The Greatest Of These is Love

1 Corinthians 13:13 -- “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

This is one of my favorite holidays because it can be so much fun. Putting the mass marketing of little sugar hearts, massive amounts of chocolate (see it’s not all bad) and the tons of different designs of valentines treats for the kids aside, it is ultimately celebrating love.

There is a lot of love in the Bible. God’s love is the greatest love imaginable. His love covers me despite my mistakes and my faults. God wants to save me and be a part of every detail of my life no matter how small.

Those conversational hearts, the cards and even the chocolate (especially if I have anything to do with it) are only temporary. They provide only temporary happiness and then are gone. (Sad but true.) However, God gives us three things that will last forever -- beyond this day, beyond this world; they will last throughout eternity -- Faith, Hope and Love.

Our faith in God is knowing that He wants what is good for us and that He will always provide. Hope in God, that no matter how bleak things look right now that there is something better on the horizon; and the best hope of all, that we will spend eternity with Christ. And then the greatest of all of these is love. Our love for God above all else and our love for our neighbors -- our friends, family, acquaintances, strangers and humanity as a whole -- are God’s greatest commandments.

How are you showing your love today?

Dear Lord,
I hold these truths in my heart. I thank you for the love you showed us to send your son to die for our sins. I lift up any and all who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that you will touch them. Open my heart to show your love in ways big and small to day and every day.

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You Just Have To Ask

James 1:5 -- “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

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Are you someone who dislikes asking for help? I know I have my not so shining moments in this area. However, sometimes we really need help and the only one holding you back is you.

James tells us to ask God and He will give to you. He is speaking of wisdom -- this is not only knowledge, but knowing the right way to go and actually going that way, this is the discretion to choose wisely in difficult circumstances. You do not have to stumble or feel confused -- God will show you the way, if only you will ask Him.

I believe the second part of James 1:5 is very important, “He will not rebuke you for asking.” Sometimes our fear in asking for help is that we will be scolded or laughed at in our concerns. This is not true when it comes to talking with God. He knows our hearts -- better than we do -- and all He asks is that we trust Him and show humility in asking so that He may help us. If we are too stubborn to ask for help then we will be too stubborn to receive help as well.

It doesn't matter how silly or shallow or insignificant we feel our request is, God finds it important and is ready and willing to help us as soon as we direct our attention away from our circumstance and onto Him.

Dear Lord,
Open my eyes and my heart so that I will not fear asking you for help and guidance. I ask that you ready my heart to receive your answers.

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Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Furry Legos

Zoey and I were playing with her Legos and we looked over to find this scene! My thought was "Furry Legos!" I'm sure his thought was "King of the Box!"

Join me in some Wordless Wednesday fun and Link Up!

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It Takes All God's Children

Hebrews 11:40 -- “For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.”

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God has a plan. His children, all Christians, are part of that plan. Though we can all have personal relationship with Him and he has a plan specialized for each of us as individuals -- He also has a plan for us as a whole. God intended for the Christian community to be a solid unit, to look after each other and to celebrate and worship together.

This connection goes far beyond prejudices -- sex, race, nor any of the details matter to God when He calls on His people. We are all His children. Do you see your Christian neighbor, friend, enemy in that light? We are all God’s children -- we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

I want to take it one step more -- Hebrews 11 is often known as “Faith’s Hall of Fame.” All of the great men and women of faith throughout the Bible are mentioned, from Abraham to Moses to David and many in between. Do you understand what Hebrews 11:40, the last verse in the chapter, is saying?

These great names, who showed great faith, has yet to receive all God has promised. They, all of these famous Biblical names, will not reach perfection without us! That means you! As a Christian, your name is in Faith’s Hall of Fame. It takes everyone of us, the community made up of God’s children to reach all that God has promised us!

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The Lord Guides Us

Exodus 13:21 -- “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.”

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Do you ever feel like you are wandering in the wilderness? It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of the everyday. But even then, the Lord is our guide.

Exodus 13:21 tells us that the Lord went ahead of the Israelites and guided them while they were in the wilderness. He provided a beacon so His people could follow Him by day as a pillar of cloud and by night as a pillar of fire.

The Lord still goes ahead of us and guides us today. It will probably not be as a pillar of cloud or fire, but God provides beacons for us to follow. It may be an encouraging friends, a passage of scripture, or even just a gut instinct.

God still guides us, the question is do we still listen, and if we hear Him do we follow? God’s ways are often subtle and His voice gentle, but that does not distinguish His Almighty Power. We must push away our distractions and focus on Him. By listening to God and following His guidance we will be blessed and find peace.

What is God trying to tell you today?

Dear Lord,
Open my ears to hear you and open my heart to follow Your guidance.

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