May #jammed: Growing Grace.

Day 140: One of a kind.

“Do not envy evil people
    or seek their friendship.” Proverbs 24:1

“Please secure all loose articles …” the instructional speakers droned as seatbelt were fastened and restraints secured. “…we will not be responsible for anything lost or damaged.”

 Amusement parks recover treasure troves of lost things from people who thought their valuables were secure.

We’re often not as secure as we think we are.

Today’s verse warns of friendship with the wrong people. And once again, it aggravates me to read something I don’t want to read. I want to be friends with everyone. God loves all of us, so why can’t I? God is judge, so why do I have to limit who I’m exposed to?

It’s all about us …and what we stand to lose.

God knows what we can handle and what we cannot. Whether it’s exposure to the destructive behavior or walking closer to temptation than God knows we can handle …we’re better off listening to the One who knows every thread of our being and thought in our heads. Jesus came to rescue us from the things we can’t handle. The longer it takes to embrace His omnipotent sovereignty, the more damage we do to our lives.

God gave His people rules in the Old Testament, and they were never capable of following them. He knows no set of rules will ever be enough to protect us from ourselves. That’s why Jesus gave up His seat in heaven to walk the earth. The Word made flesh. Jesus walked out the rules. A living Example.

How many times has someone told you something …then showed it to you to prove it to you …and you still don’t believe them…

We all do it! He knew we would. And that’s why He died. No bitterness, no shame, no guilt, no legalistic rules. God guides us by His Word and Wisdom, but gives us the power to choose. Why? Why love us so much to let us choose wrong?

In our lost moments we find Him. When we fall He catches us on the way down. He heals our hurts. When we walk with Jesus, we can be friends with everyone …but not everyone all of the time. Each friendship has a purpose, and it isn’t to add to the friend collection. It’s divine.

Father, Praise You for friends! Thank You for warning us to walk with You. Forgive us for forgetting that Jesus came to do what we are incapable of …be a good judge of character! Bless our hearts with compassion for all people, and to leave the people placing up to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Losing,

Megs

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