NO DISAPPEARING ACTS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

1 John 3:16-17 (MSG)

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? 

It disappears. And you made it disappear.

I love a good magic trick.

Beth likes that America’s Got Talent show.  I struggle to watch it because I can’t watch the ones that “aren’t talented” get ridiculed or buzzed off.  It is the reason I never could and likely won’t watch American Idol.  My daughter Samantha has the same ailment.

But Beth usually watches AGT “on demand”, so if it looks like an act is going to get run, then we can fast forward past the cringe-worthy moments.

Yet on AGT they often have some pretty remarkable escape artists and magicians.  Folks who channel Houdini and get themselves out of precarious situations or perform illusions with cards and such often making something disappear.  That stuff always fascinates me.  I know I am a little naïve and daft and I think that makes the illusion all the better; I don’t try to cynically figure it out, I just think it is cool.

But John in the passage I referenced above reminds us that WE are not to be illusionists or magicians when it comes to sacrifice, grace, forgiveness, mercy and most notably, GOD’S LOVE!

John makes it clear, we have an important responsibility, to sacrifice when necessary so that GOD’S love can be on display and NOT part of a disappearing act.

If you want to be loved, start loving others who need your love....If you want others to sympathize with you, start showing sympathy to those around you. If you want to be respected, you must learn to be respectful to everyone, both young and old....Whatever you want others to be, first be that yourself; then you will find others responding in like manner to you. – Yogonanda

I like that.

So, John offers some simple instruction for us today.

1.   Live sacrificially. – (Philippians 2:4)

2.   Live generously – (Proverbs 11:24)

3.  Live WARMLY – no “cold shoulders” today.

4.   Live LOVINGLY – (1 John 4:11)

Do that and we won’t be responsible for any disappearing deity.

Remember…

The Bible says that when we obey God’s commands, we benefit.  I think we naturally assume that if we look out for our own interests and concerns, we will be happy.  But people who sacrifice for others will tell you that seasons of giving are the most rewarding of their lives. - Francis Chan

Be blessed today!

I love you all.

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE