Looking In
Devotions / 16 comments
Matthew 7:1-6
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you, when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. (The Message Bible)
WOW! Need I say anything else? God’s word has a way of telling us exactly what we need to do. Even when it’s not exactly what we want to hear.
I was driving home with my two sons, Josh and Eli yesterday. We were enjoying a beautiful, Tennessee afternoon. School was out for the day, the house was cleaned, cars were washed, the yard was mowed and we were going home to throw the baseball and enjoy some good home-cooking. Everything was near perfect except for a little 5 o’clock traffic. We were turning onto Mack Hatcher Parkway, a busy intersection about 2 miles from our house. When all of a sudden out of no where, a big SUV pulls out right in front of us all the way from the other lane and cuts us off. He didn’t want to wait in traffic like everyone else so he decided to sneak up on the right- hand lane that was for cars turning right but at the last second jumped onto our lane so he could turn left. I was infuriated. If my boys weren’t in the car I might have said a few choice words and even given him the half-peace sign. It wasn’t pretty. As I embarked on a journey of resentful thoughts and “under-my-breath” insults, I was gently reminded by a still small voice about my own issues. I was confronted with my anger, impatience and lack of self control. I was amazed at how quickly I allowed something so minute to change my mood and outlook on life. I glanced in the rear view mirror and discovered my nine year old, Eli looking right at me. BUSTED! Embarrassed and ashamed, I apologized to my sons. As usual, they were gracious and merciful.
It’s so easy to blame others and exterior circumstances for our attitudes and moods. We spend a lot of time trying to fix people, mend relationships and bring solutions to our distressed surroundings when really what’s inside of us is what needs to be dealt with. When you’re confronted or even cut-off with the realities of life, be quick to “LOOK IN” and take inventory before you start trying to assess everyone else and how they need to be. Let us be people that are willing and honest enough to deal righteously with ourselves. Hopefully what you will find on the inside is the peace of God that transcends all understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!
joe
Kevin Dunham-Mejia
That’s so true. I noticed when people who complain all the time of others faults, they are basically describing all the flaws they have them self. Watch.. the next time someone says something like, ” Man.. she talks too much!” well… what are you doing?? or.. “look at the way that guy is dressed.!” take a look at the clothes they have on.. -problem is, the god of this world has blinded the eyes of the unbelieving.. even though the truth of Christ and Salvation is right in front of them, they cant see it. Those who pay meager attention to it mock it as foolishness, but we know it is the power of God unto Salvation..forgiveness of sin.
Thanks for being a laborer, because the harvest is ripe and ready for the picking, but the laborers are few.
ps. I just downloaded Still into my G1.. awesome!! great work!
God Bless you!
Kevin Dunham-Mejia
New York City
james
Thanks Kevin. What a great reminder. Believe me, I have a lot of work to do in this area. I’m a work in progress and God is good. Blessings to you and all of our NY Kuzins.
Gus Lopez
Those behaviors are common in everyones life as is the way we react to being slighted or wronged. It seems that our society has taken on the “EYE FOR AN EYE” mentality. How quickly we are to cast stones back instead of reacting as our lord and savior wants us to react. How can it be that our savior died such a brutal death just for the forgiveness of our sins, but we, his children have such a difficult time forgiving each other??? I know that behavior all to well because i was that person that wanted revenge and i would cast stones back if i thought i was being slighted or wronged. It wasnt until recently through prayer, i was able to learn to completly forgive and pray for all including my enemies!!! You talk about being set free!!! How can we bottle up those feelings of anger, resentment, ill will and revenge?? We truly are our own worst enemys. There is still hope when we seek out gods will!!! It only took me 40 years to do so!! You can do it as well. I conclude with a powerful message delivered to me a few weeks ago. It goes: KNOW GOD? KNOW HOPE!! AND NO GOD? NO HOPE!!!
In Gods Grace
Gus Lopez
San Diego, Ca
Joy
Ya know, James, thanks for that reminder.
If anyone knows what it’s like to work with all women,
then you know that it’s rough to hold your tongue sometimes,
Goodness, gracious. One day I asked one of the ladies if there was anything else that she could possibly find to gripe about.
The weather, the temp in the office, too cold, too hot…blah blah.
It just sucks all of the life out of you if you let it. It’s tiring.
It’s a good opportunity to share the joy of Christ!
It takes me all but 5 mins to drive to work in the morning and the first thing I do when I get in my car is pop in Fa’afeta’i. Number
4 on the MySamoa CD. To start my day off in right direction.
HOWEVER, when I get to work, whether be the girl that sits behind me or beside me, it never fails that they’re griping about something. Then I look down at the girl 2 cubies down…who just lost her 50 yr old husband on Superbowl Sunday at a Steelers party while they were dancing together…and it all comes back into perspective. QUICKLY. Especially since my husband has pancreatic cancer.
I don’t want to waste any focus on the things that annoy me, but only the things that edify God.
It’s easy to get caught up in the griping, but to walk through it with your ears closed is easier when there is something to remind you of the goodness of God on the other side.
