Category: love

As we close out another school year, this completes another writing season, though occasionally I may send out a summer note. Susan and I appreciate your prayers this year. Doctors seem pleased with the results of the trial drug I have been taking the past couple of months, so the plan is to stick with it.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

The testing of our faith helps us develop perseverance which is essential in the life of a believer. Perseverance must be present in order for us to be mature and complete. So as we live and learn, we must keep in mind God’s great purpose: ‘To mold us into the image of his Son.’

The more ‘complete’ we become, the more we look like Jesus. And, of course, the more we look like Jesus, the more we love. One reason we can “count it all joy” as we go through various trials is that God continually gives us opportunities to love. Love is the crowning result of the work of God in a person’s life.

Even Jesus went through a journey on earth that brought him to the ‘complete’ place where he could pour out his love and save the world. “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8)

Jesus trusted his Father… and so must we. There is no One more trustworthy.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

Jesus told his disciples after the resurrection, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” Of course Jesus was the best witness who ever walked the earth, and yet most did not believe him. He knew most would not believe his disciples either, but witnesses are important. He gives us this purpose too, and we need the power of the Holy Spirit just like the early disciples did.

What do you think a witness should testify about God? What do you think God wants everyone to know about himself?

The Common English Bible translation of Psalms uses a term over and over that reflects what David wanted everyone to know about God. Here’s a handful of samples:

“I will make music among the nations because your faithful love is as high as heaven; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.” (57:9-10)

“I will sing of your strength! In the morning I will shout out loud about your faithful love because you have been my stronghold, my shelter when I was distraught.” (59:16)

“My lips praise you because your faithful love is greater than life itself!” (63:3)

“God has spoken one thing – make it two things – that I myself have heard: that strength belongs to God, and faithful love comes from you, my Lord…” (62:11-12)

“Bless God! He didn’t reject my prayer, he didn’t withhold his faithful love from me.” (66:20)

As a boy, David knew the Lord as his Shepherd who protected him from the lion and the bear. As a young warrior, David fought in God’s name and gained victory over the giant champion Goliath. As the youngest in his family, David was anointed by God’s spokesman as the next king of Israel. As a subject to authority, David trusted God to deal with a jealous king who tried to kill him. As a leader, David looked to God when those closest to him betrayed him and tried to destroy him. As a father, David cried to God through the horrible ordeal of the violent death of a rebellious son. As a sinner, David found forgiveness from the One he had sinned against. As a poet, David received songs from above that have inspired generations of believers.

When a man or woman lives a life with all its ups and downs and victories and failures, then honestly proclaims: “I will tell all who will listen of my God’s faithful love,” the Father smiles and says, “There’s my witness.”

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power , together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

We flew into the old Quito airport on February 15. Four or five days later that airport closed for good, so we flew out of the brand new Quito airport on February 22. We had a great trip! Thanks for your prayers!

Our theme for this mission trip was Love One Another. All the skits we created and crafts we prepared centered on this great command from Jesus. We realized early in our team meetings that it would be absolutely counter productive to carry a noble theme but fail to live the message ourselves.

We had a very diverse group of twenty teenagers from all four high school grades. We had five adults of different ages, and in a last minute addition, I was able to bring eight-year-old John. Differences often seem to bring barriers to love, but God intends differences to let his love shine all the more. We were all astounded at the unity and love He gave us.

Two very simple lessons were learned as we prepared and as we traveled.

First, we need to be intentional about loving. Our team made this our number one goal: ‘We must love one another.” Of course there is much more involved than just goal-setting and good intentions, but every single team member knew the importance of love and we knew we had to put love into action.

The second lesson is elementary but often forgotten. We constantly prayed that we would love one another. God is love. He is the Author of love. He pours out love through His Holy Spirit. Surely He smiles when we fervently pray that we love one another.

We got to love children and the elderly and the brothers and sisters we know in Ecuador. We also got to love one another. I think this is what we are to do everyday.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured his love into
our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

Why did Jesus give such high honor to the woman who anointed him? “She has done a beautiful thing to me… She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:6-9)

Why is her story to accompany the telling of the gospel? This woman’s action proved what she believed to be true: Jesus is worth everything! Of course the world will think such a person is crazy, but when we give Jesus what is most valuable to us, we are simply ‘putting our money where our mouth is.’

And it is not just the world that will misunderstand. “Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.” (Mark 14:4-5)

The closest followers of Christ were the most critical. “What a waste!” they said. But was it waste? My youngest brother is the smartest in our family. Many said he could have been successful at many things. But at a young age Brian believed God called him to be a missionary… so he has lived the prime of his life among the poor in Africa teaching people about Jesus. Some said, “What a waste!” But was it?

I suppose that when we see Jesus face to face we will all wish we had given Him more of ourselves, more of our energy, and more of our treasure. This woman saw Him and seized the moment. “I don’t care if you don’t understand, I love Him and I am going to pour out my best. I don’t care if you get angry with me, I am going to boldly do what I can.”

“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”Matthew 19:29-30

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man named Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’” Matthew 26:6-13

The ones we tend to declare ‘least likely,’ God might call ‘most likely.’ Had the disciples recognized the beauty of this woman’s thankful heart, they would never have criticized her. Had the disciples only discerned the times, they would never have interrupted such a holy moment.

Honest worship exposes a religious spirit. “Make a right judgment…” Jesus taught his listeners (see John 7:24), but how often our judgmentalism keeps us in the dark.

“This woman senses the valley I am entering; you guys are clueless. Love has motivated this daughter to pour out her most valuable treasure on Me; you guys don’t yet fathom the true meaning of love. What you call ‘waste,’ my Father calls ‘beautiful.’ Learn why she is most likely to enter his courts.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5