Admiration

Luke 18: ¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’

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When I finally found a good leader, I believed almost every word they said. I would schedule as much time as I could just to sit and listen to their words. Whatever they told me, I would do. I trusted that person implicitly.

• Many people have earned my trust.
• Many people have lowered my skepticism.
• Many people have said things that I instantly believe in.

JESUS stopped HIS disciples from forbidding children to approach HIM. I wonder if they thought JESUS was to politically important to deal with childish matters. HE summoned the children over and told the disciples to believe as a child believes.

• GOD wants me to mature to the point where I implicitly believe in HIM.
• GOD wants me to grow to the point where I have instant faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to increase my value of HIS words in my heart versus constantly proving HIM to be wrong by thinking HE is not meeting “my” expectations.

Admiring GOD in all that HE does is a lifelong journey. It means I have to drop my skepticism, doubt and know it all thinking. I should believe in the promises HE says instead of wavering. But sometimes I stammer. I am glad GOD said “MY grace is sufficient” for I truly need HIS grace. I do believe in HIM today, implicitly.

• Are you skeptical of GOD because HE has not answered your prayer at the exact moment and the exact way?
• Are you losing your trust in GOD?
• Can you return to your childlike belief and admire GOD again?

Nice Skyline

Matthew 24: Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

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Wonder filled my eyes as I approached the city on the train. I had been downtown many times, but this time I was there to see the sights by myself. I looked up in amazement. “What wonderful buildings!” I thought to myself.

• I love cities with nice architecture.
• I admire those who can plan buildings and execute putting them in place.
• I enjoy visiting cities with buildings that look like art.

Around the world I have seen buildings built with magnificent prowess. JESUS’s disciples were trying to get HIM to notice the magnificent buildings of the time, probably in awe of human accomplishment. JESUS explains what will happen to the buildings.

• JESUS says to me “Everything you do on earth is temporary except with humans.”
• JESUS says to me “Every project you build on earth will be thrown away, except those concerning humans.”
• JESUS says to me “Every accomplishment that makes humans point to other humans will be brought down, for I AM the way.”

There is something amazing about seeing a nice skyline. BUT GOD has a greater place planned for me. In other words, if I thought humans could build magnificence, wait until I see what GOD can do!. JESUS referred to HIMSELF as the temple that would be torn down and raised back up in three days. I need to admire HIS beauty alone!

• Do you admire what people do and accomplish?
• Do you want to be admired?
• Can you stop wanting the spotlight or shining the light on humans and start pointing at JESUS?

Admiration Focused in the Right Direction

Psalm 85: ¹⁰ Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
¹¹ Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness looks down from heaven.
¹² The Lord will indeed give what is good,
    and our land will yield its harvest.
¹³ Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

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It probably started at a very young age. People seemed to gravitate towards a crowd and I was on the sidelines wanting to be included. I saw the group of notables in high school and thought how cool it would be to fit into the crowd. It didn’t happen. In college I wanted to fit in and this time I got a little closer but then I graduated. In business the “in crowd” required that I admire some people who wore their lusts on their sleeve. What would it hurt to pursue just a little sin?

• Sometimes I’m blinded by the crowd rather than seeing where I am.
• Sometimes I want to go on the wide road where everyone else “seems” to be having fun.
• Sometimes I desire to be like the “in crowd” no matter what they are doing or saying.

Separation from sinners is not what I’m saying because I would have to separate from myself. What I am saying is, it is already tough enough to battle my own sins let alone following someone into theirs. Being blinded by the in crowd can make me desire to be like them, no matter what the cost. BUT GOD wants my admiration.

• GOD wants me to notice HIS unending love for me rather than looking at what others have.
• GOD wants me to see HIS never ending faithfulness HE has towards me rather than thinking HE isn’t blessing me.
• GOD wants me to observe HIS righteousness so I can never become haughty and think I can ever be righteous enough to judge someone.

Love, faithfulness and righteousness are qualities to admire in GOD. When I complain about what HE is doing or not doing I cannot see these wonderful attributes HE wants to show me on a daily basis. HE pours out HIS love on me daily. HE is faithful and just to cleanse me of my unrighteousness because HIS steps are prepared in righteousness.

• Are you envious of someone?
• Do you think you would like to fit in with the crowd who could care less about GOD?
• Will you focus your attention on the wonderful attributes of GOD instead of complaining?
• Will you tell people of HIS greatness today?