I really liked my Journey this morning. It spoke of a wife who wanted to bring joy to her husband; he enjoyed golf; she knew nothing about it; she took lessons; she learned; she surprised him. She got a surprise too in the process. With each lesson she prayed; with each day she kept in focus her love for John and the joy she desired to bring him.
As we said yesterday, this is Passion Week and this morning’s Journey although “Passion Week” is not mentioned I see it there. I see scenes of Jesus; the cross heavy upon Him; His physical strength and blood flowing from Him and yet He keeps on and on….all the way to the Cross. Why? Because He has in focus His love for me — His love for you — and the Joy He and we will have when the Price is Paid and You and I are redeemed! Oh, What a Savior!!
But what was her surprise? She said her prayer life blossomed and she began to see more and more ways to show love to others. She said: ‘Although the world doesn’t commend us for being selfless, God’s Word says that His Love will be perfected in us when we love others. Believing in God to develop the innermost being changes outward responses to others. Therefore, through the acts of love, love is grown, perfected and released outwardly again’ …..and again and again.
Now, some of us don’t have husbands or maybe we have “stinkers” for husbands and bringing joy to them is not what we have in mind…. Change your mind! And for those of us who have no husbands… Look around!! There is a world of people who need us to do what Jesus has called us to do … Love one another.
Ephesians 4
32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 5
1 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
What did that say??? Esteeming and delighting in one another! Oh my! Even the stinkers??!! Read the rest… As Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. Want to smell good to Father?…. Love — even to the “stinkers” and be kind to them! And just for extra incentive … Remember this is Passion Week — play that scene again in your mind — see Him! See Him under the weight of that cross, yet continuing on — all the way to Calvary; where He willingly lay down on the cross so you and I could LIVE! Yes, we can love those “stinkers” and we can be kind for Jesus sake, we can!!
Father, Passion Week — what a week that was for You — Jesus what a week that was for You and yet You did it. I want to see You Lord; I want to see You. And thank You one day I will see You; I will see You in that flesh and bone body that was weaved and formed and developed in the womb of Mary, birthed and grew to PERFECT MAN, FULLY GOD. Thank You, Jesus; thank You. And Thank You Holy Spirit that even though our physical eyes do not see as yet You have given us eyes to see and hearts and minds to KNOW. Oh Father God thank You; thank You. I have brought my people to You already this morning, I bring them again for strength that our faith in You fail not…not one of us; that we all come to You at our appointed time and we hear You say … “You did good!” Thank You Lord and we proclaim now for all who will hear — You are God and we love You.
And Father much has changed in four years since the writing of those devotional words and prayer; thank You. Thank You for where You have placed me today and with whom; You are AWESOME Father. And Lord for the ‘stinkers’ in our lives, help us love them.
Father, this morning we are thinking of the Kinard Family, Lyndee was only 24 and tonight her Mom and Dad will greet family and friends as we offer comfort but Lord we know that only You can give real comfort to them and we trust You to do that and we are believing that Tommy and Sandra are leaning upon You and receiving Your Comfort even now. Thank You for the years here that You gave Lyndee and thank You more for Eternity with You.
There are others listed here continuing to grieve the physical death of loved ones and for them we pray continued comfort and grace to grieve in holiness. For these listed here we come and we pray for them – thy will be done Lord. For our IDOK Troops we thank You for protecting them today and we thank You that Hawk and Lyndon are Stateside again; we pray for happy and holy reunions with their families. For our Troops who are yet on foreign soil we trust You to protect them in mind, body and spirit. We know that You love them and are caring for them and we thank You. Thank You for the grace and mercy You continue to give to America and we pray for the peoples of America today that You will pour out conviction and grace to repent. We continue to watch the election process and we are grieved that we have no choice about whom we can feel good. Our Hope is only in You Lord. We pray for Pastors and Churches, revive us Father for Jesus sake.