Monday, January 16, 2012

Let love be

(Rom. 12:9) "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." In order for us to successfully minister to others, we ourselves have to learn the practice of "agape love." A love that is both sacrificial and unconditional. In the above verse we are asked to practice love without hypocrisy or insincerely. In other words our love for others is supposed to reflect the same type of love that Christ has shown to us. A love that has the continual mindset of forgiveness and long-suffering toward others. That's why we must continually remind ourselves how much Christ has loved us and forgiven us. Also if we're going to love others as we ought we need to learn how to practice good and not evil. If our focus is on self or on the things of this world we will practice evil, but if it's focused on the things of God, we will practice good. We must learn the difference. That's why the above verse says "let love be." It's a choice we make

Renew

(Isaiah 40:31) "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." The word "wait" in the above verse, means to "Rely upon or lean upon for strength." It would be a wise thing for you and I to evaluate our walk in 2012. Sometimes we forget that the source of our strength is the Lord. If we are weary in well doing, it's usually because we have left the side of the Lord Jesus for selfish reasons or the cares of this world. If you desire to see your strength renewed as an eagle in flight, or to run and walk with the Lord without fatigue, then you need to repent and lean upon Jesus again in 2012. (John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Let's not be disappointed in 2013 because we failed to renew our strength in 2012