At 65, I’ve come to understand that it’s often my right pointer finger that is the biggest obstacle to my spiritual growth and relationship with God. For with that finger, I point at the other guy and say, “There’s your problem, right there.” With that finger, I don’t have to look too closely at my own faults and sins because the rest of humanity is, obviously, doing much worse things.
But God doesn’t measure our faith by comparison to others. God delights in us when we know ourselves so well and honestly that we point not at others with our fingers—but back at ourselves with our thumbs. Who has two thumbs and needs God’s forgiveness? This guy.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
*** “In a news briefing earlier this month from space, Captain Butch Wilmore shared that his faith in Christ has helped him cope with being left in space nine months longer than planned. "My feeling on all of this goes back to my faith. It's bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory… And however that plays out, I am content because I understand that.” *** His testimony reminds me of Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28, and many more ❤️ *** This testimony comes into my orbit just at the right time as Jessi and I are struggling with... * Not knowing when her military order (expected late April and early May - and we would like it to be ASAP) will be available to proceed with her moving arrangement * Not (yet) having the apartment(s) in Columbus she desires available during the time frame of 5/1-6/10 * "Hurry up and wait and not knowing" become the struggle * Praying for Psalm 46:10 for both of us as Jessi and her classmate Kristina travel to England and Scotland next Monday, "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored in the earth.” Amen ✝️ * Grateful for our God: His faithfulness, His favor and His forgiveness through it all...BUT GOD ✝️ ******* Do you feel stuck? Remember Captain Wilmore’s testimony, “He is working out His plan and His purposes for His glory!” ✝️
My prayer "Lord Jesus, may your love and truth transform my life - my inner thoughts, intentions, and attitudes, and my outward behavior, speech, and actions. Where I lack charity, kindness, and forbearance, help me to embrace your merciful love and to seek the good of my neighbor, even those who cause me ill-favor or offense. May I always love as you have loved and forgive others as you have forgiven."
AMEN!!
Amen. :)
Yes, Steve, I am guilty of pointing fingers, not really but judging others. Thank you for your contributions to this site. Living faith family sharing this. Memorare Be aware that Names in quotes "" are mine. Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, [that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions for"" Stormy, Pam Bill, Cheryl, Kevin, Carl, Jane, Debbie and her daughter Anna, Stephanie and Christine who's her caregiver Terry and Miguel, Frank Bill PeggyR and Irene Scoop Vicky G and Garrett and the Souls in purgatory and those souls who have no one to pray for them. "" Mother in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen Ken
****** Starting a 40-day prayer journal specifically for my daughter, Katie, the self proclaim agnostic to come back and walk with Jesus, her Savior and soon to be Lord ✝️ *** Day Twenty - My confession in Psalm 51:4, “Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgment against me is just!” *** I look to Your promise in James 5:15-16, “The prayer offered by those who have faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will heal them. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another. Pray for one another so that you might be healed. The prayer of a godly person is powerful. Things happen because of it!” Amen ✝️ *** My supplication for Katie in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me (Katie) a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me (Katie) Do not banish me (Katie) from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me (Katie). Restore to me (Katie) the joy of Your Salvation, and make me (Katie) willing to obey You!” Amen ✝️
Amen.☮️
Amen!
When you point at someone, there are 3 fingers and a thumb pointing back at you
*** Here is what God wants (steadfast love and knowledge of God) and don’t want (sacrifices and burn offerings) from me in Hosea 6:6, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings!” *** God wants this in Luke 18:13, “But the tax collector stood farther away than the Pharisee. He would not even look up to heaven. He brought his hand to his heart and prayed. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’” *** God doesn’t want this in Luke 18:11-12, “ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people,’ he said. ‘I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.’” ******* The bottom line in Luke 18:14, “I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee. All those who lift themselves up will be made humble. And those who make themselves humble will be lifted up.” *** My prayer in Psalm 51:4, 7-12, “You are the One I’ve really sinned against. I’ve done what is evil in Your sight. So You are right when You sentence me. You are fair when You judge me…Sprinkle me with hyssop, then I will be clean. Wash me, then I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear You say, “Your sins are forgiven.” That will bring me joy and gladness. Let the body You have broken be glad. Take away all my sins. Wipe away all the evil things I’ve done. God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Don’t send me away from You. Don’t take Your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by You. Give me a spirit that obeys You so that I will keep going!” Amen ❤️✝️❤️
Forefingers are not nearly as mischievous what middle fingers can get up to.
Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me, to open my spiritual eyes to become aware of my sinfulness, and to fill me with God’s mercy and forgiveness, I would surely shrivel up and die.
Amen. Very well stated Steve,
Steven Given: That is a beautiful summation of today's gospel. I'm going to use that for the younger generation (God doesn't compare us to others) and for me (the thumb pointing back to me). Thanks so much for sharing your time, efforts and writing in LivingFaith.
This guy, too! Thanks Steve!
Praying for the Pope. Praying for the innocent immigrants that are being deported, for federal workers whose livelihood's are being destroyed as they lose their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are being deprived life giving food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
Amen. This guy too. And where does my forgiveness and help come from? Thumbs up!
lol. Love the thumbs up!
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Steve, you crushed it with this devotional. Thank you for continuing to share your gifts with us through this sight. As a recovering judger, I too, have index fingers and two thumbs that clearly point out my own need for God to intervene and grant me the grace to remove the slab of wood from my eye and be merciful. Amen.