We’re all sinners. No one is all good. Not one. When God looks down from heaven, He sees us all the same. Prostitute, deacon, drug dealer, preacher.
We’re all sinners.
Though there are many people who do not serve God and who still do good, the difference is the standard or the measurement we use to determine good.
In Dwight Edwards devotional, Experiencing Christ With, he explains:
“We can easily slip into a ‘street level’ view of goodness. It’s like walking down a city street sidewalk and comparing the heights of those you pass by. A few people happen to be well over six feet tall and really stand out from the crowd.
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GOD’s angel said to him (Balaam): “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times? I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she hadn’t, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey. I would have let her off.” Numbers 22:32-33 The Message
Reading through the Bible the other day, I had to pause at this scripture. Why would God block Balaam’s way when it appeared he did what God asked? And why would God make a donkey talk to get his message across to Balaam?
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Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 NIV
I confess. I’ve never read through the entire Bible. Of course, for years when January finally arrives I commit to read through the Bible, but midway through February, I fizzle out.
I’m sure no one can relate!
Well, this time it’s different. I’ve been working through The Message Bible//Remix for a while now. It’s a daily Bible reading program that can be accomplished in a year or longer. I’m going for the longer plan.
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Written on
August 31, 2010 by
Gina in
Blog
“But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 9:14
When my daughter Grace was 4 1/2, I recorded a conversation we had about sin and heaven.
It’s amazing how God can work on the hearts of little ones, and how God’s teaching me even now to pause and rest, and catch Him working in these little moments… and in his little people!
This is the conversation that Grace had with me about sin.
Grace (4): “Sin is really bad.”
Me: “Yes, it is.”
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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 119:105 NIV
One writing weekend away from home, I woke up at 8:30 am and switched on the TV to see what I was missing at home not having cable. I settled on a political news program about the anniversary of Katrina. After heating up my breakfast sandwich in the microwave, I turned on my computer anticipating a peaceful writing morning.
I started by reaching for the Gideon’s Bible in the hotel drawer.
I assumed it would be there, and it was.
I read a couple of Psalms, but my mind was distracted.
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Sometimes I wonder if I’m pleasing God.
Sometimes I wonder what He’s asking of me…
Because there is a time for everything under heaven.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
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It’s true, according to my kids. And looking through their eyes, I have to agree. But what they see as “mean” is really me trying to gain respect and control of my childrens’ behavior, though I’m not as successful as I’d like to be.
My goal is to be firm, but it comes out harsh. Not the best way to change their hearts and get them to do things my way, but it’s so easy to resort to old habits.
Thankfully, God sends little reminders to help me in this area. This came in my inbox the other morning.
Be Firm Without Being Harsh
“Some parents believe that the only way to be firm is to be harsh.
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My email signature used to read:
Gina Conroy
Writer In Progress (my way of playing with the code word WIP (Work in Progress) that all aspiring and published authors know so well)
But couldn’t every Christian sign their email with a WIP?
We’re all WIPS – Works in Progress.
Nothing gives imperfect, stumbling Christians more hope than the book of Philippians. Maybe that’s why I love it so much. It gives me a perfect picture, a road map of how I should “carry on until the day of completion.” Until Jesus comes.
2 vs. 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself.”
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