Touch: The Love Language Series (Part 2)

Service and Compassion

2 Corinthians 5:20a – “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

John 13:15 – “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

It’s been a while sense I posted the first blog in this series on “Quality Time,” but I wanted to revisit this exploration of how Gary Chapman’s five love languages can apply on a broader scale to our daily walk. Today, we are exploring the love language of Touch.

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When Jesus walked the Earth, He had a servant mentality, showing love and compassion to the masses—to the sick, the discouraged, the outcasts of society. Before His ascension, He exhorted us to follow the example that He set for us, doing for others as He has done for us. Now that Jesus sits at the Right hand of God, He looks to us to show His heart and His love to His people by being His metaphorical hands and feet, touching hearts and lives as our divinely-led spirits take us into places where He is needed most.

Romans 12:13 – “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (NLT)

In Romans 12:13, Paul asserts that we should exist in a posture of compassion, where we are always willing and ready to serve…to reach out a hand in love and hospitality…when we see God’s people in need. It’s in these moments that people really have an opportunity to see the love of God in action…through you and your decision to act…and it may be that one simple act of kindness that truly touches a heart and turns it to Christ.

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

SELF-LOVE

Be the example…❤️

Nobody’s Perfect

SELF-LOVE

Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”

What do you think about yourself? What words do you speak about yourself? Are they positive and uplifting, or do you have a tendency to dwell on all of the ways that you fall short of perfection? I was reminded today of our tendency to focus more on our shortcomings, our mistakes, our areas of weaknesses, than we do on our God-given strengths and talents. It’s not that we need to become boastful, touting our every attribute at the top of our lungs; but it is okay to see ourselves as God see us—perfectly flawed…beautifully and wonderfully made—and to acknowledge the gifts that He has bestowed upon us.

Dwelling on our shortcomings is a slippery slope that can easily lead to lowered self-esteem and a distorted self-view, and it is a very easy way to become discouraged and find ourselves in a pattern of negative thinking. Nobody’s perfect, and I’m sure that few of us would find it difficult to uncover that first string of self-doubt to pick at and pull, until eventually, we unravel our healthy view of ourselves. There are too many people in this world who will be quick to judge you and point out your flaws; don’t add your own name to the list!

In 2018, let’s strive to love ourselves as God loves us—unconditionally—acknowledging and learning from our errors, but then moving past them with the understanding that while we are fallible human beings, we are also beautiful, loved children of God, and He doesn’t make mistakes. His works are wonderful, we know that full well…and you are one of His most amazing creations!

SHINE YOUR LIGHT!

On another note…HAPPY NEW YEAR! I know I’m a bit late, but I wish you all a prosperous, adventurous, fulfilling, and fruitful year that is filled with all of the love, joy, and peace that your heart can hold!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Love Thyself

LOVE

Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

Valentine’s Day and the month of February have come and gone, and throughout the month, there were numerous conversations about romantic (eros), brotherly (philos), and godly (agape) love; but I realized this morning that sometimes, we overlook one of the most important loves of all—love of self! Far too often, we neglect this valuable step—loving ourselves—which I think is actually second only to loving God in the Love Process. The first step in this process, always, is experiencing God’s love—receiving His adoration of you with your full heart and understanding that His love for you is unending and without measure. When we accept this love, internalize it, and start to see ourselves through God’s loving eyes—flawed, but fearfully and wonderfully made—we begin to see ourselves differently and position ourselves to experience the phenomenon of self-love…of seeing ourselves for who we really are—children of a loving God—and accepting ourselves (the good and the bad) as we continue this journey of learning and growing and evolving into the people that God created us to be.

There are so many voices around us—from images in the media to toxic people that we may have allowed into our inner circle—telling us that we’re not good enough and causing us to doubt ourselves, deride ourselves, fall out of love with ourselves…And when we don’t love ourselves, it becomes so much harder to engage in loving relationships with anyone outside of ourselves. It is only when we remember who and WHOSE we are that we can block out the negative voices and find peace in knowing and loving ourselves for who we are.

The other danger is one of simple neglect. I see so many people in ministry and giving professions (myself included) who become burnt out and exhausted because they devote so much of themselves to others that they neglect taking care of themselves until they become broken down or ill because their hearts, minds, and bodies just can’t take it anymore. So many of us place such a primary focus on loving and serving the people around us, that we forget that loving and caring for ourselves actually equips us to better care for the people in our lives. The Word says to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). It’s one of the great commandments given to us by Jesus Himself; and it implies that we must learn to love ourselves first before we can apply that same level of love to the other people in our lives.

