Love Blues

New International Version (©1984)
When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,

This week I am dealing with the idea of obligations. It is so much easier to ingnore the world and stay in ones little hole. However the satisfacation of frienship and fellowship is not found by oneself. But the minute a person gets involved in what might appear the smallest of committment all of a sudden there is an obligation. These obligations mean there is something that needs to be done. Time to be spend on projects that may not be all that important to the worker and money to be spent in ways not desired by the giver.

Jesus shows revealed that he had the ability to heal and then swarms of people expected him to use his power to heal. I believe he willingly healed people, yet he got tired. The people seemed demanding and made it Christ's obligation to heal. Today we pray for healing. Are we the same as the people in Christ's day. I hope that we put our hope in God's will and that his will is to heal those we know and love. We shouldn't expect healing, just because we know that God can give it. We should hope that he will heal due to knowing that He loves us.

That is also why we complete our obligations. Because we care. Christ healed, because he cared. So next time you have a job to do that you don't care much about and money to spend on a cause that you didn't pick. Remember it's all done because you have a heart like Christ's...one that cares. When we struggle with the caring keep in mind that Jesus commands us to love. Loving isn't always easy and it isn't automatic. It's a choice. When we ask for help to love God provides that too.

So ask for the ability to love and I hope you'll find that all of a sudden those obligations turn into our own desires.

Gentle quiet spirit

New Living Translation (©2007)

1Peter 3:1-2
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

1Peter 3:4
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Psalm: 119:54-56
Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived. I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD; therefore, I obey your instructions. This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.

Dearest Lord, Heavenly Father and King your precious word teaches me today that you value a meek and quiet spirit. That I am to honor my husband by having this spirit around him and toward him. Forgive me for I so often am not living a godly life, but one of a aggitated, annoyed and angry attitude. Seeking my own way and that which I say I hold dearest isn't even in my thoughts, you, My Lord. By dwelling more on your law I can become the person you want me to be. Set my life in order, clean up my attitude so that I may be an instument in furthering your kingdom. In the Name of Christ Jesus, Amen

Suffering

If you suffer for going right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you. This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retalieate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:20b-23.

Dear Lord,

You gave us your all. You died on the cross for us and we celebrate your gift of life. Thank you for teaching us, by your example, how we are to suffer. That even though we may not be suffering here in America they way that others are being persecutted around the world our time of freedom is drawing to a close. That is what we fear. Please give us the insight to help others who are suffering. Give the persecutted church strength and your power for endurance. In the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen.