Some of you have probably heard the philosophical question: "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, did it make a noise?" Although there are varying view points on this particular question it brings a completely different question to my mind. If the Children of God are called to be the light of the world, (See Matthew 5:14-16)but their light is hidden, are they really the light?
In my experience a flashlight doesn't do any good in a cave, basement, or any other dark place unless you pull it out of your pocket and turn it on. When I was younger I learned that the definition of darkness wasn't blackness - it's the absence of light. How do we get rid of darkness - light. So many people in the church spend so much time worrying about or complaining about the darkness: the evil in it, the fear it causes. When really, they are already equipped with what it takes to combat it.
This is true not only in the battle of good of evil in our world, but also in our own lives. What in your life are you keeping hidden in darkness? What are you hiding from the light? Sin is a poison that will eventually kill us. That's why the bible tells us to confess our sins to God and one another. Bring it into the light to recieve God's forgiveness and recieve the accountablity from other believers needed to keep the dark places out of your life. Even a little light can eliminate darkness. The question is will we pull it out of hiding.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What if Christians actually considered others better than themselves?
Phillipians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
What if we thought the needs of others were more important than our own? These verses say that we should put selfishness aside and look to others interets as well. Personally, my needs are all met; I have shelter, food, love, and all the other needs I've been told that I have. And now that I have all my needs met, I can move on to my interests - the things I want: the things I put in my shelter, and the kinds of food I eat. The problem is that some of these other people, the ones that I am supposed to consider better than myself, don't have everything they need. Is it right that I keep pursueing my own interests when others don't have enough to survive? I'm not saying that we should never do things to make life more enjoyable, I am also not saying that I am the example that anyone should look to in this area. If you want that example keep reading in Phillipians - He's there. What we need to do is make steps toward this. The bible even give's suggestions.
- In Luke 14 it says that we shouldn't only invite friends, family, and rich neighbors to dinner but to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
My brother could certainly stand to miss a dinner or two.
- In Hebrews 13 it says: "Do not forget to entertain strangers" and "remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners."
If we were honest, we would probably admit that there are people we don't want to talk to, places we don't want to go to, and situations that we would rather ignore. It's time we humble ourselves and start washing some feet. If I considered others better than myself it wouldn't be a problem.
What if we thought the needs of others were more important than our own? These verses say that we should put selfishness aside and look to others interets as well. Personally, my needs are all met; I have shelter, food, love, and all the other needs I've been told that I have. And now that I have all my needs met, I can move on to my interests - the things I want: the things I put in my shelter, and the kinds of food I eat. The problem is that some of these other people, the ones that I am supposed to consider better than myself, don't have everything they need. Is it right that I keep pursueing my own interests when others don't have enough to survive? I'm not saying that we should never do things to make life more enjoyable, I am also not saying that I am the example that anyone should look to in this area. If you want that example keep reading in Phillipians - He's there. What we need to do is make steps toward this. The bible even give's suggestions.
- In Luke 14 it says that we shouldn't only invite friends, family, and rich neighbors to dinner but to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
My brother could certainly stand to miss a dinner or two.
- In Hebrews 13 it says: "Do not forget to entertain strangers" and "remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners."
If we were honest, we would probably admit that there are people we don't want to talk to, places we don't want to go to, and situations that we would rather ignore. It's time we humble ourselves and start washing some feet. If I considered others better than myself it wouldn't be a problem.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What if Christians actually worked together.
I like to think about heaven sometimes. Through my life I have developed the habit of thinking up questions that I will ask God when I get to heaven. "It was a whale right, why does everyone make such a big deal out of this?" A few years ago I wondered what would happen up there when all of us could, once and for all, find out how God really wanted the church to operate. Which doctrines were right and which were wrong? Then I realized something, in heaven, no one will care. We will be so caught up in the presence of God that we won't be able to do anything but to worship. All of the petty reasons that church's don't worship together or work together on earth will be gone when we worship together in front of our Father.
What if we were able to do that now? In heaven there won't be a Lutheran section, and a Presbyterian section, and a non-denominational fellowship section: we will finally become THE church. I understand that having doctrines and theological stances are necessary for the church to operate, and that your beliefs should help you decide what church to attend. I think some church doctrines are over the top and some are extremely unimportant, but others are necessary. However, I also believe strongly in what God tried to tell The church in Romans 14 where it says: "Accept him... without passing judgement on disputable matters." Later it adds: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." What if we stopped fighting each other over whether or not our wives need to wear hats in church. What if when a need was recognized in our town all of the church's combined to help meet it. What if instead of struggling to solve problems on our own, we worked together on what God thinks is important.
p.s. it isn't hats
What if we were able to do that now? In heaven there won't be a Lutheran section, and a Presbyterian section, and a non-denominational fellowship section: we will finally become THE church. I understand that having doctrines and theological stances are necessary for the church to operate, and that your beliefs should help you decide what church to attend. I think some church doctrines are over the top and some are extremely unimportant, but others are necessary. However, I also believe strongly in what God tried to tell The church in Romans 14 where it says: "Accept him... without passing judgement on disputable matters." Later it adds: "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." What if we stopped fighting each other over whether or not our wives need to wear hats in church. What if when a need was recognized in our town all of the church's combined to help meet it. What if instead of struggling to solve problems on our own, we worked together on what God thinks is important.
p.s. it isn't hats
Monday, April 5, 2010
What if Christians cared more about what God says than they think.
Prayer by the long existing definition is "talking with God." This implies two-way communication. I speak with God - He speaks with me. A relationship will fail if all the communication comes from one person. So, if prayer is going to work like it is supposed to - it isn't just me begging God to appease my selfishness (which is honestly how I think most people use prayer), it is also designed to me a time for me to listen for God's voice.
This is not, of course, earth shattering information, it's actually quite basic. However, if we believe what we say we believe our conversations with God should change dramatically. He knows everything, right? ... including what I'm going to say. In Matthew is says not to pray on and on like the pagans do. If this is true, if I know it's true why do I spend most of my prayer time talking, and when I run out of words to say, I mumble amen and move on. Do I believe that my words to God are more beneficial then His words for me? If God knows everything about me, and I know only so much about Him, shouldn't most of my prayer times be just sitting quietly waiting to hear Him speak? Answer: Yes. Make it so number one.
This is not, of course, earth shattering information, it's actually quite basic. However, if we believe what we say we believe our conversations with God should change dramatically. He knows everything, right? ... including what I'm going to say. In Matthew is says not to pray on and on like the pagans do. If this is true, if I know it's true why do I spend most of my prayer time talking, and when I run out of words to say, I mumble amen and move on. Do I believe that my words to God are more beneficial then His words for me? If God knows everything about me, and I know only so much about Him, shouldn't most of my prayer times be just sitting quietly waiting to hear Him speak? Answer: Yes. Make it so number one.
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