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Power Point:
I have to admit that for a large part of my Christian life, I was guilty
of judging others more than myself.
While ignoring the kingdom principles that were supposed to be growing
in my life, it just seemed easier to focus on the faults of others. That way, I would not have to look at the
obvious places where I was missing the mark on a daily basis.
Which is the greater evil according to Jesus? Who does Jesus focus on in any given
situation in which you are involved?
What is "above all things" most important to Jesus? What prayers does He pray over that person
that is SO obviously missing the mark? And what prayers is He praying over YOU
right this minute?
Beloved, we are to bring heaven to earth. What is in heaven? Total unconditional love.
We are to be the "salt of the earth". That means that we are to be the seasoning
that gives flavor to other people's lives so that they want more of Him, not
less. His love in us and through us is, according to Him, always the more excellent
way. We are to be the Light of the World so that when people are with us, they
get a glimpse of the Son.
This is what Love DOESN'T do:
Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head.
Love doesn't think more about how good WE are and how bad THEY are.
Love doesn't keep score of other people's
faults.
This is what Love DOES do:
Love cares more for others than its self.
It takes pleasure when the Truth sets someone
free.
It puts up with anything.
It always
trusts God to bring good out of evil.
It always looks for the BEST, not the
worst.
It never looks back but always grasps hold of God's vision of the future.
It keeps going until the end. It never dies, never gives up, and never
gives out.
If we are in Him, then Beloved, HIS love is in us in all its
fullness. He intends for us to grow in love and become Love. The fruit of His Spirit is love. Love is supposed to bear the fruit of Him in us. It is our great privilege to extend to someone a hand up, a fresh
word, a refreshing love. If you remember
the Father of the Prodigal Son, he knew the issues that his son was having, and
yet, he kept his eyes on the road where this child would eventually return. I
think he was praying ahead as he looked ahead.
His love was so pure and so
outrageous that it caused his other son to be jealous. He judged his brother bitterly, mostly by
thinking about himself first. (What about ME?!) The prodigal son had been
foolish but his brother had missed the mark even more grievously.
Jesus'
prayer for every one of His children is this:
"Beloved, I wish above all things
for your good fortune in everything you do, and for your health-that your
everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!"
Beloved, I wish above all things that you
would love one another as I have loved you.
Beloved, I wish above all things that you
would walk in the Spirit, walk in love, and bring heaven to earth.
Beloved, I wish above all things
that you would "Remember the root command, Love
one another."
The words "above all
things" means that BEFORE
you do anything else, you are to do what God has told you to do. He is
determined to make us aware of own hearts first. What He has told you to do is
to love with excellence. Does that mean that you ignore the lack of
fruit in someone's life? Absolutely not,
but in order to pray like Jesus prays, you are to pray for the fruit He has
placed in them to ripen and become good fruit that will remain. You are to bless and not curse. Your
words are not to be "idle words" of condemnation but prospering
words, encouraging words, believing words; even to yourself, especially to
yourself.
In every situation, God is most concerned with what is in YOUR heart.
Why? It is your heart that brings forth the treasures of the kingdom. Your heart is the soil for the seeds of the goodness
of God to grow up and out and change the world.
Power Thought:
Copyright © 2014, Suzanne Roberts, Unpublished Work.
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