What did you do to Jesus yesterday?
This is a question I've been reminding myself of every morning and trying to remember to ask myself every evening. I began doing this awhile ago when it really hit me that everything we do and everything we say, we're in essence, doing and saying to the Lord. It doesn't matter if it's a stranger, our boss, our spouse, a neighbor, or a driver that's being a jerk. What we say and do, we're saying and doing to our Lord. That really made a HUGE impression on me because, when I think of my words and actions that way, it's honestly more then a little embarrassing and humiliating.
I guess for the most part, I'm pretty laid back and fairly easy going, but then there are times when I get aggravated or frustrated, or just plain hurt or angry. Or the times when the pain is extra bad or I haven't slept well in awhile, or I'm feeling sick, and those times, my words and actions can leave a lot to be desired.
Then of course, as always, the Lord took it deeper then that, and showed me that it wasn't even just my words and actions, it was my attitude - what was in my heart, regardless of what winds up coming out of my mouth. Ouch!
It really all goes together with the other things He's been working on me about: having a gentle quiet spirit, and being content; and loving everyone -offering mercy the way He does me, instead of demanding they make things right.
Every morning I ask him to rid my heart, mind and spirit of any attitudes of bitterness, rage, anger, malice, slander, gossip, deceit, unforgiveness, hatred, jealously, grudges, selfishness, self pity, self-righteousness, self centeredness, pride, & conceit; & fill them instead with His love, forgiveness & humility. I've found if I don't start off that way, I don't stand a chance. I can't do it on my own, but it's really amazing what we can do with Him!
It's been really amazing to experience the changes the Lord has been making in me. I'm no where near where I want to be or should be yet, but I've taken the first steps. The neat part too is how the Lord encourages me along the way and gives me confirmation when I'm doing well. And, when I don't do so well, He's always right there, ready to forgive and help me start over again. What a precious, wonderful, amazing God we have! I guess, the more I realize how wonderful and how loving He is to me, the more I love Him, and the more it hurts me to think that when I come back at people with an angry, nasty or snide remark, that I'm in effect, saying it to Him. That makes me want to crawl in a hole and pull it in after me.
I love to see how the Bible always seems to tie everything together... and this for me was one of those "Aha!" moments. When I realized that the entire bible revolves around God's love for us, and us loving Him in return. And then how because of our love for Him, we share that same love with all others, even our enemies. I enjoy too how the Lord illustrates His points all through His Word. Like the story of how Paul was converted on the road in Acts 9. Remember how Jesus stopped him asking Him why he was persecuting Him? Then Paul asked who He was and He told him that He was Jesus. But Paul had been persecuting followers of Jesus, not literally Jesus Himself. (I'm afraid if it had been me, I'd have been making excuses like that!). Paul got it though, he understood that what he'd done to others, he'd done to Jesus and that cut him to the quick.
If only I could remember that 100% of the time! I know how thick headed I am, so I'm sure that many of you probably got this a long time ago. If you have any tips that would help, I'd sure love to hear them!
Oh, here's a few of the scriptures that relate to this in case someone wanted them:
““The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
““He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25:45)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” (Matthew 22:37–40)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (Colossians 3:23)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
This is a question I've been reminding myself of every morning and trying to remember to ask myself every evening. I began doing this awhile ago when it really hit me that everything we do and everything we say, we're in essence, doing and saying to the Lord. It doesn't matter if it's a stranger, our boss, our spouse, a neighbor, or a driver that's being a jerk. What we say and do, we're saying and doing to our Lord. That really made a HUGE impression on me because, when I think of my words and actions that way, it's honestly more then a little embarrassing and humiliating.
I guess for the most part, I'm pretty laid back and fairly easy going, but then there are times when I get aggravated or frustrated, or just plain hurt or angry. Or the times when the pain is extra bad or I haven't slept well in awhile, or I'm feeling sick, and those times, my words and actions can leave a lot to be desired.
Then of course, as always, the Lord took it deeper then that, and showed me that it wasn't even just my words and actions, it was my attitude - what was in my heart, regardless of what winds up coming out of my mouth. Ouch!
It really all goes together with the other things He's been working on me about: having a gentle quiet spirit, and being content; and loving everyone -offering mercy the way He does me, instead of demanding they make things right.
Every morning I ask him to rid my heart, mind and spirit of any attitudes of bitterness, rage, anger, malice, slander, gossip, deceit, unforgiveness, hatred, jealously, grudges, selfishness, self pity, self-righteousness, self centeredness, pride, & conceit; & fill them instead with His love, forgiveness & humility. I've found if I don't start off that way, I don't stand a chance. I can't do it on my own, but it's really amazing what we can do with Him!
It's been really amazing to experience the changes the Lord has been making in me. I'm no where near where I want to be or should be yet, but I've taken the first steps. The neat part too is how the Lord encourages me along the way and gives me confirmation when I'm doing well. And, when I don't do so well, He's always right there, ready to forgive and help me start over again. What a precious, wonderful, amazing God we have! I guess, the more I realize how wonderful and how loving He is to me, the more I love Him, and the more it hurts me to think that when I come back at people with an angry, nasty or snide remark, that I'm in effect, saying it to Him. That makes me want to crawl in a hole and pull it in after me.
I love to see how the Bible always seems to tie everything together... and this for me was one of those "Aha!" moments. When I realized that the entire bible revolves around God's love for us, and us loving Him in return. And then how because of our love for Him, we share that same love with all others, even our enemies. I enjoy too how the Lord illustrates His points all through His Word. Like the story of how Paul was converted on the road in Acts 9. Remember how Jesus stopped him asking Him why he was persecuting Him? Then Paul asked who He was and He told him that He was Jesus. But Paul had been persecuting followers of Jesus, not literally Jesus Himself. (I'm afraid if it had been me, I'd have been making excuses like that!). Paul got it though, he understood that what he'd done to others, he'd done to Jesus and that cut him to the quick.
If only I could remember that 100% of the time! I know how thick headed I am, so I'm sure that many of you probably got this a long time ago. If you have any tips that would help, I'd sure love to hear them!
Oh, here's a few of the scriptures that relate to this in case someone wanted them:
““The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40)
““He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25:45)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” (Matthew 22:37–40)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (Colossians 3:23)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
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