Compassion

 

Compassion

1 Timothy 6: ²⁰ Timothy, keep safe what has been entrusted to your care. Avoid the profane talk and foolish arguments of what some people wrongly call “Knowledge.” ²¹ For some have claimed to possess it, and as a result they have lost the way of faith.

 

God's grace be with you all.

 

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Another leader was fired. “Good riddance” I thought to myself. I was tired of his tyranny anyway. After a number of years, I rose up to be in his position. Twisted words and flaming arrows came from places I did not see. I knew what I knew, but was not ready for the arguments and fights I faced. I was let go.

 

• Afterwards, I thought I needed to learn the world’s ways to fight better.
• Afterwards, I thought I had to become something different than who GOD called me to be.
• Afterwards, I contemplated two paths, one with human glory and one with GOD’s glory.

 

Paul urges Timothy to “keep safe what has been entrusted to your care.” Some people may have been trying to impose their “Knowledge” as “success” in human’s eyes. But Timothy’s calling was to have compassion on those he was entrusted to care for.

 

My Observations

• Arguments over knowledge need to be exchanged with keeping the calling, Word and people GOD has entrusted to me, safe.
• Faith is something I can get from GOD and give back to HIM.
• Praying for those who “know” things, but do not profess GOD in all they do requires compassion.

 

Instead of waiting on GOD to be the ultimate punisher, HE wants me to have compassion for those who walk away from the faith HE loves everyone with passion and desires that all be saved.

 

HE does not want me to argue with people over HIS power. HE says “MY grace is sufficient” and is quite confident in HIS abilities. I am glad HE allows me to pray to HIM because HE has shown compassion on me.

 

Challenge

• What advice is the writer giving?
• Have you ever been ready to fight, versus trying to have compassion?
• Will you have the same compassion GOD has shown you on other people today?

All Together

 

All Together

Philippians 2: Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. ² I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. 

 

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When a car was stuck in the snow, the remedy was to “rock it out.” I and others volunteered to help. Some got in the front, some in the back. When a person yelled “Push!”, we all began to push. The car went nowhere. Turns out we were supposed to push from the front, then the back to create a “rocking” motion. And, to top it off, the driver had his foot on the brake.

 

• I felt I was strong and wanted to help.
• I was doing my part as an individual but things were still not quite right.
• I was part of a group, but we were not united in what we were supposed to be doing.

 

Paul compliments those who have dedicated their lives to CHRIST. He noticed their reliance on the LORD, their kindness and compassion. He then urged the group to take it to another level. Be united in love, soul and mind.

 

My Observations

• It is easy for me to love CHRIST alone, but harder to fit into many different styles.
• It is easy for me to be comforted by the HOLY SPIRIT, but harder to share the same love GOD wants me to have with others.
• It is easy for me to have kindness and compassion for others, but harder for me to be one in CHRIST in “soul and mind.”

 

Unity is highly important to GOD. I mean, HE even said the greatest commandment is to “Love one another.” Unfortunately, like the car stuck in the snow example, we get together, meaning well, and start doing things as individuals. Our individual efforts sometimes work against the overall goal.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. “Have the same thoughts, share the same love, and be one in soul and mind.” Easy? No! But fortunately there is a starting point, namely JESUS. The world has many answers that are temporary or done with hidden motives. GOD wants me to take the step to unify with groups that do not look or act like me. It is hard, but I am glad GOD appreciates it.

 

Challenge

• What compliments do you notice in this passage?
• Can you identify with some or all of these encouraging words?
• Will you seek to take the next step by figuring out how to unify in CHRIST without making other people follow your thinking today?

Praying for Everyone

Praying for Everyone

2 Corinthians 7: ² Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one; we have ruined no one, nor tried to take advantage of anyone. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; for, as I have said before, you are so dear to us that we are always together, whether we live or die. ⁴ I am so sure of you; I take such pride in you! In all our troubles I am still full of courage; I am running over with joy.

 

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Today is a different day. It is about you. Some of you have told me of the troubles you are facing and some have remained silent and in pain. I just want you to know GOD hears you.

 

• GOD sees your heart and loves you dearly.
• GOD has seen the decades of prayers you have given to HIM and is pleased with you.
• GOD knows you have spent hours not sleeping and is concerned about you.

 

Paul spoke about running over with joy because of those who made room in their hearts for others who speak about JESUS as the Savior. He went through a lot of trouble living for CHRIST. He was blamed for living for CHRIST but had a supportive cast who prayed for him.

 

My Prayer

Dear LORD, please guide this reader to a place of peace. No matter what poisonous words enter their ears, let the power of the HOLY SPIRIT guard the heart. Search us O LORD. Examine each of us individually and forgive us of our sins.

 

Please guide this child of YOURS today. Help this child let go of anything that builds a wall between YOU and him or her. Help bitterness, hatred, confusion, power seeking, lust, fear, addictions, greed, and disbelief in YOUR SON be taken away from your child.

 

Please give us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Help us think on the good YOU give and the truth YOU provide. Amen

 

Challenge

• Do you see the heart of concern the writer has for the readers?
• How many people can fit in a prayerful heart?
• When you feel like complaining about a person, are they in your heart for “love?”
• Will you pray for many people today and focus on listening to GOD’s soft, gentle voice today?

Playing Dress Up

Playing Dress Up

1 Corinthians 15: ⁴⁵ For the scripture says, “The first man, Adam, was created a living being”; but the last Adam is the life-giving Spirit. ⁴⁶ It is not the spiritual that comes first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first Adam, made of earth, came from the earth; the second Adam came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Those who belong to the earth are like the one who was made of earth; those who are of heaven are like the one who came from heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we wear the likeness of the man made of earth, so we will wear the likeness of the Man from heaven.

 

⁵⁰ What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality.

 

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“Clean the basement” was the directive given to us. My siblings and I started off doing the work, but the stuff down there was interesting. We found games and toys we hadn’t played with in a while. Then we found old clothes. I put on my father’s shoes, shirt and some pants and schlepped around, talking in the deepest 5 or 6 year old voice.

 

• The big shoes, that easily fell off my feet, reminds me of responsibility I could not keep.
• The big pants, that I clutched onto with my hands,  reminds me of security I tried to place on things.
• The big shirt, that drooped over my frail frame, reminds me of circumstances I could not control.

 

Paul continues to speak about the physical body. We wear it for a while, but one day we will wear the likeness of “The Man from heaven.” He provides encouragement that we can play dress up while on this earth.

 

My Observations

• JESUS wants me to know HE took care of the hard part when HE saved me from death.
• JESUS wants me to be excited about HIS resurrection.
• JESUS wants me to understand that HIS shoes are too big to be filled by my actions, but HE likes when I play dress up, mimicking HIS ways.

 

While I cannot die to save someone from eternal death, I can play dress up and show others a small portion of what JESUS did. I mean, HE prayed for people, wept with them and cared for everyone HE met. HE does not mind when I do the same.

 

GOD knows I am a child and sometimes the shoes my fall off or the pants I’m clutching onto may trip me up or the circumstances may roll off my small shoulders. BUT GOD loves the fact that I am playing dress up , trying to be like HIM. I am glad I cannot be GOD and equally glad HE doesn’t need me to. I am also grateful I can point people to JESUS by loving others as HE did.

 

Challenge

• What does “wearing the likeness” of JESUS make you think of?
• What things did JESUS do that you can mimic?
• Can you enjoy life again by playing dress up for JESUS, being free for just a little while today?

Them

Them

Acts 11: Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. ² And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, ³ saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

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“What do you do for fun?” people asked me as they visited the town I moved to. “I go out with my coworkers” I replied. “You go out with ‘them’?” they asked shockingly. The questions about what I did with “them” and wasn’t I scared being around “them” ensued.

