Tag: JesusChrist

Greed and Ego

If you look at any problems, from minor to major, at their root are greed and ego. We have made life out to be about the collection of “things”—money, shoes, cars, houses, etc, etc. Having one of something is not enough. And ego—me over you—is always the focus. Greed feeds ego. If I have more, I am better.

Whether it’s high politics of just our everyday lives, greed and ego factor into the root of all differences and disputes. We can’t put ourselves—our egos—on the back burner. Our egos need to be front and center. “I” am more important that “you.” “MY (and the all upper caps is intentional) wants come before “your”(and the all lower caps is just as intentional) needs.

Jesus tells us to live a life that is anything but greed and ego. Of all the teachings Jesus has given us, I think some of the best is summed up in Luke 6:27-42. If you are looking for a roadmap on how to live you life, it’s all right there. It’s the exact opposite of greed and ego. The verses are well worth reading and meditating on every day of your life. They are not always easy to live day in, day out. But they are pure Jesus. Pure Christian.

Have a great week!!!

First or Last?

Good question to ask yourself! What am I talking about?

He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35

That was Jesus asking. Your answer?

Jesus put Himself last because He is first. He gave up His life for you, me, and every other person who has and will live. Jesus is first because He is the Son of God.

If you truly want to get closer to God you need to move to the back of the line. You need to be last to be first.

OK. What does this practically mean today and tomorrow. You need to think more about others than yourself. It’s that simple. But the thinking part has to play out in actual actions. Jesus healed, put Himself in harms way, and eventually gave up HIs life. We don’t have to go to those extremes. We can walk before we run.

Help someone. Anyhow. A lot of people out there need a lot of help. Give. Anything. Just do something for someone before you do for yourself.

Enjoy the rest of this weekend!

Jesus Didn’t Teach Us To Be Civil

Jesus did not teach us civility to one another. He taught us to love one another. A love that goes way beyond civility. A love that puts the other person first and us second. And Jesus wasn’t just a good pontificator as many so-called “Christians” are today—He walked the talk of love. After all, Jesus sacrificed His life for you and me.

Look around you today. Not much civility. And certainly no, if any, love. That’s where you and I come in. We need to spread some love and hope that it’s catching. Because the world desperately needs some love.

Do your part today and I’ll do mine. Smile, help someone in need, pay something forward, lend a helping hand. Spreading love isn’t hard if you just take yourself out of the equation. Jesus taught us how to do it. We just have to listen—and do it.

Walk the talk today. LOVE!!! 

Light People, Dark People

There are dark people and light people in this world. Light people try to shine the light of Jesus in their lives for all to see. Dark people either keep that light from shining or simply do not have the light of Jesus in their lives.

Shining the light of Jesus, who is all light, is not difficult. It starts with a smile, goes on to reaching out to others in needs, and burns the brightest when “love” becomes the way you live your life. Living in darkness is pretty simple and easy—it’s living your life for yourself and not others.

Living in light or darkness—your choice. All I can say is that living in light is illuminating. Living in darkness is simply that—dark.

Have a great day in the light! 

Merry Christmas!!!

I don’t just wish you a “Merry Christmas” today. I wish all of you, regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the true meaning of Christmas—joy, love, and peace in your life today, in 2017, and beyond.
 
It’s bad enough we live in a divided world, but our country is more divided than ever before in modern history. So, not just for one day, but for all days, let’s each try to spread some joy, love, and peace. If we are going to heal, we need to heal ourselves and help others heal.
 
Merry Christmas!!!

Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Joy! Not Anyone!!!

You may not realize it but you are hard-wired with joy. God created you and God is total joy. So, you are joy at your very core. You may not feel that joy but that is your fault.

The problem is we let others steal our joy. We live in a world where we hang on what others think about us, talk about us, and do to us. And in the process we let others steal our joy. But it is all our fault because no one can steal your joy unless you let them.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Are you trying to please people—or God? Trying to please people is a losing battle. You will never do it and your joy will be lost in the process. Living to please God taps into that joy hard-wired into you.

Enjoy the weekend!

Shine Some Light Today on a Dark World!

I am not a doom-and-gloom sayer but look around you—the world is a pretty dark place these days. Bombings, stabbings, shootings, and lots of animosity. It’s a rare day when we aren’t hearing about something bad happening. I am afraid the world is getting darker.

That’s where you and I come in. Today is a day to shed a little light on our dark world. It’s simple. Start with a smile, show some kindness to a stranger, and help someone in need. It’s not difficult. Just spend some time today thinking more about others than yourself. Let that light of God that is in you do some shining today.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Smile. Do good. Go out of your way for others. It’s not hard to let your light shine. Don’t keep your light under a basket today. Let it shine! The world needs your light!

Have a GREAT, shining week!

Every Day is a New Day in Christ

No—not more “religious” mumbo-jumbo. Very simply, in a very real way, Jesus was humbly born, lived even more humbly, and in the ultimate act humbly died a terrible death. Why? Simply so your sins—yes, you!—would be forgiven. No matter what you do wrong, acknowledge your faults, give in to Jesus, and you are forgiven. A new day!

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter‬ ‭3:18‬

Get rid of yesterday and start a new day in Christ. And have a GREAT one!

If You Won’t Listen to Me, Listen to Tim Tebow!

Christian athlete Tim Tebow has challenged Christians to change the world by loving Jesus and every single person they come in contact with. Read it here.

As I write all the time—LOVE!!! It’s what God commands us to do. The only thing He commands us to do.

Want to change the world? Try Love. If you won’t listen to God, or just me, listen to Tim Tebow. Great message!!!

Christian in Word or Action?

A lot of people say they are “Christian.” In fact, close to a third of the people on the planet say they are followers of Jesus Christ. However, I’m wondering if that is “Christian” in word only or in action? After all, talk is cheap. Continue reading “Christian in Word or Action?”