Tag Archives: Love

Love Much

Posted on by

0

muchlove21Something I like to say is that I have to choose between law and grace, I choose grace.  I’m going to always choose grace.  Now, yes, there are things that are wrong and are destructive, and we should avoid evil and stay away from things that will destroy us, destroy others, and destroy our walk with God.

But, even folks that are far, far from God and acting in ways that are destructive, you know what?  I’m going still going to give grace.

I’m going to love much.

Why?

Because I’ve been forgiven much.  Listen to what Jesus says in Luke 7:44-47:

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

I have been forgiven so much in my life.  Jesus has given me grace after grace, hope after hope, love after love, mercy after mercy.  He has forgiven me so very much in my life, and the only response that I can make is to forgive others.  To give grace.  To show mercy.  To show love.  To show that hope.

Because He has shown that to me. And as I’ve been forgiven and loved, so must I forgive other and love.

I have been loved much.  So, I must love much.

Each of us have.  We have all been given grace and mercy today. We’ve all been given love.  And with that love we’ve been given, we much give love in return.  Today, we must love much. Because we’ve been loved much.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Didn’t See that Coming

Posted on by

0

I really love when the Bible catches us off guard. When we read something or see something or something within the text gets us in a way that we do not expect.

When we see something unfold in the text the we didn’t see coming.

Like what we read today in Mark 3:1-5. Listen to this text and see if the same thing that hit me hits you:

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Man-with-withered-handWe see Jesus come into synagogue, a place of Jewish teaching. And we see people plotting against Jesus, because it was in the man-made law (not the Old Testament law) that people were restricted from work on the Sabbath. Why? Because one of the Commandment is to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. It should be a time of rest. But, the religious leaders had moved this to a commandment that had far exceeded its actual religious purpose and had moved it to just straight legalism and control.

So, Jesus is there, and he says, is it against the law to help someone?  And they are silent. And there it is.

“He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart.” Jesus got angry! Didn’t see that one coming! He got angry.

We have this milk toast image of Jesus as just laid back, smiling, walking around, always happy, not very passionate, just kind of there. Today, it says when He was confronted by folks that would rather observe a man-made law than would help someone, He got angry.

Because they valued man-made laws and regulations over the true law of God. What is that true law? To love God and love neighbor. Jesus valued people over everything. That’s why He came. And that’s what He longs to teach us.

To value people over everything.

And they didn’t. The valued their rules over people. And it grieved Him. And it made Him angry.

Today, as the people of God, seeing others hurt should make us angry. Seeing children with no food to eat should make us angry. Seeing women and children abused should make angry. Seeing sin run rampant in the world should make us angry.

But, we can’t just get angry. We must do something about it. Jesus just didn’t get angry. He healed the man.

Today, these things that make you angry, these things of injustice and hurt. What are you going to do about them?

How are we going to act to help someone today? For in doing that, we are really living out the law that God wants us to live. And we are making a difference in for the kingdom.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

This World

Posted on by

0

What are we do with those that doubt? What are we to with those that cause divisions? That cause trouble? That cause all manner of problems?

What are we, as Christians, as believers, as Christ followers, what are we to do with them? How should we feel?

How should we act?

What should we do?

Jude is one of my favorite books in the bible. It’s a book that is written to Christians in a time where they feel under attack. A book written to Christians to encourage them to stand strong, to hold onto their faith, but to be aware that the world will try to attack, destroy and mock their faith.

What does Jude tell Christian to do with “them” when we are under attack.

Listen to what it says in 17-23:

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

top_photoFirst – know “they” are coming. They will come causing division. It will happen. Jesus promised it will happen (John 15:18). Paul tells us it will happen. And here Jude shares with us that it will happen.

Be aware. Don’t be shocked. Don’t be stunned.

We were not promised a rose garden. In fact, just the opposite. We were promised trouble.

Second – build yourself up. If it’s going to be tough, we need to be strong. If we will face troubles, then we had better be ready for it.

Are you doing the things that will allow you to have strength in times of trouble? Are you praying? Are you reading your Bible? Are you going to Church? Are you building yourself up for these things?

And last – have mercy on those who doubt. Those who attack you, those who persecute you, those that mock you, those that despise you, you know what God wants to happen to them?

He wants them to get saved. He wants them as part of His kingdom. He wants them to be your brother or sister.

So, as Christians, our job is to have mercy. Even when it’s hard.

But, if we aren’t ready and aren’t prepared, we can’t.

This is the world we live in. That is what we can expect. Let’s not be surprised, let’s be ready, and let’s let His grace make all the difference.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Loved to Love Others

Posted on by

0

God is in the business of making all things right. God is in the business of bringing restoration and hope and peace to lives, their lives, and lives.

God is the business of making all things right.

