Correct Attitude to Others - Part 3

Greetings:

“Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12: 10 (HCSB)

Philostorgos. Family affection. The love that is between a parent and a child.

God says that we are to view each other the way a parent looks at their child – or the child looks at their parent. We are to have the correct attitude toward others as if we are a part of the same loving family. And, as believers we are. The word picture here is that it is to be mutual. I need to love you as if you are my child or parent. You need to love me the same way. Easy? Sure. As completing Calculus in 3 easy lessons.

If it was natural to man to be this way – God wouldn’t need to tell us to do this. It takes work on our part to love each other as family members. Today – see each person that you come in contact with as a family member. Then remember what a mentor of mine used to say – “I’m family – you gotta love me.”

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

April Memories

Greetings:

April for me is one of many and various memories. Both good and not so good. I believe that April is a month that God chooses to work on me.

46 years ago in April, He wooed me and I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I can still visualize that Sunday morning, where I was, what was happening, and who God used to lead me to Him. And, I can honestly say that I have never regretted the decision to accept the free gift of salvation that God offered me.

19 years ago I was ordained as a minister of the Gospel. In 1980, I was licensed and recognized by my association of churches as a minister, and after assuming the Pastorate at Trinity in Rockville, they ordained me to the full measure of Minister in April of 1989.

Two years ago, it was April when my father suddenly passed away. Two weeks later, my Mom's oldest sister Dot died, and two weeks later my Uncle Gary died. I performed three funerals for close family in a six-week period. God spoke many things to my heart during this time.

So, each April I listen to hear what lessons God wants to teach me. How is He going to grow me. How is going to impact my life at this time? I hope that you will take time to listen and seek out God's voice this April.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Correct Attitude to Others - Part 2

Greetings:

“Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12: 9 (HCSB)

How did you do with the idea of “flawless” love? Paul goes on to challenge us to find evil horrible.

He challenges us to see the real nature of evil – it is diseased, wicked, full of hardship. And when we see this nature – to have a horror at the very thought of it. As the Holman translation says – detest it. Find it horrible. Find it beyond what you can stomach. Do we do this? Or, do we sip it slowly and savor the taste?

God then speaks through Paul and tells us to join oneself to that which is excellent, distinguished, upright, honorable . The word used in the Greek carries the idea of being glued to it. I always picture the old Superglue commercial where the guy glues his helmet to the steel beam and hangs from it. He puts his full trust in that bond. God wants us to become so attached to that which is excellent that we would be ripped apart if we tried to separate from it.

Today – see if you can glue yourself to that which is good – and stay away from that which is wicked.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

The Start of a Rough Time

Greetings:

Today is April Fool's Day. A day of practical jokes and enjoyment - but for me, it brings a flood of memories.

Two years ago on this day, I received a frantic call from my mother in the hospital. It had been hours since my Dad had left home to come visit her - and he had not appeared. We quickly rushed to Frederick, and began a week of events that I will never forget.

My Dad was suffering from dementia - and had lost his way. For a frantic 24 hours we searched for him. He had virtually disappeared from the face of the earth. When we lose something, we can be frustrated. When we lose an important person, we become paniced.

All night long, I thought about how important this person was to me. I spent hours reflecting back on the many memories of my Dad. To be honest, I think he was the greatest Dad a person could ever wish for. And, I wondered when was the last time that I told him how important he was.

He was found the next day, but later that week he would pass away. I will reflect on that in the coming days. I want to encourage you today - in the midst of frivolity - let those important to you know that fact. Don't be a fool today - don't wait until you can't share with others what they mean to you.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Correct Attitude to Others - Part 1

Greetings:

We have studied Romans 12 so far and discovered the correct attitude toward God – complete devotion, the correct attitude toward ourselves – humility, and now let us muse over the correct attitude toward others –love.

“Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12: 9 (HCSB)

Love.

Poems are written about it. Songs are sung about it. Everyone wants to receive it. God is love. God gives love. God commands that we love one another. Paul starts this final section of Romans 12 with the word the word love. This section dealing with Christian ethics, with the correct attitudes that we should have toward others is boiled down to one word – love. He tarts by reminding us that love should be unfeigned, sincere. Without any hypocrisy.

The word we use sincere – comes from a Latin phrase that means “without wax.” When the potter would fire a pot, sometimes small cracks would develop. The potter would fill these with wax, and the buyer could not tell that they were flawed – until the hot sun or fire would melt the wax, and the pot would be useless. Our love should withstand the heat. We should be without flaw in our love toward others.

Today – see how many ways that you can give “flawless” love to those around you.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc