All You Need Is Love

       "The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31).  I love the last part of this. "There is no other commandment greater than these."  I think we forget how important this is.

       If we spent more time focusing on loving one another there would be far less problems in this world.  Just loving and respecting one another would solve SO MUCH in a short period of time.

       "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

       The love that we sing and read about as well as what we see in the movies is not like the kind of love that we should be perusing.  That love is fleeting and based off of appearance and lust.  Real love is true and never ending.  It isn't some fleeting emotion that you get with every new boyfriend or girlfriend.  Real love is a consuming passion that is not easily mistaken for something else.

       Here is my challenge to you.  Spend more time loving each other instead of bringing each other down.  It will make you happier and give you a peace you've never known.  Keep on praying! God Bless!

            

Letter to the Judgmental

You may remember a couple weeks ago that I addressed facing haters in life.  Well today I'm going to discuss it from the other side.

Dear Haters,
     Things may be going rough for you lately and that is truly unfortunate.  However, that does not give you a free pass on bringing others down.  Passing judgement on others is never acceptable.  "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.  But you -- who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12.  Remember this verse and keep it written on your heart.

      We have ALL sinned and done things that we are not proud of.  We are humans and we mess up a lot.  "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23.  No one is better than anyone else in this life.  Remember that the next time you feel like tearing someone down.  Instead, build someone up and you may find a friend that will get you through your tough times.
     
      Sincerely,
           The judged

Promises, promises

We love making promises.  "I'll be right there, I promise", "I'll love you forever, I promise." Or how bout when we make promises to God? "I promise I'll do better if you just do this for me."

"All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one," Matthew 5:37.  This is important to remember.  We tend to over-promise a lot and not give a second thought to what we are really saying.  Can you deliver what you promised?  Can you know for certain that you will never break that promise?

Although we promise a lot of things to the people around us, we also promise a lot to God.  This is a far more serious offense.  "When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you not vow than that you should vow and not pay," Ecclesiastes 5:4-5.  God takes our promises very seriously and we should too.  Whether we make those promises to God or to our friends.

Keep your promises or don't promise at all.  Keep on praying, He does hear you. God bless!

Facing the Haters

      We've all had to face those people in life who are just determined to tear us down.  They've made it their mission to make us feel terrible about ourselves and our lives.

       Dealing with the negativity that those people inflict can be very difficult to do.  No matter how hard you try, their words can still get to us and cause doubt and fear.  It hurts.

       Instead of falling for these vicious lies, focus on finding your identity in Christ.  "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made: your works are wonderful and I know that full well" Psalm 139:14.

       God made us in His image and there is no way that God is "ugly" or "stupid" or any of the other things people may say about you.  It doesn't matter what others say.  You were created by the most powerful being to ever exist and He loves you dearly.

       While it's true others' words can still hurt, find comfort in knowing that you are just the way God made you.  God doesn't make mistakes.  He loves you, just as He loves the person that's trying to tear you down.

       We should pray for those who try to break us down.  We don't know why they are doing it.  Maybe they are lashing out because they're in a bad situation or feeling insecure about themselves.  Whatever the reason may be, keep them in your prayers.  They could some day become a good friend.....  Or not.

       Keep on praying!  He does hear you and He truly does care.  It may be hard to see but He is with us every step of the way.  God bless!

Leave It in His Hands

        We've all been through hard times and some of us are in the midst of a trying situation at this very moment.  These events are stressful and can really break you down if you try to handle them on your own.

        We have to learn to give these situations to God.  Leave it in His hands.  We have to trust that He knows what He is doing with our lives.  Remember that He can see the bigger picture.  We have no idea what is about to happen just around the bend.

        "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7.  There is only so much we can do to change our situation, but He has the power to change it all!  We just have to have the courage to let Him take control.  That's the hardest part.

        Keep on praying and trusting in Him! God Bless!