Truth!
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16 NLT
Tunnel Vision Mindsets
I am grateful for Your presence, Father. The direction I need to go is clear with You close at hand. May I always be mindful of that. Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of the greatest challenges on this side of eternity is that we tend to be stuck in tunnel vision mindsets. In almost every aspect of life, we know what we know and are not usually very receptive to changing our perspectives. We just don’t do well when it comes to understanding people outside of what we think is right and proper, or for that matter, outside of what we hold as our societal norm.
I could rattle off a half dozen of them right now, but unfortunately, there would be those who would go off – some greatly so – if it did not align with their mindset. Here’s a short list of highly polarizing issues: politics, homosexuality, abortion, trans-issues (one gender identifying as another gender), alcohol, and marijuana. People can be very verbal and nasty, to say the least, when someone of another mindset expresses their opinion.
I hesitate even writing these things out because I can feel people’s blood beginning to boil at the mere mention of them. In our arrogance, we think we know everything. We know, without the slightest bit of hesitation, that we cannot be wrong. Going down either side of this handful of issues, someone on the “other” side would explode with hatred and anger.
In wrapping up his “love” chapter, Paul makes statements regarding love being the greatest of everything he has spoken – faith, hope, and spiritual gifts included.
When we step into eternity, we will realize that,
For now [in this time of imperfection]… and this is referring to the here and now in our lives …we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. v12 AMP
My Life Application Study Bible states that – God gives believers spiritual gifts for their lives on earth…to build up, serve, and strengthen fellow Christians. The spiritual gifts are for the church.
Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. vs8-10 AMP
In eternity, we will be made perfect and complete and…in the very presence of God. We will no longer need the spiritual gifts, so they will come to an end. Then, we will have a full understanding and appreciation for one another as unique expressions of God’s infinite creativity. We will use our differences as a reason to praise God! Based on that perspective, let us treat each other with the same love and unity that we will one day share.
And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love. v13 AMP
Jan 11th, 2024, Thurs, 10:23 am
Satisfied in Never Failing Love
Father, thank You for safe travels over us all this morning and for a productive morning as I work ahead on preparations for Sunday services.
1 Corinthians 13:8a (<<click here to read the passage)
Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. AMP
An online source stated that the Greek word translated “fails”…is related to a verb meaning “to fall.” By saying, “Love never fails,” the Bible means that God’s love will not fall or falter. It is constant forever.
Think about that…God’s love is constant forever. It could be said that God’s love is eternal. Keep in mind, too, that God, as expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 AMP) Love. Never. Fails.
So many things in life let us down…leave us out in the cold. Parts of our lives flat out don’t care, and other parts care to the extreme, but outside forces – war, disease, death – bring that love to a halt. No matter how much they want to love, they cannot. But Jesus is the ultimate example of love never failing. It never fades; it never ends. In Him, love is constant forever – eternally changeless, always the same yesterday and today and forever!
How many of us are constantly in search of love? Some never seem to find it. They may try many things and be involved in many relationships, but all fail them.
I’m sure you’ve heard the adage of all of us having a God-shaped hole. And no matter what we try to fill it with, nothing will satisfy us. Only God will satisfy the deep longings of our hearts.
And, of course, that reminds me of an old song written back in 1875. It’s entitled Satisfied. Here is an older Gaither Vocal Band rendition of it. Enjoy!
All my life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
….Hallelujah! I have found Him
….Whom my soul so long has craved!
….Jesus satisfies my longings;
….Through His life I now am saved.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Jan 10th, 2024, Wed, 12:49 pm
Become Like Children
Snow days are always a pleasant surprise! I am almost ready for Sunday and was blessed with the opportunity to run some errands in Columbus in the latter part of the day! Thank You, Father, for blessing upon blessing!
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I’ve worked directly with children for over ten years now. I worked with my mom in my teen years, teaching primary Sunday School, as well. Before I served as a children’s pastor, Karen and I volunteered in the nursery at our church and led children’s church, too. I love kids, and I pray every day that it shows!
One thing that I enjoy so much is watching children – like the little girl out with her father tonight who enjoyed the curly straw in her milk! Well, this past Monday morning, we still had some snow, and in several instances, I saw children enjoying snow as only they could.
