Focus on the "Do" not the "Don't"

This PW Devo today is a great reminder of the fact we should be focused on what we can do in our relationship with Jesus.

 

Too many times...we dance so close to that line of what we can do and what we shouldn't do.  Legalism works that way.  In fact, the Jewish Religious leaders felt they had to add to the commandments God handed down to them to keep the Nation of Israel from breaking any of the commandments.  Did it work? Not one bit.  Only Jesus could keep all of the commandments.

We're just like Eve back in the Garden of Eden.  We twist what God really said and get ourselves into trouble EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

 

Spend your week focused on what Jesus calls us, commands us to do.  And, if you aren't sure, take time this week to read the book of John.  Take a journal and write down every time Jesus asks us to do something.  Also, check out what Paul had to say in Colossians 3:

Colossians 3:1-25

(1) Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

(2)

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

(3)

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

(4)

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

(5)

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

(6)

For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,

(7)

and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

(8)

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

(9)

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

(10)

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--

(11)

a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

(12)

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

(13)

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

(14)

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

(15)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

(16)

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

(17)

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

(18)

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

(19)

Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

(20)

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

(21)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

(22)

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

(23)

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

(24)

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

(25)

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

 

I also like the fact that this PW Devo talks about Christians having pain: "Real Christians hurt. Okay, everyone hurts. But Jesus-followers imitate Him by being patient when they hurt, not surprised, not feeling betrayed, not angry -- patient as we wait for God to help."

 

Are you waiting on God today?

Are you hurting?

Are your hoping in Christ?

Are you praying and giving thanks in all things?

 

I'm pretty sure that if we Christians focused on what Jesus commands us to do....hope in Christ...wait on God to do what He's going to do....we'd be less concerned about the temporary things of this corrupted world and more concerned about making the most of every moment to count for Jesus...for eternity...for God's glory.

 

It's kinda interesting.

I've found it to be true, for me, the more I love Jesus, the more I realize how unimportant the petty details of this life are.

I want to be more like Mary, than Martha....and drink in deeply at the feet of Jesus.

 

I love you all and pray for you daily.

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Walk This Way: Hope Pain Prayer Posted: 19 Mar 2010 08:23 AM PDT "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12) It's easy -- and pointless -- to define being a Christian by what we don't do. Lots of religions say we should save sex for marriage and skip the drugs, porn, alcohol, and being mean. That doesn't make you a Christian. To walk like Jesus, to live as a follower of Christ, has way more to do with what we actually do than with what we don't do. We're looking at specific examples of that this week. Today: Real Christians hope! That means we keep expecting God to come through, we expect to be with Him in eternity forever. And it matters enough to us to make us joyful. Real Christians hurt. Okay, everyone hurts. But Jesus-followers imitate Him by being patient when they hurt, not surprised, not feeling betrayed, not angry -- patient as we wait for God to help. Real Christians pray. And then pray again tomorrow. Following Jesus is harder -- and way better -- than just not having sex or not getting drunk. Think: Which are you most consistent at -- being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, or faithful in prayer? What can you do this week to do more of that? Pray: Ask God to help you to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Do: Keep an eye on the Christians in your life. Look for example of joyfulness in hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/