Five steps to a GODLY life

1 Corinthians 16: ¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 14 

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Following GOD seems very hard sometimes. I mean there are enough people telling me that I’m doing it wrong.  “Stand up” “Sit down” “Pray x times a day” “Wear these clothes” “Work there.” It makes GOD seem distant, uncaring and unforgiving. What should I be doing?

• Step 1 – Be on your guard. I believe GOD wants me to always be looking for time where the enemy will challenge me and try to throw me off my game.
• Step 2 – Stand firm in the faith. There are times when I will be thrown off my game but I need to believe GOD has the situation handled.
• Step 3 – Be courageous. I can’t live in fear especially from telling people about GOD’s SON.
• Step 4 – Be strong. Step away from the temptation. Step away from the doubt.
• Step 5 – Do everything in love. I have to drop my vindictive spirit.

When I read this list I see I fail miserably most times. BUT GOD gets excited when I do these things every now and then. HE loves when I am on my guard this time, when I stand firm in HIS faith this time, when I am courageous and strong this time and when I sometimes do things in love.

GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS love is everlasting. HE enjoys my efforts and they are enough.

• Are you actively trying to grow your relationship with GOD?
• Are you seeking to be used to grow HIS kingdom?
• Can you “stand firm in the faith” today?
• Will you seek to show love towards “that” person?

Don’t give up!

1 Corinthians 15: ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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 It was rainy and cold and it seemed like we would never get home. Finally the bus came but most of the seats were wet because the windows were open so we stood up on this leg of the ride. We got a bright idea that if we walked to the beginning of the line on the transfer of the next bus then we would be guaranteed a seat thus getting the rest we anxiously dreamt of.

The rain seemed to come down harder and as we walked our spirits were dampened. Finally after arriving at the beginning of the next leg of our trip, a bus drove through a large puddle drenching us from head to toe. “I give up” I thought to myself!

• I feel like giving up when life doesn’t quite go my way.
• I feel like giving up when life proves to be a bit more difficult than expected.
• I feel like giving up when I look at “what is” versus seeing “what can be.”

GOD tells me to “stand firm” because HE knows life will not be easy. Once HE placed HIS judgment on the earth for the sin of one man, HE could not revoke it. The decree was life would be difficult and even HIS only SON was not spared from its challenges. GOD decided to die in my place to make things better and take on the punishment that HE decreed for me.

• GOD says “Stand firm” when life gets tough.
• GOD says “Stand firm” when I face trials and troubles.
• GOD says “Stand firm” when I am at the end of my rope and cannot find a way out of my bind.

“Let nothing move you” is the message that tells me to “always” follow what GOD is saying. Whether it is a message of “peace” or “persecution” I should listen to GOD and follow HIS lead.

• Are you waiting for some relief?
• Are you tired of holding your breath and want to “exhale?”
• Can you give you trial and trouble to GOD?
• Are you willing to hang in as long as it takes for GOD to handle the situation the way HE wants to?

What is important?

1 Corinthians 15: ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.4 5 

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Awake, worried about the test I finally arose and studied. Awake, worried about the presentation I finally arose and prepared. Awake, worried about my family I finally arose and paced the house to clear my thoughts. How much time have I spent distracted?

• I spend way too much time worried about the future I cannot control.
• I spend way too much time thinking about what “if” instead of thinking about what “is.”
• I spend way too much time trying to make sense out of the senseless.

When I get shaken or beat up by the world I panic and try to develop a plan to fix everything. All the while I have missed the main point of my existence namely CHRIST.

• CHRIST is more important than anything I can worry about.
• CHRIST is more important than anything I can aspire to achieve.
• CHRIST is more important than anything I can hope to have.

Sometimes I make the mistake and think JESUS is only for my death. I mean I mistakenly think HIS only purpose is to save me from Hell and only focuses on heaven, but what about now? JESUS died for my sins and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live with me daily. Each and every day I can consult with GOD to understand where to go and how to get there.

HE isn’t just the GOD of the future, HE is the GOD of the past and present as well. HE brings me peace today and has great plans for my future. HE is what I should focus on as being important.

• What are you worried about?
• Are you focused on what is not important?
• Can you believe GOD has a great plan specifically made for you?
• Will you believe HE is not trying to harm you but help you?

Disorganized and confused

1 Corinthians 14: ³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace —as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

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Rumors spread rapidly about who was going to become the next CEO when the one, at that time, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. We were already reorganizing as a company but this just threw everything into a tailspin.

No work was done that week because everyone speculated our next move. To tell you the truth, I didn’t sleep much during this confusion.

• When I try to see into the future I get confused and that is not from GOD.
• When I feel disorganized and too many people are weighing in I lose my peace and can’t function well.
• When I am in the middle of political factions and power struggles it’s hard for me to find my direction.

“GOD is not a GOD of disorder.” HE does not scramble up my day in an effort to mess with me.  In fact it is usually my perception of how things are going that messes up my day.  It’s how I choose to see the “mess” that makes things disorganized.

• If I expect things to go wrong yet remain optimistic then GOD will grant me peace.
• If I can release what I expect and know GOD has it handled then HE will grant me peace.
• If I slow down or even stop for a moment and ask GOD for help then HE will grant me peace.

“GOD is not a GOD of disorder” BUT HE is a GOD of peace. HE leads me beside still waters HE restores my soul. HE wants me to give HIM my worries, doubts and fears. HE wants me to stop using my power so HIS strength can shine. The bigger the problem the more I need HIS power.

• Are you confused?
• Do you feel problems, troubles and pressure from all sides?
• Can you take some time to stop and listen to GOD?
• Will you listen to some of HIS promises that state HE has a wonderful plan for you?

In Loving Memory of Robert Washington

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

In Loving memory of Robert Washington

Trying too hard to be “special”

1 Corinthians 14: ²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

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Once I was told that “If I believed enough then GOD would wake me up without an alarm clock.” I wanted to believe in GOD more so I “put HIM to the test.” I slept so well that night. In fact I overslept by a lot! “I must not be special” I thought to myself.

• Thinking I’m not special is actually childish.
• Thinking I’m not special causes me to seek accolades from humans.
• Thinking I’m not special makes me want to feel special by the wrong people.

When GOD made me, HE made me special. No one can do what I do or reach who I will reach. I don’t have to be jealous of someone else’s gifts or talents because HE gave me my own.  There are those who can speak in multiple languages to tell people about CHIRST but I am not gifted that way. I am thankful they exist because I can’t do what they do.

• Instead of wanting to be someone else I should want to understand how special GOD has made me.
• Instead of desiring someone’s gifts and talents I should discover what special things GOD has in store for me.
• Instead of wishing I was special I should believe I am special because GOD made me.

Spiritual gifts are nothing to envy but should be desired. The more gifts I possess the more I can spread GOD’s word. But I should not try “too hard” to be viewed as special otherwise I will forget to spread HIS “unpopular” messages and seek a crowd instead of telling the truth.

When it comes to GOD, I should grow up. When it comes to evil I should remain an infant.

• Do you believe you are special?
• Are you seeking GOD or are you seeking attention?
• Can you believe you are already special in HIS eyes?
• Won’t you begin seeking HIM instead of seeking the spotlight?

GOD’s definition of love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.5 6 7 

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Is “Love” a feeling or an action? This thought crossed my mind as I read the passage so I did a “Love inventory” and found my shelves to be empty. I mean I enjoy “feeling” loved when GOD dishes out these things to me, but am I showing others the same? Probably not.

• Let me check my inventory:
• Patience, I have slim to none.
• Kindness, I could use a lot of work here.
• Envy, I have plenty of that.
• Boasting, I’m the best!
• Pride, check out my awards.
• Dishonor others, just cross me and see.
• Self-seeking, check out my lust list.
• Not easily angered, these words made me mad!
• Keeps no record of wrongs, I remember everything and they will pay!
• Does not delight in evil, and I was waiting for my enemy’s demise.
• Rejoices in truth, except when the truth is about me.
• Always protects, I throw people under the bus.
• Always trusts, I’m quite suspicious.
• Always hopes, I get nervous.
• Always perseveres, I give up!

When I look at what GOD expects me to show others I get quite embarrassed. On a good day, I may show two or three of these qualities. HE always shows HIS love for me and uses this list consistently.  HE wants others not to reject this list and turn towards HIM.

HE forgives and takes my sin and throws it away. HE has been extremely patient with me and always protects me, always is faithful, always delivers and always perseveres through difficulty. GOD loves me and wants me to show love to others.

• Have you taken a “Love inventory?”
• Do you think your “provision” or “intellect” or “financial status” is showing GOD’s love?
• Can you recalibrate your love to add more of HIS type of love?
• Can you forgive yourself long enough to show others this type of love?