Thought Provoking Questions

~8~

Love is mentioned over three hundred times in the New Testament, and it’s a powerful asset to not only have, but also to give away. Imagine this particular Fruit of the Spirit as a literal tool that you need to accomplish any test, or trial, because without it the task remains incomplete.

Is love difficult? Well, it depends on the person now doesn’t it.

Luke (and Matthew) shared a statement from Jesus, and if you ask me, it can be extremely hard to embrace. And I believe as Christians we can breeze right through some scriptures without seriously believing that it pertains to us, such as: “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.” (Luke 6:32-33 & Matthew 5:46-47)

Do you think that Jesus only meant this for His disciples? (OY!)

To whom do you lend? And whom do you love?

Two questions that reveal much about the sin nature and the condition of our heart.

~7~

(If you will purpose not to look at the sentence after each question and conclude your answer before moving forward, these thought-provoking questions will speak louder.)

Think of a Christian that you are close with that doesn’t live in your household and picture this: They pull up to where you reside, and you walk outside to meet them at their vehicle to see what they want. Then they ask you to get in and go somewhere with them for a few days.

*What is your initial response?

*What you would you say or ask?

This person proceeds to smile and tell you not to worry, you won’t need to bring anything. Your friend encourages you to trust and just get in the car, and they also give you their word that everything will be supplied – free of charge, just come and see.  

*What is your next response?

My guess is that you would have several questions, or you would assume that your friend is crazy to think you would be willing to leave on a whim, much less that you would be willing to just up and go without gathering some things to take along.

*Would you be willing?

*Would you ask them to wait?

*But if so, wait for what?

(Remember: everything will be supplied that you will need, and the condition was that you must go empty handed.)

We are either on the same page or we’re not. But here are two more questions that gives us all something to think about spiritually speaking:

*Are you someone that must have everything all planned out?

*If you were willing to leave, would it have to be – only on your terms?

Please take the time to see what scriptures you can place in the correct context to how you replied to the questions, and allow the Lord to give you insight to the reasoning behind your thoughts. I know for myself, this was something that convicted me!

May the Lord bless you with His mercy and grace as you trust Him. Amen.

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~6~

Are you guilty of immediately calling others when troubles come your way? A best friend, a relative, or maybe by the time you finish sharing your issues in one conversation, you find yourself reaching out to another and then another. (I’ve been there!)

In Psalm 86: 6-7 David says “Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to my voice of my supplications. In the day of trouble, I will call upon You, for You will answer me.”

We are all aware that David didn’t have an iPhone, but he definitely knew who to call on. In this Psalm, he claimed his trust in the Lord, he pleaded for mercy, and he acknowledged God in every way he could think of.  

Does God expect us to call on Him in times of trouble? That’s an easy “Yes!” There’s nothing wrong with asking others for prayer, but I am reminded daily in the importance of calling on God first, and in petition – acknowledging just how great the Lord is.

How that must bless the Lord when we called upon Him and not everyone but Him.

Reach out to God with your needs today, and trust that He cares more than anyone. Psalm 86 is a prayer for mercy, with meditation on the excellencies of the Lord. I pray you will go to your Bible and as you read, I hope you find exactly what you are looking for.

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~5~

Is there a certain someone that unnerves you?

At work? At home? Relative? Someone at church? Former friend? Your neighbor?

If you reflected on the prior day (#4) – concerning worshiping the Lord wholeheartedly, I believe that we must understand the truth of the matter and that there is a second commandment, and it’s not a suggestion:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

How serious was Jesus?

Are we already – planning to use the grace-card for what He declared to the lawyer, scribes, and Pharisees?

Read Matthew 22:34-40

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~4~

Mind you, that Jesus continued speaking with her, as he explained, it was no longer just about the Jews or even where someone was located when they worshiped.

So, what was it about?

“How and why.”

If it’s not in the spirit as His Holy Word (Truth) has called us to live, then it’s just religion. We must worship Him with our whole heart; not halfheartedly.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

That’s not something that we should say “I do”, until we have asked God to reveal our true heart and then we must take the time to do a self-examination.

Sometimes we may fool ourselves!

(Note: “Must” worship in spirit and truth.)

Re-look at the questions above and carefully consider your answers again.

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him”, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 1:3-6.

If those who are closest to you were to follow by your daily examples, would you say that they look like Jesus too?

What would that look like if it were to be displayed on a movie screen in front of everyone who knows you and then some?

P.S. Do you really know your true self?

~2~

Do you love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind? (Matthew 22:37)

This requires contemplation. We may say we do, but how do we truly know if we love Him as we should? How does He know?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15

~1~

Welcome to “Thought Provoking Questions”, where my hope is that the Holy Spirit will stir your spirit. In the Gospels Jesus asks many more questions (307) than He actually answers. He is asked 183 of which he only answers three. Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings.

How you answer any question is important, but what counts the most is the TRUTH. Sometimes we don’t even know what’s really hidden in the heart of our own soul, until we have learned how to quieten our mind and dig in to the deep; that place that will bring revelation. Because God knows us better than we do, if we ask Him to show any wicked way that we may have, He will certainly bring it to our attention.

I recently studied about hypocrisy and it provoked me to do a self-examination. And in doing so, I gained a greater understanding of how easily Satan can deceive anyone. I try my best to live a transparent life and I’m quick to share my faults, but the fact of the matter is – we can admit our sins one to another, or even appear to be the most upstanding person that claims to be a Christian and still be a hypocrite. Yet we don’t even realize our fate.

“God’s Holy Word doesn’t always feel good, in fact, the truth can hurt, especially when we refuse to submit or give it authority in our life.” (Ignoring it, doesn’t mean we won’t suffer the consequences either.) Recently I was quietened when I combined that statement with a question: “Who in their right mind likes being a slave to sin?”