Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved. True Living Today.
Live Your Life with Purpose & Passion!
2011-
Articles
God's Litmus Test
by Angela Hall Dobbins
A “litmus test”, as defined by Webster’s
Dictionary, is “a test in
which a single factor (as an attitude, event, or fact)
is decisive.”
At the suggestion of a friend of mine, who is a pastor, I recently
read the testimony of young Christian music artist, Matthew West. I was both impressed
and inspired, not only because Matthew’s story says so much about trusting God, even
when we can't see what He's doing, but because I can personally relate to much of
the emotional message it conveys. Matthew’s music career was just taking off when
he was suddenly faced with the possibility of never being able to sing again due
to a vascular polyp and hemorrhaged blood vessels on one of his vocal chords. Through
this painful “season of silence,” as he calls it, Matthew learned that God was still
using his voice, even when, physically, he was unable to hear it.
Sometimes God begins
preparing us for something great to happen in our lives-
And while God does chasten those
He loves, those dark, silent days don’t always come as the result of wrongdoing on
our part. Sometimes painful events just happen. But God may allow them to happen
because He has a way of using those dark, silent, even painful days to draw us closer
to Him and to teach us more about His deep, endearing love for us. During those times,
He is administering valuable lessons and further preparing us for the next segment
of our journey through life. Through our pain, He tenderly ministers His love to
us, that we might, in turn, minister it to others.
This has been the case in my own
life and, perhaps, it has been so in yours, as well. It was during my own “season
of silence”, after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and while recovering from divorce,
that God opened my heart and mind to understand so much more about His unconditional
love for you and me. If we are "judgment day honest", as my pastor friend often challenges
those to whom he ministers to be, then we must pass one test before we can truly
know where we will spend eternity. We might call it "God's litmus test". In order
to pass the test, we must ask ourselves, "Do I have the love of God in my heart?"
The true test of whether or not we are ready to meet our Creator lies in our answer
to this single question. Jesus summed it up like this in Matthew 22:36-
When asked this question by one of the Pharisees, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (NIV)
And in John 13:34-
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another." (NIV)
Do we really "walk the walk" of a Jesus follower? Do our words and actions speak
kindness to others? Or do they echo criticism and condemnation? Do we give of our
time and resources to help those in need? Or do we live for selfish gain? Do our
actions toward others demonstrate genuine concern and empathy? Or do they reflect
prejudice and indifference? Do we genuinely love our neighbor? Or do we love only
those who fit our narrow concept of what a neighbor should be?
Friends, if we truly
want to be ready to stand before our Lord on judgment day, then we need to be on
our knees asking God to fill us to overflowing with His love. Putting behind us old
traditions and going through the motions, we must, every day, immerse ourselves in
His Word and seek to be like Jesus in our own words and deeds. I firmly believe this
earthly life is preparation for the life we will lead hereafter. From Genesis to
Revelation, the Bible contains God's message of His everlasting love for humankind.
And Jesus Christ is the epitome of God's love-
L… O… V… E
Do you have it?
Scripture References:
John 13:34-
"A new command I give
you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this
all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV)
Romans
13:8-
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another,
for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit
adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment
there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (NIV)
1 John 3:14-
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our
brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother
is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how
we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay
down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his
brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (NIV)
1 John 4:7-
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone
who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know
God, because God is love." (NIV)
Strength For Today
by Angela Hall Dobbins
"Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over a gain, and you
will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose -
If some of you are like me, you may have been struggling lately to remain firmly
rooted in your faith and not be blown away by the storms of life, and all the frustration
and confusion that comes as their result. Jesus promised us an abundant life in and
through Him, and I believe we can have that abundant life...right here and now...
right where we live and in our immediate circumstances. We only have to remain focused
on the LORD!
Now, I know that's easier said than done. Most of us find that there
are times when we eagerly begin the day, ready with Christian vigilance and a positive
attitude, to conquer whatever life throws our way. But, somehow, about half way through
the day, we begin to get a little weary. Those storms of life begin to beat down
upon us and the winds begin to blow, until we find ourselves worn and tattered...at
times barely able to make it through the remainder of the day. This is especially
true of those of us who suffer from a chronic illness or pain. We despondently discover
that we have little patience and joy left for our families and loved ones, perhaps
even for others. And we feel we have even less for ourselves. We end up feeling weak,
discouraged, and as though we've failed in our Christian walk.
I know you've had
days like that. Haven't you? I surely have. But, in looking back, most of the times
when I ended up feeling like such a failure, I realized that, somehow during my day,
I had stopped focusing upon God and was no longer standing on His promises. Instead,
I was ashamed to find that, in most cases, I had lost sight of the Lord and had turned
most of my focus toward my pain and discomfort, as well as the trials, circumstances,
and pressures of life which hurled around me. I became like the Apostle Peter, who
immediately started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus.
And yet, amazingly,
every time I’ve found myself wavering, stumbling, or even sinking, the Lord has always
been right there to lift me up again and set my feet back on solid ground. Isn't
He Faithful and Wonderful!
Do you feel discouraged today? Are you tired and weary
from worry and stress? Do you feel the desire for a closer walk with the Lord in
your life, but you just can't seem to attain it? Jesus promised us an abundant life,
if we would only seek Him and keep our focus and trust upon Him. Whatever your circumstances,
He understands and He cares.
Start each day reading God's Word. This will give you
strength for the day's journey. Talk to the Lord throughout the day, asking for His
continued strength and guidance... not just when you feel weak. Thank Him for His
presence in all things and for every little blessing. And ask Him to keep your feet
from stumbling. He's right there beside you every step of the way, even when you
forget to seek Him. He is not only our LORD, but He is our Friend. And His desire
is to give us a life filled with joy, peace and victory!
Remember, if you do stumble...
and all of us do... don't stay beaten down and discouraged, considering yourself
a failure. Take the Lord's hand and let Him pull you right back up! No matter how
many times it takes, you will eventually gain the victory over whatever trial you
are facing at the time. Believe it! His Word says it and it's TRUE!
Scripture References:
Lamentations 3:22-
Romans 5:1-
1 Corinthians 15:57-