Scripture: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (Galatians 5:16-21)
I often stop and evaluate my walk with Christ by looking at myself from the outside in. What kind of example am I being to those around me? Am I falling into the habits of the world around me, joining in because it's easier? Or am I standing my ground and not conforming to society around me? It's a tough walk for us, and we should frequently stop and check our reflection - to see what we see looking back at us.
The life we left behind when we accepted Christ often comes back to haunt us, enticing us to step away from God. That pull to go back to the old life serves to either strengthen or weaken our faith. It has nothing to with the kind of life we left behind, such as hard-core addiction or criminal activity. Many of us turned our lives over to God without a huge struggle. But it's often the little things that hinder us from having a deeper relationship with God, driving a wedge between us and our Savior.
Foul language, music with course lyrics, movies with sexual content, the tolerance we develop for things we once stood against ... it all begins to sneak in by degrees, and we must be watchful that we don't fall into the traps and influences of the world around us. But scripture tells us "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25)
So how do you keep in step with the Spirit? If any of us find ourselves in sin or fighting sin and we fall into it, repent. Ask for forgiveness. Then deal with it. Those things that vex us don't often go away unless we face whatever it is we're fighting. Distortions are common detractors of our faith. We all bring our past into our walks. Self accusing voices can be loud; reminders of who you WERE may make you feel disqualified by God. That's why we need mature believers around us, to help us navigate through these dangerous and treacherous waters. .
But what is important to know is that it's said in Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". We will struggle all our Christian lives, and God knows this, and allows us to struggle without condemnation. Working through our "stuff" will only make us stronger, more mature, and later, able to help believers around us who are going through the same trials. So take heart, don't give up, and allow more mature believers around you to lift you up when you are feeling down. And remember: God's confidence is not so much in our ability - but His ability through us as we yield to Him
Carry on. Don't give up in your walk no matter how hard it gets. Lean on your brothers and sisters in the Lord, and He'll see you through to the other side of whatever it is.
Prayer request: For those who feel they can't turn - or REturn to the Lord because of their "old life". Pray for the love and acceptance to become known to those struggling in their walk with the Lord.
Prayer: We all fail and fall short of Your glory, and You know this. And you have so much grace and mercy on us. You always, always allow us to stop in our tracks, turn around, and run back to You, and Your arms are always open wide. Help us who are struggling with old tapes, old habits, past hurts and regrets to lean on You to heal us of our torment and draw closer to you. Amen
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Reminder from Viscardigasse
Scriptures: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)In Munich, there’s a place called Feldherrnhalle. This is a place where Adolf Hitler failed in the Beer Hall Putsh (German word for military Coup De’tat), one of his early attempts to seize power. To remember the 16 Nazis who died there, Hilter installed a guarded memorial and demanded that all who passed by that memorial must give a Nazi style solute. Being a police state then, anyone who did not do so would be arrested and prosecuted.
But there were many people who believed that this is nonsense. Yet, given the power of Nazi then, what option did they have? Well, it so happened that there was a little alley called Viscardigasse, a very short and narrow alley (as shown in the picture), right behind the Feldherrnhalle. This little short alley became their only option then. Those who refused to give that Nazi style solute would choose this alley to go over to the other side so they don’t have to pass by that guarded memorial. Therefore, it later came to be known as Drückebergergasse which means Dodger’s Alley.
If you pay a closer attention to the picture, you will find a trail curing through this alley. If you are present in the alley, you will find that this trail is actually painted in gold color. People in Munich used this way to remember the foot prints of those who refused to give that Nazi style solute and their silent protests.
When I first heard this, the courage of those who chose to do so impressed me. I am sure the police back then knew exactly why people turned into this little alley right before passing that memorial. Yet, even at the presence of such an evil force, they refused to give the solute that honored that evil power. Silent, implicit, unorganized and spontaneous as they were, their protests must have been loud and echoed in the hearts of many. Their courage and choice touched my heart deeply.
