Year: 2016

No want, shall not lack any good thing

I sought the Lord , and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord  encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord  is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord , you His saints! There  is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
Psalms 34:4-10 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.34.4-10.NKJV

There are two, very different perspectives to this passage. Especially when it comes to the statements “there is no want to those who fear Him” and “those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing”.

A carnal mind will say,  “If I fear God and seek Him,  I can ask for anything I want and I will get it. I can force God to fulfill my wishes because He has promised it,  and my words can hold Him captive to His promises.” Doesn’t this sound more like a boy and a genie in His lamp? Doesn’t this sound more like serving the demon of mammon? Doesn’t this sound like seeking the things of the world? Can’t we see the error in this carnal perspective? Isn’t it even clear to a child that this is NOT walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His disciples  – who are our examples of the costly life (by the measures of this world) of being a follower of Christ, whose lives are the pattern of an abundant life of bold and peculiar separation from the ways of this world to receive the riches of His glory,  to share in the sufferings of Christ. But how few are interested in sharing in the sufferings of Christ today? The gate and the path are narrow that leads to life,  but broad is the path that leads to destruction.

There is another perspective – a Holy Spirit focused perspective – not guided by the flesh,  but taught by the very nature of God, unveiling the Truth to His children that recognize His voice. This perspective recognizes that the things of this world are temporary, but the good gifts of God,  like Hope, Faith, Love, Peace, Patience,  Kindness,  Goodness, Integrity,  Self Control – those do not rust and rot away, but they bear benefits for eternity. This perspective recognizes that this is not talking about fulfilling selfish wants and desires of our own, but that it is about what we need. Needs and wants are quite different. What we need is a life forgiven,  redeemed, delivered and victorious over sin by The Lord God Almighty. We need a life alive with the Holy Spirit,  guiding and teaching us to be more like Jesus Christ every day,  drawing us further away from the worldly ways of the lost and closer to His righteousness,  His love,  His mercy,  and His sacrifice. We need and abundant life, not filled so much by stuff and things and pleasures and enticements, but by a fear and longing for the Lord to come change us to be more like Him – to prepare us for a life removed from sin and the ways of the flesh.

Yes,  these two perspectives are quite different, because they represent the messages of two different masters. One is the Spirit of Christ who tells us to lay down our life to walk in His ways if we want to follow Him. The other is the Spirit of Anti-Christ who twists scripture, offering excuses and justifications for continued wickedness,  lawlessness, and worldliness.

If you are sitting among a gathering of people that make you feel more comfortable with your sin, you are likely sitting at a table of demons. If you are sitting among a gathering of people that encourage accountability and repentance, while remaining loving and forgiving, you are likely sitting at a table with growing children of God, disciples and ambassadors of Christ.

I pray that our eyes will be open to recognize the difference.

“I was sought by those who did not ask for  Me; I was found by those  who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ To a nation that  was not called by My name.
Isaiah 65:1 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/isa.65.1.NKJV

Paul quotes this passage in Romans –

But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”
Romans 10:20-21 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.10.20-21.NKJV

And Paul knew from personal experience that this bold statement by Isaiah was true,  because even when he was persecuting Christians, Christ made himself manifest to Paul who was not seeking Him. We know that Moses was tensing flocks and not seeking the Lord when he encountered the burning bush. The Word of God is filled with examples of God showing up and touching lives that weren’t even seeking Him.

Do we think that the woman at the well was seeking anything other than a normal day fetching water when she encountered God come in the flesh as Jesus Christ to touch and change her life forever? What about the man that was healed by the pool, who want seeking Jesus at the time but was hoping to be restored by the powers of a bathing pool that was “stirred by the spirits”? How many times do we see that the drawing by God, of His children into service is continent upon one thing alone – His will. Not the cleanliness or worthiness of one versus another to receive His mercy and grace and calling – no, he takes the weak and uses them greatly to confound the wisdom of men.

Even in His own blameless walk amongst mere men, people would ask things like “can anything good come out of Nazareth” and “isn’t this the son of the carpenter”. He came as a babe wrapped in clothes laying in a stable.

Those voices in our heads try to convince us that is the religious that God would use – but we find that it is the religious that receive His strictest rebuke and discipline, time and time again. And we find that God uses a murderer like Moses, a drunk like Noah, a doubter like Thomas, an adulterer like David, a coward like Jonah, and even a dead man like Lazarus to demonstrate His power and glory and honor.

