I saw this question yesterday and thought it would be a good one to pass along.
What are you doing today that will outlive you?
That’s a pretty good motivator – assuming you are leaving a legacy that impacts others in a positive way!
Anyway, think about that today as you go.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18 New International Version (NIV)
Yesterday I was given the chance to teach some junior high boys about the story of Rahab. It’s good to talk to boys about spy stories and Bond girls! Especially when you get to show them cool movie trailers about the whole Jericho thing like this one.
JERICHO from Rob McLellan on Vimeo.
So on to Rahab, the main character of the story. It’s pretty amazing to see how God uses a person of ill repute, and calls them out as a great person of faith. We see this a lot with our Lord. He calls out the people that we would consider trash, or sinful, and creates a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness and triumph. From the bible, in 5 seconds, I can think, of the women at the well, Zacchaeus, Moses, and Paul, to name just a few.
That’s pretty good for us to know, on two accounts. First, there is always hope for us. God loves to offer forgiveness! And Second, we should let God do the judging of people, and we should look for ways to lift all people up – no matter what we think about them.
We love, love love the first! We like the second… on paper. But not as much in practice. Today, think about that a little. Think about how you are treating those around you and put the second idea into practice. You may be amazed to see what a little bit of faith and action can do.
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:24-26 New International Version (NIV)
Earlier this week, Amy’s day calendar, which we both get lots of laughs and motivation from, contained this quote:
Make the most of yourself….. for that is all there is of you! – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I like it. How about you?
Reminds me of two verses I was also taught to teach that we should give all we have, since we are doing it for Him.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God! 1 Corinthians 10:31
Give what you got!
After a little bit of black out in protest of SOPA yesterday, I am back, and continuing a Tim Tebow sort of week. I am not sure that you saw this little video during the Pat-Bronco’s game or not. If you didn’t, take the three minutes to watch it.
Well, that’s a pretty good piece. But I guess that depends on your viewpoint of the Christ. As with everything Focus on the Family does, this one is full of arguments and controversy – but look at some of the results of this small campaign.
I hope you are able to find some encouragement from that piece and from these words penned by the author John and paraphrased slightly in the Message:
16-18“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16 The Message (MSG)
Today it the day the internet protests against new proposed legislation called SOPA or PIPA which seeks to fight against online pirating by creating potentially censorship like laws.
Not much of the internet likes it, and today you will see many of your favorite web sites “go dark” to protest. The Daily Buffet is also participating in this blackout from 8-8 today.
It’s not that I am for online pirating, but I think the internet is a great free speech zone. Plus who knows when someone may find my message offensive or unlikable and censor me?
Of course, if that were to happen, the message of love and dying to self and glorifying the Christ would still continue. Remember this:
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”
But, I really don’t want the rocks to do my job for me! 🙂
Then there this about the power of principalities
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
( well after I write that, I am not sure how applicable it is, but hey, it’s always good to remember that nothing, not even internet censorship can separate us from the love Christ has for us!
Oh, and there is another reason I protest today. Take a moment to remember all those people out there in other countries who would love even the chance to protest about free speech. They still put the message of the Christ out there, and the risk their lives every time they do it.
Enjoy the day! Hope you can make it without some of your favorite sites!