S:
Little children, let us not love in word or in talk, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
O:
John calls us little children. and he wants us to love truly. He writes that we shouldn't just love with our words, but by our deeds and in truth. These two together are an expression of true love.
A:
I'm so happy John starts out by calling me a little child. I makes me think that what he's about to ask me to do it's hard to understand. It's so simple that a little child can understand it. When I love someone, I need to do so with more than just words. It's not enough to speak kindly and gently to someone in need. As nice as that might be, they need more. They need me to demonstrate my love for them by what I do. And that's the truth.
P:
Dear Lord, you are truth, and you are the perfect expression of love. Will you please help me to be truthful in my loving? Will you please help my deeds to be a true expression of my love for you and others that go beyond mere words? Thank you for your Holy Spirit who is always there to guide me.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, December 5, 2008
360 Degree Worship
S
(Ephesians 6:9) Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and there is no partiality in Him.
O
"The same to them" refers to verses 5-7, where masters (bosses) are to "obey" their subordinates with fear and trembling, sincerely, as though Christ Himself was their employee...as though He was present with each person. Jesus came to earth, demoting Himself of His infinite power and authority. He came not only as a human, but as an infant boy, destined to be a poor servant. He, the Holy One, the righteous and merciful Judge, subjected Himself to human parents and their relatives. He subjected Himself to corrupt judicial, executive, and legislative powers.
A
We can't avoid exercising authority, power or judgment over others. We are served by cashiers when we buy groceries. We learn of people weakened by unemployment or oppression. How do I handle my portions of power and authority? Jesus is all about lifting the down-trodden, strengthening the weak, and encouraging the hopeless...am I?
P
Lord, You revealed Your love to me through people, but I'm slow to recognize Your sovereign works in these people. Your image is visible in the people around me. I resist social strata, but it still exists. You use people above me, beside me, and below me to help me learn about authority. Help me to serve each of them with the same incorruptible love that I have for You (Ephesians 6:23,24).
(Ephesians 6:9) Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and there is no partiality in Him.
O
"The same to them" refers to verses 5-7, where masters (bosses) are to "obey" their subordinates with fear and trembling, sincerely, as though Christ Himself was their employee...as though He was present with each person. Jesus came to earth, demoting Himself of His infinite power and authority. He came not only as a human, but as an infant boy, destined to be a poor servant. He, the Holy One, the righteous and merciful Judge, subjected Himself to human parents and their relatives. He subjected Himself to corrupt judicial, executive, and legislative powers.
A
We can't avoid exercising authority, power or judgment over others. We are served by cashiers when we buy groceries. We learn of people weakened by unemployment or oppression. How do I handle my portions of power and authority? Jesus is all about lifting the down-trodden, strengthening the weak, and encouraging the hopeless...am I?
P
Lord, You revealed Your love to me through people, but I'm slow to recognize Your sovereign works in these people. Your image is visible in the people around me. I resist social strata, but it still exists. You use people above me, beside me, and below me to help me learn about authority. Help me to serve each of them with the same incorruptible love that I have for You (Ephesians 6:23,24).
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