Category Archives: Criticism

I Will Give You Rest

In this passage in Jeremiah, you are given God’s assurance that He loves you and He will do all the heavy lifting. Trust in Him.

Finances, family drama, drugs, alcohol, bullying, sex, jealousy, abuse, illness, physical challenges, mental challenges. All the things which burden you, don’t burden Him. Fixing these might take some time while He gets all the players and pieces lined up. It might involve earthly helpers like doctors or lawyers or accountants or friends. If we wait for His perfect timing, He will work all things to our good. Why? Because He created us. He loves us. He wants you to rely on Him for everything. He wants you to come to Him about everything.

What you eat, what you wear, where you go, who you trust. All these things are provided by the God who made you. He wants you to lean on Him, even in the small stuff. He doesn’t think of you as a pest. He thinks of you as His child. Yes, YOU are a child of God! Isn’t that amazing?!

Ash Wednesday 2024

Ash Wednesday 2024

The Upper Room has been a staple publication in our house as long as I can remember. Today’s devotion was so wonderful and appropriate, I felt compelled to share it with the world in it’s entirety. I hope you get as much from it as I did. We all need to work on forgiveness. After all, The Lord’s Prayer does not say that God forgives us so we should forgive others. The Lord’s Prayer says God forgives us in proportion to how we forgive others. Present tense. Not past tense. Not future tense. Right now! Please join me as I review everyone I haven’t yet forgiven. I’m sure I missed someone. Lord, please help me to do a better job of forgiving. Amen.

Vol 90 No 1. Copyright 2024 by The Upper Room. All rights reservedf.

Bad-Mouthing Jesus

Bad-Mouthing Jesus

In Acts 9, Jesus appeared to Paul as a bright light from heaven. Jesus identified himself as “Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” [Acts 9:5] As Reverend Kenneth Copeland pointed out, Jesus didn’t say Paul was persecuting His people; he told Paul he was persecuting Jesus himself.

When we criticize our fellow Christians, we must be very careful. It is not for us to know what their mission is. We don’t know their personal battles. Leave harsh words for those who belong to this world. Criticism must be given in love, not “good intentions.” We are to correct our brothers and sisters when they step off the path, but only when and how the Holy Spirit tells us.

When we whisper behind their back, we are helping the enemy. STOP IT! Gossip comes from Satan’s toolbox.

When we are called to correct a fellow Christian, we are to pray for guidance. Let God work through you to lead the stray sheep back to the path of righteousness. God knows the right things to say and do. Give Him the lead on this, as in all things.