Tag: love
Day 2–No Fear!
Scripture reading for June 9: 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the Gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Romans 8:15-17 “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, . . “
Fear is a spiritual force that comes to torment us with doubt and unbelief. An acronym that I have borrowed from others is ‘False Expectations Appearing Real’ and our enemy Satan likes to draw our minds away from trusting in God and His Word. Satan uses thoughts and our senses to steal our peace, make us react in haste, and lose self control. He paralyses us with tormenting fears of failure, punishment and rejection by man and God.
Tormenting fear is not from God. The Holy Spirit produces in us the qualities of God which are power, love, and a sound mind. The apostle John stated that God’s perfect love has cast out all fear. He stated that fear has torment because of fear of punishment for sin and Christ Jesus lovingly gave His body and blood to pay for our sins. (1 John 4:18) Since we have His Spirit in us, we can fan into flames the Gift of God which is given to us by the Father to empower us for His service. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of adoption that affirms our true identity as sons and daughters of God. This identity brings freedom from guilt and fear of rejection.
First responders, especially, need regular reminders of their identity and worth. Those in law enforcement regularly face attacks on their identity and even attacks on their lives. Those in the fire and medical service also face derision from hurting people under influences of drugs, alcohol, anger or fear. The Holy Spirit in us affirms us and gives us a sound mind to work from.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for affirming us regularly as Your children and helping us to rest in all that Jesus Christ has done and is doing for us daily. Help me to live in the Spirit of power and love and a sound mind today as I serve You and others. Amen.
Fanning the Flame!
Scripture reading for October 2: 2 Timothy 1
“I thank God Whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:3-9
Paul was writing for the last time to Timothy, his ‘beloved’ son in the faith and now the pastor at Ephesus. Paul would soon become a martyr and wanted to give a final word of encouragement. He reminded Timothy of his own prayers for him and the memories of his family and their legacy of faith. He encouraged Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God, (The Holy Spirit), which had filled Timothy as Paul laid on his hands at ordination. The Holy Spirit would bring boldness and power to love each person and to wait on the Lord and pray for direction and ministry results. (Acts 2:3-4)
Timothy had evidently battled with fear of man and sometimes lacked confidence to speak out in sharing the Gospel. Paul admonished Timothy to boldly share his own testimony of Jesus, regardless of the consequences. Paul shared that the God Who had called both of them would fulfill His purposes and show grace. Their calling was an ancient calling, known and proclaimed before the ages began. God would be faithful as they stood firm in faith. A faithful congregation in heaven would welcome them home one day!
How does Paul’s final instructions impact your world view of our life purposes? What steps might you take to fan into flame the Holy Spirit in your daily walk? Are you living in fear of suffering for sharing your faith?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside of me and leading me in a life of service, good works, and sharing the Gospel. As I pray and read Your Word, ignite a flame of love for others, holy boldness, and powerful witness that all might be saved and receive this Gift! Amen!
Many people–much love–many gifts!
Scripture reading for November 23th: 1st Corinthians 11-14
Many people get excited about the spiritual gifts. God gives each person gifts through the Holy Spirit that are to be used to build up the body of Christ. (1st Corinthians 12:7) These gifts may be characterized in three general categories. There are those gifts that impart knowledge–word of wisdom, word of knowledge and prophesy. Other gifts are used to do something: gifts of healing, miraculous powers, and faith. Another type of gift is used to reveal something: discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as He determines they are needed. (1st Corinthians 12:11)
In addition to these manifestations of the Spirit, God has also appointed different offices to people to help with the work of ministry. Some are apostles, sent to evangelize and plant churches. Others are prophets, pastors and teachers who equip the body for ministry. Others work miracles and facilitate divine healing. Others may be good at administration and management. Still others speak in tongues and others interpret. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31) God places these gift-people in the body just as He sees fit! (1st Corinthians 12:18)
We are encouraged to eagerly desire the greater gifts! But Paul cites the most excellent pursuit–the way of love! (1st Corinthians 13) We can have any number of the gifts, but without love they are empty and useless. Love is a vital ingredient because the gifts must be used with love and compassion. God’s heart is to love and heal, not just to do something! God Himself is love! He is patient and kind with us. He is not easily angered, but is always ready to forgive. He forgives and never keeps a record of the wrongs done ! He delights in truth and righteousness. He is a God of hope and His love never fails!
He encourages us to love like He does. We must grow up in our faith in order to do that. Love is the greatest gift that we can ever have and give! We must first follow the way of love and then desire the gifts. (1st Corinthians 14:1) Take time today to check your heart. Are you following the way of love? How’s your love life with God? Are you taking time to love Him and allowing His love to flow through you? Would people say that you were full of the love of God? Invite the Holy Spirit to release a fresh ability to love others in your heart today.
Sunday rest and reflection: loving enemies
Dear Friends,
Greetings on this day of rest! One of the things that we as Christians can rest from is getting even! The competitive spirit that is in our flesh is always looking for ways to get even or make someone who hurts us suffer. The old saying “I don’t get mad, I get even!” has caused lots of trouble over the years. In this time of turmoil in our nation, followers of Christ Jesus must apply these truths daily and pray for our nation and its leaders to apply them as well.
As I read through the Proverbs, I noticed several scriptures dealing with this ancient problem of getting even. Proverbs 24:29 warns us not to say “I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.” All vengeance belongs to God alone. Only He knows the heart of a person well enough to properly reward or punish that person for their wrong actions. God desires to forgive and heal the wrongs rather than judge anyone.
Proverbs 26:21-22 is another difficult scripture for us to understand and apply sometimes. It tells us to act in kindness toward our enemies and try to meet their needs. If they are hungry we are to feed them and if they are thirsty we are to give them something to drink. Our acts of kindness is likened to heaping burning coals on our enemy’s head. This purposeful act of love will bring the notice of God and He will reward us. It will also possibly produce a repentance and healing with our enemy whereas if we got even, we would only prolong the battle and bad attitudes would continue.
Jesus Christ perfectly exhibited this healthy attitude toward those who hated him. He purposely forgave them and asked God to forgive them. He taught His disciples to love their enemies and do good to those who would despitefully use them. (Matthew 5:43-48) Some of His final words were “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Matthew 23:34) These words exemplify the teaching of Jesus Christ and the love of the Father for those caught in sin and bondage!
May we be filled with the same love today for those who hate us and would despitefully use us! Take time and ask God to fill you again with His love for the lost and for our enemies! In His Love, Pastor John
Faith, prayer, and patience!
Scripture reading for November 29th: Jude, Psalm 88, Proverbs 21
Jude: 20-25 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude was the half-brother of Jesus Christ and a follower of Jesus as his Messiah. He wrote to the early church, encouraging them to contend for the faith once delivered to them. False teachers and false prophets were seeking to devour and draw away Christ’s followers. Jude had simple instructions and a benediction that has been used by many church leaders to encourage Christ’s followers. Jude recognized the need for faith. Faith comes by hearing and applying God’s Word. Prayer is an act of faith. The Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit, enables us to pray effectively. When we pray in the Holy Spirit, we build ourselves up in holy faith. Through faith and prayer, patience to wait for and anticipate the coming of Jesus is a glorious by-product! All glory to Jesus Christ, the Faithful One, Who is praying for us as we wait in His Love!
Psalm 88:13 “But I, O Lord, cry to You; in the morning my prayer comes before You.”
Prayer: Father God, I cry to You each morning, responding to Your Word that tells me to ask You for my daily bread and protection from the evil one. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life and those of my brothers and sisters and children. Your Word is a precious Treasure and the Holy Spirit is Oil of Joy in my heart as I keep my heart in Christ’s love, seek His kingdom, pray, and wait for His return.
Proverbs 21:20-21 “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Compassion and fulfilled Scripture
Scripture reading for November 9th: John 19, Psalm 74, Proverbs 7
John 19: 23-27 “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took HIs garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also His tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was keenly focused on His Father’s Word and the complete fulfilment of it. Even on the cross, Jesus was mindful of what was going on around Him. As He hung naked on the cross, the soldiers gambled for who would get His garments. As Jesus observed His mother nearby, the Word of God concerning God’s care for orphans and widows flowed through Jesus’ heart for His Mother. As His earthly care of His mother would soon be ending, He assigned to John this sacred task. John took Jesus’ mother into his own home and cared for her. In spite of the scoffing of the crowds, the mocking of the soldiers, and their worldly gambling for the clothes of His crucified Son, God was at work fulfilling His unchangeable Word as a witness to His love and care for those created in His image!
Psalm 74:22-23 “Arise, O God, defend Your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at You all the day! Do not forget the clamor of Your foes, the uproar of those who rise up against You, which goes up continually!”
Prayer: Father God, Your amazing love for us shines forth from the cross of Jesus as He fulfills Your Word and shows compassion for His own mother and His faithful disciples. Thank You for fulfilled Scripture as an eternal witness of Your love and Truth. Through the Holy Spirit, keep this Truth flowing through me as Your adopted son to those still mocking and scoffing that they might be saved and live eternally with You!
Proverbs 7:1-3 “My son, keep My Words and treasure up My commandments with you; keep My commandments and live; keep My teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Love is the greatest commandment!
Scripture reading for May 5th: Matthew 22, Psalm 90, Proverbs 28
Matthew 22: 34-40 “But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
God is Love and to love is to be like Him! The Pharisees were seeking to trap Jesus so that they might accuse Him of blasphemy or call into question His authority and understanding of Scripture. A lawyer sought to trap Him with a question about which was the greatest commandment. Jesus answered him simply by quoting Scripture. The first and greatest commandment was to love God personally as Your Lord, and totally, with all your being. The second was like it, showing love for your neighbor, made in God’s likeness, as yourself. According to Jesus, love was the fulfilment of all the Law and Prophets! This is in fact, true as love for God and neighbor encompasses all other commandments and is God’s heart!
Psalm 90:13-14 “Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on Your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days.”
Prayer: Father God, I rejoice in Your amazing love, demonstrated to me through Your Son and His willing sacrifice for the sins of the world and my own sin. Forgive me for not always allowing Your love to flow in my heart. I have not obeyed You as I should and have certainly failed to show love for my neighbors at all times. Fill me today with a fresh anointing of Your love and teach me to love like You loved me!
Proverbs 28:9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.”
“Do you love Me?”
Scripture reading for November 21st: Ezra 1-2, John 21
John 21: 15-17 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord you know everything; You know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. . . .”
Peter had been an impetuous disciple known for rash outbursts and impulsive responses. When Jesus said that one of the disciples would betray Him, Peter swore He would remain faithful, even to death. Jesus responded: “before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” This indeed was what happened. Now, as Jesus set about restoring Peter, He asked him three times, “Do you love Me?”. Peter responded simply with “Yes Lord” two times then declared that Jesus knew everything. Jesus’ response to Peter was a reiteration of His mission to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep and follow Him.
John 21:20-22 “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against Him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “What about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for restoring those who slip up in following You. Your mercy and kindness lead Peter to repentance and many others, including myself. Thank You that You alone know everything and see every heart and restore and stir up Your people to accomplish the mission You give of reaching the lost and building up Your house with living stones out of the rubble of sin and death. I will follow You.
Ezra 1:5 “Then rose up the heads of the father’s houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.”
Love and grace are essentials
Scripture reading for September 15th: Isaiah 56-59, Psalm 70, 1st Corinthians 16
1st Corinthians 16: 11-12, 21 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act as men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. . . . I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord; let him be accursed. Our Lord, Come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
Paul closed this letter of encouragement and teaching to this church family with simple words of truth. Watchfulness was needed because of the false teachers who sough to draw them away from the Gospel truth. They must stand firm in their faith yet show love to all–even to those who might be opposed to them and the truth of the Gospel. But loving our Lord was not an option, but an essential. Paul reminded them that anyone who did not love Jesus and claimed to be a believer was under a curse. God’s grace is a gift to be received and held on to. Paul assured them of this and of his own love for them as he wrote this letter of correction and instruction as their father in the faith.
Isaiah 59:19-21 “”So they shall fear the Name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord; “My Spirit that is upon you, and My Words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.””
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for Your love shown to us in Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life for us. Thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit to abide in us always and release Your love in us and through us to a lost world. I love you and pray for grace in my children and grand-children and all offspring to know You and be filled with the promised Holy Spirit. Let it not depart from them forever! Amen!
Psalm 70::4-5 “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love Your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! Your are my Help and my Deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”
Faith, Hope, and Love abide!
Scripture reading for September 12th: Isaiah 45-48, 1st Corinthians 13
1st Corinthians 13: 4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, endures all things.”
As Paul explained the work and gift of the Holy Spirit among the members of the church, he stopped to emphasize something greater and longer-lasting than the gifts. He emphasized God’s love as the greatest gift or fruit of the Spirit. God Himself is love. God’s love seeks what is best for those who are its object, regardless of cost or personal sacrifice. Love is patient and kind, and God’s patience allows people time to repent and His goodness and kindness draws them to repentance and faith. God is Truth and rejoices in what is right and true. He waits for His Truth to come to pass as it works through love. God’s love never ends and it is His greatest Gift in Jesus Christ our Lord.
1st Corinthians 13:8-13 “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then is shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your gift of loving me and demonstrating that love in Your Son dying on the cross for me. As wonderful as the gifts of the Holy Spirit are, this fruit of love is the greatest gift that is not just temporal, but abides forever. My faith works by love and Your love is poured out into my heart by the Holy Spirit. Your love gives me eternal hope and anticipation that the best is yet to come.
Isaiah 45: 22-23 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn; from My mouth has gone out in righteousness a Word that shall not return: ‘To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance'”