Where is the Love?

You can have all wisdom, understanding, gifts of the Spirit, but if you don’t have love…you have nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-8

 

For the past week or so…the subject of the love of Christ has been on my mind with all of the crazy things going on in our world.

 

I have to tell you, I will never forget the first time I realized that my son was telling me that he loved me.  From the day he was born, I spoke the words, “I love you” to him.  I had not heard or spoken those words as a child growing up. But, a few years before my son was born, God got a hold of my heart and those words just came forth out of me.  To hear my son attempting to say them as some of his first words brought tears to my eyes…and still does when I think about it.  They are words that we speak often in our family now.

 

Today, I’m recovering from being ill over the past couple of days.  I finally felt like getting out of bed and needed to get out of the house, if only for a while.  I got in my car and just drove around.  I felt the Lord leading me out to the first house that David and I lived in as a married couple.  I really wasn’t sure why I drove out this way, but did it anyway.  In the process I saw two situations in the roadways that needed to be prayed for so I know that was part of the reason.  The other part of the reason was to remember a couple of things from that first house.  It has to do with love…or actually…the lack of it.

 

You see, twenty-four years ago, the area that we chose to live in was mostly inhabited by retired folks.  We moved there because we wanted to live in a house and not an apartment.  It was a nice first home for us…a young couple with limited financial means.  We were excited about having our first home.  What we found out through the following year that we lived there is that the neighbors around us didn’t really want us there. They didn’t seem to like us much or really at all.  They weren’t friendly to us. We weren’t retired.  We didn’t play golf.  We worked all day.  Anything that we did wasn’t good enough for our neighbors.  We were young and trying to make our way in the world, like them…perhaps 30-40 years earlier.

 

What came to my memory as I drove past the house is that the people around us weren’t loving or kind at all.  Instead, they actually made life harder for us.  I remember feeling judged.  I also remember them, heading out every Sunday and Wednesday to church…like clockwork.  Hmmm…where was the love of Christ?

 

I won’t go into the things that the neighbors did to make life challenging for us.  There’s no need for that.  In spite of all of this…God had a plan.  This is when I let Him truly get a hold of my heart…when He drew me unto Himself.

 

Now I say all of this for a reason.  Look around you.  There are plenty of folks out there who need to know that God loves them.  Do you see them?  These folks may not be in the place(s) that you think they should be.  That doesn’t matter.  It’s actually not up to you or me.  They need the love of God.  Don’t be the neighbor who makes it hard on the unbeliever.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a Christian all your life and your family has been Christians for as many generations as you can recall.  If you don’t have the love of Christ towards the lost, or anyone for that matter, what good are you for the Kingdom of God?  I’ll say it again.  If you don’t have the love of Christ towards the lost, or anyone for that matter, what good are you for the Kingdom of God?

 

Church…we have got to do a better job of loving others.  Today when I was out for my drive, a young man nearly hit me head on because he was driving too fast and somewhat out of control.  It was in the center turning lane that I had clearly secured before he came on the scene.  Once he realized what he had done, he corrected himself, but it took a few moments for him to do so and he was forced to sit in front of me for more than a just few moments.  I had the option to shake my fist at him and yell and let him know just how wrong he was and how he had almost caused tremendous trouble for us all.  Or I could calm myself; assess the situation, wave kindly in forgiveness as he corrected the error.  I chose the latter of the two, this time…  Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy as this was quite a scary moment for me.  He knew he had done wrong.  I could see it in his face.  I then chose to pray for him.  I don’t say this to pat myself on the back.  There have been other times where I have failed similar situations miserably.

 

We’re living in a society that, for the most part, has not been shown the love of God.  We have churches on every street corner here in the U.S., but we have a definite spiritual problem.  Part of the problem is a lack of love for God and also a lack of love for our fellow man...lost or saved.  Revelation 3:14-22  Folks…this is Babylon we live in and much of the church in the U.S. is lukewarm.  When we would rather look someone over, decide what or who they are because of the way they dress, their tattoos, the color of their hair or skin, what they drive, or even what comes out of their mouth, then turn them away because of our preconceived thoughts…we have a hardened heart towards our fellow man…period!!

 

We live in a time where so many could be won for the Lord if we would only do what God has created us to do.  Oh how God wants to hear the words, “I love you” from a newly saved son or daughter.  Just like the joy I had the first time I heard my son attempt those words, that’s how God rejoices over us and most likely much more intensely…whether a newly saved soul or one who has know Him for years.  He is overjoyed when He hears us proclaim our love for Him, our good, good Father.

