BIG GOD!

Two men went fishing. One was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back.

The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.

The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."

Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throwback the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small.

We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan, yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.

You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13.) Nothing is too big for God.

GOD’S LOVE

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as
he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because "My Dad" wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril- and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful.

He did not and will not ever let you go.

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

Never judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they've got them.

A Different Approach to Fasting…

Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus’ healing touch.

Here are suggestions you may want to consider:

1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family an extra dose of love each day.

2. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

3. Fast from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus’ promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.

4. Fast from complaining. When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.

5. Fast from resentment or bitterness! Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.

6. Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.

The difference between judgment and accountability
by John Fischer

Jesus was very clear on judging another person. He said not to do it. (Matthew 7:1) But what about holding one another accountable to the truth? Don't we bear some responsibility for each other? And if we are to do this for someone, doesn't that involve judging them at some point?

Accountability is an important part of any relationship, especially one with a shared purpose in following Christ. We need each other in order to stay on the right track. The lures and temptations of this life are too great to handle alone. Paul writes, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

What's the difference between judging and confronting? Confronting involves doing something. Judging is all in your head. Confronting has an element of humility involved, because you know your own susceptibility to the same temptations. Judging always makes you better than someone in your own mind. And confronting always means direct contact. Judging is an evil little secret you keep to yourself or share with others in the form of gossip.

Years ago, a friend of mine was struggling over doing the right thing in an important decision he had to make. Another friend and I got the idea to go surprise him and help provide support for his decision. It didn't matter that it was a 10- hour drive to get to him (that was the surprise part) we wanted to show up as an act of loving confrontation to help him face the truth.

Now had we not made that trip, and had I used his moral failure as a means of making me seem better in my own eyes, and had I talked to others in ways that might demean him (even asking others to pray - – a favorite evangelical form of acceptable gossip) that would have been judging him. But instead we told no one, but went directly to him with our concern for him and the result was a big boost for all three of us.

I can't even tell you now what the issue was, or what he did about it -- – it's been too long now -- – but what I do remember is how blown away he was that we would care enough to go see him in person. And I know I still have a friend today.

If you ever catch yourself putting down someone in your mind, stop and realize you are judging that person, and then consider if you might be the one to go confront him or her in love. Put your information into action, or put it away and leave it with God. To harbor something in your heart about someone and not confront that person is to be a private judge, and the only one that really hurts is you.

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me. I do not choose the colors, he worketh steadily. Offtimes he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride, forget he sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly, will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the skillful weaver's hand, as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern he has planned.

Reading right along.
SS

This message is to all the loving and concerned BS's and FWS's out there who help, encourage and support others in saving their marriages:

The most special people I know are those who have known defeat, suffering, struggles and loss and have found their way OUT of the depths by the grace of God. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. People like you are NOT born that way…they are formed by the Potter’s loving hand!

Bike Ride With God

When I first met Christ
It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Christ
Was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was that
He suggested we change places,
But life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way,
It was rather boring, but predictable…
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
Up mountains, and through rocky places,
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal”

I worried and was anxious and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
And I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed.
Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
They’re extra baggage, too much weight.”

So I did, I gave them to the people we met,
And I found that in giving I received,
And still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, In control of my life.
I thought He’d wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
And pedal in the strangest places,
And I’m beginning to enjoy the view
And the cool breeze on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…
“Pedal”

Make plans, but…

Some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn’t always turn out as planned.
You don’t plan for a broken heart.
You don’t plan for a failed business venture.
You don’t plan for an adulterous husband.
Or a wife who wants you out of her life.
You don’t plan for an autistic child.
You don’t plan for spinsterhood.
You don’t plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever.
You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love – and be loved forever.

You don’t plan to be sad.
You don’t plan to be hurt.
You don’t plan to be broke.
You don’t plan to be betrayed.
You don’t plan to be alone in this world – You plan to be happy.
You don’t plan to be shattered.

Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But MOST times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God’s plan especially when
His plans are not in consonance with ours.

Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to him in anger. With courage
knowing that God will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, God allows pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, God allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans, but understand we live by God’s grace.

Thank you for this post!

It works!

Here's my contri to all BW's out there....

Here's to the boys that we love,
And here's to the boys that love us,
But the boys that we love ain't the boys that love us
So - [email]F@$#[/email] the boys and here's to us!
<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I’m borrowing the following from DavidsBride2004's thread - FOR THE DISCOURAGED AND DOWNTRODDEN:

[color:"blue"] DISCOURAGED AND DOWNTRODDEN –

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers
them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-
hearted and saves those crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:17-18

The Lord hears your cry for help. He knows the agony you face every
day that your family is in disarray. The Lord promises to deliver you
from all your troubles. Do you believe this with all your heart? Are
you putting your trust in God alone to heal your home? "The Lord is
close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit." I pray
that you may feel the healing touch of the Lord today. He is your com-
forter and shield from the attacks of the evil one.

"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers
him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them
will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the
righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems his servants; no
one will be condemned who takes refuge in him."
Psalm 34:19-22

It is so important that you take your refuge in the Lord and not in
worldly solutions to your marriage problems. Many well-meaning indiv-
iduals will advise you to "get on with your life" and "everyone will
be better off without the bickering in the home." The path of self-
fulfillment will always end in destruction. "Evil will slay the wick-
ed; the foes of the righteous will be condemned." You need to stand
and pray for your prodigal spouse so that she will not be condemned.
You need to lead a righteous life so that through your prayers your
spouse may be saved. Following the path of the Lord is the only way
out of your troubles. "No one will be condemned who takes refuge in
him." The Lord will deliver you from all your troubles when you commit
to doing things His way. The well-being of your family depends on it!

"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."
1 John 3:16

As Christ laid down His life for our sins, husbands are to lay down
their lives for their families. Your wayward spouse will be saved
through your sacrificial love. What does it mean to love with "sacrif-
icial love?" This means being obedient to your marriage vows no matter
what. It means giving up your own wants and desires for the good of
your family. It means honoring God through your obedience to His Word.
"Sacrificial love" does NOT mean "getting on with your life" or that
"you have a right to be happy." True happiness is only found in fol-
lowing the path of the Lord.

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not
be afraid.'"
Hebrews 12:6

You do not need to be afraid of your marriage problems. You do not
need to be afraid of the circumstances coming against you. You do not
need to be afraid of anything that your prodigal spouse may be doing
in the far country. The Lord is in control of all these things, work-
ing His good in due time. The Lord is with you in the midst of all
these things, comforting you as a mother comforts a crying child. He
will never leave you stranded in the midst of the storm.

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 12:5

Are you doubting God and His promises? Have you lost hope that your
marriage will be healed? God has spoken healing on your home. He has
promised to deliver you out of all your troubles. God cannot lie and
He will do as He promised.

"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse
you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the
ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be will be cul-
tivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass
through it. They will say, "This land that was laid waste has
become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in
ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited."
Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the
Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what
was desolate. I the Lord have spoken and I will do it.'"
Ezekiel 36:33-36

The Lord will rebuild your marriage. The desolate land of divorce will
be cultivated "like the garden of Eden." The Lord will rebuild your
family that was lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed. Why will the
Lord do this? So that other families around you will see the mighty
power of God in healing homes! The Lord spoke it and He will do it,
praise God!

"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are
possible with God."
Mark 10:27

Do not listen to the naysayers claiming that your marriage is over.
Whom are you going to believe: God or those spouting doom and gloom?
Listen to what the Lord says about those that have turned away from
Him and His righteousness.

"'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you
from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I
will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your
idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart
of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to fol-
low my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live
in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people,
and I will be your God. I will save you from all your unclean-
ness.'"
Ezekiel 36:24-29

What a beautiful promise from the Lord! The Lord longs to bring your
prodigal back into His fold. God loves your spouse dearly. He will
pursue her no matter where she may go. He will cleanse her of her un-
righteousness and give her a new heart. He will restore her to her
rightful place in your home.

Men, you hold the key to breaking the stronghold of divorce on your
family. Stand for the healing of your home. Obey God and His commands.
Keep praying for your wife. Do not give up!

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will
be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of
a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/standinginfaith/[/color]

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
And instead of a smile you have a sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest in God’s love – and never quit.
Life can be strange with its twists and turns,
And many a failed man has turned away,
When with God’s help he’d have won the day.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
For you may succeed with another go –
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver glint in the cloud of doubt,
You never can tell how close you are –
The goal may be near when it seems so far.
So turn to the Lord when you’re hardest hit.
Put your trust in Him and never quit.

An old man told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old man simply replied, "The one you feed."

Could I?

Could I take your mind and destroy the accusations that the demons keep hurling,
Could I touch it, and still your thoughts,
Could I hold it tenderly and kiss it away,
Could I sing it to bed.

Could I?

Could I hold your mind's hands,
Could I elope with it?
To help it soar and be free,
From all its accusations, hatred
and implied misery.

Could I?

I want to dry your inner tear,
Your heart and soul needs it,
To be compassionate and understanding,
The disease of greed and selfishness, Isolation
Of being taken granted off,
I want to comfort it.

Now.

Could I?

It should never be like this,
The pain that interrupt your bliss,
The ignorance of your beauty,
the thoughts of your mind,
the cares of your heart,
The past is dead,
gone,
wilted,
buried.

Could you?

Smell the hope of tomorrow,
Heal the bonds of hope,
The soul will rise again,
The heart will sing one day,
you will smile again soon,
your mind will skip and play.

I keep rambling,
i see hope, i believe,
You will win,
New,
Hope,
Life,
Dreams,

Begin with the first step of thought,

Could you?

by nc007

Dag sê Suzet,
When I saw the your name, I thought it was a RSA name. Seeing that you are into poems, what is chance of you knowing the Aan die verhuisings manne poem. You don´t by any chance have a Aftrikaanse dig bundel like the one we had in high school.

Funny story at work. My work mates asked me why do the South Africans always say...¨buy a donkey¨ There was some South Africans here on a besiness trip.(before my time and I am in Finland). Well after I had some fun with them I said that it is BAIE DANKIE and it ment Thank you very much. Why the SAs would have said that too the Finns I don´t know.

Goeiedag Vanaswegen,

Ek neem aan jy is van Suid-Afrikaanse herkoms en Afrikaanssprekend (Afrikaans as 1ste taal) aangesien jy ‘n Afrikaanse digbundel op hoërskool gehad het. Daarom hoop ek nie jy sal omgee as ek aan jou pos in my eie taal nie! Dis die eerste keer dat ek die geleentheid kry om dit te doen (om met ‘n mede Suid-Afrikaner in my eie taal te pos) vandat ek op hierdie forums is, so ek gryp die geleentheid met altwee hande aan! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ek ken glad nie daai spesifieke Afrikaanse digbundel waarvan jy praat nie, maar ons het wel ander digbundels op hoërskool gebruik. Dis egter bietjie lank terug en ek kan nie meer die name van die bundels onthou nie. Ek sien jy is net ‘n jaar jonger as ek so ons het ongeveer dieselfde tyd gematrikuleer. Lyk my jy het egter ‘n baie beter geheue as ek! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> In watter provinsie het jy skoolgegaan/grootgeword en wanneer het jy na Finland geimmigreer?

Ek het nog nooit van die term “buy a donkey” gehoor nie. Ja, dis nogal vreemd dat die Suid-Afrikaners dit vir die Finlanders sê. Ek het ook nie geweet dit beteken “Baie dankie” nie… Interessant!

Good day to all,
Please excuse us for not using the English language, It has been some time since I have used my mother language.

Wel Suzet ek is nou 33 en gematriekileer van Hoërskool S.P. C.R. Swart in Pretoria. Ek het na my studies afgetrek kaap toe na Fish hoek en van daar na Saudi en well nou in Finland. Ek is nou al oor die 4 jaar hier en geniet dit baie. Die mense is maar koud hier, vat a lang tyd om friende te maak maar as jy een maak dan is hy baie goeie vriend.

Die baie dankie klink vir die Finne of jy sê ¨buy a donkey¨. Wel die mense wat hier was is nou so Afrikaans soos wat jy kan kry.
Ek moet sê ek sukkel maar met die Afrikaanse se spelling. Maar ek mis hoe die kaapernaars vloek, dit was nou erg afrikaans soos koeksisters.

My pa het gesê ek moet huis toe kom want hier is te koud(-35) Ek het geantwoord wel hier is nie donker groen mense en die 2 wat hier is is seker van my beste vriende.

Ek het n baie goeie onnie gehaat wat ons Afrikaans in st9 en Matriek onderig het....hy was nou a reget nar. Hy is nou een van die mense wat ek sal opsoek as na jou land toe kom.

Nou ja laat dit goed gaan.
Van.

