All posts tagged Love

Kindbold: A simple act of kindness that requires some boldness

I created a new word: Kindbold. It is an act of kindness that requires varying measures of boldness. Example: introducing yourself to someone sitting alone in the lunch room. It’s kindness because they have someone to sit with, and it requires boldness on your part. It’s not holding the door open for someone. That is an act of kindness, but doesn’t really require any boldness.

God has used kindbolds a lot in my life. Some of the people that I have had the most impact on are people I have met or really deepened friendships through a simple kindbold. Here are a couple of examples:

  • I sat with a guy who I had seen in our dorm, but never met, over breakfast. And two years later, after we had both moved off campus and didn’t really see each other anymore, he stills remembers that first time I pulled a kindbold and sat with him.
  • One time my roommate and I were riding our bikes home, we had broken expectations and were just frustrated at each other. He stopped me and started a kindbold by asking a hard question and being vulnerable. This has been one factor in our great relationship today.
  • Sharing your story and the story of the gospel are great examples of kindbolds. This requires varying amounts of boldness and really is showing your friend kindness and love.

When we are looking for kindbolds to perform in our everyday routine, my experience is that God uses your willingness for his glory. Kindbolds. A simple act of kindness that requires some boldness. Keep your eyes open for them.

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by browery on November 20, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith
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Posted by browery on November 20, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/kindbold-a-simple-act-of-kindness-that-requires-some-boldness/

What are you filled with?

Ephesians 5:18-19, “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord”

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit.” As a drunk gets drunk on wine and no longer is in control of their actions, so we are called to be filled by the Spirit and no longer in control of our actions.

We were discussing about this verse and the question, “what does it mean to be filled?”, was thrown out. I love my friend’s response, “When we are filled, there is no room for anything else because we are full.” So when we are filled with the Spirit there is no room for our selfish desires, no room for friends and family to control us, only the Spirit. Not that we can’t do what we love or be influenced by others, the Spirit isn’t against those things, but we can always put them aside and follow where our filling leads.

An 86 year old man who is still energetic for Christ told us how he fills up with the Spirit every day. In the morning he asks God to be in every part of his body–God, I pray I would only see the things your eyes see, I want to go where you want me to do, so you control my legs today–that’s one example of how this man fills up and is controlled by the Spirit.

Do you fill up with the Spirit? And what does it look like?

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by browery on October 4, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith
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Posted by browery on October 4, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/what-are-you-filled-with/

Are you bonefide?

(Romans 12:9) starts like this, “Let love be genuine.” I’ve been thinking about this lately. How does our love for one another become genuine? Paul is writing to the Romans and has already broken down the gospel and in this passage he is writing about what a real Christian looks like. Other versions of this verse say “love must be without hypocrisy.” It is interesting that this is the first mark of a Christian that Paul mentions. Remember that the greatest command from God is to love Him with all your soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-29). Let this love be genuine; toward God and people. Here is the opposite of genuine. Hypocritical, dishonest, fake, unreal… Followers of Jesus prove their genuineness as they willfully give all for the one the believe is true. Luke 9:3-6 gives an example of how willing Jesus’s followers were to give all that they had to follow their savior and bring the message of salvation to the world. Another example of a guy who was willing to give his life for the advancement of the gospel is Stephen in Acts 7:54-60. To be genuine does not necessarily mean to go die for what you believe in, but rather to be willing, in every way to let go of self and cling to God, even if that means death. This is the only way we can truly love, and truly be genuine and real. I realized a long time ago that I cannot love without God. In fact, when I was lost in sin I hated people. It wasn’t until I began clinging to God that I was able to show love and mercy to those around me.

Now, I want to ask myself this question… Is my love for God genuine? Do I wake up every morning a hypocrite or a bonefide follower of Jesus Christ? Check the rest of Romans 12:9-21 and Luke 9:23.

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by browery on September 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith
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Posted by browery on September 25, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/are-you-bonefide/

Plant a seed – Be a link

photoHow sweet a story when God uses someone to share truth with an unbeliever. This summer I was asking the Father to open my eyes to the opportunities He has presented to me. A friend of mine struggled with the thought of not sharing as much as he felt he should or could. This thought was strait from the devil. He recognized this and took it to God. As I said, we began praying. After a couple of weeks Him and I volunteered  at an English camp. While there something wonderful happened. Our prayers were answered, our eyes were opened, and we saw opportunities, and we were emboldened by the Holy Spirit to share.

We planted but a seed in the lives of those we were privileged to share truth with. Whether the whole gospel, a story, or the example of our lives. We may never see the fruit of our labor or someone saved, but we know the Father loves these people more than we do and He has a plan for their lives. In fact He was at work in their lives before we even met them. In a long chain of life events the Father has used us and many others to be a link of truth or Christ like love in the lives of our friends.

The question is: will we, as believers, be faithful to planting seeds and being links of truth and love in the lives of those around us, no matter the circumstance or how we feel?

 

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by browery on August 4, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reaching the Nations, Stories
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Posted by browery on August 4, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/plant-a-seed-be-a-link/

Lebanon’s Openess to Syrian Refugees

360px-2013-03-02_Gravestone_without_name_fallen_teddy_bear_symbolising_child_and_children_killed_by_war,_stone_with_painted_syrian_flagListen to what Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s ambassador to the U.N., says about the situation in Syria. “Pressures are mounting, and the needs of the Syrian refugees may surpass Lebanon’s capabilities,” said the ambassador, “(Lebanon) will not close its border in front of refugees fleeing violence and destruction, and we will not stop delivering aid.” This warmed my heart as I read it. Bravo Lebanon!

Many other countries are closing their borders to Syrian Refugees. They are closing their borders for great reasons. They are not willing to risk the stability of their countries because of Syria’s problems. They aren’t being jerks; they have already accepted thousands of refugees but there is a limit to their welcoming.

According to an article by The Japan Times, Lebanon has 4 million people. By the end of this year there might be 1 million Syrian refugees. Talk about selfless love.

So often, as believers, we are willing to accept some refugees, we are willing to sacrifice a fair amount but eventually we close our borders. Jesus sacrificed everything. Everything. And He knew it was coming. Two thumbs up to Lebanon. Let’s be Lebanons in our lives. Let’s give until we surpasses our capabilities.

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by browery on July 25, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Ethne, Reflections on Faith
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Posted by browery on July 25, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/lebanons-openess-to-syrian-refugees/

Reality of Discipline

Proverbs 5-23

For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
– Proverbs 5:23

Solomon doesn’t play games. This is the writing of the wisest man in the world (according to the bible), and he writes “without discipline they will die!” Seriously!

Discipline: “Train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.”

Every athlete has to be disciplined. And why are they disciplined? Because they love their sport. They love the glory, the competition, the adventure of the sport they compete in. Is that any different in our lives? We love our Maker and so we are disciplined in ways that will increase our knowledge and relationship with Him. It’s not that we are doing it to gain His love or acceptance; rather it’s because He first loved us (1 John 4:19-20) and wants us to know Him more. Discipline is tough, and Discipline is rough, but we gotta have it to be spiritually buff.

How does one become disciplined? I think by being simply disciplined… Saying no to things you want to do to be disciplined; not necessarily listening to your emotions, but rather what you know to be the right thing to do. It’s doing hard things. Paul writes about beating his body to make it a slave. All of this driven by His love.

Read Proverbs 5:23 again before you exit out of this post.

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by browery on May 1, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith, Uncategorized
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Posted by browery on May 1, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/the-a-most-serious-discipline/

Lies about Evaluation.

A while back on a Sunday I went to Mt. Rushmore with a friend and we had a great time and so on. But when I got home I found myself evaluating my time and seeing that I hadn’t really taken the spiritual conversation deep or shared the gospel. I was thinking about this and really not feeling comfortable with the thought of that being how I should evaluate my day.

The thought, “Did I love my friend?” Popped into my head. Isn’t that the question I should ask? Not if I was able to share the gospel. Geesh, talk about putting God in a box. The only way God can use my time is if I share the gospel or at least have a super deep spiritual conversation. False. Let’s focus on loving people, and if that includes sharing the gospel at some point (which it should), sweet. But don’t evaluate on that. Rather on if you let God love him/her through you.

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by browery on April 7, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith, Uncategorized
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Posted by browery on April 7, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/evaluation-lies/

For Your Own Good

Here is a guest post from a dear friend: 

What memories do you have that come with the saying “This is for your own good”? Maybe it was said while your mom was doctoring up a scraped knee or when your dad wouldn’t let you go out late with friends. “This is for your own good” is not something I always want to hear. It probably means pain or not getting something I think I want. It’s not until I look back on the incident that I see my mom and dad did have my best interests in mind. In fact, they were saving me from more pain or consequences later on. If humans, as imperfect as we are, can model this attribute, how much more does God want the best for His children? As humans, we will make mistakes about what really is for someone’s “good.” Our perfect God, however, does not. 

The song “Your Love Never Fails” by Jesus Culture has the line “You make all things work together for my good.”

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Have you ever asked yourself the question:  “Do I really believe God works all things together for MY good?” This comes down to what we believe about the character of God. Is He really who He says He is? YES, He is! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, Creator of all, perfect, loving, sovereign, mighty, and so much more. He delights in His Creation… that’s you and me! (See Psalm 18:19; 139)

The Bible is full of evidence of God’s love for us and His working things out for our good. Look at the life of Joseph in Genesis. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph forgives the brothers who sent him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” So, in the midst of confusing and frustrating circumstances, remember the sovereignty and character of God. 

 Even in the trials, in the heart issues, in the darkest moments, we can be assured that God is working. It’s for our good. It’s not until I remember who God is and who He says I am that I can truly get excited about this truth!

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by browery on January 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith, Uncategorized
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Posted by browery on January 24, 2013

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/for-your-own-good/

Whose Agenda?

family vacation

There is much work and planning that goes into a vacation.One must plan the meals, activities, transportation, and housing reservations.

An agenda is needed and necessary. I’ve heard this and often thought this way before in every day life, “this isn’t apart of my agenda”, or even, I have seen and felt stress from things not working as fit into my agenda. There is nothing wrong with having an agenda; like the vacation, it is needed and necessary. But if our agenda becomes of higher priority than friends, family, and our relationship with our heavenly Father. Well, we better get a grip on whats important, because if we think the world revolves around us and our plans were wrong. As followers of Jesus Christ we ought to take everything Jesus said and did as truth in how we conduct ourselves in word and deed. We will struggle at living in this way, it was not meant to be easy; but how are we to live in this way unless we, in complete trust that the perfection of Jesus Christ lives in us, try?

I challenge you to look into how Jesus lived and begin to live that way your self.

This is tough (taking the narrow road that leads to life, rather than the wide road that leads to destruction) but to follow Jesus’ example is much greater than living a life that revolves around OUR/MY/YOUR agenda. Jesus’ agenda was to “do the will of the father” or “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many” or “for this purpose I have come to this hour, father glorify your name.” Jesus came to earth with one agenda, and it sure was not His own. He came to serve, love, and save people, and ultimately glorify His Father.

What is your agenda? Is it to glorify God or for God and everyone else to glorify and serve you?

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by browery on December 29, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith, Uncategorized
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Posted by browery on December 29, 2012

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/whos-agenda/

He is…

Father (Abba), Savior, Redeemer, Love, just, Jealous, Kind, Good, these are just a few of the terms we use to describe our triune God. He encompasses all of these and displays them perfectly in His nature and Character. But, how does God feel about us? How does He implement these Characteristics into His relationship with us?

Lets take a few of His characteristics and see how He implements them in our lives.

His Love for Us: God loved us so much that He sent His only son to absorb the wrath that we deserved in our place. That is Gods ultimate demonstration of His love for us. He continues to show his love in many other ways. He shows His love through giving us the Holy Spirit as our counselor and helper. We have been grafted into His family and can now be called heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Gods love continues in many other ways, pray and ask God to show you His love. (Eph 3:16-19)

He is our Redeemer: Synonyms for Redeem are rescue, save, deliver, and ransom. This is what God has done for those who believe in Him. He rescues us from the weights, sins, and burdens that so painfully latch onto our lives (Psalm 55:22, Heb 12:1). He has delivered us from our wrong doings against Him and God has saved all people from the consequence of their sin (His wrath). All who trust in Jesus have been Redeemed.

He is Just: Knowing Gods justice is important in knowing Him. Jeremiah 9:23-24 says how we should understand Gods justice. Much of this understanding is merely faith; trusting that ultimately, He knows what is best. He knows what is best for our lives, His glory, and the expanding of His kingdom. We can hardly begin to explain why God does many of the things He does, but we can, in faith understand that He knows what is best in every situation.

Having a relationship with God goes beyond knowing about Him. Jesus explained this when He said, “many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”Matt 7:22-23.  Works=righteousness is what many people believe today as though the things we do gain our approval before God, and Jesus is saying that it does not matter what you know or what you do. Its all about what Jesus has done, and all He desires is that we seek Him with faith trusting that He is who He said He is. Many of the people we encounter and share our faith with believe that Works=righteousness and we are here to tell and teach that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus (John 14:6).

So, our relationship with God. Knowing His character and nature is crucial in giving a proper explanation of who He is and what He has done. So, Lets get to know our Father in this way. Lets stay away from knowing about Him, or doing things in vain for Him, and lets begin by seeking to know Him more!

Take some time out of your days this Christmas season and seek to know your Father. You can start by reading Isaiah 42-66.

Journal or think about what these chapters say concerning Gods character, and what how He feels about people.

 

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by browery on December 20, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Reflections on Faith, Uncategorized
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Posted by browery on December 20, 2012

https://nationsminded.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/he-is/

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