LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy…”
(I Corinthians 13:4)

Do you remember playing “King of the Hill” as a kid? It’s really a very simple game. Whoever is on top of the hill is “king” – until someone else pushes him off the hill and takes his place. Then that person is king for a while, until he gets replaced by the nest person. The game is filled with pushing and shoving and scrapping and fighting as everyone fights to be on top; to be the “king of the hill.”

Unfortunately, many adults still play “king of the hill” in daily relationships. We are a little more subtle about it, but it’s still very real…

– Look at the kind of car I’m driving.
– Look at the new house we just purchased
– Look at my wardrobe – or my jewelry
– My kids are smarter than your kids
– You only have a Gold Visa card? – I have a Platinum Visa!

Envy has been around a long time. We don’t have to read very far in the Bible before we come face-to-face with envy – Cain & Abel, Jacob & Esau, Rachel & Leah, Joseph & his brothers, Saul & David, just to mention a few.

Envy shows up today in many forums. At school, students envy their friend’s new clothes. In families, envy leads to sibling rivalries. At work, we envy our co-worker who just got a promotion. Pastors envy other pastors with bigger churches. No one is immune to envy.

But envy is very dangerous. It leads to conflict, bitterness, and resentment. It can tear apart marriages, families, and friendships. Envy destroys relationships.

It is no wonder Paul says, “Love does not envy…” Instead, love rejoices with those who are rejoicing. Love delights in others’ accomplishments. Love gets excited when others succeed. Love is not self-absorbed; love is people-focused. Love seeks the best for other people.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your unfailing love.
May I love others as You have loved me.
May I be content with what You have given me.
And may I rejoice with others as You bless them.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

LOVE IS KIND

“Love is patient. Love is kind”
(I Corinthians 13:4)

Kindness can be shown in many ways; often in the little things we do for other people…

– Making a cup of coffee or tea for your spouse without being asked
– A warm smile when there is pressure or disagreement
– A note saying you were missed
– Washing the dishes when it’s not your turn

Kindness puts others first. Kindness seeks to encourage and build up people. Kindness is compassion in action. And, there is no better example of compassion in action than the story of The Good Samaritan.

A man was robbed, beat up, and left alongside the road bleeding & dying. A rabbi and a priest both passed by and saw the man, but just kept going. Finally, a Samaritan stopped to help. Remember, Samaritans and Jews were normally bitter enemies. But Jesus described the Samaritan’s kindness in Luke 10:33-34 – “When he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds… and took care of him.”

Do you see the three steps of kindness in Jesus’ description of the Good Samaritan?

– First, he opened his eyes & saw the man’s needs
– Second, he opened his heart & felt the man’s pain
– Third, he opened his hands and took care of the man.

Real love is kind. And real kindness requires all three – opening our eyes, our hearts, and our hands.

Give it a try. Look around. Do some random act of kindness this week for someone you love.

Dear Heavenly Father,
May I reflect your kindness to others.
Open my eyes that I might see their needs.
Open my heart that I might feel their hurt and pain.
And open my hands that I might genuinely care for people.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

LOVE IS PATIENT

“Love is patient, love is kind…”
(I Corinthians 13:4)

From one of the great dynasties of ancient China comes a legend of a wise man who had the most extraordinary relationships with people. He got along with everyone. He never argued with friends or family. His children also grew to be both kind and gentle. He enjoyed remarkable harmony inside and outside his home.

News of this wise and insightful man reached the Chinese Emperor. He was so impressed that he ordered the man to write a great scroll describing how others could produce such outstanding relationships with their friends and family, as well. The emperor declared by royal proclamation that the scroll was to contain 10,000 words.

The wise man was sent off to write.   Days later he delivered a heavy scroll to the emperor’s palace. The scroll was immediately taken to the great hall where it was rolled out across a huge table. The emperor began to read as observers stood silent. After a few minutes, the emperor slowly nodded his approval, and the onlookers breathed a sigh of relief.

As requested, the wise man had written ten thousand words – but it was the same word written again and again: patience, patience, patience….

It is no accident that Paul began his list of loving qualities in I Corinthians 13:4-7 with patience. If we are going to develop healthy and loving relationships, patience is the best starting point.

Real love is patient!

Dear Heavenly Father,
You are compassionate and gracious;
slow to anger, and abounding in love.
Thank You for Your patience with me.
Teach me to be loving and patient just like You!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

EASTER CHANGED EVERYTHING

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…”
(Matthew 28:6)

Today is April Fool’s Day. It’s a prankster’s favorite day of the year. But the greatest turn of events in all of history took place about 2,000 years ago. It was no prank. It was very real.

Jesus was dead. The disciples thought they would never see Him again. Their hopes were dashed. Mary was mourning the loss of her oldest son. The religious leaders thought they had eliminated the biggest pain in their religious side. Even Satan thought he had defeated and killed the Son of God.

But three days after His execution, Jesus rose from the grave. Had the resurrection been on April 1^st, Jesus may have even said, “April Fool.” He certainly fooled everyone. Except God. This was God’s plan all along. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin and He rose three days later, victorious over sin and death!

Easter changed everything. Easter turned Jesus’ disciples upside-down. Easter altered history. Easter has transformed people, families, and countries. Easter changed everything. Have you considered how Easter changed your life, too? Here are a few Easter transformations…

– From condemnation to forgiveness
– From death to life
– From bondage to freedom
– From defeat to victory
– From despair to hope
– From futility to purpose
– From hell to heaven

Easter changed everything! Has it changed your life?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for raising Jesus from the grave.
Thank You for forgiving my sin and giving me eternal life.
Thank You for delivering me from sin and death.
I look forward to my own resurrection.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.