...Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. John 13:8

Jesus 'took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist...poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"...Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me"...When he had finished...he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them "...I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master...'' (vv. 4-16 NIV). Observe two things Jesus taught: 1) In order to serve God, you must serve others. When Peter objected, Jesus said, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' To play your part in God's plan you must put others first. What you're doing right now may enrich you personally, but are you serving others and pleasing God? 2) When it comes to serving, nothing should be beneath you. Can you picture it? Jesus, who was God, stooping to wash the lowest, dirtiest and smelliest part of the body. Keep that picture firmly in mind next time you're asked to do something you don't want to do, or something you think is 'beneath you.' Christ saw so much value in the least, the lost, the last and the lowest, that He came to redeem them. And today He wants us to go out of our way to serve one another.

SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE

  OF GOD HE CREATED HIM; MALE AND FEMALE HE

  CREATED THEM.

                              ( GENESIS 1:27 *NIV )

 

  

       We are indeed made in God's image.  When you think about

   that it means, God has feelings and emotions just like we do.

   Now that means that God can experience anger just as we

   sometimes do.  Remember Noah's Flood, as well as, Sodom &

   Gomorrah to just name two.  How about Jesus in the Temple

   with the money changers, now that was righteous indignation

   indeed!

 

       Then there is Love, who has more Love than our Heavenly

   Father: FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE

   HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN

   HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. 

   ( JOHN 3:16 )  AND WE KNOW AND RELY ON THE LOVE

   GOD HAS FOR US,  FOR GOD IS LOVE.  ( 1 JOHN 4:16 )

 

       God also experiences sorrow, remember when Jesus went to

   raise Lazarus from the dead?  Is it not written that first: JESUS

   WEPT, ( JOHN 11:35 ) then He raised Lazarus from the dead!

 

       So, when you think about God remember He is

   your Loving, Caring, Heavenly Father.  A Father who understands,

   and is always there for you no matter what.  One that you may

   always turn to with all of your troubles and sorrows, for He truly

   understands!

 

       Therefore always tell God how much you love Him when you

   pray, and never be afraid to share anything with Him!   After all:

   THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU, HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.

   HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU, HE WILL QUIET

   YOU WITH HIS LOVE, HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH

   SINGING.   Amen.

It is to a man's honour to avoid strife... Proverbs 20:3

When it comes to criticism: 1) Concentrate on your mission and change your mistakes! Most of us do the opposite; when criticism comes we change our mission and concentrate on our mistakes. If you run every time you make a mistake, you will never accomplish anything. Instead you'll live in constant frustration. The only real mistakes are the ones from which you learn nothing. So instead of dwelling on your mistakes, count on making some, growing wiser and moving on to finish the job. There's an old Arabian proverb that says, 'If you stop every time a dog barks, your road will never end.' Don't let your failures become roadblocks-turn them into building blocks. In Proverbs 27 verse 17, the Bible says, 'Iron sharpens iron...' (NIV). So pray and grow sharper through criticism. 2) Spend time with the right people. When you have optional time spend it with those who build you up, not tear you down. Quality time with the right people will strengthen your faith and fortify you against the effects of the worst criticism. It will also keep you from becoming critical yourself. When crows attack a hawk, the hawk doesn't counter-attack. Instead, it soars higher and higher in ever widening circles until the pests leave it alone. What a great strategy! Circle above your critics rather than stooping to their level: 'It is to a man's honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.' If your attitude is to have any effect on people it will be because of your example, not your defensiveness.

...The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Judges 17:6

There's no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: 'The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Their philosophy was: 'Don't tell me what to do.' But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating power of your flesh. We're all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognisng that is a necessary first step to overcoming it. '...The sin that so easily entangles...' (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) may be a weakness for food, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, popularity, toxic relationships, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you're much more likely to capitulate if you're alone and can act covertly. '...If you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble' (Ecclesiastes 4:10 CEV). You need to 'turn on the light' immediately by connecting with your support system and sharing your situation. Don't allow the darkness of isolation to overpower you. 'If you fall, your friend can help you up...' (v. 10 CEV). The pride that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed us with mature, caring people who recognise our common struggles and will help us deal with them. We are part of Christ's church, and 'if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it' (1Corinthians12:26 NAS). God instructed Moses, 'Select...some...honest men who fear God...They will help you carry the load' (Exodus 18:21-22 NLT). Accept the help God provides!

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN! (1)

'...Joshua...summoned all the men of Israel and said...'Put your feet on the necks of these kings...' Joshua 10:24

When Israel entered the Promised Land there were five kings with armies determined to stop them. But God helped Joshua to defeat them and all five kings ran and hid in a cave. So Joshua told his soldiers to bring them out and put their foot on each of their necks. That day God's Word to His people was: '...Be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight' (v. 25 NKJV). What a promise! Are the forces of fear trying to take up residence in your mind today? Are they causing you to think the worst instead of believing God for the best? Are they telling you that you're unworthy to receive what He has promised, that you'll never fulfil the destiny God has in mind for you? With God, your victory is assured, but you have a part to play in it. You must go into that dark cave, bring each king out, place your foot on their neck and put them to death. These five kings represent your five natural senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching, and God doesn't want you to live according to their dictates. Your senses are susceptible to every negative thing going on around you, but your faith can lift you above it and give you victory. But you can't just sit down and do nothing. Your passivity gives them the right to rule you. They have no power over you, except the power you give them. So put your foot down!