“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”(John 13:34-35 NASB)
Wednesday morning, I left the house to go to just one store, but ended up going to three, and stopped by the church. From the time I left home, I was thinking about upcoming meditations, wanting to get ahead at least to the point where I had some topics to write about later in the week. I was God-conscious for sure, especially at my first stop, a quick stop at a local discount store. At that store I was looking for t-shirts that I could wear during our summer casual days at church on Sundays. I found three, perfect t-shirts! Let me explain what I think really happened in these borrowed words, “That’s the way God planned it. That’s the way He wanted it to be.” Why do I say such a thing. Read on!
You see, not only was I blessed with finding three perfect t-shirts, but found, on the shirts, messages that ignited a three-day series of inspirational meditations for you, as well as for me. Today, I will share with you the message on “The First T-Shirt.” The saying on this shirt is supported by the Scriptures above and below. Here is the saying on that shirt, a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Now, what I want you to think about is the truth behind this quote. Think about the fact that hate brings a great burden and hate belittles the fact that we are children of God. Then, to further support the statement on “The First T-Shirt,” react and meditate on today’s excerpts from the word of God. Let me make it plain. (1) Read, (2) react in your heart, (3) Realign your thinking with the word of God, and (4) respond in your actions. I’m sure that you will agree that love is a better option! As a matter of fact, you will be just like a tree, planted by the rivers of waters. Your deep roots will not allow you to move from choosing love over hate.
And listen, you already know that people will recognize you as one of Jesus’ disciples, and they will know that you truly have passed from death to life, because you love the brothers and the sisters. That’s Bible, my friend! Have a good Friday! Be blessed!
“One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?” Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” (Mark 12:28-30 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King