Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:15-17
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Even if we drift away from Jesus, He is still waiting to welcome us back. He did not come to condemn us, He came to love us. Jesus, who called you the day you asked Him into your heart, still loves you and looks after you. Nothing will ever change that.
Lift your hands to the heavens and call His name, Jesus. Feel His presence wrap around you in love.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
We do somethings for personal gain. We go to work to get money to take care of our needs. We buy car insurance so if we have an accident we do not suffer a huge financial lost. Most of what we do is for our own benefit.
But the Apostle Paul points out that while we are doing these things we need to consider that we are children of God, and act like it. This means we operate with honesty, we treat people fairly and in some cases better than we think they deserve. We are generous and merciful. We treat others as we want to be treated.
And, we do not hesitate to share why we do this. We do this because Jesus is our Lord, Master and Savior, and we invite others to know Jesus, too.
Our purpose is not to gain great wealth, but to serve God.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
As Christians we do good works because we have this irresistible urge to make the world a better place for everyone. We may be thanked and we may not; it really doesn’t matter. We do what we do, because this is what God made us for.
Mother Teresa said, “The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.”
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
A few years ago, my daughter wanted to go to lunch. I was not having the best day, but I agreed. We met at the restaurant and my daughter had brought along a friend’s twelve year old daughter. We ate and chattered. We talked about junior high school and our favorite television shows. To me it was a regular lunch.
Later, my daughter called and said when they got in the car, the girl started crying. When she asked her what was wrong, she said, “Your mother. She is so happy.”
I think about that and I think about how important it is for us to put forward our best Christian behavior. All around us people are suffering and discouraged and we never know who we will bless by being kind.
Happiness is serving the Lord. He delivers it to us and we can deliver it to the world.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
These characteristics are big goals. Our human nature causes us to respond to the grating of everyday aggravations with irritability and grouchiness.
Yet, here we are given what we are to aspire to – love, joy, peace and the rest, all of which roundly defeat our natural tendencies to be angry.
And, how do we do this? We do this through prayer, reading the Bible and most of all through the grace of God.
God did not create us to be miserable, angry people. God created us to be filled with love and joy. Let us work to be all we can be with God’s help.
What's more by doing this we will make the world a little more pleasant place.
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel,
“Seek Me that you may live.”
Amos 5:4
God never stopped loving the Israelites even when they wallowed in sin. God wanted the Israelites to turn from their sin and return to Him. Some would say, “How can that be true when again and again the people of Israel suffered so?”
Yes, bad things happen to good people, but we don’t have to help evil along. The Israelites opened their hearts to evil. And, evil brings death and destruction.
God brings life. God never stopped telling the Israelites that He loved them and He asked them again and again to seek Him. God promised them life.
We too can have new life by acknowledging God’s Son, Jesus, as our Lord, Master and Savior. When we turn our hearts away from sin and to God that is when real life begins.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
When nothing thing makes sense, roll with it because God has it all under control.
And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.
Acts 22:4
This is what the Apostle Paul said about himself. He was the enemy of the church, God and mankind but when He met Jesus on the road, this changed. God revealed Himself to him and His purpose for his life. Paul was a changed man.
Yet, did this radical transformation change people’s perception of Paul? No, initially people were still afraid of him and did not trust him. It was through hard work and consistently living to serve Jesus that Paul was able to win the confidence of Christians and become one of the greatest evangelists on earth. Paul gained a status equal to that of the Twelve Disciples chosen by Jesus.
So, why then are we surprised that it takes a lot of hard work to overcome people’s perceptions of us if we made terrible mistakes in our past? We are redeemed by Jesus but we must transform our actions, thoughts and lives to reflect that transformation. If we were thieves before we became Christians and we continue to steal, then it will difficult for others to accept us as changed people.
So, what then can I say? When we become new people in Christ, we must leave behind the old things which we know are things that we should not be doing. If we need help with this, we need to seek and accept help.
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“Return to me, with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
And rend your heart and not your garments.”
Now return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness….
Joel 2:12-13
This is not just for those contemplating God and salvation. This is a reminder to us all that we should not discount people because we don't think they are redeemable.
God says no matter what, He will forgive. He is waiting for us and everyone else to come to Him and experience His lovingkindness.
It is never too late.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light for everything that becomes visible is light.
Ephesians 5:11-13
The Apostle Paul pointed out that Christians have a responsibility to speak up against evil. That means, when we see something wrong, we need to report it to the police or social services or to someone who can take action. And, if the first telephone call does not get a response, then call someone else. We are not to stand by and do nothing.
We are called to action; do what is right.
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1
We work hard to build our bodily strength. We want to be physically fit and look good.
The grace of God builds our spiritual and emotional strength without which our physical strength would amount to nothing more than a soulless mess of muscle.
We are strong in body and spirit in the grace of God.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life….
Philippians 2:14-16
The Apostle Paul understood that it is human nature to complain, but he also understood that serving God requires that whatever task is set out for us to do that we needed to get it done.
