The call of a Christ Follower

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

Mark 1:16-17 (NASB95)

Every now and then we all need a simple reminder of what we are called to do and be. If we are going to be a Christ Follower we must remember what we were called too. Simply, it is to follow Him and fish for men.

Simple statement but not always simple to do. We follow Him. We walk were Jesus walks. We live like Jesus lives. We act like Jesus acts. we love like Jesus loves.

Second, and not any easier we fish for men. If we are not attempting on a daily basis to share the truth of the gospel with someone else we are not fulfilling our call as a Christ follower.

I hope this reminder challenges you. I know it does me. I want to be found faithful we Jesus returns for us or calls us to Him. How about you?

Wisdom

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

James 3:13 (NASB)

We run across people from time to time who want to be seen as the "smartest people in the room." For the Christ Followers that there are spiritual issues that abound, the most important humility. But James says that wisdom and understanding are demonstrated by the Christ Follower in good behavior and acts of gentleness and wisdom.

In this case seeking to be the wisest in the room isn't really a negative character trait but rather positive. But spiritual wisdom is not being smart, understanding theology or even never having a moment of weakness, in mind, spirit or will power. It is demonstrated by good and godly works.

So take a moment today and examine whether you are living as wise and understanding as God would have you live.

Worship

When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship.

Judges 7:15 (HCSB)

Worship is not a Sunday morning event. It is what we do when we are confronted with the awesomeness of God. We worship when we realize God's greatness, His love for us and His sovereign hand in our lives.

Gideon heard one enemy combatant telling another about a dream he had. They took it as prophesy predicting Gideon's victory and the assurance caused a natural response in Gideon, worship. Don't underestimate the importance of true worship in your life. It is critical for your usefulness as a Christ Follower.

Assurance

That night the Lord said to him, “Get up and go into the camp, for I have given it into your hand. 10 But if you are afraid to go to the camp, go with Purah your servant. 11 Listen to what they say, and then you will be strengthened to go to the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant to the outpost of the troops who were in the camp. 12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the Qedemites had settled down in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore. 13 When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling his friend [about] a dream. He said, “Listen, I had a dream: a loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp, struck a tent, and it fell. The loaf turned the tent upside down so that it collapsed.” 14 His friend answered: “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”

Judges 7:9-14 (HCSB)

There's nothing like a good dose of assurance or reassurance to help a Christ Follower do what God has called him to do. Gideon needed the assurance that he could accomplish what God said would be accomplished. God gave him his reassurance from the dream of the enemy in the camp.

God offers to us assurance that He is with us. We see it in our circumstances but more importantly in God's Word. Don't be afraid!

Character for Victory

3 Now announce in the presence of the people: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So 22,000 of the people turned back, but 10,000 remained. 4 Then the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one can go with you,’ he can go. But if I say about anyone, ‘This one cannot go with you,’ he cannot go.” 5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” 6 The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was 300 men, and all the rest of the people knelt to drink water.

Judges 7:3-6 (HCSB)

God reduced Gideon's army by two simple tests. He checked the courage test. He also checked the Alertness test. God was looking for people to serve with Gideon who had courage and were not afraid. He was also looking for those who were alert to their surroundings.

I really don't think that is much different from today. God is looking for us to be courageous in our service to Him. He is seeking those who are alert to what is going on around them. We loose more opportunities for the Kingdom of God because we lack courage and alertness.

Pride

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: ‘I did it myself.’

Judges 7:2 (HCSB)

Pride is a problem for us to be all that God wants for us to be. God knows us and He knows that pride is a problem. It is part of the Human condition. God knows that all to often we take credit for what is done rather than giving Him the glory and honor. Check yourself concerning your pride.

Stewardship of Worship

"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. 23 "You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deut 14:22-23 (NASB95)

Stewardship means to manage what belongs to God. To use what has been entrusted by Him to us for His honor. This verse has an interesting interpretation and application. Verse 23 says that the tithe the were to give, at least a portion of it, was to be eaten before God. This was to be an act of worship. Now here is the application. When we use what God has entrusted to us, we do so as an act of worship. So, we must ask ourselves, "in the use of this money is it honoring to God and am I worshipping Him?" We sometimes get the idea God gets 10% and I get 90% to use however I want. No, not exactly. Am I a steward of my money, family, time and other blessing and is God honored and worshipped in how and what I do?

Our day to day living is an act of worship. Are you expressing your worship to Him today?

Stewardship of the tithe

"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.

Deut 14:22 (NASB95)

In our church culture there seems to be two dirty words: STEWARDSHIP and TITHE! Neither of these words are dirty and each has an important place in the Christ Follower's life.

Stewardship is more than just giving money to the church. Stewardship in fact encompasses much more than what, how and how much we give. The definition of stewardship describes 3 spiritual realities. Stewardship means that God owns everything, we are entrusted to manage everything entrusted to us and our goal is to honor God in how we do it. Our stewardship is more than how we handle money. It is much more than giving 10%. It is honoring God with everything He has entrusted us with.

Now in saying that the passage for today does focus on our money. Correction: His money! God expects that we tithe from our financial blessings. These blessing are entrusted to us for His usefulness. I really don't think God is as concerned about us giving 10% as much as we are. We often say I gave my tithe so I'm good. Maybe, maybe not. Remember everything we have is His and we are expected to manage it. The Bible says that God expects that we will give a tithe, but He may also lead us to give more. Don't get caught up in percentages, because a closer examination of Scripture will show us that there were several different tithes that were expected.

So the challenge for the Christ Follower is to begin to look differently at the resources entrusted them.

Jesus Loves Me

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matt 11:28-30 (NASB95)

Looking Forward

Let your eyes look forward;fix your gaze straight ahead.26 Carefully consider the path for your feet,and all your ways will be established. 27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.

Prov 4:25-27 (HCSB)

When we are looking for God's direction for our life, sometimes the worst thing we can do is to look around. the Proverbs writers advise is to look straight ahead don't turn from the right or to the left. He warns that we should carefully consider the path for our feet. Sometimes to many options also mean to many temptation. Seek His path and pay attention to it alone. Don't consider what your missing out on. Because the truth is that your not missing our on anything if God is calling you .

Just Words?

Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.

Prov 4:24 (HCSB)

Words are never just words. They always have deep meaning that we must consider. Words have the capacity to injure or lift up. They can bring about destruction or building up. The choice is our. How will we use our words.

The proverbs writer encourages us not to speak dishonestly or deviously. Dishonesty is to tell untruths or half truths to another. To be devious is to plan for someone Else's demise. Neither of this are a picture of what our words should be. They are never just Words.

Be on Gaurd

Guard your heart above all else for it is the source of life.

Prov 4:23 (HCSB)

How important is your heart? The Bible reminds us that what defiles a man is what is in his heart not what he puts into his body. The writer of the proverbs tells us it is the source of life. The Biblical picture of our heart, is not a blood pumping vessel but the seat of our personality, emotions and our thinking. We are instructed to guard it. We must guard our emotions and our thinking because that is what makes us who we are.

Guard your heart!

Who do you trust?

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming.

John 10:11-12 (HCSB)

Here is an important truth for every Christ follower. You must understand this and even count on it. People will let you down. I meet so many people who reject Christ, or drop out of Church or are very sarcastic towards Christ followers because they have been hurt or disappointed by others.

Jesus reminds us that He is the good shepherd and He lays down His life for His sheep, but others will let you down. I have told our church family, that at some point I will let you down because I am Human and sinful just like everyone else.

The lesson here is two fold. Don't allow yourself to become disgruntled with God's people because they aren't God. Second, deal with others with grace and mercy. We all need some forgiveness from time to time.

Just a little bit more

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Sam 16:7 (NASB95)

We need to remember that what God is looking for is a Christ follower. A Christ follower is someone who is most concerned about his heart and not his outward appearance. Watch this video for a cute reminder of this spiritual truth.

Fellowship: connect with God

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

Rev 3:20 (HCSB)

I am glad you are reading today. Hopefully it means that you have committed yourself at least for this moment to fellowship with Jesus. That's exactly what He wants. I don't understand why and it may perplex your mind as well. Why would God want to fellowship with me? I don't know but it is clear from Scripture that He does. Jesus tells us in Revelation, "I am knocking so that I can come and fellowship with you."

Jesus is talking here to Christ followers specifically. He is knocking and calling so that He can sit at a spiritual dinner with us. Are we ready and willing to sit and dine with Him? How much time are we willing to commit to Him? Where on our priority list does spiritually dining with Jesus fit in?

Discipline: proof of connectedness to Christ

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.

Rev 3:19 (HCSB)

Growing up I never liked to be disciplined. I would suspect that is the same for you. Truth be told we don't like it as adults either. Now one likes to be corrected or disciplined but it is necessary. As a child we needed our parents discipline. As a Christ follower we need God's discipline. In fact we should understand it as proof of our connectedness to Christ. Jesus said, "If I love you i will rebuke and discipline you." This is "as needed" of course and if you are like me it is needed more often than I care to admit.

His admonition to us is when He rebukes and disciplines us be committed to Him and our relationship with Him to repent. Remember that repent means to turn around and go in the other direction.

This is a good word for us and it just may be we need to be reminded today that Jesus loves us and we need to be committed to becoming all that He wants us to be. For His glory and our best!

How Far can we go?

they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Thus they told him, and said, "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 "Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

Num 13:26-28 (NASB95)

Maybe that seems like an odd question to you but consider this. Sometimes are faith doesn't go far enough. The spy's went out to check out the land. They had enough faith that the land would be great, like God had said, but not enough faith to go take the land.

When it was a matter of land their faith was strong. When it was a matter of risking of value to them, their lives, it is another story.

We are often just as faithless. We talk about having faith but when we are put to the test we fail. We trust God until we are put in a position that in trusting we are taking a risk.

So how far can we go? How far will your faith go? How far will you go in obedience to God?

Living dead or alive!

How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life

Romans 6:2-4 (HCSB)

Remember the old western movies. The bad guys wanted dead or alive! The apostle Paul had his own version, for spiritual matters of course, Living dead or alive. It's actually a question will you live dead or will you live alive? Paul makes clear that we are no longer in bondage to sin. He asks, "how can those who have died to sin still live in it?" Good question isn't it but oh the solution is so difficult. We have been set free from the bondage of sin but temptation still looms large. We need to understand that when we sin we are actually trying to put back on the shackles of bondage. We have been freed from the bondage of sin. So when we sin it is more than an alternative lifestyle, or a mistake or a moment of weakness. It is an unfortunate choice of placing ourselves once again in the bondage of sin.

I don't know about you but I'm tired of being bound by sin!

The problem of BUT

Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?”4 “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female, 5 and He also said: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,and the two will become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.” 7 “Why then,” they asked Him, “did Moses command [us] to give divorce papers and to send her away?”8 He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts.

Matt 19:3-8 (HCSB)

Jesus was questioned about marriage and His response was to make clear God's intentions for marriage. God's plan simply put is one man and one woman in a life time commitment to one another. Seems so simple but then why the question. And really why do we continue to question?

This answer is also simple. It's the BUT! Whenever God says something and we say but . . . we have complicated things. God was clear, concise and simple what marriage is all about and how it is to work.

Isn't that true in a lot of areas of our life. God says it and we say BUT. If I could paraphrase Jesus answer it would be stop adding but and just obey. Now that really is simple isn't it?

Does God really need us?

the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. 28 The soil produces a crop by itself—

Mark 4:27-28 (HCSB)

It is true God really doesn't need us but He does desire to use us. As Jesus taught the farmer plants but once the seed is in the ground it grows all by itself. It is not the farmers job to make the seed grow. Actually that is God's job.

If we are going to serve Him we must remember our job is obedience. God takes care of the growth.

Patient Waiting

I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.2 He brought me up from a desolate pit,out of the muddy clay,and set my feet on a rock,making my steps secure.3 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalms 40:1-3 (HCSB)

I don't like to wait. Most of us do not. We have trouble with patient waiting but if we do God can do some wonderful things for us. His timing is always perfect. We may not like it but He knows what we need, how we need it and WHEN we need it. He hears our cry for help.

Look what happens! He pulls us from our desolate pit. He sets us on a solid rock and gives us steady steps. He puts a new song in our mouth and because of us others will see, fear and put their trust in the Lord. I don't know about you but when I am facing difficulty and crying out to the Lord it is not only difficult to remain patient but to see the other wonderful things He will do through my distress.

So if you are facing some difficulty today try to be patient and try to see beyond your immediate issue to the new direction He will set for you, the new song He will give you and the many lives you may touch as they watch you go from pit dwelling to rock climbing!

Simple Faith for Simple requests

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; He’s calling for you.” 50 He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”“Rabbouni,” the blind man told Him, “I want to see!”52 “Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road.

Mark 10:49-52 (HCSB)

Blind Bartimeus had a very basic need. He couldn't see. When he heard Jesus was coming he started to cry out with just one simple request. Jesus asks, "what do you want?" Simply he wanted to see. He believed Jesus could restore his sight so he asked believing.

We are not going to hear Jesus coming down the road but we have a privilege to go to him in prayer. We complicate our prayer life with spiritual sounding words and pious platitudes. Maybe we should try Bartimeus' tactic. Simply ask and believe that Jesus can provide.

Our Part in the Harvest

“The kingdom of God is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; 27 he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. 28 The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head. 29 But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because harvest has come.”

Mark 4:26-29 (HCSB)

What is your part in the harvest? God wants to harvest the hearts and lives of lost individuals in His world. But what is our part in the harvest? Jesus said that a man may scatter his seed but then he doesn't know what will happen next. The seeds sprout and grow on their own.

The spiritual harvest is something that God does. Our part is just to spread the seed. God will control the sprouting and growth. We allow ourselves to be discouraged because we are not seeing growth as we wish. But remember that God is in control of the harvest we merely spread the seeds in the field.

Don't become discouraged about the harvest just keep spreading the seed.

For the Glory of God

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

1 Cor 10:31 (HCSB)

How often we need to be reminded of this principle. It is so simple and yet so profound and life altering. Do everything for God's glory. Eat, drink, sleep, drive, study, talk; you get the idea, everything. What kind of impact would that make on your life. Or think about this, what kind of impact would that make on the lives around you. Wow!

If I could but remember this verse every moment of every day it would transform my attitude. Attitude as they say is everything. This is one attitude adjustment we could all live with!

Expectations

Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.

Ex 19:5-6 (HCSB)

When we enter into covenant with God He has some expectations.

A covenant is a binding agreement in a relationship. A marriage vow is a covenant. Many churches will covenant with a new pastor as He comes to serve. Friends sometime have a covenant of friendship. Church congregations will have a covenant. It is an agreement but it centers around relationship. Where as a contract is an agreement in legal and business setting a covenant always centers around a relationship.

When we become a Christ follower we enter into a covenant with God. We don't often see salvation as a covenant. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and offers us forgiveness. Our end of the covenant is to recognize the gift of grace through our faith. Because of God's grace then we do works and obey God as our Master. What happens if we don't do works or obey? Well that is evidence that we have not truly entered into the covenant.

So what is the point in all of this? God says to Israel, if you obey you will be my special people and I will be your God. You will be a holy nation and a holy priesthood. He had some expectations of them. He also has some expectations of us.

As we live out our lives today let us recognize our covenant with Him, living in obedience and enjoying the relationship we have with a great God.

Fear Factor: Ability

But Moses replied to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since You have been speaking to Your servant —because I am slow and hesitant in speech.”11 The Lord said to him, “Who made the human mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.”

Ex 4:10-12 (HCSB)

God calls Moses and he has four fears that hinder him from absolute obedience. He feared his identity, his authority, his validity and finally he feared he did not have the ability. Moses deals with a fear that hinder many of us. "Lord, I just can't do that!"

But what does God tell Moses? I made you and I have given you the abilities you have and don't have. I believe it was Hudson Taylor who said, "The man God calls he also equips." You may not feel you have the ability but God reminds us that we have Him and He has already given you the ability or will give it to you as you Obey.

Whatever God is calling you too, respond in obedience and don't allow fear to be a factor!

Fear Factor: Validity

Then Moses answered, “What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”2 The Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?”“A staff,” he replied.3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran from it, 4 but the Lord told him, “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail.” So he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand. 5 “This will take place,” He continued, “so they will believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Ex 4:1-5 (HCSB)

You, me and Moses probably have a lot in common. When God calls us it can shake us to our socks. We get weak in the knees and scared to death. Moses was afraid and so he made excuses. The first excuse was identity, the second was authority. The third fear is validity.

Moses questions his validity. He says to God, "They aren't going to believe me." Moses needed to be validated. He wants to be seen as authentic, legitimate and real. He needs to be respected. We usually want and need that too. We face fear in God's call because we are not sure we will be validated by others.

God's response is to give Moses some nifty miracles to prove he was sent from I AM. Now it is likely we don't have a stick that will turn into a snake. To be completely honest I don't think I want one. But get this, Moses' validity is not from himself it is what God will do through him. We don't have to prove ourselves to others. God will prove that He is at work in us in His time and His way for His glory.

The point is this. Most of the time we do not gain respect fro who we are but who God is and what He is doing in us. Don't try to become someone who others will respect and look up too. Just be obedient and God will make you authentic, legitimate and real.

God is our validation!

Fear Factor: Authority

Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what should I tell them?”14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

Ex 3:13-14 (HCSB)

Moses was afraid to follow God's call. Sometimes we face the same kind of fears. Moses had reasons (excuses) for his fear. As well we may have really good reasons why we are afraid to follow his calling in our life.

The first reason for Moses fear was identity. The second is authority. Moses fear was that the people would not believe that God had talked with him or had sent him to them. The fear that others will not recognize our call or the authority God has given us to pursue His call may be holding us back. It did Moses. But notice what God says, "Tell them, "I AM has sent you."

Moses feared that he did not have the authority to lead. You and I may also experience this fear. But I find encouragement in what Dr. James Dobson said, "You and God are a majority!"

Don't allow the fear of authority hold you back from obedience.

Fear Factor: Identity

Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”

Ex 3:10-12 (HCSB)

What are you afraid of? Lets be honest now, we all have something we are afraid of! I have a strong dislike of Bees and Mice. My wife dreads snakes. Others have a fear to speak in front of people. Here is an important question: will you allow your fear to keep you from God's call in your life? When God called Moses he was afraid. He had several excuses why he could not or would not overcome his fear and fulfill His call.

Moses' first fear factor was identity. Maybe you can relate. Moses said God who am I that I should go back to Pharaoh and demand that you people be set free. In all reality who else should go. Think about Moses. He had been adopted by Pharaoh, educated in the best Egyptian schools. He knew the language, the culture and the individuals in the court. Moses didn't see how God had prepared him for this challenge all he could see were his shortcomings and a misconception of who he was: an unimportant sheep herder.

I love how God responds to his fear. He doesn't remind him that he is qualified although he was. He didn't point out that God had prepared him for the challenge and He did. God didn't remind him of that original burden for his people that he had. God says, "certainly I will be with you."

You know that really should settle the fear problem. God is with you! What more do you need Moses? Oh but wait, we too allow fear to keep us from obedience. We too face an identity crisis when God calls us out. And God's response to us is the same as that of Moses, "I certainly will be with you."

Well, what more do we need?

An Encounter with God

Meanwhile Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed.

Ex 3:1-2 (HCSB)

Moses is burdened and now God gets his attention with a burning bush. How is God trying to get your attention? Moses was burdened and then takes matters into his own hands and now he is in the wilderness. His wilderness wondering was a long time. But that day finally arrived where God creates an encounter with Moses. Are you ready for an encounter with almighty God. It is unlikely it will be a burning bush but there will be an encounter none the less.

Our problem is we expect a burning bush or an earth quake or it to be written across the sky. You won't probably hear an audible voice or see a vision. It may be a still small voice. God will now take the motivation of your burden and call you to join Him where He is at work. God burdens our hearts and then empowers our mind, hands and feet.

Taking Matters into your own hand

He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand.

Ex 2:11-12 (HCSB)

Moses after being burdened for his people decided to take matters into his own hands. Instead of hearing and understanding God's call Moses impatiently takes his own plan of action.

Are problem is that of Moses. We become burdened and want to do something now. God wants us to be burdened and then to listen for our call. He is already at work and He has a plan in which He wants us to join Him. Moses did not join God he devised his own plan. Moses makes a real mess of things and we do too. Be careful of taking matters into your own hand.

Some good news is that when we screw it up God is always ready to forgive and forget and use us anyway. God is good that when we blow it and we would give up on ourselves God does not. If you have already messed up and have taken matters into your own hand, confess it and let God redeem your circumstances.

Prepared for the Call by a Burden

Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people.

Ex 2:11 (HCSB)

When God calls us one of the first steps is that God will burden our hearts for the calling. For Moses a day came when he recognized his people and the painful situation that they were in.

If we do not have a burden we are really not ready to follow God into his calling for us. If there is no burden we will not be prepared to give what is needed to fulfill our calling. God prepares us for the call with a burden that lays heavy on our heart.

What are you burdened about? If there is no burden you might want to ask yourself if God is speaking and you are not listening. Take some time today to search your heart and perhaps see for the first time like Moses did what God sees.

Be a Spiritual Mentor

4 One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts.

Psalms 145:4 (HCSB)

God is great isn't He. Psalm 145 is a Psalm that declares God's power, greatness and His goodness. But tucked away in all the praise is a challenge. Let me pose it as a question. Who are you a spiritual mentor too?

I know you're saying, "who me?" Yes you! Who are you mentoring spiritually. We all have someone who is younger or at least younger in the faith that we can share with. The Psalm says that one generation will declare God's works to the next. If you are a Christ follower and God has saved you from your sin. You have at least one great work of God you can proclaim to someone else. And I am sure there is much more that God has done in your life since your salvation. So who will you tell about it? What a privilege we have to share with a young believer the lessons we have learned and just maybe help them avoid some of the spiritual pitfalls we have encountered along the way.

Don't make them do it alone!

Don't Laugh

10 The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.11 Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?”

Gen 18:10-12 (HCSB)

Have you ever laughed when God makes a promise or you hear His call for your life? Sarah did! In her old age God promised she would have a child. This was physically speaking an impossibility. But we fortunately serve a God who is known for doing the impossible. God says, "Sarah will have a child." Guess what happens. You got it she had a child. Nothing is impossible with God.

Now why did Sarah laugh? Well certainly she doubted. But let me suggest there may be more. I am sure, based on the Scripture itself, that Sarah said come on is that possible? But perhaps there was also a giggle that surfaced because of the prospect of a miracle. Maybe she looked at old Abe and herself and thought wouldn't that be funny. Maybe for just a second she reverted back to a giddy school girl hoping for the impossible that she had been waiting for all her life, and a little laugh erupted.

Now what about us? When God calls, when He says this is what I want to do through you, will you doubt. Will you say wow that's impossible but wouldn't it be cool when God pulls it off. Will it bring in you a chuckle to see how God will bring about a miracle when He does in your life what only he could do.

Go ahead, laugh, I think God loves to show us the impossible made possible through a great and powerful God!

God's true view of marriage and sex

Drink water from your own cistern
water flowing from your own well. 16 Should your springs flow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? 17 They should be for you alone and not for you [to share] with strangers.18 Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful fawn—let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever.

Prov 5:15-19 (HCSB)

Many in the world if asked about Christianity and marriage would perhaps think that a Christians marriage is boring and that sex is taboo. God's plan is nothing of the sort. Sex inside the marriage bonds is wonderful, beautiful and if I can say it fun and enjoyable.

God does say that it is exclusive. There is a great gift that God gives to the Christian and a gift that a husband and wife can give to one another. There is a special bond between a man and a wife when they realize that they are exclusively a gift to their spouse, past, present and future. Several teenagers (including two of my children) a few days ago celebrated and committed to a True Love Waits commitment. http://www.lifeway.com/tlw/ http://www.lovematters.com/truelovewaits.htm What a wonderful gift they will give to their spouse someday when they can share themselves exclusively with the one they love.

But notice also how the proverbs writer says to enjoy your spouse, "The wife of your youth." and to find pleasure in the one you love. God gives us a gift of intimacy in sex. It is not just for procreation it is also for enjoyment.

I know that on a blog like this there are a number of people reading. Perhaps you are young and this seems a little uncomfortable for a devotion or maybe you are older and you might feel oddly out of place. Sex is a great thing but it is meant for a man and a woman in a marriage relationship. Since God created us and marriage was His idea, He should have the last word on the subject of sex and marriage.

Satisfied

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
2So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory.

Psalms 63:1-2 (HCSB)

Are you satisfied with Jesus? The Psalmist describes God as the one he seeks, who satisfies and nourishes him. He is like the water that springs up in a dry and desolate land and He is the only supply of water. When we are thirsty we seek something to quench the thirst. Jesus quenches are spiritual thirst. Many are searching for the well of refreshing. They are looking for something to satisfy the longings of their heart. There are things only God can satisfy.

Fortunately, for us we have seen Jesus. We have gazed into the sanctuary to see Him in His strength and glory. We recognize Him for who He is and we have accepted the gift of His salvation. Isn't it wonderful to have the one that satisfies the longing of our hearts. Jesus does satisfy!

Failure

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd,and the sheep will be scattered. 28 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”30 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!”31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.

