1Peter 2:12
Joy’s Notes:
1 Sam 16:7
“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
• Peter most likely was thinking about TIME when JESUS shared this : Luke 10:25-37
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⁃ religious men asked: “who is my neighbor?”
⁃ Jesus shared story:
⁃ jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho beaten by bandits on side of the road
⁃ Priest & Levite passed him by (things to do!!)
⁃ Despised Samaritan man felt compassion & soothed his wounds w/ oil & bandaged him!
⁃ Put him on donkey & took him to inn to be cared for
(NO ONE SAW THIS GOOD DEED!
He didn’t put it on Facebook, he didn’t tweet about it… Only him and his father knew)
He pulled up his sleeve & GOT MESSY!
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When I read this text without Jesus goggles— I read it as :
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“ be perfect & look like a perfect Christisn because people are watching you & all ur perfection — & I have to please people & make them like me & have a good reputation & look the part- otherwise their own faith inGod will fail if I disappoint them!”
Do you see how tricky satan is? (& exhausting)
“there’s no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections!”
I MUST take my GAZE off man & fix it ON Jesus!
• Gods job as a result, mine is obedience !
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MY Backstory:
I used good deeds as a form of manipulation TO EARN approval, acceptance, love (phony love)
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But my home was broken. Porn, anger, alcohol, depression
I DIDNT KNOW THE LOVE OF MY FATHER:(
I Thought doing good deeds and works would earn others validation and Gods affirmation
It’s A LOVE ISSUE!!
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I didn’t know His love wasn’t BASED on me but simply PLACED on me!
—> entire seasons of my life that I don’t recognize!
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• relationships I allowed
• Boundaries I disregarded
• Lethal Thoughts I Entertained
• Anger and unforgiveness i nursed
• Gossip I engaged in.
• Comparison & jealousy I stepped into
• Lies I told
• Lies I believed!
• Secrets I stuffed
• Fears that ruled me!!
....all while “doing good deeds. (I didn’t know my DADDYS love)
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Priscilla Shirer zebra story:
• Baby zebra taken away from herd & taken away with mama for few wks to memorize her mothers stripes on top of head (like our finger print- no 2 alike) MEMORIZE her mama’s configuration of stripes on top of head.
• It’s by HIS STRIPES I’ve been HEALED!!
The world will present all sorts of configurations of stripes — but you will KNOW who your Father is!
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Isaiah 64:6
“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”
Jer 12:2
“ your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. But as for me Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts.”
“HONORABLE BEHAVIOR” (Gods goggles)
• looks like man beating chest praying next to perfect person (Luke 18)
• Woman bleeding who reached out for Jesus’ hem to declare he’s son-of-righteousness (Matt 9)
• Woman caught in adultery & chose to sin no more.(John 7)
• Samaritan women who had been rejected by 5 husbands —told everyone about Jesus & Jesus told her He was the messiah (John 4)
• Zacchaeus(tax collector) who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus (Luke 19)
• Prostitute who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet (Luke 7)
• Elijah who heard the gentle whisper & love of His Father in a cave due to depression. (1 kings 19)
• The Woman quietly dropping 2 small coins— all she had. (Mark 12)
• Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet to be WITH Jesus instead of working FOR Jesus, like sister Martha. (Luke 10)
• Job who prayed for his friends WHILE suffering — & right after God restored his fortunes (job 42)
• David- a boy spent time in wilderness with sheep getting to know His Maker(1 Sam 17)
• Mary Magdalene who was healed of 7 demons — went to his tomb to bring spices when no one knew- & she became the first “christian” & evangelist of resurrected Jesus ! (John 20)
• Moses who spent 40 days alone on the mount top with his father so he could give from the overflow & lead his people well!
👉 Because what is LOVING OTHERS might not actually feel and look like love to others!
A RADICAL CHRISTIAN
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Radical = latin word Meaning ROOT
Radical NOT: BEHAVIOR.
Radical IS: ROOTED.
Rooted is the INVISIBLE part OF plant that we don’t see
A true “radical” Christian is one that is ROOTED (the invisible part that no one sees— Prayer, confession, unfolding the Word)
From being ROOTED (radical) we bear amazing fruit!!
No fruit if there’s no ROOT!!!
• Roots abiding in Jesus’ Living water of LOVE
(The invisible)
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Eph 3:17
“Then Christ will dwell in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s LOVE and keep you strong.”
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• If I have toxic roots I’ll have toxic fruits
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• IF I have bitter roots, I’ll have bitter fruits.
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• if I have JESUS roots I’ll have GOOD fruit! (Galatians 5)
Honorable behavior is the natural FRUIT of my deeply parked ROOTS —
🤍READ PSALM 1:3
Anita’s Notes:
