"and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
Isaiah 58:10
One thing I've learned over the past few years of my life is how good it feels to serve others. Do you ever go help out with something and when you're done you just feel so good about yourself? It's one of the best feelings in the world. Then again has your mom ever asked you to go do something to help her out and you roll your eyes and get really annoyed? That's one of the worst feelings you can have. I've done both things. The thing about Jesus is he came to us with a serving heart and served anyone and everyone that he could without a single complaint. That's how we should be. Jesus WANTS to serve us, he wants to help. Why are we so selfish to only want to help people when we feel like it? We should want to help and serve whenever we are needed.
When you think of serving others you probably think of washing cars, going to the homeless shelter, habitat for humanity, feeding the hungry, etc. and those are all really wonderful ways to serve in your community, but they aren't the only ways. When someone in your family is sick and needs something, go get it for them. When you see someone walking around with their hands full of things, go take some of it and help them. When you see someone getting picked on, go stand up for them. There are so many simple ways to serve others that we ignore every single day.
The other day I was at the gas station and this homeless man was sitting by a gas pump just minding his own business. I had already put all of my money in my gas tank so I didn't really know what I could do to help him. He looked hot and miserable and I couldn't think of a way to help him. This really nice jeep pulled up to the gas pump that the homeless man was at and gets out. He watches the homeless man get up and go sit at an empty gas pump. The man then walks over to the homeless guy and asks him if he needs any money. That's right, he offered money before the homeless man could even ask, how many of you have ever done that?? The homeless man says "No thank you, I just need to sit here and cool down for a minute." The guy says okay and goes to put gas in his tank. After he starts pumping his gas he goes into the gas station and I watch the homeless man throw up due to the heat and I started to cry and pray that God could help him because I couldn't. The man comes out of the gas station with a sandwich, a bag of chips and two bottles of cold water. He then walks up to the homeless man and says, "Here is some food and water, will you please come ride around with me in my air conditioned car. I know you won't take my money, but please just let me help you." They got into the vehicle together and left. I thought about that situation all day, astonished at the kindness of this man's serving heart and desperation to help the homeless guy. I don't know many people who would offer money without being asked, much less continue to help even when his first attempt at helping was turned down. Later that day as I was heading home I stopped at McDonalds to get my mom and sister dinner, as I'm driving thru I see the man's jeep. I went inside to order my food just to tell the man how good of a person he is when I saw him and the homeless man laughing and enjoying dinner together. That man spent the WHOLE day helping this homeless man and it's honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
That's what it is to have a serving heart and to help others. You should be happy to help others. If we had more people embracing a serving heart the world would be a much better place and I believe we would see more smiling faces. I challenge you to go out and find ways to help others. If we helped at least one person a day we could change so many lives. We are on this Earth to serve, not to be served, remember that. It's sad that so many of us view helping others as a chore. It is NOT a chore, but an opportunity! Helping others gives you the perfect opportunity to plant seeds in others hearts and share the gospel with them. Having opportunities like that is such a blessing and we should take hold of any opportunity that comes our way. Let's go be servants that bring light into this dark world. I promise it will make a difference.
XOXO,
Kirby Madyson
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Love is ...
"Love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I just spent a week at church camp and it sure has been an eye opener. I learned a lot about myself and others. One thing that was a hot topic for me last week is what exactly is love? This week at camp I learned that love is an overused word that society is sucking the meaning out of. As Christians we should be more careful of how we use the word love and what we think it is that way when we do use it, it remains a powerful word. That information vaguely answers the real question though, what is love? Luckily for us, as Christians, we are provided a really cool book that can answer that exact question for us in 1 Corinthians. Reading these verses all together can be overwhelming so I'm just gonna break it down for a better understanding.
1. Love is Patient
If you have ever been in a relationship you understand how irritating it can be when something doesn't go your way or someone just doesn't listen to you. Your first instinct would be to cause a scene and let them know harshly what they're doing wrong. That isn't patience. Love is patient, meaning that you have all the patience in the world for someone you love. If they mess up, or irritate you even the slightest bit you have to be patient with them and talk to them. Explain what is bothering you in a sensitive way, work together to resolve issues.
2. Love is Kind
What does the word kind mean to you? To me being kind means that you are nice, helpful, and encouraging. That should be incorporated into relationships. You should be nice even if they're being mean. Helpful when they have problems. Encouraging when they feel their world falling to pieces. Being kind is such an important part of showing love. Love doesn't exist without kindness.
3. Love is not Jealous
Jealousy comes from greed and selfishness. You can't get jealous of someone you love, it's wrong. When something goes the way they want you should be by their side encouraging them and showing them how happy you are for them. Supporting each others accomplishments even if you feel unaccomplished is a way of showing love. Jealousy is one of the quickest ways to start problems between two people.
4. Love does not Brag and it is not Arrogant
Do you ever get in an argument and say "Look at all I have done for you and you treat me that way?" That comment is bragging and shows arrogance. Love does not have that. Love is appreciating what one does for you and enjoying doing things for each other without expecting anything in return. Don't pride yourself on being better than the other person, you're equals. Do not brag. Do not be arrogant.
5. Love doesn't Dishonor Others
Love has good manners. Love is courteous and polite. Love is never rude. This basically ties into love being kind. Love does nothing to dishonor each other.
6. Love is not Self-Seeking
Two people should be equal in a relationship. If you love each other then you should be looking out for each other, not doing things that only benefit one person. Equality is key.
7. Love is not Provoked
Love is not touchy, but is understanding. You shouldn't be easily angered. Having a good temper with each other will help you in the long run. Love is having a level head and figuring things out together.
8. Love does not Keep Records of Wrong Doings
Love forgives. You can't hold grudges with each other. If someone messes up, apologize, work things out, and move forward. You can never move on and be happy if you're continuously bringing up the past.
9. Love does not Rejoice in Unrighteousness, but Rejoices with Truth
Love doesn't encourage wrong doings. If you're in a relationship with someone who encourages you to drink, party, have premarital sex, lie, cheat, etc. If someone you love is encouraging you to do anything similar to those things or anything ungodly then they don't really love you. If they pressure you into doing things that you know are wrong, walk away.
10. Love Protects
If you love someone you will do anything to protect them. You'd take a bullet for someone you truly love. If you absolutely love someone they come second always. (God comes first.)
11. Love Trusts
Listen to what the other person has to say, and don't second guess them. If they love you then I promise they are telling the truth, if they lie to you then they aren't the one. Trust is SO important. If you can't trust someone, you don't really love them.
12. Love Hopes
Love is not pessimistic. Love is going into a relationship hoping that the best will happen. If you have a hopeful love, anything can happen. Hope means happiness and that's important when it comes to love.
13. Love Perseveres
If something doesn't go as planned, hang in there! Love is never giving up, always striving for the best outcome of any situation. If they aren't ready to accept your flaws and work past them, they aren't hoping for a future with you, and they don't love you. If y'all stumble upon a problem and they don't want to work through it, they're giving up, and they don't love you. Love never gives up.
All of these are ways that Jesus loves us. We are all supposed to strive to be Christ-Like in all aspects of our lives, this is one way to do it. Nothing can separate us from His love, so if you love someone, nothing should be able to separate y'all from each other. Love is a hard thing for society to figure out these days, but it's all there in black and white. Right in the bible which is just one big love story. If you can't do all thirteen things (I'm not saying flawlessly, but if you can't do them at all) you don't love like you thought you did. Love is a serious and powerful thing. Always keep that in mind. If you're going to love, love like He loved us.
XOXO,
Kirby Madyson
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I just spent a week at church camp and it sure has been an eye opener. I learned a lot about myself and others. One thing that was a hot topic for me last week is what exactly is love? This week at camp I learned that love is an overused word that society is sucking the meaning out of. As Christians we should be more careful of how we use the word love and what we think it is that way when we do use it, it remains a powerful word. That information vaguely answers the real question though, what is love? Luckily for us, as Christians, we are provided a really cool book that can answer that exact question for us in 1 Corinthians. Reading these verses all together can be overwhelming so I'm just gonna break it down for a better understanding.
1. Love is Patient
If you have ever been in a relationship you understand how irritating it can be when something doesn't go your way or someone just doesn't listen to you. Your first instinct would be to cause a scene and let them know harshly what they're doing wrong. That isn't patience. Love is patient, meaning that you have all the patience in the world for someone you love. If they mess up, or irritate you even the slightest bit you have to be patient with them and talk to them. Explain what is bothering you in a sensitive way, work together to resolve issues.
2. Love is Kind
What does the word kind mean to you? To me being kind means that you are nice, helpful, and encouraging. That should be incorporated into relationships. You should be nice even if they're being mean. Helpful when they have problems. Encouraging when they feel their world falling to pieces. Being kind is such an important part of showing love. Love doesn't exist without kindness.
3. Love is not Jealous
Jealousy comes from greed and selfishness. You can't get jealous of someone you love, it's wrong. When something goes the way they want you should be by their side encouraging them and showing them how happy you are for them. Supporting each others accomplishments even if you feel unaccomplished is a way of showing love. Jealousy is one of the quickest ways to start problems between two people.
4. Love does not Brag and it is not Arrogant
Do you ever get in an argument and say "Look at all I have done for you and you treat me that way?" That comment is bragging and shows arrogance. Love does not have that. Love is appreciating what one does for you and enjoying doing things for each other without expecting anything in return. Don't pride yourself on being better than the other person, you're equals. Do not brag. Do not be arrogant.
5. Love doesn't Dishonor Others
Love has good manners. Love is courteous and polite. Love is never rude. This basically ties into love being kind. Love does nothing to dishonor each other.
6. Love is not Self-Seeking
Two people should be equal in a relationship. If you love each other then you should be looking out for each other, not doing things that only benefit one person. Equality is key.
7. Love is not Provoked
Love is not touchy, but is understanding. You shouldn't be easily angered. Having a good temper with each other will help you in the long run. Love is having a level head and figuring things out together.
8. Love does not Keep Records of Wrong Doings
Love forgives. You can't hold grudges with each other. If someone messes up, apologize, work things out, and move forward. You can never move on and be happy if you're continuously bringing up the past.
9. Love does not Rejoice in Unrighteousness, but Rejoices with Truth
Love doesn't encourage wrong doings. If you're in a relationship with someone who encourages you to drink, party, have premarital sex, lie, cheat, etc. If someone you love is encouraging you to do anything similar to those things or anything ungodly then they don't really love you. If they pressure you into doing things that you know are wrong, walk away.
10. Love Protects
If you love someone you will do anything to protect them. You'd take a bullet for someone you truly love. If you absolutely love someone they come second always. (God comes first.)
11. Love Trusts
Listen to what the other person has to say, and don't second guess them. If they love you then I promise they are telling the truth, if they lie to you then they aren't the one. Trust is SO important. If you can't trust someone, you don't really love them.
12. Love Hopes
Love is not pessimistic. Love is going into a relationship hoping that the best will happen. If you have a hopeful love, anything can happen. Hope means happiness and that's important when it comes to love.
13. Love Perseveres
If something doesn't go as planned, hang in there! Love is never giving up, always striving for the best outcome of any situation. If they aren't ready to accept your flaws and work past them, they aren't hoping for a future with you, and they don't love you. If y'all stumble upon a problem and they don't want to work through it, they're giving up, and they don't love you. Love never gives up.
All of these are ways that Jesus loves us. We are all supposed to strive to be Christ-Like in all aspects of our lives, this is one way to do it. Nothing can separate us from His love, so if you love someone, nothing should be able to separate y'all from each other. Love is a hard thing for society to figure out these days, but it's all there in black and white. Right in the bible which is just one big love story. If you can't do all thirteen things (I'm not saying flawlessly, but if you can't do them at all) you don't love like you thought you did. Love is a serious and powerful thing. Always keep that in mind. If you're going to love, love like He loved us.
XOXO,
Kirby Madyson
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