I do sometimes catch myself and thank someone for covering my faults when I’ve made a mistake and make sure I try to do the same thing for others.
Is it human nature to be on the offensive? I don’t know.
I guess that’s the struggle. Wouldn’t it be great if we
all were doing our best to have the mind of Christ?
Everyone would be so much happier and pleasant!
xo
J
Joy
I’m sorry…I meant thanks, Joe!
Joy
Man..and I can’t edit my post…lol.
I also meant, “Ya know, Joe…”…
forgive me. I think I had just read
James’ post above and had James on
the brain for a minute!
sorry.
I can be such a bonehead sometimes.
Elizabeth
Great word Joe!
Matthew Barnett came to my church tonight and he spoke a really great word.
I have been sending out an encouraging word every few days and here is some of what I wrote..
When Matthew Barnett was speaking tonight he said a word that really stuck out to me and that’s “impossible.” It’s never impossible to serve God we as the people in His Kingdom should put our whole hearts out there in our every days and believe in the faith that has been given to us. When we believe in that faith and know that God is going to bless us no matter what things change for us and our lives become more positive. As Gods people we need to walk by faith and not by fear. We need to walk like we have so much confidence in us. At the end of the day God is still God and He is going to bless us no matter what..If you are stuck in something that you are really afraid of pray about and know that God is going to bless you and know that God is going to take you out of that issue.
Remember it’s not impossible to walk that path that God has blessed us with. Be positive and really believe in the faith that God has given you!!
God Bless,,
Elizabeth
LaDetra (Faith)
I have a question. What’s the difference between judging and discerning?
Sue
That’s awesome! We’ve just been teaching our kids about this lesson! Recently, I was heart broken by a dear friend from church and no matter what, I would never hurt them back!
Just keep them in prayer!
Blessings,
Sue
james
Hey LaDetra, that’s a very interesting question. Both of those words have varied definitions, depending on the context in which they are used. Judging, means to give an opinion after careful consideration. It also means to suppose or have as an assumption. Discerning, means to have knowledge or understanding over a matter. I think that the one difference that I have discovered of these two words is, “Judging” is an out ward act, while “Discerning” may be more of an inward act. Just something to ponder. What a great question.
Lizzerd
James-
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I was thinking about that question when I noticed you had responded….I agree especially with the last statement about Judging is more of an outward act while Discerning is more of an inward act.
I find it interesting about the word judgment….to give opinion after careful consideration….it seems too often that “we” as humans in general will judge BEFORE(caps for emphasis) careful consideration, I know I have personally experienced that…both others doing it to me and I am at fault in doing it towards others.
I believe discernment is something we can have from God/Spirit(inward), but judgement is of the flesh/not of God(outward). This perhaps something more to ponder
LaDetra (Faith)
Thanks for answering the question.I always knew there was a difference between the two, but I could never really put it into words what the difference was(I know that sounds kinda stupid, but its the truth).If you have anything else to share about this please do.
Just like everybody else judging others is something I’m trying to work on.I’ve been in situations like Joe’s where somebody did something wrong to me on the road, but unlike him I’ve made nasty comments about the person and didn’t feel bad about it(I actually felt better).To me I always felt justified b/c I thought the other person was in the wrong(this is definitely a weakness of mine).
I’ve also been in situations where I’ve made rash judgments about somebody before I’ve even had a real chance to get to know them.I think my reason for doing this was b/c of a fear of rejection. I’m so afraid that I might get rejected by them based on my appearance (race, style of dress, etc.) that I reject them first. I might not say it in words, but I definitely show it by having a cold attitude towards the other person. In my mind I’m saving myself from getting hurt, but looking back on it I’m really just cutting myself off from potentially getting to know a whole lot of great people. This is something I really need to pray about.
Sista RJ
Amen Brother Joe, WoW! luv it just keepin it real. Yes, a great reminder for all of us.” I must decrease and He must Increase.” So Jesus, please let me not look to the right or to the left or at another but look at myself first and then ask you to do heart surgery after repenting for it’s against you alone we sin. Repentance is a gift help us to recieve it everytime we need it and let it begin with me. God bless all of you Kuzins!
Seka
This msg has been in my inbox for about a week and I finally got around to reading it today. I have to confess that I have been VERY guilty (esp this past week) of judging someone. And even while I was doing it, there was a voice in the back of my head ‘tsk tsk ing’ …
It’s so much easier to talk about someone to hide your own pain, insecurities, etc. I feel like the enviroment that I’m in right now is changing me. I feel like I’m losing myself and at the moment there is just no escaping…Pray for me y’all.
Liska Jewell
Hey Jesse
Happy Birthday!
Hope you get a corner piece of cake!
God bless
Liska
Melissa M.
(lol Kuzin Joy you’re way too cute!)
Man, this is so true n’ convicting! I got to put it into practice while commuting lol… It’s amazing how “ugly” our hearts can be when we just work in the flesh & “react”. I’ll continue to keep on looking IN…
Thanks for the WORD!
Luv n Blessings