Agape Love - Never Fails

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

- 1 Corinthians 13

We have spent February so far looking at attributes of agape love. Many of the characteristics we talked about may seem daunting and hard for you, and that's ok, because the final piece in those descriptions of agape is that is never fails. No matter how many times we fall, fail, or flounder, we will always have God's loving arms to run back to. He will never give up on us and will always love us, even if we don't love Him back. The definition of agape love is that. It is unconditional. This is a type of love that can only come from something bigger than us, and the greatest example by far is a God Who sacrificed for us. What other God is there who has done such things?

So as we wrap up this little series on Agape, let's consider one more time the words in 1 Corinthians 13 as a whole, because if one thing is clear, it's that without love, unconditional love, you get no where. You can possess all of the power and faith in the world, but still hit a wall without love.

We misuse the word "love" and give it a definition that doesn't fit. We have turned the word "love" into meaning to "accept", "affirm", or "approval", when that is not love at all. Agape love doesn't love because of what you do, but it loves because of of who God is. It loves because of the will it has to love, without strings attached. We fall off the wagon over and over and God still loves us, even if He doesn't agree with what we are doing. This world has made about earning and affirming.

The other day, my currently, kid-scissor-happy daughter cut a hole in our couch. I wasn't home, and I heard about it through a text. I can't lie, there was a moment I was utterly infuriated, but there wasn't a second I considered that I would ever stop loving her. I don't accept what she did. I don't affirm what she did. I don't approve of what she did. But I still love her. So why do we run around in this world thinking if we don't "accept", "affirm" or "approve" of one's behavior as an adult, that we don't love them? Or that we shouldn't love them? We've all cut a hole in the couch, so to speak, yet people still love us.

So if love is not affirming, or accepting, or approving, then what is it? It's 1 Corinthians 13. And if we are to actually grab onto this scripture like we truly mean it and we truly want to live it, then what? We read that without love, we have absolutely nothing. Without love we don't make a difference at all. Without love, we are simply annoying. And I hate to say it, but I know Christians like this. So why are we so afraid to love?

Why do we stand outside of the places we disagree with, or around the people we disagree with, making a statement, when we could be in relationships with those people we don't agree with or who have done something we don't agree with? What makes the bigger impact here? Picketing, marching, t-shirt wearing, and tract flailing, or taking time to understand a person and love on them despite the shame, despite the things we disapprove of in their lives, despite what other people say? Isn't this what Jesus did? Could you imagine if God's love was approval, acceptance, and affirming behaviors we do? None of us would be in His love. Why are we so afraid?

Love never fails. Not only in the sense that it never gives up, but in the sense that it is a solid "strategy". Without it, we are exclusive and we aren't difference-makers. Agape never fails. Unconditional, Christ-like love never fails.

Scripture to Read:
John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 13

Questions to Ponder:
How did Jesus love people who weren't "accepted" by society? How does Jesus love people who aren't always "accepted" by Christians? Name some examples. How does this speak to you?
What is a group of people that you don't agree with at all? How can you show love to someone you don't agree with? What difference does love and a relationship make?
Does your logic of love match up God's logic of love for all people? What needs to change in your logic?

Day 101: Humble Pie

Day 101
Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 9:1-29

It's not hard to think that you are all that and a bag of chips (hopefully you've heard this expression) at times, when really what we need is a piece of humble pie to keep us in line. (Sorry, apparently I'm hungry, and slightly corny today.) It's easy to give yourself glory for the achievements you earn, or claim the things you have as yours because you've earned them. In fact, it is very easy to get caught up in our material possessions and the amazing things we've done, and forget what really matters and Who all of those things, including yourself, belong to. Today, as you read the passages, keep that in mind.

It is reiterated over and over that the Lord will hand over the land to the people from other nations, even though they are greater and bigger than they are. God says He'll hand the land over bit by bit, as the people scatter away the other nations and take over their land. However, God also states that it is not because they have been good or obedient that they'll be handed the land, but because He is good and will be faithful to what He promised them. How many times in life do you stop and thank God for His faithfulness to you? We never deserve what we get. In fact, what we deserve is eternal separation, yet God grants us goodness in this life, and if we choose it, eternity of even better and greater goodness with Him.

The Lord tells the people over and over to remember and obey His commands. Another way we rise above what we deserve is when we think we can call all the shots and fail to listen to what God tells us to do. We think He's bossing us around, when really, He knows the consequences of going against the things He suggest. We can throw a fit and call God unfair, yet when we disobey, we will reap the consequences. God tells the people to destroy the people who are against Him and all of their idols. He doesn't even want the people to hesitate and mess around with this because He knows the weakness of human will-power. Do you push the limits and mess around with things that God wouldn't approve of? What may you need to cut out of your life to keep yourself in line with God? We can think we have it all under control, but really, one slip can send us downhill quickly.

Hardships are another way we are humbled. Any moment, your life can change course south and leave you absolutely at a loss of what to do. I've certainly been there, and know how much that can make you question. However, if you focus on what God is providing you in those hard moments, you will see past the hardship and see the growth He gives. It's amazing how humbling it is to be left with nothing and no options. God tells the people that this is a way He made them humble and provided them manna, making them realize that they need Him more than food itself.

We can view the greatest people on this earth with such awe and admire all they have achieved or what they are good at. But the world's way of success and achievement aren't that of heaven's. The transfiguration of Christ shows Him alongside of the greatest in the Biblical times - Moses and Elijah. While our idea of a celebrity isn't usually someone who comes to be rejected and suffer, that is heaven's idea of one. Jesus came and was rejected by the greatest religious leaders. He still is. The Name Jesus tends to set some people off. Without Him, we are nowhere, though. Realize your need for Him daily and how invaluable He is in your life.

We rely on our own selves to solve everything, when we have God's power right at hand. The disciples were unable to heal the boy because of their unbelief. We tend to want to see things in order to believe, yet we are told that faith is the evidence of what we can't see. Jesus would tell folks to believe, then to see. We can think we know it all, have it all, and have it all together, but without Christ and faith in Him, we have absolutely nothing.

Think highly of who you are, but don't think too highly and often of yourself. We are not intended to live for ourselves. When you can see your weaknesses and admit them, you give God the room to move in and change you and strengthen you in ways only He can. Know what can push you over the edge of temptation and cut those things from your life. Remember what Christ has done and the ability you needed from Him, and not of yourself. Thank Him today and everyday for all He has done in your life.

Day 84: Grace Wins

Day 84
Numbers 7; 1 Thessalonians 5

We live in a time right now where people are literally shutting each other out. One of the worst things I've experienced from other Christians is a lack of grace, when Christ has shown them the most ultimate form of grace, which we can't live without. It is heartbreaking when we need to act like complete children, throwing tantrums and casting away relationships over things of this earth and desires of OUR hearts. Even children come back when their mom was mean though. I was raised to agree to disagree and not throw away relationships over disagreements. True maturity comes when you can put your differences aside and still work side by side, because you know what? The gospel and spreading the Good News through our love is the way we do it. If we can't even love each other and keep open hands to those who need to know the Truth, we are failing at what we do.

We read about a people thousands of years ago who had differences. They were people. Yet, they knew their bottom line and each group of people shared offerings to God in the dedication of the tabernacle. Why was this important to the people? Because they worshiped and brought thanksgiving to God for being in their midst. They knew they couldn't do it without Him. All the disagreement aside, they agreed on this. There is something even bigger that this pointed to, however. This was preparation of the coming Savior. We no longer need to approach Him through the curtain or the priest, but we can approach Him boldly wherever we are! He allows us into His presence when He is so perfect and we are so rebellious. THAT is grace.

