God's Greatest Gift

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

      Reverend King took that message from our lord Jesus.  Jesus, as the son of God, knew that love is the most powerful and undeniable force that exists.  Love is the essence and total being of God, our father.  No force upon this earth or in all of creation can counteract it.  It is so simple...yet, so powerful.  Make love your weapon of choice.  

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² 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. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ 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. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ 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. ¹² 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.
¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

1 Corinthians 13 NIV

Shallow Faith

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 1:17 NIV

     Faith, something we profess to have, and, yet, we live so very little by it.  We proclaim faith, and, yet, there is so little evidence in our lives.  We live rarely thinking about our life as Christians and what that means.  Only when we are in distress do we turn toward our so-called faith to ask for his holy protection.  He who only asks for faith is served and thought of for a short period on Sundays and in time of distress for the most part. 

     Let's see what we can do about this.  Our Lord truly wants you to lean on him for your needs, not technology or yourselves.  He didn't die that horrible death nailed to that cross because he was powerless to do anything about it.  He died in that manner to save us.  Let's show some respect my fellow saints.     

Overwhelmed

"I've had it!  I can't take it anymore!" shouted Lisa.

     "I know, sweetheart.  It has been such tough going this past year and a half.  But, with the money from my Mom's will, we can pay off the back bills and I've got a job starting in two weeks.  I know it doesn't pay as much as my old job, but times are tough all over and, at my age, I'm lucky to have it.  We have enough left over to put a little in the bank and…" Terrance was interrupted by Lisa.

     "And what?  All four of the kids need clothes and school starts soon.  They need school supplies…"

     "I know, but the Lord will provide.  Our faith has been tested.  Please, don't give up, now.  We have enough to take a week at Whit's Bend Lodge…the place the Pastor insisted we visit. Uh, actually, He made reservations for us.  He said the spare money would be more than ample, and we all need it so much.  Please, let's take this week to rejuvenate our spirits."

     "Sure, what else can go wrong…like we're made of money."

     Lisa and Terrance Sterling were experiencing a family and faith threatening episode in their life.  No doubt about it, they were being tested. Contrary to appearances, their marriage was faith based.  Their four children were tested as well: Mary, eleven; Sarah, nine; Jacob, seven; Jeremiah, four.  The family was being overwhelmed. 

      At the trip's beginning, Lisa and Terrance were chirpy and talkative for the first time in several weeks.  The children were enjoying Car Bingo.    

     Events began to unravel at the two hour mark of the normal six hour journey to Whit's Bend Lodge.  First, a flat tire conspired with low fuel to keep them without air conditioning in the July heat in the middle of nowhere for an hour and a half.  Tempers quickly exploded like a volcano.  Stress and its temper had become a reflex reaction over the last one and a half year descent.

 

     Next, from the children came the "I'm hungry where are we going to eat" tempest.  The path to the lodge was over barren back roads offering little in the style of a city's convenience stores and restaurants.  The meal and gas were from a sparsely stocked so-called store; a glorified shack to their city appetites. 

     Back on the road and over two hours behind, Terrance interrupted everyone's scowl with, "I suggest we say a prayer of thanks for the food and gas."

     "Seriously?" smirked Lisa staring blankly out the window. 

     It grew dark and the roads, difficult to navigate in daylight, became almost impossible with directions like; go one mile past the first curve after the left and turn right after the third house.  They backed up, turned around, went sideways…till, at last, they saw the two chainsaw carved owls at the dirt road entrance to Whit's Bend.

     "It's only one mile up this winding road!" shouted Terrance. 

     That's when steam began to spew and hiss from the front of the car.  A radiator hose had broken.  The "shut down the motor before the engine explodes" light flashed. 

     "Lord, we are only a mile from the lodge."  Terrance's chin fell to his chest. 

     Lisa shouted, "I can't take anymore of this."

     Six people grudgingly started out carrying only the essential luggage.  The sight was one of a caravan in the jungle.  Grumbling was their chant.  The evening was sultry.  Bugs swarmed around their sweaty bodies. 

     "It can't be much farther."  Terrance puffed after a time.

     "I can't go on."  Lisa snapped as they trudged around a sharp corner in the road through the thick forest.  "I'm at my wit's…end?"

     Up ahead was a large and rustic log lodge with a sign over the entrance that stood out in the dark night:  WITS END.  The lights on the H and the B were not working.  Lisa was stunned by the sight.

     As the Sterlings walked through the entrance to the massive and grand old lodge, a woman, standing in front of a large group of people, was reading from the Bible: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3 NIV)

     Lisa took Terrance's hand, whispering, "Father, forgive me."

     The woman reading from the Bible paused. Turning to the Sterlings, she said, "We have been praying for your arrival.  Forget your troubles.  You are in the Lord's house."

Perseverance and Faith

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

(James 1:12 NIV) 

     There are times when I become discouraged.  I feel so strongly this mission of writing for our Lord, but obstacles constantly confront me.  

     We must remember to have perseverance when confronted with these obstacles for the Lord teaches us in all things done for him in his name.  When he sets a task before us, know this, he will open doors and destroy any obstacles before us.  We must display a great perseverance and faith for that is what he is teaching us.

     Did the Israelites bring down the walls of Jericho instantly?  Certainly not, it took perseverance and faith in the assigned mission.

     Let us pray for courage, strength, perseverance and have faith that our prayers are answered in order to accomplish the tasks our Lord assigns us.  Who can block your path when you seek to do the Lord's work? 

     Pray for one another to have success in their work for the glory of our Father. 

        

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:4-7 NIV) 

     We, the poor and downtrodden, are put upon this earth to serve and glorify our God through our Christ Jesus, his son.  What love and peace he gives to us who serve and love in his name.  Rise up and be for our Lord God.  

    Reverend Martin Luther King, a man I respect above so many others, said this...

     "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate;  only love can do that."

     Our Lord Jesus shall light up the darkness that has descended upon mankind. Our love for our fellow man, as he commands, shall drive out the hate of this world.  

     We shall be victorious in our Lord's love.  We shall overcome the darkness...the hate that keeps our brothers and sisters in chains.  There shall be no more petty men controlling millions for their personal power and luxury.  By love, by knowledge, by perseverance we shall become strong in our Lord; for he is truth and truth is forever and unchanging. Amen

Believe

The heavens declare the glory of God;
     the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
     night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
     no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
     their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun
     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
     Like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
     and makes its circuit to the other;
     nothing is deprived of its warmth.

(Psalm 19:1-6 NIV)

     As you look all around and toward the heavens, how can you not believe what so many have known since man stepped foot upon this earth.  How can you deny the existence of the one and only God that created such beauty in our surroundings.  Some call it chance.   Some call it accidental.  Some know it from God...for they have looked, heard, and had faith. 
     How could you not want this loving caring God for your Father?  The God who loves us even when we falter.  The God who cares so infinitely when our hearts are hurting.  A God who is always with us,though we rarely realize his presence. 
     Father, we are yours.  We ask to know and love you...to feel your divine and loving presence.  Let us take the time to know you, our Father.  In your son, our loving savior's name, Jesus Christ, we pray to you Father.  Amen

2 Peter 1:3-9

     His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

     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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.