Keep Loving

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Do you ever catch yourself saying you don't like someone or someone drives you nuts? Basically less than kind terms about people you know or maybe a total stranger! I try my best to not let bad things about people come out of my mouth. Maybe someone hurt you and you feel justified saying ugly stuff about them, mostly behind their back. There really isn't a justification for a follower of Christ.

 If you deal with speaking ugly about people whether friend or stranger try this. Say to yourself, "I love that person. I love that person too." Basically love them through Jesus with His love. Humanly we may get so angry but allow God inside to transform you. Let Him pave the way to a kinder and gentler you.

Before you know it you may truly love your enemies. Give it a try!

PRAYER: I know I am an imperfect person. I know also it is very important to control my mouth as well as my thoughts. Help what I say and think bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Shake It Off

When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23

Lots of writers get their material from their own lives and I am no exception. When a problem occurs and you are 'walking through it' some good therapy is writing about it. In the process, others who struggle with similar issues are helped. Similar to journaling when you are going through something. 

Offense is not supposed to be a part of the believers life but it, and hurt feelings still occur. It is so hard to not take things personally. The enemy has a great tool in that he can try to manipulate your thought life. When you are focused on wondering if someone likes you, if you hurt someone and similar situations, you are not living for the kingdom at that time. Dwelling on worry over something robs you of true joy of the Lord.

In scripture we are told in Philippians 4:8 to "focus on things above" and what excellent advise that is.  Furthermore we need to learn to shake it off, walk away, and let things go. 

PRAYER: When someone has hurt me they may not even be aware of it. Help me to pray for that person and love through any pain I may be experiencing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Oh I Am So Angry!

          Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  James 1:20

Have you ever uttered those words from my title or thought them to yourself? People can be angry for a variety of reasons. Harboring  resentment from a divorce. Someone has hurt you for no apparent reason. You were wrongfully sued. Perhaps accused of something you never did. Issues from your past. Each person can probably give further examples. Still if anger is not dealt with and controlled, it can even lead to someone dying in worst case scenarios such as what we saw in Ferguson, Missouri or in domestic abuse cases that end in a murder.

Anger really is not the answer but forgiveness is.  The enemy wants fights, disputes, hatred, gossip, and hurt. God wants love, peace, kindness, and mercy. Maybe you think a person deserves something. Did JESUS deserve to be hung on a cross? Anger can also lead to a life of bitterness. If bitterness is in your heart it is hard to have love at the same time. Whatever it is someone did to you, let it go, move on. Ask God to help you to forgive as that is the ultimate goal, not harboring hatred. 

What do you need to do to let God's love fully envelope you and allow you to forgive? That is a question only you can answer. You know that is what God wants  for you and those around you. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever. I choose to not harbor resentment against anyone who has ever hurt or wronged me. It does no good and only allows me to not really truly love like you want us to love. Give me strength to do this. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Dig Deep

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is a hard thing to do. Sometimes it is necessary to forgive people even when they are unaware they have hurt you or are at fault. You can dwell on issues and things that have been done to you or you can choose to move on and open your heart and allow God to transform you. It is hard to not forgive and to walk with the Lord at the same time. 

In order to truly forgive you have to purpose in your heart that you will not allow past problems to fester and if a person does not even know they are wrong forgive them in your heart anyway. Ask God to help you mend relationships and not harbor bad feelings.  You have to move on beyond hurts and pains and let Jesus have them.

Today whatever it is that has been bothering you first pray and ask God to help you release this person to Him and let you move beyond resentment and ill will.

PRAYER: I have been hurt by people, sometimes people very close to me who do not even realize it. I need to get beyond the feelings of anger and hatred to showing love and forgiveness regardless.Teach me your ways Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Hard To Go Forward If You Keep Looking Back

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13

How many people do you ever hear of yearning for the good old days? I, for one, am happy just where I am. There is no time machine to transport me back to fix things I messed up at. Our enemy Satan likes to drag up the past. The past is gone and we can learn from it good or bad, and move forward to new experiences. The natural progression is to keep looking ahead and know you might have done things you regret but God is full of mercy, it is Satan who is not. 