• Many times I have been put in the “them” category.
• Many times I have been labeled as “them.”
• Many times I have looked at others as “them.”

The apostles did something very wrong to Peter, thinking they were right. Instead of praising GOD for more people believing in JESUS, they accused him for eating with Gentiles. As if to say, “How dare you eat with “them!”

• GOD wants me to give the great news about HIS SON to anyone who will receive it.
• GOD wants me to tell everyone about HIS greatness.
• GOD wants me to be with hurting people HE places around me or sends me to.

JESUS taught the disciples how to pray, but they took it too literal. “Give us this day our daily bread” is inclusive, not exclusive. GOD wants me to see that humans are the “us” HE was speaking about, not a certain group.

Only a small god can serve a few people. BUT JESUS can serve all who believe in HIM. GOD is made up of love and humans find a thousand ways to label and hate each other. I am grateful GOD shows me love and wants me to do the same to “us.”

• Are you questioning someone because they are showing love to another race?
• Do you think GOD is only for a single race?
• Will you grow your faith enough to allow GOD to stretch your heart to fit other people in it so you can be a blessing to many today?

Compassion

Compassion

John 11: ²⁸ And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. ³¹ Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

³⁷ And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

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Without the scowl, my nemesis looked different this particular day. The air of arrogance was not there. Since I did not trust the guy, I did not listen to the voice inside that said “Go over to him and ask if there is anything you could do?” I passed on the moment. Later, I found out there was a death in his family.

• There have been times when I did not show compassion when I had the chance.
• There have been times when my I lost perspective on what I am supposed to be giving to people.
• There have been times when I was tired of my “kindness” being mistaken for “weakness.”

Mary came to JESUS weeping. She had a similar statement to Martha, only this time it was not laced with blame. “If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.” The church people around her were crying “with” her. JESUS groaned in the SPIRIT. JESUS wept.

• JESUS wants me to show compassion to everyone HE sends me.
• JESUS wants me to express HIS love to those who annoy me.
• JESUS wants me to be “with” people HE send me to, no matter how different they are from me.

Compassion bubbles over from GOD’s heart. HE wants me to have a healthy portion of this. Instead of “Serves you right” when things go wrong in “that” person’s life, JESUS wants me to desire HIS peace to be placed in their heart. I can fill the hole in my heart with two things, hatred or love. I am grateful GOD chose love towards me.

• Who are you keeping your compassion from?
• Are you refusing to show compassion to “those” people because they look or act different?
• Will you drop your hatred for a moment to show compassion to the person who comes to mind right now?

Money Choice

Mark 12: ¹³ Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. ¹⁴ When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? ¹⁵ Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” ¹⁶ So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him.

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Having a little “disposable” money on my hands made me feel a bit experimental. I did a test with an amount that I felt was “small” at the time. I plunged into day trading along with others around me. Not knowing what stocks were good, I asked around and chose a penny stock. When the stock fell, I watched my experiment turn into zero.

• There have been times when I stared at “my” bank account.
• There have been times when I paid close attention to “my” investments.
• There have been times when I looked for other opportunities to diversify “my” portfolio.

The greedy church leaders wanted more money to support their lifestyle. They were accustomed to a certain lifestyle that JESUS was tearing apart.

They did not look for opportunities to give to the poor; rather increase their robes in their closet and possibly expand the building. JESUS saw right through their plot as they tried to approach HIM on the legal technicalities of giving and called them hypocrites.

• JESUS says to me “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.”
• JESUS says to me “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.”
• JESUS says to me “When you give to the needy, your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Name the needy person you have served with your tithes and offerings. “Put a face to the person who has benefited from your sacrificial giving” is what the LORD says to me. “Give GOD the things that are GOD’s” such as compassion for those in need.

• Are you giving without knowing who you are giving to?
• What specific people are you helping right now?
• Can you start placing a name on those whom GOD wants you to show compassion?