Yesterday was a difficult day to pass through at work.
The day started off well with reading John 15:4-7 and I had a draft sitting in my inbox waiting with “S” and “O”.
My “A” application and “P” prayer was needed. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how to apply this scripture but I just knew it stuck around in my heart and head for a reason.
Because all it took was one phone call. One discourage phone call with a client to ruin the condition of my heart and mind. It’s one of those interactions where it hurts the most and disappoints the most because they’re a member of your church. But it’s a sobering reminder (and painful one) that it doesn’t matter whether they’re “churched” or not, all have fallen short. All are broken. Nobody is perfect.
I sent out my LJ in a broken manner. I was angry, felt unfairly treated and hurt from the phone call. Even trying to do the “right” thing was extremely hard but all I wanted to do was the “right” thing. Whatever Jesus would have done, I wanted to do and let my conscious be clear and leave it up to God.
The LJ
JHN 15:4-7 ESV
Abide/Dwell/Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (<–Salvation ) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
O:
Tried to look up the definition of Abide and how that looks like in our walk with Christ.
“The word “abide” basically means “to remain.” Every Christian remains inseparably linked to Christ in all areas of life. We depend on Him for grace and power to obey. We look obediently to His Word for instruction on how to live. We offer Him our deepest adoration and praise and we submit ourselves to His authority over our lives. In short, Christians gratefully know Jesus Christ is the source and sustainer of their lives.”
If anyone does not “abide” in Jesus then he/she is thrown away like a branch and withers, and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. The “symptoms” of a dead branch is a branch that doesn’t bear fruit and grow. It withers with no purpose in life. LIkewise, “abiding in Christ” is evidence of real salvation. There are folks who will say they’re saved or say that they’re Christians but they quit on Jesus or quit abiding in Jesus. Like 1 John 2:19 says: “These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.” If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Me…(John 8:31)
A:
So this application has become quite specific and timely as my day has just taken an interesting turn. Trying to do the right thing is not easy. Trying to help an upset client (who also goes to NVC and Pathway) really took my heart for a bad turn this morning. Even though I felt like the phone call ended in unfairly. I wanted to mull over my mistreatment..but knowing that the lady is a “sister in Christ” her family is a family in Christ to me..it was hard. Really hard..to pick up the phone and try to call her to apologize for “something I didn’t do” and try to explain to her that I”ll help and have the phoen hung up on me but ..I called again and left a message just encouraging her that because we are going to the same church let’s not be like this..and a part of me, the feeling sucks. Leaving the same VM on her husband’s cell ..I don’t know what got into me. but I just wanted to do the “right thing” as a Christian and ask that we try to resolve this without emotions. To submit myself to His authority. To depend on Him for grace, not only for my own mistakes but also when others make a mistake..and the power to obey. Man today’s reading application is head on. Jesus, please help me to abide in You even if it feels unfair or hurtful..I want to bear fruit and shine through this situation Jesus. What would Jesus do…I hope I can follow through-trust and obey.
P:
God, if I have wronged this client, please reveal it to me and let me humble myself before You and her. God you know my heart and I take refuge in you right now. Refuge to guard me from my own emotions and sinful thoughts. To not lead my own feet into a slippery slope of pitty and bitterness towards another family in Christ. Please help me to abide in you completely. I surrender this situation to you. Grant me a peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit that this world or my coworkers cannot offer. They heard me slam the phone, they heard the frustration in my voice God I pray that in return they would not remember the bad but see the Christ in me after all this is done and over. Please glorify thyself in this ugly situation and may I bear fruit for you that give evidence of my salvation in You today. In Jesus name I pray amen.
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My gratitude this Thursday comes from my spiritual family at Pathway. Their responses to my LJ and Kakao request for prayer brought such strength and encouragement to my heart. Very opposite of what I had just experience prior.
“Keep shinning for The Lord even if it’s hard. Praying for you Judy! Please keep letting me know how I can pray for you.”
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 corinthians 13:4-6
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
“Eek. Wow sorry Judy! What a horrible way to start your morning. Praying for you. Breathe Judy~ Praying for you!”
“Ahhhh. Praying for you Judy! Prayer that all this will blow over very quickly!!”
“Himnae (Be strong) Judy unni. Deep inside she knows it’s not your fault but you just 잘못걸렸어 (you were at the wrong place/wrong time) Probably she just needed somebody to yell at. =(. I”ll bring some Sprinkles red velvet cupcakes. Let’s eat that and shake it off. ”
“Try to meditate on the same compassion that Jesus had when he wept for the people who yelled “Hosanna” because they didn’t know or understand..”
Such overwhelming support and reminders of truth through scripture and encouragement. I am so grateful for my CG, my husband and additional ministry co-servants. What would I do without this family???
(Makes me worried about leaving CA)
My Skin and Bones are a Rental 