It was not those Israelites, the Pharisees, who thought they had a monopoly on the grace of God,  who thought they were bound eternally to God through a promise to their fathers who received the blessing of the healing touch of God upon their hearts and lives – it was the very ones they despised and looked down on that received the mercy and love and forgiveness and who were renewed to a repentant life. Because these sinners got to taste of the fruit of love and gratitude from a gift undeserved – while the religious kept working towards their inevitable end bought by the wages of their own strength.

Like the tower of Babel, it is proven time and time again,  that the power of men working under their own power falls short of the glory of God. Without faith,  we cannot please the Lord. Only when He lives in us and works through us can anything that is accomplished be holy,  refined, true work of God fulfilling His Kingdom on earth through His body of believers.

Our pride and conceit tells us that it was ourselves who “earned” our seat in “accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior” when it is truly more accurate that He drew us and unveiled our eyes to see what is true,  that we are His. There is no room for boasting even in the smallest bit for our own claiming the title or our own parading ourselves other than to demonstrate what He has done and is doing in our lives. We should not tarnish such an amazing gift by claiming even a portion of it as our own work – or we might find that it has in fact all been foolish striving on that last day, and some will find themselves sorely disappointed hearing “I never knew you”.

If your sin and guilt is holding you back from listening to that voice calling you,  drawing you home into your living Father’s arms – cast it to the side in a humble and heartfelt prayer for forgiveness and come to the Lord blameless and changed by His very real and alive presence as the Lord of your life.

If you have fallen deaf to His voice over the loud din of religious practice and your own striving – cast it to the side in humble and heartfelt prayer for renewal of love and gratitude and revival of that fire in your bones and that river flowing from your belly,  and be quickened to continue along the road ahead,  because His work in your life is not yet complete.

You are still a work in His hands,  you still have opportunities today to hear Him saying,  “Here I am,  here I am”.

And if we are asking and seeking, let’s make sure that we are listening as well.

Lord Jesus Christ, we know that you have taught us,  saying “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up” and “no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him”. And we know that you have taught us that “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.

Lord, we know that you have spoken “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And our trust is in your words. Heal or deaf ears so that we can more clearly understand your call,  your instruction,  your guidance. And heal our hearts so that your desires replace our own. Our Hope relies solely on you, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus, come – and fill our lives.

Why do Christians hate so much?

Short answer, we don’t.

First of, let me say that not all people who call themselves Christians are followers of Christ and children of God. If someone is being hateful towards another person, that is not of God. But if someone hates sin and every wrong path, that is understanding.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:103-104 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.119.103-104.ESV

You see, there is a difference between those burdened by religion and those freed to walk in the Holy Spirit of Christ. To the lost and to the religious, the Word of God is closed, the beauty of it isn’t yet revealed, and it seems like a burdensome list of laws, judgement,  and condemnation because it is like a bright light shining into their darkness. Some would use religion to measure and compare themselves against others,  and foolishly judging others and foolishly trying to twist the Word of God to justify their hatred of others. That is NOT the Word of God. That is not His work, but it is the enemy of truth at work in this world.

But a child of God sees the beauty and truth and helpful guidance that we receive from the Word of God. We have accepted that we are imperfect,  but we aren’t content remaining where we are. We understand that we are in the midst of darkness,  but we are crying out to the Lord, seeking the light,  seeking change, loving and following and obeying His words and precepts. And at some point,  we aren’t doing it out of fear of punishment,  or our of hope for rewards or honor – but we realize the great value of this free gift of grace and eternal life,  and we are grateful for His mercy and love.

Yes,  he teaches us to love His ways – to love them so strongly – that in comparison, we hate everything else that is not part of the light. But this hate does not extend to our brothers and sisters of flesh and blood – they are not our enemies. In fact, even if they are deep in sin and under control by their flesh and the temptations and enticements of this world – they are exactly the sort that we were before He laid His hand on our life.

So we don’t hate the person that is lost and a prisoner to sin and worldliness and lawlessness – we love them,  we understand their struggle, we understand their pain. But we do hate the sin that has wrapped itself around them and that weighs them down, that steals their breath of life and leads them into death. We know that they need the healing and abundant life that can only be experienced in the freedom of a life delivered by Jesus Christ being Lord of their Life and Savior and Redeemer.

