He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?”’ (Matthew 16:15)
A seemingly odd, out-of-the-blue and definitely in-your-face kinda question wasn’t it?
Jesus put this question to His disciples that He might have their sense of Him. They had believed in Him, they had become His disciples and they had followed Him. But that was not enough; they needed to confess Him.
Why? Because sometimes what we believe and what we say do not align. Or as a friend says, “They don’t line up!” The danger in that is that people sometimes cannot hear what you are saying because they are watching what you are doing.
Jesus expected that His followers would know more about Him than any others and that they would be ready, willing and able to confess their faith giving a reason for their hope in Him (1 Peter 3:15).
He expects the same of us, His followers, today.
And more.
It is not enough that we believe or follow; we must confess and be ready to give an account for our faith in Him. We must share His truth at all times and, as Francis Assisi said, use words if necessary.
If necessary? Well, how else would we share His truth if not with words? In our actions, our deeds, our appearance, our relationships, our choices… Everything about us should testify of who He is, even our words – if necessary.
THIS WEEK make every effort to be fully cognizant of who you say He is. Examine your words but also your actions and interactions. Do they testify of Christ? Consider what needs to change. Pray for His leading, and be quick to hear and obey!
Chances are you have seen the American makeover television show, What Not to Wear. The show featured participants nominated by friends, co-workers, or relatives or sometimes individuals who had nominated themselves. The nominee was secretly videotaped then brought to New York City for a week of evaluation, shopping and hair and make-up styling AFTER getting a chance to watch their secret footage. The show always ended showing a party in the participants’ hometown, where she would show off her new look to friends and family who would all, of course, comment on how impressed they were and how happy she looked. Most importantly, from then on, the participant knew what not to wear!
Well, at least on her outer body.
Let’s face it, sometimes we struggle with getting dressed. I seriously cannot be the only one who stands before a closet full of clothing (remember, I have a bedroom converted to a closet) and thinks, “I have nothing to wear!” Nor am I the only one who faces an event (special program at church, class reunion, Thanksgiving dinner with family…) and feels compelled to go shopping for something to wear. And somebody, other than me, has a couple of tags still hanging on some things that have been in the back of the closet for at least a few weeks, if not months. Or years!
Yet, we tell ourselves we have nothing to wear. We are convinced we have nothing to wear. We honestly believe that we need to go shopping, borrow an outfit or pass on going to the event – because we have NOTHING to wear! We tell ourselves that lie and swallow it hook, line and sinker even when the truth – that God has provided what we need stares us in the face. And, in many cases, He has provided a whole lot more!
If we can so easily swallow a sweet little lie about not having anything to wear, even while staring evidence to the contrary in the face, what other lies can we readily accept?
Before we continue, this is a good time to remember that Satan is the Father of Lies (John 8:44). Well, surely he is too busy to be bothered with something as simple as getting you to believe a lie about what is or is not in your closet? No, he’s not. Because it’s not really about your clothes at all. Satan will do whatever he has to get you to distrust, doubt, shrink away from God and His Word.
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) says that God will supply your every need. Check the Scriptures before that passage and those that follow and, unlike those little sale circulars that come in the mail, there are no exclusions and no fine print. You won’t find somewhere else in the Bible that God says something contrary – “I will supply your every need EXCEPT…” No every need means every need. Satan does not want you to know that, to understand that, to believe that, to stand on that! But he is smart; start with the seemingly little, insignificant, unconnected lies. If he can get you to believe those (I don’t have anything to wear. Hmm, maybe God didn’t really mean He would supply my every need?), He can get you to believe some even bigger lies.
Don’t believe me? I won’t take the time here to go into detail, but just look back at Eve’s encounter with Satan in the Garden of Eden. He was sneaky, crafty, strategic. He wasn’t blatant, overt and in Eve’s face. He just cast a stone or two of doubt about who God was, what God said and what God would or wouldn’t do. You know the rest.
So what not to wear? Don’t, like Eve, take on the lies of Satan. He wants you dressed in a coat of defeat with a shawl of weak and flimsy resolve tied about your neck, carrying a backpack or handbag of insecurities, standing in shoes of doubt, pulling on a hat of confusion.
The What Not to Wear participant gets a Visa card and goes shopping. She buys the foundation of a new wardrobe and is taught how to dress from that point forward – how to build on that foundation for a lifetime of smart and appropriate dressing. It wouldn’t be enough to simply tell the participant what not to wear and not to teach her what to wear – and how and where to shop for it!
Consider deeply the following Scriptures:
Ezekiel 16:10-13 (ESV): “I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth.
Romans 8:15-17 (ESV): “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Do you get the lessons of these Scriptures? Do you understand what they teach us? We are children of the one true King. We are join heirs with Christ. We are chosen. We are Holy. We are His!
No matter what Satan would try to tell us, no matter what he would put in our path to try to make us stumble, no matter what weapon he pulls from his arsenal…it is no match for what the power and authority we have in our Father. And here’s the clencher, Satan really has only one weapon – lies! While your Father has equipped you with many weapons and full armor, the key piece that you need to fight Satan is the belt of truth! Not your truth (which might not be true – remember, you didn’t have anything in your closet to wear), but God’s truth. This belt accentuates every figure and compliments every outfit; without it, you might as well be naked. No well-dressed, Christian would be caught without it. Put it on. And never take it off!
THIS WEEK clean your closet. On What Not to Wear, the participant must bring her old clothes with her to New York. They are tried on and sorted. Occasionally one gets to keep a piece or two found to be acceptable. Most end up in the trash can. As Christians we are to test all things and hold only what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We discard or throw away everything else. What lies has Satan told you? Lies about yourself? Lies about a friend? Lies about a situation? Lies about a family member? Lies about a relationship? Test them against God’s Holy Word. Keep that which is good and toss the rest!
In my state, North Carolina, the Wage and Hour Act does not require mandatory rest or meal breaks for employees over the age of 16. Additionally, there is no law requiring employers to give smoking breaks.
However, most wage and hour employers offer such.
Not once, but at least a couple of times during the day if an individual works eight or more hours. And most do not require employees to “clock out” or “go off the clock” for these breaks. Bottom line – most employers give their employees breaks and pay them to take them!
Why? Because most companies realize that for one to do his or her best work, he/she needs periodic mental and physical breaks – even if just for a few minutes. The same is true for stressful and salaried jobs. Long-distance truck drivers must document their breaks. Likewise airline pilots and air traffic control employees. Surgeons’ work hours versus off-work hours are routinely monitored.
But some of us are “Energizer Bunnies” going from sun up to sun down 24-7.
Not good!
Research shows that breaks are critical not only to our productivity but also to our health and our happiness.
Scripture shows breaks are critical to our spiritual health and growth! That is if we take a God Break!
Look at the example of Jesus:
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there” (Mark 1:35 NASB).
“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone” (Matthew 14:23 NASB).
“But Jesus Himself would often slip away…and pray” (Luke 5:16 NASB).
Habitually.
And this is a practice that needs to become habit for us, too.
If we want to fulfill God’s vision for our lives, we must continually hear from God. If we want to be more like Jesus, we must spend time with Him. If we want to be all that God calls us to be, we must feed regularly at His table.
In the book named after him, The Prophet Habakkuk wrote (v2:1 NLT), “I will climb into my watchtower ….” meaning that he would go to a place away from distractions, away from people, away from busyness, away from his own thoughts. And this is what we need to do – find a quiet place away from the distractions of life and take a God Break.
This Week:Begin making it a habit to press the pause button and take a God Break. Psalm 46:10 teaches, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Take time to “be still” before God and alone with God. Use this time to align your heart and mind back to God – to His Word and to His plan for you. You may need to begin with a reminder – a sticky note on your bathroom mirror, an alarm on your cell phone, a note penciled in your day planner. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a LONG break, but it needs to be an intentional, focused and private break – just between the two of you..
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:1-9 ESV)
This, perhaps more so than others, seems to be a simple parable. The Sower, Christ Jesus, scatters His seed generously. The seed falls upon different terrains – rocks, thorny soil, pathways and good soil. The seed falling among rocks, thorns and pathways, as one might imagine, does not grow and mature. Rather it is eaten by birds, choked by thorns or withered as the sun beats upon the rocks.
As simple as this parable seems, there are MANY deep, meaningful and relevant lessons. Let’s look at two – first the Sower and then the Seed Snatcher!
Most sermons that I’ve heard that were based on this parable seem to emphasize the soil – the bad, the thorny and the good. But this is not the Parable of the Soil. The parable focuses on the Sower, Jesus. It is Jesus who is sowing His seed, the Word of God. As He is sowing, the seed falls seemingly everywhere – where birds feed, on rocks, among thorns and, finally, on good soil. It seems that a quarter of the seed falls in a good place while three quarters falls in places where it will not thrive and grow.
I recently seeded my lawn for the second time! I purchased one of those hand-held sowers. You pour in the seed, turn the crank and the seed flies out the bottom. You can adjust a knob to determine how much seed is sown. The instructions say that the sower should walk in straight lines across the lawn and then walk a second path of straight lines that run perpendicular to the first. Well, this would all be well and good for the person who has a big (think football field) lawn to seed. But my lawn is tiny. And it has beds of shrubbery. It is also bordered by curbing and a street as well as a pea graveled driveway. I don’t want seed in the beds and in the driveway. I’d just have to pull that grass later or spray it with vinegar to kill it. I also don’t want to seed the curb and the street. So I determined that a better method for me would be to seed by hand. That way I could be very careful about where my expensive, cool-weather, nutrient-rich seed fell. It would fall exactly where I wanted it to – where I wanted grass to grow!
So why does Jesus, the Sower, scatter His seed so broadly and, seemingly, so mindlessly? Doesn’t He know that seed won’t grow on rocks and among thorns?
Well, here’s what Jesus knows. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick” (Luke 5:31 NIV). Jesus died upon the cross to save sinners. His purpose was to extend salvation to all. There are those who may dwell in thorny places and those who think their lives are “on the rocks;” they need to hear the Gospel, too. They need salvation. Romans 10:14 (ESV) poses three powerful questions – “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
We are to sow God’s seed, spread His truths, share His word and extend His hope to all.
Even though I’ve been careful sowing my seed by hand, there are still some bare spots in my yard. What happened? Lots of things – some of that seed didn’t get enough water, some fell on spots of thatch, my neighbor’s dog watered some for me as did my other neighbor’s cats and some of that seed – that good seed on good soil – was eaten by the birds. I know; I saw them! Even though I buy food for the birds and maintain two well-stocked bird feeders, some prefer to eat my grass seed. Patches of my yard were invaded by seed snatchers! They ate the seed before it could take root.
Satan waits and watches to snatch good seed, too.
Before the truths can take root in hearts, Satan snatches it.
Satan knows that seed has life in it. He knows that seed has power. He knows that seed is capable of producing more.
What, then, are the lessons?
First as children of God we are called to sow in faith His seed trusting that He will bring about a harvest. It is not our decision to determine who is worthy to hear the truth. Scripture teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 ESV). All need to hear. All need to be prayed for – that hearts will be softened to receive the good seed.
Secondly, we are also to sow, water, nourish and protect the seed in our own lives knowing that the Seed Snatcher is watching for an opportunity to “steal, kill and destroy” us and our seed (John 10:10 ESV).
THIS WEEK as Matthew 13:9 says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” Examine your heart. Is it hardened? Thorny? Rocky? Or has the world worn a path bare – too much television, too much time spent with the wrong company, too many wrong substances imbibed…? Examine the soil of your heart. Take action to improve its condition, to ready it to receive seed.
If seed has been sown and is growing, continually examine it and cultivate it for a good harvest!
A million (at least) and one things called to me today as I was about to pray.
I had guest but they were rising and leaving early, so I felt I should send them off with breakfast. It’s early. I’ll just scramble up a couple of eggs, brown some sausage, send them on their way and then pray.
Well, I’d might as well snatch those sheets off the bed and toss them in the laundry while I’m thinking about it. While they are spinning, I can pray.
Oh! I forgot; I have an appointment. I’d better jump in the shower and dress then, if I am running late, I’ll at least be already dressed.
Can you believe what that woman said? Let me sit down and catch this little snippet of Dr. Phil. There’s only about 10 more minutes in this episode, then I’ll pray.
Whew, finally!
I sat down on the sofa to journal my prayers. The sun’s rays poured through the blinds. Look at that dust! I’d better grab that Swiffer right now!
Dust. Seriously? Dust is going to keep me from praying? I don’t even like dusting. As a matter of fact, I hate dusting. It falls in line right after scrubbing toilets as far as I’m concerned, but I’m going to dust instead of pray? Really?
No!
Enough already. I recognize these tricks of Satan!
And so I journaled.
Look at that handwriting. I hope you never intend to look back at these prayers, and surely you won’t let anyone else see this journal. Even God might be challenged to read this scribble scrabble.
Are you kidding me, Satan? You will try anything to distract me, any ploy to disrupt time with God.
THIS WEEK “Be self-controlled, sober-minded, temperate, vigilant, alert. Your enemy, adversary, great accuser, opponent (and chief distractor) the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” ( 1 Peter 5:8). He finds especially tasty those who love the Lord and who desire to spend time alone in prayer to Him. Schedule a time to spend alone with God, and meet that appointment just as you would one with your physician’s office or your employer. My rheumatologist charges you if you miss the appointment. God will not charge you, but you will miss a great blessing, a gift that He has just for you!
Sometimes with what they believe are good intentions.
Sometimes to be cruel.
Sometimes to be kind.
Sometimes habitually.
Sometimes by omission.
Sometimes out of confusion, because of mental defect or as the result of some imbibed substance.
Get the picture? People lie.
But you can take God at His word.
How comforting, reassuring, empowering is that!
Not only does He not lie, He does not change His mind. He speaks, then acts; promises then fulfills (Numbers 23:19 NLT).
Christian artists, Avalon, sings “Everybody’s looking for something to believe in…the faithful are few and far between. The more I read about You, the less I’ve cause to doubt You. What You say, You mean! I can take You at Your word. My heart can rest assured.”
In this crazy world where little is as it seems, be encouraged that God is true to His word. He is Who He says He is. He does what He says He will do.
Avalon’s lyrics also say, “Your word is life. Your word is love. Your word is truth.”
That’s “a word” you can count on!
THIS WEEK delve into the truths of God’s word. To know His truths and to claim His promises, you must know them!
It’s funny to me in a way that when crises come – floods, shootings, cancer, death… – one of the first things you hear is, “Where is God?” People wonder how can a loving, merciful and gracious God permit such tragedies to happen.
But what about during the good times? Where is God?
Is He front and center in your life, or is He periphery, an accessory, in the margins?
Matthew teaches us that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind (Matthew 22:37 ESV) and that we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33 ESV) while Proverbs tells us to commit our work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3 ESV). In short, God is to be central and to be first in our lives.
Too often though, when times are good – we are healthy, relationships are working, jobs are secure and paying well, children are obedient… – we forget about God. He is anything but first and anywhere but central. He’s actually more like an accessory – a scarf we throw on or a brooch we pin on at the last minute. He’s in the periphery, off to the side, penciled in the margins of our lives.
What is important to us is apparent in our lives. What we love is no mystery.
Friends know that I love “great big ol'” necklaces and brooches. The bigger the better. My philosophy is if someone can’t see it across the room, then what’s the purpose of having it on. I’m not a petite woman, so that itty bitty jewelry just doesn’t work for me. (That was my story when I got married, too. No little diamond for this girl. Big girls need big diamonds. Hey, just saying. Didn’t work, though. Frown.)
That’s how our faith in God and our commitment to His plan and purpose should be. Recognizable. Obvious. Unhidden.
Not to brag. Not to boast. Not to call attention to ourselves, but to bring glory to His name.
God’s glory IS the reason. It is the reason for everything, and all that we are, all that we do is to bring Him glory. Especially in our living.
As Christians, we are called to live in a way that proves we belong to the God who calls us into His kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12 GW). How do we do this? Put Him first! First thing in the morning when you rise – thank Him, praise Him, seek His direction for the day. First in your finances – tithe from the top not the leftovers (if there are any). First in your relationships – family, marriage, friendships – cutting loose those that hinder you from serving Him. First in your interests and pursuits – career, education, hobbies, recreation. First in your times of struggle – turn to Him, seek Him, pray to Him – first rather than Facebook, friends or phone.
THIS WEEK engage in self survey. Where is Your God? Do you leave Him on the dresser when you go to work? Is he tucked “safely away” until you need Him? Out of sight, out of mind? Pray asking God to be first in your life then be intentional, living in a way that proves you belong to God.
For some time I’ve been following a blog, Chronicles of a Kid Next Door, written by Edmond Sanganyado. Last week Edmond changed the title of his blog to I Am a Naked Christian. In actuality, Edmond changed more than just the name of his blog. He changed his focus. He changed his purpose.
He changed.
I’ve thought a lot about his post explaining the change. He wrote, “Today, I choose to be naked. I surrender before the Father, and watch as He removes the Son’s spotless rob of glory. I watch in awe as the Holy Spirit removes my garment of self-righteousness and sin. I am naked, but Christ clothes me with his glory.”
It seems that our focus is often more about what to wear, what to put on. We are constantly bombarded by messages about our appearance and what we wear. We are victims and slaves to fashion, style and labels feeling pressured to obey fads and trends. And while it is not exactly true that “clothes make the man” (or the woman), how we dress and what we wear is important.
How often we have read the words of Ephesians 6 – “Put on the whole armor of God…Stand, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace…take up the shield of faith…take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV). We read in 1 Timothy that “women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control” (2:9 ESV) and in Deuteronomy that “a woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak.” (22:5 ESV).
But before we can “dress properly,” we need to undress. Just as you don’t poor new wine into an old wineskin (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22), you don’t put new garments over the old.
Edmond wrote, “I choose to strip down all my perceived abilities. I choose to regard all my personal achievements, wisdom and knowledge as nothing, but sewage quagmire. The accomplishments that hid, my flaws and the praises that covered my folly, I throw them in hogwash. I cannot clothe myself in my capabilities anymore. I am done.”
I replied to Edmond’s post, “I’m stripping down and joining you!” Since posting that response, I’ve thought about what I need to remove, take off, strip away. Like Edmond, I strip away my perceived abilities – for me, it’s that independent self and that spirit of not needing ANYone. Sometimes that has included God, or at least that’s what my actions and attitudes implied. I refuse to dress one more day in self-righteousness. I will not pin a spirit of independence to my chest like the big brooches I am known for wearing. There will be no more necklaces of false humility. Bracelets of selfishness will not jangle around my wrists, and I will not walk in shoes of arrogance.
The key phrase to show what caused God to become angry with the builders of the Tower of Babel comes in verse 4 of Genesis 11. “They said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves.'” We were made to rely on God and give Him glory. Instead we have chosen to rely on self and seek our own glory—to make a name for ourselves. Isaiah 43:7 tells us that God created us to display His glory, that is, that his glory might be known and praised. In short, it’s not about us. It’s not about me.
Today, I join Edmond in choosing to be naked. “I surrender before the Father, and watch as He removes the Son’s spotless robe of glory…and as the Holy Spirit removes my garment of self-righteousness and sin. I am naked, but Christ clothes me with his glory.”
THIS WEEK take a long look in the mirror, preferably a full length. What do you need to take off? Are you willing to strip – completely naked?
I’m not entirely convinced that running is that good for you. Too many ‘things’ that wiggle, jiggle, flap and bounce.
Walking, though, is a good thing.
But walking is a funny thing, too.
I’ve been walking in a quest to be healthier. It’s funny how I now notice other people walking. Kinda like the red car theory – you tell people not to think about red cars and suddenly, they’re every where. But not really; they were always there. You just begin to notice them more. Same thing if you buy a red car. Suddenly it seems you see red cars at every turn.
