Personal Favorites ... (James 2:1-7)

Today’s scripture: James 2:1-7

In God’s eyes, everyone is equal. Gender. Age. Cultural background. Wealth. He doesn’t care about any of that. He just cares about the heart.

But us? Not so much.

We look at the outside. We admire the beautiful. The young. We want to be around those who are like us.

And we especially hold those with all the “stuff” in high esteem. For some reason, we think those with lots of money are somehow more important. We’d rather hang out with the rich and famous than spend time in the soup kitchen.

But think about it. Where do you often find the most faithful? In the palaces? No, you find them in the slums. Friends of mine who have had the privilege of going on short or long term missions  to “third world” countries have told stories of the generosity of the “least of these.” And of their love for Jesus. They live with nothing, but they praise the name of their Lord and Savior.

These are the people we should hold in highest esteem. These are the people whose faith we should emulate.

To Sum It Up ... (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Today’s scriptures: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Like a great attorney summing up his case, Peter recaps much of his previous exhortations. And what a recap it is. And far from easy. Read through the list of things we’re commanded to do. And then read it again.

We’re to be “harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” Now sometimes, this is very easy. I can live in harmony with the nice guys, with my good friends. But this verse doesn’t say “only with those you like.” In fact, Peter makes it pretty clear. We’re not to be “returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead …”

Not easy at all. It’s really hard to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29). That’s what we’re commanded to do, however. Why? Well, first, because we’re commanded … But God, our good Father, loves to bless His children. And He’ll bless us for “keeping our tongue from evil,” which includes saying nasty things about others. He’ll bless us for seeking and pursuing peace.

Peace. All of us, at all times, with all people. 

Know God? Love Others ... (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10a)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10a

Our Lord God is described by many adjectives and names throughout the Bible, and I love that.

I love that He sees me wherever I am because He’s El Roi—the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). Or when I have a need, I know He’s Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides (Genesis 22:14). Or when I hurt, I know He will give me strength as I seek His refuge (Psalm 46:1). Or when I’m feeling anxious I can go to Jehovah Shalom—the Lord is peace (Judges 6:24). Or if everything around me seems dark, I remember God is light (1 John 1:5).

But most of all, I love that God is love—pure love (1 John 4:16). He loves me more that I could ever imagine. He loves me in spite of my sin and rebellion. He loves me so much that He was willing to send His Son—a literal part of Himself—to die for my sins, to provide a way for my salvation (John 3:16).

And because He loves me that much, how can I do anything less than love others—all others. In fact, the Bible makes it very, very clear: “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). If I don’t love my brothers and sisters, I don’t know God. Convicting words, aren’t they?

So because I do know God, I must love others. No room for jealousy or hate. No room for envy or covetousness. No room for arrogance or pride.

Just love. Pure love. God’s love.

I think I have some work to do … What about you?

Love Each Other! (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Encourage each other. Comfort each other. Rejoice in each other.

Love each other.

I’ve written about this before: Our creator God is love, and He created us to love. We are created to love Him and each other.

The English language only has one word for love. And we use it in many ways. I love my husband. I love to read. I love ice cream. I love my family. I love dogs. I love musical theater.

I love God.

The Greek language has several words for love. Eros is intimate love in marriage. Storge is familial love. Agape is unconditional love—the love God has for us.

And Philia is love between friends. This is the love we often find when we meet our brothers and sisters in Christ. So often, we meet someone who shares our faith, and there’s an immediate connection.

Just a few months ago, I joined a new small group. From the start, I felt connected, among sisters. As we continue to share prayer requests and what God is doing in our hearts, we’re learning to love each other more and more.

Even more recently, I had lunch with a new friend, and we shared some of our stories. Our love for the Lord was clear, and we are beginning what may be a wonderful sister-ship.

As we sisters in Christ continue to grow in relationship, we’re learning to do as Jesus commanded: Loving each other as we do ourselves.

A Tall Order ... (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). He went on to say. “… love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

As followers of Christ, we are to love one another. We are to be kind and gentle. We should show compassion. Throughout the gospels, we see how Jesus cared for others.

He showed compassion to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11) and to the woman with a flow of blood (Matthew 9:22). He was gentle when he met the Samaritan woman in her shame (John 4:1-26).  He grieved with Martha and Mary (John 11:35).

