Teen Tuesday: Christian or Christ-like?

 II Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 

 We cannot justify sinning or doing wrong because other people are doing wrong.  You have probably heard your mother say, “If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”  We should stop comparing ourselves to others, whether it is to make ourselves look better, or to justify something we have done wrong.  God tells us that if we compare ourselves to others around us, we are not wise. 

 We are to fashion ourselves after Christ, not our friends.  This is a much tougher comparison, because Christ is perfect.  When we compare ourselves to Christ, our sins become obvious and demand change.  If we are honest, we must humble ourselves and ask for His forgiveness for our sins.  If we will constantly compare ourselves to Christ, we will have to change our outlook on others.  We will not be able to stand in a position of pride above anyone else.  All Christians are imperfect people striving to be like a perfect Saviour.  If we keep our focus on Christ, we will keep growing our entire life.  This is what the Christian life is all about, striving to be more like Jesus!

Monday's Message: A Little Leaven

A Little Leaven:  
Sin is dangerous, in fact, it is deadly!  We must be cautious of its existence in our lives and in those who have influence in our lives.  Let’s be honest, none of us are perfect; we are all going to make mistakes and probably sin an average of more than once a day.  Though, I believe we can all recognize the difference in regrettable mistakes and willful wickedness.  The sin of fornication was clearly named in this passage.  Apparently, it had become well known that some to the people in the Church at Corinth were openly involved in immoral relationships.  There is no indication of shame on their part, but rather a defiant arrogance about this ungodly behavior. Paul warns them to separate themselves from those who were involved in a sinful lifestyle and were not willing to repent and forsake it for Christ’s sake. 

Of course, we as Christians, should desire to help those trapped in the bonds of sin, but we must also recognize that sinners have to first desire change and repentance.  There comes a point when we will realize that a person is more in love with his sin than the Saviour.  At that point we will have to limit the amount of time we spend with that person until he makes some changes.  This is not something that we should do cheerfully or with malice, but with much prayer and hope that those changes will be made quickly. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”  Leaven is what causes loaf of bread to rise.  The whole “lump” (which illustrates a group of people) is changed because of the leaven (which pictures the wickedness in the group).  Sin has an effect on all those around it.  If you are involved in sin you are hurting those around you, and if you are around someone living in sin you are being affected by it. 

I Corinthians 5:1-8 
1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Sunday Says: Week 14

Family Friday: Suffering the Right Way

Jesus showed us the right way to respond to suffering. In your hard circumstance or tragedy or heartbreaking disappointment, you can learn to respond as Jesus did. As you study God’s Word, follow His example as God guides you by His Holy Spirit in each situation you encounter. Through your suffering, you can understand more about your Savior.

Ask yourself: how can God use this situation to produce humility in me?

God hates pride. (See Proverbs 6:16–17.) On the other hand, “by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Therefore, when you suffer you should look for ways to learn humility. “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

Ask yourself: what character qualities can God develop in me through this situation?

Your heavenly Father wants you “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). As the Lord gives you grace to respond to each circumstance like Jesus would respond, you will  develop godly character. The Bible tells us that even the Son of God learned obedience through what He suffered. (See Hebrews 5:8.)

Carefully review the list of character qualities as you ask yourself, Which ones could be developed in my life as I respond correctly to this circumstance?

For example:

·        Could I learn patience as a result of this circumstance?

·         What can this situation teach me about the need for alertness?

·         How can I learn obedience as a result of this situation?

·         Could this suffering motivate me to express gratefulness for things I’ve previously taken for granted?

·         Can I develop more compassion for others because of this experience?

I have prayed many times for the Lord to help me learn my lesson the first time through the trial. If we don’t learn the lesson God has for us, then we may have to repeat it time and again.

Thoughtful Thursday: Grace and Mercy

Grace is getting what Jesus deserves.

Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Romans 3:24 - "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

II Corinthians 9:15 - "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Mercy was Jesus taking what we deserve.

II Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Ephesians 1:7 - "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

Genesis 32:10 - "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant;"

We Pray Wednesday: Prayer Testimony

My father had a procedure this past summer which required someone to drive him home

from the hospital. We arrived early for the procedure and, of course, had many parking

spaces to choose from.  I debated for just a moment in my mind about where to park but

ultimately chose a close place so I could get the car in case Dad needed me to pick him

up at the door.  We were given the test results immediately and he was given a great

report!  Upon returning to my Tahoe, I was shocked to see the entire passenger side

was completely damaged.  We called the police to make a report, but all I could think

about was how much my insurance would increase.  I prayed as we waited for the officer

to arrive.  It was amazing that the hospital security cameras had not only recorded the

accident but also showed that the other vehicle was still in the parking lot.  This changed

the ticket from a moving citation to a hit and run and it cost me absolutely nothing on my

insurance!  God sometimes answers our prayers before we pray them!