My oldest son, Jay, is a partner in a high end art gallery in Tyson’s Corner, VA. Business has been slow. Yesterday, he called me to share his joy. Just after he was asking the Lord about providing for his needs, a man walked into the gallery and bought a piece for Mother’s Day. Jay was so thankful for such an immediate answer to prayer, but I really liked what he said next. "Dad, God gave me enough for today." No, his bank account isn’t overflowing, but he was blessed with what was needed for that day.
The world we are a part of conspires to get us to spend tomorrow’s resources by using credit and
tells us we must anticipate life’s ‘needs’ so that we will pile up more in reserve. Advertising seduces us and works hard to convince us that a better life could be ours if only we owned ....
Living with contentment in what God gives for today is a challenge.
A key to knowing the joy of the Lord is learning to accept today’s bread and to be thankful for what God puts on our table. In that collection of wisdom, we find this odd prayer. "O Lord; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV) What insight into human nature! When our lives are overflowing with resources, we tend to ignore God and live as though we are masters of our fate! When we are in need, we also try to take control and may become desperate enough to sin! So, "give us today our daily bread," Jesus taught us to pray.
The way that God provided food for the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land ought to instruct us. Each morning the miracle of manna was renewed. This ‘angel food’ was delivered just for the day. If they gathered more than they needed and tried to hoard it, it spoiled and stank, except on the day before the Sabbath! On that day, they could gather enough for two days, and it did not spoil. God’s message in this was, "Depend on Me!" And, every morning, God gave them fresh food, for forty years! (Exodus 16)
Read these familiar excerpts from the letter to the Philippians. And, then, disciple - choose contentment and thankfulness for today’s bread!
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!"
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:4, 6, 11-12, 19, NLT)
_____________
Heavenly Father, help me to be content, not complacent.
Give me eyes to see Your provisions and a grateful heart that accepts today’s bread.
Teach me the joy of child-like trust and help me to learn to lean on You.
When I am tempted to try to seize control and ‘make something happen,’
remind me to wait patiently and walk only where You lead.
Be honored by my thoughts, words, and actions today,
as I live a holy, joyful life in Your Peace.
Lord Jesus, I pray this in Your Name. Amen!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Those Smelly Feet!
How good is your serve? I'm not talking about tennis. Do you have a true servant's heart?
I realized recently that I needed to let the Spirit work on mine again. I was sitting at the drive-up at the bank. One minute, two minutes, three minutes..... a car that had pulled into the next lane after me left before me, indicating that her documents were processed before mine. Four minutes... yes, I sat for just short of ten minutes before my simple deposit was processed. (I think the teller got distracted and forgot it.) I started to steam, but heard the Spirit whisper, "Practice patience and give up your desire to be served." I did, and instead of irritation, experienced peace.
On the night of His betrayal, the most stressful night of Jesus' earthly life, He was not pre-occupied with His own needs. Isn't that amazing? John tells us that 'He knew His hour had come.' Naturally, we might expect Him to say, "Gather 'round me, guys, and pray for me. Give me support here for this is a terrible test." Indeed, later at the Garden of Gethsemane He would ask for that kind of support. But at dinner, while they bickered about their importance, He got up, took a towel and basin, and began to wash their feet!
Footwashing was the role of the lowest and the least in the household. It was a demeaning, nasty, but necessary job in a day when there were no sidewalks, lots of livestock, and little in the way of modern sanitation, if you get my drift! Feet were in the 'stuff' and you didn't want it dragged into your house, so washing the feet of your guests was customary. However, it was a job for slaves; unless you really loved somebody- then you might choose to wash their feet.
Jesus washed the feet of the men who walked and talked with Him because He loved them! He wasn't shaming them for their fighting about self-importance. He wasn't looking for their admiration. He was just doing what needed to be done!
He made it a teachable moment and left this challenge for us. "After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do."
