.....::::: Do You Judge or Show Mercy? :::::.....

Hey guys! Long time no see! We hope all is well with you! Let's jump right into Scripture for this one.

Jesus offered mercy to people who deserved judgment (by normal human standards). In Luke chapter 4, we see Jesus as He is reading from the scroll in which the prophet Isaiah foretold the Messiah's mission.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him." (Luke 4:18-20)

What does that mean? How is it relevant though?

Jesus was basically saying, "I've come to let struggling people, brokenhearted people, people captive to addictions, people stuck in dark spiritual places know that now is the time of God's favor-God is on your side, not against you!"

As a Christian or even a non Christian, do people get that vibe from you? Do they feel you are judging them or that you are only here to expose their flaws while making yourself look good?

One important thing to highlight in this passage is that Jesus cut Isaiah's word off in mid-sentence. Don't believe me?

Isaiah said, "[...] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn [...]" (Isaiah 61:2)

But Jesus said read, "to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor," then He rolled up the scroll. Why did He leave out the part about judgment?

Mercy.

The other half of the Scripture is sure to come but He offers mercy to everyone who realizes they need it. He offers restoration to all who need and will receive God's help. Jesus clearly states in John 12:47 that He did not come to judge the world or condemn it but restore and free it.

But do we give that message?

When people think of Christians, they think of hypocritical, judgmental and non transparent religious people. People who value the technicalities of the law more than the people the law was there to serve. Some of us value "speaking truth" and "being right" way more than actually lifting a finger to help those in need. In blunt terms, people think of us Christians, the way Jesus saw the Pharisee.

But we have got it all wrong! We have lost the truth about the heart of Jesus! Mercy matters to God! Mercy and compassion defines God's character! It is this very compassion that leads people to repentance. In Matthew 18:33 Jesus gets annoyed when faced with people who have been shown kindness and mercy, but refuse to extend it to others.

Pharisees love to judge people. Why? Judging makes us feel good because it puts us in a better light than others. Whether we know it or not, we put ourselves in God's place. The Pharisee felt superior and showed no mercy for people who didn't live up to their standards.

Now my question to you is this: Do you tell yourself that "you don't do this or that-look at what a good person you are-at least I am not as bad as this person"? Or do you truly believe that you are holier than others? If so, we will pray for you. This is something that is far too present in our generation, whether you are a Christian or not. God wants hearts that receive His mercy, and then offer it to others.

Have a blessed day and don't forget to show mercy. (This post was inspired by John Burke's book "Mud and The Masterpiece - Seeing Yourself and Others Through The Eyes Of Jesus.)

(Devotions/ Devotionals)

.....::::: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE :::::.....

Do you ever feel that your life is too complex for God to understand?

Do you feel that your problems are too hard for God to solve?

Do you feel like God would not comprehend what you are going through?

Jesus goes by many names. One of them being "Immanuel", which means “God with us.” When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was God in the flesh. We can’t see God with our eyes or touch Him with our fingers, but people could see and touch Jesus. And because Jesus was human (while still being God), He completely understood what it was like to be human—to be tired, hungry, thirsty and tempted.

Here is a parable that I was reading and I hope that it may help you better understand.

Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug.

(Humbug is deceptive or false talk or behavior.)

He wasn't a Scrooge. He was a very kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men.

But he didn't believe all that stuff about God becoming man, which churches proclaim at Christmas. Why would God want to do anything like that?

So when his family left to attend midnight services on Christmas Eve, he stayed home. Shortly after the family drove away, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. Some time later, as he was reading his newspaper by the fire, he was startled by a thudding sound that was quickly followed by another. Then another.

When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through the window. I can't let these poor creatures lie there and freeze, he thought. But how can I help them? Then he remembered the barn. It would provide a warm shelter. He quickly put on his coat and boots and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on the light.

But the birds didn't come in.

Food will bring them in, he thought. So he hurried back to the house for breadcrumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn.

To his dismay, the birds ignored the breadcrumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction — except into the warm, lighted barn.

They find me a strange and terrifying creature, he said to himself, and I can't seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me.

If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety.

Just at that moment, the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for a while, listening to the bells pealing out the glad tidings of Christmas.

Then he sank to his knees in the snow. "Now I understand," he whispered. "Now I see why You had to do it."

http://youtu.be/iAT_kv4ZNng

Need I say more? I think it is pretty clear. Have an amazing day and stay blessed!

(Devotions/ Devotionals)