If we want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty ourselves of everything which stands in the way - pride, self-seeking glory, vanity, etc. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power, and love.

 

Mark 9:30-37 -  They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; (31) for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." (32) But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him. (33) And they came to Caper'na-um; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" (34) But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. (35) And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (36) And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, (37) "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."
 

* Meditation by Don Schwagger (RC Net):

"Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world and revealed your glory and triumph over sin and death. May I never fail to see your glory and victory in the cross.  Help me to conform my life to your will and to follow in your way of holiness."

* Supplementary Reading

You are Your Lens

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." - Proverbs 27:19

Who you are determines the way you see everything. You cannot separate your identity from your perspective. All that you are and every experience you've had color how you see things. It is your lens. Here's what I mean:

A traveler nearing a great city asked an old man seated by the road, "What are the people like in this city?"

"What were they like where you came from?" the man asked.

"Horrible," the traveler reported. "Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects."

"Ah," said the old man, "you will find them the same in the city ahead."

Scarcely had the first traveler gone on his way when another stopped to inquire about the people in the city before him. Again the old man asked about the people in the place the traveler had just left.

"They were fine people: honest, industrious, and generous to a fault," declared the second traveler. "I was sorry to leave."

The old man responded, "That's exactly how you'll find the people here."

The way people see others is a reflection of themselves. If I am a trusting person, I will see others as trustworthy. If I am a critical person, I will see others as critical. If I am a caring person, I will see others as compassionate.

If you change yourself and become the kind of person you desire to be, you will begin to view others in a whole new light. And that will change the way you interact in all of your relationships.


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Be aware of your "lens" today as you interact with others.
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