Day 267: All the Time #WasteTheirTime2017

Galatians 4:17-18

Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them. If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.

Have you ever known those people, or even experienced it in a relationship, that are only nice to you when others are around. When they want all of your attention, they don’t want your attention to be taken away from them and put on someone else. It’s like when you’ve dated someone and even though you’re no longer together they don’t want you to be with anyone else. They pretend like they still want to be with you because seeing you with someone else will mean that they are no longer the one who gets most of your attention or affection. It’s a bit crazy when you think about it but it seems like some people are into wasting people’s time. #WasteHerTime2017 #WaseHisTime2017.

I believe that this is what Paul is getting into in this scripture. He’s telling the people that these false teachers only want you to follow them, they only want you to turn away from the truth that I have taught you. They want to turn your attention from me so they can gain followers in their false doctrine and teachings. Paul says two things that I want to point out. He talks about how these false teachers do not have good intentions. They want to win you over but it is not in any way in good heart. They want you for their own gain, not for what they can do for you. What I’m saying is, not everyone who is nice to you is not for you. Not everyone who smiles in your face has your best interest at heart. Sometimes people are using you to elevate themselves. There are people that only want you by thee side because they see your potential to be great and fear that you will be greater than them. It’s sad but it is true. There are many false people walking around pretending and if we are rooted in Christ discerning in the spirit we will fall right into their trap. This is not how God wants us to live, we cannot live in fear of someone else’s potential because the same God that created them and gave them a purpose is the same God that created us and gave us a purpose.

Paul then goes on to say, “If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.” I want to speak to the friendships and relationships with this one. If you have someone in your life that is only good to you around certain people and could care less any other time, it’s time to start cutting people out your life. We all know those people, or maybe we are that person. But we have had experiences where people only want us in their lives not because they truly love us or like us but because they don’t want us to be in someone else’s life. That is not Godly, we are not things to be possessed and disposed of when we’re no longer useless to you. It goes the other way as well, we should not treat people this way. True friends, boyfriends, or girlfriends are there for you all the time, they don’t turn their friendship or relationship on and off. Like Paul says, it’s alright if people want to do good things for you, but let them do it all the time. Let them be the same all the time. Let them do it in private just as in public. Our lives are not a show to entertain people. I feel like we have all been here, whether we have been the person doing this to someone else or it’s been done to us. Sometimes people just want us in their lives to prove something to another person.

All this to say, some people are great at telling and making up stories to get you on their side. We are not put on earth for human gain whether we are here to glorify God and expand His Kingdom, Don’t use someone else’s life for your own personal gain. Don’t be out here wasting people’s time for no reason.  

Response/Prayer Time

Take the time to respond to what we discussed today. Talk to God about what we discussed. Ask Him for the spirit of discernment and ask Him to search your heart and purify it.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 268!

Day 67: The Kindness and Goodness of God.

Kind - of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person

Lovingkindness- tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection.

Affection - fond attachment, devotion, or love

Now that the vocabulary lesson is over. Let’s talk about the kindness of God. As we established yesterday, God is not some mean, evil, commanding, judgemental being. He is our father and He wants the best for us. God is the most loving and generous person in the entire universe. The kindest being that has ever and will ever exist. When we think about the kindest person we know, god is a hundred times kinder, When we think about the best thing the world has to offer, God is better.

Titus 3:4-6

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  

Second thing to know: God is so good. In a sense of who He is, God is dripping with goodness. Nothing bad stems from Him, God cannot be the opposite of who He is. He will always be good.  

God cares so deeply for us, that we don’t have to do anything to receive His affection. He’s just like I love you, here’s a gift. God is constantly reminding us of His love. Throughout the bible we see how much He loves His people, even when He was angry, He could not stay angry. His want for a relationship with us, or compassion for us led us to be forgiven. We have to realize that God does more good than we can ever imagine, out of the kindness of His heart. There is a softness to God, like a dad, He is our dad and He treats us like we are His babies.. Every father I know, no matter how hard they seem or mean they look, they have a soft spot for their children, their kids will make them melt. That’s how God is with us, He has a soft spot for His children, He loves us so much that He cannot help Himself. And he’s constantly reminding us, through little gifts, signs, and wonders. It’s almost like he’s constantly whispering in our ear, “Hey. I love you.” everytime He gets our attention, “Hey, I love you.” He means  it, He really does. He sees us as His children, why can’t we truly see Him as a loving father?

Galatians 4:6

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.”

Matthew 18:13

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Psalms 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

There is a sweetness in our relationship with God. We are His children, It is said that the Hebrew meaning of the word abba is, daddy or papa. Also that it is the sound a child makes when trying to say daddy. There is a sweetness there that breaks the barrier of punisher, servant or slave master, and turns it into daddy daughter, daddy son. These words are more intimate that father child. It establishes a relationship, and we start to see God as a dad. We do not fear Him in a sense that we afraid of what he will do to us, but we are in awe of Him, respecting Him. It’s like our earthly parents, we know them, others may not but we know how much they love us, we know how to approach them, we know when we can joke with them, we know when we can come and pour out our hearts to them, and cry on their shoulders. Our earthly parents run to pick us up when we fall, they teach us how to ride bikes, and navigate through life. They have a soft spot for us, that no matter how angry they get at us, they will always love us. We are not afraid of our earthly parents.

