9 More Rules for Social Media

9 More Rules for Social Media

(You can read the first 7 rules here.)

How many blog posts were you reading in 1990? How many tweets did you post on Twitter? How many friends did you have on Facebook? How often did you upload a picture to Instagram or Snapchat in 1990? The answer to all of these questions is zero. The term “blog” was coined on December 17, 1997. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterist, and Snapchat had not yet been invented. Social media was a group of people gathering together to watch a movie or play a game.

Poppies... poppies... poppies...

Poppies… poppies… poppies…

Today, social media has taken the world by storm—and most young people subscribe to multiple social media accounts. They talk in terms of how many “likes” someone received or how many “retweets” a post got. Sadly, many parents have been slow to address this influential part of our young people’s lives.

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about social media (continued).

Again, let me remind you that everything you do, including social media, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17).

Lesson Eight: Avoid bragging
In “real life” we don’t routinely unpack our awards and trophies for friends, neighbors, and coworkers to see. But with social media everything becomes a photo op, an opportunity to brag, and everything is used to promote your image. This bragging about what you’ve done, what you’ve eaten, trips you’ve taken gets old to those around you. Solomon wrote, “Let another man praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). Jesus warned, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). If every one of your posts centers around you then you probably have a problem with bragging. Make sure your posts are humble in spirit (James 4:10).

Lesson Nine: Watch out for envy and discontent
Have you noticed that everybody else’s life looks better than yours on social media? This is because individuals normally don’t share the mundane or bad parts of their lives. As a result it is easy for someone to think that they have a much better life. Remember, you are only seeing part of the story. This “virtual” reality is unhealthy. It often causes you to start putting unrealistic expectations on your own spouse, children, and friends. Learn to be content like Paul in whatever state you find yourself (Philippians 4:11-13). Remember, covetousness is defined in Colossians 3:5 as idolatry.

Lesson Ten: Don’t allow Facebook/Twitter/Instagram to stifle prayer
You need to set aside down time to simply: “Be still and know that He is God…” (Psalm 46:10). Social media eats up time—time that you could be spent strengthening your relationship with God. In James 4:8 we read,
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”

Lesson Eleven: Conduct yourself on social media like you would in person
Lots of people say things on social media they would never say in person, simply because they are on a screen they feel secure and hidden. It matters what your fingers type and one day you will be held accountable for every post and every text. There are Christians who post things they would never say out loud in public–but it is being read by hundreds if not thousands. You are a representation of the bride of Christ! You are supposed to be His servant. Please go back and read James 3, Matthew 5:13-16.

Lesson Twelve: Don’t allow Facebook to blind you to false beauty
Everyone looks good on Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. Of course what you don’t see are the 20-30 images it took them just to get that perfect one. This false beauty may make you think you are beautiful and may encourage you to believe beauty is found in the outward appearance. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Lesson Thirteen: Be careful about what you allow into your mind
According to Jesus, the greatest command is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). Remember every time you click you are opening up a window that will influence your mind.

Lesson Fourteen: Be careful little eyes what you see
I’ve talked to you before about the seriousness of pornography and sexting. Do not send/receive images that are not glorifying to God.
Ever. Period. Do not give out personal information to those you do not know.

Lesson Fifteen: Use social media to reach the lost
We all know the “Great Commission” tells us to “go” (Matthew 28:19-20). With social media you have the ability to take the saving message of Jesus Christ to places on this planet you could never physically go to. Do not take that responsibility lightly. View your social media accounts as tools to reach the lost.

Lesson Sixteen: Be careful what you idolize
For many, there is a temptation to idolize social media. Remember God is a jealous God. He will not put up with idolatry. As God was handing down the Ten Commandments He warned the Israelites, ““You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Paul further admonished, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14).

I hope these sixteen lessons will come in handy as you navigate the waters of social media, and I pray you will use it in such a way that it strengthens your relationship with Him.

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Humbling and Exalting

Humbling and Exalting

In Romans, chapter one, we are told that “since the creation of the world [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Vs. 20), and that it is therefore both foolish and fatal to live in denial thereof (See vss. 18-22). Psalm 19 conveys to us a very similar message. From both of these passages it is clear that we can come to understand God’s order, pattern, and consistency in the spiritual realm (which we cannot see), because of the consistency which He has displayed in His creation (or the physical realm), which we are exposed to and experience every day.

