“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11
In human family relationships there are certain responsibilities which each member carries. Dad or mom may be the “bread winner,” but household chores and tasks also must be done. When responsibilities are taken seriously, there is a greater chance for harmonious family relationships.
The “body of Christ” is a heavenly form of the family unit. Each member has different abilities and interests and carries out different responsibilities which are important to the well-being of the complete body. The two most outstanding responsibilities of the Christian are worship and service. How do you and I express love to God? The primary way we express love to God - in addition to our intimate private worship - is by extending our love to one another and expressing that love in basic and practical ways (service).
Do you love the people in your fellowship? If you don’t, John says that you can’t really love God either, and you are in the dark (1 John 2:9-11). It is easy to say, “I love God.” But often it is hard to show that love by serving others - especially when they are unlovely.
Will I allow God’s specific Word to convict me of error and wrong attitudes today? Will I allow Him to express His love through me to others?
Memorize -
“...you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Key to Dealing with Hurts
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” Luke 6:27-37
Has someone mistreated you? Has someone done something to hurt you? More than likely you have recalled the incident and individual with whom you have had your latest confrontation. It’s not pleasant, is it?
Unfortunately, in this world we have “run-ins” with others, and our feelings get hurt. But how we respond is of great importance. Do you want to get even? Hurt them back? Make them pay for your emotional pain? Be careful. There sometimes is a fine line between anger and hatred. Unresolved anger will hurt you while hatred will destroy you.
The key to dealing with our hurts and injustices? Forgiveness. It is Christ’s standard prescription when it comes to the hurts we encounter. Christ Jesus wants to forgive and love them through you. We know that unforgiveness also prohibits the free flow of God’s forgiveness toward us. Forgive and you will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15).
Will you allow your anger to kindle a fire of resentment and hate in your heart? Or will you exercise the wonderful implement of forgiveness and release its cool, healing ointment? It is your choice: anger and hate - or forgiveness and peace.
Has someone mistreated you? Has someone done something to hurt you? More than likely you have recalled the incident and individual with whom you have had your latest confrontation. It’s not pleasant, is it?
Unfortunately, in this world we have “run-ins” with others, and our feelings get hurt. But how we respond is of great importance. Do you want to get even? Hurt them back? Make them pay for your emotional pain? Be careful. There sometimes is a fine line between anger and hatred. Unresolved anger will hurt you while hatred will destroy you.
The key to dealing with our hurts and injustices? Forgiveness. It is Christ’s standard prescription when it comes to the hurts we encounter. Christ Jesus wants to forgive and love them through you. We know that unforgiveness also prohibits the free flow of God’s forgiveness toward us. Forgive and you will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15).
Will you allow your anger to kindle a fire of resentment and hate in your heart? Or will you exercise the wonderful implement of forgiveness and release its cool, healing ointment? It is your choice: anger and hate - or forgiveness and peace.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Freedom of Forgiveness
“Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” Matthew 18:21-22
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
What is one of the greatest hindrances to maintaining a close relationship with someone else? Well, there may be many things which strain our friendships and family ties, but wouldn’t you agree that an unforgiving spirit is a gigantic obstacle? We have all been hurt by others. We have all said things we later regretted, things that left someone else hurting and unsure of our love and acceptance.
The last thing you may be interested in doing is to attempt to show love, forgiveness, and acceptance to that person. What do you do when you run out of your ability to accept or love someone else? Do you just quit? Do you just ignore them?
As a child of God, you have His resource available with which to get beyond this obstacle. There is a point in our lives when we realize that we are powerless and empty. Then and only then do we really rely upon God as our Strength and our Source. Through the presence of His indwelling Holy Spirit, God is able to pour into your life the missing ingredient - most often, love.
Paul expressed it this way: “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11). Allow God to love others through you.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32
What is one of the greatest hindrances to maintaining a close relationship with someone else? Well, there may be many things which strain our friendships and family ties, but wouldn’t you agree that an unforgiving spirit is a gigantic obstacle? We have all been hurt by others. We have all said things we later regretted, things that left someone else hurting and unsure of our love and acceptance.
