Scripture I'm reflecting on: Romans 12:1
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable."
This is the type of verse that a nonbeliever will point out in attacking the Bible. I could sadly see myself a few years ago (before my eyes were opened to the Lord) laughing at this verse and showing how crazy the Bible was because it was advocating human sacrifice (or some other ignorant argument). But not even a literal reading of this line would signal that, as I would've been skipping over the most important part: "let them be a LIVING and holy sacrifice...."
Reflection:
What does it mean to be a living and holy sacrifice? I gave some thought to doing some research on this to see what others had to say on this verse, but after a little thought I decided to just give my (absolutely unprofessional) opinion, because I don't think its all that complicated. I think we are simply being asked to go through our day and offer it as worship to God, through our actions and relationships. And by day, that means ALL day, ALL the time, "24-7". Not just a trip to church, a quick prayer, a couple of good deeds, etc.
Think back over your day.
Would you consider your interactions a "living sacrifice" God would find acceptable? Were you kind and friendly to the cashier at the coffee shop? A co-worker? Fellow competitor?
Would your tasks/activities you performed today measure up? An assignment you turned in? A phone call with your family? Soccer game? Leisurely jog?
Did you pass up an opportunity to help someone out because you were "in a hurry"? Pass up an opportunity to do a good deed because "you were busy"?
I think it comes down to the simple question, is what I'm doing right now serving the Lord the way we would like?
I think a common misconception (especially for me), is that our worship has to occur in Church, or in formal prayer. Paul shows us in this passage though that we can always be worshiping the Lord by offering our body (our daily actions) up to Him. I don't know about you, but this is an exciting revelation to me. Just think over the course of your day just how many times you have to please the Lord!
Final Thought:
No one is perfect (even despite what I say often, me either :))......I am certainly not saying we should ALWAYS be perfect in all of our daily routines. Not only is that not realistic, but I don't think its possible. However, if we remember this verse and reflect on it throughout our day, thinking of it in the context of serving the Lord, good things will happen. We will improve ourselves spiritually. We will probably brighten the days of the people around us. We will probably be much happier in general. And most importantly, we will be pleasing the Lord.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
"It's all Good"
Scripture I'm reflecting on: Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called to His purpose."
I cannot claim to have read the entire Bible (probably not even half at this point), but I would have to imagine this is one of the greatest promises in the entire book. The real question that we have to continually ask ourselves is, do we believe it? We particularly need to ask this questions when things are not going our way.....
Reflection:
I admittedly have attempted numerous times to read through Romans in its entirety in the last few weeks and have fallen victim to the droopy eyes before finishing each time (because of reading late at night, not because of the content :)). I happened to wake up much earlier than anticipated this morning however, and used the extra un-anticipated time to finally complete the reading. I don't think it was a coincidence that it worked out that way for me....
Sparing anyone reading this a long boring story, I will simply say that recently, things aren't exactly going the way I would "ideally" draw them up in my own mind, on a number of different levels. Maybe the most obvious of these levels is in my current job application process. Essentially in short, the opportunities I seem to be getting positive feedback/response from are ones that I'm not all that excited about, and the ones that I really REALLY want are continually falling by the wayside (so to speak).
I've always, as I'm sure many people can relate to at certain times, battled with the concept of "God's plan."
"Everything has a purpose, reason, etc." There are a number of different ways this is expressed (probably better than I just did), but you get the basic idea of what I'm getting at. I could make a 200 page document just listing the things that have happened in my life where I don't understand "the purpose" or "how they could possibly be for the good in the end". I have asked this question a lot lately, how am I supposed to evaluate the trials in my life as being "for the good."
"Everything has a purpose, reason, etc." There are a number of different ways this is expressed (probably better than I just did), but you get the basic idea of what I'm getting at. I could make a 200 page document just listing the things that have happened in my life where I don't understand "the purpose" or "how they could possibly be for the good in the end". I have asked this question a lot lately, how am I supposed to evaluate the trials in my life as being "for the good."
Well, reading this scripture today gave me my answer, one that was actually pretty simple. "All things work together for the good of those who love God." Answer: Continue loving God. Pray. Do Good. Don't lose faith. To many this may have already been easy or apparent, but reading this actually lifted the clouds from my thoughts. Instead of my old approach of constantly analyzing and trying to figure out what "the good" that comes from the "bad" trials in my life, I just simply need to have faith that it's there, or will be there. I don't need to understand how or why, I just need to believe that it's true. I think if we all could do this, which I can certainly attest to is not always easy, then these "low points" in our lives probably won't cause too much stress at all. Nobody (believe me, nobody) things, examines, and analyzes past occurrences more than I do, "what went wrong" "why did that happen" "why me"....so if I can read this scripture and change my attitude, I know you can.
Prayer: Pray to be the best person (best father, best mother, best husband wife, bf/gf, brother/sister, friend/neighbor) you can be. As long as we do that and remain faithful, things will work out.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Give people the benefit of the doubt
Scripture I'm reflecting on: John 12:7
Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
(Preceded by Mary anointing Jesus' feet with an expensive perfume, which prompted Judas Iscariot to complain that this perfume should have been sold and given to the poor. The Gospels of Mark and Matthew mention that all of the disciples complained).
