Monday, September 23, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

Let Him Finish the Process

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me".

After almost 40 years of marriage, my husband now admits that it is useless to try to change me. He has come to accept that this is out of his control - LOL!

For those of you who know us, you may be siding with me on this one because he does have a reputation of being a perfectionist. However, I must confess that I do tend to drive him crazy at times. I just don't do things the way he does...I just don't think the way he does!

Today's verse states that we must DENY ourselves and follow God in order to be His disciples. Just as my husband has learned to PRAY about the things that he would like for me to do differently rather than harp on them, we must also practice self-control when we begin to look at the actions of others through OUR lens ... OUR thoughts of how these individuals should be living their lives.

Matthew 7:3 offers the following warning - "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?"

So....what are we supposed to do when we see that the individuals in our lives OR those that we encounter have things in their lives that conflict with God's Word?

The answer to that question can be found in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

The bottom line is to let go and let God deal with these individuals. Your part is to shower love upon them....to live your life in such a way to reflect Jesus in all you do!

My challenge to you today is to focus on your walk with Christ and to understand that non-believers and sinners were drawn to Jesus because He cared enough to show them love and to share a plan for their salvation. That is all we have to do .... God promises to finish the process!

Dear Lord, Please help me to love others the way You love me - even with all of my imperfections. Help me to go the extra mile in providing for their needs in order for them to see You in Me.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.