Colossians 4:2-6 {NLT}
"Devote yourselves to prayer, with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
Why did I highlight the last part of this passage? This is something people (especially close friends) have been reminding me of this last little bit. I struggle with my conversations being "gracious" and "attractive," especially when I am stressed or overwhelmed or don't think I can do it anymore. God has been teaching me this last week about it. He uses people to speak to us, and when He highlights the same thing in Scripture, it is time to really listen and pay attention to what He is saying. This is what God taught me from this last part of Colossians:
We need to be careful in our conversations. We need to make sure that they are indeed "gracious" and "attractive" so that we can be leading people to God instead of driving them away from God. If we focus our conversations on things that are, as Philippians 4:8 says, true, right, pure, lovely, honorable, and admirable, we will be more likely, and more able to lead people toward God, instead of driving them away with "unattractive" and "ungracious" conversations.
This is hard to do sometimes. I know, especially when people upset me, that I am not likely to be very "gracious" and "attractive" in my speech. Did you know that our thoughts are important as well? Philippians 4:8 (as referred to above) is talking about our thoughts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the words you speak come from the heart - that's what defiles you." What we are thinking can be just as bad as what we are saying (or, in some cases, worse than what we are saying). Our heart is the center of us. Everything springs forth from the heart.
How can we practically "put into practice" what we have learned? Well, I have a few suggestions. Like I said before, this is something I struggle with, so I am definitely no expert on this! The best place to go is to the Bible or to ask the Lord in prayer.
Here are a few ways we can learn to be "gracious and attractive" in our conversations:
1) Listen! We do not have to agree with them. We do not have to even support what they are saying. But we need to be gracious enough to let them speak their mind, and then we can share our opinion on the topic.
2) Be gentle! Do not force something on someone. It is disrespectful, unattractive, and not at all gracious.
3) Stop! If you cannot be calm and rational with someone, do not talk to them. Walk away. Come back and talk to them. I have had to do this when I have gotten into heated debates, or even arguments with people, or if I am upset with them about something. Remember what Mom always taught... "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"
In the end, most of it is common sense. Be kind to people, gracious and forgiving in speech and in manner. If you are unable to do this, walk away and calm down instead of saying something that could be very damaging to someone. Remember Philippians 4:8 and apply that to your life, in every aspect, and you will be well on your way!
Monday, November 2, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Look Around
So often I get caught up in my own little world. I get caught up in my own problems, and forget that everyone else around me has problems of their own too. I try to handle things on my own instead of trusting my Heavenly Father to take care of it for me. I focus only on myself sometimes, when I really should be looking out for and helping other people.
You see, as a Christian, I am supposed to be like Jesus. I am supposed to be His hands and His feet. I am supposed to help and serve others. I am supposed to be living my life in a way that includes those around me, and is not centered on me.
When I stop and take a look at the world around me and see all of the hurt that is around me, it is hard to think that I could make any difference. I am sure some of you feel the same way. It seems like a daunting task that only a crazy person would take on. But the truth is, if everyone helped just one person, the world would be such a better place.
Ever see the movie Pay it Forward? The kid on the movie came up with the revolutionary idea to change the world. This kid knew he could not do it by himself though. He broke it down so as to reach as many people as possible. He would help three people. In return, they were to help three people each. The cycle would continue. Imagine if we could do this. The world would be so much better! We would be helping and serving others, just like Jesus wants us to do.
Something I have come to realize is that you do not have to have a lot of money, talent, skill, or even education to help people. Sometimes all people need is someone to listen. They need someone to help them get something off the top shelf at the grocery store (this has happened to me because I am tall enough to reach :P). They might need someone to mow their lawn. They might need someone to drive them somewhere. Whatever it is, big or small, it can make a huge impact on that person. And it may spark the desire inside of them to help others.
I am calling all of us to work to impact one person. It may not seem like much, but it is still one person. Imagine the spark that could quickly turn into a flame. One person impacts another who impacts another... and this continues... forever! Wouldn't it be so amazing if we could all stop being so caught up in "me" and work on being caught up in helping others? It's your choice. Impact the world for better. Leave behind a legacy that says, "I lived for others. I showed Jesus to everyone I could." Go ahead. I know you can.
Here's a little inspiration for you... :)
"What you are tomorrow depends on what you do today."
"Your life is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God."
"God's best gifts are opportunities."
*Quotes above are taken from "101 Secrets Every Teen Should Know"
You see, as a Christian, I am supposed to be like Jesus. I am supposed to be His hands and His feet. I am supposed to help and serve others. I am supposed to be living my life in a way that includes those around me, and is not centered on me.
When I stop and take a look at the world around me and see all of the hurt that is around me, it is hard to think that I could make any difference. I am sure some of you feel the same way. It seems like a daunting task that only a crazy person would take on. But the truth is, if everyone helped just one person, the world would be such a better place.
Ever see the movie Pay it Forward? The kid on the movie came up with the revolutionary idea to change the world. This kid knew he could not do it by himself though. He broke it down so as to reach as many people as possible. He would help three people. In return, they were to help three people each. The cycle would continue. Imagine if we could do this. The world would be so much better! We would be helping and serving others, just like Jesus wants us to do.
