Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NAS)
"Look at how the guy conducts himself. This surely is not an example of his faith as a Christian, is it?”
Some of us may have heard such a remark being said about us or someone else. Whether we like it or not, as Christians we are constantly under the scrutiny of the people around us. We may readily admit we are just human, imperfect in our ways. Yet Jesus said, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
As a fallen people saved by grace, how are we to conduct ourselves and live up to such a tall calling? The answer is in the next verse. Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). Although the focus of this verse is about not displaying acts of righteousness to show off to men, it is implied that perfection is not something we can achieve by our own effort or through practice. For by grace we have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
To be perfect is therefore about the onward goal to walk in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in bearing His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23). All these traits are not likely to come upon us the moment we receive Jesus. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to become more Christ-like, such will gradually and naturally grow in us.
Living by example to reveal Christ to the world through our lives is not about pretense but about faith in God. Like Jesus, we may be misunderstood at times when we are seen in the company of people who are considered not morally acceptable in conduct (Matthew 9:10-13). Or perhaps, we may be doing something wrong or behaving in a way that does not correspond to our faith as a Christian. Whether we are doing right or wrong, we need to always remember we are followers of Christ and should not become stumbling blocks to others or to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9).
Let us in all things show ourselves as examples of good deeds with purity in doctrine, dignity, soundness of speech that is beyond reproach so our opponents having nothing bad to say about us may be put to shame (Titus 2:7-8). Since we belong to Christ Jesus and have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, let us who live by the Spirit also walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25). For we have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21).
Forgive us dear Lord for the many times our conduct have misconstrued Your ways and love for Your people. Empower us Lord by Your Spirit to bear good fruit that Your name may be glorified. Help us be good examples that we may reveal You to the world through our daily lives without pretense or causing others to stumble. Thank You Lord for leaving us an example to follow in Your steps.
Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. (Luke 12:18 NAS)
When a Canadian business decided it was time to expand to the United States, it thought it was the right way to move forward. According to an article of February 24, 2013 at FailFastSucceedFaster.com, Harry Rosen Inc., a Canadian chain of men’s high-end fashion stores, thought it had to grow to become a larger market player. So during the late 1980s or early 1990s, it made the decision to expand abroad. Shortly after it opened a store in Buffalo, New York, it discovered the retail scene in the United States was very different.
One of the biggest challenges Harry Rosen encountered was the need to constantly change who ran the store at Buffalo. The store was a very small part of the business, yet in order to get it to become successful, much attention was needed. In the late 1990s, the store was converted into a boutique as part of a business venture with Hugo Boss to open a number of stores in the United States. Business in Canada was thriving but operations in the United States were absorbing many of its key people and their attention despite losing money.
Eventually, in 2001, the decision was made for the business to exit the United States to refocus on its Canadian operations. Within two to three years, Harry Rosen recouped its losses and performed much better for its Canadian operations.
Like the story of Harry Rosen’s venture into expanding markets, Jesus told a parable of a rich man who contemplated to expand his barns to store more grain and goods (Luke 12:16-20). With the expansion, the rich man was hoping to lay up plenty of crops for many years and take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you.” So who would own what the rich man had prepared?
Expanding our business or financial standing is perfectly fine so long as we know the risks and are not storing up treasures for ourselves. Nevertheless, it is better for us to be rich toward God than toward worldly gains (Luke 12:21; Matthew 6:19-20). If we discover we are losing ourselves in this world or becoming too absorbed accumulating earthly riches, then we need to take steps to recoup by refocusing on God.
Let us never ever give up our love for the Lord (Revelation 2:4-5). Always remember the devotion of our youth, how we loved and followed Him (Jeremiah 2:2). Direct our focus on God that we may in all areas of our lives perform better (Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 40:31). Fix our eyes directly ahead and our gaze straight. Give careful thought to the paths we take and stay steadfast in all our ways. Do not turn to the right or left; walk away from evil (Proverbs 4:25-27).
Dear Lord, thank You for the many blessings You have given us. We know that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. Help us be mindful Lord the Giver rather than the gift and not to expand our wealth to the point of losing ourselves. Restore us Lord as we refocus our lives and fix our eyes on You that we may once again devote ourselves to love You more and more every day.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12 NAS)
“Don't put your hopes up too high or expect too much because the higher you are the deeper you might fall.”
Such an advice is probably not unfamiliar to most of us. Yet too often a door closes in our lives when we least expect it. Our circumstances change all the time and once in a while we may succumb to the crumbling effects of shattered dreams, broken relationships, losing someone we loved or other unexpected occurrences.
Perhaps, we had made plans to accomplish something in life but failed to get it or perhaps we had relied too much on someone or something to achieve our goals without whom or which we feel helpless. When we put too high hopes on something or someone, sometimes God may choose to take it away from us so we may learn to depend on Him.
After Job lost his cattle, flocks, camels, servants and all his children in an unexpected turn of events, he did not blame God. Instead, he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:13-22).
How do we respond to the unexpected? Do we bless God or curse our misfortunes? Are we putting our hopes up too high or expecting too much? Is our reliance on God or on our worldly riches or people?
The Bible says, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). If we think we are standing firm, therefore, we need to be careful to take heed lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
If our reliance is on God, there is no need for us to worry about the unexpected because if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Our God knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not harm us, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
We can expect the unexpected because no test or temptation has overtaken God’s people but such as is common to man. Our God is faithful; He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. With the temptation, He will provide a way out so we can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When a door is closed at a time we least expect, rest assured God will open another. He knows our deeds and has placed before us an open door that no one can shut if we have kept His word and not denied His name (Revelation 3:8).
Dear Lord, we do not know what the future holds, but we know You hold the future. In You therefore we put our complete trust. You O God are the Almighty and we need not fear what lies ahead because You know Your plans for us. Help us prevail over our circumstances and bless Your name regardless the dire situation we are in. Show us the way of escape that we may endure it. We are forever grateful to You Lord because You have richly supplied all things for our enjoyment.
In my longing to be more like Jesus, I’ve undertaken the study of his “I am” statements as recorded in the book of John.
Jesus said “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10: 11)
I am not a shepherd. My herding experience includes kittens, children, and occasional teenagers … but no sheep.
Interestingly, Jesus was not a shepherd by trade either. He was a tekton (carpenter or builder) before becoming the traveling Rabbi. Nevertheless, the metaphor captures a critical dimension of Jesus’ life and ministry.
“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.” (John 10:11b-12)
Now, this I need! I need a shepherd. Acknowledging our need for the Shepherd is the first step on the path to the Kingdom. We are not independent. Not self-sufficient. We do not inhabit personal islands.
We need a shepherd because we wander. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). We wander from the path. God chose his Son to guide us. Neither the nation approach nor the vocal prophets of the Old Testament succeeded in drawing people into the restored relationship with the Lord.
Jesus alone is our Shepherd. He gave his life for us, his sheep. Following his death, the Holy Spirit came to guide and counsel and encourage. We continue to learn from Jesus’ Word! He promised to keep and hold us forever.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me … They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:14, 16)
Truly, my goal is not to own my own sheep pen. I am first and foremost a sheep among my Lord’s flock. As such, I seek to know his voice and know him and follow him.
An addendum: there are times when the Lord calls us to shepherd his flock. When this call comes, may we take this step with all the humility and love and joy that the Lord himself exhibited in his incarnate life!
Your turn
- Where are you with the Shepherd?
- Have you entered the Shepherd’s pen? Do you know His voice?
- Are you competing with the Shepherd for His flock or for His attention?
Be at peace. Know that the the Shepherd is ever watchful and fully in control! You can rest and you can graze. —Sharon R. Hoover
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV)
My friend has a theory that when you get married God gives you a marriage download. All of a sudden those household mysteries, like how to cook a nutritious dinner every night, and impressing your father-in-law with your sporting knowledge, just fall into your head and you become the perfect spouse. I don't know about you but when I got married I missed out.
