Our Problems are Jesus' Opportunities

Matt Ayers has this awesome devotional written on August 13, 2015.  It is written HERE.  I have copied it below for convenience.

I love the story of when Jesus heals the paralytic in Mark 2:1–12. In this story, Jesus’ popularity has grown to the point where there are so many people coming to see him that the paralytic and his friends cannot get to him. The crowds are blocking the way!

Jesus’ popularity was soaring because he was meeting their physical needs. This is interesting to me. When Jesus was meeting people’s physical needs, they couldn’t get enough of him; when he was dying on the cross, on the other hand, they were no where to be found. This seems to indicate that people are much more interested in Jesus making them comfortable than dealing with their sin problem.

There were so many people that had come to see Jesus that the paralytic’s friends couldn’t get to Jesus. This, however, didn’t stop them. They decided to take their friend-in-need to the roof and lower him down in front of Jesus.

What an act! Are you willing to do whatever it takes to get your friends to Jesus? Are you willing to innovatively work around the obstacles that stand between your friends and Jesus so that they can meet the Savior?

Once they lowered him down in front of Jesus, Jesus did something surprising. Rather than doing what was expected (heal the man’s legs), he said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5, ESV). Everyone was wondering at this moment, “What does religion have to do with this? This man’s problem is physical!”

Did you know that every problem in the world is a sin problem at its root? There is no problem today that did not come from the reality of sin in the world. This is why Jesus and Jesus alone can provide a solution to the brokenness of the human condition—because Jesus alone provides a solution to the problem of sin (God’s forgiveness).

The scribes didn’t like what Jesus said. The text reads, “Now some scribes were sitting there, questioning in their heads, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'” (Mark 2:7) The scribes didn’t like what Jesus said because he was making himself equal with God! (cf. John 5:15)

So what’s happening here? I believe that Jesus was looking for an opportunity to teach the people who he was. He couldn’t just show up and say, “Greetings, everyone; I’m God.” If he did it that way, they would have killed him on the spot (and they did kill him for this eventually). This explains why Jesus’ teaching about his own divinity was so subtle—so he had time to teach them before they took his life. This means that Jesus needed an opportunity to teach them that he was God.

Is Christ Divided?

One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” …

Is Christ divided? – 1 Corinthians 1:12-13a

This certainly seems to be the question these days for me.  Certain church sects want preachers who directly and purposefully violate something the Word of God unashamedly says.  Lay persons buy in and call for it, other members from other areas declare for it, and the worldly wisdom says it is right for the church.  Since you love the church and want to support it, you speak firmly in accordance to the Word of God, but rather than listen, many call you names and declare you to be out-of-touch and uncaring.

Family members participate in actions that clearly are not based on the Word of God.  So, because you love them you try to get them to realize where they are and what they are doing.  Rather than listen, you are brutalized for your “judgment” and rather than get support from other family, they too shun you for you love.

In the movie The Green Mile, John Coffey says when he is describing how a violent criminal killed two innocent little girls, “He kill them wi’ their love.  Wi’ their love fo’ each other.  That’s how it is, every day, all over the world.” 

The Thirty Years’ War was a series of wars in Europe between Protestant and Catholic states that were belonging to the Holy Roman Empire.  These wars in the 1600’s are defined by Peter Wilson in his book Europe’s Tragedy: A New History of the Thirty Years War as “one of the longest, most destructive conflicts in European history.”  He wrote this in 2010, some 65 years after WWII.  The war had as a foundation unresolved religious conflict among Lutherans, Calvinism, and Catholicism.  It grew to include many other areas as war is seen as opportunity to neighboring states to gain lands.  Overall, it is estimated that 8 million people died to include civilians.  It is estimated that this was about 14% of the population.  Imagine that if you know 8 people, one of them would have died because of these wars.

A lot of death has been caused by people trying to stand on what they believe God should be to others.  We must learn to see that God presents Himself in a unique way to everyone because everyone is unique.  He meets them where they are, not where He wants them to be.  He saves them in their trouble, not from their trouble.  If someone has not learned to walk, how can we declare they do not know God?  Do we base this by our own walking?  The hardest part of standing on what we have been shown by God is not knowing where others are spiritually.  We want them to know and see and love Who and as we do, but if they are unable to do it, we are simply setting them up for a great fall, or worse, creating contempt and division with them.

This does not apply to those who read and know but reject.  It is these people who divide by interpreting God’s Word in their own light and not the light of Jesus and therefore turn the meanings just as Satan did from the beginning with Eve.  It is these people who justify what they want yet seek for all to know how sanctified they are through exterior work and dress, while inside they are corrupt and self-seeking.  It is these people who turn your love for them against you and who gathers up a crowd to crucify you for it. 

We must know that we are Christ’s.  “All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (1 Cor 3:21b-23)  We are not Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Calvinist, Seventh Day Adventist, or Catholic.  We are not Democrat and we are not Republican.  We are Christ’s and we are one body.  May no one have claim to us except the Son of the one true living God! 

Today, Christians are under attack.  We must pray that we be bound together and be one body lest we be torn limb from limb and fragmented across the world.  Pray today for unity in all parts of the body: the church universal, the local church, families, and marriages.  May there be Christ and may only He rule.

Wasted Effort

“My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” - 2 Corinthians 2:4

I am not good at proclaiming the gospel (or “gosful” as I am inclined to pronounce it).  I never have been very good at it.  I am not a salesman.  If I had to make my living selling anything we’d be real hungry.  If you like it, buy it.  If not, don’t.  The last thing I want to do is have someone spend their money on something they don’t really want or on something they can’t afford.  I have the same internal inclination away from “selling” the Good News.  It is like my entire body is rebelling against me if I have to confront people.  It takes so much emotional energy out of me that I often need a quick sugar drink afterwards because I feel so physically wiped out.

The description above is my experience of witnessing, teaching, or preaching when there was direct confrontation regarding salvation or sin to others.  It is difficult and I am uncomfortable in it.  However, this is usually because of my wrongful perception.  It is extremely hard to be a witness and proclaim salvation through Christ if you are perceiving in your own mind the why and how.  The why and how are from God and must be done because of Him and through Him.

Why do I want anyone to know Christ?  Or, a deeper question is do I really desire for them to know Him?  I can only answer that question truthfully as it should be answered if my heart completely believes that anyone who accepts Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection will be saved.  And anyone who lives their life obeying God’s Word as closely as they can will have a more fulfilled life.  If I don’t know this, I can’t commit myself to answering “Yes” to either question above and if I can’t answer with a convincing “Yes” then I am no witness for Christ.  More importantly, I am not teaching or preaching “in His power”.  I sincerely believe that the number one problem today with the witnessing church in America is they cannot answer the two above questions with conviction and certainty.  Because of this the church is not working in the power of God.

There are times when I am able to witness, teach, or preach and it is exciting.  It actually is so encouraging and fulfilling to know that God is spreading His message of hope and truth to others so they can have the best life, the one God crafted for them, and He is using me – even me!  This is a completely different mind and heart.  The power of God is in it and there is no salesmanship involved.  No one has to be a salesman to help another person to a free gift, a gift that will help them and complete them.  Moreso, the message of God in Christ does not need any effort added to it from me, the message and act of love is complete in itself.  There is such a dominating reward in seeing someone accept Christ or repent and turn away from their sinful way simply because God used you.  It is deeply emotional for me.  That is the power of God working.

The first description is a picture of the church working in their own power and the second is a picture of the church working in the power of God.  Paul came to the Corinthians only preaching salvation through Jesus the Son of God.  We should be less concerned about how we do things and why we do things as churches until we figure out where our hearts truly are so we can do His work in His power.  Anything else is wasted effort and will not last.

Who is Wise

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

Who is wise?  The answer to this question is a matter of perspective.  The perspective view, or “angle” as is commonly said, by the viewer determines if someone is wise.  For example, a non-believer “those who are perishing” who watches a believer “us who are being saved” provide our time, money, and energy into helping others who will provide no benefit, or sometimes even no thankfulness or gratitude, would quickly say we are unwise.  Yet, the believer who follows Jesus who looks at the unbeliever who never helps anyone unless it helps himself would look at him as unwise.  It is a matter of perception.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that there are three points of view regarding the gospel of Jesus our Savior.  There is the Jewish view and Jesus is a stumbling block to them.  They want a sign and for the Savior to come as they believe He is to come, not as He came.  There is the Greek view, they look for wisdom in the Western learning way, through the concrete evidence of facts and figures.  So, discussing matters of the heart and the spririt, things you can’t see and touch, are built on emotions and foolishness.  Then there is the Chrisitan view. 

I believe we see these perceptions in our daily lives today.  We may even cross over into these alternate views regarding different subjects if we aren’t mindful of them.  I see the church often dabbling in these perspectives when trying to find a direction or solve any problem.  Our first response to most anything is why didn’t it come the way I wanted it to?  Our next response is what are all the facets of it so I can determine what to do with it?  We are trained to respond this way and we need new training.

Jesus always responded to the heart and spirit of any issue and did not consider any physical condition such as money, clothing, or food, nor did He consider who would be offended by His Message.  He preached sin removal and redemption.  Every message was based on how any single person could get to their Father in heaven and dwell with Him daily.  He preached hope by powerfully telling how we might not be separated from God Who fulfills us in every way.

Our daily message that we spread with our mind (thoughts), our heart (emotions), and our walk (actions) should reflect foolishness to this world.  Yet, to us it is the wisdom of God.  “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:25)  We should not be ashamed or embarrassed by the power of God which saves men from damnation.  We should not be shy regarding what is righteous and what isn’t or in our obedience to His authority written in His Word. 

Live for the Journey

Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him – Hebrews 5:8-9

I wonder how committed we are as followers of Jesus.  Do we embrace the difficulties of life with excitement knowing that it is part of our journey towards perfection?  I’m not sure I know of a single person who does this, but we should be of this mind.   

“Because God’s goal for us is to become Christlike (Rom 8:29), the journey becomes the destination.  It is on the journey towards heaven that we encounter trials, tribulations, and blessings that conform our inner person to the character of Christ.” – David Jeremiah

I knew a Pastor who worried about how effective he could be because he had not gone through any great difficulties in life.  He remarked about how every fellow Pastor he knew had gone through some trial that required them to hang on with faith and see God work.  “How can I know my faith is real if I never have to use it?” He wondered aloud.  I didn’t understand his thoughts at that time.  My thought was that if you do the right things because you are obeying in faith you probably don’t have to go through great trials because you are already exercising your faith.  God can bless you early and greatly.  However, having had to depend upon my faith and nothing else, I also see where it is very beneficial to learn how to live in that presence.

When we see the journey as the destination, we don’t see trials as trials, the way non-believers do, but as opportunity to either grow personally or be a witness to someone in our faith of our Savior, or both.  When we learn to see everyone and every situation through God’s eyes, and not only through our own perspective, we gain the transcendent ability to be beyond the moment or the pain or the pettiness.  Our responses can be measured and delivered from a different place, a place not of this world.

Yet, if Christ had to suffer, it is unwise for us to believe that we should not or will not.  Matthew Henry comments, “We should learn by all our afflictions a humble obedience to the will of God.  We need affliction, to teach us submission.”  It is important for us to learn and relearn that God’s Word is the absolute authority and what is best for our lives.  Our faith begins with God as the authority.  Accepting this and standing on it in fullness of heart and mind is our goal and the journey takes us there.

