A Root to Kill

 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

 It is a fact; we need money for food, clothing, housing, medical needs—they are not free; it costs to live in this world. The warning here is not having money but to long for and love it.

God supplies our every need, and we should rest content in His provisions. We didn’t bring anything into this world, and nothing goes with us when we leave it behind. Lustful desires entice us daily and, if not watchful, will draw us away from God’s goodness. When our soul’s enemy sees someone unsatisfied with God’s provisions, willing to do whatever it takes to gain wealth by this world’s riches, he will bait his hook accordingly to oblige. He will snare that person by their yearnings and fulfill the flesh's desires—caught by the tempter (James1 :13–15).

In mentoring, Paul taught Timothy true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth, warning him about the dangers of greed. Those who long for riches are vulnerable to harmful desires’ entrapment that causes some believers to turn from the faith, falling into grief and sometimes destruction because they craved wealth. Timothy was to teach the wealthy not to trust in their money but God and guard themselves against pride; to do good, be generous, and willing to help others in need instead of hoarding riches. By doing so, they would store up true riches for the future. 

Paul’s admonition is for us also. We must never set our hope and security on the uncertainty of riches but on our trustworthy God who, without fail, supplies our every need.

Perfect Harmony

 “And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”  (Colossians 3:14)

 We dress for each day in an orderly fashion; we don’t put on shoes then socks. In this passage, the apostle Paul instructs believers about the importance of our daily “wardrobe,” saying the most significant action is to put on love. But to what “things” was he referring? With what should we clothe ourselves, with love as the greater significance?

God is love. God chose us. God demands that we be holy as He is holy. To live in holiness, we must first clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (v. 12). We should respect the fact that other people have faults, just as we do. If someone offends us, we should forgive them, just as God forgave us (v. 13). After donning these “garments,” the most excellent attribute we wear is the garment of love.

Let’s be honest. What good is a covering of love on a person concealing a selfish, rude, and hateful, prideful, and unforgiving heart? None. From such, God will not receive glory. So, what are we to do? Just as we usually clean-up before putting on fresh clothes, we are to “put to death the sinful things lurking within” (v. 5 NLT): sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, greediness, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, dirty language, lying—these are things of our old sinful nature. Rid yourself of them!

When we dress correctly, love will bind us harmoniously together with fellow believers. If you don’t love others, you don’t know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8). Perfect harmony will not only honor Christ but also usher in His peace.  

Set Apart and Purpose-driven

 “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee. . .” (Jeremiah 1:5)

From the moment of conception, your life-journey began. Before God created anything, He knew you. He knew the day you would be born, and He knows the day you draw your last breath. He formed you, you exist for a reason, you have a purpose, and God deeply loves you.

Although God spoke the words of this passage to Jeremiah, calling him as a prophet before he was born, bask in the truth and the beauty of God’s great love for us. “Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy [that is so that we would be consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight” (Ephesians 1:4 AMP).

Creator God planned before the beginning of time for His prized creation’s adoption into His family. Our part in His plan is to say “Yes” to His gift of deliverance and salvation made possible by His unconditional love and grace through the blood of Christ. Once adopted into God’s family, we have the privilege of fellowship with our Maker, to love and serve Him, and when our time on this earth has ended, we have the promise of eternal life with Him. 

As God’s child, you are God-gifted, set apart, and purpose-driven for service. Your life’s purpose is to obey and carry out the Father’s will with those gifts. Wherever He plants you, serve faithfully, fulfill your calling, stay moldable, grow, flourish, and bear fruit in God’s name for His glory.

The Big "If"

 ". . . We will come unto him and make Our abode with him. . ." (John 14:23b)

 God is so longsuffering with us, isn't He? What will it take for us to "get it”—the fact that He loves us? Why do we doubt His love or sometimes miss His activity in our lives? The Bible gives us a clue: Jesus said those who love Him have and keep His commandments. Those who love Him, the Father loves. Jesus said He loves those who love the Father and will show Himself to them (v. 21). The more we love God, we will recognize His activity.

With the cross looming before Him, Jesus reinforced truths He taught His disciples over their three years of ministry together. Time was running out—He would soon leave them. They needed to "get it" before He completed His mission.

When Jesus announced His departure, His disciples had questions. To Judas’ question, He said, "If a man loves Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23), adding that people who don’t obey His words don’t love Him. Jesus said He spoke the Father’s words, not His (v. 24). How can we express to God our love for Him? By keeping His words, accepting the gift of Jesus. Jesus gave the disciples (and us) a new commandment to love one another just as He loved them (13:34). By showing this kind of love, the world would recognize them (and us) as His disciples.

A familiar song’s lyrics say that the world needs love. But rather than a "feeling" kind of love, this place God created needs genuine love, God’s love. Out of God’s great love, Jesus completed His mission on earth when He died on the cross for us and kept His word by taking up residence within each of us who said "Yes" to God’s offer of salvation. The promised Holy Spirit stays with each believer until we meet the Father face to face. That’s God’s, unconditional love. The thought for today is, where do you and I stand with the big “if?” We know the requirements.

Is All Well?

 "Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you. . . The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:3–5 NLT).

 God's message, delivered to the Israelites before entering the land of promise, is the same for us today. Parents were to instruct their children and obediently live out God’s commands every day. As the family sat at home, traveled, went to bed in the evening, and when they woke in the morning, God wanted His Word taught and followed (vs. 6–7). Did you notice the promise for obedience? All would go well with them (v. 3).

Think about the repercussions of neglecting to obey God's commands carefully. Is there any wonder why families are in crisis today? Sadly, in many households, children rule the home rather than the parents. Church attendance depends on what activities are on the calendar. Electronic devices have overtaken everyday communications. How diligent are you to teach your children to love God and obey Him? You may be thinking, but that was the Old Testament times. Yes, it was, so let’s fast-forward to the New Testament.

When the scribes asked Jesus, which commandment was the greatest, He replied by quoting the same passage in Deuteronomy, adding: "And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:39–40). All of God’s commandments hinge on two: Love and obey God, and love others as yourself. Are you diligently teaching your family to love, obey and serve God wholeheartedly, and love others? “. . . Be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you.” Is all well with you?

Three Things

“And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

 Love is one of those words in the English language that is “all over the place” in meaning, usually associated with feelings. We love God, family, friends, pets, chocolate, coffee, vehicles, house, clothes, hair, job, seasons, holidays; this list is lengthy. But the Bible is clear about love. As Paul instructed Corinth's church about spiritual gifts, he focused on love (charity), agape—God’s love. He said people who could speak different languages; had great wisdom; were godly, sacrificial, generous, and caring gained nothing if love’s attributes were missing:

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude.

Love does not demand its way.

Love is not ill-tempered nor keeps records of when wronged.

Love doesn’t rejoice about injustice but rejoices when truth prevails.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures. 

Agape lasts forever.

Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest is God's love.

Lover of My Soul

 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16–17)

An unattractive little caterpillar spins a cocoon around itself and stays encased until it breaks out, as a beautiful butterfly. We, as sinners, are bound like that butterfly. But unlike the butterfly, we cannot break free of sin’s binding death-grip. Only the sin-cleansing power of Jesus’ blood can set us free and put us in right-standing with God. And once in Christ Jesus, God makes us new; the old is gone (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the Holy Spirit of promise eternally seals us as His child (Ephesians 1:13).

God’s love story is unlike any other. He sent Jesus to earth for the world’s salvation; God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die in our place so we would not perish in our sin. Jesus, the only way for eternal life with the Father, yielded to His Father’s will, dying for you and me. The Lover of my soul is unmatchable and indescribable—my mind cannot understand such love. 

February often stirs thoughts and gestures of love: flowers, candies, cards, gifts, and sometimes marriage proposals and weddings. As you think about love this month, remember the most extraordinary love story ever told of God and His Son.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God . . .” (1 John 3:1a)