Heaven Bound or Earthly Drowned?

Let's talk about focus. I was sitting at my kitchen table this morning and looking out the window feeling a little depressed and dejected and frustrated.  I am always trying to come up with some idea to try and make extra money. I think all of us can use a little extra here and there.  I have not been one to really think about money much.  I have been very blessed in that God has always provided more than what I needed.  Currently, I can use a little more because the basics are barely covered!  As I sat praying and pouring my heart out, I thought, "Let me see what I can find about prosperity in the Scriptures" and I opened  my Bible to where I had left off the day before and my eyes were carried to the end of Chapter 3 of Philippians where Paul is talking about running the race to receive the prize.  Today is also the Race for the Cure...coincidence?  Nope!

Look at Philippians 3: 12.  It became so clear to me that this partnership between Paul and Christ is what I need to focus on.  I picked out these words, "I took hold of Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus took hold of me." He goes on and basically is telling us to look ahead.  Don't look back.  Remember Lots wife when she turned back to look behind her she became a pillar of salt and to this day, nothing will grow in the soil where that pillar of salt dissolved.  How powerful is that?!  When we spend our time looking back, we hinder growth.  When we look back, we loose our grip on Christ Jesus because He is in front of us and we cannot maintain that hold if we are turned the opposite direction. Verse 14 says how Paul presses on to the goal for the prize which God has called him heavenward (or forward, in my interpretation).

In verse 17 he asks us to follow his example and then in verse 19 he groups people together.  He talks about people who are focused on the goals of the day instead of the goals of eternity.  How very small a vision we have if we only focus on the things of this world.  How infinite our dreams can be if we allow ourselves the freedom of focusing on heavenly goals. The folks who are feeding their appetite for money, or climbing a ladder for personal success, or gluttons who spend more money on unnecessary food or shopping in general rather than putting money into ministry, who have too high a car payment just to keep up with social status, or whose mortgage is strangling them so they live in a place where they can be "seen".  What are we focused on?

I have no need for sweet treats now and again but I selfishly argue that "I deserve it" and spend that $3.00 that could be used for something more beneficial.  What example am I sending to my daughter?  What is your vice?  A manicure?  New shoes when you have plenty?  Alcohol?  Eating out when you can eat in?  Movies that are not Christ honoring? Cigarettes? Snack foods?  Magazines? Cars? Jewelry? Plants? Home Decor?  How blurred is your line between needs and wants (or deserves)?  How skewed  is your focus?  Let Holy Spirit convict you and listen well to His call.  What a stronger church and stronger families we would be if we listened to Paul's suggestion and focused our eyes on Jesus.

The last 2 verses are, in short interpretation, saying that Jesus Christ has everything under control and will transform us to be like Him.  That is the prize.

Philippians 3:12-21 

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Love is Patient

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

In the famous love chapter, I Corinthians 13, the definition of love or loves actions starts with "Love is Patient."  Do you think there is a rhyme or reason to the order of adjectives that describe the action of love?  It struck me the other day that the possible connection to the order is far from random.  We know that GOD is LOVE.  We know that Jesus Christ personified love.  But how does it translate to our every day actions?

As I have mentioned previously, I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter who is an only child and is very independent.  Yesterday morning I was reflecting on just this section and thinking about what that means in my life.  I was feeling pretty good until life got underway for the day and when my sleepy three year old decided that eating was not part of her criteria for the day as we approached our departure time for the day, I finally turned and yelled, "PlEEEEEase Eat your BREAKfast!!!".  A still small voice in the back of my mind tapped on the door of my heart and said, "Uh huh!  See why love is patient?"  How really critical is it that she eats when I say for her to eat?  I myself am a "grazer" and have a hard time eating at the normal assigned times of the day.  My husband is the same way.  Why would she be any different?  (Deep breath)

Jesus was so very patient and kind (second reference for love).  He patiently told Peter 3 times that he would be denying knowing Christ.  I imagine that as He looked at Judas in that upper room, He was disappointed and yet the embodiment of love within Him did not allow for Jesus to treat Judas differently.  As Christ sat with Mary and Martha busied into the room, I imagine she exploded as Christ about Mary not helping her.  Perhaps she even interrupted Him as He was teaching Mary and yet He quietly shook His head and looked in love at Martha, knowing exactly who she was in that moment, and lovingly reminded her that Mary had chosen well.  Again and again we see the example.  Different circumstances and different people but the same action.  The 10 lepers that Christ healed and only one came back to thank Him.  He knew before He ever saw them that only one would be grateful.  The Pharisees and Sadducee were explained to over and over again.  

In my own life, the choices I have made, my heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit have gently reminded me and reminded me and reprimanded me or delivered quiet consequence for my actions.  I may not receive the consequence quietly but I certainly receive it that way.  

How do you show love to those closest to you?  Love your neighbor as yourself.  I heard someone point out the other day that your family members are your neighbors as well as those who live outside your home.  How well do we exemplify LOVE?

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I have always thought that the verse said "His grace or mercies are new every morning".  Looking at the NIV of Lamentations and seeing that His compassions are new every morning is a little different.  What does the word compassion mean to you?  The fact that He considers us His children and now seeing that His compassions are new every morning makes me feel special.  I know I am special in His eyes and He only sees me as the finished product, but it gives me a different perspective.  As an "old mom" (43 with a 3 year old), I can appreciate the newness of the morning.  After both myself and my daughter have rested through the night, we can come together with renewed vigor and a forgotten sense of the frustration from the day before.

Compassion to me means....caring with sensitivity. Empathy and love that show a sincere response on the part of both the care-giver and the recipient.  Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are both our care-givers and the compassions they have on us daily is inconceivable. They really must look at us once in a while and say "Really?!  Your going to do the same thing you did yesterday?  I thought we had this covered. Okay, use your free-will and let's get on with it."

How awesome is it to have this God who forgives, forgets, sees us covered in grace and surrounded by His glory and yet meets us right where we are from the moment we open our eyes in the morning?! Thank you God for a new beginning and bright tomorrows.