DEVOTIONALS
Devotional 1
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged." ~Matthew 7:1
It’s really easy to judge someone when he/she doesn’t live up to your expectations of how you think a Christian should act. It’s also really easy to judge people who aren’t Christians. In fact, it’s simple to judge just about anyone. The faults of everyone else are not in the least bit difficult to recognize…or point out. An old cliché comes to mind when I think about this verse. “What goes around comes around”. Did you know that when you judge someone you are planting a seed of judgment that will multiply and produce more and more seeds that can easily turn around and point judgment back at you?
When the adulteress was brought to Jesus for condemnation, what did Jesus say? He told those who had gathered around that anyone who had no sin in his life could throw the first stone at her. Guess what…no one was able to throw a stone at the lady, so she was set free with Jesus’ words “go and sin no more”. No one could judge her because they were all guilty of sin too. A few verses down from our key-verse for this devotional talks about how we should remove the plank from our own eyes before we can possibly see well enough to take the speck of dust out of someone else’s eye. Clearly, we are not supposed to judge others. Judgment will only bring judgment back on you. And besides, who are we to judge others if we have sin too?? Be warned, if you are quick to pass judgment on another person, you will also be judged, and oftentimes the judgment will be greater by the time it gets back to you. Take a lesson from this verse, and leave judgment in the hands of the only one who is in the position to do so…God. After-all, we all fall short of God’s glory. Instead of judging, try praying for the person and if you must, point out their sins in love and care. But always remember, once a seed of judgment (as well as any other type of seed) is planted, it will begin to grow and multiply, and you will no longer be able to contain it. What kind of seeds do you want to be known for producing? Probably not judgmental ones….I want to be known for planting seeds of love and care and hope…seeds of life. :)
-HK
Devotional 2
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." ~Philippians 2:1,2
This verse is pretty self-explanatory. Do you have any encouragement from being united with Christ? I know I do. A lot of encouragement, in fact. This verse tells us that we need to share that encouragement…that comfort that Christ gives us with others. If you feel encouraged because of Christ, make someone else feel encouraged too…and then show the person what your source of encouragement is. I think this verse gives us the basics of how to witness. Reach others by showing them what Christ has done for you. Witness by being “Christ-like” and offering encouragement and love to those around you.
You don’t have to preach at someone to be a witness. All you have to do is share the joy…the love…the peace…the encouragement…the comfort…the grace that Christ gave you with those around you. Be “Christ-like” and reach out to your friends…to the people that you meet on the street…to all those that you come into contact with. Reach them by sharing that love Christ reached you with. If you have received encouragement, pass it on. Encourage those around you…show them the Jesus that you know and love, the Jesus that works in your life and cares so much for His children. Don’t keep it to yourself…share the wealth! :)
-HK
Devotional 3
"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." ~1 John 2:6
“What Would Jesus Do?” The cliché is over-used, but the actual idea is not used enough. We’ve all heard it, but what does the quote really mean? Did you know that we as Christians are representatives of Christ? What happens if you are swearing, gossiping, stealing, doing drugs, lying, etc.? What kind of a representative of a Holy and Righteous God are you being to those around you? If we say we are followers of Christ, then we need to walk, talk, act, react, etc., like Jesus would if He were in our place? So, in all things, be sure to ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do?” before you act.
But how do you know what Jesus would do? Well, what DID Jesus do?? We have four books of the Bible that are devoted to telling us all about the life of Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are all good books to consult when you want to know what Jesus would do. Also, the more time you spend in prayer, the more familiar you will become of Christ’s ways and will. He will guide you and show you what to do. Just ask Him!
Remember, people will know you by the things you do. If you are going to claim that you are a Christian, then it is important that you act like one! If you don’t, you may end up turning people away from God instead of bringing them to God. Now, I’m not saying that you have to be perfect, of course only God is perfect! But you must try, you have to do your best. And you have to get back up when you fall. Jesus no longer lives on this earth, but He lives in US, His followers. It’s up to us to show the world who Jesus is. It’s up to us to walk as Jesus did.
I know this isn’t the poetry section, but I thought I’d share one of the first poems I wrote, since it goes well with this devotional.
What Would Jesus Do?
The words slip out
Too quick to consider
The effect they could have
To make one bitter
And I know I've once again failed
To give God all control
And once more my own will has prevailed
And I've lost sight of my goal
To be like Jesus
To act as he would
To follow his ways
Think through like I should
I want to show His light
In all that I do
If I'd remember this question
"What Would Jesus Do?"
My life's an example
For all to see
Of a Christian person
With "different" beliefs
But I still stumble
And sometimes go astray
And I often forget my choice
To follow all God's ways
Still, I know He forgives and forgets
If I turn my life around
And get back on track
Remembering I'm homeward bound
No one is perfect
But we must strive
To act in all situations
With this motto in mind
"What Would Jesus Do?"
-HK-
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