Like a Good Neighbor; Are You There?

Volume 8 Issue 4

Greeting in His Name,

My apologies I was suppose to have posted this on yesterday. And I was suppose to post the article entitled Why Take Down The Cross? Well, I had to take a detour, so I decided to post an article from the days of my email publication. So with that being said, today's blog is entitled Like A Good Neighbor; Are You There? Hope you find some inspiration, conviction, and queries.

shalom and love,

heidi

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While watching TV, a State Farm commercial came on advertising their ability to be there when you need them. Their punch line was no matter the strain, they would be there. So I got to thinking about Christian relationships and how valuable they are to the body of Christ. As I listened to, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there”, I instantly changed the tune to, “Like a Good Neighbor, Are...You There?”

This slogan caused me to ponder the words of Jesus, “love one another” from the scripture John 13:34 - 35. He mentions these three simple but profound words not just once, but three times! To hear something twice should bring about special attention, but to hear it three times, we should be compelled to commit it to memory. So, deep within I heard an appeal. And you may ask what appeal is Christ trying to make? I believe that appeal is - no matter what, be there. It’s easy to turn away or give up on someone or on yourself but it takes a lot of love to stick in there. There are situations that warrant moving on but make sure God has ordained that move and not you. One thing we would not want to regret is our lack of love shown to someone God has called us to walk through a season with. As you continue to read remember, show some love.

A New Commandment; Love (John 13:34a NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another.” This is not really a new command but more so an upgraded one. Jesus is prompting His disciples to move beyond their shallow ability to love into a much deeper sacrificial realm of love. The kind of love that will attract the eye of all who will see and move them to seek this love that only Jesus the Christ could bestow upon them. Just before Christ gave His disciples this upgraded statement to love, He washed His disciples’ feet and administered the Last Supper. During this meal Jesus announced that He is about to be betrayed. With this knowledge He didn’t destroy his avenger but he told him to “do it and get it over with”. For most of us it’s hard to move into a mode of sacrificial love for everyone. We’re okay with showing love to those who are closest to us, those we like, but what about the unlovable. Let me help you here, God through his Son is saying, “Love one another.” In spite of how reckless life can be at times it’s good to be able to remember someone as a good neighbor — having that one somebody that regardless of our shortcomings or behavior they can exemplify the word love ‘in action’ and not just ‘in word’. “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18

An Example; Love (John 13:34b NIV)

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Only this kind of love will tolerate abuse and neglect to reach the heart and soul of man and lead him to Christ. Many a soul have smiled through and had genuine joy after the abuse and neglect of man only because God granted him the same love. I reached way back for an example of an episode in my life when I was in college. I had a roommate that I didn’t want to room with and could do nothing about it. While rooming, we both did the club scene, but one day something changed. My roommate had an encounter. I don’t know exactly what she had experienced, a church visit or a meeting on campus, but she came back to our room one day changed. I remember watching her throw out makeup and clothes that she felt were no longer needful and appropriate for this change. It was later that I found out that she had an encounter with the one and only – Jesus, who became the love of her life. I must say that at that time He was not the love of my life so I made her stay hell. I played my music insanely loud. And I changed nothing about my behavior just because she got saved. Keep in mind, I didn’t want her for a roommate in the first place! Despite my actions, I can remember the many changes she made and the respect she still gave me. As I now know, she was entangled with a new love that had such a hold on her that she could only exemplify His character – LOVE. Now, that’s what I’m talking about! If He has changed you then something about your appearance and your character should change. I have not run across that roommate’s path but if ever, she would have my deepest apology, and see what true love can do to a wretched man as myself. I am reminded that as Jesus prompted His disciples to demonstrate His love, so He prompts us today to “show them my love”.

Are You My Disciple; Love (John 13:35 NIV)

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Let’s get the record straight, the scripture says “by this”—here is that character change. We could stop right here. ‘By this’ causes us to intentionally look deeper into this love thing and even deeper into ourselves. It brings about questions of devotion, support and service. To look into the body of Christ, the church, is to look into a mirror and see the reflection of Jesus. Can we see love radiating from our churches or do we see a group of self-willed people with a Jesus apparel tag, wearing the name brand Jesus but not living the life of Jesus? I’ve learned through this study that I can not associate myself with Jesus if I can not show love. Love draws people’s attention to Him; the true trademark of love.

Closing: Battle Hymn of Love!

At your leisure take a listen to the Battle Hymn of Love. This song is used mainly at weddings but when I read the lyrics I thought this is for anyone making a commitment, not just a marital commitment. There are words like “I will stand by you” and “till my death I will stand by you.” Being a good neighbor is standing by someone. Making the word love a battle hymn – a declaration! “LOVE ONE ANOTHER”. Then and only then will the world see love in action through the church. With that beautiful picture in view, it would compel the world to say, ‘those are His disciples’.

LIFE QUOTE

“Your neighbor is the man who needs you.” - Elbert Hubbard

Let Us Laugh!

My high-school English teacher was well known for being a fair, but hard, grader. One day I received a B minus on a theme paper. In hopes of bettering my grade and in the spirit of the valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-printed inscription: "BE MINE." The following day, I received in return a valentine from the teacher. It read: "Thank you, but it's still BE MINE-US." Brad Wilcox (Reader's Digest)

Hope to see you Next Month: Why Take Down The Cross?

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