I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.I will meditate onall your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalms 77:11-12 (NIV)
Have you ever been riding in the car with a group of people and got to the destination having no idea how you got there. I seem to get too distracted by the conversation in the car to pay attention to which roads we took to get us there, usually only the driver knows how to get back home.Life can be very similar.
When driving, you have to be alert, paying attention, and watchful for danger.The Christian life is so similar; we need to be alert, and paying attention to those around us. If we are always focused on our own life, no one will ever feel the love of Christ from our lives. So many people in this world are hurting, and desperate for someone to just take notice of them.
You also have to keep watch for danger, keeping yourself and everyone in and out of the vehicle safe.1Peter 5:8 says, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV) In the Christian walk danger is in every turn, if we are not cautious we could be headed down a dangerous path.
We must also follow the road signs when driving, if we do not, we will either wreck or be lost. God is ready and willing to show us which direction is his will in our life. However we have to follow his signs, by reading the Bible and spending time alone with him. Pray for peace in your heart for right decisions and pray that the Spirit will let you know of any changes that need to be made in your life.
Remembering what God has done in the past is essential. We are human and we forget entirely to quickly. Take the Israelites for example, they cried out to God asking to set them free from captivity, and he did. They walked on the dry ground of the red sea with the walls of its water surrounding them. They ate the manna and quail from heaven. They followed God in a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Yet, as soon as Moses went up on the mountain with God, they got tired of waiting and constructed a golden calf to worship instead of the God whom they had experienced such rescue, provision, and guidance with.
Look back on your life and remember all that God has done in your life. Keep a journal or do something special to be used as a reminder of the great God we have. If we live each day with the perspective of remembering what God has done, we will not fail to shine and be a light to all the hurting in the world.
Thank you Father for all you have done in our lives. You never cease to amaze us! Help us to pay attention, stay alert, and remember where we have come from.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7 (NIV) What does it really mean to be still? How many times in a day are we ever just still in the quiet, are we ever still? The opening of spring has always made me be still. I cannot help but stop and be still, feeling the warmth of the sun after months of harsh cold, hearing the long lost birds, and watching the buds appear on all the plants.
God wants us to be still, not only to be in awe of creation but also to sit and wait on him. It often takes a very difficult situation or decision in my life for me to be still. Not because I know I am supposed to do this, but because I have nowhere else to turn, because I have relied on myself and am powerless to help the problem on my own. It is when I know He is going to have to take control. When I allow myself to be still, I am always amazed at what He shows me. Our lives are just too busy to be still or are we are just too preoccupied with our lives to take the time? I wonder how many things God was trying to show me in my lifetime that I just did not notice.
If we are still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him everyday, imagine how different our lives would be. This is what it means to make Him our first love. Our first priority, sit with Him...you will be amazed at what he shows you, you may never be able to go back to doing things on your own.
Thank you Father for wanting us to wait on you, for giving us the opportunity to sit and be quiet in your presence. Show us great things.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
As I am sure we have all realized by now, life is never simple. It is filled with complications, things that can bring us to our knees in desperation. Even when we know God holds the world in his hands and everything is actually going according to plan, it still is hard. God understands this, even though he has told us time and again that he has everything under control, he knew it would still be hard for us and that we could not do it alone.
The verse above talks about meeting together and encouraging each other. Many of us meet together, every Sunday. However the act of encouragement is not always taking place within the church walls. It is so much simpler to slip out the doors unnoticed than it is to spill your guts about how hard your life is. When we take this easy way out we are living our life all alone. We need one another, to be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a friend who will simply be there for us. Pay attention to the people around you, you may be sitting next to someone in church who desperately needs some encouragement.
Let's be honest with ourselves, I'm sure you can think of one thing in your life right now that you are troubled with. You may think you are being a bother to someone by telling them all your problems, or that you may sound too negative. But when you allow someone to pray for a difficult time you are going through, when God answers your prayer, they will also get to experience the victory.
In Matthew 18:20 Jesus said, "when two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them". (NIV) God wants us to come together and pray to Him, to lean on Him and each other. He will met us there, and what better place to be than in the presence of God.
Father, surround us with people who we can lean on. Give us a humble heart to be able to share our lives with one another. Thank you for your design so we do not have to live life all alone.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12 (NIV)
Being in the presence of someone who has maintained their excitement and passion for God is such an encouragement to me. The sad thing is these encounters are extremely few and far between. Why is it that so many Christians seem to be living with a passion for something other than Christ? How is it possible that the creator of this universe, who sacrificed his only son for the sins of this world, seems to be an after thought?
Zeal and fervor are words that are not used much today. They are basically, a burning intensity of an emotion for something, an eager desire, or to be enthusiastic about. God has given us so much to be excited about. He created us, not because he had to but because he wanted to. He loves us, not because of something we have done, he just does, and he does unconditionally. Christ died, not because he deserved death but so we could be saved from it. 1 John 1:9 says "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from allunrighteousness." (NIV) Is it that we are too familiar with these words to stop and actually take them in? How are we anything less than ecstatic about this?
I have meet Christians who truly do have a burning intensity to serve as a Sunday school teacher, an eager desire to share the gospel with a friend, and who are just enthusiastic about what Christ has done for them. They are also joyful, patient, and extremely faithful in prayer. And after spending any amount of time with them, a conversation with a lukewarm Christian seems so dull and pointless. Living in the society we do makes it hard to stay focused, but that is no excuse. There is nothing more important in this temporal life to be passionate about then Christ.
Father, help us to burn with passion for you, and be a light for the lost. Thank you for all your greatness, mercy, and love.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4(NIV)
After being away for a week, I returned home to the potted flowers on my porch in desperate need of water. The green had mostly turned yellow and hardly any flowers were blooming, it was not a pretty sight. I really did not think they would come back, but I watered them and they now look beautiful once again.
It never ceases to amaze me how many parallels God has made with nature and us. I am reminded of the Parable of the sower in Matthew 13. A plant cannot thrive without good soil, and the right combination of sunlight, and water. The same is with us in our Christian walk. If we are not planted firmly in all of God's true living word we will wither and become lifeless.
My flowers may have continued to survive without me, with the little rain they get off the porch, but flowers are not meant to look like that. It is just as my mother says, pretty is as pretty does. When I have not taken the time to spend time with my God, I recognize my heart resembling those thirsty flowers. I do not want to merely survive this life with the little rain that trickles down off the porch. I want God to fill my cup and overflow it. I want to produce the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Jesus said if we remain in him he will remain in us. We cannot do anything on our own, why do we so often try? We are connected to the everlasting life source of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true vine. The Father, who is our gardener, may have to painfully prune us at times, but it is only to help us bear even more fruit. Every plant must be taken care of; no branch can bear fruit by itself.
Father, Thank you for being the True Vine and for giving us true life. Help us all to realize real life in you, full of many fruits and much joy.
From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another. John 1:16 (NIV)
On my way to my sister's house five minutes away, to welcome our parents from a six hour drive from their home I realized something. My heart filled with such joy and excitement that I was going to see them. We had so many fun activities planned for their visit and I could not wait to get started. As I began thanking God for family, and laughter and fun, I started realizing all of the abundant blessings he gives daily. The thought came to me how this world is cursed by sin, and yet God continues to allow us to have an overflow of blessings. Creation alone is unbelievable; the fact that he made this world in color, and gave us the all our senses to enjoy it is unreal.
When you think of a cursed world what do you think of? My first thought when I asked myself this was dark, cold, and absolute constant suffering. You do not really think of sunshine, a laughing child, or the warm hug of a dear friend, do you? Not only did God make a way for us, sinners bound for hell, to someday spend eternity with him in a perfect world. In the mean time He gives us glimpses of all his wonder. Make it a priority to thank God for the things we so often over look and take for granted, blessings, one after another.
I know there are days when it is very obvious we live in a cursed world, where sin and death are very real. But take hope in this temporary life we do live. Be so blessed in the fact that we have the privilege to take part in Christ's work, to be a light to the lost. That someday they will join us in eternity and will get to be forever blessed in the presence of our amazing loving Heavenly Father.
Father, Thank you for loving us so much for making it possible to someday be with you in heaven. Thank you for the little rays of sunshine you provide daily in the mist of this dark and sinful world.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1Peter 4:12,13 (NIV)
Most all of us have some type of goals in life or at least aspirations of what we hope our life will be like. Usually, society and others around us influence our desires, things such as, true love, healthy children, beauty, a new home, a successful career with a hefty income, and an upstanding reputation. The grass always seems greener on the other side doesn't it? We always seem to think if only I had this or that I would be so happy, but we know deep down true happiness and contentment comes from only one place, God.
If we did have a choice of all that would happen in our life, why would we ever choose catastrophe, we wouldn't right. We would never choose to lose a loved one, lose a job, or even lose respect from others. Lets be honest what we all really desire is to have an ordinary, mundane, average life. I'm not saying it is by any means good to desire bad things to happen, but when these bad things happen, it gives God the opportunity to do amazing, surprising and astonishing things. We need to be open to and ready for God to shake things up a bit.
I think sometimes that I have something engraved in my mind that makes me worry about things going wrong. If my husband is ten minutes late I assume he has been in a car accident. Or when I am talking to my sister on the phone and we suddenly get cut off, I automatically think an intruder has broken in. The thought of losing one of them is unbearable to me, but one day all of our lives will come to an end and that is when our real life will start. I should put some of that energy of worrying towards the ones I may not get to spend eternity with, the unsaved.
God is able to understand how short our lives really are, and how long eternity is. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV) Lets stop thinking how wonderful our life could be, and take the challenges God has place before us and watch him do the extraordinary.
Father, Thank you for not giving me everything I want, thank you for showing me how amazing and real you are, for turning pain into hope. Thank you that this life is not the end.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John 4:10 (NIV)
I am sure there have been times in all our lives that we've asked the question; is love real? It seems we too often hear the phrase, " We have fallen out of love." After you have heard that phrase used so often you have to question what love even is. Why do we bother with using such a passionate word if it can so simply be brought to an end?
On my quest to find a good definition of love, I found many, and on so many different levels. As in the Greek language I wish so badly we had different words for all the different kings of love. Eros is a physical love. Philia is a friendship love. And Agape is unconditional love, the kind of love God has for us. Not only does God love us with no conditions, with no strings attached, he showed us that love on another level when he sent his Son as a sacrifice. He made a way for us to be made clean amongst our enormous shortfalls. There was no other way to the Father, no other way.
Since we are all humans full of sin this agape love is not an easy assignment for us, as we are commanded to love others as Christ loves us. We are even called to love our enemies, (Luke 6:27). It is easy to love someone who makes you feel good, (Eros). And it is also easy to love someone who you feel you have a connection with, and someone who gives you kindness in return to yours, (Philia). It is not natural for us to want to love someone without these conditions. The only way to love others unconditionally is by the power God gives us. 1John 4:13-21 says it perfectly.
Love is real, and in my mind Agape love is the only kind worthy of the word love. It is the only kind that cannot be erased. Where would we be if God choose to fall out of love with us? He does not love us because we make him happy, we disappoint him daily, if not hourly! If we shut out everyone who does not make us happy or has done wrong to us, we would never have any human contact. We are so quick to think of ourselves, forgetting of all the people we have wronged, maybe even unintentionally. Forgiveness is a usually a vital part of love considering we are all sinners and have all done wrong. We must look to God in all his eternal unconditional love and utmost forgiveness; He is the only perfect example we will ever have.
Father, Thank you so much for your great love. Thank you for showing us that love on the cross, thank you for never leaving or forsaking us. Help us to show your great love to all.
