Read Philippians 4:4-8
Context: This is near the end of the book. Paul has told the Philippians to place their confidence in God, not in the flesh, and to press on toward the goal Jesus has created for us.
Text:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When you are caring for someone who is very close to you, a relative or a friend, it is easy to get caught up in worry. Your brain starts on a 'what if' cycle that escalates until you can only see a future full of chaos and grief for yourself and the person you are comforting. What if she dies? What if they lose the house? What if he's permanently disabled?
These are all important things to consider and plan for as possible outcomes, but try to take things one day at a time...and help the person you are caring for do this too. If you can focus on the positive actions you can take now to avoid such a future, that is great. You must replace worry with positive thoughts, or it will continue to be an obsession. Look for ways you can make a difference in someones life today, with a meal or a hug, and if needed help them plan for the future in a positive way. When you see your friend or relative jumping into the whirlpool of worry, find a distraction that will either help him/her forget or will focus on the actions and events he or she can control. And above all else, pray and pass those worries on to Jesus!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
June 20 - Keep Your Faith
Read Psalm 146
Context: This is the first of a group of five Psalms that close out the book. Each of them is 'framed' with the words "Hallelujah" which has been translated in the NIV as 'Praise the Lord'.
Text:
1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Footnotes:
Psalm 146:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah ; also in verse 10
If you look back at verse 5, the writer tells us that those who hope in the Lord are blessed. I looked up 'blessed' in the Hebrew dictionary, and it says: "how happy!, i.e., a heightened state of happiness and joy, implying very favorable circumstance and enjoyment" (ref 1).
Sometimes it's hard to remember God blesses our hope in him by giving us joy, especially when we are dealing with friends who need our comfort. They are usually pretty miserable...in pain, in fear, or having a devastated spirit due to their circumstances, so much that they are unable to see many of their blessings for a time. It's also tough as a caretaker to enjoy your own blessings because you feel guilty that you have it so good when others are suffering.
While it is important to empathize with others so you can understand their feelings, it is also important that you don't lose your sense of hope. You have been placed along side of them to help them remember to turn to God, and the strength you gain from your hope in God will be plain to see even if you don't say a word. It's easy to be disappointed or even angry with God when we see the difficulties of this world, but your belief that God is faithful and that he is in control despite the circumstances may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
Ref 1: Swanson, James: Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament). electronic ed. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997, S. DBLH 897
Context: This is the first of a group of five Psalms that close out the book. Each of them is 'framed' with the words "Hallelujah" which has been translated in the NIV as 'Praise the Lord'.
Text:
1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
Footnotes:
Psalm 146:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah ; also in verse 10
If you look back at verse 5, the writer tells us that those who hope in the Lord are blessed. I looked up 'blessed' in the Hebrew dictionary, and it says: "how happy!, i.e., a heightened state of happiness and joy, implying very favorable circumstance and enjoyment" (ref 1).
Sometimes it's hard to remember God blesses our hope in him by giving us joy, especially when we are dealing with friends who need our comfort. They are usually pretty miserable...in pain, in fear, or having a devastated spirit due to their circumstances, so much that they are unable to see many of their blessings for a time. It's also tough as a caretaker to enjoy your own blessings because you feel guilty that you have it so good when others are suffering.
While it is important to empathize with others so you can understand their feelings, it is also important that you don't lose your sense of hope. You have been placed along side of them to help them remember to turn to God, and the strength you gain from your hope in God will be plain to see even if you don't say a word. It's easy to be disappointed or even angry with God when we see the difficulties of this world, but your belief that God is faithful and that he is in control despite the circumstances may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
Ref 1: Swanson, James: Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament). electronic ed. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997, S. DBLH 897
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
June 19 - He Asks Us To Pray
Read James 5:13-20
Context: James, presumed to be the brother of Jesus not the disciple, offers practical and sometimes blunt advice about Christianity. This text is the close of the book, which up to this point has discussed the trials and temptations of life and our need to submit to God. He asks the readers to be patient in their inevitable suffering and wait upon the Lord.
Text:
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Prayer is an interesting thing. As children we learn mealtime and bedtime prayers. As Christians we offer prayers to God for thanksgiving, growth, healing, and help in trouble. Sometimes it seems that I offer up similar prayers at particular times and they start to feel repetitive and rote. Other times it almost feels selfish to pray...there are so many things I am asking God to do: heal a friend, help a family member in trouble, prayers for others who have made a request, prayers for my family and myself. Other times there is the feeling that He knows what I need before I ask, so why voice it and 'bother' God with additional words?
Yet over and over we see the power of prayer in the Bible. Jesus, God himself, prayed regularly and fervently. God doesn't always answer prayers in the way we want, but He always answers. Often, by the time we receive the answer, He has prepared us to accept it.