I’ve watched a boy and his younger sister pick up a handful of snow and stick it in their mouths on numerous occasions (she brought a handful on the bus last year, intending to eat it!) One of my girls is obsessed with snow! Monday morning, when I pulled up, she jumped out of their car and headed right for the snow on the side of their driveway, and when her dad finally got her backpack on and was trying to steer her toward the steps of the bus, she deliberately traipsed through a patch of it just to the left of their path. Two stops later, a fifth grader quickly bent over and brushed her mitten through the snow in their driveway, getting on the bus with a smile of satisfaction.
If it is snowing when school lets out, it is the norm for many of the children to attempt to catch snowflakes on their tongues. (I’ve even noticed a few middle schoolers doing it too!)
I love that children, as a whole, are pure, innocent, and genuinely love the finer things of life – what is finer than snow?
Now adults, on the other hand…I’ve yet to see any of my fellow bus drivers running out to catch snowflakes on their tongues – though I have heard some complain that kids do so…they think it’s silly!
I am all for it, and I think we would be the better for it if we let ourselves go and enjoyed the finer, simpler things of life.
Yes, I know children can be problematic, doing things they aren’t supposed to be doing, breaking things, making messes, being way too loud at times, and all the rest, but there are times when no one is as trusting, humble, and forgiving as they are.
You don’t believe me? Well, here’s what Jesus Himself had to say,
He called a little child and set him before them, and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4 AMP
Lord Jesus, may we humble ourselves like children as we strive to be all we can be in the Kingdom. Amen.
Jan 9th, 2024, Tues, 8:15 pm
Discarded and at a Loss for Hope
Father, draw me close. I need You, for I, in myself, am not sufficient. I cast myself on You and Your wildly flowing mercy to guide and direct my thoughts and actions this day and every day. Amen.
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Last week, I saw this sight on the side of the road on my bus route. As you can see, it is a discarded Christmas tree, the colorful tinsel still strung amongst its branches. I don’t know if it belonged to the residents in the vicinity or if it was unceremoniously dropped (or fell) off onto the berm of a country byway.
As a result of my many years in retail, I’ve become more sensitive about all the hype building and building up until Christmas, and then abruptly, come December 26th, it’s done, and everything is back to “normal.”
Looking at the tree, it had served its “purpose,” and it was disposed of as soon as it was convenient.
How is Christmas with you? As believers, it can be a challenge to pack Christmas away for another year and stick it up in the attics of our minds. Or worse yet, to not hang onto much of it at all…disposing of what just didn’t seem to work for us. Our thoughts go out into the future, where we plan on picking something up again the next holiday season with the hope of it making a difference in our lives. We struggle, thinking that Christmas is just not what it used to be…and we are left empty and alone…at a loss for hope.
But, truth be told, Christmas is just the beginning.
My sermon series this year was taken from Alistair Begg’s Christmas Playlist: Four Songs that Bring You to the Heart of Christmas. Here’s a quote from one of the last sermons.
…this is why the wooden food trough led to the wooden cross, and why you will never get to the heart of Christmas if you don’t grasp the meaning of Easter. Christianity is not good advice about what we should do. It is the good news of what Christ has done. Christianity does not proclaim that you are worth saving or able to save yourself. It announces that God is mighty to save.
I found a Christmas song by Matthew West – The Hope of Christmas. Its words point us in the right direction. (Lyrics and video are included.)
Take me back to eight years old
The little church on a dead end road
With a candle flicker in one hand and dad’s hand in the other
Take me back to Silent Night
My heart was full and the world was right
Cuz right now the world looks nothing like those innocent Decembers
These days peace on earth is hard to find
And I need you to remind me one more time
You’re still the hope of Christmas
You’re still the light when the world looks dark
You’re still the hope of Christmas
And You’re still the hope of my heart
Watch the snowflakes falling down
Like a blanket on this town
For a moment we can hardly see the pain this year has brought us
May the sick find healing’s touch
May hatred’s fight be won with love
And may every heart make room for you the One who came to save us
I bowed my head to pray tonight
Felt my little girl by my side
She slipped her tiny hand in mine
And we both talked to you
And it took me back to 8 years old
my daddy’s hand and a story told
About Heaven’s love in a manger low
And a promise that’s still true
Jan 8th, 2024, Mon, 6:22 pm