Theme:   Everyone - Where Everyone is Wanted and Everyone is Needed

Read: John 13:34-35; Mathew 5:3-13; James 1: 2-15

Think: I think to myself sometimes, “I wish I had the ability to put people in their place like this person does! I would be able to really make them feel bad and not have to feel so awful when someone puts me in my place.” Ever felt that way?  I sure have… but I believe it’s a God given talent for me NOT to be able to put people in their place.

I loved Ben’s point about how we can make a point OR we can make a difference. He talked about working with the girls and what he said about “Making a point is NOT making a difference.” I have seen that so much in my life and today’s message really spoke to me. How many times have I argued with one of my immediate family members over something trivial like a specific comment, or leaving the clothes on the floor, or forgetting the dishes in the sink?

I loved the approach of the Apostle Paul when preparing to speak to the people of Athens. He certainly could have mad e appoint about their idolatry and sinfulness… But instead he chose to make a difference and saw the best in people. He took the opportunity to teach them about the one true God.  I tend to see the worst in people and have to talk myself out of the negative first impression to get me out of that tendency. John 13:34-35 sums it up nicely,

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Not only is treating others with grace a Christ-like thing to do like Ben talked about, but with all of the ‘Beatitudes’ in Mathew 5:3-12 found in today’s read section.

This is where I really feel God working in my life, and maybe he is working in yours.

Do: Understand that we are not perfect… and just because we may be on our way to becoming a Christian or have been a Christian for years, doesn’t make us perfect. Continuously pray for a soft heart so that we can be slow to react to hateful words or hurtful taunts and respond in the opposite spirit:  in love and with grace.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for you for your wisdom, grace and understanding to deal with my weaknesses. Let me be the rock you need to grow our church in the way you want to see it grow. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.