The Most Important Thing

Love.

God is love.

Love is the most important thing. IF we want to live like Jesus-then we have to love God and love others. Over everything. No matter what.

I went to a conference last week and one of the lessons was about how important love was.

When we get too busy to love people, we are too busy. When we get too holy to love unsaved OR saved family members, friends, siblings, co-workers, waiters, coaches, teachers...we are too busy!

If you read any of the gospels, you will find that Jesus was interrupted many times by people that needed something from Him. You can also read that He taught many times to love others more than yourself-more than anything. You are supposed to give them anything they ask for-no questions asked!

5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 45 5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. 46 But whoever strikes you on the 47 right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, 48 give him your coat also. 5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, 49 go with him two. 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, 50 and do not reject 51 the one who wants to borrow from you.

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ 52 and ‘hate your enemy.’ 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemy and 53 pray for those who persecute you, 5:45 so that you may be like 54 your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors 55 do the same, don’t they? 5:47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 5:48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

How is that for Radical Love? How is that to literally empty yourself for others? Really-if Christians fid this, people would be drawn to us-like the Bible says-we woulb be a light.

Are we though? Do we really act any different then just a "nice person"? There are plenty of nice people. We need to be radical. We need to show radical love-wanting nothing in return.

Lord, I pray that all of us will take these verses to heart. I pray we would do anything for others-no excuses.No holding back. If we really want to be like Jesus-I pray we would follow by Your example and Your teachings. Amen

To check out more about our church, visit http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/ministries.html

Leadership

21 Questions Leaders MUST Wrestle With!

I got this from a Pastor named Perry Noble...good stuff!

#1 – Do I understand who I am? James 1:1 – notice James didn’t identify himself as the brother of Jesus…but rather His servant! WOW!

#2 – Do I understand that ministry IS NOT easy? James 1:2-4 (when the writer BEGINS with these verses that’s a big time sign!)

#3 – Do I understand that I should spend more time on my face before God rather than worshipping the FACEBOOK God when seeking direction? James 1:5

#4 – Do you think that James is trying to get a point across…it’s not going to be easy…but we are called to be “in it to win it!” James 1:12

#5 – Do I understand it’s not IF I am tempted, but when…and IF I give into it then something WILL die? James 1:13-15

#6 – Do I understand that I am NOT THAT GOOD…that everything is a gift? James 1:16-18

#7 – HOW many bad decisions, arguments and misunderstandings could be avoided if we all simply memorized and applied James 1:19-20? (Also see James 1:26)

#8 – Do I understand I am not called just to preach the Word…but live it? James 1:22

#9 – Do I understand that showing favoritism WILL be a temptation…but I must always war against it? James 2:1-4

#10 – Do I understand that I am called to live and lead by faith…and if I am not taking steps of faith in my life and ministry then my faith is DEAD? James 2:14-26

#11 – Do I understand the weight of James 3:1? WOW!!!

#12 – Do I fully understand that when I become envious and selfish then that is simply the beginning of the end? James 3:13-18

#13 – Do I have the proper motives in regards to leading this ministry? James 4:1-3

#14 – Am I being opposed by God or is He offering me grace? James 4:6

#15 – Am I using my platform (whether it is speaking or the internet) to falsely attack, accuse and twist people’s words around? James 4:11-12

#16 – Do I understand my days are numbered, that I’ve got one shot at this life and I need to do all that I can to honor the One who called me? James 4:13-17

#17 – Do I understand that there are seasons of growth and seasons of preparation…and in those seasons of preparation I should not become impatient, but rather wait on God? James 5:7-8

#18 – Do I understand that integrity HAS to be a priority in my life and ministry? James 5:12

#19 – Do I understand that I cannot do this alone, that I need accountability in my life? James 5:16

#20 – Do I fully comprehend James 5:17-18…that Elijah was just like one of us? He literally called fire down from heaven! He prayed for rain…and it rained! I want THAT kind of faith!

#21 – Do I understand that ministry is messy…that I am called and expected to have tough conversations with the person that the Lord places on my heart, but in doing so the potential is unlimited? James 5:19-20