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in Love

Love Bears All Things

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SCRIPTURE

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” - 1 Corinthians 13:7

 

OBSERVATION

Love is an “all-in” proposition. There is nothing moderate, lukewarm or temporary about it. It is a radical, extreme, throw-your-heart-over-the-line, die hard commitment. Paul uses the adverb “all” to describe how comprehensive the reach and extent of love is. First of all, it bears all things. It means to keep confidential, cover, pass over in silence. It is a term that would describe covering or enclosing in such a way that would keep something undesirable from coming in i.e. water into a ship. Love then puts a lid on any untrue thoughts or negative assumptions on a loved one. It silences passing judgements on people’s motives. 

 

APPLICATION

Just as the captain of a ship must be vigilant to enclose and keep water out so that the ship does not sink, I must be equally watchful to enclose negative thoughts from sinking my heart. Put a lid on all thoughts that are false, dishonorable, unjust, impure, not lovely, not commendable and not excellent (Phil. 4:8). Discipline my thought life and silence negative things about those I love. Stop entertaining things that are not excellent but instead think about and meditate in praiseworthy things. Bear all things and discreetly cover the shortcomings of my loved ones. Whether it’s family, church staff or congregant—pass over all dishonorable thoughts in silence and cover with grace and unconditional love.

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being love! Lord help me to go for broke and go all-in for unconditional love. Thank you for bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring all things for me on the cross! May I live out in love what I have bountifully partaken and received in Christ. Holy Spirit please strengthen me to love you first, then Renee and the kids, and then your people. I love you so much! Maranatha!

Posted by John Danganan with
in Faith

Fire on the Earth

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SCRIPTURE

I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. - Luke 12:49-50

 

OBSERVATION

 Erroneous thoughts of Jesus are thrown out of the window when we encounter him in Scripture. Fallacies of a tame savior or domesticated Lord are shattered when we come to Jesus as he is. Jesus is a wild messiah who has come to cast fire on earth. There is a steep price for the baptism of fire, suffering and death that Jesus paid for in obedience to the Father. He expects no less for those whom he died for in his followers.

 

APPLICATION

What happens to Christ happens to those who are in Christ. To be saved is free but to be a follower of Jesus costs. I need to rekindle my allegiance in following my wild messiah. Death to flesh i.e. discipline my body and keeping it under control is a daily price I pay in following him. Walk out with vigor God’s word for me for 2019. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for meeting me this morning! I come to you as you are—Savior, Lord, the Christ. You are worthy of my everything. I love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. I give to you my heart and my allegiance. Holy Spirit help me to serve you with all my might in Jesus name. Maranatha!

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