| Blogs > marbella3 > The Word For Life. |
|
Blooming for Jesus Bible in a Year: Psalms 40–42 Acts 27:1–26 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 Today's Scripture & Insight: John 13:31–35 I wasn’t truthful about the tulips. A gift from my younger , the packaged bulbs traveled home with her to the US from Amsterdam after she visited there. So I made a show of accepting the bulbs with great excitement, as excited as I was to reunite with her. But tulips are my least favorite flower. Many bloom early and fade fast. The July weather, meantime, made it too hot to plant them. Finally, however, in late September, I planted “my ’s” bulbs—thinking of her and thus planting them with love. With each turn of the rocky soil, my concern for the bulbs grew. Giving their plant bed a final pat, I offered the bulbs a blessing, “sleep well,” hoping to see blooming tulips in the spring. My little project became a humble reminder of God’s call for us to love one another, even if we’re not each other’s “favorites.” Looking past each other’s faulty “weeds,” we’re enabled by God to extend love to others, even in temperamental seasons. Then, over time, mutual love blooms in spite of ourselves. “By this,” Jesus said, “everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Pruned by Him, we’re blessed then to bloom, as my tulips did the next spring—on the same weekend my arrived for a short visit. “Look what’s blooming!” I said. Finally, me. Reflect & Pray Whom is God asking you to love, even if that person isn’t your “favorite”? What can you do to show that person more of the love of Christ? Dear Jesus, prune my heart so I can learn to love others in Christ. 
|
|||
|
Jesus gave us a wonderful example of love while He was here, among the people. He showed that love by being with the sick, the outcasts, the crooked tax collectors, and even prostitutes. He treated them all with kindness and compassion, even those who mocked Him. Unfortunately today, some who call themselves Christians, treat others with contempt because they are not Christians or don't believe just they way they do. Sadly, they harangue and condemn others, causing people to shun them and want nothing to do with the God they say they serve. How can we say we love God, yet spew hate at people He has created in His image? Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
|
×
×