You see, great love for God will result in great hate for evil and wickedness and darkness. We cannot be touched by the hand of God,  by His presence, and remain unchanged. We cannot remain with divided loyalties. We will love one and hate the other. If we are lukewarm,  if we are conformed to the ways of the world, if we are a person with no clear direction and purpose other than self – how can we remain content with serving ourselves instead of serving the one true God and Savior of this world Jesus Christ?

So yes, I hate sin. In fact,  I hate every false path,  every sin. And in comparison to my one love,  my one portion and prize in Jesus Christ, I do hate. But I hate in love,  because my sword is not aimed at you,  friend. It is offered to you to use against your captor. I cannot strike him down for you. You must decide for yourself, whether or not you will use this sword, this Word of God,  to crucify your flesh daily and to know victory and freedom in your life.

No more heart of stone, you too can know the sweetness of His words, the mercies of His Grace,  the Glory of His power poured out into your life,  as you learn to love. We are all in need of the Bread of Life and the Blood of the Lamb. We all need more Christ in our lives today.

Be content with your house,  your home,  your washes,  the things of this world – but please,  don’t ever become content with how much Jesus Christ you have in your life. Seek to be drawn ever closer to God. Seek His face and find it in a life surrendered. Know the amazing grace that gives us strength, that bears the fruit of His Spirit alive in us.  Know who you are in His eyes. Remember the price paid on the cross by our faithful and loving and righteous and just God.

Love with godly love. Hate with godly love. Live your life righteously and upright with godly love.

If you do not have godly love, ask for Him to be Lord over your life, to forgive you for your many sins, to wash you clean by the sacrificial blood of His perfect and blameless life, and to give you the Holy Spirit, that will guide you,  teach you,  and comfort you. And you too will taste these beautiful words that nourish our soul for eternity,  and you will bear the fruit that the world longs for.

Work, Work, Work

Yesterday at work, I reacted poorly to a public accusation made that I had ignored something.

I have been working hard for months to prevent a lack of equipment resources to affect our customers while we waited for new equipment to arrive and be added to meet the needs. It has been a daily effort of shifting things around to try and prevent any service issues. I cant even leave the automated systems in place that usually assist with these things around the clock because the resources are so low that they create more problems than help as they will “go wild” attempting to shift things around. So my life for months has been high stress, trying to keep things running smoothly, even under this heavy strain of challenges.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jhn.16.33.ESV

Then, yesterday, when an email came out publicly to the group, accusing me of ignoring an alert – I responded sharply with the truth and the evidence of what I had been doing to work on the issue. And I pointed out that I had a list and a plan in place that I had been working to carefully handle the issue as best I could. But it was not a kind or gentle response. The stress of family members’ health concerns this week and my level of frustration at work had built up to the point that I was not quick to listen and slow to speak. I responded sharply.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:19-21 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jas.1.19-21.ESV

I could sit back and justify my frustration, by saying that I’ve asked for help and for necessary resources for years and that it is only now as I’m being transitioned to a new role that resources are being put in place. I can see that three people will now be sharing the responsibilities of what I have been doing by myself and I could let that become the source of bitterness and pride over the heavy load that has been on my shoulders. I could look at equipment finally being purchased and put in place to meet the needs as I’m ushered into another role and let it result in bitterness and pride over the hours of extra hours of extra on call work battling these challenges. Or I could be grateful that the trial is over and that the people coming to replace me won’t have it as bad as I did.

Romans 12:12 ESV
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer

.

But I’ll admit, sometimes I get distracted and I allow myself to react to the challenges of this world instead of remaining grateful and mindful of the path that I have set before me. I’m so glad that I have an advocate in Christ who can not only forgive me, but cut out that bitterness and replace it with forgiveness. One who can teach me about His joy so that I can be strong enough to forgive. One who can remind me of my many imperfections so that I might not be quite as condescending, prideful, and judgemental towards others. One who can teach me to love and respect even those who I might think are coming against me.

James 1:12 ESV
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

I’ve been able to bear the load. And my last employer had to replace me with two new people when I left, each making more than I made at the time. And it won’t surprise me if it’s the case again in this circumstance. But shouldn’t I be happy that I was able to offer a great benefit of work provided to my employers – and shouldn’t it stop there? Shouldn’t I be grateful that the Lord gifted me with the abilities that He has and leave it at that? Why must I fall into pride, letting myself listen to those voices pointing out so many things that are “wrong” or “unfair” about the circumstances.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Yes, the struggle is real.

Help us, Lord.

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:22-25 ESV
http://bible.com/59/col.3.22-25.ESV

Remind me that I’m working heartily for you, Lord.

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Ephesians 6:5-9 ESV
http://bible.com/59/eph.6.5-9.ESV

Proverbs 22:29 ESV
Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 13:4 ESV
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Psalm 128:2 ESV
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

God Knows

This morning, as I was trying to study and prepare my lesson,  I could hear my daughter upset and talking with her mommy in the other room. Some times when I try to study and prepare,  I can struggle to not be deafened by the roar of distractions around me. Sometimes it is hard to block out the rest of the world around me in order to draw close to the Lord in my devotional,  study, and prayer.

But this morning,  I was taught a valuable lesson. When I began to pray and consider how to handle the situation, instead of asking Mia to “be quiet” or for them to “try to get along” – I asked Mia to come into the closed room where I focus on my morning time with the Lord. I hugged her and asked her gently and lovingly what had her upset, to find out that it was a tiny bow missing for one of her toys. She couldn’t find it.

I asked her if this was something that was stealing her joy and her happiness this morning, and she tearfully confirmed my suspicions. I asked her if she thought that God might have something better for her, and we hugged and spent a moment together. Then I got up and helped search for this thing that was so tiny that it was practically impossible that we would ever find.

I walked through asking her where she had played, and we began stepping backwards through where she had been. As we were both there on our hands and knees together,  searching,  we had a moment outside our normal morning routine. And daddy found it. And she was more excited about learning HOW I searched and found it than the actual toy itself.

I got to teach her how to search and find things. And I explained that I prayed to God for wisdom and guidance as we started searching. And we said a prayer of thanks afterwards for God giving us that time together this morning,  for teaching us something new, and for delivering us from a situation that could have robbed us of our joy and happiness. Instead of finding a toy, it was about a moment in time together – a rare and unexpected blessing on the morning of Feb 3, 2016.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:8 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.6.8.ESV

God knows what we need even before we ask Him. So our prayers aren’t about us letting God know what we need – they are about God revealing to us what we need.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
James 4:3 ESV
http://bible.com/59/jas.4.3.ESV

The next verse explains that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” – giving us more evidence to remind us that He has something better than treasures of this world for us. He wants us to seek and receive eternal blessings, the fruit of His Holy Spirit so that we can then pour out His love into the lives of those around us.

You see, I didn’t pray, “God, please give us this toy so my child will stop crying and I can get back to my studying.” That prayer would have been focused on the things of the world and on myself – and not long ago, that was how I looked at prayer. But He has something better for us than just things and stuff – He offers us moments where we can teach patience, self-control, kindness, and love to ourselves and to others in how we help each other in our actions,  not just our words.

I remember those times when I’ve said things like, “You just need to be patient and you’ll find it” – even as I’m impatiently hoping that the world around me will just quiet down long enough so that I can “hear from God”. And I’m humbled by the events of this morning. My soul is blessed by the lesson of this morning – not what I “taught Mia” – but by what the Lord taught me.

You see, God knew what I needed even before I prayers prayed -,and it, want about finding the toy,  it was about finding Him,  it was about letting His work be done this morning. It started out with me wondering how I might be able to instruct and correct my daughter’s behavior – and it ended up with me in wonderment about how my heavenly Father used it to correct and instruct me.

He knows what you need this morning,  even if you don’t.

He has opportunities ahead of us today to love and serve others,  and for us to learn and grow in the process.

I wonder how many times I don’t have his eyes to see the needs around me,  even as I am asking to grow closer to Him. I am humbled by how many times I have let Jesus Christ become a mental exercise instead of the heart exercise that He is meant to be.

All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

https://youtu.be/7mhpLjPslbM

Remorse? Repentance?

Being a child of God isn’t about feelings, it’s about life.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ isn’t about following the ceremonies and practices of the religious, it’s about turning your life to follow the example of His life.

It is a commitment to a life that only He can empower you to walk.

Remorseful feelings are not the same as repentant living.

Good intentions in your heart is not the same as loving actions and service.

Believing “about” is not the same as believing.

Partial honesty – when it comes to TRUTH is clearly deceit.

Having once been alive – when it comes growth/LIFE is clearly dead.

Having once been on the path – when it comes to the WAY, is clearly lost.

He is the truth, the life, and the way.

Not the half way, not the once was alive, not the once was on the path.

Not the deceitful, not the dead, not the lost.

Get back in truth.

Come to life.

Get back on the path.

Words matter

How many of our conversations are careless and don’t promote truth or trustworthiness and are unconcerned with His glory or our neighbor’s good?

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.12.36-37.NKJV

How many of our words are focused on self, ambition, things, unclean living, lewdness, lust, or all of these other things of the flesh,  of the world?

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:19-22 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jas.1.19-22.NKJV

How many of us need more patience to listen to what is being said, so that we can decide for ourselves to let our mouths bear the kind of fruit for others in love and service that has a sweet aroma and so we can demonstrate the value of His righteousness.

We are to lay aside all those things that are not profitable,  those things that come from the sewage system of this world, spewing out all kinds of things that are toxic and dangerous and deadly.

Do we not know that we are a vessels of the Holy Spirit?

Do we not know that we fight against unseen powers?

Are we not yet equipped for battle?

Are we even training and preparing ourselves?

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
II Timothy 2:4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/2ti.2.4.NKJV

Why are we allowing our conversations to be filled more often with the things and enticements of this world, if we are truly in a battle against those things?

Are there some who would attempt to twist grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit into a powerless, loveless heresy that does not result in change, does not produce repentance, does not result in our separating ourselves from our life of sin and turning to God as the Lord of our lives?

Shouldn’t our lives, our words, our conversations be different – not worldly, and not just religious – anointed with the touch of God, breathed out by His Holy Spirit through us.

Or are we more comfortable thinking that we have Him sagely on a shelf or hidden under a lampshade?

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.
Luke 11:33 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/luk.11.33.NKJV

If anything sounds like blaspheming the Holy Spirit (the only “unpardonable” sin), it is denying that it has the power to free us from sin. The Holy Spirit is one of power,  of love,  and of self-control.

Will we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations today,  friends?

Will we be quick to listen?

Studiers or Doers?

I walk through this life.

I see broken and hurting people around me.

And I say,  “I’ll pray for you,  friend.”

But how many times do I wrap my arms around them with an encouraging hug?

How many times do I show up at their door with actual help, mourning with those who mourn, crying with those who are in pain, rejoicing with those who rejoice – versus throwing my words over the proverbial wall sprinkling my good intentions towards their lives?

How often do I care enough to act instead of just speaking?

Way too few,  I fear.

I tell myself that words have power and that this message is important – and it is.

But if I am only studying it, if I am only sharing it, if I am only teaching it – can I strongly make the argument that I am a theologian,  but weakly defend that I am a follower of Christ?

Am I finding myself satisfied just being a mouthpiece,  a noisy gong – because it isn’t as messy as getting involved in the dirty job of actually loving and helping others that are in pain?

Am I closing off my life from loving and serving others because I’m tucked away on my own with my Bible, and my concordance, and my prayers,  and my praise,  and my worship,  and my seeking to understand God’s will and direction for my life – blindly looking for the forest, and complaining about all of these trees that are getting in the way along my way to find the forest?

The greatest religious scholars may be great theologians,  but are they walking like Christ, trusting in Him?

Or are we “studiers of the Word” relying on our intellectual pursuit to put God inside a box small enough to be contained neatly packaged within the “safe” confines of our own understanding?

Or am I a friend to those in pain? Like He is a friend to me when I am hurting?

Please, don’t let me just be a student, I want to be a friend of Christ. And if I am a friend of Christ,  won’t I be like Christ – and be a friend to others? Even a friend to those who might think to themselves that they are my enemy.

Because isn’t this the amazing story of Christ,  that He was our friend – even when we were His enemy?

Isn’t this the part that is so hard for us to grasp with our hardened hearts and our intellectual struggles to understand what is so simple that a child understands it better than we do?

He loves, so we should love.

Love extended without an expectation that it be repaid.

Love extended in hope that it might be accepted.

Love extended to friend and to enemy.

Love extended.

Love.

1 Corinthians 13:2-7 NLT
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

If I have one thing, let it be love.

If I can have two things let them be Love and Wisdom.

But please,  don’t let me mistake knowledge for understanding, nor understanding for wisdom, nor wisdom for love.

We are called to love.

And if we have this love of Christ in our jar, it need to be poured out into others as well.

I love you,  friend. Have a blessed Saturday.

Please pray for me to be a friend,  not just a student.