Number 1?

Number one? (11.03.21–Don't Judge! –James 4:12)

My friend, may I ask you a question? If God is first and others are always before us, is coming in third when it involves giving and getting in this life the real prize?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

We're all taught from an early age that winning the race, especially as Christians, is what it's all about. Run for the prize; that's what the Apostle Paul urged in his epistles. And, I agree that there is nothing more important for you and I than winning our faith walk. The prize is eternal life and second best isn't good enough, but what about others? How important is it to win when it comes to our day-to-day dealings with others. Who ought to be coming out on top?

How about 3rd place? If God is first and others are always before us, coming in third when it involves giving and getting in this life is the real prize.

Here's a story: A woman was waiting at an airport one night. She hunted for a book in the airport shops and bought a bag of cookies. She was engrossed in her book when she happened to see a man sitting beside her as bold as could be, grab- bing a cookie or two from the bag in between them. She tried to ignore him but he was eating all the cookies. She was getting more irritated thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye." With each cookie she took, he took one too. When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, he took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, as he ate the other. She snatched it from him and thought: "This guy has some nerve and he's also rude. Why he didn't even show any gratitude!" She had never known when she had been so galled, and sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate. She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat. Then she sought her book. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise. There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes. If mine are here, she moaned in despair, the others were his, and he tried to share. Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, that she was the rude one, the ingrate, and the thief. ((Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.)

Had the lady remembered the "third" rule her airline flight would have been far more enjoyable. When we put others before ourselves making sure that God is number one, life is simple. We share and care and God takes care of the rest. However, when we put ourselves first, we put ourselves into a position to judge, a position reserved for Number 1 and not number 3. The Bible is plain when it comes to judging others. "Don't." Since we are number three we are never in a position to judge number two, our neighbor. So, enjoy your cookies and don't forget to share. Number 1 is watching.

We pray. Heavenly Father, when we put others before ourselves making sure that You are number one, life is a lot simpler. We share and care and You take care of the rest. However, when we put ourselves first, which is what we feel the most comfortable doing, we put ourselves into a position to judge, a position reserved for You and not us. Forgive us Father. Your Word is plain when it comes to judging others. "Don't." Since we are number three we are never in a position to judge number two, our neighbor. So, help us to enjoy our cookies and compel us by Your Spirit to never forget to share. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Number 1?

Number one? (11.03.21–Don't Judge! –James 4:12)

My friend, may I ask you a question? If God is first and others are always before us, is coming in third when it involves giving and getting in this life the real prize?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

We're all taught from an early age that winning the race, especially as Christians, is what it's all about. Run for the prize; that's what the Apostle Paul urged in his epistles. And, I agree that there is nothing more important for you and I than winning our faith walk. The prize is eternal life and second best isn't good enough, but what about others? How important is it to win when it comes to our day-to-day dealings with others. Who ought to be coming out on top?

How about 3rd place? If God is first and others are always before us, coming in third when it involves giving and getting in this life is the real prize.

Here's a story: A woman was waiting at an airport one night. She hunted for a book in the airport shops and bought a bag of cookies. She was engrossed in her book when she happened to see a man sitting beside her as bold as could be, grab- bing a cookie or two from the bag in between them. She tried to ignore him but he was eating all the cookies. She was getting more irritated thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye." With each cookie she took, he took one too. When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, he took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, as he ate the other. She snatched it from him and thought: "This guy has some nerve and he's also rude. Why he didn't even show any gratitude!" She had never known when she had been so galled, and sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate. She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat. Then she sought her book. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise. There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes. If mine are here, she moaned in despair, the others were his, and he tried to share. Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, that she was the rude one, the ingrate, and the thief. ((Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.)

Had the lady remembered the "third" rule her airline flight would have been far more enjoyable. When we put others before ourselves making sure that God is number one, life is simple. We share and care and God takes care of the rest. However, when we put ourselves first, we put ourselves into a position to judge, a position reserved for Number 1 and not number 3. The Bible is plain when it comes to judging others. "Don't." Since we are number three we are never in a position to judge number two, our neighbor. So, enjoy your cookies and don't forget to share. Number 1 is watching.

We pray. Heavenly Father, when we put others before ourselves making sure that You are number one, life is a lot simpler. We share and care and You take care of the rest. However, when we put ourselves first, which is what we feel the most comfortable doing, we put ourselves into a position to judge, a position reserved for You and not us. Forgive us Father. Your Word is plain when it comes to judging others. "Don't." Since we are number three we are never in a position to judge number two, our neighbor. So, help us to enjoy our cookies and compel us by Your Spirit to never forget to share. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.