Think He isn't there? Creation declares His power and He will humble.

Think He isn’t there? Creation declares His power and He will humble.

For example, we are all probably familiar with the phrase, “What goes up must come down.” This truth, which some in the scientific community might refer to as the “law of gravity,” is simply God’s institution of a reliable reality given to govern his created, physical universe. Likewise, the heavens and their workings, including the revolving pattern of day and night as well as the circuit of the sun, simply cannot be corrupted or interrupted in any way by mankind’s desires or designs (Ps. 19:1-7).

These “laws” are completely consistent, unshakable, and unbreakable by man. They are going to happen. You can count on them every time. Hence and because of that, we can also know for an absolute fact, that God’s laws governing the spiritual realm are just as certain, consistent, well-grounded, and un-get-aroundable (Ps. 19:8-14).

One of those always present, always consistent, “un-get-aroundable” laws of God given in governance of His spiritual world, is that whenever one of His children seeks to exalt themselves, God Himself, will see that they are humbled – no exceptions. It happens every time. It is only when one really, truly, honestly and sincerely humbles themselves, willfully becoming the lowly and subjected servant that He desires them to be, that God Himself will then make sure that He personally exalts them (Prov. 17:10-19, 27:2; Matt. 23:12; Lk. 14:11, 18:14; 1 Peter 5:5-11).

Go back and carefully re-read and study Mark 10:35-45. Let the text really sink in. Then consider how even the perfectly sinless and divine Son of the living God Himself was not immune from this law of God. Although He never sinned by seeking to exalt Himself as we so often try to do, it was precisely because of His complete and utter humbling of Himself that He was so highly and finally exalted by God (Phil. 2:1-16). If we are constantly encountering nothing but strife, upheaval, and indignation in our daily efforts (Matt. 20:20-28), maybe it’s time to ask ourselves: Who’s doing the humbling – and who’s doing the exalting?

 

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LA PARABOLA MAS MAL INTERPETADA

LA PARABOLA MAS MAL INTERPETADA

Más de 40 Parábolas, Todas y cada una de ellas son historias de Salvación. En esta ocasión  esta parábola es paralela a Jesus y Nicodémo y también a el joven rico.¿ Maestro que haré para heredar la vida eterna? Es la mejor pregunta hecha a la mejor persona pero con las peores intenciones.

La gente está familiarizada con la historia pero no con el punto y el significado de la historia. Jesús dijo que este sería el caso, regrese y observe  el v21.

MIS-CONCEPCIONES SOBRE ESTA PARABOLA

Algunos han pensado que esta parábola contiene un mensaje secreto y místico. Orígenes unos de los padres de la Iglesia enseñó: “El hombre es Adán, Jerusalén es el Edén, Jericó es el mundo, los ladrones son fuerzas demoniacas, el sacerdote es la ley, el Levita es los profetas, El samaritano es Cristo, El animal es el cuerpo del Señor, el mesón es la Iglesia y el retorno del samaritano es la segunda venida de Cristo. Los post-modernistas también fallan en la interpretación, Los carismáticos aman este pasaje. De acuerdo a ellos la historia del buen samaritano es el hacer buenas obras a otros.  Jim Wallace famoso carismático dijo: “ Esta historia es la lección mas bella que tenemos para hacer el bien a otros, para dar de comer al hambriento, y vestir al que no tiene”. Excelentes conceptos quizás, pero ambos fallan, esta historia no trata con ninguna de las dos cosas en lo absoluto. Quienes defienden estas posiciones se olvidan que Jesús tenía a un hombre parado frente a él con una pregunta  que ya se había hecho y el estaba esperando una respuesta sobre lo que él había preguntado. No se usted pero yo creo que el Señor No evadió nunca una pregunta.

LA VERDADERA INTENCION SOBRE ESTA PARABOLA

La realidad es vista en los versículos  26-28

  1. Jesús regresando a la Biblia (A.T), V26.
  2. El hombre cita LV. 19:18 y Dt. 6:5 combinados, Jesús había afirmado lo mismo en Mt 22:37
  3. La ley antigua requería amor a Dios a la perfección y amor al prójimo a la perfección y ambas  cosas debían ser hechas todo el tiempo.  Los primeros 5 mandamientos tenían que ver con amor a Dios y los otros 5 de los diez tenían que ver con amor perfecto al prójimo. Este hombre buscaba ser justificado V29.
  4. Este hombre no tenia ni una pizca de intención de como podía agradar EL a Dios.
  5. Tiró a la basura la enseñanza profunda que el Señor acababa de darle. Quería que Jesus re-definiera ¿ quien es mi prójimo?.
  6. El es indiferente al hecho de que el NO amaba a Dios perfectamente, es indiferente en cuanto a su propia salvación.
  7. Tenia su propio concepto de quien era su prójimo ( Su grupito de fariseos nada mas). Prójimo  incluía también a los enemigos y con toda claridad a los extranjeros Lev 19:34.  APLICACION: Cuantas personas en la actualidad no les interesa el como Dios define algo sino que ellos mismos van y lo re-definen, como si lo que Dios dijo no fuera suficiente, esta parábola entonces es para usted y es para mí.

LA PARABOLA ES PARA DESPEDAZAR A EL ORGULLO DE ESTE HOMBRE

Condene usted al sacerdote y al Levita y se estará condenando usted mismo

  1. SACERDOTE: En la historia el sacerdote podría traer esperanza a los oídos de la audiencia.

Ellos saben la ley de Dios y por lo tanto va a ayudar o a hacer algo. PERO NADA

  1. El LEVITA: Estos estaban para ayudar al sacerdote en las labores ceremoniales, ellos estaban a cargo del Servicio en los diferentes utensilios del templo pero. PERO NADA TAMPOCO.
  1. Condene usted al Sacerdote y al Levita y odio decir esto pero también se está condenando usted mismo, porque así es como nos comportamos la mayoría del tiempo, sea sacerdote o sea usted levita (Espiritualmente hablando).

EL SCHOCK- EL SAMARITANO

  1. Eran malos para los judíos, no tenían acceso al templo eran acusados de falsa doctrina
  2. La ofensa más grande para alguien era ser llamado así “Samaritano”  Juan 8:48
  3. Este enemigo: Lo vistió con su propia ropa, lo tuvo que haber chineado para montarlo a su propia bestia, le curó las heridas, se quedó toda noche V35 y aparte iba a pagar por su estadía de dos meses. EL Punto… Esto es amor inmensurable. ¿Quien hace todo esto, todo esto?  Ama al señor con todo tu corazón

ERROR EN EL DAR

  1. Para los que hacen obras de caridad pensando en este pasaje, deberían de leerlo dos veces.
  2. Si  al comprar un par de diarios para alguien, o vestir al pobre, o mandar dinero para cierta causa usted piensa que ya está bien, lea la historia de nuevo, tal vez usted sea más como el interprete de la ley que estaba ahí parado escuchando y no tanto al buen samaritano (Porque el cuidó de él, no nada más le dio algo).

EL CORAZON DE LA PARABOLA V36

  1. ¿ Hace usted todo esto de la parábola, todo el tiempo, de la manera perfecta? ¿ Ama usted a Dios con todo su corazón, alma y mente perfectamente y a su prójimo perfectamente todo el tiempo?
  2. La pregunta no es ¿ Quien es mi prójimo? la pregunta en este v36 es ¿ Eres TU prójimo? No se trata de saber quien califica para ser mi prójimo y amarle mas sino es ¿Soy yo un prójimo listo para amar a este prójimo que no califica ser amado?. Ve tu y has lo mismo ,  como??????????.
  3. Por esa razón nadie puede ser justificado por la ley, solo Cristo pudo hacer eso. (Gal 3:11, Rom 5:1-2, Colosenses 2:14, Efes 2:14, Mateo 5:17:18)
  4. Por nosotros mismo es imposible… La Salvación no depende de sus buenas obras NO. Nadie puede ser salvo sin antes entender su condición espiritual.

CONCLUSION

Esta historia  no esta diseñada para hacerle sentir incómodo sobre el dar o sobre la compasión o bien social.

Esta historia está diseñada para entender que bajo el A.T solo había condenación, para regresar la mirada a quién guardó la ley con perfección y para humillarse y pedir gracia y perdón. Si usted  es  un Cristiano, recuerde siempre que usted jamás llegará a ser lo suficientemente bueno para merecer la salvación, es por gracia y por amor de Dios (Efe 2:9), y usted debe vivir de acuerdo a esa gracia. Si usted no es cristiano todavía, debe reconocer su condición, comprender que está en su camino a la condenación eterna y que en ese precipicio solo el evangelio de Cristo puede rescatarle y ponerle a salvo.