John was the first book I read when starting my daily Bible reading, and I remember this passage as one that I didn't really understand. Just today, I was listening to a podcast and this passage was mentioned, so I turned back to this chapter and sure enough I had highlighted this passage with a question mark.
My confusion came with what the message of this verse was. I understand that Jesus probably knew of Judas' intentions with this phrase, as he was known as a thief stealing the disciples money for himself. I still didn't understand however how this would justify Jesus' quote. My first instinct was that this message almost seems selfish, "the poor can wait because I am about to be gone". After more reflection, I now see my mistakes in this interpretation.
Reflection:
There are numerous lessons to be learned in this Scripture, but I am reflecting on one that may not seem so obvious. I read this Scripture as a great example that is provided for a message that is scattered throughout the Bible: which is not to judge others. The Disciples, particularly Judas, showed public anger towards Mary, likely thinking that their judgment was correct and would win them favor with Jesus. What they didn't think about in their judgment was Mary's unselfish act of worship, sacrificing something of great value to symbolize her love and devotion for the Messiah.
Thoughts:
-Scriptures about judging others are plentiful in the Bible, and I could have looked to numerous other versus to make the same point. This particular one however, I think really speaks to a problem in our society, one that I, and probably many of you, can relate to.
-How many times do we see something and say, "Why didn't they do this?" "Why didn't they do that, how stupid?!" I can't count the number of times I have been driving and said "What is this idiot doing???", or watching a baseball game and said "What was the manager thinking, what a dumb bullpen move?". I'm sure we all can think of situations where we do this. Just like Judas in this Scripture, we are making a mistake when our first instinct is to assume someone is doing something wrong whenever we see something happening we don't agree with, or think we wouldn't do in that situation.
-Instead of our usual responses, why don't we try to look at the situation half full? "I hope that driver is ok, maybe something fell off of their dashboard". "I wonder if that receiver is ok, he might have a bad injury that caused him not to make that catch".
Lets not make the mistake Judas made and assume we know whats best for everyone all the time. We need to hear Jesus's words....."Leave her alone".....next time we start to judge someone's actions; and instead spend our time praying for the person we want to judge, or find another way to be helpful. Not only will the person benefit, but you will as well.
John was the first book I read when starting my daily Bible reading, and I remember this passage as one that I didn't really understand. Just today, I was listening to a podcast and this passage was mentioned, so I turned back to this chapter and sure enough I had highlighted this passage with a question mark.
My confusion came with what the message of this verse was. I understand that Jesus probably knew of Judas' intentions with this phrase, as he was known as a thief stealing the disciples money for himself. I still didn't understand however how this would justify Jesus' quote. My first instinct was that this message almost seems selfish, "the poor can wait because I am about to be gone". After more reflection, I now see my mistakes in this interpretation.
Reflection:
There are numerous lessons to be learned in this Scripture, but I am reflecting on one that may not seem so obvious. I read this Scripture as a great example that is provided for a message that is scattered throughout the Bible: which is not to judge others. The Disciples, particularly Judas, showed public anger towards Mary, likely thinking that their judgment was correct and would win them favor with Jesus. What they didn't think about in their judgment was Mary's unselfish act of worship, sacrificing something of great value to symbolize her love and devotion for the Messiah.
Thoughts:
-Scriptures about judging others are plentiful in the Bible, and I could have looked to numerous other versus to make the same point. This particular one however, I think really speaks to a problem in our society, one that I, and probably many of you, can relate to.
-How many times do we see something and say, "Why didn't they do this?" "Why didn't they do that, how stupid?!" I can't count the number of times I have been driving and said "What is this idiot doing???", or watching a baseball game and said "What was the manager thinking, what a dumb bullpen move?". I'm sure we all can think of situations where we do this. Just like Judas in this Scripture, we are making a mistake when our first instinct is to assume someone is doing something wrong whenever we see something happening we don't agree with, or think we wouldn't do in that situation.
-Instead of our usual responses, why don't we try to look at the situation half full? "I hope that driver is ok, maybe something fell off of their dashboard". "I wonder if that receiver is ok, he might have a bad injury that caused him not to make that catch".
Lets not make the mistake Judas made and assume we know whats best for everyone all the time. We need to hear Jesus's words....."Leave her alone".....next time we start to judge someone's actions; and instead spend our time praying for the person we want to judge, or find another way to be helpful. Not only will the person benefit, but you will as well.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Spread the Good News, its really not that hard!
Scripture I'm reflecting on: Romans 1:5
"Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles
everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing
glory to his name."
I couldn't think of any better verse for my first devotional post than this passage, not only because sharing the Word is part of the reason I want to start this blog, but this passage is one I come up short on in my own life. As you may have read on my bio, I recently started "entered the light" going from what I like to call a skeptical doubter to a true believer. Everyday I strive to improve my faith, and this passage highlights an area where I believe myself, along with many others, would do well to focus on.
Scripture message:
As simple as it gets: Paul is telling us to spread the good news. We, as Christians, receive an unbelievable privilege of being called, but we also must accept the responsibility that comes with this privilege: which is be an ambassador of the Good News
My reflection:
This passage really hits home for me. The majority (and when I say majority, I mean a HEAVY majority) of the people who have been my closest friends and family growing up do not talk about The Word, The Bible, or anything spiritual at all. Some are true Believers, some claim to be, some firmly claim not to be; but the common thread is until this last year, I virtually never heard anyone close to me talk about any spiritual matter. I likewise fit into that category for most of my life.
Thankfully, with the help of some great new friends, I am now a True Believer and things couldn't be better. But I find myself having difficulty with this new responsibility, particularly around the people I have grown up with for the longest time. How can I preach about the Good News to them when they have known me as someone who never acknowledges the Word for years and years? "They will never take me seriously" "It won't do any good". "They will think I'm weird". These are excuses I find myself thinking, and I have an itching feeling I'm not alone.
Bottom line: I know there are people in my life, as I bet we all know, who would benefit from hearing about God's grace. We need not shy away from the opportunity to be the person to deliver this message just out of fear of rejection or failure. If it wasn't for others relaying the Word to me, I wouldn't be typing this out right now.
Ask yourself: Is there someone today you can share God's work with? If there is, welcome the opportunity! If there is not, always be ready for the moment where there is someone! It will inevitably happen.
Final Thought:
Spreading the Word in today's society seems scarier by each passing day. Our country has gotten to a point where many view Christians as weird or crazy, a concept that would have been a crazy thought just a few decades ago. We now live in a society where public figures are discouraged from speaking about anything religious, and our schools and public institutions are quickly shying away from this as well. For all of you sports fans out there, take Tim Tebow as a golden example. The sports fanatic in me could write pages on this, but the bottom line is there is a large segment of fans who laugh at tebow, find him weird, and even some that hate him....for what? simply because he acknowledges his Christian faith publicly? thanks Jesus Christ during public interviews? says a prayer after a touchdown?
I am as guilty as anyone of using this changing worldview as an excuse to keep my faith silent when in conversation with others. But this attitude is unacceptable. If we as Christians do not openly speak of our views and spread the Word, then we are essentially saying we accept the way things are going. I don't think any of us wants to live in such a world.
Spread the Word! I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the results we receive!
"Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles
everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing
glory to his name."
I couldn't think of any better verse for my first devotional post than this passage, not only because sharing the Word is part of the reason I want to start this blog, but this passage is one I come up short on in my own life. As you may have read on my bio, I recently started "entered the light" going from what I like to call a skeptical doubter to a true believer. Everyday I strive to improve my faith, and this passage highlights an area where I believe myself, along with many others, would do well to focus on.
Scripture message:
As simple as it gets: Paul is telling us to spread the good news. We, as Christians, receive an unbelievable privilege of being called, but we also must accept the responsibility that comes with this privilege: which is be an ambassador of the Good News
My reflection:
This passage really hits home for me. The majority (and when I say majority, I mean a HEAVY majority) of the people who have been my closest friends and family growing up do not talk about The Word, The Bible, or anything spiritual at all. Some are true Believers, some claim to be, some firmly claim not to be; but the common thread is until this last year, I virtually never heard anyone close to me talk about any spiritual matter. I likewise fit into that category for most of my life.
Thankfully, with the help of some great new friends, I am now a True Believer and things couldn't be better. But I find myself having difficulty with this new responsibility, particularly around the people I have grown up with for the longest time. How can I preach about the Good News to them when they have known me as someone who never acknowledges the Word for years and years? "They will never take me seriously" "It won't do any good". "They will think I'm weird". These are excuses I find myself thinking, and I have an itching feeling I'm not alone.
Bottom line: I know there are people in my life, as I bet we all know, who would benefit from hearing about God's grace. We need not shy away from the opportunity to be the person to deliver this message just out of fear of rejection or failure. If it wasn't for others relaying the Word to me, I wouldn't be typing this out right now.
Ask yourself: Is there someone today you can share God's work with? If there is, welcome the opportunity! If there is not, always be ready for the moment where there is someone! It will inevitably happen.
Final Thought:
Spreading the Word in today's society seems scarier by each passing day. Our country has gotten to a point where many view Christians as weird or crazy, a concept that would have been a crazy thought just a few decades ago. We now live in a society where public figures are discouraged from speaking about anything religious, and our schools and public institutions are quickly shying away from this as well. For all of you sports fans out there, take Tim Tebow as a golden example. The sports fanatic in me could write pages on this, but the bottom line is there is a large segment of fans who laugh at tebow, find him weird, and even some that hate him....for what? simply because he acknowledges his Christian faith publicly? thanks Jesus Christ during public interviews? says a prayer after a touchdown?
I am as guilty as anyone of using this changing worldview as an excuse to keep my faith silent when in conversation with others. But this attitude is unacceptable. If we as Christians do not openly speak of our views and spread the Word, then we are essentially saying we accept the way things are going. I don't think any of us wants to live in such a world.
Spread the Word! I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the results we receive!
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