The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. (Psalm 145:8)
Sower - Rooted
Gift: Counsel (Right Judgment) – With the gift of right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus.
Reading: Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 8 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, 9 and the violent are taking it by force. (Matthew 11:11-12)
Observation: The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, because we are allowing it. If I would have only heard these words of Jesus speaking to me from the beginning, I could have acted differently sooner. Is it our sinfulness that allows us to dismiss these words as talking about those that will be found worthy of spending eternity in heaven. Our own negative self-image does not allow us to see that Jesus is not talking about some future place of residence in heaven, rather he is speaking of now. Therefore, let us take note of the fact that we are called to be greater than John the Baptist in our proclaiming the good news, if it is good news that we are hearing. (Sarcasm)
Personification: Kindness I thank God today and everyday that he is slow to anger. I am hoping that I can start to display this same patience to others and this will allow me to act with the fruit of kindness toward everyone that I come in contact with today.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. I ask this, as always, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit. Amen.
