Why can't we all just get along!

God's love

Yesterday was youth Sunday at our church. The service was awesome, and I was so proud of our young people. The Spirit really started to move, and people were going to the alter. I started feeling like I was on the outside observing, and not really a part of what was going on. I was also feeling lonely as it is really hard to get together with other women as our families need most of our time. Just when I was having the lonely thoughts someone came up to me to tell me God wants she and I to know that we don't get the crumbs but that God loves us. She and I both struggle with feeling like less than a Christian because we don't speak in tongues and doubt whether or not we were filled with the Holy Spirit when we asked. God spoke to both of us that day to encourage us to trust in Him, and not worry that we don't look and act like other people. Sometimes God moves on us in quiet ways. She also went on to say that she wants to get together and play games or something. Only God could have know that I was feeling so lonely.

God's love is so amazing. I wasn't asking for anything but God decided to minister to me anyway. He knows what we are thinking and feeling and ministers to us in our place of need. God is so good!

You Put This Love in my Heart

Considering Others

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." --Hebrews 10:24

Considering others is an important part of every day life. Sometimes it is the smallest gesture that may be overlooked by most people. Just a smile offered to the cashier at the grocery store, shutting the door gently when you get up in the morning, saying hello to your coworkers when you get to work can all make a huge difference in the lives of people around us. Considering others does not have to be doing something extraordinary, but rather it can be simply doing a common thing extraordinarily well. When we are considerate to others, we are also considerate to God.

But the last part of this verse is equally important. We are to spur one another on toward love an good deeds. As Christians we need each other. I need my husband and friends to encourage me to do what is right in the eyes of God. I also need them to help me see things God's way. Sometimes problems seem so big I see only the problem, just like when Peter walked on the water. I need help seeing Jesus and keeping my eyes on Him so that the waves do not overwhelm me and I sink. We can not walk the Christian walk alone, we need each other. Let us all Encourage one another, consider one another and spur one another on towards love and good deeds.

Love and Giving

"You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving."
~Amy Carmichael

Lessons from marriage

I was thinking today of a conversation I had with Darin one day and also about the devotion I read today. This world portrays an image of romance that is so twisted it doesn't even resemble God's perfect design. The world convinces people to think that when you have a problem with your husband (or boyfriend) just move on to someone else. After all, their idea of romance lasts for just one night. Who could keep up that level of sparks for an entire marriage? but since they think that is what we are all to strive for, when the sparks die down and real issue surface, they leave instead of working through them together. They miss out on the real beauty of marriage. Because I think that real love grows from working through problems, cleaning up throw-up, going to work every day, coming home, etc. Any two people could have sparks for one night I suppose, but sparks are so small! God's design for marriage is the roaring burning flame that is all consuming! That happens when you stick it out together and grow int he Lord together. What the world is missing!

I think this applies to friendships as well. When we get to know each other, we are going to eventually find something in each other we just don't like because none of us are perfect. If we don't work through the problems with each other we are missing out on real, deep and godly friendships. We can just stay shallow and hop from friend to friend, or we can get real and grow together in the Lord. I know I am not the easiest person to love at times, and I am sure that I annoy, but I can forgive. I can pray to God to learn to love the way HE loves. I can grow. I am so grateful to God that I have a husband that is willing to stick with me through the rough times, who is willing to forgive again and again, and who is willing to learn to love unconditionally as we grow in the Lord together. I love you Darin!

Perfectionism

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:43-48 (NIV)

Wow how can we be perfect if human nature is sinful? The word used in this passage is the Greek word teaelos which means ended or complete according to the Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible. The devotional I am reading right now says that it means mature. So in the context of this scripture, we aren't called to be with out flaws but we are to love maturely, the way God loves.

Well the most glaring difference I can see that separates God's kind of loving verses man's version of love is that God loves unconditionally. We don't have to live up to man-made standards that we set for ourselves or that others impose on us. We need to resist imposing them on others as well. We just need to love others no matter what they do or say.

That is easier said than done, but it is no less than God does for us. God sent his only Son Jesus, who never sinned to die in our place so that we may be forgiven of our sins. Jesus died in our place while we were still sinners. He didn't wait until we straightened up and started acting like He wanted us to act. He died while we were sinners. That is the ultimate expression of unconditional love.

I must confess that I struggle in this area. It is so easy to love the easy to love people, and I think I can love people who rub me the wrong way, but do I? My first thought usually is selfish. Then I feel conviction, then I may or may not do the right thing. When will I come to the point that my first thought is unconditional, unselfish love? When will I become dedicated to pray for those whom I have conflict with? When will my faith become strong enough so that I can only see Jesus and His love for me which enables me to love others maturely? It seems some days that I will never learn, other days I think, "Hey I am growing!" But I know this, I need you God. You are my Rock, my calm in the midst of the storm and I do trust in You.