 

Do you know how much God loves you?  Do you understand that He will go to any length that He needs to…to draw you unto Himself?  This is how we need to be to those around us who don’t know of God’s love just yet.  We need to be vessels that carry God’s love to the lost, hurting and broken.  We need to ask God to soften our hearts and give us compassion towards the lost.

 

Let me tell you, it’s not difficult to find Christ Followers who know it all and have it all figured out.  They’re sure to let you know and kindly “put you in your place.”  Is that really the love of Jesus?  Did Jesus verbally put down and run from those who didn’t know Him?  Or, did He spend time with them, showing them love and kindness, as well as speaking the truth?  He spent time with them.  (That doesn’t mean He joined in on the sinning…Jesus never sinned.    2 Corinthians 5:21) How do I know this?  Because the Bible tells me how the Pharisees criticized Jesus for spending time with tax collectors, sinners, and such.  Matthew 11:19  Actually, the people he criticized were the Pharisees…the religiously learned of the time. They were always trying to trip Him up or kill Him. Matthew 23:25-28  Wait a minute…do I see a parallel here…some two thousand plus years later…?  We have a whole lotta people who know a whole lot about God.  But…where is the love?  I don’t say this to be mean.  I say this because we, as Christ Followers, need to repent and make some changes.  The lost need Jesus.  We all need Jesus, not just a select few.

 

Where is the love of Christ in many of the Christ followers today?  Church…we can look around and see what a mess this nation is.  But, do we even consider that we’re a big part of the problem…if not the root of it?  We’ve been playing church for so long…entertaining ourselves…that we’ve…well, many…have lost the true purpose of the church.  Hearts are hardened.  We think “all is well” because we attend church every time the doors are open.  We put our tithe and offering in the offering plate and yehaw…all is well.  Church is not meant to be a social club.  I ask you…is the love of God flowing though your life to the lost and hurting in your day to day, moment to moment life?

 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  2 Corinthians 3:17

 

Do you allow the Holy Spirit access to your life daily…moment by moment, or is He only allowed in at certain times?  If you call yourself a Follower of Christ, I urge you to ask yourself how or if the love of Christ flows through you.  If it does…is it when you’re at church only?  Is it when you’re around others who can see what you’re doing?  Or…does it happen at all?  Galatians 5:18-25

 

We, as Followers of Christ, have got to make a change.  If we don’t have the true, genuine love of Christ flowing through us…we have nothing…nothing.

 

I implore you to search your heart.  Seek out God and ask Him what you can change in your life to make a difference to the lost and hurting in your world.  It’s each of us allowing the love of Christ to flow through us to a hurting world that will make the difference in the lost gaining salvation through Christ.  It’s His will that none should perish.  2 Peter 3:9

 

Remember, if we don’t have love…we have nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-8  

Don't Box Him In...

The Holy Spirit is essential to believers in Christ Jesus. He is fully God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever which means He is still in the miracle working business, if you will. He has not changed. Hebrews 13:8  Only man’s attitude and beliefs about the Spirit of God has changed.

 

Don’t box Him in…

 

When Jesus was in His home town, He could do very few miracles, not because He wasn’t capable, but because of unbelief. Matthew13:53-58, Mark 6:1-5   In John 6:27-29, Jesus said, “This is the only work that God wants from you:  Believe in the One He has sent.”  Father God sent Jesus. Jesus died for all the sins of mankind.  Then He sent the Holy Spirit. John 16:7  Believe it.  His Holy Spirit is here for us…if we believe.

 

Don’t limit what He can and will do in your life due to unbelief.  Don’t let someone else’s personal opinion about what the Holy Spirit “can and can’t” do limit what He can and will do in your life. Don’t be the one who stops the miracles.  Believing is a choice!

 

In Mark 9:17-27, a man brought his convulsing child to Jesus to be healed. Jesus asked him if he believed.  The man said, “I believe, help my unbelief!”  Don’t be afraid to say that prayer for yourself. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve said that prayer…even this very day!!  Ask God to reveal Himself to you, and ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Don’t allow the enemy any room in your asking. 1John4:1  He will not fail us.

 

Don’t take my word for all of this.  Search out the scriptures. Ask God to show you. Trust and believe in Him. Step out in faith. He will lead you, guide you and show you what He wants you to know.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your life. Too many people, churches, organizations, etc, for far too long have hindered or stopped the work of the Spirit of God due to unbelief. Be the one to say, “The buck stops here!”  Choose to believe the workings of the Spirit of God in the name of Jesus.  He will not lead us astray. He knows what we need better than what we know for ourselves.

Trust and believe. Trust and believe.

 

He will not fail you.    

 

Knowledge For The Spiritual Man...

