Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Why do you want me to do that?

What's the last thing that God asked you to do?

I'm not talking about the things that God wants every day (communion with him, spreading the message of salvation, showing love, etc.)

I'm talking a specific thing that He asked you to do.


Was it a really challenging request or was it simple?
Did it seem like it was even that important? 
Was it scary?
What was going on in your life at that time?



I ask these questions to say one thing.   It doesn't matter.



It doesn't matter if...

it was challenging, the Holy Spirit will help.

it was simple, some things need to be broken down into steps and God doesn't show us the whole picture most of the time.

it seemed like it was important, we don't know how important things really are.

it was scary, the biggest and best things in life are the scariest. (ask any new dad)


All this to say. It's not for us to determine if we should do something that God has told us to do.
Only to do it.

We will not know (in this life) what the full consequences of our obedience or disobedience was.
And the outcome of obeying may not even be what we think it should be. 
However, we serve a Great God and He knows why.

So next time you feel led by God to do something, resolve to do it!
Even if you don't see all of the outcome, you will be blessed by your obedience.







Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Miracle Fruit

I was perusing the inter-webs the other day and I came across a video of a couple of guys trying this fruit known as the miracle berry. 
Now what this berry does, if you eat one, is to change the way your tongue tastes food.
It makes a sour taste, sweet.
Now this makes for a very entertaining YouTube video, however it got me thinking about a spiritual parallel.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 NIV
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Now this is speaking about people who are claiming to be working for the kingdom, but are in truth just wanting to boast that they can do what the apostles do. 
But it brings to light a bigger truth. 
BAD THINGS CAN DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS GOOD THINGS!

Just like this fruit that makes things that are sour, sweet.
Our desires for pleasure and sin can disguise something that everyone else can look at as bad and make it seem good to us.

Example from my own life.
Video Games.
Now on the surface is there anything inherently bad about them? (in general) 
I would say no. In fact they can be a great way to connect with people. 
But when I had become so obsessed with them that I was playing them 8-14 hours a day, I don't think anyone would consider that a good thing.
Yet through my eyes I was having a great time. (Even though I was failing College because of it).  
I was even telling my friends that they should play these games that I was playing because they were so much fun!

So, what happened here?
My desire to have fun overrode my sensibilities and just like the miracle fruit it took something bad (the wasted hours and disobedience to God) and made it taste sweet to me.

So, is there anything in your life right now that is hiding under the cover of sweetness?

A great measuring stick for this is; Do you feel the need to explain why you do something?

Are you getting angry right now reading this?
"How dare you try to tell me what to do!"

I'm not, but maybe God is trying to reveal something to you.

Have a great week and I hope this challenges you.