Show me by what you watch

What do you want to watch?

 

This is a question often asked in our family because we love watching movies together. However in these days so much on the screen is pretty vile. Its hard to find any new show that’s not filled with sex and violence.

 

Psalm 101:3 says:

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me.

 

The NLT version says, “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.”

 

The other night I really wanted to watch something that someone had recommended. I was shocked by the violence and sex that accompanied the storyline, but I didn’t stop watching. I finished it.

But it didn’t stop there. The story and images haunted me through the week. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I had forgotten that the Spirit of God is in me.

Eph. 4:30 says, “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.”

I forgot that when God gives a command it is not only for my good, but it makes him grieve when I disobey.

I made God grieve.

How do I feel when I grieve? It hurts to have your heart broken.

Do I want to do this to God by my disobedience?

Break His heart?

As I am writing the song “Holy Spirit” is playing. The lyrics say, “Let us become more aware of your presence.”

Father God, I ask in Jesus name that you would fill me with the awareness that your Spirit is living in me. Let me become more aware of His presence. Help me say, ‘NO’ to watching vulgar, vile things instead let me seek and pursue the things that bring you joy instead of grief.

 

 

 

 

That person is a such a jerk!

Love — Do Good — Bless — Pray

 

When My kids were little, we listened to music cassette tapes (remember those).

GT and the Halo Express was one of our favorites. They were little stories about a couple of kids and their guardian angel (GT). The angel would sing scripture in the stories.

 I remember the songs and the scripture today even though my kids are now in their 20’s.

 The other day while riding my bike, I kept thinking about someone who hurt my feelings. I had tried to talk to them and explain, but they would not listen. Finally I had to give up and hold my peace, but my heart was still hurt.

 A GT song kept coming into my mind the lyrics thumping in my mind with the cadence of my pedaling. Love — Do Good — Bless — Pray

It was based on Luke 6:27, 28—“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

  1. Love – your enemies –this person is not my enemy at all. (Eph. 6:10-12)
  2.  Do good—They hurt me, but I should not retaliate. According to God’s Word, I must do good to them and not be ugly in return.
  3. Bless I need to speak blessing over them (good things) and not gossip  and tell people what mean-heads they are. (even though that’s what I really want to do)
  4. Pray Pray that the Lord would open their eyes (and mine too) to see their (and my own) faults. Pray they would know God and walk with him…

This isn’t easy, but I’m not making it up. 

If you have trouble with doing this take it up with Jesus, He’s the one who said it. 

So give it a try: Even if the other person doesn’t change, you will be changed. After all holding a grudge is like setting yourself on fire and hoping the other person dies of smoke inhalation. 

Love — Do Good — Bless — Pray

If you want to hear the song, you can listen to it on iTunes

If you have little kids and would like to order the music CD or mp3 you can check it out here: God’s Love.

 

Show Me Love

I don’t love him anymore.

What does that really mean?

Love is not a feeling.

Love is a choice.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is:  patient and kind.

Love is not:

jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not :

Demand its own way.

It is not irritable,

and it keeps no record of being wronged. 

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never

Gives up

Never loses faith

Love is always hopeful!

Love endures through every circumstance.

 

The part of this verse that jumps out at me is where it says, “love keeps no record of being wronged.

 

I’m pretty good at recalling all the mean things people have done to me—all the stupid, mean things they’ve said.

 

How can I love like that?

 

The ONLY way is to let Christ’s Spirit love through me.

I must remember a couple of things this person is not my enemy. (Eph. 6:12) My fight is against Satan and his minions who want to sow discord. I’ve got to say, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20

 

A dead person doesn’t get mad or upset. They are dead. If Gal. 2:20 is true then I no longer live, Christ lives in me. I am a new creation.

So Jesus since you live in me. You don’t keep a record of my sins. I refuse to keep a record of what this person has done. You never give up on me. So never give up on this person through me. I refuse to demand my own way. I’m dead. You are alive in me. I give up my “right” to be “right”.

 

Spirit of God be patient through me. Be kind through me.

How can I be kind to this person?

Show me Lord. Teach me to walk out my faith.

 

I’m going to Show my faith is real by allowing you to love this person through me just like you were standing here instead of me.