LIVE LOVE

Toenails are a small part of the body, but if something is the matter with one of them they can affect the whole body. Have you ever stubbed one of your toes, smashed any of your toes enough to rip off one of your toenails? Painful eh? Ouch! Like a stubbed toe, when we complain and argue our words have the power to cause others to stumble or at the very least tremendous discomfort. Our every little word can affect the whole body. The beginning of this verse if very clear instructions, "DO EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing..." Imagine what life would be like if we trained ourselves to think and act in agreement with this verse. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. " Philippians 2:14-15

VANITY. Plagues the world. Every age group. The other day I was driving down the road listening to a radio program that was giving the stats on how much money people spend on cosmetics and hair styling products and haircuts. As if that was not disturbing enough, they began talking about how much money is spent on girls under 13 years old on the same thing. Due to sixty second commercials that these little ones and all of the public view, they are impacted enough to go and spend and spend some more to try to become more beautiful or more desirable or more something. ENTERTAINMENT. Unless you live in the mountains (and one day, Lord willing I will) entertainment means constant television, video games, hand held devices, and distractions of all kinds. If we were to take a step back and look at our lives and how we spend our time, it is very sad. Screens and programs replace the people in our lives. Genuine conversation is rare. If ever we do spend time with people it is talking about the ...

A few weeks ago went climbing with a group of wonderful people that I was honored to serve with for a season. The rocks we were climbing were granite boulders. A few of us got a little scratched up, a little bruised, the rock left some marks on our flesh. As I attempted to climb this one rock that required me to put one of my feet about waist high across from where I needed to hold both of my hands...I proceeded to put all of my weight on my fingers and try to quickly shift my weight over to my legs and feet and thighs. After a few tries of attempting this my fingers felt shredded and my upper body drained of any strength. The other climbers began encouraging me to hold on, to keep my grip firm, and to move inch by inch until I was able to put weight on both of my feet and balance came as I kept moving upward. I did touch the top and was thankful for all the different people that made an effort to encourage and to keep me on the rock. I was able to climb to the top and stop and rest an...

As long as we are looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith our faces will be unveiled. We will be reflecting the Lord's glory and being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory...which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. But oh the distractions and weariness that come when we look away from Him who is our strength. "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. " 2 Corinthians 3:13-18 The Lord is a Warrior and I believe it gives him great joy to relieve and rescue His little ones. Love takes responsibility for others. It extends beyond belief to meet the needs of those weaker than itself. If we are looking unto Jesus then we will be living a life that is reflecting the glory of Him who shines upon us and takes away the sins of the world. What are we doing to relieve our neighbors burdens? To lighten ...

The greatest thing in the world is love! The greatest challenge ever is loving those around us just as God loves us. Not keeping a record of wrongs. Not fault finding. Thinking of others first and preferring them above ourself. Love does not seek its own. It bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. It never fails. You can conquer the world and build all kinds of cities and accomplish all sorts of great things, but without love it is nothing. All the things we think are great will turn to dust in the end unless it has the unfailing action and motive of love behind it. (Please read and reread and memorize I Corinthians 13)

What we put in is what is going to come out. As the days are passing it is very important for us to examine ourselves according to the Word of God. Are we praying continually? Are we thankful in all things? It is true that what we put in our hearts is what will come out of our mouths. So what are we investing our time and thought in? What is incoming will absolutely be out-going. "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34 "The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep inner] meaning." Psalm 25:14

"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23 When we have company over or friends come to visit it is the usual practice to prepare a place for them. Prepare a meal, prepare a place to sit or rest, remove old or unecessary things and set out things that are fitting and that will be of good use to the guests. Do we prepare our hearts daily for the Lord? Do we give or offer thanks and praise? Do we search our hearts, our homes, our belongings, and see if there is anything that is not pleasing to him and remove it at once? Should we not prepare ourselves for His dwelling? Above all things we should consider Him. He is a great God and worthy to be praised and adored. He deserves all of our attention and more than just any guests --- He is to be honored.