Since Jesus commands us to love our fellow believers, what are the essentials of that love? While there are several, I will highlight only 5 in this series.
Essential # 1 – Forgiveness - Colossians 3:13 –“Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Everyone has hurt someone else and everyone has been hurt by someone. We have all discovered that trying to get even does not work. Romans 12:17-20, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord”
Forgiveness does not mean to forget – it is letting it go; not seeking revenge. In forgiving another we let go of the emotional power that grips us and wish the other person well.
In fact, if you forgive, you are the one who has the most to gain – anger subsides, revenge disappears, peace enters your heart and your body, and you function in freedom. God wants you to be free of the baggage of unforgiveness that you have been carrying. Let Him take care of it and you will be set free to really live.
The world is filled with “getting even.” But, the followers of Jesus act differently - we act just like Him – We forgive because He forgave us. If true forgiveness were more visible in the church of Jesus, I believe the world would beat down our doors to find the freedom and peace that they see. Read and ponder Matthew 18:21-35.
Gratefully forgiven ~ Bob
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
No Options
Life offers many options: hair styles, clothes styles, makes and models of cars, music choices, where we live, etc. But, for followers of Jesus, there are a few commands with no options.
One of those commands is to LOVE everyone who follows Jesus. John 13:34, 35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Loving each other well is a chief characteristic of Jesus’ church.
Some see love as a strong, uninvited, uncontrollable emotion. Jesus, however, sees love as a servant of our will, not a victim of our emotions. God’s love for us is not conditioned by appearance or abilities, but by His choice (Deuteronomy 7:7 “The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples for you were the fewest of all peoples”).
Paul even expressed deep love for brothers and sisters in Christ who had hurt him prior to their becoming believers. Philippians 1:8 “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.”
What makes this a “new command”? Jesus takes this expected “love” a notch higher than “loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.” His new command is to love each other “as He loves us.” How is that kind of love possible? God gives us His Spirit to change our hearts and act like Jesus. He never gives us a command to follow without giving us the power to accomplish it.
Since Jesus gave the world permission to judge whether we are His followers by our love for each other, what actions are the tell-tale signs of that kind of love? We will explore love's practical characteristics in our next posts.
On a journey toward being like Jesus ~ Bob
One of those commands is to LOVE everyone who follows Jesus. John 13:34, 35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Loving each other well is a chief characteristic of Jesus’ church.
Some see love as a strong, uninvited, uncontrollable emotion. Jesus, however, sees love as a servant of our will, not a victim of our emotions. God’s love for us is not conditioned by appearance or abilities, but by His choice (Deuteronomy 7:7 “The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples for you were the fewest of all peoples”).
Paul even expressed deep love for brothers and sisters in Christ who had hurt him prior to their becoming believers. Philippians 1:8 “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.”
What makes this a “new command”? Jesus takes this expected “love” a notch higher than “loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.” His new command is to love each other “as He loves us.” How is that kind of love possible? God gives us His Spirit to change our hearts and act like Jesus. He never gives us a command to follow without giving us the power to accomplish it.
Since Jesus gave the world permission to judge whether we are His followers by our love for each other, what actions are the tell-tale signs of that kind of love? We will explore love's practical characteristics in our next posts.
On a journey toward being like Jesus ~ Bob
Monday, February 23, 2009
She Writes ...
Five years ago, I began journaling. Born out of deep frustration, confusion, and sadness, my newly discovered spiritual director suggested that I pursue this practice. After a bit of foot dragging (Dare I write what I really feel? What if someone reads this?), I began to slowly embrace this spiritual discipline. Because it wasn't a "Dear Diary" kind of thing. The journaling I began to embrace was simply deep, honest conversations with my Savior. On paper. And I discovered it to be one of the most powerful journeys I've ever embarked on.Journaling saw me through times when no one understood, and I wasn't sure too many cared. Only God knew my heart, and with the exception of sharing glimpses here and there (this blog's From Pen to Paper), this has been a private thing. The times of quietness with the Lover of my soul, my Bible, paper, and pen have been my salvation during the past half decade - times of horrendous illness, bountiful health, joyful celebrations, deepest sorrow, overflowing confidence, faith-stretching uncertainty. And like most disciplines that we embark on, the benefits have been huge and have affected every area of my life - my faith, my relationships, my work, my health. Because I know that my powerful and compassionate God has heard me, embraced me, nurtured and guided me, my faith is stronger and more steadfast than ever.
