Some Progress. How About You?

  A while back in my “Help” post I talked with you about trying to share my faith to others, other than showing with a kind word or smile. I have not been asked why, but as I write this it becomes apparent that I should take the opportunity when asked “how are you today”. Almost every cashier ask that, at least in a setting that is one on one and not a drive thru. However, it hasn't been a complete lost. I went to the local Christian Bookstore and found cards, that are business card size, with cute pictures and sayings. I use to pick a few at random and pass them out. Because I had different ones I would struggle trying to figure out which one was needed for that person. It was frustrating. I decided to pick just one card this time so it would not be a struggle deciding which one to give. With earnest prayer, I hoped that one would be addressing smiles. After searching the kiosk of so many options, voila, there it was. It had a flower with a smiling face and in big letters “SMILE God loves you!”, it also had John 3:16 quote on it. Perfect, my prayers are answered. So I filled my wallet (yes I paid for them first). Now I can at least give them one and know that I have planted a seed. Thank God for making the perfect card. When giving the card I say, “I want to give you something but you can't keep it, keep it for one day then give it to someone else.”

So how are you spreading the word of God? Tell us your ways and maybe it will help some one spread the love of Christ.

FYI, the cards are called “PASS IT ON” Message Cards. Which is printed on the back.

So leave a comment on your story and remember to sign up for email alerts so you don't miss everyones' story.

With Christ Love,

Scott  

HELP

I struggle saying where my joy and love come from. I show it with kind words even to the cashier at the store. If I make eye contact I smile and I have learned that in doing so my day is much better. I wish I had more confident to speak where it comes from because we are to spread “the good news”. While talking to our Lord this hearts desire the Holy Spirit reminded me to lean on the scripture that comes from Mark 11:24; “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours.” NIV.

For the next two weeks I will pray this scripture as I go out in public and hopefully I will have the strength to follow through. I promise to return with the results of this adventure.

In the meantime, leave a comment on how you “spread the good news”. I'm sure it will help me and others. Remember to sign up on this blog to get automatic emails for when I write you to tell you the results.

With Christ like love,

Scott

Make Today Count

Tom comes up to you while you are at work and says “How are you doing today?” and you reply the same reply “doing fine.” Tom says, “I hope you have a wonderful day,” and smiles as he leaves to go about his day. You think to yourself that was kind for him to ask and his smile is just what I needed.

Have you ever had a “Tom” in your life? Someone that comes out of the blue and says “hope you have a wonderful day” and leaves with a smile. It gives you a warm feeling inside and brings a little joy to you, especially on those days you aren't exactly in a chipper mood.

Now I ask you, are you always that “Tom” to others? I'm sure all of us can say, “yes I am.” However, are you “Tom” only when you are feeling good? When you are in a low, do you still give that smile? I know it is not easy. I have had trouble especially when I'm stressed out or upset with the kids or the coworker puts more work on me. Recently I have had the pleasure of reading some great books and one thing they seem to say is, choose to be happy today. Yeah right, how can I always be happy with all that is going on around me. One book went as far as to say that we should be kind to people even if our encounter is just for a second because it might be their last. I have been trying it out and again I say it's not easy. I went to the trusted scripture to see if there was anything that talked about this. There are many things such as be kind to your enemy, love your neighbor as you love yourself. But this time one stood out to me. Now this scripture isn't just about how we approach people. It is also about being “salted and able to answer any questions,” but I want to stress the beginning part of the scripture.

The words come from Colossians 4:5-6. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Everyday we are in front of people and everyday we have an opportunity to show God's love. Isn't our responsibility to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The first part to doing this is talking about how God loves everyone, He even loves the sinner that I am. If we want for people to see the Lord in us we need to become more like Him everyday and every way. Simply put God is love. It's not that we love God but that He loves us first. If someone sees and feels your love for them they will want what you have, then comes the questions of “how is it you are always happy?” I'm sure “Tom” gets that question often. Sometimes literally sometimes in thought. That is when you need to be “salfted” ready to answer all questions.

I have found that making a choice to be happy and give everyone a smile is achievable. You do it because you realize you are loved by your heavenly Father. The love He gives you is overflowing so that you need to share it before you burst.

If you are having a bad day due to some circumstance then remember that all things work for the good of the Lord. Even when you are in a trial of life remember it is to strengthen your faith to give God the glory for getting you through it. So be happy.

The next time you are in the drive thru and they tell you to pull up and wait, give a smile and say thank you for making mine fresh and hot. The next time you are in the grocery line give the cashier a smile. These situations are just a little glimpse to God's love. You never know, it could be their last day on this earth and you'll never have another opportunity to give them God's love and grace. So seize the day and remember, make today count.

What are You Looking For

My favorite author is Og Mandino. In his book “17 Ways to Improve Your Life” he says we should go out of our way to show kindness to all we see that day, even if it is just for a minute. Can you imagine going to the grocery store and when you get in line to cash out the person in front of you offers you their spot with a smile. Doesn't that make you feel great. We all desire to be accepted and given a simple smile even from strangers. This might be difficult at first but it is possible to be that kind person. The key is that when you first get up you have to make the choice to have a wonderful day. It is a “choice” to look at everything being for the good or the bad. Right now you might be saying; with your life situation how can I be happy. Jesus said in John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God' trust also in me.” If you know that God will provide all your needs and that in all things God works for the good (Romans 8:28) then you should be able to accept your situation as an opportunity to give God the glory. Read the book of Job in the bible. Here is a man of God who was blessed immeasurably by God and gave glory to him. Job looses everything he owns and all of his family yet he continues to praise God. The story ends with God restoring Job's needs with even more. If you spend your day looking for the good in all people you will find something about them you like. Even if it is just to recognize that they were made by God. In Proverbs 11:27 it reads, “He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. We don't go out their looking for evil, however when you only look at the wrongs of someone all we see is evil. So the opposite is true. If you look for the good in all people then you will find good. I learned from the book “The Secret” that the best way to achieve this is to start your day with thanksgiving. As soon as your feet hit the floor just say thanks for things and people in your life. Even if you think you can't find something try little things like; the air you breathe, the eyes that help you to read this. And with people if you find it hard to find things to be thankful for, then start little. Be thankful that the person is alive. When you find yourself doing this as time goes by you will start finding more things to be thankful for. So go out there and seek good and remember in all things God works for the good.... (Romans 8:28).  

With Love and Peace,
Scott

TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

I think the Holy Spirit gives everyone at least two messages to speak about with others and one of those messages will be the same and the other not. The one message we should all be speaking is that through faith in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection we will have a better life with Him instead of torment in hell. My “other” message that I have been given is; we need to be in harmony within the Christian community so we can attract people into a glorious life with Christ. That is why my post seemed to have the same theme. As stated in my first post we need to be loving as Christ is, and not condemning.

Titus 3:9-11 reads (NIV) “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

I agree with “Matthew Henry, Ashbury and IVP” commentaries that this passage that Paul wrote was about dealing with false doctrine but I also think it is simply about controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. To start we need to go back a little bit to the beginning of Titus Chapter 3. Paul tells us to be peaceable, non-slandering and humble because we too were once lost. “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5. Paul says we are to stress this point of salvation from mercy not works and to do what is good. v.8.

