sup guys,
Roughly a year ago I made a decision that marked the switch between what close friends call "old edward" and "new edward." It wasn't simply a greater effort on my part to be more sociable, which is what it looked like on the surface. It was a decision that people, their lives, and their problems should matter to me. What followed was a storm of me asking for prayer requests and actively pursuing people with encouragements.
For a while now, i've noticed myself drifting from that. while I still retained that social openness, i find myself praying less and less for people and, in general, stopped caring with the same degree of passion. I could blame it on busy'ness of life , but life's always gonna be busy isn't it? That's no excuse. So I've begun praying for myself to return to the same passions and determination to be a blessing I possessed a year ago. I'd like to encourage everyone to join me in this too.
If I can put it in simple words, it's a matter of being considerate. It's about what Paul termed "prophesying," which had relatively little to do with fortune telling (as most ppl understand prophecies) and everything to do with speaking God's truth out of love into each other's lives. It's a gift we should ALL cultivate. I'm reminded of Jesus' mandate to peter right before his triple denial of the Christ, "when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." The wonderful thing about encouragement is the domino effect it has on the christian community. As one person is encouraged, they are in turn, emboldened to encourage others. This is what I want to see. We talk so much about community building and inreaching but before that can get off the ground, we need to start a culture of encouragement.
Encouragement for the week, be encouraging. Speaking from personal experience, I can think of no better remedy for loneliness than making a genuine effort to dispel loneliness in others.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and consolation...the one who prophesies builds up the church" - 1 Corinthians 14:3-4
"We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him..." - 2 Corinthians 7:7
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ...do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:1-4
How to pick puppies (taste test at 0:27)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxiESl-VY5E&feature=related
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Happy Wednesday (Sabbath) (06/09/2010)
Yo,
a good chunk of this comes from a great matt chandler sermon:
I used to wonder about which day of the week sabbath was; saturday or sunday. According to hebrews 4, sabbath is every single day. Still, the concept of working for 6 days and resting on the 7th is one supported by scripture.
This concept of rest was true back in the days of moses, it is even more true today. Our mentality is so work-oriented that even our fun can become an item on a to-do list. We're constantly aiming to achieve something with our hours. Then there're blogs, twitter, facebook, gchat - we're so plugged into each other's lives yet im constantly hearing about how lonely and disconnected ppl feel.
The sabbath is God's answer to all of that. The day of rest when we unplug from chores and busy ourselves instead with reconnecting with God and people. I think this is the original intent of the sabbath. It's more than coming to church on sunday; it's about long lunches, friendly games of ping pong, pearl milk teas while catching up on each other's lives. It's about finding creative ways to kill each other hilariously in Mario Wii, and praying for each other's struggles. It's about worship, it's about reflection, and it's all ultimately about God.
It was never about pharisaic rules, what you can or can not do. Nor was it about which day of the week it should be. For most, the weekend is handy, but sabbath happens when a group of friends decide to cook together on a wednesday night. I think there's something absolutely holy and God exalting about christians delighting themselves in each other's company.
Encouragement for the week, make a habit of finding time to unplug from all the chores and make time for God, urself, family, and friends. Take walks with no other purpose except to unwind, have dinners/lunches without agenda, pray with the simple purpose of talking to God instead of presenting a list of needs and worries.
Have a happy Sabbath,
Edward
"Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it today... There remains , then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." - Hebrews 4
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a new moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." - Colossians 2:16-17
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:28
Hallelujah w/ letters to God from kids - cute (thx christina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTaSVXMtoZs
a good chunk of this comes from a great matt chandler sermon:
I used to wonder about which day of the week sabbath was; saturday or sunday. According to hebrews 4, sabbath is every single day. Still, the concept of working for 6 days and resting on the 7th is one supported by scripture.
This concept of rest was true back in the days of moses, it is even more true today. Our mentality is so work-oriented that even our fun can become an item on a to-do list. We're constantly aiming to achieve something with our hours. Then there're blogs, twitter, facebook, gchat - we're so plugged into each other's lives yet im constantly hearing about how lonely and disconnected ppl feel.
The sabbath is God's answer to all of that. The day of rest when we unplug from chores and busy ourselves instead with reconnecting with God and people. I think this is the original intent of the sabbath. It's more than coming to church on sunday; it's about long lunches, friendly games of ping pong, pearl milk teas while catching up on each other's lives. It's about finding creative ways to kill each other hilariously in Mario Wii, and praying for each other's struggles. It's about worship, it's about reflection, and it's all ultimately about God.
