1 Corinthians 13:3

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 

This entire chapter is often used in marriage ceremonies, the love chapter of the Bible.  It has taken me much longer to truly learn about how love works than I would have wanted it to.  To understand God's all encompassing love is a difficult one.  How can he love me and hate my sin when my sin has become such a deep part of me?  How can I love so completely that I can look beyond someone's sins and teach them that God loves them, that I love them through God? .... but still disapprove of the sin?   If I don't love that way, I gain nothing!

Love is being able to speak the truth in such a way that the person may hate you for what you say, but know that you weren't speaking it in hate, but through the love of God.  Love for God is knowing him so well, that I would give whatever he asked of me so that His word and love would get through.   

 

To learn this principle is the key to being his child.  Oh that my love would increase. 

Philippians 4:12-13

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 

 

I'd like to say I know what it is like to be really in want.  But, being an American, I can't even begin to compare myself with people that are in Haiti right now, enduring so much devastation.  I do know what it is like to be morally wanting.  I know what it is like to have plenty to share and to share it.  I know what it is like to want to have His strength to endure. I know that the secret to being as Paul has described is to KNOW that God is ready to help you through whatever it is if you are HIS.  And that is what gives peace no matter what the situation. 

Matthew 26:31-33

Matthew 26:31-33

Then Jesus told them, 'This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ''I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.' Peter replied, 'Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.' 

 

Oh the sorrow Peter must have felt. I don't even have the physical look of Christ's disappointment to look me in the eye as Peter did. And yet, he does look at me and he sees beyond the physical.  Right into my heart, into my soul.  I feel the sorrow of him looking at me when I do something that he wouldn't like.  When I don't corral a thought or when I don't do something I should.   I'm so glad he has arisen!  

Isaiah 54:10

Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. 

 

In these days of earthquakes and tsunami's this is great comfort!  Nothing can move God from his love for me.  Nothing I can do will remove his love from me.  I may move from him, I may make bad choices, I might shake my world to the core, but I choose to do those things.  He doesn't remove his love or compassion from me. I do.  

One of my favorite quotes from a movie is, "Some things are true whether you choose to believe them or not."  Nicolas Cage says that in the movie City of Angels.  I have it on my facebook page.  Another similar quote from the recently cancelled TV show Pushing Daisies where the PI Cod says, "The truth is not a litter of puppies running around until you pick the one you like.  There is only one truth."  God is like that.  He is true and we can choose whatever we like, but the truth is we have to Choose HIM.  He is there waiting to have compassion on us when our world is shaking we just have to turn and look. 

Thank you God for having love, peace and compassion for me.  I need it every day.

Malachi 3:17-18

Malachi 3:17-18

'They will be mine,' says the LORD Almighty, 'in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

 

I so hope that I am a treasured possession to him.  That I am the son/daughter with whom he will be compassionate.  That I am among the righteous and not the wicked.  I am confident that I am most days.  But, I know I can't earn my way there and I'm so grateful for the grace that he mentions in this verse. 

Mark 1:9-11

Mark 1:9-11

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. 

 

What pride God must have had in his son to say that to him.  I know that anytime my parents said they were pleased with me, I stood a little taller.  How much more will it be for me when God says that he is pleased with me and welcomes me home.  

 

I also wonder sometimes why there is a battle between religions over baptism.  Why would we not do what Jesus did?  It is the example he gave us. 

 

There are many more examples that Jesus has done that I want to follow as well. 

 

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

So many things we cause by our evil desires.  Here God says he has given us the very power to escape that corruption and evil desire.  I pray that I always avail myself of the option to depart an evil desire and run through the escape hatch he provides instead of just hanging around and see if he will pluck me out of it.  I need to run through the door provided.