“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2)

February 2009

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. As we begin a new year, we look forward to all that God has for us. Isn’t it amazing, that following the first month of the year we are reminded of something that is so very important to God and to our life? For a whole month, and even sooner, the way the stores operate these days, everyone is thinking about love. Valentines Day is coming. Love is everywhere. People are shopping for gifts, chocolates are on every store front and shelf. We bring gifts to our loved ones, and we reaffirm our feelings for them. What a wonderful holiday.

But then, what happens the next day? Is it business as usual? Do we forget the promises we made the day before when we confessed our love to those dearest to us? Do we remember to consider one another in love even when it is difficult? Jesus said “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matt. 5:46) Sometimes the very people we love the most are the ones who hurt us the most. This can also go both ways. Those of us who know the Lord, are expected to show His love to others, no matter what, and yes, that can be very difficult at times. However, let us think of Jesus, who is the very essence of Love. When He suffered and died on the Cross for us, we were yet sinners. He did not ask us to clean up our act first, and then He would save us. Praise God. Jesus said to “...love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Vs. 44-45) 

Love is not a matter of sentiment alone. All the love we confess with gifts and flowers and candy are wonderful. But love is practical concern, blessing, prayer, and well wishes for health and prosperity to both friend and foe alike. Our love should be different from that of the world. This is how others will see Jesus in us. You might be saying right now, “but you don’t know my husband, or my wife; you don’t know my mother in law, or my co-worker_” No, I don’t. However, Jesus would never command anything of us if He would not be there to help us perform it. So.... how do we take the hurts, the injustices, the cutting remarks geared towards us and show love instead of retaliation towards these people? Please do not misunderstand me, we are not to be gluttons for punishment. In some cases, such as abuse, we must get away from the abuser.

However, as Christians, the Holy Spirit has given us Gifts and power to use the Gifts for God’s glory. Paul says in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 that love is the basis of all Gifts. (Vs. 1-3) He goes on to tell us what love is. (Vs. 4-8). So now we know that among other things, Love is being kind, it bears all things, hopes in all things, and endures all things. When we truly love, we do not seek our own insisting on our “rights” and demanding priority. The good of the other person is priority. Let us, as followers of Christ rise this year to a new level of maturity. Let us pray for those who persecute us, let us be kind to those who have a sharp tongue. When my mother in law was alive, I took care of her in my home. She had a way about her that could bring the strongest person to tears. One day I was crying out to God, and telling Him what she said to me, and I heard Him say “Praise Me.” Like a child, I stamped my foot and said through my tears, “how can I praise you? I am your child, and I am being hurt. Don’t you care?” (Smile) Well, God taught me a lesson that day that eventually brought my mother in law to salvation, and peace between us. He encouraged me to praise Him every time she said something hurtful. So, like a child who is being obedient only because they have to, I began doing that. Actually, I did an awful lot of praising during those days. Then one day I found my mother in law reading the Bible, and she started to ask me questions about certain passages. After a while she confessed Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and the day before she died she actually gave me a compliment. Wasn’t much, she told me that I wasn’t so bad after all. (laughing) But now I can think of her with peace and know that she is in heaven.

My friend, we may never know how our love retaliation can change a persons life.  Paul says “Love suffers long and is kind.” Can we join together in this new year by making a pact together that we will be kind and loving to everyone this year, even when we don’t feel like it? I would love to hear your testimonies of how showing love and kindness in the midst of suffering has changed both your attitude, and the one who caused your pain. I will give you mine too. To help us, this is what love is or is not. Love is not provoked. It is not touchy, or hostile, but is graceful under pressure. Love does not think of evil, or keep an account of wrongs. It does not rejoice in the shortcomings of others, but it rejoices in the good. Love never gives up on people. Love believes in the best about others. Love is not suspicious. Love endures to the end. Let us agree in prayer together:

Father, in Jesus Precious Name, this reader and I are joining together as we come before Your Throne of Grace. Jesus we thank You for Your great love. You are Love, You are Perfect in every way. You loved us while we were yet sinners, and You paid the price for us so that all of us who have accepted You as Lord and Savior are now co-heirs with You, and are seated in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:4-9) Glory.  Jesus, we are willing to love, we are willing to go the extra mile even when it seems impossible. We know with Your help, all things are possible.  So we lay our lives at Your feet, and we allow You to work in us a good work. Let others see You in us Lord.  We ask for Your Light to shine through us, showing love and mercy to a lost and dying world. Thank You Jesus. Praise You! Amen & Amen!

God bless you,