Ninety-nine or one?

One came for you when you were lost. Are you seeking the one who is now where you once were?

Jesus came for us.  He sought us when we were wandering and lost.  We are to mirror what Jesus does.  Don’t hesitate to help someone simply because you “feel” uncomfortable, incapable or unqualified.  Those very reasons are exactly why God can work through us the best.  Isn’t it 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 that declares that when we are weak, God is strong in and through us?  “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-11

So, how is it that most of us help lead others to the Lord?  I’m sure we all do things here and there to personally speak to others to show the love of God. But, to me, and maybe I’m wrong here … it seems entirely too much like it just easy for us to give money and believe that our job is done.  Now, please understand that I’m not trying to discourage us from giving.  No, that’s not the point of this. Don’t stop giving.  But, what I am attempting to do is to get us to look at things in a different light.  My question here is:  Are we giving only and not stretching ourselves in other ways … like going to the “one” in our world who is lost?  Is it easier for us to give money because we don’t have time to “go after the one?”  Maybe, just maybe, we’re so busy “making money” that we don’t actually make time to stretch ourselves to be more like Jesus … choosing to go after the one.

Who in your world crosses your path on a regular basis and you choose to not reach out or show them the love of Christ because of inconvenience, lack of time, or feeling unqualified?

I believe in our world where the popular saying is “time is money,” we have given too much power to that belief.  Is it money that matters the most?  Is it time that matters the most?  Or … is it people who matter the most?

What if that person we neglected to speak to or pray for died only moments after we decided that we didn’t have time … or we were uncomfortable about it?  I don’t say this to condemn or shame us in any way!  I say it to open our eyes to view things from another angle … a wider, broader angle … attempting, in our humanness, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to see what God sees … instead of our narrow, limited, humanistic vision.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a parable about the Good Samaritan. He said there was a man who had been physically attacked, robbed and left on the side of the road for dead.  Now, after this had happened, a priest and and Levite passed by the injured man.  These two religious people were so busy about their “religious busy-ness” that they chose not to show love to this injured man on the side of the road.  Later, a Samaritan passed by.  He not only stopped to help the man, but he paid a local innkeeper to take care of man … because, like every one else he was busy also.  The difference is love.  The Samaritan man stretched himself in this situation and he showed love.

Now, in that day, Samaritans were not looked upon kindly by the Jews.  They avoided one another.  Oh, I just love how Jesus used the example of a Samaritan doing the right thing when the religious leaders of His own ethnicity chose to walk away.  Jesus not only gave us an example of how to treat others here, but He also showed us that salvation is also for the gentiles.  And, he used a Samaritan man to stir the people up … to make them think.  Jesus had a wonderful way of illustrating with words so that we all can learn how to be more like him.  

Symbolically (hopefully, not physically), have you ever been in the same position of the injured man?  I have.  And, I have, many times, experienced the busy-ness of the first two examples.  Often, my thoughts have been … “just go to church because you don’t have the time for me.” I remember I said it out loud one time and the look I got was incredible.  I then explained that these people were too busy with “church” that they refused to take time out to help.  I wasn’t asking for money or handouts.  I was looking to connect with another human being.  I needed help in dealing with a very challenging situation in my life.  I received no help whatsoever.

I have to tell you.  I didn’t let those experiences stop me from God’s will for my life.  Those people chose not to help.  But, I didn’t choose to stop pursuing God because of those people.  Don’t let that happen to you in your walk.  I see so many people  who look to imperfect humans to find God.  Yes, God works through human beings and we are able to see that.  But, we are imperfect humans.  We are not God.  Only God is God.  Don’t forget that.  And, because of these things that I have experienced, I have made the decision to pursue being the third man in the parable.  I don’t want to be the busy religious men who are lacking love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13  I want to be like Jesus, who leaves the ninety-nine.

With all of that said, I want to be the one who goes after the missing or hurting one in my world.  I know what it feels like to be “left on the side of the road, hurting.”  Now that I’m upright, healed, and walking, I want to be the one who seeks out the lost and hurting.  

Are you leaving the ninety-nine to seek the lost and hurting one? Or are you simply busy entertaining the ninety-nine?  There is a difference.  Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4

At the beginning of this piece, I stated that many people choose to not reach out because they feel uncomfortable, incapable, or unqualified.  I’d like to address this a bit further.  We live in a world of Master’s degrees and PhD’s.  If we don’t have the proper “education,” we “cannot get a good job.”  Well, okay.  That seems to be where our world is right now … and … there’s nothing wrong with education … nothing at all.  But, again, I’d like to broaden our perspective.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. I Corinthians 3:19  If we are followers of Christ and we believe that He is who He says He is, don’t we know the One who knows literally everything?  I mean,  I don’t need a Master’s degree or a PhD to know and believe that.  Not only do I have direct access to God Almighty, I have an intimate relationship with Him!  James 1:5 tells me that If I lack wisdom, all I have to do is ask for it.  Our world is so hung up on education that many are missing the simplicity of who God is.  He is everything … which is so much more than any degree. (again, I’m not against education). If we feel uncomfortable about helping someone, we only need to ask Him to help us through a situation.  If we feel or are incapable of something we only need to ask Him for help.  If we feel unqualified, again, we need only ask.  “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:11-13. 

May I suggest that in many, many ways, we have become so educated that we have fallen into the trap that we believe that we have things figured out instead of fully relying on God?  I really do believe that many within the church believe that all that’s needed for a “successful church” is simply a good formula.  I literally had someone speak that to me within the past several weeks.  No … no … the only formula there is, is more prayer to our Heavenly Father.  And, I don’t need an education to know that prayer is the answer. 

Our nation claims to be a Christian nation.  I do believe that we are and that it was founded on Christian beliefs.  Otherwise, we wouldn’t be as blessed with all that we have been and been able to be a blessing to so many others.  But, I believe we are in that phase where the generations have become spoiled and perhaps a bit ungrateful for the prayer and hard work that has brought us to this point.  I believe many of us are coasting on the prayers, reliance on God, and hard work of generations long before us.

We need to change our perspective.

Perhaps that will take place from our knees … in prayer.

Don’t stop giving.  In fact, Lord willing, I encourage you to give more!  Step out of that box you’ve allowed yourself to be contained in.  Reach out to the “stranger” that you, in the past, have chosen not to reach out to for whatever reason. Allow God to be your strength and your wisdom.  Pray Luke 12:12 over your situations.  The Holy Spirit will give you what you need to say in the moment that you need it.  Allow God to work through you.  Let Him do things His way.  Remember, we don’t have all the answers, but, we know the One who does.  It’s not our job to save people.  Jesus already took care of that. It’s our job to make ourselves available.  More than likely, we won’t be perfect when we take these steps.  That’s ok, learn from the mistakes.  That’s how we grow.

So, in this new year, I encourage you to be courageous and go after the “one” wandering astray in your world.  And remember, One came for you, gave His life, and went the distance for you when you were the one who was wandering astray!

Make it an excellent 2018!  God bless!    

Freely Give, Freely Receive!

So today, the idea of giving freely has been on my mind.  I have had a few experiences lately and some from several years ago that have been brought to mind about the subject…therefore…I write!  J

 

This statement crossed my mind:  “If you give with strings attached, you’re not really giving.”

 

Years ago, I met someone who was having financial difficulty.  After about a year of hearing about these difficulties, I began asking a few questions, cautiously and lovingly.  What I found out is that these people were not even keeping track of their bank account.  So, by the time Christmas rolled around, they never had any money to buy presents for their children, let alone put food on the table.  (After 2 Christmases like this, red flags appeared for me.)  Long story short, I taught this person how to balance a check book and plan for monthly expenses, wisely.  In the process, this Christian person became extremely angry about their financial giving.  They stated that they were giving the full tithe, but weren’t receiving anything in return.  I sat there in Starbucks completely stunned.  Seriously, I could not believe the depth of anger I was hearing from them. I quickly and silently prayed for guidance and then was able to let this person know that God wants a cheerful giver, and that if we give simply out of “duty” without truly wanting to give…and expecting financial, or any blessing from it, that’s probably not going to happen…although, I’m not God and He can do whatever He chooses.  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

God wants a cheerful giver...one who gives with no strings attached.  He blesses us because He loves us unconditionally.   But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8  He wants us to prosper as our soul prospers.  Yes, He wants us to prosper!  Don’t believe the lie of Satan that He doesn’t want us to prosper.  He wants us to prosper in every aspect of our lives.  For some reason when the word “prosperity” is spoken, many people believe that it’s only finances that are being referred to.  Not so!!  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.  For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 1:2-4

 

Recently, I’ve seen some situations where someone “wanted to bless” another person only to see that person renege on the gift that they gave.  It turns out that the giver in this situation believed that they still had the right to determine what the receiver of the gift could do with the gift.  This is not giving with a cheerful heart.  Again, like the first example, this is giving with strings attached.

