Good morning everyone,

1 Corinthians 4:3-5-3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

One of the most important principles that I have tried to live by in my life is to measure my maturity in Christ by how I am at home. Not that we are "fake" in our jobs or in public, but there is a practical sense of "performance" that we all have to embrace to do the job that requires focus. But when at home there isn’t that sense (hopefully) of needing to perform, but most in general people are truly themselves when relaxed. But I believe the problem comes when there is a GREAT gulf between who I am at home and who I am in public.

I generally believe people don’t want to be hypocrites. Particularly Christians, because it brings such conflict in the soul and weariness to try and lead a double life. That is why fellowship with true godly friends (if we allow it to be) is very helpful to keeping us on the "straight and narrow path" of life and peace. Truthfully, it is difficult to see ourselves and our shortcomings, but we may be insensitive to them because we’ve had them for so long we’ve become blind to them.

So in my attempt to avoid such blind spots, the Lord gave me the courage to ask my son on the way to school that if he could, what thing(s) would he change about his father? Of course it took me to get over my pride first, but in asking him I believe I was creating another set of "eyes" that invites him to critique any inconsistencies in my life that I could do better. Of course he was skeptical, thinking I was setting him up maybe, but I assured him I was being serious and wanted to know. So he opened up, with a few things! As humbling as it was, a child of that age is usually spot on, with no capacity to flatter our ego, but it really blessed me. My question to you this morning is whether you are avoiding being scrutinized by the Lord? Are you allowing Him to point out whether through His Word, prayer, or people, that you maybe hiding from what you don’t want to hear or change?

In His Love, Ld

On Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 12:42 PM, eldoret gentry <eldorets> wrote:

Good afternoon everyone,

Hosea 11:4 -I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

It’s amazing how humble the Lord is and sends what we need. But sometimes we don’t receive it, because our hearts are hardened and we have not critically or honestly thought why things are happening or not happening as we hoped. Or just simply ignored all the signs and continued doing what we wanted.

God speaks so differently than we suspect at times. Of course His Word is the primary place, but do you pay attention to the unconventional ways He speaks, like circumstances, strangers, friends, etc.?

The Lord is always looking to encourage us and speak to us, even if you haven’t spent much time in His Word. I pray you allow your heart to be softened by Him "wooing" you back to His truth and Love. Yet thank Him for never leaving you, and repent for ignoring Him, that you can again embrace His forgiveness and peace.

In His Love, Ld

On Sep 27, 2012 9:38 AM, "eldoret gentry" <eldorets> wrote: