Thread by @GPrater85015

#GeraldsDevotional
The Search for the Empty Cup – The Painful Truth

When we are left to our own ability, we all have a very strong tendency be pessimists. We look diligently for and then focus in on the problems in others and we note how their cups fall short of being full. We do this because of the fact that we each have a sinful nature that is

dominated and driven by pride (the original sin). Pride drives us to look around and compare ourselves to others with the ultimate goal of finding evidence to prove that we are better than others around us.

The problem is that when we are dedicated to this type of search, we

will always find flaws in others. You see, the bible says that we all have flaws. It is easy to point out and cite a well-known verse like Romans 3:23 (that says “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”). But the truth is that this message about this problem that

we all have is woven throughout the bible. It is also true that the bible shows us that in God’s eyes, there is no comparison between each of us with the severity of our problems. Because of His holiness and ultimate righteousness, He sees each of our flaws and He knows that in

reality we are all equal (all of our cups are completely empty of goodness – Psalms 14:3 & Romans 3:10).

God sees all of this and knows the real situation. We think we see what is going on with each other, but in reality we assume. We assume that the flaws in others are always

much, much worse than the flaws in us (if we think we think we even have any flaws). The net result of this is that we attack and condemn each other first in our own minds, and then in our words and actions. Once again, remember the famous scene when the Jewish leaders brought

the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and, accusing her, threw her at the feet of Jesus. These leaders sought to prove that surely this woman had a cup that was much too empty and that even the LORD would see it.

But God sees… While we assume and tear down each other,

God sees the problems in ALL OF US and also sees the potential that we each also have. He knows that all of our cups right now are completely empty according to His standard, but He longs to fill our cups with Himself so that we can begin to look around and see others the same

way that He sees us.

A Woman Caught in Adultery
1 Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees

brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

6 They were trying to trap him into saying

something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in

the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn

you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” - John 8:1-11

This has been a message today about encouraging and building each other up as opposed to tearing each other down. I see your cup as half-full by God’s amazing grace.

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