 

Now…here’s another example I’m going to throw in here and I may step on some toes.  What about giving only because the government allows it as a tax deduction on our taxes?  I have often wondered if people would still give the same amount if it wasn’t allowed as a tax deduction.  Ouch!  Think about that for a minute.  Would you give the same amount if you couldn’t use it as a tax deduction?  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blessing that our government allows this, but what is the motivation behind the giving?  Is it because you truly want to give your tithes and offerings, or is it because you can receive tax deductions on it?  You see, there is a difference.  And, quite honestly, it’s somewhat annoying to me that the “carrot” of tax deduction is dangled while asking for donations.  By the way…not judging…just expressing an opinion.  What if we simply trusted God for what we truly needed without dangling the tax deduction "carrot? #FoodForThought

 

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your^[c] works, and I will show you my faith by my^[d] works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:14-20

Give because it’s in your heart to give.  Don’t give because you do it as a “work” for the Lord.  That is not the way it works.  Don’t give with “strings attached.”  You’re not really giving anything if you think you should still have control over the “supposed gift” after giving it.  Or for that matter, if you think you deserve something in return after “giving,” more than likely, you’re trying to control the receiver in some way, shape or form.  It’s not giving with a cheerful heart.  If you’re giving only because you get a tax break, that isn’t a true giving situation either.  Now, don’t get me wrong here.  Our government does allow for tax breaks.  There is nothing wrong with utilizing that.  But, don’t give solely for that reason.

These are all heart issues.  Examine your heart.  Ask God to reveal and weed out any wrong motives.

Be a cheerful giver so that God may prosper you…wholly…as your soul prospers.    

Money, Time, or Relationship?

 So, today I went to see the movie, “Million Dollar Arm.”  I was pleasantly surprised…pretty good stuff!  I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, so I won’t go into great detail about it.  What I did like about it was that they filmed part of it in India and the rest of it in the US.  India is a place that I hope to visit one day so this movie really touched my heart.

The point of the movie was to get a couple of cricket players from India, convert them to Major League Ball Players and make a ton of money in the process.  Now, everything was based on a business plan…they had X amount of dollars and X amount of time to make this whole thing work.  All was going well until the big day for a Major League tryout for the 2 Indian fellows.  Unfortunately, they failed at attaining positions in the Major League.  Now it’s not because they didn’t have the ability, it was because of the way everything was handled.  The young men were basically handled like a commodity instead of human beings.  It was business for the Americans, just business!  Luckily, someone spoke up and informed the main guy that he handled the entire situation in the wrong way.  At that point, he corrected himself and truly took the time to get to know the players and so on.

I see so much of this that goes on everywhere here in the US.  Everything is about money and numbers.  How often do we actually stop and take the time to get to know somebody we come into contact with on a regular basis?  So often, whether it’s in business, our neighborhoods, schools, or even in church, we are in such a big hurry that we get “whatever it is we need,” and move on.  The quicker the better because you know, time is money and money is time…and heaven forbid that someone be seen speaking to someone “outside of their social status!!”  I’m SO tired of this way of life!!  We’re all human.  We all have struggles. We all have only 24 hours a day.  We all have to breathe the same air.  We all will exit this earth some day. 

How many people do you come in contact with on a regular basis that you can truly say you don’t even know their names, let alone whether or not they’re married, single, have children or other details of their lives? 

As followers of Christ, we should strive to know and care more about others.  It’s those interpersonal relationships that are so very important.  It let’s folks know that we truly care about them.  It would be easy for me to go to Wal-Mart, Starbucks or any place for that matter, go in get what I need, and not speak a word to anyone.  Get my business done and get out of there…after all…we’re all in a big hurry to get nowhere…right?  I wonder though…is that how Jesus handled things in His day?  No, I don’t believe it was. There are times when Jesus was headed from point A to point B and someone would cry out to Him.  Many of the miracles He did were in those times where He stopped on His way from A to B.  He took time out for people. As Christ followers, we should too!

A Christ follower = Love God, love people.  Take the time to get to know others.  If you’re a follower of Christ and you’re not sharing the love of God, what good are you to the Kingdom?  That doesn’t necessarily mean preaching Jesus everywhere you go.  It does mean to let the light and love of Jesus flow through you to others.  Jesus didn’t have a second thought about giving up His life on the cross for each and every one of us.  The least we could do is slow down a bit and take the time to get to know the people who cross our paths on a regular basis.  You never know, you may be the only way someone will ever get to experience the love of Christ.

