Jesus - Believing in Him With Strings Attached

Probably the most recognized and popular scriptures in America is John 3:16.  And it's a wonderful verse, so it's great that people do recognize it!  The problem is that America, for the most part, probably doesn't know the rest of the scriptures around it that put it in context with the thought.

“God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed. But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen.” John 3:16-21

And the end of the chapter goes along with it:

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:35-36

You see, it's really easy to believe in God.  I can say I believe in Him and mean I believe He is in Heaven, even believe He created the world and believe Jesus is His Son.  The Greek word is πιστεύω pisteúō, pist-yoo'-o....which means to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.  (From blueletterbible.com).   It is more than just believe He is there.  There's faith, trust, and commitment involved.

Many want Jesus and His salvation, but they don't want the whole package.  The whole package includes Jesus' promises with strings attached.  "Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me," Luke 9:23.  And Matthew 7: 21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

See how believing includes obeying?  You can't have true faith in Him without having both.  It isn't possible.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

Reading the very first passage above, it says, "Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil....they don't want their actions to be exposed."  When I want my way and do things my way, without regard to God's Will or His Word, then I'm "loving" the dark.  When you and I act in ways that aren't in accordance with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control - Gal. 5:22-23), I am "loving" the dark.  When you or I lie, gossip, slander, steal, cheat....any of those things you and I are "loving" the dark.  And dark separates us from the light.  JESUS is the light.  Sin separates us from Him.  We still BELIEVE in Him, but our actions say otherwise.  Thankfully, God is full of grace and love and He will forgive us when we ask Him.  There's a difference in messing up sometimes and deliberately choosing to walk in darkness.  Our lights may dim, but they are still shining.  We can get back on track and shine brightly like Jesus!

So believe in Him - YES! Absolutely!  But believe in Him enough to not only accept Him for who He is, but for what He has done for YOU.  And be willing to believe enough to allow the Spirit to change you and mold you into who He knows you can be.  Believe in Him with the strings attached. It's worth it.

My New Doorbell

For months our doorbell didn't work.  Finally, after several months, and knowing we were having company, my daughter put a sign on the door telling people to knock.  I never read the sign, but noticed when answering the door - people were kind of laughing about the sign.  Finally I read it.  Here's what it said (in her goofy words):  "The doorbell done went off and broke itself.  Please knock."  Okay......now I see why they were laughing!!  The sign stayed put and people kept knocking, but I kept wanting it fixed.

Months went by and finally, on May 7th  my husband fixed the doorbell!  He had actually tried to find the problem once before, but wasn't able to figure it out at that time.  What seemed like should have fixed it, didn't. So time went on and the sign directed visitors to knock so we would know they were there.

On Mother's Day, my husband apologized for not having a gift for me.  I'm not a big Mother's Day fan as I've blogged about before.  To me, I would rather my children just honor me and show me that they love me every day.  (Note to those who might thing this is strange: I also think of those who are hurting on those types of days, so I try to be sensitive to them - both mothers or those who "want" to be mothers, but also to children who may not have mothers or who are not with their mothers because of abuse and neglect.)  So, to my husband's apology I replied, "That's not true.  you fixed my doorbell!  That is better than any gift!"  And, to me, it is.  I would much rather have things fixed that need to be fixed than to receive any type of gift or treat.  Those kinds of things, to me, show love.

Which brings me to another point about marriage.  Some women and men need "me" time.  Some couples need "us" time.  Those things are great in moderation,  but, for me, I try not think too much about "me" or "us". I strive to just think of my role as a wife and mother and I really don't need those things to be happy.  Maybe you do.

Do I like to go out on a date with my husband?  Sure.  That's nice and we do on a very rare occasion, but for us we don't "need" that like some might.  I would rather have us all together as a family because those times are getting fewer and fewer as our children get older and they are going to be gone before too long. We're together at activities, but there are very few times we're just all together relaxing and having fun.  Those are the times I cherish.  I enjoy the activities, too, but especially like the family time playing games or meal times at the table.

Do I need weekend get-aways with my husband?  They're fun!  We've done that a few times, too, but again, for me....for us.....we want to be together on trips together as a family.  We had six years before children to do a lot and we will have many more after they leave home (if it's the Lord's will).  We want to spend time with them while they are here.  For us, that's what we want and it's what we feel is right for our family.  Our trips are usually to stock shows and Rangers games and a few longer vacation times.

So, here's my point:  We're all different.  We all will feel different about our wants and our needs.  What is important is that there is communication in the marriage and in the family.  What is important is "being there" for each other.  Quality time is important, but so is quantity time.  Lots of "things" can get in the way of marriage and family:  work, hobbies, recreation, entertainment, etc.  Marriages take work and families take work.  They won't just "happen" and be good or great without all parties working together. Communication is the key.  That's how you and I will know what our spouse and what our family members need and want.  We won't have to guess what people need or want when we all communicate the way we should.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful - extremely grateful for my fixed door bell!  It's a wonderful gift and has the sweetest sound (it really does!!  I want people to come over, just so I can hear it.  I've asked my children to ring it on occasion.  Weird, I know! :).

What makes you grateful?  You may like dates, getaways, flowers, jewelry....or maybe like me.....a new doorbell!

Join us for GRATITUESDAY at Heavenly Homemakers!

The Greatest Gift Ever

A few months ago, after our family had been to Disney World, I began thinking how neat it would be for me to take each of our children to Disney World (just by myself) before they graduated.  I think that I thought it sounded adventurous and exciting, but knew it would probably never happen.  I mentioned my idea to my husband and I recall he didn't say anything.  I figured he was thinking, "You're kidding, right????"!  Well, as I was looking at Disney World vacation plans, I commented to the family about how they were having special deals during February and early March.  Some of the deals were up to 40% off of resorts.  It sounded neat, but still seemed impossible.  I decided to let it go and figured maybe we would be able to go one more time as a family before the oldest one graduated from college - in six years.

A few weeks ago, my two oldest children said something about my birthday present.  They asked if I had any idea what it was.  Since it was still a few weeks until my birthday, I really didn't think they or my husband would even really have it at that time, but they kept mentioning it.  Finally, my husband asked, "Do you want to know what your present is?"  Shocked that he asked, I said, "Sure!"  I still can't believe his answer!  He said, "Well, you and Lauren will leave on Friday and return on Monday" and told me the dates.  The same dates I had mentioned months ago about the Disney World specials.  I knew exactly what he was talking about!  He was sending my daughter and I to DISNEY WORLD!  I hollered (not too loud...we were in a hotel!)  I jumped up and down (not too high....we had people underneath us...didn't want to scare them!)  I shouted, "I'm going to Disney World! I'm going to Disney World!"

Then reality set in:  I'm going to Disney World with my daughter....driving to the airport.....checking the luggage......flying to Orlando.....staying a few days.....having fun.....flying back......driving home....and I'm doing this without my husband!  Then I thought, "HOW MUCH IS THIS COSTING? CAN WE DO THIS?"I was excited and a little nervous - all at the same time! 

Well, I eventually went to sleep and slept well.  When I woke up the next morning, it was an hour or so before I thought about the gift.  I thought, "Is it true?  Am I really going to Disney World?  Did he really say that?"  It seemed unreal.  A GREAT, unexpected and to me, undeserved gift.  He assures me the discounts were great and that he is taking care of everything.  I only have to get to the airport.  Disney will do the rest!  (We've never stayed at a resort and we've had a rental car in the past, so this will be different.)

A wonderful, special, great gift!  I'm so excited!  But is it the greatest gift ever?  No.  It's not the greatest gift.  The greatest gift was given to me over 2000 years ago.  It was given to you, too.  The greatest gift there ever has been and ever will be is the gift of Jesus, given to us by a Father who loves us enough to give His Son to die on a cross for our sins.  A Father that loved us enough to allow our sins to be paid for by the blood of Jesus and the blood that continues to cover the sins of His children still today.

The gift of a Disney World vacation is magnificent and I can't wait to share it with my daughter.  The gift of Jesus is the most magnificent gift ever and I must share it with the world!

Thank you, Joe!  I still can't believe you did this! What a wonderful gift! (By the way, it needs to be Lauren's birthday gift, too!) :)

Thank you, God! I'm amazed at your love for me! What a wonderful gift you have given your children!