The Love Passage

   Whenever you go to a wedding, which is between Christians, there is one part of the Bible that is usually recited. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love passage in the Bible. Why, out of all the passages on love, is this one chosen? Let's delve a little deeper into this passage.
   In the passage verses 1-3 talk about things like people having these great powers. I somewhat picture great prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, and so on doing all these miracles like healing the sick and creating food out of what seemed like nothing. 
   The verses then say that if these people with these powers don't have love then they have nothing. Think about one of your favorite super heroes. What if that hero did not love others? What if that hero did not care about anyone else? I think that hero would more than likely become a villain. Could that be what happens to those of us who do not love? Think about the villains you know. What happens to most of them because they don't love?

   Verses 4-7 give us a definition of love that is much better than the dictionary, in my opinion. We find what love is and what it is not. Love is patient, kind, rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Sounds like a major load to carry, right? Love is not about you, or what you think you can get out of it. Love is about others. When we have choices each day, we should choose love. We know this but do we always do this? When you are driving and cut off by someone will you call them a name or forgive, in love? When you are tired but you promised you would do something for someone do you give into your own needs? Do you choose to love by sacrificing your time, money, etc?
   The last verses (8-13) go back to the beginning of the passage. "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away" (1 Cor.13.8). Those prophets and heroes will pass away. People may remember their amazing acts of heroism, but most people remember how they acted, who they were, and their character. No matter what powers or gifts you have, if you don't use them to show God's love to others what is the point of being here? 
   That is why love is the greatest of all attributes. If we try to do everything in love then the other character traits we may lack, because of sinful nature, will come. It is just a matter of choice. We must choose to love.
   So, will you choose to be a hero for others or a villain by only doing things for yourself? Will you choose to sacrifice yourself and your possessions to show love to others? Will you choose to love?
   1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Romans 12:9-10, 1 John 4:7

Not My Truth

   One day I was sitting at my previous job working on a project while the children were napping. My co-teacher looked out the window and said, "it's raining." I replied, "no" because I didn't want to stay inside with the children. It's better when we can take the children outside so they can get their energy out. She responded, "yes." I shook my head, "no, that's not my truth." She laughed and we tried to figure out what we were going to do inside that afternoon.

   It was a joke and made us laugh when I said, "that's not my truth" but some people say that even when they are not joking. What I mean is, when I said, "that's not my truth" to the fact that it was raining I knew it was raining. I could see the rain, but I jokingly said, "no, it's not raining." Meanwhile there are people out there who know the truth and have seen signs of it, but they choose not to accept it.

   John 14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Bible tells us the truth. We, as Christians, know we are to spread the Gospel to others. We know it is the truth. There are people out there who have heard the message but don't believe it is the truth. But Jesus is the only way to heaven. There is no other truth in the world more important to know than the fact that God loves you. He loves you enough that he sent his Son to die so you can be with him forever. That's the truth worth celebrating and spreading!

   So, what's your truth? Are you following the truth? How can you spread the truth to others?

 

Just One Light

   Have you ever felt led or been asked to do something that was out of your comfort zone? I'm sure you have. Did you do it? The answer you gave depends on if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

   Okay, let's tweak the question. You are asked to do something you know is wrong. Do you do it? Before you answer, let's say you are not just asked by one random person. Let's say you are asked to do it by a group of people you know well. People who you want to impress, or that you like. Would you do it?

   The darkness of this world is strong. There are times when it would be so easy to sin and follow the ways of the world. But is that what we should do?

   Picture that you are in a dark room. You are unable to see anything. Then you see a small flicker of light. The light goes out then comes back. It is almost like a match is being lit. Another small light appears beside it. Then another, and another. More appear until you can see light all around the room.

   Each light in that room was small. But if you add each light together it gets the whole room lit. We live in a world filled with sin. But when we let our lights shine, when we choose to follow God and grow in him, people see us reflecting God's glory. They wonder what is different about us. Then, maybe their light will begin to shine for God.

   So, are you choosing light or darkness? How are you growing in God so your light can shine brighter for him? What can you do to show God's light today?

   John 8:12, John 1:5, Matthew 5:16

 

Be a Caleb

The Israelites were a very interesting group of people. Many times we think about the miracles God performed through them. We also tend to think about how many times they messed up. One time in particular can be found in Numbers 13-14. 

In this passage we see that Moses sent 12 spies into the Promised Land. They saw the land was flowing with milk and honey. But in the same breath, they said the people there were powerful, the cities were fortified, and there were descents of giants there. If you heard that report what would you be thinking? Would you want to put in the work, and maybe be injured or killed, to gain this land? 

Then this one man stands up, tells everyone to be quiet, and says "we can take this land." Caleb was one of two spies who said the land was theirs. He knew that God promised them this land. He knew that with God they could take the land. Would it take work on their part? Yeah, it would. Would it be worth it? Yes, because God works everything together for their good.

If you continue reading that passage you know that the Israelites say no, we cannot take the land. God threatens to kill them all but Moses intervened. Thus the Israelites were forced back into the the wilderness (though some did try to take the land without God on their side, which ends in disaster). 

What's the lesson for us here? We need to be Caleb. When God promises us something we need to believe it will happen. Not only do we need to believe, but we also need to be willing to put in the work. God promised the Israelites the Promised Land but that didn't mean they wouldn't have to work to earn it. They would have to fight and do many other things (like walk around Jericho) in order to claim what God promised. Be like Caleb. Be a person who believes in God's promises and is willing to put in the work.

