Attitude and Perception!

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!
     Attitude ------Perception ----- wow, how this can make or break you or the ones around you.  These two words walk hand in hand.  My attitude toward you is what I perceive; my perception of you sets my attitude!
    Think about this for a moment.  My church is under a bridge, a church with no walls, no doors, no protection from natures elements.  All types of people attend our church, from clean cut with jobs, to people struggling with no jobs.  People dressed nicely to people wearing the same raggedy clothes daily and all in between. People with no tattoos to people covered with tattoos.  People with great hair styles to people just letting the hair go (on head and face).  Many of these people would not be welcome in a traditional church, nor would they be comfortable in a traditional church.  W H Y?
  Why?  Because of perception and attitude!   Whose perception and attitude?  Both - the homeless attending and the members of the church they attend!  If Jesus were walking the earth today where would he go?  Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Non-denominational, Jehovah Witness, - where?
    Jesus would be a street person!  With the homeless, with the needy, with the lost.  Romans 15:5

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,    

  So, what has to happen to welcome people as the a fore mentioned?  We have  Ephesians 4:23

to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

   What you think in your mind comes from what you perceive; therefore, your attitude will be tainted toward your perception.  Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.     What is the attitude of your heart?

    Who are you living for?  Jesus Christ or yourself?  We should all live today, each moment, as if we expect Christ to return right now.  Treat others with the attitude of Christ.  Stand strong in Jesus Christ.  You may be cast into a fiery furnace, yet come out unscathed and as others see, they, through you will be changed. 

   In ending, go to Daniel 3:19:  Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual    The king was mad because they did not do as he had decreed; threw them in the furnace, then saw 4 figures, called to them, and when they came out unscathed,²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. ²⁹ Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

  His attiude changed, again, and he did perceive.  Where are you today? What is your perception? What is your attitude? Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

    Johnny