I had a great day yesterday. I hope you all did as well. At the same time I felt like I needed hours away from everyone so I could think about what it really means to ask the question "what would Jesus do?" and then do it. Time goes by so quickly and it seems to me that my life is determined by so many things that are forced on me rather than me choosing to do them. Because of that I thought this text was great this morning as we continue to wrestle with our daily reality and this decision we have made.
"ARM YOURSELVES WITH THE SAME WAY OF THINKING" is the line that stuck out to me. Also the "ceased from sin" part but I am still thinking about that and doing a little reading on the side to understand what Peter is talking about more. What does it mean to be armed with the same way of thinking as Christ? I reflect back to Philippians 2 and Christ who did not consider "equality with God as something to be grasped but emptied Himself" and I begin to understand. Jesus was ALL ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD! He didn't sit around waiting for some divine sign but rather got up early prayed to His Father, reflected on the Word He had heard from as a youth and then stepped out in faith to live it before the world. Good stuff and simple enough for me.
Prayer, the Word and step out believing that God is with you wherever you go! Sounds like a plan for DAY 2.
Much love and prayers along the way. LGLO, Pastor Peter
So thankful for Peter's challenge to let 1 Cor 13:13 "greatest of these is LOVE" be our focus over Christmas and every day. I tend to get over anxious at Christmas but purposed in my heart to above all else focus on loving Christ.
ReplyDeleteAt Walmart last week while waiting in line to check out...hungry...I ate my 1 chicken tender I'd just ordered from deli. When the cashier rang up my empty bag she was surprised I hadn't just thrown the bag away or put it on top of the gum section like all the other customers. Remembering my focus...I told her that loving Jesus & living for Him shapes my every decision...Her expression immediately transformed from gloomy to sunny as we stood there in the middle of craziness and talked about Jesus! Just the mention of His name brought a little bit of heaven to this lady!
Then..Saturday another situation gave me another chance to do WWJD. At the Mall, in a small store with wall to wall people, I was in line (again) waiting (again) and just when my turn was up to check out another cashier rang up her customers purchase before mine. Seeing this my sales clerk flew over to cash register fussing at the other sales clerk and tension started building....so I took a deep breath, smiled, and said it's ok...Merry Christmas.. everyone got quiet and stared at me like I was speaking in Greek..As I was leaving the store the sales lady grabbed my arm and stopped me to say Thank you for showing us kindness..that it meant a lot to her.
These are two very very small examples of how Jesus is showing me what people need and what He would do......it's a start
That is awesome Patty Keep it up!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful message Patty! I have to ask myself how many times I let such opportunities pass without taking action. You are an inspiration!
ReplyDeletePatty, That is fantastic. THANKS so much for sharing!
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