Is my focus on others' non-service ruining my gladness?

“Serve the LORD with gladness.”

The thought crossed my mind as I thought thoughts on my early morning walk three days ago. (I bristle sometimes at the complaining service God’s people render to Him sometimes.)

“Serve the LORD with gladness,” came the verse piece plopping into my critical thoughts. Made me think that my bristling criticisms had a ready, worthy target in the very organ generating them.

Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2)

“Serve the LORD with gladness,” the brief cascade of Scriptures began.

Because “God loveth a cheerful giver” was the next verse fragment.

Because we are both tasked and privileged to do whatever we do “heartily, as to the Lord.”

Because “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Because we each have our own calling in which to be faithful and what another person does for Jesus and His church is…well, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” Continue reading

Why should I love my brother?

Before divulging the one-word answer I have, here are some lengthier reasons for loving my neighbor (and my brother) as I ought:

  • I have been born of God.
  • I know God.
  • God loves me.
  • God dwells in me.
  • God’s love is perfected in me.
  • I dwell in God.
  • As God is, so am I in this world.
  • God loved me first.
  • I love God.
  • God commands it.

Continue reading