The Proof Of Your Love

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."  (1 Corinthians 13:1-7, The Message)

Without love, all we believe, all we say, all we do, all that we are is nothing...  Showing love is not a conditional or optional action.  It is mandatory.  God commands us to love Him and to love others.  "One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul all with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:35-39, NIV)

We are commanded to love God first with a passion that cannot be hindered.  Second, we are commanded to love other people as we love ourselves.  This does not mean we choose which people we love.  God asks us to love everyone: people we don't like, people we don't get along with, people that hate us, people that disagree with us, atheists, homosexuals, everyone.  You don't get to choose who you love; love everyone as hard as it may be.  Show all these people God's love and maybe, just maybe, they will come to experience His love and its greatness firsthand.  "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)

Are you bankrupt?  Please take the time to listen to listen to this song.  Don't skip over it.  You won't be sorry.

How Do You Forgive Yourself?

I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but have you ever done something wrong in your life that you just cannot stop thinking about?  Are you still filled with guilt?  What thoughts run through your head when you think about it?  "I can't believe I did that."  "What was I thinking?"  "Why would I think that was okay?"  Do you ever wish you could simply hit the delete button much like you would after typing an error?  ...If you could just hit that delete key, everything would be okay again.  If you could hit that delete key, you wouldn't have to think about that mistake anymore.  If you could hit the delete key, the mistake would be forgotten forever...  I am here today, to tell you that the delete key has been pressed...for you.

Referring to the title of this post, I am going to have to disappoint you.  You do not have the power or capability to forgive yourself.  If you could forgive yourself, what was the point in Christ's death on the cross?  Let's take a moment to recall Romans 3:23-26, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood -to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  The forgiveness of our sins is a free gift to us from Christ; it's something he suffered extreme pain to give.  So why would you turn down something free that cost Christ everything?  He is begging you to take his free gift.  He literally died so you could have it.

"I will forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:34b.  Okay.  Now go back and read that verse again.  God has forgiven our sins.  And because he has forgiven us, he no longer remembers those sins.  So if God, the almighty, all-powerful, and all-knowing ruler and judge of the earth, chooses to no longer remember our sins, why should we?  Why should we paralyze ourselves with guilt?

No human will ever be strong enough to forgive our sins.  But you can rest assured that God will forgive and forget our sins if we only ask.  So, do not rest on your own forgiveness; it will never satisfy you.  Think of Christ's journey to the cross: the mocking, the beating, the crown of thorns, the nails driven through his flesh, the piercing of his side.  When Christ hung on that cross he said, "It is finished."  At that point, it was over, done, finished.  Christ pressed that delete button on every sin you have ever committed.  The only thing you have left to do is accept it.  Receive his forgiveness.  "Click delete."

This post was again inspired by The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. 

Gentle Strength

This week, I have been learning a lot about being quick to listen, slow to speak, and having a gentle strength through silence.  It has really been a lesson for me, because I love to talk, chatter, and even ramble most of the time.  The lesson I have been learning stems from The Resolution for Women and its references back to God's Word.  I highly encourage you to pick up a copy and get started reading!  Don't worry.  This posting is not directed specifically at women; it is for everyone.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..."  James 1:19 is a great reminder that listening should be a priority before speaking.  People do not always come to us seeking advice.  Sometimes they simply come hoping for an ear to hear them.  Therefore, we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

Another great reason to listen before speaking is to give time to seek God's wisdom.  If someone does come to us seeking advice, it is necessary to carefully consider our responses instead of blurting.  We should all slow down and give ourselves time to humbly bring God's Word and wisdom to the forefront of the conversation.

Have you ever experienced someone who is quick to listen and slow to speak?  I know I have.  I was instantly drawn to her because of her gentle strength through silence.  The woman I am talking about is actually my mom.  I can call her on the phone or be in her presence and just talk to her for hours.  She patiently sits and is quick to listen, slow to speak, and humbly wise.  The more I talk with my mom, the more apparent her gentle strength becomes.  She does not have to overpower our conversation in order to get her point across.  She simply says what is needed, then resumes listening. 

One other thing I'd like to discuss regarding speaking is found in Luke 6:45b, "What you say flows from what is in your heart."  What we spend our time thinking about and focusing on, will eventually come out through our mouths.  Remember to guard your heart from things that are not pleasing to God.  "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  Proverbs 4:23.  Philippians 4:8 reminds us what to focus our minds and hearts on, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Now I promise you that I am not writing about this topic because it is something I have mastered.  Learning to listen before speaking will probably be a lifelong battle for me.  But I know that when it comes to my relationship with God, He desires for me to be quick to listen and slow to speak.  When we slow down and listen, we learn to be that gentle strength that so many others need in their lives.

As Iron Sharpens Iron...

