The Season For Love

Romans 12:9-16

9) “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15) Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

A preacher once told about three kids who made a new club. They had three rules. Nobody acts big. Nobody acts little. Everybody acts medium. Pretty good advice!

In the verses that precede this section of Romans twelve, Paul talks about being living sacrifices and that it starts inside. We become what we think about (and what we think about ourselves). Now this is part two of being a living sacrifice—living sacrifices living together.

Love Must Be Sincere (v. 9).

Love Hates Evil. It Clings to Good (v. 9).

Love Is Being a Devoted Friend (v. 10).

Love Honors Another Above You (v. 10).

Love Is Zealous, with Spiritual Fervor (v. 11).

Love Is Joyful (Because of Hope) (v. 12).

Love Is Patient in Affliction (v. 12).

Love Is Faithful in Prayer (v. 12).

Love Shares with God’s People Who Are in Need (v. 13).

Love Practices Hospitality (v. 13).

Love Blesses Those Who Persecute (v. 14).

Love Rejoices with Those Who Rejoice (v. 15).

Love Mourns with Those Who Mourn (v. 15).

Love Stretches Its Social Range Past Its Comfort Zones (v. 16).

Remember, all letter long, Paul reminds us that this is God-guided living that we cannot produce on our own. We need a Savior. We need the Spirit. We may have them.

      Merry Christmas Folks – Let the Lord Jesus Bless You!

What Is Life?

Someone once asked me “What Is Life?” After a lot of thought, I put together a word answer about life.

LIFE IS A . . .

Song . . . Sing it. 

Game . . . Play it.

Gift . . . Accept it.

Tragedy . . . Face it.

Beauty . . . Praise it.

Goal . . . Achieve it.

Duty . . . Perform it.

Adventure . . . Dare it.

Challenge . . . Meet it.

Mystery . . . Unfold it.

Opportunity . . . Take it.

Journey . . . Complete it.

Sorrow . . . Overcome it.

Promise . . . Fulfill it.

Struggle . . . Fight it.

Puzzle . . . Solve it.

But above all, do LIFE unto the Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him.

The Inside Person, Part 1

Read: Matthew 23:23-28 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24) You blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26) You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. 27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28) Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

     If you scanned the shelves of major bookstore chains in the self-help and pop psychology sections, you’d find many books with superficial solutions. How to look successful, how to influence others, how to feel good about yourself – most topics are geared toward appearance and quick results.

     Not many address the deeper issues of morality and the enrichment of the inner person. Jesus, however, was very concerned about what goes on in the heart. He was angry at the self-righteous Pharisees, who prided themselves on their strict observance of every detail or religious law.

     Comparing them to whitewashed tombs was a graphic way of saying they looked good on the outside but inside they were morally corrupt. The attractive human walls didn’t count for much when the contents were ugly. Let me ask you a question here! How do you see yourself inside?

     Developing your character is Jesus’ top priority. Step by step, as you trust Him to shape your thinking, your behavior is turned around. You’re on the track to genuine success when you allow Him to instill godly qualities. Remember, His plant isn’t a “look good, quick” scheme of temporary changes. His process takes time, but the good results are real and lasting.

     There is an old song I used to sing with some of the lyrics stating: “Take Time Out For Jesus – He Took Time For You” – Give it some thought.