Thursday, March 24, 2022

Reflection - Journeying With God - Reflecting Christ

Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 2 "Reflecting Christ", Page 12.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.


And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17
PHOTO: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17

Do you feel like you have failed to be a good caregiver? Perhaps the person under your charge complains that you aren't meeting their needs sufficiently. Perhaps relatives and friends are critical about your "performance" as a caregiver. Perhaps they feel that you could do better in balancing your task of caregiving with competing priorities, such as being a parent, child, spouse, or employee.

If you feel you have failed, take heart: God does not view caregiving the way others do. He does not assess your service based on how well you meet the needs of those you care for, or how efficiently you carry out your role and responsibilities. Rather, He is interested in only one thing: how well we reflect Christ. The instruction in Colossians 3:17 to "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" applies to caregiving as much as it does to other forms of Christians service.

Caregiving is a glorious call to be conformed to the image of Christ. It offers us an opportunity to live out our commitment to care for others as Jesus did, to love those whom God has created, and to demonstrate the redemptive power of Christ. Through our actions, attitudes, and words, we will reflect how God ministers grace and mercy as we learn to be Jesus' channel of compassion, redemption, and love.

It will be hard, of course. To love as Christ loves, we will have to put aside our time, our job, our personal commitments, our friends, and even our own health. We will be asked to lay down our expectations of fairness at the altar before crawling onto it ourselves, submitting to God's desire to mould us into the character of His Son. And we will have to be willing - and prepared - to search our hearts and focus the light of God's Word on ourselves, our speech, our actions, and our motives.

So don't let the world - or even yourself - judge your quality of caregiving by the level of service you provide. Instead, focus your heart, your actions, your words, and your thoughts on being like Christ. That's all God sees.

Caring is a journey into Jesus' heart.
 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
PHOTO: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17
Artwork by Jean Keaton - Child Running To Jesus
Picture posted by 17blueroses
 
 
Do you feel like you have failed to be a good caregiver? Perhaps the person under your charge complains that you aren't meeting their needs sufficiently. Perhaps relatives and friends are critical about your "performance" as a caregiver. Perhaps they feel that you could do better in balancing your task of caregiving with competing priorities, such as being a parent, child, spouse, or employee.


Do you feel like you have failed to be a good caregiver?
PHOTO: Do you feel like you have failed to be a good caregiver?
Picture posted by Chromethemer - Broken Angel

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLVNYEwfxAQJApERwlN0aaTQUQykcrKJGLskCAYFXF7iFwd2jPV6YNJD2GlW-eaZKuoXXoo-V8rUqjfp-OYo45s5tDuOvoHWIPI14-GzfywkKbDj6Bc--xeXWbwNYQEfLrvAbBumlGoxFC5ty7KLwCpbxEeufJGirGb9Qde0pAHkabBEw24xtHK2h/s3840/broken-angel-3840x2160.jpg
https://www.chromethemer.com/download/hd-wallpapers/broken-angel-3840x2160.jpg
https://www.chromethemer.com/wallpapers/4k-wallpapers/4k-broken-angel-wallpaper-hd.html



If you feel you have failed, take heart: God does not view caregiving the way others do. He does not assess your service based on how well you meet the needs of those you care for, or how efficiently you carry out your role and responsibilities. Rather, He is interested in only one thing: how well we reflect Christ. The instruction in Colossians 3:17 to "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" applies to caregiving as much as it does to other forms of Christians service.


God is interested in only one thing: how well we reflect Christ.
PHOTO: God is interested in only one thing: how well we reflect Christ. The instruction in Colossians 3:17 to "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" applies to caregiving as much as it does to other forms of Christians service.
Picture posted by Keith McGivern on 17 November 2021

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJCA6DG3--byV_Iw1oX1oIih2SyIorWFEmEK7WUpiJjgxOQNEvCCCAPwYZBpDVAXPeaxwIAErpR05PQfEgnYWHaDFnqYhDdMvm8n24IbmTqMqLgciCey40ez9ZfKZlpsohpd9uP9EC398c3YbCEjcFefaZ-bToUz1ECcYOlLDu3LZX7OF9OoqgvVL/s1080/1%20IA__Y9QsLwk9-vnNPfioJQ.jpeg
https://miro.medium.com/max/1080/1*IA__Y9QsLwk9-vnNPfioJQ.jpeg
https://medium.com/@keithmcgivern/and-whatever-you-do-in-word-or-deed-do-all-in-the-name-of-the-lord-jesus-giving-thanks-to-god-the-c2bd75882ac2



Caregiving is a glorious call to be conformed to the image of Christ. It offers us an opportunity to live out our commitment to care for others as Jesus did, to love those whom God has created, and to demonstrate the redemptive power of Christ. Through our actions, attitudes, and words, we will reflect how God ministers grace and mercy as we learn to be Jesus' channel of compassion, redemption, and love.


