Spanked

Hey men,

Nobody likes a spankin' particularly dads (ok, we know the kids don't like it as well). I find myself regularly reading through the Bible and being severely spanked/confronted by what God has to say about me and my life.

Recently I was reading through the Gospels - look on the side of the page for a link for a year long plan. Perfect for guys in my opinion as they are very short passages that can be looked at and thought upon.

As I was saying, I was reading through the Gospels and came across a passage that made me stop reading, and think about how I was really acting in my own life.

The passage was in Luke chapter 14 and the verses were specifically 13 and 14. "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." It was in the context of Jesus talking about giving banquets and not just inviting your friends and family because they would just pay you back. This was talking about doing things for those that can not pay you back.

Why is that so important? Because God does it with us!

There is no way in heaven, earth or hell that we could possibly pay back even a percentage of what God has paid for us to have that relationship with him. That is GRACE!

So how was I confronted? By the people I choose to hang out with and minister to. I have to evaluate why I spend my time with certain people and not with other "certain" people. Do I go out of my way to only spend time with those I enjoy spending time with? Do I give so that I can get? Do I avoid people because they only take? Is there a balancing act to be played out?

I am still stinging a little from this spankin' but as it comes more in to focus, I will be able to understand better what God has in store for me to learn.