Soul Inspired: Real Love (Part Three)

Who among us can exemplify Christ-like love toward others? For the most part, in navigating the hustle and bustle of our lives, we are consumed with self. A self-absorbed, self-centered society, such as we live in, can leave little room for caring for or about others. Yet, scripture clearly states that we are to love others (our neighbor) as ourselves.

Jesus Christ has a great compassion for mankind. In chapter 9 of the Book of Matthew (v.36) Matthew writes, "When He waw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." In my early years as a Christian, I realized I lacked a heart-felt concern for mankind. I prayed, asking God to give me a burden for others. I asked, "Where is mine?" His answer to me was, "Pray! The more one prays, the more he will feel the burden himself."

Have compassion toward others; pray for them. Love your neighbor (others) as yourself.

And to God be the glory!

 

 

Soul Inspired: Real Love, Part Two

 

"I love you" is one of the most longed-for and cherished phrases of all times. Those three little words are profoundly powerful; life changing in magnitude. However, real love is extended and experienced through action; not by the mere expression, "I love you." Of utmost importance is the fact that all believers have a mandate to love. Real love begins with an act of will; we are to choose to love.

Real love is the essence of the great commandment that Jesus taught of in Matthew 22:37-39. When questioned as to which is the great commandment, Jesus answered, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Real love can be witnessed. It can be seen; it is love in action. Long ago, in Old Testament times, the LORD said, "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT) And, in the New Testament, in Romans 5:8, Paul, an apostle of Jesus, stated, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Chapters 14 and 15 of the Book of John are replete with examples of love in action.

• If you love Me obey my commandments. (14:15)
• All who love Me will do what I say. (14:23)
• Remain in My love. (15:9)
• When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love just as I obey My Father's commandments and remain in His love. (15:10)

Jesus' mandate, "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you." We can know real love, and what it looks like, acts like, because Christ died for us. To esteem others above yourself, to put them first, is the exemplification of real love.

And to God be the glory!

 

 

Soul Inspired: The Good Life in the New Year, Part Five

 

During His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructed the multitude to seek first the kingdom of God. The previous four segments of The Good Life in the New Year culminated with the road to 'the good life' being paved by putting God first. In this fifth and final segment, the focus will be on the 'how to' and practicality of putting God first day to day.

You might still be struggling with what it means to put God first in your everyday living. Simply stated, you put God first by:

• making the things of God a priority over your activities, ambitions and desires, and
• adopting His will as the motivation behind all you do.

No doubt, putting God first will require you to choose what is of God over what is of this world. Questions can be useful and enlightening in demonstrating whether the choices you make put God first. Ask questions that test the choices you make; with the objective of determining their worthiness; whether they are of temporary or eternal value. For example, some questions I've asked myself are:

• Am I spending more time - watching television or engaged in activities centered around God? Read Psalm 119:37
• Do I spend more of my discretionary income - on worldly pleasures and goods or in ways that support God's priorities? Read Luke 9:25
• Do I place more importance on taking care of - my physical body or my spirit? Read 1 Timothy 4:8

The road to 'the good life' is paved in relationship with God and His priorities; His salvation for you and others and your obedience to Him. Travelling along the road to 'the good life' will require you to focus (and re-focus) your efforts and entanglements away from the things of this world and place them on the things of importance to God. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will bless you with 'the good life'.

And to God be the glory!

 

Copyright 2013 Destination Sonshine

Soul Inspired: Living The Good Life In The New Year, Part Three

As the new year begins to unfold before you day by day, do you find yourself actively working toward achieving the goals you set for this year? By far, the most common goals set are commitments to take better care of our bodies; to exercise, lose weight, eat healthy, to just slow down a little . . . the list goes on.

As you work toward achieving your goals, it is vital that you adopt the proper perspective as your motivation. It is vital that you give first place to God's purpose for your goals. For example, first place is given to God's purpose when the goal of achieving an improved body stems from a desire to become an all-around better child of His. Second to God's purpose, the motivating factor can be desiring a better body merely for personal reasons.

Pray for the wisdom to apply God's purposes as the motivating force in all you do. Giving God's purpose first place establishes His Lordship over your circumstances. God will enable you to fulfill your goals when they are in line with His will.

And to God be the glory!

THE GOOD NEWS: The immeasurably significant promises and benefits of God are available to us once we beome a child of God. If earthly parents pour out their all to their children, how much more will God, the heavenly Father, bestow upon His children? NEED TO BE SURE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD? Free information is available via email request to: DestinationSonshine@yahoo.com

Soul Inspired: Living The Good Life In The New Year, Part Two

 

We are regularly faced with making decisions that impact the five key areas of everyday living; relationships, finances, health, work and one’s spiritual life. Needless to say, the decisions we make in these areas can either be to our benefit or to our detriment. Consequently, we need to be intentional when faced with reaching decisions; intentional because wise decisions are rarely, if ever, arrived at by accident.

Wisdom and wise decisions are the result of being intentional in practicing the foundational principle of putting God first in all you do. It is a foundational principle because putting God first establishes His Lordship over your circumstances. Determine today to put God first in every area of your life.

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 ) and if you draw near to God He will draw near to you (James 4:8). As you put God first in all you do, you will increase in wisdom and you will move forward into the good life that He has planned for you.

And to God be the glory!

 

important note:  Everything that God has to offer us is available to His children; those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Need to be sure you are His child? Additional information is available via email request to: DestinationSonshine@yahoo.com

Soul Inspired: The Good Life in the New Year

photo credit: Artiom Degel and Conrad Levac

The Good Life in the New Year

 The dawning of a new year presents the promise of a fresh start; the opportunity for another chance to do 'it' right or better; the occasion to pursue a long-time dream; a time of new possibilities. For many, a new year ushers in a renewed focus on one's desires, dreams and ambitions.  Hence, New Year's Resolutions . . . perhaps you have made a few. You might even be counted with those of us who, over  the years, have made a few and failed at a few. Even yet, you might be counted with those of us who, after continually failing at New Year Resolutions, have since dropped the label - but still embrace a focused approach toward a better life as we embark on a new year.  

 There is a foundational principle that, when put into practice, will fuel your efforts toward living a better life. This principle will cause you to succeed in every area of life. It is the principle of giving God first place in all you do. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3) Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

 Put God first in all you do and you will have success in the new year!

And to God be the glory!   

Soul Inspired: Savor This Holiday Season, Part Two

 

 

Significantly more meaningful than the allure of the festive meals and the giving and receiving of gifts is the true reason for the Christmas holiday season: the birth of Jesus Christ.

 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21)

 In the midst of the whirlwind of holiday activity, take time to reflect on the fact that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.

 Savor this holiday season . . . And to God be the glory!

Soul Inspired: Savor This Holiday Season

Deborah, who will be contributing our Soul Inspired posts has some thoughtful words on celebrating the season's true meaning. 

 

 In the midst of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and festivities, it can be so easy to lose sight of the reason for the season: it is in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Savor the season in whatever way you choose; attend a Christmas service, reflect on the story of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:1-21), mediate on the wonders of Almighty God becoming man for our sake.

 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)  Enjoy the holidays . . . and to God be the glory!