Meditations on Love, Part 3: Quench Fires With Love

Have you ever heard somebody say, “I am going through hell” at any time in the past?

Maybe you were the one who said that because your situation has been so frustrating that you feel you can’t stand it.

Or, to quote Popeye the Sailor Man: I had all I can stand... I can’t stand any more!

I have heard people describe a lot of situations as being hell-like:

• Their work environment...
• Their marriage...
• Some personal or familial relationship...
• Their school...

A lot of people think that their situation is like hell... or that some person is putting them through hell.  Unlike hell, however... we can extinguish those fires that happen between people by applying God’s agape love.

Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

1 Peter 3:8-9 [AMP]

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Meditations on Love, Part 2: Resist Confrontation With Love

In the second of this ten-part series, we focus on this truth: Love covers a multitude of sins.

Check out what the Apostle Peter has to say about this:

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).

1 Peter 4:8-9 [AMP]

Love (God’s agape love) allows you to show love to those who might otherwise create confrontation or contention.

Love is the better way.

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Meditations on Love, Part 1: React to People With Love

In our ten part series, “Meditations on Love (Volume One),” we look at ways to fulfill what Jesus gave us as the greatest of all commandments:

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

John 13:34-35 [AMP]

The problem is that people often make it very difficult to love them.  That is why this podcast was created.  Take a listen and see if you emerge better equipped to love those who are less than lovable.

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The $80 Blessing

Today being 10/10/10... you may be thinking about playing the lottery and making money.  But while getting money is fun to do... remember this biblical principle:

In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35 [AMP]

Yes... it is better to give than to receive.  And, in this podcast, we discuss how giving someone $80 (technically, returning that money to the individual) turned into a tremendous blessing that changed the lives of many!


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Defender: Part Three

God will see your righteous behavior and defend you.  Unfortunately, some people will see your righteous behavior and accuse you of being unrighteous.  We see an example of that in the Old Testament:

And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli noticed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.

1 Samuel 1:12-13 [AMP]

In the Bible, Hannah (not to be confused with Hannah Montana) was falsely accused by the prophet of being drunk when, in fact, she was praying to the Lord.

And would you believe that this Old Testament faux pas is repeated today in the 21^st Century?  But just as He did in the olden days, God still protects those whose hearts are right in His eyes.


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Defender: Part Two

My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17

God is our Defender.  He will send His hosts to deliver you from those who rise up to destroy you.  What a wonderful promise.

However, it is important to remember that, in order to be a recipient of His protection, we must live the type of life that honors Him.

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Defender: Part One

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

Psalm 91:11 [AMP]

God will defend and protect you. He will send His angels to accompany and defend and preserve you.  He does this because He is a loving Father.

Part of the requirment for receiving His protection is when we obey and serve God.  As you walk with Him, you will grow to know Him more.

God will defeat your enemy (satan) and hold off all who would work against you... and he will discipline you when you screw up.

He is your Father. He is your defender.

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Your Arms Too Short to Box with God

Some of you may remember the Broadway play Your Arms Are Too Short to Box with God.  That sentiment has been used in popular culture -- including numerous rap and hip-hop artists.  But the idea can be traced back to the scriptures:

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]? It is dangerous and turns out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads [to keep offering vain and perilous resistance].

Acts 26:14 [AMP]

Saul of Tarsus (before he became the Apostle Paul) was warned by Jesus of the danger of resisting the will of God. Consider, however, how often we do that very thing.  This classic podcast reminds us that fighting against the things of God can only lead to hurting yourself.

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Cement Shoes

And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes one little child like this for My sake and in My name receives and accepts and welcomes Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:5-7 [AMP]

Jesus said that anyone who would lead a young child into temptation should receive the equivalent of Cement Shoes.  Some people might consider that to be Mafia language, since this was purportedly a mafia execution technique.  Today, there are so many pressures put upon the youth... just don’t be a person who is responsible for tempting a young person into sin... or else!  You don’t wanna be wearin’ no cement shoes.  Fuggedaboutit!

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7-11

⁷Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.
⁸For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.
⁹Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?
¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?
¹¹If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

Matthew 7:7-11 [AMP]

Originally posted to our Powerhouse Ministry Blog, this is 32 minutes (and 41 seconds) of wisdom. Yes, it is more than the seven minutes you may have been expecting... but hopefully it will be a blessing to you!



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Yield to the Spirit. He has the right of way.

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Matthew 6:33 [AMP]

In this podcast, we learn that if we fail to yield to God’s way of doing and being right, and if we focus on mammon (deceitful riches), we will find ourselves striving for nothing.  You may gather things... but you are basically putting money into a bag with holes in it.

You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it.

Haggai 1:6 [AMP]

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Get Right and you can Get Prosperity

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Matthew 6:33 [AMP]

In this podcast, we focus on how our Christian walk will have impact on whether we receive those blessings we seek from the Lord.




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Seek God’s Way of Doing and Being Right

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Matthew 6:33 [AMP]

In this podcast, we continue looking at the scripture where Jesus tells us to seek God’s way of doing and being right.

If you want a blessing... you don’t need to study prosperity or blessing scriptures.  Just study how to do and be right the way that God wants us to...

And don’t do those things that God hates.

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Seek God First... Things Will Come

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

Matthew 6:33 [AMP]

In this podcast, we are told to not be like the heathen -- worrying about how to get fed, how to get clothes... how to have our material needs met. Instead, focus on your personal walk and relationship with God. As your Heavenly Father, He will provide for you.

David tells us in Psalm 103 that we can bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord because He pours such great benefits on us.

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Cast Your Cares On The Lord

Looking at the records for our Powerhouse Podcasts web site, we see that this blog is the most popular on our site. Why? Because people across the United States and literally around the world are searching Google, Bing and other search engines for help on how to find peace and rest by casting their cares on God.

And so... we reiterate the question: why worry and lose sleep> Why lose peace? Why lose your mind? Cast your cares and worries on the Lord... lay them down before His everlasting throne of justice... and He will take care of the rest.

Psalm 55:22-23 (AMP) says: “Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). But You, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You.”

1^st Peter 5:7 (AMP) says: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

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And you can also check our our two blogs on the subject... each provide comforting expository and scriptural meditations from Judypie. They are guaranteed to help you cast your cares, and and then to enjoy your life burden-free and worry-free.

• May 9^th 2010 - Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord, Part 1
• May 23^rd 2010 - Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord, Part 2