Back to this walking thing. Some people are what we call pigeon-toed. (The correct term is in-toeing.) Others are slew-footed (a terrible term we used as children, but the correct term is out-toeing.) Still others walk with limps, skips and hops. My neighbor takes three steps, stops, stands and takes three more. He moves very slowly, but I applaud his continuous effort.
As Christians we are called to walk, not to run. As a matter of fact, we read in Ecclesiastes 9:11 that the race is not to the swift. But we read also in Colossians 1:10 that we are to walk worthy of the Lord.
That latter Scripture is one that I’ve been pondering.
What does that look like – walking worthy? The Scripture continues and says we not only are to walk worthy, but to please Him in all respects. It is that simple three letter word “all” that gave me the most insight. First, let’s get it clear that we can never earn God’s love and this Scripture is not about us trying to walk in a way that earns us anything or in a way that proves that we are worth or deserving of anything. It also does not mean that we walk so that God becomes obligated to acknowledge us or that God is somehow enriched because of us – in the same way that a skilled surgeon is “worth” a lot to a hospital or a knowledgeable leader is “worth” a lot to a school.
Remember that the Scripture not only said to walk worthy of the Lord but to walk to please Him in all respects. Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please Him. Consider these Scriptures together, and walking worthy means to walk – act, behave, exist in a way that shows how worthy and gracious our God is. Walking worthy means walking by faith.
Let’s go a little further.
Walking is, for most of us, an everyday act. Whether walking to work, walking in our yard or walking around our house. And because it is such a common act, I believe Colossians is telling us that in all our acts, all our doing, all our being, all our thinking, all our speaking, all our choosing…, we are to exhibit our faith in God. This is walking worthy to please in all respects.
If you are not careful, you can struggle with Scriptures such as Colossians 1:10, so let’s talk about what walking worthy does not mean. It doesn’t mean walking perfectly. As we walk worthy, in faith we walk in step with the Lord and in the shadow of His grace remembering that He alone is worthy.
The walking that I’ve been doing to better my health is not for the faint of heart. My friend and I walk miles – one, two, three. We’ve not made a continuous four mile walk yet, though I know that some days we have walked that and more in totality of steps. We’ve walked in the hot summer heat and humidity. We’ve walked in the rain. We’ve walked mornings and evenings. It’s not always fun, but it is for our good.
Walking worthy is not for the faint of heart but it, too, is for our good. The really good news is that we do not walk alone. God has sent His Holy Spirit to be our Helper and to walk along side us (John 14:26). The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave enables us and equips us to walk worthy of His call.
Finally, understand that just as our human gaits are different – remember in-toeing, out-toeing – so our Christian walks may appear different. Do not compare your walk to another’s. Colossians 2:6 says, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with Him.” I believe that Scripture tells us two things: (1) “As you have received” meaning, “Now that you have received,” you are to walk with the Lord, but also (2) “As you have received” meaning “The unique gift He has given you guides you” as you walk with the Lord. The latter I read much as I read Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4 that we, as Christians, are given different gifts. We are given different walks, but all are walks of faith and all are to walk pleasing to the Lord.
How’s your walk?
THIS WEEK reflect on your personal walk. Are you walking worthy? Just as you need to prepare for a physical walk (proper shoes, right outfit, water…), you must prepare to walk worthy to please the Lord in all respects. The first preparation is a surrendered heart and relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, visit the Salvation page (tab at the top of this page). Pray to receive Christ as ruler of your Life, and He will send His Holy Spirit to walk along side you.
If you are saved, reflect to determine if anything is hindering your walk. We choose walking paths that are smooth and obstacle free. Nothing like a twisted ankle because you stepped on an uneven surface, rock or twig. There an be obstacles in our spiritual walks, too, and sometimes we place them; sometimes we embrace them – addiction to television, busyness, overextending ourselves, video games… Identify and address your obstacles.
