2 Tim 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
I talk to so many people who have a warped sense of what it means to love someone. For some, love is simply a romantic feeling...for others it is a deep understanding of a person's needs or wants. Still others see love as a withholding of aggression or disagreement...for example..."I love him so much I just put up with him..." While each of these instances might be an example of a type of love...Jesus defined love best. When asked what the two most important commandments are, the Savior told us that we need to love God first and then love everyone else like we love ourselves.
Love is an action...a verb.
One of the things that holds many of us back from totally selling out to God's will for our lives is our misunderstanding of love. I know that might sound like it is meant for somebody else...but I invite you this morning to go on a little spiritual audit. Start with answering these questions in your journal:
1) Do I see myself as a loving person?
2) Is the love I show for others for their benefit or mine?
3) How much do I love God?
4) What priority does God have in my life?
5) What did I do yesterday to demonstrate my love for Christ?
6) When was the last time I showed love to someone that didn't deserve it?
7) Do I know the difference between the feeling of love and love itself?
8) How much does God love me?
9) How do I know that God loves me?
10) Do I have anyone in my life that I love unconditionally?
I know these are tough questions...but if we are going to move from the land of "hold out" to the land of "sold out" we need to understand what love is. God IS love...He wants us to love Him and others with a selflessness...a sense of sacrifice... a realization that the love that we receive from Him is also meant for us to share with those that He places in our path.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday - "Dirty Feet"
John 13:2
"The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
If we're going to be totally "naked" about our spiritual life...we've got to answer the question: Do we get it? Do we realize what Jesus was teaching us in this passage?
If you were sitting there with the disciples...and you had seen all of the miracles and wonders that Jesus Christ had done around the area...would you have let your Creator wash your feet? To get down on His holy knees and scrape the earth off your toes? Most of us would be like Peter...to nearly insist that Christ shouldn't lower Himself to do this... but we'd miss the entire "naked" illustration.
Jesus was demonstrating His purpose for coming.... we should connect, serve, and love. All three were visible that evening through one act. We read in today's passage that if Peter had denied Jesus this opportunity, he would have been denying his connection with Christ. You can almost see the light bulb going off in Peter's mind...once he understood what Jesus was trying to do, he embraced it wholeheartedly. Peter wanted to be bathed in Christ's love and follow His example!
Do you understand why Jesus demonstrated this level of servanthood and love? He did it to not only show YOU that He loves you...but for you to show others. You may not wash any feet today...but you can put yourself in a servant's position...giving up your pride so that others can feel the love the Jesus has for them. We live in a world of dirty feet. Who's ready to grab the basin and towel, follow the example, and change things?
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian
"The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
If we're going to be totally "naked" about our spiritual life...we've got to answer the question: Do we get it? Do we realize what Jesus was teaching us in this passage?
If you were sitting there with the disciples...and you had seen all of the miracles and wonders that Jesus Christ had done around the area...would you have let your Creator wash your feet? To get down on His holy knees and scrape the earth off your toes? Most of us would be like Peter...to nearly insist that Christ shouldn't lower Himself to do this... but we'd miss the entire "naked" illustration.
Jesus was demonstrating His purpose for coming.... we should connect, serve, and love. All three were visible that evening through one act. We read in today's passage that if Peter had denied Jesus this opportunity, he would have been denying his connection with Christ. You can almost see the light bulb going off in Peter's mind...once he understood what Jesus was trying to do, he embraced it wholeheartedly. Peter wanted to be bathed in Christ's love and follow His example!
Do you understand why Jesus demonstrated this level of servanthood and love? He did it to not only show YOU that He loves you...but for you to show others. You may not wash any feet today...but you can put yourself in a servant's position...giving up your pride so that others can feel the love the Jesus has for them. We live in a world of dirty feet. Who's ready to grab the basin and towel, follow the example, and change things?
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian
Thursday, May 1, 2008
If that ever changes... 5-1-08
Greetings Internet Campus,
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
1 Cor. 13: 3b-7 (The Message)
There was a man who had a wife. All day long she complained about him not telling her that he loved her... "You never say it...you never tell me you love me!" she cried. After a week or so of this he turned to her and with a forceful tone told her..."Stop bothering me with this...I told you "I love you" at our wedding...if that ever changes, I'll let you know."
