Strangers and Refugees

Strangers and Refugees

1 Peter 2: ¹¹ I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions, which are always at war against the soul. ¹² Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of his coming.

 

============

 

Trying to fit in again, I listened to the crowd. They suggested the type of “fun” I should have by getting people drunk enough to have sex. I thought this was a good idea. My words sounded better when everyone was drunk.

 

• I thought I was having “fun.”
• I felt I was fitting in.
• I did not know I was damaging the way people viewed me and the way GOD viewed me.

 

Peter gives a very stern warning to not give in to bodily passions. He then gives a reason, namely reputation. He knew that people would lie and accuse the followers of JESUS of doing evil. One day they will recognize.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to enjoy life by following HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to have an abundant life by seeking what HE wants me to do.
• GOD wants me to reduce the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, trading them in for the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control.

 

Following GOD has to be intentional. I mean, when I fall to temptation, I do nothing but harm. I harm myself and possibly others. BUT GOD has a remedy. Follow HIS ways. GOD knows I feel guilty when I fall into sin. HE also knows HIS forgiveness is important.

 

GOD not only forgives me, HE provides a plan that includes a life of actively pursuing people to bring them back to HIM. HE gives me the right words at the right time. I am grateful GOD is willing to guide me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer sound so serious?
• Have you ever desired to do something that your heart is telling you “this is wrong?”
• Will you seek GOD and ask HIM to reveal the awesome plan HE has for you today?

Traveling Example

Traveling Example

1 Thessalonians 1: ⁶ You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. ⁷ So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing, then, that we need to say.

 

============

 

Ridiculing people had become my niche. After years of being the recipient of degrading nicknames, I decided to become the master of creating them. I quickly came up with a name for a guy and everyone laughed. Soon the name spread all over campus and back to my home town.

 

• I didn’t mean to humiliate him on that level.
• I didn’t know the nickname would affect him.
• I didn’t know people were listening to me on that scale.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy were examples to many people. After a while the people started imitating them and suffered for their beliefs. Through joy, they expressed their faith in JESUS, no matter what was happening to them. Their faith became known “everywhere.”

 

My Observations

• My words should be an example that points people to GOD.
• My actions stem from things in my heart, so GOD chooses to live there and guide them.
• My thoughts can be controlled through use of joy when difficulties arise.

 

Serving GOD can sometimes be difficult. I mean when I can say, “everyone else is having fun”, or “everyone else is rich” or “everyone else is doing it” I could easily open myself up to fall into sin, shame and regret. I then isolate myself so no one can see me. BUT GOD wants me to be seen.

 

HE made me for HIS purpose and wants others to follow HIM. Whether I like it or not, people see me and I am providing an example with every word, action and thought. Fortunately for ma, GOD does not place pressure on me to live perfect, rather HE wants me to point to perfection, namely JESUS. I am grateful I do not have to be perfect, but provide an example which is the SON of GOD.

 

Challenge

• What examples do you imagine the writers provided?
• Have you ever thought that you are being an example to people through your words, actions and thoughts?
• Will you allow GOD to live in your heart so your example can be guided with “joy” by the HOLY SPIRIT today even if you are going through a rough time?

First Response

First Response

Colossians 3: ¹² You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

 

============

 

“Aw man! I forgot a bag at the grocery store!” I said to myself. Knowing the day was full, I dreaded the trip back to the store. Long lines ran through my mind because I did not want to face this and to top it off, I noticed I had been double charged!

 

When I got there, another customer, who was returning things, moved slowly to the counter and painstakingly returned everything in the world!

 

• I had things to do and places to be.
• My first thought was to approach this with anger and rage.
• GOD made me choose smiling instead and the ordeal went quite pleasantly as I got my item and a refund for the double charge.

 

Paul tells everyone “You are the people of GOD” as if to say “Act like it.” He implies “Since you are people of GOD, act like HIM.” He then gives examples like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These sound familiar. Oh yeah, the fruit of the SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• When difficult situations arise, GOD wants me to rely on the HOLY SPIRIT for the answer.
• I sometimes want to respond with my instinct, BUT GOD wants me to respond with HIS qualities.
• My first response needs to be tamed with GOD’s compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 

Better things happen when I come into a difficult or combative situation wearing the right clothes. I mean, when I walk into a circumstance prepared to use the fruit of the SPIRIT, things always go well. Unfortunately, I choose the argument or dive into combat, never once thinking what the other person is going through.

 

GOD gives me an alternative to my first response in difficult situations. Act like I am HIS. HE loved me enough to choose me. I owe my life to HIM. I walk around naked because of sin. HE says “Here. Put these clothes on.” I am glad HE cares for me and is willing to change my first response.

 

Challenge

• Do you get a sense of family from the writer?
• What does it mean to be “chosen” and “loved” by GOD?
• Will you put on the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as your first response today?

Renewing Image

Renewing Image

Colossians 3: ⁸ But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits ¹⁰ and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself. ¹¹ As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.

 

============

 

“Where were you?” was the strange question given to me. I had snuck back to my apartment, made dinner, ate and came back to work to clock out. My clothes wreaked of cooked food and I was not where I was supposed to be. “I am disappointed in you especially.”

 

• I could see the disappointment in his face.
• I had not done what I was supposed to.
• I ruined my image over something that could have waited.

 

Paul addresses image. Some people were expressing rage, hatred and extreme feelings against or towards specific groups of people. Their image was no longer like that of GOD. Instead, they had fallen into habits that were divisive.

 

My Observations

• GOD created me in HIS image and HE was very pleased.
• Sin caused me to no longer look like HIM, rather I looked like the enemy who tried to steal me.
• JESUS restored my image and provided the HOLY SPIRIT who is “constantly renewing” me in HIS own image.

 

Being born into sin seems unfair and impossible to overcome. I mean, I did not choose to be born, yet because I was born, I an condemned! Not fair! BUT GOD saw this and made things right. JESUS saw the impossible situation, became a human, allowed HIS creation to murder HIM and was raised from the dead for all who believe.

 

Salvation changed my image from death to life. I am now alive! Because of JESUS I have purpose, abundant life and hope. I still sin, but I have an alternative and forgiveness that enables me to have peace in the middle of the storm. I am glad GOD cares about me enough to bring me back to HIS image.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by “put on the new self?”
• Do you think GOD, who saved you, has left you on your own to figure out how to get out of trials?
• Will you trust GOD’s ways enough to drop some old habits and to become more and more like HIM, little by little today?

Human Nature

Human Nature

Philippians 2: ⁵ The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:

 ⁶ He always had the nature of God,

    but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God.
⁷ Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had,
    and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a human being
    and appeared in human likeness.

 

============

 

Tying a towel around my neck, I adorned myself with a cape. Holding my hands out in front of me, I ran as if I was flying. For a moment, I was not me but a superhero. I could fight crime while remaining invincible!

 

• I pretended I was impervious to pain.
• I pretended to be the “good” guy.
• I pretended I was able to do anything I wanted because of my superhuman strength.

 

Paul describes a very strange attitude that is hard for humans to understand. JESUS took on the nature of a servant by becoming a human. HE, being GOD, gave up everything voluntarily to become a weak, needy human. HE did not become a high ranking official, rather a servant.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see the example of JESUS as attitude adjuster.
• GOD wants me to fight what comes natural to me, namely sin.
• GOD wants me to give up all I have to HIM so HE can use it for HIS good.

 

JESUS gave up everything to save you and me. I mean, HE did not have to be born or grow up, or be chased, or insulted or murdered, but HE chose to be. HE became the lowest of the low, not only to save us, but to be an example of what the FATHER wants us to be.

 

Sin is our nature and the only cure is the nature of GOD. For a moment, I can pretend to be JESUS by becoming a servant. HE looked for people to serve rather than being served. HE delights when I seek to be like HIM. I am glad HE gives me opportunities to serve HIM by serving others.

 

Challenge

• What do you think GOD is?
• If you were all knowing, all seeing, and all powerful, would you give it up to become a servant to people you know would hate you enough to kill you?
• Will you see what JESUS has done for you, so you can praise HIM and seek HIS nature and bring many to HIM today?

Embarrassing Hypocrisy

 Embarrassing Hypocrisy

Galatians 2: ¹¹ But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public, because he was clearly wrong. ¹² Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles, because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them. ¹³ The other Jewish believers also started acting like cowards along with Peter; and even Barnabas was swept along by their cowardly action. ¹⁴ When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?”

 

============

 

Complaining about what other people were doing had become a skill of mine. It felt pretty good when people would listen to how I could point out the wrongs of someone else. But one day, I found myself on the other side of the problem equation. I had made a mistake and my “perfect” record was smudged. The very thing I said other people were doing wrong, I was doing.

 

• I did not know I could be at fault because I was thinking too highly of myself.
• I did not think I would be wrong because I did not factor in my infallibilities.
• I did not consider I could be the problem because I was too busy trying to get or please a crowd.

 

Peter was passionate in all he did. Unfortunately, he acted like a hypocrite, causing many to do the same. Paul pointed out Peter’s hypocrisy in front of everyone. He said nothing about Peter that he did not already point out for himself. Course correction was needed.

 

My Observations

• We are all sinners which makes every human a hypocrite in GOD’s eyes.
• My hypocrisy needs to be placed in front of JESUS so HE can guide my tongue away from it.
• GOD enables me to self-examine so the HOLY SPIRIT can open my eyes to my hypocrisy.

 

Embarrassing is the only word I can think of when it comes to hypocrisy after realization. I mean, I may be thinking everything is going smoothly until things tumble down on “my” words or “my” actions. It is easy to sit back and say someone is doing something wrong or saying something not aligned with “the truth” but only GOD knows the deepest truth.

 

HE knows the hidden motives of those who are deeply steeped in hypocrisy. GOD calls us to look at only one human for perfection, namely JESUS who is GOD that dwelt amongst us.

 

When I compare myself to others, using my own measuring tape, I come out looking pretty good. But when I compare myself to JESUS, I am rotten to the core, then I see that even my comparison measurement is hypocritic. I am glad JESUS is willing to forgive my hypocrisy.

 

Challenge

• How would you have handled the situation between Paul and Peter?
• What was the writer trying to convey?
• Have you ever been embarrassed publicly and been wrong?
• Will you ask GOD to help you search your heart to see if there are any ways that HE needs to remove so you can acknowledge HIS grace that is sufficient for you and others today?

Reputation

 

Reputation

Romans 16: ⁶ Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. ⁷ Greetings also to Andronicus and Junia, fellow Jews who were in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.

 

============

 

When I had a question, I asked a few people. I was met with the same response. “Go see ‘that’ person.” I left the name off on purpose. When I met “that” person I understood why everyone spoke so highly. This person was caring, knowledgeable and worked hard. Great reputation.

 

• I have met many people based on their great reputation.
• I have had great experiences because their reputation was true.
• I have recommended people based on their reputation.

 

Paul mentions a few people who either he had encountered or heard the great reputation. Mary seemed like a woman Paul knew of by reputation while Andronicus and Junia were fellow cellmates. Each person he mention had a good reputation with serving the LORD in his experience.

 

• GOD wants me to have a good reputation amongst humans.
• GOD wants me to treat people well because I represent HIM.
• GOD wants me to work hard for others without worrying what people think of me.

 

Reputations require character. I mean, some reputations can be paid for by marketing geniuses, fooling the masses into belief. BUT GOD sees through trickery. GOD wants HIS SPIRIT to shine through me so JESUS’ reputation can be sought after. It is not “my” reputation that is important.

 

• What is your reputation?
• Do you feel your reputation is more important that JESUS’?
• Will you point your life to CHRIST by acting with HIS character and reduce trying to please people today?

Growing Up

 

Growing Up

Romans 6: ¹² Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so that you obey the desires of your natural self. ¹³ Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. ¹⁴ Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.

 

============

 

“Oh, grow up!” were the insulting words hurled at me. “How dare she!” I thought. I blew off her statement because she was mean and crabby anyway. I was simply complaining and wanted someone to hear my complaint. After hearing her unexpected reaction, I wanted to complain about that too.

 

• When I was a child I spoke like a child.
• When I was a child I justified my sinful actions.
• When I was a child I had a lot to say about everyone else, and little to say about my flaws.

 

Paul appeals to every reader to give up sin and give the entirety of life to GOD. He then explains, that GOD did an incredible thing for humans so we should acknowledge what HE did and act like HE wants us to.

 

• GOD wants me to examine my sinful self, daily.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I need HIM to guide me and correct me daily.
• GOD wants me to grow up little by little, making decisions that would please HIM instead of feeding my sin.

 

Growing up means taking responsibility. Blaming GOD for HIS righteousness will not cut it when I stand before HIM. One day I will need to account for my sins. I will have no excuse. The only reply I will have to GOD is “I believe in YOUR SON who took away that sin and that one and that one.” HIS reply will be “Well done MY faithful servant.” I am please to surrender to JESUS.

 

• Are you acting like a child, trying to hold onto a life you think you are in control of?
• Do complaints roll off your lips more than praise?
• Will you examine yourself and ask GOD to help you let go of your sin, little by little so HE can use you for HIS purpose today?

The Cause or The Cure

Luke 17: Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ³ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

============

Bored and lonely, I decided to throw a party. I discussed this with my roommate and our plan was put into action. “Hmm, what do I need to make this successful?” I said to myself. “I know! Great music, booze and girls who would get drunk to… you know!” This was a good plan.

• There were times when I was the cause of the problem.
• There were times when I sought out to bring other people into my failure.
• There were times when I wanted to be viewed as the king of “my” kingdom.

JESUS warns HIS disciples about sin. “Don’t purposefully cause people to sin” was the first warning and the second was “Forgive people a lot more than you think you should.” HE understands that the pride if Satan caused mankind to fall. BUT GOD also knows the fall can be temporary.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS sinless life so I don’t have to be perfect.
• JESUS wants me to understand that at some point in my life, I should try to reduce my sins.
• JESUS wants me to forgive people because I too am a sinner who needs to be forgiven.

Forgiving people who are the cause of sin is probably harder than staying away from being the cause, for me. “Remember that time way back about twenty years ago” are the words that pop up in my mind that makes it hard to forgive “that” person. BUT GOD wants me to forgive even though I may never forget. I have caused many to sin, I am glad GOD has forgiven me and them.

• Are you causing other people to sin by your poisonous or lustful or complaint–filled words?
• Do you take sin lightly?
• Will you allow GOD to help reduce your sin a little each day by adding grace to your heart so HE can grow you for HIS purpose?