The devil uses tools like controversies, genealogies, arguments and quarrels. He wants God's people to be divided. The old saying “together we stand divided we fall” comes to mind. First we need to go to the throne of grace and be thankful for His mercy and to be reminded it is by grace not works we are saved. In Titus 3 Paul reminds us that we were once foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passion and pleasures. Continuing, we need to learn who our Lord is. The only way to do this is to read His word. We learn God is loving, caring and merciful. He does not create confusion (1 Cor 14:33 KJV), arguments and quarrels for He is the Prince of Peace. If we find ourselves arguing with someone we must examine our own motives. Are we forgetting that we were once needed of grace? If you find yourself divided with someone, Paul says to give the person two chances then walk away from the situation. He says to do nothing with this person. v.10. Remember God is not one to create confusion and strife. It's not our place to convince someone. It's our job to speak twice about His Love and then let the Holy Spirit do it's work just as the Holy Spirit did His work in us. What does this have to do with attracting people to Christ? “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25. So correct twice and walk away for if we are seen divided the devil has won.

Be Gentle With Me

Our scripture this week comes from Galatians 6:1 NIV. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1 NIV

Sometimes we will find ourselves complaining to someone about other people. I know I have caught myself doing so. I never, until now, thought about my actual actions. Here I was talking about what someone has done or done to me. I talked as if I was done with that person or could not forgive them. Or worse, that the person was no good and should not be given the time of day. I know I am guilty of this and am constantly in prayer asking forgiveness. I remember lecturing my kids about fighting with each other and said that some day they will only have each other. Yet I myself was fighting with my own sister. What a hypocrit I was. Think about it. If a person hears that kind of spirit coming from you then they might think you would not forgive them for something. Imagine you are in a church and someone said to you. “Johnny was in the restaurant having dinner with a convicted thief. I always thought Johnny was a little funny. How dare he come to church that hypocrit.” What you might not realize is the person behind you heard it. Now that person, who was a convicted thief wanting to give his life to Christ, now he thinks that the people of the church has a non-forgiving spirit and he himself is not worthy of forgiveness. What if your child heard you telling someone that you could never forgive so and so for lying to you. What is that child going to think about him or herself. When we say things like that, we are saying we are better than them. We are worthy of forgiveness and they are not. But remember what was said in Matthew 6:14 NIV For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

How do we gently restore someone? First, we must remember God made and loves that person and if God loves them then we should love them. Second, we must be in constant prayer. Pray for God to speak through you. Pray for God to guide you. Pray for God to give you love and compassion for this person just as God loves and gives compassion to you. The scripture says “you who live by the Spirit...” This is a very important key. We must have the Holy Spirit in us. John 15:5 ends with “apart from me (Christ) you can do nothing.

Remember, Christ didn't say to God, (insert name) is not worthy of my time. They are not worth forgiving. He forgave you and I and loves us. So go out there and be gentle with love.

Peace and Love,

Scott

They Without Sin Cast a Stone

Most of us know the story about the adulterous who was brought before Jesus. The Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus. They asked Jesus what he thought about this woman and that the Law of Moses said they were to stone her in condemnation. Of course the story goes on with Jesus telling the Pharisees if they are without sin to throw the stone. We know that the Pharisees left without incident. Jesus than said to the woman, “...Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one sir,” she said. “ Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Mark 8:10,11 NIV. A whole sermon could be made with this one story. Did the woman repent before coming to Christ? Did this woman ask for forgiveness? These things are not mentioned any where in the scripture. All we know is, Jesus didn't condemn her. He didn't tell her she was going to hell in a hand basket. He simply said that He doesn't condemn her and she needed to leave her life of sin.

In our daily lives we come into contact with people. Sometimes we think they might be living in sin. We don't know what is in their heart, just as the Pharisees did not know the adulterous heart. But we tend to condemn them and not love them. Are they not a creation of God? Are we suppose to love ALL of God's creations? Yes we need not partake in their lifestyles, but we are to love them. At one point of our lives we were that sinner. We were the one being accused by the Pharisees. Did we get condemned or saved? Think back to the time you accepted Christ into your life. Were you motivated by the fear of going to Hell or were you wanting that great love and forgiveness that only Jesus Christ can offer? So I say to you. Show God's love even if we are with that person for just a second. We all know the words of John 3:16 but the story doesn't end there. John 3:17 NIV says “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world though Him.”

Peace and Love,

Scott