**Jesus taught, “You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:43-44**
It’s easier to love some people more than others, right? It’s easy to love a child who’s snuggled close and sleeps peacefully on your chest. It’s easy to love a co-worker who agrees with your decisions and has your back in every meeting. It’s easy to love a friend who always picks up when you call, or often texts you encouraging words and emojis.
It’s much harder to love the child who throws a temper tantrum at church screaming “I hate you!” for all to hear. It’s challenging to love the co-worker who stabs you in the back instead of guarding it for you. And it’s difficult to continually love the friend who takes and takes, but never gives.
It’s challenging to love the people we live with, work with, and bump into every day.
When Jesus walked this earth, He exuded a love that was contagious. He wants everyone to love the Lord our God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. He also calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30 - 31). By claiming LOVE to be God’s greatest command, Jesus takes love to a whole other level.
When Jesus was asked, “Who’s my neighbor?” He clarified by sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus was an amazing storyteller. He often used stories to highlight God’s values and character. But equally powerful to the stories Jesus told, were the lessons He modeled and lived out. Step into this true story with me and see how Jesus teaches us how to love our neighbors… and our enemies.
At mid-day while all the other women are cooking, cleaning, or napping, she sneaks to the well to fetch her daily supply of water. Her feet move fast, increasing the sweat upon her forehead. When she arrives, oh what a relief, she finds no other women. Thankfully, she’d dodged their judgmental glances and whispered names, for today at least. But wait, someone else is at the well, a Jewish man. That’s fine; he won’t bother her. He probably won’t even acknowledge her existence.
To her surprise she hears, “Will you give me a drink?”
She looks around. Could he be talking to her? Doesn’t he know the clear boundaries? Jews hate Samaritans. They consider them “half-breed”, not even worthy of a single glance. Plus, she’s a woman, the lowest of the low. What is he thinking asking HER for a drink?
A confused look crosses her face. She sputters, “How can YOU ask ME for a drink?” Without hesitation, Jesus reveals His true identity to a shameful woman. Oh my word, she’s standing face to face with the long-awaited Messiah. The one who’s come to save the world. His words are more direct with her than they were even His disciples, who had left everything to follow Him.
With eyes wide open, her heart pounds in Jesus’ presence. He knows she’s been married and divorced five times. He knows she’s with a man now who’s not her husband. He knows everything she’s done and who she’s become, and still He offers her living water – to quench her thirst forever with eternal life. How can this be?
His eyes are loving, not condemning. His invitation changes everything. Out of hiding, she runs back to her village. She confidently shouts for all to hear. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
Because of her words, “come and see” and Jesus’ presence in their village for two days, many Samaritans believed and received salvation from the Savior of the world. Heaven is more crowded because one shameful woman stood face to face with Jesus and encouraged others to do the same.
Jesus was on a mission to do the His Father’s will; to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He traveled into enemy territory and stepped over many boundaries. And when He did, hatred became love, shame was washed away, and even gossipers gave God glory. Jesus perfectly modeled what it looks like to love our enemies. Our challenge is…will we follow His lead?
**3 O’CLOCK CIRCLES**
Here are 3 questions you can discuss with someone or in a circle with several others. I encourage you to read John 4:1-26 and see for yourself the transforming story of a shameful woman who encountered Jesus’ compelling love.
1. Who are the people in your life that are easy to love? Why so?
2. When it comes to loving those who are more difficult to love, in what ways can you follow Jesus’ lead, and even love your enemies?
3. Can you identify with the woman Jesus met at the well? When have you had a powerful encounter with God that changed your life?
**The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!
Thank You for Being A Part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call Movement**
Contagious Love
November 7, 2019 • Laura Busse
Comparison is Crap!