Paul offers us some amazing advice as we wrap up 1 Thessalonians. He tells us to respect others and to encourage each other. Keep in mind that he was talking to a group of believers, who, like us, struggle with disagreements. Paul lists many things that we as believers need to be doing:
Honor our leaders
Encourage one another
Be light in the darkness (don't run from darkness, but be light in it)
Stay self-controlled (especially today when we are tempted to add to the "noise")
Live peacefully with one another.
Warn and urge the lazy
Encourage the timid
Take care of the weak
Be patient with everyone
Always to good to all people
Always be joyful
Never stop praying
Be thankful no matter what
Don't scoff the Holy Spirit
Hold tight to what is good
Stay away from every type of evil

These are words he gave to believers, not unbelievers. These things take grace and patience and a completely different lifestyle than the world we are in. We all need grace, but we need to hold tight to truth. Grace proceeds truth (1 John 1:8-9). We don't have to have our life cleaned up to come to Christ. We let Him change us after we wrap up in His grace.

We all need grace. If we remember this, we can handle our relationships so much more maturely. Don't throw away unity and relationships over things of this world when we have an eternal God. Heed Paul's words and remember that we are one body working together to share the love and good news of Christ. We never have to clean up our lives to come to Christ, but we need to allow Him to change us once we come to Him, including throwing our pride to the side. Show love to all around you and be patient and self-controlled. Your words, your actions, and the way you deal with all people will shed light on who you are. Be careful to be light in the darkness and not fall to the ways this world tries to entangle us.

Day 66 - Authentic Hearts

Day 66
Leviticus 6-7, Matthew 21:23-46

As followers of Christ, we all hit those slopes in life where we have a hard time being on fire for Christ. The meaning of what we're called to do and be fizzles low, and you kind of stop caring. That is what happened with the people who followed the rules of sacrifices throughout their lives. The meaning behind what they did with the sacrifices became monotonous and duty-driven, rather than a heart change. 

Sometimes, we hit these ruts. We face the duties of being a Christ-follower rather than the bottom line. Christ didn't intend for us to burn out and to feel doused in our flames. He came so that we may have life and have it to the full. The sacrifices offered in Moses' time was a form of worship. When our worship doesn't feel authentic and driven by the leading of the change in our hearts, it is time for a heart to heart with God, and some reflection on what He has done for us. Our worship to God comes in all shapes and sizes, but having the authenticity is key.

Christ dealt with some task-driven leaders. They talk a good game, but underneath, they are fakers, simply trying to say the right things to look good, and maintain control of others. The parables Jesus shares here hits them straight between the eyes, and causes them to be more angered. They wanted to play by their rules and the traditional rules they knew without having the heart change for why the rules were even in place. We can be guilty of this too. Perhaps you go to church each week, read your Bible when you can, and do everything right when it comes to serving and volunteering. These things, however, don't get you to heaven, and are not far off from the standards the Pharasees had. 

Authenticity. A heart that pounds and yearns for Jesus. Doing these things because of the passion you have for your Creator is where it is at. Never do things to gain or earn heaven; do things because heaven has been given to you by a wonderful Savior long ago and you just can't help but respond in love and worship. 

Day 58- Heart Focus

Day 58
Exodus 29-30, Matthew 15

Our hearts can be focused on many things in this world, but focusing it on our relationship with Jesus is the most important. Because of His sacrifice, and because of His blood, we don't need to carry out the meticulous rituals of the Old Testament times. The details of the Exodus reading sure shows how serious it was to cleanse oneself of their sins. It also shows just how seriously we take our relationship with God and in coming to Him with pure hearts.

Jesus is our Savior. He restores, forgives and redeems. Accepting a relationship with Him is accepting the redemption, forgiveness and cleansing of our sins. The most important relationship you can say "yes" to is one with Him.

We read in Matthew how traditions and rules can be a heart issue. We are a people of routine, comforts, traditions, but these are the things that Jesus teaches against. These are the things that stunt growth. We cling to those things so much, that we miss the true meaning of our faith, of church, and of Christianity. Think about this in the perspective of the church. We cling to our buildings, things, traditions and routines. What happens to the mission? What happens when people who are unfamiliar with church walk in for the first time and see people more worried about structure, traditions and the things around them to notice a life that is in dire need of a Savior?  Or maybe they feel welcomed at first, but after awhile, the true colors come out. The rituals become more important than the mission. Where does your heart lie? In programs, in newsletters, in the things of the church? Or in the bottom line of the Great Commission? Jesus makes it pretty clear here.

