I Love That Person, And That Person, And That Person Too!

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1

It is easy to look at someone and not know their 'story' and to form an opinion or judgment about them. I have done it and I am trying to stop it with God's help. One solution to it is to go through your day and when you tend to want to be judgmental instead silently say "I love that person" and so on. Try to look at all people through the eyes of Jesus and with compassion. If we are naming the name of Jesus and are to be His hands and feet here on Earth then we certainly do not want to go about our day being silently critical and judging our fellow man. 

Maybe you were brought up in a home where there was a critical spirit. If so recognize that and confess it and then it is time to move beyond that. Do not use the past as an excuse for everything. I know it is hard to be with people who constantly find fault with others and you certainly do not want to be one of those. Maybe you do it and are not even aware of it.

Try to start each day out and make up your mind that nothing bad will come from your mouth, and  that you will control your thought life as well. Satan wants you to be critical and condemn as then you do not make a very good example for Christ. Go into the world today and love others and speak kindly of them. 

PRAYER: I want to be more like you Jesus in what I think, say, and do. Forgive me if I have ever formed judgments against my fellow man. It is not my place to judge but to love. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

LOVE DOES NOT JUDGE

Recently I saw the new Hollywood movie, Gimme Shelter, which has a decidedly pro life and Christian message which I found refreshing. In the movie a down and out pregnant unmarried teen was played by actress Vanessa Hudgens.

This movie made you want to stand up and cheer at the end because of the forgiveness displayed. The way this character looked with tattoos and body piercing she would have been wrongly judged and cast off by many. The compassion of a caring lady turned her life around.

There are "street people" everywhere. We do not know "their story" so it is not up to us to judge. Hebrews 13:2(NIV) says 'Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.' The beggar, the prostitute, the thief, the murderer, the alcoholic, the homeless, the dregs of society all are loved by God. We need to find a way to be kind to all people and show kindness. Not everyone can take a homeless pregnant teen in an change her life but all of us can do something.

PRAYER: Make me your humble servant Lord. I may not go to a faraway mission filed to meet needs but direct my path to people who are hurting here who need your love. Use me to help demonstrate it. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

PEDESTAL FALL

 

Recently I heard the sad story of a popular Youth/College Pastor who

had been arrested for some bizarre antics. Instead of condemnation of this young minister or

talking bad about him because he is from a mega church and you only go

for denominational smaller churches, it is time to pray and love, not

judge him.

Just because a person is a pastor or church worker we sort of expect

the best out of them and put them up on a "spiritual pedestal" that we

think they could never fall from. All if us are capable of sin and the

enemy especially rejoices when he gets a church leader to tumble off

that "pedestal".

Is it not true as a believer we are to be gracious with our mouth

meaning what comes out of it? When you start ridiculing a person or

putting he or she down maybe it is time for a mouth check. We all have faults and slip ups. Just because a person is up in front of people at church does not mean they are not going through a hidden struggle.

Romans 3:10(NASB) reminds us 'There is none righteous no not one.' Isaiah 64:6(NIV) says 'All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.' Romans 3:23(NIV) says 'We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.'

We need to constantly be on our guard against spiritual warfare as Satan is out there loving to destroy the testimony of Christians or bringing trouble their way. Do not "beat up" those who are wounded and judge them, as you never know when you might be in a similar situation.

Matthew 26:41(NIV) reminds us 'Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus as the old hymn goes, "I need you every hour" and oh how true that is. When I let down my guard or do not take time each day to spend time with you I am leaving home without my proper spiritual "armor" on then I am vulnerable to attacks of the enemy. Lord show me how to pray for those who are caught up in something that is hurting them or their ministry. In Jesus' name. Amen!

THE ARM TELLS THE STORY

While writing one day at a local coffee shop, a friendly lady with a tattoo on her upper arm, walked in and was waiting on her coffee. I am not a tattoo person and it is not for me to judge this issue one way or the other. Anyway she had a beautiful flower and what appeared to be the word "God" on her arm so I proceeded to ask her what it said. I do not remember it exactly but it was something to the effect that "God can get me through anything" or something similar. I gave her a thumbs up. Then I said to myself "Perfect devotion topic".

Christians can put on cross necklaces and take them off. We can have a Christian decal on our car but it can be scraped off if we change our mind. There are many fine Christian  tee shirts or neck ties for men that can be purchased. Once again they can be removed. A tattoo is pretty permanent so the person better be sure what they want before doing it.

When we represent Christ to others we need to be acting Christlike. If you don a Christian garment then better try to be a good witness. Same with the bumper sticker on your vehicle. Watch that speed! But it is rather hard to run away from a permanent skin marking. Other than covering it up with a sweater or jacket, it is there. If you start acting up there it is. I know we all sin and fall short of God's glory as it says in Romans 3:23.

This illustration though I thought was a good one. When you are out and about whether people can "tell" you are a believer or not we still should be acting like his "ambassadors" here on Earth.(2 Corinthians 5:20).  Are you being a good representative for Him or is there an area in your life that need some tweaking?

Colossians 3:17(NIV) reminds us 'whatever you do whether in word or deed , do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the opportunity I have each day to show and share your love with those I come in contact with. I love to let your light shine so help me be the best example possible. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHAT ARE YOU "EATING"?

What do you have a constant "diet" of? I am not referring necessarily
to food but you have to consume the right amount of food and the right
types to stay healthy and within a good weight for your height. You
have to drink water to flush out toxins. Don't sit down and watch soap
operas all day unless you want to feed your brain on that . In a
similar way, don't play violent video games or your mind could be
affected. Pornography can captivate both men, and yes, women too so do
not even go there. Even some radio and TV shows can place wrong
thinking in your head. I urge caution and praying if you are in doubt
about something. Many things become your "daily diet" and tend to
shape you if you are not careful. Whatever you feed upon you tend to
drift towards.

The prescription for leading a good life pleasing to God is to feed on
good things. Turn on Christian worship music to lift you up. You can
listen to KLOVE on line I know and here in my area WAY FM is an
excellent choice. There may be some used to the old hymns which I am
not meaning to condemn but some of today's Christian artists have
awesome songs of worship that can really lift you up. I often include
one with my devotions to help set a mood. Give them a chance and I
think you will be pleasantly surprised.

In Romans 12:2(NIV) it reminds us ' Do not conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing
and perfect will.' To be conformed to the world is to fit in a little
too much where the things of the world seem to be more important than
God. Is there something in your life you find you give more time to
than our Lord Jesus Christ? Just ponder that for a while. Do you get
up each day and look forward to spending time in reading God's word?
The only way to be conformed to Christ's image is to spend time in the
word, pray and you will slowly take on the character of Christ. Do you
spend more time with Oprah or Good Morning America than in time with
God. Which of those things do you think are shaping you then?

Christ does not bicker about denominations and who should not have

tattoos or earrings. He does not say 'Oh look at so and so. Can you

believe they do not have a tie on?' Jesus wants you to come as you are
to the throne of grace. He does not have a dress code for going to his
house to worship although many churches sort of make things up to seem
acceptable. The main thing is do you love the Lord your God with all
your heart, soul, and mind or are you too worried about other people
and what they do and your way is the only right way? He wants your
undivided attention and he wants to be what you feed upon. Why not get
your Bible out of hiding and pick it up and start with the book of
Psalms and ask God to show things to you in His word. Be blessed to be
a blessing.

Colossians 3:1(NIV) says "Since, then, you have been raised with

Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God." Are you able to set your mind and heart on things
above or are your passions to consumed in this world and its' passing
fantasies?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to be transformed to your image. I want the
light of Jesus to radiate from me. I know when I gripe, bicker,
complain, condemn, judge or belittle I am not acting as you would act.
Forgive me. Today I choose to "feast" upon the word of God so I can be
strong in the Lord and take on the character of Christ. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

Click link below for a worship song to get your mind focused on things above:
http://youtu.be/8vNPcmLzlvI