Stop Comparing

 

 

When we expose the sin of others, is our HIDDEN sin any less evil in His eyes?

 

Comparing and elevating ourselves above others adds no value or growth to our lives. Whether we think our sin count was single digits today in what we chose to be a "minor sin category" and someone else doubled that in the "bigger sin arena," fact is, we all need the same blood to make us clean.  We all need the same forgiveness. 

 

God does not operate with a "totem pole" scoring system.  Our righteousness is not based on a point system... I think it's time we step out from behind our white washed walls (Acts 23:3) or self righteous fancy umbrellas :)  Come on.  We can all  commit to this together.  We can stop keeping score, categorizing sin, and talking about how messy someone else's life is while standing in our own pool of filth.  Let's use that time to spend with the only One with whom we should be comparing ourselves to.  In being with Him, we become more like Him, and can reach out in love to a people He came to deliver.

 

Father, help us to view others through Your eyes.  Let us not see someone else's sin as opportunity to puff ourselves up. Though our sin may not always be something that is publicly seen, we know there are things hidden in us that grieve Your heart.  We want to make that right with You. Forgive us for thinking we can expose the sin of another and keep ours in secret.  We commit to pray for those who are in bondage or choosing ways apart from You. Lord, help us to be conscious to walk in the mind of Christ so we leave no room for self righteousness to infiltrate our hearts.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Being Perfect

Matthew 5:48, "Be PERFECT, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." 

Have you ever struggled over this Scripture?  Some people may throw their hands thinking if this is what it means to be a Christian, I can never measure up, and end up walking away from a relationship with Christ or half heartedly serving Him because it seems pointless to even try something that appears unobtainable. 

The word 'perfect' (teleios)  has several meanings.  One definition is "completion," and another is "the appropriate state at the appropriate time."  For instance, a tree that has no leaves in winter is perfect.  It is at the appropriate stage for the appropriate time. 

We have to stop comparing ourselves to others and we have to stop pointing the finger  expecting that others be where we are.  I know it’s human nature to want to compare sins, place people at different sin degrees.  We play "Let's Compare" instead of noticing the log in our own eye and being grateful that Jesus loves us despite, will meet us where we are, and as long as our heart is to serve and please Him ~ we are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time!  Does this mean we aren't ever to keep one another accountable and spur one another on?  Of course not.  But that's a different message :)

Like any relationship, it takes time to grow.  If it is a relationship that you are cultivating and desiring deeper intimacy, you will pass through different stages to get to that level.  It takes time to develop. Our relationship with Christ is no different.   In a relationship, you will either be moving forward or moving backwards.  There is growth to this thing that must take place.  But I want to encourage you that if your heart is fixed on a sincere desire to follow Christ, you are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time... To God, this is to be perfect.  Without flaw? No, but definitely on your way to completeness...

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return), developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." Philippians 1:6

My Brooke

 

 

 

Your smile lights up the room

Contagious is your laugh

Nine years ago you were born

You're growing up so fast

I pray for God's hand on you

To stay in His will

May all that He has for you

in this life - be fulfilled

May your heart be at peace

God's greater than all fear

Find rest in His comfort

Feel His love always near

You make me very proud 
I thank God He gave you to me

Happy Birthday, my sweet Brooke

I pray your day is filled with happy :)

Father, I am so grateful for Your entrusting me with Brooke's life. Help me to nurture her sweet spirit to become all that You have called her to be. I pray for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to surround her each and every day of her life.  I pray for her to be kept safe, healthy, and to have a full life filled with joy! May she walk in confidence down Your path and grow up to be a woman after Your heart.  In Jesus' Name.

Happy 9th Birthday, Brooke!

Masks

"Praise the Lord.  I'm blessed.  I'm doing great" - the cliché answers we get or give when asking or being asked how we are doing. I understand the need to be positive. I understand that we are not to live by our feelings. I understand we need to confess what the Word says about us. BUT I also know there are people right in our churches who are broken. They fear saying how they really feel because  that "wouldn't be faith talk." 

 

It is time for the church to become a safe haven; a place where people can reveal in order to heal. Do we camp out on the problem? No. But once we know there is a problem, we can offer the solution. We need to become more sensitive to the inner cries of those around us. We have in us what people need to be free. However, we can't help them if we don't know help is needed. We need to make ourselves available so that God's healing touch can flow through us. 

And remember: Healing is a process. Helping someone who is emotionally broken requires time and a whole lot of patience. Many of us don't want to invest that kind of commitment in the lives of others. We don't like our glass house being disturbed with interruptions and needs of others.  Unfortunately, this leaves us with churches full of people putting on their “church face” and never being real with one another. Is this what “church” is supposed to be all about?

“The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity” Luke 4:18

 

All that’s hidden

 

 Must be revealed

Nothing gets past Your eyes

You know the darkness underneath

You know the inner cries

 

You want to peel the mask away

And erase all of the fakeness

You are not pleased with the lies

You’ve come to expose the weakness

 

You desire that all of Your children

Would have oneness with each other

But these walls are such a hindrance

Of us being real to one another

 

You know everything about us

The reasons we are insecure

Only You have the answer

To release us from this fear

 

It can’t be done in our own strength

The supply comes from only You

Deliver us from this bondage, Lord

Make us a people who walk in truth

Drop the Cape

Many of us carry a "superman" persona where we feel less of a person if we need others. Being weak is not always a bad thing. It pushes us to look at our humanness that is not wired to carry things alone. We were created to need both God and people.  Why would God send us the Holy Spirit, our Comforter? Why would He tell us to bear one another's burdens? Why did Jesus send the disciples out 2 by 2? Because we need help! We need support.  We need encouragement.  God wants us to experience His love not only from Him through the Word and time spent alone with Him, but from Him through His people.  Time to drop our capes! It's ok, really! :)

(John 14:26, Galatians 6:2, Mark 6:7, 1 Corinthians 12:20-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Repentance

Oftentimes we are so driven to a life of perfection and self willpower that our "repentance" becomes a method. It becomes about us; OUR feeling "a clean slate," OUR feeling "right," OUR success driven thinking to personally have victory over sin. In doing so, we miss the real point of repentance,  An opportunity to connect with the very One whose heart we grieved.  A time to reflect on Who enables us to overcome.  A moment of embrace. A beautiful occasion to hear, “You and I are okay.”

Transparency

 

 

 

Why is it that you hide from Me

As if I do not see?

Why do you remain silent

When your very thoughts I read?

You want to feel My presence

But you can’t see past the walls

that hardness of heart built over the years

When will they ever fall?

I need you to be transparent

Speak to Me what you feel

If you want to build a relationship

You’re going to have to be real

I’m not looking for fancy speeches

Don’t waste your time trying to impress

I just need you to begin to speak to Me

And allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest

Share with Me your struggles

No matter how shameful they may be

I already know the temptations you face

I’m the One to set you free

You fear the thought of surrender

Afraid I will strip everything from you

Do you really think I will do you harm?

I only want what is best for you

There’s freedom in your surrender

Time to give up the fight

Your heart will never find the rest it needs

Until you and I are right

Be open to Me – and be transparent

No more excuses to not even try

I can see you snuggled behind your “comfortable” walls

So why even try and hide?