I wonder if prayers are more for our benefit than God's? Through the process of humbling ourselves to ask for help or putting the needs of others before our own as we pray for them, life's real difficulties become more focused. Also, over the course of time, I realize that I am more open to God's will that I was when I first started praying for a particular cause. Maybe He doesn't need to hear our prayers as much as we do...
Context: James, presumed to be the brother of Jesus not the disciple, offers practical and sometimes blunt advice about Christianity. This text is the close of the book, which up to this point has discussed the trials and temptations of life and our need to submit to God. He asks the readers to be patient in their inevitable suffering and wait upon the Lord.
Text:
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Prayer is an interesting thing. As children we learn mealtime and bedtime prayers. As Christians we offer prayers to God for thanksgiving, growth, healing, and help in trouble. Sometimes it seems that I offer up similar prayers at particular times and they start to feel repetitive and rote. Other times it almost feels selfish to pray...there are so many things I am asking God to do: heal a friend, help a family member in trouble, prayers for others who have made a request, prayers for my family and myself. Other times there is the feeling that He knows what I need before I ask, so why voice it and 'bother' God with additional words?
Yet over and over we see the power of prayer in the Bible. Jesus, God himself, prayed regularly and fervently. God doesn't always answer prayers in the way we want, but He always answers. Often, by the time we receive the answer, He has prepared us to accept it.
I wonder if prayers are more for our benefit than God's? Through the process of humbling ourselves to ask for help or putting the needs of others before our own as we pray for them, life's real difficulties become more focused. Also, over the course of time, I realize that I am more open to God's will that I was when I first started praying for a particular cause. Maybe He doesn't need to hear our prayers as much as we do...
Monday, June 18, 2007
June 18 - The World's Hardest Job
Read Romans 15:1-15
Context: Paul has been telling the Romans how Christians act in different situations, including submitting to authority, loving one another, and accepting those whose faith is weak without passing judgment.
Text:
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b]on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name."[c] 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."[d] 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples."[e] 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."[f]
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being a caretaker is a rough job, whether it is full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary. It is also a thankless job, and sometimes that makes it all the more difficult. Sometimes those who are aged or ill are not always thinking straight and they don't focus on the burden of care-taking, only on their immediate needs that aren't being met fast enough or in the 'right' way. Words can be uttered in frustration that leave the caretaker feeling hurt, incompetent, and unappreciated; similar words leave the person being cared for feeling like a burden and an imposition.
Jesus says that he takes on all of these hurtful insults (too bad they have to brush across our psyche's first!). You can almost imagine a comic strip where someone speaks, then Jesus just picks up the speech bubble and wads it up in his hands. We are human, and we will say things we regret as well as hear things we wish we could forget. God wants us to accept one another as we are...and that includes ourselves! If we can see past the pain and suffering of one who needs care and past our own exhaustion and frustration, we will see two people who are cherished by God...and who might need a break from each other.
If you are a caretaker, please find ways to take a break. You cannot comfort and care for another person effectively when you are exhausted. Of course no one else will be able to do the work as well as you can since you have worked out many problems, but they could sit with the person for a few hours (or even overnight) so you can take a well deserved break.
My prayer for you today is the same as Paul's:
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Context: Paul has been telling the Romans how Christians act in different situations, including submitting to authority, loving one another, and accepting those whose faith is weak without passing judgment.
Text:
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b]on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name."[c] 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."[d] 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples."[e] 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."[f]
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being a caretaker is a rough job, whether it is full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary. It is also a thankless job, and sometimes that makes it all the more difficult. Sometimes those who are aged or ill are not always thinking straight and they don't focus on the burden of care-taking, only on their immediate needs that aren't being met fast enough or in the 'right' way. Words can be uttered in frustration that leave the caretaker feeling hurt, incompetent, and unappreciated; similar words leave the person being cared for feeling like a burden and an imposition.
Jesus says that he takes on all of these hurtful insults (too bad they have to brush across our psyche's first!). You can almost imagine a comic strip where someone speaks, then Jesus just picks up the speech bubble and wads it up in his hands. We are human, and we will say things we regret as well as hear things we wish we could forget. God wants us to accept one another as we are...and that includes ourselves! If we can see past the pain and suffering of one who needs care and past our own exhaustion and frustration, we will see two people who are cherished by God...and who might need a break from each other.
If you are a caretaker, please find ways to take a break. You cannot comfort and care for another person effectively when you are exhausted. Of course no one else will be able to do the work as well as you can since you have worked out many problems, but they could sit with the person for a few hours (or even overnight) so you can take a well deserved break.
My prayer for you today is the same as Paul's:
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, June 15, 2007
June 15 - The Comforter Seeks Comfort
Read: Mark 14:32-42
Context: Jesus and his disciples have just finished eating his final Passover dinner. Jesus has forewarned them of his imminent death, and Peter claimed that he would never fall away, even if he has to die.
Text:
32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36"Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (NIV)
Footnotes:
Mark 14:36 Aramaic for Father
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Jesus has set the perfect example of how to help others in times of crisis. But what did he need most when he was in his own crisis? At this point in his earthly life, he has been hailed as the redeemer and was almost stoned as a blasphemer. He has wandered throughout Israel for three years, sharing the truth with many who refused to believe. Swarms of people pushed at him from all sides hoping to be healed by touching his garment whenever he visited a town. Even in the early morning when he would try to find quiet time with God, his followers would find him. Now he knows the end is near, and he is exhausted and distressed.
So what did he do? He went to a quiet, familiar place with his closest friends. He went off a little way by himself and he prayed to God. He asked for what he wanted, and he acknowledged that God knew best, so he prayed for what God wanted. He returned to his friends, disappointed that they were not praying, too. It's interesting that he asked them to pray for themselves and their strength, not his. He wanted to gain comfort by knowing that they were nearby watching and praying.
One lesson we can learn from this is to truly 'be there' for someone who is in crisis. As they go through their personal struggle, they don't necessarily want you to fight for them or to offer plans, but they need you close by, watchful, and available. They need you to pray for them, but they also need you to pray for yourself...that you will be there in the best spiritual position you can attain to help support them.
Context: Jesus and his disciples have just finished eating his final Passover dinner. Jesus has forewarned them of his imminent death, and Peter claimed that he would never fall away, even if he has to die.
Text:
32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36"Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (NIV)
Footnotes:
Mark 14:36 Aramaic for Father
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Jesus has set the perfect example of how to help others in times of crisis. But what did he need most when he was in his own crisis? At this point in his earthly life, he has been hailed as the redeemer and was almost stoned as a blasphemer. He has wandered throughout Israel for three years, sharing the truth with many who refused to believe. Swarms of people pushed at him from all sides hoping to be healed by touching his garment whenever he visited a town. Even in the early morning when he would try to find quiet time with God, his followers would find him. Now he knows the end is near, and he is exhausted and distressed.
So what did he do? He went to a quiet, familiar place with his closest friends. He went off a little way by himself and he prayed to God. He asked for what he wanted, and he acknowledged that God knew best, so he prayed for what God wanted. He returned to his friends, disappointed that they were not praying, too. It's interesting that he asked them to pray for themselves and their strength, not his. He wanted to gain comfort by knowing that they were nearby watching and praying.
One lesson we can learn from this is to truly 'be there' for someone who is in crisis. As they go through their personal struggle, they don't necessarily want you to fight for them or to offer plans, but they need you close by, watchful, and available. They need you to pray for them, but they also need you to pray for yourself...that you will be there in the best spiritual position you can attain to help support them.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
June 14 - Did You Hear What She Did?
Read John 8:1-11
Context: The following story doesn't appear in some of the earliest manuscripts found, but it has remained in the Bible nonetheless. It is near harvest time, and Jesus has been teaching in the temple at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Pharisees are getting agitated at him and they tried to arrest him, but the temple guards were so impressed with his teaching that they let him go.
Text:
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Many of the crises in our lives are the result of our own behavior. Unfortunately, our own condemnation isn't all we have to face...everyone around us jumps in with loud opinions and judgment.
As a Christian in a position to comfort someone going through a crisis like this, it is really easy to join up with the crowd. Even on Sunday morning I know there is gossip and whispering about others who are in crisis of one kind or another...we all seem to wait anxiously for others to fall. But God has again provided us with an example in this type of situation.
Jesus hears the condemnation of others, but he doesn't feed it or even argue with them. He refuses to join in. He went one step further and he stopped them in their tracks. How many hurts could be avoided if we all remembered our own sins before we threw stones?
It is important to note that Jesus did not condone the woman's behavior, either. He spoke the truth about her sin, and he had compassion for her as a person. He didn't remind her of all the other times she's failed and he didn't seem to doubt her ability to change.
How can we shut down gossip of others? It's easy to ignore it and not get involved, but that doesn't stop the injury to the person being discussed. Sometimes the best way to comfort someone is to make the environment surrounding them less hostile.
Context: The following story doesn't appear in some of the earliest manuscripts found, but it has remained in the Bible nonetheless. It is near harvest time, and Jesus has been teaching in the temple at the Feast of Tabernacles. The Pharisees are getting agitated at him and they tried to arrest him, but the temple guards were so impressed with his teaching that they let him go.
Text:
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Many of the crises in our lives are the result of our own behavior. Unfortunately, our own condemnation isn't all we have to face...everyone around us jumps in with loud opinions and judgment.
As a Christian in a position to comfort someone going through a crisis like this, it is really easy to join up with the crowd. Even on Sunday morning I know there is gossip and whispering about others who are in crisis of one kind or another...we all seem to wait anxiously for others to fall. But God has again provided us with an example in this type of situation.
Jesus hears the condemnation of others, but he doesn't feed it or even argue with them. He refuses to join in. He went one step further and he stopped them in their tracks. How many hurts could be avoided if we all remembered our own sins before we threw stones?
It is important to note that Jesus did not condone the woman's behavior, either. He spoke the truth about her sin, and he had compassion for her as a person. He didn't remind her of all the other times she's failed and he didn't seem to doubt her ability to change.
How can we shut down gossip of others? It's easy to ignore it and not get involved, but that doesn't stop the injury to the person being discussed. Sometimes the best way to comfort someone is to make the environment surrounding them less hostile.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
June 13 - Shut up and listen!
Read: Proverbs 18 -- select verses
Context: More wisdom, presumably from Solomon. I've pulled out the verses that relate to listening or being there for your friends (I also just HAD to include verse 22...)
Text;
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
6 A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts.
13 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;
the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
17 The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Why is it so hard to listen to someone else? Instead, we always want others to listen to us...and we get frustrated when it doesn't happen. Hmmm...bet the feel the same way!
It seems like it is hardest to listen to someone we think we know well. We've been around our spouses, children, siblings, and parents most of our lives and often we 'know' what they are going to say because we've heard it several times before. But have we really heard? I bet that if the other person believed that you fully understood his/her position and had demonstrated this in some way, he or she wouldn't have to repeat it to you so many times!
Maybe we know the words, and even the emotions, behind someones feelings, but until we can demonstrate that we understand the impact of these things to a person's life, we really haven't listened. Pretty soon, the person who is telling you about their concerns begins to feel that you don't care.
I bet each of us has a person that we dread talking to because all they do is complain. When you get a call from this person, what do you do? I hesitate to admit that the first thing I do when I get this call is pull up a crossword puzzle off the internet and proceed to solve it, adding in an occasional 'supportive comment' in the conversation when it seems warranted. It's hard to listen because I feel like I've heard it all before....MANY times.
In reality I'm cheating myself and I'm cheating the person who called. I'm passing up an opportunity to become much closer to another one of God's creations, and I'm not paying enough attention to even be able to pray for the other person's true concerns. I think I know all the answers to the problem, and I 'know' that if they would just take certain actions everything would be ok.
Our challenge today is to really listen to someone around us. Don't make suggestions, don't admonish, don't create a grocery list in your head. Listen as if you are going to have a pop quiz on the other persons words when the conversation is over. Seek to really understand what they are saying and feeling. Learn something new about them...and don't tell them anything about your story unless they ask!
Context: More wisdom, presumably from Solomon. I've pulled out the verses that relate to listening or being there for your friends (I also just HAD to include verse 22...)
Text;
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions.
6 A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts.
13 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;
the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
17 The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Why is it so hard to listen to someone else? Instead, we always want others to listen to us...and we get frustrated when it doesn't happen. Hmmm...bet the feel the same way!
It seems like it is hardest to listen to someone we think we know well. We've been around our spouses, children, siblings, and parents most of our lives and often we 'know' what they are going to say because we've heard it several times before. But have we really heard? I bet that if the other person believed that you fully understood his/her position and had demonstrated this in some way, he or she wouldn't have to repeat it to you so many times!
Maybe we know the words, and even the emotions, behind someones feelings, but until we can demonstrate that we understand the impact of these things to a person's life, we really haven't listened. Pretty soon, the person who is telling you about their concerns begins to feel that you don't care.
I bet each of us has a person that we dread talking to because all they do is complain. When you get a call from this person, what do you do? I hesitate to admit that the first thing I do when I get this call is pull up a crossword puzzle off the internet and proceed to solve it, adding in an occasional 'supportive comment' in the conversation when it seems warranted. It's hard to listen because I feel like I've heard it all before....MANY times.
In reality I'm cheating myself and I'm cheating the person who called. I'm passing up an opportunity to become much closer to another one of God's creations, and I'm not paying enough attention to even be able to pray for the other person's true concerns. I think I know all the answers to the problem, and I 'know' that if they would just take certain actions everything would be ok.
Our challenge today is to really listen to someone around us. Don't make suggestions, don't admonish, don't create a grocery list in your head. Listen as if you are going to have a pop quiz on the other persons words when the conversation is over. Seek to really understand what they are saying and feeling. Learn something new about them...and don't tell them anything about your story unless they ask!
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