Have you ever tried to define the word “Love” to anyone? It is a very popular expression, you know. Perhaps, you are the romantic type and like to compose poems depicting love encounters. Well, I know a Man from Galilee who actually demonstrated not only how to love nice people, but your enemies, too. It’s a hard thing to pray for those scoundrels who persecute you. Now, that’s what I call tough love! And the Man from Galilee has a reward for you whenever you exhibit his demonstration of love. Check this out…
God’s Beloved Son, Jesus Christ gave us a new commandment: that we should love one another just as much as He has loved each one of us, (John 13:34, 35.)
A Question:
Do I really love you?
I need more time.
A Wink and a Nod:
Daddy luv yah, babe**
Like children:
We love you Mommy!
A Statement:
I love you!
Like A Joke:
Huh! I love you alright!
Or maybe divine:
We love you, my child. And so does God.
How about amorous:
(Heavy breathing) I love You!
My Darling bride!
A declaration:
I do, too, love you.
Or even a bold face lie:
I’ve loved you all my natural life!
Kidding around:
You love me…I love you…etc., etc., etc.
Joking:
Who loves yah, Baby?Read my lips!
Or a surprise:
(Cross hands over chest) Do you really love me?
No matter how you say those words They will always evoke a response. I love you? I love you! I luv yah! Sounds good, regardless of the cost.
Have you ever thought of God as your permanent care taker or care giver? Well, I have. In preparation for this week’s blog, I decided to rumble through an old file folder. It was filled with copies of some of my original writings from 1983. One particular teaching lesson I had presented to the Deaconess Board Organization I was a member of caught my attention. I had given my talk a very catchy title. “What Every Deaconess Wanted To Know About Her Task, But was Afraid To Ask.”
Please allow me to share some of the information I gave this group some 41 years ago.
Lesson Number 1: “Holy Communication and Holy Communion.”
Thesis: God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! Just as He visually communicated with the Hebrew children in the wilderness, He is visually speaking to us today.
How God Communicated Yesterday:
In the olden days, God communicated with the Children of Israel by a cloud. They all saw it, they all followed it, and they knew it was God! Exodus 13:21
Another way God communicated with them was to supply their groceries. He quenched their thirst with cool water from the rock. He feed them quail meat that dropped from the sky. He gave them a freshly baked loaf of bread every morning. Deut. 8:15, 16 and Exodus 16:8
How God Communicates Today:
Now today, God still openly communicates with us. How? He has written us a Love Letter (the Bible) telling us all about His Son, Jesus. (He wrote the letters for posterity...for all those who were not there.)
He instructed us that after we have read the letters; digested the letters; and believe in the letters; and obey the letters; that we perform a spiritual ritual on a periodic basis.
He ask us to take the cup and when we drink from it remember the blood His Son shed and allow this demonstration to reflect death and the resurrection. In our thought process (by thinking on these things) we are in communication with God.
He further ask us to take the Bread, break it and eat it. The Bread, as we know, represents Jesus' body. We ask ourselves (or we think about) what does Jesus' body represent:
FREEDOM!!!
Freedom from sickness; freedom from sin; freedom from strife, Freedom from financial problems; freedom from hatred; freedom from lustfulness; freedom from fear; freedom from want; etc.
So, we eat the bread with great expectation of becoming free just like Jesus. And we drink the cup in anticipation of dying (resting, sleeping). And also just like Jesus, being raised up again unto our Father.
How God Communicates With Tomorrow:
Now the controversial part is this.....Should I not partake of the Supper when I'm not feeling right with my brother, lest damnation comes upon me?
One interpretation revealed unto me by the Holy Spirit was to "take". For in so doing, if one is truly meditating and communicating with God during the Supper, then she (he) is surely discerning the Lord's body. 1 Cor. 11:29
So ask your Pastor or trusted Christian friend the question: "If I take during these times and think on those things which the Super represents (1 Cor. 11:24...as Oft as you do this, do this in Remembrance of me), expecting great things, will God set every thing else in order when He comes. 1 Cor. 11:34
My sincere Prayer for you is to allow God to be the Author and Finisher Of Your Faith. Amen
It’s no secret that the audacity of mankind, when evaluating another person’s performance is laced with shamelessness, boldness or insolence. Why do I make such a strong statement? Because basically people have trouble seeing past other peoples’ flaws.
Others occasionally harbor feelings of distrust towards people who are not like themselves. Find it difficult to see past another person’s flaws. Or basically categorize them as all good or all bad. There is no in between. Many people find it hard to accept people who are not like themselves.
The Lord Jesus has a different approach when deciding whom to appoint someone to become a leader.
And that’s spelled “EAR” with an “H” in front and a “T” at the end!
