A Higher Standard

Luke 12:48 "From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Whether we like it or not, we are called to a higher standard than the average person. We cannot afford to be critical or selective. As Christians we are obligated to be loving and merciful and that in an ever increasing measure. "For to whom much is given, much will be required."

Our testimony becomes worthless unless our walk matches our talk. If we have a poor work ethic take long breaks, read the Bible on company time, we alienate ourselves as elite and leave others feeling like they are somehow inferior. Jesus attitude was to put himself on their plain socially in order to minister to their need.

It is all to easy to categorize people. Either we like them and we will talk to them or we do not like them and avoiding them. The Lord expects us to hold ourselves to a higher standard of wisdom, humility and grace. When criticized we cannot afford to become defensive. Jesus always took the high ground by always looking for an opportunity to minister even to those who were critical of him. By responding to our coworkers with patience, love and compassion we have an opportunity to make an impression on them which when mingled with prayer can break down the barriers and allow Christ into their lives. Our lives preach the only sermon some people will ever hear.

He Knows Your Name!

John 10:3
3 "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." NIV

They look pretty much the same to me but the shepherd knows them all by name. I, unfortunately, have trouble with remembering names so I write them out on note paper to remember them. I am so thankful that Jesus easily remembers our names and I found out why.
In Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." (NLT) Wow! To think that we are being thought of by the Lord all the time. My name is on his hand.
This then would also mean that He cares about matters to us. He knows when we are sick or under stress or burdened. The Bible is very specific about how much He cares for us. John also writes, 1 John 3:1 "We really are his children" (NCV) It is almost as though John thought some of us would think "Not me", maybe Billy Graham or Mother Teresa but surely not me. So he made a special emphasis here to make sure we would not miss the message.
You are important to Jesus. Remember that and thank him for it.