"Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
So this week we read and learned to be full of love and mercy and treat everyone by the same standard that we would want to treat ourselves, without any favoritism. God taught us this week to love and serve others, everyone, without regard to their wealth or status, or seeming importance, or their appearance. They are all souls, unsaved and saved, needing love, craving mercy for their many shortcomings...like we are.
Everywhere in the Bible, God cautions us about judging...criticizing...too harshly, the many others around us. Yet I am so guilty of this and feel sorrow over bringing harm to a sitution that could've been healed with love.
How do I think I can possibly understand another's heart, motives, happenings...if I myself hardly comprehend my own?? It sobers me.
But it also lifts a weight. I am heart-light that I don't need to figure everyone out. That I must only love and err on the side of showing mercy after mercy. God will make all things right if I am wrong. Because love always wins.
We learned this week to give of ourselves in this way, sometimes tangible, but not always so. There's the immediate situations all around each of us, of men and women, little ones, needing love, needing one thing here or there, that we want to attend to. Christ's love inspires us and spurs us to desiring to make such a difference. But what about those outside our elbow's reach? I'll say it's a safe bet that all of us have longed with a gut-wrenching longing, to help in a greater way in the world. To give up things and love those far away and destitute in faith and possessions.
Hubby and I talked at dinner the other night about having children - and what it might be like to also adopt one day. It brought up radical feelings in me. I crave an experience much like what he went through with his family during young years, living over the sea in a place of great need. I wonder at the life-altering effects of such a time.
And I wonder, in my selfishness, whose life am I looking to change - mine or theirs???
But maybe it's not selfish to want to change both.
Girls, Ann at A Holy Experience - a blog you probably know by now I love :) - writes a whole series on her experiences in Guatemala, and I encourage you to take a peek by reading the following post. It's ridden with beautiful pictures, and words from a moved heart.
When You Want the First Step in Fixing a Broken World
Jesus says in Matthew 26:11 that "the poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me." It's important to remember that our own relationship with the Lord is of first importance. Also, there will always be those poor and needy in our world - we can't FIX the problem.
But, following Jesus' example of healing and feeding the sick and poor, our lives too should be filled with efforts to help.
The smallest act of kindness is the axis that revolutionizes the world.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
Love on, girls.
Have a wonderful weekend, :)
~Cait
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
James 2:8-11
My response mirrored Caitlin's this morning...just realizing my utter need and dependence on God, for I will keep failing, but he cannot be anything but faithful.
With Martin Luther, too, who says, "Martin, you cannot be completely without sin, because you are still in this body. As a result, you will experience the conflict with the sinful nature. The sinful nature battles against the Spirit, just as Paul teaches. Therefore, don't give up, but fight against it so that you do not gratify these evil desires. Then you will no longer be under the law," I can empathize, "for the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." Galatians 5:17
I found some comfort in this poem this morning, written by Amy Carmichael's mother to Amy.
He who hath led will lead
All through the wilderness
He who hath fed will surely feed...
He who hath heard thy cry
Will never close His ear,
He who hath marked thy faintest sigh
Will not forget thy tear.
He loveth always, faileth never,
So rest on Him today--forever.
James 2:8-11
Good morning! :)
Just finished my reading and am thanking God for a NEW and CLEAN start today! If I'm breaking the whole law by simply stumbling in one "little" or thoughtless way, do I need that fresh beginning day after day...more like, hour after hour!!
I pray that God brings you each new joy on this beautiful morning, and that He guides and inspires your hearts into His will today.
Missing you!
Have a wonderful, love-filled day!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
(1 Corinthians 13:13)
~Cait
Just finished my reading and am thanking God for a NEW and CLEAN start today! If I'm breaking the whole law by simply stumbling in one "little" or thoughtless way, do I need that fresh beginning day after day...more like, hour after hour!!
I pray that God brings you each new joy on this beautiful morning, and that He guides and inspires your hearts into His will today.
Missing you!
Have a wonderful, love-filled day!
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
(1 Corinthians 13:13)
~Cait
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
James 2:5-7
Hello girls!
Today's reading addresses being poor in spirit versus rich in the things of this world, and I came across an old Oswald Chambers book of mine with a wonderful devotion fitting to share with you!
"The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3), literally-Blessed are the paupers-an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of today is apt to emphasize strength of will, beauty of character-the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we hear so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something our Lord never trusted. He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him-a very different thing. At the basis of Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says-Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter is as a pauper.
The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say-I wonder if I am of any use-I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believes in me, out of him shall [naturally!!] flow rivers of living water." If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.
Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remoest notion that they were influencing us. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious; if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something this is inspiring."
It is true that God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor. But, if we are blessed with riches on earth, God desires that we maintain a poor- humble -spirit that bends to his will and control in our lives.
*On a sort of side note: Since we're reading the book of James - a book of the Bible completely devoted to teaching principles on godly living, etc. - I know I may not be the only one constantly convicted and running back to Jesus with "I'm sorry" on my heart lately! It's a steady, raging war to fight the sin that creeps in. This video is a gentle reminder that our Loving Lord always brings us back to him, day after day, and forgives...and extends Grace.
"...for where sin increased, Grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20)
Be encouraged!! :)
Today's reading addresses being poor in spirit versus rich in the things of this world, and I came across an old Oswald Chambers book of mine with a wonderful devotion fitting to share with you!
"The New Testament notices things which from our standards do not seem to count. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3), literally-Blessed are the paupers-an exceedingly commonplace thing! The preaching of today is apt to emphasize strength of will, beauty of character-the things that are easily noticed. The phrase we hear so often, Decide for Christ, is an emphasis on something our Lord never trusted. He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him-a very different thing. At the basis of Christ's Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace. The thing I am blessed in is my poverty. If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says-Blessed are you, because it is through this poverty that I enter His Kingdom. I cannot enter His Kingdom as a good man or woman, I can only enter is as a pauper.
The true character of the loveliness that tells for God is always unconscious. Conscious influence is priggish and un-Christian. If I say-I wonder if I am of any use-I instantly lose the bloom of the touch of the Lord. "He that believes in me, out of him shall [naturally!!] flow rivers of living water." If I examine the outflow, I lose the touch of the Lord.
Which are the people who have influenced us most? Not the ones who thought they did, but those who had not the remoest notion that they were influencing us. In the Christian life the implicit is never conscious; if it is conscious it ceases to have this unaffected loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something this is inspiring."
It is true that God does not discriminate between the rich and the poor. But, if we are blessed with riches on earth, God desires that we maintain a poor- humble -spirit that bends to his will and control in our lives.
*On a sort of side note: Since we're reading the book of James - a book of the Bible completely devoted to teaching principles on godly living, etc. - I know I may not be the only one constantly convicted and running back to Jesus with "I'm sorry" on my heart lately! It's a steady, raging war to fight the sin that creeps in. This video is a gentle reminder that our Loving Lord always brings us back to him, day after day, and forgives...and extends Grace.
"...for where sin increased, Grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20)
Be encouraged!! :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
James 2:1-4
This week’s challenge:
Don’t show favoritism….instead show mercy!
Let's take time this week to evaluate our lives. Are we showing favoritism to anyone or any group of people? Do we realize that showing favoritism is a sin? This week ask God to open your eyes and help you identify those you may be showing favoritism to. Ask God to change your heart, making your heart more like His and helping you to love all people regardless of what they have or don’t have, what they look like, their education level, religion, their background, etc. Ask Him to help you love your neighbors as yourself and to show mercy to others just as He has shown mercy to us.
When I finished reading verses 2-4 this morning, I felt like I could replace the word "meeting" (which can be understood for us as a church service) with "workplace". I know I've shared with you before my struggles at work, and again I find more Scripture applying for me in that way! Especially as a waitress, when I depend on who walks through the door for much of my income, it can be a difficulty to treat each customer fairly, if not in action, even moreso in my heart thoughts. When a customer walks through the door wearing "shabby clothes" or who, for example, has a scruffy appearance and an unpleasant smell, it is very easy to write that person off, to not work as hard for that person, to not give them much attention, because after all, they most likely won't leave a tip, right?
On the other hand, a beautiful, richly-dressed, flowery-scented couple comes in to eat and I know I bend over backwards to make everything perfect, because I know they'll do something for me in return, perhaps leave me over $5 when all is said and done! haha
It's outrageous how I act when money, beauty, wealth, importance, or confidence is involved. When the possibility of being complimented by a hefty tip comes around, boy do I give it my every thought and attention. It doesn't need to be a tip as a waitress that condemns me. It is anything I figure someone can do for me that prompts me to love or serve them more than another.
We are so ingrained to measure others by an earthly standard, to judge them without even thinking! - by appearances only. Before we know it, the judgement it made, and we are convicted of sinning against the 8th Commandment, and we stand condemned before our Lord, who uses no such measuring stick, who separates no man from another.
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23) Wearing the newest clothes or having the most cash...looking and acting the nicest does not bring us closer to the glory of God. Neither does having and looking like close to nothing - poor, ugly, or sick - take one further from the glory of God than the former. We are all on the same plane to God. We are sinful human beings in need of a Savior.
Realizing the weight of this in my dealings with strangers, with customers...I long for the eyes of Jesus all the more. I confess that my eyes and heart are terribly faulty in being convinced I know how to accurately judge another, in ANY way, but especially by appearances!
I pray that God would change my heart into less of a selfish one, that I would realize, in the case of my work, that money is so unimportant compared to the possibility of being a witness of Jesus' love to someone seemingly "unfit" for attention. Is a mere dollar or two really worth that much to me to pass over, myself all puffed up, one that needs my love and service all the more?
My goodness, studying James a few verses at a time in such depth really exposes all the cracks in my faith-life. It's easy to think I'm being a Christian and all, and so easy to pass over the "little sins" that speckle my days. But no, God sees the best thing to be urging us all forward in sanctification. It is not good to stay where we are, girls, he wants us to move forward in our understanding of him, to keep growing.
