honestly..

So the question arises...
Are we to take the bible literally?

Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

37Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.~ Matthew 5:37 ~ NIV

With that how would you respond to this next statement Jesus makes? How do I respond.. Not always the way I should..

Anyway. A question to ponder..

27-30"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

31-34"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

35-36"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

37-38"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

39-40He quoted a proverb: "'Can a blind man guide a blind man?' Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn't lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.

41-42"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 I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. ~ Luke 6: 27-42 ~ The Message



We are supposed to pray for those who hurt us.. for those that frustrate us.. get on our nerves...

How well do we really handle people who are hard to love? Do we take the time to pray for them and love them or are we so wrapped up in ourselves that we hold our hands in front of our own eyes.. blocking out any ability to see God's love for that so-called difficult to love person? Who is to say that that person is not an angel in disguise?

Has anyone ever called you an angel?
Why not?

Moving on..
If someone slaps you.. Take it.

Wow.. don't we in reality get defensive and attempt to gain justice by force...
If you are being abused, you need to get out but do not take vengeance. God tells us plainly "Vengeance is mine"


Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ Romans 12:19-21 (Not Positive)

Help and give without expecting a return. -- This is truly a calling on our lives. We are to be servants.

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

--- I want to live a generous life. There is no need to be critical of others, only to encourage others to seek out their relationship with the Lord.
What? Is there something more important?


Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
--- Who do we honestly think we are? We are no better than anyone else.. we are all sinners. Some of us redeemed by grace.. others on their way to finding grace..
Why should we judge (hinder) anyone for lack of faith in Christ when maybe God has not completly revealed Himself to that person yet... Why do we judge?

God is working in everyone.. not everyone except you..

Alright..

So a friend of mine left a tag on her facebook that I found very profound.

"The longer you think, the less you know what to do."

I can't get over how true that is.. Its the most profound thing I have come across all day..
Its like so true..
I know there are some things I need to do and the longer I wait the harder it gets.. but at the same time it doesn't seem as if it is the right time to do them... then it gets harder...

Vicious circle.

Lord help me know your timing for these things.

Amen