Author: Brother Brian

When someone close to you says, “I love you”, what does this truly mean? How should it make you feel? How many types of love are there anyway?

I open up this week with this one startling fact, the word “LOVE” first appears in the Bible in Genesis chapter 22:2;

2Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

In this verse Abraham is told by God to sacrifice his only son Isaac to prove his love for God. How ironic it is that God would ask this of Abraham with the intent of never allowing him to complete this task, but yet is a task God himself had accomplished for our humanly sins in the sacrifice of his only son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This example of God’s is perfect in that in all of his actions and words, God has proven how much he loves us, and how much he is willing to do for us out of love. Some have described Gods love as being more than human beings can understand, and thus to express this in Latin God’s love is called, agape, which literally translates as describing the highest level of love known to humanity, one that is selfless, and unconditional, a love that was passionately committed to the well-being of others, and the love God holds for all man kind.

How often is it that you tell those people in your life that you love them with God’s perfect love, agape? Some would argue that actions speak louder than words, and if this were true then why do we have the need to express how we are feeling in both words and actions? This then when using only the model of actions count more than words, accounts for the justification of believing that when people use the word love in their everyday speech, it begins to loose its meaning and affect. In fact I argue the exact opposite, for when we do not use the word love in our everyday speech, those who are the closest to use begin to wonder if we truly love them. Our actions do not always coincide with our words, so it is important to use the example set by God, and reaffirm, through our words, our feelings as often as humanly possible.

We also need to remember that Jesus Christ used the word love to illustrate the connection we have with him, and to God, and from the stories in the New Testament he used this word daily. God loves us; this was the message of Jesus, and it startled people to hear this. But what startled people more than that was when he proclaimed that he loved them personally. It stirred up emotions which were confusing to them because people by enlarged lead a very conservative life. The word love is the most power word God created for man to utter. It relays a message which when received holds so many consequences and emotions it can be very scary to those who do not know it, or have never truly felt it before. Some people, who are uncomfortable with this word, will scoff as they reply, “Really?” The word love is so powerful it invokes some to immediately question it, and for those who have known love, they will openly accept it saying in return, “I love you too”.

The great misunderstanding or misconception about love is that it is conditional, and can be given as reward, and this is simply not true. Keep in mind as you read further, I will attempt to draw a line between what is love, and what is not love, and my first point in regards to relationships and the word love, is that love is anything but conditional.

If someone tells you to do something for them by saying something like, “You will do this if you love me.” Or, “If you love me you will do this.” Where the word, “this” is a command, then they are really saying that their love is conditional, hedging on the act you are commanded to perform. If this is the case then you never truly had their love in the first place. They are using this powerful word as like a carrot, to control your actions, and love is not controlling. Love comes from God, because God is love, and because he loves all of us equally, the word love is not conditional.

1John 4:16; 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

So if God’s love is not conditional then why did Jesus say the following, found in John chapter 16, verse 27?

John 16:27; 27 “No, the father himself loves you because you have loved me, and have believed that I come from God.”

Jesus said this because as human beings we have free will, and so we chose to love God, much like God has chosen to love us despite our sins, and imperfections. It is not God who walks away from us, rather it is us who walk away from God. The door is always open to Gods love it is up to use to keep it open. It is our choice, Jesus merely extended his hand out of love so that we might know him, and be filled with God’s perfect agape love.

1John 2:15; 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John warns not to love the world, and all it holds because this world is temporary, and like us will pass away, and God does not love what will pass away but what will be forever. God’s love is forever, in fact he loved us before we where ever born. His love is overflowing, and eternal, and makes us eternal when we accept it. When we accept God into our hearts, we then know love, and can give freely love to others. John’s warning is that if you love the world, you have closed yourself off to God, and thus are incapable of loving yourself, or others. Instead you use love like a carrot dangling it over the edge of the cage you have put the people that are the closest to you. You are cut off from them, yourself, and God.

