Something Different for May - Day 27 - The Danger of Criticism

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “'As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.'"

Romans 14:1-11 NLT

Prayer - Day 27

Lord, 

         Today when I’m strong in faith, help me accept and encourage ones who are weak. When I’m weak, help me find grace from the strong. I need to remember that none of us lives to ourselves alone! Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Thank You, amen.

Praying Through Romans - www.crosswalk.com

Giving Thanks In Those Times of Life

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1st Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Yesterday, I mentioned watching The Hiding Place again. I bring it up today, because the very first time I watched it, I was not actively pursuing a relationship with Christ, yet it made such an impact and had a great influence on my future walk with God. 

I remember the scene of the two sisters talking about our Promise for Today - being thankful in all things - and the one declaring she would not be thankful for the lice in their bed in the death camp - only to find out shortly after her declaration that the reason the female prisoners in their particular building were not accosted was because the guards were afraid of getting lice, too. For weeks, I remember thinking about being thankful IN all things... It began a life-long journey of learning to make that choice even in the worst of times.

I believe if we choose to give thanks in all circumstances, it allows God to take it, anoint it and pour it out, causing seeds of beauty and grace to bloom a little further down the road. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, after much prayer, my bottom-line decision was to journal about it in the hope of helping someone else along the way. And there have been several that page* has helped. In fact, just this week, while promoting a blood drive in our office complex, someone responded as a first-time donor and mentioned it was because her mother had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. An opened door. An opportunity to show love. And the exciting part to me is this woman does not YET have a relationship with the Lord. I asked if she and her mother had a support system - neighbors, church family, etc. Her mother had joined a church recently, and she is now thinking about it...

Giving thanks IN all things - an eternal, life-changing opportunity - because I've been there. I again proclaim Psalm 118:17 KJV, I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your perfect love and perfect plan for our lives. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your perfect orchestration of intersected lives. You are so good! Keep us ever mindful to have grateful hearts, O God. Use us for Your glory - In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.*(https://www.facebook.com/dontbesuchaboob/) 

The Will of God

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18

We often refer to the Scripture "Pray without ceasing."  It's as familiar as the proverbial "Give thanks in all circumstances." I hear them quoted often, but rarely together, and I've never heard anyone follow them with the end of this verse. 

Interesting, the most often prayed request is to know the will of God for our lives. People pray for years - seemingly to no avail at times. And yet here it is in black and white. Plain sight. Spelled out... Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

The Truth is, all prayer is answered; it just may not be the answer we want. What we want is "Yes!" What we may get is "No" or "Not now". Rejoice anyway! Thank Him anyway. Pray anyway!  Doing the Father's will. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Your Word. Inexplicably simple in form, Indescribably difficult to execute... except for grace. Help us to follow Your Word and to do Your Will. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen