Do you ever look around and wonder what others are going through?? Why they aren’t smiling today?? Or why they had to leave work early??
Do you ever just stop and just take a moment to pray for them? To say, Father, I don’t know what that person is going through, but please help them. Please make a way for them.
Or are you, like most of us, too busy thinking about what you are going through??? I know that at times, our lives seem to be overwhelming!!!
But we have the answer!! We have Jesus!!! We know the God who made the universe, the sun, the moon and the stars. We know the God that created the world. And surely He can fix ALL our problems.
Or are you, like most of us, too busy thinking about what you are going through??? I know that at times, our lives seem to be overwhelming!!!
But we have the answer!! We have Jesus!!! We know the God who made the universe, the sun, the moon and the stars. We know the God that created the world. And surely He can fix ALL our problems.
It is really easy to focus on our own lives and NOT see what is going on around us.
It is just too easy NOT to notice what someone else is going through.
But if we took the time, wouldn’t it be just as easy to say a kind word or even smile at someone, when that may be ALL that person needs!!!
Have you ever been feeling down and seen someone smile and thought that their smile looked like a ray of light in this ole dark world or that maybe it just seemed to be a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day?
Maybe their smile seemed to bring just a glimmer of hope.
That is how we are supposed to be!! We are supposed to be the light of the world!!! The salt of the earth!!!
Maybe their smile seemed to bring just a glimmer of hope.
That is how we are supposed to be!! We are supposed to be the light of the world!!! The salt of the earth!!!
Matthew 5:13-16 (CEV)
13 You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on.
14 You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden,
15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house.
16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house.
16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
You know, as I was writing this, I was thinking about how we don’t always treat each other as we want to be treated!!! Sometimes, we are grouchy and rude, mean and hateful.
As God’s children, we are supposed to treat others as we want to be treated and show everyone love!!!
Luke 6:27-33, 37-38 (CEV)
27 This is what I say to all who will listen to me:
Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.
28 Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, don’t stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don’t try to keep back your shirt.
30 Give to everyone who asks and don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you.
31 Treat others just as you want to be treated.
28 Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, don’t stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, don’t try to keep back your shirt.
30 Give to everyone who asks and don’t ask people to return what they have taken from you.
31 Treat others just as you want to be treated.
32 If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them.
33 If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them.
33 If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them.
37 Jesus said:
Don’t judge others, and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you.
38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.
38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.
Yes, even that grouchy checker at Wal-Mart!!! Yes, the one that never smiles and is always grumbling!!! You have to forgive people for being like that!!! Yes, I said FORGIVE THEM!!! And then we need to pray for them!!!
You see, we really have no idea what is going on in other people’s lives!!! We have no idea what they are going through or what has happened to them!!!
It is really easy to see that grouchy person and think, why are they so mean and hateful? Did you ever stop to think that maybe that person feels like everything in his or her life is spiraling out of control???
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe that person is holding on tightly to try to maintain what little control, he or she has in life!!! Maybe they feel helpless or guilty because they can’t control the other parts of their life!!!
You know, every person acts different under stress or when they are nervous or upset!!!
It is really easy to let that chatterbox get on your nerves!!!! Did you ever think that she is talking to take her mind off her problems? Maybe that is her way of making it through the day!!! Maybe she is trying really hard to be cheerful, so that she won’t cry!!!
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe that person is holding on tightly to try to maintain what little control, he or she has in life!!! Maybe they feel helpless or guilty because they can’t control the other parts of their life!!!
You know, every person acts different under stress or when they are nervous or upset!!!
It is really easy to let that chatterbox get on your nerves!!!! Did you ever think that she is talking to take her mind off her problems? Maybe that is her way of making it through the day!!! Maybe she is trying really hard to be cheerful, so that she won’t cry!!!
Is the gentleman in the next car going to work as we suppose??? Or could he be coming from the hospital where he spent ALL night with his sick wife, sitting at her side because he loves her so much that he can’t bear to leave her.
Could it be that the lady in the grocery store did NOT say excuse me, because she is trying so very hard NOT to cry? Or because she is so mad that she wants to scream!!! The man she’s been married to for 25 years, the one she worked to support while he attended college, has decided that he wants a divorce!!! And she feels abandoned, helpless and all alone!!!
Is that young fellow driving and weaving like he’s drunk because he has worked ALL night and he didn’t get any sleep the day before he had to stay up and tend to his sick baby??? Sick babies can’t go to daycare, you know.
What about that young mother at church??? Does she just need a smile?? Or someone to hold her baby for just a moment while she ties her 3 year old’s shoe? Maybe she needs someone to fix her car because it won’t run and she doesn’t know how she is going to pay to have it repaired and buy food to feed her babies.
Matthew 25:34-40 (CEV)
34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created.
35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me,
36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”
35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me,
36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”
37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?
38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear
39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear
39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”
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