Listen to what Paul writes today in 2 Corinthians 5: 18:21:

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

love-God-love-others-titlePaul says that God, through Christ, has reconciled us to Himself. In other words through what Jesus has done for us on the cross and in the empty grave, God has, and is making all things right for us with Him.

There is grace. There is mercy. There is forgiveness for us in Christ. Today, there is the chance to start over, begin again, wake up to a fresh and new start.

Today, this is a new day.

But, then, look what he says – God has reconciled us, so that we can be God’s ambassadors. Today, it isn’t just that God want you to know mercy and freedom and grace and power.

It’s that God wants to use you to so that others can know His mercy and grace and power.

He loves us so that we can know love, and love others.

He forgives us so that we can know forgiveness, and forgive others.

He gives us life, so that we can help others know life.

Today, He is calling you into Himself, into love and life. And He calls us to live in church a way, full of grace and mercy, that others will want to know the God that we know!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

The Goal

Posted on by

0

Yesterday at Asbury, we spent some time teaching what it is that Christians believe? What is that we hold to? What is the foundation of our beliefs? We didn’t dig into specific “doctrine” but looked at the basics of what Christians believe and hold to.

And we talked about how we are not “saved” by doctrine, but saved by grace through faith, lest no man can boast. So, if you have to believe just the right thing to be a Christian, guess what just happened. You had to “do” something to be a Christian and thus you earned your salvation. You salvation is dependent on you doing something right, not through faith. So, as important as doctrine is, it doesn’t save us.

So then, what is the point? Listen to what Paul writes to Timothy today in 1 Timothy 1:3-5:

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

GOAL-BLOCKPaul tells him to make sure that people aren’t teaching false doctrine of things that don’t matter. Why is this? The goal or aim of the command is this – that love arises from a pure heart and good conscience and sincere faith.

The goal of belief, the goal of theology, the goal of doctrine is to make you a better disciple. Is to make you love God and love your neighbor better. Is to help you to be faithful in knowing His grace and sharing His grace.

That’s the point of it all. That’s why we do it. That’s what we are here for. To know grace and show grace. To share God’s love. To point folks to the freedom and power in Jesus Christ.

Today, don’t let differences in small things separate us a Christians. Let’s hold to Jesus. Let’s hold to things that truly matter. And let’s point others to Him.

Today, the goal of our beliefs is to love God. And love neighbor. That’s why we hold them. That’s why we believe them. That’s what they are about and for.

Today, may we be faithful. May we show that love to all that we meet.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

How to Live

Posted on by

0

Jesus is asked what is the way to life. What must one do to inherit eternal life?

That’s a big question, huh? That’s probably one that you want to get right. So, Jesus returns the question and says, what is written.

Listen to how this plays out in Luke 10:25-28:

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

8562bf13209e799f6798813cdcb87bf4I love Jesus’ response. He says do this – love God, love neighbor, love yourself, and you shall live.

And I think that He is teaching us something bigger than just “living” for eternity. I think that Jesus is teaching us how to live today. You don’t have to wait until heaven to have to live. You can live today.

See, when we live for something bigger than us, when we live to love God, to love our neighbor, and yes, to properly love ourselves, then we are really living.

But, if we are living to chase stuff, or status, or fame, or our reputation, or whatever, than we really aren’t living. Now, we may be breathing, eating, and doing the stuff of life, but we won’t be living. We will be existing.

But when we live for that, to love God, others, and self, then we are living. We have a purpose. We have a plan. We have something really worth having.

Then, we are truly living.

Today, Jesus shows us to live. How? To love. God. Others. And yes, even love ourselves. Today, let’s truly live for something worth living for. Let’s love God with all that we are. Let’s do our very best to love our neighbor. And let’s forgive ourselves and see ourselves as the child of God that we are.

Let’s not just wait to heaven to live. Let’s live today.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

“Them”

Posted on by

0

We really want to God to get “them” sometimes, don’t we?

After all, “they” are wrong. “They” should be punished. “They” deserve God’s judgement. He should get “them” for their sins and their mistakes.

That’s what we can think and believe. That’s what we can truly believe.

But, here is the thing. Jesus doesn’t just love us. He loves “them” too.

Listen to what happens in Luke 9:52:55:

And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them.

Fire_From_HeavenThey reject Jesus. And the disciples say, do, you want us to call down fire from above to consume them. Ok, two things here.

First, really James and John? You think that you can call down fire from above? Really? Like that’s your job? We should be very careful when getting ready to call down the fire of God’s judgement. That’s not our job.

Second, if they had stopped to think, they would have realized that Jesus came to save “them.” And us as well. Cause here’s the thing, it isn’t just “them” that make mistakes and fall down. It’s us too.

Today, let’s remember that we are not the judge of the world. That’s leave that to God. Let’s stop calling down fire. And lets, instead, turn to the one thing that can truly change lives.

Love.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Those Forgiven Much

Posted on by

0

Forgiven & LovedWe talked yesterday at Asbury about forgiveness. Forgiveness really is the one thing that makes relationships possible. It’s the thing that makes faith possible. It’s the thing that makes love possible.

Without forgiveness, there would not be much hope for anything that is good in life. Forgiveness makes it all possible.

We are all going to be hurt at some point. We are all going to be wronged at some point. We are all going to be in a position where we have to choose to forgive or not. And it’s tough. And we can’t do it on our own.

We can’t “will” ourselves to forgive. We can’t just “make” ourselves do it. It’s something that only God can do though us. Listen to the words that Jesus speaks today in Luke 7:47-48:

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Jesus forgives a woman, and He talks about since she is forgiven, she loves. And then He says, he who is forgiven little loves little.

Those of us that have been forgiven much, we should love so much more. We can’t truly forgive, we can’t truly love, we can’t truly do any of these things until we know this one true fact.

We are forgiven. You are forgiven. God loves you, wants to know you, wants to spend time with you. You are forgiven.

You are loved.

Now, love others. Our forgiveness for others flows from our forgiveness from God. Those who are forgiven much will love much.

Today, as those that have been forgiven so very much, may we love so very much.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

April 16 – Evil Doesn’t Win

Posted on by

4

If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that April 16 is not my favorite day of the year.  This is the day that I remember the power of evil and sin to destroy lives.

And it’s the day that reminds me that in the journey of my life (and our lives) that evil doesn’t win.

And each of us, we know the power of evil. We see it in the world. We saw it on 9/11. We witnessed it yesterday in Boston, and many, many lives were forever changed and disrupted. We have seen the force and power of evil.

Evil has it’s moment. But evil doesn’t win.

That said, I don’t like April 16.

mama-saraOn April 16, 1978, my mother was murdered.  I have always called her “Mama Sarah.”  She was killed as she was walking out of our house, with me in her arms. She was walking out of the house because she did not want me raised in an abusive situation, in a situation full of drugs and destruction. She was walking out of the house because she wanted me to have a better life.

She was walking out of the house because she loved me.

And in that, she laid down her life for me.  Literally.  I sometimes tell folks I have the burden and blessing in my life of having had two people lay down their life for me, Jesus and Mama Sarah.

And, every day I wake up and know that I am here, I give thanks for no greater love.  I give thanks that I, literally, should not be here.

And if you’ve ever wondered why I’m a little on the ADD side, this is why. I’m not going to waste a second that God has given me.

And every time I look at my daughter Sarah and mourn over the fact that she will never know the grandmother she was named for, I give thanks for no greater love.

I have experienced in my life the power of evil to bring destruction.

But I’ve also seen this.  I’ve seen that evil doesn’t win.  See, when Mama Sarah died, I was adopted by her mother and step father. I call them mama and daddy, because that’s who they are.

By the way, if you want to know the power of evil, consider this. Mama Sarah was murdered on her mother’s birthday, April 16. And she was buried on my birthday, April 18.

Evil has it’s moment. But it doesn’t win.

I was adopted and raised by my mama and daddy.  And if I had not been raised by them, I wouldn’t have been raised in the church I was raised in.  Which means that I may not be a Christian. Which means that I may not be a preacher. Which means that I may not be here, doing what I’m doing.

I may not be affecting your lives and your faith.

If I hadn’t been raised by my adopted parents, I wouldn’t have went to Bouge Chitto, which means I wouldn’t have went to Co-Lin which means I wouldn’t have met Holly, which means I wouldn’t have my family.

God brought good out of this terrible tragedy.

Was my mother’s murder a good thing?  No.  Or course not.  My heart aches for it.  But, the power of God is not that He stops bad things from happening.

But that He can bring good our of anything.

Even the worst evil.

Evil doesn’t win. My life is a testament to that.

Romans 828 says this:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

All things will work for our good. And His glory.  I am thankful.

It may look bad.  But know this.  Evil doens’t win.  Let us have that hope. And let us rejoice, even in our tears.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

You Matter

Posted on by

0

you-matter1You matter to God. You do. Your life. Your fears. Your worries. All of it.

Even the things that you may think don’t matter. If they matter to you than they matter to God. You are important to Him. He loves you and cares for you.

You matter.

Sometimes it’s tempting to think that we don’t matter. Or our concerns aren’t big enough. Or important enough. Surely there are things that are more important to God than our fears, our worries, our lives.

Why should we pray about these things? Surely God has more important things to worry about.

Listen to what Jesus says today in Luke 12:6-7:

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Sparrows in the economy of Jesus’ day were literally of no value. They had no worth. They were the most unimportant thing you could think of.

And Jesus says that none of them would be forgotten.

You matter. You matter to God. You are important. Your worries. Your fears. Your concerns. All of it. You matter.

Never forget that. Take your concerns to Him. You matter. You are important. Never forget.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.