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Lifestyle

3 Ways To Cultivate A Lifestyle Of Peace

by Lauren Koch August 17, 2022

Jesus, the rock, is where we cultivate a lifestyle of peace. With His solid foundation, we get to create a life that keeps us centered on Him, the person of peace. Learning to cultivate a lifestyle of peace is crucial for our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.

1. Set your boundaries

Who and what are you letting into your home, life, mind, and time? If we navigate our live’s without a high level of intentionality, different areas of our lives get muddled together, knocked off balance, and confusing. Take a moment to consider parts of your day that bring stress to your life. Are their people, habits, or things consuming your time that could be put to better use? Establish boundaries for yourself that reign in stressful circumstances. In doing so, you will invite peace to remain in and on you.

2. Set clear intentions

These intentions can be set with yourself, God, and your family members. Just like you have the ability to establish the temperature of your home, you also have the daily choice to establish intentions with yourself. These intentions create an environment in your mind which impact the “air” of your day. Unrealistic and unmet expectations will impact your peace because they bring disappointment. When you set intentions with yourself, you know exactly what you are and what you are not going to focus on. You live free from expectations.

3. Set your eyes on Jesus

The price of peace is in you! This is the most important thing you could do everyday. Look at Jesus. Talk with Him. Identify His presence in your life and ask Him to help you to continually turn to Him. When we are wrapped up in the prince of peace, our inner worlds settle. We know who we belong to and experience His nature. From this place, we get to bring his peace everywhere we go.

August 17, 2022 0 comment

10 Ways To Invest In Your Relationship With God

by Sarah Crockett July 11, 2022

written by Sarah Crockett

Time is a valuable commodity and we can only move forward in time. Just like we invest our money, we are investing our time – hours, minutes, and seconds – into something every single day. It’s so important that one of those deposits of your time is to invest in your relationship with God.

There are so many different ways that you can invest in your relationship with God. Relationships should not be robotic tasks that we preform each day to check off a box. They are fluid! Relationships involve sharing, talking, and knowing one another.

Do you feel stuck in a rut when it comes to your relationship with God? You don’t have be stuck any longer. Here are ten different ways to invest in your relationship with God and stop the religious boxes. As you read through the list, choose one or two that are outside your comfort zone and try them this week!

#1 – Rest

Hebrews 4:1-3 NIV – “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest…”

Did you know that rest is one of the many ways you can invest in your relationship with God. When we choose to rest it doesn’t mean we do nothing. Instead it means that we are at peace in our spirit, mind, and soul as we trust Him with all areas of our lives.

Rest is actually a promise He has given us (Hebrews 4:1). All we have to do is believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross (Hebrews 4:3). This promise allows us to live in the original design in the Garden of Eden – to be with God – just as it was before the fall.

#2 – Journal

Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV – “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Journaling is another way to grow your relationship with God. There are so many ways you can use journaling to connect to Him. Whether you are sharing your heart or writing down what God is saying to you this is a powerful way to connect with Him. Putting thoughts into writing makes them more real.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 reveals the power of writing things down. Writing things down helps to bring clarity or “make it plain”. If you’ve been struggling to find direction journaling can help bring His plans for you into focus.

#3 – Study the Bible

Psalm 119:105 NIV – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Reading the Bible isn’t always easy. Often it takes a perspective shift to usher in a different experience. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and talks about the many different blessings that come from spending time in the Word of God.

If you’ve struggled with studying the Bible as way to invest in. your relationship with God – there is hope! This verse paints an amazing picture of the Word of god being a lamp. Think of your time in the Word as the Lord turning on a light switch for you, revealing the path He’s created for you, and showing you the way to go. Trust that when you study the Bible that He is leading you to ALL truth!

#4 – Worship

Psalm 63:1-3 NIV – “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land there there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.”

Another fun way to invest in your relationship with God is to worship! You can sing your own song or put on your favorite worship playlist. Worship gets our eyes off of what’s happening in our lives and onto Him.

If you are looking for some new worship music here are some suggestions: Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, Maverick City, Upperroom, Bethel Music, Dappy T Keys, Housefires, Kari Jobe, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, United Pursuits, Jason Upton, Steve Swanson, or Rita Springer.

#5 – Memorize Scripture

Psalm 119:11 NIV – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

John 1:1 says that the “Word was with God and the Word was God” and verse 14 says “the Word became flesh.” In short, when we memorize scripture we are actually getting to know Jesus, who is the Word! Getting to know Him through memorizing Scripture is an amazing way to invest in your relationship with God.

#6 – Pray

Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

You’ve probably thought of this one before, but when you pray do you approach God with confidence. Hebrews 11:1 says, “faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see” which is describes a faith filled prayer.

Confidently approaching God is part of your inheritance as His son or daughter. If you’re struggling to come boldly simply spend some time reflecting on what Jesus has done for you and why He did it…it was ALL for YOU!

#7 – Listen

Proverbs 1:1-6 NIV – ” The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”

Listening reveals wisdom and ushers in understanding and learning. It is an integral part of prayer that many believers neglect. Matthew 7:7 promises that if we ask we will receive. Asking is easy, but do you position yourself to receive the answer? Many times receiving the answer you’re asking for is as easy as taking the time to listen. Listening is a key to investing in your relationship with God because it gives Him the opportunity to answer you!

#8 – Go For A Walk Outside

Colossians 1:6 ESV – “For by Him all things were created, in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.”

Creation displays the glory of God. Everything that was created was created by Him and for Him. Therefore, when you spend time outside in creation you can actually invest in your relationship with God because He’s there! Next time you go outside for a walk, tune you’re heart’s attention to Him and invite Him to speak to you. You might be surprised at what He shares with you in such a fun way!

#9 – Tithe

Nehemiah 10:35-37 NIV – “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. 36 As it is also written in the Law, we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks to the house of our God, to the priests ministering there. 37 Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.”

We often think of a tithe as money, and it is, but it doesn’t have to be. You can tithe your time, your possessions, and resources. In the verse above you can see they were giving their first fruits, or tithe, of cattle, flocks, ground meal, grain, and more! Remember, through tithing, that all we have is from Him and belongs to Him is another way to invest in your relationship with God.

#10 – Surrender

Romans 12:1-2 NIV – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Kingdom of God is not of this world. Jesus powerfully displayed this truth through His entrance into the world and exit from it. When you surrender to His ways He can empower you to life in the world, but not of the world. There is so much available in surrender and it is another powerful way to invest in your relationship with God.

What areas of your heart can you surrender to Him today?

What Now?

Do something! Do something different! Take some of these ideas, especially the ones you’ve never tried before, and do them. Get creative and make a point to invest in your relationship with God!

invest in your relationship with God

July 11, 2022 0 comment

Faith

How To Richly Flourish In Your Life Every Day

by Lisa van den Berg July 2, 2022

written by Lisa van den Berg

There is an invitation from Heaven to richly flourish in your life every day. Let’s discover more about God’s invitation together.

If we’re honest with ourselves we’ll see that most of us go through the day on ‘rinse and repeat’. But there is so much more available than we have ever imagined.

Start your day with thanksgiving

We know that we are God’s sons and daughters and He encourages us to come to Him like little children (Mat 18:1-5). So tomorrow morning when you first wake up, lift up your hands to Heaven. Imagine God picking you up like a small child and hugging you.

Thanksgiving for His love and kindness will bubble out of you as you start your day together.

See each day as an adventure with Him

“It’s not what we go through each day that matters, it’s Who we go through it with.” I found myself saying this one day when someone asked me how it’s possible to see each day as an adventure with God.

No matter what you’re going through, stay close to the One who lovingly walks through everything with you.

End your day with reflection and gratitude

At the end of the day set aside some time to talk through your day with God. Ask Him what He thinks about what happened during the day. Let Him remind you how much He loves you and how good His plans are for your life.

Walking and talking with God throughout your day, is how you will richly flourish in your life every day.