I serve a big God and He is able to forgive, restore, redeem, and set free. He is your friend when humans friends or family want nothing to do with you. His love endures forever. He is not limited by our human rules. 

Today why not get going making up your mind you will not allow Satan to torture you with things from the past you can do nothing about. Move ahead with peace and joy. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and forgiving. Your love knows no bounds. You love me when the world runs out and for that I am thankful. In Jesus' name. Amen, 

WRAPPING IT UP.....LOVE

Even though I may be coming to an end of the series about love for now, we should never put love away. Love should be ever present in our lives and willingly given to those around us.

1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us 'And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.' Love is mentioned over and over in the Bible. It is the key to successful relationships with almost everyone we encounter.

Let me ask you, do people around you respond better to love or to anger and resentment? Obviously the answer would be they would respond better to a display of love. Satan of course hates love and hates us showing it to people so he, in his scheming way, will try to get you to falter and be mean to people. When you start to do this realize this is not of God and ask God to help to you free from this spirt that is causing this.

PRAYER: Love is so very important. I may think I have it but then turn around and treat a friend or co worker poorly. Forgive me Lord. I choose to walk in love and do it on purpose. Show me the things in my life that disappoint you and help me stay on the path of love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BIND US TOGETHER IN LOVE

Are you a lover or a hater? Do you often find yourself judging others, talking behind someone's back, giving hand gestures driving, or talking bad about politicians?

How can we say we are "lovers" when we act hateful towards people? We may not agree with someone but our job is to pray for them. Being a "lover" is also being a light in the darkness and salt and light to the unsaved world around us. The mouth sometimes is a great indicator or our love walk. What things have spewed forth from your mouth lately?

If you have a problem in this area God can strengthen you, heal you, and set you free. Do you think Jesus ran around hating all those who disagreed with Him or hated Him? Of course not. He mainly said things like "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" in Luke 23:34.

Challenge yourself today to take an inventory of your thoughts and speech and see what is reflected in them. If there is hatred or ill will why not ask God to deliver you. Above all keep praying!

Colossians 3:13-14(NIV) reminds us 'Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.'

PRAYER: Jesus I know things make you sad in this world when people go against your word and hurt others. Also when man tries to change your Holy word to justify sin that breaks your heart. But still you do not hate. Help me to continue to pray and to be delivered from the desire to want to be ugly. Help me walk with a Christian attitude towards the vile and unlovely. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID!!

Do you find yourself rehashing problems or mistakes someone has made? Perhaps you refuse to truly forgive and forget and hold grudges against a friend or family member. This type of treatment does not fall within God's definition of love. It is painful and it is mean.

It has happened to me a couple of times and it hurts when you are shunned or treated poorly by someone. Also spouses need to be careful to truly forgive and forget mistakes or hurts. Harboring them can build up a wall of resentment and sure does not stir up feelings of love. This is exactly the kind of stuff Satan loves. He loves discord and anger among brothers and sisters in Christ and even better he loves splitting up marriages.

God's word once again 1 Corinthians 13 verse five touches on this area. When referring to love it says 'It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.' A recipe for a successful relationship would or should include the ingredients of honor, peace, forgiveness, sacrifice, and forgetting wrongs.

Try something if you will. If you can not forget something someone did to you ask God to help you. There is nothing gained by trying to throw up a wrong in someone else's face. Let the Holy Spirit convict. Your job is to pray.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be a representative of your type of love. Give me your strength to resist making lists of wrongs. Help me to remember to pray for those who may hurt me as your word tells me to. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TURN IT AROUND

Start anew this year and make up your mind you are not going to let things fluster you or make you angry. I was waiting for a store to open one day and the girl who opened up was 15 minutes late. Another lady was waiting as well and said to me "I am going to tell her when she gets here how I feel and let her know I am angry." Hmm, I am thinking, what an excellent time to show Jesus' love and mercy to the late employee and set an example to the disgruntled patron. What good does it do to fume when this young woman had a legitimate reason for being behind schedule?

When you are around people who get this way use it as an opportunity to just let things go and move on and thus display kindness. Human nature says get back and get even. God's nature says to show love.

Are you able to turn an ugly situation around in your life? Think of things you may encounter on a daily basis at work or out and about in the marketplace. Even in your own home! Go the extra mile and be nice. Smile. Forgive. Love.

When my children were small, I would play this song over and over each morning while we were at the breakfast table. It was a sung by Richard Roberts and was called "Turn It Around". Basically the lyrics were " turn it around, turn it around,don't let the devil get you down." If you have a chance to turn a situation around, do it!

Romans 2:4(NIV) basically says 'Kindness leads to repentance' and that is true in most all scenarios. Why not try being kind today?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus use me in your kingdom to spread your love to others who are having a bad day or are angry. Help me learn to turn the other cheek so to speak and display your love to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD? HUH?

Around this time of year how many of us have heard someone say to a small child "have you been good" referring to of course telling them Santa is not coming to bad boys and girls? The focus of Christmas should be on Jesus and not on Santa Claus in my humble opinion. Centering something on getting gifts from Santa takes away from the babe in a manger and the best gift of all.

Asking a child if he or she has been good sort of sends a mixed message of "I have to be good to get anywhere in life". Of course we want our children to do good and be good but people mess up sometimes. Guess what? God is not after perfect people who do not make mistakes. He will still love us and forgive us.

Micah 6:8(ESV) is a favorite verse of mine. It says 'He has told you O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.' Simply put in a nutshell. God is the only one who is truly good. We should want to follow His example and be a good citizen and share Jesus' love but not to put conditions on getting gifts. Jesus is the best gift of all.

Ephesians 2:8-9(KJV) says 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Have you made Jesus Lord of your life?

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for this time of year to be able to focus on giving and sharing. Help me to remember to give and share the other 11 months as well. I know you desire a pure undivided heart that loves you. Help me Lord to seek you first and not the worlds' things. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LAY DOWN REVENGE AND HATE

 Has someone hurt you and you are so mad you can hardly contain yourself? You just want to get back at them and give them a "taste of their own medicine" but I ask you, is that God's way?

We live in a culture obsessed with getting back at others. You have probably heard the catchy "jingles" on radio or television here in the United States for lawyers who encourage people to get a check for their pain and suffering.

I challenge you to find ways to love the unlovable. Those who lie, cheat, steal, deceive, and hurt us. Pray for them and pray for your attitude towards people who fit these categories. Holding hate in your heart and not being able to forgive is just what the devil ordered. It is not from God. Seeking to "get back" at others is not good for anyone.

Matthew 5:44(NIV) is an excellent verse to commit to memory. 'But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' Romans 12:21(NIV) also should be memorized. 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.'

Who do you need to love with "the love of Jesus today?"

PRAYER: Help me to give up my right for getting back at those who have hurt me. Help me learn to let things go and move on and forgive. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BE PREPARED

 Shock is the only word I can use to describe the feeling I had when I heard a man a few years younger than me, apparently in good health, died Sunday, November 3rd. This was a man who lived here in the Huntsville area but whom I never got the pleasure of meeting. He had a heart and a passion like me, for God and country. He also shared my devotions with many of his friends who I also have never met. My husband and I kept saying we needed to stop by and say hello but never did. Now we can't. We have to wait till we get into heaven someday.

Jason was an encourager. He said kind things about my writing and this meant lots coming from a stranger who I felt like I knew. We just never know when God is going to call us home. No more tears, no more pain, no more heartaches of this world down here. Jason is free of that now even though dying in your fifties is way too young or so it seems.

As friends and family we are left behind with the whys. Why him? Why now? Family and friends can be comforted with memories.

If you were to die today from sickness, car wreck, accident, stroke, heart attack, choking on food at lunch, or many other things are you sure you would be with Jesus in heaven? You can be sure. Say this simple prayer "Jesus I love you. Forgive me for the things I have done wrong. Forgive me for ignoring you and going my own way. I want to know I will be in heaven with you for eternity. Come into my heart today and save me. " That's it. Pretty simple.

Psalm 116:15(NIV) says 'Precious in the site of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus be with the many people who have recently lost a loved one or friend. Death hurts. We are never ready to let people go especially when they are so young and promising. Lord comfort the families of not only Jason but others going through grief and pain right now. In Jesus' name. Amen.


IN MEMORY OF JASON KLONOWSKI, HARVEST, AL

Note: I wrote this Monday, November 4 upon being informed
he was found dead. The death since then has been ruled a homicide.
Please keep friends and family in your prayers.

KINDNESS BRINGS UNITY AND REPENTANCE

There is a verse in Romans 2:4 which says '...kindness leads to repentance.' That is oh so very true! Being kind to others whether you agree with them, their lifestyle choices, or a host of other things, not only brings unity and peace, but it leads to repentance by sinners. Guess what? All of us are sinners! In Romans 3:23(NIV) says 'we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' All means all.

Human nature tends to label and classify "bad sins" versus "not as bad sins". All sin is sin whether it is murder, lying,rape,fornication, gluttony, homosexuality, abortion, stealing, or cheating. No matter what, Jesus forgives and forgets. It says in Psalm 103:12(NIV) 'As far as the East is from the West, so far He has removed our transgressions from us.' It is "religious" people that are the finger pointers and think they are right. That is very prideful. All people need kindness and the love of others in an unconditional way if they ever expect to be drawn to a relationship with Christ. Eating too much at a church potluck could perhaps get you in the gluttony category.

Don't be finger pointing at others and treating them like they are not worth anything because everyone has a chance to come to Jesus. By harping on someone and trying to change them yourself is the wrong way to have positive change. The Holy Spirit is responsible for convicting and turning from sin.

First take care of your own sins before you condemn others. John 8:11(NLT) says to the woman about to be stoned by committing adultery "...Go and sin no more." Read all of John chapter 8 when you get a moment.

Kindness is the way to reach out to others that we don't like particularly or don't understand or those who have hurt or are hurting us. Some examples would be those with body piercing, tattoos, vulgar language, mentally ill, those people collecting money fraudulently at exit ramps, the drunk, the drug addict, prostitutes, those in the middle east who do not like Christians and want to "kill the infidel", those who push for homosexual marriage, those who want to kill babies in the womb, tyrants in public office, and I am sure you can add to this list.

So today your job is to put Jesus on the throne and leave Him there. Confess to Him any sins that keep you from fully having a life in Christ. Lift up those in prayer that are on the list above that you might be able to love others with Jesus' love.

PRAYER: It is so easy to judge others and when I do this I know you are not pleased with me. Teach me how to pray for others some of which may not even like me. Help me also to remember I am far from perfect. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link for an awesome song of praise and worship.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c

GRACE

What does it mean to have "grace"? I once heard it means "God's riches at Christ expense". That catchy acronym may be a good way to understand it. The dictionary defines it as "free and unmerited favor of God." It is also kindness we do not deserve because all of us are sinners. 1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.'

In the movie "Amish Grace" which is based on the true story of the Amish School shootings in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania back on Palm Sunday, March 28,2010. When we hear of school shootings it is shocking enough and we can be flooded with all sorts of emotions. When I learned of the Amish School house shootings it was hard to imagine who would go into a one room school house and target only Amish girls. Most people would want revenge, lawsuits, and hate to be shown to this man and his family. Instead with the news media present these Amish dealing with their own loss and pain forgiving this man and his family. They held no grudges. And they went to the funeral of the killer when no one else cared to.

I guess we could certainly learn a lesson from the Amish. Humanly we may want to strike out and get back at people who have hurt us or killed a family member or friend but God's way is always greater and higher than that. These hurting grieving people reached out and forgave. Forgiveness is the quickest way to healing.

What are you dealing with in your life today? Maybe there was a wrongful death? Perhaps no one has murdered a family member or something that drastic but is there someone you feel does not deserve forgiveness? You will feel better if you can genuinely let go of your hatred and give it to God. Even try praying for your enemies. It says we are to do that in Matthew 5:44. 'But I tell you , love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' I didn't say it, God did.

