wants us to feel joy as we serve Him. When we are led by the Spirit to use our gifts they will come easily and we will show Christ’s love using the gifts we were meant to use. But then I came across this Scripture:

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  1 Peter 4:9

And this one:

Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Romans 12:13

Oh boy. Just because we may not be gifted in a certain area does not mean we will never use the gift. As we try new things and use them for God He can develop new gifts. And if you feel the ground shift in Bloomington Minnesota, it is because I am practicing hospitality. Maybe I will even practice without grumbling.

But most days, if you need a listening ear, give me a call and if I need some fellowship and a good cup of coffee I will call you!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the special way you have made each one of us. Let us recognize those gifts in our selves and others. Help us to use our gifts in the way you want us to use them. Protect us from competition and jealousy.

Amen

Camping in Colossians

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:13-17

     Whew! That’s a lot to take in. Yesterday we were clothed in kindness, humility, compassion and patience. Today we add forgiveness and peace. Did you notice what the Bible says to put on over all of these virtues? Yep, there it is again…love. Love binds them all together.

     And be thankful. I am thankful to God for so many things. I have been richly blessed in my life. Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday and I thank God for him every day. Enjoy the weekend. Wrap yourself first in God’s great love and then go share it with someone else. Share it with compassion and kindness, with humility and patience. And be thankful. See you on Tuesday!

Dear Lord,

Every good and perfect gift is from above. We are thankful for Jesus and His ability to treat us with His great love and compassion.  We are dearly loved.

Amen

Camping in Colossians

     We have been gazing up and peeking through the stars right into the presence of Jesus. Our heavenly home is secure. What do we wear and how do we act as we continue to represent our Lord while here on earth. Paul gives us an idea.

                                                                                         

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

     I don’t know about you, but all of these attributes are often the opposite of my attitude, especially the patience. How do we clothe ourselves with kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness and patience? Look back to our verse for today.

…dearly loved.”  We are chosen and dearly loved by our Creator. Accepting His love and forgiveness means everything. You are dearly loved. Clothe yourself with that thought today. Wrap up in the warmth of the love of God. You are a dearly loved child of God.

Dear Father,

Those beautiful words don’t always sink in…chosen and dearly loved. Your kind of love is beyond our capacity to understand, but with it we can move mountains.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Camping in Colossians

     Still looking up and focusing on things above? I hope so. Spiritually speaking we will be alive forever. These old bodies will waste away, but our eternal bodies never will. Because we are united with Christ in His death, so too, are we alive with Him in His resurrection. Our earth-bound bodies and minds find this so hard to comprehend!

     God, the Father, sees only the righteousness of Christ when He sees us. As believers, He sees Jesus in place of our sin and unrighteousness. Our names are written in heaven. We are seated with Christ forever. Feel the confidence of what this means. This puts our short lives into perspective doesn’t it? Pitch your tent and camp there for awhile.

For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4

Jesus,

We have the kingdom of heaven available to us. You have given us great treasure. It is hard to accept all of these heavenly riches. Since we have been given the kingdom, we need to share it with others. There is more than enough to go around.

Amen

Camping in Colossians

     We all have a favorite verse; even a favorite chapter or Psalm, or book. I want us to camp out in one of mine; the 3^rd chapter of Colossians this week. Paul’s letters to the churches are full of wisdom and guidance from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on how to live our lives.

     Pull up a chair next to the fire. Smell the woodsy, crisp fall air. Savor the melded flavors of the chocolate-marshmellow-graham cracker combination. Listen to the sounds of the evening and as your senses begin to take in the atmosphere around you, tilt your head and look up. Appreciate the stars and the One that spoke them into being.

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is; seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:1-2

     Notice the first verse says to “set” our hearts and the 2^nd verse say to “set” our minds on things above. As you gaze up at the stars, look beyond to the right hand of God. That’s where we are spiritually seated through Jesus. It doesn’t mean we are no earthly good. We just have a heavenly perspective from setting our hearts and minds on Him.

Father,

Teach us to fix our gaze on You, to determinedly set our hearts and minds on things above each and every day, understanding Your sovereignty over all things. Things above. Where Christ dwells.

Amen 

A Cloud of Witnesses

     Love the Lord. Leave a legacy. Live your life. As you consider our witnesses past and present, think about your future as a witness. I love the fact that there are clouds of witnesses, thousands upon thousands of them in heaven, still making a difference on earth. God chose the people of the Bible to continually teach us and guide us. We encounter situations in our lives that are echoed in their stories.

     I want the echo of my life to resound after I leave this earth and, most importantly, to leave a legacy of faith. Without Jesus, it would be impossible to get through the days. But with Him?

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

     Guarding our hearts away from the cares of this world is not easy. But all of those worries, all of that fear and doubt? He’s got them all under control and we can do all this through His strength. Each day brings us closer and closer to meeting Him face to face and being greeted by our cloud of witnesses.

Dear Lord,

We want to be a witness for You. Show us how as we get through our short lives on earth. Make us matter as we bring glory to You through what we say and how we live,

Amen