Mathew 6:13: 13No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(Mammon translating into wealth.)

People who fall into this category suffer daily, and they typically are searching for God, but for whatever reason reject him each time they get close. Their relationships last only for short periods, because their manipulation cannot be suppressed forever, and people who are in their life, like children, or spouses are the ones who suffer the most from this soulless exchange of loveless commands, and double standards.

1John 2:16-17; 16For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Doing God’s work here on earth does not automatically equal living for ever as a condition, but rather as a logical consequence to your choice to doing God’s will, living for God, rather than living for yourself. It is not a carrot dangled before us, but rather a choice that we willing make. The same can be said about love, it comes freely from God, but only when you chose to open the door. Showing love to others and receiving love back is also the simple consequence to the act that you chose to do. Everyone regardless of age, color, or belief is equal in these things which God had intended for all of us to have from the beginning, unto our very end, and proves he made us in his image, as like God we have the capability to feel, and being loved.

The example Jesus gave to use was radical in that we as people are naturally afraid of the unknown, and the word love, for that reason invokes the fear of the unknown. Thoughts run wild in our minds that warn against becoming to close with curtain people or befriending others from different ethnic backgrounds and races. We are naturally prejudiced against others because of their costumes, and customs, or religious beliefs. So when Jesus said,

Q14; 14 Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who treat you badly.

We as human-beings cannot understand this radical logic, but in truth this act of loving even your enemy, purifies your heart, and keeps it from becoming hard. In practice could we by showing this kind of love to our enemies make them our closest allies? If we do it once, could we then do it seven more times, a hundred, a thousand more times? This act demands respect, honor, and loyalty, and it makes us humble before God. In that God truly blesses us and he truly lives within us, in short we exemplify his love. By loving even our enemies, our love is proven to be unconditional, and we prove God is unconditional. By accepting others to eat at our dinner table we prove we are with God, and that God is with us.

The other even more radical thing about Jesus and his examples is when he said;

Q13; 13 Fortunate are you when people hate you, exclude you, abuse you, and denounce you on my account. Celebrate when that day comes and dance for joy-your reward will be great in heaven. Remember that their ancestors treated the prophets this way.

God’s love is so complete it moves us do extraordinary things, and accomplish extraordinary achievements, and reinforces our belief in him. It exalts him, glorifies him, and we are given more and more blessings, and love as we chose to open the door to him wider and wider. Love is the core, it is the one constant and cannot be given as a reward, but is the logical consequence to God, to loving others, and to loving and respecting yourself. Love is bliss, it is happiness within the strife of your everyday life, it is finding God, and receiving from him the strength and courage to continue to utilize love as it was intended. It is showing compassion to those less fortunate, giving food to the hungry, healing the sick and dying, and it is forgiving others of their transgressions against you, all without expecting anything in return. That is what love is.

Amen.

May peace be with you all the days of your life? If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to become a follower, and learn to Listen Faithfully to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The older that I get, and the more I experience in life, the more I see that there is always two paths we as people can take. On one hand there is great temptation to do evil works in this world. Within this there is always someone who will be ready to tempt us, taunting us, scare, and even bully us in order that we might give up, walk away, and leave God. On the other hand there is the intrinsic reward of doing the lord’s work. This consists of the overpowering awareness deep within our hearts that opens our eyes, and senses to the wonders, and mysteries of God. The inescapable belief which is made manifested by the emotional outcry, and flood of feelings that is so completely satisfying it makes us want to do good over, and over again. I have always been mystified to why people chose the ways of the world as it is incomplete, and leads to damnation. I have always tried to live an honest, simple, and peaceful life, and I have not always succeeded in those in devours, though I have never stopped trying.

