Love God. Love People.

I always find myself discouraged when I am talking with someone and the minute that they find out I am a 'christian' they feel they are being judged by me. It's almost as if you insantly see this protective wall go up and they clump me into "that" category. I hate that feeling! Since when did my relationship with Jesus give me the authority to BE God and judge people for the things they have done or even are doing? Last time I checked Jesus said

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

It doesn't say "Love others...as long as they are like you..." or "Love others that are doing everything exactly the way they should...or you think they should". It just simply says "Love others as well as yourself" This whole scripture paraphrased; Love God, Love People. I'm sick and tired of being categorized as "small-minded" or "judgemental" just because I profess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's time that people who bare the name of Jesus realize that we CAN, and Christ DOES love people regardless of their past AND PRESENT! We have got to stop trying to "fix" them or preach at them or convict them. (How dare we take the job of the Holy Spirit!) We are called to love them. As we love them and show them the love of Christ and represent our LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING, CLEANSING, LIFE-CHANGING God, we are doing more than any hurtful, condemning, damning word could ever do. We are being Jesus with skin on. We are showing them the true nature and heart of our God. We then have to trust Him to do the transformation. The way some professed "christians" represent my God, I can understand why people would shun Him. I can see why they turn away and resist His "love". I wouldn't want love from anyone who i was told repeatedly "hated" me and was going to "cast me down into fiery pits of hell for my sins". Don't get me wrong, I know truths. I know what the Word says and I stand behind every single word. I just don't think that this is something we should be telling people that don't even know Him. There is so many BETTER things that we can tell them about Him. About His LOVE and FORGIVENESS and GRACE and His JOY in them. If they don't even have a relationship with Him, they more than likely already know the 'fiery pits of hell' scenario and have decided it's not true either. We have GOT to lead in love. It is so very important. It is a command.....of God....doesn't get any plainer than that! Ok, I'm off my soap box. I won't apologize for anything that I have said and I mean it all from the deepest part of my heart. I am so, so tired of people claiming to LOVE others but slandering and judging and gossiping and hating. I'm offended to be grouped into that category and I'm offended that people represent MY God that way. We have ALL fallen short. We have ALL sinned. We have no right to judge anyone, We are to LOVE them...LOVE them TO Him and let HIM handle the heart changes! Love God, Love People.

Prayer for my Husband, Day 22: Mind

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rom. 12:2

Lord, help Kenn to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of his mind. Help him so that he might prove Your good and perfect will. Thank you for Your will that is good and acceptable and perfect.

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day 21: Fear

Light, space, zest— that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

Psalm 27:1

Lord, You have not given my husband the spirit of fear or timidity, but one of power and love and a peaceful mind! (2 tim. 1:7) I pray that You would keep his mind clear and free from all tricks of the enemy that would attempt to induce fear. Remind him that You are his protector and defender. In Jesus Name.

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day 20: Purpose

 16 I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.17 But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers.

Ephesians 1:16-18 The Message

May the eyes of Kenn's heart be opened so that he will hold on to the hope of Your calling. Remind him daily who he is in You. Remind him daily the You are the pioneer and the protector of our faith (Heb. 12:22). Remind him that You are faithful to carry out the good work that You began in him (Phil. 1:6), no matter the way he may feel at times. I am believing with him that You will turn our ALL of our pain into purpose!

Amen

Prayer for my Husband Day 19: Choices

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse

Philippians 4:8

Lord, Fill my husband with the fear of the Lord and give him wisdom for every decision he makes. Help him make Godly choices and seek Godly counsel. Help him to think on the things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling and gracious. Help him to think the best and not the worst in all things. Give him Your sight to see the beautiful in people and circumstances. I thank You for the heart of praise that You have given him.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day 18: Health

7 Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!

8 Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!

Proverbs 3:7-8 The Message

Lord, make every part of my husband's body function according to Your design. Continually strengthen his body and give him good rest. Help him to always run to You and always run from evil. Heal him from the inside out! Heal his body, heart, mind and Spirit. Let every bone in his body vibrate with LIFE!!

Thank You for Your promises in Your wonderful Word!

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day17: Protection

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8

Lord, protect my husband. His comings and his goings. Keep him safe from physical harm. Protect his walk and keep him on the path that You have for him so that his feet do not slip. Protect his mind from the lies and attacks of the enemy. Help him to protect the promises that You have given him hold them in his Spirit. Protect his heart from being hardened or scarred by things that have hurt him. Protect him from future attacks of the enemy. Protect him as he protects our family. Thank you for giving him to me as my protector and provider here on earth. 

Amen