Luke 9v48
and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” - Jesus

We are called to be servants through and through for those who are lowly are lifted high in the kingdom. Today let us challenge ourselves to become more like servants denying ourselves and putting others before our desires.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12 ESV)

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:44-48 ESV)

Our love relies on how much we are in need. And no matter what, we must remind ourselves, humble ourselves, to the fact that we are always in need of Christ our savior. We are only made righteous to our Creator and Provider through him, and all that we need and have relies on our God. So let us always be in need of knowing and being with our God, and in turn our love grows deeper and deeper.

And he said to the woman, “Your FAITH has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50 ESV)

Luke 6v37-38
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This passage does not call against discernment and keeping ourselves and others in check with the ways of the Lord but rather a rebuke to the growing tendency of negativity, criticism, and finding faults in others. We are called to encourage each other (Colossians 4v6) and present love to all. And as we do this God clearly says in verse 38 He will bless us immensely. With these verses I propose a negativity fast. Getting rid of all thoughts and words that tear others and ourselves down but rather lift everyone up and love, the way we have been lavishly loved by Christ; and in turn receive what blessings God has been wanting to give to us.

Mark 11v23-25
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.“ - Jesus

Jesus lays out two hindrances that effect the power of our prayer life. The first is simple; just believing He will take care of it the second is just as important; forgiveness. We are called to settle all quarrels before offering our sacrifice, our prayers, to the Lord we must forgive and let go of anything that hinders our heart from not being molded completely by God. Let us believe and let us forgive to see the true power and freedom found in our God who let us not forget raises the dead.

Mark 9v20-23
And they brought the boy to him (Jesus). And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

There is a constant theme throughout the gospels that Jesus seeks faith in those he heals. Belief is the key to seeing the miracles of God come to life in our situations. No matter how big or how far gone a situation may seem it is possible for one who BELIEVES. These are words directly out of the mouth of Jesus and we must respect and take them to heart. Our God created the earth, able to sustain billions of people He can take care of our struggles, we just have to believe it.

Matthew 22v35-40
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him (Jesus) a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

As followers we sometimes complicate our relationship with God but the truth boils down to two things loving God with everything we are and honoring Him by loving all who are around us. Love is to be our reaction to all things, to show the love given to us through Christ.