Day 278: Patience with Everyone

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

I want to discuss patience today. Patience with our brothers and sisters in Christ, our peers. Sometimes it’s very hard to maintain our patience with God, and even harder to maintain it with everyone else. I think sometimes we are so quick to get impatient with our neighbor that we forget how much patience it took from others to get us where we are. When talking about dealing with our peers we must realize that at some point in our lives we were in their shoes, or maybe we are in there shoes. Sometimes all people need is for us to be patient with them. I know it’s easy to get frustrated with a lazy person who seems to not want to do anything. But we can all point out a time in our lives when we were uninspired, not motivated, or just as lazy as the next person and someone was patient with us. I know we’ve all met people who are timid and shy, (I was one of those people). When we see this in people we have to take the time to encourage them. It’s easy to tell them that they shouldn’t be shy, but that’s not really helping. Encourage them, work with them, be patient with them. Next the scripture tells us to take care of those who  are weak. Sometimes we have to be each other’s strength. Meaning we have to take care of someone else. We have to put ourselves aside in order to make sure that someone else is taken care of. And we must do it in good spirit. I point out all of these in the scripture because I believe that this is one of the ways in which God calls us to love one another.  

This is how we are to love our neighbors. Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit, and many times we translate that to only mean having patience when it comes to waiting on God. Yes, that is part of it but we have to take it a bit further and apply it in how we treat people in our everyday lives. Sometimes we are so quick to run out of patience with one another, and if we learned self-control there would be a lot more peace in the world. We are so quick to get angry and flip out when things don’t go our way, or things are not in the timing they planned. This is the human condition, everything is moving so fast around us and we have everything at our fingertips, we have forgotten how to be patient. We’ve forgotten what it is like to wait for something or someone. (With apps like Tindr we don’t even have to wait for the right person anymore, we can swipe to discover what it is we want and fit us, but that’s another subject for another day.)  In these moments it is important to remember the patience of God. He is the most patient. This is the man who has given us chance after chance, after chance, I could go on forever. Yet He never gave up on us. Even when we didn’t get it right. Even when it took us longer to submit to Him than He wanted. Even when we walked away and came back a million times. He never gave up on us. In fact He sent His son to die for us. God did all of this for us, yet we give up on people after two tries.

If we took the time to encourage and take care of one another, being patient would not be an issue. But the problem with that is taking time for someone else is taking time away from self. When we think about it,  impatience is a pretty selfish trait. It’s all about us, and our timing, and what we want, and the people we decide we have no patience for. It’s all about us, making our lives “easier”. The truth is, sometimes our lives will have to be hard, in order to benefit someone else. Jesus is a prime example. Sometimes patience means giving ourselves up for the sake of someone else.

All this to say be patient with people. Love one another. When we truly love our neighbor as the bible says we will have less of a problem being patient with our peers. Encourage one another, lift each other up, and warn one another in love.

Reflection

1. Are you a hot tempered person? Do you lose your patience quick?
2. Has has God’s patience with us translated to how patient we are with our peers?
3. Do you believe that there is a difference between waiting and being patient? If so what is it?

Prayer Time

Take the time to discuss what we talked about today. Have a conversation with God about patience, as Him to teach you patience.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 279!

Day 260: Our Brother's Keeper

1 Corinthians 8:13

So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

Galatians 6:1-2

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

I know many of us have had the conversation about being our brother’s keeper. Meaning, is it our responsibility to take care of someone else? Are we responsible to make sure that someone stays on the right path, that we are doing whatever we can to help take care of them. Are we here to look out for one another? Before I say yes, I’m going to say that it is written pretty clear in the bible when Jesus tell us to love God and love one another. When He says love your neighbor as yourself, I believe that it covered us being our brother’s keeper. Meaning, we’re not going to let someone we love stumble and fall. We are not going to watch our neighbors fall and not do anything to help them up. What I’m getting at here is that we are indeed  our brother’s keeper, just like Jesus is for us. He picked us up at our lowest points and put on the path to righteousness. He gave us eternal life. Never did He judge us or tell us we were at fault, but he took on our burdens. He put Himself on the line for us. It is our responsibility as God-fearing and spiritual people to help lift one another up. We are to carry one another’s burdens not make the weight heavier or say they can handle it. I think sometimes we are so consumed with not wanting to get in someone’s business or letting  them figure it out on their own that we are letting people drown that need our help. People are reaching for us and we are waiting for them to sae themselves. We cannot just walk pass people that we know are in need and not help them, especially if we call ourselves Christians. I have seen too many people condemn others who are falling or have fallen into sin and done nothing to help them. It’s easy to talk about someone but how about we get down there with them and bring them out, or lend a hand to pick them up. The scripture says that we are to humbly and gently help them up. That means that we do not judge them or we do not blame them, because Jesus did not do that to us. We do not tell them they got themselves into the position they are in, we are to help them get back to where they were, to lead them back to Christ.

