Day 27 "Build Up or Tear Down?"

When I was a child, I remember taking a deck of cards and trying to make some type of structure with it. It was simple enough to place two cards upward with a little space between them and then place one card on top connecting the two. Voila! A structure! But the challenge soon became how many cards can I connect together and how high could I go up? It would take some time to connect all 52 cards. But no matter how long it took to construct my house of cards, it took but a mere moment to blow or knock it all down!

Do you ever find the same thing happening in relationships? We spend a lot of time building trust, acceptance, pleasant and gratifying memories, only to see them tarnished or destroyed by a quick act of unkindness or the lashing of a hurtful remark. If you would, take a few moments to reflect back on your own life. When you found yourself being the one who was at fault, why do you suppose it happened? Upon who was your attention focused? On Yourself? It is so easy to let our guard down and to put ourselves first in importance! No, we may not be forthcoming to say it to ourselves or understand exactly what we are doing. We may be blinded to what is really going on. We may simply put someone else down to try and make us feel better about ourselves. Much of our actions and attitude come from having a worldly-minded mindset which encourages to focus on ourselves and get what we want. And get it now! But Jesus Christ came to show us a better way. You have a choice!

" Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you a fisherman of men."

Matthew 4:19

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-

his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where

Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set you mind on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself in with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and

forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord

forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

"You have heard that it is said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell

you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:7-9

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find

it." Matthew 10:39

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me

will find it." Matthew 16:25

Only when we discover a love greater that the conditional love that the world offers, can we find peace and security to be ourselves and to let others be themselves. The hiddenly masked acts of manipulation of getting others to do something for us, which we are all guilty of doing one time or another, will begin to fall to the wayside replaced by the true act of loving- seeking nothing in return for what is given. God's love is unconditional.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

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We have a choice: to sow seeds of love or try to harvest the fruits of our own selfishness.

One builds up. The other tears down.

Who be you?

Be a blessing to someone today. Make their day. See you back tomorrow...