Mark 14:27-31 (HCSB)

Peter is so bold. He insists that he would never run away, he would never deny. But he does. And all the other disciples said the same thing and they did. There is an important lesson for the Christ Follower here. Be careful about your bold proclamations. We are all susceptible to failure and to deny Christ. Talk is easy. The walk can be so hard. Yet Jesus knows that they will fail. He knew their response. In fact he knew because Scripture proclaimed it.

You may be asking, "is there a positive message here?" Yes, thanks for asking, there is. It is this: that even after the ALL failed Jesus came to them as He said He would. While they denied Him, He did not forsake them. Failure is going to happen. It's not an excuse but reality. If you think that you can go through your Christian life without failure you will be disappointed or you will be lying to yourself. But Jesus forgive and still uses us in spite of ourselves.

So when failure comes. Cry out for forgiveness and move on. Don't dwell on it. Don't accept it. But move on to the next challenge and through our failure we will learn obedience which is success for the Christ Follower.

No Fear!

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

2 Tim 1:7 (HCSB)

You've probably seen the bumper stickers that read, "Fear no Art." I have seen a variety of stickers playing off of that original. Perhaps the Apostle Paul would have made a bumper sticker that would say, "Fear no opportunity to share the gospel." I know its probably too long for a bumper sticker, unless it is a really big bumper. I have heard it said that Christians and non-Christians alike fear evangelism. While humorous it may be truer than it ought to be. We are afraid sometimes to share our faith.

Paul says, "don't be fearful!" In fact he says a lot more than just don't fear. He reminds us that we are empowered to share. We have the Holy Spirit residing within us to guide and work in us and through us. We also have a stronger motivation than fear itself and that is love. When we truly understand that those around us who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus are destined to an eternity separated from God in a place we know of as hell, we should be motivated by our love for them to do something about it. And then Paul also reminds us of our sound judgement as the HCSB translates it. In other translations it uses the word discipline. We must have sound discipline to prepare and do what we need to do to help others find the wonderful relationship with a loving God that we have.

So don't be afraid but let God work through you in power, because you love those in our World around us and discipline yourself to do something about their eternal destiny. They may just thank you someday for it!

Serve

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. 43 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42-45 (HCSB)

Jesus is always our example. Jesus made it clear He did not come to be served but to serve. In fact Jesus came and laid down His very life for us. He held nothing back, He gave all. Our example is Jesus as a servant. We too are called to be a servant.

It is Human nature to want to be first and to be served. We have an innate desire to be honored and looked up too. But we must realize our fleshly desires as natural as they may be and turn our desires over to the Holy Spirit. He will give us the desire and strength to be like Jesus our great example.

Enjoy your service today!

What are you doing?

I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me.They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to [do] this good work.19 When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard [about this] , they mocked and despised us, and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

Neh 2:18-19 (HCSB)

When God calls us we often begin with excitement and anticipation. But when God calls us to join Him in His mission we must also anticipate opposition. These gentlemen try to discourage and threaten Nehemiah and the people from their God given task. Expect to find a nay Sayer, a discourager even an antagonist when you begin the Lord's mission.

Unfortunately, you never know who the antagonist may be. It might be a family member, an older (should be maturer) Christian or someone outside of the fellowship of faith. Keep in mind that they always have some kind of ulterior motive. They will have their agenda, plan or fear that you might mess something up for them. Sometimes they may just not understand God's call and plan for your life. They may not be listening to His call in their life.

Don't be surprised when opposition comes. Just remain faithful and watch God work through you!

Evaluate

So I went up at night by way of the valley and inspected the wall.

Neh 2:15 (HCSB)

Nehemiah had been given an assignment by God. It was to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. But before he could rebuild he needed to evaluate. Sometimes are mistake is to jump right into what we believe God has called us too without ever evaluating. It is not a matter of, "will I do it?" But it is a matter of knowing what you will need, how you will go about it and what will it cost.

When God calls the answer is always yes Lord! But we really need to take some time to evaluate and know exactly what will be the best God honoring way to approach the task. Just remember the old adage, "There is more than one way to skin a cat" (I have no idea of its origin) might sometimes apply to spiritual tasks as well!

Unique

“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.

Deut 6:4 (HCSB)

At face value this verse seems to be simply telling us that God is One God. While this is true there is more to what it is saying. Commentators and those skilled in translation debate exactly what "the Lord is One" really means. It certainly does me that God is One. While He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit He is one God in three. It also seems to mean that the Lord alone is God. There are many religions out there and all have different gods that are worshipped. This passage wants to be clear that Yahweh alone is God and there is none other.

I think there is yet another significant understanding for us that encompasses all of the other thoughts. It is that Yahweh is God alone and He is one God, but He is also a one and only God. While we may agree that there are no other real gods but Yahweh. We also must recognize that there is no other god real or imagined that can compare to Him. No man's imagination can even create a god as great as our one and only unique God. He is more glorious than we can even imagine or create.

Simply our God is an awesome God. Worship and celebrate His greatness today!

His Kingdom

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matt 6:33 (HCSB)

What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is God's rule and plan for all of creation. It not only speaks of Heaven to come but those who are obedient to Him here on earth.

It is a challenge to seek His plan and purpose for our lives, for our culture and society. God wants us to be His representatives to be an agent of change. He wants us to be an influence that He uses, through the Holy Spirit in us, to transform our world and people around us.

Are you an instrument that God is using to transform people and culture around you. It may require us to be radically different and open to be and do things we may not be comfortable with. But that is His call for those who are interested in being a Christ Follower.

Seek First

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

Matt 6:33 (HCSB)

Seek First. two simple words that remind us of priorities. Everyone has priorities. They are things that we make more important than other things. Sometimes our priorities are good and sometimes they are not. Jesus tells us that as a Christ Follower we must have some priorities. There are two; His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Jesus message is don't make priority the things of this world, even the most basic of necessities. Make priority His Kingdom on earth and being righteous like Him.

Simple words Big challenge!

Rejoice inspite of it all!

You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials 7 so that the genuineness of your faith —more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (HCSB)

We must rejoice. We rejoice because of our great salvation. God's grace in action gives us more than enough reason for rejoicing. Peter prepares us that although we rejoice at times we will also be distressed by various trials. Hurt, pain and problems are a part of life even the Christian's life. But even in pain and difficulty God is good. He is testing the genuineness of our faith. He is teaching us and gaining glory for Jesus. So rejoice in spite of it all!

My One and Only

I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.

Psalms 62:1-2 (HCSB)

Where does your peace come from? Where do you turn when everything in life seems to have turned on you? God never promised that when we came to Him we would stop having difficulties and trouble. The psalmist declares that Salvation comes from God alone. He also says that he is our only rock and stronghold.
That's a lesson to be learned. If we would only stop turning everywhere else for our strength, comfort and security we would proclaim with the Psalmist, "I will never be shaken."

Standing Together

When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some men out of all the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans. 10 He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai who lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites.11 “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you will be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll come to help you.

2 Sam 10:9-11 (HCSB)

Have you ever felt outnumbered? Joab did. He saw his enemies lining up in front and in back. He called upon his brother Abishai to help and they devised a plan. I think that plan leads us to some important spiritual truths.

We may not have actual physical enemies lining up against us but there certainly are spiritual one. What can we do when we are overwhelmed by temptation, culture and this world. We turn to our brothers. Spiritual brothers who will stand with us. There is nothing more encouraging than to have a brother who will stand with you. Who will challenge, encourage and strengthen in time of need. That's why fellowship and relationships with other believers is so important. You really can't be all that God wants you to be alone. You need a brother.

If you are not in a relationship with another believer who can strengthen you, may I encourage you to seek one out. Get involved in a local Bible believing church. Find a group of men (for the guys) or women (for the ladies) who will strengthen and support, encourage and challenge you. That support group will make all the difference.

Honor God with Your Stuff

Honor the Lord with your possessionsand with the first produce of your entire harvest; 10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Prov 3:9-10 (HCSB)

Do you honor God with your stuff? We don't often consider all the things we have as something that we honor God with. We like to think at best God gets 10% and we get the rest. But that really isn't God's idea of how it works. It all belongs to Him and we are asked to manage it for Him. The Bible tells us that everything we do is to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians10.31). So what about your stuff? Is it honoring God? What you have, how you use it, how you got it all need to be for His glory.

So we should honor God with our possessions. We should give Him our very best and He reminds us that He will bless us. Not necessarily monetarily or with possessions but He will bless. So honor Him with your stuff. You will be glad you did.

Going Back

Then the Lord said to him, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”

Gen 31:3 (HCSB)

One of the hardest things is to go back. After you have come to Christ, whether for the first time in salvation or a second time after committing or recommitting your life to Christ, it is hard to go back.

Going back to family and friends is so hard because they know who we are and what we used to be like. Now we are a committed Christ Follower but those old reputations remain.

It is hard to go back not knowing exactly what kind of response we will receive but look at God's promise and comfort. "I will be with you." God will be with you. He was with Jacob and He will be with you. Could there be some moments of humility even humiliation? Yes possibly. But He will be with you and you can do it. You can go back!

God's Testing

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”

Gen 22:1 (HCSB)

Has God ever tested you? Any Christ Follower who is seeking to live in obedience will be tested. Before God will give you the big assignments that most of us are looking for, He begins with the small ones.

God tested Abraham and it was no small test. He tells Him to take his only son, the promised son and slaughter him as an offering on the Altar.

God spared his son and Abraham passed the test by being obedient. That's really what God wants. He wants to know that when He calls I will respond in obedience.

Called Out

The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives,and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation,I will bless you,I will make your name great,and you will be a blessing

Gen 12:1-2 (HCSB)

There are times in every persons life when God will call us out. Like Abram (later to be Abraham) it will require us to leave the security of what we know to the insecurity of the uncertain.

God called Abram to a new land. A new work, ministry, culture and responsibility. Abram may have felt very secure and happy where he was but God wanted to use him somewhere else, in a new way.

With a calling also comes a promise. I will be with you. I will work through you. I will bless you. It will be worthwhile. With calling comes purpose and promises.

How about you today? Are you listening closely enough to the Lord to hear Him call you? When He calls He will make a way. He will provide a new and clear purpose. He will make some promises. Just listen. Make sure the call is clear. Don't make assumptions about His purpose or even His promises. Just listen. You may begin today a journey that will change you, your family and your life. It can be a great adventure!

Pity Party

Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented [an offering] —some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast.

Gen 4:3-5 (HCSB)

Cain gives us a good picture of a bad attitude. God did not find Cain's offering satisfactory and it made Cain mad. The Bible also says he was downcast. What is downcast? Well basically he was pouting. He was having a pity party!

Oh how we need to be careful about those pity parties. When God comes and corrects us, or shows us the error of our ways how do we respond? Do we humbly acknowledge our sin and repent or do we get angry and throw a temper tantrum? We would avoid much of the pain and problems of our life if we would just agree with God (confession) and turn away from our sin (repentance) rather than to become angry and downcast.

Be careful of throwing a pity party. God may be your party poop-er!

A Crafty Creature

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Gen 3:1 (HCSB)

The serpent was the most cunning the Bible says. Most of us don't like snakes. However, the Bible is speaking about Satan who happened to be in the form of a serpent. The message from this verse is very simple. Be very careful. Satan is not to be trusted or fooled with. Just like a real snake can strike without much notice, Satan will strike at your life without much notice.

He is cunning or crafty. He finds a way to lure you in and then before you realize it he strikes! As Eve discovered Satan knows the Scripture and he's not afraid to use it against us. However, what he says is always twisted and dangerous. So beware out there today for that very crafty creature who wants to steal, kill and destroy you. (John 10.10)

Sin Separates

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

Gen 3:8-9 (HCSB)

One of the greatest ways that sin damages us is that it separates. It separates us from one another (Gen. 3.7) but even greater is that it separates us from God. Adam and Eve heard God in the garden and they hid themselves. Can you imagine the grand privilege they had, to fellowship with God one on one in the garden. Sin damaged that wonderful relationship. It caused fear and guilt in Adam and Eve but it also caused God to call out to Adam and Eve.

When we sin it also damages our relationship with God. It causes us to experience the fear of being found out and all kinds of guilt to surface in our lives. But just as God called to Adam, "where are you?" God calls to us.

Understand its not that God did not know where Adam and Eve were. He is all knowing. He was identifying for them that their sin separated them from fellowship from Him. It was for their benefit that he called out because He already knew where they were. God is calling out to you and me when we are in the midst of our sin. He does it to remind us that our sin has separated us from Him.

Stand Tall

No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Josh 1:5 (HCSB)

Do you have what it takes to be a great man or woman of faith? Can you live up to the testimony of the great Christ followers of history. Well two truths for you today.

1. You don't have too. It's not a competition. You don't have to compare to Paul or Joshua or Moses. You just have to be a faithful you.

2. We are successful in the Christian life because God is with us not because we do great things. It is God's empowerment, His presence in our lives that make the difference.

read these words of Henry Blackaby:

As you read the accounts of God's miraculous work through men and women in the Bible, you may wonder if God still performs such miracles today. Be assured that the same God who walked with Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Peter, James, John, and Paul now lives within you. No power can defeat the God who guides you. The God who blessed them is just as capable of working out His purposes through your life. The same God who gave them victory over seemingly invincible enemies, who provided for them when their own resources were insufficient, and who guided them in their decisions, is prepared to work as powerfully in your life today. The heroes of the faith had one thing in common: They were all ordinary people with no power of their own. The difference is the mighty presence of God. Times may change, but the effect of God's presence remains the same.

Henry Blackaby —Experiencing God Day by Day (July 31)

The Distress of Sin

Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had returned from exile. 3 They said to me, “The survivors in the province, who returned from the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.”

Neh 1:2-3 (HCSB)

Sin will always cause distress and disgrace. As Nehemiah hears the testimony of his brothers concerning the Jewish remnant it caused him great distress. There was pain for the distress and disgrace of his countrymen in Jerusalem.

But these trying times were the result or consequences of the sinfulness of the Jewish people. They had been rebellious. They had turned away from God and now they were experiencing the consequences of that sin.

Here is an important spiritual truth for every Christ follower to understand. God always forgives when we confess our sin to Him but He does not always remove the consequences of that sin. We can experience His forgiveness because "He is faithful and just to forgive." He will also "cleanse us' from our sinfulness. (1 John 1.9) But often we will still have to deal with the consequences of our sin.

Sin can cause great distress!

Love Others

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important commandment. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matt 22:37-39 (HCSB)

After Jesus gave the greatest commandment to Love God. He issues the 2nd greatest commandment. What is number two? I would say it is pretty important so perhaps we should listen up about what Jesus is saying. Few of us would ever say I'm not really into Loving God. After all that is the first commandment according to Jesus. But we make all kinds of excuses when it comes to number two. I'm shy. I don't get along with people. He is annoying; and on and on it goes. There really shouldn't be any excuse for number two.

So what does Jesus say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Well yes, I have highlighted some words. What are they.

Neighbor. This describes the "who". Jesus says your neighbor, and that's not just the guy next door. In other places in Scripture Jesus basically points out that everyone is your neighbor. So the object of our love is every other Human being.

Yourself. Jesus says our love for others is to be like our love for ourselves. Sometimes we may struggle with loving ourselves but most of us have a basic desire to care for, bring pleasure and not pain too and protect ourselves. That is how Jesus describes here our love for others. We care for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We should want to bring them joy not pain or grief. We should protect them from pain, danger and things that can harm. Love others like you love yourself. That is the 2nd greatest command.