The last thing you may be interested in doing is to attempt to show love, forgiveness, and acceptance to that person. What do you do when you run out of your ability to accept or love someone else? Do you just quit? Do you just ignore them?
As a child of God, you have His resource available with which to get beyond this obstacle. There is a point in our lives when we realize that we are powerless and empty. Then and only then do we really rely upon God as our Strength and our Source. Through the presence of His indwelling Holy Spirit, God is able to pour into your life the missing ingredient - most often, love.
Paul expressed it this way: “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11). Allow God to love others through you.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Be a Good Samaritan
“And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?’ And he answered, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.’ But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
Jesus replied and said, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?’ And he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” Luke 10:25-37
It is easy to identify someone else as the uninvolved priest or Levite in the parable o the Good Samaritan, but take a close and honest look at yourself. What do you see? Do you turn your head, so you don’t have to see? Do you ignore the plea for help? Are you insensitive to the plight of those who are unfortunate?
You have only one life to live. You cannot go back at a later date and live the way you knew you ought to. This is it. What you do with your time, what you focus on, how you expend your energy, where you place the emphasis of your life - it is all being lived out right now.
It has been said that the most sympathetic people are those who themselves have suffered. They know what it’s like to hurt. And yet God through us offers so much more than mere sympathy; He offers the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit Whom He calls “The Comforter.”
As the minutes tick by today, look around you. No matter where you are, chances are you will be able to identify a person who is hurting and needs help. Will you walk by? Will you see them only as an inconvenience to your plans? Will you go out of your way to avoid the hurting, or will you go out of your way to help them? As a Christian, you are an extension of God’s life.
Think about it -
Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Often they are the same person.
Jesus replied and said, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?’ And he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” Luke 10:25-37
It is easy to identify someone else as the uninvolved priest or Levite in the parable o the Good Samaritan, but take a close and honest look at yourself. What do you see? Do you turn your head, so you don’t have to see? Do you ignore the plea for help? Are you insensitive to the plight of those who are unfortunate?
You have only one life to live. You cannot go back at a later date and live the way you knew you ought to. This is it. What you do with your time, what you focus on, how you expend your energy, where you place the emphasis of your life - it is all being lived out right now.
It has been said that the most sympathetic people are those who themselves have suffered. They know what it’s like to hurt. And yet God through us offers so much more than mere sympathy; He offers the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit Whom He calls “The Comforter.”
As the minutes tick by today, look around you. No matter where you are, chances are you will be able to identify a person who is hurting and needs help. Will you walk by? Will you see them only as an inconvenience to your plans? Will you go out of your way to avoid the hurting, or will you go out of your way to help them? As a Christian, you are an extension of God’s life.
Think about it -
Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Often they are the same person.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Love’s Appeal
“Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.” Philemon 1:8-17
When faced with a prickly issue in his day, the Apostle Paul’s actions charted a course for us to follow today. You will notice that he did not resort to “You ought to” nor did he mention anything about “You owe it to me” or “Will you do this little favor for me - just this once?”
Paul stood on principle - that of the preeminence of love. His inspired words found in 1 Corinthians 13 clearly indicate the quality of godly love. How do you respond to aggravating circumstances or the unkind and self-assertive actions of others?
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This world knows little of this kind of love. Some seldom or never see it exemplified in anyone. Few have the joy of experiencing its liberating effects. Will you today allow God to touch others with this type of love? The world speaks of “true love” yet does not know the One Who is love. Our responsibility and joyful service is to be an expression of His love to those we meet.
When faced with a prickly issue in his day, the Apostle Paul’s actions charted a course for us to follow today. You will notice that he did not resort to “You ought to” nor did he mention anything about “You owe it to me” or “Will you do this little favor for me - just this once?”
Paul stood on principle - that of the preeminence of love. His inspired words found in 1 Corinthians 13 clearly indicate the quality of godly love. How do you respond to aggravating circumstances or the unkind and self-assertive actions of others?