Then, it hit me that, as silent and unorganized as they were, people did not forget them. People literally painted their trails to remember their foot prints to remember what they did. I suppose human history is filled with stories like this, especially in times of troubles and turmoil. The only difference between this one and others is people chose to keep their foot prints in a visible way and this reminded me of what Bible says about those who preach the good news, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)
There have been a lot of great and inspiring missionaries that brought the good news of our Lord Jesus to many parts of this world. But there’re a lot more missionaries who, through their lives and messages, brought salvation into the lives of billions and turn those lives into territories of the Kingdom of God. Some responded to their calling through serving the sick in medical ministries, some through serving the poor and lowly ones, some through serving the orphans, and others through many other ways that we don’t even know about. But I am sure every foot step they took has been marked in heaven and viewed more precious than gold in the eyes of the God they served so faithfully.
My friends, what is the calling our Lord has for you? Do you feel forgotten or insignificant working in the ministries given you? You know, I sometimes do. In many cases, I know I need a reminder like this. For me, Viscardigasse reminded me that, as long as we remain faithful to our calling, we can be God’s instruments to touch and change lives and that, more importantly, God remembers what we do. And that’s all that matters!
Prayer Requests:
For everyone who feel being spread too thin or working ineffectively in the kingdom of God
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for all the opportunities of serving You and Your children. As we strive, we ask for Your continual guidance, strength, and reminders that You always care and remember so our ministries are always anchored in You and Your grace alone because we pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savor, Amen!
But there were many people who believed that this is nonsense. Yet, given the power of Nazi then, what option did they have? Well, it so happened that there was a little alley called Viscardigasse, a very short and narrow alley (as shown in the picture), right behind the Feldherrnhalle. This little short alley became their only option then. Those who refused to give that Nazi style solute would choose this alley to go over to the other side so they don’t have to pass by that guarded memorial. Therefore, it later came to be known as Drückebergergasse which means Dodger’s Alley.
If you pay a closer attention to the picture, you will find a trail curing through this alley. If you are present in the alley, you will find that this trail is actually painted in gold color. People in Munich used this way to remember the foot prints of those who refused to give that Nazi style solute and their silent protests.
When I first heard this, the courage of those who chose to do so impressed me. I am sure the police back then knew exactly why people turned into this little alley right before passing that memorial. Yet, even at the presence of such an evil force, they refused to give the solute that honored that evil power. Silent, implicit, unorganized and spontaneous as they were, their protests must have been loud and echoed in the hearts of many. Their courage and choice touched my heart deeply.
Then, it hit me that, as silent and unorganized as they were, people did not forget them. People literally painted their trails to remember their foot prints to remember what they did. I suppose human history is filled with stories like this, especially in times of troubles and turmoil. The only difference between this one and others is people chose to keep their foot prints in a visible way and this reminded me of what Bible says about those who preach the good news, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7)
There have been a lot of great and inspiring missionaries that brought the good news of our Lord Jesus to many parts of this world. But there’re a lot more missionaries who, through their lives and messages, brought salvation into the lives of billions and turn those lives into territories of the Kingdom of God. Some responded to their calling through serving the sick in medical ministries, some through serving the poor and lowly ones, some through serving the orphans, and others through many other ways that we don’t even know about. But I am sure every foot step they took has been marked in heaven and viewed more precious than gold in the eyes of the God they served so faithfully.
My friends, what is the calling our Lord has for you? Do you feel forgotten or insignificant working in the ministries given you? You know, I sometimes do. In many cases, I know I need a reminder like this. For me, Viscardigasse reminded me that, as long as we remain faithful to our calling, we can be God’s instruments to touch and change lives and that, more importantly, God remembers what we do. And that’s all that matters!
Prayer Requests:
For everyone who feel being spread too thin or working ineffectively in the kingdom of God
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for all the opportunities of serving You and Your children. As we strive, we ask for Your continual guidance, strength, and reminders that You always care and remember so our ministries are always anchored in You and Your grace alone because we pray in the wonderful name of Jesus, our Savor, Amen!
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