Alive and Active Life

We bought a power washer. After borrowing one, we became instant believers. Gone was the greenish mossy mold on the house siding. The deck changed back to its natural wood color instead of the dingy gray-brown it had sported for a couple of seasons. Honestly, the difference was stunning. The cleaning power of water is pretty convincing. And power tools make life easier.

What would our lives be without power tools, not to mention our computers and technology gadgets? How would we ever function if there was a power blackout? We need power.

During this global COVID-19 pandemic, we should be reaching for God’s Power Tools often. His tool box is open with resources for every person. And His tools are free! No rental or purchase fees.

During these difficult days of global pandemic, we need additional kinds of power. Medications and interventive care provide power to give people a chance of recovery. Medical professionals are wielding this power to their best knowledge to help save lives.

A power most people don’t think about is their willpower to be careful and safe. Lock-down isn’t much fun, but people who understand the science of what is happening can use their willpower to cooperate – for the good of their community and their own health. This inner willpower also enables individuals to identify blessings still tucked into a difficult pandemic time. Blessings are all around for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear . . . each day in lock-down.

There is another power – a super-power – so strong it raised someone from the dead. Jesus was dead and buried. Next thing you know, He’s alive again because of this power! This resurrection power changes everything. It transforms lives. What a stunning power.

God makes His invisible power tools available to help humanity. We need His strong power every day. His entire power collection and accessories are available because He cares about your life. Let’s look inside God’s power toolbox.

JESUS The greatest and best power tool. The Living Word of God. Because He became a baby and lived on earth as an example, then died for all sins, it is possible to be forgiven, to have eternal life, and to walk with God in friendship. The blood of Jesus is a power washer. It cleans your heart and conscience down to the natural purity God intended. All the dingy build up is powerfully washed away. You are left with peace and joy – lemony fresh. New start.

SCRIPTURE  Add the big gun – the Written Word of God. Because Scripture is inspired, everybody needs this tool. Not only does it contain accessory parts to keep you clean after your power wash at the cross. These attachments help you manage your life. Let’s look.

GOD’S SPIRIT  The power converter in God’s toolbox is God’s Spirit. That seems odd to say because He is a living person. Yet, He is the power you plug into that converts all tools and accessories into working resources. Plugging in looks like this: You give your life to Jesus and declare you belong to Him. He gives you a power wash at the cross. God’s Spirit comes to live inside you. He teaches you to value Jesus’ interests over your own. He shows you how to love God first, most, and best. Then God’s Spirit empowers and enables you to accomplish things you otherwise could not.

Let’s dig down even deeper into God’s toolbox and see what else we find.

All these tools are available to you from God’s toolbox. They help you gain eternal benefits you can’t yet fathom. They help you not lose heart – especially during a global pandemic. Your troubles are limited to this life. Eternity is trouble-free. These few years of troubles will eventually seem “light and momentary.”

So, dig into God’s toolbox. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not on temporary things, or COVID-19, or your losses and troubles. Focus on the incredible power tools God has given you. He is eager to train you to use them and to live by faith. God loves you – so much.

List three ways you can apply God’s Word to your life. Add reasonable, practical steps to carry these goals out. Pray over your plan. Start today using His tools during these difficult COVID-19 days. You can be building something valuable with your life as you wait for the global outcome.

(Article developed from 2 Corinthians 4:14-18)

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Everything has changed during COVID-19. People have lost income. Parents have suddenly become point person for their child’s education. Shopping safely is a big deal and many items are in short supply. Businesses have shut down or turned solely to the internet. Education has flipped to online classrooms. Even Dr. appointments are by phone or video. And facial masks are the new fashion! All of this while under lock-down stress. You need resources of the heart.

No one could have guessed the challenges COVID-19 has forced upon families and individuals. With good reason, some people are discouraged.

Here are some resources to help navigate tough times, starting with highest priorities and focused on truth and perspective.

Read More …

As we navigate through our global COVID-19 crisis, we need helpful resources to respond in practical ways. We also need methods of encouraging each other. And we need prayer! 

Intentional Living wants to come alongside you in prayer as we await the outcome of our global crisis. 10 Days of Prayers is a tool to help you pray through this crisis.

10 Days of Prayers is a tool to engage prayer in a tangible, practical method during this pandemic time. The prayers are written out in the article below – BUT they are also a downloadable resource. The downloadable zip file contains both a 10-picture set (usable on your device) and a printable pdf arrangement. The set is beautifully formatted, creating an attractive set of prayer cards. Here is the set with a special FREE download offer.

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If you prefer your device, use the picture set. If you prefer hard copy, print a set on card stock and cut apart to carry with you, put on your family dinner table, or slip into your Bible. I think you’ll like the set. Pass this special prayer card offer on to others.

The content of 10 Days of Prayers focuses on 1. who God is and 2. what Scripture says – so you can safely apply the content to your heart during these uncertain COVID days.

10 Days of Prayers can be part of your private, daily prayers, or they can be shared with your family or house-hold group. If you are in a group, read one of the prayer cards together. Even children can participate. Take turns or divide the prayer between readers.

If you are by yourself, lift your heart in single, strong testimony of God’s unchanging goodness and love.

You can use these prayers anytime – perhaps to begin the day, or as the prayer at your main meal, or to close the day. Once you complete all the prayers, you can circulate back through again.

These prayers are inspired from Psalm 103 with specific verses referenced. I’m including Psalm 103 in its entirety at the end of these 10 prayers, below.

May you be blessed, encouraged, and filled with hope as you use these 10 Days of Prayers.

Thank You, God – Friend of people – for Your sweet companionship during these difficult global times. You said You would never leave us or forsake us. Thank You for new beginnings – each new day, every meal, encouraging conversations, tiny bits of good news, each positive perspective adopted by someone. These new beginnings help us stay focused and balanced. During these troubled times, we place ourselves in Your over-care . “We praise You with our souls, with all our inner beings. We praise Your holy name.” We love You back. (Ps. 103: 1)

Thank You, Creator of all things, for making us in Your image. You made it possible to know You and share Your joy each day. Because we are made in Your image, we can solve problems and find solutions. Please help humanity find a cure and vaccine in this pandemic. You know every detail of this viral threat. “We are mortals made from dust and our lives are short – like flowers in a field. You work righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”  Yet, You empower us to do great things in Your name. We trust You, and we love You back. (Ps. 103: 6, 14, 15)

Thank You, Father – Daddy – our Abba – for loving us as Your children. We praise You for giving us a place in Your royal family. Help us conduct ourselves like royalty even in these hard times. Enable us to reach for our best responses and for practical solutions. Since you created each person in Your image, may we always see Your likeness in one another and love each other as You love us. “As a father has compassion on his children, so You have compassion on those who respect You. You make Your ways known to us. Your righteousness is with our children . . . and their children as we all resolve to keep Your ways.” We love You back. (Ps. 103: 7, 13, 17, 18)

Thank You, Jesus – Emmanuel – for becoming one of us . . . God with us forever! It is unbelievable that You squeezed Your greatness into a tiny baby body to identify intimately with us. Flesh joined to flesh. You are our Brother, “slow to anger and abounding in love.”  In these fear-filled days of unknowns, You bear the burdens we bring to You. Help us let go of them into Your excellent over-care. We thank You for sharing in our trials as a human and as God. As the God-man, You grew up as a visible person, a model of how to please our Heavenly Father. You show sincere compassion for our sufferings. Help us trust Your love deeply. Thank You for hope. We love You back. (Ps. 103: 8)

Thank you, Man of Joy, for teaching us about the “magic” of Your creation. Wonders surround us every day. Blessings co-exist even with our troubles. “You satisfy our desires with good things and renew our youth like the eagle’s.” Teach us to focus on Your good gifts, to hope in Your promises, and to live inside Your power. Open our eyes to see more of Your beauty. “Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion.” We love You back. (Ps. 103: 5, 22)

Thank You, Man of Sorrows, for taking our sins away from us and absorbing them into Yourself on the cross. We are sorry for our wrong-doings. Please forgive us of all our sins and make us holy like Yourself. “You forgive all our sins. As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our sins from us.” Thank You for caring about our sorrows, our disappointments, and our losses. We have many of them on our globe today. You walk the path of suffering with us during this pandemic. We love You back. (Ps. 103: 3, 12)

Thank You, Spirit of God, for living inside our hearts as we trust Christ for salvation. We are Your “holy of holies.” What an undeserved privilege! You comfort our hearts as we lean into You in these desperate times. You never leave us, and You give us Your peace. Teach us God’s ways, and help us surrender increasingly each day. Teach us how to be a living sacrifice. Make us pure and holy like You are. “From everlasting to everlasting Your love is with us as we trust You deeply.” We love You back. (Ps. 103: 17)

Thank You, Shepherd, for Your rod and staff. They correct us when we slip off the path of faith. They scoot us forward when we are afraid. And they discipline us when we are self-sufficient and stubborn. Please use Your shepherd tools to keep us on a good path in these very hard times. We accept Your guidance, courage, and discipline. “You are slow to anger, abounding in love. You will not always accuse or harbor justified anger forever. And You do not treat us as our sins deserve.” So, we cling to Your love, and we love You back. (Ps. 103: 8, 9, 10)

Thank You, Healer, for Your miracle of intervention in our diseases and brokenness. During this global time of suffering and sickness, please heal Your children. We need Your touch on our bodies, minds, hearts, and perspectives. “You heal all our diseases and redeem our lives from the pit. You crown us with love and compassion. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your love for us as we trust You.” We accept Your gifts of hope and peace by faith. And we love You back. (Ps. 103: 3, 4, 11)

Thank you, our Shelter and Provider, for remembering our needs and supplying resources. At this time, every person on the earth needs You more than anything else. We need Your protection through shelter and provision. Because we need Your intervention in so many ways, we look to You. You have said that the one who trust in You will never be put to shame. “You satisfy our desires with good things. Your compassion and grace encourage our hearts. We praise You and remember all Your blessings.” Thank You. We love You back. (Ps. 103: 2, 5, 8)

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Directly below are helpful websites with great information about COVID-19. CDC and WHO have up-to-date information and helpful action steps to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Intentional Living libraries of Articles, Podcasts, and Shareable Images are loaded with encouragement. They are all written, recorded, and developed for such a time as this. Why not explore them?

Sign up on our email list to stay connected to helpful resources as you walk with God. Share Intentional Living with others.

And don’t forget to pray and draw close to God. Trust Him in this difficult time. Jesus loves you – so much!

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

God created and equipped you in a unique and beautiful way. No matter who you are, God sees you as a special treasure! Not only that, but your life on this globe during this timeline of history is no accident. You are here for a reason, and God is pleased you are alive – for such a time as this.

During this scary global COVID-19 pandemic, what difference does this information make? How does your presence on the globe affect anything? Most people are mandated to stay home. Some can work from home. Yet, the instability of companies, stock market, and global economy poses credible threats that affect jobs, incomes, provisions. This global raw reality finds us stumbling at worst, and hobbling at best. It should also find us praying for wisdom, guidance, comfort, healing, and help.

Some of you are quarantined to determine if you have contracted COVID-19. Others are sick and fighting to get better. Some of you have lost loved ones and are grieving. And many of you are staying put . . . waiting for better days. The sobering reality is that life is standing still. Everything has shifted into the “unknown category” as everyone hopes for an answer and a turn for the better. The waiting game is hard to play, especially when it involves a serious life and death scenario. So we patiently wait the outcome as we fight for health.

