Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 15, 2018
Love the Lord your God with all your heart…Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30-31
Steve is an example of a friend I met at a leadership conference in 1994 who was able to ‘retire’ at age 54 and volunteer his time to help people manage their money wisely. A former orthodontist, he was as passionate about people straightening out their financial lives as he had been straightening teeth! For seven years we traveled the Southeast and beyond to train and coach leaders in how to facilitate small group Bible studies on money. My life is much richer today because of Steve’s ability to share common sense solutions to the life issues I faced as a 30 something-year-old. For me he is a model of how to keep serving the Kingdom after “retirement”. Because Steve was emotionally healthy, he was able to energetically serve others.
Jesus starts at the heart of the matter—our heart. What captures our passions and yearnings? Our heart is the seat of our feelings and affections. We are drawn to what we desire—what we value. Yes, the heart follows what it treasures above all else. In the same way an engaged couple each aggressively seeks to engage the heart of their lover, so as the bride of Christ we passionately pursue His heart. As our heart loves Jesus—He simultaneously settles and stirs our emotions.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).
Leaders who are emotionally healthy understand their flaws, and accept their imperfections as their need for God’s grace and forgiveness. Because they embrace this powerful truth, they are able to extend the same grace and forgiveness they have received from God to other people. Emotionally healthy individuals take captive their thoughts, understand their feelings and control their behavior. When facing life’s challenges they become better not bitter. They learn to process pain, so it does not fester into ongoing relational conflict. The emotionally healthy love God, are loved by God, so they are able to love for God. They are peaceful people.
Love is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal of faith. Like the tip of an arrow love points us to God. Love commandeers all other graces to engage the Lord’s affection and His eternal concerns. When Jesus defined love as the greatest command, He gave us a glimpse into what He wants for the world and His children. A life motivated by love is only limited by its capacity to love the Lord and be loved by the Lord. Love is a muscle we exercise, so it grows in stamina.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow in me a healthy heart by Your love and forgiveness, in Jesus’ name, amen.Application
What past hurt do I need to ask forgiveness for or offer forgiveness?Related Reading
Joshua 22:5; Proverbs 4:23; Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:17; Philippians 4:7Post/Tweet today
Love is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal of faith. #WisdomHunters #healthyheartWorship Resource
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