Love Regardless

When someone is offended many times as a result of the pain their immediate response is one that would gratify the flesh but would not be pleasing to the LORD. The LORD commands us to love our enemies and to not seek revenge against them. And sadly some of the most painful offenses occur by those dearest to us; as if they were our enemy. But as Christians it is imperative that we do not surrender to the flesh but instead obediently surrender to the Spirit and respond in love; trusting that our LORD is more than capable of avenging for us. Responding in a forgiving and loving manner will not only fill one’s heart with a wonderful sense of peace but will truly magnify one’s love for the LORD as a witness to the offender.

However, be on guard not to get disappointed if the behavior of the offender remains tainted with negativity because our responsibility is to love regardless of the response we receive. Instead, remain prayerful not just for the pain you’re enduring but also for the heart of the offender to surrender to the will of our heavenly Father.

Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 6:14-15
Matthew 5:43-48
Mark 12:30-31
Luke 6:27-35
Romans 12:14-21
Hebrews 10:30-31

What’s on your list?

In the heart of all of us there is an unwritten list of what’s important in our lives. The position of one importance over another is often influenced by life experiences and relationships. But most importantly the degree of significance the first position holds in relationship to the rest of the list reveals a lot about the condition of one’s heart.

Many will proclaim that the heavenly Father and Jesus are first on their unwritten list because it is the correct statement to make. However, when that is actually the case one’s walk completely changes because they understand that their existence is for the purposefully will of the Father and not for worldly gain. Their life is lived in such a beautiful spiritual manner that words can’t fully explain. And their unwritten list becomes a testimony that can’t be contained; demonstrating an unwavering state of faith and peace that can only be reached by seeking the King above everyone and everything.

May your unwritten list and life truly exemplify the sacred blessing of being a part of the body of Christ.

Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 6:33-34
Matthew 10:37-39
Matthew 16:25-26
John 15:5-8
John 14:27
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 12:14
Hebrews 13:5-6
I Peter 3:10-14
I John 2:15-17

Selfless love

Have you ever seen a person in need that you had the power to help but instead of extending a helping hand you elected to turn your head? Well here’s a story that will hopefully compel your heart to embrace that true love is always selfless.

One day as a close relative of mine was rushing to get to church on time a person at a distance became the center of her attention. In her haste her heart suddenly perceived that she was witnessing a person in need. The individual was in a wheelchair and as papers fell here and there the person appeared in a state of despair. Greatly pressed for time, she was hesitant to extend a helping hand. But, before she got too far, she surrendered to the compassion moving within her heart.

What she witnessed next would be difficult for many to bear because the person she stopped to help was her very own relative. Not a sibling, not a niece, not even a cousin but instead her very own son. Of course, if she would have immediately known that it was her son, she would have never hesitated to extend her help. But her act of selfless love is a blessing to all who are willing to embrace that true love is always selfless. For there is no respect of persons with God and neither should there be with us.

As Christians, our heads should never turn away from those in need but instead should obediently respond with a heart of selfless love as Christ did when he died on the cross for you and me.

Scriptures of meditate on:
Proverbs 3:27-28
Proverbs 15:30
Matthew 7:12
Mark 12:31
Galatians 6:9-10
Hebrews 13:1-2
James 2:15-17
1 Peter 3:8
1 John 3:17-19
1 John 4:7-8

Blessed beyond comprehension

The LORD has and is blessing us beyond our comprehension. From the way our bodies function to protection from destruction; we are abundantly blessed! Yet when an adverse circumstance occurs it seems to demand attention causing many to ignore how blessed they truly are. Suddenly the tribulation begins to one by one, affect the person spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. And no matter how deep one's relationship is with the LORD; most people resort to prayer. Day after day they cry out to the LORD, yet when the issue becomes too much to bear they often resort to things and people within the world. They become so distracted by the circumstance that they fail to comprehend that it is not only in the good times that we are to give the LORD glory but also during times of tribulation. If one obediently trusts in the LORD's perfect plan then the heart will come to understand that an abundance of blessings are unveiled in the midst of every situation.

Therefore, we must take a stance and remember that faith is not based on what we see but on the promises of our King. He will never leave us nor forsake us and He never gives us more than we can bear. We serve an awesome mighty God whose ways are not our ways and whose thoughts are not our thoughts. We are limited in what we know but He is faithful. Therefore, with great intensity our prayers should always resonate with a voice of victory, gratitude and praise to our King instead of a heart of hopelessness and defeat; because no matter how things may seem we are lovingly blessed beyond comprehension!

Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 34:1-2
Psalm 47:2
Isaiah 55:8-9
John 14:1
John 16:33
1 Corinthians 10:13
Ephesians 1:3
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 13:5-6

For it is written…

“For it is written” are the very words that Jesus spoke when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness; after forty days and nights of fasting. Satan tried three times to get Jesus to sin but because Jesus knew his Father’s word he was able to withstand Satan’s deceptive schemes.

