Birds sing their songs

This morning I woke up to the joyful songs of birds.
No fear, no sorrow, just happy bird music.
(Can you image what it was like on Noah's ark?)

God feeds the birds of the air, however they must scout out the bugs and tug at the worms.
Hanging in the air they sip flower nectar.
He has given them ability to work for the food He provides.

Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow.

Morning Glory

Every so often, I encounter someone I am compelled to love. You know like Jesus says, “Love your neighbor” or “Love the brethren” or “Love one another.” Like as if there is no tension at all between individuals, friends or family. We have disagreements and I don’t mean the kind where you like the Patriots and I like the Cowboys. I mean real personality conflicts, character issues, misunderstandings, severe differences. Some people are difficult to love, yet it is His command.


How do I do that? How do I justify my disgust, or discomfort with my Christian duty to love? Do I ignore my irritation and try to overcome my rational complaints? Do I subdue my own feelings and just chalk it up to “try to get along?” Or is there a better way to handle the love for others when others are unlovable? 


“But I don’t like him or her.” Yeah, well. I am learning, I don’t have to like someone to love him.  God in His creative imagination placed together all kinds of personalities with various gifts, talents, heritages, and experiences. Not everyone gets along. Even within the same family there can be sharp schisms and conflict. Often love gets lost and dislike sets in.


When I am annoyed with another, Jesus renews my Love when I apply Corinthians 13 to myself. “God is Love.”  God who promised to live within me loves others through me. Love is an encounter that penetrates first my soul then extends to those He purposes to touch through me. I may not like or agree with someone, but I can in patience, and kindness bless with Godly influence.


Reader, I hope that as you consider these messages, you will let your mind ponder the Love of God in each distinct action and sense Him loving others through you, even those you don’t care for.   

His Peace

His Peace can settle our differences.

Christ came to us before we could come to Him.
One of His best friends denied Him at His worst hour.
Yet He came to him, forgave him and drew Peter back into  His circle
sanctifying and perfecting his body, soul and spirit,

He forgives us when we call to Him and fills us with His Peace.
His Peace within us extends to our circle of influence.

Cause Your Peace to overcome our peevish natures.

Growth vs Goals

Goals are to growth as food is to nourishment.
Growth is the development of goals.
Set noble goals and growth will be worthy.
If  goals are low growth will be minimal.
Don't despair it is still growth.
Reset your goals, move forward.
Grow!

Forgive


Matthew 6:12-15 "Forgive our debts (or trespasses or sin) as we forgive those who sin against us"

What a tall order!  We are prone to judge, criticize and condemn anyone who grieves, offends or insults us. But judging is God's territory, not ours. We are not able take God's authority to judge or condemn those who offend us. He has promised that He will deal with it timely and thoroughly and avenge the wrong that has been done toward us.

So how do we go about "forgiving."  First of all forgiving is not forgetting. Our memories are too good for that. We can't pretend that it didn't happen. It happened. We can't hide it deep inside because it eventually will creep out into our relationships and cause bitterness and agitation.

The word "Forgive" means to "give ahead or before a pardon". He died to offer pardon for sin to everyone. Those who acknowledge their sin to Him receive forgiveness from Him. We can, like Jesus, forgive or offer pardon to those who sin against us.    

Acknowledge the offense. Identifying the trespass is crucial. It puts a name on it. It declares it's reality. The grievance has legitimacy.

Give it over to God. Allow Him to deal with it. Believe His promise. Trust Him, I mean really believe that He will keep His promise to lead, care for and avenge us. Even when it happens again we can take the steps to forgive and go on with life, relying on our Savior to be in command of our inner being.

We who have been forgiven of much would do well to learn the discipline of forgiving others.


     

In His Image

In His Image

Teary-eyed I sat listening to the speaker as she quoted the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

No way! I assumed that as a lowly human I had no capacity to love. Not God, not my neighbor, not myself. Though I’d been a church-goer all my life, raised in a strong Christian family, the concept that I was lovable was beyond my imagination. ‘I am unworthy the least of his favor.’ Hadn’t I sung that for years and took it to heart. I even began to skip singing certain phrases that proclaimed my love for Jesus. I’d be such a liar to sing those words.

But here she was saying, “You can’t love your neighbor unless you love yourself. The wonderful news is that God created us humans in His image. His love, mercy, peace, joy, forgiveness, and all His other attributes, He stored inside of us so that we can reflect Him.”

My heart skipped a beat. I understood. He placed love within me when He created me in His image. I am able to love God, I am able to love me, I am able to love my neighbor as I love myself because God created me in His image of love.

JOYFUL LIVING

When I am distressed, or struggling, I turn to the passage in Philippians 4:5 that tells us "He is near."  Prior to that it says "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice." There are times that I admit to Him that I am not having joy. But still the Bible says, "He is near."

God is not surprised at my dilemma.  He knows what is happening. He is in command of all my circumstances.  No wonder He says "Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation in prayer and petition WITH THANKSGIVING present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So this is my formula for living in His Joy:  First I pray for a grateful spirit even if I can only be thankful to know He is near.  Then I assess my concern in whatever the situation and tell Him. I am amazed at the peace and calm He gives when I rest in His Presence.  He is near!

1. Remember "He is near"               His PRESENCE
2. Relax He is in control                  His POWER
3. Release my cares to Him             His PEACE