Monday, January 9, 2012

Oh Be Careful Little Eyes (and Ears, Mouths, Minds...)

A few years back, a trusted mentor of mine talked about being aware of how the media plays into our lives and affects the way we see and think about things. I've also thought more recently how our choice of friends should be considered that way, too. In fact, everything should be considered, right? 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 say, "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (NIV84).

Here are some of the reasons that I've found for "testing" and approving our media and friend choices, followed by some verses from the Bible to support each one. I really encourage you to look up the verses and reflect on each one. Pray before you start and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's truths to you. (I really considered typing them all out for you, but then realized how time-consuming that would be and I need to give some of that time back to my family.)

1. We should be aware of what is going in. We need to be gatekeepers and stand on guard, determining what we will let pass into our mind (and the minds of our children) and what we need to block. Think about it. When you hear a certain word, phrase, or song. It could be something someone says, from a t.v. show or movie, from a song on the radio, or even a commercial jingle. Or what if you see something, like a "love" scene in a movie? What happens? It plays over and over in your head. Even when you try to stop thinking about it, you find yourself still thinking about it. How hard it can be to get it out of your mind. Remember the saying, "Practice makes perfect?" Your mind is "rehearsing" what it has heard or seen. What if it is something offensive or crude, like cursing or sexually immoral behavior? Do you really want your mind rehearsing that? Your mind can become accustomed to hearing or seeing these acts and you can be convinced that it isn't that bad - or you may not even realize it is there anymore. I know I am much more greatly aware of curse words or improper interactions in movies or t.v. shows nowadays. It feels horrible inside my head now that I've avoided it for a while. Just as our minds can be trained to be accustomed to this type of input, they can also be trained to recognize and despise it.

We should be seeking to fill our minds and hearts with things of God - good, pure, righteous, true things. Wouldn't you rather your mind practice concepts like this? Aren't these the things you would like to practice and perfect in your life?

Also, what does our choice of activities and friends reveal to others - to non-believers, new believers, or struggling believers? By going to movies or watching t.v. shows with crude content, are we not in a way endorsing it and showing these others that we are okay with it, that it should be acceptable? When we are around a lot of foul language, drunkenness and carousing, and other immoral or otherwise improper behavior, again are we not giving it a sort of stamp of approval for others who may be more weak? We need to consider how our actions affect others - and not just our own selves.

Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Deuteronomy 7:26, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Proverbs 4:23, 25, Proverbs 23:12, Proverbs 24:11-12, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:23, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, Galatians 6:4-5, Galatians 6:8-9, Galatians 6:11, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 3:2,Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Timothy 4:12.


2. What goes in affects what comes out. You didn't really think it just stayed in your mind, did you? No, it can affect your heart, coloring your perceptions, and even your own speech and behavior. I can very vividly remember the first time I ever cursed verbally. I was either a sophomore or junior in high school. The other kids I spent time with cursed and one day it just slipped out. We were all so shocked by it and everyone thought it hilarious that it had happened. I wish I could say that I didn't laugh with them, but I did. I think I even said it a few more times. What we allow in becomes more normal and accepted to us. When we see and hear it all the time, we become desensitized to it. That is when we can slip and become a part of it. Be on guard, brothers and sisters!

Matthew 15:10, Matthew 15:18-19, Mark 7:21, Luke 6:45.


3. We are called to not conform to this world, to be set apart from it. Why would that be? Don't you think we need to be set apart so people can see a difference between a life with Christ and a life without Him? What would there be to draw people to Him if we aren't living any differently than they already are? They have to see something different, something better, something they would desire for their own lives. Everything we do should be for God and for others.

Psalm 1:1-2, Proverbs, 12:26, Proverbs 13: 20, Proverbs 16:17, Proverbs 23:20-21, Proverbs 25:4-5, John 15:19, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 1:10, Galatians 6:8-9, Ephesians 4:14-15, Ephesians 4:29-5:21, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Hebrews 12:1-2, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17.


4. Do not envy wicked men (and women). Do not envy that they can watch whatever movies or t.v. shows they feel like, go partying and let go of all their inhibitions, wear anything they like no matter how much skin is showing or where it shows, etc. Sometimes, it can be tempting. It is hard to do the right thing, but I personally have been convicted that doing the right thing is usually the hardest and if something appears easy, it is probably the wrong thing. Yes, sometimes I think it would be nice to just do the easy thing, but I'm getting to a point where I just can't, no matter what it is. I can't watch certain shows or movies, be around certain people, hear certain language without being disgusted. Even with this blog - it would be easier to just type my opinions and what I believe - but I can't. I am convicted to back up what I present with the Bible. It takes time to look up verses about the topic I feel led to write about. This current topic is something I've been working on over the last couple weeks. It isn't something I can just search for five or ten minutes and be done. Of course, I believe God is growing me through the experience, too. God has His reasons for why we must take the longer, harder route sometimes. Even though it can be hard work to separate ourselves from our current culture and society to follow God, it is something we are instructed to do, and I believe it will be to our benefit and to the benefit of others.

Psalm 37:1, Proverbs 23:17, 19-20, Proverbs 24:1-2, Galatians 1:10.


Here are some resources: ScreenIt (www.screenit.com); PluggedIn (www.pluggedin.com); Christian Spotlight (www.christiananswers.net/spotlight); Movieguide (www.movieguide.org); Family Life (www.familylife.com - under the Family tab); an interesting article by the Barna Group (http://www.barna.org/family-kids-articles/90-christian-parents-are-not-comfortable-with-media-but-buy-them-for-their-kids-anyway);

And now some other verses I wanted to share with you:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those form whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 - And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. [Be careful not to judge other people harshly. God speaks to each of us individually. Not everyone may hold the same convictions as us, or hold them as strongly as we do. We should still love them.]

Ephesians 1:18-19a - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

And lastly, think upon this song. It's a child's song but it would be wise for us to take heed also.

Oh be careful
     little eyes what you see...
     little ears what you hear...
     little mouth what you say...
     little hands what you do...
     little feet where you go...
for the Father up above is looking down with love.


I'm praying for you today.
-Christa

Monday, January 2, 2012

My Daily Bread for the End of 2011

The other day, we were visiting some people and I was reminded again how very different we see things - a worldly perspective versus a Biblical, Christian perspective. Not only that, I was feeling judged for some of the decisions I have made for our family (primarily our children) regarding media choices, nutrition, etc. I admit that I often seek the approval of others, and this is definitely the case with these people. They are important in our lives, even though they don't see things the way we do. Maybe I shouldn't react so strongly, but I saw confusion on my daughter's face when a particular topic came up, obviously brought up to get me to comment, which they thought was fun to pester me about. Poor girl didn't seem to know what to believe and that upset me. I want her to know that she can always trust her parents. There was also another point in the day when it appeared that they were trying to do something with my daughter and hide it from me, which is another thing that upsets me. I think it was just something silly, like eating a piece of cake or some marshmallows, but I don't want my children to be encouraged to lie to me or hide things from me, no matter how big or small. We have had this type of incident with this person before and I've talked with my daughter about Satan using anyone, even people close to her like friends or family members, to pull her away from God, and I don't want that to happen. Satan uses lying, cheating, stealing, and deceiving to pull us away. She needs to keep talking to God and keep talking to her parents so she can know the truth.

Anyhow, I was feeling pretty low at one point in the afternoon. I had gone into another room to put some things away and organize some items. I felt defeated. I felt like just saying, "Fine. You all do whatever you want with my children. I'm just going to step back out of the picture and you won't have to worry about me anymore. It'll be easier that way." Yes, it would be easier, possibly, but it would be wrong. I knew this was a lie being told to me by Satan, because I've heard it many times before and have learned to recognize it. I should never step out of my kids' lives. I should never give up on the truth or what is right.  So I got down on my knees with my face to the floor and prayed. I prayed for wisdom in what I should say and do throughout the rest of the day, what my attitude should be, and that I could take myself and my feelings out of the picture so only God could be seen.

I was reminded of some verses I read during a previous visit. I was up early one morning with my son, sitting on the couch and reading my Bible. I often feel like I want to say something to them about their lives, how to live for Jesus, etc. Here is what I read that morning: "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you" (Proverbs 9:7-8, NIV84). I realized this is exactly what would happen if I tried to say anything to them. I would be inviting insult and incurring abuse - and this is not a relationship in which I want to risk that. I realized I needed to keep my mouth shut at the current time and let God show through my other words and actions, through how I live my life. They see me read my Bible. They hear me reading Bible stories with the children and praying with them. They know that church is important to our family. I trust God to use that however He will and I continue to pray for the salvation of these.

I was also reminded of the Bible verses I read on this particular morning and I went back to read them again: "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone" (Proverbs 25:11-15, NIV84). I prayed that my words would come from God and be aptly spoken. I prayed that anything I might say would fall on listening ears. I didn't really feel like the ears would be listening and remembered the verse about correcting a mocker, however. I prayed for God's trustworthy messenger(s) for this family, whomever that might be. I prayed that I would have a gentle tongue and patience to wait until the day I will see their salvation. I pray that day will come! I pray that they won't miss out on life with Christ!

I'm also doing a daily devotional study through YouVersion (The Bible App), called Parenting By Design. It is a really good study for living your life intentionally for Christ and passing this on to your children. Here is Saturday's message: "THE GREAT REWARD  As Christians, our goal in life is to be transformed to be more like Christ. To aid us, God provides the Holy Spirit, who directs us when we surrender our will and submit to His guidance. That seems pretty simple, so what stops us? Well, the world seeks our transformation too, but into something quite different. It encourages us to be self-centered, rather than Christ-centered. It wants us to grow and develop independence from God and a unique identity through a relentless pursuit of money, power, beauty, and fame. That's exhausting! The path to material glory leads to emptiness in the end. Help your kids understand that principle and you may relieve them of some of the exhaustion and disappointment of chasing the wrong goals. "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:30)." It also connected you to 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." I didn't actually read this until on Sunday, but it was another reminder that the ruler of this earthly world (Satan) seeks to pull us away from God and transform us in a totally different way. The people we were with value a pursuit of money, beauty, position, recognition, etc. They have a worldly view and this devotional study reminded me again that I'm on the right track with God and need to keep fighting to follow Him. There will always be attacks to pull us away but we have to learn to recognize them and be strong to resist them.

So, the Holy Spirit had guided me once more, through my readings in the Bible that morning and through a devotional study for the day. Another reminder that God knows what we need for each day and He can provide.

Lord, give us this day our daily bread...