Love is... Pt 5

1 Corinthians 13:4 "...it [Love] is not proud.

We normally think of pride as word that has positive tones. This type of proud links more to an emotion that one person has towards another. However, the type of pride spoken here is linked more towards a person's feelings on them-self. Being proud means to believe that you are better than or more important than others.

How willing are you to help those that you do not feel are deserving to be in your presence or are not equal? God never called us to be better than one another, but He did call us to be our best IN HIM and better than the world. If you are going to be proud, don't be proud OF YOU but be proud of the God IN YOU. He wants to pour out of us what is inside of us, but the problem is that some of us need to be cleansed on the inside and make more room for GOD.

"Don't let your pride take up so much space that God does not have a place." - C. Holmes

Love is...pt 4

I Corinthians 13: 4 "It [Love] does not boast..."

What does it mean to boast? Boasting means to talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities. When you boast it is easy to lose sight of how and what you are boasting about and transition the focus to who is doing the boasting.

When you boast, it gives the listener the impression that you are the reason for your good fortune and blessings. The last time I checked a person is not able to bless themselves, but they do have the ability to position themselves to be blessed. If you are gonna boast, boast about what He has done in, for and through you. Boasting gives you the glory and not to the God that is working on your behalf.  

"You can take credit for your obedience, but give God credit for your blessings" - C. Holmes

Love is...Pt 3

I Corinthians  13:4 "It (Love) does not envy." Envy means to have a feeling of resentment or discontent based on someone's possessions, position, abilities or opportunities. What we fail to realize is that with every position a person is given there is a price that had to be paid. We have to ask ourselves a simple question: "Am I willing to pay the price to be in a different position?"

Many times we should not focus on where people currently are, but should rejoice in the that where they used to be they are no longer there. We should be ready to listen to the praise report that someone has instead of finding ourselves envious. The fact that God not only delivered them, but elevated them, is encouraging that where you are you will not always be. And when he decides to remove the chains off your life, He is also going to bless you with increase. There will be evidence that you have had an encounter with Christ and when we find ourselves envious we are focused on the evidence of God's presence in someone else's life. Sometimes God has to bless someone else to show you what you missing out on due to your disobedience. So instead of asking "Why them?" we need to be asking "Why Not me?" and "What must I do?"

So how what do you have to do to have evidence that God has shown up? Are you words and behaviors aligned to God's will?

"Put yourself in a position to be evidence of God power." - C. Holmes

Love is...Pt. 2

I Corinthians  13:4 "...love is kind". Love is kind even to those that are not kind to us. This is what we find so difficult. How do you be kind to those that purposefully mistreat you? How do you be kind to those that purposefully have unkind for you and towards you?

If you keep your focus on God's direction and not people's deterrence, you will find the ability to be kind much easier. You also have to be kind to others even when you don't feel like you have kindness in you. Hurt, anger, depression, sadness, bitterness and the feeling of being overwhelmed can all halt or delay kindness. It takes energy to be kind, but the reason that you are empowered each day is so that you demonstrate a Christ-like life, which includes being kind. God has placed people around you who need a model for kindness which is why He made you who as He did and positioned you where you are. Christ demonstrated being kind through His grace and mercy. He's expecting us to do the same. Just understand that we are not Christ but desire everyday to be more like him.

Love is...Pt. 1

The first tenet of love in the the Bible says that "Love is patient..." When I think about this short phrase I automatically think of God's goodness. God is love and not only is that who He is, but it also what He personifies.

We don't always do what He wants us to do when He wants us to do it. But instead of allowing us to walk into destruction, God defers the discipline and gives us patience. He waits on us. And for some of us, He is STILL waiting. Isn't it funny that when you feel you are waiting on God, He is really waiting on YOU.

If God can demonstrate His patient love with us, why can't we do the same for others. So when you get the things that you desire. Show love. Patience. When you don't get the answer you desire. Show Love. Patience. When you feel you have been looked over just know He is your look out. Show Love. Patience.