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This world knows little of this kind of love. Some seldom or never see it exemplified in anyone. Few have the joy of experiencing its liberating effects. Will you today allow God to touch others with this type of love? The world speaks of “true love” yet does not know the One Who is love. Our responsibility and joyful service is to be an expression of His love to those we meet.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
There is a Price
“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:22-23
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:24-28
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39
One of the requirements we must face when following Jesus is suffering. No one likes to suffer. Only an imbalanced person wants or seeks to suffer. So why would suffering be an indispensable part of the discipling process. Could it be that nothing tenderizes the heart and opens one emotionally like suffering? It has been observed that those who tend to be the most helpful to others who are going though trauma, trial, or difficulty are those who have suffered themselves.
Does this put a different light on the hurts and pains you have experienced in the past? Can you see someone who is going through a difficulty which you previously endured and not be moved emotionally? Doesn’t it make you want to reach out to that person with hope and comfort?
Disciples are those who know the value of sufferings. This truth is set against what the world would teach us. We know the world is completely self-centered. The suffering you endure is not for you alone - it is experienced for the benefit of every pilgrim you meet on the road of life. They all hurt; they all have cares. Will you point them to the One upon Whom they can cast all their cares? He cares for them.
Thought for the Day:
In suffering, one learns to pray best of all.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:24-28
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39
One of the requirements we must face when following Jesus is suffering. No one likes to suffer. Only an imbalanced person wants or seeks to suffer. So why would suffering be an indispensable part of the discipling process. Could it be that nothing tenderizes the heart and opens one emotionally like suffering? It has been observed that those who tend to be the most helpful to others who are going though trauma, trial, or difficulty are those who have suffered themselves.
Does this put a different light on the hurts and pains you have experienced in the past? Can you see someone who is going through a difficulty which you previously endured and not be moved emotionally? Doesn’t it make you want to reach out to that person with hope and comfort?
Disciples are those who know the value of sufferings. This truth is set against what the world would teach us. We know the world is completely self-centered. The suffering you endure is not for you alone - it is experienced for the benefit of every pilgrim you meet on the road of life. They all hurt; they all have cares. Will you point them to the One upon Whom they can cast all their cares? He cares for them.
Thought for the Day:
In suffering, one learns to pray best of all.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
To Follow Christ
“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” Matthew 4:18-22
What is discipleship? It is the complete surrender and personal dedication of our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. Does God call every believer into discipleship? What do you think? Has God called you to be a disciple? How have you responded to that call? What have you done about it?
God does not make us obey Him. Neither is He like the sergeant who says to his recruits, “I can’t make you follow orders, but I can sure make you wish you had.” We may come to regret our rebellion or our lack of faith which kept us from following Christ. If we resist the Lord’s call to discipleship, we may regret our lost opportunities.
Oswald Chambers, so aptly states, “The one essential element in all our Lord’s teaching about discipleship is abandon - no calculation, no trace of self-interest.”
Do you recognize the choice which stands before you? God wants to develop in you that element which Adam lost when he sinned. Jesus says His will is to do the will of the Father. How about you?
The challenge -
Come after Me. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Me.
What is discipleship? It is the complete surrender and personal dedication of our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. Does God call every believer into discipleship? What do you think? Has God called you to be a disciple? How have you responded to that call? What have you done about it?
God does not make us obey Him. Neither is He like the sergeant who says to his recruits, “I can’t make you follow orders, but I can sure make you wish you had.” We may come to regret our rebellion or our lack of faith which kept us from following Christ. If we resist the Lord’s call to discipleship, we may regret our lost opportunities.
Oswald Chambers, so aptly states, “The one essential element in all our Lord’s teaching about discipleship is abandon - no calculation, no trace of self-interest.”
Do you recognize the choice which stands before you? God wants to develop in you that element which Adam lost when he sinned. Jesus says His will is to do the will of the Father. How about you?
The challenge -
Come after Me. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Me.
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