Changed Perspective

 

Changed Perspective

1 John 4: ¹¹ Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us.

 

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Working hard was not getting me anywhere. My evaluations said I was “good at my job” but when I asked for a promotion, they said I was not “ready.” “What did they mean?” I asked a mentor. He said, “You have to become the company.?” In other words, I had to fully believe in the company.

 

• I had to eat, drink and sleep the company values.
• I had to fully indoctrinate myself in the company, its people and messages.
• I had to be around the people who would pull me up and place me in high positions; and it worked!

 

 

John spent time explaining that GOD is pure love and that HE showed HIS love by giving the world the gift of HIS SON as their Savior. John then implies that because of GOD’s behavior, our perspective on what is important should change. He suggests that if we love one another, then GOD’s love will be made perfect.

 

My Observations:

• GOD loves HIS creation and wants us to love each other.
• GOD loved us so much that HE gave us HIS most valuable gift, namely HIS SON.
• GOD raised JESUS from the dead and wants to do the same for you and me, so HE commands that we love one another through belief in JESUS.

 

Not knowing what true love is can be difficult. I mean, the world has a view that is contrary to GOD’s view. HIS definition of love is that JESUS volunteered to become a human and die for mankind. HE agreed and watched HIS son be lied upon and murdered. HE raised HIM from the dead. The world does not value this viewpoint and defines love in ways that could have people focus on something less perfect.

 

JESUS wanted perfection. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside you and me so that GOD’s love can be made perfect. HE guides us to seek one another, serve one another and love one another. I am glad GOD loves you and me so much that HE gave us HIS all.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer express the importance of living in union with GOD?
• Have you ever mimicked someone, to the point where you sound like him or her?
• Will you change your perspective on life and view GOD’s love as valuable enough to mimic, so HIS love can be made perfect in you today?

Known For

Known For

Colossians 1: ³ We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. ⁴ For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people.

 

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Being “skinny”, I was not popular like the jocks, so I used humor as my strength. When I went to college, I studied various ways to make people laugh. Some of the popular people on campus labeled me as the “class clown.” I was a sophomore. How did I make anyone’s list?

 

• I was embarrassed.
• I had a reputation that I did not anticipate.
• I worried about being taken seriously.

 

Hearing about the reputation of the Colossians, Paul wrote to them with thankfulness. This faithful group of people served JESUS with vim. Paul was so excited that he prayed for them with thanksgiving, knowing there were others who were excited about CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to give my reputation to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be “known for “ speaking about HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to have faith in CHRIST and love for all HIS people.

 

Being “known for” something is a quest humans struggle with. I mean, famous people rob and steal to obtain and keep a reputation for something. Others train all their lives to set records or have their names on a best seller. BUT GOD simply wants HIS SON known.

 

HE knows our reputations are not good for no human seek HIS ways. JESUS is known for being sinless and for letting HIS creation murder HIM after being slandered. HE is also known for being raised from the dead and for forgiving us for our sins if we believe HE did all of this for us. I gladly give my life to HIM and I don’t mind being “known for” speaking about HIM even though I am flawed.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel tie excitement of the writer?
• What would you like to be known for?
• Will you seek being known for CHRIST so others may get to know HIM through your prayers, faithfulness and love for HIM 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.

 

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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?

Heart Repair

Heart Repair

Philippians 1: From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus—

To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

 

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

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Just getting a job was my heart’s desire at one point. But after a period of working, it was not enough. I needed to move up in the company. The pay, while good at one point, was now not enough. The work seemed repetitive and the people wore me down. “Why do they always listen to that guy?” was my complaint.

 

• I was discontent
• I wanted more.
• I lost my thankfulness.

 

Paul and Timothy send greetings to everyone through a letter to the Philippians. The title they gave themselves was that of a “servant.”  Their desire was to bless everyone with grace and peace that only came from GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to trade in my need to be on top to that of being on the bottom.
• GOD wants me to desire more for others than myself.
• GOD wants me to value being a servant more than being served.