Oftentimes people don’t know how to properly respond to situations that arise in their lives because they fail to know what is “written”. Failing to know our Father’s commands and promises can lead one into a life of destruction. When we equip our hearts and minds with His word; by faith we are able to discern between right and wrong which will keep us spiritually strong.

As Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, as hungry as he was, he never lost sight of his Father’s loving plan. Jesus immediately discerned between right and wrong and refused to submit. Instead he responded “For it is written” and then proceeded to recite his Father’s words. But, consider how different Jesus' response would have been if he was unaware of his Father’s promises. He could have assumed that after 40 days and nights of fasting, turning the stones into bread would be acceptable to his Father since he was so hungry versus it being a deceptive ploy from the enemy.

The Lord has graciously given us His word and it is our obedient responsibility to meditate on His word day and night and to discern every situation with caution. Not everything that appears right is right and not everything that appears wrong is wrong. This is way it is so imperative that we know what is “written” to ensure that we are not deceived by Satan‘s deceptive schemes.

Do you know what is written?

Scriptures to meditate on:
Joshua 1:8
Psalm 1:1-3
Proverbs 7:2-3
Matthew 4:1-11
I Corinthians 2:15
Philippians 1:9-11
Romans 8:8
Romans 12:1-2
Galatians 6:7-8
Ephesians 5:8-11
I Thessalonians 5:21-22
James 1:5
I John 4:1-6

Be a blessing

From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep there are opportunities throughout the day in which we can serve the LORD by being a blessing to others. However, some are more focused on receiving a blessing instead of seeking to be a blessing. Sadly, they fail to comprehend that being a blessing; is a blessing. When our hearts diligently seek the Father’s will, as Jesus’ heart did, amazing blessings are unveiled. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. So, whether, he was washing someone’s feet, restoring sight to the blind or turning water into wine; his focus was never self-seeking. Instead his heart was determined to accomplish his Father’s will by being a blessing to us through his loving sacrifice on the cross.

As Christians, it is so important to understand that blessings begin with the love we share through the fruit we bear. So, whether we express the LORD’s love by an unexpected smile of joy, a voice of faith to the weary, a warm hug for the brokenhearted, a giving heart to the needy, or through a prayer for the unaware; our hearts should be focused on glorifying the King by being a blessing.

Be a blessing and you too will be blessed by the LORD’s graciousness.

Scriptures to meditate on:
Matthew 5:42
Matthew 20:28
Mark 12:30-31
Romans 12:6-8
Romans 12:10-18
Romans 13:9
Romans 15:1-3
Ephesians 4:2-3
Ephesians 5:21
Philippians 2:1-11
Colossians 4:5-6
I John 3:16-20

Expect the Unexpected

Have you ever prayed for something and expected a particular outcome to occur? And when the outcome wasn't quite how you expected your heart was filled with disappointment. You may have assumed that the Lord didn't hear your prayer as your heart grew heavier and heavier with despair. But, have you ever considered that just maybe your prayer was being answered just not in the way you expected? The Lord's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He moves in mighty and wonderful ways that from the surface may be missed if one is focused on what they think the outcome should be instead of seeking the Lord's glory.

Consider the story of Joseph the son of Jacob (Israel) he received two dreams from the Lord indicating that his family would one day bow down before him. But, little did he know, a series of tribulations would come his way before the dreams would come to pass; His father rebuked him because of the dreams, his brothers hated him so much that they threw him into a pit to die and then he was sold to the Egyptians where he endured being wrongfully imprisoned. Through Joseph's tribulation, I would imagine that he called out to the Lord for help and from the surface he may have felt that the Lord wasn't answering his prayers. And as the years passed by, he may have even questioned whether the dreams he received were actually true.

Yet, the Lord's word never returns void and Joseph was right in the midst of the Lord's glory. The Lord answered Joseph's prayers in a very, unexpected way. He placed Joseph in a prestigious authoritative position within Egypt which enabled him to save his family and many others from starvation due to a severe famine in the land. However, in the midst of Joseph's tribulation he was probably prayerfully expecting a particular outcome, instead of expecting the unexpected. But when the dreams finally came to pass, Joseph was able to boldly proclaim that what his brothers meant for harm against him God meant for good, as he glorified the Lord's name.

So I pray that when you faithfully seek the Lord with all your heart that you don't fail to receive your blessing because the outcome isn't what you were expecting. But, instead be wise in your walk and diligent in your faith and patiently expect the unexpected.

Scriptures to Meditate on:
Genesis 37-50
Genesis 50:18-19
Isaiah 55:8-11
Matthew 21:22
Mark 11:23-23
Matthew 21:22
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:6
James 1:2-8