#31dbc! Only one more day of the October Blogging Challenge! The month has gone by fast, fall will soon turn to winter, Christmas shopping is in full swing for most by now. We are turning to a season of love and thankfulness...
But so many times “THINGS” get in the way and we get this all turned around. We love our THINGS so much so that we take them everywhere we go. We can’t live without them.
A good example is the cell phone. There really was a time in life we lived without this small electronic gadget…and survived! Today is an entirely different story. We rise in the morning and it is either the first thing we unplug from the charger or the first we plug into, if the iPad was charging through the night! We carry it with us all throughout the day, take it with us to lunch and dinner, carry it in our pocket or purse and then back to bed with us at night.
Do we use people for our personal gain? If we know that they can help get us a raise or promotion? Yes, we all do it even if it is subtle, we are guilty.
But Jesus said to do unto others as you would have them treat you…
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.” Luke 6:31-34 NLT.
Let us be careful today to get these in the right order:
Love People and Use Things, according to His Word!
#31dbc! Another beautiful fall day! Today is a tough subject and I am preaching to ME! You all are welcome to listen in…
This isn’t just about gossip, although gossip is a huge problem.
This isn’t just about talking behind our brother or sister’s back, but that is wrong too. We all are guilty.
I’m not just touching on the subject of “Oh, let me tell you about ‘Jim and Judy’ so you can ‘pray’ for them…”, when the time spent telling the “prayer request” could have been spent actually praying. Ouch.
The Lord reminded me of several things on the subject: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV. Meaning it could very easily be ME that needs the help the next time! It could be ME that my “friends” are talking about next week! Take heed! Be careful who you are talking about this week…or as the saying goes that we see so much of lately…
And this gem:
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5,6 NKJV.
Your gentleness. That seems Christ-like.
He would show mercy. He wouldn’t run and tell others. He would go straight to the one with the NEED. The one who had the problem. He would offer a helping hand!
Show them your gentleness. What can we DO for them? We can pray, make our requests known to God. Show them kindness, love and extend mercy. And if appropriate and necessary, go a step further. Do they need assistance? Do they need physical substance? If the need is obvious, fill it! If you aren’t sure, listen and let God tell you what to do!
The more I pray for the needs, quirks, and even sins, of my family, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in Christ, the less time I will have to pry and gossip.
Be blessed.