Lastly, reflect on the uniqueness of your walk. Are you trying to walk in someone else’s shoes? Trying to be like your pastor? Trying to be like a television evangelist? Trying to be like someone you have deemed great? Walk the way and in the way that God’s Holy Spirit calls and leads you. If you are not sure of or do not understand your walk, pray and ask God to reveal His will for you.
In the little town where I currently reside (most of the time), it is common to see street side vendors and their hand painted signs advertising “Fried Crabs.” While one or two have a food truck of sorts – old converted vans, others have a folding card table dressed with a vinyl cloth and accented with an electric deep fryer and all sorts of odd plastic containers. One bears some kind of cornmeal mixture while others contain spices and sometimes mixtures of liquid ingredients. I’ve never dared ask exactly what. There is, too, the old ice chest which holds the crabs.
There are always small gatherings of people when I pass. Some standing. Some finding a seat on an array of odd furnishings – old metal folding chairs, worn wooden stool chairs and, the one that always makes me smile, the discarded seats from cars and buses. While some customers grab their fried crabs and go, others sit, chat, swat flies and swap stories as they eat their crabs.
I’ve only viewed these vendors from what I’ve deemed a reasonable distance. I’ve never tasted their wares and have no desire to. Why? I eat with my eyes first, and these sites are less than appealing to me. I cannot get past the looks of the ice chests – blackened and smudged exteriors, the plastic containers – yellowed and stained and sometimes the vendors themselves – greasy aprons and unkempt hair. I have looked for the health department rating certificates, but have yet to spot one. I’m thinking there are none.
So, I take a pass. Again, I eat with my eyes first.
Don’t we all? Well, at least most.
Appearances are important.
Given the choice of a bright, shiny, well lit diner or a dimly lit fast food restaurant surrounded by a littered parking lot, most would choose the diner. Given the choice of drinking a tall glass of clear, cool water or taking a swig of water from a chipped cup with remains of a previous meal encrusted around the rim, most would choose the glass.
Our sensory systems – taste, smell, vision, auditory and touch – are intertwined. Research shows that our vision heavily influences our tasting, smelling and even our thinking.
First impressions are powerful. In a matter of seconds we form impressions. It is our human nature to quickly evaluate and move on – I will eat that. I won’t eat that. I will buy that. I won’t buy that. I will like this person. I won’t like this person. Good? Bad? Right? Wrong? I cannot say unequivocally, but I can tell you it is how it is.
It is how we are.
Which makes me think again about the teachings in Isaiah 43:10 (ESV) – “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen…”
Not just those who travel to foreign lands or those who go door-to-door or those who engage in street evangelism – all Christians are witnesses. Everyday, everywhere, all the time we are the Lord’s witnesses.
Many think of witnessing as something you do. We equate it with certain acts and behaviors like passing out tracts, sharing testimonies during street revivals, ringing doorbells or praying the sinner’s prayer with someone after sharing an outline of faith.
But the truth is that we are witnesses all the time. And note that Acts 1:8 says, “You shall be witnesses…” not You shall do witnessing.
So like it or not, you are a witness.
What kind of witness are you?
I once heard a minister say, “Your witness is only as good as your personal relationship with Jesus and the extent to which you submit to the power of His Holy Spirit allowing Him to work in and through you.”
What does it look like you are selling? When people see you, are they drawn to Christ or do they turn the other way?
People are watching. We are making impressions, and they are evaluating. What kind of witness are you?
THIS WEEK reflect on your witness. How are you presenting God’s truth? Remembering that we eat with our eyes, consider first your appearance – not just your dress or hairstyle, but how you carry yourself, your speech and your actions because, indeed, people will struggle to hear what you say when they are focused on watching what you are doing. What might you need to change? Is there something you need to stop doing (gossiping, telling off color jokes, lying, hanging out with a certain crowd…). Is there something you need to begin doing (speaking truth in love, being on time for work, being more quiet, spending more time alone or with a different crowd…). Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will whisper to you revealing actions you need to take to strengthen your witness. Pray that the Holy Spirit opens your ears and your heart to hear, receive and act swiftly upon what He tells you.
FULLY ALIVE! 