Friday, December 12, 2014
God Uses Our Friends
If we watch the world around us, God will show us and teach us things through others. This morning I was thinking of the plight of a friend of mine that is having some challenges. As I thought about his situation and what was going on in his life, I felt that God was showing me the same issues in my own life. For me, I was fortunate to see this. In years gone by I spent time thinking far too much about others and what was going on in their lives. Somehow I would fail to see it in my own. But such is not the case. When we spend time thinking about others and their choices, we are judging them.
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
It seems that when we judge others, even if not in a wicked way, we set up some type of rules that we say we expect to be the guide posts. The truth is most people have some of the same issues within themselves because we are HUMAN! We are going to have problems that need to be addressed and God will help us with that. We need to better consider ourselves and pray for our own lives. Perhaps the big problem with judging others is we are not focusing on our Messiah where our real attention should be, and we could miss Him and what He is doing.
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
When we make comparisons to others, we miss the Messiah. We are to focus on ourselves and our relationship with Him, and then we will find our way to God and His works and ways.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. You alone are worthy to be exalted and praised. We long to spend our lives with You and to be in Your kingdom daily. Send us today overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we judge others and help us to remain focused on You. We need Your healing from within. We need Your deliverance. We need Your loving arms. Hold us, and help us to follow in Your ways. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.