Literacy of Love

Literacy of Love
1 John 3:1, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
One of the biggest problems in any society is illiteracy---the inability to read. Literacy is an essential skill to person development and fulfillment in life. One of the least desirable attributes is to be considered Illiterate.
 Literacy Defined:
1) Literacy is traditionally understood as the ability to read, write and use arithmetic
2)The modern term's meaning has been expanded to include the ability to use language, numbers, images, computers, and other basic means to understand, communicate, gain useful knowledge and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture
 Since we see many forms of literacy defined today, I want to offer another form of literacy: The Literacy of Love. It is the ability, willingness, and skill to walk in love (deeds and truth)
 Paul contrasted other abilities to the ability to love.
1 Corinthians 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
What kind of love has the Father given us?
He has given us the kind of love that has transformed us into children of God

The Fruitful Power of Your Seed

The Fruitful Power of Your Seed
Mark 4:26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.
Four Principles from Mark 4:26-28:
The kingdom of God, and your life, functions on the principle of Seedtime and harvest.
8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and nigh hall not cease.”
“...a man should scatter seed...”
The harvest, or results, we get from life come from the seeds of action that we plant, or of what others plant for us.
This is also true for financial blessings for ourselves and our church.
A seed, once planted, gains the power to produce and increase.
We don’t know how this happens, since we cannot see and it is not possible to be aware of every process.
One thing is certain, if we have not planted any seed, we won’t have any harvest.
This is what the Lord meant by asking this question, “Will a man rob God? Question: “How have we robbed you?” Answer: “In tithes and offerings.”
Increase comes in stages. “For the earth yields crops by itself.” Expect and look for signs of increase. When you see the “blade” make your plans for increase and continued sowing.
We don’t how this happens, since we cannot see and it is not possible to be aware of every process.
Don’t let fear and stinginess keep you from your greater blessings and, more importantly, greater benefits for God’s work.
Our goal is not only to have success and more money, but to have “good success” and to establish God’s covenant in the earth
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 8:17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Reap Your Harvest: Sow + Water = Increase

Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 
1 Corinthians 3:1,  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
The Corinthians had lost perspective. They were sowing and reaping, but not in the productive godly manner.
We are not spectators in the stand, We are players on the field. 
Spectators are criticizers. The perspective is much different when you are on the field and in the game.  We’ve made a sport out of Christianity, complete with favorite teams/churches, favorite players/preachers, favorite bands/praise teams, and favorite products. 
We are in the business of performing in the sense of doing God’s will in the service of blessing people.
1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
According to the text, we are looking doing one of two options:
1. We Plant or Sow
2. We Water or support
Doing nothing is not an option

Reap Your Harvest: Three Principles of Harvest

Three Principles of Harvest
Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”
PRINCIPLE #1 | THE POTENTIAL OF SOWING AND REAPING IS NOT LOGICAL. IT REQUIRES FAITH IN GOD
Small seeds produce vast produce, with more seed inside. (Show tomato photos) Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes, which are potato pieces cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes with at least two eyes.  The yield is 5-10 potatoes per plant. To
Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
As people of faith, we must often do things that are illlogical or  "counter-intuitive," meaning that we don't think, respond, act as we feel, or do what is usual (2 Corinthians 5:7). We walk by faith and not by sight. We should become comfortable with doing opposite of “conventional" or worldly wisdom. Like pilots who must learn the necessity of flying by instruments, rather than by their physical senses and emotions. 
Illogical acts of faith include:
• Become exalted by humbling oneself
• Give away, gain more
• Sowing Seed to Reap a Harvest
• Being still to know what to do
• In everything giving thanks
• Love those who hate you
• Do good for those who do not treat you well
• Serve people who have less than yourself
• Rejoice when persecuted
Aviation is a good illustration of living by faith. The act of something heavier than air flying is illogical. When man first attempted to fly, they tried to build machines that acted like birds or built hot air balloons. Pilots have to train themselves to do things that are counterintuitive, yet they have to be practical, realistic, fact and reality based. They (and we) rely on scientific laws or principles such as gravity and lift.
Being prepared for the harvest requires receiving the rain, or the word, of God. There is early and latter rain in your life
PRINCIPLE #2 | WITHOUT PLANTING AND SUPPORT, THE HARVEST CANNOT COME
(Show tomato growing video)
James 5:7, Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 
When you live in the Harvest principle, you will have seasons of rejoicing in receiving your harvest! 
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 
PRINCIPLE #3 | WITHOUT FAITH TO HONOR GOD WITH OUR FIRSTFRUITS, WE ARE NOT IN THE FULL WILL OF GOD
As God’s people, we understand the principle of "first fruits "which is bringing your first and best to God.  First fruits is the principle of dedicating our “first things” to the Lord, so that everything else can fall into their proper position. It’s about aligning ourselves with God’s order. 
Exodus 23:19 The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. 
Exodus 22:29 “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
Leviticus 23:9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11 NIV
Any time a “first” becomes a “second,” everything else is pushed into a different priority, creating disorder. Our foundation is putting the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, first. When we put God first, all priorities fall in their proper place
Proverbs 3:9 NIV, Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“Seek” by implication means indirectly “to worship”

