That's what HE said... pt. IV

The end of Luke 12: Busyness is distracting.

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus [4] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. [5] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

After welcoming Jesus into her house, she became occupied with being the "hostess with the mostest" (you probably would be too if JESUS CHRIST were in your home). Even though she was busy doing good things, she was well... busy. When we fill our life up w/ schedules and constant craziness, there is no space for the spontaneous.

Create that space.

Only one thing is necessary, one thing is vital, if one thing in your life is a must- make it time w/ Jesus.

That's what HE said... pt. III

From James 1...

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Hear, then Do. True faith necessitates action.

Ask yourself, "Do I really know God?"

"How does His relationship w/ me change things?"

"What can I do to get to know Him better and impact the world around me for His glory?"

That's all I got for ya this week... be honest w/ yourself and make it a declaration for 2010 and the rest your life.

That's what HE said... pt. II

Jesus said, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (M@ 6:14-15).

That's a hard truth.

Like love, forgiveness is not a feeling- it is a choice.

I few chapters later in Matthew 18 (ok, actually 12), Jesus tells the story of a slave released from the burden of his debt. This man, once forgiven for his immense debt, acted without remorse toward someone who owed him very little. He forgot (it seems as though it was only a matter of minutes, or days) that he had greatly been forgiven of something huge, and turned around to make a fuss over what was really nothing.

As followers of Christ and therefor receivers of His grace, we should certainly extend the act of forgiveness to those around us (if we have been forgiven in the ultimate way, we should be able to forgive people for bad choices). Yet I challenge you to see it also in a different way: we should be compelled to show mercy and forgive based on the joy that it brings and life that it gives.

I've learned the importance of the process. When you need to apologize, do it genuinely- you need to really understand the hurt you have caused before truly seeking forgiveness. If you are on the other end, when someone looks to you for forgiveness, be gracious and mature and let them know they are forgiven (but only if they really really are). I challenge you to actually say the words "I forgive you." It will serve as a powerful reminder...