Just some thoughts from me today.

I have been thinking, recently, how the world expects Christians to live up to their expectations of what a Christian should do and should not do. Each person thinks a little differently, the same as each Christian lives a little differently from other Christians. I don't think I know two Christians who 'believe' exactly the same on how they should live the 'Christian life'. We have been in several churches through the years with our travels and moves and have not had two pastors who agree totally the same in that area. No wonder Christians and the world are confused about how we are to 'behave'. And, it is frustrating when we can't reach out to someone when they think we are not living up to their expectations!

What in the world would Christians be able to do to influence the world if they did not have to live up to the world's expectations?


 
Christian- 1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings.

4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ.

 (from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Christian?s=t)


 The devotion from ICR today lists some things the Bible expects us to live by.

Four Commands by John D. Morris, Ph.D. | Nov. 26, 2012

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2:17)

Our text today gives four commands for believers to obey, each of which is difficult but nonetheless "is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (v. 15). It comes in a lengthy passage (2:11-3:12) that discusses the matter of authority and a Christian's proper response to it. Ponder each command:
Honor all men. This could be translated, "Give honor to all." While the verb is the same as in the last command, its verb tense is not the same, here indicating a continued, conscious choice to do this, while honoring "the king" indicates the development of a lifestyle of showing respect to civil authority. Evidently our day-to-day encounters with sinful "men" require us to be continually choosing to regard them with honor and dignity. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Love the brotherhood. Our agape love--God's kind of unselfish, undeserved love--should extend, on a habitual basis as seen in the verb tense, to all believers. "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22).
Fear God. A lifestyle marked by a reverential fear of God is in mind here. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7).
Honor the king. As mentioned above, this is to be a life's commitment, continually recognizing the God-given authority of human government (1 Peter 2:1-14).
"Having your conversation |i.e., manner of life| honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (v. 12). JDM

Four Commands (ICR)

This is a magazine that has an article our son-in-law wrote. It is his first! And we are proud of him and his ministry! Russell Migl, family pastor at Our Lord's Community Church in OK City, OK.

Impact Magazine Page 15

"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand," (whole song listed below)

Sometimes, I want to do much more than I can do. God has given me what talents and abilities that he has seen fit to give me and sometimes, (most times), I can only do a little bit of the many ideas I get, to help others. Today, the choir sang this song and God helped me to focus on that line above and gave me peace, that it is ok that I don't do all the things others do to help people and bless people. If all He gives me strength to do is a little bit, then He will bless that little bit. Praise God!!!

... And maybe if I quit trying to do more than I can do, I won't be so tired that I miss out on those 'cups of water' he blesses me with, to share!

lyrics from the hymn: "Follow Me" by By Ira Stamphill

I traveled down a lonely road and no one seemed to care,
The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair,
I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,
And then I heard Him so so tenderly,
"My feet were also weary upon the Calv'ry road,
The cross became so heavy I fell beneath the load,
Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see,
Just lift your cross and follow close to me."

"I work so hard for Jesus" I often boast and say,
"I've sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way,
I gave up fame and fortune; I'm worth a lot to thee,"
And then I heard Him gently say to me,
"I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss,
My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross,
But now we'll make the journey with your hand safe in mine,
So lift your cross and follow close to me."

Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday
'Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay,
"No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die,"
These are the words he gently spoke to me,
"If just a cup of water I place within your hand
Then just a cup of water is all that I demand,"
But if by death to living they can thy glory see,
I'll take my cross and follow close to thee.