February 2 PEOPLE NEED LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE A LOT MORE THAN THEY NEED ADVICE.

Affirmation: I am at the right place at the right time doing the right thing.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivating Play and Rest

BRENÉ'S INTENTION

This is not an easy guidepost for me, but I have found through my research that play and rest are as critical and important to wholehearted living as anything else. In some ways, they almost felt like biological imperatives. One of the quotes I came across that struck me in my heart was, "The opposite of play is not work; the opposite of play is depression." I think that's a bold statement. So this lesson's intention helps us think about our need for play and rest as something to be honored rather than something that is optional.

This Lesson's Intention

"I will honor the basic need for rest and play."

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Certain Decision 

I have a decided heart.

It’s not about what it IS…

It’s about what it can BECOME!

What you decide in your heart will be done and the light of God will shine on your ways. Job 22:28

The Certain Decision for personal success is what fuels your actions from the active decision. The clarity of vision you maintain in your mind is directly proportional to the effectiveness of your actions. A decided heart is unwavering in the face of continual challenges and setbacks and that ensures victory and a lifetime of greater fulfillment.

HOPE, DREAMS, ANTICIPATION…DECIDE.

Scripture:

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. -John 9:4 (NLT)

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

Feb. 2

PEOPLE NEED LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE A LOT MORE THAN THEY NEED ADVICE.

Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.

JOHN 8:7

Jesus' friend John tells this story in the Bible that I bank on for peace at least once a week. Jesus heads to the temple for another day of teaching, when the Pharisees march in with a woman who had been caught in adultery. "The Law commands us to stone women like her," they say with a sneer. Then they ask what Jesus has to say about it.

 

Jesus doesn't answer their question, actually. I like to think He touches her chin, looks her in the eye, and turns to the crowd to say, "Let any one of you who is without sin cast the first stone."

 

John says one by one the Pharisees drop their stones and walk away. Then Jesus looks at the woman and asks where they went. "Has no one condemned you?" He wonders aloud. "Well, I don't condemn you either."

 

He didn't shame her. He didn't ask if it was true. He didn't outline a path to recovery. He didn't even use it as a teachable moment to tell the people around Him about repentance or forgiveness. He simply embodied love and grace and let His actions speak for themselves. It was like He drew a circle around them both and said she was in. Grace does that.

 

It can feel uncomfortable. It can feel absurd. It can feel scandalous, right? Most of us have had moments where we felt a person in the wrong deserved punishment. But if we want to live like Jesus did, we have to default to a reaction like His. Most people who have failed don't need information. What they want is a hug. People need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice.

 

Who is someone you know who might not "deserve" love, but God's inviting you to love anyway?