Be led by the Spirit.  He is with us always, but do we always listen to what He’s guiding us to do?  I assure you, if you take to the time to get to know others by the guiding of the Holy Spirit, life will never be boring!  Just last week a woman approached me in Starbucks.  Apparently she recognized me because I’m a regular there.  She was drawn to me…or I should say, she was drawn to Jesus in me…whether she realizes this or not. J  She invited me to sit and visit with her and her friends any time.  Instantly I thought, “there’s no better time than now.”  So, I joined her and her friends.  Sure there was a little awkwardness, but I just pretended that I was comfortable until I was comfortable.  Now, none of us will ever have a second thought about visiting and getting to know each other when we see one another.  It would have been easy for me to brush off the invite.  I didn’t know this woman from Adam!  But…what if that moment was the only chance I had for the door to be open to them?  To me, eternity in heaven is too important to have turned down a moment like this.  God is all about people, and we should be, too!  

Take the time to get to know those in your world no matter how big or small your world is.  You won’t regret it!  Hopefully, when we get to heaven, we’ll be surprised at the folks who are there because we took the time for relationship here.    

Have a heart for...

Today, my heart cries out for those who do not know the Lord.  Everyday, I see folks who don’t know Him…some assume that they are so smart that they have life figured out, but don’t realize that He is the center, some choose not to know the Creator at all, some…many…have been introduced, but have refused a relationship with Him, etc. 

Whether these folks ever get in a relationship with God or not, the fact remains that they have made the choice to reject the Creator of the Universe…God Almighty.

At times, while crossing paths with non-believers, it could be so easy to just walk away and not have anything to do with them, mainly because so many are mean and arrogant, etc.  But what I choose to remember is that they have no reason to be joyous.  They have no reason to be nice.  They have no reason to be meek or humble.  You see Jesus is the reason that we choose to have those characteristics as a follower of Christ. (And let’s hope that as a follower of Christ, we are choosing to be like Him!  We are His ambassadors here on this earth!)  If they don’t have Jesus, there is a huge hole in their life and Jesus is needed to fill it to make them whole.  Instead they fill it with whatever suits them at the moment…until they figure out that it’s not working and then they move on to something else.  That cycle will continue until, hopefully, they choose a relationship with Jesus…the same way that you and I discovered that we need Him!  Have a heart for the lost!

When dealing with folks like this, choose to take the high road.  Be kind, be considerate, be loving...be Jesus to them.  You never know, you may be the only person who will ever be Jesus to them.  Remember Heaven and Hell are real and we are all going to end up in one place or the other by our own choice.  Look at things eternally instead of momentarily.  Winning souls to our Lord, saving souls from eternal damnation is the goal.  Choose eyes, ears and a heart of compassion because that’s how Jesus chooses to care for us.  Keep praying and never give up hope of salvation for the lost.     

When We Put Our Trust In...

Jesus is the One (thing) we can ask for more and more of without being considered greedy…and receive to overflowing.

In our society, we don’t have to look very far to be enticed into thinking that we need more of whatever it is that we see at that very moment.  TV commercials, billboards, internet, radio…we’re surrounded by the idea that we’re not complete or fulfilled unless we have what’s being pushed at that moment. 

Now, don’t get me wrong…although I’m not much of a shopper, I’m not saying that those things aren’t helpful or things that aren’t needed.  It’s when our lives are out of balance and the need for material things around us is the goal in life.  A healthy balance or happy medium is what is needed.  I’ll say it again…Jesus is the One (thing) we can ask for more and more of without being considered greedy…and receive to overflowing.

When we put our trust in money, material things or situations, we may find that our world is whirling out of control.  We need a Center…something…or rather some One to keep us centered and balanced.  That One is Jesus…the Center of all things.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  John 1:1-5

We were created for God. We were created to need Him.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10   If we don’t put the Savior of all mankind as our center, our lives will not be on the course that we were created to be on.  I find it necessary to continually ask God to take things out of me that are not needed and to fill me with Himself.  This brings me peace…true peace…no matter what my circumstances are.  My personal prayer is; I want more of you Jesus…more of You and less of me.  Fill me with Yourself that I might have rivers of living water flowing out of me to all I see and come in contact with.  I pray Your light will shine through me like a beacon of Light to a world of darkness and when anyone else sees Your Light, let them know that it’s You in me and not anything of myself.

Remember to always look to Jesus, not just in the moments when we feel lacking or insecure…look to the One who is and always was intended to be our Center.  He knows everything that we will ever need.  He is always there for us.  He will never fail us.