“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18)

There are divisions all around us

Division is obvious in things like politics, race, and religion; our country was greatly divided in the last few presidential elections, and the truth is, no matter who had won, the other half would have been unhappy about it. Division is now the new norm, unfortunately.

Anything divided is weaker!

The way to weaken anything is to divide it. In fact, an often-used battle strategy is called divide and conquer.” 

Patrick Henry said in his famous last speech of 1799, “Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs."

Jesus said it this way

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:24-25)

God wants us to bring the message of reconciliation to the world!

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18-19)

And here’s how!

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12-15)

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“The number one problem in our world is alienation, rich versus poor, black versus white, labor versus management, conservative versus liberal, East versus West . . . But Christ came to bring about reconciliation and peace.” – Billy Graham

Romans 12:11-12 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV).

This passage uses two words, zeal and fervor, to describe how your relationship with the Lord should be. According to the dictionary, zeal is defined as great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective, and fervor is defined as intense and passionate feeling, eagerness, enthusiasm, and fire.

Are you lacking in zeal and fervor?

Many people are excited and even on fire for God when they first become saved. But, over time, they cool off, lose their fresh enthusiasm for the Lord, and even fall away. Jesus spoke about this in Rev. 2:3-4, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

How to know you that you have left your first love 

Here are some warning signs to watch out for.

1.     Your heart toward Christ is cold and indifferent, not tender as it once was.

2.     You are not easily moved by the Word, and no longer read the Bible daily.

3.     You no longer talk about spiritual things when you get together with others.

4.     You can go hours or days without having more than a passing thought of Him.

5.     Things that used to disturb your conscience no longer do.

6.     Private prayer and worship are almost non-existent, cold, and dry.

7.     Your service for Christ and others is motivated by a sense of duty or obligation.

8.     You spend more time and effort on your physical appearance than you do on cultivating inner spiritual beauty to please Christ.

9.     You are more concerned about what others think and pleasing them rather than about pleasing Christ.

10.  You prefer secular songs, movies, and books more than songs or reading material that point you to Christ.

11.  You prefer the company of people who don’t love Christ, more than the company and fellowship of those who do. 

Any of these things should act as warning signs to prompt you to turn back around (repent) and to do what you must do to get back on track.

Jesus said what to do

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Rev. 2:5)

In the passage above, He said to do three things:

1.     Remember from where you have fallen. Think back to when you had first received Christ. Recall the specific circumstances that initially led you to Him, the prayers you uttered, and the transformation that occurred in your life.

2.     Repent. The word “repent” means to turn around, change direction, or turn away from something. So, make a sincere decision to turn back to God with your whole heart.

3.     Do the works you did at first. Go back to doing the things you did at first. Those things were probably basic, such as praying, reading your Bible, going to church, singing worship songs, and sharing your faith.

Therefore

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zech. 1:3)

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

The most important present you can ever give to another is the gift of love, without strings, without conditions, and without judgments.

The Ingenious plan

Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me."

Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan. "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him." With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!" And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, and sharing. When she didn't return, Crane called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"

"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him." Her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as by often repeated deeds.

What is love?

The Bible explains what love is in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

In other words, it's what you do for others

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“Love is the fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.” – Mother Teresa

Smile

Dearest Jimmy,

No words could ever express the great unhappiness I've felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you'll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! Yours forever, Marie.

P.S., And congratulations on winning the state lottery.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

How about you?

Have you ever been in a public place, such as a grocery store, airport, shopping mall, or just walking down the street, and then saw someone obviously in pain with some sickness, injury, or other physical disability and felt like you should pray for them but didn't?

I have! Many times!

And it really bothers me that I have not been bold enough to pray for them with faith! Yes, over the years there have been a handful of times that I actually did pray for someone in need publicly, but it's been rare!

Ordinary?

Recently, I watched a YouTube video showing some “ordinary street Christians,” as they called themselves, praying for folks on a city street. As they strolled along, they would spot someone in obvious pain, stop, and offer to pray for immediate healing from God. What was especially intriguing was how people reacted to their offer. Despite their apparent surprise, the majority agreed to receive prayers. The person about to pray would first ask them to tell him the details of what was wrong and where the pain was. And then he prayed specifically for them according to the need, a very simple, straightforward kind of prayer. One person, obviously walking with a painful limp, told of the severe pain he was having in his swollen foot. The street Christian then prayed for him, “In the Name of Jesus, I demand that all injury, swelling, and pain leave this foot right now! Be completely healed!” The person receiving the prayer looked startled, then amazed. Then he moved his foot around, walked on it, and then started jumping around; he was obviously healed. He then burst into tears, threw his arms around the person who had just prayed for him, and said, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” The praying person quickly said, “Don't thank me! You were healed today by Jesus! Thank Him!”

Does this story sound familiar?

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (Acts 3:1-10)

Should we be noticing and praying for people in pain around us, too!

The answer is a resounding yes! Look what the Bible says.

·      We are as He is in the world!

“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

·      We are to imitate Him!

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2)

Therefore

We should and can do “far more than we ask or think through the power within us!”

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (Eph 3:20)

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12)

I was on a plane on my way back from a speaking engagement. I was travel-worn and exhausted. Usually when I travel, I try to get a seat next to the window, then I put on my noise cancelation headphones to escape mentally from all that is around me

But not this time!

I took a middle seat between two people. I put on my headphones as usual and started to relax into my private thoughts. But I couldn't help but notice that the man sitting in the aisle seat next to me was ordering one drink after another. He wasn't sitting still but was squirming in his seat and seemed uncomfortable. I tried to ignore him!

I hoped sincerely that he wouldn't talk to me. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I simply had no desire to talk with anyone!

“Speak to that man!”

