Category Archives: Love & Works

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July 31, 2014

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Love & Works, Obedience, Temptation & Sin

SHEEP OR GOATS?

sheep or goatWEBThen those ‘goats’ are going to say, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn’t help?” He will answer them, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.” Then those ‘goats’ will be herded to their eternal doom, but the ‘sheep’ to their eternal reward. [Matthew 25:44-46 (MSG)]

It’s easy to feel self-righteous when we confess. After all, we haven’t murdered anyone nor do we steal from the bank or our employer. Our lives are quite comfortable so most of us haven’t coveted anything of our neighbors. We don’t worship (or make) any idols, we regularly call our parents, and rarely even swear. Moreover, we keep the Sabbath day by attending church (more or less regularly). Granted, we could be holding a bit of a grudge and might gossip a little over coffee, but all in all, we think we behave pretty well. But, do we?

We must ask ourselves how well we cared for those in need, the neglected and impoverished, the defenseless and broken. That’s the question God will ask us. When that final judgment comes, and it will, where will we go? Will we go with the sheep, those who loved and cared for their brothers and sisters, or with the goats, those who ignored their need?

Listen to this, you who walk all over the weak, you who treat poor people as less than nothing, who say, “When’s my next paycheck coming so I can go out and live it up? How long till the weekend when I can go out and have a good time?” Who give little and take much, and never do an honest day’s work. You exploit the poor, using them—and then, when they’re used up, you discard them. … “On Judgment Day, watch out!” These are the words of God, my Master. [Amos 8:4-6,9a (MSG)]

 

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July 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

RECIPE FOR A FRUITFUL LIFE

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness add love. [2 Peter 1:5-7 (ERV)]

Take a large bowl and gently stir together the above ingredients, adding one element at a time. Mix well. Taste and evaluate. Are you a little short of any component? Some chefs need a dash more self-control while others need to add more kindness. For best results, add extra love. Place in an empty life and sprinkle with plenty of prayer. Be sure to exercise perseverance during the cooking process and feel free to call on the Holy Spirit for help. When in doubt, refer to the Holy Bible for more detailed directions.

If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:8 (ERV)]

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July 10, 2014

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Love & Works, Miracles, Sharing Our Faith

WE CAN HEAL

So the apostles went out and traveled through all the towns, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere. [Luke 9:6 NCV)]

There are a few Christians who truly have a healing touch; they can lay hands upon a person and physical healing will result. Most of us, however, don’t have that gift. Nevertheless, we all have the ability to heal and restore others. Healing may occur when we hold a hand in a hospital room, write notes of encouragement or sympathy, visit a shut-in, or when we offer a smile or a few kind words to a stranger. We offer healing when we greet a visitor at church, remember a birthday with a card or call, provide a helping hand, advocate for someone who needs a voice, or bring food to a family in need. Healing can begin when we dry a child’s tears, drive someone to a doctor’s appointment, give relief to a stressed mother, offer a listening ear, and open a door or lighten someone’s load. When we share our experiences with those who will find them helpful or encouraging or when we graciously accept an apology and readily forgive, we help restore spiritual health. I’ll never cure a case of leprosy as the apostles probably did but, Lord, show me how to be a healer.

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. [Hubert H. Humphrey]

I am not a God and I cannot perform miracles. I am simply a person who has been given the rights and responsibilities to be a Healer. I pledge to myself and all who can hear me that this is what I shall become. [From “The Oath of the Healer” by Louis Weinstein]

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July 1, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Miracles, Prayer

BLESSINGS IN ABUNDANCE

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. [Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)]

One day, a friend of mine decided to send a prayer out to the various people who crossed her path. Her first opportunity arose when a couple leisurely walked across the street against the light. From the designer attire and fur coat, it was obvious they were tourists. Instead of honking or angrily muttering “Move it, lady!” so she could make her turn, my friend asked God to give them a pleasant vacation.

Later that evening, my friend and her husband went out for a long-awaited “date night.” Who should be sitting right by them but the couple she’d seen earlier that day! My friend’s husband was wearing a shirt with the logo of his youth ministry on it. The other gentleman turned around and asked about the logo and the church; it turned out they, too, were Christians. During their conversation, my friend mentioned seeing them earlier that day and asking God to bless their holiday. Imagine his surprise when my friend’s husband was told the dinner check had been paid and their added joy when this same couple sent money to support their mission.

My point: the one who blesses is, indeed, blessed! We probably won’t get a free dinner or a check supporting our cause every time we bless someone, but we will always get a blessing in return!

When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself. [Proverbs 11:17 (MSG)]

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May 3, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Love & Works, Prayer, Wisdom & Guidance

You Can’t Please All of the People All of the Time

But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. [James 1:5 (NCV)]

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking… [Colossians 3:15a (NCV)]

I recently completed a birthday gift for one of my grown children: a photo book filled with forty years of pictures. What with scanning, editing, sorting, compiling, and captioning, this project took several months. At one point, what started as a labor of love simply became labor. What went wrong?

In an attempt to make the “perfect” gift, things had gotten out of perspective. Not only was I concerned about the recipient’s reaction to the book, but I also agonized about everyone in the extended family as well. Would they like it? I second guessed each photo choice and its placement. Did I have too many shots of one person or not enough of another? Had I covered each event to everyone’s satisfaction? Was everyone represented? Did everyone look good in every photo? Would my idea of humor be funny to others? I began to dread sitting at the computer and, as my deadline approached, I had a heavy heart.

Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place: turned this project over to God. He reassured me that if my true motivation was love and if I followed His guidance as I worked, every choice would be the right choice. He reminded me that my best effort is all He asks of me and it is all anyone else should expect. Perfection is not required, just love. From then on, before logging onto Shutterfly to work, I said a brief prayer asking God for His guidance. The last twenty pages went faster and far more smoothly than the first eighty, simply because I let love motivate me and trusted God to guide me.

Lord, help us to remember that we need to be more concerned with pleasing you than with pleasing anybody else. May we keep in mind that the only reaction over which we have any control is ours. Thank you, for your gift of love and for blessing us with encouragement, confidence, and guidance when we share that gift with others.

Do everything in love. [1 Corinthians 16:14 (NCV)]

Please yourself…then at least someone will be happy with your decision. [From “Deep South” by Nevada Barr]

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April 24, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Today: Make it Count

HOW TO TREAT OTHERS

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. [2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)]

Heavenly Father, when you come to take me home, let there be no remorse about opportunities I’ve missed or things I’ve left undone. Guide me so that I leave no apologies unsaid, no forgiveness withheld, no kindness refused, no compassion unoffered, and no fences unmended. May your Holy Spirit help me to live a life of love, harmony and peace.

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. [Og Mandino]

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. [Matthew 7:12 (ESV)]