Words of Encouragement

We love our parents, grandparents, husbands and wives.  We love our children and those close to us.  This is good, yet there is a more excellent way of love.  There is a godly love that moves us to a place that we love not because we receive love, but because of God's Spirit in us.

Love - The Excellence of God

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:15

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. - 1 Corinthians 12:31


MONDAY
This is a small verse of scripture but it is in the chapter that speaks about spiritual gifts.  The verses before this one talks about having the gifts of healings or tongues. It then moves to this verse and says but desire the greater gifts.  What does that mean?  What does it mean to desire the greater gifts?  Is the scripture saying that one gift is more important than the next one?  That to have one gift makes one better than the next?  No.  In fact, we will look this week at what is that excellent way the scripture is pointing us toward.
 
Thought of the day - What do you think is the "most excellent way?"
 
Prayer: Today, Lord we ask that you would help us find your most excellent way.  Help us to see that you have given us gifts not for ourselves but to add to the kingdom.  You have given us gifts so that we can function as a healthy body.  Help us to walk in your excellent way.
 
 
TUESDAY
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
 
This is the more excellent way spoken about yesterday.  If you have spiritual gifts but lack love it is all for nothing.  Love is what makes each of our gifts the excellence that God wants presented to the world and to each other.  My gifts are not for me they are for you.  When I have love in my heart for you then I will want to use all that God has given in me to help you on this walk.  Without love that is impossible to do.  We become lead by ritualistic activities and we do it, simply because it needs to be done.  I heard recently someone say that it was the love of Christ that kept him on that cross not because it was a duty.  Duty does not take us to that next step, to seeking excellence God's way.
 
Thought for the day - In what ways can you show the more "excellent way"?  What can you change today that would make love that much more evidence in your life?
 
Prayer: Lord, we want more than simply doing things because they are right.  We want to have love the motivating factor for everything we do.  We want to love you first and then love one another.  If we do not, we are as the scripture says "nothing".  This day Lord help us to have more love in our hearts for you first and then for our brothers and sisters.
 
 
WEDNESDAY
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Now we get to the trust about what love is.  It is patient it allows for the development in others.  It understands that everyone is not at the same level so it patiently waits for others to come to the right understanding. Love is kind and it does not do anything to hurt others.  Love does not envy it is happy for what you have and how God is blessing you.  Love does not boast and pump itself up.  It does not seek to make itself better at the expense of others. Love is not rude or self-seeking, but it is willing to seek what is best for you and even put itself out for your benefit.  Love forgives.  Love does not seek to hold accounts against your wrongs. It also looks to investing in you, encouraging you and yes even telling you the truth.  Love will not take delight in lies but it stands for the truth.  So in love one will tell you the truth for this main reason, not to destroy you but to protect you from that which will hurt you.  Love is not a feeling it is a choice.  God choose to love us.  Jesus choose to love us by dying on the cross.  It was more than a feeling because feelings can change.  It was a decision.

Thought for today: With this understanding of love, what can you change in your ideas about love?  Are you loving simply in an emotional way or is it a choice to do so?

Prayer: Lord, we no longer want to simply doing things because of what they "feel" like.  Jesus may not have felt like dying for us, but he choose to do so because of his love for us.  Lord help us to make the choice to love your way.  Love in spite of what others do.  Love does not love because it is returned, but love does so because it is of you.  If we say we belong to you, then help us because your essence is love and we cannot say we love you, without loving others. 

THURSDAY
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 perfection comes, the imperfect 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 childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor 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. - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12


Did you know that even as we function within the gifts that God gave us, there is coming a time when they will cease?  We will not need to teach or prophecy when the fullness comes.  Yet what will still be needed at that time?  Love because it will never cease.  It will be love that will send Jesus back to come for his people. It will be love that we will experience when we find ourselves in the presence of God.  Yet we will experience it in a fuller way.  The essence of God is love and we will be in the fullness of his love, in his presence.  So if love is something that will never cease, why do we not see the importance of living in it now?  This is one of the excellent things that God has for us to begin to experience even right now.  We cannot stop loving no matter what we are faced with.  Difficulties...show love.  Heartache...show love.  Disappointments...show love.  Never allow your love to cease because this is how God shows his excellence through you.

Thought of the day - The challenge today is this, can you show love to someone even though you know they will not show it in return?  Can you love because that is the more excellent way and it shows who you belong to?

Prayer: We are often faced with situations that hurt us, disappoint us and discourage us. We know those hurts sometimes make us want to turn away, but Lord we need your reminder and your strength to keep loving in the midst of those difficulties.  When we do, we know that we show your excellence through us.  We know when we do we show the word you.  Help us in our most difficult times to choose to love because you first loved us when we were most difficult indeed.

FRIDAY
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

In order for us to walk in this Christian way we must have faith, hope and love.  Without faith we cannot please God.  Without hope we would become discouraged and it would cause us to doubt God and move us away from having faith and in pleasing God.  We also need love.  Without love we cannot have the other two.  Our faith started first with love.  It was the love of the Father that saw our need and sought to draw us to himself.  It was first the love of the Son that willingly gave himself in my place and your place.  It was love that sent the Holy Spirit and love that keeps the Holy Spirit directing us, teaching us and equipping us.  It is love that also helps us to become the excellent of God.  We love as we have been loved.  We love others not because they deserve it, but because they are in need of it.  We love others enough to make the sacrifice of ourselves for their benefit (like Jesus). We love others enough to use our gifts (as the Holy Spirit gives us) to teach, direct and equip others.  Surely, love is the more excellent way.

Thought for today - What new understanding did you recieve this week about love? Take a time of meditation before the Lord to see how this understanding can help you find God's more excellent way.

Prayer: Lord today thank you for loving us when we were not lovable.  Thank you for loving us enough to give us your Spirit.  Help us to share that love you have placed in us with others that stand in need of it. As we go to worship this week, God help us to show more love in all that we say and do.

The Week in Review

The Composite of a Godly Woman

Godly woman, what is written on the pages of your life

Are they words that encourage us and lead us from strife

Oh Godly woman, what treasures are planted within

Treasures that shine brightly directing us from sin

Godly woman how complex you are

Your life is more brilliant than the stars

What treasures have you acquired on your travels

With these treasures, mysteries simply unravel

Look at the treasures placed in you by the Masters hand,

Treasures that grow brighter and brighter with each day that you stand

When others see you, they are seeing God’s word written on your heart

Words that have grown stronger from the very start

Words like:

Beauty – “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90:17

Love – “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” Romans 13:10

Sacrifice –“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17

Holiness –“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

Wisdom -“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all they getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

Correction -“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17

Oh Godly woman, what are you made of, what treasures do you hold

You are molded from God’s words, and with each year its beauty unfolds

Greater, oh so greater grows the fragrance of your life scenting the air

So that those that come behind smell its fragrance and know of your care

This is the composite of a Godly woman

The Week In Review

Celebration – Inspiration - Communion

Luke 19:37-38 – And when he was come nigh, even now at the (1) descent of the mount of Olives, the (2) whole multitude of the disciples began to (3) rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

The second point is the whole multitude of the disciples. This in not only the twelve that walked with him, but all those that have encounter Jesus along his journey and have decided to follow after him. We sometimes only think of the disciples as that elite group that followed Jesus closely. Yet, here Luke makes a point to let us know that there are others that have been given the opportunity to be followers of Jesus. We too can be counted in the multitudes of the disciples that rejoice at the presence of the king. For it is through Jesus that all can become disciples, the opportunity was not cut off after the 12. The opportunity of salvation is offered freely to all regardless of gender, race or age. All can join together to become the multitude of disciples, all can join together in worship, and all can join together in the remembrance of what Jesus did. This is Luke pointing to what Jesus would do because of the crucifixion; open up the Gospel to all men.



“ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." This scripture also reminds us from Luke of how we can all join together in remembrance of what Jesus did. He gave himself for our transgressions and he tells us to come and partake of him so that our bodies will bear the witness that we are a part of him. The whole multitude, all God’s people have relationship, spiritual union with Christ and we celebrate this in union as the multitude rejoiced in unity of purpose.

Words of Encouragement

Did you know there is not a path that God will lead you to that he cannot keep you on.  This week meditate on the goodness of God and his care for his children.  Will you follow him completely?

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you [a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." - Exodus 19:3-6

Promises of God

MONDAY
Moses went up on the mountain to speak with God. In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the desert of Sinai. The people were released from the bondage of slavery and had come to the mountain of God.


God spoke to Moses and gave him instructions to give to the children of Israel. He first tells Moses to remind them of what he did for them in Egypt. God had shown the Israelites his power and might when he brought them from Egypt. When Pharaoh had refused to let them go, God sent the ten plagues to show he was more powerful than the Egyptian gods. God showed the Israelites as well as the Egyptians that there was no god above the true God.

Thought for today - Have you thought today about what God has already brought you through?  If you have, how did that make you feel? 

prayer - Lord, help me to be reminded of that which you have already done for me so that I can be encouraged with the things I must face today.


TUESDAY
God states he bore them on eagle’s wings, and brought them unto himself. He is telling them of how his deliverance of his people was swift and how he protected them. When the plagues hit Egypt, the Israelites were spared. God first tells Moses to remind them of who he is and then tell them of what is expected of them.

God promised the Israelites if they obeyed him, he would set them above all other nations. They would be a treasure unto God. This is not because they are special for what they do, but because of what God will do to and through them. He is promising to be with them and make them a people for himself above all other nations.

Thought for today - When is the last time you thought of yourself as a treasure unto God?  Not because of something special you have done, but because of who God is?

Prayer - Lord today, help me to be reminded that I am treasured by you.  When I remember this, I will be able to see that you care for me and that no matter what I face, I am not alone.

WEDNESDAY
The message continues with God’s requirement for them to be a holy nation. God was preparing the people for his laws that he would give to Moses, which takes place in the next chapter. God was also warning the people to be set apart from other nations that were around them. God did not want the people to intermingle with the other nations and begin to pick up customs and behaviors, and move away from true worship.

“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods, to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him” (Acts 7:37-40).

God was offering much to the children of Israel, yet they continued to be disobedient. They complained and murmured about food and water. They complained about too much manna and no meat. The Israelites continued to be ungrateful to God’s mercies. God’s warning on the mountain was one given to protect his people from themselves. He knew the hearts of the people, so he gave a warning to them, to be holy, because he is holy.

Thought for today - Have you been ungrateful for the many things God has done for you?  Have you complained when you should have been thankful?  Have you murmured or whined when you didn't get what you want, instead of asking God why?

Prayer - Lord this day, help me to see your hand in my life and that both the good and the bad are used by you.  You use everything for my good, to shape me and mold me.  Help me to be grateful and not complain.


THURSDAY

This message that Moses was to give to the Israelites, is still a vital message for believers today. God has deliverance for people today. He has the deliverance from the bondage of sin that we are not able to release ourselves from. We needed God to send someone to release us from that bondage and that person was Jesus.

God gives us this warning also, to remember what he has delivered us from. God has made provisions for us, yet like the Israelites we can be ungrateful and become grumblers. God also warns us not to pick up the customs around us. God wants his people to be set apart, a peculiar people. He calls for holiness because he is holy. He does not want his people blending in other religions and making a mockery of our faith. The promise is, if we are obedient to God, he will care for his people.

Thought for Today - Have you picked up some bad habits lately?  Do you look different from those around you, are you set apart and peculiar?

Prayer - Lord you have saved me from many dangers, both seen and unseen.  You have called me to yourself to make me into a holy people because you are holy.  Help me today Lord to be faithful to you and your will for my life.


FRIDAY
God was a faithful God, to an unfaithful people. God showed love, to an ungrateful, unloving people. Yet, God continued to call his people back into a right relationship. God’s love is still evident today, even to the ungrateful and unloving. Why is God’s love still evident today? God’s love is still available today, because God is still seeking the lost to come to him and be his people.

Thought for Today - Have you acknowledged God's faithfulness today?  Have you thanked him for loving you regardless of your ability to follow or not?  As you go to worship this week, seek God's help in being his faithful servant.

The Week In Review

Celebration – Inspiration - Communion

Luke 19:37-38 – And when he was come nigh, even now at the (1) descent of the mount of Olives, the (2) whole multitude of the disciples began to (3) rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.


There were some interesting patterns within the Gospel of Luke. The first interesting structural pattern was the usage of the phrase “And it came to pass.”


This phrase was used 35 times starting in chapter 1:8 and the last time in chapter 24:51. This phrase is used when the movement or action transitions from one event to another, stating the completion of something. It is used in this chapter in verse 29 as this story of Jesus unfolds.


Luke also uses contrasting in his Gospel. One example is the speech by Mary (1:46-53).

From Low Esteem to blessed of All Nations (1:48)
How God will put down mighty to God exalt the low (52)
How God will fill the hungry with good to God making the rich empty (53)


Luke’s purpose for writing this Gospel is to present the evidence of Jesus and the fulfillment. He does that with his detail and themes throughout the writing of his Gospel. These verses follow that same pattern of the writer. We see some important points in these verses that correlate with Luke’s message of the fulfillment of God’s purpose through Jesus.

