With Me or Against Me - A message about challenging me regularly to decide which side of the line I stand on for Jesus

In our country's first hundred years of existence, there were likely many families that went through a lot of their own "civil wars." It may have been cousins that were on different sides. Maybe it was in-laws in which they had a son-in-law on the other side. Maybe it was even children that went to fight for the other side.

Before the fighting began and the talks of debate were happening, imagine the uncomfortable family gatherings and discussions that must have taken place prior to the actual fighting. Imagine the arguments that may have been stirred. Imagine the "I'm not coming back" or disowning that may have occurred throughout these years of turmoil.

In these types of situations people were forced to plant themselves on one side of the line or another. They couldn't be halfway and still make everyone happy. Someone was not going to be happy. Sunday, we looked at Jesus in Matthew 12:22-37 where He was continuing to speak the truth, though some were not happy. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Directed Placement ~ When we call someone a name or label someone then we are putting people on a side of a line which they may not actually choose to be or deserve to be. Most of the time when we do this it is based on perception, even a false perception. We are directing those we label to a side of the line, whether they like ot or not. To call someone a "hot shot" may be actually misinforming ourselves; they may not be that label at all. Let us work on falsely putting people into a category they do not deserve based on our perception.
• Falsely Labeling Jesus ~ Based on Jesus gaining influence and, quite frankly, having a difficult time understanding Him, they label Jesus as a "prince of demons." There are times we may label Him also. Maybe names like "liar" when we are wondering why He is not showing up in our life the way we want. Maybe it is "traitor" when He seems to let bad things happen to us (or people we care about). There may be other names you put to it or have heard, but nevertheless, when names like this are used, we are not only falsely labeling Him but also being immature to understand Him fully.
• Picking a Spot ~ In life we simply must pick a spot when it comes to following Jesus. Some like to take advantage of His grace by choosing things that may not be "bad," categorically, but may take us away from our walk with Christ. Examples are jobs, money, family, school, relationships, and sports/hobbies. When those things become our pseudo gods, then we are getting into dangerous territory. To compromise our values can become quicksand to our faith. Let us pick a spot so we know where we stand and bounce our choices off of the spot we stand!

There have been times in which making a decision was difficult. Sometimes the more the options the harder it is to make that decision. When I have "birthday money" I have a difficult time wondering what I am going to spend it on. There are simply too many choices. However, if my options are lessened, then it may be easy. Maybe my money from my birthday is the same amount, but I am limited by being given gift cards, which must be spent at a particular place. From this, I may still have some choices, but the choices are limited because of where the gift cards came from.

When it comes to Jesus, we must decide which side of the line we are going to be at...are we going to be with Him or against Him? You choose...

Now it's your turn...what choices or instances have been most difficult to choose between following Him or not following Him?

Monday Mentionings: Got Debt, Don't Fret - Nehemiah 5:1-6

Christ's church is just awesome! Paul describing it as a body that has "many parts" all doing different things is just an ever-chewing idea. I am fascinated by what can be accomplished through people working together. I left our Vision Team meeting with a recoiled spring in my step. This was able to bounce me into Sunday morning where it was enjoyable to attend the "family reunion". Not forgetting, capping my evening off with a great Love and Respect group. Weekends like this make me so look forward to starting "all over" on Monday! I hope you have had similar experiences this weekend!!!

Nehemiah is a mind-blowing book. Maybe I look at it from the perspective of a leader. He had responsibilities and he tried to be constantly stirring. That is tough to do, but I enjoy the challenge! The Jews were coming back from exile and they had very little. They had been working just to pay off taxes/debt. They needed some relief and Nehemiah was the one to go to bat for them. Here are some other applications from yesterday...

1. How big is your debt? You might think of tangible (monetary) debt first; how about spiritual debt? Thanks to Jesus, our spiritual debt is at zero because he paid the price! Say a praise prayer to Jesus for paying the price for the debt you owed when sin came into your life.

2. When was the last time you were forgiven of something? How did it feel? Genuine forgiveness allows us to not have the mental unrest that debt puts on us. Does someone owe you something? Something like money, an apology, etc.? Think of a way you could alleviate some of that debt that is owed to you. God alleviated it by giving us a Savior. What can you do? If you don't have this in your life right now - keep it mind for when you do.

3. Pray that God sends you someone that you can be a "slave rescuer" to. Someone you can help pull out of the debt of sin. Also, pray that you have the wisdom to know when that "someone" comes into your life and that you will be bold enough to walk through the door.

We are in the rescuing business - who will you rescue!?

Praying that God will give you many open doors this week!

Turning the knob ~