When God wakes me up.....

I don't like it when I wake up on my own in the middle of the night.  I really don't like it when it is because of something I've done and God has brought it back to mind, forcing me to deal with it, whether I was right or wrong.  And it grieves me when I wake up for other reasons beyond my control.  God woke me up at 2:15AM this morning to pray for my children.  He wouldn't let me go back to sleep, so I finally got up at 3AM and went to my 'quiet room' to pray and read. 

Sometimes we do things that we don't see anything wrong with.  Or, sometimes we know it is wrong and yet we do it anyway.  What you do is between you and God.  But have you ever thought of the things that you do that influences others?

Sometimes others don't know that you have done something until you post it on facebook.  Then everyone that you know - and don't know but are connected to by other people and their 'likes' or posts - knows what you have done.  They know if you are faithful to who you say you are - or that you are a hypocrit.  That's the part that grieves the heart of God.  He wants us to be faithful to Him at all times, in all parts of our lives. 

I John 2:6 says "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."    I can't find the version I was looking for that says it more plainly.... "Whoever says that they live in Him, must walk as Jesus walked."

If you are claiming to be a Christian and do not walk as Jesus did, and are not obedient to our Heavenly Father and His laws, you are a hypocrit.  There are no wavy lines. 

True, Jesus did make wine, and He did drink wine.  We are not told to not drink wine.  We are told not to drink to excess.  Why?  Because then you lose control and do stupid things.  See, it is for our own benefit.

We are told not to lust after other women (or men) because that is the same as committing adultery with them in your mind.

We are told not to covet after things other people have, because it will consume us.

We are told not to make any idol, or place anything before God.  That includes money, things, entertainment, people.  

We are told we are to live a rightous life, faithful and true to the One True God and His Only Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  How can we resist the things of this world?  By the Holy Spirit living in us.

Things that you think you are doing 'innocently' influences others and can be your downfall.  People lose respect for you.  They don't want to be around you, for a man is known by those he keeps company with.  They don't want their families around you for fear you will influence them badly. Yes, Jesus went around sinners, however, He was there to show them the right way to live.  He wasn't there to judge them and condemn them, but to show them LIFE.  He didn't participate in their sinful activities.  He showed them the way out.

I am not judging what was done.  I would not even be mentioning it or thinking about it, other than the fact that God woke me up at 2:15 AM to deal with it.   I've brought it before Him in prayer; and I'm trusting in Him to guide me if I should say anything or if I have done what He wants me to do.  Pray.

How are you living your life?  Are you a disappointment to your children, your spouse?  To yourself?  Do you think you are 'doing ok'?  That all your good stuff far outweighs the bad?   Have others who claim to belong to Jesus influenced you by doing things you know is not Christ-like?  Do you feel that is your 'permission' to live a double life?

How do YOU feel about those who claim to be a Christian, and yet their behavior does not project it?  I know how I feel; I am uncomfortable around them.  I don't want to judge them, for I don't want my life to be judged either.  I fail, often.  More often than even I want to admit.  God usually wakes me up in the middle of the night to set me straight.  Or, a friend will confront me and help me to see what I said or did that was not Christ-like.  Or I can always depend on my spouse to let me know.

Who you say you are and what you do, how you behave, where you go - should all line up.  If it doesn't, are you living a lie?

I leave you with these questions.....  "If Jesus spent the day with you, (and He does, when you invite Him to) would you take Him everywhere you go?  Would you do everything that you do?  Would you be embarrassed or ashamed and not want Him to know?" 

Think on these things.

Blessings!