Wednesday, May 26, 2010
hurt & healed
Colossians 3
Since you have died, set your minds on the things above ... bearing with one another, tolerating one another, forgiving one another. Put off ... (a long list) & put on ... The first thing we're told to put on is a heart of compassion.
I think it's interesting that compassion is the first thing to put on. Compassion does not come naturally. Selfishness comes a little more naturally. However, after we've been hurt & healed we begin to realize how everybody is in some way or another "disabled" and in pain. This does give us more compassion for others.
The Bible make it clear that in the last days hearts will grow cold. As that coldness continues to grow, compassion will stick out more and more. People in need will be drawn to those with a heart of compassion.
Lord, help me show compassion to someone in need today.
Since you have died, set your minds on the things above ... bearing with one another, tolerating one another, forgiving one another. Put off ... (a long list) & put on ... The first thing we're told to put on is a heart of compassion.
I think it's interesting that compassion is the first thing to put on. Compassion does not come naturally. Selfishness comes a little more naturally. However, after we've been hurt & healed we begin to realize how everybody is in some way or another "disabled" and in pain. This does give us more compassion for others.
The Bible make it clear that in the last days hearts will grow cold. As that coldness continues to grow, compassion will stick out more and more. People in need will be drawn to those with a heart of compassion.
Lord, help me show compassion to someone in need today.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
To his own master he stands or falls ...
Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls ... and stand he will."
I guess I never through of myself as being very judgmental. Maybe I even prided myself in just plain not being judgmental.
Until yesterday, when I said what I thought and it was clearly a judgment of another's character and motives. I was busted. Since then the Lord has been showing me how I have been judging the motives of others, and how I have been anticipating their actions/words based on what I have judged their character and motives to be. The result? I interpret the results the way I anticipated.
What God has shown me is that their actual motives will judge me in the end. Jesus said this when He told the Pharisees "Moses shall judge you" and "your sons will judge you," or when He told the people of His generation "the men of Nineveh shall judge this generation" or "the queen of the south will judge you.
Lord, forgive me for reading into the motives of others. Help me to have discernment and wisdom as I deal with others, without judging their motives or character.
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls ... and stand he will."
I guess I never through of myself as being very judgmental. Maybe I even prided myself in just plain not being judgmental.
Until yesterday, when I said what I thought and it was clearly a judgment of another's character and motives. I was busted. Since then the Lord has been showing me how I have been judging the motives of others, and how I have been anticipating their actions/words based on what I have judged their character and motives to be. The result? I interpret the results the way I anticipated.
What God has shown me is that their actual motives will judge me in the end. Jesus said this when He told the Pharisees "Moses shall judge you" and "your sons will judge you," or when He told the people of His generation "the men of Nineveh shall judge this generation" or "the queen of the south will judge you.
Lord, forgive me for reading into the motives of others. Help me to have discernment and wisdom as I deal with others, without judging their motives or character.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Into the Clearing
I have a friend, Tammy, whose son died just a while back. She recently wrote an amazing ode to her emerging from the darkness. I could identify with it so well. I think that those who have emerged from the darkenss themselves, by God's grace, will identify also.
Into The Clearing
I have been wandering in a dank, dark forest. Wolves have been nipping at my heels throughout the night. I can smell the leaves rotting on the cold, wet ground. It has been an interminable night. I know that God has been guiding me through this trial, but I have traveled too long, and I am bone weary...
I look up,and slowly, in the distance I perceive a ribbon of pink on the horizon. The dark gray of the night lightens to reveal spaces between the trees that surround me. A warm breeze carries the scent of wild flowers to me, and shafts of golden sunlight pierce the darkness.
A melody begins. A sweet alto voice calls out to all that God is faithful. She is joined by a clear tenor, followed by a warm, rich bass.
I step into the clearing, and the warmth of the sun envelops me. I join my soprano with the harmony of the beauty God has created. More people emerge from the darkness and step into the light. We all raise our voices to the One who has brought us through the night. A dance of praise to Him begins. Our fatigue melts away as we are given perfect rest. The night is finally over and God has brought us through.
Into The Clearing
I have been wandering in a dank, dark forest. Wolves have been nipping at my heels throughout the night. I can smell the leaves rotting on the cold, wet ground. It has been an interminable night. I know that God has been guiding me through this trial, but I have traveled too long, and I am bone weary...
I look up,and slowly, in the distance I perceive a ribbon of pink on the horizon. The dark gray of the night lightens to reveal spaces between the trees that surround me. A warm breeze carries the scent of wild flowers to me, and shafts of golden sunlight pierce the darkness.
A melody begins. A sweet alto voice calls out to all that God is faithful. She is joined by a clear tenor, followed by a warm, rich bass.
I step into the clearing, and the warmth of the sun envelops me. I join my soprano with the harmony of the beauty God has created. More people emerge from the darkness and step into the light. We all raise our voices to the One who has brought us through the night. A dance of praise to Him begins. Our fatigue melts away as we are given perfect rest. The night is finally over and God has brought us through.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Good Grief?
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word.
This sends me back to thoughts of a few weeks ago - that the devil heard God say that if we eat of the fruit we will be like God, knowing good and evil.
I believe that was God's design - for us to know good and evil ... and to choose good. The devil, as usual, twisted it into something perverted.
Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Why wouldn't we? We are made in God's image. I have become convinced that God wants to populate heaven with humans who, knowing good and evil, have chosen good. I believe that when we are transported into glory that we will be confirmed in that choice - being like God, understanding good and evil, and choosing Good. Like the hymn: O that will be, glory for me.
The Psalmist repeats his idea again in 119:71 where he says "It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes."
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word.
This sends me back to thoughts of a few weeks ago - that the devil heard God say that if we eat of the fruit we will be like God, knowing good and evil.
I believe that was God's design - for us to know good and evil ... and to choose good. The devil, as usual, twisted it into something perverted.
Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Why wouldn't we? We are made in God's image. I have become convinced that God wants to populate heaven with humans who, knowing good and evil, have chosen good. I believe that when we are transported into glory that we will be confirmed in that choice - being like God, understanding good and evil, and choosing Good. Like the hymn: O that will be, glory for me.
The Psalmist repeats his idea again in 119:71 where he says "It was good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes."
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