Shine, People, Shine

It's been awhile since I've heard the song, Shine, Jesus, Shine, by Hillsong. The chorus says, "Shine, Jesus, Shine, fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze, Spirit, Blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light."

This morning as I went for an early walk and looked up at the moon and the stars, the Lord reminded me, "Let your (our) light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). So when I got home I looked up the passage again:

You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden... In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise (glorify) your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:13-16)

"A city on a hill cannot be hidden... in the same way, let your light shine..." People are looking at us. I recently saw an interview on ABC, I think it was, where the Victoria Secret Model for 2011 resigned because the Holy Spirit was convicting her about the conflicting message she was portraying as Christian baring her body before the world in such a sexy role. She gave glory to God in her interview by unashamedly telling the world that she  increasingly felt she was not being a good example to young girls as a Christian and the Lord convicted her to step down.

I think of some of the recent headlines of Christians coming under public attack and standing up for Christ. Again, I thought of this passage, "...A city on a hill cannot be hid...let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and praise (glorify) your Father in heaven." Now back to that classic song, Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus shines through us. Our lives are the ones on display. The light of Christ has to shine through us. It shines through us when we love our brothers, our neighbors, our co-workers and our enemies. The light of our lives shine when we live for Christ in our day to day relationships.

Jesus said, "...let your light shine before MEN, that they may SEE your good deeds and praise (glorify) your Father in heaven." I don't believe it's so much the work, ministry or "good deeds" you do within the church walls that He speaks of, but rather, the good deeds you do at home, at work, at the grocery store or shopping mall. It's the work done at the homeless shelter or soup kitchen, the work done at the prison or hospital visiting the sick. The work done shoveling snow for your neighbor who needs assistance or the good deed of patiently allowing the car at the stop sign or on your left to get in front of you. It's smiling at the check out cashier who might be disgruntled or tired. It's being patient with the waitress or waiter in the restaurant and leaving them a tip and a tract if you feel led.

My brother, who is not saved yet (it's coming), left a Christmas card in our mailbox for the mail woman. She was so grateful, she couldn't stop thanking me. I realized it must have been my brother. I wouldn't be surprised if he put a little monetary gift in there for her as well. If unbelievers can regularly do good deeds how much more should we? There are many unbelievers who serve at soup kitchens, homeless shelters and the like. What about the body of Christ? We all have different gifts and callings. Even if you don't feel as though you have any special gift or calling, you do. You have Christ. Open up your life and your eyes. Stop thinking about just you and yours as you go about your day. Smile, pray, be patient, be generous. Give yourself away. Don't just sing the song, live it. You are the light of the world.

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One of today's popular worship songs is, I Give Myself Away. Please read the lyrics below, but let's not just sing the words on Sunday or in our cars as we drive along, or at a conference, let's really live them.


Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I'm longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away

Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands

Bridge:
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you

Prayer:
Father, Help us as your people to live for you, to die to self and shine for you. Help us to be one, even as Jesus prayed so that the world may believe that You sent Him.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

www.celebratingmen.blogspot.com.

Live a Life Worthy

Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

I've been reading Ephesians 4, verses 1-6 over and over again the last week. God wants us to live a life worthy of the calling He's given us. It's a cry! Yes, it's instruction. Yes, it's a command. But I hear Paul saying "...I urge you..." It's a cry, a plea that is resonating in my heart.

In times like these, more than ever before, we need to live lives that are worthy, lives that are holy. Over the last week, different parts of the passage at different times have stood out. Yesterday it was, "As a prisoner for the Lord..." and the beginning of verse two which says, "Be completely humble and gentle..." I asked myself, "Why did Paul preface his instruction to live holy with his current state of imprisonment?" What was the importance of him introducing the instruction to live holy in that way? Paul was using himself as an example for them to follow.

Paul was a prisoner for the cause of Christ. Paul had been beaten, stoned, imprisoned, rejected and misunderstood for the cause of Christ. He could say with authority, "Live worthy of the calling you have received."

Let Paul's plea ring in our ears this year. Every day let us remember to walk worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus.

"How to Live Worthy" - Next Post (Stay tuned)

Remember Them

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I pray you all had a great start to the new year. I thank God for you.

