Self-Centered vs. God-Centered (Day Thirty-One)

Today we conclude our journey of "31 Days of Love". We hope that you have enjoyed our voyage together and have gleaned more about the true meaning of God's love just as much as we have.

For our final post on love we will be exploring what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." Mark 12:30 (NLT)

We are to love God FULLY - with every fiber of our being. He must be the center of our lives, but as fallen human beings with a sinful nature too often we put "self" as our focal point. Look at the world around you...most people are living self-centered lives in which their needs, wants, and desires are all they care about.

You can witness this on numerous occasions throughout the day, whether it be someone holding up traffic in the intersection because they don't have the courtesy to wait for the next light or while visiting the "Happiest Place on Earth" a group of people and all their friends manage to cut in front of you.

People are so self-absorbed - it's all about them.

Here in this verse each particular word holds a distinct connotation...    

Heart: Embodies the physical, emotional, and spiritual life of human beings. It is the birthplace of our feelings and emotions. When we love God with all our heart we love Him entirely and personally.

Mind: Refers to our intellect. The center where we reason, think, and learn. In order to love God with all our mind we must study Him and in doing so we continue to mature and gain knowledge of all He is.

Soul: Indicates the complete life of a person - your soul is both who and what you are. Loving God with all of our soul means that we allow Him to differentiate who and what we are.

Strength: Implies the energy you put forth in your work, job, etc. When we love God with all our strength we work the best we can, doing all our work unto Him and not man (Col. 3:23).

Many of us tend to connect to God and love Him in one area while still falling short in the remaining, but when we put the above four pieces together we are loving Him with all of ourselves. However, if we are putting "self" at the center of our life, our existence will be hollow and full of dissatisfaction.

Who does your life revolve around?

No Fear, Just Love (Day Thirty)

To fear or not to fear?

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.  We love each other because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18, 19 (NLT)

To fear God out of "awe" or "reverence" is the appropriate admiration we should have for our Savior, but here in this verse John is speaking of the kind of fear that robs us of our joy and involves torment. This kind of fear is in contrast to the relationship we should have with our Father. When we demonstrate anxiety of this nature, it only shows that we are not complete and mature in His love.

We have no need to fear our past, for God has erased it (Psalm 103:12).

...no need to fear our present, for He loves us, is watching over us, and will not allow anything to enter into our lives unless it is for our eternal good.

...no need to fear our future, for He has made a promise to be with us to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20) and His Spirit resides within us (John 14:17).

His perfect love dismisses any fear we would have.

As verse nineteen states, "We love each other because He first loved us."

Do you believe that?!
Ponder that idea.
Mull it over in your mind.

The creator of all loved us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8).

Before we came to faith in Him, He loved us.

Before the worlds were created...

HE LOVED!

Our love for God is always in response to His love toward us. 

He is the motivator and in return we answer.

His Love is Better Than Life (Day Twenty-Nine)

“Because your love is better than life, 

my lips will glorify you.”

Psalm 63:3 (NLT)

You can see this every day if you look closely.  Empty people.  Amidst this season of glitter and lights, of parties, shopping, and gifts…empty.

Perhaps you have bumped into one such individual as you make your way through a crowded store in search of the perfect gift that you know will make a loved one happy. 

We see people everywhere in pursuit of a rich life full of blessings…all of which are only temporal.  Maybe you have thought, “If only I can get the promotion, then I will have enough money to make me happy” or you find yourself at a local market in front of the cashier spending your hard earned cash, in lieu of paying your utility bill, for lottery tickets that are sure to be winners.  Life keeps happening and we continue to desire in our heart rather than enjoying what is in front of us.  Time ticks away…

Let me present to you the stark reality…

absent of God’s love is nothing more than death.

Sobering, isn’t it? 

Many people spend their lifetime pursuing worldly blessings that possess no eternal value.  They are in essence living in the shadow of death and forfeiting the light.

After the seasonal gifts have been unwrapped and the feast partaken, many will sink back into a mire of hopelessness and pain.  They cannot find a reason for rejoicing.  But, hark! 

There is indeed hope!  As the Angel spoke… 

“Do not be afraid; for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy 

which will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:10 (NASB)

Joy for everyone!

“for today in the city of David there has been born 

for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11 (NASB)

There is one more present for you.  Our Heavenly Father placed this present on the tree and not under it.  He awaits your receipt of this free gift that pledges an everlasting benefit…

His Son.

When He is living within our hearts only then will His LOVE overshadow the obstacles of life and will we be able to sing praises to Him no matter what circumstances we are in.  

It is at this place we can claim victory!

Forever His,

Anita

Love Your Enemies (Day Twenty-Eight)

“But I say to you, love your enemies 

and pray for those who persecute you.”

Matthew 5:44 (NASB)

You know who they are.

My memories of them go as far back as my elementary school days.  One bully made fun of where I lived.  It seemed I came from the wrong side of town and was labeled a misfit. 

Mean.   

Growing up didn’t stop the accumulation of enemies.  On the contrary…I learned that people didn’t even have to know me to become my enemy.  I didn’t even have to speak a word for others to come against me.  Perhaps you have met your share at a four-way stop sign and when it is your turn, they honk, as if you are out of turn, and show you some unkind gestures that make you feel dirty.  Recently, I met one down the grocery aisle.  Although I was not in close proximity she exclaimed some ugly words about me not “excusing” myself that had me wondering when she last had an eye exam.

Expect this.

However, as Christians our response and attitude should reflect that of our Maker.  How did Christ handle His enemies?

While being persecuted and then hung to die on a cross for sins He didn’t commit, He cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34 (NASB). 

LOVE your enemies.   

When we show a true spirit of Christianity, the world can’t understand.  They find it peculiar for society proclaims otherwise.  We are commanded to love those who persecute us. 

If someone curses or insults us we demonstrate our love toward them by blessing them back.  In doing so we inherit a blessing, although that shouldn’t be our motive.  Another way to love these mean people we encounter is to do good to them.  Paul would share with us in Romans 12:20 that we should feed our enemy if they are hungry and give them a drink if they are thirsty.  Finally, we can, and should, pray for those who persecute us.

You think this is hard 

for you?

Consider this…

In the aftermath of the evil that visited one small elementary school a few days ago, I listened to a victim’s father’s press conference.  He articulated the very essence of our scripture above.  In a heartbreaking tone he expressed his forgiveness to his daughter’s murderer and offered condolences to the perpetrator’s family.  Forever stained with hurt and pain for his loss, people around the world indeed know who this man is…a child of God.

Forever His,

Anita

Obedient Love (Day Twenty-Seven)

 “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

John 14:15 (NLT)

I remember my husband telling me early on in our marriage that he was cautious to use three little words too frequently.  To him, the words “I love you” were not to be used lightly.  He further explained to me that I should know his love for me as displayed by his actions and not by some manufactured feeling. That, as he put it, was more important and validated his commitment to me.  As a newlywed at the time, I felt gypped.  What girl doesn’t want to hear her husband reaffirm his love for her?

In this portion of scripture, Jesus is asserting my husband’s very point, although I can’t give my husband credit for following the Lord’s leading at that time in his life.  Christ is telling us that our love for Him shouldn’t be in word only, but on display for others to see.  We do this by keeping His commandments.

Following His commandments is a conscientious act. 

There is nothing wrong with having a fervent passion for our Savior, but if we truly LOVE Him, our love will be seen in more than a sentimental or emotional way.  Our love will be demonstrated by the reasonable effort we place in our walk.  In this way others will see proof of the loving God we serve that they might be drawn to Him as well.

We choose to be obedient. 

In order for us to follow we must grasp hold of His instructions and implement them into our daily lives.  Only by reading, hearing, and meditating on them, along with studying and memorizing them will they become manifested within our lives.

Forever His,

Anita

Love in Unity (Day Twenty-Five)

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:2-4 (NASB)

Here, we see Paul making a personal request for unity, of the Philippians.  If he were around today, I’m sure he would admonish us to do the same.  Look about.  You can find too many people motivated by their own selfish-ambitions or pride.  Everywhere we see individuals calling attention to themselves not just out of a desire to advance, but in order to look good as well. 

Do you belong to Facebook?

This is a great place to publish comments about our self-interests and ambitions.  In verse three of our scripture it warns us not to do anything out of “empty conceit.”  Dictionary.com describes “conceit” as an excessively favorable opinion of one’s own ability.”  In other words, this could be translated as empty praise or glory.  Have you read any posts that give credence to someone describing a favorable opinion of their interests or preoccupations?  What about the individuals who aggressively ram their ideas and opinions off on others?  If we aren’t reading a post, we have pictures to view that record someone’s every move.

Paul continues to describe what our motives should look like… “with humility of mind” and regarding, or esteeming, others above ourselves.  That is so contrary to our society’s belief system!  In order to feel good about ourselves, we are to hold onto the value that we are superior.  This validates our mindset to stoop and undertake actions we normally wouldn’t entertain while face-to-face with others.  The Social Media sites are a great way for some to hide behind a mask and allow the corruption residing deep within their wicked hearts to be poured out…so often at the risk of hurting others.  Here is a site where they can dump out the sludge that otherwise wouldn’t be heard.  How contrary to what we are told about looking out for the needs and concerns of others.

Do you sometimes suffer from a selfish spirit?

As we look out for the needs of others and regard them as more important we are giving up our rights and placing their needs above our own.  A selfish spirit is disparaging of Christian love.  Only by having His mind and displaying Christ’s example will we be in a position of demonstrating sincere Christian Love.    

Forever His,

Anita

But the Greatest of These is Love (Day Twenty-Four)

“And now these three remain:  faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

Paul wrote the book of Corinthians after receiving disturbing reports that the church was having difficulties with divisions and immorality.  He was trying to fix some of the doctrinal issues that the church was facing.

In the portion of Scripture we are looking at here we see where Paul was telling the Corinthians that when everything else was stripped away these were the three areas left that should be the main focus.  These topics are important not only to the church corporately but individually as well.

We see in Romans 4 where Paul cites Abraham as our faith giant.  Here is a man that believed that God would do as He stated.  To this Abraham was counted as righteous, although he understood that he could do nothing before God to make himself righteous.

Next we find hope.  This is closely linked to faith because it is the tool by which we hold onto God’s promises.  Not unlike our thinking today, we aren’t certain something will happen, but cling to the hope that it does.  Some things we hope for may happen right away whereas other things God may not bring about for a while.  Abraham was a good example of this when he held onto the hope that God said he would be the father of many nations.  At his ripe old age that was surely something to behold!  For us as Christians, our greatest hope is having eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Because of this promise, we should be less concerned with what the world has to offer and focus our eyes on above.

Romans 5 clearly tells us to exalt in our tribulations.  If we can remain faithful to praise our Lord during our darkest of nights, we can persevere.  This helps build a stronger, more determined character which is helpful in our resilience to future attacks.  With our focus of concern on the spiritual rather than on the daily worldly grind, we can grab hold of and continue with an unwavering hope in Christ.

Paul finishes up by emphasizing the most important virtue of all…Love. 

Even within the church people are good at judging one another.  People can be seen as spiritual giants by their apparent service to the Lord.  You may be thinking how godly someone is because they serve in many ministries or because they donate money to a ministry outreach.  However, we can never know the motive of the heart…only God can.  These individuals may seem very generous, but what Paul is telling us is that without love these all pass away.   

We need to demonstrate faith…live faith.  Again, understand that we can do nothing in and of ourselves to be seen as righteous before God for His grace is sufficient.  How do you demonstrate your faith?  Do you rely on God for all of your needs? 

…your decisions

…your finances

Or, do you continue to plod along in your own strength?

Now, let’s focus on your spiritual barometer.  Are you demonstrating the hope that lie within…our eternal hope in Christ Jesus?  Perhaps you are too focused on the world and what is happening around you instead of the spiritual matters.  I encourage you to cling to the hope you have in Him and in doing so you will bring glory to God.

Love should be the center of all we do.  Nothing should be done out of obligation or pride.  Recently, my husband surprised me with a family luncheon and a “getaway” in celebration of our 40^th wedding anniversary.  The months of planning and secrecy were his demonstration of love for me.  His motives were to honor me and his plans reflected this.  The same holds true for our Maker.  Our zeal for Him will be found in our treatment of one another.

Take a moment to ponder the following:

                Is it an inconvenience when someone 

            requests your time or do you take 

            pleasure?

            Are you easily angered in lieu of patience?

            Do you judge others instead of 

            encouraging?

If you answered yes to any of these, then you are lacking God’s love.  Remember that it is His love that has been poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5) so that we can love one another.

Only by getting back to the basics can we be effective for the church.

But the greatest of these is 

LOVE

Forever His,

Anita

Love Never Fails (Day Twenty-Three)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

During our look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, we have learned what love is…what love isn’t… and what love does.  These all require the highest of standards.  Something we are not capable of in our own power.

Only by the grace of God. 

This unfailing love can only happen by allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within our hearts… by totally surrendering to Him.  Spurgeon puts it this way, “Love never fails to bloom where faith has taken root.”    

The Greek word for “fail” in this portion of Scripture is piptei which means to fall or collapse.  No matter what severe pressure this love is placed under, it doesn’t fold. 

This reminds me of a couple’s wedding vows.  While standing before God they vow “to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do them part.”

I witnessed an elderly man some years ago who retained Hospice home care for his dying wife.  Although she was in an altered state physically, the husband continued to care for and love on her like he had for the past fifty plus years.  Now there’s an example of love that never fails. 

No matter what circumstances may come our way, love never fails.

This LOVE always overcomes and wins in the end. 

Forever His,

Anita

Love Endures All Things (Day Twenty-Two)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

This military term, “endures” assures that a soldier will hold his stance at any cost…even unto death.  With our war still going on in the Middle East, we hear many stories about these brave service men who have given their lives by enduring or fighting to the very end.  These heroes, after seeing one of their comrades falling close by, remain steadfast and stand their ground.  Never do they give up.

Even to the point of death.   

This love perseveres in intolerable situations.  This love looks beyond to the hope of what lies in the future. 

Isn’t that what Christ did for us on the cross? 

When you find yourself being mistreated, unappreciated, unacknowledged, and even insulted, call upon the love of God that remains unwavering.  Finish the battle, mighty Christian, with perseverance!

I have witnessed bloodshed on the battlefield myself. No, not the physical battlefield, but the spiritual battlefield.  Need I remind you that the enemy wages war against us?  (Ephesians 6:12) The wounded have hurt when their husbands have been thoughtless or when another believer has injured their friendship.  Many wear a countenance of pain because of the insults or untruths barbed their way. 

As a soldier of Christ, I too, wear many battle scars.  I have suffered false accusations, misguided innuendos, gossip, and mistreatment from others.  Although I can attest to the attacks as painful, I endured.  Remember what Paul exhorted in 1 Peter 4:8, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”  Fervent love.  Don’t let it grow cold.      

We need to forever remain strong, even though things get rough and we become worn down.  How can we do this?  This LOVE is only available through God.  It takes the focus off of self and places it onto Jesus.  We must let this love be transformed into actions that demonstrate as much.  1 John 3:18 (NKJV)“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

It demonstrates a love more concerned about the other person than being vindicated.  Are you in a place right now, through no fault of your own, where you feel a need to let others know you are blameless?  Let me leave you with this:

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Love endured...

even to the cross.

  

Forever His,

Anita

Love Hopes All Things (Day Twenty-One)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

We live in a world of uncertainty.  By now I’m sure you have contemplated on more than one occasion what lies ahead for the economic future of our nation as well as your personal concerns.  Will our economy get moving…will I find a job…how will I feed my family…how will I afford the skyrocketing gas prices…who will be our next President? 

Uncertainty.

On and on it goes.  James 4:14 (NASB) tells us, “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.”      

Feeling of hopelessness.

Everything will change…that you can count on that.

However, this LOVE does not give up!

It is a love that doesn’t believe in failure, for it knows that God has a habit of taking the world’s classification of failures and producing spiritual giants.  It is a love that hopes an unsaved family member or friend will believe in the Gospel and make that heart transaction to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  It is a love that prays for forgiveness of sins. 

It is a love that takes God at His word.