The first point is with his descent of the Mount of Olives. This dramatic visual shows Jesus coming down riding on the donkey to where the people stand waiting. All that are standing there see his approaching and Jesus coming to where they are. We can celebrate and take inspiration or encouragement because Jesus chose to come down to where you and I are. In the Old Testament, if you remember only Moses could go up the mountain to be in the presence of God. But now we have God, through Jesus coming down to be among the people. This picture shows us a glimpse of the love that God has for us. He shows his love by allowing Jesus to descend down to our lowly state to be our king. Jesus left his place in heaven and descended down to earth to be where we are, and in doing so, lifts us up to where God is. He comes down to be with us, because we were not capable of coming up to be with him. We cannot measure up to God’s standards. For God so loved us he sent his son…

Come back next week for the next installment.

The Week In Review

A woman that seeks – marks of a virtuous woman

Ask, and it shall be given, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: - Matthew 7:7


A virtuous woman knows God will open to her what she is seeking. This woman is seeking God not only for her creature comforts, but also for direction on how to be a godly wife and mother. I can say assuredly that this woman was one that sought God for directions, and this is evident in her attitude of looking forward to the future. She was not afraid of what the future held. She was not afraid of the evil times she was in, because she was seeking God and he was answering her questions for guidance and direction.


We today can have a hopeful outlook for our lives because of whom we serve. The crime in our streets, the murders, the lack of self-control do not have to make us function in fear. We do not have to function from fear because God gives us this same promise that if we ask, seek, or knock, he will give, we will find and he will open. If you are asking for help, he will give you help. If you are seeking direction, you will find the way in him. If you are knocking on the doors of heaven in prayer for something, the windows of heaven will be opened and blessings will be poured out on you. That is why as believers we can have a hopeful outlook. We do not have to live our lives based on what our circumstances look like, because we know we serve a God that says he will give to us what we need.


So what makes a woman more precious than rubies and worthy of praise? What makes a woman a virtuous woman? It is her relationship with God through his son Christ Jesus. He gives to us his righteousness and equips us for the journey ahead of us. He gives us each task to fulfill and he does not send us out unprepared to fulfill them. He gives us his Spirit, which will guide us and teach us for completion of our assignments. So if we have not made this very crucial connection then anything we do will never be successful by God’s standards. So today, I ask anyone that has not accepted Christ as his or her savior to do so.


When you do, he will not only offer eternity with God to you, but he promises to give you his Spirit that will help you walk here on earth as one of the set aside, holy people of God. And maybe you have Christ in your life, but sometimes you don’t always feel like this virtuous woman. Maybe you are having difficulties letting go of your way and accepting God’s way. You need to come today to an altar of prayer and ask God to help you. He says come and seek him and you will find him. Seek him for the strength you need to fulfill the role he has for you as wife and mother. What better day than on a day set aside to honor mothers, than to come and offer yourself completely to God so that he can make you into the mother that is worthy of all praise, because you fear the Lord. I leave you with this poem, the composition of a godly woman.

Words of Encouragement

This large piece of art was an eye catcher on the wall at the hotel.  If you were on the first floor you saw it.  If you were on the second floor, you saw it.  It was not a small "sunburst" it was a large one and it covered a large part of the wall.  As I looked at this I thought about this important point.  You and I need to be like this large sunburst.  The "Son" burst that should be evident to others is us.  They should see us if they are on the first floor or even if they are on the second floor.  In otherwords, no matter what level they are on (up or down) individuals should see that we are a piece of work!

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.  Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. - Psalm 27:10-12

Who is Leading? The True Leader. We started this week looking at God as the true leader and we will end it on the same.  God is the only leader that if we follow, we can find peace in.  We will never find complete peace and security in our presidents, while it is good to go out and make your political voice be known.  We will not find security in our bosses when they promises things to us that they have no intention of keeping.

The true leader that we must follow is the one that will never leave us, even if those that you love do.  The true leader that is concerned about our safety from our enemy is God.  He does not leave us under the hand of the oppressor.  He does not leave us to face the false accusations (the accuser) alone.

God, the lover of our soul will lead us away from the traps of sin and to the paths that lead to living water.  He will lead as by the still waters so that we can find drink.  He doesn't make us come to the turbulent waters, but the calm ones so that we can drink.

Who do you want to follow?  Do you want to follow the one that will lead you from death to life?  The one that will lead you from the oppressor of your soul who wants you to carry all the sins you committed as well as every one committed against you?  Who do you want to follow?  The false leader that will talk you into going back into captivity, or the one that will show the foolishness of the accuser?

Today, let us pray that God would do something in us so that we will never want to be the same again.  Set us aflame today Lord so that we can follow you where ever you want to lead.