May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:12 (NIV)
Not only is the book of Ruth an inspiring story of her amazing character, but her life is also an example of how God's love and protection is offered to everyone. The key word in that sentence is offered, not everyone accepts that gift.
Ruth was not a Jew, she was from a pagan land, and worshiped pagan gods. When her Jewish husband died along with her father-in-law and brother-in-law, she was left with a decision. To either start a new life, fresh, and leave her mother-in-law all alone, to travel back to her homeland. Or to leave her family, gods, and all she ever knew and go with her mother-in-law. She bravely left everything for the love and loyalty of her mother-in-law. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16b (NIV)
Throughout the Bible God has been described as a safe haven of the protection with his wings. Psalms 91:4 says, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (NIV) I love to watch the birds in the spring, so active, preparing their nests. How peaceful it is to wake up to their songs. It is amazing what the mother's wings are for her baby birds, protection from all things that would bring them harm. That same protection is offered to us through God. When we believed in Him we were marked with a seal, and everlasting, eternal seal. (Ephesians1: 13)In John 10:28 Jesus uses another animal illustration, the Shepard and his sheep. I give them eternal life and they shall never parish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (NIV)
It can be a scary thing to think about all the evil in this world, seen and unseen. It is such a peace to know we have no reason to fear it. And what a relief to know God's protection is offered to all of us, no matter what our past. What a good decision Ruth made to take refuge under God's wings.
Thank you father for your protection, your everlasting love. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Protect us all today, shield us with your armor, and give us the strength to fight the good fight.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
The world we live in today makes it so easy for Christians to blend in. What really scares me is all of the unsaved that blend into those who are saved. So many unsaved have been brought up conforming to this world and yet taught manors in the mean time. These people truly believe if they are 'good people' they are in good shape for eternity. We as Christians sometimes overlook them as possible Christians. It is our responsibility to boldly speak the truth about God to everyone. Blending in is dangerous, saved or unsaved.
When I see headlines on magazines at the store I notice the main focus is 'yourself.' This seems harmless right? When I was in high school I was always reading those kinds of magazines, I started believing I needed to have fun and simply enjoy life. You are only young once enjoy your youth while it lasts. Even while being involved in church my main goal in high school was to make it fun and memorable. I made sure to not cross any lines that would have been 'wrong' but my motives were nothing short of wrong, I was not living God's will I was living the world's. When I look back now and I realize how many lost opportunities to share Christ with others, its awful. I also think of how many people I hurt by putting myself first, conforming to the patterns of this world, it is a deadly pit of lies. Ephesians 5:15,16 says, Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (NIV)
We all need to be on our guard. Evil is lurking around every corner, waiting for us to believe the lies in sheep's clothing. We must eat up every part of God's word, allowing it to soak into our innermost parts. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) He will give us the strength and wisdom to speak the truth to all the unsaved 'good people' in our lives. Whatever you look at, or read will saturate into your mind, even though something seems harmless, if God is not all over it why waste your time?
Father, Transform me. Help me to renew my mind with your truth. Give us all the wisdom we need to spread your good news and to guard our hearts from evil. Thank you for your truth and love.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
How often do we have to deal with conflict of personalities? If we are honest, at least everyday, I hope I am not the only one. Usually when a conflict arises it is because we are sure we are correct in the situation and the other party is wrong. I know I often need to take a step back and try to look at the circumstances from a different angle.No matter what the situation it can only be truly solved when humility is involved.
Nothing is more comforting, and at times more irritating to me than a room full of woman. It all depends on the amount of humility in the room. How refreshing it is when someone is just honest, not trying to put up a front. We all know the other type, pretending to always have everything in order. All they care to talk about is the wonderful things going on in their lives, conveniently leaving out the daily struggles every human being faces.
I know when I come in contact with this type I can't help but want to hide all my struggles, so I don't look so bad and just in case they think they are better than me, I'll prove them wrong. This is nothing short of my selfish ambition and prideful heart; Paul says here that we are to consider others better than ourselves, to understand we both need God's grace and to look to them in love with a servant's heart. If I could get off my high horse and humble myself, it could possibly be contagious, they may have struggles building up so thick inside of them and maybe all they need is a true friend to listen. I know when I am around someone who is able to be vulnerable instead of prideful, it makes me step down and spill out all my imperfections and struggles. There lies love and encouragement rather than envy and arrogance.
Our great God, our savior, Jesus Christ, who has not one imperfection, humbled himself more than any of us ever could. He came to earth as a lowly human and died a horrible death for us. He is the ultimate example of a humble servant.
Father, Help me to be a humble servant today, please take my pride away and help me to follow your amazing example of love and sacrifice.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
I am in a place in my life that doesn't always make sense, especially to those who don't know all the details. However I have peace that this is where God wants me to be, and even though I have this peace it can still be difficult to want to try to plead my case to outsiders who can't fully understand. If I could just stop focusing on how I am perceived by other people and only care how my maker sees me this would not be as difficult as I make it at times.
Doing what you know God is calling you to do is not always easy. Thankfully God's word says we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I can't help but think of Noah. God called him to make an ark that was four hundred and fifty feet tall, seventy-five feet wide and forty-five feet high. God also warned him of a flood that will wipe out all life under the heavens. I can only imagine what his wife was thinking when he came to share with her the words God had spoken to him. I wonder what kind of scrutiny and ridicule he had to put up with. He spent one hundred years building a giant boat. Try to imagine what your loved ones reactions would be if you were to do that.
In 1 Samuel 16 the LORD sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, a son of Jesse. When Samuel thought for sure the oldest son would be the next king. The LORD said to him in verse 7, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (NIV) Samuel obeyed God and passed over seven of Jesse's older sons and anointed the youngest son, David, who was just a boy. That same boy in the next chapter defeated a giant, with a sling and a stone and later became one of Israel's greatest kings. We can't worry about what man will think of our decisions, they cannot see our heart, only God can. If God is in control of our lives we cannot go wrong, no matter how crazy we look.
If God has laid something on our heart to do, we need to bathe it in prayer and do it, even when it doesn't seem like the smartest thing to do. Isaiah 40:28 says, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. (NIV) God's spirit goes so far beyond our human minds; it doesn't always have to make sense.And what relief to know God will not grow weary or tired. He will give us the strength to carry out what ever he has called us to. I'm sure the harvest will be well worth it. Just don't give up.
Father, give us the courage to do what you have called us to. Help us to be heavenly-minded and to look to you for strength. Thank you for always being there for us.
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:14 (NAS)
In these hard economic times it is tough to not think and worry of what our lives will be like tomorrow. It can be extremely hard going though financial difficulties. Just listening to the news is enough to make anyone crazy. I know so many people who are out of work and trying to find a job. I can't help but be scared when I think of what tomorrow may bring. Why do we often wait for these kinds of circumstances to cry out to God?
If we are honest with ourselves, most of the time we think we have some sort of idea what will happen tomorrow. Most of us have a schedule to keep, and days can sometimes just run into each other. However, we truly have no real idea what tomorrow will bring, only God knows. Even through these difficult times we have the tendency to overlook this precious time we have here on earth.
Right before Jesus assented into the clouds after his resurrection, he left the disciples with a task, to go and make disciples of all the nations. To spread his word, to help all people, in every nation realize their sin and know Jesus died to wash them all away. We too are called to this enormous responsibility. Our lives here on earth are vapors, and so are the lives of those who do not know him. Tragedy can strike at any moment. How selfish we can become only thinking of our own lives. The American dream, this can be such a trap in the Christian life. We are not on this earth to relax, God has promised us paradise in heaven. This life is our opportunity to help the lost escape their horrible destiny of eternity in Hell.
If you read though the book of Acts it is full of amazing examples of how to live our lives and spend our time. The struggles they had to deal with were awful, in and out of prison, mockery, and so many people wanting them dead. In the mists of everything they were full of the spirit and full of joy. They called upon God and he provided again and again, as he will for you.
It seems no matter what the problem the answer is always the same; stay focused on God and his Word. We must be strong and strive to live a life that pleases God. How amazing it would be to enter Heaven and hear our Father say, well-done, good and faithful one. Who knows, it could be tomorrow.
Father, Thank you that I do not have to worry about tomorrow and that you have it all in your hands. Help me to realize how short this time on earth really is. Help me to take full advantage of every opportunity to give me to show the lost your love. Amen
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
When years pass and still no answer to one of our deepest desires it is hard to believe it will ever happen. As we stay close to our Father though prayer and studying in his word, he always finds a way to fill our hearts with hope. Verses such as Matthew 19:26 come to mind, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Do we really believe this? All things are possible?
It can be difficult for me to have hope in certain areas, simply because I have tried to grasp the fact that it may not be God's will. That very well may be, but I also need to remember and believe that with out a shadow of a doubt, He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20. (NIV)
As woman we seem to be very familiar to worry and doubt. And that can make it difficult to find the healthy balance of praying about something and yet not allowing it to consume our every thought, therefore leading to worry. If we are truly seeking God he will fill us with hope and take away our worry. In Romans 15:4 Paul says, for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that though endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV) God has equipped us with so much more than we may realize. The Bible is packed full of stories of impossible situations being made possible through God, David and Goliath, Abraham and Sarah, and Daniel. The word of God can tend to be overlooked in even our Christian society at times. Our lives are so busy in the world we live in today and it can be hard to find time to study God's Word and truly meditate on it. However that is exactly what it is for, it is to be our fuel to get though the day.
I know in my life, if God is not number one on my list of priorities, those prayer requests that have been prayed year after year, seem hopeless. I rely on my human strength to handle broken dreams and as I am sure you can relate, it does not work well. Only God can overflow our hearts with hope, and I am willing to bet he sure does want to. Today dig deep into the Bible and reflect on every word you read, and may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in him.
Father, thank you for always being there to fill my heart with hope, thank you for every word you have meticulously placed in the Bible. Help me to never over look them in this busy world and to always put you first.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:11 (NIV)
In Matthew 22, Jesus teaches the Pharisees about the greatest commandment, and that of course is Love. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and our second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Although love is the greatest commandment we have, sometimes it can be the hardest. There are many people out there who can be hard to love at times. Paul must have been aware of this, he tells us to be patient and bearing one another in love.
I know I have come across many people who I found hard to love. Some at school, some at work, and believe it or not, some at church. There were times I would be serving at church and had such an unloving attitude toward someone else there. What did I gain? Absolutely nothing. It is so easy to see the faults in others and it is sometimes very tricky to see the faults in our own lives. The same people I may have had a hard time loving may have had an even harder time loving me.
I often have trouble opening up to people, especially at church. That is the exact opposite of what God has designed the church for. He has given us the church family to run to when things go wrong, to grow in Him, and to find encouragement. It is so easy to put up a front every Sunday and make everyone think your life is going great. It just seems simpler at times. It also can be very humbling to have to share all your problems with people you may have a hard time loving. I need to remember God hates pride.
I try to remember God has created us all different, how boring it would be if we were all the same. However, our indifference is usually followed with complications. And I also try to remember we may have no idea what could be going on in this person's life to make them so hard to love. If we can learn to humble ourselves and be patient and gentle, God will help us get past our differences and see the common bond we have in the Spirit. He will empower us to love them. There is no other being with more love in them than God. God is love. It is a command to not only love him but to love our neighbors. We are called to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. God has designed it that way for us.
Lord, help me to have a humble and gentle heart. Help me to see everyone as your creations and knowing you have purpose in placing them in my path. I pray that I will not make it difficult for others to love me. Sarah Hostetler
