If You Got It, Give It

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Talk is cheap. An emotion is not an action. I can tell my wife I love and genuinely feel it, but, if I don't act in loving ways, she won't believe me. John gets right to the heart of the issue and says we need to lay down our lives for our brothers. He explains that love is action by helping a brother with a material need. If you got it, give it (to those in need). 

Sometimes I will ask myself this simple but very telling question: What did I do that showed my love to my wife, to my children, or to people I came in contact with? This is not meant to be condemning because we all fall short of the glory of God. Yet, when we see a need, we need to try to meet it. If my wife needs some rest, I can do what needs to be done so she doesn't have to do it. If my children need time, I can give it. If a friend needs help, you can help. 

The deal is that sometimes we just need to stop and look around, listen to what others are saying, watch what they are doing. Meet a need. The difficulty can be our willingness because to give to others may require laying down our lives, giving up a bit of ours.

Father, help us to love as you have loved us. Thank you for your love, laying down your life for us! Help us to lay down our lives for others. Praise be to you in us today!

Does a Friend Need You to Stand by Them?

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

I have two sisters and one brother. We grew up like typical brothers and sisters. We argued , played, fought and laughed. After we moved out and we're living on our own my brother went through a bit of a hard time. I drove out from California to New Mexico to pick him up and bring him back for Christmas. He kind of thought that just because he was going through this particularly difficult situation that we might not support him. I told him that right or wrong (and he was in the right) he was my brother, I loved him and would always be there for him. 

Brotherly love just loves. Not romantic love. Not emotional fantasy love. It's stand by your friend, help no matter what love. Brotherly love stands with someone when they repent. It's not about condoning or judging, it's about support. Brotherly love tells the truth in love. It helps you see what is right and helps you do what is right. 

Who do you need to stand with today?

GOT SHEEP?

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV)

I am a shepherd. I am entrusted with a marriage, a family, six classrooms full of kids, and few endeavours where I volunteer. 

You may not think that you have any influence because you are not "the leader" or a minister or evangelist, but, it is the Holy Spirit that moves and works in each of us. You may not know what God is doing, but he does. 

I was blessed to be involved with my youngest son's Cub Scout pack. This year he (we) moved up to the Boy Scouts. When I left several of the other parents told me they looked at me as a spiritual leader. I was just trying to be a good parent and friend as I believe Christ would have me be. I actually didn't think God was using me, but, he was. 

My point is that you should just try to be Christlike and serve in what ever way you can. God will decide how to use you. 

Father, help us to be Christlike and serve.  Praise be to you in us today!

JUST LIKE A BROTHER

"Keep on loving each other as brothers." Hebrews 13:1 

The thing about close families is that even though they do fight sometimes, they still love each other and pity the fool that tries to get between them. Brothers (and sisters) can argue and mess with each other and yet, will defend each other to the end. 

As Christians there will be times when it is not easy to love each other. That's all right. Think about Christ's love for us. He loves us when we don't love him. He just keeps loving us. His forgiveness just keeps washing us clean. 

I had this student once who just couldn't get with the program. He kept disciplined and finally with just a few weeks left he got it together. He finally realized I wasn't trying to punish him, I was trying to teach him. That's God's love sometimes. We reap what we have sown and it's not good. Christ faithfully forgives and the Spirit teaches and we learn that his love is eternal. He just keeps loving us. 

That's what are love should be for each other. We just keep loving. Our brothers (and sisters), like us, struggle along and we just keep loving each other in Christ.

Father, thank you that you first loved us and continue to love us. Help us to love each other. Praise be to you in us today!