Author: Ms. Rita's Minute

I thought about the love of God today. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to truly love, and whether you can do it, we have the ultimate example of true love shown in the Bible by Jesus Christ toward the whole world. As a Bible reader and Christ follower, I’ve found that no matter what part of the earth we were born in, how we were raised, or where we are now in life, we have the pure and untainted love of God available to us today.

The Bible tells us that God is love. So, to really experience true love, you must know and believe God. To understand that He is love we must recognize that there is no one else like Him, in or outside of the earth. Where else is someone literally defined as love? And yet God has chosen to share Himself and His love with us, not only in allowing us to learn of Him, but by sacrificing His very own life for us as atonement for our sins when we didn’t even ask Him to do so. He truly and freely did it, why? Because He loved us.

The Bible tells us in John 3:16 that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” How’s that for love? Further, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) So, even when we were at our worst, Christ still died for us. He not only died for us, but He also suffered for us, hanging and nailed to a cross. He was beaten and spat upon and treated inhumanely, yet he had never sinned in His life. Can you imagine God in human flesh being bullied? He was indeed the sinless and supreme sacrifice necessary to reconcile us to a right relationship with Almighty God.

So, when you’re wondering what it really means to love, look at Jesus’ ultimate act of love for us as well as all the other wonderful things He did and said in the Bible. We can also know something about HIs love by seeing what He actually loves. Psalm 33:5 tells us He loves righteousness and justice, and that we are not to love only our neighbors, but even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44). There’s so much to learn about the love of God and He’s made it clear for us to see through His word, the Bible, and time spent alone with Him, in prayer. The spiritual as well as physical gifts He has provided us also show us His love for us.

Further, in 1 Corinthians 13, He’s given us some characteristics regarding love that we should never fail to remember.

Love …

• is patient
• is kind
• doesn’t envy
• doesn’t parade itself
• isn’t puffed up
• doesn’t behave rudely
• doesn’t seek its own
• isn’t provoked
• thinks no evil
• doesn’t rejoice in iniquity
• rejoices in the truth
• bears all things
• believes all things
• hopes all things
• endures all things
• never fails

Learning about these things, meditating on these things, praying about these things, and trusting God for these things, puts us in a great position in life. These things don’t look much like the world because they are truly heavenly things. Yet they are doable things with the help of God’s Holy Spirit working in our hearts and minds. We never have to feel unloved when we have God Almighty loving us. We just have to get to know Him, which grows our faith and confidence in Him as a person, and His love for us.

Would you like to be heavenly minded? I would. We’re heavenly minded simply when we choose to place our thoughts on godly or heavenly things. What is divine, devout, or faithful–having to do with all things consisting of God, His teachings, and His kingdom? There’s no end to the vast number of topics this could encompass. Yet we spend so much time welcoming the world’s daily twists and turns of life and often give heaven the smaller increments of thought. We don’t want to be an outsider appearing strange, filling our minds with anything scripturally supernatural and different from what we’re accustomed to. So, we acquiesce to more worldly patterns of thinking and being, to please others and comfort ourselves, ensuring we aren’t being too spiritual.

However, did you know that there is no reference in the Bible to being so heavenly minded you are no earthly good? Yet, I’ve heard it spoken many times and perhaps you have too. It’s amazing how someone can say something, and that one thing can be echoed for years into the future, even though it is just a personal idea not necessarily based on fact. This is why it is so important to know what’s actually written in the Bible; to study it and be well acquainted with its contents.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:2 to set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth. Isn’t that somewhat opposite of what our culture tells us? The current trend is to set our minds on ourselves, what we want, what we need, and what’s best for us. However, setting our minds on heavenly things points us to what God wants and needs from us. How will we know unless we access the knowledge, He’s provided us through His written word?

So, if you haven’t already, let’s make an effort to make reading the bible an important event of each day. Whether it’s reading and meditating upon one scripture or a chapter or two each day. Any consumption of God’s word will prove fruitful if we’ll consistently read it, meditate on it and endeavor to do what it says.

Ever think about what you think about? Our minds can hold so much data and each day our brains process close to 70,000 thoughts. That’s a lot of thinking! It would be to our advantage to fill our minds with the most encouraging and positive facts and ideas as possible. For me, that would especially be biblical principles.

What we think matters, as the bible tells us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) It also encourages us in that the Lord will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on Him because we trust him. (Isaiah 26:3) Further, He knows our thoughts. He’s not unaware of them. Psalm 94:11 tells us that “The Lord knows the thoughts of a man, that they are futile. Also, “He knows when we sit and when we stand and perceives our thoughts from afar. ” (Psalm 139:2)

So where do negative thoughts come from? Jesus tells us sinful thoughts come from inside of us, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder… (Mark 7:21). Therefore, in changing our thoughts, Philippians 4:8 tells us how to think: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” We are taught not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

Changing our thoughts is not just a mental behavior, but a spiritual exercise as the bible describes that “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

So, we will feel and change for the better as we remain mindful of what we are thinking and use the tools the bible gives to change our negative thoughts. We are sure to grow as we adhere to what was told regarding the scriptures in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

———————————-

More scriptures on our thoughts:

Proverbs 15:26, 1 Chronicles 29:18, Matthew 9:4, Luke 11:17, Matthew 15:19, Psalm 19:14

---

Today, I thought of Mommy, a.k.a. Ma, Sweet Pea, Sugar Foot, and Miss Dee. Throughout my life, she truly proved to be a treasured gift. Just remembering her large doe eyes and witty personality makes my heart smile and my mind travel through all the ways she showed strength, integrity, and love for God and me. She called me her angel and she was indeed mine; a friend whose presence gave me the comfort and confidence no one will ever understand.

