Love Cover

Love Cover

1 Peter 4: ⁷ The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray. ⁸ Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins. ⁹ Open your homes to each other without complaining. ¹⁰ Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. ¹¹ Those who preach must preach God's messages; those who serve must serve with the strength that God gives them, so that in all things praise may be given to God through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

 

============

 

Tired of living a lie, I decided to tell the truth. I did not have much work experience and I lied to a person about my age so perhaps, I could gain more respect. But that would lead to other lies that I could not back up. I told the truth and the person said. “I knew how old you are and I want you on my team. I appreciate you telling me the truth”

 

• My lie was excused.
• My lie was noticed and addressed.
• My lie was forgiven, but I could not move forward on the path of lying.

 

Peter continues with some deep doctrine, but makes it practical. He starts off with a very shocking statement, “The end of all things is near.” JESUS had fulfilled all of the prophecies and there was none left, other than the statement that JESUS would return. Until then, Peter provides a practical approach to living.

 

My Observations

• Approaching family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances with love covers my sins and theirs.
• Opening up my home to help people should be done without me complaining.
• Leveraging the “special gift” GOD has given me should be used for the good of others.

 

Sin causes problems in my life. I mean, when I lied, cheated and stole, I did not get far. In fact I found myself with more problems that required more lying, cheating and stealing. I needed help. Fortunately for me, JESUS covered my sins. Like a heavy cover over a flame, the sting of sin is doused out by the shed blood of JESUS.

 

Since I believe in HIM being raised from the dead, I am saved from eternal separation from GOD’s love. This is Good News! I can now use my GOD given gifts to speak about GOD and live for HIM with excitement and power. I praise GOD in all thing.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention being “self-controlled and alert?”
• Have you ever gotten so worried that you were unable to pray?
• Will you relook at your current situation with love to see where you can cover for someone or where you need to be covered?
• Will you praise GOD after showing love today?

Can’t Pay Back

Luke 14: ¹² Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.¹⁴ And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

============

“Here are a pair of shoes” a person said to me. I had worn my shoes down to the point where I had holes in my soles. “Thank you” was all I had to give him in return.

• There were times when I was given a lot and could not repay.
• There were times when people gave me a lot but I had nothing to give them.
• There were times when I stood around with no gift to give yet I was invited to the party.

JESUS tries HIS best to guide the church leaders onto a different path. HE explains that inviting people who can easily repay is not the goal, instead invite those who cannot repay.

• GOD says to me, “Go. Seek those who cannot do for themselves.”
• GOD says to me, “Give. Do not seek repayment for money given to those in need.”
• GOD says to me, “Grow. Be strong enough to leave the rich and support those I want you to serve.”

Help the poor, maimed, lame and blind is what GOD wants me to do. But what about my problems? GOD says “I have sent you help and I desire to make you whole.” My wholeness comes from GOD and HE desires to share HIS healing to those who will accept HIM. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborer’s are few. HE wants me to seek those who cannot repay.

• Are you in a position where you can celebrate with those in need?
• Can you take a little of your blessing and give it to someone in need today?
• Are you the one in need and do not feel like asking for help?
• Will you ask GOD to deliver people who can supply your need today?