Caregiving is a glorious call to be conformed to the image of Christ.
PHOTO: Caregiving is a glorious call to be conformed to the image of Christ. Through our actions, attitudes, and words, we will reflect how God ministers grace and mercy as we learn to be Jesus' channel of compassion, redemption, and love.
Picture posted by The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH9ibJMOSog52qkhQMVeOBJEAYF7RdiJsQdsxGia2MHjsNFa5oa5FHUI14GWNpqOOPWTeLsF3V6moVYnazWtVar_pf-nc0iAL3U92yWzIrixSd7O8nkPnapHje2Y2dLaKHIFIgaXF3NrC_uKEg0Qjk0hRBpq6MWGlkS5h8bWjCs9g_sO7YMfhuHBR/s1280/jesus_appears_to_mary.jpeg
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/pxy/cdn/b3/30/b3301c49efb63c95bd5c46372e8f8fa0e4e3403e/jesus_appears_to_mary.jpeg
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe/jesus



It will be hard, of course. To love as Christ loves, we will have to put aside our time, our job, our personal commitments, our friends, and even our own health. We will be asked to lay down our expectations of fairness at the altar before crawling onto it ourselves, submitting to God's desire to mould us into the character of His Son. And we will have to be willing - and prepared - to search our hearts and focus the light of God's Word on ourselves, our speech, our actions, and our motives.


It will be hard, of course.
PHOTO: It will be hard, of course. To love as Christ loves, we will have to put aside our time, our job, our personal commitments, our friends, and even our own health. We will be asked to lay down our expectations of fairness at the altar before crawling onto it ourselves, submitting to God's desire to mould us into the character of His Son. And we will have to be willing - and prepared - to search our hearts and focus the light of God's Word on ourselves, our speech, our actions, and our motives.
Picture posted by Dreamstime

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq9bqawbvz3MsOqSGV0_W3iLT-CIh-C1neAO6BTNYPUjdJPQY10iZQxk1qYvEq5V97yoOElUKjiIYzFTV-MoxTXBeCdV0rk9p90O45ybJpWBksMuhA5TSZA2O1D9nR3ZyMXAeoUkadqNXLuzZpc-pA3ZBtSpASam79W7u1Hw2OsVOZvMhVtCjglj4/s800/jesus-christ-con-un-halo-art%C3%ADstico-34458666.jpg
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/jesus-christ-con-un-halo-art%C3%ADstico-34458666.jpg
https://es.dreamstime.com/imagen-de-archivo-libre-de-regal%C3%ADas-jesus-christ-con-un-halo-art%C3%ADstico-image34458666



So don't let the world - or even yourself - judge your quality of caregiving by the level of service you provide. Instead, focus your heart, your actions, your words, and your thoughts on being like Christ. That's all God sees.

Caring is a journey into Jesus' heart.


Caring is a journey into Jesus' heart.
PHOTO: Caring is a journey into Jesus' heart.
Focus your heart, your actions, your words, and your thoughts on being like Christ. That's all God sees.
Picture posted by Infinity Fine Art - Saved by Grace

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAvAPvSdcdhyjXedfb80EyevQpJmvBxn977e5ybpjNg6eWuDMtpcEdyLrLNrz83rgdvpcwZPpMKMdb5zef2UbtOe5ePjWA5bGLd2pEBRUFhlhlAemPZSjzEFZfR9xBUvM0prmWnGGP5w/s1600/Saved-By-Grace-Web.jpg
http://infinityfineart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/21-3135-post/Saved-By-Grace-Web.jpg
http://infinityfineart.com/2018/05/21/saved-by-grace-by-abraham-hunter/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/03/reflection-jesus-and-jonah-sign-of-jesus.html



Father,
Father,
PHOTO: "Father, teach me to see beyond this task of simply giving care, and understand that You have called me on a journey into Your very own heart. Teach me to see people through Your eyes, to care for them with Your hands, and to love them with Your heart. For You love every one of us - me, the person I'm caring for, and all those around me. Show me how to be a channel of Your compassion and Your grace.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by The Glory of God Students' Fellowship on Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Reverse Gif file is generated from the link - (http://freegifmaker.me/reverse-gif/)
Reflection - Journeying With God - Reflecting Christ
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 2 "Reflecting Christ", Page 12.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.



Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 


Reference
[1] From "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", Copyright © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 2 "Reflecting Christ", Page 12-13.


Links


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