Daily Prayer

Great cold morning! How are we faithing? We as believers under grace need to stop pointing fingers, criticizing others, and living like we don't sin. I hear gay bashing, bad talk about people who smell bad, criticism about bar patrons and all the time they forget that they are sinners too. Granted, some sins may be more offensive than others but we've talked before about hating the sin and not the sinners. We as believers are sinning when we bash other sinners. Of course the consequences for sins committed in this world do deserve justice but we as believers must pray for the sinner and rebuke the sin. People seem to get offended at speech, nativity scenes, Christmas trees etc. and I for one am tired of it. We Christians are guilty of the same transgression of offense. How can one expect another to act like a Christian when they are not? Do you think correcting speech will lead them to God? We need to grow tougher skin and see the person under the persona and live by example with grace and love thus letting God show them there wayward ways. We must be more concerned with the persons eternal soul rather than the outward appearance. God'll take care of that stuff, out job is to show compassion and reveal truth from scripture and not condemn them with that Bible. If we are publicly standing for a principle, fine but remember there is a soul under the behavior. The apostle Paul did some really horrible things but when he met Jesus, those things changed and no other Christian pointing those sins out led him home. Protect the innocent of course, live by true example of Christ's grace and love. Be concerned about Jesus and don't get caught up in seemingly righteous indignation if it is for itself and not for revealing God's love.

Luke 10:30-37

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
NIV


This is our mission. This is what we are to do. We must stand for truth. We must love like we are loved by God. We must love the sinner and hate the sin and we need to see with Jesus' eyes and begin that way today. Stop pointing fingers and show Jesus.

Remember Mike Foushe and his family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saved someone as nasty as me. Lord we ask for your wisdom to see truth and to see into the person. Lord we are persuaded by outward appearance and we ask for strength to get past that. Lord open our eyes to truth. Open our hearts to the compassion you give. Fill our mouths with truth and love and help us love unconditionally without judging. We lift up Mike and his family...heal and comfort them in this tragedy, in Jesus name, Amen