Love

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”


Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Matthew 22:34-40


As I was reading through Paul's letter to the Romans the other night I was struck by a simple instruction that amplifies on what Jesus told us is the second greatest commandment:  to Love people.  It is an instruction that truly has the power to be life altering if we can figure out how to put it into practice.  It is both obvious and elegant.  


Are you ready?  Drum roll please.  Paul tells us that our "Love must be sincere."  Romans 12:9.


I know, I know.  That may not seem like an "earth-shattering" concept on first read.  But I think it really is.


Jesus told us in His most well known sermon that loving our friends is easy.  Loving our enemies, He instructs us, is the hard part.  Matthew 5:43-48.  Shortly after telling us that our love must be sincere, Paul reaffirms this notion by admonishing us to bless those who persecute us -- "bless and do not curse." Romans 12:14.


Will Rogers once said that he never met a man he didn't like.  That's quite a thing to be able to say.  I have not met too many people (including very many of my Christian friends) who can honestly claim that about themselves.  Just about everyone seems to have at least one person in their life who they just can't get along with and who they just don't like all that much.


The truth of the matter is that for most of us -- maybe for all of us -- it is sometimes hard enough just to go through the motions of showing love to those people we have trouble loving.  But getting to a point where we actually love the unloveable and where that love is sincere -- genuine -- may seem impossible.  And, on our own, it probably is impossible.


To me, love is a gift.  And, not just the love we get from others, but our capacity to love others is itself a gift from God.  


I just don't believe that our flesh really allows us to sincerely or genuinely love our enemies and to bless those who persecute us.  I think the kind of love that God desires that we show other people can only come when we let the Holy Spirit of God rule our lives.  What does sincere love look like to God?

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

I often stop and ask myself whether I could really love someone who is determined to bring harm -- whether emotional, physical, financial, etc. -- to me or my family.  And, I thank God that I have never really had to confront that situation.


How about you?  Is your love sincere?  Think about it.

       

Is God Speaking To You?

We are just about two-thirds of the way through our 21 days of fasting here at Heartland Church.  I hope that you have been blessed and, even more, that you have been challenged during this time.

In the last week in particular, the subject of fasting has come up a number of times.  What I mean by that is not people talking about what they are fasting, or complaining about how hungry they are, or (as we get closer to the end) talking about the first things they are going to eat when its over.  What I am talking about is observations that people have made about fasting in the Bible.

This morning Pastor Dan was talking about the "wilderness experience" of Jesus and the temptation.  The Word tells us that after His baptism, "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Matthew 4:1-3.  PD was making the point about how disturbing it is that Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil!


(If you are not familiar with this account in the life of Jesus, this might be a good time to check it out.  And, don't worry -- the good guy wins!)  

But there are two things that strike me about this story as it relates to fasting.  The first is that fasting is often a time of preparation.  Sometimes when we go through this process of denying for ourselves some things of the flesh and trying to connect with God through prayer and the study of His Word, God prepares us for the battles that lie ahead.  And, there are always battles that lie ahead!

The second thing is that fasting is often accompanied by a time of testing.  At the very least, we are tested in our resolve to stick with the plan no matter how uncomfortable we become or how difficult the experience.  We are also tested against what the Bible teaches us about fasting.  In other words, are we able to deal with people (and life) during this time with a glad heart, or do we let our discomfort impact the way that we treat (love) our neighbors?  Are we anxious to let everyone know how well we are doing with our fast, or do we let the glory for the effort be God's alone?   

And, for some of us the testing is more intense.  Who knows -- some of you may find your faith is itself being put to the test during this time.  Do you find that you are being tested?

Wednesday night we were talking about Nehemiah.  After he had become aware that the remnant of Israel were in Jerusalem and were in trouble and that the wall of the City had been broken down,  Nehemiah "sat down and wept. For some days [he] mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."  It was after this time of prayer and fasting that Nehemiah became convicted about what he was supposed to do -- to rebuild the City wall.

As with Nehemiah, sometimes our time of fasting and prayer results in revelation.  There is just something about taking a deep breath, taking that time out of busy lives, putting aside the worries of the world and just focusing on Him.  I don't think its so much that God isn't trying to speak to us when we are caught up in the worry and hustle of our daily lives.  I just think that sometimes we just don't listen.  So, my question is:  what has God revealed to you during this time of prayer and fasting?

God bless each of you today.  May the peace of the Lord be with you! 

21 Days

This time of year it is typical for churches to challenge their congregations.  The new year seems inherently to invite new beginnings, and it just seems like a natural time for pastors to push their congregations to draw closer to God and to make some adjustments in their lives.  This is certainly typical for Heartland Church.

This year, though, seems different.  As a church, we have a great deal to be thankful for.  There are numbers -- meaning a big jump in both attendance and giving.  And, while I appreciate the numbers, that's not really what I am talking about.  What I am talking about is the powerful combination of the Holy Spirit and people who are hungry for God and ready to be obedient to His Word.

As last year closed and we started into the new year, it began to feel to me like God is moving us as a body to a new place.  This year it seems like our congregation is hungrier for the Word and for the ways of God than we have been in at least the recent past.  It just seems to me like the Holy Spirit is moving in a way that we have not seen in some time ... and maybe ever.

Last night as I was preparing to teach, the Lord led me to the 21st Chapter of the Gospel of John, and specifically to verse 15.  This is what it says:

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”  He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ 

John 21:15-18.

As I read this scripture, I began to wonder if during this 21 days of prayer and fasting Jesus is asking us, individually and collectively, this same question:  "DO YOU LOVE ME?"  I wondered whether the Holy Spirit is truly poised to move on our church in a powerful and unexpected way -- waiting only to see that we are obedient and to hear from our hearts.

