Living for God~
What types of people are objectionable to you? Well, all are acceptable if you’re living for God. Listen to Peter, the great apostle. “Peter said to them, ‘God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean (Acts 10:28 TNIV).’”
We have "in" groups and "out" groups, people groups, and different lifestyles. There are people of every color, race, gender and creed. Your heavenly Father loves all of them the same. All are welcome at his table.
Who is not welcome at your table? Think again. What did Jesus do? He ate and drank with all kinds of people, even the types who were rejected by the religious leaders of his time. There is no room for loving your neighbor if you hate your enemy. So be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
TAGS: Living for God, Christian Relationships, Reflecting Christ
Spiritual Formation~
Every human is born in the image of Christ. Male and female, we share equally in that divine image. Personally, I struggle to have that likeness show in me. Even though the image is a gift of creation, it is often whitewashed by my own failings. Sometimes I put on my Jesus face, but is that the real thing?
Then I come around to remember that I only need to behold Christ and let him bring out his best in me. I just need to show up and spend time in his presence, consistently. The apostle Paul says this really happens in quiet contemplation. “And we, who with unveiled faces contemplate Christ’s glory, are being transformed into his image with his ever-increasing glory inside ourselves. (2 Corinthians 3:18 PAR)”
We behold God in contemplation. Here, Jesus brings out his image in us. It is the way of the first disciples, including Apostle Paul. So take time to re-image. Would you like to learn more about contemplation?
TAGS: Spiritual Formation, Contemplative Prayer, Reflecting Christ
Living for God~
"What is greed?" asked the deacon in her children's sermon. "That's taking more than what you need," a child answered. The concept of greed is so simple and so clear that a child can grasp it.
In our adult American world, however, greed seems a lot more difficult to understand. We seem to need a bigger house or a nicer car and of course that means we need more money. Is what we need dictated by greed?
We surely need a place to live and in many cases, we need a car, but how big, how many and how fancy is another question. Jesus said, "Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. Your value is not measured by the lavishness of your possessions (Luke 12:15 PAR)."
Constantly taking more than we need robs necessities from our neighbors, at home and around the world. This is the wisdom of a child. How much do you really need?
TAGS: Living for God, Christian Discipleship, Trusting God
Living for God~
A young Francis of Assisi was praying in a church when he heard Jesus say to him, "Go out and build up my church for it is nearly falling down." At first, Francis assumed that meant repairing the ruined church where he was praying. In time, however, he realized that Jesus meant the greater Christian Church was falling down.
Many have heard the same call to rebuild the Church in this postmodern age. Early Christians were known for their love. These days, we are often considered a hate group in our contemporary culture. The modern church is falling down.
The true Church is built with living stones. People who answer the call of Jesus to love God and neighbor are the true Church. As Saint Francis later prayed, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love."
TAGS: Living for God, Reflecting Christ, Kingdom of God