Category: Life In Christ

Example

“I will not be like my parents. I won’t do or say the things they do.” How many times in our young lives did we say this only to find out when we have our own children, we say or do the same things as our parents? I have found myself saying or being in this situation while I’ve raised my children. Sometimes I have thought “I have become my mother or my father.” I had good parents, I know some who have not. They raised me to follow God. If that was the one thing they imparted to me, it would be enough, because the example they taught me to follow is Jesus, not them. 

Recently, I studied the words ‘labor in vain’ in the Bible. The verses I looked up are as follows:

“I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing.” Galatians 4:11 (NLT)

“Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” Philippians 2:16 (NLT)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV)

This morning I thought; I wonder, did my parents say: “I have worked and tried to raise you to be the best you can be and has all my hard work paid off?” Then I think of the many ways we disappoint God, but still he chooses to have a relationship with us. My children (two are grown) have turned out well, but I don’t take the credit and sometimes I’ve said that they turned out as they have, in spite of me. I have tried to give them the example of God to follow as well, because I am definitely not perfect. If they are following Jesus and reading the Word, they have the best example they can have through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the best counselor they have.

“Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Hebrews 12:7-9 (MSG)

I have prayed a verse for my children through the years. This doesn’t let me off the hook, but if I failed in any way, hopefully I expressed the importance of following God in their lives. The verse I have prayed for them is:

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6

Prayer today: Father help those around me to look to you. May my life be an example of Christ. May people see the Christ in me. Thank you for being my father and my counselor.

Facets

I decided to look up the word facet and the following three definitions describe my understanding of the word ‘facet.’ I want to share how these meanings speak to me.

Facet: –noun

  1. one of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem.
  2. a surface cut on a fragment of rock by the action of water or windblown sand.
  3. Zoology. one of the corneal lenses of a compound arthropod eye.

We are all like gems, maybe somewhat unpolished and uncut but underneath our outer cover is a brilliant gem which is spectacular when manipulated in the right hands. Those hands for my life are God’s. I have been a bit polished through God’s Word and sometimes cut, by trials I’ve been through. I try to turn all of my trials into victory by knowing in the end they are used for God’s glory. I know there is more to me that needs refining. Fine gems have the ability to disperse light. I hope to disperse the light of the world – Jesus Christ. One of the finest gemstones, a high-quality diamond is able to disperse light into a rainbow of colors. What a phenomenon in which a light can pass through a prism and result in this fabulous symbol to a great promise of God.  I want to shine like a jewel that will draw others to the light that radiates through me. Hopefully people see the Christ in me and the promises of God manifested in my life.

The second definition of facets expresses they occur by the action of water. I think of  the Living Water. Refining comes by drinking the water – the Living Water, being purified by Christ. I love water in the form of a waterfall, flowing, seemingly living water. I also love the ocean and I live less than an hour from the coast. The ocean is a ceaseless flow of water, constantly moving with waves splashing on the shore. The waves change the coastline and rocks along the shore. What an awesome force, able to move or reshape the geography of the earth!  Our bodies are comprised of mostly water, from fifty-five up to seventy-five percent. I love to drink water as well. Jesus gives us a water which quenches our thirst and the well he draws from never runs dry.

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14

The last definition is a lens of an arthropod. Spiders and butterflies are arthropods which is interesting to me because these are my least and most favorite species, respectively. An arthropod’s lens or eyes are complex and are constantly adjusting, which enhances their ability to have remarkable vision. Have you ever tried to capture either of these creatures? Most spiders are quick to get away from their prey and will crawl rapidly away. Butterflies are equally elusive in temperate climates. We must use a net to capture a butterfly or catch them in a vulnerable state. This definition really stood out to me. When we are in a vulnerable state, we are tempted to look to the things of this world for comfort instead of God. If we are using our own vision to see things and people around us, we might be slow to respond and be captured by the things of this world. If we are looking through the eyes of God, which encompass everything and looks on the heart, we will stay on the path he desires for us and richly bless us.

Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. 2 Corinthians 5:16-19 (The Message)

“Because of this decision” – the decision to follow Christ with a sincere heart gives us a glorious outcome. A decision is a resolution reached. We resolve ourselves to follow God and resolve is having a firmness of purpose. A decision leads to a resolution of our lives, and that resolution is eternal life when we believe on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we follow with our whole heart, we acquire purpose. I believe that purpose is to look at others through the eyes of God. When we have the eyesight of God and see with his vision, we will learn to evaluate circumstances and people differently than with our own limited mind. We will have more compassion on others and not be judgmental. We gain his vision by studying his Word, the Bible.

Prayer: Father, help me be a brilliant gem, shining for you. Thank you for the Living Water that I can drink from daily and be refreshed. Help me to have your vision and not my singular human vision but one where I see others through your eyes with compassion and your love. Thank you for the Holy Spirit in my life that is my advocate and speaks and guides me with the truth of your Word! Amen

Listening

Listening is a skill. I have learned over the years that to be an effective communicator, I must listen. I don’t claim to be an expert listener, I’m a work in progress. I majored in Communications in college and I remember being taught how to speak well and communicate effectively to my audience. I cannot recall the times I had to give oral presentations for classes. I was prepared somewhat by my life experiences. I held jobs where I had to train people both individually and en masse. I paired written words, which I prepared, and articulated my thoughts extemporaneously. Those who learned quickly were good at listening and were attentive.

I have a friend who is an excellent listener. We used to have lengthy conversations and in talking to him one day I mentioned that he had excellent listening skills. He is patient when I communicate with him whether we are face-to-face or chatting on the phone. He told me it was an acquired skill. I have often thought of this over the years. I have tried to hone my ears to not only hear people when they speak but to actively listen. I try to listen to their emotion and their intent. If I don’t understand what they are saying, I ask questions. I tell them what I perceive and if I’m off-base most of them will explain their words if they want to get their point across.

I looked up the words hear and listen. Hear is a perception of sound and information. Listen is to pay attention and to wait for sound, to actively hear. “To wait for sound” shows me the patience we must have when we listen. Hearing is simply to perceive with the ear while listening is to try to hear and be involved with sounds. We hear noises all day, our alarm clock, our coffee maker, voices, traffic, music, birds singing, dogs barking, our computer’s hum, but how often do we actively engage with the noises we hear? Do we just hear them or do we pay attention to them and think about them?

Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. Isaiah 55:3

I remind myself mentally to take note of what other people say and try to actively listen and not just ‘hear’ their words. I try to have my ears wide open. The Bible says that we “will find life” when we listen! In Proverbs it says “don’t lose sight of them.” This is an active form of listening! It goes on to say “let them penetrate into your heart.” When we listen and understand, we don’t simply have the knowledge in our minds we carry it in our hearts. Having the words in our heart brings a change of attitude and perception, it helps us connect.

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverb 4:20-22

In Romans it speaks of connecting our faith when we hear the words of Christ. This is an active form of listening. In the Greek, the word for hearing is hearing with the soul. This is an exhortation to allow the word of God, Jesus, to penetrate our heart and soul. The “word of God” translated into the New King James version is from the Greek word ‘Christos’ referring to Christ. Christ IS the ‘word of God.’

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. (NLT) or So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverb 4:20-22

I want to communicate effectively. I want to be a better listener to my friends and family and to God. It is my desire to learn.

Prayer: Father, help me to not only hear your words but to allow them to penetrate my heart and soul. Help me to be a better listener and not one who just hears. Amen