August 14, 2020
“Where do you live? What do you do for work? Where do your kids go to school?” We live in a culture that’s quick to rank the room: who’s the smartest, the prettiest, richest? It’s been said that comparison is a trap. But I’ll just go ahead and say that comparison is crap! Why? Because it has the power to take our minds to places we don’t want to go. Spiraling toxic thoughts can lead us to envy, judgement, and even self-loathing which makes a mess of our minds. But wait, there is hope! There are two pathways we can take to get away from comparison. The more you take them, the more accessible they become. This week we shift lanes and stop comparing ourselves with others. 3 Challenges For You: #1. Every time your mind driving down the comparison lane, think… COMPARISON IS CRAP! (Yes, it is theologically correct.) #2. To veer out of the Comparison Lane, move into Gratitude Lane by counting your blessing. Start little by looking around you. Thank God for gifts you can see. Then look within you and give God thanks for your most precious gifts; the ones that don’t have a price tag like family, friends, and faith. #3. Pick one person to intentionally love and serve this week. Ask yourself, who needs help or encouragement? Then make a plan. Lastly and most importantly, put your plan in motion. That’s how others will know you’re a Christian. Not by what you have….but how you LOVE. After you do these three things, share your outcomes with a few friends.
Feelin' Stuck? Coronavirus Quarantine Tips
April 15, 2020 • Laura Busse
We’re halfway through the month of April, sheltering at home during this COVID-19 crisis. Are you feeling stuck yet? I don’t know what’s worse, being stuck at home, day after day, or going shopping and having to obey all the rules. At Target, I rounded the corner with my cart and accidently got too close to a woman crossing in front of me. Before I could apologize, she growled at me. No joke, she actually growled, as in “Grrrrrr.” At the grocery store, I didn’t see the arrows on the ground and went the wrong way in the Easter aisle. Right when I reached for the Cadbury eggs, a clerk shouted, “You went the wrong way! Go back and follow the arrows.” Like a shamed schoolgirl, I retreated with my head hung low. Maybe you haven’t been yelled at in the grocery store, but I bet you’ve experienced an increase in conflict since being stuck with the same people, animals, or neighbors all week long. This is a perfect time to begin or remind ourselves of a practical, holy habit that can help us during our time of quarantine. HOLY HABIT – A simple, repetitive practice that connects you to God and grows you closer to Him. Holy Habits can be a lifesaver during difficult times. Two weeks ago we focused on the power of gratitude to God every day at 3:00p.m. If you missed it, please go back and read or listen to it soon. Today I want to introduce another Holy Habit – Pray Today! When you think of prayer do you think of the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”? Or do you remember kneeling by your bed as a young child, innocently speaking “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”? No matter what you’ve learned about prayer in the past, I want to stretch your thinking and connect prayer to your real life’s everyday challenges. Instead of thinking about a specific prayer you might have memorized, I want you to think of prayer as simply talking to God. Anytime, anywhere, about anything. Conversational prayer with God has the power to save us from all kinds of destruction, especially now, as we’re stuck in close proximity with the some people and kept at a distance from others. By way of example, I’m going to share with you how it saved me last week: WATCH THIS VIDEO During this COVID -19 crisis, let’s rely on the Holy Spirit’s purifying power. His spring of new beginnings never runs out. No matter what toxic thoughts have tainted your mind, your heart, and the people around you, it’s never too late to pour out your prayers of forgiveness and praise. When you do, no matter what time of day it is, His mercies will be new in that moment, and every morning. 3 O’CLOCK CIRCLES Here are 3 questions you can think about and share with others in your home, on the phone, or online. 1. What triggers your mind to go down a dark path? What negative thoughts have too much control over you? 2. Who could be hurt by your toxic thinking? How can you guard your heart during these days of quarantine? 3. Faith Challenge: Go to God and pray today. Talk to Him about your struggles, challenges, and heartaches. Pour out all the darkness in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to purify your thoughts. The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World! Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call Movement
What Habit Has Hold of You?