I wish I received one thing in a download package when I got married.
All I want is the ability to remove stains from the brand new white cotton linen my husband and I bought right after our honeymoon. I loved the fresh, crisp look of the white sheets and carefully made sure to wash them only with other white clothes.
One afternoon, when the bedding was blown off the line onto the sand was all it took to turn my beautiful white linen into a patchwork of browns. A bit like sin, dirt crept onto them when I wasn’t looking, and caused a stain I couldn’t remove.
I really tried to get those stains out.
I tried bleach.
I tried leaving them out for the good old African sun.
I tried miracle stain removing paste.
Nothing would completely remove the marks. My struggle to remove these blemishes made me think a little harder about Isaiah 1:18 and the miracle God performs when he takes our bright red sins and turns them as white as the froth on a cappuccino.
God hasn’t just tried (like me) to scrub out the sin in your life but he’s actually removed all trace of it (it’s like you have brand new sheets not just bleached white ones). He’s given us a brand new life, not just a new lease on life. Don’t take this gift he’s given us for granted.
Have you ever sat and thought about the miracle God has performed in removing our sins for good? Take a moment to thank him for making you completely new. —Wendy van Eyck
When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
I can remember taking swimming lessons as a child. In order to pass, we were required to jump off the diving board. This terrified me, but it was the final step in proving we could swim. I did not have a lot of confidence in my ability to accomplish this task. Finally, the instructor swam out near where I would resurface after jumping and assured me that he would be there if I needed assistance. The deep water terrified me, but knowing someone was there to save me if I could not make it on my own gave me the courage to complete the task.
Sometimes in life, things get so difficult you literally feel like you are drowning. The more you struggle the deeper you seem to go. Maybe things seem totally hopeless. You try your best, but the situation just continues to get worse. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that no matter the battle, God is with us. He will not let us drown in the raging river or be burned up by the fire.
Exodus 14:13 says, 'The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.' In deep water sometimes you cannot tell which way it is to the surface. It is a natural instinct to fight for your next breath, but if you will be still your body will typically begin to surface. Our lives are the same way. Sometimes, we just need to be still and let God fight for us. Soon we will see the light begin to emerge at the surface of our problem as God fights for us.
What is the deep water in your life today? Maybe it’s a relationship that seems to be crumbling at your feet, an addiction that controls your every thought, or financial difficulties that consume all your energy. Whatever the struggle, God will be with you. He will not let you drown! —Tresa Walker
So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company. (Genesis 13:11 NIV)
Choices are a part of life. Some of the choices we make are pretty minor. My clothing choices this morning likely will not have a huge impact on the rest of my life, for example.
Other decisions, however, can be much more life-changing. Sometimes—perhaps even often—we have no idea how much of an impact a decision may have on our perspective, our future, our lives.
One of these life-changing choices was made by the Old Testament character Lot, nephew to Abraham. Abraham had decided that the two of them, who had been living together, needed to part company and settle in different parts of the land. Abraham had given his nephew first choice. I'd wager Lot had no idea of the repercussions this one decision would bring.
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. (Genesis 13:10-12)
It probably didn't look like that important of a decision at the time. In hindsight, however, we know the results were disastrous.
Lot was looking for 'the good life'—he saw the well-watered plain, and knew his existence would be much easier if he set down his roots there. His sheep would be more satisfied, his men would be more satisfied, and life would generally be less painless. Or so he thought.
He forgot to consider his neighbors. Did you notice the very end of the 13th verse? 'He pitched his tents near Sodom.' Now, you might think that this is a case of hindsight being 20/20. (I know I don't have to tell you the problems with Sodom). But, that is not indicated in the text. The very next verse informs us that the men of Sodom 'were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.'
So, perhaps we give Lot a cheer for not settling in the city. But that doesn't last long. By the time God's judgment is about to be meted on it, Lot is a resident of the city-and possibly even an official. And the damage has been done. Though Lot continues to follow God (he is, after all in the Hebrews 12 "hall of faith"), he and his family meet much disaster.
- He stooped low enough to offer his daughters as sexual playthings
- His wife turned to a pillar of salt
- He had to leave a home, no matter how debased, that he wanted to stay in
- His daughters had incestuous relationships with him, birthing two nations that would eventually be Israel's enemies
What a bunch of tragedy from one choice. Have you made a choice like this? Did you consider your potential 'neighbors?'
Seek the Lord: not the easy life. With Him behind each choice, you can't help but be in His will. —Joanne Sher
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the freedom to make our own choices. Help us, though, Lord, to make the decisions that You know are best for us. Help us to make Your priorities ours, so we will receive Your blessings and not the curses of the world around us. Help us to seek You in every choice we make. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5:19 NAS)
I read in a devotional some time ago a story of a man waiting for his heart bypass surgery. He was feeling uneasy as he thought about what could go wrong, for he was aware people die during surgery. An orderly soon came by to take him to the surgical suite. While pushing the gurney along the corridor, the orderly hummed an old Irish hymn, ‘Be Thou My Vision.’ Memories of lush green fields and the ancient stone ruins came to the man’s mind, flooding his soul like a fresh breath of home, for Ireland was the land of his birth. When the orderly finished humming the Irish hymn, he then hummed Horatio Spafford’s hymn, ‘It is Well with My Soul.’
“God has used you this day,” said the man to the orderly when they finally arrived outside the surgical suite.
“How so?” the orderly asked in surprise.
“Your ‘hums’ brought God to me,” the man replied.
The Bible teaches us to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). When our hearts are joyful and thankful to God, our outward expressions can influence and touch others too. Knowingly or unknowingly, our Christlikeness reveals a side of God in us, for the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
Are we growing in Christlikeness and revealing Christ in us? Are we Spirit-filled, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God our Father? If we are not, then let us be careful how we walk—not as unwise men but as wise—that we may understand the will of God and express in kind the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-20; Galatians 5:22-23). Like in a mirror, let us behold the glory of the Lord as we see ourselves being transformed into His image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Let our mouths be filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy for the Lord has done great things for us (Psalm 126:2-3). Who knows, God may even use our humming to restore someone’s soul.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Transform us Lord into Your image more and more each day as we walk in Your ways according to Your will. Fill our souls with Your joy Lord that we may not be fearful, uneasy, or overwhelmed by the cares of this world but to always be thankful, singing and making melody with our hearts to You.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19 NIV)
Those of us who have rabbits as pets would be familiar with their thumping behavior. When a rabbit thumps its hind legs, it is usually to warn its animal or human companions of danger or simply an expression of frustration or anger. Depending on the rabbit’s body language, understanding what it is trying to communicate is easy. If a rabbit appears on alert and tense, it is a clear signal of possible danger. If it appears annoyed, it is telling us, "I don’t like what you are doing" or "I will not be ignored."
Sometimes, our behavior differs little from that of the rabbits. We are willing to look out for the interests of others at times but not always. Once in a while, in our anger or frustration we may get careless with our words and thump at another or our spouse with our unreasonable expectations. One of the most worrying trends prevalent today is domestic abuse and intimate partner violence.
"Domestic violence is a huge problem not only in our communities but tragically in our churches as well," said Dr. George O. Wood in the video Sin by Silence at ChristianityToday.com. "There are more victims in our churches than we would care to admit and it is time to courageously intervene in this plague on our nation. Abusive behavior in our homes and families is simply unacceptable."
According to an article at ForYourMarriage.org, women often stay with their abusers because of fear. They are afraid the abuser will become more violent if they try to leave. Some fear they will lose their children, while many believe they cannot make it on their own.
"I left with my three daughters several times, but he'd always track us down," said Brenda, a victim of domestic violence sharing her story at Heart-2-Heart.ca. "By the final year of our marriage, my life had deteriorated into a nightmare of fear, pain and despair, and I didn't know how to help for myself."
Abusive men tend to be jealous, possessive and easily angered, wrote the author of the article at ForYourMarriage.org. Typically, they blame their partner for the abuse, saying, "You made me do this." Alcohol and drugs are also common causes of domestic violence.
Conflicts are inevitable in every intimate relationship. Nevertheless, we can come before God to iron out our dissensions and differences toward a healthy conflict resolution. Beyond that, however, we need to understand that domestic violence is not mere marital conflicts and such has no place in a healthy relationship. If there is any abusive behavior in our homes or families, we should not be afraid to sound out to our pastors or to seek help.
The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them” and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 5:25). A marriage relationship is a covenant and should always be one of love and care (Malachi 2:14-15; 1 Peter 3:7). If there is anything we need to caution the other, therefore, let us do so out of love to forewarn against hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, dissensions, drunkenness and the like. For whoever lives like this and practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). Thumping to express displeasure or demand obedience is not the way to go, for God hates those who love violence (Psalm 11:5).
Dear Lord, we pray for families to live in love without abuse or violence. We ask O God for those under abuse not to remain in silence and for Your comfort and care to lead them to the help they need. Forgive us Lord if we are the abuser, and correct us in the way You would have us change from our violent ways. Tame our anger Lord and fill us with Your love, just as You loved the church and gave Yourself up for her. Renew us in spirit and mind Lord that we may be set free from our old ways to live anew to bear the fruit of the Spirit in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur, And He will hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17 NAS)
In a news article of February 21, 2013 at WishTV.com, a Greenwood doctor was reported to be under fire after he admitted to charging a patient more money for whining, among other complaints.
“I charged him level 5,” the doctor wrote in his blog post, “for taking so much of my time, for bad-mouthing his previous doctors, and for incessant whining.”
Several medical billing experts interviewed said the post written by the doctor is unlikely to rise to the level of “illegal billing” as it would be hard to prove the intent of billing abuse.
Bad-mouthing and whining are not something uncommon to many people. When we do our best in our job, for example, we tend to sometimes expect our hirer to reward us in one way or another besides paying us what is due. At times, we may feel unhappy or discontent when we do not receive the appreciation or reciprocal return we feel we deserve, especially when we see our peers getting rewarded instead of us. Perhaps we may have put in more hours at work than the others and yet receive the same wages or bonuses, or perhaps we did not receive anything at all. Gradually, we may begin to grumble and whine without realizing the harm we are bringing to ourselves and others.
The Bible contains many teachings about grumbling and complaining. In the epistle to the brethren at Corinth, Paul wrote about the events that took place in the Old Testament days to teach them the mistakes to avoid so they may not have to bear the consequences. One of these mistakes includes grumbling or complaining (1 Corinthians 10:10).
Job, in his sufferings and troubles, complained (Job 7:11; 10:1). King David, praying for the destruction of the treacherous, complained and murmured (Psalm 55:17). God responded to Job with a question and Job sought forgiveness (Job 40:1-5). David acknowledged God’s salvation and redemption in bringing his complains to God (Psalm 55:16, 18).
Are we grumbling, murmuring, complaining or whining? If we are, then let us be aware the consequences we may have to bear. While charging extra may be unethical in medical billing, the price we pay for bad attitudes or behavior can cost us more. If we are a worker or an employee, our job can be put at risk if we persist with our grumbling or whining. Such behavior is bad influence to others and can cause low morale—a sure way to get fired. Remember, in whatever we do we should work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord we will receive our reward (Colossians 3:23-24).
Dear Lord, forgive us for sometimes whining, grumbling, murmuring or complaining about so many things. We know Lord the consequences we may have to bear with such behavior and we pray that You be merciful to us in our weakness. Help us rise above our circumstances Lord, knowing that our reward is from You, not men. Renew us by Your Spirit Lord that we may grow to be more and more like You each day and not be a bad influence to others. Redeem our soul in peace O Lord as we call upon You to save us in our times of troubles and need.
