“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” — John 15:12
As I write this, I am in a hotel room with my wife and three amazing kids. It has become a summer tradition for my family (along with our extended family) to journey to Lake Powell for our annual “Croswhites Do Lake Powell” family reunion.
With a heavy and thankful heart, I took a final, sweeping glance around the place my family and I had called home for the last eleven years. Then I locked the door and drove away.
As I did, memories flooded through me. I thought of bringing my two youngest daughters home from the hospital as newborns. And then, there were all the Christmas, birthday, and Thanksgiving dinners with friends and family. Another was the treasure map I made to look old and “hid” in the attic where my son could find it. Along with that came the cloth bag of quarters he dug up in the backyard. So. Many. Memories.
“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” — Psalm 119:35
As people, we look for happiness in a variety of places. Often, we look for happiness in our hobbies, careers, or even our family and friends. Indeed, these things can contribute to joy and happiness for all of us. I, too, find much comfort in many of them.
I love what the Psalmist prayed. Without a doubt, we find happiness in the Lord’s commands. What a wonderful truth and tremendous reminder to us all. Walking in the “path” of God’s commands means naturally living in obedience to His Word and fellowship with Him.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
Some of my family and I hiked to Fern Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park this summer. It was a beautiful hike, and we had a fantastic time. I had been curious to hike to Fern Lake, given that a terrible fire had destroyed it three years ago. It was appropriately named the East Troublesome Fire. Additionally, the fire burned 193,000 acres (making it the second-largest fire in Colorado history).
This is undoubtedly the most profound prayer of my heart. It’s a simple little sentence found at the top of Psalm 25 — “O Lord, I give my life to you.”
Christian, is there anyone (or anything) more wonderful, more powerful, more satisfying than Jesus to give our lives to?
Hospitality seems to be less popular nowadays than what I remember throughout my life. It’s also different from what I’ve read about in the past. In biblical times, showing hospitality to strangers was an absolute privilege. On top of that, people would vie for the chance to do so. Thankfully, many people worldwide still go out of their way to invite others into their homes to share a meal.
Something special happens when we let down our guard and focus on others. On many occasions (and in many places), my wife and I have sat at the tables of generous people. Some of you reading this were kind enough to open your homes to us. Thank you! That act of kindness is bearing fruit in our family. Here is a great verse to consider.
I have been undeniably blessed and privileged to meet with many people over the years. In fact, it is one of the most character-developing habits the Lord has placed in my life. I’m naturally an introvert; before giving my life to Christ, I was pretty happy riding my horse of life alone. Just me and my family. Perhaps you can relate? Without a doubt, a “lone ranger” existence was just fine by me. Now, I’m not saying that’s wrong. But I do believe God has better for us. These verses always spur me on,
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.” — Galatians 5:14-15
The Fruit of the Spirit is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Paul explains the fruits to the Galatians right after these verses. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are interconnected and essential for our spiritual growth.
However, we can easily cultivate the opposite virtues. They entirely oppose the working of the Holy Spirit. Responding in our flesh leads to negative consequences, such as hate, despair, anxiety, impatience, cruelty, wickedness, unfaithfulness, harshness, and impulsiveness.
“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” — 1 Peter 1:22
How many times a day do you hear the word “love”? It seems like I hear that word in every other sentence: “I love this song.”, “I love Chipotle.”, “I love Nike shoes.”, “I love what you’ve done with the place.”
Jesus’ call on His disciples’ lives was clear — radical, but clear. In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” In a nutshell, Jesus says it’s a call to give up everything for Him.