The Do and Do Nots...

Scripture:
Galatians 5:13-14 (NASB)

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Devotional:

I remember listening to a comedian one time talking about doing the dos and not doing the don’ts of the Bible.  Churches have a way of focusing on all the don’ts in the Bible.  You cannot do this or you cannot do that.  The list goes on and on.  His point in his routine was that we need to focus on doing the do this and do that.  If we do then we will not have time to even think about all to don’ts in life.

In Galatians 5:13-14 Paul states that the entire law is fulfilled in one statement. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was.  His reply is in Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) he states:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Everything else hinges upon these two commandments, love God and then love everyone else.  If we can focus on them then everything else will fall into place.  So the next time you ponder the law, or God’s commandments, remember where to start and let the rest take care of themselves.  What is love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NASB):

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

When I Doubt

Scripture:
Mark 9:14-24 (NASB)

When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Devotional:

What a statement, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  At times I find myself struggling with doubt.  I wonder and question and doubt sinks in.  “Can God really do…?”  “Does God really listen to me?”  “Who am I that…?”  Do any of these questions sound familiar?  What questions are you asking?  There are times in our faith that we do doubt.  We question and wonder why, how, or even if.  When we doubt we need to turn to Jesus and say “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  In other words Jesus please help me overcome my doubting.  Everyone doubts from time to time.  When you do have doubt creeping in just turn to God and focus on Him.  Ask for help to overcome the doubts in your heart.

Will You Follow Him There?

Scripture:
Psalm 23 (NASB)

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Devotional:

Whenever I read the first half of Psalm 23 I think of green fields with flowers blooming everywhere.  I picture a stream rolling lazily through the field.  I think of blue skies with a bright warm sun shining down.  I think of how peaceful and quiet it would be.  I wonder how many times David brought his sheep to a similar place when he was just a shepherd?  

How many times does God try to lead us somewhere that we can find peace and quiet.  How many times do we allow the trappings of this world and events around us to pull us away?  I know in my busy schedule I need to find a quiet little corner where there is no one but myself and God.  Busy everyday life just seems to get in the way.  We hustle around trying to get it all in. Our hearts are anything but peaceful.  During these times take a moment to pause.  Reflect on God and allow Him to wash His peace over you.  It is easy to say let it go and don’t worry.  It is easy to tell someone that they have to slow down.  What is hard is when you are that person and you just don’t know what to cut out.  You are unsure how to slow it down some.  It just doesn’t seem possible.  As it is you need two or three more hours in a day as it is.  To slow down is impossible.  As hard as it is this is when you need God the most.  You need to pause and reflect on Him. 

I cannot say how to let go.  I am still struggling with how to slow down myself.  But reading little bits of scripture and saying small prayers through it all helps.  Seeking God first in all things is a good start. Psalm 55:22 (NASB) “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”  Lift up your cares and concerns to God.  He will lead you beside still waters and grant you peace.  Will you follow Him there?