Check Your Reflection

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"- 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV).

Imagine someone sitting in a dark prison cell, a death sentence impending, yet he has a smile on his face and only kind words to share. A worn out Bible lies open on his bed. Switch gears and imagine a CEO, earning $1.5 million a year, addressing his trembling staff in a swanky office overlooking San Francisco Bay. The chart behind him shows sales dipping and his facial expression reflects the same. Which of these people have what you desire? Which will answer you with gentleness and respect? You could reverse those men's demeanor and your answer would change. The convict now looks sullen and dark, while the CEO is uplifting and encouraging. It's time to reflect on how you are perceived. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). Today's Scripture tells you how to live as children of light. We are to revere Christ as Lord. He is the Light that attracts others. Jesus said those who follow Him will never walk in darkness, but have the Light of life (John 8:12). People will ask the reason for your hope. If no one is asking, check your reflection.  

Twofold Lesson

"...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody"- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV).

One memory I carry from my youth is of sitting under a shade tree, with my Granny Fryar, shelling peas until our fingertips were both sore and green. Those peas sure were tasty at dinner time; it felt good to know that I had helped to put those peas on the table. As Paul traveled on his mission trips, he worked with those he served. For example: Paul was a tent maker by trade and worked alongside Aquila and Priscilla when he visited them in Corinth. He also used each opportunity to teach about Jesus and His resurrection (Acts 18:3-4). Paul was setting an example about not being a burden, sponging off others without lifting a finger. He even commanded, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from other believers who always had their hand out for a handout (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9). I'm grown now and have my own garden, plus a couple of grandchildren. I think, when the harvest comes in, I'll find a nice shade tree and teach them to snap green beans. While doing so, I'll teach them about Jesus and His resurrection. A twofold lesson about hands: working them and lifting them.  

Push Through

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"- 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV).

Runners know the strain of keeping the pace over hills and rocky areas. Muscles complain for rest; your brain either begins to agree with your body or a battle ensues between the two. Push through. The goal is to finish the race. Similarly, keeping the faith, like a race, has it painful stretches. Some times God's presence is almost palpable and at other times He feels distant, separated. Keeping the faith, and finishing the race, is a battle fueled by the devil. Notice Paul says he has fought the good fight. Our life is just a vapor. Our tomorrow holds our eternity, predetermined by our victory, or our failure, in keeping the faith. We don't like hills and rocky areas in our lives. They're painful. We want to reach for something off the shelf to stop it or numb it, immediately; so, the devil gives us drugs, alcohol, perversions, indulgences...anything to take out mind off the race. The lie, "The race is not worth it." Here's Paul's response: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Finishing the race is worth it; keep the faith. Push through. 

Avoid Sticker Shock

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it""- Isaiah 30:21 (NIV).

There is a narrow road that leads to life. Many will seek it, but only a few will find it (Matthew 7:14). There are only two ways to find that narrow path: through trust and obedience. There's a bumper sticker that says God is my Co-Pilot. Sad to say, if that is the truth. God is never the co-pilot; He's the Pilot. He has to be. The steering wheel of your life must be turned over to Him, scary as that sounds. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."  We all have a destination following the end of our earthly stay, but it's not always the desired destination. God has promised you that He will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; [He] will counsel you with [His] loving eye on you" (Psalm 32:8). Let go of that steering wheel; trust and obey God. Replace that bumper sticker, which only leads to sticker shock, with this one: In case of Rapture this vehicle will be unmanned.   

Center of the Moment

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you"- Matthew 6:6 (NIV).

Could you imagine getting ready for the day as you are moving? Putting your clothes and shoes on as you're walking to the car and brushing your hair and teeth as you drive down the road? Seems like there could be complications. That's the way most people perform the most important event of their day; they pray while moving about doing other things. The focus is shared with whatever they are doing at the moment. Of course, prayer can happen any time and anywhere during the day, but it's similar to when we check our reflection periodically during the day. Are our clothes on straight and is our hair still in place? So, we reach out and pray throughout the day, too. There needs to be time, though, each day to pray to God, without distraction, where He becomes the center of the moment. Jesus gives us instructions in Matthew 6:6. He even taught us how to pray (vs.9-13). You've been given what to do and what to say. Has God been the center of the moment for you today?   

Rule Over It

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice"- Ephesians 4:31 (NIV).

We are to love as Christ loved (v.32). Jesus suffered so much when redeeming us of our sins, why are we surprised when we go through a period of suffering? The Apostle Paul, who wrote today's Scripture, certainly wasn't living an easy life during his missionary work: imprisoned, flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, homeless, sleepless, hungry, thirsty, cold and naked (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Doesn't that draw you into wanting to serve and love those who are lost? Paul loved as Christ loved, but he was still human. He still felt the emotions of bitterness, rage, and anger. When God found Cain angry over his brother's offering being accepted and not his, God told him to do what was right and his offering would be accepted. God said, "But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:6-7). In other words: Get rid of it by ruling over it! Do what is right and your offering will be accepted.

Oh Be Careful

""...but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die'""-Genesis 3:3 (NIV).

There are people who think they can get close to sin, as long as they don't "touch" it, and it's all well and good. That's the thoughts of a person who is on very thin ice, playing with fire...gambling with their very life. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of good and evil; in fact, they weren't so much as touch it. Hands off! Sin is so alluring, promising pleasure, joy, and that it's alright, safe...just come a little bit closer. Did you know that even by looking upon sin you are touching it? "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). I'm sure King David didn't think his looking upon beautiful Bathsheba bathing would result in adultery, murder, loss and lies. Satan's lie to David: It's safe to just look...There's a children's Bible song that is profound in truth: Oh Be Careful, Little Eyes. It warns little eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouth to be careful what they see, hear, touch, where they go and what they say..be careful. One little spark can cause a roaring fire. Here's the answer: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). 

God's Piloting System

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope"- Romans 15:4 (NIV).

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105). There are times in our life where we reach a crossroad or a fork in the road and we must make a choice: Which path do I take to reach my destination? With today's technology, we'd just whip out our GPS and be on our merry way. That's if you know where you're wanting to go. Could you imagine traveling today, to unknown areas, without your GPS? Why is it then that so many people, even Christians, don't whip out their Bible when confronting cross roads and forks in the road? The Bible, God's word, is a GPS, too: God's Piloting System. The Bible applies to today's world as much as it did centuries ago. Those unknown areas, the uncertain paths, are illuminated by God's word, instructing us which choices to make. Do you trust the Lord? Good, then you can be off on your merry way filled with hope. That's if you know where you're wanting to go. Have you decided on your destination?