0 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.”
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In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.[Matthew 7:2 (NIV)]
The way we see God affects the way we see ourselves. If we imagine God to be a demanding boss, we expect to be rewarded or punished based on our performance. But if we believe that God is a loving father, we see ourselves as children — imperfect, yet adored.
Focusing on our flaws, faults, and failures can lead us to see the same imperfections in others. When we are unkind, impatient, and irritable toward others, it’s often because we treat ourselves the same way. If we have trouble forgiving ourselves, we may also tend to hang on to the wrongs others have done to us.
Recently I looked in the mirror and saw a man I didn’t like, a man who wasn’t always polite or friendly. But God didn’t see what I saw. As I stared at my reflection, I felt God whisper, “You should speak to that man in the mirror gently and pray for him with compassion. You should love that man — because I do.”
God doesn’t ignore our sins; God forgives us. And we can do the same — for ourselves and for others.
"In Time"
The Author: Jeff Adams (Arizona, USA)
Thought for the Day: Because God loves me, I can love myself.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us see what you see and do what you do. Amen.
The way we see God affects the way we see ourselves. If we imagine God to be a demanding boss, we expect to be rewarded or punished based on our performance. But if we believe that God is a loving father, we see ourselves as children — imperfect, yet adored.
Focusing on our flaws, faults, and failures can lead us to see the same imperfections in others. When we are unkind, impatient, and irritable toward others, it’s often because we treat ourselves the same way. If we have trouble forgiving ourselves, we may also tend to hang on to the wrongs others have done to us.
Recently I looked in the mirror and saw a man I didn’t like, a man who wasn’t always polite or friendly. But God didn’t see what I saw. As I stared at my reflection, I felt God whisper, “You should speak to that man in the mirror gently and pray for him with compassion. You should love that man — because I do.”
God doesn’t ignore our sins; God forgives us. And we can do the same — for ourselves and for others.
"In Time"
Worry makes us weary. It can wear us out and wear us down. It can convince us to quit. But God's strategy is that not only would we endure but also that we would reap abundance when the harvest is ready.
Galatians 6:9 in the ESV says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (emphasis added).
In due season. Harvest is not due every season. But sometimes we expect fruit when it's not time yet. When we don't get what we want we often believe we have failed. And if we deem the failure to be the result of something we did or something we didn’t do, we condemn ourselves.
We suppose that we've sinned, perhaps unwittingly. But in fact we may have done nothing wrong. Perhaps we did what we should have done. Maybe the season we're in is winter. During winter there are no blossoms, no leaves, no fruit. But winter is not a season of barrenness; it's a time of rest. A Sabbath.
Likewise, there are seasons when we expect fruit prematurely. But not all of us mature at the same rate. In fact, trees bear their fruit in due season—when it's their time, not before. Some of us are late bloomers. It takes more time for our lives to produce. Don't condemn what God has forgiven. And judge nothing before its time.
Too often we focus on the negative and overlook the positive—God's promise. The Bible promises that if we don't quit, if we don't give up, we will reap.
Be patient then. With yourself. With others. With God. The harvest is guaranteed. Keep doing what is good and doing it well. [Jeff Adams]
Read more from the author, here. Galatians 6:9 in the ESV says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (emphasis added).
In due season. Harvest is not due every season. But sometimes we expect fruit when it's not time yet. When we don't get what we want we often believe we have failed. And if we deem the failure to be the result of something we did or something we didn’t do, we condemn ourselves.
We suppose that we've sinned, perhaps unwittingly. But in fact we may have done nothing wrong. Perhaps we did what we should have done. Maybe the season we're in is winter. During winter there are no blossoms, no leaves, no fruit. But winter is not a season of barrenness; it's a time of rest. A Sabbath.
Likewise, there are seasons when we expect fruit prematurely. But not all of us mature at the same rate. In fact, trees bear their fruit in due season—when it's their time, not before. Some of us are late bloomers. It takes more time for our lives to produce. Don't condemn what God has forgiven. And judge nothing before its time.
Too often we focus on the negative and overlook the positive—God's promise. The Bible promises that if we don't quit, if we don't give up, we will reap.
Be patient then. With yourself. With others. With God. The harvest is guaranteed. Keep doing what is good and doing it well. [Jeff Adams]
The Author: Jeff Adams (Arizona, USA)
Thought for the Day: Because God loves me, I can love myself.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us see what you see and do what you do. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those struggling to love themselves
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