I open up this week with a topic that is very close to my own heart and one that I wanted everyone to understand, as this is where we all begin our journey as human beings. For no matter what the situation you may find yourself as children of God we have one obligation. That is to tell others about him, teach our children about him, so that he may be glorified, and all those whom we tell might be saved because of him. As a parent I know there is no other greater responsibility than to raise my child up in the name of the Lord. But this is a two-way-street, as all children at some point strikeout on their own and must make their own decisions and therefore must reap the consequences, be them good or bad, positive or negative. So I thought it only proper to explain the special relationship bestowed upon all children and their parents, as this relationship is the starting point in our lives as it models closely the relationship we are born to have with God.

So it is commanded of all children to:

(Ephesians Chapter 6:1-3) 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

(Leviticus Chapter 19: 3) 3Everyone of you shall revere his mother and father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.”

In fact there are over 736,000 references listed on the internet, which are linked to Bible passages, all explaining the importance of obeying and honoring our parents, and yet there are so many children today who are filled with condemnation and hatred for their parents. One can say there is an open rebellion in our society of children rebelling against one, or both of their parents, which reflects the open rebellion man has against God. With that said I wanted to draw attention to the importance of this commandment God has laid out for all children, to honor, obey, and love your parents.

To that end I often times would tell my child as the years past that it was important to: “Love both of your parents equally, and to know who we are as people, for we both make mistakes.”

This is especially true to those children who are being raised in broken homes, where one parent has the majority of custody. In these situations it can become confusing for the child, or children, to which parent to love, to honor, to respect, and to bond with. Parents often times get wrapped up in the day to day struggles that the most important things have been taken either for granted, or forgotten all together, which is to raise your children knowing the Lord our God. In reflection, for this commandment to work, we must keep in mind and close to our hearts that all children are gifts from God, and that all children have an inherent need to love both of their parents. Hence it takes two to conceive a child, and it takes two to raise a child.

(Proverbs Chapter 20:11) 11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

The book of Proverbs was written and is closely linked by King Solomon, though most of the book is thought to have been written by a group of wise men, for the purpose of passing down prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young, and to make the wise even wiser. However its contents are filled with rich and relevant lessons for everyone of ever age. In this passage we find that even our children are held accountable for their actions, as so are adults. This goes back to the idea that we are all sinners in the eyes of God, and that we all must atone for our own sins. This passage also gives a grave warning which must not be misunderstood, or ignored. Though our children will be known by his or her deeds, it is up to his or her parents to have instructed the child to do good deeds in the first place, and to have been told or warned that they will be held accountable.

This can be best illustrated in the following scripture.

(Proverbs Chapter 22:6) 6Train up a child in the way he should go; and then he old, he will not depart from it.

(Proverbs Chapter 29:17) 17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

In this, God created it so that the parents role is one of protector, and disciplinarian, to correct, guide, and teach their children as they see fit, as long as it is in accordance to God’s will. The nexus that we face and that every civilization has faced from the being has been that children need their parents to educate them in the ways of God, and parents have this sacred duty to perform. Respect, honor, and loyalty is also a major part of the equation, as children learn these things from their parents and the relationship they see modeled in the home. If the parents do not strike this equal balance in their own relationship, then their children have no base-line in which to honor, or respect others, let alone themselves. They then become lost and are more susceptible to commit evil acts, and in general become absent and devoid of God. This is a sin, and as a parent, we are as much accountable as that of our children who find themselves in this situation.

(Ephesians Chapter 6:4) 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

(Colossians Chapter 3:21) 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

I end this reflection with this scripture from Jesus Christ our Lord and savior; found in the Lost Gospel Q, (pg70)

Q36 “Who among you would hand his son a stone when he has asked you for bread? Who would hand him a snake when its fish he’s asking for? If you, who are imperfect, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give to you when you ask.”

Amen.

May peace be with you all the days of your life? If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to become a follower, and learn to Listen Faithfully to our Lord Jesus Christ.

In my life I have gone to many different places, have seen many different kinds of people, and have heard many great stories of heroes and heroines who struck out against the establishment. People who stood up for what is right, and fought against the evils of this world. None of them were perfect people; none of them did the right thing all the time, and all of them where sinners in the eyes of God. My last reflection was on Forgiveness, and after I re-read it I thought it vital to explain that Love comes from God, because he is love. We cannot love ourselves or others if we first do not forgive ourselves and others for what we do in our fight against what we perceive to be the evil in this world. Love is the most power word, which proves itself by our actions. Forgiveness is the second most powerful word because it leads to love. But guilt, that is a destroyer word. This week I want to dedicate this to all of you out there who is feeling some sort of guilt upon which you feel there is no escape, and I want to lead you back to God, and show you that he alone holds the keys to the doorway which leads to the path of forgiveness, and love, and which will vanquish your guilt. There is hope, there is a way if only you listen faithfully.

In the NIV Study Bible, New International Version, on page 9-Genesis Chapter 3:7, “The Fall of Man”, it reads:

Genesis 3:7: Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

The question I asked to a group of fourth grade students after reading this to them was simply this, “Why did they cloth themselves?” I got all kinds of answers but the one word that kept coming up over and over again was “Guilt”. Adam and Eve felt guilty for taking the fruit, for disobeying God.

The fact of the matter is, that whenever we do something that we know we should not have done, we feel guilty. Why else do we make the attempts to hide it? When we hide it we begin to nurture this feeling by justifying it. When people remind us of what we have done we get upset. Because we feel justified in our actions we refuse to humble ourselves and look into our own hearts, because if we do we know we will become, “Guilty”. Guilt strangles us, and prevents us from forgiving, and blocks us from Gods Love. Guilt will tear a person apart and leave nothing behind, there is no captives, and no hope once we have bought into its lies, and deception. Guilt is an absolute: meaning this word once made into action, will never go away and will always tug at your heart, refusing to let go. We as mortals do not have the power to completely vanquish it on our own. People who feel guilt often times fall into depression, and hide and avoid from the problems that arise because of the action that brought the guilt. They hide from the truth, from themselves, from others, and the world at large, and they become afraid, feeling intense fear.

Genesis 3:8-11: Then man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9: But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10: He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked so I hid.”

11: And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

This story in the bible is so powerful because it tells of two people who were guilty, who saw the sin and tried to hide it. They blamed each other and the serpent, out of fear and guilt. Satan gives us this powerful word, and tortures us with it. He tries to make us feel guilt even when there is no guilt in our actions. But it becomes magnified when we have done something, when we have kept secrets. Adam and Eve where going to try and hide their sin before God, hence they hid. God’s reply to them was perfect, “Who told you that you where naked?”. These words placed the full weight of their guilt upon their shoulders where it belonged. “Who told you?” I can hear God really thinking in that moment, (I know I didn’t tell you that!). As a parent I can see the frustration in those words when your child has done something and then lied about it, then tried to cover it up, holding it in their hearts as a secret.

The Holy Bible however has the answer, as the words of God are found written throughout its pages the key to vanquishing this vial of emotions is and has been staring us in the face for thousands of years.

From the Lost Gospel Q; page 79;

Q45“There is nothing covered up now that will not be exposed. Nothing is secret that will not be revealed. Every secret you’ve kept will become known. What you have whispered in the hidden places will be shouted from the housetops.”

Fear through guilt, of the secret finally being revealed will keep us from asking for forgiveness.

Mark 4:40; And he said unto them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

Mark tells us that fear blocks faith, which will keep us serpent from God. But Isaiah gives us hope, in Isaiah 41:13; “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

Because God is just, because he alone is all knowing there is only one way out of the destructive path guilt puts us on. The only right door to choose is written in 1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2Chronicles 30:9;“For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.”

Isaiah 43:25; “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

My personal favorite example which shows God’s mercy is found in the Book of 1John 2:12, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake.