If you are still healthy and locked down, you might feel helpless. Anxiety is probably lurking in your every thought. An “invisible enemy” is really hard to fight. Plus, much of the front-line fighting is out of the general public’s control. Very fine-tuned, specialized organizations are working night and day to refine a possible vaccine. They are also hoping desperately to find a cure for COVID-19. Hospitals and clinics are doing their best to stay ahead of this brutal invader. They are engaging every good practice possible – and many are hoping for a bit of sleep as they care for the sick and dying in the war zone.

So with such a state of affairs, what – WHAT – can you do of value, stuck at home, immobile and limited?

I said at the beginning of this article that you are no accident. You are here in 2020 for a reason. Your unique personality, skill sets, perspectives, and resources are important to your family, community, and the globe during this pandemic. Instead of thinking you are limited, try to think outside the box. Color outside the lines. Get creative to see what you can do and how you can do it. Whether it’s a practical provision, a form of encouragement, a reasonable application of supplies, an online fun activity for children – whatever it is, this is the time to share it! You are part of this human family, and right now we need one another. I’m positive you have something to offer!

There are practical things you can do to manage your worries and concerns and hold a positive, healthy perspective. You can also take advantage of this global pause in purposeful strides. These linked articles are filled with practical action steps and excellent content for difficult times.

In Scripture, Queen Esther* was placed in the palace of King Xerxes for a purpose critical to the survival of her people. She was desperately anxious about doing something to help. She also knew her portion would involve certain risks – even her own survival. Esther asked people to fast and pray as she developed her strategy and plan. Then she took a deep breath, rolled up her sleeves, and rose to the opportunity to get involved. She took the risk and went after something that mattered. Queen Esther realized she was alive in her timeline and current circumstances for such a time as this.

What creative way can you engage your skill sets? How can you apply your knowledge or resources in this season of immobility? What can you do, as small as it might seem, to add something of value to this global pause – something of value to someone else’s life?

You, like Esther, are alive right now for such a time as this. Why not ask God for wisdom to know how to serve for the greater good, starting in your own family and home? Your life matters, and God loves you – so much! Knowing this, maybe it’s time to take a deep breath. Roll up your sleeves. Rise to opportunities in front of you . . . as tiny as they may seem.

You can do this! Partner with God! Engage Intentional Living!

*Check out the Old Testament book of Esther for awesome details of a fascinating story! It’s a great read . . . and chances are – you have time to read it!

Directly below are helpful websites with great information about COVID-19. CDC and WHO have up-to-date information and helpful action steps to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Our libraries of Articles, Podcasts, and Shareable Images are loaded with encouragement. They are all written, recorded, and developed for such a time as this. Why not explore them?

Sign up on our email list to stay connected to helpful resources as you walk with God. Share Intentional Living with others.

And don’t forget to pray and draw close to God. Trust Him in this difficult time. Jesus loves you!

Our global community is facing one of its greatest challenges ever. The COVID-19 Pandemic is giving everyone opportunity to reach for our highest and best responses.

Some global citizens are enduring severe suffering having contracted COVID-19. Others have suffered sorrowful losses of loved ones who didn’t make it. For many, fear is pressing into hearts. Leaders face great unknowns as they seek to engage problem-solving skills for the good of all. Communities have basically shut down. Schools, businesses, and professional groups have closed except for emergent situations. Online teaching has taken over. Even many medical appointments have gone “video” or “phone.” A person can’t even hug a dear friend or neighbor anymore. Six-foot distancing is the rule for public places. Even churches have closed. A global sense of significant need and deep concern has invaded as COVID-19 has gone viral!

There doesn’t seem – yet – to be a desperation causing people to go crazy with panic. Perhaps there are some cases in desperate conditions around the globe. Yet, where you would have stood at the start of a store aisle and seen full shelves with lots of options a few weeks ago, the store shelves are now empty of every helpful resource. From dried rice, beans, pasta, bread, canned goods, and flour to milk, medicine, and healthcare products containing at least 60% alcohol. Bleach is hard to find. Rubbing alcohol is like gold!

