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March 22, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Forgiveness

People Who Live in Glass Houses

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. [Matthew 7:1-2 (MSG)]

Father, thank you for the reminder that the only condemning I should be doing is of me, not of my brothers and sisters. May I always remember that old phrase, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones!” Keep me from a critical frame of mind so I always think the best of others, as I hope they do of me.

What we really want is to evaluate those around us with a divine justice, while we want them to evaluate us with a divine compassion. [From “Pieces of Eight” by Sidney Harris]

It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. [Matthew 7:3-5 (MSG)]

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March 21, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

Each in HIs Own Way

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. [Romans 12:6a (NLT)]

Some of us are like Martha, busy doing for others, and some are like Gideon, reluctant servants. Some are like John the Baptist, loudly exhorting, and others are like Martha’s sister Mary, quietly listening and worshiping. Some of us are leaders, like Peter, and others are like Thomas, searchers for the truth. Some, like Paul, are dedicated evangelists and others, like Solomon, have great wisdom. Isaiah had the gift of prophesy and John had the gift of love.

Thank you, Lord, for the variety of gifts you’ve given to us, your children. May we never fail to use our gifts to your glory and may we always respect the way that other people serve you.

Just as our bodies have many special parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. [Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)]

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March 20, 2014

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Fruit of the Spirit, God's Promises, Peace of God, Trusting God

HOW SAFE ARE OUR HOMES?

If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert. [Psalm 127:1 (GW)]

A Naples, Florida, real estate ad recently touted a house with a 35-camera security system “set up so if you travel or leave your kids with a sitter, you would have peace of mind.” Another exclusive neighborhood brags about their 24-hour private security patrols and surveillance cameras. One home in that neighborhood is notable for having doors that can withstand the force of a rocket propelled grenade. Do these people truly have security and peace of mind? What does it take for us to feel safe in our homes?

Gated communities, security patrols, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, bullet proof glass and fortified doors can’t protect anyone from Alzheimer’s, addiction, floods, heart-break, cancer, depression, the loss of a child or spouse, financial ruin, or our own death. These things will happen to believers and non-believers alike. The Book of Job makes that abundantly clear. Those who have faith, however, will be sustained through their difficulties. Only in God do we find a true guarantee of security and peace.

My people will live in a peaceful place, in safe homes and quiet places of rest. [Isaiah 32:18 (GW)]

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March 18, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” [John 8:12 (NCV)]

Oh Lord, sometimes our lives turn bleak and gloomy; the dark shadows of distress and futility hinder our view of you. Shine your light on us. Open our eyes. Help us to see you in the darkness of fear, sadness and discouragement. Free us from our prisons of despair!

You will help the blind to see. You will free those who are in prison, and you will lead those who live in darkness out of their prison. [Isaiah 42:7 (NCV)]

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” by Graham Kendrickpainted lady (american lady) -CLIL58-1WEB

 Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining.
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance.
By the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine;
Fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
Set out hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your Word, Lord,
And let there be light.

 

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March 17, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith

There Are Still Many Martyrs Today

Because of me you will be taken to stand before governors and kings, and you will tell them and the non-Jewish people about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given the things to say. It will not really be you speaking but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:18-20 (NCV)]

According to persecution.org, this past week eight Christians were arrested in Shush, Iran, for the crime of “spreading Christianity;” a church being constructed by Christians in Islamabad, Pakistan, was bulldozed by angry Muslim neighbors; Islamic extremists in Somalia publicly beheaded two women for being Christians; and, in Sri Lanka, a mob of over 250 people, led by Buddhist extremist monks, broke into a Christian pastor’s home and beat him and his wife.

These Christians knew how much it could cost them to speak up for Jesus, but they also knew it would cost them a great deal more not to speak at all. In this nation, we’re not likely to be persecuted for being Christians or arrested for sharing our faith. We should boldly witness for Christ and yet few of us do. What’s our excuse? While Christians elsewhere are being arrested and tried for their faith, most of us are silent about ours. Our silence is a denial of Christ. Beware, we may find ourselves in the highest court, in front of another judge, if we don’t stand before others right now and speak of our belief.

All those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me. But all who stand before others and say they do not believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they do not belong to me. [Matthew 10:32-33 (NCV)]

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March 16, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope

When Others Aren’t There to Speak for Themselves

You should defend those who cannot help themselves. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. [Proverbs 31:8-9 (TLB)]

We were over 100 feet in the air, eight of us enclosed in a small gondola cabin for nine minutes. Instead of the usual chit chat about snow conditions, the man across from me spoke in a derogatory way about a certain group of people. The silence that followed his vitriol was deafening. All sorts of thoughts went through my head: do I ignore him or defend them, how should I do it and what should I say? I finally spoke, somewhat timidly, and was surprised when others joined me, including members of his own family. This man was lovingly and gently brought to task and, hopefully, enlightened just a bit. I spoke up that day but, unfortunately, there are many more times that I don’t.

Lord, forgive us for those times we’ve remained silent when we should have spoken. Forgive us for not trusting you to supply the words that need to be said. Show us how to depend not on our knowledge or rhetoric but on your divine assistance. Give us the words, the ability to say them gently and the sense to know when we should speak and when we should not.

“You must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!” [Jeremiah 1:7b-9 (NLT)]