Looking Down on Others

 Don't speak to fools, for they will scorn [a.k.a. looking down on] your prudent, [a.k.a. wise] words. Proverbs 23:10 NIV Bible

I most definitely don't like it when other people look down on me, like their opinions or lives are better than mine. If I feel this way, why do I find it so easy to look down on others whose opinions or lives are different from mine? The more I got to thinking about this, it's a form of judging others. And we're not supposed to judge others, so we aren't judged by those same standards!

Why wouldn't I be more sensitive to the differences of others, when I don't like people looking down on me? Why do I get caught up in thinking my ways or thoughts are right, but those of other people may or may not be, depending on how they align with my feelings about what the Lord tells us in the Bible? 

It is so surprising that those who read the Bible, say it says completely opposite things from those people they look down on, whether it's for religious, financial, political, ethnic, cultural, sexual preferences, amendment rights, etc. I realize that people on either side of any of these topics, can feel completely opposite about what the Lord God says in the Bible about these, and look down on those who think differently than they do.  I'm far from perfect, but I need to prayerful put these feelings of superiority over into Jesus Christ's very capable hands, for He gave His life to save all who love Him as their Savior! 

I'll Never Be Deserving of the Lord God's Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, [so] that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn't send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17 NIV Bible

When I read this passage, it generally makes me aware that I'll never be deserving of the Lord God's Love for me. What did I do to earn this. Nothing! The Lord God provided this for all who love Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

I trip up on my food, my eating, my relationship with others, and especially with Him, but Jesus Christ is always there, welcoming me back with open arms! I can never thank Him enough, nor can I deserve it. 

But when I think about it right now, the main thing I can do is accept the Lord God's love, instead of fighting it. It's like the Lord has a gold platter filled with love, but sometimes my actions say, I'm not worthy of Your freely given love, so I'm going to act accordingly. I have to pray, and let the Lord pick me and my drooping self-esteem back up and to remember, I'll never be deserving of His love, I only have to accept it, and live accordingly!

Why Do I Find it So Difficult to Tell the Lord God, I'm Sorry?

 Yet now, I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended, and so weren't harmed in any way by us. 2 Corinthians 7:9

The Apostle Paul is saying this. Although this post doesn't exactly have to do with this verse, it does relate to my life in a somewhat similar way. You would think when the Lord God has performed a major miracle in my life, like the loss of over 80 pounds and for the majority of it to stay off for over 30 years, I would be more appreciative of all He's done for me, and be a better example of how He works in my life.

Well the thing is, there are many times during the day, I feel so very close to the Lord God, especially when I'm reading from the Bible every morning and evening. It sets such a powerful tone in my life. But it's not five minutes later, I get back into the I's and Me's. I want this, Give this to me. Fortunately for me, the Lord God is very forgiving, but why do I find it so difficult to tell Him, I'm sorry?

Am I so absorbed in my own life, that I don't take the time to apologize when I've sinned? Actually, that probably is true. Is it that I'm so busy compiling lists of what I want to ask for in my prayers to Him, that I forget to say I'm sorry for all my many sins? This, too, is probably true. Is it that I take the Lord's forgiveness and all He's done for me, for granted? Again, that's probably true. The sad thing is, I could probably go on and on with this list of why I don't tell the Lord, I'm sorry, but I need to let my sorrow for these many things lead me to repentance for what I've done, and not take the Lord's Salvation and forgiveness for granted. 

Reciprocity: Give and Take Relationships

 In their hunger, You gave them bread from heaven, and in their thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and take possession of the land, You had sworn with uplifted hand, to give to them. Nehemiah 9:15 NIV Bible

The word Reciprocity was on my mind this morning for a topic to post about. I don't know about you, but my relationship with the Lord God is not an even give and take one. It appears, as evidenced in this Bible verse, that the Lord does most of the giving, and we do most of the taking.

I am quite often more focused on my wants, instead of what Jesus Christ wants from me.  I'm ashamed to say this, because the Lord has given me so very much, beyond what I could ever explain to you. The least of which, is His allowing an 80+ pound weight loss and for the vast majority of it to stay off for over 30 years. But do I give back to the Lord, according to all the many things He's done for me, of which first and foremost, is Jesus Christ willingly giving His life for you and me, despite all our sins!

I need to be more prayerful about giving more to the Lord, not so much in the form of money, but more in being the example of my faith in Him, that He wants me to be. There are times that I turn that off and on like a light switch. Fortunately for us, the Lord God doesn't turn off and on His love for us, in the same way!