Good morning! How are we faithing? I've seen people who get bogged down with the whole seeking God thing. They seem burdened with this task. They act like they are doing God a favor by being pious. Bunk. God doesn't need favors from us nor do we get points for acting in perceived notions about us being necessary for God's existence. It's time we think about something. Rather than edit in out heads the scriptures with today's culture we need to take the scriptures as holy and to mean exactly what it says. Trying to explain how things work and twisting the Word to a mold of current idealism is dumb and dangerous. I've done it, you've done it. It is easy to do. Just because I perceive things through a lens of the past 60 something years I've lived doesn't mean that my view is the only correct one, nor is yours. The scripture is specific and it must be taken as a whole. I can't stand rap music. Does that mean it's bad? Nope. I drive with knowledge of how my vehicle works, does that make me a better driver? Not necessarily. With this line of thought, is my interpretation of scripture set in stone and everyone else's wrong? Of course not, but when we search the scriptures and ask God to speak to us, the Word will indeed do just that. How do we know if it is correct or rather is being used by God to speak to us this instant? The whole council of God. If you read "eye for an eye" without seeing Jesus' explanation in, for example, Matthew chapter 7, you will end up a vindictive cruel person. Was that the intent? Justice is necessary but forgiveness and love is also. Sometimes justice and compassion seem far far apart but when we study the whole council of God and not study, looking for justification for ourselves and our actions, we find the true peace and understanding and amazingly, an ability to understand our fellow man. Without this wisdom we can become rude, self indulgent and just plain mean. As we've discussed before, our getting better is a result of us growing in the love and admonition of the Lord and not us doing good in order to get closer to God. Do you see the difference? Sure we do good things because it is correct to do so but we do them for that reason and not to gain status with man or God. Think about this as you read;

Prov 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
NIV

Rom 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
NKJV

Matt 7:1-5
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your holy scriptures that reveal you to us. Lord we want to live holy lives and we want to find your peace and not grow an ego from good deeds. We ask intently for your guidance and for your wisdom in all we face. We ask forgiveness for our sins, ones we know about and the ones done inadvertently. Lord, help us be strong in our faith and able to discern others needs. Help our tongues be blessings and not tear down. . In Jesus name, amen