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July 2, 2022 0 comment

Faith

Be Supernatural Because He Is Supernatural

by MJ April 4, 2022

written by MJ

Be Supernatural; For He is Supernatural! Are you staying on course with this attitude?

We are Supernatural beings created by a Supernatural God in His image. But we often try to tolerate what’s happening in our life that is contrary to God’s purpose. If this is you, it is time to realign your thoughts, so you can reach your promised land, whatever that might be.

Born From Above

We are not of this world. (John 17:16) And every aspect of our lives must resonate with this truth. But many times we operate just like the world.

Some trust in luck and others credit their hard work for their achievements. But we know that it is His Grace that enables our efforts to succeed.

Chased By Goodness

When you follow God, Goodness and Mercy shall follow you all the days of your life so you can succeed. You don’t have to chase success, success will chase you instead. But what if you feel the opposite?

What if you feel like you have gone way past the time of your breakthrough? You quit! And console your mind that it is not God’s will, and maybe it is your flesh.

Pretending to feel good this way will only make things worse. Can you imagine the extent of frustration you could garner living like this?

Don’t Accept Lemons

The world’s way is to give up and get by with what is available. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what if your God-given desire is something else? If that seems impossible, do you go with lemonade instead? No. Don’t accept lemons when God has something better.

The devil and the world will convince you that you have messed up beyond redemption, or that you are too old, too under-qualified, or perhaps even overqualified.

Sarah’s Supernatural Story

Abraham’s wife Sarah was a remarkable woman, titled by God as the Mother of Nations, even before Isaac was born.

Sarah was this young, bold, and beautiful woman. But things should have gone downhill as she grew old, yet childless. She might have concluded that she misinterpreted the promise of God and ended up giving Hagar to Abraham.

She got complacent as she saw herself as an old woman with feeble knees and wrinkled face, way past the time of childbearing. So she might have said, “I came this far. I can make it. ” Sarah might have had this attitude for years.

Destiny, Not Death

God saw Sarah tolerating her situation. He knew she was not ready for the covenant child Issac. The Supernatural time of God was not in sync with the natural time of childbearing in the case of Sarah. The father and the mother of the faith movement had to be trained by God.

Sarah felt disqualified that she even laughed when God Himself visited and promised. But God made sure that she was blessed with Isaac supernaturally when it seemed impossible in the natural. It was Sarah’s destiny.

Journey To Destiny

Stepping into your destiny happens to you if you are in His hands, no matter how long it takes. As a child of God, you are not just waiting, but actually preparing to meet with time. You were not created for time, but time was created for you. Time eagerly waits for you.

For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. – Romans 8:19 (Amplified Bible)

Practice the passion that God has placed in you. Prepare consistently for what God has called you to do. And time will meet you to establish you in your destiny. So be ready for a rendezvous with your time.

The Supernatural Attitude Of Jonah

Jonah was a man that knew how to be established in His destiny, even after messing up so bad. He did not forget to whom he belonged. Neither did Jonah expect to die in the ill effects of his actions. He repented and envisioned his future instead. He knew how to get time and tide respond to the voice of repentance.

He spoke to God about what he shall do when he gets out of the fish. Jonah did not quit even when he made a mistake or committed a sin, to be precise. He acted upon his supernatural identity and banked on God’s goodness and mercy. God responded at that instant. Despite his situation, he planned on completing his assignment, and probably going on a vacation, definitely not on a luxury cruise.

Enforce Your Supernatural Victory

The will of God for you is always progress, purpose, and promotion, even if you miss His lead at some point in the natural. He has chosen, called, and anointed you, knowing your whole life. There is no way you can mess up beyond His knowledge. Therefore,

‘Be Supernatural; For He is Supernatural.’

Don’t quit. Enforce your victory. In Jesus’ Name.

April 4, 2022 0 comment

Faith Featured

Wipe Your Lens

by Seth & Lauren Dahl March 11, 2022

written by Seth & Lauren Dahl

A few years ago, my wife and I had pictures taken of our daughter who was two years old at the time. Our friend, Heather, a gifted photographer, came out to our house to take the photographs.

After the photo session was complete, I was flipping through the pictures of our daughter and noticed how beautifully the camera captured our property. Some of the pictures were in our gravel driveway. Some were in the front few acres of our property. Some were with the horses and our fences. Some on our tree stumps. Some were out in the barn. The camera’s lens caught a beauty I hadn’t seen before. The camera’s lens saw the same things I do everyday, but the way it captured them was completely different.

Then I saw our daughter in the wheelbarrow inside our barn. The photos had the tin roof, the poles, the gates, the unfinished walls. Another photo had our buckets, trunks, and hay. For the first time I didn’t see any “work” as I looked at the barn; all I saw was beauty. I realized that I only saw this beauty because I looked at the same things I see every day through a different lens.

Another picture had our daughter carrying her bucket of hay, which she does often. I realized that she works in the barn just as much as any of us do, but for her, none of it is “work”. The lens she sees through only shows her “play”. This challenged me to rethink the way I view my life; to see things through a different lens.

I never again want to see “work” when I go to work, I want to see the way a child does. I want to play, even at work. I want to see the beauty around me, even in the seemingly mundane, the way a camera does.

All photographers make sure their lens is perfectly clear before they even aim their camera. We should do the same.

______

Being A Believer Is A Lifestyle

by Rhoda Gayle February 11, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

Being a believer of the Lord is not just a one-time event, it’s a lifestyle.

Christianity

Joyce Meyer reminds everyone that Christianity is a lifestyle. It is not something that we can put on and off anytime we want or anytime a situation arises. Let us choose to follow the way of Jesus Christ in every circumstance.

“The moment that somebody hurts your feelings, don’t just try to get over it, don’t just try to forgive them,” Joyce said. “You start right away, wherever you’re at. If you can’t do it out loud, then internally, ‘God, help me, help me, help me forgive, help me forgive. I refuse to be offended, I refuse to stay angry, I am not going to let the devil steal from me one more day.’”

Lifestyle

When you decided to follow Jesus, there is no more turning back. Being a believer of the Lord becomes our identity, our life.

“Being a believer is a lifestyle. It’s not a Sunday morning event, it’s not a one-time at the altar event. This is a lifestyle. We live by the grace of God. Prayer becomes like breathing. We do it to stay alive.”

Once we have laid down our lives to Him, His abundant grace would sustain us. There’s a victory for us in every season that we are in because we chose to believe in Christ’s victory every day. Being a believer is a lifestyle.

“There’s not only grace available to us but there is grace, grace, and more grace and certainly enough grace for any special case. You don’t get out of being victorious, I said you’re not going to get out of being victorious. You can have no excuse for not being victorious.”

Being A Believer Is A Lifestyle | Joyce Meyer

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February 11, 2022 0 comment

Articles Faith Lifestyle

Fear-Free, Faith-Filled Living

by John Mathai December 20, 2021

written by John Mathai

Victorious living is available to all who are prepared to live a surrendered life with Jesus. Jesus called us to follow Him. And He did not leave us alone but sent His Holy Spirit to follow Him. This is a divine exchange that occurred on the Cross when He sacrificed His life so that we could obtain His life in exchange. He proved this by raising to life after 3 days in the grave. Now He has ascended to heaven and wants us to be like Him on earth. His life on earth was fulfilled through his death and resurrection. Now He is able to defeat all His enemies for He defeated death itself. And we can live fear-free.

Learn To Be Fear-Free

When we receive Him we receive all He has when He walked on Earth. He resides in us through His Spirit. What a divine exchange this is. He has baptised us in His Spirit and we can now operate in the nine gifts and fruits of His Spirit. Our flesh was crucified with Him on the Cross. We receive His death and resurrection through faith. All the gifts and fruits of the Spirit are received through faith. He promised to be with us always. Now we need to step out in faith and be transformed into His image.

Final Words

With some, it will take years but for others, it could happen in a twinkling of an eye. It all depends on our preparedness to surrender daily to Him. Not I but Christ. 1 John 2:27 says that “He will reveal all things to us because He lives in us.” We don’t need to run to this teacher and another for He will be our teacher. Learn to listen to Him. Come into your real identity in Him. You will never be the same again, for now, you are led by His Spirit. Enjoy fear-free living.

December 20, 2021 0 comment

Articles Faith Lifestyle

Life Comes After Dying To Ourselves

by John Mathai December 20, 2021

written by John Mathai

This is a contradiction in terms but the truth is that death resulted in life. Jesus died and this resulted in resurrection life. A seed must fall on the ground and die before it can give life. But a seed that refuses to die will not give life. Jesus said that I must die to myself, take up my cross and follow Him. There is no way to live without death. Jesus knew that our major battle is with our flesh. The only answer to victory over the flesh is death. However, this is not a one-time event. Death to the flesh is a daily walk of crucifixion to the flesh. Death to the flesh is the only way to life in the Spirit. God knew that it was impossible for man to die to His flesh. Therefore He sent Jesus to die for us. His death now makes it easy for us to die to the flesh because He rose again. It is His life that enables us to overcome the flesh. The Cross alone was not sufficient to overcome evil. It is His resurrection from the dead that made it possible for Him to enable us to live. He gave His life that we may live.

From Death To Life: Final Words

This is the good news of the Gospel. To many, it was bad news because they saw Him die. But three days later He overcame death by rising from the grave. Now our hope is not in the Cross but in the resurrection. If Jesus had not risen then our faith is as good as dead. His resurrection is what makes His death meaningful and real. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. Only death to self is the key to resurrection life. I identify with His death and resurrection by faith. Hallelujah, what a salvation!

December 20, 2021 0 comment

Articles

In The Midst Of Many Voices, We Need To Hear Only One Voice

by John Mathai December 5, 2021

written by John Mathai

Voices

There are many voices that demand our attention. Some of these voices are helpful and others not so helpful. We need to choose each day whose voice we listen to. Many are the pressures we face daily and many voices seek to gain our attention. There are internal voices and external voices. They bombard our psyche and try to lead us astray from God’s voice. His voice is drowned amidst these many voices. How can we discern God’s voice to lead us and guide us? We need to come apart and give Him our time. We need to shut out these other voices which are just noise.

God’s voice

God’s voice is clear and gentle and peaceful. It comes like something out of the blue. And it is sudden. It enlightens and stirs the spirit within us. And it is warm and gentle and never harsh. It brings in joy like rain to a parched soul. We need to practice listening in to His voice. It becomes clearer as we continue to practice listening to Him. We get bold and strong as we listen to His voice. His voice is like His word, firm and strong. He will then confirm His voice with signs following. Always ask Him and He will respond. Include Him in all your daily commitments and chores. He will lead you and guide you. He will become more real to you than any other voice. In this way, you will be led by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.

Transformation

This is the life God has called us to walk in. Jesus walked on earth as if He operated from heaven. We too are called to walk like Him. This is to live a heavenly life on earth. Let praise and worship be constant activity in your walk. He loves praise and we create an atmosphere of peace and joy when we live in praise. The enemy of our soul can’t stand praise. Run from evil and satanic environments that seek to destroy and not build up. Discern where you are and who you are with. There may be relationships you need to sever as they are detrimental to your walk. The Kingdom life is not just talking. It needs to be lived. Faith without action is empty and powerless. We need to act on His word and see His Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven.

John Mathai

December 5, 2021 0 comment

Faith

A Lifestyle Of Love

by Pastor Choco De’ Jesus August 12, 2021

written by Pastor Choco De’ Jesus

In both the church and the business worlds, people go to conferences and read books to discover strategies for growth. But the kind of love Jesus wants us to express isn’t a strategy; it’s a lifestyle. You can’t uncover “five surefire steps to love people” just like that. Jesus didn’t give us a checklist to follow. He gave us Himself. We fail to love when we see people as “the other,” but Jesus became “the other,” identifying with those who are infinitely below Him and loving them still. To help us understand what it means to love, let’s keep these points in mind:

We may not approve of the lifestyle of gay or lesbian individuals, but they are not “the other.” They’re created in the image of God, and God loves them as much as He loves you and me.

We may not agree with a person’s political views, but we don’t have to assume it’s a character flaw to advocate for his or her positions. We don’t know everything, and in fact we’ve been wrong far too often, which should bring us at least a hint of humility.

We may be upset with the attitudes and behaviors of family members, but we need the grace and love of Jesus as much as they do.

Love breaks down the walls separating us from “the other.” These people are more valuable to God than the stars in the sky. If we begin to see them the way God sees them, we’ll start to love them the way He loves them. Many of us will need to admit that we’ve gone years professing Christ but have failed to love people. And those outside the church aren’t fooled by the dichotomy between what we preach and what we live.

Love Them Anyway

Too often today, the image people associate with the church is one of angry faces. Anger is rising up when love needs to rise up. Loving the people who threaten us or disagree with us is hard, but never forget that Jesus found a way.

In the middle of His ministry, Jesus took His disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a pagan region in the northern part of the country, far from the temple in Jerusalem. They were in enemy territory. Jesus asked them,

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” —Matthew 16:13–18, NIV

Jesus was saying that even where we’re most threatened, He’s the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. The place He took the disciples was named for Caesar, the Roman emperor, the most powerful ruler on earth, but Jesus was and is far more powerful. He spoke and the stars were flung into space. Nothing matches His supreme authority and power. The pagans believed Caesarea Philippi contained an entrance to the underworld, a dangerous place, but Jesus rescues us from the greatest threat the world has ever known: sin and death and hell. The pagan beliefs ran against everything the Jews believed, from promiscuity to idol worship, but in this very place, Jesus was proclaimed as Lord of all.

When we look around at the degradation of our culture and the poisonous language in our online communication, in families, and in politics, we can be deeply discouraged and furious, or we can remember that Jesus still rules and that Jesus still loves.

With this assurance, we can be agents of a love that surprises the people around us. Yes, we may disagree, but we love them anyway. Yes, we don’t want to live like them, but we love them anyway. Yes, they’ve made tragic mistakes, but we love them anyway. This kind of love shouldn’t be rare. It should be the norm for the family of God, among ourselves and as we relate to people outside the family.

What difference will it make to love them anyway?

A single individual becomes an agent of change and a source of light. After all, it took the love of only one person, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to turn the world upside down (in a good way).

A family that loves this way has a mission, a cause, and a purpose to be salt to season and preserve their neighborhood. And this family will leave a legacy of love from generation to generation.

A small group can work together to make a difference in the community, to be present as Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice in the lives of people who have lost hope. Each person in the group brings unique talents and gifts.

A church community can marshal their resources and work with other churches to provide ongoing services in their neighborhoods. They may start small, but if they catch God’s heart, they’ll find creative, bold ways to touch far more people than they could have imagined. It takes only one church with this loving spirit to launch a tidal wave of compassion as other churches join in to care for people throughout the city. The church will be a beacon of hope in the community and a resource to equip other churches to get involved in loving people others ignore.

Don’t set your gaze on what’s wrong with the world. That leads only to pride that we aren’t like “them” and discouragement that we’re losing ground. Instead, rivet your heart on Jesus. Embrace your assignment, which is the commission God has given you to love people who are hard to love.

You’re already thinking about them. Don’t wait. Reach out to them today, and see how God uses you to change minds, hearts, and lives when you live a lifestyle of love.

____

This is an excerpt from “Love Them Anyway: Finding Hope in a Divided World Gone Crazy” by Pastor Choco De Jesus. More at lovethemanywaybook.com

Pastor Choco De’ Jesus is the former senior pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Chicago, one of the largest churches in the nation. He serves as General treasurer of the Assemblies of God. He was named in 2013 as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. He is the author of several books, including “Love Them Anyway”.