You know, today i read something in my email, and it really got me thinking. The scripture was Matthew 4:23, "And He (Jesus) healed every kind of illness", and afterwards was a question. "Do you focus on doing good for people?" This question really got me thinking. I've read the gospels many times, and every time i've seen Jesus heal the sick and lame and demon possessed. I've always seen the miracles in his healing, and i've always seen his willingness and desire to heal, but i always missed the good deed itself. Or maybe i saw it, but never thought about it as a good deed. I guess i always tended to focus on the miracle and the results of the miracle and bypass the fact that, hey that's a nice thing to do, that's a good deed.
I remember a time i was living in San Diego, (how i loved it there), and i was out to lunch with a group of friends after church one day. We were waiting patiently to be seated, and i just happened to be by the door. Now it being lunchtime on a sunday, the restaurant was rather busy. People were constantly going in and out. Since i was standing by the door, every time someone would walk towards the door, i would quietly and politely open it so they could walk through. Now several people walked through, most of them not even giving me a glance, and maybe one said thank you.
A short time later, a friend of mine asked why i kept holding the door open. She told me she used to do that for people, but she never got a thank you, a smile, or even an acknowledgement. People would walk on by completely ignoring her gesture, so she quit doing it, she said. I responded by telling her, "I don't hold the door for people to get a thank you. I hold the door open because its the polite thing to do." Now i know it's not healing someone who is sick, but i'm pretty sure this still counts as a good deed right? I mean if nothing else, i'm sure it's something Jesus would have done.
And now i find myself desiring that attitude, that spirit, that heart again. You know, to buy somebody a coffee, or a meal, or just hold a door for them. You know, maybe pull through a drive thru and pay for the person behind me as well, or pay for 2 drinks and let the cashier know i just bought the next person's beverage. Too many times, i find myself wishing people a nice day, or a good day, but i don't do anything to make their day any better, nor do i show any sincere interest in what they are going through. This has to change. We are called to serve. We are called to love, and it's a lot easier to show God's love through our actions, it's a lot easier to show that we care through our actions. So let our actions show God's love first, and let our words come second.
Galatians 6:9-10 - 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
In God's everlasting Love,
Jaime Whosoever
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Those in Power
You know, i've been thinking a lot lately. With everything going on in the political world from gay marriages, to gun laws, to anti religious lawsuits, and the boston bombings, it's kinda been a whirlwind of drama. On top of that, there is the government sequester forcing budget cuts across so many areas. I have friends who are being forced to take time off. In all of this, i hear people bashing our president bashing our government and bashing everything else in between.
I'll admit, too, that i was one of the bashers, (i mean, really, who hasn't been?) I've disagreed with a lot of things, i've supported just as many different things, and i've sat and debated with countless people about how good or bad a job our government is doing, and what they should and shouldn't be doing to make things better or worse. As i've been growing closer to God though, and been studying and praying, God has put it on my heart to stop the bashing. He wants me to stop the criticizing, the blaming, and the senseless chatter. God is telling me to stop the nonsense and obey His commands. By obeying his commands that means to obey the government. If you know your bible, then you know that in Romans 13:1, it says to "Let every soul be subject to the governing authority."
Now, at the same time though, while this is telling me to obey my government, I need to remember that God's law trumps any of man's law. The apostles state in the books of Acts "We ought to obey God rather than men." If the government passes a law saying I cannot pray in public, but God calls me to pray, then i will pray. If I'm told by the government i cannot preach, but God calls me to preach then i will preach. Fortunately, we aren't at the point, yet, but i fear we may be getting closer by the day.
Regardless, we are to obey and respect our government, even if we disagree with what they choose to believe. Can we stand up for what we believe in? Sure, but there is no need to bash and trash and blame the government that has been appointed by God. We are also to pray for our leaders, the same way we pray for our friends and our enemies. God has put this on my heart for some time now, and I will do my best to obey God. This means no more speeding, no more rolling stops, no more racing to "beat" red lights, as well as no more griping when paying taxes, or complaining when i don't agree with something my elected officials decide, and if you see me doing any of things feel free to call me on it, knowing that i will do the same for you if necessary.
Romans 13:1-7 - Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
In God's Love,
Jaime Whosoever
I'll admit, too, that i was one of the bashers, (i mean, really, who hasn't been?) I've disagreed with a lot of things, i've supported just as many different things, and i've sat and debated with countless people about how good or bad a job our government is doing, and what they should and shouldn't be doing to make things better or worse. As i've been growing closer to God though, and been studying and praying, God has put it on my heart to stop the bashing. He wants me to stop the criticizing, the blaming, and the senseless chatter. God is telling me to stop the nonsense and obey His commands. By obeying his commands that means to obey the government. If you know your bible, then you know that in Romans 13:1, it says to "Let every soul be subject to the governing authority."
Now, at the same time though, while this is telling me to obey my government, I need to remember that God's law trumps any of man's law. The apostles state in the books of Acts "We ought to obey God rather than men." If the government passes a law saying I cannot pray in public, but God calls me to pray, then i will pray. If I'm told by the government i cannot preach, but God calls me to preach then i will preach. Fortunately, we aren't at the point, yet, but i fear we may be getting closer by the day.
Regardless, we are to obey and respect our government, even if we disagree with what they choose to believe. Can we stand up for what we believe in? Sure, but there is no need to bash and trash and blame the government that has been appointed by God. We are also to pray for our leaders, the same way we pray for our friends and our enemies. God has put this on my heart for some time now, and I will do my best to obey God. This means no more speeding, no more rolling stops, no more racing to "beat" red lights, as well as no more griping when paying taxes, or complaining when i don't agree with something my elected officials decide, and if you see me doing any of things feel free to call me on it, knowing that i will do the same for you if necessary.
Romans 13:1-7 - Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
In God's Love,
Jaime Whosoever
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