Something I have come to realize is that you do not have to have a lot of money, talent, skill, or even education to help people. Sometimes all people need is someone to listen. They need someone to help them get something off the top shelf at the grocery store (this has happened to me because I am tall enough to reach :P). They might need someone to mow their lawn. They might need someone to drive them somewhere. Whatever it is, big or small, it can make a huge impact on that person. And it may spark the desire inside of them to help others.
I am calling all of us to work to impact one person. It may not seem like much, but it is still one person. Imagine the spark that could quickly turn into a flame. One person impacts another who impacts another... and this continues... forever! Wouldn't it be so amazing if we could all stop being so caught up in "me" and work on being caught up in helping others? It's your choice. Impact the world for better. Leave behind a legacy that says, "I lived for others. I showed Jesus to everyone I could." Go ahead. I know you can.
Here's a little inspiration for you... :)
"What you are tomorrow depends on what you do today."
"Your life is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God."
"God's best gifts are opportunities."
*Quotes above are taken from "101 Secrets Every Teen Should Know"
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
How the Body of Christ should Really Work
Oftentimes, I see people around the community, and even around the world who feel like they are not needed. They constantly think that no one would notice if they disappeared. They don't realize that there are people out there who care about them, when there are many who do.
I have to say, I've seen this happen in churches to. People feel they need to have a certain "gift" in order to be useful. They see people who get up and speak, sing, play an instrument, do sound, run power point, or help with the children, and think, "I'm of no use. I'm not gifted like these people are! Why am I even here?" They do not see their gift of encouragement, prayer, praise, writing, etc. as important. They think that they need one of the "special gifts" to be important. They undermine the gifts God has given them.
Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Corinthians in chapter 12. He tells us, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work." (1 Cor. 12:4-6, NIV) Verse 7 tells us that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This means that ALL GIFTS not just SOME GIFTS are important. Paul goes on to tell about the different gifts; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning between spirits, and so many more. Some of these terms are not used very much in this day and age. But all these gifts still exist.
In verses 12-31, Paul tells us about the body, and how important each part is, and gives a ridiculous illustration of different parts of the body saying they don't need each other. The foot is self-loathing because he isn't a hand, so he doesn't feel important. The same happens with other parts of the body, and Paul says that "God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be." (Verse 18.) Paul goes on to talk about how each part fits together, and why and how each is important. He says the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we think are less honorable are treated with special honor. (Verses 22-23.) He talks about how if one part of the body suffers, we should suffer with it, and if one part rejoices, all should rejoice. (Verse 26.)
The body cannot be divided against itself; neither can the church. We need to learn to work together and respect each other, and value everyone's gifts. All can be used. Not everyone has the same gifts. Encouragers can help those who get up in front of people every week, or even the single mother who sits in the back row. Prayer warriors can pray for anyone and anything. People who have wisdom or knowledge can share it. The list goes on and on. Find a way to use YOUR gift. Learn to work together. Imagine what will happen when God's church unites.
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-- whether Jew or Gentiles, slave or free-- and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Cor. 12:12-14.)
ALWAYS remember you have a gift. NEVER think otherwise.
Suggested reading- 1 Corinthians 12
I have to say, I've seen this happen in churches to. People feel they need to have a certain "gift" in order to be useful. They see people who get up and speak, sing, play an instrument, do sound, run power point, or help with the children, and think, "I'm of no use. I'm not gifted like these people are! Why am I even here?" They do not see their gift of encouragement, prayer, praise, writing, etc. as important. They think that they need one of the "special gifts" to be important. They undermine the gifts God has given them.
Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Corinthians in chapter 12. He tells us, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work." (1 Cor. 12:4-6, NIV) Verse 7 tells us that "to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This means that ALL GIFTS not just SOME GIFTS are important. Paul goes on to tell about the different gifts; wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning between spirits, and so many more. Some of these terms are not used very much in this day and age. But all these gifts still exist.
In verses 12-31, Paul tells us about the body, and how important each part is, and gives a ridiculous illustration of different parts of the body saying they don't need each other. The foot is self-loathing because he isn't a hand, so he doesn't feel important. The same happens with other parts of the body, and Paul says that "God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be." (Verse 18.) Paul goes on to talk about how each part fits together, and why and how each is important. He says the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we think are less honorable are treated with special honor. (Verses 22-23.) He talks about how if one part of the body suffers, we should suffer with it, and if one part rejoices, all should rejoice. (Verse 26.)
The body cannot be divided against itself; neither can the church. We need to learn to work together and respect each other, and value everyone's gifts. All can be used. Not everyone has the same gifts. Encouragers can help those who get up in front of people every week, or even the single mother who sits in the back row. Prayer warriors can pray for anyone and anything. People who have wisdom or knowledge can share it. The list goes on and on. Find a way to use YOUR gift. Learn to work together. Imagine what will happen when God's church unites.
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body-- whether Jew or Gentiles, slave or free-- and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Cor. 12:12-14.)
ALWAYS remember you have a gift. NEVER think otherwise.
Suggested reading- 1 Corinthians 12
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