Real Love

One day a couple from the church were out distributing loaves of bread in a low-income housing complex. They came to an apartment where they heard arguing through the door, but they decided to knock anyway. A man opened the door and asked what they wanted. One of the visitors said, "We don't want anything. We just wondered if you know anyone who could use some loaves of bread?" 

"Why are you doing that?" the man asked. 

"Just to let people know that God loves them." 

"What did you just say?" the man asked, rather anxiously. 

"We're just handing out loaves of bread to let people know that God loves them." 

The man stared and said, "I can't believe this. We just buried our three-week-old son yesterday, and now here you are at our door." 

The visitors offered to pray with them, and the couple accepted their offer. As they were leaving, and the door was being closed, they heard the husband say to his wife, "See, honey? I told you God cares. We thought he wasn't paying attention to us, but he sent those people here to make sure we knew."

Over two thousand years ago, the world heard knock at the door.  The source?  Jesus. Born in a manger...wrapped in strips of cloth... ready to grow and save mankind from its sins.   Jesus the Messiah.  The world changer.  The life bringer. 

He’d come to a world who’d thought that God had given up on them... wasn’t paying attention to their needs.  Many thought God wasn’t interested anymore...that sin would win out... that the enemy was given a victory by default.  They were wrong.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Jesus came to earth with a message and a mission.  More than just a loaf of bread to the hungry.  He gave mercy.  He extended grace.  It was a reminder that God does care... and that He wants to spend eternity with His creation rather than be separated from them.  

Jesus came because God loves.  With a genuine and deep affection... God loves.  You aren’t just a person to Him...you are His child.  And He loves you.

Imperfect...hurting...confused...challenged... A genuinely flawed but infinitely valuable child of the King of Kings.  That’s you.  YOU are the one He loves.

His affection for you isn’t based on anything you’ve done.  You haven’t earned it.  You don’t deserve it.  You can’t make it increase or lessen.  It is genuine, heartfelt, and unconditional.  

He loves us just as we are... and loves us too much to let us stay that way.  He is always working to better us... to help us be more like Him.  Sometimes His affection takes the form of discipline...sometimes challenge... sometimes brokenness.  But during all of those, He never leaves our side.  We matter to Him.  Profoundly.  And all He asks in return for His affection?

Love Him back... 

...and love those He puts in our path with the same level of affection that we receive from Him:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  -  John 13:34-35

We serve an amazing God... May the love He gives you remind you to pass it along to others.  Somebody somewhere is sitting behind a closed door... wondering if God has forgotten about them.  Let’s remind them that He hasn’t...  ... and that He loves them. 

Tell Them

Over the course of 20+ years in ministry, I’ve done a lot of memorial services. Each one is a unique and special tribute to someone’s life. However, there are always two emotions that occur without fail. The first, of course, is sadness. Losing a loved one is emotionally overwhelming... the feeling of loss and loneliness is punishing to the heart and difficult to bear.

The other emotion... the one that I see often (almost as much as sadness)

Regret.

The stinging heartbreak that comes when a person realizes that they are no longer able to make it right. I hear things like.. “I wish I had one more day with him.” or “I hope she knew how much she was loved” or even... “If I could just tell them one more thing...”

Why is that? Why do we feel that way at funerals? Why don’t the people we meet everyday know how we feel about them?

It’s easy really. Because we think they already know.

I heard a story once about a husband who was being yelled at by his wife. Everyday she nagged him and pestered him with the same statement, “Why don’t you tell me you love me anymore?” After several weeks of this, the man simply couldn’t take it anymore. After his wife finished her daily tirade, he slowly turned to her and said, “You want to know why I don’t tell you I love you? Because when me got married, I told you then. If that ever changes... I’ll let you know.”

Why don’t we say it more? Do your friends know you care about and love them? How about your spouse? Has there ever been a mentor in your life? Brother or sister?

If they were gone tomorrow.... would they know how you feel about them?

Life is way too short to go around assuming people know how we feel. Look at today’s verses...

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-39

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus Christ didn’t wait to tell us He loved us... in fact, He climbed on a cross so there would be no doubt... He was crucified to eliminate any wonder... We never have to guess God’s intent or doubt His feelings.

Jesus is passionate about us

In the verses, He tells us to express our love for each other in a similar way. Sacrificially...wholly...without reservation, embarrassment, shame, or condition.

Love those God has placed in our lives... and remind them of that love regularly. Who is it in your life that you haven’t expressed your feelings towards in a while?

Is it your friend who has never left your side while you lay in the pit?

Is it a spouse who stood by your bedside while doctors treated you?

Is it a mentor who never made you feel like you were bothering them with the 500th question?

Is it your child...who is still trying to figure out the world, their emotions, and your rules all at the same time?

Is it someone who has hurt you in your family. The pain runs deep. They seek underserved forgiveness and you’ve met them with silent stares.

Who needs you to tell them you love them today?

I found this anonymous quote: “Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: Saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wish you had?”

Mistakes are fixable but regret is forever. Don’t wait. Make today the day you tell those special people in your life how you feel about them. Love them, encourage them, and remind them that no matter how deep the hole, how dark the valley, or how challenging the storm... you will be there for them.

Because they matter to God.

Because they matter they matter to you.

and you love them.

Don't Hide

Humanity has a long history of wearing a mask.

Adam did it. 

“Then the Lord God called to the man [Adam], ‘Where are you?’

He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’”  Genesis 3:9-10

The disciples did it. 

“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.”  John 20:19a

Adam wore a mask to hide from his sin... 

The disciples wore one because their faith was challenged...and they locked themselves inside a room for safety after Christ was crucified.  Hiding in fear... worried.

Why hide?  Why wear a mask? Why do any of us?

Alcoholics Anonymous has a famous saying that says “We are as sick as our secrets”... and they might be right.  So many of us are sick... withering under the blistering heat of regret, self-doubt, worry, and a shameful past.  We put our masks on years ago and they have become part of us... feeling irremovable... seemingly permanent... 

Want to know if you’re wearing one?  When asked, “How are you?”...  Have you ever replied...

“I’m alright” (but you aren’t)

“It doesn’t hurt” (oh, but it does...)

“I deserve to be treated that way”  (I guess I don’t deserve better)

“It’s just the way he is” (What would he say if I confronted him?)

“I’ve grown to just put up with her” (All these years... I haven’t been able to change her)

Everything ok?  

We say “yes” with a lump in our throat and our heart broken.

Why?  What is the point of wearing a mask?  

Good question.  Maybe a better one is... “How do we take the mask off?”

How can we live authentically?

How can we go from our masquerade to God’s master plan for our lives?

We can start by asking ourselves these questions:

• Am I accountable to someone other than God?  Does anybody else know what I do?
• Who can freely speak into my life?  How do I take their feedback?
• How insecure am I?  
• Am I happy when I’m away from people because it takes all of my energy to be the person that they think I am?
• What would people think of the real me?

Do I even know the real me anymore?

You don’t have to hide... God says to discover His love... realize how unique and special He made you to be... and live authentically.  

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”  1 Peter 3:3-4

You are precious.  Behind the mask... under the braided hair, the jewelry, the cars, the job, or the stack of bills.  You don’t have to hide anymore.  Let’s get real.  With God.  With ourselves. With our loved ones.  No masks... no shame... no more fake smiles.  

Darts

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture. Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend at the person’s picture.  Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. She was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of the time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith quoted this scripture…

 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”  Matthew 25:40

No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

Revenge.  Anger.  Bitterness.  Unforgiveness.  Hatred.  

We all think these emotions can be controlled...directed toward someone who has done us wrong.  Today’s scripture reminds us that as we treat others... we are treating the One who started our heart beating. 

When we serve the needy... we are serving Christ.

When we are hurting someone with our words, actions, or thoughts... we are hurting the heart of Christ. 

He wants what’s best for us... and His Word tells us time and time again to love Him first and then love everyone else.  Today we will have a chain of decisions to make.  Each one, an opportunity to do the right thing (even when it’s hard).  Which will we choose?  Both reflect what we’re feeling on the inside.  

I pray that each of us would choose to not give others who have hurt us what we think they deserve... but, instead, extend to them the same grace we ourselves receive from Christ each day.  

Choose to forgive.

Choose to leave the past where it belongs.

Choose to make the first move toward reconciliation.

Choose to serve.

Choose to love like Christ.

It’s easier to get even... it’s maturity when we can control those emotions and give our challenges to God.  

Remember, as we treat others, we are treating Jesus.  

Will we throw a dart?

Or will we offer a fresh start? 

Time for a Refill

It’s Friday... and maybe this week has made you feel tired.  Weak.  You’re limping across the finish line instead of sprinting through.  God has some words for you today...

Read each of these verses...and as you do...allow God to start refilling your battery... one verse at a time.

“He gives power to the weak 

      and strength to the powerless. 

 Even youths will become weak and tired, 

      and young men will fall in exhaustion. 

 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. 

      They will soar high on wings like eagles. 

   They will run and not grow weary. 

      They will walk and not faint.”  
Isaiah 40:29-31

“...fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  

Isaiah 41:10 

“Seek the LORD and his strength;  seek his presence continually!” 

1 Chronicles 16:11  

“The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” 

Exodus 15:2 

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  

Philippians 4:13 

“The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer  and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” 

Psalm 18:32-34 

“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” 

1 Samuel 30:6 

“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.”

Paul in   2 Timothy 4:17 

“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”   

1 Peter 4:11

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”  

Joshua 1:9-11 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life;  of whom shall I be afraid?”  

Psalm 27:1

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

2 Timothy 1:7  

God is all the strength you need.  Take a minute and let that soak in...  You don’t have to carry the day and you can’t do it all... and you weren’t created to.  If your battery is running low... read each one of these again.  They are promises for you.   

Loving God

“Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?”

“What does God want me to do with my life?”

“Why won’t God give me clarity?”

“When are things going to get easier?”

“Why don’t I get the same blessings as my friends?”

Have you ever had any of those questions?

I get asked them all the time. My answer is always the same. It’s one little word that, when lived out, changes things. God blesses us... our lives move forward... we gain lucidity... and our life’s purpose and direction come into focus. Nine letters that are easy to say but challenging to commit to. That word:

obedience.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace" said:

"… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.

It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do."

(Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, 93)

Regardless of our profession, income, or social status...God wants us to live our lives in a particular way. When we do, He blesses us. When we don’t, we struggle. It’s not God being mean... it’s us missing the mark. It’s not because we don’t know what He wants from our lives... it’s because we decide daily to simply not do them. So what does obedience look like? What does it take to please God.

It's simple. Start by loving Him.

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘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.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that the key step of obedience is loving God. Always putting Him first. It means maintaining a growing and thriving relationship with the One who created us. This includes putting His agenda above our own... consulting Him and allowing Him to guide decisions... reading scripture and actually living out the words therein. Loving God means affection for Him... expressing our genuine love with our whole heart. We must be loyal to Him... protect His name and speak it often... spend time with Him... listen for His voice... talk to Him... honor Him... brag about Him... and so much more. Obedience begins a commitment (or re-commitment) to love God first and above all others. If He isn’t our first and most important influence... we have someone (or something) in the wrong place.

Opinions

Life is too short to be addicted to the approval of others.

Isn’t that true? I can see you nodding at your computer... so then why do we spend so much of our precious time looking for it? Why do people’s opinions matter so much?

I think it’s simple. Because it feels so good.

We like pats on the back, attaboys, to be on the coffee list, the smile of our boss, and the outstretched hand of the guy whose job we just saved through our hard work.

It feels good to be liked. It feels great to be loved. The best feeling? When we are recognized for something we’ve done in front of our peers... and a whole room erupts in cheering! THAT’S when we know we’ve done well... and we want that feeling again and again and again.

We become addicted to the approval of others.

Problem with this type of approval is that it’s impossible to maintain long term. People’s opinions shift... their moods change. We mess up... the approval fountain stops flowing. Someone’s having a bad day? We think less of ourselves because they don’t feel like giving out complements. The teacher is on a peak... things are good! In a valley? Pop quiz.

The approval of others is inconsistent and based on temporary feelings. It makes us feel great in the short term... but craving more in the long term.

Today, I want to give you another way of looking at your value. There is one opinion that matters and it’s that of God. After all, He is the one who created you with all of your gifts (and you have some)... He is the One who sent His Son here to pay for your sins... He is the One who knew of all the flaws and made you anyway.

Let’s take a look at what the God’s Word says about you:

You are a child of God (John 1:12)

Jesus Christ is your friend (John 15:15)

Jesus paid for your sin and you don’t have to. (Romans 3:24)

You are brand new in Christ (Romans 6:6)

You have been set free (Romans 8:2)

You are accepted by the King of Kings (Romans 15:7)

You are no longer a slave (Galatians 4:7)

You are free (Galatians 5:1)

God picked you special (Ephesians 1:7)

You are the best work God can do (Ephesians 2:10)

Your life was bought with a high price (John 3:16)

You are in the light not the darkness (Ephesians 5:8)

God is guarding your heart (Philippians 4:7)

You are complete (Colossians 2:10)

You are chosen (Colossians 3:12)

You are loved (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Today, if you find yourself trying to win the approval of your peers... remember that your real value is eternal. You already have the stamp of approval from God... who loves you more than anyone else.