I Want To Be Loved–Part 1

January 27, 2015

I Want To Be Loved–Part 1

I admit it. I want to be loved.

Our hearts are wired to love and be loved.

Since we are two weeks and a few days from Valentine’s Day, I confess that it’s hard to walk into a store and not be reminded of my singleness. It used to bother me so much. God sure did have to work on my heart to help me realize I’m being used in my singleness.

Guess what? I have some refreshing news!

No matter if you are married or single, you are loved because “God is love.” (1 John 4:16b NIV 1984). Jesus and His Love are really the cornerstone of Christianity.

Love is the divine glue that binds us together, giving us the freedom and deep desire to be more, to serve and love others, to do our best.

You know what Jesus said were the two most important laws to follow?

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.“ (Matthew 22: 37-40 NIV84).

Isn’t it wonderful and such a relief to know that the two most important “rules” Jesus wants us to follow are to love Him wholeheartedly and love others. By the way, our “neighbor” is everyone.

Many of you may be familiar with the well-known “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13, often read at weddings. Let’s look at this passage carefully, differently and challenge ourselves.

“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. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV84).

Now for the challenge. In this passage, replace your own name with the word “Love” and read it aloud. Whew. It’s a tall order. I sure do fall short of living this.

For Valentine’s Day last year I gave my precious Mom a card. Inside I wrote her name in this passage. For those who know my beloved Mom, Maxine Jordan, she is June Cleaver and Jesus all wrapped up in one beautiful package. She lives this. She is love.

“Maxine is patient, Maxine is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. Maxine is not rude, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. Maxine does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Maxine always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Maxine never fails.”

Dear friend, you are loved and you are love. Let’s live it out loud. Let’s live love.

Stay tuned next Tuesday for Part Two of this “Love Series.” I’ll let you know my confessions and how last Valentine’s Day changed my whole perspective on this romantic holiday…

Reflect:

–How will you love more with your heart, starting today?

–Do you love the Lord? If so, do you love Him with your head or your heart? Are you ready to love Him more deeply?

Renew:

–“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” (Psalm 33:22 NIV84).

–“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him… We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4: 7, 16, 17, 19 NIV84).

Recharge:

–Which people or strangers will you demonstrate love to this week?

–Open you Bible and read some daily from it. Feel the Love pouring forth on you.

December 30, 2014

Making New Year’s Resolutions Less Intimidating

The end of another year–it can be intimidating or easily rushed through to get to midnight. Why is it so intimidating?

Three words. New Year’s Resolutions. Or maybe we should call them New Year’s “Solutions.” Isn’t it funny that the word “resolution” is “re-solution,” as if our solutions need doing again? No wonder they intimidate me.

I encourage you to reflect these next few days, to look back and pat yourself on the back for all that was accomplished through you this year. Sure, you didn’t get done all that you wanted to get done. Who does? Before you tell yourself all the things you want to improve and change in 2015, please ponder on the many good, no, GREAT things about yourself. Can you remember all the great things that wouldn’t have gotten done if not for you?

Remember that you influence the world around you.

Enter Eddie.

Eddie is the parking lot attendant at a local medical office building. His “office” is a tiny booth, perhaps five feet long by three feet wide. Eddie is one of the most positive, enthusiastic servant leaders I have ever met.

Eddie loves his job. How could a parking lot attendant love his job? I intentionally observed him in action. He waves at everyone. He smiles. He calmly answers questions asked by nervous patients and eases their spirits. He ensures parking spaces are available to accommodate those who need them.

Whenever Eddie spots my car, he comes out of his little booth, waves frantically and blows kisses. He makes my day.

Guess what Eddie had one day? Bird feeders in the little tree across from Eddie’s booth. Eddie purchased hanging bird feeders and bird food to make the birds happy AND improve his environment even more!

Eddie is happily married and brags on his wife and marriage every chance he gets, so his gestures and affection are totally innocent. He exudes the love of Christ.

Eddie inspires my heart and challenges me to be better. Instead of just making resolutions and thinking about changing yourself, your work, your home–change your attitude about your work, your home, your environment. Add “bird feeders” near your booth. Make the walls of your work inspire you; make them “talk.”

Smile. Wave. Blow kisses. Be the calming force to people around you. Make someone’s day. Be like Eddie.

As you reflect on this year and prepare to write your New Year’s Solutions and Re-Solutions, think of Eddie. Now our New Year’s Resolutions won’t intimidate us anymore.

PS. Today is also a great day create your own mission statement. Simply print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free, by just adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog.

Reflect:

–As we excitedly and expectantly welcome the blank pages of a new year, what are three highlights of yours this past year? Please comment.

–How will you be more like Eddie ?

Renew:

-“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw.” –Proverbs 24: 32

-“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” –Proverbs 27:17

-“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” –Proverbs 27:19

-“Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’” –Habakkuk 2:2,3

Recharge:

–What is your personal mission statement? Please let me know.

–What are three ways you can improve your work, your home, your “booth?” Please comment below.

December 23, 2014

And Heaven and Nature Sing!

Christmas music stirs the soul. Since it’s been playing in all the stores, classrooms, our cars , homes, and work since, oh, around November 1^st or earlier, I admit that I am guilty of passing over some of my favorite, heart-stirring, theologically-sound Christmas carols as background noise. Not this Christmas, though. Or at least I want to make a conscious effort to let the words soak in.

Take, for example, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” All my life, we have sung that sweet carol in church and on the radio, even out Christmas caroling with neighbors. It wasn’t until a recent church service that I truly listened. I let the words marinate. Then I wept.

“Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, Love’s Pure Light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace—

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.”

How beautiful to think of Jesus as “Love’s Pure Light.” He is. He is. He is the Light of the World! (John 8:12)!

Also beautiful to think of His sweet, redeeming grace that is a true Gift to each of us who want to receive it.

Even “What Child is This?” I passed over for years. Then it hit me.

“Good Christian, fear—

For sinners here

The silent Word is pleading…

This, This is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud—The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Can’t you almost hear the urgency in the message: “Listen, everybody—This. THIS! is Christ the King, don’t you see? Hurry up and bring Him the praises He deserves.”

My favorite Christmas Carol is “O Holy Night.” When I was nine years old, my parents asked, more or less MADE me start taking piano lessons. I took until tenth grade, when basketball and volleyball took priority. I quit piano. I regret that now.

Anyway…my favorite songs to play were, and still are, Christmas carols. All those years I played “O Holy Night,” and sang.

It wasn’t until recently that a phrase in the carol moved me to tears.

“Long lay the world

In sin and error pining,

‘Til He appeared

And the soul felt its worth.”

That’s it! That’s it! That’s the message. When Jesus came to this earth and into our hearts, our souls, our souls, my soul finally felt its worth…

My simple prayer for you on this Christmas Eve Eve, and I vow to you that I will do the same, is to attend a Christmas Eve church service tomorrow and listen, to hush our hearts. To breathe the words into our souls as we sing. It doesn’t matter how well you sing. We are called to make a “joyful noise.”

If you enjoy a candlelit service (I love candle light), please hold your candle high when you belt out “Joy to the World.” What Truth in that carol, spoken so simply, so passionately.

“He rules the world with Truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love.”

Amen. Merry Christmas, Herald Friend! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Reflect:

What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Why? Please comment.

Renew:

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ephesians 5:19, 20 (NIV 1984).
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” –Psalm 108:1 (NIV 1984).

Recharge:

Today is the perfect day to know Jesus better, as we celebrate His birthday. He wants you to choose Him. After all, love is not love if not chosen. Simply repeat this prayer aloud:

“Dear Lord Jesus,

I am so sorry I have chosen to live apart from You. I have tried to run my own life for too long. I want You in my life. I accept the payment of love You gave for me by Your birth, Your death on the cross, and Your resurrection.

Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for being my Savior, Redeemer and Best Friend.” Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, Congratulations! “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” –Romans 10:13
Please tell others of your eternal decision, the most important decision of your life! Please find a Christ-centered church home where you worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians. Please demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
For more information, check out Proverbs 31 Ministries “Do You Know Jesus?” portion of our website at http://proverbs31.org/do-you-know-jesus
Please comment and let me know also. I’m so proud of you! You just gave Jesus the best birthday gift ever–your heart! Let’s PARTY!