Mmmmm..... I hope this doesn't sound familiar.... When was the last time you said "I love you" to your spouse? Let's just get this out there...you should tell him/her that EVERY DAY. Yep. Everyday. Keep in mind that there are many ways to do that. Of course, you can communicate this verbally to them...but your actions have to line up to your words. However, there are many other ways to show your spouse that you love them.
Remember Tuesdays list of marital needs? Here they are bundled up: Physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. You can tell your spouse that you love them by discovering their love language and filling that need. I discovered this the hard way.
One of my top love languages is acts of service. When someone does something nice for me it goes a long way. I see it as an act of love. So, naturally, I spent a lot of time as a young husband showing my wife that I love her through doing things for her....cleaning the house, washing the car, etc. I was totally missing it. After about 6 months of this, she kinda hinted to me that I wasn't telling her that I love her anymore. Of course, I couldn't believe my ears...I was DOING all of these things for her!!! However, I was giving love in my love language not hers. Her #1 is quality time. I was doing things for her when all she wanted me to do was sit with her.
Discover what makes your spouse feel loved. Spend your energy and focus on making that happen each and everyday.
Write it Down: What is your #1 love language? What is your spouses? Are you trying to love him/her in the way that YOU like or that they like? In your journal, make a list of 5 things that you can do to show your spouse that you love them in the THEIR language.
See you tomorrow! Don't forget ONLINE SMALL GROUP...TONIGHT @ 7PM!!!
Pastor Brian
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
1 Cor. 13: 3b-7 (The Message)
There was a man who had a wife. All day long she complained about him not telling her that he loved her... "You never say it...you never tell me you love me!" she cried. After a week or so of this he turned to her and with a forceful tone told her..."Stop bothering me with this...I told you "I love you" at our wedding...if that ever changes, I'll let you know."
Mmmmm..... I hope this doesn't sound familiar.... When was the last time you said "I love you" to your spouse? Let's just get this out there...you should tell him/her that EVERY DAY. Yep. Everyday. Keep in mind that there are many ways to do that. Of course, you can communicate this verbally to them...but your actions have to line up to your words. However, there are many other ways to show your spouse that you love them.
Remember Tuesdays list of marital needs? Here they are bundled up: Physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. You can tell your spouse that you love them by discovering their love language and filling that need. I discovered this the hard way.
One of my top love languages is acts of service. When someone does something nice for me it goes a long way. I see it as an act of love. So, naturally, I spent a lot of time as a young husband showing my wife that I love her through doing things for her....cleaning the house, washing the car, etc. I was totally missing it. After about 6 months of this, she kinda hinted to me that I wasn't telling her that I love her anymore. Of course, I couldn't believe my ears...I was DOING all of these things for her!!! However, I was giving love in my love language not hers. Her #1 is quality time. I was doing things for her when all she wanted me to do was sit with her.
Discover what makes your spouse feel loved. Spend your energy and focus on making that happen each and everyday.
Write it Down: What is your #1 love language? What is your spouses? Are you trying to love him/her in the way that YOU like or that they like? In your journal, make a list of 5 things that you can do to show your spouse that you love them in the THEIR language.
See you tomorrow! Don't forget ONLINE SMALL GROUP...TONIGHT @ 7PM!!!
Pastor Brian
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Tuesday 1-8-07
Greetings Internet Campus,
Well based on the feedback that I received from yesterday's post...you like the new format. I forgot to mention that I am labeling these devotionals with tags. You can see them alphabetically listed to the side of this post. If you ever need to reference anything topically...just click the word and it will take you to all of the posts related to that topic....
Today we are continuing our look at the Shepherd.
John 10:14
Do you know Him?
What do you know about God? Did you know that He IS love. Do you know about His grace for our mistakes? How about the peace that He wants us to feel when we are stressed? God knows us...do we know Him?
Did you know that if you commit your life to Him, He will guide your path? He wants to be your Shepherd!
God knows you...He made you. Let's make every effort to get to know Him better each day!
Daily Challenge: In your journal, write down 5 words that describe God's character....spend some time praying that God will reveal those elements of His character to you vividly.
See you in the morning....
Pastor Brian
Well based on the feedback that I received from yesterday's post...you like the new format. I forgot to mention that I am labeling these devotionals with tags. You can see them alphabetically listed to the side of this post. If you ever need to reference anything topically...just click the word and it will take you to all of the posts related to that topic....
Today we are continuing our look at the Shepherd.
John 10:14
14
Today's thought....
God really does know who you are. Really. Every pore on your skin...every thought that you have...He knows you. He's been to every one of your birthday parties...watched you graduate...and sits with you when you cry. He knows you.Do you know Him?
What do you know about God? Did you know that He IS love. Do you know about His grace for our mistakes? How about the peace that He wants us to feel when we are stressed? God knows us...do we know Him?
Did you know that if you commit your life to Him, He will guide your path? He wants to be your Shepherd!
God knows you...He made you. Let's make every effort to get to know Him better each day!
Daily Challenge: In your journal, write down 5 words that describe God's character....spend some time praying that God will reveal those elements of His character to you vividly.
See you in the morning....
Pastor Brian
Monday, January 7, 2008
Monday 1-7-08
Greetings Internet Campus,
Welcome to Monday! We are going to make a little change here on the devotional blog. From now on, the daily devotionals will tie in directly to last weekend's message. For example, yesterday, Pastor Garland spoke on the Shepherd in our new series...thus, this week we will be talking about Shepherding and how to follow Christ...
I hope you like the new format and pray that it will help us as we try to live out the lessons from the weekend.
Today we're going to look at what a Shepherd is.
John 10:11-13“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
Pastor Brian
Welcome to Monday! We are going to make a little change here on the devotional blog. From now on, the daily devotionals will tie in directly to last weekend's message. For example, yesterday, Pastor Garland spoke on the Shepherd in our new series...thus, this week we will be talking about Shepherding and how to follow Christ...
I hope you like the new format and pray that it will help us as we try to live out the lessons from the weekend.
Today we're going to look at what a Shepherd is.
John 10:11-13
Shepherds are willing to lay down their lives to protect those that are under their care. Today, as you start this week...reflect on that. You serve a Savior who was willing to lay down His life so that you don't have to spend eternity paying off the debt that sin causes....separation from Him and death. Isn't that amazing? It is the cornerstone of our faith...
Sometimes we might be tempted to believe that Jesus takes care of us like the hired hand in this passage. We might falsely think that He protects us because of what we do for Him....what we provide for Him. We might think...if I read my Bible...go to church...etc....Jesus will love me more. That simply isn't true. Jesus loves us, protects us, and laid down His life for us because of His love for us. His love and care is unconditional and complete. He is the only Shepherd we will ever need.
Pastor Brian
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Thursday 1-3-08
Greetings Internet Campus family,
Each morning as I sit down and prepare this devotional I think of each one of you. I may not know your name...but I still think about how this devotional will affect your life. I pray for you...talk to God about you...
Now you know.
But did you know that God is also thinking about you? All the time. Seriously. Today's devotional by Greg Laurie talks about just that...
The next time you are feeling lonely or that nobody cares....remember that God is ALWAYS thinking of you...He truly cares...and loves you dearly.
See you this weekend,
Pastor Brian
Each morning as I sit down and prepare this devotional I think of each one of you. I may not know your name...but I still think about how this devotional will affect your life. I pray for you...talk to God about you...
Now you know.
But did you know that God is also thinking about you? All the time. Seriously. Today's devotional by Greg Laurie talks about just that...
Who Can Be Against Us?
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Have you ever had someone forget an important occasion? Maybe your spouse forgot your anniversary or your birthday. Or maybe your children forgot you at Christmas. Even when people forget you, you need to know that God never forgets you. You are always on His mind. Romans 8:31 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
God is thinking about you right now. He is not thinking about you merely as a member of the human race or as a part of your church. He is thinking about you as an individual. The psalmist wrote, “Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5).
God’s thoughts toward you are continual and uncountable. God Almighty, the one who holds the heavens in the span of His hand, the one who spoke creation into being, is thinking about you right now.
Not only is God the Father thinking about you, but God the Son is interceding for you. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
God the Father is thinking about you, God the Son is praying for and interceding for you, and God the Holy Spirit is helping you as well: “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27).
God is for you. God is thinking about you. God is on your side!The next time you are feeling lonely or that nobody cares....remember that God is ALWAYS thinking of you...He truly cares...and loves you dearly.
See you this weekend,
Pastor Brian
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