And Jesus’ heart broke when He saw the rebellion of His people: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34).

So as Jesus showed compassion and gentleness, we should do the same. We should treat our brothers and sisters with affection and kindness, loving them as we love ourselves. Even more, loving them as Jesus loves us.

Pride ... Oh, So Ugly ... (Philippians 2:3-4)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Pride. It’s something many of us struggle with, and it’s something that God abhors (see Prov. 8:13; 16:18; Mark 7:22). We look at “our” gifts and talents, or what “we’ve” achieved, and we think, “Good for me!” Even more, we sometimes look at what others do, and think, “I could do that better.”

We forget—often—that anything we have and anything we can do comes from God. So to be prideful about what we do is ironic. Instead, we’re called to be humble, to do all things with “lowliness of mind.” Not selfish. Not conceited. Rather, we should honor others.

Now this doesn’t mean we’re supposed to be doormats and let people walk all over us. We can look out for our “own interests.” We can—and should—do our best in all things. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17). But we also need to make certain we’re supporting our brothers and sisters.

Imagine your life if you could sincerely “esteem others better.” If you could genuinely celebrate the gifts and talents God has given everyone. If you trusted God to use each of us according to His will. If you truly believed none of us is better than another.

Imagine.

Love as Jesus Does (Ephesians 5:25-30)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 5:25-30

Yesterday, I resurrected my comments about wives being subject to husband. I wrote, “… in a healthy marriage, husbands and wives want the best for each other.”

Paul takes this a step further … for husbands, at least. Husbands are commanded to love their wives “as Christ also loved the church.”

Christ experienced overwhelming pain and suffering for His church. He faced betrayal, ridicule, and denial. He was rejected. He was brutally killed. For His church.

And that’s how husbands are to love their wives.

Further, they are to love their wives as they love themselves. They are to “nourish and cherish” their wives.

That means husbands are to “promote the growth of,” and I think that means providing for their wives physically, but also to encourage them emotionally and spiritually. Husbands are also to “feel or show affection for” their wives and to “keep or cultivate with care and affection.”

Husbands are not to belittle their wives or verbally abuse them. And they certainly are not to physically abuse them.

Rather, they are to be, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13, kind and patient, not jealous or arrogant (vv. 4-7).

Or as he wrote to the church in Ephesus: to love as Jesus does.

A Worthy Walk (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

We are unworthy of any grace or mercy, yet God sees us as worthy. We are sinful by nature, yet when we accept the gift of salvation, our sins are washed away.

So how do we—in even the smallest way—honor God and show Him gratitude for that gift?

By learning to “walk in a manner worthy of [God’s] calling.”

And how do we do that?

Paul lays it out well: We need to be humble, gentle, patient, and tolerant in love, and we need to preserve unity in peace.

Pretty tall order, isn’t it?

I’m pretty sure I can be gentle … and I’m pretty tolerant in love, accepting people as they are. And sometimes that does mean “love the sinner, hate the sin.” I seek peace in all interactions.

But patience? I’ve been working on that one for ages—or should I say the Spirit has been working in me. I still tend to want what I want when I want it. I am getting better at this, though, the older I get. I recognize how God has worked in the past, and His timing is usually not my timing.

And humility? This is another area in which I need help. I’m learning to put others ahead of myself (Philippians 2:3-4).

It’s not easy, but it’s part of the journey. And—praise God!—my walk is an ongoing, continuous action, and I’ll continue growing and learning until I meet my Lord face-to-face.

So how’s your walk? Are you struggling with any of these? Pray that the Spirit will work in you and through you, so you will be worthy of God’s calling.

Do Good to All ... (Galatians 6:9-10)

Today's scriptures: Galatians 6:9-10

“… do good to all people …”

Sometimes it seems we try, really try, to do as Paul commands. But sometimes it’s easy to lose heart. We smile and wish a good morning to that cranky checker, and she sneers. We write a nice note to our child’s teacher, and all we get is a “can’t you keep your child under control?” call in return.

We cook our spouse’s favorite dinner, the one that takes hours to prepare, and he wolfs it down before plopping down to watch the game—not a “thank you” to be heard. We patiently listen to our parent’s weekly tirade, and then even more patiently listen to her complaints about us.

Or we volunteer to work on that church committee, and the first twenty minutes of the weekly meeting is spent sharing the latest gossip.

Oh, yes, it’s easy to lose heart and grow weary.

When I was a child, my mom would always tell me that if I didn’t let people’s meanness or selfishness get to me, often they’d stop what they were doing—at least to me. It took me a while, but I finally got that old adage: It’s easier to attract flies with honey rather than vinegar.

Kindness—doing good—really does impact people. And not playing the martyr or sighing in self-pity. If we genuinely strive to do good to all people, sometimes they’ll be influenced to do good to us.

Eventually, that checker might smile back. That teacher may say, “Thank you.” That spouse may cook instead. That parent may say, “I’m proud of you.”

But even if they don’t, we can be assured of one thing: Our heavenly Father is smiling—and He’s very proud.

Loving Our Siblings in Christ (Galatians 5:26)

Today's scriptures: Galatians 5:26

Yesterday, we were reminded of the fruit of the Spirit—those attributes that demonstrate the difference we in Christ should manifest.

And perhaps, to attract believers to our Lord and Savior, we do show love and kindness and patience to the world. And yet, with those we should love most—our family, our friends … our brothers and sisters in Christ—we aren’t so loving or gentle.

Instead of humbly following God’s call, we boast about what God’s doing in us.

Instead of praying for and supporting our leadership, we challenge them to do things our way.

Instead of celebrating the gifts and talents of others, we envy them when they’re doing what we want.

Oh, if only we really loved that way, served that way. With humility. Genuinely supporting one another. Rejoicing with each other.

Just think about how our local churches could serve the community—if we positively focused on others instead of ourselves.

Just think about it …

Unity Among Believers (2 Corinthians 12:19-21)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

Why is it that we so often contend the most with those we’re to love the most? Paul is writing to Christians in Corinth—not unbelievers. Yet, he’s concerned with the possibility that there may be “strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances” (v. 20).

We Christians are part of the very body of Christ. We are hands and feet, ears and eyes, knees and elbows. All together making up one unified body—or so it should be.

How sad that it isn’t that way … We point fingers. We gossip behind closed doors. We see the failings of a sister and think ourselves better. We somewhat maliciously delight in seeing the speck in our brother’s eye, all the while ignoring the plank in our own.

As Paul writes in other contexts, may it never be!

What if we all loved as we’re commanded to love? Loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14). Being willing to lay down our lives for others (John 15:13). Thinking of others above ourselves (Philippians 2:2-4). Showing patience, kindness, self-control (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Can you imagine? If we loved each other that way, maybe we would love unbelievers that way too. And then how attractive would they find us? If we showed genuine love and unity, we could change our communities, our workplaces, our schools.

It would be amazing.

Back to Basics (1 Corinthians 7:13-16)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:13-16

We could learn a lot from the early church and its members. They were unified and supportive, comforting and affectionate.

They didn’t have denominational conflicts—mainly because there were no denominations. They were a group of people dedicated to one thing, and one thing only: proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ.

Today, we’re so focused on our traditions, our rituals, our interpretation of non-essential biblical elements that we’ve forgotten the one thing that matters: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (NKJV, John 3:16). And if we “confess our sin, He is just and faithful to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV, 1 John 1:9).

Somehow, some of us have come to the mistaken conclusion that only those who attend our church or belong to our denomination are “chosen.” Or if someone believes differently than we do about baptism or communion, they’re wrong and we’re right.

Instead of loving each other as Christ loves us, we hate each other just as the world hates us.

I can picture Paul and Peter or Timothy and Titus observing our modern church members and shaking their heads in despair. We’re so far from where we should be.

And how can we love unbelievers when we can’t love those in our own “family”? How can we bring unity to a fallen world when we’re so divided?

Maybe it’s time to go back to the basics: loving God—heart, soul, mind, and strength—and loving others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). And then drawing unbelievers to the truth of God’s love for them.

Supply What Is Lacking (1 Corinthians 16:14-18)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:14-18

It bears repeating: We Christians are all part of one Body, and we’ve been created to serve our God in whatever capacity He’s designed. We all have gifts that “supply what is lacking” in others.

I cannot do what you can do in the exact way you do it. You cannot do what I can do in the exact way I do it. Together, however, we all do exactly what God calls us to do.

That’s one of the greatest things about being a child of God: We’re not on this journey alone. Not only do we have our never-leaving, never-forsaking God (Hebrews 13:5), not only does He love us everlastingly (Jeremiah 31:3), but we also have our brothers and sisters to walk alongside us. Paul certainly did.

So we need to support one another. Acknowledge each other.

Celebrate each other.

Show gratitude to each other. Submit to each other.

Love each other.

The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Love is the only thing that will endure. Love for God. Love for others. Anything else we do on earth will “be done away” and “cease.” All spiritual gifts that God has given us to build His kingdom will also cease. Because when we stand face-to-face with our Father, we will have fulfilled His purpose on earth, and prayerfully, we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

And while we may understand some of God’s purpose and will while we’re here, one day, we will “know fully just as [we] have been fully known.” The mirror into which we now see dimly will be clear.

So while we’re on earth, we need to love as Jesus loves. With patience, kindness, mercy, and grace. We need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to love unbelievers and show them the love of Christ. And we need to love our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—heart, soul, mind, and strength.

For, indeed, the greatest of all things is love.

Love Endures All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love endures all things.

For the last 14 days, we’ve looked at different attributes of love as described by the apostle Paul. This last attribute reminds me that true loving relationships are marathons, not sprints. They’re enduring, long-lasting, strong. This is especially true—or should be—in marriage.

Our world would tell us that love is all passion, and when the passion dies, so does love. Passion is a sprint. And it does ebb and flow. So if your focus is on passion, you’ll hit the finish line and then think it’s all over. Thus the tragic divorce statistics we see.

Love is so much more than passion. Love is intimacy—emotional, spiritual, and physical. It's being there for your mate. It's loving him or her with patience, kindness, without arrogance ... All those things we've been talking about.

Yes, Russ and I have been married 27 years, and believe me, there have been times when passion has stagnated. There have even been times when I really didn’t like what Russ did—and wondered “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” It was during those times when I chose to love him.

Russ is my best friend. He’s the one who knows me inside and out—and loves me anyway. He’s the one who puts up with my bad moods (yes, I do have them occasionally!), who supports my passion for ministry, who cooks yummy meals, and whom I know will be there for me no matter what.

Our love has endured. If you’re married, please don’t listen to the world’s lies. The grass really isn’t greener on the other side. It’s probably just Astroturf—a facsimile of the real thing. And if you aren't married yet, but hope to be some day, remember these words. Remember to focus on the marathon, not the sprint

Choose to love your mate. Love, honor, and cherish, even through the difficult times, even through those times when your mate just isn’t lovable.

Run the race. Finish the marathon.

Endure.

Love Hopes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love hopes all things.

Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope. Anticipation.

I especially like Webster’s definition: to “cherish a desire with anticipation” or to “expect with confidence.”

When we love with hope, we anticipate good things from and with the ones we love. We have confidence in their love for us. We hope for a bright future.

Russ and I have been together for over 30 years, and just celebrated our 27^th wedding anniversary last week. I still anticipate what’s ahead. I still “expect with confidence” that we have amazing times in store for us. And my hope is that we’ll love each other even more through the coming years!

We Christians live with an even greater hope: eternity in heaven with our Lord God. Talk about “cherish[ing] a desire with anticipation”! I desire nothing more than shedding this earthly skin and being in the very presence of my Lord and Savior. I live in hope for that day.

Where is your hope? Can you really “expect with confidence” the things of this world? Certainly, you can place your hope in trusted people on earth, but your hope—your only real hope—should be in the One who will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The One who loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Place your hope in Him.

Love Believes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love believes all things.

I spoke at an event a while ago, and I said that the one attribute of love that was missing from Paul’s list was, “Love is trustworthy.” After meditating on the words we’re focusing on today, I think I may be wrong. Today’s attribute is close.

If I love someone—truly love him—I’ll believe the best of him. I’ll believe he’ll do his best. He’ll be loyal and kind. He’ll be faithful to me. In fact, I’ll believe he’s worthy of my trust.

In return, I need to be the same for him. This is the relationship I’m blessed to have with my husband. I know he’ll be faithful to me. I know he’ll love me through sickness and health, good times and bad, riches and poverty … because, in 27 years of marriage, he has.