It was never about pharisaic rules, what you can or can not do. Nor was it about which day of the week it should be. For most, the weekend is handy, but sabbath happens when a group of friends decide to cook together on a wednesday night. I think there's something absolutely holy and God exalting about christians delighting themselves in each other's company.
Encouragement for the week, make a habit of finding time to unplug from all the chores and make time for God, urself, family, and friends. Take walks with no other purpose except to unwind, have dinners/lunches without agenda, pray with the simple purpose of talking to God instead of presenting a list of needs and worries.
Have a happy Sabbath,
Edward
"Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it today... There remains , then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." - Hebrews 4
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a new moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." - Colossians 2:16-17
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:28
Hallelujah w/ letters to God from kids - cute (thx christina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTaSVXMtoZs
Happy Wednesday (Teachable) (06/02/2010)
Sup guys,
As many of you know, I've been struggling with my application essay for a few weeks now. Although I submitted various drafts to the scrutiny of a number of people, I found myself resisting a lot of their input. Afterall, this is my life and my essay. what does that person know about what medical schools want to see? isn't that person's grammar worse than mine? before i knew it, i was arrogantly rejecting advice from my own mother! I think that was when i finally realized how pride has taken root in this endeavour right from the outset. Even when i take in suggestions here and there, there was always a resistance - almost as if i'd much rather hear affirmation than justified criticism.
I think one of hte marks of true humility is teachability. to gracefully accept advice from ones we trust. We would never grow if we always refuse guidance from those who have our best interest at heart. It is the same way with God, our pride would make us blind to our own sins as we resist God's guidance. Pride and mistrust is a difficult habit to shed. I think how we view people, our friends and family, is very similar to how we view God. If pride and mistrust prevents us from taking sound advice of friends and family, we'd have no better luck hearing God's criticism.
Encouragement for the week, try to be teachable. be in a place of humility where u're always able to accept possibility of being wrong. Not only does this make you a more pleasant person to be around, you make yourself open to God's sanctifying grace in your life. You would shut out man and God otherwise.
Have a happy wednesday!
edward
"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong." - Anonymous
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." - Provers 13:10 (how tru dat is...)
"If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." - 1 John 4:20
Not sure if i showed this before but heres another episode of SIMONS CAT! =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuf61OjvoPQ
As many of you know, I've been struggling with my application essay for a few weeks now. Although I submitted various drafts to the scrutiny of a number of people, I found myself resisting a lot of their input. Afterall, this is my life and my essay. what does that person know about what medical schools want to see? isn't that person's grammar worse than mine? before i knew it, i was arrogantly rejecting advice from my own mother! I think that was when i finally realized how pride has taken root in this endeavour right from the outset. Even when i take in suggestions here and there, there was always a resistance - almost as if i'd much rather hear affirmation than justified criticism.
I think one of hte marks of true humility is teachability. to gracefully accept advice from ones we trust. We would never grow if we always refuse guidance from those who have our best interest at heart. It is the same way with God, our pride would make us blind to our own sins as we resist God's guidance. Pride and mistrust is a difficult habit to shed. I think how we view people, our friends and family, is very similar to how we view God. If pride and mistrust prevents us from taking sound advice of friends and family, we'd have no better luck hearing God's criticism.
Encouragement for the week, try to be teachable. be in a place of humility where u're always able to accept possibility of being wrong. Not only does this make you a more pleasant person to be around, you make yourself open to God's sanctifying grace in your life. You would shut out man and God otherwise.
Have a happy wednesday!
edward
"Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong." - Anonymous
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." - Provers 13:10 (how tru dat is...)
"If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." - 1 John 4:20
Not sure if i showed this before but heres another episode of SIMONS CAT! =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuf61OjvoPQ
Happy Wednesday (Errors) (05/27/2010)
Sup guys!
seems like internet is still funky at work...
Towards the end of matthew 22 the sadducees questioned jesus about marriage at the resurrection. Its a great story, and jesus pwn'd several hundred years worth of human theology, wisdom, and arrogance with a few simple sentences. What i wanted to draw our attention to is jesus' initial response, "you are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God." how that so accurately describes us! I suspect alot of our errors in how we act and how we see the world/God comes, just as jesus said they did, from our lack of biblical understanding and a lack of trust in God's power.
