IS IT THEM OR IS IT YOU?

How many of you expect people to behave the same way that you behave? How many of you have certain expectations of people or certain behaviors that you consider as suitable? I think we all have a few expectations when it comes to others. For example, if you are a hard worker you expect others to be hard workers. If you are happy go lucky, you expect other people to be happy go lucky. Sometimes it may be difficult to understand why other people’s thoughts, behaviors and values differ vastly from our own. But when our expectations are not met, are we not judging others? Are we not finding fault with others thoughts, behaviors and values because they differ from ours?

Just because someone does not agree with us, or their thoughts, behaviors and values differ from ours does not make them wrong and us right, or vice versa.

One definition of self-righteous reads

Confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others. Ouch!

It may not be intentional, but sometimes our behaviors may be considered as self-righteous.

Each of us strive to walk in spirit, to exhibit the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. However, our flesh as we know is enmity against our spirit and causes a war between the two.

Paul said in Romans 7:19-20 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

It’s the flesh, the carnal nature that is quick to act, to judge, to condemn, to think and speak things that are contrary to the truth, or the spirit.

James admonishes us in chapter 1 verse 19 to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Why does James say this? He says this because it’s the nature of our flesh to do just the opposite. Oftentimes we begin our rebuttal, our answer, or our solution while someone is still speaking. How can we hear if we are thinking about what we are going to say? Sometimes we speak without even thinking about what we are going to say. We just react without weighing our thoughts. Unfortunately our reaction at times may even be out of anger, because we have not been swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

Do you count yourself among those that speak without knowing the entire situation? I think most of us do at some time. How could we not? Only God knows everything.

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Is It Them or Is It You

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Bless The Lord

As we enter into the holiday season many people are excited while others are experiencing stress and sometimes sadness. The holidays usually bring family and friends together. If you have suffered a loss the holiday season may not be very cheerful. You may be thinking about a lost loved one. You may have suffered a financial loss, the loss of a job or perhaps you are separated from family and friends. It may sound cliché, but believe it or not God loves you and He wants you to find peace in Him. I am printing the entire 103^rd Psalm to keep you from having to leave this blog to read it.

As you read this give your worries, stress and loneliness to the one that can handle it, Almighty God. Neither you nor I are equipped to carry our burdens that is why we are instructed to cast our cares. If you are prone to worry make a conscious effort not to worry. Rather than worrying read the lines below as often as needed until the promises below resonate in your spirit. 

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

⁹ He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

¹⁰ He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

¹⁸ To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²² Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

 

Be Blessed,

Greta