I thought this article was worth including on this blog since it demonstrates true love! Check it out...
Jesus taught that the first great commandment is, “Thou shalt love the lord thy god with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Then the Lord Jesus went on to tell us what the second great commandment in the Law is, “ ....and the second is like it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV) By the instruction of the Lord Himself we know that upon these two directives hang the Law and the Prophets. Obedience to these will lead men into the obedience of all the Lord's commandments. This article is devoted to the second great law, which is that we must love one another as ourselves. Why is it referred to as the second great commandment? I would say it is because it is the second hardest thing for men to do, the first hardest is to love God with all our heart, soul and strength. Why are these so difficult for men to do? Because man is profoundly self-centered. For other then by surrender to the grace of God no man can get past “self” to live in a manner that is firstly God-ward, and beyond that to live a life directed toward others. Only one man has ever completely filled this bill and that was the Lord Jesus. Every other man who has lived has failed these commandments, however, that does not take away our responsibility to, by the grace of God that is at work with in us, give our selves to the fulfillment of the Biblical commandment to love our neighbor as our self.
So we find that we are commanded to love one another as we would our own self. In order to emphasize and maintain this love the Lord Jesus gave to the Church two admonitions: The practice of foot washing, and the practice of the holy kiss. Although both practices are commanded by the Scripture, neither would have any significance if it were not that they are to reinforce brotherly love among the members of the family of God. This gives them extreme significance.
THE HOLY KISS-or-THE KISS OF LOVE
Through ignorance I was totally negligent in the practice of this commandment for many years, although I had an open godly testimony. It was not rebellion on my part, but rather simply the working of ignorance and confusion. I, although a “son of the Church”, was never instructed by her to do this commandment. A blindness being on the eyes of the Church and myself in regards to this practice. It is impossible to understand the need to practice the holy kiss until one can open his heart to understand the need for brotherly love in the house of the Lord. There is absolutely no need for the holy kiss, or the kiss of love if we have no intention on loving our brother as our self. If we are not interested in warmth of heart among God's people. If we are not interested in dealing with each other in respect, in dignity, in tenderness, in humility, in forgiveness, in the building up of each other, in the comfort of each other, then there is no purpose in the practice of the holy kiss. The holy kiss, which in my determination is exercised the man to the man, and the woman to the woman, is to emphasize the great importance that we see for the other person. It is the act of saying, I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE AS IMPORTANT AS I AM. It is to humble one's self before his brother. It is to say, I respect you. It is to say, I honor you, and give you value. It is to show affection and warmth.
When I make mention of this Scriptural commandment others often say to me, “it's a cultural thing that is being spoken of, therefore I do not need to do that.” To that statement I answer, “yes, every culture ought to obey God's word and fulfill this commandment.” For the commandments of the Scripture ought not to be influenced by society, but it is man's cultures that ought to be influenced by the Holy Scripture.
Some may say, “do I have to kiss another on the lips?” No, not as far as I am concerned, but to kiss your brother on the lips is not necessarily evil. However, to kiss your brother on the cheek certainly fulfills what we are commanded to do.
Is the western practice of a hand shake equal to the holy kiss? First of all if the Lord would have desired a hand shake I am persuaded that He would have commanded that. Secondly, I do not believe that the depth of brotherly affection and honor that can be transferred in the practice of the holy kiss can be transferred in the practice of the handshake.
Again, I say that this practice finds its total need of existence in the fact that we must love one another. Knowing that the fulfillment of love, the one to the other, is to stop evil in the world, ought we not to pursue love? For is it not true that if true love could exist in every heart then there would be no evil among men? So love is paramount. Love is supreme. Love is to be sought above all things. Therefore, that which is basic to the bringing forth of love is of extreme value. The holy kiss is found commanded in these verses: Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:20, 1 Thessalonian 5:26, 1 Peter 5:14
FOOT WASHING
The practice of foot washing as is spoken of by the Lord Jesus in John 13:12-17 is not directly a commandment, but a point of wisdom we are encouraged to follow. The which in my mind is an equal to a commandment. For when a superior desires something of us, is that not to be taken as a commandment? If a father says to a son, “I sure wish you would do this certain thing”, or, perhaps he puts it this way, “I'd like it if you would get this done for me.” is not his stated desire an equal to an order? I think so. Therefore, I view the Lord's encouragement of us to wash one another's feet as an equal to His commanding it. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garment, and was set down again, He said unto them, know ye what I have done for you? Ye call me master and lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them. ( John 13:12-17KJV)
Jesus, having washed the disciple's feet uses the example of his own actions to instruct them to humble themselves toward each other. He did this by instituting the practice of brother washing brother's feet. No, it is not to clean your brother's feet as if they were dirty, but to humble one's self before his brother in order to serve him in this basic manner. Why do this? What is the need for this practice? The need is found in that we of nature are not humble the one to the other, but self seeking. We need this action to help break down the wall of “self” that separates us from an open, honest, pure relationship of genuine love and service to our brother. The practice of washing our brother's feet is a tool to empower us to be able to be genuine, honest, pure, devoted, sincere, openly affectionate, loyal, devoted, and if there is any other word that sums up brotherly love, then it ought to be done and not left undone.
As I see it, the bottom line of this issue is expressed in this question. Do I have faith, and the commitment of love toward God and my brother to follow Jesus in greeting my brother with the kiss of love, and to wash his feet?”
Written by someone who calls himself, "A Watchman"
Thursday
True Believers: You are a Work in Progress
"You are a work in progress." Remember these words when someone accuses you of not acting like Jesus.
This was the thought that came to mind after I read many negative, hurtful, insulting and downright threatening comments made by both unbelievers and so-called believers who don't like some of my articles, because they tend to be convicting. I don't sugarcoat the truth about homosexuality, trans-gender, or bi-sexuality, but I don't condemn them to hell when they can read God's word just like I do.
I don't like how cowardly some Christians are these days. They talk about how one shouldn't judge, but I get judged because I speak the truth. I will not keep issues in the closet for purposes of not offending. Some pretenders want to dance on both sides of the fence. If God convicts me on some things and I have came to a place where I can speak on them, meaning that I have overcome in some areas of my life, then I will provide information to help the next person.
I have dated ungodly people, I have participated in actions that were demeaning to me and embarrassing to my family. I have done many things that now I am ashamed, but back then it was "accepting, free-spirited, great, wonderful, open-minded, Nicky" she had plenty of so-called friends and back then when I mention God here and there in passing it was okay. But what I didn't know was that all of that "being free, open minded" business put me on the fast track to hell!
Oh we partied. We gossiped. We lied. We danced. We drank. We had a good time, but eventually it all catches up with you! I recall looking in the mirror at my aging face and not liking what I saw. I remember nights of hurting all over from fighting a man. I remember headaches that took all day to go away.
So when I read or listen to a so-called, hypocrite (a pretender) tell me what I should and shouldn't say as a child of God to help my sisters and bothers see the light, I realize just how lost and confused they really are. I realize they surround themselves amongst people who tell them, "Accept all! Accept everything! Jesus would have done it!" I don't think they know Jesus and I think they are skipping parts of the scriptures and picking out only the things that make them feel good, but don't convict them.
I have attended churches where they tell me on one hand this is a sin, but then on the other hand they encourage sin. For example, how can you tell a heterosexual don't live with their child's mother or father unmarried, yet have a homosexual take a church staff position? How can you tell me not to write an article that warns women about the down-low, bi-sexual male, but encourage me to write things like tips on bargain shopping? Is that going to save your brother or sister in Christ who is headed for a hellish life?
Pretend Christians are always being called out by those caught between a relationship with God and a relationship with the devil. They stutter and stammer looking for the "right word to say." They confuse you with scripture after scripture. They lie, cover up, act like your friend and do whatever else as long as money is involved. The minute money is not involved, they lie again, judge, distance themselves from you, etc. and do whatever else to get you to give again.
I am with God when it comes to lukewarm Christians, that's another group who like to run their mouths, they are hot today for the Lord, cold the next, and then they try to tell you what you should do with your life always during a time when you are not open to hearing anything they have to say since they don't believe their own rhetoric.
The true believers, the ones who have touched my heart, are those that don't preach, teach, but just be! They exemplify love -- not the soft, cushy, fearful so-called love that some talk about where they accept everything and everybody that's the secular world I came from, I know that one already! I mean the kind of love that you see a mother give her child when he or she almost falls out the chair. She runs to him or her and says, "Are you okay? Be careful next time."
I would like to believe that as I mature in my writing capabilities that God's love will show, but for now I can only present material in the way that I know for I am a work in progress!
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:3 (New Living Translation)
This was the thought that came to mind after I read many negative, hurtful, insulting and downright threatening comments made by both unbelievers and so-called believers who don't like some of my articles, because they tend to be convicting. I don't sugarcoat the truth about homosexuality, trans-gender, or bi-sexuality, but I don't condemn them to hell when they can read God's word just like I do.
I don't like how cowardly some Christians are these days. They talk about how one shouldn't judge, but I get judged because I speak the truth. I will not keep issues in the closet for purposes of not offending. Some pretenders want to dance on both sides of the fence. If God convicts me on some things and I have came to a place where I can speak on them, meaning that I have overcome in some areas of my life, then I will provide information to help the next person.
I have dated ungodly people, I have participated in actions that were demeaning to me and embarrassing to my family. I have done many things that now I am ashamed, but back then it was "accepting, free-spirited, great, wonderful, open-minded, Nicky" she had plenty of so-called friends and back then when I mention God here and there in passing it was okay. But what I didn't know was that all of that "being free, open minded" business put me on the fast track to hell!
Oh we partied. We gossiped. We lied. We danced. We drank. We had a good time, but eventually it all catches up with you! I recall looking in the mirror at my aging face and not liking what I saw. I remember nights of hurting all over from fighting a man. I remember headaches that took all day to go away.
So when I read or listen to a so-called, hypocrite (a pretender) tell me what I should and shouldn't say as a child of God to help my sisters and bothers see the light, I realize just how lost and confused they really are. I realize they surround themselves amongst people who tell them, "Accept all! Accept everything! Jesus would have done it!" I don't think they know Jesus and I think they are skipping parts of the scriptures and picking out only the things that make them feel good, but don't convict them.
I have attended churches where they tell me on one hand this is a sin, but then on the other hand they encourage sin. For example, how can you tell a heterosexual don't live with their child's mother or father unmarried, yet have a homosexual take a church staff position? How can you tell me not to write an article that warns women about the down-low, bi-sexual male, but encourage me to write things like tips on bargain shopping? Is that going to save your brother or sister in Christ who is headed for a hellish life?
Pretend Christians are always being called out by those caught between a relationship with God and a relationship with the devil. They stutter and stammer looking for the "right word to say." They confuse you with scripture after scripture. They lie, cover up, act like your friend and do whatever else as long as money is involved. The minute money is not involved, they lie again, judge, distance themselves from you, etc. and do whatever else to get you to give again.
I am with God when it comes to lukewarm Christians, that's another group who like to run their mouths, they are hot today for the Lord, cold the next, and then they try to tell you what you should do with your life always during a time when you are not open to hearing anything they have to say since they don't believe their own rhetoric.
The true believers, the ones who have touched my heart, are those that don't preach, teach, but just be! They exemplify love -- not the soft, cushy, fearful so-called love that some talk about where they accept everything and everybody that's the secular world I came from, I know that one already! I mean the kind of love that you see a mother give her child when he or she almost falls out the chair. She runs to him or her and says, "Are you okay? Be careful next time."
I would like to believe that as I mature in my writing capabilities that God's love will show, but for now I can only present material in the way that I know for I am a work in progress!
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:3 (New Living Translation)
Friday
Jesus Christ is Everywhere!
Jesus Christ asked me for money one day while I waited at the bus stop.
Jesus came to visit me while I was lying in a hospital bed.
Jesus said, "hello" to me when I got in his car.
Jesus picked me up of the dance floor and told me, "Let's go home."
Jesus ate with me at the dinner table and reminded me to say my prayers.
Jesus asked me to help him with some garden work outdoors.
Jesus called me to go to church.
Jesus shook my hand and told me the battle is won.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is everywhere I go, everywhere I sit,
everywhere, everywhere
Jesus is everywhere!
Jesus came to visit me while I was lying in a hospital bed.
Jesus said, "hello" to me when I got in his car.
Jesus picked me up of the dance floor and told me, "Let's go home."
Jesus ate with me at the dinner table and reminded me to say my prayers.
Jesus asked me to help him with some garden work outdoors.
Jesus called me to go to church.
Jesus shook my hand and told me the battle is won.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is everywhere I go, everywhere I sit,
everywhere, everywhere
Jesus is everywhere!
High Above
Lift me up
high
oh Lord!
In your presence
I dwell.
In your spirit
I am filled.
Lift me up
high
oh Lord!
For I exalt
your name
I sing of your goodness.
I cry because
you care.
You care about me!
With open arms
with my head raised
and my eyes closed,
thank you!
Thank you for lifting me up!
I am your child
I am your sheep
who strayed
but now am found!
I am your child
whose flesh was bruised
but now am healed!
Thank you oh Lord
for lifting me high,
high unto the sky!
high
oh Lord!
In your presence
I dwell.
In your spirit
I am filled.
Lift me up
high
oh Lord!
For I exalt
your name
I sing of your goodness.
I cry because
you care.
You care about me!
With open arms
with my head raised
and my eyes closed,
thank you!
Thank you for lifting me up!
I am your child
I am your sheep
who strayed
but now am found!
I am your child
whose flesh was bruised
but now am healed!
Thank you oh Lord
for lifting me high,
high unto the sky!
He's My Everything
Married to the Almighty
his son growing in me
his spirit talking to me
my family
never alone
never forsaken
never lost
for I know where I am going
just passing by down here.
His ever loving arms around me
keeping me at home
freedom
protection from the world
my angels follow me wherever I go
I love Him
he loves me
my family
He's all I need.
Married to the Almighty
his son growing in me
his spirit talking to me
never alone
never forsaken
never lost.
his son growing in me
his spirit talking to me
my family
never alone
never forsaken
never lost
for I know where I am going
just passing by down here.
His ever loving arms around me
keeping me at home
freedom
protection from the world
my angels follow me wherever I go
I love Him
he loves me
my family
He's all I need.
Married to the Almighty
his son growing in me
his spirit talking to me
never alone
never forsaken
never lost.
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