 Back in the day when Jesus still walked the earth before His death and resurrection, the Pharisees, more often than not, had issue with Him.  They would do anything they could to attempt to “trip Him up,” but they never could.  He was, is and will always be perfect.  The thing about the Pharisees is that they were highly educated men.  They knew the scriptures…but yet…they couldn’t even recognize the Son of God, the One the scriptures foretold.  At one point, Jesus even called them “white washed tombs”…meaning they sure did look good on the outside, but on the inside, they were rotten and disgusting. See Matthew 23:27

Today, my concern in these amazing times of great knowledge is that knowledge, both outside and inside the church, is clouding the vision of our Great and Amazing God.

I have had amazing conversations with folks who have extensive knowledge of the Bible as well as many other books that contribute to the knowledge of the Bible, but yet in their own way, doubt some capabilities of the Holy Spirit… as if the Creator of all things is somehow unable to do certain miracles!!  Now, understand me clearly here…I don’t say this to try to hurt anyone or point fingers at anyone.  I say it because it’s been a subject that’s been on my heart and mind for many, many years.  And…lately it seems that much of the persecution that I’m witnessing is coming not only from outside the Church, but much of it is coming from inside the Church…from other Christ Followers.  I refuse to mention any names in this writing.  This is not about calling folks out on what they do or don’t believe.  After all, God gave us each a measure of faith.  See Romans 12:3  It’s God who removes the veil from our eyes so that we can see Him more clearly.  See 2 Corinthians 3:1-18   It’s God who gives us the knowledge…but how are we using it?  Are we using it to tear each other down, or build each other up?  Are we allowing knowledge itself to be the box that keeps the Holy Spirit from working effectively?  After all, Jesus himself said that He could not do miracles in some places due to the lack of belief.  See Matthew 13:53-58 This is not the picture of the spotless bride that Jesus is coming back for!!  In fact, often times the vision I see when others doubt the authenticity of another Christian, is that of the Pharisees calling Jesus blasphemous.  Again,… Jesus likened the Pharisees and scribes to white washed tombs!! 

When are we going to learn to accept each other for who God created each of us to be as Followers of Christ.  We’re not in competition here, though some might argue that fact.  Even the twelve disciples argued over who would be the greatest. See Luke 9:46  Maybe we should learn from their mistakes instead of trying to be the best or having the most knowledge, or worrying about whose church is too small or too large, too loud, not loud enough, traditional music vs non-traditional music or vice versa…etc.  The arguments seem endless!!  Stop trying to stop someone from being all God made them to be simply because you don’t believe it for that person!! Maybe we should simply work together, accepting the fact that not everyone is going to have the same doctrinal beliefs as Christ Followers.  Maybe we should strive for excellence…both at individual and corporate levels.

Where I am unable to reach a lost soul, you can.  And, where we are unable to reach one…someone else is able to reach them.  This is possible only with the workings of the Holy Spirit through us.  It’s us making ourselves available for the God of all Creation to work through us!!  It’s. Not. About. Us.

Let’s stop letting pride, knowledge, doctrinal beliefs…or whatever, get in the way of being true Christ Followers.  We can know the Bible inside and out, but if we don’t allow the Author to work through us to reach the lost, sadly, we are ineffective as Followers of Christ.

For years, my saying has been “don’t keep God in a box.”  And, I must admit that in my walk, from time to time, even when against having borders for God, I still manage to do just what I don’t want to do…have a border here or there.  The beautiful thing is that God knows that I don’t want Him in a box, but He also knows my imperfections…better than I know them myself.  I want to see Him for EVERYTHING He is and ever will be.  So, when this happens, He ever so gently shows me the error of my way.  I encourage you to do the same.  Let your boundaries go!!

Don’t let your head full of wonderful knowledge…that is God given by the way… become the box that keeps God from doing all that He’s capable of doing… like those in Nazareth who believed they knew Jesus so well that they believed Him incapable of doing miracles.  Don’t be that guy!!  Seek knowledge…but more importantly…seek the Giver of that knowledge.

What's the value of your sin?

So…first thing this morning, I saw a cartoon pic that had some men beating up another man who was lying on the ground, wearing a rainbow shirt and he was bleeding. The caption was…”If you’re using your Bible to hurt people, you’re using it wrong.”


I happen to agree with this statement. The Bible is our guide…our manual to living a Godly life. It’s not meant to be used to hurt others.


Is it up to us to point out everyone else’s sin? Or is it our job to examine ourselves for our own sin?

 I have found that it’s very easy to point out someone else’s sin, but that’s not my job. My job is to work out my own salvation…examine myself for sin in my own life. I ask God daily to show me if there is any sin in my life. I like to keep a blank page. I would have to say that a weak point for me is when I’m driving. I sometimes become angry…anger is an emotion that even God has…but my goal is that when I have anger, I don’t want to sin. But when I do sin, I realize it immediately and ask for forgiveness. It’s my job to allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of wrongdoing. I am uber aware of when I sin and I believe that’s because I keep a close walk with the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I get it wrong. Philippians 2:12

 All too often in the Body of Christ, sins are given value. Is murder more of a sin than lying, cheating or gossiping? No, it isn’t. Sin is sin and the Bible clearly states what sin is whether it is lying, cheating, gluttony, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, abuse…sexual, physical, emotional or verbal, etc. Who are we to beat others up because we don’t like their sin more than we don’t like our own?


It’s time to have a look in the mirror…examine ourselves…and decide to live the life that God created us to live. When we look in that mirror, do we see ourselves…or do we see Jesus in our reflection? James 1:19-26


Jesus is the Light of the world and if we are Christ followers, we are the Light of the world as well. Let the Light of Jesus flow through you to all who see you. It’s the Light and Love of Jesus that will change the world, not us beating others up. Any and all who come to Jesus for salvation are subject to changing their lives to be more like Him…that’s a given. Let’s let the Holy Spirit do His job and let’s focus on ourselves, not others, to become all that He created us to be.

Please let me pass...

Valentine’s Day…the day that is set aside to let our loved ones know just how much we love them.  What a wonderful day it is for so many people.  Love is in the air!

On my way to the gym this morning, I was reminded by an unfriendly driver, that there are so many hurting people who just need to know that they are loved.

Hurting people hurt people…let’s never forget that.  You never know what others may be going through.  Let’s do our best to treat others with compassion.

Enjoy what’s left of your Valentine’s Day and let’s do our best as followers of Christ to show His love to those who are hurting…even those who may have hurt us…not just Valentine’s Day, but everyday.  With the love of Christ Jesus, our world can be changed. 

Where's your compassion?

You know, I don't claim to be perfect which is exactly the reason why I need a Savior.  I don't expect you to be perfect, either.  But…why is it that when I'm honest about the hurts in my life, you then choose not to meet my eyes any longer and conversation is next to nothing?(Not everyone, but many!!)  Is it because I'm not good enough for you? Probably not.  Is it because you don't know how to continue to be a friend to me in spite of my hurts? Maybe.  I'm not any different before your knowledge of my hurt than after the knowledge of it.  Why then, do you avoid me?  I don't know the answer to that, but I choose to love you anyway.  I do know this, though.  The church...the Body of Christ...is lacking in compassion towards those who are hurting…those who come from highly dysfunctional families.  I can honestly tell you that I have extensive experience in this at multiple churches throughout the past 20+ years.  My life has not been easy at all!!  And, I don’t make that statement to say that I’m special, either…because I’m not.  All too often, folks are pushed aside due to lack of compassion from fellow Christians.  "You need counseling!" "You need this program or that program!"  Those are just a few of the things that I've heard throughout the years.

I cannot change who I am within the Body of Christ.  God created me, placed me in the family that He deemed perfect for me, saved me, justified me and has placed me in the Body of Christ exactly where He wants me.  I know who I am in Christ.  Why is it that you cannot accept me for who I am...warts and all?  I accept you for who you are…warts and all.  My question is this; I wonder if that's how Jesus treated his disciples when He said for them to follow Him?  I won't speculate on that.  I'll let the Holy Spirit answer that.

You see, program or no program, I choose to go by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  I find that He has the answers to my questions.  He has the healing for my hurts…sometimes conventional…sometimes not so much.  I find that much of the Body of Christ not only lacks compassion, but they tend to believe that there is only “one” way to get the healing that is needed.  My God has infinite ways to help His children.  Each church is different.  They all have different programs that I believe can be helpful to folks.  But I also believe that the choice of each individual is just that…they’re. own. choice.  We shouldn’t judge someone because they don’t choose the same thing that we choose.  We should rejoice because we actually have the freedom to choose!!

As I close, I’ll say this.  Jesus came to supply our every need…every need. Philippians 4:19  What are the needs that you have today?  Is it healing…emotional or physical, clarity in any aspect, monetary needs, relief from addictions…perhaps compassion?  I implore you to search your heart.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, because He will, if you allow Him to do so.  Let’s do what we can to be Christians who are better at loving the hurting.  We need to be there for each other, not shun each other…shunning is the world’s way of doing things.

Please know that I do realize that I am very blunt and to the point in this blog…but know that every word is spoken in Love…from the bottom of my heart.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8  We need a revolution of love within the Body of Christ.  Isn’t that why Jesus came in the first place?

Put your faith into action!

Today my husband and I had lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants.  As soon as we walked in, we knew that we wouldn’t get good service.  One of the waitresses who had been gone for quite some time was back and she, of course, waited on us.  Sounds like an opportunity to me.   

This lady does the bare minimum as far as waiting tables go…and she’s not friendly at all.  I find it somewhat challenging to be upbeat and friendly to her…oh I do my best…to no avail, though.

It’s moments like these that I wonder just what could be going on in this person’s world that could make them so unfriendly and seemingly so unhappy?  We’ve been going to this place for more than 20 years and she used to be sort of friendly.  No matter what is going on in her life, I would make a guess that it’s totally the lack of Jesus…in a particular situation, in her job…or maybe she doesn’t know Him at all.

You see, this is where we get to put our faith into action.  I’m friendly to her.  I try to have conversation with her or make her laugh.  I ask my husband to tip her well in spite of the situation.  Silently, I pray that God would break down any strongholds that might be keeping her from seeing God’s goodness.  Really, praying is probably the best thing that we can do.

Remember, it is God’s will that not one of us should perish.  He loves us all so very much and He loves us all the same…no more or no less.  Pray for those who don’t know of our Father’s love.  You never know, you may see them in Heaven one day and then realize that they’re there because you prayed for them.  How exciting is that?            

Have a heart for...

Today, my heart cries out for those who do not know the Lord.  Everyday, I see folks who don’t know Him…some assume that they are so smart that they have life figured out, but don’t realize that He is the center, some choose not to know the Creator at all, some…many…have been introduced, but have refused a relationship with Him, etc. 

Whether these folks ever get in a relationship with God or not, the fact remains that they have made the choice to reject the Creator of the Universe…God Almighty.

At times, while crossing paths with non-believers, it could be so easy to just walk away and not have anything to do with them, mainly because so many are mean and arrogant, etc.  But what I choose to remember is that they have no reason to be joyous.  They have no reason to be nice.  They have no reason to be meek or humble.  You see Jesus is the reason that we choose to have those characteristics as a follower of Christ. (And let’s hope that as a follower of Christ, we are choosing to be like Him!  We are His ambassadors here on this earth!)  If they don’t have Jesus, there is a huge hole in their life and Jesus is needed to fill it to make them whole.  Instead they fill it with whatever suits them at the moment…until they figure out that it’s not working and then they move on to something else.  That cycle will continue until, hopefully, they choose a relationship with Jesus…the same way that you and I discovered that we need Him!  Have a heart for the lost!

When dealing with folks like this, choose to take the high road.  Be kind, be considerate, be loving...be Jesus to them.  You never know, you may be the only person who will ever be Jesus to them.  Remember Heaven and Hell are real and we are all going to end up in one place or the other by our own choice.  Look at things eternally instead of momentarily.  Winning souls to our Lord, saving souls from eternal damnation is the goal.  Choose eyes, ears and a heart of compassion because that’s how Jesus chooses to care for us.  Keep praying and never give up hope of salvation for the lost.     

Who is your Source?

One day while working at the food bank, we ran out of food filled boxes and I had to make another.  As I was filling this box, I didn’t have the usual staples, but wanted it to be worthy of calling it a food box.  I like to be generous with what I put in the boxes, but at the same time, the resources are limited.  As I was filling it, I picked up a few items to put in the box and out of fear of running out of that item, I put some back.  I heard the Lord say to me; don’t you know that I can replenish what you give away?  Instantly, I said “Yes, I do. Forgive me for not thinking that way.”  So, I put in the box what I had in my hand and then grabbed more and put it in the box.

Over the next few weeks, we didn’t receive very much food.  After filling boxes one Friday, our little pantry was empty except for a few odds and ends.  That day I stood there and prayed silently.  I reminded God of what He had said to me only a week or so before and I asked him to replenish our shelves, refrigerators and freezers to overflowing.  I reminded Him (not that He needs reminding) that we were doing His work…helping those who need help.  The next Friday, our shipment of food was over flowing…and it has been for several weeks now.  Sometimes we don’t even have room to keep everything that we receive.

You see…God is our source…not man!  It’s like the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1-16.  The Lord told Elijah to go the Brook Cherith, stay there and He would send ravens to feed him.  He did as the Lord said and had food and water.  When the brook dried up the Lord sent him to the widow.  She had only enough food for one more meal and then she thought that she and her son would die of starvation.  Elijah told her that the Lord said for her to make bread for him and that she would never run out of food.  She did just what Elijah told her to do and, just as he had said, she never ran out of food for herself, her son and Elijah.

You see, God is for us.  He wants to help us.  But we must put our faith and trust in Him.  His ways are not like our ways.  He is our Source and He is creative in the ways that He provides for us.  We should never say out of our own worldly ways of believing; God would never do this or that.  We simply don’t know how God is going to do what He says he’s going to do.

I encourage you to step out in faith and trust God in areas that you would normally trust yourself or someone else. Give Him the opportunity to stretch your faith and trust in Him.    

What's sitting on the throne of your heart?

What’s the use of worshipping something that God created?  I was reading something the other day that spoke of how a man cut down a tree.  He cut the tree into firewood.  Built a fire with part of the wood to cook his meal and then carved an idol out of the rest of the wood and then worshipped the idol.  Really?!  He worshipped something that he fashioned out of wood himself…but he burned the rest of it in order to cook his meal.  Why would you even want to do something like that?  It makes no sense! The wood is an inanimate object that has no ability to love you, care for you…or do anything for you except apparently burn to cook a meal.  Isaiah 44:6-23

That’s how it is with anything that is worshipped other than God Almighty, Himself!  We’re simply wasting our time by doing it…and we’re certainly not helping ourselves at all.  In fact, we would be hurting ourselves…further separating ourselves from God.  God Almighty is the amazing Creator of all things.  John 1:1-4 The sun, moon, stars, nature / environment, science...people, angels, etc are all things that were made by God. He has made everything but all things are not worthy of our worship.  They are only created beings like you and I…not God Almighty who is the creator of all things. 

So…what’s sitting on the throne of your heart?  What's first in your life…your wife, husband, children, job, car, home, bank account, hobby, yourself?  Anything that you place before God takes the place of God until you realize what you’ve done and make a conscious effort to replace it with God.  These other things are things that were created by the Creator.  Nothing…NOTHING…can replace God. 

Search your heart.  Is God on your throne…or is something else?  Don’t be like the man who burnt part of the wood for fuel and carved the rest into an idol for worship.  It will do you no good.  Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly.  John 10:10  Choose Him…He wants to be first in your life.

If you like this, check out my other blog as well.    http://actnowministries.blogspot.com/  

Are you living life for...

You know…it would be so easy to live life just for the moment without any cares or worries of consequences…at least for a while.  The trouble with that is that sooner or later, we will reap what we have sown…good or bad!

Of course God wants us to enjoy our lives, but He also wants us to live with purpose and self control.  Living without any regard to consequences is actually very dangerous.  You never know when the breath that you take may be your last.  That’s why we should live eternally minded.  Heaven and Hell!  Yes, they both exist.  Which place are you planning to take up residency for eternity?

James 4:14-15 talks about how our lives here on earth are but a vapor that’s here only for a little while and then vanishes.  It also says that because we don’t know how long we’ll be here, we should say “If the Lord wills, we’ll do this or that.”  Just think about it.  If this life is as a vapor compared to eternity…eternity is a crazy long time!  I know that I know that I know that I’m spending eternity in Heaven.  And…although I still make mistakes, my goal is to be in the Lord’s will for my life…living a life led by the Holy Spirit. 

It is the Lord’s will that none would perish, and come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9  The trouble is that so many don’t know or maybe don’t want to know who Jesus is. There could be a million reasons why people don’t want to know Jesus.  But even though they choose not to know Him, He still loves them and wants them to come to repentance and be saved.  However, your choice is your choice.

Jesus said; I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

Are you living life for the pleasure of the moment or are you living it eternally minded?

Do live your life as if there’s no tomorrow, but don’t live it carelessly.  Choose to know Jesus.  Choose Heaven for eternity.  Choose to live a Spirit led life.  I assure you it will not be boring!   

Don't settle for the shades of grey...

In darkness we cannot see color...only shades of grey and black.  Only light allows us to see the true color of those things surrounding us.  When we are in the dark spiritually, we cannot see the “true color,” if you will, of who Jesus is.

Twenty some years ago and beyond, I was a mess.  I had been saved as a child, but didn’t have a serious relationship with the Lord.  I had prayed for a miracle to happen in my life.  I was so depressed, it was hard for me to get out of bed and do anything.  I didn’t want to live.  But…this particular morning, I was standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom getting ready for work.  All of the sudden, in the spirit, I saw a black cloud rip down the middle. (Later in life I understood this cloud to be the veil that kept me from seeing God.  Matt. 27:51-53)  It’s as if the cloud was so dense that it actually had to be cut.  In a moment, I saw things in my life so differently.  It was the Light of the Lord shining through to me. (John 8:12)  Instantly I was healed of depression and had a whole new outlook on life.  My life was changed that day.  The Light from the Lord revealed a beautiful colorful world…a world that was once a drab, dark and had no “color”…no life…a lifeless life.

