Chapter Ten
LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS
Wrongs …
1 a: an injurious, unfair, or unjust act: action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause
2: something wrong, immoral, or unethical ; especially : principles, practices, or conduct contrary to justice, goodness, equity, or law
3: the state, position, or fact of being or doing wrong: as a: the state of being mistaken or incorrect b: the state of being guilty
Hebrews 8:12 (Amplified)
For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.
Hebrews 10:17 (Amplified)
He then goes on to say, And their sins and their lawbreaking I will remember no more.
WOW! That is huge! How many of us can say we do that? It is so hard not to hold a grudge. How hard is it not to remember a hurt or wrong? Over and over again, the people of the world have turned their backs on God. Adam and Eve, He gave them life and a perfect home and they turned their backs on Him and believed the lies of the devil.
The Israelites, God saved them from slavery and from an army out to kill them and was giving them a perfect home and yet they still turned from Him to a golden calf they had made themselves and wanted to go back to Egypt to be slaves again because they didn‘t believe God‘s promises.
What about Jesus, those (the Pharisees) who should have recognized Him as the Savior, hated Him and had Him killed. What rejection, what hurt and what a wrong. But instead of throwing our stupidity and ignorance in our faces; God opens His arms to us, just waiting for us to run into them.
Let’s look at someone from the bible who held a grudge and someone who forgave. Haman hated the Jews. Haman was an Agagite and the Agagites and the Hebrews had been at war with each other since the days of Joshua and Saul. Because of his hatred of the Jews, Haman had set out to destroy every single one of them. Because of this hatred and his pursuit of it, his relishing the Jews destruction, Haman himself became the author of his own death (Book of Esther).
Now let’s look at Joseph. Here is a boy who had almost been killed by his brothers but was sold by them to strangers. He was a slave and he became a prisoner (Genesis 37, 39-40). Can you imagine? When he finally saw his brother’s again did Joseph, in his high position, punish his brother’s for their betrayal? No, he blessed them with food and land and his forgiveness (Genesis 41-45). WOW!
Let’s look at Paul. Here was a man, who made it his life’s mission to destroy Christians. As Saul, he condemned Christian’s to death and imprisonment for their faith in Jesus (Acts 7:59-8:2,9:2). Did God strike him down dead? Did God punish him? NO! God gave him a new name and a new path (Acts 9). God made him the biggest champion of Christ known, even to this day.
That is a hard one isn’t it? Not holding on to a hurt. Not holding on to a grudge. It happens and it happens early. When my daughter was in kindergarten she would tell me on different occasions different girls who would be mad at her because she didn’t do something they wanted her to do or played with someone they didn’t want her to play with. Of course with children, in a few hours or the next day, all was forgiven.
But as we get older we tend to keep those hurts and store them in our hearts and let them fester. I think we can all admit that we have been guilty of this at one time or another. I know I have. But the more that I have learned about God’s love and how I can walk in that love, it has really helped me to let go. Plus, we need to remember that the enemy is behind this. First we need to look at the person who has hurt us. Try and think about the motive behind it and maybe the insecurity of the offender. We need to remember what the Word says:
Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified)
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
The devil is the destroyer (John 10:10). He wants us up in arms all the time. He wants us angry and hurt. He knows that it is a way to open a door to him and once he has his foot in the door it will be so easy to open it all the way.
All we can do is forgive. Now I know that it is harder to forget. But eventually if we try, if we don’t focus our attention on that hurt we can choose, and must choose, to forgive and forget. Will it be easy? Probably not. But we can do it with the grace of God. You may not feel any different but eventually you will become aware that you’re not focused on it anymore and that will grow and eventually you will become aware that the mention of it doesn’t bother you anymore. How do we do this? Prayer - telling God you want to forgive and then praying about it. God has given us all the same amount of faith and grace, we choose how much we take and use.
What if you have hurt someone? How should we deal with that? The way Jesus would. Years ago I betrayed a friend by divulging a secret to another friend. After I started re-evaluating my life, I felt convicted about it. I asked God to forgive me and I let my friend know what I had done and how sorry I was and what a horrible friend I had been. My friend never acknowledged what I did so I hope and pray that she forgave me. I asked God to forgive me and my friend to forgive me. That is all I can do. Resolve the situation with God and whoever you may have hurt.
Now what if those people don’t want to forgive you? Well, that will be their choice. But that’s okay. We just need to show love to those people. That doesn’t mean we have to be abused or stepped on, just that we need to continue to show them love. Be polite and let them know you love them and always continue to pray for them. We can pray for their hearts to be softened and for us to be strong in our “love walk”.
We need to remember that the Lord knows our hearts and sees our efforts. So as long as we are doing what we know the Lord wants us to do, we are doing the right thing and that is all we can do. Just like God can’t make everyone love Him, He and we cannot make anyone love us or forgive us either.
