Looking for the Good in People
Pastor Tom's message on Sunday, "Look for the Good in People" was an absolutely wonderful message that we ALL need to hear. I believe God's people need to focus on this topic daily. Here is a 5 Day Devotional based around Pastor Tom's message that will strengthen your walk with the Lord!
5-Day Devotional: Seeing People Through God's Eyes
Day 1: The Heart Over Appearance
Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Devotional: When Samuel searched for Israel's next king, he naturally looked at outward qualities—strength, height, and presence. Yet God redirected his focus: "The Lord looks at the heart." This divine perspective challenges our human tendency to judge by external markers. God saw in David what others missed—a shepherd's heart that would lead a nation. Today, consider how often you assess people by their appearance, social status, or past mistakes. Ask God to give you His vision, to see beyond the surface into the potential He's cultivating in every person. Who have you dismissed that God might be developing? Let this truth reshape how you view everyone you encounter today.
Day 2: Jesus Sees Redemption
Reading: Luke 19:1-10
Devotional: Zacchaeus climbed a tree as a despised tax collector and descended as a transformed man. The difference? Jesus saw him. While the crowd saw corruption, Jesus saw possibility. He didn't ignore Zacchaeus's sin; He addressed his future. "The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost." This is the heart of the Gospel—Jesus specializes in finding the good buried beneath layers of brokenness. Reflect on your own transformation. You were once lost, yet Christ pursued you. Now extend that same redemptive vision to others. Who in your life needs someone to believe in their potential? Your willingness to see them through Christ's eyes might be the catalyst for their change.
Day 3: Speaking Life
Reading: Proverbs 18:19-21
Devotional: "The tongue has the power of life and death." These aren't merely poetic words—they're spiritual reality. Every word you speak carries creative force, either building up or tearing down. Jesus called Peter "the rock" long before he acted like one, speaking to his potential rather than his present failures. Consider how you talk about people, both to their faces and behind their backs. Do your words lock people into their worst moments, or do they open doors to growth? Today, practice speaking life. Find one person and verbally affirm something good you see in them. Don't just think encouraging thoughts—say them out loud. Watch how speaking life changes both them and you.
Day 4: Love That Refuses to Quit
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Devotional: "Love always hopes, always perseveres." This isn't naive optimism—it's supernatural endurance. Biblical love refuses to give up on people, even when they've given up on themselves. In our cancel culture, this kind of persistent love stands out dramatically. It says, "I know you're not there yet, but I believe God isn't finished with you." Remember, while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. He didn't wait for you to clean up first. How can you receive such grace and withhold it from others? Today, identify someone difficult in your life. Instead of rehearsing their faults, pray for them specifically. It's hard to hate someone you're genuinely praying for.
Day 5: Let Your Light Shine
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Devotional: Jesus calls you to be light in darkness, salt in decay. But here's the challenge: your light shines brightest when you reflect God's heart toward people others have written off. When you choose to see the good in difficult people, you're displaying something countercultural and compelling. You're showing the world what grace looks like in action. This doesn't mean tolerating abuse or ignoring sin—Jesus spoke truth while extending mercy. It means keeping relational doors open, maintaining your witness, and believing God is still working. Someone is watching how you treat that coworker, that difficult family member, that person with different beliefs. Your grace-filled perspective might be what draws them to ask about your faith. Let your light shine by seeing people as God sees them.
Reflection Questions for the Week:
5-Day Devotional: Seeing People Through God's Eyes
Day 1: The Heart Over Appearance
Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Devotional: When Samuel searched for Israel's next king, he naturally looked at outward qualities—strength, height, and presence. Yet God redirected his focus: "The Lord looks at the heart." This divine perspective challenges our human tendency to judge by external markers. God saw in David what others missed—a shepherd's heart that would lead a nation. Today, consider how often you assess people by their appearance, social status, or past mistakes. Ask God to give you His vision, to see beyond the surface into the potential He's cultivating in every person. Who have you dismissed that God might be developing? Let this truth reshape how you view everyone you encounter today.
Day 2: Jesus Sees Redemption
Reading: Luke 19:1-10
Devotional: Zacchaeus climbed a tree as a despised tax collector and descended as a transformed man. The difference? Jesus saw him. While the crowd saw corruption, Jesus saw possibility. He didn't ignore Zacchaeus's sin; He addressed his future. "The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost." This is the heart of the Gospel—Jesus specializes in finding the good buried beneath layers of brokenness. Reflect on your own transformation. You were once lost, yet Christ pursued you. Now extend that same redemptive vision to others. Who in your life needs someone to believe in their potential? Your willingness to see them through Christ's eyes might be the catalyst for their change.
Day 3: Speaking Life
Reading: Proverbs 18:19-21
Devotional: "The tongue has the power of life and death." These aren't merely poetic words—they're spiritual reality. Every word you speak carries creative force, either building up or tearing down. Jesus called Peter "the rock" long before he acted like one, speaking to his potential rather than his present failures. Consider how you talk about people, both to their faces and behind their backs. Do your words lock people into their worst moments, or do they open doors to growth? Today, practice speaking life. Find one person and verbally affirm something good you see in them. Don't just think encouraging thoughts—say them out loud. Watch how speaking life changes both them and you.
Day 4: Love That Refuses to Quit
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Devotional: "Love always hopes, always perseveres." This isn't naive optimism—it's supernatural endurance. Biblical love refuses to give up on people, even when they've given up on themselves. In our cancel culture, this kind of persistent love stands out dramatically. It says, "I know you're not there yet, but I believe God isn't finished with you." Remember, while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. He didn't wait for you to clean up first. How can you receive such grace and withhold it from others? Today, identify someone difficult in your life. Instead of rehearsing their faults, pray for them specifically. It's hard to hate someone you're genuinely praying for.
Day 5: Let Your Light Shine
Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Devotional: Jesus calls you to be light in darkness, salt in decay. But here's the challenge: your light shines brightest when you reflect God's heart toward people others have written off. When you choose to see the good in difficult people, you're displaying something countercultural and compelling. You're showing the world what grace looks like in action. This doesn't mean tolerating abuse or ignoring sin—Jesus spoke truth while extending mercy. It means keeping relational doors open, maintaining your witness, and believing God is still working. Someone is watching how you treat that coworker, that difficult family member, that person with different beliefs. Your grace-filled perspective might be what draws them to ask about your faith. Let your light shine by seeing people as God sees them.
Reflection Questions for the Week:
- Who have I dismissed that God might still be developing?
- How can I speak more life and less criticism this week?
- What would change if I truly saw people as image-bearers of God?
- Who needs me to refuse to give up on them?
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Posted in LookingForGood, Don\'tJudge, Appearance, SpeakLife, Light, BeAnExample, WalkLikeJesus, PastorTomGirgus, ANewDayChurch, ANewDayTalk, andc
Posted in LookingForGood, Don\'tJudge, Appearance, SpeakLife, Light, BeAnExample, WalkLikeJesus, PastorTomGirgus, ANewDayChurch, ANewDayTalk, andc
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