“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” [Psalm 19:14]
Someone once said “Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me. But deep down I know that’s not true. Some of the smaller countries are neutral!” Comic relief in a world that spins, suffers, and survives through relationships. The fact is—we need each other!
James, the brother of Jesus and a religious leader, wrote Christians everywhere that real religion is found in the value of relationships. If you want to ‘get it right’ then pay attention to how you respect and relate to your fellowman. ”Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” [1 John 3:10b].
Pay attention to widows and children, those who are vulnerable—those who need to be protected and provided for.
Pay attention to your attitude toward the rich and the poor, both should be treated with equal respect. The things or money they have does not measure their value. Learn to love people and use things—don’t use people and love things. “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another” [1 John 3:11].
Religion is all about what you think, it is a system of belief and James says…religion is what you believe about people and your thoughts translate by the treatment you give others. Finally the value you place on people can never be hidden. The value of the person is proclaimed every time you speak of them. Your tongue will always tell the story—the story you tell is not about them—the story you tell is all about you.“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” [1 John 3:16].
Diane Hale for the past 30 years has served as evangelist, trainer, teacher, mentor, and consultant for churches of many denominations. www.uniquebydesign.org
May’s Rooted in Christ theme is Kindness
Reading God’s Story Schedule today, 5/22/13: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, Psalm 71, Psalm 94.
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