Loving others

 

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.~ Romans 13:8-10

Love from God is a great privilege.  Having  the chance to share His love with others is an honor.  Today God gave me a gift of opportunity.  The opportunity to show kindness to a stranger.  It felt good.  It felt good to do even a small thing for someone else.  I'm only sharing this fact because I am grateful for God to have had the chance.  I miss so many opportunities, so when I get another chance I have to give Him praise.  For it is HIs hand that I ultimately seeing move through me.

God tells us to love your neighbor as yourself (Romans 13:9). Our neighbors are our fellow mankind.  The lady or gentleman in the grocery store.  Our physical neighbors and our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our neighbors include those who don't look or think like us.  That means loving even when its might be hard.  Treating others as you want to be treated.  A smile to encourage. An hello to let them know that they are seen and valued.  It doesn't take a lot.  Sharing a meal. Caring for the less fortunate and praying with someone who is having a challenging time.  It's giving of self.  Loving God through them. 

Want to keep the law?  Want to please God? Love.  Be indebted to love others.  It will change your life.

Father, thank You for the chance to share your love with someone else today. May my small act of kindness make an impact for Your Kingdom.  May I see people as You see them and may I love.  Help us all love each other well, for You love us well.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Putting on the Armor of God

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  ~Ephesians 6:10-11

One day I bemoaning having to put on my mask to go into a store, but I reminded myself that "masking" up is a way of protecting myself.  It's one small simple thing that I can do to add a layer of protection for myself and others.  I put on my mask everywhere.  Then it hit me, I need to be "masking" up spiritually by daily putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).  I need to be strong in the Lord and protected from the schemes of the enemy.  I need to be just as conscientious and intentional about being protected spiritually.

I need to  have the belt of truth securely around my waist(Ephesians 6:14).  Truth holds things together.  Truth allows me to have light and walk securely in the mist of darkness.  I also need the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) to guard my heart.  Keeping my heart pure and centered on Christ.  

I need to have my feet "fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15)  I can be ready to move when God says move and advance against the enemy when I have the gospel of peace.  The gospel that declares that man can be saved if they just believe in Jesus.  Believe that He shed His blood for us that we might be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to the Father.  Believing in the redemptive power of our Lord.  This brings peace between God and man and between mankind (uniting humanity).

I need to take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) that extinguishes the flaming arrows that the devil throws at us.  We are not defenseless.  We can put out arrows of shame and condemnation. Arrows that would have us forget who we are in Christ Jesus.  Arrows that would try to distract us from the promises of God.

I need to make sure I cover my head with the helmet of salvation, protecting my mind.  Guarding my thoughts.  I also need the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) The Word will let me combat the lies of the enemy. And finally I need to pray, always. Pray for myself and for others (Ephesians 6:18). 

God has given me all that I need to be protected from the enemy.  I need to "mask up" on all occasions and put on the full armor of God.

Father, I thank You for giving us all that we need to be protected spiritually.  Thank You for Your strength and Your armor.  Help us to be intentional about wearing it so that we can stand firm when the enemy attacks.  Thank You for love, wisdom, grace, and mercy.  In Jesus name. Amen

Following God

 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. Ephesians 5:1

The Fair is in town.  Its annual tradition for my co-workers and I to walk over during lunch and fellowship.  Well today I noticed something as one of my colleagues took the lead in the trek.  I noticed that I followed his steps and movement.  My head was down, but my eyes were on his feet.  He stepped and then I followed suit.  Once we got to the fair, I looked up and kept my eyes trained on him.  I didn't want to loose him in the crowd as he walked ahead.

My awareness today got me to thinking about Jesus and how need to follow Him just that intently.  I need to be purposefully moving when He moves and putting my feet where He orders my steps.  I need to have my eyes on Him and  not loose sight of Him in the day to routines of this life.  I need to follow Him with confidence, knowing that He will lead me safely to my destination.  My trust needs to be in Him.

Lord, let me follow your example.  Your example of extending grace and forgiveness and showing mercy and kindness.  Let me follow your example of how to love my fellow man.  Help me to keep my eyes focused on You, trusting You to direct my path.  May others be drawn to You as I follow You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Revival

 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?~Psalm 85:6

Revival.  The dictionary defines revival as an improvement in the condition or strengthening of something.  The KJV dictionary defines revival as the return or recall  to activity from a state of languor; as the revival of spirits. It goes on to describe revival as a renewed and more active attention to religion; an awakening of men to their spiritual concerns.

I need a revival.  A fresh anointing of His Spirit.  Sometimes I feel stuck in a rut, like I can't move forward.  I pray and I read God's word.  I am intent on obeying Him, but I am missing the joy.  And the joy of the Lord is where my strength comes from.  So I need God to revive me.  To quicken my spirit so that I operate in joy and power.

I want to do more than go trough the motions.  I want to be transformed by the power of His Spirit.  I want HIs fire to be shut up in my bones.  It may require a refining, a purge, but I know I need Jesus.  Can't do it in my strength so I ask the Lord will He not revive me again that I may rejoice in You?

This nation needs a revival.  There should be unity in the universal church.  We should be standing on one accord for the things of God.  So let it begin in me.

Father, I love You and am devoted to You.  I want live life reflecting Your love and sacrifice for me. I want others to see You in me.  I want them to know just how good and great You are.  I want more than routines and religion.  I want You.  So revive me Lord.  Revive my heart.  Let me rejoice in You. Revive Your people and may we walk as one.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Trusting God

 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ~Psalm 91:1-2

Changes are happening and uncertainty looms on the horizon.  It makes me uncomfortable, but the one thing I remind myself of is that God is certain.  His promises to never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  He tells me in Deuteronomy 31:6 to be strong and of good courage.  I don't have to be afraid because He goes with me.  

So whatever may be coming, I can face it because God goes before me. He is working everything out for my good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  His purpose might be for me to exercise my mustard seed of faith and to learn to trust completely in Him.  It might be for me to get some more practice in walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).  To learn how to let go and let God.

Let Him be in control because He is the one that sits on the throne(Psalm 47:8).  To have faith and not be moved by circumstances.  To not be anxious, but rather by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving present my request to Him and let the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

All I have to do is dwell in the shelter of the Most High, dwell in His presence and soak up His love for me.  Then  rest in His shadow for He is my refuge and my fortress.  He is my God in whom I trust. 

Farther thank You for being my refuge and my hiding place.  Thank You for sheltering me  from storms.  Thank You for holding today and tomorrow in Your capable hands.  When changes come help me to rest in the assurance of You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Praises going up!

 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. ~  Psalm 9:1

Today I got a flat tire.  I was just driving along to my destination when the tire pressure light came on.  I watched in panic as the pressure of the tire quickly dropped.  Thankfully the Lord had placed me in a position where I was not far from getting help.  I parked the car with tire almost completely flat.  It could not be repaired I needed a whole new tire.

My plans were derailed or delayed, but as I sit here and wait I have to thank God for His goodness.   This could have happened on the highway where I would have been far from help. I could be in a position where a new tire was not possible.  There are a lot of could haves, but God had me in the right spot.  He alerted my mind where to go and allowed me to get there. He gave me safety.  He deserves praise.  He deserves for His goodness to be declared.

So often we tell of all the bad things that happen, but don’t share the faithfulness of God.  So as the Word says, I will give thanks to the Lord with all of my heart.  I will tell of His good deeds. 

Lord, You watch over me daily and bless me.  You do wonderful things for me daily.  You are my provider.  You are a mighty God, my God.  I love You and thank You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Rest for our souls

 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. ~ Psalm 62:5

This week my "happy got bumped'.  I was left feeling wounded and scarred.  My soul was not at rest.  I felt like I was in a tidal wave of emotions that would not spinning.  But God!  I cried out to Him over and over again. I was reaching for my mustard seed of faith.  I found it when I placed  my hope in Him.  Hope for emotional healing. Hope to move forward. Hope to not get stuck in the quicksand of anger and self-pity. 

 As surely as I cried out to Him, He heard me and I finally found rest.  Rest in Him.  The events that rocked me were still present, but they were no longer robbing me of my joy,  The prayers of my sisters in Christ uplifted me and God sustained me.  So I give Him praise for He is a good God.  We can rest in the bosom of His love and find comfort during trying times.  He is God, my shelter, my Rock, and my hope.

My "happy" may have gotten bumped, but my God did not move from His position,  He is still on the throne.  Still working things out for my good according to His purpose.  He used the "bump" to work on me and my faith and my willingness to forgive even when others are not seeking to be forgiven. As a planet we are going through rough terrain, but we can trust God to see us through.  We can trust God with any problem and find rest for our souls  We can know that He is our hope and our promise of better days. 

Jesus, thank You for always showing up and being my side.  Thank You for wiping every tear and being that source of peace and rest.  Thank You for hope,  Thank You for You. In Jesus name.  Amen