wwjd.....

those letters became very popular some time ago. it started out to be a reminder to those of us who follow Jesus to think about what He would do in any given situation. it's momentum was infectious with wristbands, t shirts, hats etc. all worn proudly. but did it really remind us to think: what would Jesus do when faced with a decision on how to act or what to do in a situation?  lately, these letters have caused me to really think about my actions in light of my relationship with Jesus.

in my bible studies of late, i have been reading how Jesus handled life while He walked this earth, and how i am to handle life as a follower of Him. how I conduct my actions, my testimony and any ministry i am called to do. the theme that continues to jump out at me is: love. everything Jesus did was out of His great love and obedience to the Father and His amazing grace, mercy and love for us.

as a believer and follower of Him, i am called to conduct my life as He did with the help of the Holy Spirit. as i began to look at Him in scripture and in how He related to people i see the following:

He never, ever, ever minimized the truth about Himself, His purpose, His standing with the Father, His humanness, His position on sin and the consequences of sin unpaid for. He always spoke the truth. always.

He dined and associated with the worst of society in that time; tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, demon possessed, poor, Samaritans, disease ridden and the common man. i imagined what it would be like to sit at a table with Jesus, share a meal and conversation. (another post!) i think what is amazing is that people were drawn to Him. even though He called out the sin in their life and the need for repentance. why? because He did it in His great love for them, and they felt it.  

i often forget that as much a Jesus is wholly God, He was also wholly a man. that is why He understands us so much and is the perfect One to intercede to the Father on our behalf.  He loved His disciples, parents, friends.  He cried at the tomb of Lazarus. He was angry in the temple with the money changers yet did not sin in His anger.  i cannot say the same. 

i definitely do not love in the capacity that Jesus does. i fail so many times. but every day i ask Him to give me His heart, His eyes, to love what He loves. i want to bring Him to the homeless, the lost and hurting, the sick, the fallen and i want to do it as He did. i will always speak the truth. i cannot nor will not deny that sin needs payment. i pray that i can share His truth in His way, in love, grace and mercy.

"amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. i once was lost but now am found, was blind but now i see." He keeps showing me, teaching me, guiding me and molding me to be His witness here. 1Corinthians 13 has been on my heart a LOT lately.  in one of my devotions the author said she puts her name every day in verses 4-7 and her goal was to put on all the qualities of love. love is patient=terri is patient, well i fail right there. love does not envy or boast=terri does not envy or boast. you get the idea. it is a good place to start to be the witness Jesus was and wants me to be.

Jesus is the truth, the way and the life. He is because of love. am i acting, speaking, walking in love? so i find myself more and more asking wwjd.........

1cor 13; ephesians 2:4-10, 5:1; colossians 3:12-17; hebrews 4:15-16;,1john 2:3-6, 4:7-2; romans 8