Interconnected thoughts

Mark 3:33-35 (HCSB)

He replied to them, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"  And looking about at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother."

These verses really motivates us to seek out God's will and do what He's already to us to do ... and not just study and hear His word.  Of course, as we do what He says and constantly commune with Him, we draw closer and know what He wants in a better way.

James 1:22 (HCSB)

But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Along the same lines, to be a friend of Jesus', we have to obey His commands.

John 15:14 (HCSB)

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Which (I'm not backing this up with Bible, but I think it's fairly logical.  Feel free to argue if you see something wrong.) I would take to mean that being familiar (like family) with God is more than just following rules, and more of just loving Him and other people.

Matthew 22:37, 39 (HCSB)

He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Which of course means:

Luke 6:31 (HCSB)

Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

And we would follow Jesus' example of loving ... and living really.  Otherwise, He wouldn't give us this command:

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Cuz... you know... all those rules... They're not there so we can get on the "good side" of God.  They're for our own good.  For example the Sabbath:

Mark 2:27 (HCSB)

Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath."

God loved His people so much, He literally commanded them to take a break, so their bodies wouldn't break down.
All He wants is to love us with His unlimited and unconditional love and that we would love Him back.  And you can't very well love someone if you don't obey Him.

Anyways... just some thoughts from Bible reading...

Mizzoria~

Irresponsible

[Begin Rant]

Ok, so I'm not all huge on "save the planet and nature before saving humans" and I'm not sure about the reliability of the video above, but I do believe America especially has been irresponsible and terribly wasteful in the past and this video gives an inkling of the consequences of our actions.  Like, you don't know how annoyed I am at Americans being wasteful.  We are indeed commanded by God to be stewards of this earth and we're acting  like spoiled brats who don't care except that we get what we want.

[End Rant]

Oh tomorrow are the presidential elections, people, so go vote!  Don't waste the freedom you have in this country!

Mizzoria~

Charges

From 2nd Timothy 4 (HCSB) -

I solemnly charge you [...]: 
Proclaim the message, 
persist in it
whether convenient or not,
rebuke, correct, and encourage 
with great patience and teaching.

....... ....... ....... ....... .......

But as for you, 
be serious about everything,
endure hardship,
do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.

I think that's pretty straightforward about what we as Christians should be living like.  He never said it was going to be easy.  In fact, people should know, it's going to be the hardest thing you ever have to go though. And if it isn't hard... then you're not doing it right.  Thoughts?

Mizzoria~