A prophet named Samuel was a priest and last judge in Israel, who was sent by God to Bethlehem. Samuel’s assignment was to dethrone (replace) the current King Saul and replace him with one of Jessie’s sons. The Bethlehem man made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. None of them pleased God. So, Little David was called from the sheep pasture and he passed before Samuel. After which, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the site of his brothers. David was to become the second future king over Israel.
At another time, God called an insignificant man named Moses. His assignment was to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage of slavery. Moses had to contend with Pharaoh to persuade him to free God’s chosen people out of slavery in Egypt.
There are dozens of other Biblical leaders besides Samuel and David. The above illustration is to prove that God is the One Who chooses leaders. Not ‘want-to-be’ leaders themselves nor mere men. It would be beneficial for those in a leadership position to examine themselves. Become aware of what character traits you look for in a person’s behavior. What motivates them to choose or select certain types of people to become leaders or examples for others. Consult your Maker and follow His example. In other words….use your ears more and put an “H” and a “T” at the end.
Writing is my game, story telling is my fame, but prose and poetry are my aim. I love to enlighten and expose my readers to adventure and inspirational dialogues. So, for this week’s blog you are invited to eavesdrop on a couple’s conversation. It centers around their spiritual commitment to conduct their relationship God’s way. All scripture references were taken from the Holy Bible and set to pen by me in early February 1998.
Couple having a serious discussion on whether to become engaged or not to be engaged.
Devotional Theme: "But The Greatest Of These Is Love"
Scriptures: Excerpts Selected From The Book of St. Matthew Female Voice (FV)
Excerpts Selected From I Corinthians 13:1-13 Male Voice (MV)
FV: The good man brings good things out of good stored up in him. Matt. 12:35
MV: (Never the less)…If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. I Cor. 13:1
FV: I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Matt. 17:20
MV: (But, woman, have you not heard) 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 have not love, I am nothing. I Cor. 13:2
FV: (Well) If you want to be perfect go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Matt. 19:21
MV: (Beloved) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing. I Cor. 13:3
FV: (Then take this advice) Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:44 & 45
MV: (Good advice, because) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered it keeps no record of wrongs. I Cor. 13:4 & 5
FV: (Then remember, my dear) If our brother sins against you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. Matt. 18:15
MV: (Right, again) Love does not delight in evil but in truth. I Cor. 13:6
FV: (You exude love) You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt. 5:14
MV: (Love)…always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Cor.13:7 FV: (Also,) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? Matt. 5:13
MV: (With love, of course!) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled. I Cor. 13:8
FV: (You must) Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matt. 24:42
MV: (Know?)…Where there is knowledge it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. I Cor. 13:8b, 9 & 10
FV: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:3
MV: 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 childish ways behind me. I Cor. 13:11 FV: (You have a good eye) The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. Matt. 6:22
MV: Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. I Cor. 13:12a
FV: Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. 14:43
MV: Now I know in part, then I shall know full, even as I am fully known. I Cor. 13:12b
FV: (Then know this, always) 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. Matt. 22:37 & 38
MV: And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. I Cor. 13:12b
FV & MV: BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. I Cor. 13:13b
-------------------THE END-----------------------
Conversations every couple should have before saying “I Do!”
Earlier, in my adolescent years, I began to seriously study and embrace Christianity norms. Strangely, while doing so, a soft sweet reverberating voice infiltrated my spirit. At first, I dismissed its message. Why? Because my own personal thoughts agreed with the Messenger.
The silent voice advised me…”In all of thy ‘getting’, get an understanding!“
You see, I recognized the inner voice as being that of the Holy Spirit’s. And no doubt, I did not fully understand much of what I was reading in the Old Testament. However, now later in life, I have a deeper love, respect and understanding of whom my Savior is. For over the ensuing decades of service, my spirit has been fortified, revived and glorified. All praises be unto God for allowing me to grow in biblical grace. This feat was made possible with the international missionary trips I had been privileged to embarked upon.
Below are highlights of how the Holy Spirit has brought me closer to Matthew 5:1-14 “TheSermon On The Mount”. And why He provided me with my epithet.
Most biblical saints when teaching the Beatitudes, translate the ensuing eleven (‘Blessed‘ phrases) messages as an indictment against the awaiting crowd. But those in attendance are mostly Orthodox Jews! They do not know Jesus Christ nor His characteristics and Who He is.
At this moment, Jesus is teaching the Sermon on the Mount to nonbelievers. The instructions within the Beatitudes however, are for the apostles and others who will be spreading the message of the Good News. For if their hearts and attitudes are not right, their message concerning the blessings which are in store for them are not available.(*) And will not be understood.
The crowd’s attitude is that this Man’s (Jesus’) message is not for them. They already have Moses’ message (the Ten Commandments). And they are familiar with which sacrifices to bring to God’s alter during certain times of the year to expel their sins. Thus, at that time with a new slate for another year.
So remember this message…
If your desire is to be a follower and a disciple of Jesus Christ, pray that in all thy getting, you receive a complete understand of the Beatitudes and govern yourselves forthwith. Your reward is recorded in Matthew 5:13-14:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men(*).
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
My pray unto the Holy Father is this:
Thank you Holy Spirit for nurturing me through life’s struggles. How wonderful it is that You speak to me personally through Your Word, and that I can respond to You through the Word. Continue to teach me to spend time with You in this way and to hear Your voice speaking to me personally.
Thank you Lord Jesus, sincerely, for my epithet which is already engraved on my tombstone: “In All Thy Getting, Get An Understanding!” Amen and Amen
(*) NOTE 1: Non believers who to this day, reject the Holy One who is the Son of God.
How many friends, family members and acquaintances do you know that addresses people not by their given names, but rather by using a euphemism (a mild or indirect word or expression) that in most cases depicts an endearing term that shows hospitality and love?
For example, I often greet family and friends by saying, “Hello Lovie. How are you?” If a conversation pursues, I’m guilty of peppering my sentences with “Lovie” a few more times to make a point. Now, I’m not saying that this is all bad. I’m just saying that this week my eyes were opened to the realization that perhaps I might want to just curtail using the expression of “Lovie” as a substitute for addressing a person by their legitimate name.
Here is why…
A few years ago, my bible study group started reading 1st Samuel, a book in the Bible. A very popular story in that book is the one about the young lad, Samuel, who had a dream while living in a priestly commune (temple) with the prophet Eli. Samuel was awakened from his dream twice by someone calling him. Samuel thought it was Eli so he got up and went to Eli. Since Eli had not been the one who called unto Samuel, Eli instructed Samuel what to say if he heard his named called a third time. Finally, the Lord did call his name again, but this time He called out, “Samuel! Samuel!” and He got Samuel’s attention. Samuel’s response was, “Here I am Lord. Speak, for your servant is listening” (1st Samuel 3:1-10).
I am very familiar with that story as I am sure you are too. But this time Samuel’s encounter with the Lord really got my attention and I wondered how many times was a double salutation used to call somebody in the Old and New Testaments. My research revealed that throughout all sixty-six books in the entire Bible, only nine people and one city were addressed by calling their names twice.
I immediately called upon the Holy Spirit and asked if we could have a little conversation…
In my spirit I began to realize that every time an individual was called by name twice, he or she was elevated to a greater and higher position of importance in the scheme of things in the Bible.
Abraham! Abraham! He became the Father of many Nations . (Genesis 22:11-13)
Jacob! Jacob! He became a great nation siring 12 tribes. And his name was changed to Israel. (Genesis 46:1-4)
Moses! Moses! He was assigned to become a deliverer of God’s people. (Exodus 3:1-10)
Samuel! Samuel! He was young at the time, but God was grooming him to be a priest, prophet, and judge. (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
Martha! Martha! She was the sister to Mary and Lazarus. Martha was taught from being anxious about many things in life. (Luke 10:38-42)
Simon! Simon! Also known as Peter. He learned to rely on Jesus instead of his own self. (Luke 22:31-32)
Saul! Saul! Also known later as Paul. He changed from persecuting Christians to teaching them. (Acts 9:4)
Lord! Lord! This was the title people began to use with their lips but not with their hearts. (Matthew 7:21-22, 25:11: Luke 6:46; 13:25)
Eloi! Eloi! Definition for “My God, My God” that people still call on today. (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1)
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The name given to the only city in the Bible that was elevated to prominence. (Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)
This is the conclusion of the matter…
If and when God calls your name TWICE, will you recognize him and answer the call? Will Jesus get your attention? I truly believe that God has a place and an assignment for each and every one of us to perform. He is no respecter of person. What he has done for others, he will do for you! So, for goodness sake…don’t miss it when God calls your name…TWICE!
My prayer for you…
Dear Heavenly Father: First of all, I want to thank You for knowing our names and just where we are at any given moment. We also wish to thank You for Your divine organizational structure, for it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 that “There is timing and purpose for everything in God. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…And a time to heal.” So, dear Jesus, please find all of us in good health, good spirits, good moral living conditions, and good hearts for service in Your vineyards. May we all use good common sense and good judgment and be submissive to the instructions of the Holy Spirit and to always remember that love never fails when carrying out Your decrees and directions for our lives. We humbly come laying these prayers at the feet of Jesus. Amen!
