Service of Love

The Message Bible says this so well: Verses 7-11--Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

I don't know how many times of late, someone has commented how this must be the start of the end times. They note how sinful our world has become. They point to the hate and evil which seems to be taking over society. And then there is the climate; the storms, the wild fires and on and on. 

I believe all this may be true, but the most important point to be making here is we are to "love each other as if your life depended on it." (verse 12) If this was our go-to behavior, relational conflict would end. There would still be storms and fires, but because we love first and foremost, we would help one another through these difficulties.

As Proverbs 10:12 says: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Peter has carefully set out before us the way we are to serve. Everything we do is in a context of love, love and love. No matter if Jesus comes tomorrow or in two-thousand years, love is still the only way to live. Love keeps us engaged with God and His will for the world. As we all know, when we love others, when we are in love with someone special, when we love our neighbor, our hearts are light and we are happier than when burdened by hate.


1 Peter 4:7-11

Just Like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

We are conditioned to be self-absorbed; to focus our life-lens on self. The word on the street, the general consensus is, it is all about me. Television commercials reinforce our importance every time their product is introduced. The advertisements shout, "you deserve a break today." We come to believe that we cannot exist without a ...(fill in the blank).

This is nothing new, but as we become more and more sophisticated, so does the concept of our own needs while they blossom into huge egos. Lost are the days of taking care of one another; of looking out for each other at the expense of ourselves. We easily forget just how much we need one another, how much we need the companionship and fellowship of others.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

I am happy to share that my neighborhood is like one from the days of Father Knows Best, or Leave it to Beaver.  If you were raised in the 50's you understand what I mean. Those were the days when many lived in a neighborhood where everyone knew each other.  As I get older and dare I say, wiser, this is important to me, an attraction even. My neighbors go through life caring for each other; being attentive to a possible need.

We are designed to be in community. That is why God created Adam and  Eve. We are created to be in communion with God, and also with one another. This will play out in peaceful co-existence when we genuinely live with love for each other in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 1:7,18-23

It all begins with a relationship

Hebrews 13:7-8 (MSG)

7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.

Have you always had a strong faith; always known a personal relationship with Jesus, or did someone help you develop this faith?  Many of us were guided on the right path by our parents or grandparents, but many of us did not have that blessing in our lives as children. It all starts with a healthy relationship; first with God and then with another.

I was blessed when God placed a Believer in my life who shared the truth with me. I remember the first person I listened to.  There may have been others who tried to share, but I did not hear them. One day though, I was ready.

We are taught that we must make the effort and extend the invitation. We are to come alongside our neighbor and hold out our hand. The rest is up to God. It is God who prepares their hearts, it is God who does the heavy lifting, we only need to allow Him to use us.

I believed those words, but they didn't always register. Remembering the woman who made the invite which I responded to, I now thank God for her boldness.  God worked behind the scene for years, preparing me, years working on my heart. Many forces stalled my response, but God patiently worked on me.  The truth is, He allowed me to get to the point where I felt lost and hopeless.  I saw no reason to continue on as I was; lost and alone.

Looking back, I can see how life's trials and challenges had meaning.  The situations that seemed to drag me under were the very things Jesus used to prepare my heart for His invitation. And it all began with a relationship.


Hebrews 13:7-16

Colossians 3:1-17

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

The school year has just ended. I am a special education teacher. Sometimes I take student teachers into my classroom and work with them on honing their skills to prepare them for managing their own classroom. I finished this school year with a lovely young lady named Morgan.

Morgan entered my classroom well prepared for a regular education classroom, but not one such as mine. These students, though beautiful, have many challenges cognitively as well as behaviorally and physically. She was hesitant and uncertain at the beginning. As our time together continued, she experienced a change. Through observation, study and trial and error she evolved into a confident and passionate teacher ready to take on new challenges. I could see the love in her eyes as she worked with my students. I had the opportunity to observe an awesome transformation. She left at peace with herself and her abilities.

In a thank you card she gave me on our last day together she wrote: “In the short nine weeks we were together I learned more about myself and my faith than I would have imagined.”

As I modeled my instruction and interactions with both students and staff, I was hopeful I was instilling the importance of some of the things noted in Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

Times when the adults we were dealing with did not follow through as I hoped they would I attempted to demonstrate the importance of Colossians 3:13-15 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

I was extremely happy and humbled that she took away much more than teaching strategies and classroom management approaches. She got it!

I thank God for those opportunities. The occasions to make a difference in the lives of others are ever present. Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another...”  

Read/Listen to Colossians 3:1-7

Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37

In Genesis 4:9 God asks Cain where his brother is and Cain responds with the famous line, "Am I my brothers keeper?"  Today in the second chapter of Acts we learn that Jesus expects us to 'be our brothers keeper.'  These verses are so striking, especially given the world in which we live.  Verse 42 reads, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Doesn't this sound just like the small group you are trying to find?  Next read Acts 4:32 "All the Believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had."  This is almost too good to be true.  To think our Christian faith had its roots in this type of behavior.

When we are members of a body of believers who believe that we are each other's keepers, that church's presence will have an impact on society.  That caring fellowship will be a witnessing fellowship.  Where do I sign up?

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Pray for Strangers -- Colossians 1:1-14

“Please pray for my friend, Betty, who is struggling with cancer,” said Ann. “She is a Christian and she is in so much pain.” I never met Betty, but I knew that I could pray for her. It does not matter if I have never come face to face with Betty; there is power in intercessory prayer. Christians are encouraged to pray for one another, even when they’ve never met.

To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—(Colossians 1:2-4 NIV)

Paul didn’t know the Christians of the Colossian churches, but he prayed for them regularly. It has been said that once we pray with or for someone we are no longer strangers. Max Lucado wrote in his book God Came Near “It is man who creates the distance. It is Jesus who builds the bridge.” Prayer is that bridge.

Who could you pray for that you have never met: a government official, a hungry child in another county, the family member of a close friend? You never know, someone may be praying for you whom you have never met. Prayer is powerful

Read the entire scripture for today at Biblegateway in Colossians 1:1-14

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Friends For Life Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Years ago, handkerchiefs were commonplace and served many purposes. One of which was to carry our lunch money. Mom would secure the coins in one corner and tie them in place. Then the other corner of the material would be fastened to a belt loop.

My first day of school my grandfather gave me a special handkerchief. It was special because there was a picture embroidered on one corner, a picture of two smiling faces with words underneath them reading, “Two heads are better than one.” I have never forgotten that gift.

The words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes have been meaningful to me. I am especially drawn to Eccl 4:7-12. Having chosen to live much of my life in isolation and without friends, these words now touch my heart. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Dear God,

Thank you for putting others in my life, to walk along side me. You never intended for us to go it alone. You created us to live together, to survive and thrive in each other’s presence. Amen

Read text on Biblegateway Eccl 4:7-12