REMEMBER THEM:

Iraq & Afghanistan War Veterans
I am thinking of the troups returning from Iraq and those returning home from or still in Afghanistan. Amidst our busy lives, we need to remember them. Remember them in prayer, remember them in giving, remember them for jobs, remember them. Many of us have been personally touched by having family members or close friends serving in these wars and so it may be a little easier to keep them in the forefront of our minds. But in reality, we are all benefiting from their sacrifice and commitment and need to remember them.

Missionaries Overseas

They are fighting on the frontlines of a different kind of war, in an army of which we are all apart of. Let us remember them as we go about our lives in 2012. Remember them in prayer and financial support. Remember them and send care packages. They fight on the front lines and often go without recognition or support. Many of us are not called or wouldn't want to sacrifice all to do what these missionaries are doing for the cause of Christ. However, Paul said, "Remember those in prison as though they were your fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Heb. 13:3). Remember them.

Leaders (Church & State/Federal)

Satan is out to discredit the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and pastors/ bishops; the leadership of the church is the first line of defense. I find that there is a tendency for many Christians to do the devil's work and attack our leadership. I am not saying that they are not to be held accountable. On the contrary, we all are to be held accountable for our ministries, lives and callings. What I am referring to is the criticism that destroys. The gossip that wounds. If a survey were to be taken, I wonder what percentage of Christians would say that they pray more for their church leadership than criticize them? Being in leadership is no easy task. What if our lives- our families' lives were under a microscope daily? I am not saying that there are not those in leadership that should not be, but I can't help but remember that God is sovereign. Is it not He who when King Nebuchadnezzar raised up his head in pride and said, "Is it not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my might power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Dan.4:30), replied: "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you...Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes" (Dan. 4:31-32)?

It is God who exalts and God who humbles. Nothing is done without his knowledge. So whether we agree with our leadership or not, let's remember to lift them up in prayer. This, of course, includes our country's leaders as well.  "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4). How we respond and speak of those in leadership affects our witness. Our children, spouse, neighbors, co-workers, fellow believers are all spectators in our lives. It is very important to remember.

I witnessed two examples of how criticism of leadership can potentially damage or unnecessarily cause harm to listeners not long ago. I have a friend who did not regard the teaching of her pastor highly. She'd left her previous church when her pastor stepped down and had been going to this new church for about three years. She didn't like how this pastor preached or teached in comparison to the Word that she received from her previous pastor. I heard her criticize him a few times in the company of her two teenage children. As a result of her choice to disrespect him, it was difficult for her to receive from him. Then I noticed the last time I heard her criticise him in front of her teens that they also voiced disregard for his preaching style and said they to do not get anything from his messages. Her attitude towards him was also adopted by her children. Though I did speak up in defense of the pastor in regards to the level of respect we are to have for those God places in authority over our lives, I wasn't the parent.

The second incident I remember in reference to this principle of praying and being thankful for those in authority over us is in regards to President Obama. A millionaire acquaintence of mine remarked in grievance one day shortly after Obama's health care initiative was approved that he wondered where God was in all this and actually, how God could let this happen... (There were several hundred of us on the conference call, saved and unsaved and speaker was known to be a Christian.) He immediately followed his initial remark with, "I don't understand it, but God is sovereign." He caught himself and "saved face" as a Christian. Though in disagreement to the decision, he acknowledged God's sovereignty and ability to take care of us all.

Let's remember to pray as the time draws ever nearer to Christ's return. Pray for those in leadership. Pray for our veterans, our missionaries, our country and the lost.

May we as the body of Christ and our local bodies of fellowship, become more and more, "houses of prayer" in 2012.

Because of Him

Hi Friends and Family,
I know it's been quite a while, but I hope all is well with you.

I just want to give a public shout out to our Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! There's just no one else like him, or that can even come close. As I was reading the Word today I just marvelled at how Jesus spoke, at his love for us, his wisdom and all he's done for us.

Because of Him, you and I are now family.
Because of Him, I'm alive and not dead.
Because of Him, I am healed.
Because of Him, I fear not.
Because of him, I smile.
Because of Him I now have the best Father in the world.
Because of Him all my sins are forgiven.
Because of Him I can overcome anything.
Because of Him I can do all things.
Because of Him I have peace.
Because of Him I have eternal life.
Because of what Jesus has done for me, I am now God's child.

