Sometimes I really don't feel like loving my neighbor to be honest. I remember a Sunday morning I woke up grumpy. My hair was doing some strange things and I was running late. We drove to Church and got there just in time. My husband likes to sit us near the front. So, I was on the end. I listened to the announcements and the prayer halfheartedly. Then we started to sing. My spirits started to lift. I could feel the Holy Spirit as we worshiped God in song. Evidently the only open seats were next to us, so the ushers brought a couple and signaled us to move over. Ugh! I had to stop worshiping... grumble, grumble. I drew a cartoon on the Church bulletin to snap out of it. Then I noticed the lady next to me was searching through her Bible and couldn't find where the Pastor was reading. So I shared mine. Sometimes God has other ideas for me in Church than what I want to do. To love my neighbor.
Since we are all going to spend eternity together, I suppose we should get along. Everyone has a favorite way to worship, and preferred version of the Bible, we all have Jesus in common.
I love this Psalm's simplicity and the description of us.
Psalm 133
I'm wonderful and beautiful when I focus on the Lord and don't put my desires first, just accept others. It's when I get picky, I get ugly.
1 How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
Getting along is like:
2 It's like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron's beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
3 It's like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Here's the pretty exciting reward for us when we do.
Yes, that's where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.
THE MESSAGE
I've heard it said, "You don't have to like everyone, but you do need to love them."
That reminds me of the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), being patient, kind, not envious, showing off, conceited or boastful. Love isn't rude, selfish, touchy, or thinking evil. Love rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. With the Lord's help I can do this.
Since we are all going to spend eternity together, I suppose we should get along. Everyone has a favorite way to worship, and preferred version of the Bible, we all have Jesus in common.
I love this Psalm's simplicity and the description of us.
Psalm 133
I'm wonderful and beautiful when I focus on the Lord and don't put my desires first, just accept others. It's when I get picky, I get ugly.
1 How wonderful, how beautiful,
when brothers and sisters get along!
Getting along is like:
2 It's like costly anointing oil
flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron's beard,
flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
3 It's like the dew on Mount Hermon
flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Here's the pretty exciting reward for us when we do.
Yes, that's where God commands the blessing,
ordains eternal life.
THE MESSAGE
I've heard it said, "You don't have to like everyone, but you do need to love them."
That reminds me of the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), being patient, kind, not envious, showing off, conceited or boastful. Love isn't rude, selfish, touchy, or thinking evil. Love rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. With the Lord's help I can do this.
How true is that... This is why we have to constantly remind ourselves that God wants us to love our neighbor.. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy! I know I have to remember : ) God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThis is the hardest part of being a Christian. Spend about 15 minutes driving around on the roads and you'll know what I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I know that one all too well. The one time I tried to call down a lightening bolt from Heaven, was in heavy traffic. That was right before a policeman pulled me over and gave me a speeding ticket... Nothing like traffic to test our faith : )
ReplyDelete