Discipling the Undisciplined no. 27

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Isn’t that easier said than done? It really takes a total change in wiring our brain to think like that even though this is probably one of our earliest Christian instructions. BUT, then what happens? Mammon and power and the fear of losing either. Then we forget to love our neighbors. Want an example? Just look around social media, just look at the news, just look at the people in your life, just look at yourself. We might have been taught this lesson a long time ago BUT we never really learned it.

Dude, I get push back all the time when I suggest that being like Jesus is the goal of Christian living. Whenever I focus on loving neighbors, I get told how unrealistic it is. Whenever I suggest that we not murder folks, there are Christians that want to justify murder. Whenever I suggest that we not treat immigrants like others, there are Christians that want to lock them in cages and/or return them to danger. Whenever I suggest that we love others, there are Christians that want to justify name-calling and being rude. And, dudes, there are a lot of places in the Bible where folks can go and find some verses to make their case. BUT they have a difficult time in making that case with Jesus. And that is why I don’t argue those points too much.

I don’t argue with folks that want to proof text or cherry pick parts of the Bible because it is not worth the time. I present the information of how Jesus and His Kingdom are supposed to be and move on. It is the role of the Spirit to do the work. I am just here to spread the Good News. And the Good News is great. 

The Good News means that Jesus is enthroned. He is the King and I should act accordingly. I should pledge allegiance to His Kingdom and all that being allegiant to Him entails. And that means loving Him and loving my neighbor. That means doing better for others better than I want for myself. That means not supporting policies and systems that treat people like they are lesser. That means going out and helping those that policies and systems are treating as lesser. That means not supporting policies and systems that lead to death and destruction. That means supporting the Kingdom as the way of life and shalom. Am I choosing the path of life or death? I think that is a great question to ask about my beliefs because I have had to ask those questions of things I used to believe. And now I no longer believe those things that led to death. I take the King and His Kingdom seriously. I am repenting of my past beliefs daily. And I am working on bringing about His Kingdom here daily. It is a struggle BUT it brings life to me and to others. I choose life.

Grace and Shalom to your home. 

#DisciplingTheUndisciplined #ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #SeekFirstTheKingdom #ServeOneAnotherInLove #NotMyWayYHWH

Discipling the Undisciplined no. 26

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:7-11)! If you ask you will receive BUT be careful what you ask for. God has a purpose for all of us in this world and the world to come. And sometimes we think we are ready to ask for God to move us forward when we do not even understand what that is going to mean. So, be careful when you ask God to take control because He will. He did that for me.

I was not looking to become a follower of Jesus when I started this journey nearly four years ago. I didn’t start this out with a vision of going to church and reading the Bible and going all in on Him. Church was not on my radar. BUT I asked for help in getting my life together physically and mentally. And He was great at providing that. He helped me focus on expanding my stewardship of the land. He supported me when I started changing my routine. He guided me in my physical and mental diet. BUT He also had a plan for my spirit. He wanted body, mind, and spirit to be healthy. And that was definitely not part of my plan BUT it was part of His.

If you ask, if you search, if you leave Him an open door, then He is going to do His part. The difficult part is letting go of my ego and surrendering to Him. And maybe you didn’t know me before all of this change BUT I was difficult to deal with, some of you are probably thinking I am still difficult to deal with, BUT God has given me the ability to let things go. I didn’t have that before. I was tenacious about fighting and proving things were right. I can let an awful lot slide these days. I can give people their space to do their own work. And, most importantly, I can allow God to do what He needs rather than trying to force things. And that was probably the most difficult part of asking Him to be part of my life, giving Him control. I had to trust in Him and not myself because there are things I can not do. There are things beyond my walk. I am called to be faithful and not effective. And all of the effects are under His umbrella of control. I just have to be faithful to Him. And that is all about loving others as much as I love myself. And I really love where God has taken me on this journey. And that is why I share what I have learned with others. I know what I share is not going to change anyone, only God can do that. BUT I know He can do that because He did it for me. So, don’t be discouraged if you have questions, I did. Don’t feel like God can’t use you because you have doubts, I do. Don’t feel like God doesn’t love you because you can’t love yourself, He does. And all He wants is an open door, an invitation to be part of your life. BUT that is going to mean change. So, if you don’t want change, don’t ask.

Grace and Shalom to your home. 

#DisciplingTheUndisciplined #ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #SeekFirstTheKingdom #ServeOneAnotherInLove #NotMyWayYHWH