One thing we should always remember and keep in mind is that we are all imperfect and flawed human beings. Many times we expect so much from someone else and when they falter and fail to meet our expectations we blame them for not being perfect, but is that fair? Are we in a position of perfection ourselves? The answer will never be yes because we fall short every single day. We all make mistakes; we have all done things that we wish we could take back and if our history is any indication then we can be sure that we will fail in our tomorrows just the same. That is why we should not have high expectations of anyone. We should love without motive or pretense and be quick to forgive the offenses of others just as God forgives us for our many offenses. Having a holier than thou attitude is a falsity that should never be adopted. The Bible declares in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Luke 6:31) (Romans 12:9-10)

Be encouraged to live your life by the example that Jesus has set for us. The Lord loved all, welcomed all, forgave all who repented of their sins and showed us how we are to interact with one another. When we do as the Bible says and prefer others even higher than ourselves we will in essence be building up our relationships to a level that they will never be broken or torn apart. That’s what love does; it reconciles, it redeems, it forgives, it elevates and it shows a mercy and grace that is in many cases unexplainable. May we heed the call of servitude over mastership so that in our humility God will raise us up and use us in ways that we could never think or imagine our simple life can be used. When we lead with a gentle heart looking for the best in others I believe God will honor our humility and use our vessel to spread love, joy, gladness, mercy and hope to all those who have felt alone, neglected, unloved or unredeemable. Just as God was able to take us out of the miry clay and place our feet on solid ground, I believe that He can do the same for our fellow man through our simple and loving acts towards His people. (1 Peter 4:8-10) (Psalm 40:1-4)

I hope this message ministers to your heart to put away all judgment and put on love when interacting with those who need to be encouraged, affirmed and lifted up.


TAKE ME “AS IS”

On her 50th wedding anniversary, a woman revealed the secret of her long and happy marriage. She said, “On my wedding day, I decided to make a list of ten of my husband's faults which, for the sake of the marriage, I would overlook.”

One of her guests asked her what some of the faults she chose to overlook were. “To tell you the truth,” she replied, “I never did get around to making that list. But whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, 'Lucky for him that's one of the ten!'”

It's nice to decide what to overlook. In relationships, I get plenty of practice overlooking the foibles of other people. And I suspect they get plenty of practice with me, too.

As they hung wallpaper together, one husband became frustrated with his wife. She seemed, to him, to be indifferent about the quality of her work. He felt she was doing a poor job. He finally put it into words this way: “The problem is that I'm a perfectionist and you're not.”

“Exactly!” she replied. “That's why you married me and I married you!”

Miss Perfect certainly did one thing well. She knew how to overlook annoying observations from her perfectionist husband.

We human beings are nothing if not flawed and imperfect. But, the point is, people are not meant to be without blemish. We're scraped and scarred, flawed on the inside and marred on the outside. It's just the way we are. (Sometimes I think it's one of our more endearing qualities.) I never want to forget that "perfect" is only found in the dictionary.

Even pottery may be closer to perfection than we humans, if Belleek Pottery in Ireland is any example. I hear that every finished piece there undergoes a final inspection. It is held up to a fierce, bright light and examined for imperfections. If even the slightest flaw is detected, the cup or plate or vase or sugar bowl is smashed to pieces. That's right. The blemished piece is never sold as a “second.” If Belleek pottery is not flawless, it is reckoned to be no good at all. No doubt other makers of fine china and crystal operate the same way.

I surely cannot stand up to that kind of scrutiny. I have flaws I haven't even begun to explore yet.

How much pain prompted the words of that sensitive artist Vincent van Gogh when he lamented, “I wish they would only take me as I am.” How many times a day are those words repeated by countless people feeling the sting of rejection? To be accepted as one is and not discarded as useless is more than just a wish, it is a deep, human need.

All of us sport an invisible sign around our necks -- “AS IS.” It means, take me as I am. I may not become what you want me to be. And I'm far, far from perfect. But I have some great qualities, too, as well as my share of faults. You will have to take me “AS IS” and I'll take you that way, too.

AS IS will be the best guarantee any of us can offer. But quite frankly, most of the time we're getting a pretty good deal.

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

Psalm 40:1-4 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

Galatians 5:22-26 “...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Philippians 2:3-7 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: WISE WORDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem109.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S ALIVE AND WELL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony34.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry