Reflection

Years ago I read a book by Dr. Gary Chapman called “The 5 Love Languages”. These 5 languages express ways that we show and receive love, through: 1. Words of affirmation, 2. quality time, 3. gifts, 4. acts of service, or 5. physical touch. By knowing our love language, we get to know ourselves better which makes connecting with others easier in different kinds of relationships. As today’s scripture encourages to love one another, I find this to be helpful for us to know how to love people in practical ways.

I think about the unexpected gifts I’ve received from people, some I might not even know well but they gave me a gift when it’s not my birthday or Christmas. I think of the kind people who volunteer to help me without my asking. I think of friends who greet me with a big hug, even when I saw them often yesterday.Someone who complimented me on a project, someone who calls and says “Come over for dinner tonight!” etc…I’m sure you also have been on the giving and receiving end of these random acts. To me, these are not just acts of friendship or human kindness, but ways that God shows His love through people. These acts may stretch me beyond my comfort zone a little bit, because the command is to love everyone, even strangers. Therefore, this verse teaches another aspect of loving people, which is INTENTIONALITY. We may never know how our seemingly small gesture can affect someone else. Other people watch us all the time, and hopefully what we do will cause people to see Christ in us – and God gets the glory.

You can find out what your love language is by taking a short quiz at: www.5lovelanguages.com/

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

This psalm began with David crying out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  These very same words were uttered by Jesus when he was on the cross.  David’s cries made up this messianic psalm that foretold about Christ (see vvs 16-18), which brings the promise of hope and deliverance.  We read here that God has always intended to save not just His people, the Israelites, but ALL people.  Even if the ends of the world had forgotten about the Lord, there will come a day when they shall remember, and turn back to Him.  In my mind, I see masses of people gathered together and suddenly, a bright light floods the sky.  This light is so bright, that, while shielding their eyes, the people look expectantly upward to behold this light, which is the glory of God.

We look forward to this glorious day, when ALL of God’s creation will worship Him again and be ruled by Him.  No other god can make this claim. Hallelujah

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

Let it be known that Jesus laid down his life by his own accord. Though part of the plan of the Father, Jesus fully accepted this mission and voluntarily submitted to the Father’s will. Secondly, he knew even in advance that this mission would be both the taking of and the raising back up of his life as commanded by the Father. So why then the struggle in the Garden of Gethsemene? In previous passages this week, we’ve read about the goodness of being in an abided relation with the Father. Jesus had never known anything other than this goodness until those moments where he experienced the sin of the world cast upon him. For it was never about the pain of death, but the pain of not being in the presence of the Father that would so unbearable to Jesus. Though Jesus knew he would rise again he also knew of the real pain and suffering it would be to bear the sin of the world and have the Father turn his face away, if even for just a moment.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

Pertaining to this verse, BibleRef.com states that “The influence of the Holy Spirit is proof that one is saved.” John writes here that obedience is closely linked with abiding and that it is proven by the evidence of the work of Spirit in your life. This passage is a likely starting point for the formation of the sinner’s prayer; accepting Jesus as Lord and savior and into your life and heart. The amazing thing about accepting Jesus into your heart is that the work of the Holy Spirit can be instantaneous. A person can be completely transformed in the moment they accept Jesus as Lord and encounter the Holy Spirit. The power of God can immediately change your life, countenance and withstand the waves that life often brings. His Spirit changes us and sustains us for the road ahead.

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

This is the confidence in which we can have in the Lord; that we can enjoy a luxurious meal in the face of those who are against us! What a bold mockery of the enemy and what a great assurance we have in his right standing. Not only can we stand in this assurance but we are also blessed immeasurably. To have our “cup overflow” means that it is just not full, but to the brim and running over! When we are saved and living in His grace, he does not ration out His grace and salvation in measured increments, no, He pours them out over us in abundance and fullness. He is the lord of full-sufficiency and when one comes to Him and is saved, they receive in fullness and then some!

Thoughts for the day

Reflection

Growing up as a third-culture kid, a child of political refugees in the United States, we were very much a paycheck to paycheck family. I remember sitting with my dad on his bed as he was paying bills and deciding which bill to pay first that week from the never decreasing stack of bills. But you know what, even though we grew up with less, I never once lacked for anything. There was always food on the table and more than enough for two servings. The electricity never went out and we always had a warm bath. Sure, I wore second hand clothes for much of my young life and never had the cool new thing (video game, bmx bike, skateboard, etc.) but those weren’t essential things so to go without them was not really lacking. To lack is to go without essential things such as food, water, shelter, clothes and family. I had all those and grew up a very happy child. Psalm 23:1 does not promise us that God will provide all the things we ever wanted in life, it does something better, it promises that God will provide all the essential things we need in life

Thoughts for the day