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- Apr 25, 2006
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Bring Out The Best In Others (4)
'Be strong and courageous' Deuteronomy 31:6
'Can we fix it? Yes we can!' The producers of Bob the Builder had a pretty good understanding that a positive attitude to a problem is the first step towards solving it. But they weren't the first to hit on the idea.
Jesus is the Master when it comes to dealing with sticky situations and turning the whole thing on its head.
John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. Not good. Checking their law books, the religious people suggested stoning her to death. But Jesus steps in with immense compassion and hands her a lifeline: 'I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again' (John 8:11 GNB). It's quite likely she'd have gone on from that point trying to live up to Jesus' view of her.
The New Testament is full of the idea of breathing life into people and situations. So what stops us from sharing the love? Could it be the lure of laziness? Are we simply seduced by selfishness? Are we falling down the pit of taking people for granted? Perhaps we're concerned they'll take a rocket ride to Superiority Central.
But that wasn't Jesus' concern when He hooked up with Nathanael: 'Now here is a genuine son of Israel - a man of complete integrity' (John 1:47 NLT). What an amazing compliment! The sad truth is more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. Ask God today for an opportunity to be a life-breather.
written by Bob Gass
'Be strong and courageous' Deuteronomy 31:6
'Can we fix it? Yes we can!' The producers of Bob the Builder had a pretty good understanding that a positive attitude to a problem is the first step towards solving it. But they weren't the first to hit on the idea.
Jesus is the Master when it comes to dealing with sticky situations and turning the whole thing on its head.
John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. Not good. Checking their law books, the religious people suggested stoning her to death. But Jesus steps in with immense compassion and hands her a lifeline: 'I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again' (John 8:11 GNB). It's quite likely she'd have gone on from that point trying to live up to Jesus' view of her.
The New Testament is full of the idea of breathing life into people and situations. So what stops us from sharing the love? Could it be the lure of laziness? Are we simply seduced by selfishness? Are we falling down the pit of taking people for granted? Perhaps we're concerned they'll take a rocket ride to Superiority Central.
But that wasn't Jesus' concern when He hooked up with Nathanael: 'Now here is a genuine son of Israel - a man of complete integrity' (John 1:47 NLT). What an amazing compliment! The sad truth is more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. Ask God today for an opportunity to be a life-breather.
written by Bob Gass
