Inimitable

Unique, matchless, incomparable, one and only or incapable of being imitated, very much an attribute or characteristic of Jesus. Yet far too often we’re taught to “act like Jesus”. Certainly the world needs more of Him but does it need more people pretending to be like Him? What’s truly called for is more of the actual Jesus living in and working through us. That’s what He promises to do if we’ll let Him. All that’s required is saying yes, not once but always.

Care

Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You’ve left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care – Jackson Browne, Rock Me on the Water

We’re to be the ones who care! The entire world is in desperate need of someone to show them they’re cared for. No one you come in contact with today doesn’t need a smile, doesn’t want to have some concern shown or couldn’t use a friend. Sure they may not show it but you know the truth.

What if there’d been just ten people who cared for the folks in Sodom or Gomorrah?

Diversion

Will you recognize the diversions sent to keep you from what God has for you today? If you recognize them, will you still be diverted? Someone is going to need you today, be there for them.

Glorified

“To glorify the name of the Lord Jesus would be enough for any ransomed sinner, but to be told (2Thess. 1:11, 12) that in the very glorifying of Jesus he himself would be glorified in Him – well, that is just too overwhelmingly good.” – E. Stanley Jones

That’s grace, we were made to live in Him, with Him, about Him and for Him, not for His benefit but because together (He in us, us in Him) was and is the entire goal. It’s the very thing the world desperately seeks and we must be willing to share in word and deed.

Effort

This day may take extra effort. God’s providing all you need to not only make it through but to thrive. Don’t go it alone.

God Pursues

“God pursues us into whatever dark places we’ve landed and behind whatever locked door holds us in. He holds our unwashed and dirty hands and models how He wants us to pursue each other. Sometimes that means picking up a phone and asking a stranger to do something that seems crazy at first. He invites us to leave perfectly fine careers like Christ did, and rather than having us apply for a position, He says our lives are the position. And He says to ordinary people like me and you that instead of closing our eyes and bowing our heads, sometimes God wants us to keep our eyes open for people in need, do something about it, and bow our whole lives to Him instead.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Supply

The more we need Him, the more our incredible God has for us. Oh how I need Him.

Sometimes I think I feel…

I love the last sentence in Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Philippians 1:8 that was posted here yesterday, “Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!” How wonderful to have people around that feel like this towards us. After all didn’t Christ say love Me and those around you? You can even make a strong case from scripture that we love Him when we love others. There is someone that you will encounter today that will really appreciate seeing that you care for them.

Too Much

We all come to the Lord and move closer to Him through fire. It’s the difficult circumstances and seasons we find ourselves in that help us see how much we need Him. It’s also in these times that His ability to see us through is most evident. If we could handle everything on our own, our relationship and understanding of Him would be superficial at best. So when you are in the middle or better yet at the beginning of an overwhelming situation and it feels like it’s just too much for you, it probably is. But peace, comfort and relief can be found in knowing that there is nothing that’s too much for you and God together.

One of the least of these

Scripture tells us that when we show compassion to those around us that are in need or are hurting it’s as if we cared for Jesus Himself. Today will be filled with opportunities for us to love the Lord through the kindness we pour out on others. Let’s be generous, empathetic and patient. Nothing speaks louder than when people see us put aside our needs, wants and agendas to focus on theirs.