1. John gives some wonderful ideas for secret service such as immersing a person in prayer but telling no one, making a lavish donation in complete secret, and cleaning a neighbor’s yard when they are away and leaving no trace it was you. What are some other secret service project ideas?
Right now, I need to try a different tactic. This may be an opportunity where thinking about me would be useful. You know, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Golden Rule thinking.
I’m exhausted. I’ve overworked and rarely paid. What would I relish? If I go down to the washer, and there is a load of wash, I could move it to the dryer so I can start another load. Aha! There’s a load in the dryer. Perhaps I could fold it – and unbelievable – put it away! Wow! I should do that!
Right now, I need to try a different tactic. This may be an opportunity where thinking about me would be useful. You know, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Golden Rule thinking.
I’m exhausted. I’ve overworked and rarely paid. What would I relish? If I go down to the washer, and there is a load of wash, I could move it to the dryer so I can start another load. Aha! There’s a load in the dryer. Perhaps I could fold it – and unbelievable – put it away! Wow! I should do that!
The countertop is dirty. I could wash it. Drawers and doors are open. I could close them.
Oh, pardon me. That’s not what this exercise is about?
Let me try again. How about pay for the person behind you in line in a drive through. You’re already gone before they realize what you have done. Pick up the trash in someone else’s yard on your daily walk before everyone else is awake. Pass on a good word about someone. Leave a gift for them. Clean the snow off of someone else’s car in the parking lot. Leave $10 in a book for the next person to find. I have a friend who found a $100 in a Gideon’s Bible at a hotel.
Ok, starting to thaw out. Starting to loosen up.
When you close your eyes and imagine a jury box filled with the people who you want to please and impress, who is in the jury box and why do you want to please them?
Family and friends. Immediate co-workers. Members of the church. Children. Everyone? People I come into contact with on a regular basis?
I want to please them so that they will be happy. If they are happy, they won’t be mad. If they’re not mad, there will be no anger directed at me. Everyone will get along. I just want everyone to have a good day. I want everyone to smile. I want everyone to be alive. Warm and breathing … And I certainly do not want to be the one to displease anyone. They might say something bad about me. True or untrue. Does it even matter? I need all the good I can get …
Family and friends. Immediate co-workers. Members of the church. Children. Everyone? People I come into contact with on a regular basis?
I want to please them so that they will be happy. If they are happy, they won’t be mad. If they’re not mad, there will be no anger directed at me. Everyone will get along. I just want everyone to have a good day. I want everyone to smile. I want everyone to be alive. Warm and breathing … And I certainly do not want to be the one to displease anyone. They might say something bad about me. True or untrue. Does it even matter? I need all the good I can get …
What will your life look like if you live for these people rather than for Jesus?
If I live for these people, my life will look/be unfocussed. They each of different directions and goals (not ideally). If I’m pleasing person A, it is because I am doing something to advance his agenda. If I’m also pleasing person B, then I am advancing her agenda as well. They might not have compatible agendas. I cannot function that way! And what if they’re just doing things to please me? Then we are working at cross-purposes. I might be working towards 100s of purposes, none of which are in line with God’s.
If I live for these people, my life will look/be unfocussed. They each of different directions and goals (not ideally). If I’m pleasing person A, it is because I am doing something to advance his agenda. If I’m also pleasing person B, then I am advancing her agenda as well. They might not have compatible agendas. I cannot function that way! And what if they’re just doing things to please me? Then we are working at cross-purposes. I might be working towards 100s of purposes, none of which are in line with God’s.
Read the section by Mark Twain on page 165. What are some of the ways we are prone to show off and try to impress others?
How do I like to show off … How much I do? How much I sacrifice myself? How much attention I can get? How much I can get my way? How much I don’t care what others think. How much I’m different? How much I can read? How much I can remember? How much I can learn? I quickly I can move? How efficient I can be? How creative I can be? How humble I can be? How much my family comes first? How close my family is? How selfless I am? How modest I am?
How do I like to show off … How much I do? How much I sacrifice myself? How much attention I can get? How much I can get my way? How much I don’t care what others think. How much I’m different? How much I can read? How much I can remember? How much I can learn? I quickly I can move? How efficient I can be? How creative I can be? How humble I can be? How much my family comes first? How close my family is? How selfless I am? How modest I am?
How can this showing off become a hazard to our spiritual health?
It’s pretty obvious. It’s all about me. Me. Me. Me. I just finished reading a book this evening and the last three words were, “Me, Me, Me.”
Spiritual health is not about me. It’s about a relationship with God. It’s about a relationship with Jesus. It’s about becoming more like Him. And He is SELFLESS.
Showing off focuses everything upon ourselves. Pride. Which equals Satan.
We are created to reflect God. We were made in His Image! Those who look upon us should be directed to He who would save us.
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time,
before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden
in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)
before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden
in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)
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