Without love it means nothing.

Are you patient?

When someone cuts you off in traffic - what is your first reaction? When someone hurts you or lets you down - how do you react? Do you think before you speak or act?

In 1 Corinthians chapter 13 the term for patient in the Greek is macros, which means long (in terms of time), and thymos which is the soul - the seat of feelings and passions. So this literally means being long on feeling or to delay one's anger.

Do you delay your anger, meaning - are you patient with people? It doesn't say put up with people's crap and be a floor mat - but do you allow for God to move in a situation?

Being around and in pentacostal churches since I was saved I have seen that they focus a lot on the giftings of the Spirit; things like tongues, laying on of hands, prophecy and healings; all of which are good, useful and needed. But I always thought to myself, what about love?

God has reminded me again that this is the most important thing of all to live and do - love others.We can get excited, dance, see miracles, scream or shout but if we don't have love it is all pointless.

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging cymbal."...just adding to the noise.

What about you? Insert your name into these blanks, If (______) had the gift of prophecy, and if (_____) understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if (_____) had such faith that (_____) could move mountains, but didn't love others, (_____) would be nothing.

Did you read that? Who cares if you can do all these amazing miracles, if you do not love it is considered nothing to God!

If (_____) gave EVERYTHING (_____) had to the poor and even sacrificed (_____'s) body, but did not love others, (_____) would have gained nothing.

You might have books written about you and a lot of followers on twitter, but Jesus would say, "I never knew you."We can accomplish a lot and God can and will use us, but if we lose our love for God and others it is pointless - Jesus will not even know who you are. That puts things into perspective.

'Love' is defined here as - agape - it encompasses the mind, emotions, and will of the individual because it comes from God. It is only by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God that we can internalize and realize the love that God has for us. This type of godly love compels us to look for unmet needs among our fellow human beings. It is godly compulsion which brings us to a point where the world no longer sees us, but rather Christ in us. Further examination reveals an inseparable relationship between faith, hope and love, yet the apostle affirms the supremacy of love.

Ephesians 5:2 "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ."

Read again that familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 13 and examine your motives. Why do you live the way you do? Do you show love to others?

Can they see that you have a relationship with Jesus by the way you treat them?

Are you adding to the noise?

Does Jesus know your name?

Without love it means nothing.

Be blessed,
Steve

Just Shut Up!

We have all flapped our gums and said things that should never have been said, right?

We have all blabbed to others about someone else at sometime, maybe even on our way to church.

We wonder why non-believers or even believers don't want to step foot in our churches anymore. One of the reasons is because our actions are no different than people in the world. We have all slandered, gossiped, used cruel words, offensive stories, crude jokes and participated in foolish talk. We don't think before we speak.

What comes from your mouth is exactly what is in your heart...and no matter how much 'Febreeze' you use on the stinky garbage, the stench will come out; just like in our lives, the stench on the inside will eventually come out.

Do you realize how powerful our tongues are?

"In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself." James 3:5-6

Think about it, have you ever seen the forest fires on the news? The fire destroys everything in its path. That is our tongue if we don't control it. It is evil and full of deadly poison - it kills and destroys - both us and others. We praise God with our voices but then we wound people made in the image of God.

"And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" James 3:10

We should be different, separate - people should be able to hear the evidence in how we speak. Don't excuse these sins! Don't participate when others are doing it! Read Ephesians 5...imitate God!

Seriously, just SHUT UP!!!

How you talk is a good indicator of where you are with Christ. His light within you only produces what is good and right, Ephesians 5:9.

We need to stop giving the enemy a foothold in our lives and in our churches. We are opening the doors to a liar and someone who just wants to cause division. When we talk about others we are allowing that to happen. If you hear someone gossiping or bashing others you have the power to keep the fire burning or to quench it - by walking away, saying something positive or just telling them to STOP!

Remember we are on the same team. I always say if you have breath you always have a chance.

Control your tongue. Speak what is encouraging. Live like you know the Savior!

Be blessed,
Steve

Making an Idol

People who truly serve God know their place in His Kingdom.

I understand how speakers, musicians, authors, pastors and those in leadership have inspired and influenced us. I can name a few that have helped and challenged me in my relationship with God.

The truth is most of us have not called these 'famous Christians' gods or tried to make bull sacrifices to them. But if we really think about it, many of us have straddled the fence in idol worship.

Musicians can sing, dance and play instruments better than the average person, but they did not create heaven or earth.

Authors may touch our heart with the power of the pen,
but they do not know the number of hairs on
your head nor really care.

Speakers may inspire us to do the impossible,
but they did not fill the universe with stars.

Pastors may motivate us in our relationship with God,
but they did not fill this barren land with water.

The danger in elevating people is when it causes them to think more highly of themselves than they should.

I came across a televangelist doing the typical money talk. But what this pastor offered took me by surprise. She said that if you gave $400 they would send you a leather bound study Bible personally signed by her.

I will give you a moment to puke...

The reality is when we clamour for their attention, and put them on unreachable pedestals, their heads can become swollen.I can blame this pastor for her ego trip (seriously...signing a Bible?), but we are not helping these fellow followers of Christ by even asking them for an autograph, photo etc...

Not many of us have John the Baptist's attitude when he said,

"He (Jesus) must become greater and greater,
and I must become less and less."
John 3:30

Let's remember to keep these humans and what they are doing in the Kingdom in proper perspective. Thank God for them, but don't put them where God should be in your life.

Be blessed,
Steve