Messengers of LoveWritten by Joyce C. Lock
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 Sometimes, it seems God asks nearly impossible; His standards being so high that average week kneed, belly aching, fearful person could never obtain (defeating ourselves even before we've begun). Perhaps, we don't listen carefully to what He said. Jesus didn't say we had to "give up" our lives, like victims with a gun pointing to our head. It's rare that anyone actually faces a life or death situation to protect a friend (aside from war). What Jesus did mean was to lay our life down, willfully, dying to self to meet a greater need; which only counts when done in love. When a phone call comes at 2:00 a.m., where distraught seeking counseling, put aside your need of rest. When you have in mind a shopping spree except you see another without shoes, consider their need first. When you've planned a getaway weekend but your friend has emergency surgery, a house full of children, and no one to care for them ~ put off your plans.
| | Our GiftWritten by Joyce C. Lock
If you knew you were going to stand before God, today (not in judgment, but meeting your very best friend) ... is there a gift you would like to present Him with? Do you plan to meet Him empty handed? Maybe you have a gift for God already. Perhaps, you never thought about it and would like to. What would be truest statement of your love? What type of service are you passionate about? Find answer. Then, head in that direction. And if you still do not know, walk in direction your heart leads and God will take you there. It does not matter if God calls you to little or a lot. (Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. Let weak say, "I am strong," most necessary part. He meant it!) What brings inner completeness is serving in center of God's perfect will (Lu. 12:50), wherein there is joy in that He empowers us to do so much more. Consider His promise ... "And every one that hath forsaken houses (churches), or brethren (religion), or sisters (family), or father (leader), or mother (counselor), or wife (soul mate), or children (followers), or lands (positions), for my name's sake (when He calls you), shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
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