Being Kind

A new command I give you:  Love one another.  Just as I have loved you so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another.  John 13:34-35

The ache of rejection is hard, at least for me. I have been rejected by close friends before. Some though have been rejected by family members or spouses which is much worse probably. 

Thinking about Easter which we recently celebrated, Jesus was despised and rejected by men. Beat up, mocked,whipped, scorned yet all along he said not one word. Accounts have Him grimacing in pain from this torture but never once saying once ugly word. How many of us could endure that type brutality without wanting to say something back? Luke 23:34 says "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." 

Is there someone in your life you need to learn to be kind to? Humanly maybe they deserve to be spoken ugly to, but that is not God's desire. He desires kindness. Start your week being kind under impossible situations. You will feel better for it.

PRAYER: There are people who rub me the wrong way sometimes Lord but I know it's not right to be ugly back or even think ugly thoughts. Help me remember to be kind and pray for them, not gossip. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Love Meter

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

How is your love meter registering? Loving all people can sometimes be tough. Sometimes it is even difficult to love those closest to you. Love is the greatest commandment. Loving people above things and above yourself. Being unselfish and kind. Being gentle when you would rather be rude. Showing love to the unloveable or even those people you maybe do not agree with. 

Review 1 Corinthians chapter 13 when you get a moment. It is called the 'love chapter' in the Bible and has valuable scripture that if followed can keep your life on track and your love meter full. Pray each day and ask God to give you love for all kinds of people. We even are supposed to love and pray for our enemies. Now that one is tough especially of someone has hurt or betrayed you. Human nature wants to lash out and God's nature wants us to love unconditionally. There is your assignment. Go into the world and show God's love.

PRAYER: Give me the ability Lord to love others through you. Open my eyes to hurting people and help me show kindness and respect in addition to love. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

LOVER OR HATER?

Do you know that we are to love one another? Most reading this may have heard that before. Do you really love everyone? Really?

Do you find yourself talking bad about people? Do you make fun of people? The Bible is overflowing with verses about love, the kind only God can give us. In the book of 1 John 4 verse 20 it reads as follows 'Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.'

Have you been guilty of saying a certain person drove you crazy? Maybe you do not agree with opinions of others. Guess what? No two people are alike. Every individual is flawed in some way. If I act better than someone or too good, then I better look out. Only God is truly good. It is our job while on this Earth to love others with the love Jesus Christ gives us. A transforming love. The kind of love a mother of a murdered son displays to the killer of her child. The kind of love you have for someone who has spoken about you poorly. This is love only from God.

Do you want that kind of love today? It is only a prayer away. Ask God to transform you into a lover of the unlovable and watch Him work.

PRAYER: I cry out to you Lord. I am by no means perfect and have lots to learn about your perfect love. Occasionally I slip up and for that I ask for your forgiveness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE LOVE COMMANDMENTS

Most everyone is familiar with the Ten Commandments found in Exodus chapter 20 but are you aware there  are two more? The past few days have been focused on love leading up to the month of love, February. 

 Matthew 22:33-40(NIV)  says “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Herein lies the question? Can you love like that really? We're supposed to if we name Jesus as Lord of our life. Sometimes you may need to ask Him to help you love someone. 

If only we could master love. It is not the romantic notion of movies and fairy tales but is something much deeper and greater. It is loving when you do not feel like you can. It is thinking of others as better than yourself. It is the act of being a true disciple of Christ. Are you capable of this kind of love? Jesus can help you. Call on Him today? 

PRAYER: There is a popular older song that says "All you need is love" well I need you Lord to be able to display the character of you through love I show to others. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER

 

God's love, not the 1970's era singers "Captain and Tennille's" love is what keeps us together. They sang a catchy song "Love Will Keep Us Together". The true meaning of love, is not something conjured up by Hollywood or the music industry. Love is more than romance, although in a marriage that is extremely important to keep the marriage strong.

Love is selfless. Love is kind. Love thinks of others first. Love is giving. Love is sharing. Love is sacrifice. We can have love for a husband or wife or love for a friend or family member. Love forgives and forgets.

God's love for us is unconditional. In others words, no matter what you do or how you act He is there. As humans we too are to emulate this but sadly many marriages end up in a "rock pile" because God's love by both partners was not followed. Even many friendships falter when one friend is not willing to forgive and forget. Family relationships are fractured or the same reason.

Romans 5:8(NIV) says 'But God demonstrates His own love of us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'

Imagine that! Dying for others. That indeed is true love demonstrated to the utmost. Now go and make a point to show His love today.

PRAYER: It is my desire to love unconditionally and with a pure heart. The hardest time to love is when someone does not love back. Help me Lord to keep on showing love regardless. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

 Do you have love for others in your heart? Loving others is sacrificing sometimes what you want to do to out the other person first. It could be a spouse, friend, family member, or a complete stranger. You show love through your words and your actions.

Love is speaking a kind word to someone be it a friend or stranger. Love is being a friend to someone who is hurting. Love is lending a helping hand to those in need. Love is putting another before yourself. Love is not getting even. Love is sharing. Love is finding a way to cheer up someone and make their day better. Love is overlooking faults. Love is being kind.

When people think of you do you think they think of you as someone who would represent love? What can you do today to show God's love to someone? It can be as simple as a smile. Yes our mouth is also not just to communicate with, eat, sing, and kiss but it works to smile and make someone happy too.

1 John 4:7(NIV) says 'Dear friends let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.' Do you know God? I do not mean do you go to church each week or you are a member of a certain church but do you truly feel you have asked Jesus to be Lord of your life? Once you do it is easier to truly love people and even those who may rub you the wrong way. This does not mean you will not slip up but each day try to love like God would love.

PRAYER: I want to love like you love Father. I want to speak kindness to those around me. I want to be able to forgive and forget. I know this is all a part of having love in my heart. Help me Lord as I seek to love more and judge less. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I LOVE JESUS, HOW ABOUT YOU?

The Christian singer Carman has a song where the the lyrics say "I love Jesus yes I do, I love Jesus, how about you?" Do you love Jesus?

The word love is thrown around so flippantly at times. There is the love between man and wife which should be eternal, deep, truthful, permanent with Christ as the center. There is the love of friends where it is loyal, kind, and faithful. A person can say they love a certain food, sports team, college, vacation destination, or pet. We love our family, or should.

Love is kind, truthful, forgiving, honest, merciful, loyal, genuine, friendly, kind, and above all unconditional. Think of that word unconditional. It means "without conditions". God loves us unconditionally so we too need to love others in the same manner.

1 John 4:20 says 'whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or a sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love of God who they have not seen.'

When you love someone you want to please them above yourself. You give before you take. This is why the question is "do you really love Jesus" do you like to please Him by your thoughts, words, and actions? 1 John 1:6 says 'if. Claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.' So are you a liar or a lover? Start today to show the love of God to all tho you come into contact each and every day but give God your true love.

PRAYER: I love you Lord. I love your word The Bible. I love the promise of a heavenly kingdom. I thank you for helping me show love to all people even when they might not show it back. Love always wins out. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below to listen to the song I mentioned above by Carman.

http://youtu.be/RgXWIXgaMXA

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

LET'S THINK ABOUT LOVE A MOMENT

 

Love is not just reserved for Valentine's Day and anniversaries. It is more than a feeling. What is love? If you were to write an essay on love what would you say? What do you think God would say? It is much more than being "in love" with a soul mate.

Many are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 which is often called "The Love Chapter" in the Bible. If you are having trouble understanding what true love is take a moment and go get your Bible and read this chapter.

If everyone would show true love to their family,friends, neighbors, co workers and strangers our world would have fewer problems. Why can't we? Because man was born with a selfish sin nature that's why. Until your heart is truly transformed with the love of Jesus it will be hard to unconditionally love others.

In Luke 6:31 it says 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. Are you doing this? Further in Luke 6:35 it says 'But love your enemies and do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.Then your reward will be great and you will be the sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.'

To truly be able to love like Jesus loved should be our ultimate goal as a child of God. We are not to hate. 1 John 4:20 says 'Whoever claims to love God but hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.'

John 13:35 is a good verse to conclude with and it says 'By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another.'

PRAYER: Lord today I choose to love on purpose. Even when love is rejected, help me Lord to persevere. Thank you Lord that you love me unconditionally when I do not deserve it so help me to do the same with those around me each day. In Jesus' name.Amen.

LOVE OF GOD THROUGH OTHERS

 Last week I was in a coffee shop writing when I looked up and a beautiful child who had Down's Syndrome was in the chair next to me. I said hello and she was very friendly pointing to her mother buying her a drink at the counter. When her mom got ready to sit down the child leaned over and gave me a huge hug. I loved it! Then a few moments later when they got ready to leave she once again hugged me. What a great feeling! Many people may find it strange around certain people who do not seem "perfect" in world's eyes but I might ask who of us is perfect anyway?

The love this little girl showed was the kind of love Jesus shows us. Unconditional, arms wide open, smiling. How many of us could stand to learn a lesson from this little girl? Society seems to want to get rid of imperfect people. Who is to say what a person who appears defective can't contribute vitally to society. Everyone is valuable in God's eyes and we are to love like Jesus loves.

This child was such a blessing. It made my day being hugged like that! Are you able to give "hugs" say in the form of a smile as you pass strangers each day? So many people look so grouchy and unhappy and you would be surprised if you shared the love of Jesus through your smile what a difference it may make in their day.

Mark 12:30-31(NIV) reminds us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Love even those people you find it hard to love. You know who I mean. The person who said something cruel behind your back. Perhaps a co worker who lied about you to get ahead. Maybe even a friend who decided she or he did not like you anymore for whatever reason. God's love is unconditional and so should ours be.

Today why not try to ignore mean people in your life and pray for them. Also try sharing that smile and remembering to love others like Jesus would love.

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have maybe not been nice to someone who hurt me. Forgive me for not being unconditional with your love inside of me. Today I purpose to start allowing your love to flow through me and mold me and change me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TRANSFORMED OR CONFORMED?

Sometimes in life, even though you say you love Jesus, you may find yourself angry at people, politicians abusing their power or just having bad thoughts you ought not to be feeling.

God will take care of those who do wrong by persecuting others. Our job is to show love, grace, forgiveness and mercy. Our job is not to judge others. Our job is to remain hopeful and not worried and fretful. Our main job is to always pray. Our job is to be transformed into image of Christ and not conformed to the world and popular culture around us. Our job is to be Christlike.

Romans 12:1-2(NIV) is one of my favorite verses and one of the first I ever memorized. It says '

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.' There it is. "Transform not conform". The world's mold of gossiping,lying, cursing,belittling others, judging, and hurting people is easy. But God shares in His word,The Bible,that to be hating and judging is indeed wrong and not becoming for a Christian. We need to do our best with God's help to be a shining light that others will come towards to get out of the "darkness" of their souls.

What is it going to be? Continue being "of the world" or be set apart and transformed for Him?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is so easy to slip up and get angry or show hatred. I want to be more and more like you each and everyday. I choose to live by the word of God. Bring conviction when I start to stray. 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

THE MARRIAGE

 

One year ago today, my answers to 28 years of praying came to fruition when our younger son was joined in Holy matrimony to his best friend and soul mate. It was a wonderful Christian wedding and an exciting day for not only them but for family and friends who were in attendance to celebrate with them. Weddings are indeed a time of joy and celebration especially when families like each other and vows are taken seriously. It is an anticipated event joining a man and a woman as one in the eyes of God, even though society may try to redefine it. It is a commitment and a vow not to be entered into flippantly.

With weddings we think of love as well. What better way to celebrate love than when you go to a Christian wedding. At times this is a great time for those already married to think about what marriage really means. It is till death do you part with no escape clauses. I have readers who have been in failed marriages and it is not my intent to guilt you in any way. God can and does forgive and at times the divorce may not have been your fault.

Love indeed is a good thing. 1 Corinthians chapter 13, which I am copying from the NIV in it's entirety, is the definition of love. Read it out loud today whether you are married or single.

'If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 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 the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in partand we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes,what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'

Love like this verses says even to your friends. Love like God. God is love. Is there someone you need to show this type of love to today?
PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the gift of love. I know I am to love others with your love. I am not to hate or be ugly but to be an imitation of your love wherever I go. I will seek always to love like you love no matter if others love me back. In Jesus' name. Amen!
Click on link for a song of love.

http://youtu.be/3rPvrXoIVl0

LOVER OR HATER

If someone were to characterize you would they say you are a person full of love and joy or that your had a spirit of anger and hatred? As a follower of Christ we are to show love even to the unlovely in the world around us. Hating someone was never God's plan. Trying to win others to Jesus takes a heart of love, forgiveness, and compassion.

Think for a moment if it were your funeral today and what they would say in the eulogy about you?  What do you want to be remembered as? I am not trying to get you to constantly worry in this world about what others are thinking or saying but what I am trying to get at is search your heart for a moment. If you say you love Jesus then you should love people. When you talk about someone behind their back that is not showing much love do you think? If you have a problem in this area God can help you.

There are those in this world who hate Christians simply because we are Christians. It is confusing and sad to me but never the less we are still to reach out in love to the hurting world around us and even those you may not see eye to eye with.

It says in Matthew 5:44(NIV) to 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'. Are you able to do this? Do you hold bitterness in your heart towards someone or so you have a grudge hidden away?

1 John 4:20(NIV) says 'If you say you love God but hates a brother or
sister is a liar for whoever does not love their brother or sister,
whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.'

Where do you stand? A lover or a hater ?

PRAYER: Soften my heart Lord to those arounde who may have hurt me,
ridiculed me, insulted me, made fun of me or just outright shunned me.
Help me forgive as I know I can not show love without true
forgiveness. Give me the power to forgive even when the other person
wants nothing to do with me. Give me your love Lord for my enemies. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

DOESN'T PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS

Back when I was in grade school in the "olden days" as some children and young people today would like to think, on our grade cards there was a section on behavior and one of the categories said "Doesn't play well with others". Thankfully I never had this block checked but it gave me an idea for a devotion.

Do you "play well with others" or are you self centered, rude, hurtful, selfish, hateful, unkind, and harsh? Only you know. Do you do things to try to make you look good at the expense of others? Are you a bragger or do you exercise humility? Do you put others before yourself? Do you refuse to forgive and show love?

The world around us is all about number one, me, myself, and I. Magazines even have titles such as "Self". Facebook is nice to share pictures and a good way to keep in touch but if we are not careful we can get self consumed on it. Thinking of number one can occupy most people's time.

Are you able to share? Are you able to let someone go ahead of you? Do you do nice things for others or do you expect people to help you all the time? The more kind, generous, and humble you are the more pleasant you are to be around.

Satan wants you to be self consumed. He wants you to be rude. He wants you to "walk over" others to get ahead. He wants you to be evil and arrogant. He wants you to be a big bully. He wants you to refuse to forgive. But I bet you can guess what God wants?

1 Peter 3:8(NIV) says 'Finally all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic,love one another, be compassionate and humble.' It is never too late to start. If you have trampled people or hurt them go apologize. Treat others like you want to be treated is a good rule of thumb. Now go out and be nice!

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose to be kind for you. Forgive me if I have ever bragged or been less than humble. I want you to be first, others second, and myself last. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOUR SORRY....HUH!!

 

This may make a great movie line from the seventies but is has no bearing in real life relationships. If you have hurt somone you love, be it a spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, or friend you need to admit it and go to the person and restore this relationship. Sometimes people mess up and some people have trouble asking forgiveness and saying they are sorry. If you are the one who has been hurt by someone you are close to, you can choose to dwell on it or you can move on. True, it is not right when someone has done something and will not admit they have hurt you, but to dwell on it only causes a huge divide. Eventually if it happens to be in a marriage relationship you may need counseling for this issue as it can not continue to be buried if there is an underlying cause.

If you know you have hurt someone and you claim to be a Christian ask yourself what would Jesus do? We all know the answer to that. He would admit his mistake and seek to heal the relatioship before it was wounded any more. Many fights in marriages could be avoided if the couples truly prayed together and read their Bibles together and would admit it when they were wrong. The real culprit in all arguments and misunderstandings is the enemy Satan trying to divide and destroy because that is his specialty.

Sometimes you may have hurt a friend and they refuse to want to be your friend anymore. You have to move on. Pray for the person. Try to love them regardless of how they feel about you.

Most all types of relationships could be wonderful and happy and strong if people did not always try to get their own way. If all of us who claim to love Jesus and follow Him would stop each day and pick up that instruction manual, otherwise known as the Bible, there would be much less conflict. If husbands would treat their wives like Christ treated the church, there would be a much lower divorce rate. If people would put the other person first all the time and think of nice things to do, that would help as well. If you are just starting out a new marriage, begin the right way and make it a point to not take each other for granted, ever! Read the instruction manual and read it together. Take time and read Ephesians Chapter 6 and 1 Corinthians 13. Choose to love and choose to forgive.

If you are reading this and some type relationship you are in seems to be a one way battle all you can really do is pray. Keep seeking Christ. Keep reading your Bible. Try to control the urge to fight or yell as then Satan has you right where he wants you . Overcome evil with good it says in Romans 12:21. As hard as it is sometimes when you are hurt you have to throw off anger. Just think of this as spiritual warfare. Satan is the author of lies, deception, hate, confusion and every evil work. God is all about love, peace, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, mercy, self control and grace. Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy. We have a choice. We can choose to love and forgive or we can choose to be angry, hateful, vindictive and give Satan more power in our lives.

What is your choice today? Joy, love. peace, forgiveness and moving on or hatred, anger and bitterness? Matthew 5:44(NIV) simply says 'But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' Now just go and do it with God's strength!

PRAYER:Lord Jesus I know you made me to love and show mercy to others. I know in life people may hurt me but I can choose to fight and be angry or I can choose to let it go and move on. I can choose to harbor hate and anger or choose to be kind to those who may want to mistreat me. It is hard, so I need your strength Lord. I know Lord we are in a battle between God and the devil. Fighting is not a fruit of the holy spirit but love is. I choose to love, regardless. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a powerful song to get your weekend started off right.

http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4

OWE MAN NOTHING BUT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Tax Day in the USA is once again upon us and many may be rushing to get this done and get to the post office in time so they are not fined. Taxes are a part of life. Unfortunately lately our government has taken advantage of the people's money and tried to get it to use on wasteful programs and immoral programs. Never the less as much as we fight it and continue to fight it we have to faithfully pay what is due even if others cheat. Until something changes in the government we are stuck with this. As a Christian we are obligated. Romans 13:7(NIV) says 'Give to everyone what you owe them. If you owe taxes pay taxes. If revenue then revenue, if respect then respect. If honor then honor.'

More than money we are to love. Romans 13:8(NASB) says 'Owe nothing to anyone but to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.' Sometimes it is hard to love evil rulers and leaders who seem to not care about the people that elected them. They use our money only to do wrong things yet we seem powerless. We're still supposed to love them and pray for them.(See link below).

Today do your part to show love to those around you in your smile and in your kind gestures. And the government may irritate you but God is ultimately the one in control so do not worry just keep praying.

PRAYER: Lord thank you that I have money in order to be able to pay taxes. Thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon my life. Help me to remember to love those who I would tend to want to hate. Lord you are Lord of lords and you are in control. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Please remember to pray for this country and your leaders go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org as a helpful tool to do this.

Note:The past two days I have experienced some technical difficulties. If you did not receive either days devotion you may find them all online at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com

LOVE MONTH NEARING AN END BUT .......

 .....Not the love. Valentines' Day 2013 may have come and gone but
love and kindness should be ongoing throughout the year. Being nice
and showing love is not just for February but should be the other 364
days of the year. Why should we need a holiday to show love, respect,
friendship, and kindness to our significant other or those around us?

1 John 4:7(NIV) says 'dear friends let us love one another, for love
comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows
God.' Do you have that kind of love for those you come in contact
with? It is easy to hate and hold grudges but love should be your aim.

Love can lift you from a pit of despair. Let's review 1 Corinthians
13:4-8(NIV) which makes it pretty simple. It says '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 and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts,always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where
there are prophecies they will cease. Where there are tongues they
will be stilled. Where there is knowledge it will pass away.'

