WEBVTT - Reframe Your Perspective

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Abide's Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's

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<v Speaker 2>Welcome to this Abide Meditation. I'm Ben Little. How do

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<v Speaker 2>you view others? Do you see them with a critical eye,

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<v Speaker 2>looking for ways that they are messing up? Or do

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<v Speaker 2>you view them through the lens of their Heavenly Father,

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<v Speaker 2>as beloved children, needing grace, love, and patience? Take a

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<v Speaker 2>deep breath as you consider that question. In Romans chapter 2,

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<v Speaker 2>the Apostle Paul had some strong words for the church

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<v Speaker 2>in Rome. In verse 2, he wrote,' You, therefore, have

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<v Speaker 2>no excuse.' You who pass judgment on someone else, for

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<v Speaker 2>at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself,

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<v Speaker 2>because you who pass judgment do the same things. We

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<v Speaker 2>often are most judgmental of those who do the very

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<v Speaker 2>things that we also do. Talk to God about this

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<v Speaker 2>penchant in your own life. If this brings up uncomfortable

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<v Speaker 2>feelings in your body, take another deep breath. Let your

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<v Speaker 2>neck and shoulders relax as you sit in the tension

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<v Speaker 2>with your gracious Heavenly Father. Take this verse to heart

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<v Speaker 2>and make an effort to stop judging others. If you

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<v Speaker 2>find yourself thinking unkind thoughts, reframe your perspective from a

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<v Speaker 2>lens of compassion and understanding. Say a prayer for wisdom

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<v Speaker 2>and help to stop being so critical of others. Instead,

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<v Speaker 2>focus on being helpful. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, Sometimes I

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<v Speaker 2>judge those around me. Help me to love them instead,

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<v Speaker 2>to make them feel accepted and comforted. May I welcome

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<v Speaker 2>them into my heart. I know that it is your

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<v Speaker 2>kindness that leads to repentance. So help me not to

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<v Speaker 2>presume upon your kindness, taking sin lightly. But To love

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<v Speaker 2>others so that they can see you in me. You

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<v Speaker 2>offered me such grace and mercy. Help me to offer

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<v Speaker 2>grace to others. In Jesus' precious and merciful name. Amen.

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<v Speaker 2>Take another deep breath. Make sure you're in a comfortable position.

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<v Speaker 2>as you close your eyes, if you can, and focus

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<v Speaker 2>on what God might be saying to you today through

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<v Speaker 2>His Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to access your whole heart.

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<v Speaker 2>Ask Him to reveal to you where you have been

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<v Speaker 2>judgmental instead of merciful, Ask for His forgiveness. He stands

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<v Speaker 2>ready to cleanse you of sin. God sent Jesus, who

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<v Speaker 2>knew no sin, to become sin for us, that we

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<v Speaker 2>might become the righteousness of God. While we were still sinners...

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<v Speaker 2>Christ died for us. Let that be a constant reminder

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<v Speaker 2>of grace in your life. Lord, I have been forgiven much.

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<v Speaker 2>Convict me of the times I'm judgmental of others. I

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<v Speaker 2>may not have done exactly what they're doing, but that

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<v Speaker 2>doesn't matter. I was a sinner, and you set me

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<v Speaker 2>free Help me to change my perspective so that I

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<v Speaker 2>see people the way you see them, as you saw me,

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<v Speaker 2>a beloved child in need of forgiveness. I want to

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<v Speaker 2>love people, not judge them. Help me to remember that

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<v Speaker 2>it is your kindness that leads to repentance. In Jesus' name,

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<v Speaker 2>I pray. Amen. Sometimes it seems we expect sinners to

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<v Speaker 2>act like they're saved. We judge instead of love. So

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<v Speaker 2>let love be your default, starting today. Until next time,

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<v Speaker 2>may you abide in Christ.