Love. Even when...

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” do that.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners” lend to “sinners”, without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Luke 6:32-36

When people are rude to me, or act like they don’t care, I automatically want to write them off.  If they can’t be nice, then I don’t want to be their friend and I just stop caring.  These verses sure do contradict my humanly inclination.  Jesus calls us to love, even when the other person is not loving, care when the other person doesn’t care, and show mercy when we are not shown mercy.  This is a tough one.  In the world we live in, instant gratification is huge.  We (guilty=me) want to see the fruits of our labor instantly.  We are nice to someone; we want them to be nice in return immediately.  We do a “good deed”, we want to see positive results.  What I am learning is we can’t change other people, only God can do that.  What we can change is ourselves through Christ, and our outlook on situations.  Are we looking at situations through a Gospel based lens? We don’t deserve Christ’s immeasurable love, but yet it is extended to us time and time again.  Praise the Lord that love is not based on what we deserve… We are called to be imitators of God.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Love.  By no means do we deserve His love, but He covers us with His love and grace time and time again.

 

 

Let us be vessels for the Lord, showing love to all those around, without limit. 

 

 

 

Identity

Where does your identity lie? Some of us are so quick to spout out the answer, “Jesus!”.  Ok great.  But is that really where your identity lies?  Who do you find your greatest satisfaction in? Do your actions, thoughts, and words reflect your answer?  Do you base your self worth on how many “likes” your picture or status gets on Facebook?  Does your identity lie in whether or not you have a boyfriend/girlfriend or if you are friends with the “popular” kids? Whether or not people tell you look pretty?  I can promise you that that person or thing will let you down.  When your identity lies in any of the above things or anything other than God, it is completely insecure. Honestly, I’ve been guilty of saying it and not meaning it too. Fix your eyes on Jesus! Only HE can give you that peace and rest in who you are.  He doesn’t change.  Be satisfied with HIM and HIM alone! Chase Him because the LOVE that he has for you is indescribable, unconditional, and vast!  Place your identity in him.  It’s not a one time thing, but a daily choice.  Don’t let what people say or do become what you base your self worth on.  You are a treasured child of God.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Praise Him in Your Storm

What is God trying to teach you?  Right now.  Think about it.  Are you going through a hard time?  A desert time that you just want to get out of.  All your energy is going towards getting out of the desert.  Have you ever thought about what God is teaching you in the desert, and what God wants you to learn.  Bad things happen.  How do you respond to that?  These days we are so quick to jump from one thing to another, always focusing on the next thing.  Rarely do we take the time to learn from the storm.  In the storm you are in now, don’t just try to forget about it.  Take the time to learn from it.  People hurt you, it happens.  Learn from that.  Don’t get caught up with planning everything and wanting to get to the next best thing.  Learn from the storm, be still and quiet.  Listen to the whisper of what God is teaching you.  Grow from that, don’t miss out on it.

James 4:13-14 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” 

We are not promised tomorrow.  Be thankful for the breathe God has given you. Make the most of it for HIS GLORY. Don’t compare your story to others’.  Rejoice in the storm. Rejoice in the good times. Don’t try and plan out everything or put off something for tomorrow. Everything that you do, let it bring glory to God, not to yourself. Seek God and PRAISE HIM IN YOUR STORM.

James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastnesss have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

Deeply Rooted

     When storms come your way, it is vital to have a strong foundation.  Without it, trees will blow over, houses will crumble, and your faith will be rocked.  Become so DEEPLY ROOTED in HIM that no matter what comes your way, no matter how bad the storm, you will be able to survive.  Everything in this world is going to fail you.  Don’t be rooted in things of this world, they will all pass away.  Everything you see right now is temporary. Be forever focused.  Live with Heaven in mind.  God is eternal.  Why  would you want to put your faith into anything or anyone else? 

     You have a God that loves you so deeply, so perfectly, who is saying “come home to me, my child!”.  Run to God who is standing with open arms! Don’t ever stop chasing Him! Be DEEPLY ROOTED in GOD so that no matter what comes your way, he is your foundation by which you see and do everything.  He will be your #1 fan in the good and the bad times.  He will never fail you. 

“I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my god, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3