There you have it. Why not try to sear those verses in your heart and

follow them for a wonderful loving life? Now go and love with the love of Jesus!

PRAYER:Lord you love us with an everlasting unconditional love. Your
mercy is forever. Lord I want to show unconditional love to others
also. Help me as I walk the path of love I should be staying on. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for a powerful praise song.
http://youtu.be/IoezWBPGRAc

FORGIVE....JUST DO IT!!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. No matter whether you celebrate
this day or not, it is a day of red roses, chocolates, and hearts.
Basically a day for love. Why only have one day for love but why not
let love be your aim around the clock?

Valentine's Day puts undue pressure on young men who are not attached
because if they ask a girl out on that particular day she may get the
wrong message. Basically as my younger son used to call it years ago,
"Singles Awareness Day". Sort of catchy isn't it?

True love involves more than just being romantic. For a married couple
it is about commitment, trust, putting the other person first, and
learning to say you are sorry and ask forgiveness. The person who has
been hurt needs to show their love by not keeping a record of wrongs
as it says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, found in the infamous "love chapter"
in the Bible.

Forgiveness is a major part of loving someone. Learning to let go of
an irritation and forgive whether they asked or not. Unforgiveness
does nothing but drive people further apart and makes anger fester.
Not forgiving is our human side and it is what the devil wants. Now if
on the other hand someone is reading this who is being physically
harmed by a spouse or a date then you need to seek protection as the
individual may need help. Hopefully no one reading this fits that
category but if so get help not hurt.

Being unable to forgive breaks families apart, ends relationships of
friends, can have two adult siblings unable to communicate, and many
other things. Does not sound like a character trait for a believer to
possess now does it? It is so easy to be angry and want our way. That
is self just getting in the way.

Love is a great thing particularly when it is unselfish. That is what
it is about. Are you able to turn the other cheek, get on with life,
and show forgiveness? Are you able to pray for the person who hurt you
or maybe in worse case scenario, killed a family member? Wow that last
one is a biggie. Matthew 5:44(KJV) says 'But I say to you, love your
enemies and pray for those, who persecute you.'

Ephesians 4:32(NIV) says 'Be kind and compassionate to one another
forgiving one another just as Christ God forgave you.' I challenge
you today to make a list of anyone you are harboring something against
and pray and give that over to the Lord. If necessary pray for
restoration of a relationship when appropriate.

Is there a person in your life you need to forgive? Well then,go and just do it!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is through you that we are able to show grace,
mercy, and forgiveness to someone who may not deserve it. It is part

of what love is all about. Let me reach out to people with God's love
around the clock and not harbor things in my heart. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord:
Forgiveness by Matthew West
http://youtu.be/wz3tkHv5sbg

THE LOVE MONTH

 The entry to 2013 is now well underway and now we are at the 4th day
of February. After a series of devotions on new starts and new
beginnings, this month the primary focus will be on love. Most people
familiar with the Bible can probably tell you the "love chapter" is 1
Corinthians 13. Read it when you have a moment.

Love is patient. It is not rude. Love thinks of others first. Love is
respectful and kind . Love does not remember wrongs suffered or hold

grudges. Love forgives. Love doesn't lash out at others with hateful
words.

The greatest example of love ever was Jesus dying a painful torturous
death on a cross for us and what does He do? He forgives his accusers
and the men who nailed Him up there. Imagine that? We humans have a
hard time forgiving some things but imagine this ultimate test of
letting the hurt go. What good does it do anyway?

Is there someone in your life that has hurt you and maybe never even
knew it that you need to let go of the emotional pain before you can
move on? Some have been rejected by peers, friends, parents, spouses,
children,employers, and yes even those in their own church! Dwelling
on the pain and the injustice done will achieve nothing. Part of love
and being loving is being willing to let go. Get Christian counseling
if necessary but do not keep harboring a hurt.

The Bible sums it up pretty good when it says in Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
'Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and all
your strength.The second is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. This
is the second and greatest commandment.'

PRAYER: Father give me the ability to let go of hurts and dwell on
showing love to those you have placed in my life. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song:
http://youtu.be/3nUl0vcXrHw