If you're a client of mine, you know that this is one of the things I ask you to do. And hold you accountable for. It's that important, that vital in your journey toward emotional healing and spiritual growth. And many of you have made astounding discoveries about the Lord, your pain, your relationships, your rage, your circumstances, your future, and your faith as you have faithfully stayed with this precious time of silence, Bible reading, prayer, and pondering. I salute your perseverance.
Gordon MacDonald talks about how he began journaling when he, too, hit bottom. Read his story ... and then thoughtfully consider if God might be calling you to begin this freeing, life-changing discipline.
Still writing to the Lover of my soul ~
Linda
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Listen
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" - 1 Corinthians 1:10.
When there are differences of opinion, the unity of the Spirit must prevail. He provides courage to play down our own personal rights, to lift up the other person's needs and interests, and the strength to do so without grumbling and complaining. Nothing will divide us when I freely hand over my preferences and agendas to the One who really calls the shots, and to actively make sacrifices, with the discernment only He can give, to do what it takes to move the family of God forward - with joy, dignity, and abundant grace toward those who walk along the path with me.
As believers meet together and sit quietly in God's presence, He unfolds the plans we should follow. His great desire is to make His will known. Our great desire needs to be to discern that will together. It takes time and energy to sit quietly together, instead of charging ahead to make decisions. It takes a spiritual and emotional maturity to earnestly listen with open mind and heart to those who sit side by side with me. It sometimes requires great patience to hear Him clearly. But as we listen, He speaks. Make no mistake, He will speak. And be sure that He will find a way for you to hear what He has to say.
We honor Him when we patiently listen for His voice, individually and collectively. But we also bring Him pleasure when we love one another well. And that includes the art and gift of listening - with the mind and the heart.
There's a world around us that is soaking it all in. They are keenly listening, watching, wondering, waiting to hear what this love is really all about. Is our walk matching our talk? Is our love for God and each other real? Are we genuine - or are we hypocrites? You can be sure they'll spot a phony a mile away.
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart" - 1 Peter 1:22.
Thankful for those who sit and listen with me ~
Linda
Friday, February 20, 2009
Shhhh ....
Silence.Why does even the thought of it make so many of us restless, nervous, apprehensive? And silence in a church service, shared with the community we have chosen to dwell in and worship with? It's almost unspeakable (no pun intended)!
As I talk with people about their squeamishness in actively choosing to pursue times of silence, it usually comes out that they'd rather be whirling and twirling through life, embracing noise and clamor and activity, all because the Spirit has already told them that there are things that need to be dealt with. And they just don't want to go there. Whether it's pain, or sin, or forgiveness issues, or fear, or tremendous rage ... well they'd rather keep frantically dancing.
The result? Not only healing is thwarted, but one of the pathways through which God can speak to us is barricaded.
What does this mean for the church? Read on for some thoughtful insights ...
Quietly ~
What does this mean for the church? Read on for some thoughtful insights ...
Quietly ~
Linda
"But the Lord is in His holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before Him"
- Habakkuk 2:20.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Step 5 Toward Financial Freedom
Step 5 – Enjoy What You Have
Ecclesiastes 6:9 “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind.”
Hebrews 13:5 reinforces what Solomon says, “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.”
If we are not satisfied with what we have, we need to ask the deep question, “Why?” and be honest with the answer. We are told not only to be satisfied with what we have, but to enjoy it. Are you enjoying what you have?
When our yearnings exceed our earnings and we try to fill that gap by being overextended financially, we become over-busy, head toward burn out, and take on the absentee parent syndrome - buying stuff for our family instead of giving them ourselves. They would much rather have us than have the toys.
Do you really want financial freedom? Follow the five steps listed in the previous posts in order – 1) Keep good records. 2) Plan your spending. 3) Save for the future. 4) Return 10% to God. 5) Enjoy what you have.
Celebrate your progress on the journey to financial freedom. Follow God’s Word and you will please Him by the way you handle your money.
Making it my goal to please Him ~ Bob
Ecclesiastes 6:9 “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind.”
Hebrews 13:5 reinforces what Solomon says, “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.”
If we are not satisfied with what we have, we need to ask the deep question, “Why?” and be honest with the answer. We are told not only to be satisfied with what we have, but to enjoy it. Are you enjoying what you have?
When our yearnings exceed our earnings and we try to fill that gap by being overextended financially, we become over-busy, head toward burn out, and take on the absentee parent syndrome - buying stuff for our family instead of giving them ourselves. They would much rather have us than have the toys.
Do you really want financial freedom? Follow the five steps listed in the previous posts in order – 1) Keep good records. 2) Plan your spending. 3) Save for the future. 4) Return 10% to God. 5) Enjoy what you have.
Celebrate your progress on the journey to financial freedom. Follow God’s Word and you will please Him by the way you handle your money.
Making it my goal to please Him ~ Bob
Monday, February 16, 2009
Step 4 Toward Financial Freedom
Having taken the first three steps toward financial freedom – Accounting, Budgeting, and Saving, you are now ready for STEP 4 – TITHING.
Malachi 3:10 “’Bring all the tithe into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. If you do,’ says the LORD ALMIGHTY, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!’”
Proverbs 3:9, 10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.” (Note: God is not telling us that giving to Him is an investment strategy or a motive to satisfy greed - Solomon is simply stating a fact that he discovered was true.)
Tithing (giving the first 10% of our money to God) puts God in His rightful place – it makes a statement that He is first! Everything comes from Him and is His. Since everything (all of our money) belongs to Him, every financial decision is a spiritual decision. Though He does not need our money, He knows how important it is to us, so He wants us to use it to: 1) thank Him, 2) to show Him that He is first, 3) to express our faith, and 4) to express our gratitude.
There is no way that we can out-give God.
He laid out the challenge: “Try it!” Though tithing sounds totally illogical when we are in financial bondage, it works! It is the next step on the road to financial freedom.
Principle: Whatever you want God to bless in your life, put Him first in that area!
Affirming that these steps work ~ Bob
Malachi 3:10 “’Bring all the tithe into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. If you do,’ says the LORD ALMIGHTY, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!’”
Proverbs 3:9, 10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.” (Note: God is not telling us that giving to Him is an investment strategy or a motive to satisfy greed - Solomon is simply stating a fact that he discovered was true.)
Tithing (giving the first 10% of our money to God) puts God in His rightful place – it makes a statement that He is first! Everything comes from Him and is His. Since everything (all of our money) belongs to Him, every financial decision is a spiritual decision. Though He does not need our money, He knows how important it is to us, so He wants us to use it to: 1) thank Him, 2) to show Him that He is first, 3) to express our faith, and 4) to express our gratitude.
There is no way that we can out-give God.
He laid out the challenge: “Try it!” Though tithing sounds totally illogical when we are in financial bondage, it works! It is the next step on the road to financial freedom.
Principle: Whatever you want God to bless in your life, put Him first in that area!
Affirming that these steps work ~ Bob
5 Tools For Improving Your Memory
Losing your memory ... or wondering where you left it? Check out 5 tools that just might sharpen your attention, bring things into clearer focus, and equip you to make a plan for improved retention!
Some days ...
Linda
Sunday, February 15, 2009
25 Signs of a Healthy Church
"Sweet fellowship, vibrant worship, relevant ministries, concern for the lost"
OR
"Conflict, gossip, criticism, divided leadership, moral failure, unresolved hurts, and lack of commitment"
Time for your church to have a bit of a tune-up? Interested in monitoring those vital signs? The wise person takes care of their own personal health by having regular check-ups, and the safe driver takes their vehicle in for servicing before it grinds to a halt. It's always more prudent to be pro-active with our health instead of discovering you're running on empty and ready for a crash.
Linda
Step 3 Toward Financial Freedom
Now that we have learned to 1) WRITE DOWN what we owe, own, earn, and spend, 2) Make a BUDGET and stick to it, we are ready for STEP 3 – SAVE
Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but the fool spends whatever he gets.” Statistics I recently saw said that Americans spend 1% more than they earn! That practice produces financial bondage.
Proverbs 6:6-8 “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy-bones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”
The rule of thumb is to save 10% of what you make each week and put it away.
Why don’t we save? We want to have what others have; are worried about what others will think; practice envy, comparison, & competition – it’s a matter of the heart.
The question to ask is, “Am I handling my money to please my own deep heart issues, others, or God?”
Following these three steps in order will move you down the road toward financial freedom. Two more steps to go!
Encouraging you to act like an “ant” ~ Bob
Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise have wealth and luxury, but the fool spends whatever he gets.” Statistics I recently saw said that Americans spend 1% more than they earn! That practice produces financial bondage.
Proverbs 6:6-8 “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy-bones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”
The rule of thumb is to save 10% of what you make each week and put it away.
Why don’t we save? We want to have what others have; are worried about what others will think; practice envy, comparison, & competition – it’s a matter of the heart.
The question to ask is, “Am I handling my money to please my own deep heart issues, others, or God?”
Following these three steps in order will move you down the road toward financial freedom. Two more steps to go!
Encouraging you to act like an “ant” ~ Bob
Friday, February 13, 2009
Step 2 Toward Financial Freedom
After taking Step #1 of writing down what you own, owe, earn and where it goes, you are ready to take Step #2 on the journey toward financial freedom.
Step 2 – Plan Your Spending (Budget) - Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Solomon tells us that financial freedom is not determined by how much you make, but by how much you spend! Your yearnings will always exceed your earnings. Solomon teaches us that financial freedom comes not from making more, but from spending less. We will spend less as we carefully budget our expenses and match it with our income. The budget then becomes the guide for our spending.
“Haste leads to poverty” speaks about impulse buying – the trigger word is “SALE”. Proverbs 21:20 “Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” Spending can be an addiction that attempts to fill a deeper inner need for love, acceptance, or approval. Shopaholics most generally need help in dealing with their addiction.
How do you spell “relief?” B-U-D-G-E-T.
Plan your fixed and your flexible expenses and you will be surprised how quickly you have more money than you thought you had. Be impulsive in your buying and your money will slip out of your fingers. Plan for that expenditure, save for the expenditure and then buy it if it is necessary.
After taking Step 1 and Step 2, you will be ready for your next step on the journey.
Planning it all carefully ~ Bob
Step 2 – Plan Your Spending (Budget) - Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
Solomon tells us that financial freedom is not determined by how much you make, but by how much you spend! Your yearnings will always exceed your earnings. Solomon teaches us that financial freedom comes not from making more, but from spending less. We will spend less as we carefully budget our expenses and match it with our income. The budget then becomes the guide for our spending.
“Haste leads to poverty” speaks about impulse buying – the trigger word is “SALE”. Proverbs 21:20 “Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” Spending can be an addiction that attempts to fill a deeper inner need for love, acceptance, or approval. Shopaholics most generally need help in dealing with their addiction.
How do you spell “relief?” B-U-D-G-E-T.
Plan your fixed and your flexible expenses and you will be surprised how quickly you have more money than you thought you had. Be impulsive in your buying and your money will slip out of your fingers. Plan for that expenditure, save for the expenditure and then buy it if it is necessary.
After taking Step 1 and Step 2, you will be ready for your next step on the journey.
Planning it all carefully ~ Bob
"Little Ones to Him Belong ..."
I don't know where you stand on the recent birth of the octuplets, but amidst all the comments I've heard, I began to wonder, "What would Jesus do?"So, no matter what your views on the ethical, legal, moral, and financial ramifications of the birth of these little ones, perhaps we can agree on one thing ...
"Little Ones to HIM belong. They are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so."
There's no doubt in my mind what Jesus would do. Mark 10:16 tells us that "He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them."
I encourage you to bless these fragile, little lives with your prayers ~
Linda
Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so."
There's no doubt in my mind what Jesus would do. Mark 10:16 tells us that "He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them."
I encourage you to bless these fragile, little lives with your prayers ~
Linda
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Step 1 Toward Financial Freedom
Many have overextended themselves, mortgaging tomorrow for purchases today. The result is financial bondage and credit card debt – Jesus wants us to be free. There are over 2300 references to money and its use in the Bible. In the next few posts, I would like to briefly map out five steps to financial freedom.
Step 1 – Keep Good Records - Proverbs 27:23, 24 – “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.”
Solomon tells us to “know the state of our flocks” = keep good records of:
1) What you own.
2) What you owe.
3) What you earn.
4) Where it all goes.
Ignorance of your financial state plus easy credit = disaster! A wise person once said, “Money does not talk, it slips away quietly and never tells you where it is going!” If you don’t know where your money is going, you are slipping into debt.
While talking about this very point with a person a while ago, they mentioned that they had just discovered they had spent over $2000 on lattes in the past year! Wow! That money just slipped away.
Keeping good records is your first step on the road to financial freedom.
Appreciating God’s practical wisdom ~ Bob
Step 1 – Keep Good Records - Proverbs 27:23, 24 – “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.”
Solomon tells us to “know the state of our flocks” = keep good records of:
1) What you own.
2) What you owe.
3) What you earn.
4) Where it all goes.
Ignorance of your financial state plus easy credit = disaster! A wise person once said, “Money does not talk, it slips away quietly and never tells you where it is going!” If you don’t know where your money is going, you are slipping into debt.
While talking about this very point with a person a while ago, they mentioned that they had just discovered they had spent over $2000 on lattes in the past year! Wow! That money just slipped away.
Keeping good records is your first step on the road to financial freedom.
Appreciating God’s practical wisdom ~ Bob
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Money Handling and Spiritual Maturity
Jesus says an amazing thing about how we handle money in Luke 16:10-11 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
It appears from this passage, that Jesus uses our handling of this world’s treasure – money – to determine how trustworthy we are with true riches – people and ministry. This world’s money will deteriorate – one minute it is here and the next minute you have lost 1/3 of your 401K! People-ministry, use of your spiritual gift to make a difference, lasts for all of eternity!
If we are responsible with dimes and dollars, He can trust us with spiritual truths, blessings, and responsibilities in the kingdom that last forever. It looks like it is time to bring our financial houses in order, have financial freedom, and handle this world’s treasure responsibly as a way of demonstrating to God that we can be trusted with that which is of far greater worth - ministry, people, and that which lasts for eternity.
One of His people, like you, who is of far greater worth than silver or gold ~
Bob
It appears from this passage, that Jesus uses our handling of this world’s treasure – money – to determine how trustworthy we are with true riches – people and ministry. This world’s money will deteriorate – one minute it is here and the next minute you have lost 1/3 of your 401K! People-ministry, use of your spiritual gift to make a difference, lasts for all of eternity!
If we are responsible with dimes and dollars, He can trust us with spiritual truths, blessings, and responsibilities in the kingdom that last forever. It looks like it is time to bring our financial houses in order, have financial freedom, and handle this world’s treasure responsibly as a way of demonstrating to God that we can be trusted with that which is of far greater worth - ministry, people, and that which lasts for eternity.
One of His people, like you, who is of far greater worth than silver or gold ~
Bob
Thursday, February 5, 2009
It's All About Me
" ... I remain unconvinced that the right question is, 'What's the most important thing you want from your church?' This emphasis on an individual's expectations and preferences reveals a core problem in American Christianity - the unchallenged assumption that people can accurately evaluate their church based on whether or not it meets your needs. How does this prevailing attitude alter the biblical purpose of the Church in the world? We are a culture of Christ-followers who pay far too much attention to whether or not our needs are being satisfied. And we have become a culture of church leaders who spend far too much time orienting our ministries around the ever-changing preferences of our people ...As we mature in Christ, might the goal be to develop a gut-level instinct to give less attention to what we aren't getting from our church? Perhaps a step on the way to growing more Christ-centered is to accept our dissatisfactions instead of assuming they have to be resolved. Churches that spend too much time alleviating their people's dissatisfations may be nurturing a self-absorbed attitude of the heart that needs to be nailed to the cross." - Leuken
Is it all about you? Or is it all about Him?
Linda
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Heavenly Questions
Heaven. Will we be bored?
What will our bodies look like?
Will we eat?
Wear clothes?
What age will we be?
Will there be animals there?
Read on and ponder ...
Anticipating ~
Linda
"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes"
- Revelation 7:16-17.
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