do you love people?

I was reading through stuff on Twitter when I came across a post that something like this: I hate meetings but I love people. A paradox.

True. I dislike the mundane but love the relationships. God loves people. That is what is always on His heart. His creation, His plan, His truth all revolves around people and nothing else ... not on stuff or things or even situations.

Answer the question: do you love people? You have to answer that honestly. There are some people that are hard to love. There are some people who are impossible to love. There are some people who are easy to love. Which of those does God love most? All of them. Right down the middle. No partiality from Him toward anyone. God loves you and me. He calls us and commands us to love people. Remember?

Matthew 22:39 (nlt) --- A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.

We've heard that. We believe that (at least we say that we do). Now, we have to live that out.

This morning in my reading I came across a prayer that David prayed in Psalm 28 (from God's Word translation). Read on:

8 The Lord is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah. 9 Save your people, and bless those who belong to you. Be their shepherd, and carry them forever.

It begins inside me. I have to get this, treasure this and hold this tight. God is my one and only strength. The only way to have victory is in and through Him.

Next, the people around need the same. But how with they know unless I live and share this truth? Good question. David's prayer is where I close today and I pray for those I am around in the coming days:

1. God, save your people. May many people get to know and come to love you. Give them hope where there is no hope to be had.

2. God, bless those who belong to you. Let those who are right with you see there dreams fulfilled and even more. Fill them and me so we will overflow with you.

3. God, use me and others to a shepherd and to lift people each day. However you need me, help me be ready? Whatever you need to do in and through me, I give you permission.

Matthew 5:16 (nlt) --- Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Fatherwho is in heaven.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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