What Jesus Really Cares About...

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.

~1 Cor. 13:1-3 (NLT)

     That picture might offend some people...but in reality Christ spoke often about how we as Christians are to treat others, and although He wants us to know His word, He really wants us to do what we read and quote. A lot of us are very good at speaking, confessing, decreeing and declaring, but when it comes to relating to other people, a lot of that word we are saying gets lost somewhere in between the pages of the book and our hearts. I'm sure we have all experienced bad treatment at the hands of people who profess to be saved, and we have probably given out some of that same bad treatment either in response to what we received from them, or just because we forgot what mirror we had been looking at ourselves in:

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

~ James 1:22-24 (NLT) 

     Regardless of who we are, what our gifts and talents may be, how many people are in our ministry or what we have been called to do, the most important thing is to love others and treat people the way we want to be treated. Sometimes it's the simple things that we neglect to do, that hold doors closed for us and open the door for the enemy to come in and do whatever he wants to do. From the front door to the pulpit, we all need to be loving and kind towards those we come in contact with if we want to please God. We are in the last days, and God is going to judge what we do, without regards for title, age, job description, resume, degree, or income. We will all be judged individually by the same word!

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.  If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." ~ Matt. 5:43-48 (NLT)

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    My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well,  doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?  But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?  Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. ~ James 2:1-9 (NLT)

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So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.~ John 13:34 (NLT)

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Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor. 13:13 (NLT)

     I believe that all of us can find ourselves somewhere in this message, whether we have been on the giving or receiving end of less than loving treatment. But...if you are reading this blog, you have been given the chance to do better and make amends, because it's never too late to get a new start in our walk with Christ!

The Greatest of These is Love...(Repost)

*This is a repost from February 2011...Enjoy!
 
    You can't give it

    Til you live it

    You can't live it

    Til you give it away -- Israel Houghton*

     Imagine for a moment that one day, you opened your Bible and it read something like this:

Though I worship in the aisle and in the balcony, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of singing and understand all musical styles and all technical skill, and though I have choreography  that moves the congregation, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I produce books and DVD's, and though I wear beautiful praise garments, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

    

     I'm definitely not trying to tamper with God's Word, so please don't be offended. The point is that God is Love, but many times we have forgotten this in the midst of our outward activities. We have excitement and zeal, diligence and excellence, but no Love! Now, if God is Love, yet there is no Love in what we do, that means that God is absent from it. Selah...

Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God.  The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. 

I John 4:7-8 (CEB)

     God is very concerned with the way we treat others, so much that He even says that if we don't show love and kindness to towards other people, we can't even identify with Him. He is more interested in love, than He is in how much we do, how we perform our duties, how much we give, or how spiritual we seem to be. We can do nice things for people on the surface, but God knows our intent. Sometimes what appears to be a loving action towards others is actually an attempt to control them. If you are fortunate enough to have large sums of money at your disposal, what is your true motivation for giving? Do we give just because we want to share, or do we really want to manipulate them into doing our bidding, giving us a position, platform or favor in return? Let's look at I Cor. 1:1-3 again:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 
 I Cor. 13:1-3 (NKJV)

     This passage of scripture lists many things that we can do, that amount to nothing if we lack the love of Christ. Israel Houghton's song: Love God, Love People  says that "We can't give it, til we live it, we can't live it, til we give it away". Let's be sure that in all of our serving, that we are truly doing it from heart of God's love.

Stay tuned for Part II...

*Love God, Love People-Israel Houghton

May I Have This Dance?

        People love to dance! Just a look at the most popular network shows gives us an idea of how many people love dance, so much that they are either doing it themselves, or watching others. Many people who join dance ministries are great dancers who danced it up in the clubs or in the streets, and they bring that same zeal for dance with them to church. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but what is wrong is that a lot of them are putting on worship garments and dancing with the same spirits that they danced with "up in da' club" and although they may be doing different steps, they have not yet changed partners. It takes time to learn how to be a worshipper, we learn as we go along walking with God on a daily basis. Are we willing to take the time to learn, or are we just in a hurry to get our praise on? I once heard a very wise Pastor say that there is really no such thing as "getting our praise on", because since the praise really belongs to God,  it's not something that we own; we are just giving His praise back to Him...Selah. 

     We have all seen dance ministries who seem to only be interested in attending conferences to present their dances without attending any of the workshops, or show up at concerts and musicals to perform and leave early, and of course the never ending line-up of dancers on You-Tube who don't wear the proper attire for ministry, etc. With so much good information circulating, it is hard to understand why there are still so many who don't know the basics about dance ministry. But, guess what? If we have seen any of these things, and did nothing more that talk about them among ourselves when we have knowledge to share,  God is not pleased with us! Some of us have notebooks and hard drives full of information that we have yet to pass along to others. What are we doing with it?

    

     We can continue to talk and complain about what others are doing until we are tired, and nothing will change. Even if we were to tie the dancers to their seats and lock all of the the doors so they can't exit the building, if their hearts are not ready to learn, or if they feel that they are being scrutinized and judged, they won't listen to anything that we have to say:

An offended brother is more resistant than a strong city,

and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.

 Proverbs 18:19 (GWT)

     What are some things that we as seasoned worshippers can do to help those who are not as knowledgeable we are?  How about sharing books and resource materials with them and inviting them to workshops? If you are on a social networking page, send them a friend request so they can see what you are doing.  If you beong to a Liturgical dance organization, how about telling them how excited you are about what is going on in your area,  making sure to have some flyers or brochures ready to give them?  Even if they aren't ready to listen at first, they will remember the way you approached them. Was it with a kind spirit, or were you judging them? It's not about enlarging the membership roster of your group,  it's about promoting excellence in the Kingdom of God. When your group has an event, do all that you can to sincerely make them feel welcome if they decide to attend. Those who really want to dance for God will see the difference and want to know more about what you have to offer. Your kind words can accomplish a lot more than your criticism ever will. And remember, God is saying to them as He once said to you: "May I have this dance?"

     Of course, the most important thing we can do is pray for ourselves and others. We do our part by sharing knowledge, and God does the rest:  Lord Jesus look on us, Your worshippers. You know the hearts and motivations of all people. let those who have an ear to hear,  be open to learn and receive Your Word, so that they can learn to be true worshippers at all times. let them learn that worship is not an activity, it is a lifestyle of prayer, praise, the Word, fasting, and giving. Help us to be good examples, and not their judges.  this is our prayer Lord, in Your Name, AMEN.

Enjoy this praise by

 

What Are You Known For?

      What's the first thing that people say when your name or ministry is mentioned? Do you know what you are really remembered for?  After people read that wonderful book, see that powerful choreography or play or hear your "dope" poetry, what are people saying about you?  Our reputation is just as important as our talents and gifts. There are too many ministries today that are recognized as great, while carrying tainted reputations. Some of what is being said may be exaggerated, but if there is even a small amount of truth to it, it's time to think about what needs to be changed.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:35 (NKJV)

      It is one thing to be known for what we do, but quite another to be known for who we are. God is working on all of us, so none of us can point out anyone else's faults without first looking at ourselves. It's time for self -examination. If we find ourselves always snapping at others when we are stressed, maybe we are too busy, and need to ask for help. Moses could not lead the Israelites alone, he appointed elders to be in charge of the masses of people that he was responsible for getting to the Promised Land (Ex.18:25).  If we feel the need to talk about others behind their backs, we need to find out what is lacking in our own lives. We can make beautiful garments and put on grand productions, but weave tangled knots of confusion if our way of life does not match up to our craft.
 
      There is a dance minister on the East Coast who is well-known for his powerful ministry and exciting classes. He has danced with a renowned professional company in New York, and has his own company. The first thing people speak of after commenting on his phenomenal dancing is his graciousness towards everyone, and how they can't wait to be in his classes that are always full. Students don't want to leave his presence at the end of  class, because of what they receive from him spiritually as well as technically.  They feel loved, not abused. They are empowered, not dismantled.  People are drawn to him because of his loving heart. That is the ministry of Christ! Why have a fantastic public ministry, while behind the scenes people are being crushed by our behavior? Even if they never say anything about it, God sees what we do, and He hears everything that we say. Being a leader or having a title does not give us the right to harm anyone with our words or actions. We will have to answer to God for every person whom we have injured. If we are guilty of any of these things, we need to pray and ask for more of the fruit of the Spirit to be in our lives.

God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

Gal 5:22-23 (CEV)

Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.

Hebrews 4:13 (CEV)

     It has been said that our gifts determine our direction in life, but our character determines how far we will go with our gifts. It's never too late to humble ourselves, check our reputations, make changes,  pray for healing and make amends wherever we can. Let's make sure that our names remind people of God's goodness!

A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold.

 Proverbs 22:1 (CEV)