Brotherly Love

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love..." ~ Romans 12:10

With two brothers of my own, Keven and Kristofer, I have always noticed the connection between brothers and particularly noted when brothers work together.

There seems to be a deep bond between brothers which extends beyond understanding to link them together no matter what comes--time, distance or anything else.

That bond never ceases to attract my attention and capture my imagination, and almost no one demonstrates that bond more so than the five Baker brothers: Nathan, Andrew, Daniel, Adam and Benjamin.

Their bond came to mind as I re-read the familiar passage of how believers are to interact with each other and to support each other no matter what comes--time, distance or anything else.

As I read Romans 12:10, I used to think of how a brother loves a sister, mother or father, but I think the picture becomes more clear when the love is demonstrated from one brother to another.

Romans 12:10 ~ "...Honor one another above yourselves."

Disappointed?

Too many times to count.

Disappoint - To fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of. (according to freedictionary.com)


I hate to disappoint (primarily God and my parents but also others in general), and I hate to be disappointed, but both are realities of a fallen world, so how should we handle disappointment?

After nearly 24 years of disappointments (along with innumerable blessings), God has taught me much in this area.

How we should handle disappointment depends on the source or cause of the disappointment.

What causes disappointment?

The failure of someone or something to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of the one disappointed

Who is at fault? The disappointed or the one who fails to satisfy the hope, desire or expectation?

It is far too easy to blame the one who does not satisfy the hope, desire or expectation, but what if the hope, desire or expectation is misplaced?

As an extreme example, what if someone became disappointed when another refused to have sex before marriage (which clearly contradicts what is in the Bible)?

The one who hoped, desired or expected what clearly contradicts God's Word would be at fault.

Is that true all the time? Is the one disappointed always at fault?

No, it depends on the source of the hopes, desires and expectations.

Are the expectations of the disappointed based on the Bible or selfishness?

If the expectations are grounded in God's Word, the one who does not fulfill them is at fault and needs to change.

For example, if a husband expects his wife to respect him and she does not, the wife would be at fault; though, in this case, the behavior of his wife should not influence his love for her (and vice versa - his lack of love should not be cause for her not to respect him).

"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." ~ Ephesians 5:33

Love and respect are not earned but are free gifts offered to one another by the grace of God and in obedience to His Word, regardless of the behavior of others; though, each of us is called to live worthy lives.

"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." ~ 1 Peter 2:17

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12

If the expectations are grounded in selfishness, the one who harbors the selfish expectations is at fault and needs to change.

Every hope, desire and expectation of Jesus' disciples (all believers) should stem from the Word of God.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." ~ Romans 5:3-5

So, how do we know if our expectations are grounded in the Bible or selfishness?

By knowing God's Word:

Read.

Meditate.

Memorize.

Repeat.

Sacrifice of our Savior

This morning, as I pondered a couple significant changes which seem to be pending, I wondered why God asks us to give up good things and to experience pain.

As I think about it, though, I am reminded of how Jesus left His perfect Father in heaven and experienced betrayal, beatings, insults and death on a cross.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." ~ 1 Peter 2:21

He has not asked anything of us that He has not gone through himself.

Earlier, I was also reminded of how God is the one who has given us all we possess and all things belong to Him.

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." ~ Psalm 24:1

Job's words in chapter one verse 21 come to mind: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

What are you reluctant to give back to God?

Remember: He is the One who gave it to you in the first place.

Give you peace

This night, I am reminded of all the missionaries around the world who will be away from their families during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season as well as all the families who have loved ones overseas and are unable to give them hugs and see their faces in person.

"Give you peace" by Echoing Angels is one of my favorite songs.

I see you lying their whispering prayers
I hear you breathing out hallowed by thy name
Holding out my hand catching every tear
Oh my child I'll never leave your side

I will give you peace when the walls come crashing down
I will give you peace through the night
When you've had all you can take can't face another day
I'll give you peace I'll give you peace

For such a time as this I have you here
Chosen for the lost to know I'm near
Through your brokenness my glory shines
And through your frailty my strength will rise

I will give you peace when the walls come crashing down
I will give you peace through the night
When you've had all you can take can't face another day
I'll give you peace I'll give you peace

Your beautiful, your beautiful
Perfect in my sight
Righteousness adorns you my bride
Your beautiful, so beautiful

I'm thinking of you and praying for you!

Your sister in Christ,
Kaelyn

The Ultimate Make-Over

Stories about overcoming some difficulty, trial or circumstance never seem to fail to inspire, to encourage and to draw an audience.

"The Biggest Loser" takes us through the journey with those who are trying to lose weight and the results can be astounding.

Makeovers, from personal appearance to homes, inspire almost a sense of awe as the dirty becomes clean, the broken becomes fixed and the used becomes like new.

One of the attractions of such shows is how anything can be transformed, and the worse the condition; the more astounding the final results.

Have you ever wondered why we enjoy those stories so much?

Maybe it is because all of those stories give us a glimpse into the ultimate makeover, defined for us by the Maker of heaven and earth himself.

"And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Lord God Almighty is able to transform anyone, and the worse the sinner; the more astounding the final result.

He takes lives dirty with sin and makes them clean by his blood and forgiveness. He takes broken dreams and replaces them with His own. He takes the used and restores their former beauty.

These changes, however, do not come easily as losing weight is not easy and remodeling a home is not easy. It takes time and determination.

Transformation from the inside out begins with a relationship with the all-powerful, all-knowing and always present God of the universe! :)

The more time we spend sitting in His presence, seeking His face and dwelling on His attribute; the more we will become like Him.

It is not impossible for anyone, for nothing is impossible with God, and I have seen personally His awe-inspiring transformation in my own life.

Who will join me on this journey to perfection?