People are wiping down groceries and mail before bringing them into their homes. There is a limited supply of medical protective gear and hospitals are rationing until supplies can be replenished. People are desperate to stay safe. Families who have first-responders and medical professionals, grocery or pharmacy personnel, various critical cafeterias and housekeeping employees are praying hard for those loved ones as they serve in higher risk jobs. Shut-downs affect jobs and incomes. COVID-19 has definitely brought things to a stop . . . like throwing an anchor out of a speeding boat. “Sober” seems to be the general climate.

If only it had been under different conditions, a pause is something our world has needed for a long time. Mandates of shutting things down because of the ravaging disease have filled many people’s days with time they are not used to. They can’t go anywhere. They are stuck in their house. Some feel awkward in these pauses that were once filled with frenzy, hustle, and bustle. Others are glad for a bit of a breather. Yet, most are aware – “it is not normal to have down time like this.” Perhaps that is our sad reality.

I’d like to suggest these mandated pauses, confinements, quarantines, and curfews can revive certain qualities often missing in our otherwise fast-paced world. A friend just wrote me about their hopes that families will somehow re-connect during this time. Individuals can re-discover things that were lost in their too busy life only weeks ago. People can sit down with a cup of tea, read a book, play games with kids home from school, write a friendly email or send a card. Of course, they are still very concerned. But in that moment – a pause – they have something to be cherished. Celebrated.

Perhaps this global pause, even amidst serious concern, suffering, and loss, can invite people to welcome elements missing in harried lives that had no down time before. Perhaps simple things can be treasured.

What about those who are suffering in this pause? What about the family engulfed in overwhelming grief because of death from COVID-19? Mandated confinements eliminate physical presence to comfort (to “be” there) – outside of garbed medical professionals. But we still have options to provide “presence.” Devices and phones are instant connections. E-cards are lovely to receive. Snail mail is still running. Pleasant thoughts and memories of times with others are like a favorite re-run movie. Some neighborhoods step out their front door and wave to others on their street to connect at a set time. And we absolutely have prayer! How we should be praying for those who are suffering and those who have lost so deeply! These are practical strokes and easily done.

My prayer is that this forced global pause will prompt people to turn their hearts to God and remember His love. “Be still and know that He is God.” (Ps. 46:10) Pauses increase in value if people reflect on what matters forever – and embrace that. By turning to God, a person would find healing for a broken heart or peace in their normally loud loneliness. God wants to help.

God loves you and has a purpose for your life. Scripture says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Ps. 37:7) God also says, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14) God is all about healing, forgiving, and loving.

Are you practicing being still? How are you connecting with God during this forced global pause? Where do you need healing? In your loneliness are you talking with God? Scripture says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (Jas. 4:8) Humble yourself and pray. Seek God’s face! Does it not impress you that God welcomes you to look directly into His face by faith?

Perhaps people will be holistically healthier when things become more normal again – if they choose to increase the value of a pause. What practical things can you do today to increase the value of your pause?

If you have concerns about the coronavirus that is spreading around the world, here are some helpful websites with great information. And don’t forget to pray and draw close to God. Trust Him in this difficult time. Jesus loves you!

Life is filled with worries and concerns. Often circumstances beyond your control arise. There is so much to address and manage. Responsibilities. Relationships. Careers. Home and property. Events. Each day is packed. And now with the coronavirus, there is even more to be concerned about.

Every single day you ask yourself a question you aren’t even aware of: what’s your move? You make decisions and take action in multi-faceted areas of responsibilities and life issues. As a Jesus follower, you make moves to show others what God is like. And you make moves to honor the rules and laws of your community and country.

It used to be that people who followed God also were required to follow The Law. This is the Law God gave to the Israelites way back in the Old Testament of Scripture. So, why are we talking about this today? Good question. At the end, I think you will see the need to ask yourself – “What’s Your Move?”

You know what it is to live under the laws of our country. If you are part of a family, you live under certain agreed rules or expectations. On your job, you adhere to appropriate employee conduct. So, living under a law is not a foreign concept to you or anyone.

I want to visit the Law God gave to His people years ago. We’ll look at some verses from Romans 7. I think there is value in taking a look, mostly because – get this! – apparently the Law is no longer in judgment over you? That’s what Scripture says.  Did you know that? Maybe a better question is – do you fully “get” why its power no longer rules over your daily life? If the Law was still over you, your life would look completely different.

Romans 7 is packed with hope. It reveals a power you can live inside. The message is refreshing, one of emancipation. You have been set free from the Law.

Death is a powerful force we all live under every day. Its reality motivates, dictates, and flavors many choices. The constant awareness of death propels people forward to accomplish, conquer, establish, and experience. Even so, physical death’s power is limited. It ends when your life succumbs to it. This example of how death’s power is limited can help us understand the obsolete power of the Law. Let’s unpack this.

God wants you to be free from the condemnation of His appropriately applicable Law over your life. His Law is not evil in any way. It is right and fair and just. But under His Law, every sinner is in terrible trouble! They are rightfully condemned to the punishment of death – because the Law exposes sin in all hearts.

But . . . what if someone were to take all your sin away from you, absorb it, and take responsibility for it? And what if that person were to die your death and fulfill the deserved punishment? What if that person just happened to be a perfect person who never sinned, and they made arrangements for their perfect record of conduct to be given to you, if you were willing to accept it? In other words, they arranged a great exchange on your behalf. A transfer. That person would end the condemnation of the Law over you by taking your punishment, and you would be free to live your life with their perfect conduct as your own. A swap. Sound unthinkable?

Jesus Christ did this very thing. He arranged a trade. His clever, strategic plan tricked your enemy, who held death over you because of your sin. (me, too) But Jesus took all your sin on Himself and died your death. In essence, your sinful self died with Him on the cross. Then, He made an incredible trade. He put His holiness onto you, if you accept it. The new you is free to go, free to be holy, and free to live forever, free to be the real you. What an amazing gift! DO take it if you haven’t already. By faith, accept your new life.

You are under a new law – the Law of the Spirit of God. The written code of God’s Law is rendered powerless because Jesus never once broke the Law, yet He fulfilled its purpose of identifying, condemning, and punishing all sin. “He became sin who knew no sin. . . “ (2 Cor. 5:21) Jesus accomplished this for you because God loves you very much!

If you trust Jesus for this incredible exchange, you are no longer under the Law. Instead, you are under His Grace. When Jesus died once for all, He made the Law obsolete. Since your old life died with Christ on the cross, the Law is powerless over your new life now. And you are free. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Gal. 5:1)

Please accept the power to live free forever. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (Jn. 8:36)

What’s your move? Freedom or bondage?

Why not read more about these ideas that sound so “theological,” but are really practical and applicable to your daily life. In fact, these kinds of ideas put you on the path of transformation, peace, and power. Many more similar ideas are in my book It’s Your Move: Strategies in Thinking From Romans. 

We just celebrated Valentine’s Week by focusing on love in the article: New Fresh Love. This week, let’s explore how love can make a personal difference and a global difference.

With all the challenges, conflicts, and losses on this spinning globe, love is a challenging subject. Still – what the world needs most is love. Even song writers agree. In 1965, Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote the hit song, “What The World Needs Now Is Love [Sweet Love].”

On your worst days, your lonely days, you know you need a deep, abiding love. You need God’s love.

To do justice to this topic, we need to explore some Scripture. 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, concludes the greatest quality to aspire to is love. It is the greatest of the “greater gifts.” Two other greater gifts are faith and hope.

