July 7, 2016 – 1 Peter 2:16

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.I Peter 2:16The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27When we see children learning, playing or loving, it is with all their hearts, soul, strength and mind.  There are no hold-backs.  The enthusiasm in living each day as they discover life is infectious.  And we remember what it was like before we learned excuses for living to the fullest — with phrases such as, It isn’t fair!  Why does he get more than I get? We often get bogged down in what is in life and forget the reality of what will be.  How can we be good and gentle to those who rule our lives for now and show respect?  If God had that kind of attitude of being unjust, He would have given on us long ago.  How can we re-capture the child-like wonder in life?  By studying His Word.  There is a treasure trove of ‘how-to-live’ in His Word.  These inspired words of the Lord God Himself, through Jesus, reveal the way to love and forgive, even those who are unjust.God places happenings in our lives to teach us and we learn more about living with Him and for Him in all things. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.  Ephesians 6:7-8Live freely in the Lord Jesus, praising God for His faithful love.  And love one another.  No need to be offended on earth.  There is no room for being offended when we truly love one another.