(John 13:12-15, The Message)
He wasn't just talking about having footwashing services, either! He was talking about a way of life that is given to service offered out of a heart of love. We wash someone's feet when we absorb their anger without retaliation. We wash someone's feet when we offer them affirmation when we are crumbling inside. We wash feet when we forgive another's selfishness, letting go of our rights. There are a lot of ways to take up the towel and the basin, disciple.
Are you feeling 'entitled' today? That shows up in this line of thinking.
- "I've worked hard, who's going to thank me?"
- "If somebody doesn't show some appreciation 'round here, I'm going to start doing the minimum required of me."
- "Doesn't anybody realize how important I am?"
- "Back off, man, this is my territory."
Jesus leads us into a different kind of life. Here's the principle we learn in John 13.
Greatness in Christ's eyes does not come from having many servants but from being the servant of many.
Take this word from the Word into your heart today and let it marinade in your mind. It will produce amazing transformation.
"Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, NKJV)
I realized recently that I needed to let the Spirit work on mine again. I was sitting at the drive-up at the bank. One minute, two minutes, three minutes..... a car that had pulled into the next lane after me left before me, indicating that her documents were processed before mine. Four minutes... yes, I sat for just short of ten minutes before my simple deposit was processed. (I think the teller got distracted and forgot it.) I started to steam, but heard the Spirit whisper, "Practice patience and give up your desire to be served." I did, and instead of irritation, experienced peace.
On the night of His betrayal, the most stressful night of Jesus' earthly life, He was not pre-occupied with His own needs. Isn't that amazing? John tells us that 'He knew His hour had come.' Naturally, we might expect Him to say, "Gather 'round me, guys, and pray for me. Give me support here for this is a terrible test." Indeed, later at the Garden of Gethsemane He would ask for that kind of support. But at dinner, while they bickered about their importance, He got up, took a towel and basin, and began to wash their feet!
Footwashing was the role of the lowest and the least in the household. It was a demeaning, nasty, but necessary job in a day when there were no sidewalks, lots of livestock, and little in the way of modern sanitation, if you get my drift! Feet were in the 'stuff' and you didn't want it dragged into your house, so washing the feet of your guests was customary. However, it was a job for slaves; unless you really loved somebody- then you might choose to wash their feet.
Jesus washed the feet of the men who walked and talked with Him because He loved them! He wasn't shaming them for their fighting about self-importance. He wasn't looking for their admiration. He was just doing what needed to be done!
He made it a teachable moment and left this challenge for us. "After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do."
(John 13:12-15, The Message)
He wasn't just talking about having footwashing services, either! He was talking about a way of life that is given to service offered out of a heart of love. We wash someone's feet when we absorb their anger without retaliation. We wash someone's feet when we offer them affirmation when we are crumbling inside. We wash feet when we forgive another's selfishness, letting go of our rights. There are a lot of ways to take up the towel and the basin, disciple.
Are you feeling 'entitled' today? That shows up in this line of thinking.
- "I've worked hard, who's going to thank me?"
- "If somebody doesn't show some appreciation 'round here, I'm going to start doing the minimum required of me."
- "Doesn't anybody realize how important I am?"
- "Back off, man, this is my territory."
Jesus leads us into a different kind of life. Here's the principle we learn in John 13.
Greatness in Christ's eyes does not come from having many servants but from being the servant of many.
Take this word from the Word into your heart today and let it marinade in your mind. It will produce amazing transformation.
"Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, NKJV)
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Seduction of Things Novel
I enjoy getting a new car! In July, 2006 after weeks of shopping, I bought my current ride: a candy apple red Mercury Milan. The leather upholstery had that great ‘new car’ aroma! The red paint sparkled. But, it took only weeks for the ‘newness’ to wear off, with a ding here, a chip there! A new shirt, a new hairdo, a new car, new living room furniture, new ideas... all make life interesting. Yet, we know that all too soon, fashion changes, today’s color replaced by a new hue, the latest and greatest idea eclipsed by a new discovery.
While we are aware of that worshiping tradition more than loving God will bring on spiritual death, we tend to minimize the dangers that accompany the seduction of things novel. In a bow to our culture that loves new, rad, (is that word still used?), hip, and hype - Church is being re-invented, in the name of being ‘relevant.’ About 10 years ago, a group emerged in the American Christian church that caught my attention with their ‘new’ language, their emphasis being culturally ‘sensitive’ and responsive to current sociological trends, and their inclusiveness. Even their name, "Emergent," was catchy. But ... the shine wore off as unintended consequences of the ‘emergent’ Church novelties became more evident.
One of the first casualties was the commitment to Truth. Truth is unyielding. It refuses to be molded to contemporary sensibilities. But, some Emergent prophets insisted that our personal stories stood alongside of the Scripture in our quest for God; sometimes even more important than His-story! Others insisted that ‘sin’ have a new definition, and some even questioned the necessity of the Cross of Christ! A new interpretation of Humanity’s unique place as the crown of God’s Creation, bearing His image in the world, has allowed good and God-honoring reverence for Creation to be replaced in many churches with near pagan worship of creation. The anti-authoritarian streak that is common to human nature was fed by emergent ideas that diminished or even erased a role for spiritual leadership in the Church.
Jeremiah, under the inspiration of the Spirit, cries:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them.
Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law." (Jeremiah 6:16-19, NIV)
Adopting methodology that meets the needs of the times is a wise way to bring the Good News of God’s kingdom to people who share our space on this planet. I’m not making a case for living like the Amish, trying to reproduce the methods, music, or message of the evangelical churches of the 1950's, or of some other imagined utopian era! I am saying that traditions help to anchor us and serve to guide us. We discard the wisdom of those who lived before us, the accumulated study of the sages to our detriment! Newness simply for the sake of novelty is a path to faddishness and foolishness, not spiritual freshness or maturity.
A curious trend is re-appearing in Christian churches which I believe is a reaction to the folly of trying to make eternal truth and faith easy, accessible, and contemporary. Many, particularly the youngest, are looking again to the beauty and stability of ancient rituals that stood through centuries as expressions of worship and faith. Christian liturgy is making a comeback as is architecture that helps define ‘sacred’ space much to the amazement of those who thought those things dead and gone.
May we not abandon the Truth of our glorious Gospel, allowing ourselves to be seduced by all things novel. Instead, let us love the Lord of Life. The Word reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace." (Hebrews 13:8-9, NIV) And, as we love Him and His Word, let us be always ready to make the most of the opportunities that the Spirit brings our way to share Him with those who need a Rock on Whom they can anchor their souls.
Here’s a word from the Word. As you meditate on it, note the interplay between the solid Truth and the fresh application of it that keeps us alive in Christ. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, NLT)
____________
My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand. - public domain
While we are aware of that worshiping tradition more than loving God will bring on spiritual death, we tend to minimize the dangers that accompany the seduction of things novel. In a bow to our culture that loves new, rad, (is that word still used?), hip, and hype - Church is being re-invented, in the name of being ‘relevant.’ About 10 years ago, a group emerged in the American Christian church that caught my attention with their ‘new’ language, their emphasis being culturally ‘sensitive’ and responsive to current sociological trends, and their inclusiveness. Even their name, "Emergent," was catchy. But ... the shine wore off as unintended consequences of the ‘emergent’ Church novelties became more evident.
One of the first casualties was the commitment to Truth. Truth is unyielding. It refuses to be molded to contemporary sensibilities. But, some Emergent prophets insisted that our personal stories stood alongside of the Scripture in our quest for God; sometimes even more important than His-story! Others insisted that ‘sin’ have a new definition, and some even questioned the necessity of the Cross of Christ! A new interpretation of Humanity’s unique place as the crown of God’s Creation, bearing His image in the world, has allowed good and God-honoring reverence for Creation to be replaced in many churches with near pagan worship of creation. The anti-authoritarian streak that is common to human nature was fed by emergent ideas that diminished or even erased a role for spiritual leadership in the Church.
Jeremiah, under the inspiration of the Spirit, cries:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them.
Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law." (Jeremiah 6:16-19, NIV)
Adopting methodology that meets the needs of the times is a wise way to bring the Good News of God’s kingdom to people who share our space on this planet. I’m not making a case for living like the Amish, trying to reproduce the methods, music, or message of the evangelical churches of the 1950's, or of some other imagined utopian era! I am saying that traditions help to anchor us and serve to guide us. We discard the wisdom of those who lived before us, the accumulated study of the sages to our detriment! Newness simply for the sake of novelty is a path to faddishness and foolishness, not spiritual freshness or maturity.
A curious trend is re-appearing in Christian churches which I believe is a reaction to the folly of trying to make eternal truth and faith easy, accessible, and contemporary. Many, particularly the youngest, are looking again to the beauty and stability of ancient rituals that stood through centuries as expressions of worship and faith. Christian liturgy is making a comeback as is architecture that helps define ‘sacred’ space much to the amazement of those who thought those things dead and gone.
May we not abandon the Truth of our glorious Gospel, allowing ourselves to be seduced by all things novel. Instead, let us love the Lord of Life. The Word reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace." (Hebrews 13:8-9, NIV) And, as we love Him and His Word, let us be always ready to make the most of the opportunities that the Spirit brings our way to share Him with those who need a Rock on Whom they can anchor their souls.
Here’s a word from the Word. As you meditate on it, note the interplay between the solid Truth and the fresh application of it that keeps us alive in Christ. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, NLT)
____________
My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand. - public domain
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Are you spiritual?
I don't speak in deep reverential tones in my sermons, nor do I pray to a two syllable "Gaa-awd!" I love to laugh, wear blue jeans, and eat bean burritos with all the consequences that go with them. I confess that I don't spend hours each day on my knees in the church's sanctuary. I like country music and enjoy a good action flick. Does that mean I am not spiritual? To some, perhaps.
Spirituality gets confused with quietness, introspection, and piety, by some. True spirituality is just doing what God wants done, being responsive to the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Eugene Peterson, best know for his work in bringing us the paraphrase of the Bible called The Message, was a pastor of a small church for many years. In an article published in Christianity Today, March, 2005, he observed, "The people who give me the most distress are those who come asking, "Pastor, how can I be spiritual?" Forget about being spiritual. How about loving your husband? Now that's a good place to start. But that's not what they're interested in. How about learning to love your kids, accept them the way they are?"
The disciples in the Church in the city of Corinth got all excited about being 'spiritual,' and they thought they were quite impressive because they spoke at length in tongues, prophesied, and had meeting that were chock full of Holy Spirit manifestations. Paul wrote a long corrective letter them that all those who aspire to spirituality need to read. Imagine the shock they felt when they heard his letter and he said, "Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life." (1 Corinthians 3:1, NLT)
He went on to point out that despite their all their spiritual gifts, their lives were a mess! They fought with each other. They lacked love. They would not serve each other. They sued each in court. They could not deal with sin in their own congregation. They were proud of their knowledge of spiritual freedom and cared little if their actions caused someone less mature in faith to be offended. So Paul says, "You think you're so spiritual, but you're really not very deep in God, at all! You have not even grasped the basics!" Throughout his letter, he reminds them that true spirituality will produce a transformation of character, that being spiritual is always show by a deep and consistent love for God and others. Note the underlying attitude of loving service that informs his instruction about their 'spiritual' worship. "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." (1 Corinthians 14:26, NIV)
True spirituality has nothing to do with one's mastery of Biblical Greek, ability to speak in tongues, pray in 16th century Elizabethan language, or follow forced practices of external piety. Genuine spirituality is:about repentance when we sin against God, about choosing daily to die to our need to be first or to be recognized, and about submission to God for love's sake. It is expressed, not our church behavior, but in how we live at home and in the street.
When others judge our spirituality, we need to remember that we have one Master and "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." (Romans 14:4, The Message) It is important to remember that if we try to make others think of us as 'spiritual,' we will become actors and before long, looking good will take precedence over being good! That said, I sincerely hope that you see Jesus in me, that there is a consistent bent to loving care, a concern for the world around me, and a desire to do His will - living so as to honor the One Whom I call, "Lord" with a life of integrity.
Here's a word from the Word. I pray it will lead us to truer spirituality today!
"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.' " Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." ...
"So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
(Romans 14:10-13, 19, NLT
Spirituality gets confused with quietness, introspection, and piety, by some. True spirituality is just doing what God wants done, being responsive to the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Eugene Peterson, best know for his work in bringing us the paraphrase of the Bible called The Message, was a pastor of a small church for many years. In an article published in Christianity Today, March, 2005, he observed, "The people who give me the most distress are those who come asking, "Pastor, how can I be spiritual?" Forget about being spiritual. How about loving your husband? Now that's a good place to start. But that's not what they're interested in. How about learning to love your kids, accept them the way they are?"
The disciples in the Church in the city of Corinth got all excited about being 'spiritual,' and they thought they were quite impressive because they spoke at length in tongues, prophesied, and had meeting that were chock full of Holy Spirit manifestations. Paul wrote a long corrective letter them that all those who aspire to spirituality need to read. Imagine the shock they felt when they heard his letter and he said, "Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life." (1 Corinthians 3:1, NLT)
He went on to point out that despite their all their spiritual gifts, their lives were a mess! They fought with each other. They lacked love. They would not serve each other. They sued each in court. They could not deal with sin in their own congregation. They were proud of their knowledge of spiritual freedom and cared little if their actions caused someone less mature in faith to be offended. So Paul says, "You think you're so spiritual, but you're really not very deep in God, at all! You have not even grasped the basics!" Throughout his letter, he reminds them that true spirituality will produce a transformation of character, that being spiritual is always show by a deep and consistent love for God and others. Note the underlying attitude of loving service that informs his instruction about their 'spiritual' worship. "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." (1 Corinthians 14:26, NIV)
True spirituality has nothing to do with one's mastery of Biblical Greek, ability to speak in tongues, pray in 16th century Elizabethan language, or follow forced practices of external piety. Genuine spirituality is:about repentance when we sin against God, about choosing daily to die to our need to be first or to be recognized, and about submission to God for love's sake. It is expressed, not our church behavior, but in how we live at home and in the street.
When others judge our spirituality, we need to remember that we have one Master and "If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help." (Romans 14:4, The Message) It is important to remember that if we try to make others think of us as 'spiritual,' we will become actors and before long, looking good will take precedence over being good! That said, I sincerely hope that you see Jesus in me, that there is a consistent bent to loving care, a concern for the world around me, and a desire to do His will - living so as to honor the One Whom I call, "Lord" with a life of integrity.
Here's a word from the Word. I pray it will lead us to truer spirituality today!
"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.' " Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." ...
"So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
(Romans 14:10-13, 19, NLT
Monday, May 04, 2009
Lord, Make Me A Better Lover!
One of the best books I have ever read on the complicated subject of human relationships is titled, Bold Love, NavPress, 1993, written by Dr. Dan Allender. One of his assertions is that 'love is not natural.' I don't like that! We like to think that we are loving, generous, unselfish beings, but a closer look at our lives shows something else to be true. We 'love' easily only when another pleases us, complies with our desires, or makes us happy. When they disappoint or fail us, most of the time we quickly resort to cruel tactics to make them play the game our way, and should that not happen, the relationship dissolves. So much for loving deeply!
Everyone has known the pain of a failed friendship. An angry word is spoken, a misunderstanding blows in like a summer thunderstorm, offense takes hold and becomes a fortress wall. A friend becomes an enemy and the wound goes deep! The love once enjoyed mysteriously turns into a bitter hatred.
Even familial love fails! Sons and mothers do not speak over some relatively insignificant slight. Lovers who once could not stand to be apart for a moment become enemies who actively desire the destruction of each other.
Christians, who follow the Lord of Love, who are taught that love is the mark of a genuine disciple, are capable of ripping each other to shreds over when their traditions are threatened, their comfort impeded, or their beliefs challenged.
Why do we do this?
What makes love so hard?
Allender writes, "There is an enormous drive in the fallen human personality that impedes the process of learning to love and an equally powerful force outside of every person that labors to destroy every effort to love. ... Complacency and presumption work hand-in-hand to blind even Christians to the importance of love and inherent battle involved in learning to love. IF we are to learn to love, we must begin with an acknowledgment that love is not natural and that love's failure is not easy to admit."
Let me rephrase that paragraph! Sin and selfishness work inside of us and the Devil works outside of us- conspiring against love's birth and/or survival. Then, too, there is the false belief that love does not need daily care. Neglect allows it to cool until it dies, all the while we live in denial of the truth!
The only way we learn to love and remain loving is to be renewed constantly in the love of Christ! "We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:19, NLT) Ardent love requires dying to Self. Jesus insists that "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24, NLT) We cannot love God and ourselves at the same time. We cannot love others deeply while selfishly serving our own needs, either!
Is love challenged in your life?
Before you form a fist and attempt to force a change, go to your knees! Let the Lord of Love, love you!
Before you pray, "God make them change!" give the Holy Spirit full access to your heart and mind and let Him change you!
Before you walk away, expressing hatred through cool contempt, ask God to help you love others - the same way that He loves you.
Love is a force for change that is more powerful than any weapon ever devised by human beings.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today.
"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love-so you can't know him if you don't love.
This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about-not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.
My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other." (1 John 4:7-11, The Message)
Everyone has known the pain of a failed friendship. An angry word is spoken, a misunderstanding blows in like a summer thunderstorm, offense takes hold and becomes a fortress wall. A friend becomes an enemy and the wound goes deep! The love once enjoyed mysteriously turns into a bitter hatred.
Even familial love fails! Sons and mothers do not speak over some relatively insignificant slight. Lovers who once could not stand to be apart for a moment become enemies who actively desire the destruction of each other.
Christians, who follow the Lord of Love, who are taught that love is the mark of a genuine disciple, are capable of ripping each other to shreds over when their traditions are threatened, their comfort impeded, or their beliefs challenged.
Why do we do this?
What makes love so hard?
Allender writes, "There is an enormous drive in the fallen human personality that impedes the process of learning to love and an equally powerful force outside of every person that labors to destroy every effort to love. ... Complacency and presumption work hand-in-hand to blind even Christians to the importance of love and inherent battle involved in learning to love. IF we are to learn to love, we must begin with an acknowledgment that love is not natural and that love's failure is not easy to admit."
Let me rephrase that paragraph! Sin and selfishness work inside of us and the Devil works outside of us- conspiring against love's birth and/or survival. Then, too, there is the false belief that love does not need daily care. Neglect allows it to cool until it dies, all the while we live in denial of the truth!
The only way we learn to love and remain loving is to be renewed constantly in the love of Christ! "We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:19, NLT) Ardent love requires dying to Self. Jesus insists that "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24, NLT) We cannot love God and ourselves at the same time. We cannot love others deeply while selfishly serving our own needs, either!
Is love challenged in your life?
Before you form a fist and attempt to force a change, go to your knees! Let the Lord of Love, love you!
Before you pray, "God make them change!" give the Holy Spirit full access to your heart and mind and let Him change you!
Before you walk away, expressing hatred through cool contempt, ask God to help you love others - the same way that He loves you.
Love is a force for change that is more powerful than any weapon ever devised by human beings.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today.
"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love-so you can't know him if you don't love.
This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about-not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.
My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other." (1 John 4:7-11, The Message)
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