April 1, 2020
**“It’s always your favorite sins that will do you in.” – Kenny Chesney** As the coronavirus closes schools, businesses, churches, and outdoor parks, it’s sometimes feels like the walls are closing in around us. To get out of the house blow off some steam, my husband Dan jumped on his mountain bike. Out on a deserted dirt road, Dan ran into a neighbor taking his young daughter for a joy ride on an ATV four-wheeler. The two stopped to check in on each other’s families and sanity. Our neighbor confessed, “I’m out of work, but life at home isn’t so bad. I play games with my daughter… and start drinking at noon.” I’ll be honest, when I heard about their conversation my first thoughts were filled with judgment and pride. I’d never start drinking in the middle of the day. I bet his wife is about to lose her mind. Then the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit turned the focus on to me and revealed a new truth: Since being stuck at home, I too am drinking more than usual. In that moment, Kenny Chesney’s lyrics popped into my head. “It’s always your favorite sins, that will do you in.” Quarantined at home, every night feels like Saturday night. As soon as I pull out the pots and pans to make dinner, I get hit with a craving for a glass of red wine. What is it with women and wine? After attending countless social events, I’ve come to think women and wine have an unique attraction to one another. Maybe it’s our excuse to get together, relax, reduce stress, or escape the hurtful voices in our minds. Whatever the reason we reach for a drink, I’m guessing happy hour is on the rise during this COVID-19 crisis. Wine might not have a hold on you. If it does, I am by no means throwing stones. But think for a moment. What habit right now is trying to take more and more control over you as the walls of quarantine are closing in? What do you have a tendency to do too much? Are you eating too much, worrying too much, shopping online too much, criticizing too much, gossiping too much, watching toxic trash too much? There’s got to be something. Be honest. What is it? Over the next few weeks, we’re going to discover how habits create patterns in our lives that change who we are and can predict our future. Before we begin, here is the definition of a habit. “A habit is a routine or behavior that is performed regularly – and in many cases, automatically.” – James Clear, Atomic Habits God has known forever what scientists are now publishing with confidence. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that as we think, we become. I’ve come to realize that when cravings become habits, our habits lead us down the path of who we’ll become. Do you want this time of isolation and quarantine to dictate your future? It’s not too late to take inventory of what’s taking too much control over you. The most powerful habit that has changed everything in my life, is the daily practice of thanking God every day at 3:00 p.m. – the exact hour Jesus died on the cross for the world. No matter what chaos I’m living in, what crazy thoughts are running through my mind, I stop and give God thanks for something, even if it’s just a few seconds of peace. One moment of gratitude shifts my heart and mind into alignment with Jesus’ and sends me down a much better path for the rest of the day. Scripture shows us that Jesus modeled giving thanks to God at all times. He thanked God before He multiplying five fish and two loaves of bread to feed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21). He thanked God before calling Lazarus from the grave ( John 11:38-44). And He even thanked God during the Last Supper, knowing His own death was imminent (Matthew 26:26-30). Let’s start or remind ourselves why giving thanks to God is a HOLY HABIT that can change everything during a time of crisis. **ONE POWERFUL MOMENT OF GRATITUDE TO GOD CAN…** • Release you from unstoppable stress or worry. • Reset your mind to God’s goodness and grace. • Remind you of what’s most important in your life. Give it a try. Set an alarm on your watch or phone for 3:00 p.m. or download our free app and we’ll start the habit for you. https://www.3oclockwakeup.com/ Every day, you will be reminded to give thanks to God and live your best life in the midst of this crisis. When the walls start closing in, let’s reach for God instead of whatever the enemy would love for you to reach for. Giving thanks to God is the first Holy Habit, the first step to win, against our favorite sins that could do us in. **3 O’CLOCK CIRCLES** Here are 3 questions you can think about and share with others in your home, on the phone, or online. 1. Give Thanks – Write down 5, 10, or even 50 people, places, or things you are thankful to God for. 2. Give Thought - What is a favorite sin that has the power to do you in? Confess this to yourself, God, and someone you trust who loves you. 3. Give Time – Read how Jesus modeled giving thanks in your Bible. Here are the three key passages mentioned above: Matthew 14:13-21, John 11:38-44, and Matthew 26:26-30. What can you learn from Jesus as He lived out the holy habit of giving thanks to God? **The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!** **Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call Movement**