LOVE TAKES TIME
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” – 1 John 4:7
As Christians, we are encouraged to love one another. So in a world where love is defined in many different ways, who better to look at and follow His example than God, who is love (1 John 4:8)?
Like 1 John 4:16 explains, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
Love Others First
For many, love is a reciprocal response. Someone loves us, so we love them back. This all started with God, as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because He first loved us.”
So what if, like God, we just start loving people first? Often this is easier said than done. Especially if, maybe like me, you’ve experienced a time when someone decided they just didn’t like you. In these cases, we usually don’t know why or what is the reason behind their feelings. When something like this happens, we can choose to overlook their attitudes toward us and love them anyway. Sometimes our unconditional love will win them over, but sometimes it doesn’t.
Still, that’s the risk we take when we choose to love others first. In these situations, we get a taste and a very small glimpse of what God has been dealing with down through the ages in loving those who don’t love Him back. In everyday life, we’re given countless opportunities to step out and love others in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.
Love Even When It’s Messy
God knows loving men and women in their sins is pretty messy. Romans 5:8 explains, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Likewise, parenthood helps many men and women understand how God could love us in our messes. It’s also good training ground for learning how to love others in their disarray. All around the world, moms and dads face unpleasant scenarios in taking care of children. From diaper disasters, food mishaps, exploring incidents, and more, parents push through the chaos to keep loving and caring for their children.
Likewise, loving others can be messy, especially when walking through various situations with them that are uncomfortable, unpleasant, or inconvenient.
Love Sacrificially
Real-life TV shows of love, romance, and marriage often give insight into how individuals view love and what they believe loving one another involves. Frequently when a prospective bride or groom is asked how they fell in love with the other person, his or her answer involves how the other person’s love makes them a better person or feel special and loved.
But what if once married, the other person stops making them feel like a better person? What happens if they stop feeling loved by their spouse?
For many couples, whether married for a few years or longer, they start to realize that love isn’t about how a spouse makes us feel but rather what cost are we willing to pay to show them love. Are we willing to give up our pride, selfishness, resources, plans, and more if needed to love our husband or wife?
John 3:16 describes the high cost God was willing to pay to demonstrate His love to us “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God demonstrated the high cost of loving others and how to love sacrificially. He paid the ultimate price to prove His love to us. As the Author, Creator, and only Source of love, He modeled what it means to express love to those around us by loving us first, loving us in our messiness of sin, and loving us sacrificially.
Are you willing to lovingly reach out to others this week? If so, ask God to help you love others like He loves you by loving them first, sacrificially, and in their messiness.
By Lynette Kittle
Read more...
MESS OR MASTERPIECE
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10, NLT
I read recently, “a piece of art doesn’t have to be perfect or finished to be a masterpiece.” The author further observed that what makes art valuable is the story behind the piece. While the book was secular, there are some spiritual truths to these words.
First, whether we acknowledge the message of the Bible or not, God has set eternity in the hearts of man and written His Word on our hearts and in our minds (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Hebrews 10:16). Secondly, because we are made in His image, everything we create tells a story of God to those around us (Genesis 1:27). Our lives tell a story whether we have surrendered to Christ or rejected God.
What kind of story is your life telling? Does it point to the gospel message? The Bible calls those of us in Christ Jesus, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). A masterpiece is an artist’s creation displaying his or her mastery and skill level to onlookers. A masterpiece is an outstanding creation that proves an artist’s abilities and qualifications.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually feel like a work of art. I relate more to a messy finger painting made by a toddler than an artistic masterpiece. But then, I recall the author’s comments from the book laced with art jargon, and I remember, we don’t have to be perfect or finished to be an artist’s masterpiece. So, here are two ways we display His workmanship to the world around us, even if our lives aren’t perfectly packaged with neat little bows.
Our Stories of Redemption
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT
A transformation from death to life is an abrupt change. Whether you grew up in the church your whole life and finally repented from knowing about God to knowing God, or you left a prodigal lifestyle to follow Jesus, your life tells a story to the world around you.
For me, this looked like leaving a life of numbing my pain with alcohol and relationships to looking to God’s Word for healing and placing Him at the center of my relationships. While my outward actions took a while to change, the drastic shift in my desire to satisfy worldly cravings changing to wanting to please God was enough to tell a story. What about you? What has God redeemed you from?
Our Impact on Others
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5, ESV
Even if no one ever acknowledges the changes in you, those closest to us will be impacted by our transformation. As humans, we were created with mirror neurons that cause us to mimic the people around us. The longer a person is around us, the more we pick up their mannerisms and little sayings. And vice versa. As we flow with living water, the people around us will begin to flourish.
And while you won’t be perfect or quite finished yet, you will be His masterpiece because just like a marvelous painting tells the story of its artist, your life transformation will point to the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). Our lives tell a story, may the redeemed say so (Psalm 107:2).
People are God’s work of art. Our lives either tell the story of what happens when we disregard His call to truth, or they tell the story of His redemption and its power to transform us. I love that no matter the current stage of becoming we are in, we display the workmanship, the qualifications, and the worthiness of our worship of our creator God. Just like a painting at every stage, the beautiful brush strokes tell a story of the artist holding the brush.
Do you struggle to believe God calls you His masterpiece because you don’t have your life “all together”? If so, take a dry-erase marker and write Psalm 139:13 or Ephesians 2:10 on your mirror or kitchen window. Meditate on God’s Word and pray that God would help you believe His Word over how you feel.
By Ashley Moore
Read more...
GOD AT WORK
“So if it please the king, we suggest that you issue a written decree, a law of the Persians and Medes that cannot be revoked. It should order that Queen Vashti be forever banished from the presence of King Xerxes, and that the king should choose another queen more worthy than she. When this decree is published throughout the king’s vast empire, husbands everywhere, whatever their rank, will receive proper respect from their wives!” (Esther 1:19–20)
Memucan wanted an edict prohibiting Queen Vashti from ever entering King Xerxes’ presence again written into the law of the Medes and the Persians—the law which can never be changed. In that way, his suggestion would affect far more than Vashti; it would have a direct effect on everyone’s marriage. But if it was an attempt to get the women of Persia to have greater respect for their husbands, it was a strange way to make that happen!
What you have to keep in mind is that Esther doesn’t have the foggiest idea that any of this is going on; she knows nothing of the events transpiring in the royal palace. She also knows nothing yet about this “royal edict,” which will set events in motion that will totally change her own life. Esther is going about her no-big-deal business, living her everyday life, greeting the sunrise of each ordinary morning, carrying out her day-to-day responsibilities. Is she in for a surprise!
This is the wonder of God’s sovereignty. Working behind the scenes, He is moving and pushing and rearranging events and changing minds until He brings out of even the most carnal and secular of settings a decision that will set His perfect plan in place. We see that here, and we’ll see it throughout the story of Esther.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that God is asleep when it comes to nations, or that He is out of touch when it comes to carnal banquets, or that He sits in heaven wringing His hands when it comes to godless rulers (even today) who make unfair, rash, or stupid decisions. Mark it down in permanent ink: God is always at work. But His ways are so different from ours, we quickly jump to fallacious conclusions and either react rashly or get paralyzed in panic.
Know this: God holds the future in His omnipotent hands. So you can rest assured.
*Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Read more...
SOLITUDE
Solitude can be nice—relaxing, even—especially after a busy day or a long shift at work. Spending time alone can leave you feeling recharged and rested. But loneliness is different.
So, what should you do if you feel lonely? First, ask yourself if you’ve accepted Jesus’ invitation to have a personal relationship with Him. He is the nearest, dearest friend you can ever have. Second, remember that God repeatedly promises that He will never leave or abandon you. (See Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 27:10; John 14:18.) You can also …
Pray. Ask the Lord to help you have a right understanding of who you are as His child. Scripture tells us that God loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and that He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Ask Him to help you to feel His love and friendship.
Memorize the Lord’s promises. We mentioned a few up above, but are there any you want to add?
Prayerfully examine Scripture to find a few that encourage you.
Pray about godly friendships. Ask God to bring the right people into your life—particularly those with whom you can laugh and pray. Friendship is an extension of the Lord’s love and goodness in your life.
Read more...
THE DAY AFTER
One of the great joys of Thanksgiving is leftovers. For some reason, turkey and dressing taste just as good reheated as they do fresh out of the oven, maybe better. How much walking would you need to do for a turkey sandwich, some stuffing, some mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a piece of apple pie with ice cream? Over 13 miles! Add some gravy, and you’re up to nearly 15 miles! I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time to walk 15 miles after a meal, and in my case the ability.
We are right in the middle of the long Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving is an indication of the heart. It shows that our lives are in balance—and that our communication with the Lord is not all about our wants and our needs. There are two levels of gratitude. Let us call them the lower level and the upper level. Unfortunately, and I admit I am in this category, we kind of dwell in the lower level. That is where we see God’s work in our levels as intermittent spurts of goodness. Some big blessing comes along, and we say, “Thank you, Lord!” but living on that level of gratitude only shows that we are selfish, and that we miss the total perspective of God’s goodness. We thank Him for the pleasurable things because our view of goodness is comfort, rather than becoming like Jesus.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Read more...
BLESSED WITH AN UNPARALLELED HOPE
Titus 2:13 KJV
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
On this 2020 Thanksgiving Holiday, my wife, Joann of nearly 60 years, and I wish to prayerfully convey a most blessed Thanksgiving to each and everyone.
In the familiar story of the 10 lepers, found in Luke 17:11-19, we read where all 10 lepers received the blessing of healing. However, only 1 returned and expressed his gratitude for his deliverance. As a result, he received a blessing of being made whole!
On this Thanksgiving Day we have the benefit of “Unparalleled Hope” through Jesus.
Have a very blessed day!
Pastor Charles and Joann Winchester
Read more...
THANKSGIVING: DON’T GIVE UP
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 KJV)
Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story you may not know. While the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in October of 1621, it was not until October of 1777 that all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving, for the first time. At one point, our first president, George Washington, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving, but conflict and difficulties among the colonies put an end to its observance.
It was a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, whose work led to the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday we observe today. Hale wrote letters to governors and presidents, and editorials in magazines, books, and newspapers, promoting the observance of Thanksgiving. In 1863, after 40 years of letter writing and campaigning (that is not a typo, she really wrote letters for 40 years). Hale’s persistence paid off and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving. Since then, every president has supported Thanksgiving. Forty years of dedication, persistence, and passion, all to make sure this country world celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving each year. Impressive
We can learn from Hale’s perseverance. It took her 40 years to accomplish what she set out to do. Her story is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. Each day of our life is another day to choose between right and wrong, to help someone in need, to read our Bible and pray. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:12-14, Christians are called to persevere, to press on. Sometimes it can feel like an unrewarding task. It is hard, but important, to look to God for the BIGGER picture. What if Hale had chosen to give up after one year or ten years? Her goal would have been left unfinished. Press on towards the call of Christ! Endure! But be forewarned, just Sara Josepha Hale, it may take 40 years to see the fruit of your labor!
Read more...
WHERE ARE THE OTHER NINE?
17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? Luke 17:17-18 KJV
This is the story of the ten lepers. These ten men had the dreaded, disfiguring disease that made a person unclean, unfit for society, and virtually subhuman. The tremendous physical toll inflicted by this incurable disease was only surpassed by the great emotional toll of feeling worthless, vile, and unlovable.
When these men saw Jesus, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13). Jesus responded with compassion and a challenge, telling them to show themselves to the priests. “As they were going they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Do you see that? “AS THEY WERE GOING, they were cleansed.” That’s always the way it works with faith. You have to believe God’s Word enough o obey it. When you take a step of faith, then you see God do miracles.
Can you imagine the overwhelming exhilaration these men must have felt? Their leprosy was cleansed! The vile disease that had taken virtually everything from them was now gone! They could return to their families! They could return to society! They could really live again!
Nine of them scurried away to enjoy their great blessing. But one turned back…and he was a hated Samaritan. This man was also overcome with exhilaration at his cleansing, and he wanted to give thanks and praise to the One who made it possible. He could not dream of taking another step without glorifying God and expressing his sincere gratitude. And the Lord responded to his thanksgiving by bestowing on him a far greater gift of salvation. Interestingly, Jesus was wondering aloud about the other men. Where were they? Why was this “foreigner” alone in his thanks?
The question for our day is clear: why do so many experience the goodness of God and so few return with grateful thanksgiving?
THIS THANKSGIVING, let me challenge you, as I challenge myself, to emulate the Samaritan in this story and give thanks. To be sure, thanksgiving can be a sacrifice. Life can be cruel and hard. Circumstances can knock us down and leave us devastated. If we are not careful, we can easily be disillusioned, depressed, critical, cynical and bitter. However, as the old saying goes, “Let’s pick ourselves up by the bootstraps.” Let us “Praise the Lord,” and “Lift our Hands and our Hearts.”
Lord, we give you Thanks.”
Read more...
THIS THANKSGIVING 2020
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
In the classis autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of her sufferings at the hands of the Nazis during the evil reign of Adolph Hitler. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were incarcerated at the Nazi concentration camp, Ravensbruck, and experienced terrible atrocities there. On one occasion, they were forced to disrobe before the German soldiers. In that awful, humiliating moment, an amazing discovery came to Corrie’s mind: “They took Jesus’ clothes too. He hung naked for me.” When she relayed that wondrous thought to Betsie, she gasped and said, “Oh, Corrie, and I never thanked Him for it.”
One of the things that made Corrie and Betsie such dynamic Christians was the fact that they chose to see life from God’s perspective. In the worst of situations, they found new insights to praise and thank God.
The Bible tells us that we are to give thanks in everything, the good things and the bad things. In Psalm 50:23, God says, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.” In the hard times, thanksgiving is difficult. It is definitely a sacrifice to thank God in a Nazi concentration camp, but it is so very necessary. Thanksgiving honors God, and when you and I honor God, He honors us.
How is your Thanksgiving 2020? Are you facing tough times? Have you been griping and complaining about the things in your life that are hard, lonely, and frustrating? Why not try praising and thanking God for your difficulty. He knows about it. He is over it, and He cares for you. Without question, He has a purpose in every trial.
Start today to live a life of thanksgiving. If you will do this, I promise you on the authority of the Word of God, your attitude will change, and the people around you will be blessed.
Read more...
Made In God’s Image
26 Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Read more...