I have many cherished memories of our times on the road to Virginia Beach, a weekend in New York, or a vacation in Florida. Mommy loved to drive. A long drive from one state to another, even alone, after the age of 70 was nothing for her. She adored it! So, as she aged and developed some health challenges, her eyesight was not so great, and she failed the DMV optical test. She was not a happy camper, and insisted they were wrong. Yet, as with anything else, she was only disappointed for a short time, and was soon back to her same cheerful mood. I never knew her to be a brooding person about anything. She was determined to be grateful and happy in life. I’ll never forget this and hope I can emulate her.

Mommy was a nurse by trade and loved helping others. She was very intuitive and a great listener and counselor. I really miss even the simplest things we used to do together as well as our many discussions on various topics.

While Mommy was here, she also loved cookbooks, Coke, shopping for clothes, decorating, floral design, singing, and studying the Bible, among other things. I can still remember some of our little spats over why she could no longer drink sodas because of her health issues. Yet, every now and then, I’d grab a small one for her when we were out and about. God knows I had better, as only He knew the wrath I’d incur if I didn’t. I want to laugh as I think about it. Mommy was feisty, yet funny to the very end!

As a child, she taught me there was, and always will be, God, and that I should honor Him with my life and pray to Him consistently. She showed me the importance of learning about Him and trusting Him. Her loving, forgiving, and patient nature showed me she knew Him. The most repeated phrase I remember coming from her lips was “Don’t worry about it.” Mommy was great at this! She had the most phlegmatic personality I’d ever encountered. She refused to worry about anything, and I loved that about her. Being prone to the opposite behavior, I was obliged to take all of her advice when she transitioned to heaven.

Something else I loved about Mommy; she never pressured me regarding living an authentic Christian life. She didn’t badger or demean me but loved me through my nonsense. She briefly but strongly made clear what God expected of me. She simply prayed and left me in the hands of the Lord. Further, I recall only two sentences my mother spoke, on two separate occasions in my young adult life, during a brief period of waywardness. I felt I had to have my boyfriend who was not living by holy standards, to say the least. As I made my way out for another weekend with the one I thought I could not live without, she said, “You’re going to have to make up your mind who you’re going to serve.” The next time, “Remember you’re taking Jesus with you.” Ugh! That was all that needed to be said to get my conscience stirring, as I knew I was wrong. She continued with her church duties as a deaconess and a traveling choir member that took her all the way to Nigeria. Just as she had prayed God would bless her with a daughter after having her son, she later prayed for my protection and that I’d live a life for the Lord. How I appreciate and thank God for her prayers.

Here’s a photo of Mommy as a baby. Grandma told the story of how she left her on the front porch one day to get some sun for a brief moment, and a man walked up to her, and took her from the porch. Thankfully, Grandma got back just in time to safely snatch Mommy from the thief.

The Bible is very clear on how we are expected to treat our parents. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) I can only hope that, while she was alive, I honored her in a way that pleased the Lord and made her feel loved.

Perhaps, after a long time, you find yourself single because you simply haven’t received a proposal, your spouse has passed away, you’ve experienced a heart-wrenching divorce, or you haven’t met anyone you desire to marry. Nevertheless, be encouraged–you are blessed to still have time to enjoy those things you love most about being single.

You may appreciate the freedom of not having to check in regularly with your spouse or having to make the many compromises and sacrifices expected in matrimony. Further, you have more time to serve the Lord, free from the hindrance of divided attention to your spouse. Your time still largely remains yours, and the pressures of pleasing a husband or wife don’t exist. Not to mention, you have more time to educate yourself on what makes a healthy spouse. Hence, a healthy marriage.

It could be you’ve often experienced the frustrations of people joyfully entering your life, only to sadly leave for any number of reasons. However, I’d like you to consider, that maybe God permitted each of these people into your life to assist in preparing you for the one you’ll marry. Significant time may have been spent sharpening the rough edges of each of your personalities. Though the relationship may have ended in disappointment, the learning experience was valuable for your success in the next relationship. Your time was not wasted.

Those challenging relationships you encounter in singleness could be essential teachers in helping you learn more about yourself, sparking change, where necessary. These people may be those with whom you may have had to more intently exercise the Holy Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which as a result, has strengthened your spiritual and emotional muscles. In addition, I’m convinced that sometimes, God will allow circumstances that will purposely inhibit you from being attracted to someone to whom you should not be committed.