 

Serving people is GOD’s highest honor. I mean, when I serve someone, the hole in my heart gets filled. Unfortunately, when I am serving people for my own personal gain, then it can wear on me, causing me to be discontent. I long for something else “better” than the role I am playing at the moment.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. HE makes me a servant wherever I am. HE guides my mindset to giving others the best, knowing I am adding to a huge “reward” account HE is storing up for me. HE changes my view of something negative into seeing that I  am serving others because HE wants me to. I am glad GOD guides me to those HE wants me to serve.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you in this opening greeting from the writers?
• Have you ever felt discontent even when your prayers have been answered?
• Will you receive GOD’s grace and peace today by taking a deep breath and serving others without expectations so HE will fill your heart with overflowing thanksgiving?

Make Time

 

Make Time

Acts 26: ²⁴ At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

 

²⁵ “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. ²⁶ The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

 

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

 

²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

 

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After attending the meeting, I realized I would now have to work seven days a week to keep up. I mean, the pressure of the job required constant thinking to resolve issues right away. Soon, all of my conversations were centered around work. Even at the dinner table, work spewed out of my mouth. I had no time for anything else.

 

• One period of my life was spent worrying about money.
• One period of my life was spent dealing with life’s pressures.
• One period of my life was spent giving my all to those who demanded my time and giving none to those who needed it.

 

Festus interrupts Paul’s defense, saying he was “out of his mind.” Paul replied by appealing to King Agrippa by asking if he “believed.” King Agrippa questioned Paul by asking “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul was willing to make time, short or long, to persuade the king and everyone around to believe in JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to make time for HIM.
• GOD wants me to hope that everyone I come in contact with, believe in JESUS as our Savior.
• GOD wants me to see more opportunities to talk about JESUS than I used to.

 

Time is precious. I mean it can be spent on doing something that makes me great amongst humans or I can point my life to JESUS who deserves to be called Great. I can never get time back once I’ve spent it.

 

GOD loves when I spend time learning about HIM and loves it more when I take what I’ve learned and teach someone else about HIM. Short time or long, I pray that every reader believe in JESUS in a saving way.

 

• Are you too busy for GOD?
• Do you stay busy so you can be noticed by humans?
• Will you stop seeking to be noticed and start making time to speak about JESUS to many people today?

Seeking Greatness

Luke 22: ²¹ But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²² The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!’ ²³ They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

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Potato chip boxes, old coffee cans and a few bulbs from flashlights were the materials of my science project idea. I planned on building a robot. This idea would definitely “win” the science fair. “I could just see it now, they would give me the trophy or ribbon or some sort of prize”, I imagined as I jumped into my pursuit.

• Many times I wanted to be known as “great.”
• Many times I wanted to “win” something.
• Many times I wanted to be the one who was on “top” rather than being on the bottom of the junk pile.

JESUS had just told the disciples that one of them would betray HIM. After each disciple questioned whether it was them or not, they went into a familiar discussion amongst humans. The disciples argued over who would be greater. I imagine them remembering how they healed someone just by speaking, so of course they would be greater than someone else, right?

• GOD tells me to serve HIS people without thinking of becoming “great.”
• GOD tells me to be genuine with HIS people and hope for the best, even for my enemies.
• GOD tells me to humble myself and allow HIM to decide how high HE wants to raise me among humans and in heaven.

Pursuing human greatness has its flaws. Humans can flatter in order to become great within themselves. JESUS knows that worldly greatness cannot compare to HIS greatness. HE wants me to focus on HIS kingdom by becoming a servant to as many people I can while I am alive. GOD wants me to bear HIS fruit. I am grateful to be HIS servant.

• Are you stuck on trying to be great?
• Are you frustrated because your human plans have fallen apart?
• Will you allow GOD to declare how great you should be and allow HIM to deliver you to the right person to speak about HIM today?