What Are My Rights?

In this me centered world – a world of me and mine; what is really mine? What are my rights? Two thoughts come to mind as I attempt to address this very real concern for us as believers. First is Philippians 2:1-11 which instructs us of the mindset we ought to have, and second is the inheritance, the right we have as children of the Most High. I think it’s important for us to differentiate, understand and apply both principles to our lives if we want to live victoriously.

Let’s get it right. In and of ourselves, we don’t have any rights! We were a fallen people, sinners; condemned. Our “righteousness” are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The consequence of our sin is death (Rom. 6:23). We were redeemed while still in sin by the blood of Jesus. Righteousness was imputed to us because of his blood. We have value and “rights” not because of who we are but because of whose we are. So when I think of my rights or our rights I think first of the platform, the foundation laid by Jesus Christ our Lord, and succinctly expressed in Philippians 2:1-11.

“…Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:


Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:3-11)


This, my friends, is the platform for our rights. We must first die to ourselves, die to our life of sin and pick up our cross and follow Jesus. (Rom. 6:1-13; Luke 9:23) What attitude did Jesus have? He who had all the rights as Creator, gave them up and became as nothing to save us. Astounding! Rights, what rights do we have? Only those God gives us as new creatures in Christ Jesus and as incredible as those new rights are they are shrouded in a cloak of humility because we do not deserve them.

It’s important for us to know our rights. We have the right to repent and receive forgiveness. We have the right to eternal life in Christ Jesus. We have the right to be healed. We have the right to serve (Matt. 20:25-28), the right to peace and soundness of mind (Phil 4:6-7; 2 Tim.1:7). As sons and daughters of God we have the right and power to rebuke the devil (James 4:7-8). We have the right, the power and the privilege to loose those held captive by the bonds of the enemy (Matt. 16:19; John 14:12). We have the right to take back what Satan has stolen from us. We have the right to pray, the right to intercede, the right to defend the helpless, the right to proclaim the good news of the Jesus Christ, the right to sing God’s praises and the right to pursue God. We have a multitude of rights. They’re just not self-centered. We gave up the right to self when we accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. It is no longer “I” but Christ that lives in us – the hope of glory (Col.1:27).

We have awesome rights in Christ Jesus, but let us remember that with these rights come equally awesome responsibilities. We have rights as children and ambassadors of Christ, but with those privileges come accountability. We will all one day have to give account for how we used our rights (Rom. 14:12).

In a world that's focused on the promotion of self, let us remember to keep our focus- our eyes, on Christ, not on me and mine. For it's not about us anymore. Everything we have belongs to God. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Eph. 3:1-4)

WOMEN OF GOD - Who Are We?

We’re bombarded with models of women on TV, from Hollywood, on magazine covers, on billboards, in music, in store windows, everywhere we turn we are inundated with the world’s depiction of what the ideal woman should look and be like. The devil’s campaign has been so successful that many women of God have succumbed to the deception. We’ve swallowed the ruse so completely that too often there’s no distinction between them (women of the world) and us (women of God); we look and act like them.


The pressure is intense. What woman doesn’t want to feel beautiful? To be beautiful, however, we have to know the true meaning. The key is in where we derive our understanding of beauty? As a child and woman of God, I derive my understanding of beauty from the Word of God. In 1 Peter 3:3-5, the Word of God says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.”

Again in1Timothy 2:9-10 we are instructed to “dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

God created us all beautiful. We may not be attractive to everyone, but we each have our own unique beauty. Explore and strengthen it just as you would any other gift God has given you.

The filth of the world had tarnished us. Sin tarnished us. But in Christ we are new creations, redeemed and cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We are incredibly valuable to God – priceless. Don’t let the world beat you down and fit you into its mold so that you become bland, indistinguishable, a carbon copy of the world’s picture of women. Lift up your head, square your shoulders and smile. You are of infinite value to the Lord and his plan. Adorn yourself with modest apparel and accessories. The scripture does not say, do not make yourself look physically attractive. It says to do so modestly and not to rely upon these physical adornments as your display of beauty. Your beauty should first come from within.