No matter what uncertainties plague your mind today, no worries…God is our great hope. 

Psalm 33:22 “Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.”

Forever His,

Anita

Love Believes All Things (Day Twenty)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Have you ever heard the saying, "I don't trust her as far as I can throw her?" Because of damage that may have occurred in the past, many of us have established a distrust of people. We are far to quick to suspect them of foul play and judge their character at first glance. Even in court a person is given the benefit of the doubt and seen as "innocent until proven guilty," though some of us treat the ones we love as "guilty until proven innocent."

Throughout my childhood (and even still to this day) my parents have faithfully reiterated that "love believes the best."  Although, I've had my fair share of friendship dilemmas that could easily give me an excuse to be a cynic with my fellow man...those three little words are always ring in my ear. I can't habitually believe that everyone is always going to treat me wrong and that everything is evil. Love sees the good and won't believe bad in another unless the facts prove otherwise.

People do make mistakes...and that's okay. 

We're going to get scrapes and bruises once in awhile, but that shouldn't detour our belief in seeing the good in others. 

Jesus constantly lives out this principal. Some of the most beloved people He has used in mighty ways have been murderers, adulterers, liars, and cheaters. Yet, He saw the best in them and believed in them...just as He believes in you and me. 

Maybe God has placed people in our lives with whom we've had to learn to cautiously love from a distance, but that's where we can either allow those situations to hinder us or move us forward.  

LOVE believes the best not the worst about people. Always err on the side of love.

Love,

Ashley

Love Bears All Things (Day Nineteen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

In this context "bears" stems from the Greek word stego which by definition means: to keep secret, to hide, conceal, to cover over with silence...by covering to keep off something which threatens, to bear up against, hold out against, and so endure.

Just like ships keep the water out to prevent them from sinking and roofs the rain, in a torrential storm, so does love keep out that which would injure (albeit words, actions, etc.) another.

Out of sincere, loving, and authentic concern for others, love will do what it can to conceal the difficulty and failures to cover the sin.

"Love covers a multitude of sins" 1 Peter 4:8 

John MacArthur puts it this way: "With the Corinthians, they were just waiting to expose somebody. Love dismisses the sins of those in view of its affections. It doesn't pounce on them. It doesn't proclaim them. Love warns, yes; it exhorts; yes; it rebukes, yes; and it covers. Beautiful characteristic and it should be part of all of our lives to live that way."

Another way that it "bears all" is by praying for and encouraging those you love when they are struggling or going through trials because you know it's the right thing to do, whether or not you feel like it. 

Bearing each other's burdens can be quite difficult since it requires sacrifice on our part. Some ways we may experience this is as follows:

Our Time: Love is flexible by taking that phone call in the middle of the night when it's certainly not convenient. 

Emotionally Draining: Love endures even when someone is needy.

Dying to Self: Love places the needs of others before self. You may have to drop everything you had planned for the day, in order to meet up with a friend who is stressed out and just needs a listening ear. 

Sometimes we can become frustrated with people and their personal struggles, but it's in those moments that we need to be reminded of Jesus and the example He demonstrated by "bearing all things." Though the Pharisees were arrogant and always looking for ways to catch Him off guard, He was kind and loved them. Then we get to the ultimate sacrifice when His body was broken and crushed for the sins of the world, He endured. Although the soldiers spat on Him, taunted and mocked Him, still He had compassion and forgave them.

He. Loved. Everyone. 

LOVE (Jesus) didn't expose our filthy weaknesses, He covered our sin. Shouldn't we aspire to do the same for others?

Love,

Ashley

Love Rejoices in Truth (Day Eighteen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Have you ever had to deliver a message, though packed with truth, that was unpleasant to the receiver?

I recall several instances in my past where God has used me as that messenger to bring light to reality. One  occurrence was with a very dear friend of mine at the time. We had shared the same passions and desires and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. Though I knew she loved the Lord, during our teenage years she started down a road that had hazard signs all over it. Throwing caution to the wind, she was being led astray by the world and it's tempting proposals. I knew I could do one of two things: 

One: Refuse to confront her on this problem and just hope and pray it would go away.  Why would I risk blowing things out of proportion?