I'm thankful for this. It's a discomfort to realize these things but a glorious reality when I know Christ's grace and sufficiency is enough for me in my weaknesses of learning and growing.
Praying for you all as God reveals to each of you what he wants you to know - and as we work on this week's challenge! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait
Don’t show favoritism….instead show mercy!
Let's take time this week to evaluate our lives. Are we showing favoritism to anyone or any group of people? Do we realize that showing favoritism is a sin? This week ask God to open your eyes and help you identify those you may be showing favoritism to. Ask God to change your heart, making your heart more like His and helping you to love all people regardless of what they have or don’t have, what they look like, their education level, religion, their background, etc. Ask Him to help you love your neighbors as yourself and to show mercy to others just as He has shown mercy to us.
When I finished reading verses 2-4 this morning, I felt like I could replace the word "meeting" (which can be understood for us as a church service) with "workplace". I know I've shared with you before my struggles at work, and again I find more Scripture applying for me in that way! Especially as a waitress, when I depend on who walks through the door for much of my income, it can be a difficulty to treat each customer fairly, if not in action, even moreso in my heart thoughts. When a customer walks through the door wearing "shabby clothes" or who, for example, has a scruffy appearance and an unpleasant smell, it is very easy to write that person off, to not work as hard for that person, to not give them much attention, because after all, they most likely won't leave a tip, right?
On the other hand, a beautiful, richly-dressed, flowery-scented couple comes in to eat and I know I bend over backwards to make everything perfect, because I know they'll do something for me in return, perhaps leave me over $5 when all is said and done! haha
It's outrageous how I act when money, beauty, wealth, importance, or confidence is involved. When the possibility of being complimented by a hefty tip comes around, boy do I give it my every thought and attention. It doesn't need to be a tip as a waitress that condemns me. It is anything I figure someone can do for me that prompts me to love or serve them more than another.
We are so ingrained to measure others by an earthly standard, to judge them without even thinking! - by appearances only. Before we know it, the judgement it made, and we are convicted of sinning against the 8th Commandment, and we stand condemned before our Lord, who uses no such measuring stick, who separates no man from another.
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23) Wearing the newest clothes or having the most cash...looking and acting the nicest does not bring us closer to the glory of God. Neither does having and looking like close to nothing - poor, ugly, or sick - take one further from the glory of God than the former. We are all on the same plane to God. We are sinful human beings in need of a Savior.
Realizing the weight of this in my dealings with strangers, with customers...I long for the eyes of Jesus all the more. I confess that my eyes and heart are terribly faulty in being convinced I know how to accurately judge another, in ANY way, but especially by appearances!
I pray that God would change my heart into less of a selfish one, that I would realize, in the case of my work, that money is so unimportant compared to the possibility of being a witness of Jesus' love to someone seemingly "unfit" for attention. Is a mere dollar or two really worth that much to me to pass over, myself all puffed up, one that needs my love and service all the more?
My goodness, studying James a few verses at a time in such depth really exposes all the cracks in my faith-life. It's easy to think I'm being a Christian and all, and so easy to pass over the "little sins" that speckle my days. But no, God sees the best thing to be urging us all forward in sanctification. It is not good to stay where we are, girls, he wants us to move forward in our understanding of him, to keep growing.
I'm thankful for this. It's a discomfort to realize these things but a glorious reality when I know Christ's grace and sufficiency is enough for me in my weaknesses of learning and growing.
Praying for you all as God reveals to each of you what he wants you to know - and as we work on this week's challenge! :)
Love in Him,
~Cait
James 2:1
"My [sisters], as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism."
The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther that I thought tied well into yesterday's verse. This one was selected for a devotion based on I Timothy 1:5:
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
"Love, as everyone already knows, is simply being kind to someone, showing that person goodness, and offering friendship...Choosing a couple of people who are pleasing to you, who do what you want, and then being friendly to those people is a long way from love. This is a soiled love that doesn't come from a pure heart. It's nothing more than dirt.
For love that flows 'from a pure heart' thinks this way: God has commanded me to direct my love to my neighbor. My heavenly Father wants me to be favorable to everyone whether friends or enemies, just as he is. He lets the sun rise and shine on both good and evil people. God shows goodness to those who continually dishonor him and misuse what he has provided through their disobedience, blasphemy, sin, and shameful behavior. In the same way, he lets rain fall on both the thankful and the unthankful. He give money, property, and all types of things from the earth to the very worst scoundrels. Why does he do this? He does it out of genuine, pure love. is heart is full and overflowing with love. He pours his love over everyone, leaving no one out, whether good or bad, worthy or unworthy. This love is righteous, godly, whole and complete. It doesn't single out certain people or separate people into groups. He freely give his love to all." -Martin Luther
Thank you, God, for your love outpoured on me! I don't deserve this kind of love; help me to remember this when I am hesitant to love or seek out others based on anything. You love all. Help me to love all.
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