Reap Your Harvest: Provision, Favor, Changed Lives

Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest,Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”
John 4:31 Inthe meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But He said to  them, “I have food to eat ofwhich you do not know.” 33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Hasanyone brought Him anything to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to dothe will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Thereare still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, liftup your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that bothhe who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying istrue: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which youhave not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors
You are predestined to reap a harvest on three levels:
In blessing (provision)
In favor (access and influence)
In changed lives (making a positive difference in people's lives)
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, youwill ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father isglorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:16, You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointedyou that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, thatwhatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things Icommand you, that you love one another.
Jesus appointed us to go and bear fruit. Being fruitful is one ofthe objectives of life.
1 With respect to blessing and provision, that is connected tosowing and reaping. It's not just about provision for ourselves but provisionfor the purposes of God.
It's not hard to have to enough for yourself, it's more difficultto have a enough to serve God's purposes and to be a blessing to others.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure,pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
This is the problem with the lack of giving tithes and offerings,it's not that we lack but that we cause the house of God and his purposes tohave lack. Of course, if we don't give to God we will have more for ourselvesin the short run, but in the long run and for God's purposes, we will lack inways beyond monetary and material fulfillment.
Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes andofferings.
9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Eventhis whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there maybe food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If Iwill not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessingThat there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that hewill not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bearfruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be adelightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.
2 Concerning favor and influence, the apostle Paul experienced harvest:
Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by avision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am withyou, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in thiscity.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word ofGod among them.
Operating in the kingdom of God also produces a harvest offavor:
Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things isacceptable to God and approved by men.
3 We also operate in the harvest of changed lives.
Matthew 9:37-38, Then He said to His disciples, “The harvesttruly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.Therefore pray the Lord of theharvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Acts 18:10-11 shows the harvest of changed lives after leadingJustus and Crispus to the Lord.
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of acertain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door tothe synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lordwith all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you;for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and sixmonths, teaching the word of God among them.
Justus and Crispuswere two of the many people that God had in the city. I believe that God spokeprophetically concerning people in the city. God knows those who will acceptJesus, when the gospel is presented. But we don’t know. I called this the“Appointed Harvest”
Being prepared for the harvest requires receiving the rain, orthe word, of God. There is early and latter rain in your life.
JAM 5:7, Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of theLord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waitingpatiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
When you live in theHarvest principle, you will have seasons of rejoicing in receiving yourharvest!
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a greatlight; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light hasshined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoicebefore You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide thespoil.
As gods people, we understand the principle of "first fruits"which is bringing your first and best to God.Leviticus 23: And the Lord spoke to Moses,saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you comeinto the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring asheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave thesheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after theSabbath the priest shall wave it. 

From Faith to Faith - Let Down Your Nets. Change Your Life

From Faith to Faith
Let Down Your Nets…Change Your Life
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for
it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew
first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Luke 5:1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to
hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two
boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were
washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and
asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the
multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon,
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon
answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;
nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done
this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they
signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they
came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter
saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a
sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the
catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the
sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not
be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their
boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

"A Useful Vessel" by Patricia Hudson

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 5 "Set on a Firm Foundation"

Because ofour faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilegewhere we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharingGod’s glory." ~ Romans 5:2 (NLT)
2 Thessalonians3:3, Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on afirm foundation... Amplified
What is "thisplace" for you? How is it connected to the firm foundation?
We have beenblessed with many places of underserved privilege. I think my place first andforemost, as a child of God in the place of salvation in the kingdom of God. Ithink about my place as a father and husband. I also have been brought into aplace of Gospel Ministry and as a pastor, where I have served for 34 years. Ialso have places of being a spiritual father, mentor, media consultant tochurches, and college professor.
What are yourplaces? How well do you stand in those places? Are you strongly connected tothe firm foundation?
The foundationon which we stand was not built by us, but every generation becomes responsibleto keep honor it and keep it strong. There are many foundations such as:  Faith, Family, Fathers, Finance,Freedom,
The ApostlePaul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:9, 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you areGod’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which wasgiven to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and anotherbuilds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For noother foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 4 "Complete, Not Incomplete"

See Better and Live Better
Part 4, Complete, Not Incomplete
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 
Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power
Sometimes we use poor examples from life to describe our lives. A jigsaw puzzle seems like a good example where in we see ourselves as incomplete persons going through life looking for our missing parts. In Christ, you are "complete." Your are NOTHING LIKE a jigsaw puzzle!
You might say, "I'm missing some things I need." You are only missing what you have not discovered. You have it, you just haven't seen it. If there is something needed, God will impart in connection with His purpose for your life.
The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus AND you are complete in Him.

"How to See Better & Live Better" - Pt. 3 "See God Bigger"

The bigger you see God, the more He can do for you and the more you can do for Him. 
Amos 4:13 He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.
When you have seen the greatness of God you will not be as impressed by lesser things.
The devil tried to impressed Jesus and gain his attention and loyalty. It didn’t work!
Luke 4:5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan!For t is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve 
God develops both transcendent and immanent aspects of His nature. The transcendent nature is not like people and infinitely above people. The immanent nature is intimately present with people and among people. God’s transcendence places Him beyond the limits of time and space. His nature as uncreated and separate from His creation is a fundamental concept distinguishing a biblical understanding of God from other philosophical or religious theories, such as pantheism or monism.” (Faithlife Study Bible)
We use a lot of big words when we talk about God. 
Omnipotent. Omnipresent. Omniscient. He is all-powerful, all-present, and all knowing