June 4: TELL PEOPLE WHO THEY'RE BECOMING, NOT WHO THEY WERE.

Affirmation: Instead of telling people what they want, tell them who they are.

Today, Douglas and I celebrate 42 years of serving Cypress Meadows Church. We asked God to give us a place to invest a life time and He answered our prayers. Love you all.

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Ponder, Practice, Personalize: This is a repeat verse from January. Remind yourself of the 8 characteristics of wisdom from God. Mediate on this verse throughout the day and ask God for wisdom.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.3.17.NIV

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

                     June 4

TELL PEOPLE WHO THEY'RE BECOMING, NOT WHO THEY WERE. 

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 

One of my favorite things about Jesus was His knack for seeing who people were becoming and helping them move in that direction. When He walked by Matthew, He didn't see a tax collector who was likely ripping people off. He saw a friend who would stick with Him like a brother-one who would eventually write a book about His life. When a woman was pulled from a scandalous love affair and thrown at His feet to be scorned, He didn't see an adulteress. He saw a person who was about to begin living a better story. He knew what the power of redemption was when it was let off the leash. He knew love had the power to transform anyone, and He lived like everyone He met was in the process of turning into love. 

It's easy to look past our own shortcomings because we know the person we're becoming. We know the lessons we've learned, the efforts we've made, the sleepless nights we've endured, the promises we've made to ourselves. We know our own good intentions, and we're able to believe there's hope for personal growth, even if we have a few setbacks along the way. 

Grant that same grace to others. Don't go for the low-hanging fruit. Start with a few of the people who may have hurt you. Maybe you thought you were moving in the same direction, and they changed. Maybe you were betrayed and haven't quite healed. Jesus endured the ultimate hurt when He was nailed to a cross, and even then He proclaimed a better future for the ones who were responsible and for the thieves by his side. Jesus set the example for us: tell people who they're becoming, not who they used to be. 

Who will you encourage today with words of affirmation?