Bring Praise to God

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7 

Even when we disagree, we can show acceptance to others.

And we can respect their viewpoint even when it's not ours.

Sometimes easier said than done.

Just as Jesus accepted me before I even knew Him.

So He gives me the power to accept others.

Through His Holy Spirit, I can show the love of Jesus to those who seem unlovable.

In order to bring praise to God the Father.

Listen to Advice

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. — Proverbs 19:20-21 

God commands me to listen to his advice.

I don't always read my Bible every day, but I try to.

And God wants me to accept His discipline.

That's much harder for me.

He reminds me that I have many plans in my heart.

But not all of them are the Lord's.

And it's the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Whether I'm part of that purpose or not.

Listen to Advice

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. — Proverbs 19:20

I don't like listening to advice.

I'm apt to ignore it.

But God asks me to listen to advice.

To pay attention to it and to accept discipline.

Something I often try to avoid.

But God tells me if I accept discipline I will be counted as wise.

Go figure.

God's discipline will help to prune me into the person He intends for me to be.

Pruning can be painful.

But once the deadwood is trimmed away, new life has the opportunity to grow in me.

Accept One Another

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7

Even though we are very different from each other, God created us all.

He likes variety in His creation.

Here's Kirk kneeling beside his mom and dad's tombstone.

He took them flowers.

Here's a photo of their gravesite.

Kirk visited there this summer.

Accept One Another

 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God. — Romans 15:7

It's not always easy to accept each other.

Especially when we have strong and differing opinions.

Acceptance even in strained relationships can be difficult at best.

Sometimes it can seem impossible.

Even when we cannot accept someone, God can use us to accept them.

Really? Yes.

The Holy Spirit can work in me to show kindness and acceptance even when I'm ready to strike out against someone.

God can use me even when I'm not feeling it.

Fortunately, He is greater than me.

Christ accepted me while I was dirty, sinful, and unacceptable in human eyes.

He did that for the glory of God.

May God have all of the glory and praise.

 

Accept Others

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. — Romans 14:1

God calls us to accept others, whether their faith is weak or strong.

There is no need to quarrel over disputable matters.

But at times we turn insignificant differences into insurmountable obstacles.

Here is my exercise class at the YMCA.

Friday we tried restorative Yoga.

It was a good way to limber up before my hike up Cowles Mountain yesterday.

Help me, Lord, to accept others, just as you do.

Thank you for this diverse world you have created.

Accept One Another

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7

Christ accepted me into His family.

He died for me even while I was deep in my sin, before I even knew Him.

He accepted me in order to bring praise to God.

I am thankful.

Here is the Christmas sweater cookie that Abby designed.

Beautiful.

Celebrating Christ's birth.

Christ Accepted Us

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:10

My brother-in-law Kelly and his wife Liz have been working on their front yard landscape.

It looks wonderful! What a beautiful design they've created with the rocks and plants.

God has also created a wonderful design in each person.

And He asks us to accept each person as a child of his.

That's not always easy when we have conflict and pain and miscommunication.

But God calls us to love others through Him, just as He shows love to each of us — completely undeserving.

Help me this week to be kind and compassionate to others, Lord, in the same way that you've shown mercy and love to me.