I have seen evidence of it.  I have seen it in our last two Sunday services -- both in the time of worship and in Pastor Dan's messages.  I saw it last night.  I have seen it Saturday mornings when our men come together.  And, I saw it at the Encounter service last Wednesday night.  

I do not pretend to know exactly what God is doing at Heartland Church.  I can only tell you how I feel. And, the way I feel is excited!  I feel a sense of anticipation.  I feel a closeness in our church family and a closeness to God.

It is my hope and prayer that all of you are taking these 21 days seriously.  I pray that beyond the fasting -- beyond giving up something that matters to you for 21 days -- you are reading, meditating on the Word, and praying more than you normally do -- or, better yet, more than you ever have before.

If you don't attend Heartland Church, I hope you will consider joining us in this time of prayer and fasting.  I really think you will be blessed by it.  I think God will speak to you if you take 21 days to really love Him.

Good things are happening!

A Short Season III

It is that time of year when I feel compelled to share this post again, and was planning on doing so this week anyway.  And then, this afternoon, I helped a wonderful family say goodbye to a godly women -- a woman of noble character.  So, today just seemed like the right day.

Some years ago I read a book called "A Short Season," which was based on the true story of Brian Piccolo -- a full back for the Chicago Bears who played in the same backfield as Hall of Fame running back Gayle Sayers. Piccolo died tragically of cancer at the age of 26. He was remembered not so much for what he accomplished on the football field, but instead for the kind of friend he was -- particularly to Sayers.

Sayers, for his part, went on to write a book called "I Am Third"  -- which I admit I have never read.  The title referred to the priorities Sayers set for his life:  the Lord first, friends and family second, and Sayers third.

I mention this because two years ago I wrote a blog -- one of my first -- called "A Short Season."  In fact, the blog you are reading now is largely that same piece edited and brought up to date.  The reason for that will become obvious in a minute.

Before I go further, though, let me say this.  I believe that it is a mistake to put any man (or woman) on a pedestal.  People make mistakes ... ALL people make mistakes.  People are imperfect ... ALL people are imperfect.

At the same time, there are, of course, people who are blessings in our lives.  There are people who have served as our role models -- who, for us, have been the salt and light that God calls all who follow Jesus to be.  And, while we should never worship such people, we most definitely should honor them. 

With that in mind, three years ago we were in the midst of moving Heartland the seventeen miles from Irving to Carrollton.  Literally hundreds of volunteers were working nearly around the clock --  both moving things physically from Irving and preparing the new building for our first service.

In the middle of that joy (and chaos) we were reminded again that it truly is a short season for all of us.

That week two people went home to be with the Lord who were on my wife's "Top Five List." To get on Pam's Top Five List you don't necessarily have to be her best friend. You don't have to have a great sense of humor or be one of the people she likes to hang out with the most. What you do need to be is one of those rare people who she thinks of as a model for how each of us should live our lives.

It's funny, but three years ago the vast majority of people who have attended HC and are reading this blog would have known Jack DeHart.  But, the church has seen a great deal of change these last two years, and that may not be the case for most of you.  If you didn't know Jack, you missed out on someone really special. 

I cannot tell you how many times Pam said how much she loved Jack. Although she sometimes had trouble finding exactly the right words to describe him, it seems like every Sunday when Jack (Pam actually refers to him as either "Bishop" or "Becky's Dad") was in church I was going to get an ear full on the way home about how wonderful he was!! One thing she would say really stands out to me, and maybe this is as close as words can really get to helping someone understand this man. She always said that Jack made her a better person because she could not stand the thought of disappointing him. There is a man of influence.

Of course, Jack DeHart meant a great deal to me too. He drew me closer to God, he was there praying for me when God forever changed my life, and I never would have considered becoming an Elder in the Church or getting involved in ministry without his blessing. I really don't think I would be serving at Heartland Church today if not for his influence on my life. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Most of you probably didn't know Nancy Daws either. Nancy came into Pam's life when she was a little girl. Although Nancy was a close family friend, I guess Pam thought of her more like an aunt. Nancy passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack the same week as Jack.

As much as anyone on the earth, Nancy was the model for Pam of what a woman ought to be. She was an incredible wife and mother and had a truly infectious personality. Everyone was drawn to Nancy Daws.

I didn't get to know Nancy as well as I would have liked to -- I usually saw her once a year at the best Thanksgiving celebration you can imagine!!! But you didn't have to be around Nancy long to see why Pam loved her so much and why she looked up to her. I read through Chapter 5 of Matthew the morning before I wrote that blog three years ago, and was struck (and still am) by how the Beatitudes were reflected in what I saw of Nancy's life. Nancy was a beautiful woman who made everyone around her feel special. She was a model of Christian humility and, from what I could see, the ultimate peacemaker.

Pam and I had to split up that week.  She flew to California for Nancy's funeral and I stayed in Texas for Jack's.  Pam later told me that over a thousand people to showed up for Nancy's funeral. Can you imagine that?  Over a thousand people at the funeral of a housewife?  That kind of tells you something about Nancy, and about the way God uses people!  If you knew Nancy at all, you would have wanted to be there too.

When we take time to celebrate the lives of people like Nancy and Jack, its only natural to compare their lives to our own. And that can be painful. Before we beat ourselves up too much, we also need to remember that God can use our flaws and our mistakes to do incredible things. In other words, we cannot change the past -- but God sure knows how to use our past to touch lives in the future. How great is that?

If I have one regret in life it is that I did not answer God's call sooner. I am not talking about getting formally involved in the church -- that was not actually a particularly difficult step.  I'm just talking about  getting to a place where I was at least trying to put God first in my life and was not afraid to witness to others through both my words and actions. I have wasted so much time. Thanks to people like Nancy and Jack, I am really trying not to waste any more.

Our season is short. Let's make the most of it.