Whatever the case, with Jesus as your Lord, and His Holy Spirit as your guide, you can trust that no one can provide a better spouse for you than your heavenly Father who created the universe. Imagine what He can provide for you, in His timing, when you simply ask and believe. However, that’s if you should even desire marriage. You don’t have to marry.

Remember these words of truth that can be relied upon:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ~James 1:5/NKJV

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ~Matthew 7:7-9/NKJV

Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ~Mark 11:24/NKJV

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~~Ephesians 3:20-21/NKJV

In making decisions regarding your relationships, be especially intentional to move in wisdom considering what’s best for your individual life. A decision to marry is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. I’m seriously considering Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:28: “…But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”

So, whether you choose to commit to the loving oneness of marriage, or the freedom and fun of remaining single, having a relationship with your heavenly Father is of the greatest importance. Loving and obeying Him, you’ll reach your greatest fulfillment!

Sacrifice–not the easiest action to perform–yet a major part of life, involves willingly giving up something for the purpose or benefit of something else. Often, we’re asked to sacrifice time, money, skills, or talents for various reasons. We sacrifice for our families, jobs, and churches. Yet nothing comes close to sacrificing one’s entire life and will for another. During this Easter season, this is what Christians celebrate: the sacrifice and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the entire world–the reconciliation of people to God.

As we sacrifice our lives to live for the Lord, may we always be mindful of the matchless value of our Father’s sacrifice of a holy, blameless, life to atone for the darkness of guilty men. Yet amazingly, with the sacrifice of our lives, we gain abundant, eternal life, along with authority and peace that surpasses all understanding.

Thankfully, now the old is gone, and the new has come. We are truly blessed!

—————————————-

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20/NIV

Faith. It’s everything for the believer. It’s the standard by which we live–the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1/NKJV) Faith is life-sustaining for us, not to mention love. The Bible says faith works through it (Galatians 5:6/NKJV).

Throughout the Bible, Old, and New Testaments, we see faith as a stellar topic. I found 20 references to faith in the book of Matthew alone. It requires relinquishing our dependence upon ourselves or others to bring something to pass but looking to a higher authority and his principles for living, even in the face of life’s uncertainties. Faith says the bible is the standard by which we are transformed, by the renewing of our minds, which strengthens our trust in God.

How is your faith working for you today? Is it strong and steadfast? Or does it appear to be dwindling or close to nonexistent? Thankfully, the Bible has been given as a solid guide toward a true lifestyle of confidence in a faithful God. We study and meditate upon it, as it makes our ways blessed and our souls filled with peace. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” ~Joshua 1:8/NKJV

As believers, let’s remember that “we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7/NKJV) and “…without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6/NKJV)

Seven flowers appear on my site’s header, signifying the believer’s wholeness in Christ. There are many uses of the number seven in the Bible, with four being, 1) the seventh day the Lord rested upon creation of the earth (Genesis 2:2-3); 2) the seventh month the ark rested (Genesis 8:4); 3) debts released every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:1); and 4) the seven churches of the province of Asia (Revelation 1:4).

The number seven in the bible is translated as “hepta,” figurative of God’s perfect finished work, usually symbolizing completeness, which Merriam-Webster defines as having all necessary parts, elements, or steps. Total. Absolute. Fully carried out. Brought to an end.

Thankfully, Colossians 2:10 tells us, as believers, we are “complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Renewing our minds with this truth strengthens our faith in God’s completion of us, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today, I was reminded of the Bible’s account of Joshua and the city of Jericho in Joshua 6. In this story, God gave Joshua the command to overtake Jericho, the gateway city to Canaan, the promised land by God to the Israelites. Joshua was given specific instructions to have the people walk around the city of Jericho once a day, for six days, and seven times on the seventh day, with seven priests blowing seven trumpets, in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Securing this land was a promise made to Abraham back in the book of Genesis. However, now Joshua was faced with the Lord’s specific orders to conquer the city. Yet, he was not to take control of the city in the fashion to which they were accustomed, but a way that required distinct steps of obedience to achieve a valuable, long-awaited goal.

After the seventh march around the city on the seventh day, the people were instructed to shout for the Lord had given them the city. They were also directed on what things were to be avoided and those things to be kept for the treasury of the Lord. So as the people shouted and the horns were blown, the walls of Jericho fell down; then the people charged straight ahead into the city and captured it. The important thing to note is the particular actions that the Lord commanded to be taken for them to be successful. They couldn’t disregard His commands and expect to reap the benefits of victory. But they had to clearly obey each step to take hold of their promise.

What promises were you given by the Lord that you are waiting for? Has he given you any specific commands to obtain any of them? We should ask ourselves this question as we wait for those things He’s assured we’d receive. We must wait in faith and make sure we are doing anything He may have told us to do to acquire them. As we do, we can be certain, despite any obstacles, we will receive them if we don’t give up! God’s word will not return to him empty, but will accomplish what He pleases and will achieve the purpose he desires. In other words, if He said it, that settles it. He is not a man that lies.