So I can believe he’ll be the same in the next year or five or ten.

Love isn’t blind. That’s certain. If someone has clear issues—anger, a tendency to belittle, a history of infidelity—you should avoid an intimate relationship.  However, if he has proven himself to be faithful, then you can trust him.

You can believe in him.

Love Bears All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love bears all things.

Love—true love—puts up with everything ... well, almost. I’m not saying we’re to be doormats or allow abuse, but we should be willing to bear our spouses' bad moods or our kids’ testiness. We shouldn’t get angry when friends forget a coffee date. We should instead love them.

Love is a noun and a verb, you know. We have a feeling of love (noun), but we choose to actively love (verb). I can’t remember where I read it, but the author wrote how a man came to him and said he didn’t love his wife any more. “What should I do?” he asked. “Just love her.” Confused, the man said again, “But I don’t love her.” And again, the reply was, “Just love her.”  This went on a couple of more times, and the man was told to just go and love his wife. And a marriage was restored.

We choose to love—the verb—even when those around us aren’t being very loveable. That’s why parents can say, “I don’t like what you’ve done, but I still love you.”

My mom is a prime example of that kind of love. For a very long time, I did a lot of things that my mom did not like, things that broke her heart, but she never stopped loving me. Today, there may be things my husband does that I don’t like, but I love him. I choose to love him every day.

Think of how Jesus loves us. I imagine He doesn’t like a lot of what we do, but He loves us. He loved us enough that “while [we] were still sinners, [He] died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

That’s what it means to bear all things. All things.

Love .... Forgives (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.

In other words, love doesn’t hold a grudge. Love doesn’t seek revenge. Rather, love forgives, even when the other person hurts us deeply.

Forgiveness isn’t approval of the other person’s actions. It doesn’t condone wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean we have to let a person who wronged us into our daily lives. No. Forgiveness takes the burden of anger and bitterness off of our own shoulders. It allows us to love as Christ loved—loving the sinner without loving the sin.

Does this sound too unrealistic to be true? How can I forgive someone who’s abused me or taken what’s mine—or even killed my child?

It is possible with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know. The primary reason for my twenty-year rebellion was because I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—forgive those who had hurt me. My father for leaving us. Three adult men for abusing me.

My unforgiveness allowed hate and anger to fill my heart. It caused me to be miserable and pushed me into depression. Finally, when I just couldn’t take life any more, I found my way back to the arms of my heavenly Father, and with His strength, I was able to forgive. Those who hurt me never asked for my forgiveness, and my doing so didn’t say what they’d done was okay. But my being able to say “I forgive you” with a sincere heart lifted the burden that had so consumed my heart.

Holding a grudge or seeking revenge does nothing but destroy your own heart. There’s a saying that describes this well: “Anger [or unforgiveness] is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

Don’t “take into account a wrong suffered.” Rather, ask Jesus to give you the strength to forgive. 

Love Is Not Provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love is not provoked.

Good old Webster defines provoke as “to incite to anger” or “to stir up purposely.”

If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time—and by relationship, I mean family or friendship or romance—you probably know that other person very well. You know what brings him joy, and you know what drives him nuts.

And you know how to push his buttons.

My husband and I have been married for just over 27 years (together for over 30), and we know each other deeply. And yes, we know how to drive each other crazy—if we choose to do so. Sad to say, we sometimes make that choice. Fortunately, the longer we’re together, the less we provoke each other. And when we do, we ask for forgiveness much more quickly.

But I have to ask myself, why do we provoke those we love? If we fail to be without pride, we’re only hurting ourselves. But if we provoke another, we’re hurting them.

I don’t know for sure, but I have a theory. I think it may have to do with our own feelings of low self-esteem. If we’re not terribly confident in ourselves, we may provoke others to gain a false feeling of superiority.

Which brings us back to Paul’s words to the Philippians … If we love others, we’re going to do “ … nothing … through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:3).

I hadn’t thought about it before, but today’s attribute really builds on those that precede it: If we’re patient, if we’re kind, if we’re not boastful or arrogant, then we won’t need to put others down or provoke them to anger.

We won’t need to push their buttons because we’ll lovingly esteem them.