Active pursuit of God through devoted, daily study of scriptures is the exception rather than the norm - and i completely count myself in this. without scriptural knowledge, we base our decisions and opinions on what people or our heart tells us (a very disney thing to do). yet how does the bible describe our heart? Jesus says that the heart is the source of evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, and so on. The heart is an easily swayed and inconstant guide at best; at its worst, it'll steer us away from Him. It led the sadducees to smugly deny the resurrection, it will lead us to smugly deny the power of Christ in our lives if we do not root ourselves in the truths of God. Cute anecdotes and heart warming messages aside, my sincere and earnest encouragement for the week, get into God's Word!
I'm serious!
Edward
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." - Psalm 119:97
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalms 119:105
"Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish." - Isaiah 29:13-14
kinda nifty video of google chrome browser speed test (thx grace!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4viKjxJqId0
seems like internet is still funky at work...
Towards the end of matthew 22 the sadducees questioned jesus about marriage at the resurrection. Its a great story, and jesus pwn'd several hundred years worth of human theology, wisdom, and arrogance with a few simple sentences. What i wanted to draw our attention to is jesus' initial response, "you are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God." how that so accurately describes us! I suspect alot of our errors in how we act and how we see the world/God comes, just as jesus said they did, from our lack of biblical understanding and a lack of trust in God's power.
Active pursuit of God through devoted, daily study of scriptures is the exception rather than the norm - and i completely count myself in this. without scriptural knowledge, we base our decisions and opinions on what people or our heart tells us (a very disney thing to do). yet how does the bible describe our heart? Jesus says that the heart is the source of evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, and so on. The heart is an easily swayed and inconstant guide at best; at its worst, it'll steer us away from Him. It led the sadducees to smugly deny the resurrection, it will lead us to smugly deny the power of Christ in our lives if we do not root ourselves in the truths of God. Cute anecdotes and heart warming messages aside, my sincere and earnest encouragement for the week, get into God's Word!
I'm serious!
Edward
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." - Psalm 119:97
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalms 119:105
"Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish." - Isaiah 29:13-14
kinda nifty video of google chrome browser speed test (thx grace!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4viKjxJqId0
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Happy Thursday (Perspective) (5/20/2010)
Hey guys,
Internet was down at work so sorry for lateness, nevertheless, happy Thursday! Still making my way through matthews. I think in the focused study of any book of the bible, like this or the 40 day reading of Acts we’re now doing at gscc (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Forty-Day-Walk/115344555164488?ref=ts), im often tempted to arrogantly presume to know everything God can possibly teach me. One of my greatest joys in personal devotion is to have that presumption proven wrong over and over again.
I think I finally understand the parable of the workers in the vineyard (mat 20), where various workers were hired to work in the vineyard throughout the day yet all received the same pay – despite different number of working hours. My worldly mind tends to agree with the complaints of the workers who toiled for the entire day yet received the same pay as the ones who worked a single hour. We often voice similar complaints in our daily struggles, like…I’m getting eternal life, but that guy’s getting eternal life AND a lamborghini…that’s not fair! To put things in proper prespective, imagine if the wages given in the parable was $1 million instead of 1 measly denarius…would the workers still quibble over working 8 hours that day instead of 1? Now instead of $1million, imagine eternity with God – our wage for a lifetime of following our Lord. Does it make sense to quibble over ~80 years of devoted service getting the same reward as a deathbed confessor? Rather, the joy of obtaining Christ and eternity should drown out such protests.
To paraphrase a john piper analogy, for us to get eternal life and to still demand a happy, prosperous, pampered, worry-free life is akin to be given the entire pacific ocean and still ask for a cup of water on top of that. Our indignant protests do lose some of their force given that perspective doesn’t it? We just need to see heaven. My encouragement for the week.
Have an awesomost rest of the week!
Edward
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
baby sloths, butt scratchy at 1:08!! >.< (thx christina!)
http://vimeo.com/11712103
Internet was down at work so sorry for lateness, nevertheless, happy Thursday! Still making my way through matthews. I think in the focused study of any book of the bible, like this or the 40 day reading of Acts we’re now doing at gscc (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Forty-Day-Walk/115344555164488?ref=ts), im often tempted to arrogantly presume to know everything God can possibly teach me. One of my greatest joys in personal devotion is to have that presumption proven wrong over and over again.
I think I finally understand the parable of the workers in the vineyard (mat 20), where various workers were hired to work in the vineyard throughout the day yet all received the same pay – despite different number of working hours. My worldly mind tends to agree with the complaints of the workers who toiled for the entire day yet received the same pay as the ones who worked a single hour. We often voice similar complaints in our daily struggles, like…I’m getting eternal life, but that guy’s getting eternal life AND a lamborghini…that’s not fair! To put things in proper prespective, imagine if the wages given in the parable was $1 million instead of 1 measly denarius…would the workers still quibble over working 8 hours that day instead of 1? Now instead of $1million, imagine eternity with God – our wage for a lifetime of following our Lord. Does it make sense to quibble over ~80 years of devoted service getting the same reward as a deathbed confessor? Rather, the joy of obtaining Christ and eternity should drown out such protests.
To paraphrase a john piper analogy, for us to get eternal life and to still demand a happy, prosperous, pampered, worry-free life is akin to be given the entire pacific ocean and still ask for a cup of water on top of that. Our indignant protests do lose some of their force given that perspective doesn’t it? We just need to see heaven. My encouragement for the week.
Have an awesomost rest of the week!
Edward
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
baby sloths, butt scratchy at 1:08!! >.< (thx christina!)
http://vimeo.com/11712103
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Happy Wednesday (Prayer) (05/12/2010)
hayo,
this has been one of those ongoing question for me, how exactly does our prayers stack up against the sovereignty of God?
One the one hand, we have exodus 32 where Moses apparently convinces God to not destroy the israelite nation, and jesus himself tells us "ask and it shall be given to you...for everyone who asks receives..." On the other hand the sovereignty of God, namely His in-control-ness over everything that happens, is a recurring theme throughout scripture as well.
so what's the deal? is the all knowing and all powerful God in absolute control or can He be swayed by the flimsy will and prayers of humanity? If he has already decided South Africa will win the world cup, why is each team represented by hordes of praying fans? Ultimately, If he already knows the final results of all our prayer requests, is there any point for us to persist in prayer - to plead for what is already decided? (short answer: Yes)
matt chandler handles this question like this, while God has absolute authority and control over who comes to Him, preaching is a means of accomplishing this divinely appointed will.
"how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Rom 10:14) Sermons, godly lives, and fellowships thus become instruments in carrying out the will of God in people's salvation and therefore such things MATTERS. Prayer works on the same level, it becomes - in ways i can't understand - instrumental in carrying out God's will and therefore MATTERS.
the correct attitude in prayer should be like that of Jesus in gethsemane, where he earnestly plead with God to take the burden of hte cross from him (knowing full well that the cross must happen) yet submitted to God by saying "not my will but Yours be done." There is a very human, and honest admission of fear and wants in perfect sync with humility and obedience - this is what i think we're supposed to strive for in prayer.
When we pray the words "not my will but Yours be done" do not say it as a fail-safe - as if you need to protect God's existence from unanswered prayers, do it as an acknowledgement of His sovereignty over your life. Praying like this helps us avoid making the objects of our prayers idols in our lives and serves the dual purpose of worship and sanctification.
Encouragement for the week: pray. To actively, honestly, wholeheartedly, and humbly pray concerning the fears, wants, needs and praises in your life.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him...and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well..." - James 5:13-15
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22:42
In keeping w/ the dancing baby trend...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aswr40bLaE&feature=related
this has been one of those ongoing question for me, how exactly does our prayers stack up against the sovereignty of God?
One the one hand, we have exodus 32 where Moses apparently convinces God to not destroy the israelite nation, and jesus himself tells us "ask and it shall be given to you...for everyone who asks receives..." On the other hand the sovereignty of God, namely His in-control-ness over everything that happens, is a recurring theme throughout scripture as well.
so what's the deal? is the all knowing and all powerful God in absolute control or can He be swayed by the flimsy will and prayers of humanity? If he has already decided South Africa will win the world cup, why is each team represented by hordes of praying fans? Ultimately, If he already knows the final results of all our prayer requests, is there any point for us to persist in prayer - to plead for what is already decided? (short answer: Yes)
matt chandler handles this question like this, while God has absolute authority and control over who comes to Him, preaching is a means of accomplishing this divinely appointed will.
"how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Rom 10:14) Sermons, godly lives, and fellowships thus become instruments in carrying out the will of God in people's salvation and therefore such things MATTERS. Prayer works on the same level, it becomes - in ways i can't understand - instrumental in carrying out God's will and therefore MATTERS.
the correct attitude in prayer should be like that of Jesus in gethsemane, where he earnestly plead with God to take the burden of hte cross from him (knowing full well that the cross must happen) yet submitted to God by saying "not my will but Yours be done." There is a very human, and honest admission of fear and wants in perfect sync with humility and obedience - this is what i think we're supposed to strive for in prayer.
When we pray the words "not my will but Yours be done" do not say it as a fail-safe - as if you need to protect God's existence from unanswered prayers, do it as an acknowledgement of His sovereignty over your life. Praying like this helps us avoid making the objects of our prayers idols in our lives and serves the dual purpose of worship and sanctification.
Encouragement for the week: pray. To actively, honestly, wholeheartedly, and humbly pray concerning the fears, wants, needs and praises in your life.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him...and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well..." - James 5:13-15
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22:42
In keeping w/ the dancing baby trend...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aswr40bLaE&feature=related
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Happy Wednesday (Rights) (05/05/2010)
sup all,
im fairly sure that this has happened to everyone at least once this week already - where we give our all to love or serve someone and instead of being rewarded with a thank you or gratitude, we unjustly received apathy or even disdain/rebuke in return for our efforts (if u're a parent, this probably occur several times a day).
when we love or serve its so easy to feel like we are owed a certain treatment in return, isn't it? we demand, "how DARE they do this to me, after all i've done for them?!" should we be entitled to gratitude when we serve others? of course! but how we react when this is denied marks us as children of God or of the world. for us to say that we're the better friend, the more generous coworker, the more sacrificing spouse or to demand of others those few denariis owed to us is to ignore our ten thousand talent debt that is cancelled daily because of grace (matthew 18:21-35). we rise in anger at every indignation against us, yet how often do we burn with the same anger at our own sins or short comings?
Paul laid down his rights as an apostle for hte sake of hte gospel - and stoically accepted the corinthian's lack of financial support. I believe he is able to do this because the love and service he provided was for hte sake of the kingdom. he trusted that his reward, his worth, his affirmation, and his needs will be met by a heavenly source so there is no need for an earthly one. I hate how i can get so hurt and angry sometimes when i dont get a simple thank you or invited to an event by a person i've shown kindness to. How i would crave earthly attention and rewards for my deeds. if we knew our Father sees it all and is pleased with us, shouldn't that be enough?
encouragement for the week: dont hurt or burn yourself out and dont be taken advantage of, but in day to day matters be peace makers as you show willingness to surrender your rights and strive to lift up your brothers and sisters as Christ has done for us.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:3-4
"If we have sown spiritual seeds among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?... But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 9:11-12
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so...you will abound in every good work... Now he who supplies seed to the sower...will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-11
dancing baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSJ41xcUhuw&feature=related
im fairly sure that this has happened to everyone at least once this week already - where we give our all to love or serve someone and instead of being rewarded with a thank you or gratitude, we unjustly received apathy or even disdain/rebuke in return for our efforts (if u're a parent, this probably occur several times a day).
when we love or serve its so easy to feel like we are owed a certain treatment in return, isn't it? we demand, "how DARE they do this to me, after all i've done for them?!" should we be entitled to gratitude when we serve others? of course! but how we react when this is denied marks us as children of God or of the world. for us to say that we're the better friend, the more generous coworker, the more sacrificing spouse or to demand of others those few denariis owed to us is to ignore our ten thousand talent debt that is cancelled daily because of grace (matthew 18:21-35). we rise in anger at every indignation against us, yet how often do we burn with the same anger at our own sins or short comings?
Paul laid down his rights as an apostle for hte sake of hte gospel - and stoically accepted the corinthian's lack of financial support. I believe he is able to do this because the love and service he provided was for hte sake of the kingdom. he trusted that his reward, his worth, his affirmation, and his needs will be met by a heavenly source so there is no need for an earthly one. I hate how i can get so hurt and angry sometimes when i dont get a simple thank you or invited to an event by a person i've shown kindness to. How i would crave earthly attention and rewards for my deeds. if we knew our Father sees it all and is pleased with us, shouldn't that be enough?
encouragement for the week: dont hurt or burn yourself out and dont be taken advantage of, but in day to day matters be peace makers as you show willingness to surrender your rights and strive to lift up your brothers and sisters as Christ has done for us.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:3-4
"If we have sown spiritual seeds among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?... But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 9:11-12
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so...you will abound in every good work... Now he who supplies seed to the sower...will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-11
dancing baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSJ41xcUhuw&feature=related
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