January 24: It’s Time to Set Things Right

Affirmation: I choose to be authentic. I will let go of what other people think.

~~~~~~~Ponder and Personalize: Continue to memorize this verse and to personalize it. Today ponder & personalize the last 4 characteristics of wisdom that comes from God: 

“It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.“ or “full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

”But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.“

‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.3.17.NLT

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Catching Whimsy by Bob Goff

                      Jan 24

It’s Time to Set Things Right

Therefore, if you were offering your gift at the altar and then remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go, and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:23-24
I was speaking at a small church. Before I gave my sermon, I had everybody turn on their cell phones, stand up, and walk outside, so they could make a call to anyone they might have something against. The people all looked a little confused when I told them not to come back if they were unwilling to square up with whoever that was. This is actually something Jesus commanded us to do. Sure, it can feel uncomfortable to do difficult things Jesus demands. But He’s not looking for our approval; He wants our obedience.

Eventually, the members of the church filed back in…some did not, and we worshiped with the freedom and clarity Jesus said would be ours if we sorted out some of what we had been carrying with us. I haven’t been invited back to that church a second time and I understand why. Jesus didn’t say obeying Him wouldn’t be awkward; He just said it would work. 
Reconciling broken relationships is a hard but necessary thing. Don’t get me wrong. There are some people who are unhealthy, and in  some rare instances, dangerous for us to be with, but most people we get sideways with have a much less dramatic backstory. Maybe they were rude or unkind or insensitive, or maybe they misunderstood us or misrepresented something to us or even betrayed us. But we are still called, if it’s safe to do so, to put down our offering and square up with the people in our lives before we head back to worship. This isn’t my idea; it was Jesus‘s.
Reflect on the relationships you have that are strained or broken. Are there some relationships that need to be tended to? Don’t let them fester. Pick up the phone, drive over to where they work, find them at church or a bar or at a bowling alley, and try to square up with them. Don’t feel ashamed. Difficult relationships happen to all of us.

What difficult relationship will you tend to today