Then I heard the Lord gently prompt me, “Speak to that man.” And I instantly thought, “No! I don't want to." I tried to ignore that still small voice and tried to think about something else.

But I heard it again!

“Speak to that man.” So, very reluctantly, I removed my headphones, looked right at the man, and said, “How are you doing?” He said, “I don't know if you’ve noticed, but I am drinking a lot.” I said, “Well, yes, I did notice that you’ve been slamming them down. What’s up?”

He said, My wife just left me and is filing for a divorce. I can't think, I can't sleep, and I am drinking a whole lot! I'm about to lose my job because I can't concentrate on my work anymore. My life is a mess! I need help, but I don't know where to get it!”

I said, “Actually, your story is very similar to mine. My life had also been chaotic, leading me to turn to alcohol.

I shared my story with him

I told him how I had struggled with one personal failure after another. Then I told him about Jesus, how I had prayed to receive Him, and how He had changed my life. I told him that Jesus loved him and had died on the cross for him so that he could come into a personal, life-changing relationship with God. Then I asked him if he wanted to receive that for himself. I offered to pray with him. He said, “Yes. I would like that very much!” So, I prayed with him to receive Christ. (See John 1:12 & John 1:9).

I was pleased that I had finally obeyed God’s gentle prompting!

Therefore 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15)

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2) 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

When I was living in California in the 1950s, my dad bought a three-bedroom house on two acres of land for five thousand dollars! That was a lot of money for a house back then! However, the value of that property has significantly increased over time. That same place would be worth over a million dollars in today's housing market. When Susan and I bought our brand new three-bedroom home in Washington State in 1971, we paid seventeen thousand dollars for it. We sold it twelve years later for forty-five thousand; it’s now worth about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. We then bought our present home for fifty-five thousand dollars. About 40 years later, the value of our home has increased to approximately six hundred thousand dollars! It is astounding how much prices have changed over the years! Prices have not only shifted for houses but also for just about everything else!

The riches of God’s grace - priceless!

It’s true that prices of things often fluctuate; they go up and they go down. But, one thing that will never change is “the riches of God’s grace”, (Eph. 1:7). Its value is priceless because it is paid for by the shed blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ! There is nothing in existence, or has ever existed, more valuable, more precious! And to think, “He made it abound to us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:8).

Think what this means to you!!

No matter what you may have done, “the riches of His grace” has it covered! His grace towards you is above and beyond and more than covers any possible need! 

·      Exceeding riches of grace!

“That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7)

·      His grace is more than abundant!

“And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:14) 

·      The riches of his kindness leads to repentance!

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4)

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“I'm not perfect. And who knows how many times I've fallen short. We all fall short. That's the amazing thing about the grace of God.” – Tim Tebow

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” (Prov 17:3)

I have read accounts of people having their catalytic converters stolen from beneath their vehicles. A catalytic converter is a device attached to a vehicle’s exhaust system which converts Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen, into carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and water vapor.

Something special inside!

What you may not know is that catalytic converters contain precious metals, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. They are very valuable! As of today, platinum is $986 per ounce, palladium is $620 per ounce, and rhodium is $800 per ounce. But to look at old converters removed from the underside of vehicles, you’d never suspect their value, because they are usually dirty and rusty-looking things. However, the smelter furnace burns away all other materials, revealing the precious metals within. 

In a similar way, God looks within you

We look on the outward appearance, but “the Lord looks at the heart” and sees what is actually there. (1 Sam. 16:7). He refines us with His fire and reveals what is there. 

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” (Psalm 66:10)

Therefore

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3 NIV)

Wow! “Hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places.” Imagine that!

There have been many stories throughout history about hidden treasures, such as the lost Dutchman’s Goldmine, for one, believed to exist somewhere in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. About 8,000 people a year continue to search for it. Think how exciting it would be to actually find such a thing.

The hidden locations

There is someone who actually knows where all the hidden treasures are, and of course, I'm talking about God Himself. He has that information! And He could tell you where they are located, as our verse at top says. And, sometimes he does. But, that may not be best for you, He knows that too, because for many, riches do cause problems. In fact, there are countless stories of people winning the lottery and it wrecked their lives. Many have said they were much better off before they had won and wish they hadn’t.

Be discerning!

Keep in mind that there are different kinds of riches and treasures and some are much better to be had than others. Ask God for wisdom (see James 1:5 & Prov. 16:16).

The deceitfulness of riches

“But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19 ESV)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 NIV) 

Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:44 NIV)

A good foundation is a treasure

“Storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim. 6:19 NIV)

Wisdom and knowledge are treasures

 “That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3 NIV)

God’s kind of blessings makes rich without sorrow

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 19:22 ESV)

Therefore

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. (Matt. 6:20 NIV) 

“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV)

So, exactly what is glory anyway? 

Glory is defined in the dictionary as high renown or honor won by notable achievements. It is fame, prestige, honor, distinction, acclaim.

In the Bible, glory can mean different things depending on its context

·      The glory of position: Joseph in Egypt. (Gen. 45:13)

·      The glory of possessions: Jacob’s servants and livestock. (Gen. 31:1)

·      The glory of young men: is their strength. (Prov 20:29 )

·      The glory of the elderly: is their long life. (Prov. 16:31).

·      The glory of human character: is

willingness to overlook the faults of others (Prov. 19:11), or to avoid strife (Prov. 20:3 ).

·      The Glory of God: His greatness:(Deut. 5:24) and hundreds of other verses.

·      The Glory of Jesus’ second coming: “THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27)

Why did Jesus share His glory with you? 

Jesus said in John 17 that He was sharing his glory with you, and He gave the reason, “That they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” 

You must reflect His glory! 

Because He shares His glory with you,  your life must reflect that glory as you go about loving others as He loves you!

“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 NIV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 NIV)

Therefore

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 NIV)