serving others

What Do Others See In Us?

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It is said that people can learn about other people by watching their actions.  This is very prevalent with toddlers and young children.  When we are little we are like a sponge soaking up whatever we are exposed to…when a child is playing with something and gets frustrated and exclaims “Dammit” the adults will look in surprise and wonder where did you hear that?  Well they don’t come up with it all by themselves…they have witnessed it either live in-person or on TV or some other form of media.

This ability to learn by watching others does not disappear completely when we become adults.  Yet in our self-centered world we forget the impact our actions have on those around us.  The most popular verse around this thought is John 13:35…“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  There is also a popular christian song entitled “They will know we are Christians by our love”…it has been covered many times by groups like Jars of Clay, For King and Country and artists like Rebecca St. James.

All of this points to one simple fact, people will know what you stand for by how you act in every situation and every interaction…so when you think about your daily life…What do others see in you?

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in the fall of 2013 by my daughter in central Minnesota)

Comfort and Healing

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“Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

James 5:13-16

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Custer State Park in South Dakota)

Friends and Faith

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“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks his is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  Each one should test his own actions.  Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:1-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 by my friend Matt while our families were spending time together at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Use Your Gifts

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)

Living In The Present

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“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Ephesians 5:15-17

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2012 in central Minnesota)

Put On Love

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in the fall of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole located in the northern part of Maui)

Don’t Give Up

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There are many paths in life to choose from…don’t give up on loving others and doing good as Christ has instructed us to do.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:7-10

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer of 2013)

Love…Words vs Actions

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It is one thing to say the following words about Love but it is a whole other level of Love to live them in your daily life with others…

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

(This photo was taken by my wife in South Dakota and that is our son standing on a level above her to project his shadow in the image of the cross)

Faith…It’s Not About You

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“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

It is not about you…

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It’s not about you…I have seen and read this message many times while reading a devotional or some other faith based writing.  When I was reading this morning it struck me differently…it spoke to me about sowing a seed with the hope of changing a life.  It made me think…how have I been blessed and how can I share that with others?  I know that God created me…I know that God has given me certain gifts.  My job is to discover my gifts and use them to help others…and it is the same for you.

Today as I was reading from a daily devotional written by John C Maxwell the words that struck me hard and fast were these…a quote from entertainer Danny Thomas…”All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why.  Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself.  It’s what you do for others.”

It doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it to be in our heads…start today…start focusing on your gifts and start using them to help others.  If you are unsure of what your gifts are then ask God in prayer to help you identify those gifts so you can begin to sow seeds in your daily life.

It’s not about you…it’s about how you have been blessed and how you can use those blessings to help others.

Peace be with you.