Jesus-Pleaser

I am in a place right now where I am heavily concentrated on pleasing God.  Sure, I've always tried to do that, but I'm really examining all of my choices that I carelessly make everyday;  I want to know that every fiber of my being is glorifying God.  He deserves nothing less.  We are way too spoiled, especially those of us that are able to blog and be on the internet.  This is definitely not a need, but somehow we find that it is, in a way.  Everyday we check our email, speaking to people that we otherwise might not, we are able to check the news, see the entire world, see our house from a satellite in space, even!  But we really don't need things like the internet.  We would get by without, I'm pretty sure we all used to, didn't we? ;)

So I have a word for all of us overly undeserved, blessed people.

Let brotherly love continue.  (Even those you don't like.)  Don't neglect to show hospitality (even when you think you have nothing to give), for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.  (Hey, who doesn't want an angel chillin' in your house?!)  Remember the prisoners (never thought to think about them, did we?), as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.  Marriage must be respected by all (ALL is the key word here.  Even those who aren't married still need to respect the relationships of those who are.), and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.  Your life should be free from the love of money.  (He doesn't even want you to worry about it!  He will provide!)  Be satisfied with what you have (and not just for what you might get later...), for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.  Therefore, we may boldly say:  The Lord is my helper;  I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?...

...Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you.  As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.  -Hebrews 13:1-7  (Whoa.  Hear that?  Those of you who have been born again, who have salvation, you are to be imitated!  You are the example!  Yikes!  Are we living like Jesus?  I fail everyday, and that is expected because only Jesus was perfect.  But that is not an excuse for not carefully taking look at our catch phrases, our actions, our internet pictures, our choice in music, our clothes (or lack thereof;), our twisted "other intentions" friendships, our food (which grows this temple that is supposed to glorify Him!), our relationships (and I mean, real relationships.  Not the "hi, how are you, oh, yeah, that's too bad, can I just get some more gossip, but really, I don't care, I just wanna go watch this trashy show...), etc.  Yeah, I said it.  It's time to live boldly for God!  Don't blend in.  But don't stick out in a way that doesn't honor either!  It's tough, kids!  I know.  Believe me.  You forget I worked in musical theater my entire career!  ;)  But anyway, back to imitations:

My preacher said to me Saturday that he tells his grandchildren that anything he does, they are allowed to do also.  They can imitate his actions.  You know why?  Because he strives to live like Jesus.  He is an example of righteousness.  That really makes me want to examine my details!

I pray this encourages and most importantly, challenges you today to not be a people-pleaser, but a Jesus-Pleaser!

I say this 'cause I love you, Tara K