I talk about this subject in regards to sin because it is the one thing that I see people being condemned for the most. However, this is every area of our lives. When we truly love one another they way that God intends us to love we are constantly willing to put ourselves on the line for our brothers and sisters. We are not to put ourselves in danger or cause ourselves to be tempted but we are to take on  a selfless attitude, Share the burdens of our brothers and sisters because that’s what Jesus did for us. We never know how heavy it is for someone. We never know when they will crack or when too much is enough. Even Simon helped Jesus carry the cross to calvary.

All this to say, everybody needs somebody and we are that somebody. We are our brothers keeper and it is our job to lift one another up.

Reflection

1. Do you believe that you are your brother’s keeper?
2. Have you ever thought about the responsibility of caring for others, and taking on and sharing their burdens?

Prayer Time

Allow your answer to the above questions guide your prayer. Have a conversation with God about what we discussed today.

I love you and I hope you an amazing day or evening, be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 261!  

Day 217: Walk With Each Other

Romans 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection Outdo one another in showing honor

Romans 12:18

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Today’s devo is all about getting along with one another, something that sounds simple but it is so hard. Not that it’s hard to get along with everyone because most times we can get along with everyone but we all have those few people or at least one person that we’d rather not cross paths with, to say the least. I have to be honest, I have been struggling with this subject for the past few days. However as Christians it is important that we live in harmony with one another, that we walk with one another and that we honor and respect one another.

If you are like me, you’re the type of person that only has to be crossed once or twice and then your done with a person. So when I came upon these scriptures I kinda almost had an argument with God. Trying to find a loophole in it all. Like okay God but this person is a jerk, like they’re wrong. Why do I have to deal with their foolishness in my life, why do I have to be the bigger person? Why do I have to try to get along with someone that I know doesn’t like me? Like God the feelings are mutual. I know many of you can relate, but this is something that I have been sincerely struggling with. Something I had to start praying about, God help me with my pride. I found that the reason I was feeling this way was because of my pride. I don’t like feeling disrespected, I don’t like being talked to crazy. And even though all of this may actually be happening, one thing I had to ask God was to help me get over my pride.

It’s not on the other people, the scripture says, “so far as it depends on you” so it is our job to do all that we can to live peaceably with one another. It’s our job, we cannot use someone else as an excuse as to why we cannot do our part to love one another. I know it’s hard, I know sometimes people are hard to get along with, but we must do all that we can to show our love. It’s hard, it’s very hard, but it’s not impossible. And if at the end of the day we’ve done all we can on our part, and the other person still doesn’t come through on their end, at least we did our job. We can still love them. Everyone is not meant to be our best friends or be close to us, but everyone deserves love, rather we like them or not. It is still our job as Christians to love them. Even when we’re angry at one another love is more powerful than that anger. I’m the type of person, and I blame this on Jesus, that no matter how angry I am at someone, no matter what they’ve done, my love is stronger. Love is greater than our own feelings, love is the strongest part of us as human beings. Love overcomes it all.

All this say, do what you can to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters in Christ. This is easy when we have to get along with people we like and the people that make it easy to get along with. We have to love those who make it nearly impossible to love or to like. Jesus did it, He loved us despite our wrongdoings. Do what you can to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters. That is not to say that we should not guard our hearts. Guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Don’t let your love be tainted because of how someone else treats you. Also don’t let your pride get in the way of you trying to get along with others. Don’t just give up on people, try and do all you can.

Reflection

1. Do you find it hard to get along with certain people? Why?

Prayer Time

Take the time to talk to God about what we discussed today. Talk to Him about pride and helping you to get along with and love your neighbors. Ask Him to help you even when it’s hard. Talk to Him about guarding your heart and finding a good balance.  

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 218!

Day 124: No One Compares

Psalms 89:6-7

For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord? The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne.

It is safe to say that there is no one who can compare to God, no one on heaven or earth. There’s no one who can get to the level of competing with God because no one is near comparison with Him. No one is heaven and no one on earth can compare to who God is. The scriptures say the highest angelic powers stand in awe of Him. There is no one nowhere like Him, God just is. He is the only person in the universe who can do the things He does. God is the only being who exist outside of time, no one else can say that about themselves. That is why eternity is in His hands because He was before anything else, including time. That is mind blowing.

I just have a couple of questions seeing that we know that there is nobody or nothing that compares to God. Why do we act like there are things that can compare to the goodness of God? What I mean by that is sometimes we use God as a last resort like He couldn’t give us what we needed had we gone to Him first. Sometimes we allow our circumstances to change how we view God, and that is a very human thing to do, but can we try putting our faith in God first. We have to learn to trust Him first not when we are all out of options. God should always be the one we go to first. It is better to put our faith in God while floating in a sea of opportunity than to wait until we have hit rock bottom. There are multiple reasons why we say no one compares to God, every person can name at least three reasons if not more.We make these blanket statements all the time but when all's said and done and everything is on the line do we really believe it? What I mean by that is, why do we put things in the place of God if no one compares to Him. Why do we look for validation in so many places when God is standing right there? I can speak for myself and say that sometimes I act like God is not enough, sometimes I act like there are things and people who are better than God, who can help me more. Because sometimes, and I’m being honest, I don’t want to pray or read my bible I’d rather talk to my friends who will be there physically. And every time I come out realizing that I should have gone to God first, I took a detour when there was no reason to. We have to realize the magnitude of this statement when we say so, no one compares. It’s like saying no one compares to Whitney Houston’s singing, or Muhammad Ali’s boxing, or Viola Davis’s acting. When we make those statements we are initially saying that they are untouchable in their field they are so great that there is no one that is could be equal to them.  

That is exactly what we mean when we say that there is no one who compares to God, not even the highest king in all the universe, not even the pope compares to God. No one, there is no one that can be equal to such a great being.

There is no one love that compares to God, no grace that compares. There is no one quite like God.

As Christians, we live to push to live our lives like Christ and love like God, and as close as we get to it, we don’t even compare. That is why He is God, we will never surpass who He is, which is why we are forever serving Him.

Reflection/ Response

When you think about today’s topic and scripture what is your initial response? Take the time to reread the passage and scripture and respond.

Prayer Time

Allow your response to guide your prayer, talk to God about whatever stood out to you, ask Him or larity and understanding. Have a conversation with Him.     

Day 62: How Far Will You Go (Part 3)

As we bring this small series to an end, I want to talk about loving others, and how far we will go to show someone that they are love, not only by us but by Christ as well.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story of paralyzed man who was carried to the roof, and let down so that He could get His healing from Jesus. These men could have kept walking and ignored this man, but instead they decided to do everything in their power to get him to Jesus. When they couldn't get through the door, they went to roof and started drilling a hole. Not only did they do that but they carried him up to the roof, and lowered him into the house. When they couldn’t find a way, they made a way. That’s love, only love will make you do something like that.

Luke 5: 18-19

18 Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. 19 But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus.

Are we willing to spend our time helping others, making sure they get what they need?

There are a couple of other stories I’d like to point out as well.

Acts 4: 32-37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The people in this community made sure that everyone had what they needed. That meant giving up their own possessions, and sacrificing what they had to make sure that no one was in need. Sometimes we have to be willing to give up something for others, and not expect anything in return. That is one way to love our neighbor, to take care of them when they are in need. To make sure that they are okay. We are supposed to love one another as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31).

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to love our neighbor time and time again. He also shows us what it means to love our neighbors. When we learn to love like Christ and use that love towards others we are showing people what it means to know the love of God.

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Reflection

1. How can you improve the way you love people?
2. Are you willing to take that extra step or mile, sacrifice, or take that detour for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
   
   
   
   

Prayer Time

Allow you answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Ak God to help you show love to His people, to love them the way He loves. Take the time to pray for your brothers and sisters and lift them up in prayer. Thank God for them, and the opportunity to love them.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening, make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 63!