So, as we continue to prioritize loving God, loving our family, and loving our neighbor each day, let’s be intentional about showing ourselves a little love—consider treating yourself to a quiet, restful night at home; a day out at the spa; or a little time engaging in that beloved hobby that used to bring you such joy! When you take the time to take care of and love yourself, you refill your tank and are better prepared to then go about the business of loving and serving others.

Make it a point to take care of yourself today and every day!

Shine your light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Love

Quality Time: The Love Language Series (Part 1)

LOVE

James 4:8a – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

I was reading a devotional the other day by Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages series. In it, he spoke about how true quality time—when you are focused on your time with the other person with NO distractions—helps to build intimacy and bridge emotional distances. Good Advice!

I think the same is true of our relationship with God. Just like any other relationship in our lives, to grow and develop, it requires Quality Time—time in the Word, time in prayer, time in meditation, time praising and worshiping. As we devote this quality time to getting to know God and His character, being open about our dreams and fears and being emotionally and spiritually available to His response, we begin to draw closer to Him; we begin to hear His voice (literally and figuratively) more clearly; and we become more aware of His leading and guiding as we go about our daily lives.

God wants a more intimate relationship with us—once a week for two hours just won’t do! He wants to chat with us throughout the day (pray without ceasing—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18); He wants to share His thoughts and perspectives (read the Word daily—Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2); and He wants us to share His love with other people (fellowship—Thessalonians 5:11).

How are you feeding and fostering your relationship with God? Are you checking in with Him once a week for a couple of hours, or are you spending quality time with Him each day? Are you making Him a priority, or are you allowing the other demands and distractions of the day to take precedence? Instead of giving Him our leftover time, let’s try in the coming days to put our relationship with God first. Speak His love language—giving Him the quality time necessary for your relationship with Him to grow and flourish as we draw ever closer to Him.

Shine Your Light!

See Also:

Revelation 3:20 – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Luke 10:41-42 – “’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

You Are Loved More Than You Know

Your First Love

LOVE

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

I have to say that I’m a little excited. For the first time in a long time, I am in a happy, healthy, stable relationship with a man that I love and who shows me every day that I am loved in return. It’s pretty amazing…love; and as I sit here this morning pondering the notion, I can’t help but think about my First Love…the One who taught me what it is to truly love and be loved, unconditionally, in return. I even brought out one of my favorite love letters that He wrote to me. In it, He tells me…

“I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Sigh…Isn’t He dreamy? 🙂 ❤

In all seriousness, I must admit that every single time that I read this verse it touches my heart and makes it swell. He…the Creator of the universe…LOVES flawed, imperfect, frustrating ME…with an EVERLASTING love… It will never end! His love is boundless! And the reality is that no other love on this earth will ever compare to the love that God has for each and every one of us…a love that is endless and impenetrable. NOTHING can get in its way…neither life nor death, height nor depth, nor anything in all creation can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

And so…whether you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day today or not…whether you are single and searching, single and satisfied, in a dating/courting relationship, or a veteran spouse…whether you are contemplating love or just trying to ignore it altogether…take a moment today to celebrate your First Love…the God of all creation, who loves YOU beyond measure. You. Are. Loved.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Song: First Love by Kirk Franklin

Agape Love

LOVE

(I thought I’d re-post this one from 2014 in honor of Valentine’s Day)

Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflections: Have you ever felt truly loved? I’m not talking about that fly by night, flash in the pan, fleeting love; I’m talking about everlasting, AGAPE LOVE, where you are seen and known and cherished unconditionally and beyond measure…the type of love that, in reality, you can only find in the heart of your Heavenly Father…

Our souls long for this love, our hearts yearn for this connection; but far too often…

We seek it in all the wrong places

In a sea of blank faces

In the company of false friends

Winding up at dead ends…

…And ultimately, we end up feeling unfulfilled, because THAT love—that soul-fulfilling, heart-wrenching, mind-blowing, never-ending love—is only available in one place: the arms of our almighty God.

As Valentine’s Day draws near, and we are surrounded by people consumed by the pursuit of love, know that you don’t have to look far to find it. You have only to look to the Father, who waits for you with open arms and an open heart to hold you close, take away your cares, and give you peace and love that surpasses anything you’ve ever known.

Happy (Almost) Valentine’s Day! (You are truly loved!)