Two: Speak the truth in love. Confront her on this blind spot in her life...knowing full well it would hurt and possibly get messy.

And messy it did. 

After much prayer, one difficult phone call, and a meeting involving both of our parents - I walked away feeling like a wounded soldier who had just stepped off the battlefield. My eyes were swollen from the hours of tears. My heart heavy with grief. I knew at that moment that our friendship was fractured beyond repair. 

Unfortunately, those are never the predicaments we would like to be in. It can be awkward and uncomfortable, but to LOVE is to be honest. 

"Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy," Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) 

Telling lies in order to bring flattery and avoid confrontation is easier, but in the long run it destroys relationships, while telling the truth usually builds strong relationships. Love cares for the truth. Loves the truth. Upholds the truth. Speaks the truth.

Loving people always speak the truth.

Love,
Ashley

Love Does Not Rejoice in Iniquity (Day Seventeen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

The paparazzi make a living by following celebrities around in order to get a juicy piece of salacious information that will pay big dividends.  The media feeds this to us daily.  Retailers place magazines at the check stand for their customer’s impulse buying.  They know our culture is enamored about the lives and sins of prominent figures. 

 

Let someone hear of another’s blunder and before you know it, gossip is running rampant around your office, or within your circle of friends, or even within your Bible study group.  Of course Christians many times keep the fire chain going for the purpose of “prayer” (wink wink).

The information doesn’t even have to be true, but people find this “news” somewhat satisfying.  In a sort of wacky way it elevates our feelings about ourselves.  In the name of entertainment actors and comedians with their mouths full of profanity and explicit talk will poke fun over other peoples’ sins.  Something we are supposed to hate (iniquity) is the very thing we laugh about.   

Ask yourself this question:  Why would a Christian rejoice over something that offends God?

As Christians, knowing, believing, and following His truth, we should be grieved by the sinful conduct of another.  Instead, we too often join in with the hilarious laughter and explosive conversations.  Why is this?  Perhaps we feel we are above it all.  More righteous.  Or could it be because deep down our flesh has a ravenous appetite for sin?

We live in a culture of tolerance and political acceptance.  However, God doesn’t take pleasure in His people being so accepting of sin…He counts it as rebellion against Himself.  “For the sinful nature is always hostile to God” (Romans 8:7-9 NLT), “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)”

God wept over Jerusalem’s iniquity (Luke 19:41).  If we are who we say we are shouldn’t we also grieve over sin because it separates us from God?  Try to view this from God’s perspective…He sent His only begotten Son to hang on a cross for ALL of our sins.  I know of no greater LOVE. 

Forever His,

Anita

Love Thinks No Evil - (Day Sixteen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

The aching that resonated within my chest ran so deep that every nerve seemed to echo the same tattered and damaged song. My heart was overtaken with discomfort as if someone had physically bruised and marred it. To think that I could somehow manage to forgive the individual who had ignited the anguish was questionable...but I said I did.

At least, I said I did.   

Little did they know that I replayed the scenario countless times in my head...each with a different outcome. Every time I recounted the catastrophe my heart became more and more callous. Quickly, I subjected my thoughts to conversations I would have with that person.

Days turned into months and months into years and still the very thought of that person would cause that incident to replay over and over and over again. Still I was being tormented with the thoughts of the past and bitter towards the one who had offended me.

"...[LOVE] keeps no records of wrong." (NIV)

There is a difference between recalling the painful valleys we have walked through in the past and holding things against one another. Painful memories from traumatizing experiences can last for years, but to have the strength to forgive is part of the healing process.

It's in our human nature to keep records of things. We record the spending of our money in our check books or computers, some of us keep a journal to record our thoughts and feelings and we keep record of medical information. Naturally, we would keep a record of the wrongs others have inflicted upon us.

But that's not like Christ and that's not how He loves.

He has been so gracious to blot out our transgressions and throw them into the depths of the sea. He loves us when we are prideful and selfish. He forgives us when we call upon His name and ask to be forgiven. He remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12).

We need to follow the beautiful example that has been set before us through our precious Savior. One that loves as He does and doesn't think evil towards someone. A loving heart that forgives and lets go. 

Love,
Ashley

Love Is Not Provoked - (Day Fifteen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

I remember the day she made a sweeping movement with her arm across my desk.  My calendar, my paperclips, my pencils and pens, my documents and papers all went flying off onto the floor. 

She wasn’t happy.

In a fit of anger, over the individual I was speaking with on the other end of the phone, my boss was hostile…so easily provoked. 

The ball was in my court.

What was my next move?

Allowing the love of Christ to radiate and by exercising self-control, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I calmly finished my portion of the phone call and handed the receiver over to her as she grabbed it out of my hand.  Quietly, I picked up the mess moved by the tornado that had moved through my office space only minutes earlier.

Silently, I began to pray. 

This is such a perfect example of one’s perspective being clouded in the moment and allowing a razor-sharp temper to rule.  Surely she wasn’t following Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) that tells us, “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”  

No one is immune to the temptation of being provoked, irritated, or angered.  Although, the Bible allows for righteous anger, I would submit to you that too many people either misunderstand and/or mis­use this as a justification of their own bursts of enrage. 

This type of love doesn’t quickly take offense, no matter if we are tired or have our personal rights taken away.  This love doesn’t easily react out of frustration nor is it resentful.  James 1:19 says we should be slow to anger and continues in verse 20 to say, “For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (NASB).

Below are 4 steps that can help us to minimize our reacting in the flesh:

1.  Pray

Ask for God’s help.  It is important not to suppress, tuck away, or internalize the things that bother us.  By honestly confessing our shortcomings to our Father and soliciting His help we are more apt to let the fire die out.  Journal your thoughts, areas of weakness, and key learnings.

2.  Exercise self-control 

We have the power.  Think about a time where you were involved in an argument with a close family member when all of a sudden the telephone rang.  No doubt you answered it in a happy and jovial manner.  See how easy it was to “turn off” the anger when we want to?

3.  Retrain your mind

The way we think helps determine the way we feel.  Read and apply Romans 12:2.  As we transform our minds, we re-calibrate our thinking to line up more like God.    

           

4.  Associate with like minds

We need to surround ourselves with people who are a positive influence.  Many times I have used the example of a white glove (representing the believer) and the dirt (representing the world).  If we take a white glove and rub it in the dirt there is no way it will remain clean and white.  No, the glove will absorb the dirt and in no way will the dirt absorb the glove.  Bad company corrupts good morals. (1 Corinthians 15:33).     

Replace your anger with His LOVE, peace, and power and you won’t be provoked.

Forever His,

Anita 

Love Does Not Seek It's Own - (Day Fourteen)

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Humble. Meek. Patient. He has the heart of a servant and is relentlessly concerned about the needs of others, constantly putting them before his own. He always gives, expecting nothing in return. He'll be the man holding the door open for everyone who follows after him...even if his party has already been seated. He is content, faithful, and most of all selfless.

That's my dad.

He is and has been the best example to me and the lives of those around him of what it means to clearly demonstrate the words Paul talks about in Philippians 2:3-4 which says:

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others." (NKJV)

With the corrupt "me centered" culture we live in, that is permeated with entitlements and always looking out for "#1", it should not be a shocker to us when we find this same self-seeking attitude within the walls of the church. Sin is wrapped in self. Our focus is self.  But LOVE...is selfless.

A couple of other translations of 1 Corinthians 13:5 put it this way:

"...it does not demand its own way" (NLT)
"...it is not self-seeking" (NIV)

In rooting ourselves in selfishness, we lose our sense of caring for others and can easily get caught up in narcissistic behavior. Turn on the television and you're able to find an array of sitcoms and reality shows that promote this manner. But, when we're so busy being all about me, myself, and I...that we fall into the trap of what the world recommends by "living in the moment." We cease to read our Bibles, quit going to church, and withdrawal from fellowship. We even stop praying because things aren't going our way and in return our relationship with Him suffers immensely.

We lose our connection with Christ.

When we exhibit an attitude of being others-focused rather than one that is self-focused, we demonstrate the servanthood of Jesus. As Christians, isn't this what we should desire?

Love,
Ashley