It’s All About Love

It’s All About Love

1 Peter 1: ²² Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart. ²³ For through the living and eternal word of God you have been born again as the children of a parent who is immortal, not mortal. ²⁴ As the scripture says,

“All human beings are like grass,
    and all their glory is like wild flowers.
The grass withers, and the flowers fall,
²⁵     but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

This word is the Good News that was proclaimed to you.

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Sitting around the thugs who threatened to beat me up unless I allowed them to copy off my paper made me want to leave them. So I did. Seeing childish people selfishly try to get their own way made me want to leave them. So I did. Working on a job with extremely poor leadership made me want to leave the company. So I did.

 

• I have left people and said “good riddance.”
• I have felt relieve when I got away from certain people.
• I realized later, that I had absolutely no compassion for certain people.

 

Peter gives the great commandment that JESUS gave before HE ascended to heaven. “Love one another.” Peter focused on the sincerity of love. He probably saw that people would love those they could get things from, but would not love people who were harder to love. He then says that GOD’s love is different, because it is not temporary.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s love for me and you is so strange because HE cares for me even when I sin.
• GOD forgives me enough to correct me and guide me to HIS type of love.
• Human love is temporary, manipulative and conditional whether we think so or not, BUT GOD’s love is unconditional, above sin and permanent.

Love one another is as simple as it gets, but seems to be nearly impossible. I mean, in the days or relative truth, love can be something nearly impossible to achieve because each person can say “You are not loving ‘me’ the right way.”  BUT GOD sees through this childish ploy.

 

GOD sees the heart and knows when I am being selfish. HE told me I have to fight the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, to realize I can be blinded by these things. HE then opens my eyes to the example of JESUS who loved people so much that HE died for them. I am so glad JESUS cares for me and wants me to use HIS examples of love.

 

Challenge

• What type of love is the writer talking about?
• Do you have an image of what love looks like to you and are upset that he or she is not providing “love” the way you think you should have it?
• Will you ask GOD to guide you to what HIS love looks like so HE can fill your heart with HIS type of love for other people today?

Makes Me Wanna Shout

Psalm 98: ⁴ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
⁵ make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
⁶ with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

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“There she goes again” I thought in my mind. “Now the guy will get up in Five, Four, Three, Two, oops my count was off this day, he got up early.” The same people would get up and dance at the end of the sermon like clockwork. What do they have to shout and dance about?

• When I’m mad I can’t see why others are happy.
• When I’m sad I can’t see why others aren’t crying.
• When I’m bad I think I must shrink back instead of standing up.

Not having gone through much, I questioned why some people would get up and shake wildly in church, screaming, dancing and crying. Then life hit me a little, then some more, then a little harder. One early trial that I went through, I cannot even remember thanking GOD or anyone else.

• GOD wants me to thank HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to be excited about having a relationship with HIM no matter what’s going on.
• GOD wants me to “want” to shout to HIM rather than doing it out of obligation.

GOD is jealous not arrogant. HE does not need my praise but gets excited when I do. GOD loves me unconditionally and HE knows I won’t choose HIM. HE made me with free will, no obligation. HE gets so excited when I turn to HIM, even in the slightest fashion. HE is not needy and HIS kindness should never be mistake for weakness.

GOD deserves my praise because HE loves me!

• Are you falling for your lying “feelings?”
• Do you think GOD has it out for you or is angry at you?
• Will you drop the lie and start believing that GOD loves you wildly and passionately?
• Will you gain the strength HE is trying to give you by turning off your negative thoughts?

GOD’s promise to me

Leviticus 26: ¹¹ “‘I will live among you. I will not turn away from you. ¹² I will walk among you. I will be your God. And you will be my people. ¹³ I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. I did not want you to be slaves in Egypt anymore. I threw off your heavy load. I helped you walk with your heads held high.

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Looking back at the mountain of sins I have committed I sometimes wonder “am I forgiven.”  I mean can GOD really forgive me for the candy I took when I was four? Or how about the time I lied about where I was going at sixteen? Or how about my present sins, can GOD really forgive these?

GOD says “Follow MY rules” but I break them all the time.

GOD says “Obey MY commands” but I ignore them at the drop of a hat.

GOD says “Trust in ME” yet I complain, doubt and worry.

These promises seem conditional and I have not met the conditions. What am I to do? I can’t go back and fix the sins I have already committed and I certainly am not crazy enough to think I will ever be sinless. Is there any hope?

GOD says “This is MY SON whom I am well pleased” which means I should focus on HIM.

GOD says “I am the way the truth and the life” which means my thought of saving myself is ludicrous.

GOD says “I helped you walk with your heads held high” which means I am saved from my lack of being able to follow HIS commands by believing in JESUS.

Many writers have said, “I am sinful” without saying “they are sinful.” GOD’s promises seem so distant until I realize HE loves me and pursues me in spite of me.

Are you feeling distant from GOD?
Do you think HE no longer loves you?

Can you stop feeding that lie and start believing HE really, really cares for you in spite of your actions?

Won’t you stop thinking your actions can control GOD and start believing HIS love for you is unconditional and everlasting?

Does GOD help me fail?

Exodus 7: Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. ² You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. 

³ But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, ⁴ he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites.

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Empathetic was the way I acted when I first started working but as I rose through the ranks I became cynical.  “There they go doing something stupid” I would think to myself.  “If climb high enough I will fire all of these people.” My heart had become hard and I could cut a group as easily as signing a document.

• My blind goals can make my heart hard.
• My deaf aspirations can make my heart hard.
• My mute ambitions can make my heart hard.

Sometimes I forget that I’m put on this earth for humans, not for myself.  I fall into the “I want” trap and my blinders go up hardening my heart. The scary thing about having a hard heart is GOD may help solidify it so I can never return. HE did it to Pharaoh can HE do it to me?

• I better be careful not to think too highly of myself otherwise GOD may help me fail.
• I better be careful not to assume my salvation gives me carte-blanche to sin otherwise I may be a blind person destined to Hell assuming I was saved.
• I better be careful how I treat GOD’s people otherwise HE will treat me the same way if not worse.

Yes I know I am a sinner as is every human, but I cannot take my salvation lightly. I need to honor GOD with everything I do recognizing the need for HIM and running away from pouting when things don’t go my way. I also recognize there is a possibility of running away from GOD and HIM packing my bags to help me.

GOD wants me to be with HIM and HIS unconditional love reaches out to me to forgive me for all my sins.

• Are you fighting GOD with your lifestyle?
• Is your heart getting hard over “those” people?
• Can you recognize if your heart is getting hard and ask GOD to soften it even though you may lose the thing that caused your heart to be hard in the first place?

GOD is with me

Genesis 28: ¹⁵ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

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“Unload that truck” was the task, throwing wads of paper at each other was what we did. “Count survey responses” was my job, sleeping was my gift I gave to the company. “Be here on time” was the expectation, but I was extremely tired from staying out the night before.  They should understand this one time.

• I have broken my promise many times.
• I have not followed through with what I was supposed to many times.
• I have fallen short of what I was supposed to accomplish many times.

When I look back at the promises of “praying” for people or “calling” people or “doing the job” I was supposed to do, I realized I failed miserably. I leave a wake of disappointed people because of my broken promises. Is there anyone who doesn’t break promises?

• GOD said “I am with you” which means HE won’t leave when I mess up.
• GOD said “I will bring you back” no matter how far I have gone HE will be there to guide me.
• GOD says “I will not leave you” which means HE will not leave me!

There are times when I think GOD doesn’t hear me or has just left me alone but that’s because I’m looking at HIM through unfaithful eyes. When GOD says “I will not leave you” HE didn’t say it with a conditional clause.

HE knows my every thought, my every move.  HE saw the good with the bad and still loves me with only the love GOD can give. GOD never breaks HIS promises.

• Are you feeling alone even though there are people around you?
• Do you feel a bit lost right now?
• Can you know that GOD is with you?
• Won’t you stop looking at the circumstance and start paying attention to what GOD is saying to you?

Yes HE sees

Hebrews 6: ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

¹¹ We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

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We were all working hard for what seemed to be an eternity. When we finally finished the project I got on stage and recognized my team for all their hard work. Everyone clapped and cheered then I left the stage only to find a person with a very long face.

My assistant approached me and said “you forgot to mention her.” That was like a dagger to her.

• Sometimes I doubt GOD sees what I try to do for HIM.
• Sometimes I think GOD is only out to punish me instead of recognizing my efforts to serve HIM.
• Sometimes I feel GOD forgets about me and allows others who want to be, as evil as they want to be, to get away with their antics.

When I think GOD doesn’t care I get tempted to act like those who don’t love HIM. I consider not serving others and focus on getting all I can for me. BUT GOD says “HE sees me.”

• GOD sees when I serve someone in secret.
• GOD sees when I simply smile at someone who is having a bad day.
• GOD sees when I encourage people to continue through their difficulty.
• GOD sees when I forgive those who are difficult to forgive.
• GOD sees

Yes HE sees the large things I attempt to do but HE definitely sees the tiny things I do for HIM.  HE jumps for joy when I stay in the race and focus “just a little” on HIM. HE loves when I imitate those who have faith and patience and can’t wait to give me what HE promised me!

• Are you tired of serving and not being recognized?
• Do you feel GOD isn’t hearing you?
• Can you take a moment to hear GOD sees you and is excited about what you are doing?
• Won’t you encourage someone else to continue on their journey with HIM?

Another prayer for you

Ephesians 3: ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

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• I pray that we understand GOD has grace that covers any sin, past and present.
• I pray that those who doubt can focus their attention on what GOD is doing rather than the current situation.
• I pray about those who are worried about finances that they may focus on GOD’s riches and believe HE is in control of the situation.
• I pray for fortitude in our beings that we may persevere through life’s difficulties.

I pray that all who read this know just how much GOD really loves them. amen

GOD’s definition of love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.5 6 7 

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Is “Love” a feeling or an action? This thought crossed my mind as I read the passage so I did a “Love inventory” and found my shelves to be empty. I mean I enjoy “feeling” loved when GOD dishes out these things to me, but am I showing others the same? Probably not.

• Let me check my inventory:
• Patience, I have slim to none.
• Kindness, I could use a lot of work here.
• Envy, I have plenty of that.
• Boasting, I’m the best!
• Pride, check out my awards.
• Dishonor others, just cross me and see.
• Self-seeking, check out my lust list.
• Not easily angered, these words made me mad!
• Keeps no record of wrongs, I remember everything and they will pay!
• Does not delight in evil, and I was waiting for my enemy’s demise.
• Rejoices in truth, except when the truth is about me.
• Always protects, I throw people under the bus.
• Always trusts, I’m quite suspicious.
• Always hopes, I get nervous.
• Always perseveres, I give up!

When I look at what GOD expects me to show others I get quite embarrassed. On a good day, I may show two or three of these qualities. HE always shows HIS love for me and uses this list consistently.  HE wants others not to reject this list and turn towards HIM.

HE forgives and takes my sin and throws it away. HE has been extremely patient with me and always protects me, always is faithful, always delivers and always perseveres through difficulty. GOD loves me and wants me to show love to others.

• Have you taken a “Love inventory?”
• Do you think your “provision” or “intellect” or “financial status” is showing GOD’s love?
• Can you recalibrate your love to add more of HIS type of love?
• Can you forgive yourself long enough to show others this type of love?

Thanks for the “gift!”

Romans 6: ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Naïve and impressionable and scared, I took on my first career.  I had no idea what a corporate structure was about and I really had nothing tangible to offer. When people requested things from me, I looked like deer in headlights! I had to learn everything.

One day my boss walked in my office and said “I’m sending you to training.” “What a gift” I thought. I’m getting trained without asking for it! To this day I am grateful for my first supervisor. I mean, he recognized something in me that others seem to discount.

• GOD has declared that any sin I commit deserves death for the sentence.
• GOD has declared that even my birth is conceived out of sin.
• GOD has declared that I was sentenced to be separated from HIS love eternally and to face HIS ever increasing wrath forever.

Wait, you mean even my birth which I had nothing to do with, declares me a sinner? Yes!  BUT GOD decided to give me a gift.

• GOD’s gift of love is HIS SON who took on my punishment.
• GOD’s gift of love is HIS SON who died in my place.
• GOD’s gift of love is HIS SON who is now alive and believing in HIM saves me.

GOD did it all! HE saw I would never choose HIM yet HE chose me. HE freed me from “having to” sin, in other words HE freed me from being a slave to sin and its consequences. Wait a minute, “you still sin” you say. Yes but now I have a choice whereas before I only had sin and death.

I can choose righteousness over sin and on many occasions I do. Sometimes my selfishness gets in the way but GOD has me growing daily. HE has truly given me a “gift” which is eternal life.

• Do you feel you have no options in life but to follow sin?
• Do you feel like giving up trying to please GOD thinking HIS standards are too high?
• Can you believe HE has already taken care of your life and has a wonderful plan for you?
• Will you stop acting like a slave to sin and give your entire life to following GOD’s ways?

Loving GOD, HIS way or mine?

John 21: ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

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Waiting has been a weakness of mine since “forever.” I mean what was taking them so long? I interviewed with the top executives and the decision should have been clear “I was the man.” Weeks after they told me I wasn’t the man, I walked around work pouting. I even pouted at GOD.

“LORD, why do YOU do things like this?” “Why do YOU put things in front of my face only to snatch them away?” “I don’t feel like serving YOU anymore.” Uh oh, what was I saying?!

• Just because I have served GOD in the past, I still need to grow.
• Just because I have grown a little, I still have a lot of growing to do.
• Just because I have seen a little fruit to my faith, I still need my faith to be strengthened.

Sometimes I think I have “arrived,” in other words I think I have learned all the lessons “I” need to learn, now it’s everyone else’s turn. This is definitely the wrong attitude. GOD shows me my flaws daily so I won’t get my head too puffed up with confidence in myself.  Don’t get me wrong, my self-esteem is fine, probably a little too fine!

• My confidence needs to be aimed at GOD not in me.
• My worthiness only comes through belief in JESUS as being GOD, not in the things I do.
• My judgment need only be directed at me enabling GOD to work on others without my interference.

Loving GOD HIS way means “feeding HIS sheep.” The only way to do this is to have the right attitude.

• Do you love GOD?
• What are you doing to serve HIM?
• Are you trying to love GOD your way or HIS way?
• What would be the answer if GOD asked you “do you love ME?”
• Are you willing to feed HIS lambs, in other words serve people?

GOD doesn’t have poison ears!

John 4: ²⁷ Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

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“Hello, how is your day going?” someone said to me. But this wasn’t any old “someone,” it was a very crafty person who had said some nasty things in the past. “I wonder what they meant by that?” I thought to myself. For the rest of the day I went around with my guards higher than ever. Everyone was a suspect and every word was scrutinized.

• When I have been hurt poison can enter my heart.
• When my heart has poison in it then my tongue will produce venom.
• When my heart has poison in it then my ears listen for poison.

Some people just can’t do or say anything right. Ask my family and they will tell you! When my ears are listening for something poison I will find it. I guess it stems from being a leader in a poisonous environment. Or perhaps it comes from hurt from the past. Maybe it’s just that the person is taking a dig at me, either way, my ears will pick up the words and the fight is on.

• GOD wants me to be ready to show grace at all times otherwise I won’t be shown grace.
• GOD wants me to listen to people without my prejudice filters.
• GOD wants me to hear “beyond” the words that are said so that I can pray earnestly for that person.

Forgiveness, grace and mercy don’t come easily from me. When I have my mind set that the “opposition” is a schemer and not worth my time, I put my defense mechanism up and capture their words as being poison. Sometimes I’m right and sometimes I’m wrong isn’t good enough for GOD.

JESUS listened to the Samaritan woman without the prejudice of race or gender. HE knew she was a sinner and listened with the intent to heal her no matter what she said. That’s hard for me to do, but quite possible. Let “it” go or pray or just ignore the statement while throwing the harmful words into the “forget about it” pile are ways to overcome my judgmental ears.

I must view the person like GOD views them, namely “forgiven.” Yes I should be wise as serpents BUT GOD also says be harmless as doves.

• Are you blaming someone?
• Can “that” person say or do anything right?
• Are you quick to judge some people because of your hurt?
• Won’t you let your guards down a little to see the other person needs GOD as much as you?
• Can you ask GOD to clean your heart so your words and “thoughts” will be pure?

What kind of party would GOD throw?

Luke 15: ⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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Quasars blow up with enormous power. Wind not only gusts up to one hundred miles per hour on this planet but ten thousand planets, yet GOD who is in control of everything, is concerned about me, a sinner.

• When I gave up my will to GOD there was a party in heaven you wouldn’t believe!
• When I gave up my will to GOD angels and relatives who passed away got excited!
• Before I gave up my will to GOD there was a huge audience waiting and waiting until I said the words “JESUS thank you for taking my punishment for my sins by dying in my place.”

GOD seems to have an extreme concern for HIS humans. HE doesn’t want a single human to be lost but HE cannot go against what HE put in place, namely free will. I have the choice to believe of reject GOD. Unfortunately the wrong choice, according to what I read, has eternal consequences.

There must be something extreme at stake for an audience who no one can number to rejoice like that. I mean what do they see that I don’t? Do they see the turmoil of those who rejected GOD or have they experienced GOD’s “full, Intense” love and want any and every one to experience HIS grace?

GOD only wants those who want and desire to be with HIM. HE created choice and those who choose to believe JESUS is GOD who became a human to live a perfect sinless life and allow HIMSELF to be murdered to atone for the sins of all, will be saved. HE did not create robots that had no choice but to believe in HIM.

I choose to believe and now I am adopted into the most powerful family!

• What are you fighting?
• Are you looking for something more fulfilling in your life?
• Can you give up your will to GOD today?
• Will you believe GOD is seeking “you” today?

Want to embrace “greatness?”

Mark 12:  ²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

   ²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

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Many times I have wanted that promotion or that highly visible project so I could bask in the spotlight when I achieved the goal. I loved receiving awards and I achieved a lot of them.  There is something about the spotlight that made me feel “great.”

• GOD is not impressed with the awards I achieve rather the people I serve.
• GOD is not concerned if I get earthly pats on the back rather HE looks at how I pat others on the back.
• GOD is not moved when I achieve another award given by humans rather HE dotes on how I worship HIM with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

For some reason I began looking for that great feeling each year. I wanted to receive another award and be recognized as being the greatest. BUT GOD has another definition of what great is. HE simply wants me to love.

• Loving GOD with all my heart means getting rid of the foul thoughts my heart dreams up.
• Loving GOD with all my soul means depending on HIM for eternal salvation.
• Loving GOD with all my mind means guiding my intellect to follow HIM and HIS decisions.
• Loving GOD with all my strength means giving up the fight with HIM and leveraging HIS strength to fight my battles.

To love GOD is to love other people. Any act of kindness I can show others, no matter how small, is “great” in GOD’s eyes.

• Are you trying to achieve greatness in human terms?
• Do you want to be recognized for your efforts?
• Will you try filling that void in your heart by serving others today?

Who is my family?

Mark 3: ³⁴ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

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Arguments ensued as the discussion over my grandmother’s house was the topic. Several uncles and aunts were ready to disown family members, especially those who stepped up and paid for the property. I was caught in the crossfire and I fully understood this passage of scripture.

• Once I accepted CHRIST I joined a new family.
• Once I believed I needed to be rescued by JESUS I joined a new family.
• Once I acknowledged JESUS as GOD who died for my sins I joined a new family.

Over the years I have heard about mothers trying to kill their kids, fathers walking out on families, brothers attacking each other sisters hurling insults at each other. If the hate runs that deep then they aren’t family. 

Personally I have hundreds of sons and daughters who are not my flesh and blood relatives rather they are my relatives through JESUS who unites us. I have several earthly mothers and fathers but we all have one HEAVENLY FATHER.

• Those whom I serve or who serve me are my family.
• Those who sincerely call on the name of the LORD are my family.
• Those admit they are sinners rather than those who pretend to be perfect are my family.

I have family members I have met from all over the world in various races and denominations of worshipping GOD. This is a great family!

• Are you feeling left out of your family?
• Do you need to be accepted?
• Have you tried JESUS and HIS family?
• Are there some in the church who do not act like your family?
• Are you acting like a family member of GOD or are you starting or causing problems?

But I’m tired of forgiving “that person!”

Matthew 18: ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

 ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

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“Why did you do that?” or “how did you fall into that trap?” or “my way of doing things has worked better than the way you do things” are all thoughts I’ve had of friends, neighbors and even my family. It’s called “deflection” when I show the other person’s flaws to make me look good.

So what does this have to do with forgiveness?

• When I hold another person to a higher standard than I hold myself I am unforgiving.
• When I point out a person’s flaws in order to make myself shine I am unforgiving.
• When I constantly point out the mistakes the person makes I am unforgiving.

People will make mistakes and sometimes they will do it over and over and over.  In fact GOD may have given me a gift or talent that HE has not given “that” person and HE expects me to be merciful when they make a mistake in that area. GOD wants me to make the other person shine.

• Instead of blaming “that” person GOD wants me to pray for them.
• Instead of being right GOD wants me to mature “that” person.
• Instead of getting my way GOD wants me to allow “that” person to make mistakes in order to learn from HIM.

Hey, it’s difficult to let go especially when I have the “right” answer.  “If ‘that’ person would have just done it my way then I wouldn’t have to forgive them for ‘this’ mistake” is an attitude GOD wants me to get rid of. HE would rather me watch the plan crash and burn because I forgave rather than serving justice on “that” person.

“That doesn’t sound fair” you say. Well it isn’t, neither is GOD’s constant forgiveness for my daily sins. GOD has shown that forgiveness isn’t about fairness it’s about showing HIS love.

• Has “that” person made a mistake again?
• Will “they” ever do anything right?
• Can you make “that” person shine instead of tearing them down because of their mistake?
• Can you forgive “them” even though you have forgiven them for this same sin yesterday?
• Is there a sin you need GOD to forgive you of?

How to make love to your neighbors

2 John 1: ⁵ And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

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Love has always been a very confusing topic to me. The term has been used for sex, political stances and minimal pleasures. “Let’s make love” was the sex talk way back when, “Make love not war” were on signs held up in protest of the nation going to war and “I love this movie or candy bar” is an example of indulgence.

• Lust can never fill the hole that’s in my heart.
• Politics can never satisfy my craving of being wanted and needed.
• Food, hobbies, sports and entertainment is only temporary and too much of a good thing becomes boring.

Let’s face it, people are difficult to “love” the way GOD defines love because they are so different. They have different opinions than I do; they look, smell and act differently. They have different amounts of money and were raised differently. Their problems are different than mine and they would never understand what I’m going through.

• GOD wants me to “Love” people as an act not a feeling.
• GOD wants me to “plan” my love for people who are difficult for me to love.
• GOD wants me to “sacrifice” getting my way some of the time in order to show love.

I guess it’s all in how I view people.  When I look at people from a selfish perspective then they are always wrong and I am always right, but when I look at people through GOD’s eyes, I can only see a need for compassion.

GOD sees how pitiful I am, yet HE died for me and now that HE has been raised by the FATHER, I can share in HIS eternal love. This one act of unconditional love helps me drop my guard in loving others. To serve is to love and to love is to serve.

• Do you feel loved?
• Can you show someone what GOD’s love looks like?
• Will you serve someone who does not deserve to be served today?

GOD loves me, that’s all that matters.

1 John 4: ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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Anticipation built up because this was my first evaluation on my new job. I had worked hard and got along with everyone, well, almost everyone. My boss was a blowhard and wanted everyone to fear him but that’s not my style. We sat and went through the year’s performance and I received a “moderately good” performance which was just above needing to improve.

“You’ve got to be kidding” I exclaimed! Rage filled my heart and everyone who ran into me that day knew not to cross me. On the way home I began to plot.  “How am I going to get around this jerk?” I thought to myself.  Right then a police pulled me over for speeding. “This is not my day!”

• If I’m not careful then circumstances can make me lose focus on loving people.
• If I’m not careful then the seed of hatred can blossom into anger, rage and fury.
• If I’m not careful then I can only see negative and miss the fact that GOD is in control.

We are placed on this earth for GOD’s pleasure not our own. “GOD is love” and HE wants me to share HIS love as much as I can during my short life. The problem is I run into “problems.” These problems, troubles and trials seem to frustrate me into fear, worry, doubt, anger, rage and other wild emotions. GOD wants me to control my emotions and focus on HIM.

• Loving people is a choice not a feeling.
• Loving people takes practice so I can begin by reducing my complaints.
• Loving people means I actually value the person’s existence just like GOD does.
• Loving people isn’t always easy so I ask GOD and HE widens my heart abundantly.

Only GOD can help me love the unlovable. There are mean, nasty, poisonous people who GOD adores and the tiniest act of love from me towards them makes HIM excited. GOD showed HIS love towards me in the middle of my sin, now I can do the same for others.

• Are you so focused on your circumstances that you haven’t shown “love” to others?
• Can you stop focusing on yourself for a minute and pray for others?
• Can you see “that” person the way GOD sees them, with forgiveness and mercy?
• If your heart is not filled with love right now, can you ask GOD to clear it and fill it with HIM?

Plan for someone to dislike you, but don't help the process.

John 15:20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

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I still get surprised when someone doesn't like me for no reason at all. When a person puts me in a category because of some obscure thing that happened to them when they were six, it makes me upset and confused.

I have had people call me vulgar names and do some very nasty things to me throughout the years. When I was a kid, I didn't have much. I was teased about the little I had. My clothes were sometimes too short and I was never in style, so I yearned for a job.

I bought the latest clothes and then I was teased about my hair. I took care of that and then I was teased about my glasses. I bought the coolest frames. Then they said I was too skinny. Okay... enough change! I soon found out that I was chasing a rainbow trying to fit in. Unfortunately my resolve was short lived.

I went away to college and began to fit in. My best friend and I would laugh and have a good time. Then a couple of people hung out around us, then it was a small crowd. Soon we had a mob of people hanging out in our room or apartment. I had made it! The world loved me! Meanwhile I wasn't serving CHRIST at all.

• I wasn't telling people about GOD's son.
• I wasn't studying HIS word.
• I wasn't praying.
• I wasn't serving anyone.
• No fruit.

I did however have a lot of "friends" or at least I thought they were. Then a problem came up and another problem and another. I went to my "friends" and found out they weren't friends at all. They couldn't handle their own problems let alone mine.

I was alone in the middle of a crowd. I decided to try GOD again. I began teaching the Bible after studying it and getting cut by its words. A few people accepted what I was saying and they believed! What a great feeling. I wanted everyone to know about GOD's SON.

I started telling people about GOD and HIS wonderful grace and I noticed people who were my party friends started disappearing. So I tried harder. "You are going to like JESUS whether you like it or not!", I thought to myself. I went after them with a passion and I noticed the crowd getting smaller and smaller.

"Why isn't this working?" I thought about it and the LORD showed me my judgmental attitude to my approach. This is something GOD could not use so I made an adjustment and HE blessed me with 'plenty' in all aspects of my life.

Sound like a happy ending? Well I'm not done yet. After GOD showed me that I had a bad attitude and gave me the gift of grace and mercy I used my learning’s at work. They didn't like me being gracious and inclusive and they certainly didn't want to hear anything about how GOD had blessed me.

• The world will confuse me by sending mixed messages.
• The world will laugh at me for not having the latest thing.
• The world will scoff at my attempts at grace and mercy.
• The world will sneer at my relationship with CHRIST.

People in the business world get nervous about mentioning CHRIST because money is more important than the people. I will continue to serve people not money. I will serve humans who are down instead of building up the wealthy who don't care.

• GOD loves me even when the world hates me.
• GOD loves me when I don't have much.
• GOD loves me when I show compassion for all humans.
• GOD loves me in spite of my sins.

I am no longer worried about fitting in because GOD said the world will hate me because I love HIM. I definitely choose this path because the rewards are huge! Don't give up, love people while maintaining a good attitude and the rewards will be great.

• Do people dislike you for no reason?
• Do people dislike you because you belong to CHRIST?
• Are you fitting in with the "in crowd" a little too well?
• Are you sinning and justifying it by being accepted?
• Can you continue serving even though people dislike you?

To "remain" in JESUS means giving up your life.

John 15:9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

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I can tell when I get selfish. I get pouty and want my way and then I get angry at GOD or people when I don't get it. Does this pattern sound familiar with you? GOD says HE chose me to serve HIM and HIS humans. But what if I don't want to serve GOD?

When I try to get away from GOD a conflict grows inside me because HE is inside me and I am inside of HIM. When I get selfish I usually go in the direction of sin and the outcome is always bad. Sin leaves me empty and I feel like I can't please GOD, HIS people or myself.

JESUS said "if you want to bear fruit then remain in ME." What does remaining in HIM look like? Well HE says it clearly in this passage. "LOVE each other as I have LOVED you." JESUS lived on earth in the toughest conditions. HE was tempted to use HIS powers yet remained humble to stay human. HE died by the humans HE made and is now alive forgiving HIS humans for not choosing HIM.

GOD doesn't want me to die for the sins of mankind, JESUS did that already. HE just wants me to "not get my sinful way" every once in a while. HE wants me to "die" to my lifestyle of sin just for a moment so that I can point my life to what HIS SON has done for me.

This is difficult because I am selfish. I said I want, what I want, when I want it. JESUS says "give me your life and you will be better off." Now this doesn't mean I have to go and live in a monastery in the mountains. I believe it means taking some small steps to walk toward CHRIST.

• When I occasionally let go of sin, I can hear GOD clearly.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I remain in HIM.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I follow what GOD wants me to do.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I give instead of receive.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I love people I don't like.
  
  

The more I "lay down my life" the more fruit I bear. It works opposite too. The more selfish I am, the less fruit I bear. I got so selfish at one point that I was just grateful to be saved and didn't want to bear fruit. I found out later that GOD has different plans for HIS servants.

• Following CHRIST means following HIS commands, not because I have to, because I want to.
• Following CHRIST means telling people about HIS SON either through words or actions.
• Following CHRIST means getting HIS way not my way.
• Following CHRIST means never being disappointed because I know I'm doing what HE says.
  
  

I can tell when I am being selfish, but I can also tell when I am serving GOD. It usually means doing something I don't want to do. It means loving someone I don't like. It means saying an encouraging word when I am discouraged. It means showing grace and mercy when I am "right" and they are wrong. It means giving up my pet sin for a time and telling people about the results.

By giving up my life, I gain an eternal life that is far richer than anyone on this earth. My fruit will last foever.

• Are you remaining in CHRIST?
• What are you holding onto that you know is not pleasing to HIM?
• Do you think you can bear fruit in spite of what you are doing?
• Is there someone in your life who needs GOD?
  Can you "lay down your life" for that person to see your example?