 

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He was Willing to Forgive

He was Willing to Forgive

It is of a piece with the great love and compassion of Jesus Christ, that as they were lifting His battered body on high upon a cross, having beaten Him, spat upon Him, and mocked Him, He looked out over His persecutors and prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

The Scriptures remind us, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

The sins of men are manifold, and each of them was as painful to God as the next, who, in His righteousness cannot abide iniquity. Each sin is a slap in God’s face and a mocking of His authority and power. Each sin is like one of the nails that was driven into Jesus in order to crucify Him.

And yet, God so loved the world that He sent His Son to die for that world.

Jesus, looking down from the cross, knew that He was dying, not for fictional perfect people who were all goodness and light, but for the broken sinful masses of humanity who needed an opportunity for a salvation they could not provide for themselves.

And so, He could pray, in compassion, even for the ones crucifying Him, because it was those very people He was dying for. Even if they never took the opportunity to find the forgiveness He offered, He was dying so they would have the chance.

Jesus instructs His followers, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)

This is not always an easy thing, but if we wish to be followers of Christ and children of God, it is a necessary thing.

We live in a divided world, filled with animosity, tribalism, sectarianism, factions and the like. Some people are, in all honesty, hard to like because they are just so rude and hateful. Others are conniving and dishonest, ready to cheat us or use us at a moment’s notice, if they think they can get away with it.

But Jesus died for them too. Because they are exactly the sort of people that need forgiveness and compassion. Jesus said of such, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

Too often this idea is ignored in our dealings with one another, or in our conversations about others.

Politics, of late, is a good example of this. Two teams, taking sides, both insisting that the other is evil, or stupid, or treasonous. Nasty things are said of one another, and offense is taken when the other side offers a rebuttal in kind. Forgotten by many who profess a faith in Christ is that Christ died for their political opponents too.

However, politics is not the only place we see such rancor and bitterness. How many mutter angrily about their bosses, their neighbors, their children’s teacher, that person who just cut them off in traffic, those who drive too slow, the cashier in the store, or any number of other individuals throughout the day? How often do we forget, Christ died for that one too?

Christians are not to be grumblers and complainers. We are to shine as children of light in a world of darkness. Which means, learning not to speak ill of those around us. (cf. Philippians 2:14-15) More though than just learning not to grumble, Christ wants us to learn to forgive them, even as He was and is willing to forgive. The One who prayed, “Father, forgive them,” wants us to learn the same prayer. And having learned that prayer, to pray it. Again, and again. Seventy times and more if need be in a day. (cf. Matthew 18:22)

We should be thankful that Christ is merciful, because that means He was willing to die for us. For each of us individually. But if that is true of me, then it is true of the one next to me, and the one next to them. Even the ones I might be angry at. And if it is true of you, then it is true of the one next to you, and the one next to them. Even the ones you might be angry at.

So, when we get angry; when we get mad, and we want to lash out… we would be well served to take a moment and remind ourselves, “Christ died for that one too.”

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He Learned Obedience

Obedience

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

A learned response has many sources.

A learned response has many sources.

Obedience is not a popular concept today.  The preferred method of getting cooperation today is reasoning with people.  Sometimes, however, reasoning simply doesn’t get the job done.  It assumes that the person with whom you are speaking understands your reasons and agrees with you about the conclusion.  This doesn’t always happen, and there are times when it is better for one to simply obey.  The Bible speaks about reasoning with people (Isaiah 1:18), but it also speaks about obedience.  Children are supposed to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1).  Servants are to obey their masters (Colossians 3:22).  We are to obey those who have the rule over us (Hebrews 13:17).  We are to obey God (Acts 5:29).  We are to obey the truth (Galatians 3:1, 5:7).  We are to obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17).

Even Jesus learned to obey the Father.  This does not mean that He was disobedient; it simply meant that obedience needed to be practiced and understood experientially.  In turn, Jesus became our great example of obedience so that we may obey Him to receive salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9).  When we obey as we ought, we can receive great peace and joy knowing that we have followed the Lord’s will in our lives.  God’s commandments are not designed to bring grief, but peace, and when we obey the Lord’s commandments, we demonstrate our love for Him (1 John 5:1-2).  Why do we so often not want to obey?  It is due to our own pride.  Remove the pride, and obedience becomes easy, loving, and joyful.  God bless you, and I love you.

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