Show it by not showing it

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13

This verse just hits it right on. People want to have all the answers. They want to be the one that everyone comes to for advice. They want to be respected and honored. What we sometimes forget, though, is that we have to live out a good life if we want to be respected. I'm not saying that a person has to be perfect to be respected, but people often tend to respect those who are doing good because they know that it is the right thing, not because they want to be praised for it. If we want respect, we need to give respect to others. Also, you can't go around acting like you know it all. People who truly are respected are not boastful. They don't tell everyone every good thing they've done. They do things because they know they are right, not because they want someone to tell them that they did a great job. Don't do things for others to see. Don't do things so that people will say "Wow, look at them. They are really good." Do it because it's the right thing to do. And you will get your reward.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Matthew 6:1-4

Friends

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Ok, so I read this verse on a flair piece on facebook, and I just thought it was a great verse! It just really emphasizes the need for good, godly friends. It's hard to resist temptation, especially when it's from people that you know or think are "cool." When you have friends there to help you to say "no", and maybe even get mad at you if you don't do the right thing, it makes resisting things that might even look fun or good at the time so much easier.


It goes the same way with bad friends. If you hang out with friends that are going to pressure you to do the wrong things, it will be much harder to stand up against. Have you ever tried to tell your friends no for something? I'm not sure about you, but I usually cave. Just think about all or even just a few of your friends asking you to do something wrong. Eventually you'll cave. That's why it's important to pick good friends. If you have friends that will help you out and help you to stay on track, it becomes much easier to lead a godly life.


So get some good friends. Tell them to help you say "no." Especially if it's something that you know you are going to struggle with.

Four things

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

Acts 2:1-12

Ok four things here. First- WOW! I mean how amazing would that have been? How amazing would it be to see fire on top of your head and not be crazy! I'm surprised there weren't people freaking out because of it. Maybe there were. Although I'm pretty sure they weren't paying any attention to what was happening physically by then. They were probably so focused on God that they didn't even care about the the earthly things. Which just proves that God is more amazing than anything that can be going on around us on earth.

Second- God can do anything. Anything He wants. That's all.

Third- People had to have known that there was a group gathering to receive what Jesus had promised them. I know that all people like to talk, especially on "important new news". That's just how it goes. But, even when things happened that could only be God, they were still confused. They still didn't understand that it was God doing something there. Sometimes we, as people, are so clueless. God is right in front of us and we have absolutely no idea that He is there. You may say, "Well, that is different. Those people could physically see God. That makes it so much easier. We can't see God physically. It's a whole lot harder when you can't physically see what is going on in the spiritual realm." LOOK AROUND! You cannot honestly think that the beautiful scenery around us is just there, not inspired by God. The people around you weren't just created with chance. Think, just a little bit about how what everything is made up of and how intricate everything is. God designed all of it. God is around us to physically see, touch, smell, hear, and taste. Everything, everywhere, is God's creation. It's God's proof to us that He loves us and wants us to experience life. No, not just earthly, physical life, but a heavenly, spiritual life.

Fourth- Some of the people, when they saw what was happening, asked "What does this mean?" We need to ask ourselves this question. When something happens, even the smallest thing, we need to ask "What does this mean?" What can we do about this? How can we use this to minister to others or to, as much as I hate this phrase, "advance the Kingdom"? How can we help? Because, in every situation, we can help. Yes, maybe doing nothing is the right solution for some problems, but that is help. We need to know what to do in every situation. We find that out through prayer. Ask God what to do in situations, and He will guide you. He will let you know the right thing to do. All we have to do is ask.

Christmas

Christmas.

I love it! I love everything about Christmas, the lights, the songs, the shopping. This is one of the only times that I love crazy amounts of people all around me. And I don't think any of that is wrong, necessarily. In fact, it can be really good. It's good to get relaxed and enjoy your days and have fun. It's good to bless other people and let them know how much they mean to you through gifts. But sometimes we forget about what really needs to go on. While we are sitting around enjoying our friends and family, we need to remember what God did for us. We need to remember that God sacrificed what was most precious to Him so that we could have eternal life.

Yeah, I understand that you've heard all of this before: Christmas should be about Christ, Jesus is the reason for the season, its not just about reading the Christmas story. But it's the truth. We don't need to just think about what God has done during Christmas day. The things we do for others during the Christmas season, the happiness we have during this time should keep going. It shouldn't just stop suddenly, like the Christmas music stops playing on the radio as soon as it turns to the 26th. It needs to continue, even when we are in a bind. Even when we don't think anyone cares about us. We need to understand that God died for us in the good times and in the bad, when we are praising Him and when we've completely forgotten.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.

Psalm 25:6

Confidence In Christ

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Ever need prayer more than anything? Ever want God more than anything? Ever want someone to pray for you more than anything? Ever feel like you can't be strong enough to even talk to God, who knows it all already?

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

The author of Hebrews tells us to approach God with confidence. But where do you go when you don't think you have the confidence? We find it in our faith. Esther is one that we can model our confidence after. She could have been killed for going to the king, her husband, to ask for protection for the Jews, not only because she was not supposed to go into the king's inner court uninvited, but also because she was a Jew herself. But Esther fasted and prayed that she would have the confidence to do what was right, and God granted her request.

Now I don't think any of us are dealing with being threatened with death for having confidence, but we still need it. We need to ask God for the confidence to be have mercy and grace towards not only our faults but also others. We need to be able to have the confidence to do what is right, even when it is hard. When we need something, we need to ask God for it. When we are in need of anything, not just worldly things, but also emotional or spiritual strength, all we need to do is ask Him. It might take time, but he will grant us what we need.