Growing in grace

"Let us not judge." Romans 14:13

A close second to comparing is controlling. Often controllers are steeped in "religiosity." Their modus operandi is manipulation, hints and veiled threats. They're not big on grace because they "think (they) know it all" (Ro 12:16). Do you see any of these traits in yourself? Think how much happier you'd be if you weren't trying to control people and outcomes. Dennis Leonard writes, "Give your loved ones the diginity of making their own mistakes and learning from them. If you're always getting into someone else's business, you're not only going to burn out, you're hindering God from working in their lives...They belong to Him not you!"
Dealing with controversy over Jewish food laws, Paul writes, "Those who feel free to eat must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't...must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them" (Ro 14:3). Because you don't feel at liberty to do something, don't condemn those who do. Having strong opinions doesn't sanction you to impose them on others. Even good things can be abused. William Barclay talks about "making a tyranny of the Sabbath, surrounding it with a jungle of rules, regulations and prohibitions." Ask yourself if you attitude is likely to cause peace of strife. Growing in grace means building "each other up" (Ro 14:19), not flaunting your liberty before those who don't share your convictions. Paul says, "Let each (man) be fully convinced in his own mind" (Ro 14:6). There are times when you need to humbly and prayerfully "press on, regardless."

Are you searching for contentment?

"My people have...forsaken...the...living water, and...dug...broken cisterns." Jeremiah 2:13

It's easy to be content when things in life are going your way. But how often does that happen? The bible says we are to practice being "happy at any time in everything" (Php 4:12) because if you put your life on hold waiting for what you want to happen, you may be waiting a long time! Epicurus said, "Don't spoil what you have, by desiring what you don't have. Remember that what you now have, was the thing you once hoped for."
Three things constantly feed our discontentment: (1) Greed. When you dwell on what you don't have, you're not enjoying what God already given you. Be satisfied! Setting goals is good, but stop focusing so hard on the end result and learn to rejoice in the Lord while you're on your way. (2) Fear. It wants you to run from something that's not chasing you. It's the enemy's way of (a) robbing you of peace and stability; (b) tormenting you with the "what if's"; (c) keeping you from trusting God. The Psalmist said, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Ps 56:4). (3) Seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. God said, "My people have...forsaken...the...living water, and...dug...broken cisterns that cannot hold water." It's significance. But we don't have to. The hymn writer wrote, "Now none but Christ can satisfy; no other name for me. There's love, life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee!" Are you searching for contentment? Try Jesus!

Devotional Day 1 - Mastering yourself

"Everything is permissible for me - but." 1 Corinthians 6:12

Let your flesh know who's in charge. Look for ways to say "no" to yourself every day. If you do, you'll be able to do it when it really counts. We're not just talking about cardinal sins, but zeroing in on the undisciplined areas of our lives that we excuse, rationalize, or postpone dealing with. Paul writes, "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything." Paul measures his actions by this yardstick: "Is it beneficial? Does it have the potential to control me?"
How long are you going to keep telling yourself, "I know I need to change, and I will-tomorrow"? You have the right to consume chocolate cake and ice cream at bedtime every night. It's permissible," but not "beneficial," especially if you want unblocked arteries, sugar-free blood, a trim waistline, the ability to run a marathon, or maybe just to keep up with your grandkids. You have the right to spend your time and money as you please, but you don't have the right to complain when the law of diminishing returns kicks in and you finish up in the poorhouse. You have the right to fill your mind with any kind of garbage you choose. But understand this, constant exposure to the wrong things will weaken your character, rob you of self-respect and eventually enslave you.
When it comes to replacing bad habits with good ones, only one person is going to make it happen - you. Your character is the sum total of your everyday choices. Day by day, what you think, what you choose and what you do, is who you become.