DO WE ask questions wanting to "hear the answer"; or JUST TO MAKE OUR POINT? Do we INTERRUPT someone talking because what we have to say, is MORE IMPORTANT? Are we UNHAPPY and just don't know why? Perhaps all of the above are because we DON'T KNOW LOVE. How can we understand the HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE when we don't know love? GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8). Do we struggle to love and be loved because we don't know GOD? Do we want OUR WAY or GOD'S WAY (John 14:6)?
0 Comments
TO SUM IT UP. HE was born, HE died, was buried, was raised, and was seen. The world may reject THE GOOD NEWS as ignorance or foolishness but something happens to those who are SEEKING GOD when they hear it. They are refreshed, full of power and wisdom (1 Thessalonians 1:5), they find a "welling up inside", and a miraculous sense of LOVE. In this HARMONY we are more alive, more aware and everything is seen in its TRUTH. With the GOSPEL INSIDE, we see the world outside in a NEW WAY. And JESUS, becomes personally PRESENT AND REAL.
When someone tells us "GOOD NEWS, it has nothing to do with their "opinion", their philosophy or their interpretation". NEWS is something that has ALREADY HAPPENED, and we can either accept it, or reject it. JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD (John 2:22)! HE is alive and active, and this unimaginable, unexpected reality reveals ONE TRUE GOD! If the GOSPELS are THE GOOD NEWS, they must be telling us about a HAPPENING, A REALITY; not just a Religion or Belief. GOOD NEWS! You'll never guess! The greatest news you could ever imagine! WHEN WE HEAR GOOD NEWS, DON'T WE WANT TO BE THE FIRST TO TELL ABOUT IT? Don't be afraid, no one can challenge what has already HAPPENED, BE THE FIRST TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS (Mark 1:1)
There are NO WINNERS, there are NO LOSERS! Do we really believe "competition breeds success"? Where is the Eternal satisfaction in scoring the most points, receiving the highest award, or having a wall full of diplomas? What if the "LOSER" utilized all of their "GIFTS", committed every portion of their "ABILITY", and had "GREAT SATISFACTION" knowing they gave their all? Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD..." ARE THERE REALLY WINNERS AND LOSERS? OR IS IT HOW WE KEEP SCORE?
Are we so convinced that what is IMPORTANT to us, should be IMPORTANT to others? And, do we "disregard" what is IMPORTANT to others because it is NOT IMPORTANT to us? Do we awaken giving THANKS, being GRATEFUL; or do we awaken with an AGENDA of things that need done first, so then we are free to being THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL? Have we forgotten (or never known) how to rejoice with others (Romans12:15)? Does our AGENDA respect others with no INSENSITIVITY, does it BUILD others up, and does it GIVE GRACE (Ephesians 4:29)? And, is OUR AGENDA SENSITIVE to others, does it GIVE HOPE and is it TENDERHEARTED (1 Peter 3:8)? IS OUR PURPOSE GREATER THAN AGENDAS?
YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE JUST HAS TO BE MORE TO IT! Do we think of Heaven as "some place" we might or might not go after death? Matthew 6:10, JESUS said, "as in Heaven, so on earth". Are we waiting to escape pain and earth to go to Heaven; or was JESUS talking about Heaven coming to earth now. Are Western Churches distorting the scriptures by telling us they are "GOD'S advice on how to live", and if we live "GOOD" we will go to Heaven; instead of TELLING US THE "GOOD NEWS" THAT WE CAN HAVE HEAVEN NOW! WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
Even being corrected can be a JOYFUL EXPERIENCE, it can even LIFT US UP (Jeremiah 10:24); if it is done in LOVE! What brings us the greatest desire and confirmation to draw CLOSE TO GOD; LOVE OR CRITICISM? What makes us WANT TO BE BETTER; LOVE OR CRITICISM? Could it be that we are CREATED IN LOVE AND THEREFORE CREATED TO LOVE? TODAY, DO WE KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO BE ENCOURAGED IN LOVE? WE MIGHT BE ENCOURAGED IN THE SAME LOVE.
How can we soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31) if we are carrying too much baggage? Do we think of JESUS' forgiveness of sins, "as for our actions in the PAST"? What about now? If we STILL HAVE BAGGAGE how can we be FREE? Do we still have dwelling, anger, pride and jealously burning deep in our hearts? Why is it so easy to expect FORGIVENESS, and yet so hard to FORGIVE? How can we expect to "soar on wings like eagles" if we HAVE EXCESS BAGGAGE? FORGIVENESS DOES CHANGE THE PAST, IT SETS US FREE IN THE PRESENT, AND ENLARGES OUR FUTURE. WHEN ARE WE FREE (John 8:36)?
And she sat alone SMILING. Our most Peaceful and Secure times was when we were being held by our Mother. Arthritic hands, stooped shoulders and walking with a "walker" and yet, there was POWER in her presence. Without words, definitions and explanation we learned forgiveness, Mercy and Love where a "right SPIRIT was renewed in us (Psalm 51:7). A happy heart makes the face cheerful (Proverbs 15:13). MAYBE TODAY, WHILE SITTING ALONE; WE WILL SMILE.
Do we start out THINKING ABOUT THE THINGS OF GOD; but get DISTRACTED ON THE THINGS NOT OF GOD? 1 Peter 4:7-11; "The END IS A HAND, therefore above all, keep loving one another, show hospitality without grumbling...and whatever "gifts" you have, use them to serve one another..." Do we try to concern ourselves, with THINGS NOT OF GOD (Psalm 131:1)? And, Does JESUS want us to spend our time trying to determine WHEN the end is; or does HE want us to LIVE A LIFE PREPARED FOR WHEN?
|
About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
Categories |