Love?

Since I am getting to the age when I am starting to think about marriage, I started reading a book about preparing for marriage. And one of the things I am challenging myself to do as I read through this book, as part of my devotional time, is to look in the Bible and begin to understand what love really is.

Love is so misunderstood by our society. Honestly, I have found that I have fallen into this trap of love is a feeling, when it really is about a state of mind. We are told that love will fulfill all our needs, or that love is useless and stupid. But the reality is that love is a decision, it is not based on feeling. Granted, feelings can be part of what love is. But love should not be based solely on feelings.

According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient and kind. Love is never jealous, proud, boastful, rude, demanding of its way, irritable, etc. (To learn more, just read the passage. ;)

This type of love applies to all of our relationships... family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships. Love is a decision to be patient and kind, not jealous, proud, rude, etc.

We as Christians have been given a high calling to live in love, all the time, with everyone we meet. (John 15:12) We are to be a living example; we are to live in love, showing love to others, just as Christ has showed love to us. Here is a question to reflect on... if we really loved others, genuinely, in real and perfect love, how many problems of our world would disappear?

ACTION

• Be an example of love to those you meet.
• Reflect on your understanding of love. Then think about what love really is, and study it.
• Look up passages of Scripture that talk about love, and its real meaning.

Making the Most of EVERY Opportunity

Ephesians 5:16 "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." (NLT)

Ephesians is an awesome book of the Bible. I have to say, most anything Paul writes in the Bible is super powerful. But that is because it was inspired by our Almighty, Great and Powerful God. However, I am getting off track.

This verse tells us to make the most of EVERY opportunity. Not just some opportunities. EVERY opportunity.

What on earth does that even mean?

Looking at the context of the chapter, Paul is addressing how a Christian is to live in this world that is overcome by darkness, sin, and just plain ol' evil. Paul is warning Christians to not participate in evil deeds, but expose them. (vs 11) He warns Christians to be careful in how they are living. (vs 15) In verse 17, we are also told to not act thoughtlessly, but know what the Lord wants us to do.

There is always a way to make the most of every opportunity. When we are faced with temptation of doing some evil deed (let's say party or drink) we can take that opportunity to reach out to Jesus, and maybe even teach those who are around us about Jesus, and not give in to the temptation to sin. We can learn to say no to the temptation, and do the right thing; aka, make the most of the opportunity.

When we are tempted to live and act in a thoughtless way, (talking behind people's backs, being mean to others, etc.) we can think, "Is this something the Lord would want me to do, or approve of me doing?" Answering this question honestly can give you an opportunity to really decide whether you are going to make the most of the opportunity before you, or if you are going to make a poor choice, and live in a thoughtless and careless manner.

Let's bring this closer to home now. You are at work, and everything seems to be going wrong. Nothing is working out the way it should, and everyone is grumpy. YOU have a choice. YOU can decide whether you are going to fall into this grumpy and negative state of mind, or you can do what you can to make things better. Keep a positive attitude. Encourage others. Be kind and helpful. Don't let the grumpiness spread, but try to bring smiles and laughter back.

Maybe this was something only I needed to realize. Maybe this post was just for me. But, I think it is a valuable lesson for all of us to learn...

GO OUT AND MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY! :)