Love!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 NIV). 

I was thinking today about "love never fails". And that even though sometimes we may not feel like loving others or want to love them if we pray and let God reform and work in our hearts and let His love sink in that love can't fail us. It won't let us down and it won't let others down. No matter what evil has been done to you it was also done to God and we ourselves have committed some sort of evil against God too. It clearly states to not repay evil with evil. Well I work with kids every day, and there is one boy in particular that I love but that can't get so angry so fast and it seems like we can't stop him. He literally NEEDS to get his anger out. It can be scary and although not all adults lash out in physical violence they do tend to repay evil with evil.  Our vengeance may just be to gossip or spread rumors and that is repaying evil for evil. Saying slanderous things about a person is sin and very hurtful. Preventing those people from future oppurtunities is not what Jesus would choose. They choose in their hearts to not love that person anymore. They say I don't care about them anymore and I want God to punish them I want them to get what they deserve. Did Jesus say that when the people He was dying for were murdering Him? No, He said Father forgive them. It hurt Him so badly not only physically but emotionally too. And yet He was not mad at us or want to repay us. I think of Elisabeth Elliot whose very own husband was murdered by people for reasons only God knows. She wasn't bitter or vengeful. Instead she continued to love those killers of her husband and follow in her husbands footsteps. She and her daughter lived with those same people. She fed them and clothed them and most importantly loved them. And the reason she could do all of that? She didn't become obsessed with her own problems and struggles but instead turned to God and cried out to Him and she knew His greatness and holiness. She let there be a river of love flowing inside her and she just could notj contain it! 

I believe it is also important to be ready to be wherever God has you but also be ready to be humbled and share in others joys and rejoice with them without jealousy. And pray and love others who are not as blessed as us. But not thinking wow I am so glad I don't have to live this way but instead saying how can I use what I have to show them the mightiness of God. And saying Lord if you call for me to live here or in worse conditions I WILL remain faithful to You. I will not be bitter or turn away but I will love others with all I NEED, You!!

Finally I love "cling to what is good."  What is good is God. Cling, latch onto, grab a hold of, remain in God! Stay away from evil or any gray areas and say God you are greater than this temptation you fill my thirst. If I am in a desert you will provide my way. Don't waiver from the ways of God. It seems simple but it is Very very very difficult at times! Let God overcome you and all your struggles don't let Satan take control of your life win the battle, it is so worth it! I am praying for God to win over your lives!