Is your attitude beautiful? Is your spirit peaceful and sweet? Do you mind your business and take care of your house? Are you taking care of your tent- your body and health? Are you tending to your spirit with the Word so that you’re able to care for yourself and family? Are you being a model of a godly woman of character and stature for your children and young believer’s in Christ? None of us are perfect. We will all make mistakes, but like the apostle Paul said:
 “Not that I have already obtained…or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12-14)

Six years ago I received one of the highest compliments I could ever receive in my life – to God be the glory. I went back home to Trinidad to visit for my birthday. I hadn’t been home in 20 years! (The last time I lived in Trinidad was when I was 15 years old.)

When I lived in Trinidad many years ago, I spent a lot of time over my best friend’s house hanging out or as we would say, “liming.” She had four sisters and five brothers. When I went home to visit, I once again spent much of my time visiting with my best friend’s family. Unbeknown to me, one of her younger brothers had admired me when I was a teenager. (He was a handsome boy that grew up into a handsome young man.)The first day I went to visit with them, they called the brother that had admired me to let him know I was visiting. He quickly made his way to the house to see me. He shared with me that he had looked up to me when I lived in T’dad and had said he wanted to marry a woman like me. He had recently married in the last three years and said he found a woman like me. He pursued her for 13 years and did not defile her during their courtship. I was so touched and honored by this revelation. I don’t remember him sharing what it was about me that had left such an impression on him. It was enough to know that even at such a young age I had made a difference – to God be the glory. We are not only being examples to young women in Christ, but young men also.

Women of God, it’s not about us. That’s the world’s focus, not Gods’. I have a long way to go to reach the mark, but I continue to press forward. My attitude isn’t always good. Sometimes I give into my flesh and I’m not proud of it at all. But I get up and keep pressing towards the mark for which Christ took hold of me.

Let me encourage you, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2a) You are a peculiar being, a beautiful being, separate, holy- the temple of the living God. You are unique. Do not be molded into the pattern of a woman of the world. You’re a woman of God. Let your godly light shine!

The Discipline of Love

What do you think about when you think of love?

Do you think of a man and a woman in love, or the love of a parent for a child, or love of football or pizza? Or do you think of the love of God for us or your love for him? What a profound word, love is, but so often misused, so often misunderstood.

"God is love" (1 John 4:16). I hesitate to write anything else. Pause for a few moments and just soak that in - "God is love." So what in the world does that mean? I certainly can't ever address the magnitude of that in a blog, a book or life, but I've got a glimmer of it through Christ. God gave, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (NIV) Love gives. Love is not about taking, love is about sacrificing, putting everything on the line for the one(s) you love or care about.

Love is not just about the soft, mushy, tender feelings one may have for a new born baby or for your lover, your husband or wife, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your dog or cat. Not if you think of God being love; the epitome of love, the founder, the creator of love.

When I think of love, I first think of Jesus-God incarnate, God in the flesh. I think of the universe and its vastness. I think of the beauty and infinite care with which it was made. I think of being, breathing in, existing in the expanse of God, his creation, his love. Yes, I also think of the love of a parent for a child and of a man for a woman or a woman for a man. But I tend to think more of the "Discipline of love" immediately after I think of God being love and demonstrating his love to us by sending Jesus. Love is making difficult choices regardless of how you feel, to honor God and act righteously. Let me repeat that with an addendum: "Love is making difficult choices regardless of how you feel, to honor God and act righteously, over and over and over and over again." 1 Cor. 13:8 says it, "Love NEVER fails." (i.e., Love NEVER gives up!)

The previous verse (1 Cor. 13:7) says, love "...ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres." Is your heart and mind bursting yet? After we come down off the mountain top of our emotional experiences of love, then comes true demonstration of love in the nitty-gritty, sometimes mundane, sometimes drudgery responsibilities of love and life. Because our understanding of love is often so carnal, emotional and shallow, we have to turn to the constant example of God through his Son, Jesus and follow his commands, if we are to truly experience the fullness of love.

"...Love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

"...How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins agains me? Up to seven times? 
 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matt. 18:21-22)

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands." (1 John 5:2-3)

Prayer: (Ephesians 3:16-19)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he (God) may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."