Reverence For Others

Monday, September 16, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:  James 3:13

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading:   Proverbs 27-29 2 Corinthians 10

Reverence for Others

Philippians 2:3 ►"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves..."

Paul makes a statement about how Titus feels about these Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 7:15 "And his affection for you is all the greater as he remembers how ready you were to obey and how you received him with reverence and respect."

Now-out in the world sometimes folks must forge ahead without regard to what others think of them. There are rules and ways of business that must not regard the feelings of individuals. This is not a Biblical premise but this is how some must operate in this world-but not in the kingdom of God.

Paul puts an emphasis on the 'affection' Titus has for them and we can feel the implication-in the Body of Christ, we treasureor should treasure the affection and love of others.

The greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-39 is to love God with all we are and love our neighbor as ourselves. This should tell us that God wants our love-even demands our love-it is most precious to Him.

As we are made in His image, the affection of others should be most precious to us.

We must realize that not everyone is not going to even like us-but that is not on us-we must love them. This makes the affection of the ones who do treat us with loving reverence and respect even more precious.

We are responsible for our own will and behavior-no one else. Take time to look into the hearts of all around you. They are as precious to our Lord God as you are precious to Him. Always consider the feelings of others even if it takes a great deal of effort to abide them. People are not always going to act and react the way you prefer but they are still precious to God-so-they must be precious to you.

We need each other to operate in the Body of Christ as He wills.

Loving each other is not optional-it may not be convenient or fitting to your 'standards'-but loving each other is not optional.

Philippians 2:3 ►"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves..."

Reverence is a feeling of deep awe and respect and this means that some of us have a great deal of work to do when we step back and see how we think about and treat others-this presents us with a deep prayer need.

Ask God to make others-no matter who or what you think they are-precious to you.

Philippians 4:5 ►Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

...because He loves us-all...

Father in Heaven,

Your name is far too perfect to be slandered by my behavior to others. Help me be in awe of Your likeness in everyone and fill me with Your love for them. Thank you for everything I need for this day-for every step and thought. Lead me away from judging anyone.

My God worthy of all my praise,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen