Don’t Let Love Grow Cold

What is it about people that we can maintain a strong relationship with a sports team, celebrity, political position, or hobby, and yet can let other relationships grow cold. Whenever our team is active, we wear team colors, watch the games, and even yell out our passion. Whenever our favorite celebrity comes around, we fawn in adoration. When our voice is needed to uphold our political stance, we are loud and proud. Whenever we get the chance to partake in our hobbies, we don’t miss the opportunity. But when it comes to building our relationships, the time and effort is found lacking.

Romans 12:10-12 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Do let your zeal for the Lord soften. Remain fervent in worshipping and serving the Lord and in your love for one another. Our relationship with the Lord is our most important one, so we can’t affort for it to grow cold in any way.

Be Brave

Sometimes we must be brave in the face of possible opposition. If we express our opinion, we can often expect people to speak up against us. However, we gain a certain amount of confidence when we speak or act upon the truth, even when opposition or ridicule does come. We are bolder, when we stand up for the right things.

Psalm 108:13 says, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.” Sometimes it takes courage to stand up for what you believe. Speak that which you know is good and true, and be strong in God, for He will take down those who may oppose the truth and righteousness.

Fully Known

When our kids were very small, our daughter would often speak on behalf of her brother, who was two years younger than she. She would tell people what he was thinking or what he wanted. She was correct most of the time. Sometimes we have people in our lives that can speak for us, knowing fairly accurately what we are thinking. These people are a treasure for us, as they know us intimately and love us.

Psalm 139:4-6 says, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” God knows us better than we can know ourselves. He even knows the words that we will speak before we say them. He surrounds us with steadfast love and kindness. His presence with us is more wonderful than anything else we can know.

Invitation

From time to time, we receive invitations. Our response varies based upon our interests, availabilty, and closeness to the invitation giver. The invitation may be to an auspicious occassion or to a child’s birthday party. Some invitations we cannot refuse based upon the consequences of rejection.

Psalm 50:1 says, “The Mighty One, God the Lord speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Today, all day, God is calling your name and asking you to come to Him. Will you respond with joyful acceptance of His gracious invitation or will you reject Him today, in this moment?

The Best Benefit Plan

Psalm 103:2-5 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” We should recount all the Lord’s blessings to us during each day. This act of thanksgiving and worship will encourage us and strengthen us for each new day.

And we have plenty of God’s blessings for which to be grateful. He forgives our sins by the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ. Healing of sicknesses/brokenness comes from Him. He oversees our lives with steadfast love and mercy. He redeems us from our personal slavery to the wrongs that control us. God satisfies our souls with the good gifts of grace that He bestows on us. Though we are weak and easily tired, He renews us with His strength. Let us thank Him for His benefits and praise His name!