Thoughtful Thursday

So here we are again for Thoughtful Thursday...

This last week has been a crazy one to say the least... During this crazy week a conversation with one of my dear friends has stirred me.. ruffled my feathers so to speak =)

When I was a teenager, learning about God and my walk. I was extremely hard on those that did not live up to standards of what I thought was the "right" way to live.  The bible speaks plainly about how he expects us to live. He wants us to live like Christ, period. In my young age I just had no room for error. In fact as hard as I was on people around me I was 100x worse on myself.

There was no compassion, there was only judging and condemnation. I loved, don't get me wrong. The choices that some of my friends and loved ones made were not right according to the word. But the way I received them or what my heart was saying about them was just as bad as their own sin. I wasn't showing Christ love.

I would get so angry with those who knew as much or if not more about God and his word, yet continued to live in the same sinful nature with no repentance. It angered me because I knew that they had a choice, and I wanted them to make the right one. (Or what I thought was the right one). Granted I was young, and still had to lots to learn. And I did.

Gone are the days where I let self-righteousness blind me to the real story behind the choices and the hurting that can't seem to break this sinful cycle. Gone are the days when I hear someone that is not living the way they know the bible ask of us and get angry. And Gone are the days where I feel I need to tattle to God whats going on... really? God is creater of the universe, he is alpha and omega.. He is omnipresent, I'm pretty sure he sees whats going on =0)

I love them. I love them until they can't stand it anymore =)... Because I am not God, and when I have a friend or a loved one that is struggling instead of knocking them down I will guide them to scripture and love them. Sometimes people need to know you are there, just to hug-listen-write them a note- LOVE them. Pray for them.

STOP worrying about their sin, and start wondering how you can serve them. How can you show God's love and mercy. Not wrath.
Last night in Jr High group we talked about Phillipians 4:8...

^"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

So let's dwell on these things Paul talks to us about. And examine your heart FIRST, let God handle the rest.

These are just some thoughts...