Terry had a new insight the other day from 1 Corinthians 13. He suddenly noticed that this oft-quoted chapter calls out 8 positive and 8 negative attributes of love:
What Love IS:
What Love is NOT:
Thought provoking, at least for me!
© 2015 Deborah Morris
Hurt People HURT People
~but~
Loved People LOVE People
That’s why doing this changes everything:
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
© 2015 Deborah Morris
I’ve had some quiet thoughts in the midst of the increasingly loud Ebola conversation.
As believers in the Sovereign Lord, fear is not our heritage, and the language of fear is no longer our native tongue. God is not the author of fear. He’s the one who walks us through the valley of the shadow of death saying, “Fear no evil; I am with you”.
Does our status as believers make us bulletproof, able to shake off venomous snakebites and hug Ebola patients without consequence? (Mark 16, Acts 28) Well, no–unless the Holy Spirit has directed us to take those actions. Even then, being directed by the Spirit doesn’t necessarily mean that our outcome will be good in fleshly terms. It just means that whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (Rom 14)
In a world filled with people who have no hope beyond this present life, we as believers should be walking boldly as “children of light” (1 Thes 5). A light in the darkness. Ever fearless, ever praying. If we don’t intercede, who will? (Num 16:46-48)
© 2014 Deborah Morris
In thinking the other day about the parables in Matthew 13, I realized something startling: we are, to God, the treasure hidden in a field, the pearl of great price. “In his joy” he determined to redeem us, and “for the joy set before him” endured the cross to make us his own.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)
“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
He did it not out of duty, but because he saw us as worth it all.
© 2014 Deborah Morris
Eternity in My Heart 