And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
M.O.M.: Ephesians 4:31
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.(English Standard Version)
Today's reading: ZEPHANIAH 1-3 REVELATION 16
Just In Love
His dirty little hands clutched his teacup as he sat down, alone, after his lunch on Christmas day and let his weary mind turn back through the years.
He had once spent time with those he loved but had ceased this practice because of those he called the 'bad' ones. Those who would always judge him for his political views or for his lowly post as a simple 'line-worker'.
The bad ones could just darken any room(in the mind of the old man). They would profess love to all the family, yes, but would sully the air with their upper crust stench. These things laid on his mind like mold on old cheese.
The man now could be free of the presence of all those if he could just wipe them from his memory. But there he sits, even now...
Before you judge this little man, think of those you do not want to see during this holiday and why.
The only thing we control on this earth is our own mind. If you get a bad feeling for someone, it is because you have allowed your mind to gather the 'bad' about them as you have chosen to judge them.
Ephesians 4:1-3 1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.…
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
The little man had chosen to be alone but, truth is, we can go along for the ride and be around a whole crowd and be just as alone as he...we can close it all off with a calm look and be off somewhere...
Or, get low before God in humility and ask God for help and forgiveness and look past the sin to the part Jesus was really born for-the part He really died for-the part He will come back and get one day.
"But preacher, you don't know what they did..."
No, but the Lord does-just like He knows what we all have done-and still do. But, if we have confessed it, He chooses to never remember it-ever-
Isaiah 43:Rather you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities. 25"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Hebrews 10:16“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put My Laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” 17Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control(Fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22,23)
Go, relax, love, give your thoughts to God and remember what Jesus taught us to pray, "Father... forgive me...as I forgive...
It is really amazing how much you can learn to enjoy folks when you are not their judge.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
I give You my dark thoughts about others-destroy my judgement-I will look with Your eyes to the soul You love and consider myself no better than anyone. Forgive me.
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