Creation Groans.

Last night I read with my parents the section of Romans chapter 8 which talks about creation being subjected to decay by the curse of sin through Adam's actions. Creation groans waiting to be released from it's bondage. I was reminded in two ways today at work of this bondage in myself. The bondage of sin and the bondage of decay. First, in utter frustration with my schedule and clients requests, I lashed out it anger and treated a person completely inappropriately. After it was over, I looked at myself with disgust, reminded of my sinfulness and my complete inability to do what is right (even though I want to). Second, I saw a high school friend who was expressing his sadness at the loss of his youthful health and strength which reminded me of my many recent physical weaknesses. We together looked forward to the time when we will have new bodies in the kingdom of heaven. (My friend is a believer). My body groans to be remade as does my spirit, and someday soon, it will happen.

Resolution.

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

-Jonathon Edwards, August 1723.

You Alone.

I've come to your thrown so cold and alone.
I'm calling on your name.
I lift my hands to the sky...open wide,
and I cry Lord take me away.
Take this heavy heart, this weary soul
and set them free.
Remove myself 'til there's nothing left
but you alone in me.

I'm letting go of all that I know.
I'm holding on to you alone.
I lay it all down, down here at your feet.
I want you alone, you alone.

If I go to the heavens above,
Lord I know you are there.
If I make my bed in the depths,
Lord I know you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
or settle on the far side of the sea,
Even still Lord I know you will, you will always be there with me.

I'm letting go of all that I know.
I'm holding on to you alone.
I lay it all down, down here at your feet.
I want you alone, you alone.

-Casting Pearls

Courage.

I would define courage as the character trait which allows a person to do what is "right" in spite of fear. To encourage someone is to help them to be courageous.

Hebrews 10:24-25:
"And lets us consider how we might spur one another on to love and good deeds. And let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and even more as we see the Day approaching."

The author of Hebrews reveals in these verses the importance of community in the Christian's life. He tells us to spur (encourage) one another on to love and good deeds (right actions), and he tells us to habitually meet together for this encouragement. It is a difficult thing to be courageous. God repeatedly tells Joshua (Joshua chapter 1) to "be strong and courageous" as he prepares to take the Israelites into the promised land. I need to meet with and listen to my God and my Christian brothers and sisters in order to remain strong. When I drift from this fellowship, my courage weakens.

Anxiety.

I usually get anxious when I perceive I am at risk of losing something I treasure. I might have anxiety over an illness, because I treasure my health and "pain" free living. Or, I might become anxious over my financial situation, because I like my economic status and don't want to sell my house and other material things. So, I worry about my worldly treasure. I have noticed that when I am spending more time with God in prayer and reading his word, my worries seem to melt away. I think this is because I begin to treasure the Lord and what he promises me in the future, and I realize that my inheritance through faith in him can never be taken away. Jesus also promises to care for us here on earth when we follow him (Matthew 6:33).

Mat 6:19-21: Jesus said.... "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Lord may I "fix my eyes" on you and may I desire the things you have for me and not the things of this world. May you be my only treasure.

Love God....

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind..." Luke 10:27.

Wow, what does loving God with that passion look like?

The first four commandments give us some insight.
-You shall have no other gods before him (God).
-Do not make an idol out of anything. Worship no one or no thing but God.
-Do not misuse God's name.
-Remember the sabbath and keep it holy.
All from Exodus chapter 20.

Jesus and the New Testament scripture give us more insight on what loving God looks like in the following verses.
-"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me ..."(words of Jesus; John 14:21).
-This is love for God: to obey his commands (1 John 5:3).
-"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me... "(words of Jesus; Matthew 10:37).
-For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

So, we are called to be obedient to all the commands of Christ, to put God above all things (even our families) and to live for Him (not for ourselves).

Love Your Neighbor...

Jesus said......'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Luke 10:27

What does loving my neighbor as myself look like? I believe it has to do with how I treat others, not necessarily how I feel about others. When I interact with someone, do I treat them as I would treat myself under the same circumstances?

The last six of the ten commandments give us a good starting point from which to begin in determining what a life dedicated to the above would look like.
-Honor your father and mother.
-Do not murder.
-Do not commit adultery.
-Do not steal.
-Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.
-Do not covet what is your neighbors.

Jesus expands on these in the sermon on the mount in Mattew chapter 5 and following. Some excerpts:
-He compares anger at one's brother to murder (5:21,22).
-He compares lustful imagination to adultery (5:27, 28).
-He tells us not to resist an evil person (turn the other cheek 5:39).
-He tells us to give to those who ask (5:42).
-He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us(5:44).

Not always easy.

No Pain, No Gain

I visited a family member today in the hospital. He has been having pain in his abdomen, recurrently occuring without warning every so often. It has been severe enough for him to seek medical attention, and today he underwent surgery to correct the problem. After the surgery, he was in a lot of pain and probably will have some discomfort for weeks to come. He had to accept an increase in pain over the short term through his surgery in order to alleviate his future discomfort. Sometimes God allows painful situations in our lives for our future benefit. His word says that he disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6) meaning he allows or even causes painful situations in our lives in order to mold us into the image of his son (change our behavior and draw us to a closer relationship to him). Like a surgeon he cuts away the damaged and dysfuntional tissue of our flesh to make us more like him. He also uses these difficult circumstanes to "prove our faith genuine (1 Peter 1:7 )." If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and savior, and we love him and are called according to his purpose, God works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). The pain we go through now will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7). Stand fast in the difficult times of life. They are temporary and soon God, if we remain faithful, will lift us up.