365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 18

Today I am looking at verse 6 from 1 Corinthians 13: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. I think this verse is specifically talking about the relationships we have with others and what we do when we are witness to our friend, co-worker, spouse or neighbor sinning. You have heard the saying about a true friend will tell you the truth. Love and honesty go hand-in-hand. If you really love someone, you cannot turn the other cheek as they sin right before your eyes. Of course, every situation is different and will call for specific actions based on the situation but the core part of our motivation is because we love. Now, some sins like gossiping in the office, can be taken care of with a gentle reminder that we shouldn’t be talking negatively behind someone’s back but other situations may need a more assertive approach and still other situations all you can really do is express your love and concern and pray for that person.  Loving someone with truth is not easy. Noboby likes confrontation of any kind but with the Holy Spirit’s help we can overcome the tendency to not say anything, to turn the other cheek, to walk away from the situation and face it with all the love God has for us.

Holy Spirit,

Without you, we are but shells but with you and your fruits we can be all that God wants us to be and become more and more like Jesus. You alone can give us the love we need that will not delight in evil but will face it with love and truth. May we be guided by this love today and be a light for those around us who need guidance, mercy and love. With You All Things Are Possible! Amen.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 285

We have been watching this summer TV show called Hotel Hell. It's the world famous chef, Gordon Ramsey and him going to these hotels that are not making it to see if he can turn them around towards success. Aside from the actual physical aspects of the show and all the nasty things Gordon finds, what really draws me is the insight he has into what's going on with the owner/s. He looks beneath the surface and finds that this person is really a good person who just doesn't have the right perspective. He helps these people see what they have been doing for what it really is and changes not just the hotel but the owner/s. Gordon is not afraid of confrontation. He faces these people with the truth of what he sees. God wants us to live this same way. We should not be afraid of confronting people with the truth of what we see and definitely need to be speaking about the truth of Jesus. Thank you Lord for giving us the courage to help our brothers and sisters see the truth.

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."