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:17

Today, I just want to take a short amount of time to encourage you.  Last week, we discussed personally investing in the lives of others.  Now, I want to encourage you to go deeper in those relationships.  Find ways you can challenge the people in your life to dig deeper into their relationships with God.  Use what you have learned to help teach others.  Together, we can challenge and sharpen each other so that we may grow and know God and His word better!  This is a great way to personally invest in the lives of others!

Are You Investing?

And no, I am not talking about your finances.  I am talking about people.  Are you investing in the lives of others?  Today I want to write about something that has been on my heart for several weeks.  What kind of faith-driven investments are we making in the lives of those around us?  I feel as though many of our churches have put so much emphasis on small groups that individuals are forgotten.  The church is not a building.  The church is a group of individuals.  As the church, people of God, we need to begin investing in the lives of the individuals around us.

How many times have we heard the people in our lives tell us that they feel so alone?  One of my good friends told me a story yesterday that really made me think of this.  A friend of ours had told her that he feels so alone.  He has been in basic training for the last 3 weeks and still has not received any kind of letter.  Why are we, God's people, not taking the responsibility to meet his individual needs?  See, here's the thing.  When we begin to make a personal investment in the lives of others by showing them we care, we are showing them a love that is not our own...but God's! 

It's time to put down the cell phone, log off the computer and start sending people cards or going to visit them at home!  I am so absolutely horrible about not investing in the lives of others.  I always think I am too busy.  But that is a lie.  God designed for His people to care for one another...and yet we think we are too busy.  God has commanded us to invest in the lives of others!  "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:37-39)  "Love your neighbor as yourself."  If it is the second greatest commandment, why are we NOT doing it?!  The reason people fall through the cracks is because we forget to love them as individuals!  We need to start really talking to people, learning their joys, struggles, and hurts and allowing them to know ours.

Okay I know this has kind of turned into a rant, but I am really passionate about this!  We have to start loving people in ways that are glorifying God!  With all this being said, I have included some really great ways for us to show God's great love to others by truly investing our time in them.  These are simple acts of kindness!

1. Take him/her out to coffee.  -This provides some great time to talk and fellowship.
2. Send out cards.  -Send a "Thinking of You" card out to someone you know each week.  Write an encouraging note on the inside.
3. Make a phone call.  -Instead of emailing or texting, make the phone call that says you are willing to set some time aside to listen to what they have to say.
4. Offer to babysit.  -Parents, especially single moms, sometimes just need one night out to relax!
5. Bake something.  -What better way to invest in someone's life than by baking them a goodie and personally delivering it with a smile on your face. 
6. Invite him/her to lunch and then pay.  -Lunch (or supper) is a great time to fellowship with others.  When you pay, it's even more of a blessing.
7. Be "fully there."  -Being "fully there" means you are giving that person 100% of your attention.  You are not texting, thinking of how busy you are, or wishing you were somewhere else.  Your mind is completely present and focused on that other person.  This is so important and usually get's forgotten.
8. Write a letter.  -Again, pick one person per week, and write him or her a letter about how he/she has been a blessing in your life.  Use it to encourage!
9. Open your home.  -Ask invdividuals over to your home for supper or for a snack.  Let them know that your doors are open whenever they are in need.
10. Pray!  -Pray for the people you know!  And it's okay to let them know you have been praying for them.  Ask what you can pray for in their lives.  This could open up doors for conversation!

There a lot of ideas that I am sure I failed to include in this list.  But that just goes to show that the possibilities for investing in others are endless!  Let's challenge ourselves by picking a few of these ideas and really sticking with them.  Let's invest in the lives others and show them what God's love is all about!  The song I have included should be a lesson to us all.

Though the Mountains be Shaken...

I am not sure how many of you have heard about the accident last Friday involving the Broken Bow boys basketball team.  It is definitely a tragic event that will drastically change the lives of many as well as an entire community.  Three lives were lost, and many more were injured.  Some are still in critical condition.  During times like this, the most important thing to do is to pray.  The most important thing to remember is that God is still in control, and He has a plan.  The most important thing to believe is that God's will shall be done, and His will is what's best for all of us.  Today, I would like to provide us all with a little encouragement.

Isaiah 54:10 is an amazing verse that assures us that God is compassionate, and His love is undying.  "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken  nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  This is a great reminder that our lives may be shaken up and we may encounter tough roads, but our great God still provides us with peace in the middle of a storm.  His love is unfailing and unconditional.  His compassion can heal heartache.

I also want to remind you that Christ gives us the strength we need to endure all things.  "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13.  Many people focus on only the first portion of this verse: "I can do all things."  But no, you cannot do all...not on your own strength.  Don't forget the second part: "through Him who gives me strength."  Christ is the one who gives us the strength we need to endure our hardships.  Because of Christ, I can do all things. 

One closing thought...Be joyful always.  I know this is one of the hardest things to do in the midst of a storm.  But we still have so much to be joyful for.  We can celebrate the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and look for the good in all things.  "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

For the full article regarding this accident: http://www.omaha.com/article/20120601/PREPZONE/306019819