Hmmm!

Hmmm! When I look at other people - do I look at them through the eyes of Jesus, or through the eyes of a Pharisee?

Too often, I think, through the eyes of a Pharisee!

I don't like it. I'm not proud of it. But I think it's true. I think I have some work to do!! (Or rather, I think it's time to allow God to do some work in me!)

Obedience vs Understanding

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5

I love this scripture verse. I think it is very powerful and full of wisdom in itself. Many of us say - and even believe, that we trust God. But, when it comes right down to it, our acts reflect our own understanding rather than our trust in God's wisdom. When we can't reconcile our opinion with Scripture, we often times twist the words of Scripture in order to support our opinion. Other times we choose to remain ignorant of Scripture saying "I've never seen that in the bible" when in fact we never really take the time to search and understand.

Thus we have people, who profess to be Christians, who profess to trust God, and yet they remain divided on key issues which leave many outsiders wondering "What exactly do Christians believe?"

It takes true humility - and courage, I believe to act according to God's wisdom, rather than our own understanding. It takes humility to be 'obedient' to any authority that tells me I can't follow my own desires - especially when I don't understand the reasons.

John 14:23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

This promise of Jesus is reason enough for me to obey, in spite of the fact that I don't understand.

Prayer

I need to remember that the purpose of prayer is not to bend God to MY will. The purpose of prayer is to open me up to God's will allowing Him to transform me into His image and likeness.

Transformation

If I don't first allow the Gospel message to transform my own life - how can I expect it to transform the lives of others? How can I expect the world to become a better place - if I can't even become a better person?

There's always room for growth. I can't get where God wants me to be overnight - but I can take a step toward that place everyday.

Forgiveness

God does not excuse me from forgiving someone because they have treated me badly. Rather, it is WHEN someone treats me badly that God INVITES me to forgive.

Spiritual Beings

WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH
A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH
A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE. (Anonymous)


This is easy for us to get backwards, is it not?

Gratitude

Why is it so hard for us to recognize the good in our lives, acknowledge it and be grateful for it?