So, are you like the 10 spies or like Caleb and Joshua in your life? How do you know you can believe God's promises? Where do we find God's promises (and do you have those promises memorized)?

Fabulous

    One movie that I watched when I was younger was High School Musical. In the second High School Musical there is a song called Fabulous. It is sung by the character Sharpay. Sharpay is the daughter of a rich resort owner. She is used to getting her way. Thus, the song “Fabulous” talks about all the things she wants or thinks she deserves.

   The interesting thing is that Sharpay doesn't normally have to work for what she receives. She just gets it because of who her father is. It is the same way with us.

   In the past I have talked about how all we deserve is death. We are blessed with a Father in heaven who cares about us so much that he sent his son to die for us. If we trust in Jesus as our personal savior, the Bible tells us that we will receive rewards in heaven. First off, we will receive eternal life in heaven, which is reward enough as is. 

   We also receive other rewards as well. Matthew 5:12 talks about when people do evil against us. It says we should "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." That verse is something we should keep in mind as we face hard times. Yes, we have heaven as a reward but that doesn't mean our life on earth will be easy. We need to focus on our goal in those hard times and remember we are not alone.

   So, have you received the reward of having Jesus as your advocate? What can you do to spread the good news of the Gospel so others can receive that reward?

Are You a Sour Patch Kid?

    One candy that my students really like is Sour Patch Kids. If you do not know what they are, they are gummies that are covered in sour bits that look a bit like salt. They do not taste like salt, that is for sure. When you put one of these candies in your mouth, it starts out sour then becomes sweet as the sour flakes disappear against your tongue. The catch phrase of this candy is: "first they're sour, then they're sweet, then they're gone."

   I wonder if sometimes we are like one part of a Sour Patch Kid. Here's what I mean. Let's say you wake up and realize you forgot to get groceries yesterday, so you have nothing for breakfast or lunch. Then you get to work, and your one co-worker is out sick, so you have more work to do. You go about your day and lunchtime is coming up. Grabbing a granola bar, you prepare to go through the rest of your day hungry because this is all you have to eat. A co-worker comes up and says, "I made some taco dip last night and left some in the break room if you want any." You go grab some of that dip right away. Then go back to work which is uneventful the rest of the day.

   If someone were to ask you how your day went, if that story was your day, what would you say? Would you say that it was not good because you did not have anything for breakfast and your co-worker was out? Or would you say it was good because a co-worker provided lunch for me, when I did not have any and I was able to have a productive day?

   If we focus on all the negative things, we have a sour attitude. There is good, there is sweetness, in every day. There can be blessings in every event if we look for them. Philippians 4:8 reminds us of this: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Each day brings reasons to praise God. And I'm not just talking about good things that happen. Things we perceive as bad things can be good. It all depends on how we look at it.

   Back to that story, blessings in it: you had money to buy groceries later, even if you forgot the day before. You have a job, even if your co-worker was out sick. Your co-worker would probably be back soon if it was a small illness. You have good health. You had a granola bar to eat. Your co-worker provided food for you. You had a productive day, with few incidences. 

   If you focused only on the sour events, there would be no sweetness in life. You would not be showing the difference in your life. You would not be reflecting God's glory. We are called to be set apart. We are called to spread God's sweetness in a sour world, because one day we will be gone then it will be too late.

   So, is your attitude sour or sweet? How can you focus on the sweetness of the day?

Relationships: A New Year's Day Blog

   For those of you who know me well, or have read my blog, you know that each year I have a spiritual focus I work on. That doesn't mean I forsake other spiritual growth, but it means I'm consciously focusing on that goal throughout the year. 

   This past year I focused on relationships. I focused on relationships at different levels and tried to grow in my relationships. To some of you, this discipline may come easy but to me it isn't the easiest. I'm a person who doesn't like small talk. I like questions, getting to know people at a deeper level, and showing love to people in the way they need it. This can be intimidating to some people. While for others, it can be hard because they wear masks and are not authentic with others. People notice that and that may be a turn off.

   This past year, I worked on engaging in conversations with people I know and people I met. I tried to begin with smaller talk and waited to go deeper until I felt the relationship was growing. I made time for others, even when I was tired or very busy. I also began a discipline of a prayer calendar where I would ask people what they needed prayer for and I prayed for those requests each day. 

   What I learned is that balance is important. I knew this already, as I know I didn't want to become a starving baker, but I became more firm in knowing what I needed. When we began to spend too much time with people, I was able to look at my husband and say, "I need a break." We are both introverts, so that's helpful and he understands where I'm coming from. 

   I learned that people can tell when you really care. Relationships are about give and take. Sometimes, we do a lot of the giving in certain relationships and that's okay. As Christians we are called to serve others and love them. Sometimes that means we don't get anything in return. Other times we need more help so we do more of the taking or getting. That's okay as long as there is a balance and we don't over-take from people. 

   Which leads to the final thing I learned: relationships require sacrifice. When I learned what someone needed sometimes it required my time, energy, or money. That's not always easy to give up, but it is what we are called to do. That's what Jesus did. He knew when he had to spend time with the Father but he also knew how to balance that with loving others. Seeing his work on earth is such an encouragement to us. He is the one who we should be emulating in all ways, but especially when it comes to relationships.

   So, what are your relationships like? How have you shown love lately? Is there any area of your spiritual life that you need to work on?