October 13th

OCTOBER 13th

Everyone you meet is on a different place in their journey. It isn’t a matter of being “ahead” or “behind” on the journey with Jesus. It is a path ordered differently for each of us. Some parts are similar between some people and other parts differ between those same people. When our Heavenly Father planned our days before we were born, He did it according to His perfect plan, taking into account our free will and choices (good and bad) as well as who He was creating us to be. Since we are all different, we learn differently, are shaped differently, react and respond differently, etc. So our trajectory is different even from our siblings. As a result, our attitude toward other believers should be one of compassion, not criticism. Oh to be sure, we must judge for ourselves whether someone is behaving in a godly manner or not so that we do not walk in their footsteps of sin, but that judgement should be with fear and trembling so that we do not fall ourselves, not so that we condemn them. We must remember that they may not yet have learned the same lessons that we have, and we may not yet have learned what they have.

My mom used to say, “God allows you to see others’ faults only so that you know how to pray for them.” I would add to that “and so that you are careful not to do the same.” There is no room in our lives and should be no room in our hearts for condemnation of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Really it comes down to the whole “throw the first stone thing.”

John 8:3-5 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

When you are perfect, feel free to point out others’ faults, but until then, have mercy.

Jude 1:22 Be merciful to those who doubt;

Show mercy to those who doubt, they have not lived in your shoes and have not seen God do the things you have seen or learned the things yet that you have learned. Pray for them!

Be the first to show mercy instead of the first to be critical. Be known for that. Be known for speaking Truth and freedom into peoples’ lives. Be known for encouraging fellow believers. EVERYONE has things they are struggling with that you know nothing about, seize the opportunity to be encouraging and full of grace.

Let’s pour out mercy today!

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Heard this the other day: Don’t drink the cup of forgiveness from your Heavenly Father and then only give others a teaspoon of it!

Lord, thank you for your mercy! Thank you for not treating me how my sins deserve. Help me to show that same mercy to others. Help me to be a vessel of mercy today. Show me how to come alongside others and support them through trials that I have already seen and help me to recognize where I can learn from them in areas that I am lacking. Thank you for giving me your mercy over and over again. Help me to be grateful every day.