PRAYER: Father sometimes I find it hard to let go and forgive. I know through you I can learn to do this. I know your son Jesus died on the cross and said to "forgive them for they knew not what they did" so help me Lord to be able to do this if I have to or need to. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a powerful song of praise to start your Sunday!

http://youtu.be/ObynvvZiUZY

FORGET ABOUT IT

Are you guilty of not being able to let things go? Say someone has hurt or offended you and you just can not seem to let it go and keep thinking about it constantly. God wants you to forgive you know? He would say "forget about it" as harboring hurt only causes bitterness and does not really help you "walk with the Lord" when you can not forget about an offense. Offense is like poison to our souls.

Not only should we forget but also forgive. Ouch! Yes you read right, totally let it go by forgiving even when the person may not have asked for forgiveness. "Hey Becky I may be able to forget but no way am I going to forgive." If you don't you will never be whole spiritually if you harbor things in your heart. Your heart needs to be clean before God.

Let's see what the Bible has to say. Hebrews 12:15 says 'Looking diligently less any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.' Think of a root and how sometimes they are hard to yank out of the ground. Some weeds root systems are quite intricate and take much effort to get out of the ground. If you do not remove them though they can choke the good things growing around them. Same with bitterness. It is a "choker". In Isaiah 43:18-19 it says 'Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past.See I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

So there is a verse on being bitter and another on letting the past go. Often times that is what it takes. Get your mind on something else. Think on good things. Matthew 6:14-15 says 'For if you forgive men when thy sin against you then your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins your heavenly Father will not forgive you.'

Even the experts at the world renowned Mayo Clinic say it is good for your health overall to let go of grudges. Doctors know and so does God's word.

What is your choice? Pray and ask God to help you be a forgetter and forgiver and be at peace, or dwell on things and let roots of offense and bitterness grow?

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose to let go of any offenses that I have harbored. I ask Lord you help bring to mind anything I need to let go that I may have harbored. Help me forgive when necessary. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SOMEDAY MAY NEVER COME

Do you ever intend to do something, go somewhere, meet up with a
friend, or perhaps meet a new person? I think we all probably do. I
had good intentions of meeting a beautiful lady who was a member of
our contemporary worship team at church but never got to. She died of
cancer Monday.

I had messaged her through Facebook and mailed her cards during her
ordeal with chemo and the few times she was back in church either up
singing on stage or just in a chair I never went forward to introduce
myself. Now I have to wait till I get to heaven someday. This lady had
a wonderful spirit which came across even on messages. For several
years I watched her up front singing praises to The Lord but never got
to meet her. She is singing with Jesus now and her husband and two
children are left here on earth missing her and I am sure deeply
grieving.

The point of my devotion is do not keep saying stuff and putting it
off as you may not get another chance. That card you intend to send.
That apology you intend to render. That visit you intend to make. That
gift you intend to give. That thank you you intend to say. That love
you intend to show.

I have little notes on my phone from this friend I never met but I am
sure she is delighting to be in the arms of Jesus now. No more tears.
No more pain. No more suffering. No more earthly cares and concerns.
Left behind are people who wonder why she died so young.

Friend you may not get another chance to show kindness or say
something to someone you love. Do not keep putting things off. Be pro
active and initiate things so later on you won't have regrets. We do
not know how long we will be on this Earth. Don't hold grudges and
hatred in your heart but instead make an effort to be loving and forgive people.

Read the Bible and study it. Don't wait for someone else to read it on
Sunday. Get to know about Jesus. Pick up His word and start growing in
Christ right now.

Do you know you would go to heaven if you suddenly died? Are you sure?
You can ask forgiveness of your sins and ask Him into your heart
today. He is only a prayer away.

In Philippians 1:22-23(NIV) it says 'If I am to go on living in the body this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know.I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ , which is better by far.'

Do the best you can to serve Christ down here and on Earth and live like today may be your last on Earth. Do not always wait for the other person to initiate the first contact.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the opportunities for impacting others lives. Help me Lord not to always think of ways to make myself more comfortable but help me reach out to others and make a difference in their life and they in mine, before it is too late. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and praise God for who He is today and always!

http://youtu.be/_YFGzY_8li8

BE GOOD TO MOMMY DAY

 When I was a child there was a 45 rpm record(like a CD for those clueless to what I mean) or a television show with
a little song that said "It's another be good to mommy day" and how true that is and was! Be good to your mommy's if you are still blessed to have them here on Earth. That little song still sticks in my brain to this day years later.

We are all here because of a mommy and of course a daddy too. There may be some who experience hurt and pain when thinking of their mommy's and want nothing to do with her. But she gave you life!

The key to any relationship is to be able to truly let go of hurt and pain and forgive. Your mom may have been terrific and a best friend to you or she may have been an alcoholic who abandoned you. There are many children today who are waiting for adoption or born into a single parent household. The children did not ask to be hurt or left behind or sold as sex slaves or whatever be the case. If your time with your mommy was great, rejoice! If not let go and forgive.

Today is not Mother's Day but we are to show honor, respect, and love to our moms all the time. Perhaps you were adopted, then guess what? You were chosen!

Better yet, God chose all of us and loves each of us deeply. It says in Psalm 139:13(NIV) says 'For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb.' Maybe there are those of you out there who were rejected by your parents or your mom, well in Psalm 27:10(NIV) we are told 'though my father and mother forsake me the Lord will receive me.'

You have no reason to feel rejected if your mom hurt you because Jesus is there and wants you to know He loves you so very much. He can heal the hurt and pain and restore hope and happiness.

I was blessed and still am thankfully, to have a wonderful mom who did so much for me. My dad died about 21 years ago but my mom is still doing well as she approaches 89. It is truly a blessing to have her and I am grateful to her for so much.

Today and every day take time to ponder all the great things both your parents did for you. If you are a new mom or dad look at the golden opportunity ahead to shape your child for The Lord. God only "loans" us our children anyway it says in 1 Samuel 1:28.If you are a mom pray daily for your children. I prayed for mine even before they were born. God in fact hears and answers prayers.

Today take time to forgive and let go of pain if you did not have the really good relationship. God can redeem, restore, and rejuvenate your life so let him.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of moms. Thank you for the miracle of childbirth. Lord God without you and my parents I would not exist I know there is a plan for me no matter what my past or how old I am. Thank you Lord for your love. In Jesus' name. Amen!

PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES

 

"I can't stand so and so". Has it ever shocked you to hear someone say this that maybe was in Bible study with you or a prayer group? Maybe it was you who uttered those words. Well sure we are not perfect but if we say we love Jesus we are not to be "willy nilly" going around hating people. I admit it is hard when someone has done something intentionally to hurt you.

Do you have enemies or people you just don't like? Did you know if you claim to love Jesus you are to not hate people even if they have done wrong or hurt you? You are to pray for them. This includes impossible bosses and co workers too by the way. 1 John 4:20(NIV) says ''If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.' Pretty straightforward wouldn't you say?

If you are having trouble loving evil people or those who hurt you, just try to pray for them instead. Keep praying and pray some more. Proverbs 24:17-18(NIV) is a great verse for those of us upset with many of the US elected officials who do not listen to the people and it says 'Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.' What to do then? Pray, God will take care of those hurting us on His own time table. Live your life in an attitude of prayer.
Keep shining the love of Jesus down on all those around you and make believe Jesus is right there beside you, because He is. 

PRAYER: Lord I choose this day to love like you love and to love when I would rather show hate. It glorifies you when I show love to my enemies. Help me today to shine your light for the world to see. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Love is a great big word often thrown around casually without even truly knowing and understanding the true meaning of it. So many people love "conditionally" as is evident by the soaring divorce rates and court battles. Love is more than a feeling.

When you say you love someone, and this includes your friends and family, why not take a peek at 1 Corinthians 13. If you have your Bible handy look it up now. In verse 7 of that chapter it says 'love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things'. Now that is commitment and true love. Love does not think of itself first but puts others first.

Sometimes in life we run into people who you feel like you don't like or prefer to not be around or maybe it is someone you disagree with. Perhaps you judge this person for something they can do nothing about like the color of hair they were born with or a deformity. The point is, if you name the name of Jesus you should love like He loves. His love is "unconditional".

