Verses: John 7 : 1 - 13
My thoughts about the verses:
Think back to a time when you were scared and alone. Remember that gut wrenching feeling that you felt at that moment. How you wished someone was there to share it with you. If you are like me it didn't take much to think back to that very moment and time. I bet you are taking that deep breath and you have the same feeling in your stomach that you had back then.
I want you to think about the happiest moment you ever had by yourself. Remember the feeling of excitement that you wanted to share with someone. How you wished that someone was right there so you could share with them. I bet you have a smile on your face and calmness in your spirit.
Which one of those stories did you tell others about when you weren't alone? Which one would you share right now if someone asked you to share a memory? I have a feeling it would be the second one because of the way it made you feel. In fact, I had you think of them in that order because it would help calm you down before you read on. For one short moment you had the same feeling that Jesus had at this time in his life.
He had been on a high people were so happy and were sharing his story. Then all of a sudden people started leaving him and the leaders wanted to kill him. His own brethren did not believe what they were hearing. He sent them on to the Feast of the Tabernacles because his time had not come to face the final end.
Yet, he did not stay alone he did go to Jerusalem. He did not let others know because he needed to see how people were acting. The Jewish leaders were searching for him and his followers were afraid. They were talking in whispers because they were afraid what would happen to them if they spoke openly.
Think about different groups that you have been with over your life. I know that I can say that there were times I did not share that I was a Christian. There are several reasons why, yet were they truly justified reasons? I can remember having friends that thought you could not be a Christian and be who God made you to be. Instead, of standing up and saying I am a Christian, I kept quiet. I was afraid that people would look at me differently.
Sometimes the bravest thing that we can do is to proclaim our love for Christ. It should not be that way. We should be able to shout it from the mountain tops. Yet, I know for me I didn't want people to think that I thought I was better than them. I didn't want people to exclude me, because of actions of some people who call themselves Christian.
Here is what I have learned since coming out of the closet as a Christian. When you are able to close that door and stay out of the closet you need to act the way you believe. If you act like a true Christian you will not be judged. In fact, people will seek you out because they know that you are real. When you tell someone you are praying for them, then pray for them. You must walk the talk that comes out of your mouth.
Does that mean you have to accept everything people do? No, we are still human not perfect like Christ. The fact is that we have to show everyone love even if we do not agree with what they are doing. We do not have to condone what they are doing. The fact is telling someone that they need to change a behavior is sometimes the only way to help them.
Does that mean that we never do wrong? No, we are only forgiven sinners. Simply put being a forgiven sinner means that you will strive not to do wrong. Yet, because of human nature you will do things that do not live up to the standards that Christ has set. But, when you do your heart strings will pull and you will know that you will need to ask God to forgive it and take it away from you.
Being brave enough to talk about Jesus can cause some barriers among people you love and care about. Yet, the most important thing is that your relationship with Christ will grow stronger. As it grows stronger the barriers that have come up will be torn down. If the barrier never tears apart know it is something that you need to pray about. But, do not run in fear and not talk about Jesus. The relationship that you make with your best friend, the Savior, is the most important relationship you will ever have.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for being with us in all things. Thank you for surrounding us with love and peace. Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Dear God we ask that we become brave enough to talk about you among all we come in contact with. Help us walk the talk. Jesus we thank you for the greatest example of humility. For it is through your example that we can find how to truly live our life. Help us understand that we are not perfect but only forgiven. Help tear down barriers that have come in our relationships with others. For we know that you desire peace. In the Holiest of Holy Names we pray. Amen.
Questions:
Do you have a relationship with Jesus?
If you answered no, would you like that relationship? Do you need help building that relationship? Do you need to talk to someone about that relationship?
If you answer yes, are you brave enough to talk about Jesus? Are you walking the talk? Are you ready to be a true witness for God?
My thoughts about the verses:
Think back to a time when you were scared and alone. Remember that gut wrenching feeling that you felt at that moment. How you wished someone was there to share it with you. If you are like me it didn't take much to think back to that very moment and time. I bet you are taking that deep breath and you have the same feeling in your stomach that you had back then.
I want you to think about the happiest moment you ever had by yourself. Remember the feeling of excitement that you wanted to share with someone. How you wished that someone was right there so you could share with them. I bet you have a smile on your face and calmness in your spirit.
Which one of those stories did you tell others about when you weren't alone? Which one would you share right now if someone asked you to share a memory? I have a feeling it would be the second one because of the way it made you feel. In fact, I had you think of them in that order because it would help calm you down before you read on. For one short moment you had the same feeling that Jesus had at this time in his life.
He had been on a high people were so happy and were sharing his story. Then all of a sudden people started leaving him and the leaders wanted to kill him. His own brethren did not believe what they were hearing. He sent them on to the Feast of the Tabernacles because his time had not come to face the final end.
Yet, he did not stay alone he did go to Jerusalem. He did not let others know because he needed to see how people were acting. The Jewish leaders were searching for him and his followers were afraid. They were talking in whispers because they were afraid what would happen to them if they spoke openly.
Think about different groups that you have been with over your life. I know that I can say that there were times I did not share that I was a Christian. There are several reasons why, yet were they truly justified reasons? I can remember having friends that thought you could not be a Christian and be who God made you to be. Instead, of standing up and saying I am a Christian, I kept quiet. I was afraid that people would look at me differently.
Sometimes the bravest thing that we can do is to proclaim our love for Christ. It should not be that way. We should be able to shout it from the mountain tops. Yet, I know for me I didn't want people to think that I thought I was better than them. I didn't want people to exclude me, because of actions of some people who call themselves Christian.
Here is what I have learned since coming out of the closet as a Christian. When you are able to close that door and stay out of the closet you need to act the way you believe. If you act like a true Christian you will not be judged. In fact, people will seek you out because they know that you are real. When you tell someone you are praying for them, then pray for them. You must walk the talk that comes out of your mouth.
Does that mean you have to accept everything people do? No, we are still human not perfect like Christ. The fact is that we have to show everyone love even if we do not agree with what they are doing. We do not have to condone what they are doing. The fact is telling someone that they need to change a behavior is sometimes the only way to help them.
Does that mean that we never do wrong? No, we are only forgiven sinners. Simply put being a forgiven sinner means that you will strive not to do wrong. Yet, because of human nature you will do things that do not live up to the standards that Christ has set. But, when you do your heart strings will pull and you will know that you will need to ask God to forgive it and take it away from you.
Being brave enough to talk about Jesus can cause some barriers among people you love and care about. Yet, the most important thing is that your relationship with Christ will grow stronger. As it grows stronger the barriers that have come up will be torn down. If the barrier never tears apart know it is something that you need to pray about. But, do not run in fear and not talk about Jesus. The relationship that you make with your best friend, the Savior, is the most important relationship you will ever have.
Prayer:
Dear God thank you for being with us in all things. Thank you for surrounding us with love and peace. Thank you for wanting a relationship with us. Dear God we ask that we become brave enough to talk about you among all we come in contact with. Help us walk the talk. Jesus we thank you for the greatest example of humility. For it is through your example that we can find how to truly live our life. Help us understand that we are not perfect but only forgiven. Help tear down barriers that have come in our relationships with others. For we know that you desire peace. In the Holiest of Holy Names we pray. Amen.
Questions:
Do you have a relationship with Jesus?
If you answered no, would you like that relationship? Do you need help building that relationship? Do you need to talk to someone about that relationship?
If you answer yes, are you brave enough to talk about Jesus? Are you walking the talk? Are you ready to be a true witness for God?
No comments:
Post a Comment