"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:1-4
Jesus is saying here that we should not perform good deeds so that others will see us and think we are good people. After all, we are all beggars at the foot of God's door, right? If you do good deeds so that others will think good of you, then God will not reward you, for you have already received the reward you wanted--the approval of men, which pales in comparison with pleasing the Father.
But wait! Doesn't Jesus also say to let our light shine before men? Yes, but He says to let our light shine before men so that they may see our good deeds AND GLORIFY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN (Matthew 5:14-16).
Don't do good deeds to gain the approval of men. Do them to glorify God.
May you seek to be righteous today, so that others will see you and glorify your Father in Heaven.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
SOnTheM 21
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48
I know it's impossible to actually be perfect, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. God views us, through Christ, as perfect and righteous. We need to do our best to live lives that reflect that.
Here are some lyrics from All Together Separate's So Hard I Try. The writer refers to himself as a tree, constantly striving to reach the sun, even though it will not happen.
There are times I feel so far
From where I want to be
But I know You've been there too
And now You're here with me
My roots' in the ground
Head's in the clouds
How I wish I could leave
I'm branching out to heaven
Bound to the dirt
But I can see the sun
Chorus:
No matter how high
I'm reaching out for what I can't hold
So hard I try
But I'm holding on to what I can't reach
In the summer it's easy to find a reason
To keep on growing strong
But in the autumn when my leaves fall
So do my hopes and I can't find a reason at all
Though storms wrestle my faith
I'll bend but I won't break
The clouds make it seem
The light is gone
But I can see the sun
Though storms may wrestle my faith
I'll bend but I won't break
The clouds make it seem
That all the light is gone, but I can see the sun
Today, reach for the Son, even if you can never completely imitate Him, strive to do so.
Reach out for what you can't hold. Hold on to what you can't reach. In doing so, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I know it's impossible to actually be perfect, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. God views us, through Christ, as perfect and righteous. We need to do our best to live lives that reflect that.
Here are some lyrics from All Together Separate's So Hard I Try. The writer refers to himself as a tree, constantly striving to reach the sun, even though it will not happen.
There are times I feel so far
From where I want to be
But I know You've been there too
And now You're here with me
My roots' in the ground
Head's in the clouds
How I wish I could leave
I'm branching out to heaven
Bound to the dirt
But I can see the sun
Chorus:
No matter how high
I'm reaching out for what I can't hold
So hard I try
But I'm holding on to what I can't reach
In the summer it's easy to find a reason
To keep on growing strong
But in the autumn when my leaves fall
So do my hopes and I can't find a reason at all
Though storms wrestle my faith
I'll bend but I won't break
The clouds make it seem
The light is gone
But I can see the sun
Though storms may wrestle my faith
I'll bend but I won't break
The clouds make it seem
That all the light is gone, but I can see the sun
Today, reach for the Son, even if you can never completely imitate Him, strive to do so.
Reach out for what you can't hold. Hold on to what you can't reach. In doing so, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Friday, January 18, 2008
SOnTheM 20
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5:43-47
They'll Know We Are Christians
May you love and be loved today.
They'll Know We Are Christians
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us
May you love and be loved today.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
SOnTheM 19
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:38-41
"Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" was basically the law in the old days. This wasn't a vengeful type of law. Rather, that is how the punishment was dealt by the judge when one man wronged another man. Basically, "the punishment shall fit the crime." Makes sense, doesn't it? Doesn't that satisfy the sense of fairness we all believe the world should run by? Yes it does, except that the world is not fair. If it were, Christ would not have been crucified for my sins and yours, and we could not have a relationship with the Father. Aren't you glad life isn't fair?
Instead of "The Law of Retribution," which is what scholars call fairness, Jesus states that we should operate under the Law of Grace.
Here's something my friend Steven Furtick refers to as the Two Cookie Principle:
If I have two cookies, and you and I are hanging out, I have a couple options. 1) I could be a jerk and eat both of my cookies, or 2) I could be nice and give you one of my cookies. The world says that option 2 is the right choice. Of course, I should share what I have with those who don't have anything. That way, everyone will know I am a good person, I'll get an award from someone for being a great philanthropist (people who give money to do good things instead of getting their hands dirty to do good things themselves), and everyone is happy.
Here's a third option--Jesus' option--Furtick's option: I give both cookies to you. I don't hold anything back. The grace and love of Jesus Christ abound in me so much that I give everything I have to those who not. Generosity is the key here.
Today, may you give away what you have. May Christ begin to develop a generous spirit in you so that He may be seen through your generosity. Go ahead. I dare you. Try to give yourself into poverty. Try to outgive God (I know that's cheesy, but it's true).
"Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" was basically the law in the old days. This wasn't a vengeful type of law. Rather, that is how the punishment was dealt by the judge when one man wronged another man. Basically, "the punishment shall fit the crime." Makes sense, doesn't it? Doesn't that satisfy the sense of fairness we all believe the world should run by? Yes it does, except that the world is not fair. If it were, Christ would not have been crucified for my sins and yours, and we could not have a relationship with the Father. Aren't you glad life isn't fair?
Instead of "The Law of Retribution," which is what scholars call fairness, Jesus states that we should operate under the Law of Grace.
Here's something my friend Steven Furtick refers to as the Two Cookie Principle:
If I have two cookies, and you and I are hanging out, I have a couple options. 1) I could be a jerk and eat both of my cookies, or 2) I could be nice and give you one of my cookies. The world says that option 2 is the right choice. Of course, I should share what I have with those who don't have anything. That way, everyone will know I am a good person, I'll get an award from someone for being a great philanthropist (people who give money to do good things instead of getting their hands dirty to do good things themselves), and everyone is happy.
Here's a third option--Jesus' option--Furtick's option: I give both cookies to you. I don't hold anything back. The grace and love of Jesus Christ abound in me so much that I give everything I have to those who not. Generosity is the key here.
Today, may you give away what you have. May Christ begin to develop a generous spirit in you so that He may be seen through your generosity. Go ahead. I dare you. Try to give yourself into poverty. Try to outgive God (I know that's cheesy, but it's true).
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
SOnTheM 18
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:33-37
In the Old Testament, how binding an oath was was judged by how closely it was related to God's name (Yahweh). Swearing by heaven or earth was not really binding, nor was swearing by Jerusalem. However, swearing toward Jerusalem was binding, because it was swearing towards the city of God.
If you have to swear for someone to believe you, then you probably haven't proven yourself to be trustworthy in the first place. Instead of swearing to prove your honesty, just be honest. Your reputation will speak for itself, and those who truly know you will believe you, even without an oath.
If you have been dishonest toward someone and have not yet sought forgiveness from them, find them, confess to them, and ask them for their forgiveness. They may not like you, and they may indeed hate you, but at least they'll know that you tried to be honest with them, even if it took you a little while.
In the Old Testament, how binding an oath was was judged by how closely it was related to God's name (Yahweh). Swearing by heaven or earth was not really binding, nor was swearing by Jerusalem. However, swearing toward Jerusalem was binding, because it was swearing towards the city of God.
If you have to swear for someone to believe you, then you probably haven't proven yourself to be trustworthy in the first place. Instead of swearing to prove your honesty, just be honest. Your reputation will speak for itself, and those who truly know you will believe you, even without an oath.
If you have been dishonest toward someone and have not yet sought forgiveness from them, find them, confess to them, and ask them for their forgiveness. They may not like you, and they may indeed hate you, but at least they'll know that you tried to be honest with them, even if it took you a little while.
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