How much do you love Jesus?

So, I was sitting in the church office looking for a new thought provoking one-liner for next weeks bulletin. I have pages of them to look through. I skimmed around and flipped the pages hoping something would catch my eye. About page number 12, I came across one that made me stop...

...If Jesus were to ask you, "Do you love Me?", most of us would probably respond as Peter did in (John 21), "Lord, You know I love You!" But then if Jesus were to look at you in the eye and ask, "How much do you love Me?", what would you say? Maybe you'd be one to say, again like Peter (Luke 22), "Lord, I'm ready to go to prison and to the death for you."

Take half a minute to reflect on the truth of this statement...

"You love Jesus, as much as you love the person you love the least."

Ouch.

Jesus said, "“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:36, 45)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God somthing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant…he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:3-8)

What is holding us back? Bitterness? Pride? Let's take that step to learn to die to ourselves... our own selfish desires... our own feelings... our own pride; and learn to love as Christ would have us to love - unconditionally.

It could be that the Holy Spirit is whispering in your ear, “So you’ll die a martyr’s death for me, but, will you die to yourself to love ____________?"

So, how much do you love Jesus? Who have you loved the least in the last week? Can you sense God calling you to die to yourself in order to love this person with the love of Jesus?

Hannah

http://www.hannahseale.blogspot.com/

Haiti

You’ve all heard the news already. Haiti lies in the wake of unfathomable chaos and devastation. But before we just turn our backs after saying the dutiful prayer that lies far from our hearts, let’s take a minute to think about it. Really think about it. These are real children, feeling real pain. If not from physical wounds, most definitely from the pain in deep loss. Haiti is already one of the poorest countries in the world; and now, after the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of children and families have been sent whirling into a state of shock and unknown futures. What can we do - and especially those of us who have no extra money to give, even if we’d like to? You all know the answer. Pray. And then pray some more. It’s not a trivial thing you’re doing while you’re on your knees. It’s not something that will be easily overlooked. In fact, it’s what they need more than anything right now. The generosity of people’s money, and certainly they are in desperate need of money (– if you can give, *please* do so!!), can fill the stomachs of a few for a short while, but the generosity of a person’s prayers fills more needs than we can fathom and changes more lives than we know completely.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.." Philippians 4:6-7

"Oh I love Him!"

So, I was doing some thinking last night. Reflections of 2009, I guess. I was thinking about how through every season of 2009, God showed Himself to me in a different and perfect, loving way.

January... I was really needing... and craving a spiritual pick-me-up. So God led me randomly to the LPM website where I discovered Beth Moore's Bible Study in Houston. So, there I was, packed up in my little Blazer driving to Houston every week and God really spoke to me... Through Worship. Through the teaching of His Word. Such an awesome time of Spriritual growth for me.

March... We joined Second Baptist Church of La Grange. At a time when we were feeling slightly alone and unsupported, we became part of the family at a church where we felt wanted and needed and at home. The blessings from that decision have never stopped.

June-July... Two months of the most amazing summer camps we've seen here at Camp Winchester. Our campers were wonderful... Our staff were amazing... and our God - Awesome! I could not have asked for anything more!

August... found us tucked tightly and happily in our Expedition headed for Orlando Florida! We hadn't had a "real" family vacation since Abigail was born and this was purely for fun and relaxation. We did both. :)

September... once again needing a spiritual refill after a busy summer... I found myself again at 1st Baptist Church of Houston, sitting under the Bible Teaching of Beth Moore up to my ears in the study of Revelation.

And all the way through December - Singing, Praising, Worshiping.

Flipping through the pages of my journal from this past year I find this one common theme written over and over again...

"Oh, I love Him!"

www.hannahseale.blogspot.com