The Big Picture

I think if we could step back and look at the big picture in life, we could see what leads us away from God on a regular basis. We may even be able to determine the pattern of temptation that we have trouble with. But in the hustle and bustle that is our life, I think maybe we rush around until, BAM, IT slaps us in the face. Then we have the feeling of "how did I get myself into this, and how do I get out of it?" "Where did this come from?" Why did I not see this coming?" and "I can't believe I fell for that again?" It feels like walking through a maze, and running into the same wall. Repetition is a habit forming device. What we repeat on a daily basis, we repeat on a daily basis. The more we repeat a behavior, the easier it is to repeat the behavior without having to think about it. If you walk by the cabinet and grab a cookie, you know where the cookies are located, and you know that they are easily accessible. You also know that you may not need them, but there they are staring at you. The first one was so easy to obtain. Then the second, third and fourth ones are easier. Then you realize the whole row is gone. Well, the eating plan is now gone for the day, might as well have more. It is a behavior. If there is more than one cookie, I know that I am going to eat more than one cookie. The habit of reaching for them is something I can stop, if I choose to stop. So, the big picture would help us to determine what how we react to situations. Since we can't see the big picture, we have to live our lives frame by frame. This frame by frame living should allow us to choose God as our guide through the maze. His plan is clear. His path is straight. Think about your next step. Where are you going?

The Pretender

"I want to know what became of the changes We waited for love to bring". These are lyrics to a song by Jackson Browne. The name of the song is "The Pretender". This lyric speaks volumes to me as a believer. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, things are good. We know we are forgiven. We know we are loved. We are excited at the prospect of finding out more information about our God. We may also be a bit nervous, as we try to wade through the world and determine what is in God's plan and what is not. As we drag through the sludge of life, the shine on our salvation dims from time to time. We lose sight of the love that God has freely given to us on the cross. The love that we were so excited to find. The love that completely changed our lives. Then we stumble. Then we stumble, again. Then we think that we are too horrible for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. We then determine that if we can not live a perfect life, that we have to leave God. We don't want to be a hypocrite. So it is better to leave God than to accept his Grace. It is better to not try, than to accept change in our lives. After a while. God is an after thought and we are living what the world considers the high life. Our friends then express their happiness that we have chosen to give up the Christian lifestyle and be with them. So what became of the changes that we waited for love to bring? The changes are there. The Holy Spirit is in you as a believer. The problem is that once we are saved, we feel as though every action we take should be perfect. This sets us up for failure. If we could live a perfect life, we would not need God's grace. Even after we understand his grace, we sometimes feel it is not enough for us. The changes are in you. The changes are around you. The changes in you can impact someone around you who may be doubting what God can do. The changes in you may help someone else understand God's grace, forgiveness and his love that can bring change in our lives. If you are a believer, stop waiting on the change. You already have it.

Wednesday Night 2/26/14 If We Know, We Need to Show

James 1:22-25 If We Know, We Need To Show Listening is a fine art. We can listen without actually listening. How often do you have the radio or television playing in the background just for noise? We talked about this not long ago. Someone is talking and you realize that you have not heard a word. You nod and smile like, “Yep”. Then you realize they asked a question. You are now horrified because you have no idea what they asked, and you are busted. Then there is the actual time you listened and failed to act. The time that the teacher told you to do homework and you didn’t. That time the boss told you to answer and email and you didn’t. That time a customer asked you for something and you forgot. Listening. most of the time, will result in action. If we hear instruction, we are to carry out the action that is attached to that instruction. 22- Be doers---- Be producers, show something of what you have heard in your actions. Jesus Loves Me This I Know-- Very basic fundamental song that is taught to children. If we know this love, we need to show this love. If we understand the depth of his sacrifice for us, we need to show this knowledge to those around us. This comes out in gratitude. Gratuitous living shows that we are appreciative of what God has given us. This shows those around us that we are relying on God for his provision in our lives. Self control, self correction, are results of listening the the Holy Spirit and allowing change to happen in our behavior. Being actors, but not pretending. Being a showman, but not in a play. In reality. Live a real life. This verse says that if we fail to act, we are cheating ourselves. How? We miss the opportunity to walk with God. We walk away from him. We miss out on the blessings of living close to Him and following His instruction. When we fail to act, we miss opportunities to serve Him by serving others. Verses 23-24 Man in the Mirror How many of you are now singing Michael Jackson? When we look in a mirror, we are looking at ourselves, and our appearance. How many of you are shocked when you look in a mirror or see a picture of yourself and you realize that you look nothing like how you feel you look? When the world sees us, do they see who we think we are or who we really are? Do they see us as children of God, or as worldly people? When we look in a mirror, we are looking at the image we want to project as well. How many of you spend less time in front of the mirror as you age, and how many spend more time? Guys. I think you would have to admit that the Mullet required attention back in the day. These verses say that we look at ourselves in the mirror. We see who we are, and then we forget or neglect who we are. How many of you feel that you have neglected you physical bodies over the years? This forgetting who we are in this verse is neglecting who God has made us. It is neglecting our relationship with him. Verse 25 When we are active participants in this relationship, this verse says that we will be blessed. We will be happy, delighted. We will have joy in our lives because of our proximity to God. We will continue to be blessed as we continue to walk with our creator. The key ingredient is to not forget that action goes with hearing. That Faith is to be lived out, not for our salvation, but for the service of God. So, if we know, we need to show. If we understand, we need to live it out loud in front of others. How many of us at various times in our lives enjoy, or have enjoyed, loud music. I think now, I listen to it loud out of necessity because I listened to it loud for enjoyment. We are to live our Faith and understanding in front of the world just like we played our music for them then. Where everyone around us can hear it.