by Carol Roberts | Oct 4, 2015 | Love
Love is the greatest commandment, loving God first then our neighbors. There are different types of love. One type is seeking a mate to become an assistant in all we do to please God plus grow a family. Even this type of love is not a whirl wind romance to include unrealistic dreams that only disappoint when reality sets in.
There is love for one another where achievements and discouragements are embraced as our own. We offer prayer and encouragement and when God works all things out for them, many can rejoice in seeing God’s hand in the situation.
There is the love of God. This is the greatest love. It can be summed up as a holy respect where we desire to be obedient to what God would have us to do. This is the type of love we carry with us to eternity.
God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we are sinners He died for us. As we strive to be more like Christ we can compare our actions to the check list in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. In looking at this list, there are some where we continually fall short. Growing into the likeness of Christ is to grow to love. It is not always easy but a command just the same. Additional grace is available if we ask God to help us to love certain ones who have hurt us.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 3, 2015 | Love
It happens. Words are said in anger, actions are made on the spur of the moment or deeds are done in malice. Everybody has their moments but that still does not make it right. Actions are like a glass of water spilled out. There is no way to gather it all up and restore it to the glass like it was. The floor is wet, drops are on the cabinets and even on clothes. The damage is done in an instant.
God speaks to the heart. It is a disturbing feeling to know God is not pleased with certain words or actions. The only pathway to peace is to ask God for forgiveness then go back to the person who was wronged. Most people will say certainly but the results of the words and actions still remain on their hearts. The pain does not go away overnight and most times it is a memory of a lifetime. Nothing can remove that moment. People forgive but God forgets too.
What about the people who will not forgive and will not accept apologies. Begging, gifts, kind words or actions do not help. Friendships are lost with no chance at all to ever get a kind word from that person again. Those people were never friends to begin with. Love forgives, encourages, makes exceptions and overlooks mistakes because seeing the best in a person with love covers all things.
What about those who are not wronged? One day they are speaking and the next day they are not. Nothing has transpired and no wrong has been committed. When humbly approaching that person with kindness and asking for forgiveness for whatever was done gains only a moment of kindness in return before they are not speaking again. God examines every heart and every action. It is not their hatred toward us but instead our kindness toward them. Even though a cold heart is sometimes given toward us our response is love and prayer. God sends others who will be kind and loving toward us and He will speak to the hearts of those who are still growing. We do not have to put our lives on hold trying to work things out. God will do all that for us once we have obeyed then turn everything over to Him.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
by Carol Roberts | Oct 2, 2015 | Encouragement
The most handsome man has a heart that beats. The most beautiful lady has a heart that beats. The most rugged mechanic has a heart that beats. The most fragile baby has a heart that beats. The town bully has a heart that beats. The most challenged person has a heart that beats.
God has no favorites. He loves us all and He examines our motives and truthfulness. God sees what we do not see. What’s on the outside of a person does not guarantee the same on the inside.
Sometimes the most comfort, peace and honesty comes from a person who may not be considered the best looking or the most popular. Each person is loved equally by God. Each person’s motives are examined equally by God. Each person is a masterpiece created by God Himself.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. “
