Luke 19:8 (NIV)~ "If I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Zacchaeus discovered that you CANT be right with God until you are first right with those you've hurt. Joseph discovered that being Prime Minister in Egypt doesnt mean much if your family relationships are strained. Relationships are like a house. If you dont maintain it your task wont be to repair it- it will be to rebuild it. We each carry within us the experience of our yesterdays. They influence our relationshihps, our choices, our view of ourselves, even our understanding of God.
You can't live in a spiritually healthy fashion if you have an unrepaired past.
For a long time Jacob lived that way. He took advantage of his brother Esau, manipulating him out of his inheritance. Then when things got bad between them he fled the country. When he returned home, he did so fearing the face of his brother. In his case the relationship was healed but it doesnt always end that way.
Repairing the past is best done immediately. Patching up wounded relationships, dealing with festering regrets, letting go of feelings toward someone who's betrayed you; these issues lie deep within us as if asleep. Then suddenly they're awakened by some "trigger". It could be an anniversary, It could be an old face in the crowd or it could be a particular song on the radio, but they dont go away until we DEAL WITH THEM. How? By forgiving, and when possible making restitution. You see, forgiveness isnt just for the other person's benefit-it's for yours. So, is there a relationship you need to repair today? If so, take care of it!!
Thursday, February 18
Tuesday, February 16
Loving the Unlovable!!
"THE KING WILL REPLY, I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS [SISTERS] OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME."~Matthew 25:40
Her Parents didnt want her so at birth they placed her in foster care. Shuffled from place to place, she dreamed of the day they'd return. It never happened. So she lashed out at the world by attempting suicide. Then through a series of events she found her parents again. She lived with them but things were strained. When they told her they wanted to adopt a baby and "start over" she longed to be included. But when she said, "I don't want to be a burden, so maybe I should go," her Dad helped her pack. Cramming her things in a grocery bag, he pressed 10 dollars into her hand and said goodbye.
Today she lives on the street, sleeps in doorways and eats from garbage can. Sadly, her story's not unique. It's been multiplied into infinity. In fact, there's probably somebody just like her in your neighborhood-forgotten, unloved and isolated. They're usually the hardest to reach because they feel unwanted and useless. They wrestle with inferiority, poor self image and lack of self respect.
What do we do? Instead of loving them we label them. Instead of caring we criticize.
What should we do? Open our hearts. Love is much more than shaking hands in church. It takes time to develope and grow. So be gracious. Remember, that tough exterior is just a cover up. Look for new ways to reach out, encourage, and show hurting people you care.
Why? Because Jesus said, "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID IT FOR ME."
AND THAT SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH!!
Her Parents didnt want her so at birth they placed her in foster care. Shuffled from place to place, she dreamed of the day they'd return. It never happened. So she lashed out at the world by attempting suicide. Then through a series of events she found her parents again. She lived with them but things were strained. When they told her they wanted to adopt a baby and "start over" she longed to be included. But when she said, "I don't want to be a burden, so maybe I should go," her Dad helped her pack. Cramming her things in a grocery bag, he pressed 10 dollars into her hand and said goodbye.
Today she lives on the street, sleeps in doorways and eats from garbage can. Sadly, her story's not unique. It's been multiplied into infinity. In fact, there's probably somebody just like her in your neighborhood-forgotten, unloved and isolated. They're usually the hardest to reach because they feel unwanted and useless. They wrestle with inferiority, poor self image and lack of self respect.
What do we do? Instead of loving them we label them. Instead of caring we criticize.
What should we do? Open our hearts. Love is much more than shaking hands in church. It takes time to develope and grow. So be gracious. Remember, that tough exterior is just a cover up. Look for new ways to reach out, encourage, and show hurting people you care.
Why? Because Jesus said, "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID IT FOR ME."
AND THAT SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH!!
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