May 2022 week 3
Looking in the Mirror
Are you a judge and juror?
Lesson Objective: Taking the time to take a critical look at how we apply lessons in life
Scripture: Matthew 7: 1-3
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
There is a psychological fact when it comes to many people. When someone else does something, we criticize them for the action but when we do something quite similar, we find a way of explaining it away and in several instances actually justifying our actions even though they are inappropriate. An example is looking at someone jumping the line at the store or pushing to get on the bus for a seat. Our first reaction is to say how rude the person was. Two days later we are running late and we jump the line using the excuse that we are late. We see ourselves as having a real reason while the other person was rude. Perhaps the first person also had a pressing appointment or needed to get home to cook dinner for their children who were home alone. We should be careful to judge others when we really have no idea what they are going through.
Thought for the day: Do not judge me until you have walked in my shoes
Tuesday
Looking in the Mirror
What is your advice?
Lesson Objective: Taking the time to take a critical look at how we apply lessons in life
Scripture: Job 2:9
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Often times our friends or others will come to us for advice or we offer the advice without being asked. Unfortunately, most of us will respond with “If I were you I would”. The problem is that we are not them. I laugh sometimes when I think of the advice that Job’s wife gave him. If he had taken her advice he would be dead and she would have been a widow but a “live” widow to continue to live her life. I am sure that she did not want him to continue to suffer but that was not the proper advice. She needed to understand more about who Job was and his core values and maybe encouraged him to hold on to those core values. When someone asks for advice, we should take the time to see what they are facing thru their eyes and not from our point of view. When is the last time that you gave advice and did you really see it from their eyes or was it through your eyes. Be critical of your advice before so willingly sharing. Perhaps the advice should only be given after you have prayed about it.
Thought for the day: Remember everyone has advice but that is all that it is.. advice.
Wednesday
Looking in the mirror
Calming the raging sea
Lesson Objective: Taking the time to take a critical look at how we apply lessons in life
Scripture: Matthew 8: 23-27
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
When times are turbulent and everyone around you are terrified, do you join in the concern noted or are you the calming voice in the room that reassures everyone that all will be well. Most times when things seem to be bad, it is never as bad as it seems, In fact, most often it can be much worse. However, we spend our time imagining the worse which very seldom happens. Our imagination can get the best of us and we think of the worst and not the best outcomes. Remember that we hear best when it is quiet. True faith comes when things appear to be at their worse and others are watching to see how you handle the storms in your life. When the storms arise just take a moment, breathe and say Peace Be Still for there is nothing that can be worse than fighting this battle alone. Hold on and know that we are never alone.
Thought for the day: Take a deep breath and smile… All is well
Thursday
Looking in the mirror
Are you the one?
Lesson Objective: Taking the time to take a critical look at how we apply lessons in life
Scripture: Mathew 11: 1-3
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
We all have an assignment here in life and there is someone who is asking us the same question “Are you the one”? In all of our lives there was someone who answered that question. Someone no matter how small made a difference in our lives and helped to make us who we are today. What difference did you make yesterday and what difference will you make tomorrow? The difference can be just a smile that you gave someone who was desponded and needed a smile to lift their day. When we help others, we actually help ourselves. As we look in the mirror each morning do we see someone who will go out with the love of God in their heart and willing to share that love with others? I challenge you to go out today with the intention of being the one.
Thought for the day: If not you then who and if not now when?
Friday
Looking in the mirror
What comes out the mouth comes from the heart
Lesson Objective: Taking the time to take a critical look at how we apply lessons in life
Scripture: Matthew 15: 16-19-
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
There have been times when we have said something and wished that we had not said it. We would have liked to have caught the words mid-air and eaten them. The problem is that we cannot catch them and no matter how much we say that we are sorry, it does not undo what has been said. Likewise, all good things come from the heart and bless our souls and others around us. Psalms 51: 10 says Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. It is up to each of us to seek to have a clean heart so that what we say and do will be uplifting to all around us. When we look in the mirror we should not just look at the outer but look deep within us to see our heart. Just as we wash our faces every day, we must wash our hearts so that our hearts are pure and free of blemishes. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Thought for the day: We are what our heart says we are.