Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Isn't it Truly all about LOVE

Ever been in a situation where you were feeling a tug at your heart strings or were getting the slightest nudge to do something and you absolutely had no idea why? cuz it wasn't something you would normally choose to do and if the truth be known you didn't really want to do it anyway!

Then those tugs and nudges turn into pulls and shakes and you KNOW you are not getting out of it that easy....you just know that this is God, and he is at work...and you are right smack dab in the middle of whatever work he has going on at this minute. Oh Boy! Here we go! Hold on!

This happens quite frequently in our lives. The question is how often do we ignore it, play dumb, or pretend we were imagining things? OR are we obedient and eventually led kicking and screaming directly to the task at hand? Hmmmm, Me? Play dumb?

In Deuteronomy 30:16 The Lord says, "I command you to love the Lord, to walk in HIS ways, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws...."

Wow, can I truly walk in His ways? Can I be obedient and act upon every situation as he directs?

In Matthew 25:35-40 (paraphrased) Jesus says, "I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you clothed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you came to visit.....Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Well, there you have it!

In my direct situation God asked me to reach out to a recovering addict-one that others have attempted to help numerous times. Knowing this, "God, what can I possibly do? I don't have money to hand out, I don't have extra cars to be borrowed, what can I offer this very lost soul?" - - "LOVE", He said and "LEAD"

"Really God, you're sure"? - I already knew the answer.....

Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in abundance of counselors, there is safety.

I took my new friend to breakfast before church one Sunday and handed her a Jesus Calling devotional (I had been holding it for just the right person). After breakfast she took the very uncomfortable step back to our church; where everyone knew her story or had invested time in her.

That was 2 1/2 months ago and except for one very tiny relapse, she remains clean today.

God says in Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in LOVE. Honor one another above yourselves.

and in Colossians 3:12-14 - "As God's chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience....And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them together in perfect Unity.

It is truly all about LOVE, a love like Jesus has for each one of us!

4 comments:

  1. Kelley,
    Thanks for sharing how it really doesn't take much to love like Jesus. What a blessing you are!

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  2. Yep, love like HE loves! We as Christ followers need to love those who think they don't deserve it, NONE OF US DO! He paid the price for each and everyone of us no matter how many times we mess up HE is right there!

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  3. Great Job, Kelley!!! Sadly, we live in a culture that compares our sins and celebrates others failures! Noone is beyond the compassionate gaze of Our Savior and none of us is more (or less) deserving of His grace. When we pick someone up ("The least of these") and go with them to the foot of The Cross, two lives are changed!

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    Replies
    1. Jimmy, thanks for all you do to pick up (The least of these) and carry them to the cross. It is truly CARRYING them to the cross ~ they are unable to make it on their own. You have taught me so much and I am thankful for you, my brother in Christ.

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