“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Chris Liu-Beers on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Maybe there are Christians that have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope that He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.
But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?
Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV
I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy!
I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had.
When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.
When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.
Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.
Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.
Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me. If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.
One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”
How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.
Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that break my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.
“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing … Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter
(Reposted from 2017)
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.” Psalm 103:13-14 NLT Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:8-12 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Taylor Durrer on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Jess Loiterton from Pexels
realchristianwomen.blog
“Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Renato Pozzi on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
If Jesus was hungry, would you buy Him a meal? If Jesus was thirsty, would you give Him a glass of water? Of course you would!
Jesus explains that when we have compassion on “the least”, it is like we are doing it for Him. It is not more impressive to God to help important people. If you are teaching a Sunday School class to children, or if you are a school teacher, or if you are a mother, you are doing it “unto the least”.
There is no glory in teaching your own kids, no glory in teaching a children’s Sunday School class, no glory in being a school teacher, and no glory in caring for children with disabilities. But, Jesus said,
“… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
It may not seem like you are serving Jesus when you care for the children in your midst, but you are. Compassion is a result of knowing Jesus. Just as compassion flows from Him, it will flow from you.
Understand then, that your service to the least is of great importance to God. Never think that caring for children is not important. It is! Whether they are the children in your church, children you don’t know, or your own children, it is very important to God.
This is just one aspect of this parable, but it is an important one. I know this parable doesn’t only apply to children, but I want to highlight it as an encouragement to everyone who devotes their time to teaching our children. Do it with all your heart, as unto the Lord. Consider Jesus’ words:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40 NIV
I was inspired to write this by my friend Patty who has an adult son with autism. You can read it here. https://hesaidwhatks.blog/2021/03/27/unto-the-least/
May it inspire you as much as it did me. Remember, King David was the least among his brothers. And look how that turned out!
Let us serve “the least” as if we are serving the Lord Himself.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Gabe Pierce on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Church of the King on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:8-10 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Ravi Shekhar on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 