Matthew 6:14-15 (Amplified)
For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.
Chapter Eleven
LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL
Delight …
1: a high degree of gratification: joy; also: extreme satisfaction
2: something that gives great pleasure
3: archaic: the power of affording pleasure
Evil
1 a: morally reprehensible: sinful, wicked
Isaiah 65:12 (Amplified)
I will destine you [says the Lord] for the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter, because when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen or obey. But you did what was evil in My eyes, and you chose that in which I did not delight.
The Lord is good.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (Amplified)
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Everything God touches is good (Psalm 145:9). Everything from God is good (1 Timothy 4:4). Evil comes from the devil and we are daily teased by him to choose his way (Acts 13:10). God is not happy with this because He knows that evil (sin) will only lead to our destruction.
Ephesians 4:29 (Amplified)
Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.
Psalm 91:10 (Amplified)
There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
To me this is a very good description of God that I feel gets lost in the reality of life. I feel a lot of times the circumstances that we may experience in life are put upon God totally instead of us looking at what the bible shows, that there is an enemy out to destroy us and in doing so puts all the blame on God. We saw Satan do that in the garden with Eve. Satan persuaded Eve that God was not telling her everything - that He was lying to her. Even Adam tried to blame God because He gave Eve to him. That is what the devil does. He takes the Word and twists and distorts it to help deceive us into believing his version instead of the Truth.
I am always so saddened when God is blamed for an accident, tragedy, sickness or a death. Because we are taught that God is in total control we sometimes believe bad things happen to teach us a lesson.
1 John 1:5 (Amplified)
And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].
This saddens me beyond what I can say. People will quote Job or even Paul’s “thorn” as proof. However if we closely look at these we need to remember that Adam handed over the authority, God had given him, over the earth to Satan. What does that mean? That Satan was given power over the earth and everything and everyone in it. In Job, Satan said he had been roaming the earth and God asked Satan if he had seen Job and how much he loved God. Satan told God that if Job didn’t have God’s protection he wouldn’t love God so much. And Satan told God to take away what he had. But God told Satan that Satan had the authority over everything around Job. But look and see that because of Job’s faith in God he himself was protected from Satan’s hand and in the end received double of all that Satan took from him.
Job 1:10-12 (Amplified)
Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face.
And the Lord said to Satan (the adversary and the accuser), Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon the man himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
Now what about Paul’s “thorn”. We know that the thorn was a messenger of Satan. Paul was so successful and such a great example of God’s love and grace. Satan is going to try and destroy anyone who is a success in spreading the Good News. But what we need to look at is not necessarily the thorn but what God told Paul when Paul asked Him to take it from him.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (Amplified)
Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
God is saying here, when we as men and women are weak seek God and His grace makes us strong. Where the devil tries to attack us God’s grace protects us. Psalm 91 perfectly illustrates this.
Psalm 91 (Amplified)
1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness--trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.
We are protected by God. How can we deny what the Word says? Just as Jesus told the Pharisees that if He was working with the devil, because He was casting out demons, then it would be Satan working against himself. So couldn’t we say that if sickness and death were from God that Jesus was working against God himself? That wouldn’t make sense would it? The Word does not lie!
Isaiah 53:4 (Amplified)
Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].
Matthew 8:16-18 (Amplified)
When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick. And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases.
Bad things happen as a result of the fall and from the enemy himself. He uses it to weaken our faith in God. But Jesus has defeated the enemy!
Let us look at the things we do everyday. Some of these may not be inherent evil but maybe just not good choices.
We need to watch the things we say:
Proverbs 18:21 (Amplified)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
We need to watch what we entertain ourselves with:
Job 31:6-8 (Amplified)
Oh, let me be weighed in a just balance and let Him weigh me, that God may know my integrity!
If my step has turned out of [God's] way, and my heart has gone the way my eyes [covetously] invited, and if any spot has stained my hands with guilt,
Then let me sow and let another eat; yes, let the produce of my field or my offspring be rooted out.
Psalm 119:37 (Amplified)
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.
And we need to watch how we act:
John 13:14-16 (Amplified)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you.
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him.
Philippians 2:5 (Amplified)
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
Mark 16:15 (Amplified)
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
God sent Jesus to earth in human form so that He could be a true example and sacrifice for us. If He had come in God form, it could be said, that is how He did what He did, said what He said and acted how He acted. He is our example of God’s love toward His children and how through Christ we know how to live and have faith that with His help we can do all things!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
True Love & How to Walk in It: Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter Eight
LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING
Self-seeking …
the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends
If God was self-seeking, it would be mandatory to serve Him. We would have no choice. He would be a dictator not our Father. God doesn’t want a religion (institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices) He wants a relationship (passionate attachment; communication).
He didn’t create us just so we would praise Him all day long and lavish Him with our adoration. He has the angels for that. He created man to have fellowship with. To give His time and attention to. He tells us to follow Him and wants us to follow Him, but gives us the choice to do so. To love on us and in turn to love Him back.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (Amplified)
It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against (men) their trespasses (but cancelling them), and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of restoration to favor). So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We (as Christ’s personal representatives) beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor (now offered you) and be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness).
As a mother, I don’t love my children so they will love me. It is just inherent. We as Christians need to live life as an example that Jesus set. We need to do things for others not to expect something in return but because 1) God told us to and 2) because it is the right thing to do. We are to bless those that are needy.
When we see someone hungry - we should feed them or find a way to get food to them but always have a prayer.
When we see someone without shelter - we should give them a room or pay for one or find a way to get them to a safe place to stay but always a prayer.
When we see someone sad - we should at the least, give them a hug and a smile but always a prayer.
When we see someone discouraged - we should encourage and always pray.
When we see someone happy - we should rejoice with them and thank God with them.
This is also something I try to teach my children and like everything, when teaching them I also learn myself. Don’t do something for someone so you can get something, do it because it will bless them. But God is so good that inevitably when we bless someone else, we ourselves will get blessed. It just happens. It is how God planned and made it to work out. The world calls it karma but God calls it The Blessing (Proverbs 10:22).
Deuteronomy 16:17 (Amplified)
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you…
Ruth 2:12 (Amplified)
The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge!
1 Corinthians 12:7 (Amplified)
But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Chapter Nine
LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED
Anger …
1: feeling or showing anger
2 a: indicative of or proceeding from anger b: seeming to show anger or to threaten in an angry manner
Joel 2:13 (Amplified)
Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met].
He is the God of peace (Romans 16:20). He could have destroyed this world or the whole human race at any moment; as He did in the days of Noah. But how long was it from Genesis 1 to Genesis 7? Look at the world today, how often is God spit upon? How often do people callously use His name in a profane manner? Instead of getting angry with us and taking out His anger by destroying us…He sent Jesus His one and only Son to love us and show us how to love each other, to suffer and die so we could be made whole; to separate His Son from Him just so our relationship with Him could be restored.
Nehemiah 9:17 (Amplified)
They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them.
When we are angry with someone are we that merciful? When someone hurts our feelings how fast does that make us angry?
We are always in a position to be better Christians but even more important just being better human beings.
I will tell you that we are born into sin. So if you notice, it is easy to get mad and let it over take us. We have to make the choices on how we will behave in every situation.
I used to be a griper and impatient and think only how things affected me. But I have tried to make a conscious effort to put myself in other’s shoes before I react and speak. I have noticed that it totally changes my attitude and perception of my whole day. It makes me feel better and actually have a better day. We do reap what we sow.
When we let ourselves become angry we open the door for the devil. We can choose to let anger over take us or we can choose to let it roll off our backs.
Colossians 3:7-10 (Amplified)
Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,
And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.
LOVE IS NOT SELF-SEEKING
Self-seeking …
the act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own ends
If God was self-seeking, it would be mandatory to serve Him. We would have no choice. He would be a dictator not our Father. God doesn’t want a religion (institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices) He wants a relationship (passionate attachment; communication).
He didn’t create us just so we would praise Him all day long and lavish Him with our adoration. He has the angels for that. He created man to have fellowship with. To give His time and attention to. He tells us to follow Him and wants us to follow Him, but gives us the choice to do so. To love on us and in turn to love Him back.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (Amplified)
It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against (men) their trespasses (but cancelling them), and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of restoration to favor). So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We (as Christ’s personal representatives) beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor (now offered you) and be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness).
As a mother, I don’t love my children so they will love me. It is just inherent. We as Christians need to live life as an example that Jesus set. We need to do things for others not to expect something in return but because 1) God told us to and 2) because it is the right thing to do. We are to bless those that are needy.
When we see someone hungry - we should feed them or find a way to get food to them but always have a prayer.
When we see someone without shelter - we should give them a room or pay for one or find a way to get them to a safe place to stay but always a prayer.
When we see someone sad - we should at the least, give them a hug and a smile but always a prayer.
When we see someone discouraged - we should encourage and always pray.
When we see someone happy - we should rejoice with them and thank God with them.
This is also something I try to teach my children and like everything, when teaching them I also learn myself. Don’t do something for someone so you can get something, do it because it will bless them. But God is so good that inevitably when we bless someone else, we ourselves will get blessed. It just happens. It is how God planned and made it to work out. The world calls it karma but God calls it The Blessing (Proverbs 10:22).
