Max Lucado says, “To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether.”

Having a critical eye and a critical spirit does not line up with the characteristics of our God. The mercy and grace that we show others is what is going to be given back to us. None of us, no not one will manipulate or talk our way out of the principles of sowing and reaping ~ I saw a picture this morning with a great quote. “There are two kinds of people in this world, the ones that truly submit and say, God your will be done and the other kind, God says to them, “Ok, have it your way.”

In this life, there are going to be powerful lessons and painful lessons. People are going to hurt us and let us down. Just because someone says friend, does not mean they are. Betrayal will happen. Being slighted and cheated will happen. So, what do we do at that crossroad? Do we become better or bitter? Do we allow the circumstances to rob our joy?
This is what the enemy is wanting to do to us as Christians. Lose our joy ~He KNOWS that he cannot take our salvation away. He knows we were bought with a price, the powerful blood of Jesus, So what does he do? He slithers his way in our lives and whispers thoughts that if those thought are not crushed they will become actions that display themselves in anything but the fruits of the spirit.

We have to hold up the spiritual mirror which is the word of God each morning and get ready in front of that mirror. When we first wake up in the morning and we look in the physical mirror and say, “OH WOW”, we address those OH WOWS before we walk out the door. How much more productive would we be if we spent some time addressing the OH WOWS in our spiritual lives? God is in the business of cleaning house. We are his house. His church. His people. He wants the dirt, grime, nasty and mean characteristics out of his house. It is so much easier when we say, here we are God , I am yours. It is so much harder when we will not let go of our pride and submit to his ways. We think God does not know what he is doing. This is really what we are saying so you might as well admit it, “God, I got this one. God, I don’t need your help.”

He is an ALL or nothing God. How do we love the unloveable? How do we forgive the unforgivable? I can’t in and of myself. I really don’t want to. I want to tell them to stay away from me or else??? BUT GOD, through him I can master this test with people. His grace, His ways, His purpose. It is HIS PLAN. What part do I play in your plan God? The word tell us we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. He is the God of the impossible.

We must seek his wisdom. We must come to the place in our lives that we, BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD ~ yes, even in the midst of battle. Even in the mist of pain, betrayal, whatever you are facing. Be still ~

“Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2)