In Matthew 22:36-40(ESV) it says “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 a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Knowing this why do so many people harbor hate and grudges? Not all people are humanly likable but we need to love like Jesus loved.This goes for your supposed "enemies" or those who have treated you with disrespect or hate. Try praying for them instead even though it is difficult and see if your heart does not feel better.

Go now and love like Jesus!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to show love to everyone. Sometimes it may be hard so please help me have a heart of compassion for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a praise song by Dove Award winner singer/songwriter Aaron Shust, who by the way will be in concert this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Asbury Church, 138 Gillespie Rd in Madison, Alabama in the Grace Building. It is a free benefit concert. I plan to be there to lift up the name of Jesus through his music.

http://youtu.be/8iSVF2XM7yQ

GRADUATION DAY

This is the time of year that lots of graduations are occurring. High school, college, graduate school, medical school and even kindergarten and eighth grades often times have graduations. It is a special time families look forward to almost as much as the individual graduating! Receptions, open houses, and parties are held in honor of the graduate.

Another even more "special graduation" awaits the believer who has accepted Jesus Christ into their heart as Lord and savior and that is our "graduation" into the heavenly kingdom. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9(NIV) that '

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him' or in other words as there is no way a human can possibly conceive of what awaits those who have asked Jesus into their hearts. In Isaiah 65:17(NIV) it says 'see I will create new heaven and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.' In our mere human minds we often wonder if "papa or mama are looking down on us" but apparently they are overcome by the beauty and grandeur of the heavenly kingdom it sounds like by this verse. Are you ready for heaven? There have been stories told of believers who have died and miraculously been brought back to life after getting a glimpse of heaven and wished they could have stayed. We friends and family members want our loved ones to live, and rightfully so, but it sounds like by these stories that they are much better off in the splendor that awaits us with Jesus. Everything down here is so temporary. Heaven is forever. It is eternity. I did not ask if you were a church member or have been baptized. In Matthew 7:21-23(NIV) it says 'Not everyone who says to me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day "Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" and I will tell them plainly "I never knew you. Away from me you evil doers."' I am not saying this to scare anyone but to truly search your heart. There is not one special denomination that has all the answers. Many people do lots of good "church things" but their heart really is not right with the Lord. James 1:12(NIV) says 'Blessed is the one who has persevered under trial for having stood the test that person will receive the crown of life that is promised to those who love him. ' Many denominations think their way is the only way to heaven. I have news for you. There will no doubt be many surprises in heaven. We human "judges" think we have all the answers and even wonder at someone's death if they "got in". It is not our job to do that. We simply pray. I remember many years ago hearing a friend relate to me how this elderly woman had said to her mom that she did not think it was "fair" for someone to have a "death bed conversion" when she had served Jesus almost all her life. Say what? Like I said, there will be surprises in heaven. Murderers, thieves, rapists, those who committed suicide, and all sorts of people we humans like to say "probably did not get in". If they asked God to forgive them and asked them into their heart they are redeemed and set free. We all have sinned. There is not a big chart classifying which is "the ultimate worst one". We humans do that, not God. 1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.' Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Are you ready for your "heavenly graduation day"? In Hebrews 3:15(ESV) 'As it is said "Today if you hear His voice harden not your hearts as you did in the rebellion."' Do you hear God's voice? Do you want to? If only you could stop and make time for Him today. If you are not sure you have asked Him into your heart it is a simple prayer. "Lord Jesus forgive me for doing my own thing. Forgive me Lord for shutting you out. I want you to come in and live in my heart today." Next find a growing dynamic church where you can grow in Christ and one that shows love and forgiveness. Finally get into your Bible each day and get to know Jesus better. You can not "know" friends without spending time with them. Same with Jesus. It is not just one hour on Sunday. Get ready to graduate!! PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for being my Lord and savior. Forgive me if I have made judgments on where another person stood or whether or not they would go to heaven because of something they had done. I do not know their heart. I want to know you better and I know that Satan does not want me to. I choose this day to live for you. In Jesus' name.Amen. Click on link for an awesome praise song. http://youtu.be/9La_4svq8JI