Almighty God, I pray you to raise me from the death of sin to the life of righteousness by that same power that brought the Lord Jesus from the dead, that I may walk in newness of life through the aid of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
My youngest daughter and I get into some interesting conversations now and then. Usually it would be about astronomy or art. She’s pretty passionate about both things; dad to daughter – “kiddo, that drawing is pretty impressive and I really can’t wait to see how your skills develop.” Well this time it was feet; “Dad why are my feet so big? They’re ugly!” I’m sure those who have daughters have heard something similar. Mine just turned 13 so here we go! As a loving and patient dad, I sat there telling my daughter without cracking a smile, just how nice and strong her feet were; and went through the whole routine, assuring her she does not have “weird” feet and she’s perfectly normal. The conversation moved back to art related topics, and that was that.
A short while later, I remembered this verse: How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:15 I hurried back to my daughter and poked my head into her room and told her of this nice verse. While I would love to report that she was totally impressed with the verse and all is happy in Joe’s house; I’m just not lucky enough to have a picture perfect end to that conversation. 
I sat down next to her, and proceeded telling her without cracking a smile, just how nice and strong her feet were; and went through the whole routine, assuring her she does not have “weird” feet, and she’s perfectly normal.
Still, for those beautiful feet who bring the good news of the Gospel, God bless all of you my laboring brothers and sisters.
You pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” James 2:3
He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31
Any fool can dress up and show the world how rich and full of class they are, but are they a reflection of the world, or Jesus’ character? A truely rich person will pity and befriend the poor, not shun them or oppress them.
Often in times of tragedy we hear, “Where was God?”
Psalm 115:1-3
Glory to God Alone
1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us,
but to Your name give glory
because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth.
2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven
and does whatever He pleases.
As the raging flood approaches the houses along the river; do we bang on their doors and scream building code violations, and why they should not have built in a flood zone, or do we urge them to immediately evacuate to an area of safety and patiently explain along the way?
I’ve met so many people whose first approach to sin and those who commit them is wrath, condemnation, and judgement. I myself have done it as well. We forget our place in the Body of Christ. We aren’t the judge, we are the messenger. Why is it we so easily forget that? Why do we get hung up preaching on the law; while ignoring the other important things we are taught by the Lord, and ignoring our responsibility to pray that those we are condemning, be saved from the law and God’s wrath? Why aren’t we spreading the gospel, instead we are still spreading the law, not the message of the man who died and saved us. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. That is not a command to continue teaching the law, but to teach salvation, and spread the good news of Jesus.
While we should not ignore sinful deeds, we need to remember it’s our duty to expose them, not judge and condemn those who commit them, as we are sinners ourselves.
Ephesians 5:11&12 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
I do not take the authority of God upon myself; God the father is just and perfect, and I can only make way for his holy wrath. I have to stand aside depending on the blood of Jesus to keep me from the same, while fighting to contain my wrath which is a sinful wrath in itself.
Matthew 12:36&37 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
God bless you all this Christmas, and may the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts daily.
