The Golden Rule

Luke 6:31 

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 

Short and sweet but very powerful!  Oh, that we would ponder this verse and do it continually! 

It’s so easy to see the speck in someone else’s eye and ignore the plank that is in our own eye.  We are not going to be held accountable for how others may act or have treated you.  BUT you will be held accountable for what YOU do! 

This is very easy for me to relate to with my husband.  Neither of us like it when the other one doesn’t answer a question or doesn’t even grunt or nod to acknowledge a statement.  We find it very rude.  And, yet, we both do it! I would like it if Tim never “ignores” me again!  But, what is more important is that I don’t do it again!  This is something God wants me to strive for. 

The Bible says love is patient and kind.  Are you patient and kind?  Would you like to hear a heavy sigh when you ask someone to do something?  Then don’t do it.  Would you like to have someone roll their eyes at you as if you were stupid?  Then don’t do it. 

Let’s out-serve one another. Want to?  I love being complimented, so I need to give lots!  I love to be blessed with gifts, so let’s give to others even if it only costs $1-$5.  I love to be encouraged with words, so let’s encourage others. Think about things you can do for your mate.  How about your kids?  How about your co-workers?  

As we strive to be a blessing to others, I believe we will be blessed in return. A few verses after this one says, “Give and it will be given unto you.” Maybe the “giver” won’t be the one you give to, but the Lord will see to it that sooner or later that it returns to you. 

Let’s talk about the grocery clerk who runs the cash register.  It is not her fault that they didn’t have your sale item, or that you are in a hurry because you left yourself very little margin.  Be kind.  

I recently heard, “Christians can be the meanest people on earth.”  Yuk!  I don’t want that said about me.  How about you?  I don’t want my kids to say, “She talked the talk, but didn’t walk the walk”. Our actions speak louder than our words! 

I remember being prompted by the Lord to call a bank teller up to apologize for my actions.  Talk about humbling!  But, if it made her response to His love and grace more appealing, so be it!  We don’t get to see the “why”.  Maybe the Lord was just teaching me.  

I’d like to say that I am perfect in this, but that would be a lie! (Thank God for His grace and forgiveness!)  So, want to strive to put this in practice with me? 

Forgiveness Starts with You

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." 

Seven times is a lot.  To forgive seventy times seven is to forgive infinitely. 

We just experienced hurt and stabbing for the umpteenth time from the same people.  I said to myself, “that is the last time I will be stabbed.” But who am I kidding?  We have no choice other than to forgive.  Ugh! (We do have a choice to not get walked on and to not give certain people the ability to “stab” us again.  You may be in such a situation.  Sometimes you just have to stay away from certain people.) 

But this is not the case most of the time.  When we truly forgive we knowingly give people the opportunity to get us again.  This is when we need to remember what Jesus has done for us. 

Did He have to forgive us?  No.  He is love and chooses to pour His grace and mercy upon us.  He said that no one could take His life from Him, but He gave it willingly. 

The Bible says that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”!  In other words we didn’t do anything to deserve His love.  We didn’t even experience remorse until after He died for us.  He just chose to forgive us! Sometimes people are not sorry for their wrongdoings to you.  They feel no remorse, but are justified in their own minds for acting like jerks (do Christians act like jerks?). But, we are not going to be held accountable for how others’ act.  We are, though, going to give account for our actions, thoughts, and attitudes.  I want to be squeaky clean, but I need His help to want to forgive. 

So, I pray!  I ask God to help me to want to forgive.  I pray blessings for my “enemies”.  I ask that they experience God’s love (when part of me wants them to experience God’s judgment!).  So even though I have yucky feelings, I choose to pray and speak blessings. 

Is this easy?  No.  And I’m sure that everyone will experience this opportunity over and over and over.  

OK, God! We get it! 

As you can see, I need a Savior and I need Him every day!

God is Love

I Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

This is who God is!  The Bible says that God is love. This is used as to how we are to act as Christians, but it also describes how He acts toward us.  God is patient and kind.  Let me say that again…GOD IS PATIENT AND KIND!  Wow!  That alone speaks volumes to the many lies that we have heard.  Many of us have seen God as a giant ogre who is waiting to drop the gavel and pronounce judgment on us.  But that is very contrary to what the Bible says.  

This does not come easy for me.  I have to remind myself often of what the Bible says.  It is easy for me to receive guilt and condemnation… But that is NOT God! 

When we screw up…He is patient and kind.  When we ignore His presence… He is patient and kind.  When we deserve punishment…He is patient and kind!  He gave us mercy when we could be French fries. 

This translation says “love is not irritable…”.  Another translation says love is not irritable or touchy. So God doesn’t get mad easily.  It takes a lot to get him angry.  (We need more of Him and less of us in our lives!)  Sometimes I feel like I have ticked Him off and He doesn’t want to hear from me.  That is a lie!  Have you heard it too?  It’s a ploy of the enemy to separate us from the One who loves us most!  We don’t have to walk on eggshells.  I read in the Psalms David whining but he ends up praising.  God is big enough to take our whining, but praising can change the situation!  So, it’s much more productive. 

And the last part of this verse…love never gives up!  He doesn’t give up on us, our spouses, our kids, our neighbors, our government, our co-workers, our church, etc. Our prayers can avail much!  They can make a real difference because we are asking God to be involved in our loved ones lives.  

He will, you know? 

I’m expecting revival to hit Defiance, Ohio…the whole United States. Watching the movie “Woodlawn” showed how God moved in the 70’s and many were saved from all walks of life.  Two whole football teams were saved.  He did it before and He’ll do it again!  

Why?  Because He loves us!

Fight!

Nehemiah 4:14
 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and 

the rest of the people:  "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and 

awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your 

houses." 

1.  “Don’t be afraid…” Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against 

us?”  And Psalm 91 talks of divine protection.  It is a passage I go to often.  (Actually I 

memorized this psalm and recommend it highly!)  He said that He would never leave or 

forsake us.  The Message Bible talks about Him having a firm grip on you.  Sometimes 

we may feel like we are going under, but He won’t let us drown.  We don’t have to be 

afraid.  We can trust Him! 

2. “Remember the Lord…”  Is there anything too difficult for Him?  He can do the 

impossible in our lives.  He calms the storm and watches over the sparrow.  He cares 

about the big things and the littlest details of your life.  His promises are for each of us.  

He is more faithful than any human and wants to see you through. 

3.  “Fight…” Notice it says “for” and not “with”.  God has given us authority.  Let’s 

not just sit down and watch the enemy create havoc in our homes!  Let’s be determined 

to fight! 

FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY AND OTHERS:  People are worth fighting for!  Your 

family is worth fighting for!  Most of us will not be fighting literal battles but there is a 

fight just the same.  The world tries to steal the abundant life and wonderful 

relationships that God has provided.  Don't stand back and watch and allow this to 

happen!  Your faith can make a difference!  Tell the devil that he can't have your spouse 

(or whomever)!  

YOUR family is worth fighting for!  Your spouse needs to know that you are 

standing with him.  Your children need to know that mom prays diligently for them and 

is willing to fight spiritual battles for them. This creates security! 

What a huge responsibility you have.  Your life matters!  If we rise up and act on 

the Word of God we become powerful beings.  After all…we have a powerful God living 

on the inside of us! 

Do you “feel” weak and wimpy? I totally understand!  It’s not about how we feel.  

It’s about who we are.  You are a force to be reckoned with and the devil knows it!  Do 

you?

Insecurities

Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 

This passage is very powerful.   Jesus asked who people thought He was and then He asked Peter, “who do you think I am?”  Then He told him who he was!!!  It is soooo important that you KNOW who you are in Christ.  This changed Peter from a reed shaken by the wind to a rock who cannot be moved.  This can change you from insecure to secure! 

Insecurity comes in many different forms and in many different packages.  We think of the beautiful people as not being insecure.  After all, don’t they have everything?  That is very much a lie!  Also, we see the ones that appear very strong and stand-offish as being secure.  That, too, is a lie.  Many women deal with huge insecurities.  Did I say “many”?  You may think that you are the “Lone Ranger” but you are not.  That’s what the devil wants you to think. 

But the woman who knows who she is in Christ can be strong in the power of His might.  She can be beautiful because the joy of the Lord is on her face.  She can be confident because she knows that she is in the Father’s hands.  She can be steadfast because she knows that she is standing on solid ground, not sinking sand. 

A woman who knows who she is in Christ, does not stand in her own abilities and strengths.  We all know that we can and will fail.  But Jesus in us is powerful!  The gates of Hell cannot shake us.  But we can shake the gates of Hell!  We can make Satan sorry that we are involved in a situation for the outcome is not going to be good for him. 

Do I battle with insecurities?  Yes.  But then I remember who I am and who holds my hand.  I am very weak.  BUT He is very strong!  And He promises to see us through anything that comes our way! 

Be secure in that!!!

Jesus is the Same

Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

          He is the same Jesus that we read about in the Bible.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the storm, fed the 5000, etc.  (But most of all, He provided redemption for us!!!) 

          When I was newly born-again (yes, over 40 years ago!) we were astounded by the unbelieving believers.  The “expectancy” level was very low.  Jesus save and healed...once in a while.  So the Jesus that we read about in the Bible was a different Jesus than the Church was experiencing. 

          There was a mighty awakening among believers.  Over the years that “expectancy” level of many has grown cold and again we need an awakening to the things of God. 

Did He say it?  Will He not do it?  

          My friend wanted to pray for her grandson for healing…and he remarked, “Why?  Jesus doesn’t heal.”  She proceeded to tell him that He does!  He is the same Jesus today as He was yesterday.  And the Bible says that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father.  So, if the Bible says that you are the “head and not the tail, above and not beneath”.  If the Bible says that “everything you put your hand to will prosper", we should believe it!  

Psalm 91 says that “no evil shall befall you nor any sickness come near your dwelling”.  

          Wow!  Let’s take that promise and speak it boldly over our family! We have to determine not to be cold and indifferent to the things of God!  If the Bible says it’s true, let’s believe it!  Let’s expect signs, and wonders, and miracles. 

          I’d have to say that I don’t understand some of the things that I have seen.  But one thing I KNOW:  The Bible is true!  If He did it for one, than He can do it for you.  Let’s determine to believe that over the things that we see.  The Bible says we walk by faith and not by sight.

          Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

   I love this verse!  I encourage you to memorize it!  And speak it often.

       

Train up a Child

Prov. 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from 

it. 

This little scripture holds much responsibility for you as parents.

He has given you a precious gift, but it is your job to train them in the ways of the 

Lord. 

YOU are the parent! Many kids try to run the household.  We had one with 

that personality! At a very early age we had many battles of will. And I would 

have to say that it would have been a whole lot easier at the time to just back off 

and let her have her way. BUT in the long-run this is not good! 

Tim would come home from work on 2nd shift and find me on the floor crying 

because I could not get our little one to bed. She was happily playing! With his help 

and many (did I say many??) spankings, we won! There was a time Tim had to call 

in to work and tell them he’d be late because he had to see a battle won without 

quitting! Oh, it was very hard. 

So, there are many of us who understand that this road is not easy. But it is 

worth the fight. We will stand before God and give an account for the training of 

our children. 

Yes, we advocate spanking (which I understand is NOT a popular concept 

today! It actually wasn’t with many then either…). The Bible talks about spanking 

many times. So much in the book of Proverbs that I drew little stick people by them 

for quick encouragement. The Bible works! God’s ways don’t always LOOK like 

they are working. So don’t let go. You can’t find any references in the Bible to 

time-out or scolding- although we used both of these too. When the children were 

older we used “work detail” as discipline! 

I truly believe your method of training is important. You can belittle a child 

with your words that they will remember for years. We want them to KNOW that 

they are loved and that they are precious! 

But, my word of encouragement to you today is to hold fast! Train them in 

every way!  Help them to memorize scripture. Train them not to let their minds run 

wild but to take thoughts captive. Train them how to work. (We had an elderly 

lady speak that to us when our children were quite young. Kids need to learn to 

work!  Such is life!)  Train them in respect and knowledge. Wow! The list can go on 

and on.

(Can I assure you here that there is no such thing as a perfect parent? Don’t let the 

enemy beat you up on this.) 

There is also promise at the end of this verse. He promises that they will not 

depart. Don’t let go of this! Even when it looks like they are departing, a praying 

momma is invaluable! And know that God loves your kids even more than you love 

your kids!  Isn’t that great to know?  

And He never gives up on us!