If you are a Jesus follower, you have a spiritual gift set. There is a full list of all spiritual gifts in chapter 12. But no matter what your individual gift set is, you need love. It boosts the value and usefulness of your gifts. In fact, love is the only admirable motive under all gifts and skill sets.

Still, to display love, you need to do certain things. This is where your spiritual gifts come in. This is how you reach into the world, starting with your family.

All spiritual gifts are from God. The gifts of greater value (from His perspective) build up, encourage, and nurture His people.1 Cor. 14:1-19 compares two gifts: speaking in tongues and prophecy. Let’s see what these two gifts look like, each motivated with the greatest gift of love.

Why would we spend time talking about speaking in tongues or prophecy? These topics sound irrelevant in today’s world. I’m guessing they are more relevant than you might suspect. And I know they have been vastly misunderstood. So, here we go. Let’s start with tongues.

Speaking in tongues has often been coveted through centuries, possibly because of its sensationalism. It’s quite an experience to speak in a beautiful, heavenly language you previously did not study to learn. Tongues is a personal edification experience for only you – a unique opportunity to express your love for God. Many believers do not have this gift, and that’s OK.

Without the presence of an interpreter, speaking in tongues has no place in public worship. If an interpreter is present, they convert this limited, personal experience into value that is multiplied to others by sharing the message in a language everyone understands. If the message is truly from God, it will strengthen, encourage, edify, instruct, and/or comfort people who are listening. (1 Cor. 14) Those people will not be confused, fearful, or insulted by the experience. This is in contrast to when people hear a language they don’t understand being inserted into a public worship time – and they have no idea how to respond. They will probably think all those Jesus followers are nuts! Out of their mind! (1 Cor. 14:23)

Speaking in tongues, however lovely, does not compare to regular, common, daily love for others. It does not hold a candle to faithful daily duties you carry out in Jesus’ name. Your hard work and kindness bring credibility to words of love for those around you through action. Your faithful service backs your claims of love, just as Jesus’ faithful sacrifice and service backs His claims of God’s love.

Paul spoke in tongues. But he puts this gift at the bottom of the list. And he contrasts it to a gift of greater value on the list: prophecy. Not every believer has this gift either, and that’s OK.

Prophecy has a completely different purpose than tongues. It strengthens, encourages, instructs, and comforts other Christians. As a spiritual gift, it’s meaning is not to predict the future! It provides practical action steps for life. Whereas tongues edifies one person (without an interpreter), prophecy edifies all believers. It also provides an intelligent, welcoming message to people who don’t know Jesus yet. Tongues expresses love for God privately, prophecy expresses God’s love for all people and provides practical instruction for believers to show their love back for God through their daily choices – their actions. Whereas tongues is a momentary experience (and special memory), prophecy focuses on daily living issues, addressing the hard work of living well. It gives practical, necessary teaching and training to nurture growth, encourage discouraged hearts, provide critical direction and details, and stimulate courage in the deep recesses of each believer.

The exponential effect of prophecy, motivated by love, far outweighs tongues. It is to be desired much more highly because it has the power to express love for God and His people in the most critical, ordinary, practical manner.

God values order and purpose in spreading His message of salvation and hope. He wants His people to grow up in their faith, to get beyond private edification and invest in nurturing other believers into maturity. This puts legs to your private walk and talk with God, adopting His very heart for lost people.

Why not let love motivate your spiritual gift set? This love is not a feeling. It’s a decision. Build others up with the greatest of the greater gifts: LOVE!

This week is Valentine’s Week. People are focused on love. We need more love in our world, wouldn’t you agree? So how can you find a new fresh love each day? One that drives your life, that holds you safe and steady through thick and thin.

Just to be a bit more transparent with you, I have a confession to make. As soon as I realized we should be talking about LOVE, an alarm triggered inside me – “How ever will I write anything to encourage people to love God more deeply? How ever will I develop any credible thoughts to accurately present God’s new fresh love to readers?

Love is a wonderful concept, and at times, almost impossible to carry out! I fail more often than I’d like to admit when it comes to loving God and others.” I’m guessing you are the same.

