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Friday, August 31, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Are you really a Christian?
This is one thing that has been on my mind a lot. There are a lot of people that are "Christians" and they feel like they're okay with God. Yet, when you look at how they treat others, it's so contrary to God's Word. Recently I listened to a speaker say that she prayed that God would give her His love for others. That is exactly what I have started praying!
You and I can call ourselves Christians all day long, but it doesn't mean a thing if we don't love other people. I don't care if they believe different than you, offend you, get on your nerves, talk about you, disagree with you, hurt you, ect. Notice how many times the word "you" is in that sentence. When you have a problem loving others, it's a personal problem because your life is all about "YOU". Lord help anyone that crosses you the wrong way or says something about the outfit you've got on. Really? People! Are we this shallow?
Sadly...yes. This is why I am DAILY praying that God would give me His love for people. Love is unselfish, yet many times, I am selfish. I am impatient, I am self-serving, self-seeking and not interested in those around me.
News Flash: People don't need our criticism. They need our love and prayer.
Please don't confuse love with acceptance...if you're offended because someone tells you they're worried about your spiritually, good. I hope you do get offended, that means there really is a problem and you need to fix it. Ha! That sounds harsh, I know. However, I looks back at the times when people "offended" me and honestly, it wasn't their words that offended me, it was the Word of God that I didn't like.
I have found that you can give someone truth in love and they'll still be offended because it's the truth. The old saying goes "Truth hurts" is very true. If it doesn't hurt, it's probably someone telling you what you want to hear and not what you need. I can think of multiple times I have been "hurt" over what someone has said, but because I loved them and respected their "opinion", I prayed it through and asked God to change me.
This is just the area God has been working on in my life. I need help in loving people. It's tough stuff. Because it means taking yourself down from your little pedestal of "perfectness" and realizing that life is not all about you and what you think. Rather, it's about loving people the way Jesus would love them. Taking time for people. Listening to what they say. Praying for them. Weeping for them. Reaching out to them. Hurting when they hurt. Rejoicing with them. Helping them.
Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. We really love ourselves don't we? Come on, admit it. You love yourself! I admit it. I am praying about this is my life and I hope you do too. What a sad life it would be if only lived for self. There's a whole world out there that needs you to love them and pray for them.
~This is me signing off~
You and I can call ourselves Christians all day long, but it doesn't mean a thing if we don't love other people. I don't care if they believe different than you, offend you, get on your nerves, talk about you, disagree with you, hurt you, ect. Notice how many times the word "you" is in that sentence. When you have a problem loving others, it's a personal problem because your life is all about "YOU". Lord help anyone that crosses you the wrong way or says something about the outfit you've got on. Really? People! Are we this shallow?
Sadly...yes. This is why I am DAILY praying that God would give me His love for people. Love is unselfish, yet many times, I am selfish. I am impatient, I am self-serving, self-seeking and not interested in those around me.
News Flash: People don't need our criticism. They need our love and prayer.
Please don't confuse love with acceptance...if you're offended because someone tells you they're worried about your spiritually, good. I hope you do get offended, that means there really is a problem and you need to fix it. Ha! That sounds harsh, I know. However, I looks back at the times when people "offended" me and honestly, it wasn't their words that offended me, it was the Word of God that I didn't like.
I have found that you can give someone truth in love and they'll still be offended because it's the truth. The old saying goes "Truth hurts" is very true. If it doesn't hurt, it's probably someone telling you what you want to hear and not what you need. I can think of multiple times I have been "hurt" over what someone has said, but because I loved them and respected their "opinion", I prayed it through and asked God to change me.
This is just the area God has been working on in my life. I need help in loving people. It's tough stuff. Because it means taking yourself down from your little pedestal of "perfectness" and realizing that life is not all about you and what you think. Rather, it's about loving people the way Jesus would love them. Taking time for people. Listening to what they say. Praying for them. Weeping for them. Reaching out to them. Hurting when they hurt. Rejoicing with them. Helping them.
Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. We really love ourselves don't we? Come on, admit it. You love yourself! I admit it. I am praying about this is my life and I hope you do too. What a sad life it would be if only lived for self. There's a whole world out there that needs you to love them and pray for them.
~This is me signing off~
Hello blogging world...
So honestly, I think I've wanted to blog for a very long time! I just haven't taken the time to set it up and get started. Well, today is a brand new day (ok that was a lie, it's actually 10:30 at night, guess that's when the best things happen).
Basically, this is for all of the things I would love to post about on facebook, but always seem to long! Plus I just want a vent place too...heehee! Also, I like to talk about God, about His Word and what He's doing in my life. Suuuper excited about this.
~This is me signing off~
Basically, this is for all of the things I would love to post about on facebook, but always seem to long! Plus I just want a vent place too...heehee! Also, I like to talk about God, about His Word and what He's doing in my life. Suuuper excited about this.
~This is me signing off~
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