God > Problem

As Julie and I have wrestled with a family problem for many months now, we have struggled to see how this is going to work out.  How can there be trust again?  How can the family become a family again?  How can the relationships be fun again?  But beyond that, how will Christmas’s work themselves out?  How do we handle the normal family holiday times when everyone is there?  … While it is unsettling enough to have to deal with someone who purposely is dishonest, “plays” the rest of the family so everyone lifts them up, and only seems to need you to get what they would rather have in the life of their kids, to then have to figure out the rest is just too much.  

The real problem with this is it was occupying all our conversations, it was constantly on our mind, and it is weighing us down in our everyday life operation.  So, we have been praying to God to do what only He can, lift us out of this.  We have prayed declaring to God that if He didn't do something, the family wasn't going to make it.  We have prayed for God to change us, help us to have the right heart and show Him through our actions and conversation, regardless of any single thing anyone else ever does or doesn’t do.  But, ultimately, that God would make Himself known as the one true living God who answers prayers and rewards the faith of those who love and depend upon Him.  May there be no doubt.

God answers such prayers and this weekend He has guided our thoughts and our directions to Him in an awesome path.  Friday, as we discussed how to get by this, wisdom seemed to say to us that we need to live our life with our priorities and the way God leads us to live it and if they want to be a part they are welcome, but we could no longer let them direct our lives.  God has to be in control.  Sunday, I heard a message on the radio going out for coffee.  The part I heard said, if you do not forgive someone you allow them to be in control of your life.  And if you focus on someone they are the god of your life.  Today, I read that “too many times we say ‘God here is my problem’ when we should be saying ‘Problem, here is my God!’” 

I believe God was leading us to know that our concentration on such a little thing before Him was putting that problem ahead of Him.  In doing so, we were making that problem a god.  This too, can be idol worship.  Sure, we may have severe problems in life, but they are not God.  There is only one God. Our conversation and thoughts should be on Him.  I believe God is leading us to start with forgiveness.  We forgive them even if they never ask with a truly repentive heart and only continue to worship themselves.  We forgive them even if we become an outcast to our own family.  The right or wrong doesn’t matter except that we are wrong if we do not forgive.  Jesus forgave us BEFORE we asked.  And I believe God is saying to us, “I got this”.  What an awesome Father who takes the time to spoon feed me. 

“God saves us in our disasters, not from them.” – Robert Farrar Capon

Lastly, I heard another part of a message that mentioned that once you slay a giant in faith, you get more giants.  After David killed Goliath, it wasn’t long before the king of Israel was trying to kill him.  Why couldn’t he rest upon having shown all of Israel that they could have faith in their God to fight for them?  Because God wanted to show Himself again through that faith David had.  God wanted to perfect David’s faith. … Too often, after doing something impossible through a miracle of God we believe we are done, it is over.  That was our lot in life.  But maybe God is saying there are more giants and He wants us to show that faith to others in ways that would cause them to know Him.

Acts 8

This month our church is reading through the book of Acts.  I've felt compelled on several occasions through my walk to go back and review Acts as this is the story of the very beginnings of the church.  I find it inspiring at how active the Holy Spirit is in the lives of the apostles and confess that I yearn for that same activity.  What prevents the same miracles observed in those days from occurring in my life today?  Two simple things: lack of faith and disobedience. 
Clearly, the Holy Spirit hasn't changed (Mal 3:6).  That same Holy Spirit that is the very essence of God, lives inside of me.  All of the power, knowledge, wisdom, patience, mercy, and love of God is literally inside me.  I don't have to "go to God" or call God into "this place" or look for God.  God is already inside me and waits to come out of me in all of His glory.  I'm convinced He is constantly communicating with me just as He did Philip when He told him to come along side the eunuch.  Yet, I flounder in my walk.  Why?
First I fail to have faith that God is really who He says He is.  I believe that I must fend for myself or take charge of my own career, marriage, hobbies, or even moods.  Yet what does God require?  He requires me to yield my own will to His.  I confess, however, that I struggle to give in.  "God gave me a brain and expects me to use it" the world says.  Or "God gave me common sense and expects me to use it."  And we've all heard "God helps those who help themselves."  I don't any of these in scripture.  What I find is "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you as well."  That is where my disobedience comes in. 
I confess that I'm not singularly focused on the things of God.  I seek pleasure and distraction in activities that may not always honor God.  Don't get me wrong, many activities are not in and of themselves bad, but when we place conditions on God, we are tempted to be unavailable for Him to use when and how He sees fit.  If I set my mind to fishing on Saturday, do I miss the still small voice that says, "you need to serve someone Saturday?"  I believe it happens all too often.
Therefore, I think satan keeps us distracted with all kinds of activities and diversions simply to keep us from the same kind of explosive and miraculous growth in the church that it enjoyed in these early days.  Lord forgive my lack of faith and my lack of attentiveness to you and your calling.  I pray that my agenda is yielded to yours so that I am simply obedient to your calling. I pray for the wisdom and discernment to know your will, the courage and discipline to yield to it, and the patience to follow through in obedience.  Only then will contentment be found. 

Heart Plumbing

The idea expressed here is of a fountain.  If the water is clean and pure the fountain provides a clean and pure life, but if the water is foul and full of waste and disease, the fountain provides death and destruction.  The motives of the actions of any person can be tracked back to their heart condition.  This analogy sounds simple, but I’ve found this be a complicated thing.

Everyone’s heart is like a plumbing system.  It is being filled with something.  Either it is clean and pure water that flows quickly and it can be consumed for life or it is full of the worst of humankind.  Sometimes it can be some of both.  That is the complicated part.  Some people whom you know have wrong in them can do some very godly things.  However, if the wrong things are not addressed and held accountable to the authority of God, they will consume the person.  It is only a matter of time.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. – Luke 6:45

At my office one half of the building’s plumbing system is on a very gradual slope in the ground and it will back up at least once a year.  It starts so very gradual at first and it is hardly noticeable.  Then there might be a real back up that clears out and everything seems to work for a while, but at a less than ideal way.  Then it gets a little worse, but we all find a way around it.  Then worse still until we have waste in our office that can’t go anywhere.

Everyone seems to do this with their heart.  They know there is that little something here or over there, but it’s not that bad.  Before long, what once was not that bad is the normal and that little something is a something and not little, but we justify it in some way, it's not hurting anyone and we are happy.  Then it is a big something and it is bad and it creates evil that inevitably hurts others and ourselves.

When desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. – James 1:15

Several blockbuster movies have portrayed this in a real meaningful way.  In Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker starts innocent enough, just wants to help.  Soon he becomes in conflict in his heart and he does good and a little evil.  Then he does more evil but sees it as good until finally he is Darth Vadar and does evil.  However, the evil isn't called evil but the dark side.

In the Lord of the Rings, this conflict inside a heart is a major theme.  Anyone who is near the Ring of Power becomes obsessed with the false power.  That power is evil and is really the work of an evil source.  The movie shows the conflict in Frodo as he carries this burden all the way to the mountain of Mordor to destroy it, but then finds he can't destroy it.  "It is mine" he declares until it is wrestled away and destroyed by Gollum who also dies holding it.

In both illustrations, the power of the darkness grows slowly until it finally consumes the person.  The evil that grows is also hidden and cast as a greater power and better for the person.  However, it is that evil that ultimately either almost costs them their life or does costs them their life.

Is there anything in your heart today that needs cleaning?  Is there something there that you allow to stay there that you know is not pure and of God?  Will you allow God to be the authority over all of your heart and actions?  You can trust His Words to be what is best for you.

Weakness

I have always wondered what this verse’s intended meaning was.  I’ve never believed that it was Paul’s intent to boast of the things he was bad at doing.  So, this verse has to be read in context.  Paul speaks directly before this sentence of the many things he has endured in trying to preach the gospel of Christ to anyone anywhere.  He does not glory in these hardships.  He is not saying, “Look at my wounds”.  However, because there are false teachers who are trying to reduce his influence by wounding his character, he feels compelled to give an account of his labors and sufferings. 

Unfortunately, this has happened in my own family and Julie and I have found it necessary to give an account of our labors and sufferings to all members in my family just to verify any false intent provided by someone seeking to boast themselves.  This is very stressful to us.  I have no doubt that this aspect was very stressful to Paul as well.  What had he done but work diligently and single-mindedly to preach Christ to everyone?  Yet, here he was having to engage somewhat in defending his character to those who would preach Christ under false pretense.  They served themselves above the church and that is the blasphemy of the church that Jesus protested so strongly against.

Yet, does Paul boast or glory in his weakness?  No.  He is saying here that if he has to boast of his trials and tribulations, then he will boast of these sufferings that the world would consider failures or weakness, so as to show the dimension of his love through work for the gospel of Christ the Son of the one true living God and of Christ's love for him having delivered him through so much when he could do nothing.  “Let me tell you how great my God is and what He has delivered me through!”  Who can compare their God story to Paul’s, especially if you were insincere of heart regarding to whom you wanted to get position and glory?

A few verses later, Paul says that God speaks to him saying “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Whether that weakness is being put down by men falsely for having a false intent or wrongful character or having a “thorn” in his physical body he couldn’t break, God says His grace is enough.  We are to rest in the salvation we do not deserve and could not provide on our own.  That salvation, that power of God, is sufficient for me.  "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." (Ps 23:4)  I should have the ability to stand in peace even if the whole world hates me and I hate my own sinful body.  His provision of grace to an undeserved sinner is enough and it will always be enough.  

Send Me

This morning, in my prayer, the Spirit was leading me to pray to be taken, “Lord, deliver me to a land where I can walk with You. Deliver me to where You are walking.”

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
  Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
  If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
  And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
    And Your right hand shall hold me.  – Psalms 139:7-10

“Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah said in his famous response to God’s call.  When I was young I always thought, “Heck yeah!  Let’s go, go, go!” after reading that willing boldness of Isaiah.  Now it’s, “Who am I?  Send me?”  I find it striking how revealing experience and maturity are to showing me how very little, no not little but infinitesimal, I know about anything.  And so, admittedly knowing approximately nothing, would I be confident enough to be willing to submit to any calling from God?

Maybe that calling is to simply talk to a brother and a family that has not opened their hearts fully to a real faith that is greater than their life.  A faith that willingly depends completely upon God knowing that He is the only authority and only He is able to do anything.  A faith that is from an open heart, not only an understanding mind.  (I heard a preacher once say that most people will die and go to hell because of 16 inches.  That’s the distance from their head to their heart.  They understand the gospel in their mind, but won’t accept it fully into their heart and depend upon it for their very life.)  Or maybe that calling is to teach, to preach, or to travel to foreign lands.  Or maybe that calling is to be the janitor somewhere.  Maybe it’s to deliver water to the homeless every morning.  …  Does it really matter?

What if He is taking me to a place where people are yelling me and it requires walking through a fire?  It is safer to be in God’s will walking where He is even in a fire or trudging through flooding rivers (Isaiah 43:1b-2).  Doesn't mean it's easy.  Besides, there is nowhere to go where He isn’t so why not go where He is walking and be full?

Nothing should be more important than simply walking as a child with the Father, as a friend to the Best Friend, or as a brother to the Blood Brother.  Only in that walk is there fulfillment, satisfaction to the soul, and your purpose for living completed.

