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Many people today lead different lives. They have different sets of behavior while at home and in public. Though this can be broken down even further, there are specific behaviors for the public and private life.
People have a desire to be liked, understood, appreciated, and successful within their professional and personal life. To achieve these, people may adjust their conduct or character. (This doesn’t mean the person will commit illegal acts.) Though someone may achieve success in their professional and personal life, they may experience the exact opposite in their private life.
The private life is often hidden from the public. The private life can refer to the home (life) or personal conduct away from the public ‘eye.’ Though someone may be known as a generous person in the public eye, they may be stingy and selfish in their private life. Though private actions may be out of the public’s sight, they are in open view to God.
The days are long and the worries pile on I Must Live For You When my job is full of stress and my life is a mess I Must Live For You Fleshly desires arouse and troubles abound I Must Live For You As the money dwindles and the struggle continues I Must Live For You Give me peace in the storm and the ability to go on I Must Live For You This is the day I can live Your way I Must Live For You When I don’t know what to do show me the path to choose I Must Live For You I can live a godly life in spite of pain and strife I Must Live For You Help me see past my problems and trust You to solve them I Must Live For You Give me the strength to stand and be a loving Christian I Must Live For You
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/dallascitytemplesdachurch_photoministry. Image covered under Creative Commons License.
In ministry I’ve learned that many people may not be willing to assist you. There seems to be more people willing to enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labor than help you prepare and cultivate it.
Though we may want thousands of people to support our missions, our focus must be on our specific calling. God will provide EVERYTHING we need to fulfill our purpose in Him. He is faithful, just, and will not leave us without the support we need.
Keep your eyes on your purpose and mission – God will take care of the rest.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Oliver Tam
Joshua 1:6-8 – Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
These are the words the Lord spoke to Joshua before leading the Israelites into their promised land. The Lord instructed Joshua to do four things:
Everyday we fulfill roles as parents, workers, co-workers, leaders, followers, friends, etc. Each role requires various behaviors and responsibilities to address whatever issue that may arise. Regardless of what may happen, handle your situations in a professional manner.
Being a professional requires discipline, dedication, and integrity (among other things). Don’t lose your composure because events don’t go as planned. If you are unprofessional, you will only bring discredit to yourself, the organizations you support, and most importantly God.
Give each situation the same amount of attention, respect, and love you want others to give to you. Set the example. Be the professional.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Larissa Kanno
Many times, we want our friends to agree with our thoughts, decisions, and conduct. Before, after or during our decisions, we seek the advice of one our friends for love, understanding, acceptance, or appreciation.
We have different friends for different situations. We have some friends that we only allow to help us with a specific situation or area. We have other friends we call to help us get through tough times or make difficult decisions. Of all the friends we can have, the most dangerous is the sin buddy.
A sin buddy is someone that will either agree with, encourage, or promote sinful conduct. The sin buddy can exist in any of our categories of friends, but usually they are in their own category.
For example, you have a friend that hates your spouse and have made it known. They have told you to leave them and find another spouse or to find someone ‘on the side’ to please you. Now, if you’re having marital problems and you’re trying to work through your problems, would you call this person? NO! You know their position and can guess what they will tell you. But if you didn’t want your marriage to work, they may be the first person you call…
Luke 18:18-23 – And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
People grow up from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. As Christians, we are called to make disciples of all nations, but what do we do when people don’t want to hear about God, accept our invitations to attend church, or receive our messages of salvation?
Blogging has become an explosive entity on the web. Blogging has provided a ‘voice’ for individuals to connect around the world. Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s a blog for almost every imaginable topic through many different people and organizations. At times it seems hard to find a good blog that meets your need, and if you consider blogging, you may feel that one more voice on the web isn’t needed. However, I wanted to share a couple of points to consider why blogging (regardless of one’s following or content) is important for today’s disciples of Christ. Here’s a few of reasons why blogging is important.
1. Record your thoughts. This is the basic premise of blogging. How many times have you wished you remembered or wrote down an important teaching or message? Even if you are not ready to start an online blog, please consider journaling your thoughts.
Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The couch may partially disguise the soldier’s uniform, but the solder is still a soldier. Many Christians often try to disguise who they are hoping not to draw attention to themselves (as Christians), but that’s not what Jesus intended. He wants us to stand out from among the world and be seen. He wants people to glorify His Father through our good works.
How can we be all we can for God if we’re hiding on the couch?
Proverbs 19:11 – The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
1. People can do things that really make you mad! Whether it’s something on a personal or public level, their actions can really upset you. The translated definition for transgression is an (violated) action against individuals, nation against nation, or God.1 These violations can be based on your personal preferences, laws, or standards.
To use discretion is to decide or act according to one’s own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice.2 When anger (over any issue) wants to consume you, you have a choice. You can choose to be angry or choose to let it go. You don’t have to be angry!
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