Deuteronomy 16:17 (Amplified)
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you…
Ruth 2:12 (Amplified)
The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge!
1 Corinthians 12:7 (Amplified)
But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.
Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Chapter Nine
LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED
Anger …
1: feeling or showing anger
2 a: indicative of or proceeding from anger b: seeming to show anger or to threaten in an angry manner
Joel 2:13 (Amplified)
Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met].
He is the God of peace (Romans 16:20). He could have destroyed this world or the whole human race at any moment; as He did in the days of Noah. But how long was it from Genesis 1 to Genesis 7? Look at the world today, how often is God spit upon? How often do people callously use His name in a profane manner? Instead of getting angry with us and taking out His anger by destroying us…He sent Jesus His one and only Son to love us and show us how to love each other, to suffer and die so we could be made whole; to separate His Son from Him just so our relationship with Him could be restored.
Nehemiah 9:17 (Amplified)
They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of Your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them.
When we are angry with someone are we that merciful? When someone hurts our feelings how fast does that make us angry?
We are always in a position to be better Christians but even more important just being better human beings.
I will tell you that we are born into sin. So if you notice, it is easy to get mad and let it over take us. We have to make the choices on how we will behave in every situation.
I used to be a griper and impatient and think only how things affected me. But I have tried to make a conscious effort to put myself in other’s shoes before I react and speak. I have noticed that it totally changes my attitude and perception of my whole day. It makes me feel better and actually have a better day. We do reap what we sow.
When we let ourselves become angry we open the door for the devil. We can choose to let anger over take us or we can choose to let it roll off our backs.
Colossians 3:7-10 (Amplified)
Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,
And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
True Love and How to Walk in It: Chapters 6 & 7
Chapter Six
LOVE IS NOT PROUD
Proud …
1: feeling or showing pride: as
a: having or displaying excessive self-esteem b: much pleased: exultant c: having proper self-respect
Synonyms proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness
Romans 15:8 (Amplified)
For I tell you that Christ (the Messiah) became a servant and a minister to the circumcised (the Jews) in order to show God’s truthfulness and honesty by confirming (verifying) the promises (given) to our fathers.
Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus left His throne and place next to God to become a servant to man. He was born in a manger like an animal and died on a cross like a thief. He was always respectful and never expected to be treated better than the lowest servant. He treated people how He wants us to treat others. He is our example - our goal. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are better than anyone else, but it means we are servants to those who aren’t. Not to be trampled upon but to show God’s love through our servant’s heart and serving actions.
1 John 4:16 (Amplified)
By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the (essential) love: that He laid down His (own) life for us; and we ought to lay (our) lives down for (those who are our) brothers (in Him).
I think everyone of us can find ourselves in a situation where maybe we become proud. Now I think there is nothing wrong in being proud of yourself when you accomplish a goal that you set for yourself. Like a child who learns to tie their shoe and wants everyone to see. Or as a homemaker who finished cleaning out a junk closet. Or as a businessperson who makes a sale or finishes a big project.
Where we need to be concerned about pride is when we believe we accomplish these goals without the wisdom and favor of God. But also as Christians we need to not be proud in that fact. I have seen Christians treat others as inferior to those that have not chosen Jesus. I have even seen Christians show pride in being in a denomination. My point in that is that God did not set up denominations, that was man’s doing. We are to be one in Christ (Galatians 3:28)! If there is any pride we should have, it should be in Christ Himself. Pride in Him for what He did for us.
Just like I tell my children, it is good that we can do something (such as draw a pretty picture or ride a bike) but we need not brag about our accomplishments over someone else’s. You can be proud without being haughty or arrogant. But know that it is the Lord that gives us the ability to do all things.
Even in our faith walk we need to not be proud in how much we know or how far we have come. God has given us all the same amount of faith. But your faith grows by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17).
The more we study the more we know. And I have found out that even the amount of time we have been a Christian shouldn’t make us proud but the time we spend with God is where our faith and strength come from.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (Amplified)
This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Chapter Seven
LOVE IS NOT RUDE
Rude …
2: lacking refinement or delicacy c: offensive in manner or action: discourteous d: uncivilized, savage e: coarse, vulgar
Synonyms rude, rough, crude, raw mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy
As I said before Jesus was always respectful no matter who was in His presence. He did not put on airs. To Jesus everyone, no matter the gender, race, title, profession or economic status was on the same level. He never spoke a word of violence or vulgarity.
Matthew 11:29 (Amplified)
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
I must say, universally I have seen some rude people. I know of moments, where I have made rude comments to people. But at this point in my life I try and pay attention to the things I say. I try to put other people’s feelings above my own. Am I always successful? Unfortunately no. But I am trying.
We need to think before we speak. Usually people are rude to make themselves feel better. So let’s ask this question; when we gripe at the server because our food took a long time to come out and may be cold, does that make us feel better? How does that make the server feel? How would that maybe change her attitude toward the cook?
What about standing in a long slow line at the grocery store. Does our impatience make the cashier move faster or maybe could that make them flustered and slow the line down even more?
I would also include our comments in regards to other people’s sense of style or looks. Now obviously everyone has different ideas of style. I try to teach my children that even though they may find something ugly or even a food dish they don’t like, it is best to keep those comments to themselves - unless asked. I have seen people wear something that I thought was horrible, however when I have gone back and thought about it, I want to applaud them for stepping out of the box and being an individual. I will say however, when it comes to dress there is a difference in being different than being lewd. I would never think dressing to show off physical attributes to get a sexual response is appropriate in public.
We must always remember we are to treat others as we want to be treated. We must talk to others like we want to be talked to.
Luke 6:31 (Amplified)
And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.
We need to remember that people look at Christ through us. We should always act in a way that shows Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:16 (Amplified)
But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect long-suffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.
In some instances we are the only example of Jesus people may ever see. When people see you they should see Jesus. So how do you want people to see Jesus?
LOVE IS NOT PROUD
Proud …
1: feeling or showing pride: as
a: having or displaying excessive self-esteem b: much pleased: exultant c: having proper self-respect
Synonyms proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness
Romans 15:8 (Amplified)
For I tell you that Christ (the Messiah) became a servant and a minister to the circumcised (the Jews) in order to show God’s truthfulness and honesty by confirming (verifying) the promises (given) to our fathers.
Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus left His throne and place next to God to become a servant to man. He was born in a manger like an animal and died on a cross like a thief. He was always respectful and never expected to be treated better than the lowest servant. He treated people how He wants us to treat others. He is our example - our goal. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are better than anyone else, but it means we are servants to those who aren’t. Not to be trampled upon but to show God’s love through our servant’s heart and serving actions.
1 John 4:16 (Amplified)
By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the (essential) love: that He laid down His (own) life for us; and we ought to lay (our) lives down for (those who are our) brothers (in Him).
I think everyone of us can find ourselves in a situation where maybe we become proud. Now I think there is nothing wrong in being proud of yourself when you accomplish a goal that you set for yourself. Like a child who learns to tie their shoe and wants everyone to see. Or as a homemaker who finished cleaning out a junk closet. Or as a businessperson who makes a sale or finishes a big project.
Where we need to be concerned about pride is when we believe we accomplish these goals without the wisdom and favor of God. But also as Christians we need to not be proud in that fact. I have seen Christians treat others as inferior to those that have not chosen Jesus. I have even seen Christians show pride in being in a denomination. My point in that is that God did not set up denominations, that was man’s doing. We are to be one in Christ (Galatians 3:28)! If there is any pride we should have, it should be in Christ Himself. Pride in Him for what He did for us.
Just like I tell my children, it is good that we can do something (such as draw a pretty picture or ride a bike) but we need not brag about our accomplishments over someone else’s. You can be proud without being haughty or arrogant. But know that it is the Lord that gives us the ability to do all things.
Even in our faith walk we need to not be proud in how much we know or how far we have come. God has given us all the same amount of faith. But your faith grows by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17).
The more we study the more we know. And I have found out that even the amount of time we have been a Christian shouldn’t make us proud but the time we spend with God is where our faith and strength come from.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 (Amplified)
This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Chapter Seven
LOVE IS NOT RUDE
Rude …
2: lacking refinement or delicacy c: offensive in manner or action: discourteous d: uncivilized, savage e: coarse, vulgar
Synonyms rude, rough, crude, raw mean lacking in social refinement. rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy
As I said before Jesus was always respectful no matter who was in His presence. He did not put on airs. To Jesus everyone, no matter the gender, race, title, profession or economic status was on the same level. He never spoke a word of violence or vulgarity.
Matthew 11:29 (Amplified)
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
I must say, universally I have seen some rude people. I know of moments, where I have made rude comments to people. But at this point in my life I try and pay attention to the things I say. I try to put other people’s feelings above my own. Am I always successful? Unfortunately no. But I am trying.
We need to think before we speak. Usually people are rude to make themselves feel better. So let’s ask this question; when we gripe at the server because our food took a long time to come out and may be cold, does that make us feel better? How does that make the server feel? How would that maybe change her attitude toward the cook?
What about standing in a long slow line at the grocery store. Does our impatience make the cashier move faster or maybe could that make them flustered and slow the line down even more?
I would also include our comments in regards to other people’s sense of style or looks. Now obviously everyone has different ideas of style. I try to teach my children that even though they may find something ugly or even a food dish they don’t like, it is best to keep those comments to themselves - unless asked. I have seen people wear something that I thought was horrible, however when I have gone back and thought about it, I want to applaud them for stepping out of the box and being an individual. I will say however, when it comes to dress there is a difference in being different than being lewd. I would never think dressing to show off physical attributes to get a sexual response is appropriate in public.
We must always remember we are to treat others as we want to be treated. We must talk to others like we want to be talked to.
Luke 6:31 (Amplified)
And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.
We need to remember that people look at Christ through us. We should always act in a way that shows Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:16 (Amplified)
But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect long-suffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.
In some instances we are the only example of Jesus people may ever see. When people see you they should see Jesus. So how do you want people to see Jesus?
Thursday, October 07, 2010
True Love & How to Walk in It: Chapter 4 & 5
Chapter Four
LOVE IS NOT ENVIOUS
Envy …
1: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage
Now we could say that envy is also the same as being jealous. In fact in the New American Standard and Amplified bibles it does put envy and jealousy together. We also know that God said He is a “jealous God” (Exodus 20:5) when He was warning the Israelites about serving other gods.
Many people will use that verse in Exodus to back up their belief that God “gets back” at people. So how can we say, God does not envy, if He himself said He is a jealous God? I first want to look at the word jealous. There are several definitions of jealous as “resentful and envious” but the definition that I think God was saying, when describing Himself as jealous was:
“vigilant in maintaining or guarding something.”
He doesn’t want us having any other gods because He is guarding us. He knows what terrible things can happen when we turn from Him and give ourselves over to “another”. God definitely does not envy someone who doesn’t love Him. He knows where their path is leading. He is definitely not jealous of the devil. God knows he has already lost. Does it make Him sad that some people have chosen not to follow Him and in doing so unwittingly follow the devil? Of course. He wants all of us to have the victory He has planned for each of us.
Ezekiel 16:42 (Amplified)
So will I make My wrath toward you to rest and My jealousy shall depart from you [My adulterous wife], and I will be quiet and will be no more angry.
In this world and I would say especially here in the United States, it is hard not to look at what others have and not be envious. Look at all the magazine covers and Hollywood stars. I know I look in the mirror and think, “I wish I weighed what I did in high school instead of what I weigh now since having 2 kids.” “I wish I didn’t have freckles.” “I wish I had curly hair.” And so on and so on.
When we start to feel that way we just need to be sure and not start to become angry and resentful and hateful. It is easy to feel that way, because that is what the devil wants us to do. He was the first offender of this. He was jealous of God and I would say ultimately jealous of us- seeing as how God gave us everything Satan wanted. And it brought him to his destruction. So do you think He wants us to feel good about ourselves, to be fulfilled in what God has given us, to know what we have obtained through Jesus? No, he wants us to be unhappy. Satan helps us find our flaws and weaknesses and exploits them. Remember the devil is out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he will use whatever he can to do it.
Proverbs 14:30 (Amplified)
A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
We need to look at others and be happy for their successes. As the old saying goes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. We can only see the cover and we need to read the book. I know people that are beautiful who think they are ugly. I know people who have all the money in the world and no one to share it with.
My children will ask for things that their friends have or that they see on television or in a store. I try and teach them that we don’t need to look at what others have but be happy with what we have and to look and see how we can bless someone else. At least three times a year, we go through the kids toys and they get to pick what they want to give away. When we have done it with this attitude of blessing someone else, the kids get so excited and they pick out toy after toy to give to others. It is so awesome to see them get excited to want to bless others. Now, when they have friends over, they have started giving them gift bags of toys - they came up with that on their own.
Galatians 5:26 (Amplified)
Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Let us look at our own blessings and be thankful and look at how we can bless others and what blessings that may bring to a world that is jealous.
Chapter Five
LOVE DOES NOT BOAST
Boast …
1: the act or an instance of boasting: brag
2: a cause for pride
Psalm 52:1 (Amplified)
Why boast you of mischief done against the loving kindness of God (and the godly), (sinful) man, day after day?
What do we have to brag about? Did we create the universe, the heavens, and every living thing that breathes and lives? No, in fact, given to our own devices we would destroy ourselves, I think that point makes itself.
Every idea is given by God. But it is how we choose to use those ideas that make them good or bad. Fire, the wheel, weapons, medicine, electricity, radio and television. All of these things were birthed from an idea to improve our lives. But people have used them in ways that they were not intended. Fire helped people keep warm and to cook food. But people have abused that gift by destroying property and hurting others. The wheel was created to help us move things and ourselves more easily and quickly. But people become careless and cause accidents. Weapons were used to protect us from our enemies to get food and to protect land and family. But people have used them to kill the innocent. Medicine was created to heal and ease pain. But people have used this knowledge to create drugs that destroy lives either by illegal sale or addiction and others use the technology to take the lives of innocent babies. And radio and television, I believe were given to man to help spread the Word, but just like the others the devil has perverted the minds of men and it has now also become a tool for perversion and hate. This is one of the ways Satan works, he uses the gifts and ideas God has given us and perverts them and distorts them to use against us.
