Reading: Psalm 50:16-23
We all choose what put attitudes toward Christ will be. Some people may think they are strong followers of Christ and even follow the rituals and know the rules, but when it comes down to it, they still reject His ways when the tests of life come. This world is full of temptations and influences that reject God's ways. I've seen it over and over with teens and young adults who think thy are standing firm and standing up for their faith, but as soon as something else comes by, like a new crowd of friends to hang out with, or attraction for a guy or girl, suddenly their faith isn't so important, and frankly, they have rejected God and His ways by doing things to fit into the crowd that pleases them.
When we give thanks and truly realize what God has done for us, and be grateful that He has chosen us to carry out His tasks on this earth, we show a high volume of honor.
Where is your attitude when it comes to living for Christ?
Reading: Luke 22:39-62
We see three paths play out as we read on through Luke.
First, we see Jesus' part of the story. Jesus prayed to His Father, asking for the burden to be removed, but that His Father's will stay in tacked. Jesus was willing to suffer in anguish for us because He wanted to please His Father, and because He felt love and compassion for us. Following God's will in our lives may seem tough and we may beg and fight to not go down the path He leads us, but if we want to please Him and end up with the best choice for our lives, we need to take it. God always works through the tough stuff, and going through the tough stuff in life will accomplish so much for Him and us.
Next, we see Judas' path. Judas gives into the temptation of 30 pieces of silver to betray the One he followed, learned from, and worked with. We can see the two ends of the spectrum here, as Jesus prayed for God's will and Judas went against it. Jesus had an angel that came to strengthen Him, and Judas reigned in the power of darkness (vs. 53). Judas, like many of us, screwed up, but maybe to just a more extent than most of us screw up. We know we can never measure up to Jesus, and we will screw up again and again. But the question is, what will you do with your mess ups?
The difference we see between Judas and Peter is just that. When Judas messed up, he ran and ended up hanging himself. But when Peter actually does as Jesus predicted and denies Him 3 times, he feels remorse. He runs away, weeping bitterly. Later, we will go on to read of how Peter had a big hand in the church and getting that going. He takes his mess up and makes it a message. He becomes a huge asset to the church and it's start. He followed the path God wanted him on, even after his mistakes. Judas ran.
Which paths will you take? Will you do God's will, no matter how hard it might seem? And when you mess up in life, will you do all you can to get back on the path and learn from it, or will you run?
Reading: Joshua 5:13-7:29
It is easy for some of us to compartmentalize in life. Though it feels like an easy coping mechanism, it can be a dangerous one as well. Joshua gets the wonderful opportunity to stand on holy ground and fully worship his Lord. We may even experience those times in life when we feel so close to God that we just have to lift our hands, kneel down, or display emotion in His presence. It is quite an honor to be in His presence and have the privilege of removing your sandals for Him, so to speak.
But we also have times in life where we stow away our sins. We read about Achan and how he stole silver and gold, risking a curse upon the entire camp. We can be like Achan in many cases. When we mess up, we may cover our sins, or hide them, then put on a face around others that convinces them you are innocent. Compartmentalizing your life in this way is certainly a dangerous path to take. When you are one, perfect person at church, but hide the fact you partied all Saturday night with people who would laugh at the fact to show up to church the next morning, that seems a little fake. It is important to be real with yourself, so you can be real around others. God knows the truth all around, so why hide it? Decide this day to carry a sense of integrity with you everywhere, being as real at church as you are with your friends.
Where do you find yourself when you meet the forks in the road? When you have the choice to accept or reject God with your words and actions, where do you lean? When you mess up, as we all do in life, do you run from it, or face it and grow from it? When you sin, do you hide it or confront it? Are you the same person at church as you are around your friends? Choose today which side of fork in the road you will walk down, then stand firm in it everywhere you go.
It is easy for some of us to compartmentalize in life. Though it feels like an easy coping mechanism, it can be a dangerous one as well. Joshua gets the wonderful opportunity to stand on holy ground and fully worship his Lord. We may even experience those times in life when we feel so close to God that we just have to lift our hands, kneel down, or display emotion in His presence. It is quite an honor to be in His presence and have the privilege of removing your sandals for Him, so to speak.
But we also have times in life where we stow away our sins. We read about Achan and how he stole silver and gold, risking a curse upon the entire camp. We can be like Achan in many cases. When we mess up, we may cover our sins, or hide them, then put on a face around others that convinces them you are innocent. Compartmentalizing your life in this way is certainly a dangerous path to take. When you are one, perfect person at church, but hide the fact you partied all Saturday night with people who would laugh at the fact to show up to church the next morning, that seems a little fake. It is important to be real with yourself, so you can be real around others. God knows the truth all around, so why hide it? Decide this day to carry a sense of integrity with you everywhere, being as real at church as you are with your friends.
Where do you find yourself when you meet the forks in the road? When you have the choice to accept or reject God with your words and actions, where do you lean? When you mess up, as we all do in life, do you run from it, or face it and grow from it? When you sin, do you hide it or confront it? Are you the same person at church as you are around your friends? Choose today which side of fork in the road you will walk down, then stand firm in it everywhere you go.
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