love, honour, respect

Been thinking a lot lately about respect. It is a natural byproduct of loving and honouring. If we start with the one who loves us most and give honour to Him, respect will follow. Respect of ourselves, respect for and to others, and of course it all starts with having a reverence and respect for the Lord.

Love the Lord.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22.37

Bring honour to Him.

“…Fear God, and give Him glory…” Revelation 14.7

And by respecting Him above all others, you not only will exude respect, but receive it as well.

Love, honour, respect – the winning combination this side of heaven. Use it, be it, do it and you will…

be.the.church

home – comfort and refuge

That is what our homes should be – a place of comfort and a refuge from all we daily endure out in the sin-sick world.

Are you doing what it takes to make your home this?

The Bible tells us: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.” Romans 12.18

Are you being a peacemaker?

Are you letting go of small grievances or annoyances so your home can be a comfort and refuge? A few days ago, I posted about how putting a tp roll on the ‘wrong’ way could be a point of contention. Don’t let it!

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/08/07/which-way-is-the-proper-way-for-the-tp-roll/

I Corinthians 13 has more to say about how we live our lives. If we apply the principles, our homes truly will be a place of comfort and retreat. After all, isn’t that what a refuge is? A place of protection, shelter, safety.*

I know that is what I want my home to be with those I share it with so I will do my best for them to see me giving my best to the ones who matter most – them!

Being the church and setting an example starts in the homes we make. Fill them with love, comfort, and peace. Then, they can become the place of refuge and retreat to refuel those who live inside the walls.

Take the time to savor the following words so you can apply them fully, seek forgiveness if need be, and use them to…

be.the.church

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

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

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13.1-13 NLT

Let your home be filled with all of the above and may our homes be places of comfort, peace, and love to refuel and retreat to – a true refuge of comfort: home. For any and every season, let your house become a…

Look back on these previous posts to learn more about how to love and communicate love with the ones you love:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/05/17/wedding-month-learn-to-communicate/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/19/five-love-languages/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/21/to-be-touched-or-not-to-be-touched-that-is-the-question/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/20/who-doesnt-like-a-gift/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/22/everyone-needs-a-little-encouragement/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/23/quality-time/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/24/acts-of-service/

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/25/love-language-recap/

*Dictionary.com app

this is the day

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118.24

This is the day!

The Lord’s day!

Ah, the sabbath!

What does it mean to you?

Do you break routine from the rest of the week?

Do you rest?

How do you keep the sabbath holy? Please, do tell!

I believe the sabbath is like breakfast and the weekend – breakfast is literally breaking from the fast from the night’s before sleep and the weekend well, it is literally as the word describes – the week’s end. So the sabbath is like a fast from the rest of the week and as it falls on the week’s end, it should be a time to refrain from working or doing the ‘normal’ activities of the other 6 days and rest or relax.

Typically, my family and I attend a service Saturday pm. I highly recommend you attend a service or two on the sabbath or sometime over the weekend. This will not only signify the week’s end, but it is a good way to start the next week.m too.

You will grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3.18)

You will be connected in fellowship with other believers who can encourage you and spur you on in your faith walk

You can serve the Lord by serving your local body

All these and more are great reasons for church going and not just attendance.

I could go on and on about the reasons the church is so vital and important to your spiritual life, but let me leave that for another post.

Just go attend a Bible believing and preaching church you can call home and get connected by serving.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10.25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Then for the rest of the hours a sabbath brings…

You can do yard work if that is not work or a chore to you.

You can take a nap or rest.

You can enjoy outdoor activities.

You can spend time with family, neighbors, or friends.

It is the attitude of the heart on this day that is important.

If we treat this day like all the others or work without a break, our bodies and minds become fatigued. We can get sick and be more susceptible to succumb to temptation.

Even if you are away (like I happen to be today), don’t forsake the sabbath.

Find a local church you can worship with for this week or take your family to a quiet spot and have your own service together. Just don’t forsake the sabbath.

Purpose in your heart to make the time for the sabbath then take it.

Our Lord is so deserving of our time and we can honor Him by keeping the sabbath holy. After all it is a commandment and we can be an example for others as they see us go to church to…

be.the.church

The sabbath is important day to recognize and observe. It should be treated as such. It is so important that it is one of the 10 commandments and helps us stay in right relationship with God. He even left the example for us to follow as He rested after He spoke the world into existence.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days you shall labour, and do all your work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, manservant, maidservant, nor cattle, nor stranger that is within your gates:

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20.8-11

The sabbath activities may look as different as every individual, but do observe it and ask God what it is He would like to see you do or not do on this day.

Remember, the Lord’s day and keep it holy.

ocean-view and book review

I am a noticer and what I often notice at a beach is inconsiderate beach go-ers.

Don’t be that guy!

You know the one who smokes downwind from you or the one who is so loud you couldn’t nap even if you tried. Or how about the one that shakes their towel out so sand goes all over yours and you! Again, don’t be that guy.

But, today I am not thinking of all of that. Although, it is important not to be those things. Today I am recalling a line from my favorite author Andy Andrews’ book called The Noticer.

It is all about perspective.

A homeless man asked another homeless guy what he saw as they shared a can of sardines and a coke. One saw just that, the other saw something different. He was eating ‘surf and turf’ with an ‘ocean-view‘. It truly is all in perspective.

Look for more than meets the eye.

Choose a happy countenance.

Choose joy instead of sorrow.

Choose to see the ocean-view any chance you get.

Some say don’t live wearing rose colored glasses. I say by seeing the world a little rosy, you will make life more enjoyable for those around you.

Do it!

Seek the ocean-view.

And…

be.the.church

Speaking of ocean-view, here’s a post from earlier this month about waves:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/08/08/the-waves-keep-rolling/

And another book review:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/02/19/five-love-languages/

summer rain

Do you like to hear the sound of heavy rain? I do. I also love the smell of that fresh fallen rain. I love to sit outside and watch the lightening brighten the earth.

I sit in awe of our Creator who delights us with His nature if we pause long enough to observe.

I encourage you to go outside and enjoy a good, loud thunderstorm.

Stand in awe of The One who made it all.

Feel the fresh breeze wisp your hair or the fallen rain wet your cheek.

Marvel at His handiwork.

“…He set a limit for the rain And a course for the thunderbolt…” Job 28.26

“He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses.” Jeremiah 10.13

“His mighty thunder, who can understand?” Job 26.14

When the Lord returns I do believe we will hear thunder roar.

Perhaps that is why I so love sitting to observe the thunderstorms that these summer nights bring. It helps me anticipate the Lord’s return. I do hope you are ready to meet your Maker. If so,

be.the.church

to those around you so they too can become a part of His kingdom.

If not, reach out. Jesus is as close as the mention of His Holy name. Simply cry out to Him with sincerity and faith. He will forgive and you will be a part of His everlasting kingdom. Don’t delay in putting off salvation. Today is the day! (2 Corinthians 6.2) Now is the moment! If you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, tell someone about it even here in the comments. It will be a day of rejoicing.l and we want to rejoice with you. The Bible says there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 10.7 paraphrased), but there is joy here on earth too as others will celebrate your decision.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kV5iZBTNYrk

complete healing to the hurt

God wants you to forgive others who have hurt you. He wants complete healing for your heart. When you harbor hurt, unforgiveness builds. And when unforgiveness builds, you can not be used as mightily.

And here’s the thing, you not forgiving hurts you more then the one you have unforgiveness for.

My prayer for you today is for you to forgive if need be so you can have complete healing in your heart.

You are a child of the most high God. Make sure you are acting like it. Fix your crown when needed, then march on in righteousness.

Daily strive to not only forgive but commit to forget and love others as you want to be loved. Then, the whole world will see you…

be.the.church

“… be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for you…” Ephesians 4.32

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and by the prophets.” Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭

“tell the truth to everyone whenever you can”*

This will help you be at peace with others.

“Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 ERV

Another version says it this way: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NLT

Are you doing all you can?

Are you doing the best you can?

Lying will not help you live in peace with everyone. It has been said that honesty is the best policy. Would you agree?

If so, I recommend you…”tell the truth to everyone whenever you can.”

And you know what others will see you be? The church of course! So, go…

be.the.church

Be honest, trustworthy, and a person of your word as you live out what it means to have integrity.

*a line from the movie Yesterday which I highly recommend.

the sting

On a bike ride, I was warming up so I opened up my jacket a little at the top. Just enough to let a little wind in but still closed enough to keep me protected if an accident occurred.

There I was minding my own business enjoying the ride when bam. Something stung me.

I was stunned!

I was shocked!

I could not imagine how something could even get in to reach my skin let alone sting me.

At first, I thought it was a stone or something else that kicked up from the street, but the sting wasn’t going away. We stopped and I iced it hoping the pain would be numb enough for the long ride home. It worked for awhile. But, that sting stung for some days to come.

It got me thinking. The sting is like sin. At first, we can’t imagine how the sin entered in or how we were tempted by it. We might even justify it, call it something else, or even make excuses for it. But, before we know it, it has moved in to stay and that is a sting worth worrying about.

The Bible gives us clear instructions on what we can do if we have been stung by sin:

Run: “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2.22

Be content: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have…” Hebrews 13.5

Confess and repent: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1.9

Be careful who you surround yourself with: “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15.33

Look for the way out of the temptation/sin: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10.13

Keep an eye on your heart: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4.23

Keep in the direction of the narrow path: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7.13-14

Just do the right thing: “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4.17

As you daily strive not to be stung by sin and follow all of the above, you will be a shining example of what it means to…

be.the.church

so the world can see a shining example of a Christ follower.

Don’t ever let sin cloud your example and keep others from knowing God.

may this really make us think….especially after the recent shooting tragedies*

Steve Jobs died a billionaire…at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer… with a fortune of $7 billion …..let’s imagine what some of his last words may have been…

In others’ eyes… my life is the essence of success… but aside from work… I have little joy. And in the end…. wealth is just a fact of life to which I am accustomed.

At this moment… lying on the bed… sick and remembering all my life… I realize that all my recognition and wealth that I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death.

You can hire someone to drive a car for you… make money for you … but you can not rent someone to carry the disease for you.

One can find material things…. but there is one thing that can not be found when it is lost – “LIFE”

Treat yourself well…and cherish others.

As we get older we are smarter… and we slowly realize that the watch worth $30 or $300 – both show the same time.

Whether we carry a purse worth $30 or $300 – the amount of money in the wallets are the same.

Whether we drive a car worth $150,000, or a car worth $5,000 – the road and distance are the same… we reach the same destination.

If the house we live in is 300 square meters… or 3,000 square meters – the loneliness is the same.

Your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.

Whether you’re flying first class…or economy class – if the plane crashes…you crash with it.

So… I hope you understand that when you have friends or someone to talk to – this is true happiness!

Five Undeniable Facts

1️⃣ Do not educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. –

So when they grow up they will know the value of things… not the price.

2️⃣ Eat your food as medicine… otherwise you will need to eat your medicine as food.

3️⃣ Whoever loves you will never leave you… even if he has 100 reasons to give up.

He will always find one reason to hold on.

4️⃣ There is a big difference between being human and human being.

5️⃣ If you want to go fast – go alone! But if you want to go far – go together.

And in conclusion…The Seven best doctors in the world…

1️⃣ God

2️⃣ Family

3️⃣ Exercise

4️⃣ Rest

5️⃣ Self Confidence

6️⃣ Sunlight

7️⃣ Nutrition

Keep them in all stages of life and enjoy a healthy life.

Whichever stage in life we are at right now… with time… we will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure love for your family… love for your spouse… love for your children …

Treat yourself well. Cherish others.

Love the people God sent you…one day they will return to Him.

I pray if they don’t know Christ, you help them find their way before and then together we all will…

be.the.church

*no idea who the author of most of the above is or who really said those things above but thought it was worthy to post here and contemplate the contents – no plagiarism or dishonor to original author intended and I do hope Mr. Jobs knew of Jesus and accepted His love and forgiveness before passing from this life to the next Regardless if he was the one who said the above or not – just you be ready to meet your Maker

a.s.a.p.

It was on a church sign and I thought it odd until I read on: always say a prayer.

ASAP means not to delay and praying is always on time. Of course, the acronym really means as soon as possible, but isn’t that what we should do in the midst of a crisis.

A lways

S ay

P rayer

A s

S oon

A s

P ossible

Yep, that’s the ticket and good advice to heed to no matter what life throws at you. Be grateful for the rainy seasons, dry spells, and times of plenty. And always say a prayer whether it be a prayer of thanks for blessings or a cry for help from worries. God is just a prayer away and He always answers on time. Sometimes it is yes, other times no or wait, but be rest assured He will answer! So, keep an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving in your heart and He will guide you each step of the way.

Aren’t you glad we do not have to…

be.the.church

alone?

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4.5

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18 NLT