How do you treat others?

Do you treat people how you want to be treated? Which is purely selfish. Or do you treat people the way God would treat people?

          This past Sunday’s sermon was about Living the Life of Real Faith; A true Christian having the right attitude. This was another great message. It made me think about personal situations in my life and how I felt judged or sadly how I have judged others. One of the main points in this sermon was to see people as God sees them. My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? (James 2;1-7)

          How many times have you looked at someone’s clothes, or could smell the strong odor coming from them and thought to yourself “they really need to shower?” What do you think God would do if this person were in front of Him? Do you think He would run as far and fast as He could? Or do you think He would treat them with the respect they deserve, and take time to talk or maybe even just listen to this person. Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law (James 2:8-9). What if this person isn't saved and you completely brushed them off because of their smell or clothes? You could be the only Bible that person ever reads. Open your arms, welcome conversation, if you are lucky you will get to hear their story and be able to offer help if they need it. This makes me think about one Sunday when David and I were at Faith. There was a gentlemen, early 30’s, visiting the church. He had what appeared to be all that he owned next to him in the pew. I didn't notice him until the end of service when he went to the front to pray during the altar call. After service, Pastor came up to David and asked him if he didn't mind if the gentlemen stayed with him for just one night. Pastor knew David had his own place and most likely wouldn't mind. So we left church, went and picked up a few things from the store, went to David’s apartment and cooked him lunch. We asked him what else we could do for him and he said just find a shelter for him. I went to my storage unit and retrieved a sleeping bag for him, while David called around looking for a shelter that wasn't booked. He didn't end up staying the night. After lunch we drove him to the shelter downtown as he requested. When Pastor came up to David and asked him to do this, David could have immediately looked at the gentlemen with his stuff in tow and said no, but he didn't.

          How many times have you been in the checkout line at the grocery store and got behind someone who has WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) vouchers, or possibly an EBT card? Did you look them over, stare at the IPhone that they were holding or the Coach purse on their shoulder and think to yourself, “if this person wasn't buying these materialistic things they could probably afford food for their family?” I have been in line and seen the looks people get when using WIC or an EBT card. I have also been on the other side of this when I was a single mom. I was a single mom for almost a year ½ before I met David. I didn't receive any child support and prior to having Mateo had a very well paying job. After I had him money got tight. Someone mentioned state assistance to me, which I had no idea what they were talking about. Once I did my research online and realized I could qualify I went in to the office to get more information. This was one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever had to do. I am sitting in this room with many other moms and a lot of screaming children, just hoping that no one I know sees me there. For those that don’t know, WIC only covers things like formula, baby food, milk, cheese, cereal, bread, and tuna. But for a single mom this can take such a huge burden off. I was on it for about a year until David and I got married and I no longer needed it. But, I know that every time I would go to the store to use the vouchers it was so embarrassing. Because, I know people make assumptions and have no idea what my situation was at that time. They just see someone on WIC and think that person is abusing the system. When I see these moms in line at the store, and see them using an expensive phone, or carrying a flashy purse, I can't judge them. It is a possibility these items were gifts. Even if we feel a certain way, is there anything that can be done to know if they are truly in need of assistance or if they are abusing the system? No, say a prayer for that person and her child or children and hope that these services get them through that time in their life where they needed the help. 

          How many times have you been the person a the gym working out and have seen someone that is a little over weight and really struggling with the proper use of equipment or see them trying to run on the treadmill and they have no running form and thought to yourself, "I wonder if they know how they look?" Going to the gym for some people can be such a daily struggle. Issues like weight, lack of knowledge using the equipment, and even fear of being judged stop some from working out until they have some sort of encouragement. Those of you that know me know that I love to work out. Before I became pregnant I would get up a 4:30a.m. Monday through Friday to be at the gym by 5. I sometimes see people staring at equipment, looking at it up and down, trying to read the summarized directions, looking at the diagrams, and trying to figure out how to adjust the weights or the seat. A few years ago, I was the person that didn't do anything but stare and continue on with my workout. I can say that since being saved a little over two years ago there isn't a day that goes by when I am in the gym that I don't take the time to help or acknowledge people. Even if I only have an hour for my workout, I still stop. When I see someone sitting on a machine and staring at it, maybe hoping it will do the workout for them, I just walk by and ask if they need any help. Some might think this can be offensive, especially if you don't know if it is their first time in a gym or if they go everyday and are just trying out a new piece of equipment. But, noticing that person and taking time to acknowledge them might just give them that boost to feel like they can ask for help when they need it. When I am running a 5k or 10k race and hear someone mention that it is their first race, I have realized that my time isn't important but hanging back behind that person and just encouraging them has been such a greater accomplishment. I have done this twice. Both times the people didn't know I could have ran faster, I didn't make it obvious. I just relaxed and when I saw them start to struggle or begin to walk I offered words of encouragement and offered to pace with them for motivation. Both times, at the end of the races, the people smiled and thanked me for the support. 
          We tend to be real quick to judge people on the outside, I myself included. Instead we should be seeing people how God sees them. Pastor made a few good points that I just have to share. God saved you for His glory and to use you to bring others to the kingdom of God. Your light should always be shining brightly. Quit looking down on people, open your heart, share your testimony any chance you get, and let them know that you too were once living a life without God. He also said that we should give the love that has been given to us to someone else; go love on people. Imagine how different your day would end if instead of making selfish decisions throughout the day you were going out of your way to just be kind and helpful to others. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you (James 2:13).

God is working on me daily and I love it!!

So it has been almost 3 months since my last blog. David blogged a month and a half ago “Casting Lots for a Church Family”, he spoke about our decision to leave our current church and begin a journey to find one that we can call our church home. So far we have visited 4 churches. I am extremely happy to say that I can see God working on us through this journey.

When we first talked about leaving Faith Assembly I was extremely against small churches. Mainly because Faith was all I knew, that was where I obtained salvation, and it consisted of a couple thousand members. While on this journey we have visited both big and small churches. After just 2 months, my eyes and heart have been opened up to the idea of serving God in a small church. My biggest fear through this whole thing was that I would never hear the Word of God from any other Pastor like I did from Pastor Larry. But in reality, I am not sure I was giving anyone else a fair chance. On this journey, one of the smaller churches that we visited consisted of about 100 members. Walking into this church I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit like I could at Faith. I was so excited. The people were so welcoming, and it felt like a close family. Visiting this church was one of the best things that could have happened to me. After many conversations with David, and hours of prayer, my views on what I wanted in a church have changed, and I believe this is the switch from what I want to what God wants for me. I had to stop holding on to the fear that no other church would be as good as Faith, and realize that I am here to serve God. Big church or small church we are still on our journey.

Over the last few months this journey has been a daily discussion between David and I. David’s goals once he completes his Bachelors this December is to attend Seminary online while continuing his career in the Air Force. He will work his way into ministry and if it’s Gods will then he will become a Pastor one day. His calling into ministry is not my calling but this plays a part in the church that we pick. Even though becoming a Pastor may not be my calling, God has blessed me with other gifts which will allow me to serve with my husband. I mention David’s goals because on the list of what we are looking for in a church it does include searching for church home that David will be able to one day teach at. Since this is his calling I definitely want to be by his side and find somewhere that his gift can be put to use.

This past Sunday was an exceptional day. We are on week two at one of our church visits. I have to say that I have not heard the Word of God like I did today since we left Faith. The message was about Living the Life in Real Faith. The Pastor asked some very thought provoking questions, and I just smiled thinking about how God is working on me daily on just these very things. A few of the questions that were asked:  If someone cut you, would you bleed the Bible? Is your Bible just an accessory? Do you live in the Word of God daily? I think about my life and these questions and know that I am nowhere near perfect and have a lot of work to still be done in me. With that being said, how will I grow if I am not in the word daily?

A lot of people read the Bible but don’t hear the words. Receiving the Word is so important, if you don’t receive the Word your life will not ever change. The first bullet point was that the Bible will challenge you. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20). The second bullet point was that the Bible humbles you. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you (James 1:21a). The third bullet point was the Bible grows you. Which can save you (James 1:21b). I am not sure about any of you reading this but I know there are times that I forget to apply these passages to my life. Someone says something that you immediately take offense to and you want to respond in a not so kind way. But as God changes us we learn patience so we can actually think about the statement. Some people take minutes to come back with a sincere response, some repay evil for evil, some take a few hours or even days and realize that what they said can only be offensive if we allow it to be.

Once we receive the Word, I believe it comes naturally to want to reveal the Word. For me, since the moment God saved me, I have wanted to share my testimony and how He is working in my life any chance that I get. I can’t not talk about Him. My life changed drastically and it completely revolves around studying the Word of God daily, and applying it to my life. The first bullet point in this section was that you will prove your faith. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it (James 1:22-25). The second bullet point was you will promote your faith. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:26-27a). The third bullet point was you will protect your faith. Refusing to let the world corrupt you (James 1:27b). I have seen so many claims to be a Christian, because of their Sunday school attendance, or because they grew up going to church, or because they own a Bible and carry it with them on Sundays. I know that I don’t know ones heart, only God does. This is where actions speak louder than words. If you say you are a Christian, be happy everyday that God saved you out of this sinful world. Share your testimony any chance you may get, you never know who you will be planting a seed for. Allow God to work through you to save more souls. Even the person sitting next to you at church, that you see every Sunday but don’t even know their name, they deserve to hear your testimony just like the person sitting next to you at the park or coffee shop. I realize not everyone is like me and can just start up a conversation with a complete stranger. But, those of you reading this that are saved, can you imagine what your life would be like if that seed was never planted for you? Everything about my life if so much better since God saved me. David planted the seed for me and I thank God everyday for everything that He has done in my life.

Something that David and I often talk about during this journey is that without one another’s prayers and support we wouldn't have stayed strong on our walk. There are so many outside influences and we could have gone astray at any second. The Pastor also made the statement, “If your faith isn't changing your actions, rethink your faith.” Man if these questions and statements that I heard during this sermon weren't a slap in the face to reevaluate my faith I don’t know what would be.

This journey has been a very emotional one. Scary not having a church home, exciting to meet and worship with God’s children, and nerve racking while we ponder after each visit if this is where God will use us. We are both so anxious and excited to be able to serve God in what we can call our church home and to start living life with our sisters and brothers in Christ again.  I know that God will continue to change me daily, and I am excited to see what he has in store for our family. Thank you God for using your children to share the Word, I hope others were impacted by this sermon like I was.