Housekeeping With The Word

I grew up in a house with no color. The house, once white, had been washed colorless by the frequent stormy rains of Alabama. It was not a house you'd be quick to invite friends over for for a visit.

For years I saw my past just as I remembered the old house, humbled, discolored and without much value. Recently I began to see the beauty of that house and the lessons I learned there. I realized that what took place inside of the house was of more value than the outer appearance. Inside was God's order.

Order in the house included immaculate cleanliness. Even more important, Gods order included church attendance. We (children) were forced to attend Sunday school, or what's known today as children's church. Since we walked to church unaccompanied by adults, sometimes we detoured, hid, and after a while returned home as though we'd done the right thing. Of course someone would call our home later and ask, where were the children today? But most of the time we actually did attend Sunday School where we learned about Jesus and were taught to memorize scriptures.

It's the scriptures that were once only words for memorization that guide me today as I walk with Jesus. Because of my beginnings in that house, when pride has knocked on my door, I have the memory verse to "humble myself" and resist the temptation of "falling to pride" to "resist the devil and he will flee from me" (1 Peter5:6) (Proverbs 16:18).

Ironically, because of my beginnings in that house, I have frequently been visited by "Mr. your speech is not eloquent enough". When this unwanted visitor knocks on my door the word of God has equipped me to say - NO- "God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind". (1 Timothy 1:7)

You need to memorize, or know the scriptures too. It's the scriptures that state "your body is the temple (house) of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you." (‭‭I Corinthians ‭3:16 ‭NKJV‬‬)

God requires order in your house. In fact He said, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (I Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‭NKJV‬‬)

You have an adversary called Satan, who'd like nothing better than help you destroy your temple from the inside out (John 10:10). He subtly comes knocking and would like to take residence in various forms including pride, fear, strife, un-forgiveness, lust, envy, anger, greed, lying, and a whole slew of other evils. The scriptures are the weapon, designed specifically to keep you free of every evil guest seeking to visit, and eventually destroy your house.( Ephesians 6:17, II Corinthians 10:4).

I urge you to make time to get to know the scriptures needed to specifically combat every evil that has attempted to defile your temple. If you've accepted Jesus finished work on the cross, the blood He shed painted your temple white, sanctifying, you, even calling you holy, making your temple beautiful.(Hebrews 10:10). Remember, God requires that you keep your temple or house in order, not allowing sin to hold you captive, destroying your house.

As you make time to do your part by studying the scriptures, the Holy Spirit will bring them to memory and help keep your house clean and in order.(John 14: 26)

DARE TO COMPARE by Louisa Guzman

My parents had me a little later in life during a time when no one had children in their 40's. They certainly looked much older than my friends' parents. Equating age with nearing the end of life, and the fact that my mother constantly said I was killing her, I was always afraid they were going to die. 

My father passed before her, but my mother was actually a very energetic woman who despite having had 2 heart attacks and 3 strokes, died at the age of 91.

Lately, I find myself comparing my life to hers when she was my present age and can't stop wondering if I'll ever reach 91?  My mother wasn't in great shape. She ate whatever she wanted and that usually meant a lot of good bread and butter, rich, fatty foods, dessert at every meal, and gallons of coffee. She smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day and as a social worker for a tough population she had a pretty stressful job. That, and she had me -a  boy crazy, disco queen, teenager - to deal with. 

Besides migraines every now and then, I do not recall her having the ailments I currently suffer with. I don't remember ever seeing her get out of bed in so much pain that only a long hot shower and pain meds could help her get ready for work. 

I don't remember her cutting sugar out,  reminding herself to drink water,  giving up soda, or even worrying about what she ate for that matter. My mother never stepped foot in a gym or took an exercise class. She didn't wear a Fitbit to make sure she took 10,000 steps a day or to check to see if she was sleeping well. I never saw my mother yawn non stop all day because of lack of sleep. Unless she hid it well, my mother never worried about money because she and my father made plenty. My mother didn't raise a child by herself. My mother was surrounded by family and friends who loved her and took every opportunity to spend time with her. My mother had a loving husband who idolized her until the day he died. But my mother didn't seem content. My mother didn't know Jesus. 

Having the certainty of knowing Jesus is by my side, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" [Philippians 4:11]. Because I know Jesus, I am filled with peace that passes all understanding [Philippians 4:7].

Looking back on the 23 years I've known the Lord, I realize I haven't had to worry much because when you "cast your cares on the Lord, He will sustain you" [Psalm 55:22]. My mother was a constant worrier. Everything gave her anxiety. Most of the time she was pessimistic. Sure I have bad days, but at work the reason everyone says I'm always calm is a no-brainer: I simply cast all my anxiety on Him because He cares for me [1 Peter 5:7].

Perhaps comparing my life to my mother's is my way of reminiscing about her. 

Nevertheless, neither hers nor anyone else's life is worth comparing to the life I have in the Spirit. 

Love Covers a Multitude of Sins by Christina Calvache

People say “I love you” all the time to people they believe they love. Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who often told you they loved you, but you doubted they really did?

Many types of relationships are supposed to include love. However, I have learned that not everyone gives and receives love the same way. There’s an amazing book called “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, which breaks down this concept very well. After reading it, I learned that people show love and receive love in different ways and with that, a person can end up feeling unloved because the person loving them is doing it in a way that they cannot receive. Their individual “love languages” are different. Therefore they don’t feel, think or believe that they are really loved.

Love can be so complicated!

The word of God says Love covers a multitude of sins. Although I believe this means God’s love covers the many different types of sins we have committed, we should reflect this kind of love with others as well. In John 15:12, Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” We need to be quick to forgive, slow to anger and know who we are in Christ so that we are not easily offended.

What are we to do when we are offended or hurt by someone in the Church? Instead of walking away, we are supposed to walk towards! Matthew 18:15-16 tells how to respond.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it (admits to it and hopefully apologizes), you have won that person back (it gets squashed). 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again (mediators can sometimes help), so that everything you say may be confirmed (at least you really tried) by two or three witnesses (and people know you really tried)”(NLT and me).

Following this simple principal can alleviate strife and division within the church. It is our responsibility as the Body of Christ to be “agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Phil 2:2 NLT).

When we demonstrate our love for each other the way God would have us to love each other, the Language of Love becomes universal.