The struggles faced in this reading are physical struggles. Jesus heals many sick people as they show Him faith and worship Him. When Jesus sees the crowd of 4,000 hungry people, He has compassion on them, showing us that His heart is in the needs of people, rather than the things and traditions of the religious leaders. When we are hungry for Christ, and seek Him, we will be shown compassion.

This is an example for us to show compassion on the poor and hungry ourselves. We can go through life in physical pain and struggles, but the same concept goes with having faith and asking God to heal us. Rejoice during the good days, ask Him for help on the hard days. Jesus shows us compassion as long as we seek Him and His will. As we can see when Jesus feeds the crowds of the hungry, He can take very little and make it overflow with greatness. We just need to trust in Him and have sincere hearts that have faith and that cry out to Him to do His will in our lives.

Is your heart focused on what YOU care about and want out of this life, or on the mission and greatest relationship you can ever have in Jesus Christ? We need to learn to let go of the things we put in the way of loving others and giving us focus on what truly matters. Take some time to realize what is holding you back from fully embracing God with your entire heart today. 




 

Day 54 - Bottom Lines

Day 54
Exodus 21-22, Matthew 12

While policies are so boring and can make a person feel like they're being put through the processes, they are a necessary evil. As the people of Moses begin to settle in together as a traveling community, we read how the policies are needed to keep the lines evident and the expectations clear. The same goes for certain areas of our lives today, whether it be in our work or as a parent to our children.

As we begin just the beginning of the rules and regulations that are being presented in Exodus (and beyond), we'll probably have to shrug our shoulders at some of them and remember how different the times and culture were back in that day. The bottom lines still remain though - love God, love others.

In Matthew, we see how Jesus puts a spin on the old rules and gets called out by the Pharisees for allowing the disciples to eat from the fields and by healing people on the Sabbath. Jesus challenges them and their reasoning however, and asks a very important question that is relevant today. "How much more valuable is a person than a sheep?"

But really. We cling to our traditions. We cling to our "ways of growing up". We cling to everything but reaching out to people it seems. Jesus shows us how to love. Traditions are great, but they can sure hinder the outreach part of church and life at times. The organ may be traditional and a very beautiful-sounding instrument, but it isn't so appealing to the younger generation that just needs a trusting place to fit. We can turn them away (people) because we care too much about our things and traditions. We are NEVER to give up the Gospel message and the essentials that go along with that, but for the other things that hinder growth of someone's faith, we need to think hard.

What is the bottom line in your life? Do you cling so tightly to traditions and the old rules, that you can't see past what people need today? Everyone is looking for something. The people who enter our churches looking for something honestly don't really care about your traditions. The bottom line is Jesus and loving Him and loving others. Jesus makes that pretty clear. There is nothing wrong with traditions and doing things the "ol fashioned way", but don't ever let it hinder the love we need to show others, so they may have a clear picture of what Jesus is about. 

Day 44 - Obedience in God's Timing

Day 44
Exodus 1-3, Matthew 5:27-48

As you recall back when we wrapped up Genesis, Joseph and his family were a high-ranked people in Egypt. As time went by, and rulers passed on, however, the Hebrews become intimidating to the Egyptians, and they are forced into harsh slavery. As Pharaoh calls for all the newborn boys to be slain, in hopes of controlling the population of the Hebrews, we see two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who take the high road in doing what is right to preserve the lives of the newborn boys.

Because of another mother's heart for doing the right thing, we see that Moses' life is preserved and he would go on to rescue all of God's people out of Egypt. God's plan in the small acts is something that can end up huge in the end. This mother's small act of putting her baby in a basket, turned into a big deal later down the road.

Once Moses grew, he had a sense of justice as well, when he saw the Egyptian beating a Hebrew, and he reacted by killing the Egyptian, then fled. But as we continue to read, Moses escapes and God comes to him with a master plan through a burning bush. Moses, being unsure, still obeys with God's help, as we will read later.

The theme of obedience in God's timing continues as we read through the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus state various laws that came out of Moses' time and puts a different spin on them. Rather than abolishing the law, Jesus makes them more relationship-oriented. We can see how timing is everything here and in Exodus. As a world takes on a Savior, the laws become different. If you are 5 years old and your parents give you rules about staying out too late, that doesn't seem to fit. You have rules for what applies at the time and in the specific situation. The similarity is here as Jesus speaks about the laws. After a Savior dies for us, the world became a different place in terms of how things were done as believers.

Obedience in God's timing can be tough. We want things on our time and we have a hard time when things change. But trusting that God has a plan in the timing scheme, can help us to see past our wants, and look deeper into the grand plan of His power. Trust in His timing and allow Him to work in and through you as He carries out His master plan!

Day 35- Humility Works

Day 35
Job 25-27, Galatians4

The opportunities to be humble throughout our readings today show us how important it is. Job's friends need to realize how far a little humility can go when they can learn to consider the situation before trying to speak their minds and fix something that isn't broken in the way they think it is. It is easy to take pride in the knowledge we have and spew it all over someone who is hurting and lost in life, but what will that really do for them?

We see how frustrated Job continues to get at his friend for not simply taking compassion on him, rather than running their mouths and making harsh assumptions. Job, we know, is a humble man. His conscience is clear because he daily brought himself to the Lord and admitted his faults and needs to Him. Does this make Job a perfect person? No. But it kept Job's pride in check as he expressed his need for the Lord daily.

In Galatians, we read about being open to the changes God wants to make in our lives. Paul speaks to the people of Galatia, urging them to change their ways. When we face accountability with a person we can trust, it takes great humility to realize the changes we need to make and to be open to being told of the changes we need to make. It is amazing the way humility can make your life so much better!

In a world full of pride and speaking one's mind, we read in God's Word that humility is key and that it works. How great can it be if we decide to set our pride aside and love people for who they are, and showing them how much we care before showing them how much we know. Being humble before God keeps us on a right path with Him, and we gain a whole different perspective of the world around us. Rather than looking at what the world owes us, we can see what we can do for the world around us to shine His Light.

Day 21 - (Hope)lessness

Day 21
Genesis 43-45, John 18

After great hopelessness, comes great hope. That is surely a theme as we read on in both Genesis and in John.

As we continue on with Joseph's story, we can see the hopelessness that fills Joseph's brothers and his father as they seem to encounter hardship from this leader that they don't know is actually their long, lost brother. Jacob wants to cling to his family, and not lose any more of his sons, but it is Judah that takes responsibility for anything happening to Benjamin and it is Judah's words to Joseph that cause him to break down and share the truth. There has been great change in Judah over the years, as we see that hope can carry into people as well. Judah, being the brother who suggested doing away with Joseph and causing his father great pain in the first place, has now become the one to stand up for the favored brother, Benjamin and protect his father.

There is hope for changed hearts and changed situations. It is amazing how God works through these things and uses them for His glory!

As Jesus is taken into custody and Peter falls into the denial trap, all hope seems lost here as well. Jesus knows what will happen, and He knows that it is for His Father's will and glory. It is always hard to read of the struggles that Jesus endured for us, but the hope that it brought to the world is absolutely priceless.

The disciples probably felt pretty hopeless as Jesus' death is carried out. The bigger picture isn't clear to them yet, and they probably didn't expect things to go this way as a follower of Jesus. How many times as a follower do you feel like things can be hopeless? The bigger picture tells us, however, that with Christ, there is always hope! We can't lose everything because when He is our everything, nothing can touch that.

What are you hopeful for today? What may be causing hopelessness in your life currently? If you take anything from today's reading, remember that God has the big picture! Just because we're on the pixel that seems dark and unending, doesn't mean we should give up. When you can see what work God has done through those times of hopelessness, you can have greater hope in the future.