Don’t Let the Enemy Steal Your Love
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Have you done something out of love, thinking it would please the Lord, and it ended up being a complete disaster? Well this happened to me a week ago. I did not want to do this kind act, however I did. Let me explain. I know this married couple that have shared a cell phone for several years, well this past week they got a second phone and I couldn’t help but think how sad it would be for him, as he doesn’t have great relationships with any of his family and he probably would not receive many, if any, calls on his new cell phone. So the sensitive side of me thought I would give him a call to make him feel loved and special; this is where the story takes a turn.
As we began to talk, all that came out of his mouth was complete negative talk, he griped about any and everything. I was frustrated I had even called him and thought that will be the last time I call you ha! Typically this would not have bothered but for some reason on this particular day it just made my blood pressure boil. So at this point I am driving back to work and I noticed I am giving dirty looks, being frustrated at just about everything. The way people were driving, I mean why can’t everyone drive as good as me for crying out loud. I get back to the office and a coworker asked a question and I thought good grief woman can you not do anything on your own, do I have to do everything for you or what? I was on the phone with a customer and irritated that they were not talking fast enough for me. I’m thinking would you hurry up I have so many other things I need to be doing right now. Then one of our technicians came in the office, he was so happy that he had a smile on his face from ear to ear, this even had me feeling so annoyed. Now these were all thoughts that were going on in my head; as far as I know not one single person knew that I just wanted to slap each and everyone of them.
Now I know that God knew all of my horrible thoughts and visions. What is funny is at one point I actually asked myself what is wrong with all these people. Then the spirit revealed to me that it wasn’t them at all, it was all me ! That stinking phone call out of sympathy had turned into a complete and total nightmare. Now the thing I had to ask myself was why in the world did I allow myself to be overcome with all of these feelings and emotions. Those of you who know me would agree that this is completely out of character, I am typically considered a peace maker. I began to pray for God to reveal what I was lacking in my spiritual life to react the way that I was. A friend told me the other night that I’m a heart with legs!! As I prayed, God revealed to me that this grown man was just hungry, hungry to be loved, he has felt unloved and treated like an outcast his whole life. Now I could have chosen not to make that phone call, but I did and I feel that because I was obedient and did the right thing, (which believe me was hard to do) God used me and this crazy phone call to show him love and compassion. Only God knew how bad he may have needed that phone call. He also used that crazy phone call to allow me to see that satan is always out there trying to steal the Love that I should always be willing to give so freely as God does for us. We are all broken and in need of a Savior; showing Love regardless of our situations is one of the best ways to lead people to our Savior.
God gave me this verse -The thief comes only to steal – Kill and Destroy – Jesus came that we may have life !! John 10:10.
I clearly understood that satan was attempting to steal my love for this individual. The Lord was pleased with me as a result of my obedience; the person I called felt Loved. Satan was trying to stop what God was doing in his life by trying to get me to stop calling him – Well Satan is not going to win. I have since called him several times and it never fails, every time I call he mentions how shocked he is that I am calling his phone and just talking to him. He will even make comments like I think you have called the wrong number. I reiterate that he is exactly the person that I was wanting to talk to and I proceed to ask him about his day. It is incredible to see how much he loves having someone express interest in him. I know that he feels loved and that is what this christian life is all about, showing love to the lost and broken; this is what God commands us to do. Loving like this should be a lifestyle not something we do when its easy or convenient. Love is seeing a need and doing what we can to meet that need; not just praying, but taking action. Love honors and respects authority. Love can be shown in so many different ways. I want to encourage you to pray and ask God to reveal to you how to Love and Love Big.
1 Corinthians 13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Excellence of Love
13 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not [a]love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become e only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [b]to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. 4 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. 10 But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 13 And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.
Written by Billie Sue Reynolds
