Shifting focus to Mark chapter 12, we read that Jesus gave two specific commands on love. First, love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second, love each other. He summarized the law of God and encompassed the entirety of the life to which He was calling His followers. It seems basic but difficult to live out.
To break it down a little further, we can see that with our heart our allegiance is drawn. In our heart we feel and it’s the source of expression of love. With our soul our character defined. It is where you decide between choices. In the mind our thoughts and beliefs are constructed. It is where you think. God wants us to think, that’s why He puts choices in front of us. Having faith in God doesn’t mean we stop thinking. In our strength our actions are carried out. It is where we physically interact with the world around us. However, we will not last for long if depend on our own strength to get thru each day. We need His power and strength to face the battles of life. It takes energy and our energy is the Spirit of God.
When you bring these components together in life, it means centering our lives on Him on a daily basis. That takes a daily commitment which involves focus and discipline. Can we or are we ready to make that commitment?
Loving others is not easy. Loving ourselves comes naturally to us. It takes a choice to love others – a commitment to reach out and engage them. Can we or will we love others? True love is in and through Jesus Christ. True love in Jesus Christ is everlasting. He was sacrificed for our eternal life. Can we at least live our short lives on earth for Him, loving Him and loving others around us?
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
LOVE IS IN THE AIR - PART 1
It’s February, there’s snow on the ground (all over the U.S.), and we can see red all around us. Red balloons, stuffed animals, boxes with chocolate inside, etc…This is the month for “love” as per the holiday calendar. Save me a piece of chocolate. The world has transitioned from the birth of Jesus – Christmas – to focusing on a day named after a “saint” Valentine. From the ultimate to the “passionate”.
The Bible’s central theme highlights true love, the sacrificial and self-giving love of Jesus Christ. In 1 John chapter 4, we read about this love. The source of love is God himself. God is love. There is strong language there that says that if we don’t love, we don’t know God. We walk around thinking we “know” God but still cannot love – we’re just fooling ourselves. As He is the source and we had the privilege to receive and accept this love, we cannot be satisfied with that alone. The Dead Sea has no life because there is no way for the water to flow out of it – it just collects the water from the rivers. There is no outlet from this sea. We cannot just be collectors but providers and givers of the love of God. When we love God, ourselves, and others we are giving this love a channel to operate. When that love is in operation, God’s love is being shared and He is glorified.
Jerry Maguire uttered the famous line, “show me the money” in relation to getting a sports franchise to pay one his athlete clients the most money to play for them. God didn’t whisper sweet nothings into our ears, but He shouted it with the act of having his only Son sacrificed, killed, slaughtered like a lamb, for our eternal salvation, deliverance, healing, and victory. Even while we were sinners – liars, cheaters, scammers, haters, etc. – He loved us so much to die for us. We show our love with gifts that have a limited price and value - flowers, teddy bears, jewelry (oh I meant watches), etc. The world today defines love with sex, touchy-feely affection, great looks and material wealth. But heaven defines love with sacrifice and relationship. One symbol is not a heart with an arrow thru it, but a wooden cross with a sign on top, three nails, blood stains, flesh, sweat, and tears. That was our gift and that gift is available to all of humanity. Are we presenting it thru the love we showcase in our lives?
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
The Bible’s central theme highlights true love, the sacrificial and self-giving love of Jesus Christ. In 1 John chapter 4, we read about this love. The source of love is God himself. God is love. There is strong language there that says that if we don’t love, we don’t know God. We walk around thinking we “know” God but still cannot love – we’re just fooling ourselves. As He is the source and we had the privilege to receive and accept this love, we cannot be satisfied with that alone. The Dead Sea has no life because there is no way for the water to flow out of it – it just collects the water from the rivers. There is no outlet from this sea. We cannot just be collectors but providers and givers of the love of God. When we love God, ourselves, and others we are giving this love a channel to operate. When that love is in operation, God’s love is being shared and He is glorified.
Jerry Maguire uttered the famous line, “show me the money” in relation to getting a sports franchise to pay one his athlete clients the most money to play for them. God didn’t whisper sweet nothings into our ears, but He shouted it with the act of having his only Son sacrificed, killed, slaughtered like a lamb, for our eternal salvation, deliverance, healing, and victory. Even while we were sinners – liars, cheaters, scammers, haters, etc. – He loved us so much to die for us. We show our love with gifts that have a limited price and value - flowers, teddy bears, jewelry (oh I meant watches), etc. The world today defines love with sex, touchy-feely affection, great looks and material wealth. But heaven defines love with sacrifice and relationship. One symbol is not a heart with an arrow thru it, but a wooden cross with a sign on top, three nails, blood stains, flesh, sweat, and tears. That was our gift and that gift is available to all of humanity. Are we presenting it thru the love we showcase in our lives?
Enjoy The Ride,
Cecil
Monday, February 1, 2010
2010 - Leap Into Action - PART 2
...CONTINUED
2. Simon passed the quiz so its time now for a test. Jesus asked him to launch out into deep for a catch. In 2010, we need to launch our lives out into the deep. Its not easy and it might be scary but know that we have a "life vest". It is the presence and promise of God. He directed us to launch out and in that case, He will be with us!
Jesus told him to cast YOUR net, not someone else's net! There are so many types of nets we see around us: fishing net, soccer goal net, basketball hoop net, mosquito nets, etc... Each one is different in terms of strength, make up, and purpose. Each of us has been given OUR NET - its different in strength, purpose, and make up as well. You dont have to try to cast out your friends net or your loved one's net - but just YOURS. Reach your circle of influence with YOUR NET. You have a special gift - Use it in ACTION in 2010!
Enjoy the Ride,
Cecil
2. Simon passed the quiz so its time now for a test. Jesus asked him to launch out into deep for a catch. In 2010, we need to launch our lives out into the deep. Its not easy and it might be scary but know that we have a "life vest". It is the presence and promise of God. He directed us to launch out and in that case, He will be with us!
Jesus told him to cast YOUR net, not someone else's net! There are so many types of nets we see around us: fishing net, soccer goal net, basketball hoop net, mosquito nets, etc... Each one is different in terms of strength, make up, and purpose. Each of us has been given OUR NET - its different in strength, purpose, and make up as well. You dont have to try to cast out your friends net or your loved one's net - but just YOURS. Reach your circle of influence with YOUR NET. You have a special gift - Use it in ACTION in 2010!
Enjoy the Ride,
Cecil
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