Hi Van,

"Buy a donkey" vir jou response! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Vrydagaand het ek my man vertel van ons gesprek en dat die Suid-Afrikaners "buy a donkey" vir die Finlanders sê. Eers nadat ek die woorde harop uitspreek het, het ek besef dat die uitspraak presies dieselfde klink as "BAIE DANKIE" en inderdaad dit beteken. Ons het heerlik gelag en my man het gesê jy moet seker dink ek is baie onnosel dat ek dit nie dadelik gesnap/besef het nie! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Ek en my man het 'n paar jaar terug ook al daaraan gedink om te emmigreer juis ook as gevolg van die baie donker groen mense hier en al die geweld & korrupsie, maar ons wortels is so diep hier begrawe en ek dink ek sal my familie en vriende hier heeltemal te veel mis. Maar ons sal maar sien wat die toekoms inhou...mens weet nooit. Ek weet net ons sal nie aard in so koue land soos waar jy bly nie, daarom sal ons eerder lande soos Australië of Nieu-seeland verkies waar die klimaat ongeveer dieselfde as in SA is.

Daar het gister vriende by ons kom kuier wat 8 jaar terug London toe geimmigreer het, maar hulle het nou permanent terug SA toe gekom. Hulle het nou 3 klein kinders waarvan 1 'n 3 maande oue baba is, en hul wil graag hê die kinders moet in die familie grootword en hul oumas, oupas ens. ook leer ken.

Ek en my man woon in Vaderbijlpark en het albei in Vereeniging grootgeword en skoolgegaan. Ons hou daarvan om by die Suidkus (Margate) te gaan vakansie hou. Ek is nou 33 en my man 34.

Dankie vir die gesels, dit was lekker om vir 'n slag in my eie taal op die forum te kon kommunikeer!

Mooi bly,
Suzet

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen:

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.

As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.

They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:

"I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.

Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?

Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.

I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:

"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.

"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer.

"That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Jesus And The Jerks
by Jon Walker

“But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Jerk: A person regarded as disagreeable, contemptible, especially as the result of foolish or mean behavior.

One of the biggest jerks I ever knew was a 23-year-old college graduate whose anger and arrogance spilled into many of his relationships. His hypocrisy was astounding – one moment he claimed to be a Christian and the next he acted like a son of he11. If it had been my choice, I would have avoided him all together – but since that jerk was me, I was stuck being around him!

Most of us try to avoid jerks. We pat ourselves on the back for not telling them off. We applaud ourselves for putting up with them. We remind ourselves everybody has a cross to bear, and so we grudgingly accept certain jerks as our divinely ordained burden.

But is that what we’re called to do?

Jesus embraced jerks; he graced them with love – while stilling telling them the truth in love. Now he had no qualms about pointing out a whitewashed tomb when he saw one, but the corporate evil of the Pharisees was a far more serious matter than mere human jerkiness.

The point is this: Jesus didn’t shelter himself from the pain and heartache caused by jerks. In fact, he voluntarily stretched out his arms on the cross and allowed several jerks to slam nails into his hands and feet.

Behind all their stomp and snort, jerks are still spiritual beings, created in God's image and destined for heaven or he11. We’re compelled to be ministers of reconciliation, willing to embrace the pain of a fallen world for the sake of our God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

The heart of the gospel is that God loves the unlovely. Could it be that the jerks God places in our lives are there to teach us to be more like Christ, to teach us the God-like quality of loving the unlovely?

Most of us take for granted the incredible change God initiated in our own lives: We were once jerks to God, yet even while we were still jerks, Christ died for us!

Jerks are never easy to embrace. If it were easy to love everyone, then Christ need not have died; we could love them on our own. But in order to embrace the jerks in our life, we need the Life of Christ within us so that, as new creations, we can overwhelm jerks with God’s grace, showing them the only power that will stop them from stumbling in the darkness, teaching them to cling to the only thing able to move them from being jerks to being Jesus-followers.

So what?

· Jesus loves jerks too – Even the most difficult people are spiritual beings in need of Christ.

· Jesus transforms you – Jesus can use the “jerks” in your life to transform you into a more Christ-like believer. Is it possible that the “jerk” who annoys you is God’s instrument to show you areas where you should grow, areas where you have difficulty loving unconditionally, the way that Christ loves you?

· God’s plan for you – If God allows a difficult person in your life, consider that he may want you to (1) pray for them and (2) show them by your own example how much God loves them, regardless of their behavior.

· Your mission – Who in your life seems disagreeable, contemptible, foolish, or mean? How would God have you approach them from now on? What can you do today to show them the love of Christ?