4:181 – Looking for The Good

#faithbites #faithjourney looking

Setting

Some days, God has a way of reinforcing an idea he wants you to learn. Yesterday, I decided I was going to take a picture of the mug.my mother got me for father’s day and would use it for a #faithbites. Thanks, Mom. Today, an experience really showed that some people will always look on the bright side for good things and others will tear it apart.

A friend posted a headline from a newspaper in the northwest that spoke of the inequities that are being seen by the extreme heat. His comments and the comments of others made light of it and said it doesn’t exist. That it’s weather and we all deal with it. When I explained that some are more effected because eof ability to have air conditioning, places to go to cool off, health, etc. He explained his upbringing in a rural homogeneous society. Everyone experienced the same thing. Here is a case where some will look to divide, one the media is making something of nothing, and others will look to find the common ground and good.

God created us not to live in fear or to have enemies of each other. He made a beautiful world for us to enjoy. The only enemy we should have is Satan.

Today’s Questions: How to make sure we are looking for the good in all things? What can we use as a gauge of whether we are sharing the good and not the bad camouflaged as good?

Scripture

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflection

Only one verse tonight as it is very clear and powerful. This scripture tells us what to focus on. In essence, we should be looking for the good in all things. Those good things come from God.

Yes, we know bad exists and we should work to change it. But often we we look for the bad, we focus on the negative parts of a person or a group and make them “an other” rather than a child of God. We often use false comparisons to make a point that don’t need to be made. We find ways to tear down one thing to promote another. God tells us what to focus on. Him and what is good.

As we close, choose God. Choose to focus on what is good, pure, and glorious. Let God sort out the rest.

Prayer

Lord God, you’ve given us a world filled with life, wonder, friends, and companionship. Instead of living in your glory, we find ways to tear down one another. We believe that if someone else gets something, we lose. Or if an inequity is brought up it’s not true because we don’t feel that way.

Lord Jesus, we pray for understanding. Let us know that someone can feel something and even if we don’t, it doesn’t make it wrong.

Father God, we pray that you will help us look to the skies, to you for love, direction, and all that is good. Help us to use that new found site to help others who are struggling. Let us be selfless as your Son was for us. We pray all this in your name, Amen.