Song: How He Loves Us by New Breed (Original)/How He Loves Us by Anthony Evans (Remake)

It May Not Seem Like Much, But It’s All He Ever Wanted

Giving Your All

LOVE

(Our theme for this month! ❤️😊)

1 Corinthians 2:9b – “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

I read this passage the other morning, and it made my heart smile to think of the abundant life that God wants for us. He wants to give us so much, and all He asks for in return is our love. We’re not talking about that love that simply gives lip service to our relationship with God, we’re talking about truly LOVING Him—with your heart, mind, and soul. It seems like such a small request when compared to what He promises in return—blessings the likes of which we have never seen or heard, and of which our minds have never even conceived. This is what He has in store for us if we would only fully surrender our hearts to Him. He doesn’t promise that the road will always be easy once we surrender (in fact, Jesus assures us that we will experience troubles), but throughout it all, we know His promises; and we can be assured of the abundant, unimaginable blessings that wait for us on the other side of life’s valleys.

Above all else, as you move through life’s highs and lows, know that you are loved beyond measure; that you are never, ever alone; and that what God has in store for you is better than anything you’ve ever dreamed of!

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Rivers of Love

Love Thy Neighbor

LOVE
(Our Theme for the Month!)

Galatians 5:14 – “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

It seems so simple, the call to love your neighbor…to be kind and considerate, and to treat those you encounter as you would want to be treated. I find, though, that this is not something that comes naturally to everyone. Almost everyone and everything around us urges people to look out for themselves, please themselves, do what’s good for themselves…It’s so rare that we receive messages that convey this key command from God—Love your neighbor as yourself—to be selfless, sacrificing, and to consider someone else’s well-being above your own.

This decree becomes even more challenging to fulfill when we consider the fact that the “neighbor” to which God refers is not only your friend, your relative, or your loved one; but also your enemy, your adversary, the proverbial bane of your existence. Loving them as you love yourself?? THAT’S when things get really tough and really interesting. I think it’s important to note, here, that loving someone does not equate to serving as their proverbial punching bag. It doesn’t mean that you have to just sit there and accept unacceptable behavior. I think that God simply means that we are to show them the grace and mercy in their flawed state that God shows us daily in ours. In doing so, we begin to create spaces for change, for reconciliation, for redemption, and hopefully, for salvation.

So, in the end, the mission is clear—Love thy neighbor. Your love, your patience, your acceptance may be the very thing needed to bring about a miraculous and life-changing work in someone else’s life.

Song: Speak Life by Toby Mac
Song: Set the World on Fire by Britt Nicole

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!

(This was a billboard I saw while driving one day that made me smile as I paused in the middle of my road rage lol)

Agape (A Poem)

by Nichole H. Stewart

Some days
I struggle
To put into words
The way my heart swells
At the thought of your love.

You SEE me

As no one else does
Or ever will…
Straight to
And through
My soul.
I am fully known
And you love me
Anyway
Freckles and flaws and all.

You FILL me

To completion
Shoring up
My empty spaces
Healing fast
My broken places
And You…
You
Make me
Whole..

You HEAR me

Each desperate prayer
Each unspoken plea
You are attuned
To the inner workings
Of my weary soul

And You
Abba…
My God
My Creator
My Father
You
My Master and King
You…
You deign
To respond!
In time
In wisdom
In light
And in love

You…
Your love…
It amazes me
It inspires me
It is my hope
It is my strength
It is the light
That guides me
Through the darkest nights
And reminds me
As the winds and waves of life
Rage and rail against me
That I am never alone
That You are with me always
And that in Your presence
I find joy
I find peace
I find a truer
Love
Than I have ever known
Or will ever know
Again.

You…

Jeremiah 31:3 – “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”

Nothing can separate us from our Father’s Love. (Romans 8:38-39)

Be Mine…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

1 John 4:6 – “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”

Reflections: Have you ever seen those little candy hearts they give out during the Valentine’s Day season? They’re all over the stores these days. I saw one the other day that said, “Be Mine,” and it made me think…Isn’t that what God is asking us? To be His? He wants you to be His—His child, His heir, His hands, His heart…And He doesn’t ask for much in return, just all that you are and everything you have to give. 🙂 I know, I know…It may sound like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for what you get in return—God’s salvation, His guidance, His wisdom, His peace, His joy, His LOVE…for eternity…Shall I go on?

God has already shown us His love in a million different ways, no more so than when He sacrificed His heart…His son…for us; and now, in return, He wants only to take our broken and battered hearts and pour into them a love that makes them whole. He wants to claim our weary souls and soothe them with peace, comfort, and rest. He wants to care for us, protect us, teach us, grow us, and above all, He wants us to know that we are L-O-V-E-D beyond measure.

God’s amazing, agape love (love unconditional) is the model to which all other love should aspire. Knowing God’s love is the key that unlocks your ability to truly love and be loved by others.  This Valentine’s Day, know that you already have at least one valentine, and He has already given you His heart. Will you give Him yours in return?

Happy Valentine’s Day! (And remember, YOU ARE LOVED!!)

Song: Love is All by Je’Kob

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Bright!