DCF-073023

 

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another;

love as brothers,be tenderhearted, be courteous;

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling,

but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were

called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

-1 Peter 3:9-10

1 Thessalonians 2:2 - "But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention."

 

 

 

I LOVE THIS REMINDER

WE ALL NEED A REMINDER SOMETIMES

 

You ever hear someone say, “I just can’t seem to catch a break?” We see people who look as if they are on top of the world but we don’t know the struggles, the investments nor the compromises that they made to get there. We just know that they are there and we are not.

 

The wicked never seem to grasp that the “breaks” they are getting is through a carefully crafted plan of the enemy to keep them in the grip of sin. Not a revolutionary strategy. Satan keeps it simple because it works.

 

The flip side of this is the believer. They have accepted Jesus and trusted Him with all they are. They learn quickly that patience produces character, and character produces hope. It is in this hope that the days of destructive behavior will pass. That the emptiness and anguish associated with life here will be eased because we have made peace our leader and righteousness our ruler.

 

Only then does God promise that, “The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” -Isaiah 60:22

 

Let me break it down for you. Prosperity that comes through crookedness is not lasting. It’s a hard fall from the penthouse to the outhouse. But for those who wait on the Lord and His time when blessings come, they are lasting and sustainable.

 

“Stop comparing your first step to someone who’s reached the top of the staircase.”

 

I guess some folks take the elevator to the top.

I think I’ll take the stairs.

 

-Pastor Butch

 

Fact:

 

Most folks make judgments based only on what they see.

 

Let’s talk about that.

 

Why is it so easy to see other people’s mess when we haven’t dealt with our own?

My grandpa always said a body ought to make sure their own yard is clean before they get into his. I never forgot that and have tried to live by it.

 

It’s a biblical principle for life. Jesus said, “You who pretend to be someone you are not, first take the big piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you can see better to take the small piece of wood out of your brother’s eye.”

 

How about that? Wouldn’t it make life so much better if folks would just tend their own business, voice their opinions only when necessary or, just act like they are supposed to? That last one would take care of a lot.

 

I think then maybe…just maybe, our judgment of others would be less harsh and we could concentrate on making life easier. For all of us.

 

Write this down: “Changing the way you think will change the way you live!”

 

Have a great Tuesday!

-Pastor Butch