Soon

⁶ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.  ⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. – Colossians 2:6-10

Here in Colossians, Paul is writing to the church of Colosse and to those of Laodicea (2:1).  The church of Laodicea is most famous for what Jesus says about it in Revelations.  Jesus calls it a “lukewarm” church that He wants no contact with.  He’d rather them be hot or cold in their faith.   

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.   So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.   Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked  – Revelation 3:15-17

Paul is encouraging a walk with Jesus.  This walk should be established on Christ Jesus the Lord and be built up or increased.  They are to abound in their faith with thanksgiving.  They are not to have the ways of the world steal or cheat them of their faith.  They are complete only in Jesus the Christ.

Yet, in Revelation, we find that they are neither complete in their faith or absent from it.  We do know that it is not the highest priority in their life.  They exist in physical comfort and their needs are not life-threatening so no 911 prayers and deliverance is needed.  They will call upon God when they are ready and it suits them. 

I find it significant that Paul was writing in regard for these people of this church and working to establish a proper faith within their body, yet it was not established.  So much so that Jesus spoke to it specifically.  If Paul could not turn their hearts, could anyone have? 

The worst seem to be those who know but refuse, listen but don't hear, watch but don't see, understand but won't accept.  They recognize it as right, but not enough to change their life.  Who and how can anyone demand my life?  It is my life, the only one I get to live and I shall live it to my best they reason.

God will stand at the door and knock until the door is closed forever.  I pray for all those who ears are closed and eyes are shut.  I pray that they’ll open that door … soon.

Discernment

1 Kings 3: So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

There is so much that I'm called to do that I am clearly not qualified to do.  Today as I face many and various trials, I pray that God will work through me to provide perfect advice and recommendations.  If I go it alone, I might provide good advice, but not perfect.  I might listen, but not with perfect discernment.  Only God knows exactly what must be done and how to encourage others to do their part.  I can try, but I will fail and in so doing will let others down. 
Lord I need you.  Oh I need you!  May my ears listen with your heart and discernment, my thoughts be Your thoughts, and my words be silenced so that Yours are heard.  I pray your words fall on listening ears and open hearts and minds willing to follow your direction in obedience. 

Through the Fire

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. 

Isaiah 43:1b-2

When I read this passage, I was reminded of a story of a missionary who was traveling in Haiti.  He was going village to village trying to spread the gospel.  Upon entering one village, he found a great bonfire had been built and there was a voodoo doctor standing there waiting for him.  The voodoo doctor challenged him and his god.  He threw bottles of glass into the fire breaking it into shards. Then when the fire was settled and there were hot burning embers and glass shards left, the voodoo doctor walked through it barefoot.  His feet were not burned or cut.  He then challenged the missionary to walk through it, if his god would protect him.

So, imagine that's you.  You think you've done all you were called to do in just going to Haiti and learning the language.  Then, you were really stepping out and actually going to villages where they had never heard of the one true living God and His Son Jesus.  You've told the story and some have accepted Christ and you've handed out radios.  It's hard work, but very rewarding when some accept God's message.  But now.  All you've done is enter into a village and there's this.  What do you do?  Where does your faith settle?

The missionary commented that he was quite unsettled by this.  He did not want to tempt His God, but at the same time he couldn't let God not have the opportunity to prove who He was.  He said he slowly and nervously took his shoes and socks off.  His very white feet very noticeable at how soft they were as compared to the Haitians who often don't wear any footwear.  And then he approached the fire.

Imagine that's you.  How nervous would you be?  Would you be wondering if God would protect you?  Would you be wondering if this was your "call"?  What are you going to do if your foot burns or is cut?  Will God perform a miracle now?  What thoughts would be racing through your mind?

The missionary, although quite uncomfortable with this test of his God, walked through the fire without a burn and uncut.  Upon seeing that, the voodoo doctor allowed him to enter and talk about his God to the villagers.

What river are you crossing today?  What fire are you walking through?  Maybe you didn't ask for that river to cross or that fire to walk through, but there it is in front of you.  You have simply answered God's call on your life and now you are up to your neck in flood waters or are stepping onto burning coals.  Do you rest assuredly in the knowledge of God's protective hand?  Do you at least know that God will never leave you or forsake you?  Take confidence in God today.  Do not keep God's deliverance from happening by denying your faith.  He will be with you; He will protect you; and if the chance opens, He will make everyone aware that He is the One True Living God!

Encouraged

1 Thes 3: 7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

I found this years youth Inner City Mission highly encouraging.  Not so much from the work accomplished, although we accomplished much, and not so much from the worship services although the music and message was great, but much more so from the attitude of outreach, inclusion, and encouragement of the kids.  I'm quite proud of how well our middle school girls reached out and included the George girls in our group both on the jobsite and for the second night of activities and even the pool party.  I'm also proud of how our Senior High girls included the Stanley's granddaughters, Emma and Reagan.  It was just incredibly encouraging to see how God's people are supposed to work together to include new people in their midst. 
I'm also encouraged by the ongoing support of the adults in our church.  Perhaps its the same few, but they are faithful and a joy to be around as they pursue their part with laughter and joy.  I think they set a wonderful example for the kids, especially those couples who serve together.  I'm also encouraged by working with Patrick again, this time as an adult!  I could also clearly see the older girls begin to bond with Amber who will no doubt serve as a great mentor for them.
Finally, I clearly saw God at work.  When I left for work on Wednesday morning, I had resigned myself to thinking this would be a laid back, slower-paced ICM with just enough yards to do to keep us occupied, but not working at a frenetic pace as usual.  Wednesday evening, however, Patrick got a call that a special person needed some real help.  While I like to have the ICM jobs lined up by Friday the weekend before the event so I can prep tools and supplies, God knew that there would be a person with a very critical need beginning on Thursday of the ICM.  While I've always felt we've been obedient to God, this year I felt like we were his special instrument of love and care to someone who really needed a tangible reinforcement of His love.  I'm encouraged that He thought us worthy of such a lofty task and pray that we can continue to be relevant in her life and for Him. 

Pure Joy

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

This, like most of James, is very challenging to live.  I mean, does he seriously expect me to consider in a trial that is so burdensome I find it difficult to do anything and I don’t even want to wake up for another day, that it is “pure joy”.  Not simply be thankful, not kind of happy to be alive, not it could be worse so be grateful, not it’ll get better later so look ahead, not any sort of thing that is reasonable, but “pure joy”.  Not a little bit of joy, but “pure joy”.

Why is it pure joy?  James says that we are being tested in our faith to produce perseverance.  However, it is only by persevering in faith that we are able to perfect our faith.  Too often, we think we believe but our faith is not tested.  Then when the our world seemingly ends and we have to decide upon believing every word God says or doing something easier, our faith gets truly tested by our choices.  Even if we decide to hold onto faith at that crossroads, we then find that every day is a challenge and it is actually a much more difficult road.  Our faith is tested over and over and over again.  It is along this part of the journey that most people fail.  They reason that they were doing it right and God wasn't providing a reward.  Other people have better lives doing whatever they want to do, so why keep believing. ... Will we continue to believe even if the road is harder and more difficult?  Will we believe even if others think we’re crazy and seemingly hate us?  Our faith is shaped through fires and pounded until it is molded into perfection.  It is made to be “mature and complete, not lacking anything”.

It is said that a strong person believes that they’re strong enough to face their journey, but a person with strength has faith that it is in the journey that they will become strong.  Not only should our faith be molded in trials so that we have witnessed God’s miracles and know Him to be faithful, but we should have faith to know the trials are making us who God wants us to be and for the purpose He has for us to do. 

“The circumstances we ask God to change are often the circumstances God is using to change us.” – Max Lucado

It is only after putting these faith positions together that we can consider it pure joy to be in a trial.  We can take comfort in that we are being made strong.  We know that nothing is more joyful than being completely dependent upon God, believing with no doubt, trusting Him in all things, and doing exactly what He has set before us.  That is pure joy indeed.

Mighty To Save

“Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the Lord.  “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.” – Jeremiah 2:9

Such a statement from the Lord sends shudders down my back.  It scares me so badly I am almost unable to move.  I am crushed and in pieces.  The thought that our actions could bring charges from God upon our children and our grandchildren, those whom we are to protect and provide for, is tremendously humbling and worrisome.

“But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.” – Jeremiah 2:11b

This is the beginning of the charge soon to be clarified.  This breaks the commandment to love your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  If there is something in your life that you choose to do that you knowingly isn’t allowed by the Word of God, then it is an idol.  You are loving it more than God or His Word.  We can sugar coat it and justify it a million ways and everyone we know might approve of it, but if God’s Word is against it, we are worshiping an idol and we love it more than God.

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” – Jeremiah 2:13

Here are the charges against those who worship idols.  You have turned to something that isn’t God, in fact it isn’t a god at all and it does not provide the source of life, only God is the source of life.  Then you are using it to hold your source of life and it can’t because it is broken and unstable.  Jesus spoke of this when describing the man who builds his house upon the sand.  It crumbles in the storm.  There is nothing in existence that is the source of life and that will always be the source of life apart from the one true living God, Yahweh!! 

The one true living God looks for us and runs to us when we come to Him.  He covers us with His coat of love and puts jewels of wisdom upon our hands.  He provides the best sacrifice for us so that we might be full!  No matter where we have been or what we have done, our God is mighty to save!  Rejoice for yourself and for others today because God is able and willing and capable to do what we cannot do!  

My Food is His Work

One of the most difficult things about Christian service is knowing any effort has any reward.  This is a product of being a goal driven society.  We do work, we analyze the results, we change the way we work, we analyze the results, we change it some more, we analyze some more, etc … until we get the most efficient work that yields the most product.  We do this so every effort is maximized for the most gain.  Decisions are based on yield and its direct relationship to effort. 

Christian service and the work of the Church in general is not subject to this mode of thinking.  I find it incredibly difficult to get out of that worldly mind at times when trying to do the work set before me.  While many would say I shouldn’t bring that thinking into my Christian service, I believe they are wrong.  I believe I should do what I am called to do regardless of any outcome.  There may be no obvious yield.  I may never know if a single person in the world ever came to know Jesus or was helped in any obvious way.  It is irrelevant as my single responsibility is to answer the call upon my life.  Otherwise, I am disobedient.  This is a very different type of thinking.

Dr. David Jeremiah tells the story of standing at the edge of a lake in the darkest midnight and throwing a rock.  You hear the rock splash into the water, but you are unable to see the water.  Are there ripples in the water?  Your knowledge wants to tell you there are, but you can’t see them, so you don’t know for sure.  Likewise, our Christian service splashes and we will never know the extent of the ripples and how many lives are touched.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. – Ecclesiastes 11:1

We must be careful to put our heart in its proper place and our mind onto proper thinking in regard to our service.  We do not do it to know how many people are touched.  In fact, I believe it is dangerous for us to know these things as we are so very susceptible to pride and ego.  Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”  His food, the substance of His life is to do the will, not see the results of His work.  Our source of substance to perform the Christian work we have been called to do is solely based upon God’s will for what work is to be accomplished.  It has absolutely nothing to do with results.

We may be doing a good work.  People may like it.  But if God is leading us to new work, we are disobedient if we stay where we are just because we think the results are good and other people like it.  This is how programs get established in a church and never change.  We become hard hearted because we think we know how best to serve God when we need a tender heart open to wherever and to do whatever He leads us to.

However, even the least of our efforts will be rewarded.  God will take any small part of willful obedience and bless it. 

Blessed to Give

I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

To me, this is an interesting verse.  Mainly because if I type the words attributed to Jesus here into any Bible search, they do not come forward.  These words of Jesus are not written in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.  So I have to assume that someone taught Paul that Jesus said this.  It makes complete sense to me that there were many teachings and acts done by Jesus that were not capable of being written down and the Bible actually says such a thing in John 20:30-31 when it says “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.”  This leads me to consider and in common sense know that many things were not written.  But John carries this topic further into the actions of Jesus in John 21:25 where he writes, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written”.

I read in a devotion by David Jeremiah that this is a significant verse.  His point was that we are good at receiving.  We were made to receive His love, receive His free gift, and to receive the Holy Spirit.  When we give it is in response to Him within us, especially if we give to those who have done nothing for it.  When we receive, it is us being us.  When we give, it is us being Him.  Therefore, it is more blessed to give because that is when you are being like Jesus.

This thought of giving is also contained in the message of Jesus that is considered the Golden Rule.  He says in Matthew 7:12, “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  The entirety of the Old Testament and all that the prophets taught is contained in this simple thought of doing to others as you would like for them to do to you.  That’s a little mind blowing.  But continuing in our thoughts about giving and receiving, we like to receive gifts so we should give gifts.  Thus, it is more blessed to give. 

It doesn’t take long for anyone to realize how giving can affect their heart.  It is when I have been a part of giving of work effort or an actual gift to help others that my heart is the most affected.  When I see the joy in another’s heart at getting something they never expected or could have believed possible, it fills me and cracks my eyes to tears.  And it is much more blessed to be a part of that than to receive anything.

Another One

Tuesday was rough.  My computer, one of four new computers in our office and which are supposed to be the fastest and most robust, blue screened seven times before lunch.  Yes, that blue screen of death that all Microsoft users know and fear.  Finally got an IT type person to come in around 11:00 and they said it was the graphics card.  She uploaded some drivers and then played on it a while and had no problems.  But when I came in from my doctors appointment the monitors wouldn't work at all.  So, about 3:30, I pulled the graphics card out and replaced it with one from my old computer and it seems to work fine now.  When you add all that up, it means I got no work done.

At the doctor, no a different one than yesterday, I learn that I have plantar fasciitis on my left foot.  This means no running for a while and hopefully stretching a lot will help it heal itself.  Otherwise I'll need a shot which is said by the doctors and Julie's Mom to be very painful.  I guess I need to buy a bike I can ride so I can exercise (see Tuesday's devo regarding cholesterol).

However, all of that pails by comparison to learning that a man tried to commit suicide yesterday.  We know his family and all his children.  I wish we knew how to help.  I don't know if it's PTSD or something else, but how much pain must have he and his family been in before this to lead to this.  How devastating it is to learn how much pain others are in.  We offered to keep one of their youngest whom Jack know's well for them, but really we don't know how else to help as visitation is very limited and he is under watch.  I have prayed for them and will continue to do so.

Sure, I've had a few rough days, by my standard.  Even this morning the toilet in my office is clogged up, again.  I've plumbers out here two years in a row, but here we are again.  Yet, there is nothing dragging me into the depths of suicide this morning.  I get to live a miraculously blessed life with God's daughter in His love reaching for new depths daily.  I get to live a purposeful life and to tell everyone who will listen at how Jesus is real and answers your faith.

I few years ago a book named Heaven is For Real came out and it was a really great story, very encouraging.  But we should all be making our own book named Jesus is For Real.  People doubt His story too much with too much certainty.  May we seek to make Him known and may He provide hope to all who are hopeless today.

To whom are you Listening?

John 10: ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

I'm no shepherd, but I've heard that sheep know their shepherd by voice.  In fact, I've heard that often shepherds will meet and allow their flocks to intermingle while they graze.  At the end of the day, they each call out and the sheep only follow their own shepherd back to the safety of the pen for the night. 
Today there are so many voices shouting for your attention.  Messages are everywhere telling what to buy, what to wear, how to talk, what to do, etc.  How do you know God's will?  The simple answer is, you must know the shepherd.  You must recognize His voice amongst the endless voices calling for your attention.  How do you know His voice?  His voice will always be consistent with the message He's already given us.  It's imperative to test the voices we hear against the Word we've already been given.  Inconsistencies should be a red flag warning us that we're not hearing God's word. 
Romans 10:17 says "...faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." 
To whom are you listening today?  There are plenty of voices calling.  Love, joy, peace, contentment, rest, and fulfillment can be found only when we respond to the voice of the Good Shepherd.  The world will tell you that they know how to improve your life.  Does anyone but the Lord know what is best?  Can anyone see the future?  Only God is the Good Shepherd.  Listen to Him and live.  The world will tell you with good intentions to follow your heart, your dreams, make your own goals, and ask God to endorse it!  Sorry, those would all be inconsistent with scripture.  When we live this way, essentially we're asking God to endorse our will, making ourselves a god. Listen to the Good Shepherd.  Work diligently to align your dreams, goals, aspirations, and intentions with His will.  Follow up in diligent and courageous obedience and you will find joy, peace, fulfillment, and contentment.  

He Has Overcome

Monday was rough.  It was busy busy at work.  I go to the doctor and get all kinds of negative feedback regarding cholesterol and my genetics.  Everything seems to be working against me in this regard.  I actually do exercise and I don't think I eat that bad, but I have never had a cholesterol check below 202, and that was just after I ran a marathon.  This time it was 269.  That number isn't too bad, but when you couple it with 4 or 5 other bad numbers, it alarms the doctor.  In fact, on one of my numbers he said he couldn't remember that last time he saw that number that high.  Do doctors know how scary that sounds to us non-doctors?

Then my brother wears me out with his constant babble.  For a guy who was supposed to have been trained on how to lead and be responsible and sacrifice everything down to the last man to fight for others, he sure comes across to me as a wimpy want my way unable to decide upon a faith that cost me coward.  I'm sure some things should be left unsaid, but sometimes you just got to get it out. ... Okay, I'm better now.

On the positive side, I've had two opportunities to witness about how God performed a miracle in Julie and my life.  It has come up in conversation when someone is describing a real struggle they are having in their life.  I guess I look trustworthy and people are reaching out because I listen.  Or maybe they are desperate for any ear because they are in that much pain.  Either way, I've had the chance to speak and so I've been able be a witness at how Jesus answered our prayer.  How we held each other and prayed telling God that He had to do something or it would not be done.  Then how He did do something and we are a living miracle to His work.  How He has blessed us!

My heart aches to think about how many hurting people there are and how many want to believe but are too afraid.  How many have deep pain but are scared to tell others?  So they live daily in agony.  Do they know that there is relief?  We need to find a way to create a community of believers where they are not afraid to share their pains and hear encouraging testimonies of those who appear to have it all together but have been through a hell of their own and are living examples of a touch from Jesus Himself.

The two sides of the same days create such an irony.  One is the presence of God and His work; the other is the opposer working to prevent any witness by dragging me down.  Jesus said that in the world we will have tribulation, but to be of good cheer, for He has overcome this world (Jn 16:33).  May I look to see His work in all things at all times in all days.

Language

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:13-16

“No one can know the things of God, but his Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to his church. This is most clear testimony, both to the real Godhead and the distinct person of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were not guided by worldly principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from the affected oratory or enticing words of man's wisdom. The natural man, the wise man of the world, receives not the things of the Spirit of God. The pride of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality, as the basest sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost. But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, and pleasures, and actings of the Divine life. The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives.” – Matthew Henry

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. – Proverbs 28:5

It is incredibly painful to be in dialogue with someone who does not understand Spiritual language.  They speak the same language, such as English, but somehow don’t understand the worlds you say or write.  This becomes more convoluted when they know the Christian lingo.  They know key phrases or words to say so it becomes difficult to know their true heart.  As someone who has been in sin and also done this, I know how dangerous such a person is if they do not “come to their senses”.  They can truly disrupt other Christian lives by distorting truth through intentional manipulation of facts.  But I find that when their intent with such is to lift themselves up or defend themselves their intent becomes clear.  I also believe that the Spirit reveals to us when someone’s heart is sincere.  He speaks to us and shows us when someone has repented and come to Him. 

We must be careful with this.  If not, we become as a Pharisee believing we have the only ears or eyes that hear and see God.  It is incredibly difficult to be in such a position.  I do not like it and much prefer to be readily acknowledging how little I know about God and how far away I am from Him.  But there are times when even I can see that someone is not being guided by God, no matter what they claim.  We must so very careful!

"Unless God changes a person's heart, nothing lasting will be achieved." - Will Metzger

I pray that God will guide us as we hope to be used only as tools to guide others towards a deep heartfelt faithful relationship with Jesus.  If we have to be guardrails for others, then so be it.

Judgement

Matt 7:1  "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Of all verses in scripture, perhaps this is the one that is pulled out of context and misused the most.  In the ongoing raging debate regarding sexual immorality (homosexuality is only the most recent in a long struggle at least in this country), so many have quoted this verse as it pertains to actions.  That is fundamentally false as we are told to test the actions and words of others (Matt 7:16).  I believe this verse refers to two specific forms of judgment.  First, determining that a specific person, ethnic group, or sinners or group of sinners is unworthy of the gospel message is the worst form of judgment. 
The other form is to jump to conclusions about a person's motivations.  This week, one particular staff member discovered that the praise band from Navarre FUMC is doing music for the ICM and lashed out stating that Ryan had arranged it as retribution against our church.  What an absurd notion!  Poor Ryan has endured one of his Sunday School and small group leaders gossiping about him most of the summer and now a staff member is judging his motivation.  Note here that it was Patrick who arranged the band, not Ryan, although I'm sure Ryan suggested it as Patrick scrambled to put the event together. 
To be clear, Ryan just simply didn't like playing in the same band as Rob Romans.  Partly his own fault in terms of being a harsh judge of character and having high demands for those leading in worship.  When the Navarre opportunity came along, Ryan (and Reja and I) prayed about it for several months before finally taking the opportunity presented.  Ryan left for a better opportunity, not as retribution.  The band is coming back because we don't have one that would be available to play.  It's irritating that our staff holds a grudge especially since Reja and I have remained committed to our church and have never seen him play at Navarre except one Christmas eve that didn't conflict with our own church.  No one knows of our sacrifice, but at least two or three staff members still blame us for a lack of commitment. 
This is the reason I've been in a rage against critical spirits.  I'm tired of Christians constantly looking for reasons to tear each other down.  As you said so well in your 30 July Blog, we aren't at war against each other, we're at war against satan.  Our critical nature, however, gives satan a foothold in the church to tear each other down, making our overall witness irrelevant. 
I don't plan to confront anyone, although I'm praying that if it does come up, God will give me words of grace and true accountability NOT retribution.  I'm glad Ryan gets to go off to school and escape the churn here, but I'm trying to use this as a teachable moment for one who is called to work with us "Christians."  We don't always act like it and I worry about our testimony when we establish a trend of being a gossip. 
Let us commit to ensuring we're (as you often say) being a measure of God's grace in each encounter with God's children each and every day.  Let us keep our frustrations and criticisms between us and pray earnestly over them to see if it is God calling us to intervene or our own sinful nature that has overtaken us. 
Obviously not putting this one on FB.  My last one I didn't post here as I didn't want you to think it was aimed in any way in your direction. 
Praying myself up to face this day with a positive attitude, open mind and heart.