Pursue Love! (2)

Most people I know either appreciate or try to avoid Paul's writings. He's not exactly gentle. For those of you who may be sweating or rolling your eyes, please bear with me. When I read his letters - and I didn't always feel this way - I can feel his incredible passion and near-desperation to see people strong in faith and FREE. I suppose that's another topic for another day...

How does this relate to our Pursue Love series?  Read Paul's motive in 1 Timothy 1:5

"But the goal of our instruction

is love

from a pure heart

and a good conscience and

a sincere faith."

 

What's our motive in our relationships? Are we connecting in love when we speak or  email/text/twitter? What about through our creations, our work, and our body language?

• Am I quick to speak? Out of love? Do I remember God's grace toward me? It isn't God's forcefulness that draws me closer to Him, and I need to remember that when I'm engaged with someone who disagrees. 
• When was the last time someone thanked me for encouraging them? Am I always pointing to God's kindness? Am I a bit demanding? Not sure? Ask Abba for opportunities to encourage, to speak truth with grace and kindness.
• Do I expect others to do life just like me? Is there even one brother or sister in Christ whom I'm irritated by simply because their life looks differently than mine? Honestly evaluate whether you love them out of a pure love. Most of us can improve in this area.  
• Do I allow for our differences? Do I accept that journeys are meant to be different - in timing and method? Am I afraid that God isn't working fast enough in someone's life? Have I prayed FOR this person before attempting to change their trajectory for them? 

If we could love more like Jesus, just imagine how different our networks might look!

Jesus was clear:

• He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Him. Jesus is THE Way; not a bunch of rules and regulations.
• He calls us to follow Him, to love God, and to love people. 
• He didn't - and doesn't - demand that His followers have it all together. As we abide in Him, He changes us and helps us to deny the fleshly desires.  

"Faith, hope and love... the greatest of these is love."  

Abba God, thank You for loving me when I was your enemy, for clothing me with Christ Jesus, and for making me worthy of the title "Beloved." Thank You for bearing with my human frailties and loving me today as I am. How incredibly beyond my comprehension that You see me through the blood of Christ Jesus, instead of as a hopeless and slow-to-learn ball of clay. Give me your eyes to see others as You see me - with LOVE. Enable me to love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Help me be quick to show kindness. Give me a strong desire to only lift my hands in praise or in a sweet hugging embrace - and remove the desire to lift my pointy finger in judgment. When I'm called to voice truth, sprinkle grace all over my tongue (and fingers if I'm typing); stop me from communicating out of judgment or fear. Help me appreciate and honor my brothers and sisters. Truly, You have made the Body of Christ beautiful, full of unique parts and we need each other. I'm so glad... In Jesus' name...

My Jesus

Christmas is a delightful time of wonder and joy for many. Yet others find grief their constant companion this time of year. Lost loved ones, estranged family, broken relations... So I was encouraged to know that a nearby congregation’s holding a service of hope for those who are hurting this season. They want to provide a safe harbor to come as you are to receive love and a precious hope.

You see, My Jesus shares part of a ham with a poor neighbor down the street. My Jesus crochets a mat to sleep on for the homeless. He wipes the tears, calms the frustrated, and comforts the grieving. My Jesus gives His heart of love and hope. Hope for a reason to go on. May my Jesus be your everything, today and forever! For He lives forever and we can celebrate His birth – and our rebirth – every day of our lives!

Matthew 11:28-31

Abba, thank you for my Jesus! Help me remember all the ways Jesus has ministered to me, and let me see the opportunities you put in my life to love on others. In the messiness of loving humans, I ask that you help me stay focused on YOU, that you fill me to overflowing with compassion, and for courage to belief in your faithfulness even when I mess up. What matters is that I abide in my Jesus AND trust that He, through His Spirit, will do great works of love through me. Minister to the hurting and open their eyes to your light shining through me. Open doors for loved ones, coworkers, friends, and neighbors to be saved. May you be glorified as we seek you and your righteousness. In Jesus’ kind and generous name… 

You belong to His family.

Surely, you know that you have been chosen, hand created and hand-picked. In God’s eyes and because of what your Prince has done, you're now cream of the crop, baby!

Kingdom Pride!

Have you seen the latest line of Breast Cancer awareness clothing? Beyond the spunky designs and colors, I believe they are selling well because people are drawn to being a part of something larger than their own life. We search for causes to believe in, for community to be a part of, for a greater purpose. We crave relationship – in spite of living in America, where we're so focused on our individual lives.

Praise The Lord! We are called to a community that is so much bigger than this world can offer! He calls us to unity - not just in thought, but also in heart and spirit. We're one. Period. We may not feel “one” or “see” it yet. BUT… We are Warriors who rise above our emotions and choose to believe truth, even when we cannot “see” evidence of it. We hope. We trust God’s Word to be true and faithful. With that mindset, setting aside every thought which is not aligned with God’s Word, we are focusing on what our Abba has planned for us. After all, our hevenly Father knows best!

1 Peter 2:9-10 will be our theme passage for a week or so. Today, let’s meditate on the depth, the power, and the type of perfect eternal community which our Abba has created for us.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”

--1 Peter 2:9-10 This link shows NASB, NLT, and The Message.

(My thoughts about “The Message”: I sometimes use The Message in addition to my Bible as a reminder that God’s Word is not merely a list of rules, but is a love letter filled with passion and zeal. It is not a translation, so I do not use it like a Bible, but rather like a devotional tool. The pastor who wrote it was simply sharing what he believes is God’s heart for each passage.)

Abba, we praise you, for you are faithful and true. You are glorious beyond our imagination, full of beauty and honor. You know what is best for us, and your kingdom. With that in mind, we choose to yield to your will today. Father, we’re starting to look at what you have called the Bride of Christ community to be. We know you always finish what you’ve started. Still, many of us struggle to believe that there is a community made for us, and we for it. We’ve been wounded many times, and we are afraid of “community” as we know it on earth. Abba, give us courage to walk in your perfect love which casts out all fear. Teach us The Way, The Truth, The Life… Your Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Thank you for the mercy we’ve received. Let us be focused less on ourselves, our circumstances, and what we do not see. AND MORE on YOU, your beauty, your love, your noble character, your goodness, your grace, your mercy. Father, you’ve given us so many spiritual blessings (every spiritual blessing!). Thank you. With much love, and in Jesus’ name…