How mighty is God but never boasts of His great power, except to describe His love, His mercy and His grace.
So how can we as men not boast or brag on ourselves? Don’t look at yourself as the answer. This is how Lucifer got himself in trouble. He started to think of himself as more important than he was. So he wanted to be like God. And still even though Satan knows that his days are numbered he boasts of his triumph. Why? Because he wants to take down as many people as he can before his fight is over. How can he do that? By making us trust ourselves and in doing so, turn to him rather than God.
Proverbs 27:1 (Amplified)
DO NOT boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.
God is our source for good things. If you are smart, you can thank God. If you are a great cook, you can thank God. If you can sing, you can thank God. If you are a doctor, you can thank God. If you are a parent, you can thank God. If you have a home, you can thank God. If you have a job, you can thank God. God made all of us with things that we are good at. We can call these talents or gifts. We can use them for good or we can use them for evil. I know some people who thank God every day for where they are and what they can do. But I also know people who love to brag on themselves and let everyone know where they are and what they do. Yes, the evil can look blessed but that doesn’t mean that they are truly happy or that their fortune will last. As the bible says, what you sow you will reap (Galatians 6:7).
I see this with my kids all the time. When one of them can do something that the other one can’t do as well, they want to start bragging on themselves but in doing so they usually point out how the other can’t do it. As a parent, it is my job to tell them that yes, they may do that very well and even if our brothers/sisters/friends may not do it as well, we at least need to know they are trying and we need to encourage them to keep trying. It is okay to know that you do something well, but try not to compare yourself to someone else. We are all individuals and God has made each one of us special in our own way. That doesn’t mean I think that there should be no competition but it is the attitude taken during those competitions that is more important.
We need to be thanking the Lord everyday for the things we have and can do.
1 Corinthians 1:31 (Amplified)
So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.
We also need to think where boasting comes from, the devil. All boasting/bragging does is help us fall into the trap of arrogance. And when we become arrogant we begin to have a higher opinion of ourselves. And eventually we will depend more upon ourselves to make decisions and less on God.
I have been around people who brag on themselves all the time, everything they do is awesome. It is not really fun to be around someone like that. I know there have been times when I catch myself bragging on something I‘ve done, it leaves me with a weird feeling. I find that I get more satisfaction when someone else compliments me on an accomplishment then when I do it myself.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (Amplified)
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;
But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.
LOVE IS NOT ENVIOUS
Envy …
1: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage
Now we could say that envy is also the same as being jealous. In fact in the New American Standard and Amplified bibles it does put envy and jealousy together. We also know that God said He is a “jealous God” (Exodus 20:5) when He was warning the Israelites about serving other gods.
Many people will use that verse in Exodus to back up their belief that God “gets back” at people. So how can we say, God does not envy, if He himself said He is a jealous God? I first want to look at the word jealous. There are several definitions of jealous as “resentful and envious” but the definition that I think God was saying, when describing Himself as jealous was:
“vigilant in maintaining or guarding something.”
He doesn’t want us having any other gods because He is guarding us. He knows what terrible things can happen when we turn from Him and give ourselves over to “another”. God definitely does not envy someone who doesn’t love Him. He knows where their path is leading. He is definitely not jealous of the devil. God knows he has already lost. Does it make Him sad that some people have chosen not to follow Him and in doing so unwittingly follow the devil? Of course. He wants all of us to have the victory He has planned for each of us.
Ezekiel 16:42 (Amplified)
So will I make My wrath toward you to rest and My jealousy shall depart from you [My adulterous wife], and I will be quiet and will be no more angry.
In this world and I would say especially here in the United States, it is hard not to look at what others have and not be envious. Look at all the magazine covers and Hollywood stars. I know I look in the mirror and think, “I wish I weighed what I did in high school instead of what I weigh now since having 2 kids.” “I wish I didn’t have freckles.” “I wish I had curly hair.” And so on and so on.
When we start to feel that way we just need to be sure and not start to become angry and resentful and hateful. It is easy to feel that way, because that is what the devil wants us to do. He was the first offender of this. He was jealous of God and I would say ultimately jealous of us- seeing as how God gave us everything Satan wanted. And it brought him to his destruction. So do you think He wants us to feel good about ourselves, to be fulfilled in what God has given us, to know what we have obtained through Jesus? No, he wants us to be unhappy. Satan helps us find our flaws and weaknesses and exploits them. Remember the devil is out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he will use whatever he can to do it.
