Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. It is the day that has been set aside (by retailers I think) to express our love for those close to us. I wonder what it would be like if we could all learn to love every day of the year. We are told in the bible that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed and the new has come. You might say, "well, I just can't express my love, I was never taught how. I would challenge you to attempt to experience the "unfailing" love of God. God's unfailing love in mentioned over and over in the book of Psalms. It is not until we experience it, and know how it feels that we can actually show that kind of love to someone else.
I truly believe that the world would be a different place if we could understand the grace and mercy freely given to us by God. Grace is defined as the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. While mercy is defined as an act of kindness, compassion, or favor.
So, it looks to me as though God expects nothing return, but offers the undeserved favor and love, shown with acts of kindness, compassion, and even His favor. I hope I can offer this kind of love in my life. As a husband, I am supposed to treat my wife as Christ treats the church, with grace and mercy. I am deciding to day to ask myself "how would Christ respond?" when I get moody and angry.
Love with grace and mercy just as God loves you.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What about Love?
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Here we are told that Love pretty much holds everything together. We often times only try to Love our friends and family. We are told over and over that we are to Love our neighbor as our self. Did you eat today, did you get a bath, comb your hair, brush your teeth? These are all activities we take care of because we "Love" ourselves. We may not have to perform all these hygiene activities to everyone else, but we should at least make sure other people have the resources to help themselves.
We have to learn to Love. We all have been conditioned with what our idea of Love really is. Some are good, others are bad. Love is a choice, a decision, a commitment. That feeling comes and goes, we have to Love even when we don't feel like Loving.
Here we are told that Love pretty much holds everything together. We often times only try to Love our friends and family. We are told over and over that we are to Love our neighbor as our self. Did you eat today, did you get a bath, comb your hair, brush your teeth? These are all activities we take care of because we "Love" ourselves. We may not have to perform all these hygiene activities to everyone else, but we should at least make sure other people have the resources to help themselves.
We have to learn to Love. We all have been conditioned with what our idea of Love really is. Some are good, others are bad. Love is a choice, a decision, a commitment. That feeling comes and goes, we have to Love even when we don't feel like Loving.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Clothe yourself......
In Colossians 3, we are instructed to "clothe our selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. "
Here, we are told again how to be a reflection God. We are to put on love more than all. When I think of love, I often think that people have the wrong idea of what love really is. Most people think that love is just something that happens, something to fall in or out of.
However, I think most people are wrong about this. Love to me is a decision, a choice. Consider the most ultimate demonstration of love. When Christ died for us, He chose to go to the cross. Remember, He asked the Father to "take the cup" from him. He wasn't real excited about what waited for Him. But, He did it anyway.
The next time you tell someone you love them, remember that love don't always "feel good". But it is always necessary, always.
Here, we are told again how to be a reflection God. We are to put on love more than all. When I think of love, I often think that people have the wrong idea of what love really is. Most people think that love is just something that happens, something to fall in or out of.
However, I think most people are wrong about this. Love to me is a decision, a choice. Consider the most ultimate demonstration of love. When Christ died for us, He chose to go to the cross. Remember, He asked the Father to "take the cup" from him. He wasn't real excited about what waited for Him. But, He did it anyway.
The next time you tell someone you love them, remember that love don't always "feel good". But it is always necessary, always.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Go ye Therefore....
In Matthew Chapter 28, Jesus commissions the eleven remaining disciples to go and make disciples and to baptize them. "19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost".
This can also be understood in modern day language as "While you are going", or even "While you are on your way". The point that He is making, is that while we are living, we should be teaching others, discipling them. Christianity is not an individual sport, but rather a team sport.
If everyone could disciple another person for six months, and then the two disciple two others, the entire world could be discipled in just a couple of decades. That is the power of exponential growth.
Decide today that you are going to "show" others the Love of God by the ways you choose to live you life.
Go ye therefore....
This can also be understood in modern day language as "While you are going", or even "While you are on your way". The point that He is making, is that while we are living, we should be teaching others, discipling them. Christianity is not an individual sport, but rather a team sport.
If everyone could disciple another person for six months, and then the two disciple two others, the entire world could be discipled in just a couple of decades. That is the power of exponential growth.
Decide today that you are going to "show" others the Love of God by the ways you choose to live you life.
Go ye therefore....
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Deal or No Deal
We've all heard of the show, Deal or No Deal. A contestant has to choose which briefcase to open. The bible tells us that have a pretty sweet deal available to us from God. Many promises have commands attached. The first command with a promise says to obey your parents so that you can live a long and healthy life. We are told that we will be made prosperous if we will obey the commands.
For the believer, all promises of God are yes and amen according to 2nd Corinthians chapter 1.
"18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas[b] and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."
Get off your seat and on the street and get lined up with God's purpose for your life. Let's get moving together and see what God has planned for us.
For the believer, all promises of God are yes and amen according to 2nd Corinthians chapter 1.
"18But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." 19For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas[b] and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."
Get off your seat and on the street and get lined up with God's purpose for your life. Let's get moving together and see what God has planned for us.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Reset your Heart
I was talking with my son last night on the way home from basketball practice. We were discussing the verse from Luke chapter 15 that says that the angels of God rejoice when 1 sinner changes his heart.
He made the comment that it is like when you give your heart to Jesus, He replaces your heart with His. I thought about that for a while, and then said, Yeah, that is how it should be. However, how often do we allow that to happen. We would really rather walk the fence. We aren't always ready to give up our old life, but rather, we just like the idea of having fire insurance.
Today I challenge you to allow Jesus to "reset your heart". Let Him come in and clean out the old, dirty, bad, sinful habits that you have become accustomed to. Jesus wants to dwell in the temple of Almighty God, that would be your heart.
He made the comment that it is like when you give your heart to Jesus, He replaces your heart with His. I thought about that for a while, and then said, Yeah, that is how it should be. However, how often do we allow that to happen. We would really rather walk the fence. We aren't always ready to give up our old life, but rather, we just like the idea of having fire insurance.
Today I challenge you to allow Jesus to "reset your heart". Let Him come in and clean out the old, dirty, bad, sinful habits that you have become accustomed to. Jesus wants to dwell in the temple of Almighty God, that would be your heart.
Monday, February 2, 2009
What's Next
Yesterday was the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers were crowned "World Champions" by the NFL. What a great game, and intense passion shown by both teams. I guess the next big event will be the winning team and their families taking a trip to Disney World.
I just want to ask today, What's Next for you? Many people feel a let down right after the Super Bowl because they are so used to watching football on the weekends. As our pastor says, let's get off our seats and onto the streets. We all have a passion, and God has a plan. Let's allow our passions to be used by God to fulfill His ultimate plan.
You might say, well I don't know where to start. I would say to you, just as Thomas Edison said, "Good things come to those who hustle while they wait". Get up, put one foot in front of the other, and ask God to reveal His plan, and start sharpening your gifts and passions. Romans 8:28 tells us that "all things work together for the good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
I just want to ask today, What's Next for you? Many people feel a let down right after the Super Bowl because they are so used to watching football on the weekends. As our pastor says, let's get off our seats and onto the streets. We all have a passion, and God has a plan. Let's allow our passions to be used by God to fulfill His ultimate plan.
You might say, well I don't know where to start. I would say to you, just as Thomas Edison said, "Good things come to those who hustle while they wait". Get up, put one foot in front of the other, and ask God to reveal His plan, and start sharpening your gifts and passions. Romans 8:28 tells us that "all things work together for the good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
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