July 27: JESUS' PLAN FOR SELF-PROMOTION WAS ALWAYS THE SAME: "TELL NO ONE."

Affirmation: Life doesn’t have to be perfect to beautiful.

https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2023-07-27

~~~~~~~
Ponder, Personalize, Practice:  As you ponder and personalize 1John 4:16, be deliberate about practicing love. Know and rely on God’s love. Live in love, and Hod will live in you. Make this a verse that is part of your daily routine and habits.


And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 NIV~~~~~~~

Reading for Today
Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

                     July 27


JESUS' PLAN FOR SELF-PROMOTION WAS ALWAYS THE SAME: "TELL NO ONE." 

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: "See that you don't tell this to anyone." 
MARK 1:43-44 

With the advent of social media came this urge we have to essentially market ourselves. We might not do it intentionally, but friends display unwritten rules on social networks. We're subtly invited to curate only the best moments, and we're given filters and tips to make our pictures look better. We know we're telling a story about ourselves, and we don't want to be misunderstood, so the story reflects only the best. It's a misrepresentation of who we are, and we're misunderstood. 


I'm sure I'm guilty of falling into this kind of innocent misrepresentation too. Since it's the air we breathe as a culture, it's hard to step outside of it and consider another way of interacting. But it might be easier than you think, because Jesus paved the way for us. Whenever He healed people or worked miracles in their lives, He always left them with the same instruction: "Tell no one." The greatest humanitarian of all time had no marketing pitch and no plan to scale His work. He just loved whoever was in front of Him and wanted to make their lives better. That was enough for Him. He didn't need matching hoodies or a name for what He was doing. He knew love already had a name. 


We won't be as concerned about our image if we're more concerned with seeing the image of God in other people. When we love others well, we don't have the energy to worry about what they think of us. If you find yourself wrapped up in trying to present only the best in your life in hopes of winning the approval of other people, dream up a way to make someone else's day the way Jesus would. Here's what He'd do-He would love people with no photos, no expectations, and no announcements. Give that a try today. 


What act of kindness and love will you show someone today without reporting about it on social media?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

July 20: MOST OF OUR DECISIONS ARE DRIVEN BY EITHER LOVE OR FEAR.

Affirmation: I am compassionate. I care about myself and others. (Repeat 10x) “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.” (Matthew 9:27-31) Our compassion seems to be tied to belief in the Lord. Do you believe He is able to do this? Even more importantly, do you believe the Lord has compassion for YOU? ~~~~~~~ Ponder: Memorize Psalm 25:4-6. Make this your prayer today. This is a prayer for everyone to personalize and practice at any and every moment as you seek to live your best life. Pray this prayer at least 10 times today. “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from days of old.  Psalm  25 :4-6 ~~~~~~~ Reading for Today Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff                ...
Read more

August 22 Sailboat without a Sail…

Affirmation: I am grateful for this body, mind & soul. God made me. I have had times in my life that I questioned God’s existence, His goodness, His love. But my questions never changed the reality of His love for me and it won’t change the reality on your life either. He created you in your mother’s womb. He loves you intensely. ~~~~~~ Ponder, Personalize, Practice: There are many promises in these verses… -the Lord will always guide you -He will satisfy your needs -& strengthen your frame -You will be like a well-watered garden - ruins will be rebuilt -God will you use to repair broken walls & restore streets. Spend time pondering on this these verses. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, ...
Read more

January 28: Keep Showing Up; You’re The Only You There Is

Affirmation: I am imperfect and I am enough. ~~~~~~~ Ponder and Personalize :  The book of Joshua was written after Moses died and Joshua is left to lead the Israelites into the promised land. God has freed them from slavery in Egypt.  “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, …” What significance does the Book of Law have? Why was it important to meditate on it day and night? Talk to God about this directive and how it might impact you. Joshua 1:8-9 “ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night , so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~~~~~~~ Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility.  By Bob Goff                        Jan ...
Read more