Paying it Forward for God's Glory - Ruth L. Snyder

Have you taken part in Pay it Forward Day? Maybe you paid for someone’s meal in a restaurant or shovelled someone’s sidewalk. It is fun to do kind deeds for others without them knowing who did them. That is a good start. But as Christians, I believe we should pay it forward, especially to those who are difficult for us to love, for God’s glory EVERY day. Come along as I explore what Scripture has to say.

Matthew 5 begins with the beatitudes, introducing us to God’s perspective, which is often the opposite of the way we think and act as human beings. Jesus then challenges his followers in several areas:

• Be salt and light, drawing others to Jesus by your positive example (vs. 13-16)
• Fulfil the law instead of abolishing it (vs. 17-20)
• Resolve conflicts without the all too common “solutions” of murder or going to court (vs. 21-26)
• Do what is necessary to discipline your mind and body (vs. 27-30)
• Avoid divorce (vs. 31-32)
• Say what you mean and do what you say (vs. 33-37)
• Serve others instead of getting revenge (vs. 38-42)

And at the end of the chapter, Jesus sums it all up by telling his followers to love their enemies.

Instead of retaliating, Jesus told his disciples to pray for those who persecute them. Jesus said if we are kind and loving to those who are kind and loving to us, we have done nothing noteworthy. To make his point, Jesus pointed out that even the tax collectors, who were deceitful and looked upon as despicable, loved people who loved them. 

As Christians, we have a new standard to follow—we are to be perfect, even as God is perfect.

Helps Word Studies says we are to be, “... mature from going through the necessary stages to reach the end goal.”

Every day we make hundreds of choices. As we grow in our walk with God, more of those choices should reflect the character of our Heavenly Father. (Remember the examples in Matthew 5?) However, it doesn’t take long for most of us to figure out we CANNOT be perfect, at least without God’s help. 

Isn’t it ironic that God gives us the impossible task of being perfect so we will rely on him alone to do the work he has given us to do? When we live this way, others will see a difference in our lives and God’s love flowing through us will draw them to God. We will rely on God alone and giving him the glory because it will be obvious that God accomplished the impossible through us.

So, how about it? Will you join me in paying it forward, especially to those who are difficult to love, for the glory of God?

Jesus---Light of the World by Connie Inglis

I LOVE Christmas. I can't wait to put on the Christmas music and decorate the tree. One of my favourite features of Christmas is the lights. By the time my decorating is done, my house is filled with lights. Throughout December I like to wake early, turn on the tree lights, make a cup of coffee and just sit in the big, cushy chair by the tree. The lights twinkle and the tinsel shimmers and the world is tranquil and harmonious.

As I sit there, sometimes I think about the significance of light surrounding the birth of Jesus. There was lots of light. Every time an angel appeared, there was light. When the angels came to the shepherds, there was more light. And then the wise men followed the light of the star to the place where Jesus lay. All the light was a guide, a lamp leading to Jesus. But they were dim lights in comparison to Jesus. John 1:4,5 says, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." And verse 9 calls Him the, "true light." So, there was darkness and SUDDENLY there is Light--brilliant and true and pure and no darkness can ever put it out. Wow! The "Light of the World," as Jesus calls Himself in John 8:12.

But wait--that's not the end. Jesus then turns around and tells us that as His followers, we are the light of the world. He gives us His light. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." Just as suddenly we, as earthen vessels, are filled with a treasure, His light and glory. All because of Jesus. And He gave it to us to shine.

Consider the lighting of one candle. It lights up part of a room. Add another candle and another and another--the more lights the brighter the light, the brighter the room. It's a quality of light that cannot be denied and it reminds me of the importance of community when shining for Jesus. Jesus compares our light to a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. A city of lights, a community of believers, shines much brighter than a single house light. We, you and I, are also part of a community--a community of writers that dispel the darkness through words of encouragement and hope, words of Love and Light. Jesus wants us to shine as community for Him.

I want to share this Christmas song by Third Day with you. It speaks about Jesus coming down, the Light of the World. As you listen to it and as you read the Scripture references, be encouraged. And may your Christmas be FILLED with the light of Jesus.