Scripture Lesson:He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)
Jesus began calling his first disciples out of the saltshaker and into the world. And guess where the saltshakers had found refuge? In the synagogues! Yes, hiding in plain sight. What you may not realize is that John the Baptist was actually the first preacher of the gospel. John’s message was one of repentance. The Holy Spirit had already informed him that the kingdom of heaven has come near. John preached that the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ had already been warned by the prophet Isaiah.
This situation came about after Jesus had been reluctantly baptized in the Jordan River by His cousin, John the Baptist. After this took place, two additional events happened. First, God opened heaven and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Then, a voice from heaven was heard: “This is my Son, Whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Those two events were confirmation and proof positive that Jesus Christ was the Messiah…just as John the Baptist had proclaimed.
Nevertheless, Peter’s denial of ever knowing Jesus and his braggadocio expressions of false endearment toward Christ was a let down. Also, Peter did not stay awake while Jesus prayed to his Father. Seemingly, towards the end of Jesus’s life on earth, Peter tried to avoid being publicly identified as a Christian. (That situation can be associated with many followers today.)
Perhaps the Lord knew from the get-go, that his life’s road would be hard to climb. Thus, he allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him into the wilderness, and there he went on a forty day and night fast. Jesus was also tempted by the Devil during this time.
Jesus overcame the wilds of the Devil and was successful in causing Ole Slew-foot to flee. Next, angels came and attended to Jesus. However, the Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus was never appeased. Jesus’ teaching on: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you,” never took hold in the Pharisees’ heart.
But first, take a 3 minute listen to how the late Diva, Tina Turner, expresses this highly misunderstood emotion. Just click below the title: YouTube • Tina Turner
Have you ever stopped to think what it cost you to just live each day in a world filled with slow-burning anger, discontentment and a debilitating disposition filled with discuss towards your fellow man and others whom you have no idea who they are? Just think about it!! Mad at the world, fed up with our political systems, cajoling you to engage in acts that you know would not be pleasing to yourself or to your Maker in the end.
Thanks be to God there are holy scriptures that can help you overcome these deep-seated and destructive feelings.
Don’t you know, that if you don’t do anything about your ill-gotten feelings, you will pay a horrible price in the end and your overall health could also become detrimental to your life expectancy. The choice is up to you.
When we choose to serve one another in love, it could mean that we have to spend more time with them and try to get an understanding as to why they say and do the things they do. If it is at all possible, we can ask them how they came to their conclusions concerning the matter. Scripture, also reminds us that we, too, can bring along another resource person of our choosing to help navigate the issue.
If religion, nationality, gender or physical impairment is the stumbling block, enabling the meeting of the minds, seek professional guidance before kicking your brother or sister to the wind.
By doing so, we have put aside condemnation, judgement and criticism towards our fellow man. What’s left is a realization of peace, love and joy for our fellow man and that we are also at peace with our Maker.
Following is my own personal experience when I had ‘OUGHT’ against my brother…
There is no doubt as to what the word ‘ought’ means in this context. It clearly speaks to the fact that a person (me for instance) has offended someone. My offense happened while on an international mission trip to South Africa some years ago. I was presenting a biblical lesson to a group of African men and women on the Bible verses in Matthew 5:23 & 24. All the while I was speaking, an elderly gentleman in the front row was mumbling out loud in his native language and was becoming very agitated and disturbing. Next to him sat his young grandson who was trying to comfort his grandfather and calm him down.
Finally, I had no other choice but to halt my discussion, approach the young lad and inquire what his grandfather was saying. The boy responded that his grandfather was sadden because what he had done could not be undone. He had stolen a chicken from his neighbor, cooked and fed the chicken to his family and now, due to your teaching, it is impossible to return it.
NOW I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE…
It was not until I had finished writing this blog today that the Holy Spirit nudged me and said, “My child, you are the guilty one. To this day, you have never asked Me for forgiveness for your selfish, insensitive, reaction to my servant in Africa. While the old gentleman received a blessing by hearing the Word of God and obtaining a better understanding of the Word, he asked for forgiveness and received it from Me. In his outbursts, he was thanking Me. However, you have never returned to Me and asked for forgiveness for having ‘ought’ against the old man for interrupting and disturbing your teaching! WHILE ALL THE TIME, IT WAS THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVING COMFORT, UNDERSTANDING AND INCREASE INTO HIS WORD TO THIS GRANDFATHER!
You’d better believe, that before I went to bed, I fell on my knees and ask the Lord to forgive me for my slothfulness and disrespect for HIS teaching. (Back in the day, when I was much younger, I now realize that I may have robbed God of a lot of repentance prayers and praises for His awesomeness, protection and patience with me while acting on His behalf.) May I never forget that it is God Who gives the increase! Amen.
Conversations With God Using Scripture 