Daily Flare

The Heart of the matter

The older I get and the more I watch people and see how different each person is the more I see how Jesus approached people and talked to them when He was here on this Earth.

When presenting the truth of Jesus to people not everyone accepts it with an open heart, mainly because the church has left a bad taste in their mouth or someone else has already tried to shove something down their throat that they couldn’t swallow.

I have learned that before we can try and speak truth to someone we must first learn their heart and find out where their pain is coming from and what we need to do to adjust how we minister to them.

Because we are not Jesus and do not know the hearts of everyone and what they are going through it will take some time and investigation on our part and some patience.  Before we can share what we know is Truth with a person who is broken, they must first see and feel the heart of the one that the Truth is coming from.   As they see the heart of Christ in us, then their hearts will be more open to accept and listen to what we have to tell them. 

Some people are already open and will listen to anything because they are so hungry for Truth, but there are others who are cold, brittle and bitter and will take some work and prayer to get to.  We cannot push these people, because they are already looking for excuses not to listen.

The woman at the well is a perfect example of this one – on – one encounter which Jesus showed us in John 4:8-42 show how Jesus a Jew took time to talk and sit with a Samaritan Woman (Which was forbidden at that time).  Jesus took a lot of time to associate with people which other people didn’t want anything to do with, because of this love and sincere heart that He showed them they were willing to accept what he had to say.

Another example is Luke 19:1-10 when Jesus stayed with Zacchaeus and ate with him.  All of the people outside shouted and complained that Jesus was sitting with a sinner.  But to Zacchaeus this was a life changing moment for him because Jesus took the time to talk with a man who everyone else hated and despised. 

Take time to get to know the people around you, use the gift of the Spirit and know their hearts so you can touch them spiritually in a way they will never forget.  Don’t just talk to the popular well liked people, show love and kindness to the ones everyone else shuns.  In doing this you will be made fun of, but you will also be showing the true heart of Christ and more people will be willing to listen to what you have to say.

Love and actions are more powerful then words.  Sometimes we have to act before we can speak.

There is never just one way to show the Truth to people, sometimes we have to show them our actions before we can speak the words.  Because of sin and the doubt and hardness it causes getting someone to accept Christ can be a tough task but with guidance and wisdom of Christ we will know what to do for each individual we encounter.

 

Jesus did this on the Cross, it made everything he preached and said to the people more real and helped them realize that He was not just words but meant what he was was preaching.

say hello to your best friend

I don’t know about you but all year long I am distracted by the chaos of life and the selfish thoughts that are swimming in my head.  I am always so busy, or can never get enough done in a day.  There are so many things that I want to do but never let myself or give myself time to do them.

One of those things is just to sit down and read the Word and day hello to Jesus for the day.  What would it be like if got up in the morning and went through your day without even saying hello to someone in your family, or people you work with.  They would either think something is wrong with you, or feel bad that you don’t have enough time just to say hello.

That is how I am sometimes, and I know there are others just like me.  Now that we come to the season of Jesus birth we seem to have traditionally think about the fact that he was born, tell our kids the true meaning of Christmas and go to church just because it is Christmas.

The question is, do we really know Jesus, is He our true and best friend like He should be.  He is someone who will never judge you or condemn you for no reason.  He accepts you for who you are flaws and all.  There is nothing we can do that will diminish His love for us.  So how do we repay him?  By being so busy in our lives that we forget to say, “Hey Jesus, I just wanted to say I was thinking about you today, and that I love you.”

Don’t let life get in the way, the stuff we think is important, IS NOT!  I cannot stress that enough, this life is but a mist or vapor that will just float away.  What matters is where will you be in eternity?  Will what you have done now, reflect into eternity as positive or negative when you stand before God.

I challenge you and encourage you to not be just be a Fare Weather Friend just when you need Jesus or help.  Talk to Him every day and remember that even though we are celebrating his life as a baby, he grew up to be the man who died for us for the pure reason of LOVE.  So LOVE Him back.

Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your family.

Making A Better World

Everything that is going on in congress with the spending bill, and tax cuts, (Or keeping the tax cuts)  extending unemployment for the long term people who cannot find a job is all a good thing.  It might not be the solution to all of the problems in our country, but at least they are doing something.   I hear people complain about congress, Washington and their spending and not caring about the (Little Guy) and all they care about is lining their own pockets.

How much have you given to someone in need this year, the last couple of months.  I know you have seen them, or talked to them voicing their concerns and crying out for help.  What did you do, just tell them it will all work out?

What if we all , “The Little people” reach into out own pockets and start giving to others, even if it is just $10.  There are people out there who would be so blessed, if you have it, don’t horde it, give it.  I guarantee it will come back to you ten fold.

Let’s set an example for the government we keep complaining about and calling names when we are doing the same things ourselves just not in the public eye.  I challenge you to find at least 3 people this month and give them something, what ever you feel like giving, just something.  It will go a long way in starting a trend so “We the people” will take care of each other and not depend on the government to do everything.

“If you take your treasures and bury them, they are no longer treasures but useless objects.  If you spread your treasures to others it multiplies and becomes life changing.”  -- Mike Mounts