PODCAST
How Do You Say “I Love You”?
November 15th, 2012
Matthew 6:16-24
I was born in a foreign country to U.S. citizens. This means that for the first 18 years of my life I had dual citizenship. I used to fantasize about leaving my very familiar (boring) home and living in this other, exotic place. I read the tourist books and dreamed of all the fun I could have. But then my 18th birthday came and I had to choose to which country I would pledge my allegiance. In those days, young men confirmed their intentions by registering for the draft. We declared our allegiance by promising to protect and serve our country.
I think Jesus had something similar in mind when he said, “You cannot serve both God and money.” At some point we have to pledge our allegiance to the kingdom of God or the kingdoms of this world. The way we do this is through service.
What do you really think about the kingdom of God? Are you a tourist who’s only interested in the fun you can have? Or have you come to the place where you’re devoted to its good? Have you chosen to serve God with all your heart?
November 15th, 2012 at 4:57 am
A person’s character is how they act when no one is watching. Likewise, you tell God how much you love HIM when you take time to be with HIM (when no one is watching — through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and right actions).
You follow God’s Will of witnessing and testifying of His love; reach out to those in need (monetarily, physically, and spiritually); gather together for encouragement and growth; volunteer to be of service to others; remember 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in dealings with all people; and have no other God in your life (including money).
Some may have love at first sight, but generally the relationship grows from a seed of faith, to a seedling, to a sprout, etc. — ending with a mature fruit tree ready for the harvest (full of the fruit of the spirit– Galatians 5:22).