HomeWord - May 18, 2006
Not Always as it Seems
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” Matthew 7:12
A Different Type of Prayer
– By anonymous
"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together."
It’s been said ‘you never know enough about a situation to truly be angry’. So often we jump to confusions, instead of looking beyond the situation at the heart of the matter. As children the Golden Rule was said in our classrooms, teaching us to be fair and nice. As adults, we now teach the next generation this same phrase. Treat others the way you want to be treated. But do you truly act this way? Or is the Golden Rule just a looming phrase and a nice ideal? The words in Matthew 7:12 are the words of Jesus. These words are building blocks of compassion and kindness. God shows us this kind of love every day. What can you do today to show an act of mercy or goodness? As Christians it is important to treat others the way Jesus would treat them…you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.
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GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever misjudged a situation? What happened? What was the result?
2. How can you make an effort today, and everyday, to be an example of God’s mercy and goodness?
3. Take a moment to pray that the Lord would help you to look beyond circumstances and at the heart of a person or situation.
FURTHER READING:
Luke 6:27-36; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15
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