03.29.21 –Brotherly Love! – John 3:16
My friend, may I ask you a question? As clothes can lift you from one level of self-esteem to another, is there something that we can do as Christians to put on an attitude of love and concern that far exceeds what we normally feel we are able to do?
My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I'm M. Clifford Brunner.
As I get older and fuller around the middle, I’ve found that there are a few tricks that really help disguise a middle-aged paunch. Take clothes, for example. If you want to hide that ten to fifteen extra pounds around your middle, wear darker clothes, especially black. Makes you look thinner without all the effort of diets and exercise programs. Clothes have a way of giving us peace of mind. How you dress in the morning could affect how you feel throughout the day.
As clothes can lift you from one level of self-esteem to another, is there something that we can do as Christians to put on an attitude of love and concern that far exceeds what we normally feel we are able to do?
Here’s a story: British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else’s feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes’s home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, were wearing full evening dress. The young man was deeply humiliated and longed to make a quick exit. That is until Rhodes himself appeared. After what seemed a long time Rhodes entered the room, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest’s dilemma. (Moody)
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son; that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have ever- lasting life (John 3:16). The Bible tells us that God, not concerned with his image or his sacrifice, gave his most precious possession, his only Son, so that we might find comfort in his presence eternally. He made us like himself that we might be acceptable at his eternal dining table. God’s love is not static or self-centered. Rather, he reaches out to bring that love to us, even when we aren’t worthy to stand in his presence. As Cecil Rhodes regarded the circumstances of his guest, so God regards the circumstances of our lives. The least that we can do is to reflect that freely given love in our lives by making sure our love extends likewise to the lowly, the shabby and the downtrodden. How are you dressed today?
We pray. Heavenly Father, Your love is never static or self-centered. Rather, You reach out to bring that love to us, even when we aren’t worthy to stand in Your presence. Forgive us Lord when we don’t show that same level of selfless love reaching out to others every day of our lives. May we regard the circumstances of those we meet who may not be worthy of our love from an earthly standpoint of view, so You regard the circumstances of our lives. The least that we can do is to reflect Your love freely given love in our lives by making sure our love extends likewise to the lowly, the shabby and the downtrodden. Remind us by Your Spirit Lord as to how we are dressed today? We ask this in Jesus Name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”
<markcbrunner@thispassingday.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.