The next thoughts I found in my mind consoled my heart a bit. “I do try! I keep aiming for love. And, I suppose I’m doing better at it than I did a couple of decades ago.”

As a person lives out the years of their life, trying this and that to address problems, relationships, obligations, and responsibilities, many solutions just simply start to sound “noisy.” Like an annoying and resounding gong or irritating clanging cymbal. At this point, a person either caves in and succumbs to the shallowness of life around them, melding into empty existence. OR, they simply shut down inside because it’s easier or less painful. OR – they do something more radical. They forge a new path, pioneer a different approach, brave a wild frontier. They look for better options and fresh solutions for whatever remaining years they might be blessed to live. These folks look for new fresh love in God. And they look for it every day.

In this broken world, life certainly has a reputation of falling short for anyone who has suffered deeply or experienced irretrievable losses. If you are in this place, please know there is hope. You have options.

In the 60’s and 70’s, there was a phenomenon – a movement. I’ve heard it called the love generation, the beat generation (deriving to beatnik), flower power, free love, and the hippie generation. So many young people had become disillusioned, they decided to do something about all the lost love in the world. If you lived through the hippie movement, you remember. From “love-ins” to flower people to experimental options to sharing everything – these hungry individuals tried to address the deep hunger for love on this earth. Their hearts were searching. Craving. Perhaps even desperate. They lived out a kind of resounding gong – a clanging cymbal existence even as they cried out for love.

1 Corinthians 13, often called “The Love Chapter,” offers a new path, an undiscovered frontier with high-yielding risks for anyone desiring more effective and eternal options of love. It provides definition for a better journey. “Surely life is more than it appears. Surely there is still meaningful relationship to be had. Please tell me there is still love to enjoy and to enrich our lives with.”

God’s love is so different from any love on earth. It is deep and rich. A quiet, compelling force, it can strip you of any and every excuse for not reveling in it. God’s love is inexplicably extravagant. It has power to tear down defenses and barriers. Yet, its power is gentle, kind, warm, welcoming, and healing to the broken heart. And to top all that, God’s love is freely given to every person who will receive it. You can’t earn it. Just open your heart and accept it. All this is truly amazing.

How can a human person ever love like God loves? It seems much easier for God to love than for people to love. The list of what love does is daunting: always be patient, kind, protecting others, ready to trust again, full of hope, never giving up, rejoicing in everything. But the list of what love does not do is even more intimidating: boast, be full of pride, be rude, engage in self-seeking, get mad quickly, not track hurts and wrongs others cause, not be glad when an enemy gets their just reward.

God says love never fails. Everything else in life fails, sooner or later. Even the process of growing up can be a disappointment, despite a possibly happy childhood. Some questions for you. How can a person stay in new fresh love, keeping life special – something to be treasured, especially when life begins its crushing process? How can you be known as you were intended to be known – and know the same about others? What is it like to age into cheer, positive perspective, and vitality – feeling more youthful in your heart as an older person than when you were young and energetic, with a body that worked much better? Adopting God’s love is the only way. His love empowers you into everything good that will last.

Keep choosing to love better. Go after this greatest gift. Add faith and hope, the other greater gifts, to ensure the best years possible in front of you. Let go of the past, the failed experiences of love, and risk a launch into new territory.

From love generation to i-generation. What the world needs is love – God’s love. Why not be an e-pistle of His love?

Much of the material today is taken from my book E-pistles For An i-Generation. In each session of the book, I include an “i-Apply” section where I ask helpful application questions. Here are some questions for you today:

*You can order your copy of E-pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant in a Digital Age on our website.

People try all kinds of approaches and tactics to establish themselves in better ways . . . who they are, what they do, how they are perceived, etc. Being established helps people live their daily lives. And in the first months of a new year, this topic is still on people’s minds. Maybe it’s on your mind.

What have you done to establish yourself?

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