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September 22, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works

Do They Know We Are Christians by Our Love?

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. [John 13:35 (NLT)]

Instead of wearing a cross, having a bumper sticker quoting John 3:16, or even quoting Scripture regularly in our conversations, there is another and better way to show the world we are Christians. The world will know we are Christians by the way we treat other people, no matter what their faith (or position) may happen to be.

Today I ask myself, does the world know I am Christ’s disciple by the way I treat my family, fellow workers, employees, and friends? How about all of the other people I encounter in a day: the waiters and bus boys, sales clerks and bank tellers, the mailman, bus driver and janitor? What about that annoying neighbor, the more annoying telemarketer, the homeless man on the sidewalk and the rude driver who cut me off in traffic? Do I treat everyone with love and respect or just the people that I already like or value?

“They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” [written by Peter Scholtes]

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
They will know we are Christians by our love

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September 21, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Thanks & Praise

Positive Thinking

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)]

Lord, direct my thoughts. Guide me so that I am thankful for what I have and not disappointed about what is missing. Help me focus on merits instead of imperfections and possibilities rather than drawbacks. Instead of weighing other people’s faults, open my eyes to their virtues. If I brood about my failures, remind me of past achievements and when I’m apprehensive about tomorrow, help me consider the possibilities of future joy.

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September 20, 2013

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God's Promises, Trusting God

Why do the wicked seem to prosper?

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! [Psalm 73:16 (NLT)]

Sometimes it appears that it is the wicked who live a life of ease and the virtuous who endure the most hardships. Even though it often seems that those who least deserve it have the most good fortune, bitterness and envy must never enter our hearts. God blesses us and He blesses others; what God chooses to give other people is not our business. Whether or not they “deserve” their blessings or misfortunes is not ours to determine and why the wicked sometimes seem to thrive while the good suffer is not ours to know. It is God who determines what happens not only in this life, but also in the next! The prosperity of the wicked is temporary while the reward to the righteous is everlasting!

Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. [Proverbs 23:17-18 (NLT)]

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. [Isaiah 57:21 (NLT)]

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September 17, 2013

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God's Grace & Love

He Loves Us All

The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, powerful, and awe-inspiring God. He never plays favorites and never takes a bribe. [Deuteronomy 10:17 (GW)]

Thank you, Lord, for loving each of us as if we were your only child!

Then Peter said, “Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.” [Acts 10:34-35 (GW)]

It matters not what race or gender,
Rich or poor or great or small,
The God who made us is not partial;
He sent Christ to die for all. [Dennis DeHaan]

 

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September 16, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Plan, Trusting God

His Way is Better

2013-9-16“My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9 (GW)]

Lord, help me to understand, and when I cannot understand help me accept. Give me the courage to trust my life and future to your hands. Remind me that when life seems upside down, it is right side up to you!