It all boils down to one.. i.e. Love :)
Jesus, when asked which is the greatest commandment, gave this answer.. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matt 22:36-39)
Yes, it's easy to pour out our love to someone we already love, yet it's difficult to love those who have offended or hurt us. But God placed strong emphasis on the importance of loving, that He even instructed us to love our enemies, as recorded in Matthew 5:44.
And here's a good reminder.. I like these verses...
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Prov 3.1-3)
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1Cor13.13)
God's message for me today is coupled with an old worship song revived by my favorite band, Jars of Clay. Allow me to share them with you...
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Artist: Jars of Clay
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
Today's Devotion
January 22
On Loving and Praying
I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44, New American Standard Bible).
Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"
The meeting was called to order. The question: Should we continue having Sunday evening worship services? Attendance was low, so we were considering home Bible study groups instead. A vote was taken: Sunday night church would continue.
The man sitting behind me bristled. The decision didn't please him, and he didn't hold back his feelings. (I thought about telling him he needed a serious attitude adjustment, but I kept quiet.)
I couldn't forget about his comments. The next time he taught Sunday school, I thought: How can you preach to me about holiness?
I held onto my contempt, though, until God showed me that I was the one sinning. Jesus said, "Love your enemies," but I was holding a grudge against my brother in Christ. Jesus said, "Pray for those who persecute you," but I wasn't even praying for a man who had been kind to me. I realized I'd never be able to love my enemies, if I couldn't even love those who were more than willing to be a friend.
Dear Lord, please bring to my mind those whom You would like me to love, and for whom I ought to pray. In this way, may I become more like You, through the inner workings of Your Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions.
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They will know... |
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Let go and you'll understand |
While cleaning my room earlier, I was listening to my OPM tracks and this song from Gary V made me pause to relish the moment. It was timely as I was letting go of old stuff (putting 'em in boxes) leaving only what I need.
Yes, sometimes it's difficult to let go of things, but if we just try to assess and see if it'll benefit us more if we let go, it'll be easier for us to.. just let go.
But this song doesn't just talk about letting go of material things.
It's more than just letting go.. it's about emptying ourselves and opening up to Him to be filled.
It is my prayer that you'll be richly filled as you begin to embrace what He has to offer.
God bless you. Have a great week ahead. c",)
Letting Go
Artist: Gary Valenciano
I used to feel the emptiness inside me
I was not supposed to feel that way
I had everything I needed
But nothing ever made me
What I longed to be
The wealth, the name
The lights, the fame
Were everything to me
And then one night
Out of the blue
I heard His name (Jesus)
And so I took that step of faith
And walked into His domain
I believe that's what He wants
Every heart to do
When hard may seem the task
One step is all He asks of you
Letting go to know the truth
Is not so hard to do
It's the heart that's got the will
To open up for Him to fill
And trusting and believing Him
Is all we've got to do
It's just the heart that's got to move
For Him to show His love that's been there
Even when we never cared
Take hold of His hand
Let go and you'll understand
Why be afraid
For God knows what you're feeling
But even He can't do a thing
If He sees the heart's not willing
And so we ask what's going on
We want what's right and still do wrong
When hard may seem the task
One step is all He asks of you
I guess by now you'd realize
You can't be on your own
And all your cares
And all your burdens
Should be cast upon His throne
Letting go, just let go, letting go
Let go and you'll understand
Just let go and you'll understand
(video courtesy of koolbrosia)
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Life Blog: Loving and Inspiration.. heart matters |
While reading through some inspiring stories on the internet, I chance upon one of my favorite quotes from Helen Keller, it goes..
“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen nor touched, but are felt in the heart.”
Helen grew up blind and deaf due to serious illness she experienced when she was about less than 2 years of age, yet she inspired many people in her lifetime. Her sight and hearing senses might have deteriorated but her heart had shaped her into becoming the Miracle Worker.
Everyone would agree that our heart is the most important part of the human body. Some people might have broken limbs caused by serious accidents whilst others might have donated their eyes or kidneys, yet still continues to live. But when the heart stops beating, we’ll all end up in a flat line. I never heard of any heart donor that is still very much alive, hehe.
If I were asked to describe what are the best and most beautiful things I have experienced so far, well I think I would probably recount on those people whom have touched my heart as well.
In another context, when someone finally found his/her lifetime partner, wouldn’t it be nice that when both of 'em have grown old (having gums abandoned by their used-to-be-healthy teeth and with sagging skins all over, hehe kidding) yet they can still exchange the sweetest phrase “I Love You”s to each other?
Truly, what we keep in our heart is what really matters. Like if we feed our hearts with anger or hatred, it might result to developing unwanted attitude. But if we feed our hearts with love, we begin to demonstrate living life humbly and harmoniously.
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.”(from the gospel of Luke)
c",)