So, let us be quiet and get to work.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
We got nothing to brag about when it comes to our salvation. It's by God's grace and God's grace is something to shout about.
Go on, do some shouting about God.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on His children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
Psalm 103:12-14
There are people who delight in digging up dirt regarding other people's lives, then broadcasting it to anyone who will listen. They are not interesting in improving anything, only in destroying the lives of others.
Character assassins are not anyone's friends, because they are only interested in trying to make themselves look "good" at the expense of others.
What does the Bible tell us? It tells us that God has removed our transgressions and we are forgiven. Therefore, should we not show this same mercy to others?
So, the next time the gossip monger comes calling, cut them short. Tell them you believe in forgetting and getting on with life.
God be gracious to us and bless us
And cause Your face to shine upon us—
That Your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will judge the peoples with uprightness
And guide the nations on the earth.
Psalm 67:1-4
…Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4
Even when we are not looking, God is there leading us to repent. All we have to do is follow.
God is kind, tolerant and patient with us because He loves us and wants nothing more from us than that we accept the forgiveness for our sins that He makes available to us through His Son, Jesus.
God leads us to repentance. All we have to do is follow.
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother’s way.
Romans 14:12-13
This is a novel idea. Instead of second guessing each other’s decisions, let’s cut each other some slack allowing for the fact we do not know all the circumstances of each other’s lives.
To do so is to error on the side of love.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:15-17
Just think how the world would change if we all did everything in the name of God. Every word and every action weighed against the standards set by God.
I think we all would be lot more peaceful and the world would be a bit better.
We cannot control others, but we can control what we do.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end….
Hebrews 3:13-14
Sin is everywhere, and it can distort our view of the world and other human beings.
As Christians, we need to guard our hearts and lives so that we are not warped by the sin around us, but hold fast to this hope: "God loves all of us." And it is God who can change the hearts of men and women.
We can play a part in this by encouraging others with love and kindness.
Try a little kindness, see what happens.
And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”
Mark 11:22-24
This tells us to never give up. We all face challenges. Some are of our own making and others are out of our control. In all things we can trust God that things will work out according to God's plans, and that we will be O.K.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus does not speak passive words to us; He speaks words that call us to action.
Jesus challenges us to live in a way which demonstrates our Christian beliefs by doing what is good and right. It is easy to sit by and complain about the state of the world, it is more difficult to get up and do something. When we help people we demonstrate God’s love. We may think we are only saying encouraging words or feeding a few poor people and debate what difference our actions make. But the truth is when we step out in faith and do something, we unleash the love of God upon the world.
Light up your light so all may see God.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91:11-12
Even when we are not paying attention God is looking out for us. He sends his angels to keep an eye and a hand on us.
We are so blessed.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:15-17
There is nothing that compares to happy children. They chatter and laugh and dance around with total joy. They live in the moment.
Perhaps we should spend more time living in the moment. We can allow our existence to be blackened by worry or circumstances, to the point that we fail to rejoice in the good things that happen. We may not have great victories to celebrate, but we do have things in which we can take joy.
That is why the Apostle Paul reminds us to worship with joy and thankfulness. We are uplifted when we sing praises to God for His goodness and love. So, stand up, clap your hands and sing and bask in the joy of the love of God.
And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
Luke 1:33
We are so close to our children that we sometimes do not see what other people see. Jesus was a baby, when God revealed to Simeon that He was the Messiah. Mary and Joseph were not expecting that. I am sure they knew Jesus was special because the Angel told them so before He was born but they probably thought that this would not be revealed to anyone else until Jesus was an adult.
Let’s all take a minute to watch our kids and catch them doing something good. And, say, “Wow, that sure was nice of you to do that.”
Your kids are special, let them know it.
…Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4
Even when we are not looking, God is there leading us to repent. All we have to do is follow.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
James 5:12
A good reason to always speak the truth is that you never have to remember what you said. We don’t have to say any more and we don’t have to defend the truth, because it is what it is and nothing can change it.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7
I like that self-control. I am going to work on that.
He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Matthew 12:30
I think this is one of the most frequently misused scriptures. It is used to bully opponents to support controversial and sometimes immoral actions by implying that seeking answers to lingering questions is somehow hindering progress. The misuse of the words “If you are not for us, you are against us” does nothing to resolve conflict or promote truth. It only serves to make people angry.
And, yes, there are people today who are enemies of the Gospel. And, yes, we need to arm ourselves with the Truth of the Gospel and be prepared to do battle for the souls of men and women who have been misled about the nature of God by telling them about Jesus who loves them.
Remember, Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He comes in love.
Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather He who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Romans 8:33-34
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our Lord, Master and Savior washes us clean of all our sins. We need not spend our lives defending ourselves against our past sins, because we are forgiven.
Likewise, we are to view other Christians without condemnation because Jesus died once for all, including those whom we would like to judge as unworthy. We need to be mindful that new Christians are new and may take a while to sort those things out in their lives which do not measure up to God’s word. Rather than judge, it is better that we rejoice with them in their salvation and pray with and for them.