Proverbs 14:30 (Amplified)
A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.
We need to look at others and be happy for their successes. As the old saying goes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. We can only see the cover and we need to read the book. I know people that are beautiful who think they are ugly. I know people who have all the money in the world and no one to share it with.
My children will ask for things that their friends have or that they see on television or in a store. I try and teach them that we don’t need to look at what others have but be happy with what we have and to look and see how we can bless someone else. At least three times a year, we go through the kids toys and they get to pick what they want to give away. When we have done it with this attitude of blessing someone else, the kids get so excited and they pick out toy after toy to give to others. It is so awesome to see them get excited to want to bless others. Now, when they have friends over, they have started giving them gift bags of toys - they came up with that on their own.
Galatians 5:26 (Amplified)
Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Let us look at our own blessings and be thankful and look at how we can bless others and what blessings that may bring to a world that is jealous.
Chapter Five
LOVE DOES NOT BOAST
Boast …
1: the act or an instance of boasting: brag
2: a cause for pride
Psalm 52:1 (Amplified)
Why boast you of mischief done against the loving kindness of God (and the godly), (sinful) man, day after day?
What do we have to brag about? Did we create the universe, the heavens, and every living thing that breathes and lives? No, in fact, given to our own devices we would destroy ourselves, I think that point makes itself.
Every idea is given by God. But it is how we choose to use those ideas that make them good or bad. Fire, the wheel, weapons, medicine, electricity, radio and television. All of these things were birthed from an idea to improve our lives. But people have used them in ways that they were not intended. Fire helped people keep warm and to cook food. But people have abused that gift by destroying property and hurting others. The wheel was created to help us move things and ourselves more easily and quickly. But people become careless and cause accidents. Weapons were used to protect us from our enemies to get food and to protect land and family. But people have used them to kill the innocent. Medicine was created to heal and ease pain. But people have used this knowledge to create drugs that destroy lives either by illegal sale or addiction and others use the technology to take the lives of innocent babies. And radio and television, I believe were given to man to help spread the Word, but just like the others the devil has perverted the minds of men and it has now also become a tool for perversion and hate. This is one of the ways Satan works, he uses the gifts and ideas God has given us and perverts them and distorts them to use against us.
How mighty is God but never boasts of His great power, except to describe His love, His mercy and His grace.
So how can we as men not boast or brag on ourselves? Don’t look at yourself as the answer. This is how Lucifer got himself in trouble. He started to think of himself as more important than he was. So he wanted to be like God. And still even though Satan knows that his days are numbered he boasts of his triumph. Why? Because he wants to take down as many people as he can before his fight is over. How can he do that? By making us trust ourselves and in doing so, turn to him rather than God.
Proverbs 27:1 (Amplified)
DO NOT boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.
God is our source for good things. If you are smart, you can thank God. If you are a great cook, you can thank God. If you can sing, you can thank God. If you are a doctor, you can thank God. If you are a parent, you can thank God. If you have a home, you can thank God. If you have a job, you can thank God. God made all of us with things that we are good at. We can call these talents or gifts. We can use them for good or we can use them for evil. I know some people who thank God every day for where they are and what they can do. But I also know people who love to brag on themselves and let everyone know where they are and what they do. Yes, the evil can look blessed but that doesn’t mean that they are truly happy or that their fortune will last. As the bible says, what you sow you will reap (Galatians 6:7).
I see this with my kids all the time. When one of them can do something that the other one can’t do as well, they want to start bragging on themselves but in doing so they usually point out how the other can’t do it. As a parent, it is my job to tell them that yes, they may do that very well and even if our brothers/sisters/friends may not do it as well, we at least need to know they are trying and we need to encourage them to keep trying. It is okay to know that you do something well, but try not to compare yourself to someone else. We are all individuals and God has made each one of us special in our own way. That doesn’t mean I think that there should be no competition but it is the attitude taken during those competitions that is more important.
We need to be thanking the Lord everyday for the things we have and can do.
1 Corinthians 1:31 (Amplified)
So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.
We also need to think where boasting comes from, the devil. All boasting/bragging does is help us fall into the trap of arrogance. And when we become arrogant we begin to have a higher opinion of ourselves. And eventually we will depend more upon ourselves to make decisions and less on God.
I have been around people who brag on themselves all the time, everything they do is awesome. It is not really fun to be around someone like that. I know there have been times when I catch myself bragging on something I‘ve done, it leaves me with a weird feeling. I find that I get more satisfaction when someone else compliments me on an accomplishment then when I do it myself.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (Amplified)
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;
But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.
Monday, October 04, 2010
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