I have friends. Actually, I have a lot of acquaintances that I call “friends”. I have a handful of who I truly call friends. A friend is someone I can connect with. A friend is someone I can trust. A friend is someone who knows me (and I know him/her) very well. A friend is someone I welcome in my house.
God is my friend. He’s the one I’ve invited to my house. He knows me very well. I trust Him, and my family trusts him. I’ve connected with Him in different levels.
If I meet someone who’s a friend of Jesus, I’ll instantly connect with him/her, too! Does it mean I’ll invite him/her to my house? Maybe not immediately, but we can work on that. Having a mutual friend like Jesus is a solid foundation to start.
As a friend, I have to open up, not only my house, but also my heart to meet the needs of others. Just as Jesus will do the same to me when he said in Matthew 7:8, “everyone who knows, the door will be open.”
As a Christian, I suffer hardship. I suffer the mockery from others that I’m too proud and judgmental. I suffer the pain of being accused of dishonesty. Some folks will just deny my voice just because I’m a Christian. People expect me to make exceptions for the “happiness” of non-believers, such as cheating on their spouse, gay marriage, or living self-centered lives. They make it clear that what I believe doesn’t matter and has no merit. They don’t even bother examining the source of my beliefs. They resort to discredit and discriminate.
What is the source of my truths? How do I know what’s right and what’s wrong? Read the Bible! It’s God’s word. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. He has a clear message for me: live a pure life. Jesus is here for the sinners, so sin no more!
Reading the passage of 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, I learned the Apostle Paul had suffered a great deal more than what I’ve been through. However, the comparison is still there, Christians are now being persecuted. But I must not be afraid or discouraged, because I’m not abandoned. I’m not forgotten. What matters to me is God’s approval, not other people’s. What matters to me is that I live a sinless life.
I’ve been taught by my Pastor and by other believers, that I ought to be like Christ. Like the Bible said in 1 Peter 1:15-16, Christ is holy – Therefore I have to be holy too.
However, holy living is difficult. My very nature is sinful. I have awful thoughts. I want to judge and slander. I tend to take the easy ways, and they usually involve lying or cheating. I want what’s best for me. I’m selfish.
Christ changed all t hat. He is not selfish – He died for me so I could be saved. He didn’t take the easy way out – He suffered His way to the cross! He didn’t lie or cheat His way to prominence – He is the truth and the light! He didn’t judge or slander, He loves me!
God wants what’s best for everyone. That is holy living.
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.* Love each other deeply with all your heart.
As I crossed into the new year, I’m yet again reminded what my priorities are. My God is first. My family is next. My friends follow. If I look at the order, it tells me the future:
God is forever.
Family is long lasting.
Friends are fleeting.
Anything on this earth doesn’t last forever, including myself. I have to bet my life on Jesus Christ, for He is the truth (John 14:6). He is the only future I can rely on.
O Lord, thank you for what you’ve done for me in the year 2009. You’ve given us plenty. You’ve protected us. You’ve taught and guided us through the minefields of this world. I want to bear fruit in the coming new year 2010. I still need your grace. I still need your Holy Spirit to guide me further. Further to the Kingdom of God. I know my future is with you, Jesus. Amen.
It’s the season to be jolly. It’s the time to be happy. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for all year.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
He brought the salvation that I need. He gave me His life so I can live. His perfection is what I strive for.
Jesus is the good stuff.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
It’s indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Not just for gift giving. Not just for good food. Not just for family gatherings. Not just for the music.
It’s for Jesus Christ!
He had been prophesied to come (Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 7:14) to this earth and save us all. He’s the one that we’ll bow down to – the perfect person, God incarnate. The one I can look up to when I’m lost in this world. The one who’ll fill me up when I’m depraved of love and attention.
Since this blog is devoted to God, the answer is pretty simple:
I must please God!
But more often, I struggle with that simple objective. I struggle because I also live with thousands of other people in this world! The truth of the matter is, those people have some influence over my life. They can (and sometimes will) dictate what I do and say.
It doesn’t this way. People matter, yes, but they must not be above God. God’s approval must be above people’s opinions. God is the ruler of my life. He’s the provider and protector of me.
It doesn’t matter what people say. It matters what God says.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
It’s amazing how much things I have to deal with on this temporary place called earth. The people, the conflicts, the heartaches, the disappointments, the hardship, etc. I don’t think I can ever do this without God’s help – every day, every hour, every minute.
What benefits the attitude of gratitude bring for me?
Keeps me in God’s will.
Makes me better, not bitter.
Defeats the devil!
Causes miracles.
Having faith in God, it means I have to thank Him in advance. I have to thank Him all the time, even when it seems like it’s hopeless. Even when I don’t feel like it. Faith keeps me going. Faith gives me hope.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Greg Laurie, one of my favorite Christian pastor and teacher, wrote a devotional about the fruit of the spirit. It’s a well known passage among Christians. The passage is in Galatians 5:22 and it’s one of verse that’s difficult to apply in my life. Essentially, the fruit of the spirit ought to be automatic if I’m a true follower of Christ. But sometimes, I fall short. I quote Pastor Greg:
Instead of love, is there hatred, bitterness, or even prejudice in your life? Instead of joy, is there constant gloom? Instead of peace, is there turmoil? Instead of gentleness, is there a short temper? Instead of faith, is there endless worry? Instead of meekness, is there pride and arrogance? Instead of self-control, are you a victim of your own passions?
But here’s the kicker:
If so, then either you don’t know God at all or a recommitment to Christ would be in order.
If I fall short, I need to recommit to Jesus! I thought once I’m saved, I’m done. Apparently, it’s not enough! My salvation must bear fruit. Otherwise, I’m not truly saved.