The real truth is “Guilt” and “Sin” where vanquished with the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We become hostage of guilt because we allow it to be so, when all we have to do is ask for forgiveness. I ask all who read this reflection to do one thing, which is to ask God first to forgive you of your guilt, then confess your guilt to those whom you have sinned against and ask them to show you mercy, and forgiveness. Simply say that you are sorry and that you love them, and your relationship will be renewed and strengthened.

Amen

May peace be with you all the days of your life? If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to become a follower, and learn to Listen Faithfully to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness…I know that this word, ‘Forgiveness’ is a hard one to swallow when you have been in a fight with someone, or have had a nasty disagreement. It is hard to look at someone you really down deep don’t like very much and forgive them of some wrong doing they have done to you. But this week I would like to kindly remind everyone that to forgive is a direct link to Godliness. Jesus handed down to us some very powerful lessons packed with some very powerful words, forgiveness is one of the most powerful.

In the Lost Gospel Q, on page 112-Q77; Jesus explains this point very eloquently,

Q77“If a companion does something wrong to you, go to the person and point this out. But do it privately. If your friend listens and says, ‘I am sorry,’ forgive and your bond will be strengthened.”

“But how often must I forgive the same person?” asked one of the disciples, “Seven times?”

Jesus answered, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

In this we see numbers being placed into the forgiveness question. In truth Jesus was saying you have to forgive regardless how many times the person has offended you. If you broach the topic with a list of wrongs the person has done to you, do it in private. The main objective in this passage as it is in all of Jesus’s teachings is to be one with your brother, sister, father, aunt, uncle, niece, and nephew. His greatest commandment is to love one another, to love your enemy as you love yourself.

In reality people most of the time do not generally plan when they are going to have an argument with someone else. I know from personal experience that arguments tend to happen when one of the two or three people involved have been holding in their resentment, or anger that the slightest thing sets the ball rolling. But it is important to also note, that if we are honest, and are not accusatory, checking our own ego at the door, opening our heart to both speak the truth at the same time be willing to forgive. Doing this in private will eliminate the pressure of the moment, placing the other person at ease and more willing to see what they have done, and this in turn will have a positive effect on your relationship. Forgiveness is a very powerful tool that brings us closer to God.

How do we forgive? What is the first step?

The answer might sound a bit elementary, but this is what I tell all my students, who happen to be children. You must first humble yourself; by this I mean you need to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Understand why they did to you what they did, the reason behind it. This does not make the action right, but allows you to understand it nevertheless.

Jesus said, Q67 “Those who praise themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be praised.”

When my students cut the line and are not humbled I kindly remind them of how to become humble,

Q65“The last will be first, and the first will be last.” No one wants to be last.

To humble yourself, before God is like opening the door to a great peace, so great in fact there is no words that can describe it. There is no hatred that can overcome it, and there is no misdeed that cannot be forgiven. This is the hardest step, because it requires of you to first forgive yourself. People often times feel they are not worthy of forgiveness. That somehow their own sin is so great that it was not washed clean by the last act of Jesus on the cross. Even then Jesus held within him a forgiving heart.

Luke: Chapter 23, verse34:

34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

In the act of forgiving, remember it means nothing if you are not first and foremost serious, and that you completely surrender your will to God. Allow God to fill your heart with compassion.

Jesus reminds us of this in the Lost Gospel Q, on page 50, Q17:

Q17 “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”

There is no sin that God cannot forgive. There is no wrong that he cannot make straight. What you see as a mountain is a flat plain to God. There is not one evil soul, which God cannot cleanse.

The penalty of not forgiving others is greater, than if you simply humbled yourself, and asked him of forgiveness first. Ask him for the wisdom, and the words to bring to the other person or people, do it in private, and be compassionate. For, if you do these things, God will return them to you many times over. He left us without an excuse, without a way out, other than to forgive. Our heart is made to forgive not to hold grudges. God designed us in his image.

Amen

May peace be with you all the days of your life? If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to go to the following Website: http://starkbriank.freewebs.com/ and sign the guest book and leave me a message.