Author: Jason

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Just Rewards

Sometimes we feel like what has been bestowed upon us is someone else’s fault. It’s so much easier to cast the blame on others and divert it from yourself. But take a look at this

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. (Proverbs 12:14 NIV)

Or maybe this version in which it is stated with so much simplicity.

We are rewarded or punished for what we say & do. -Proverbs 12:14

I suppose it comes back to the old adage ‘you reap what you sow’. What are you sowing today?

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Puzzle for the Day

This morning I was reading this passage in Colossians:

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

Seems pretty simple right – just think about think about the things of God and not these things that are all around you – like your money, or you work, or your job, or you stuff.

Pretty simple.

But why is that so hard?

What do you think, how can you solve that puzzle today?

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Simple Agenda

Here’s one thing to get your mind in the right place on this Monday morning.  One little thought from Paul as he pleads with the Galatians to stay try to the freedom of Christ.

5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:5-6 (NIV)

One thing counts.  Is that one thing on your agenda today?

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Rally Around the Banner

flag-dayI have one memory that I recall every June 14.  It’s a memory of still being in school on June 14.  For some reason, I don’t have a lot of vivid memories of elementary school, but I do remember this day.   It was early elementary and I remember sitting and coloring flags.  I can remember what the page looked like, I can recall my place in the classroom, and I still see the sun beaming in the windows – calling me to come out and play!  I am pretty sure that the teacher was just trying to find work for us to do at that point.  It wasn’t until later in my life after years of school ending around Memorial Day that I realized how odd it was for my school district to still be in school on Flag Day.  I am pretty sure it was one of those winters where snow was prevalent and school was not.

So today, we celebrate Old Glory – the symbol of what is good about America.  The one thing that all Americans look to for hope and the one thing that represents all that America stands for.  What American isn’t proud when he sees that banner lifted high on the Olympic Track, or displayed on the shoulder of a soldier.  And have you noticed that after every destructive weather event a picture appears with the American flag raised on top of the rubble, a symbol of hope and the ability to overcome!  It’s just a simple piece of fabric, but it is a powerful symbol. One which appears to have magical powers that can unite people with a single wave. And so it is for us who live in America under that banner.

In the same way, we have a spiritual banner that is the rallying point of our soul.  Take a moment on Flag Day to remember this banner as well as the Stars and Stripes.

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10  (NIV)

The Root of Jesse is a reference to The Christ, who to his followers becomes a banner, a powerful rallying point, and oh so every glorious.

Let Old Glory Fly high today, but may the Root of Jesse fly even higher – over all the nations!

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Jumping Judges

One thing I have struggled with through my years on Earth has been judging others too quickly, and most of the time for the negative.  Judging a book by its cover has come easy for me, and in lots of cases, I have been incorrect and it’s made it hard for me to establish deeper relationship.  This is something I have worked on, and I have found holding back on categorization of people has worked pretty well.  However, I continue to grow in this area and earlier this week a Proverb was pointed out to me again, but in a totally different way from the way I have always read it. This new light brought out totally new meaning for me.

do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? Proverbs 25:8 (NIV)

In this bit of wisdom, I have always focused on ‘the bring to court’ part,  emphasizing the encouragement to stay out of the court room and not bring suits against others.  Then, I had this sentence structure shown to me this week.

Don’t jump to conclusions, there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw. -Proverbs 25:8 (MSG)

Wow, that really changed the whole thing for me. and it even brings new meaning to the same verse written this way

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? (NASB)

The focus has changed from staying out of court to holding back on my position, until I really understand what is going on.  That’s a pretty big lesson for me, and I am sure lots of you as well.  And then the end becomes important as well, when you realize it has a lot to do with the relationship with the others involved.  Pretty Cool!

Over the last few weeks, I keep finding myself right back in the sermon on the mount, so why should today be any different?  Let me remind you of how similar this is to the teaching of that Christ guy when he says

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matt 7

and it also seems to come full circle to his teaching on using the proper measuring spoon.

Why is that so simple to read, but so hard to put into practice?