Perspectives (2)

Intro - Almost everything in life involves other people. At the same time most people don’t get people. My prayer is I would see four things through Gods eyes - Him, My circumstances, others, and myself.

God is always the same what changes is our perspective.

What is a perspective- attitude or way of looking at something

6 or 9

Old woman or young woman

Woman and man - The man doesn’t know that there is a snake underneath. The woman doesn’t know that there is a big rock crushing the man.

The woman thinks: “I am going to fall! And I can’t climb because the snake is going to bite me!  Why can’t the man use a little more strength and pull me up!” The man thinks: “I am in so much pain! Yet I’m still pulling you as much as I can! Why don’t you try and climb a little harder!?” The moral is— you can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain you’re in.

2 Samuel 9:1–13 (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.

The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

“Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar, (nothing; barren)” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.

His name was Mephibosheth (mouth of shame); he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.

Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants.

And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

2 Samuel 10:1–5 NLT

Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king. David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun just as his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent ambassadors to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death. But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, their master, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the city so they can come in and conquer it!” So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to tell the men, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance.

Satan is the adversary. He can’t get between us if we keep him in front of us or even better under our feet.

“Grandfather walked slowly and had difficulty holding utensils. He often made a mess and the son had to clean up after grand dad at night.

Mother tells the son why the grandfather was the way he was burned in the fire saving he baby, which was the son”

We can help others by

Listening to understand their perspective w/o offense. It doesn't mean it's right.

Knowing there is often a reason why

Allowing them to express their feelings while not taking responsibility for their feelings.

Love them into a new reality

They can help themselves by

Taking responsibility for their Own attitude

Doing the work to have the right attitude.

Identify common denominators in other relationships.

Develop a good support system.

Altar call - As our altar workers come forward See the way God sees