verse 8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
verse 11, "If anyone speaks, she should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If any one serves, he should do it with the strength God provides."
Love each other deeply. So simple, yet so profound. What would happen if we really lived into this? God loves us deeply. We are to love each other deeply. I want to make this my focus and intentionally love people right where they are, but not be satisfied with leaving it at the surface but to go so much deeper.
This will most likely begin with the words that I speak and the things I do - to speak as if speaking the very words of God and to serve with the strength of God. The things I do and say will demonstrate that deep love. Love is action.
As we have taken our first couple of steps in the journey to Jerusalem this Lenten season, this must be our ultimate purpose. The cross is Jesus demonstrating His great love for us.
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
We suffer the same type of things that Jesus suffered. We get called names, we get left out, we are shunned, but Praise GOD he is with us thru it all !! God chose us to participate in Christ's sufferings. I can't begin to understand the importance god has for my life, but I am so thankful that I am a participant. Let us remember though that the work we do does not earn us anything. It is our priveledge to serve our Saviour.
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." (1 Peter 4:1)
For years I lived by my own stubborn will and a rebellious spirit. I was in control and I had a plan. For a time, it was exactly what I wanted it to look like. But that was all it was, a facade. While by worldly standards I appeared to have it all, underneath the surface was a deep, dark pit of despair. In retrospect, there were many times the Lord tried to pull me out of that pit, but my stubborn willfulness held me down. MY FEAR OF what I might lose was stronger than my pain. Finally, my pain became unbearable and I surrendered my pride. Suffering became my teacher. Suffering taught me about the love of Christ. Suffering brought me into a new relationship with my Lord. Through suffering I was born again and by the grace of my good and loving God, I was blessed with a new life, free of the sins that held me captive for so long. And suffering nurtured the fruit of love and compassion and a desire to minister to others who are trapped by sin. Dear Merciful and Loving Father, Thank you for loving me enough to allow me to suffer in order to grow and become a useful tool in your plan. Help me to remember that this life is about first, my relationship with Christ, and second, building relationships with those that are hurting or lost. Please do not let me become too comfortable in my life that I forget what Christ did for me and what He calls me to do for others. Amen.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
verse 8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
ReplyDeleteverse 11, "If anyone speaks, she should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If any one serves, he should do it with the strength God provides."
Love each other deeply. So simple, yet so profound. What would happen if we really lived into this? God loves us deeply. We are to love each other deeply. I want to make this my focus and intentionally love people right where they are, but not be satisfied with leaving it at the surface but to go so much deeper.
This will most likely begin with the words that I speak and the things I do - to speak as if speaking the very words of God and to serve with the strength of God. The things I do and say will demonstrate that deep love. Love is action.
As we have taken our first couple of steps in the journey to Jerusalem this Lenten season, this must be our ultimate purpose. The cross is Jesus demonstrating His great love for us.
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
ReplyDelete19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
We suffer the same type of things that Jesus suffered. We get called names, we get left out, we are shunned, but Praise GOD he is with us thru it all !! God chose us to participate in Christ's sufferings. I can't begin to understand the importance god has for my life, but I am so thankful that I am a participant. Let us remember though that the work we do does not earn us anything. It is our priveledge to serve our Saviour.
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." (1 Peter 4:1)
ReplyDeleteFor years I lived by my own stubborn will and a rebellious spirit. I was in control and I had a plan. For a time, it was exactly what I wanted it to look like. But that was all it was, a facade. While by worldly standards I appeared to have it all, underneath the surface was a deep, dark pit of despair. In retrospect, there were many times the Lord tried to pull me out of that pit, but my stubborn willfulness held me down. MY FEAR OF what I might lose was stronger than my pain. Finally, my pain became unbearable and I surrendered my pride. Suffering became my teacher. Suffering taught me about the love of Christ. Suffering brought me into a new relationship with my Lord. Through suffering I was born again and by the grace of my good and loving God, I was blessed with a new life, free of the sins that held me captive for so long. And suffering nurtured the fruit of love and compassion and a desire to minister to others who are trapped by sin.
Dear Merciful and Loving Father,
Thank you for loving me enough to allow me to suffer in order to grow and become a useful tool in your plan. Help me to remember that this life is about first, my relationship with Christ, and second, building relationships with those that are hurting or lost. Please do not let me become too comfortable in my life that I forget what Christ did for me and what He calls me to do for others.
Amen.