It’s the same with God, He wants to know us, He wants to pick us up when we fall, He wants to be a part of every second of our lives. But we have this image of Him in our heads that will not allow us to accept His lovingkindness. Why can’t we see the sweet sweet kindness of our Father, whom we can call daddy. Like a child. We run into His arms, not just when we’re hurt or in need but because we love our daddy so much.  

For many years I’ve heard Christians call themselves the army of God, we call ourselves soldiers for Christ. Obeying orders, and following commands. While I understand the concept when it comes to spiritual warfare, there's a problem I have with it. When I think about the army and the relationship a captain has with a soldier, I don’t think of intimacy. I cannot label it a sweet relationship. Viewing God as a sergeant or lieutenant shouting out orders and commands takes away from that lovingkindness. We become afraid of what will happen if we fail, or do not complete the order. We begin to look at Him as a punisher not an affectionate father.

Reflection

1. Is it hard for you to see and understand the kindness of God?
2. If we looked at God as our dad, how would it change the way we view Him?

Prayer Time

Talk to God about understanding and experiencing His kindness. Knowing that God is not an angry old man in heaven. Allow your answers to the above questions guide your prayer.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Share this with someone and make sure you come back tomorrow for Day 68!

Day 62: How Far Will You Go (Part 3)

As we bring this small series to an end, I want to talk about loving others, and how far we will go to show someone that they are love, not only by us but by Christ as well.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story of paralyzed man who was carried to the roof, and let down so that He could get His healing from Jesus. These men could have kept walking and ignored this man, but instead they decided to do everything in their power to get him to Jesus. When they couldn't get through the door, they went to roof and started drilling a hole. Not only did they do that but they carried him up to the roof, and lowered him into the house. When they couldn’t find a way, they made a way. That’s love, only love will make you do something like that.

Luke 5: 18-19

18 Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. 19 But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus.

Are we willing to spend our time helping others, making sure they get what they need?

There are a couple of other stories I’d like to point out as well.

Acts 4: 32-37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The people in this community made sure that everyone had what they needed. That meant giving up their own possessions, and sacrificing what they had to make sure that no one was in need. Sometimes we have to be willing to give up something for others, and not expect anything in return. That is one way to love our neighbor, to take care of them when they are in need. To make sure that they are okay. We are supposed to love one another as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31).

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to love our neighbor time and time again. He also shows us what it means to love our neighbors. When we learn to love like Christ and use that love towards others we are showing people what it means to know the love of God.

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Reflection

1. How can you improve the way you love people?
2. Are you willing to take that extra step or mile, sacrifice, or take that detour for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
   
   
   
   

Prayer Time

Allow you answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Ak God to help you show love to His people, to love them the way He loves. Take the time to pray for your brothers and sisters and lift them up in prayer. Thank God for them, and the opportunity to love them.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening, make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 63!

Day 22: Everybody Needs Somebody

I am a firm believer in the statement that everybody needs somebody. We all need God, every second of everyday, but God also wants us to be in fellowship with one another. Community is a beautiful thing. Life is hard, and we will have seasons where we need to be alone, but we shouldn’t have to do all of life alone. Not when there is an entire body of Christ, we need community; loneliness is a silent killer.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

We are at a time in our lives where building relationships and being around the right people is very important to us. Our friend groups get smaller and closer as we grow up, many of us have at least three friends we know we can count on and call on no matter what. We need people in our lives that we can grow with, that we can learn from. We need people who will pick us up when we are down, and give what we need not always what we want, and we are here to do the same for them. We are here to live in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not doing anyone any good by staying isolated from the world.

Sometimes we think we don’t need anyone to help us, we have God and that’s it. But God places people in our lives for a reason, they may not always stay but for the time being they are there because we need them, they need us, or we need each other.

1 Samuel 18;1-5 (extended passage 1 Samuel 18-20)

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house.  Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

David and Jonathan were the best of friends, the bible says they became one soul. They would keep this friendship for the remainder of their lives. These men risked their lives for one another and loved each other unconditionally. Their friendship was built on trust and obedience to God. A friendship like David and Jonathan’s is truly a gift from God. We don’t see these types of friendships as much anymore. Our generation has developed this attitude, that we don’t need anyone we can do everything on our own. We close ourselves off from one another in an attempt to get ahead or out of fear of getting hurt. We’ve covered up our feelings and let no one in, and we wonder why everyone is so angry all the time. We love to be needed, we just don’t like needing others.  

We all need that one person that we can just pour our hearts out to and not feel judged. Even if it’s just one person that God has sent to us. We have to learn to trust one another. I think many times in our teenage years, we have had so many friends who have come and gone, we don’t know who’s real and who’s fake anymore.. We’ve had friends who have turned on us, hurt us, or just completely walked out of our lives. Due to this we lose faith in close friendships and start to avoid them. We are cordial with people but we will never call them friends we call the acquaintances. We might not have found a friend like Jonathan or David but we can ask God to send them to us, or lead us to them. Building friendships is very important; these are the people we do life with, the people we are most vulnerable with. God honors friendships, and there’s nothing wrong with needing people. We all need someone.  We can use David and Jonathan’s relationship as an example of what our friendships should look like. How we should treat our friends and the type of people we should be surrounded by.

Reflection

1. Who is your David or Jonathan, in your life?
2. Do you think that you need people or can you do life on your own?
3. Why do you think, we as a generation have such a hard time being vulnerable with one another?

Prayer Time

Today, pray for your friends. Pray for the ones that are in your life, the one that are no longer in your life, and the ones that are on their way. Ask God to help you to be a better friend, and be open to friendships. Openly talk to Him. Remember that prayer is just a conversation with God.