Tag: jesus

Mark 8:36

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

I wonder what the cost is for aligning yourself with evil intentions? I wonder how much people are willing to spend to prosper on their terms? If I’ve learned anything, the price for serving the interest of the empire is way too high. My personality, my character, my humanity is not worth for fitting and giving away my soul.

While the thought may not be long, consider what you’re willing to give, in exchange for your God-given gifts, calling, and skills. What benefit will your talents offer the world in the hands of duplicitous hands? Remember, turning over yourself to the enemy means you forfeit the benefits and the reward that God has already set for your life.

I Corinthians 8:9-13

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Many times, we read the scripture and come to the conclusion that we don’t want to offend people with what we do. Even though the scripture deals with interactions with people that are transitioning away from an old life, we must take the moment to think about what it really means to have freedom that can cause one to tumble.

One of my goals is to address the dehumanizing of the pastor or minister. So many times we project our ideas of what we think the individual called of God should be. In moments that we don’t always admit, we place on a man or woman unreasonable expectations that only God could fulfill. So that man or woman struggles with their own identity while attempting to fulfill God‘s will.

As I read the scripture, I was convicted. While I may have free will, I don’t have liberty to use my freedom to cause anyone to trip over their feet. While many expectations may be unwarranted, I must always go to God and ask how I can best serve people where they are. I need the Lord to guide me on how to create meaningful relationships and not outlets of personal gain.

People are always looking for opportunities to feel needed and part of community. They are also looking for spaces where individuals can identify that. They are in a certain space in season of growth. The greatest way to demonstrate care and character is to intentionally meet people where they are. Maybe by doing this, we will always be able to tap into our humanity and leave expectations behind. Maybe by doing this, we will see each other for who we truly are—made in the image of God.

John 8:4-6

…they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.

There are people in the world that desire to bait individuals into conversations that are unreasonable and downright stupid. They attempt to see if you can articulate the things that you believe based on their understanding and perspective. Most of the time, they only want to disturb your peace and your environment.

These earth disturbers go to great lengths to create unsettling situations. They will use the circumstances of other people‘s lives in order to set a trap to accuse you of a lack of morality. With the climate of our world, I employ you to give no energy to these individuals. Why? The participation gives creedence to their foolishness.

Learn to write like Jesus. Take your precious, intellectual energy and place it in the ground. Draft your vision of what you actually think of these people. Demonstrate to the world that everything about you is too important to engage and nonsensical foolishness. By doing so, you will show God that you value the gift within you, more than proving fools have space in your environment.