When our lives are going well, it is easy to keep our attitudes in check. When we hit times of stress, it is tougher

to be respectful.

Our conversations can turn from conversation to confrontation quickly. Followers of Jesus value people over

positions. Arguing our positions should never take the place of fighting for people.

It is hard to find examples of respect in the world. Jesus calls us to respect everyone, all the time. If we are representing Jesus, then we need to look at the world through his eyes.

Easter 2019 // Easter Sunday by Thrive Community Church Messages

Easter 2019 // Good Friday by Thrive Community Church Messages

Easter 2019 // Palm Sunday by Thrive Community Church Messages

One of the primary mechanisms we use to protect ourselves is control. We seek to control our own lives under different umbrellas – money, power, sex, and even religion. At the foundation of control is fear and if we don’t learn to surrender ourselves to God’s story for our lives, we will end up using others as pawns in the story we are creating for ourselves.

Judgment announces the verdict over people and their life. We may judge internally, but it will manifest into our lives with a coldness and resentment toward the most frequent offenders. James teaches us that mercy triumphs over judgment, and when we employ mercy, we will realize people have the right to exist as they are without us playing the role of God.

It is very easy for all of us to have tapes or beliefs that play in our heads, causing negative patterns in our life. However, our lives are built on a blessing from God, “be fruitful and multiply.” Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus came to redeem the curse of sin and restoring the blessing of humanity.

At the heart of our deepest issues is that we tend to put ourselves first. When reflecting on our lives we will see that the most hurtful moments came from times when we were thinking of ourselves more than we ought. When we choose to humble ourselves, we will remember we are simply finite creations, not eternal creators.