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Fresh Bread # 134
A RUDE AWAKENING
What a strange little word when it is set apart
to itself. But, what power its meaning has, to wake us up.
“Rude? Who me? Are you saying I am rude?”
MY SON
Something my son said yesterday was like a “wake-up” call
in my own spirit. As far as I know he wasn’t talking about me, but the Holy Spirit was, through
his words.
“THERE’S NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR BEING RUDE.”, he said.
“But…but…but,” I wanted to say because of a recent
time when I knew I had been rude. Of course, I wanted to defend myself. But, I couldn’t because he was right.
SANCTIFICATION
Isn’t it amazing how our Lord continues to
reveal areas in our lives that we are not aware of? Not to put us down but to lift us to a cleaner
walk with Him…a higher level of living.
UNAWARE
In these days, we see so much rudeness in the world
and we think just because we don’t shove in front of someone in line at the grocery store, or we
don’t fail to open the door for a lady…or, because we still remember how to say “Please”, “Thank
you”, and “Excuse me”, that we don’t see ourselves as ever being rude.
Those are the obvious, but can we allow our Lord to polish us a little more? Not
to be condemned but grateful for the opportunity to SEE an improvement in our life that will bring blessings for us and all those
around us.
ANGEL FOOD
Immediately,
when I began to inspect this word, my thoughts went to the little Angel Food book, page 31, under “The Rules of the House” (I
Corinthians 14:1, 13:4-7) and there it was…the opposite of “Rudeness.”
It said, “LOVE is never haughty, or selfish, or RUDE.”
SELF
Of
course I never considered myself to be
a rude person. My parents taught me how to be “polite” and I tried to teach my children
the same.
But, recently I had occasion to be very rude. And it was as though
I couldn’t help myself.
It was through this personal experience that I gained insight into the REASON
others are often rude (including myself) without realizing it.
REASONS FOR RUDENESS
Some of the reasons are: irritation, self-preservation,
fear of man, embarrassment, loss of control of our environment, punishing the assumed perpetrator, blaming
someone else for our predicament, not getting our own way, impatience, feeling controlled and helpless
or under attack, jealous, preferring self over others (selfish)…the opposite of a kind and gentle
spirit.
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
unto all [men], apt to teach, patient. In meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are
taken captive by him at his will.” (2 timothy 2:24-26). “But the wisdom that is from above
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy.” ( James 3:17).
RUDENESS IS EXHIBITED
By
ACTIONS
“Rudeness” is an action word that is
exhibited in our facial expressions and our body language, as well as our words. It’s usually
a matter of training, whether by our parents or ourselves. It’s what we have learned to do
over a period of time.
Rudeness or kindness? Kindness is also a learned trait as we understand
that the rewards of kindness bring better results.
We feel good about ourselves when we are kind. As children of God,
we do not feel good about ourselves when we are rude.
ANOTHER
FORM OF RUDENESS
Another form of rudeness that I have been guilty
of and repented regularly, is to make fun of some people, even to their face. I think perhaps it’s
okay to make fun of ourselves, but to laugh at another person’s weakness is cruel. We seldom
consider the fragile the ego (self-worth) of others. And Satan can use our rudeness to hurt rather
than heal.
Once again, we are thinking more of ourselves than we are of others,
And
THAT IS RUDE.
IS THERE AN EXCUSE?
No! There is no excuse for being rude. But,
there is forgiveness through the Blood of Jesus Christ.
When we ask our Lord to forgive us for unkind words, thoughts, or actions
we have seen in our lives in the past or even today, we know He forgives us and His Blood washes us Whiter than Snow.
Every new day, hour or minute is a grand opportunity to Practice Walking
in His Love; being kind and tender-hearted towards others. We can practice being more sensitive now that we see RUDENESS
being washed out of our lives…at least for today.
DAILY WASHING
This is why we need a Daily Washing of the Word
and Prayer. It’s here that our Dear Holy Spirit reveals the rough edges in our lives that we
are often not aware of. He sees things we don’t see and He wants to bless us by revealing them
to us so we can work hand in hand with Him toward a Cleaner, more refreshing life style.
Do you want to feel as squeaky clean as freshly fallen snow? Read
the scriptures below taken from my Daily Angel Food Card number 16 on my web site www.angelfoodblessings.com
“No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make
you as clean as freshly fallen snow.” Isaiah 1:18 (The Living Bible).
HIS GENTLE WASH CYCLE
This
drawing is one of my original Angel Food Recipe Cards. I believe
the Holy Spirit shelved it until a day such as this. Now that we have learned more of His Grace than the extremes of the Law. He
still allows us to go through scrubbings, but now they are gentle promptings that provide answers to our
many desired questions.
THE BACK SIDE OF THIS CARD
“No
matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.” Isaiah
1:18 (The Living Bible).
“Everyone who conquers will be clothed in white…and I will announce
before My Father and His angels that he is Mine.” Revelation 3:5
“He can bleach the dirtiest garments!” Malachi 3:2
“…and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin.” I
John 1:7b
“Thank you Father, for washing “rudeness” from our lives today.”
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