Sunday, September 9, 2012

What’s Love Got to Do with It?






Oh that smell, the cold atmosphere, seeing that white jacket approach the room; yes it's the hospital.  It is a place that no one likes or plans to be at, yet find themselves there from time to time.  Can you picture that love one that has to watch a family member or the love of their life suffer?  How about that family that's been told the news of a person having only six months to live?  Do we just leave them at a time of vulnerability, or do we be right there by their side?  It ponders the question, what is it to really love?

We all know the scripture of 1 Corninthians 13:4-7

Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, doe not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bearsl all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things.

Bottom line, love is service!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 1415

If you love me, keep my commandments.

God is love and His ministry while here on earth was service.  How many times did we see Jesus heal, cast out devils, deliver, encourage, and teach?  Did He spend his time trying to get the next big things, no, He was in service.  He was in love.  Now its easy to show this love to a love one or a friend.  Yet what about that person that makes you want to say Lord, if i could have just five minutes to tell this person off.  Lorrdddd!  Well, here's some more word:

Matthew 5:43-48

You hae heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those  who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.  That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain to the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?  Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Whew.  Let's just take a moment to let that marinate.

So if they lied on me, I have to pray for them.  Yes.  So if they done me wrong without a cause, I have to pray for them.  Yes.  So if all they want to do is cause an episode, I still got to pray for them.  Yes.

John 13:15

For I have given you and example, that you should do as I have done to you.

If we really honor our relationship with our God, we have to follow His example.  At times, that is going to hurt our flesh!  I be the first to admit my first thought in certain situations is not to pray for the person, but to tell them where they can go and how they can get there.  Yet that contradicts me loving Him.  It contradicts my service in Him.

No one said it would be easy, but that's where Avi (Father) comes in!

Psalm 142:2

I poured out my complaint before Him; I showed before Him my trouble.

When I discovered this scripture, I went what.  Then I got to putting my complaints before God.  I'm sure God was like "oh she found my word. Here Yvette go".  Hahaha.  Yet I have found a peace within this scripture.

God your word said to pour my complaint; my co-worker is getting on my nerves God.

God your word said to pour my complaint; this family member of mine is about to make me go in God.

He told us to cast ALL cares upon HIM; that includes the complaints, the troubles, and even the episodes.

It doesn't mean its a sin to be angry.  We can be angry, but sin not!  It doesn't mean we sometimes can't rebuke.  An open rebuke is better than a secret love.  We just can't stay there!  Didn't His word say the weapons of our warfare are not carnal...so staying in the flesh is going to basically equal flesh.  Prolonged anger goes to bitterness.  Bitterness turns into affecting you, not the other person, you!

When you have time, check out this website on bitterness (http://www.demonbuster.com/bitter.html).

Think about it....

Is it really Sister Sue that's causing you to act out , or a demonic influence behind Sister Sue?  Is it really that family member that always causes some drama, or is that person really needing deliverance?

When we are able to take the time out and look at these things in the spirit, it makes it easier to love.  It makes it easier to pray for that person and be sincere.  It makes it easier to serve.  Besides, isn't that just want God did with us?  Saints, we got to love like our Father.  It's within that love we must serve.

Stay encouraged.