Something Borrowed

"But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer him the other. If someone sues you in court for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:39-42

Following God is nothing but easy! Someone close to me borrowed something that meant a lot to me, and they broke it. I never heard an apology and when I got upset over it being broken, I was told that I was over reacting. I turned into a whiny 6 year old and stormed around making sure everyone knew I was mad, but the more I demanded my justice, the more I felt that maybe I was over reacting.

Don't get me wrong, I am very upset about the situation and feel I should have gotten an apology, but I need to practice what I preach. I'm a new person in Christ and can't act as though I have no faith. Jesus says it very clearly, "do not oppose evil with evil." By sulking and complaining, I wasn't being reasonable because that wouldn't have fixed anything. I'm sure this person already feels badly and that's the reason they haven't been able to face me.… fighting with them will only make them feel worse, and although that's what I wanted, I realize it is evil. But even if they're not sorry, don't I believe in a fair God who will take care of me and make sure I am justified? I do, and as much as it makes me so mad I want to cry, I have to give it up to my God. He's my Lord and if this is what He asks of me, then I must obey and wait for His justice.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, I am sorry for not waiting on Your justice. The way I reacted was opposing evil with evil, and not handling things with love as You command. Please take control of my heart and my emotions because if it were up to me, I'd keep on being mad, but I want Your will to be done and not mine. In Your Name we pray, amen.

The Good You Do

Before I start, I'd like to apologize for not sending out a message in almost a week. I was really sick and weak, and didn't have much energy for anything… but I'm better now so let's get to it!

"Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in Heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have already been paid in full." - Matthew 6:1-2

Those of you looking to do something truly selfless for Lent should be volunteering your time, donating more money, and simply putting more effort into helping those around us who are in need… but when you do good for others make sure you question yourself as to why you're doing it. Some of us do it to be Jesus' hands and feet here on Earth while others do it so they can boast to others and receive praise for their "righteousness." They want people to tell them how good and selfless they are. During this sermon in Matthew, Jesus goes on to say that what your right hand does, your left hand shouldn't know about, meaning that when you do something good for others, even if it's donating a kidney, if you really intended it to be for God, don't tell anyone else. If God is who matters and you're acting out of the goodness of your heart, then God saw what you did… keep it at that. Instead, if you tell people what you did for someone and just "let" people find out so they can tell you what a good person you are, then don't expect the Lord to give you any kind of recognition since you have already received it from others. Your actions show you only wanted to please yourself, not God. If God was your real motivation, telling others and bragging about how holy you are shouldn't be happening. Throughout the gospels, there are so many instances where Jesus would heal someone and then He would tell them to keep quiet and not tell a soul. Even though He deserved all the praise in the world, Jesus kept quiet because the good He did was for God and not for His own ego.

Therefore, please examine yourselves and your motives. Let them be pure. Let this Lenten season be full of good acts for others that are only between you and God… I believe anything else is inspired by the devil.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, search me and make me clean. Humble me and build me up again to be Your loyal and faithful servant. Let all the works of my hands be for You and You only, and not for others to see. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Lend When There Is Nothing to Receive

"Do to others as you would have others do to you. If you love only those who love you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do favors to those who are good to you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners do the same. If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of graciousness is yours? For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return. But love your enemies and do good to them and lend when there is nothing to expect in return. Then will your reward be great and you will be children of the Most High. For He is kind towards the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:31-36

What a hard thing to do! I could think of a couple of people right now that I'd rather be really mean to, but Jesus is calling me to do good right now as He is calling you.

We all know how you have to love your enemies and turn the other cheek but I want to focus on another message in this passage - "lend when there is nothing to expect in return." This doesn't necessarily mean to give something material, but it means to give of yourself. Maybe do a favor to someone in need or listen to them when they need help.

I know many of us need someone to lend to us, help us, but the best way to receive really is to give. By "lending" to someone, you're doing God the favor of helping out one of His children, and in the same way you helped them, God will make sure that someone helps you in your time of need. As the scripture says, even sinners help others, so what makes you any different from someone who doesn't believe in Jesus if you help only those who will help you in return?

For the love of God, step outside of your world today, out of your troubles and the things you want and look around you. Who do you see around you that could use some help from you today? Does your mom need some help with the dishes? Does the old lady crossing the street need your help? Maybe someone just really needs to be told that you appreciate them. I'm sure that if you look, there is something small that you can do that will mean a great deal to someone else! People always ask God for help or for a miracle, but God works through you and I to provide those miracles. I heard someone say recently that we need to be other people's miracles, so please open yourselves so that God can create miracles through you.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, I know that I can be so selfish and only think about what I want and what I need, but please help me to see outside of myself to the people around me that I am able to touch. Put love in my heart so that I am able to please you by giving of myself to others. In Your name we pray, Amen.