The thief does not come except to steal, kill and destroy.  I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Years ago when my son was small, we had to take shelter in the basement of our home due to the threat of a tornado.  We keep a small black and white TV there so we can monitor the weather.  It’s not hooked up to the satellite.  It’s the kind that has the antenna on it so you can move it around to get better reception.  When my son watched that TV for the first time, he thought something was wrong with it because it had no color.  That’s how life is without Jesus.  Life makes no sense without Jesus.  Without the Light of the world, we’re unable to see the true colors of life.  Everything is black or shades of grey, dingy, negative and ugly.

Don’t settle for a colorless life.  Don’t settle for the shades of grey and darkness that the world settles for.  Let the Light of the world in allowing your world to be illuminated and full of color…and joy!  Allow Jesus into your life. 

Steward :: to manage or look after another's property

Are you being a good steward with  all that God has blessed you with? 

Some want a new house; do you take care of the house that you have already been blessed with?  Some want a new car; does your car look as if a garbage truck pulled up and dumped a load of garbage in it? 

steward ::  to manage or look after another’s property

Everything that we have in this life we have because the Lord has allowed us to have it.  Everything in this world is His. Colossians 1:16, John 1:3  We are simply managing it…or being a steward of it.

How many times have we, ourselves, told our children that until they take care of what we’ve given them, we won’t give them more?  It the same with our Heavenly Father. Take care of what God has given you.  Don’t squander your money on frivolous things.  Are you helping to take care of the poor?  Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 29:7, Proverbs 14:31

If He’s allowed you to run a business, run it to the best of your abilities.  If He’s allowed you a car, take care of it…whether it’s a new car or new to you.  Our attitude about how we steward things will show in the way we take care of whatever it is the Lord has allowed us to have.  If your car, house or yard is a pit, maybe you don’t really value what the Lord has given to you.  How can you expect to be given more?  Joel Osteen told of places that he has visited in Africa.  They were only huts that people lived in…unlike the homes that we live in…which could be considered mansions to someone living in a hut.  Anyway, he said that even though they had floors of dirt, the places were spotless. 

Take care of what the Lord has allowed you to steward no matter how old or how new, small or large it is.  Our Father in Heaven truly wants to bless us.  Be a good steward.

Testing and Trials

It’s when we follow God’s leading to do the unpopular thing that we not only find out who we are, but we find out who our true friends are.

Last year in October, I was praying…asking the Lord where I could volunteer.  Much to my surprise he led me to get a job at Sam’s Club.  I can tell you I was very surprised.  I wasn’t looking for a paying job, but at the same time I knew that I needed to be obedient.  The next day while doing some shopping there, I said to the Lord, “If this is truly where You want me to be, I pray that I will see my friend and that not only will she say hello, but that she’ll greet me with a hug.”  Now this friend of mine does work there, but very rarely did I ever see her.  Literally within 5 minutes of me saying that prayer, she walked by me, said hello and greeted me with a hug!  I had no excuse to keep me from getting a job there.  I can tell you this, working as a cashier at Sam’s Club was not something that was on my bucket list…not because I think I’m above that job, because I’m not.  It just wasn’t something that I thought was in my future.  God is full of surprises!  J

Everything laid aside, I plunged into work there with the idea that working through the holiday season would be it for me…although I did keep my mind open to all possibilities of the Lord’s will. 

Working there, to me, was a great opportunity for allowing the love of God to be seen in me.  My hope is that’s what they saw!  But not only that, it was a time for me to learn to be content with where the Lord had me at that moment.  Let me tell you, although I passed many of the tests, I don’t believe that I passed every test in that area…just sayin’!!  It allowed me to see things in myself that I needed to change and that’s a good thing. But, interestingly…it allowed me to see who my true friends were as well.  I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to realize that some folks didn’t really want to associate with me while I was in my “cashier” role.  Hmmm…interesting…I’ll leave it at that.

When you find yourself in a place where the Lord is testing and growing you, know that He is doing it for your own good.  He can and will refine us and teach us through the process…that is, if we allow Him to.  He is faithful and wants only the best for us.  Trust Him…He is so very faithful!                    

Be a cheerful giver!

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:7

Many years ago I was mentoring someone who was having all sorts of difficulty in their life.  This person was a Christian and struggling in many areas, finances being one of them.  I helped them to get a schedule for their bills lined up with their pay periods, taught them how to balance their checking account and encouraged them to keep up with it. 

As we were working through all of these things, suddenly this person angrily blurted out that they were tithing and they were sick of tithing because they weren’t seeing a dime of increase from their giving.  I was shocked!  At that point I asked a few questions and then went on to tell them that they might as well stop giving anything.  They looked at me very perplexed.  I went on to explain that God wants us to be cheerful in our giving.  If we cannot do what He has asked us to do with a cheerful heart, we may as well not do it at all. 

In the Old Testament (Malachi 3:6-12), God commands us to give the first ten percent of our gain to the storehouse.  But, the New Testament doesn’t give a specific amount to give.  One example that Jesus used is of the widow giving two mites in Mark 12:41-44.  Even though she had given less than those who were wealthy, she had given all that she had and given it cheerfully and without show.  I believe that Jesus wants us to give with a cheerful heart.  If we give what we have purposed in our heart, but do it grudgingly, we’re not giving freely or with a cheerful heart.  Cheerful obedience is the key.

God doesn’t need our money or things.  Everything in this world is His.  What we have in our personal possession are things that God allows us to have.  It’s our job to be good stewards of what he has allowed in our possession.  Be generous with your time, things, finances, etc.  I remember a time when I felt like the Lord was challenging me to be more generous with my time.  It’s not just finances that we should be generous with.  It’s our lives we should be generous with.  I see myself as being nothing without Jesus Christ.  All I have, all I am I owe to Him and I can never repay Him for His generosity towards me. 

I encourage us all to be generous givers of all that we have to offer…and to be cheerful givers.  That’s what the Lord asks of us.     

...am I being obedient...

I’ve been calling our dog, Stewie, lately and he simply refuses to come to me until I am forced to get firm with him.  Only after I do get firm with him does he decide to obey and come to me.  I find this very frustrating.  I never had this much resistance from my son when he was growing up and it’s strange to have a dog that is so strong willed!

As this was taking place, I began to wonder; am I being obedient to all that the Lord is calling me to do?  Hmmm…when He calls my name, do I continue on with “the important stuff” that I’m doing or do I drop what I’m doing and do what the Lord is calling me to do?  This is something that I continually want to work on as a follower of Christ Jesus.  I don’t ever want to miss out on something that the Lord has for me…whether it is something fun or whether it’s something tedious and challenging.  I know and believe that no matter what the Lord calls me to do, it is something that is needed for me, first…secondly, possibly help for others, and thirdly…if He calls me to do something, I know that He will equip me to do the task at hand.    

I want my ears to be open to hear what the Lord is speaking to me.  I want eyes to see what the Lord wants me to see.  I want to have a heart that is receptive to what God is doing.  I want to be willing to do whatever it is he is calling me to do.  I actually focus on this as my lifestyle. 

So, when I see Stewie acting in this manner, it serves as a reminder for me to be attentive to what the Lord is doing in my life.  I encourage you to do the same.  Be attentive to what God is doing in your life.  Dare to believe that you can and will be all that God created you to be.  And, by being attentive and willing to obey, we can become and be just that.  Trust and believe in God and hope for the best.  He will never lead you astray!  Trust me, the road will not always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.  He is faithful and worthy of everything that we have to offer to Him…am so much more!         

...weeping may endure for a night...

The past couple of weeks I’ve been calling upon the Lord to continue to fill the void in me that’s there due to the lack of relationship with my parents.  This situation is nothing new to me.  It’s just that sometimes it affects me more than other times.  It’s been my experience that with some issues I’m healed in one moment and with other healing takes place over time.  I believe that this is how the Lord is not only continuing to heal me and make me stronger in this matter, but also growing my trust in Him as my Heavenly Father. 

Just last night, I hit my knees and was crying out to the Lord about this.  I just love that I can tell Him anything on my heart and He is here listening attentively with understanding and compassion for me.  He has never failed me.

…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

This scripture is so very comforting…and true.  The joy I felt the next morning was indescribable.  God is so faithful and His word is truth!

This same morning, I went on to church and the words spoken by a guest speaker were; “Your Heavenly Father loves you and is proud of you.”  I was so moved.  I needed to hear this.  His timing is so perfect!  It was continued healing for me in this situation…I am grateful!  You see, I’ve never heard those words from my earthly father.  Yes, it does hurt, but I’ve learned to take this to God and let him fill that void in my life.  And when He does this, not only do I feel better, I am stronger and trust Him even more.  It also allows me to have a growing compassion for my dad.  He only acts this way because he, himself, is hurting and hasn’t been healed.

No matter what the issues are in your life, God will see you through it if you call upon Him for help.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. John 14:6  He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. (See John 10:10)  Trust Him with all things in your life.  He will not fail you and He truly cares about every detail of your life…no matter how great or small.