13-Feb-15

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Psalm 103:1-3With my whole heart!  Praise the Lord with my whole heart. I ask myself when is the last time I did something with my whole heart?  Without any reservations, or concerns of what others might think, but with my whole heart!  No wonder we are to be as a child in our faith.  No wonder we love watching a child who loves, who plays, who learns to walk with all its heart.Memory comes and goes, memories are tucked into the recesses of the mind.  Remembering with my whole heart every answer to prayer, the gift of grace, the wonders of Creation begins a hunger for Jesus that grows.  The more I remember, the more I see Him in action, the more He forgives my sin, the more I want nothing more than Jesus.He gives us patience and encouragement.  Why?  So we can live in complete harmony with each other.  How often we are irritated, disturbed, rubbed the wrong way by someone.  Patience flies out the window.  How could they act in such an unloving way?  They are impossible!  Wait….the passage in Romans 15 declares that God gives the patience and encouragement to ‘live in complete harmony with each other’.  Is this possible?  Is God there?The phrase, “It’s not all about you (or me)!”, applies here.  It is about loving others, caring for others, forgiving others, serving others that brings out the harmony.  Wait, but what about me?  When we lose ourselves in Christ Jesus, we are found.  Then we can give the glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.I have the dearest friend who accepts me and gives generously.  There is no judgment in her eyes, or ‘what’s in it for me’ in her voice.  She accepts me and has taught me what it is to love unconditionally.  She glorifies God with her life and her breath.  She accepts me just as Christ accepts me and you.  Then God is truly glorified.Dear Lord in Heaven,  I pray for patience and encouragement to see others through Your eyes.  Help me to live in complete harmony with each one who comes into my path so that God is given the glory and the praise forever.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Romans 15:5-7