Recipe for Caring

Titus 3:3 (MSG)
  It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. 

Don't you just love how earthy the words from Titus 3 are when read from The Message Bible? I don't know about you, but this version often speaks things the way I think them - simple, honest and so very down to earth. That's what I mean by earthy.

When I pray about how in the world I am going to tell someone about Jesus, share my faith in a manner that is humble and genuine I realize I need to be real, to be me and not some phony who feels called to 'save those sinners'. If truth be told, I am one of those sinners and I daily fall short of who and what I want to be. So, with that out of the way, how can God use me today?  Right now?  Where I am this moment?

I am called to care, to really and truly care what happens to my neighbor. I am called to love and to share Jesus' love with everyone I meet, but how is this possible? How can I, the very person who complained to herself only a day or two ago that she wanted to be left alone. Wanted to live without having to deal with people. Wow - just imagine if Jesus had said that 2000 years ago!

This task might seem daunting, but as with anything worthwhile, it isn't easy. I think the best way to tackle this is to just step out in faith. Smile at that new neighbor.  Stop for a moment on that walk around the neighborhood and say a few friendly words. See where God takes it. Some days all it takes is for us to make the next right move and then put it in God's hands.

He will show us how to care. He will lead the way if we just give Him the reigns to our life.


Titus 3:3-8

Two Choices

Psalm 1The Message (MSG)

1 How well God must like you—
    you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
    you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
    you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row.

The Message version of this Psalm seems a little bit on the flippant, but it gives a good picture of how God loves it when we walk in His way. He always loves us but is pleased with us when our behavior reflects an obedient spirit.

Think back to your childhood and the difference a day filled with fun and laughter had on the family dynamics.  Obedience and respect for parents made for a peaceful and even fun day in the home.

The same is true of our relationship with God. When I am walking in His direction, heading down the right path, I am filled with contentment.  When I am in the midst of rebellion or conflict my stomach is churning and I feel anything but peace and joy.

There are two ways to face every day: with an obedient and light heart, or not.

Psalm 1

Galatians 5:13-26

Remember what your life was like before you invited Jesus into it?  When you were living your way instead of God's way, was there preponderance of love; did you enjoy life as you do now?  Taking the time to examine life today and compare it with yesterday will reveal answers to these questions.  Those answers are the makings of your testimony.

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG)

I enjoy reading the Eugene Peterson's Message Bible version for these two verses. I can see the words and compare them to my life; my behavior and my heart before Christ was invited in and afterwards.  What a difference, not only in my actions, but in the peace I feel inside.  I no longer have this empty feeling that life lived without Jesus provides. It is hard to explain, but I used to feel that Christians were pretentious puppets whose strings were being pulled by some invisible kill-joy.

That sounds harsh, but many who don't know Christ view a life lived for Christ as one that has no room for fun or excitement.  I have found nothing to be further from the truth.  But, fun is different now.  The enjoyment I get out of life is never at the expense of someone else, and it certainly isn't at the expense of my own soul.  Living in tuned with the Spirit is living.

Read Galatians 5:13-26 here

Listen to Galatians 5:13-26 hRere