Brotherly Love

It's Sunday Night my time and I'm tired but I just had to post about today's study time at church. We have been studying in Hebrews this year and I have to say I'm pretty sad to be finishing it up. Today in Church it was so good to look in Chapter 13 and discuss 5 areas that we need to become proficient at in life as we learn what it means to love God and love man.....
Hebrews 13:1 says : " Let love of the brethren continue"
the question posed to us was ; How do we continue in this; love of the brethren?
these 5 areas were considerations for us to ponder as a church as we looked at Heb. 13:1-7 wow- I just love it when we take time to really process and discuss the word....

1. Hospitality (courage, receive someone from the outside, hope) v.1
2. Considerate ( visit ,going to minister to others, reaching out, serving; act as it should be) v2
3. Appropriate behavior (marriage and friendships; mind, body, soul, strength)v3
4. Grounded in our character (contentment, godliness)v4
5. Teachable ( humble, know our need, mentorship)v5-7

I was really encouraged in this today because it reminded me of how much the Lord has taught me and how I've been so lacking in some, too.

This week- I will continue to study in 1 Sam. but I want to again ponder these things and allow the Holy Spirit to continue to teach me -

The areas I've really felt the Lord speaking to me and really already doing so much work in my life is in 4; being grounded in character- contentment just this week the Lord gave me 1 Tim. 6:6 which says,
" Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment."

Today as we talked about how these 5 areas are vital to Loving God and Loving Man; we shared how often times we forget how much they are integrated with Mind, Body, Soul, and Strength. Each one of these 5 areas need to be so integrated into our live that we really do minister fully with all our Mind, body, soul and strength...

I hope this challenges you to just be aware of these 5 things... are you being hospitable to the Lord and to those around you? Remember the passage that gives a stern warning about how much harder it is to love those who are your enemies rather than loving your brother. It's not just about being hospitable to those you know and love... it's about being hospitable to the lowly, strangers, those who are not so approachable.... Remember Abraham when he welcomed in the 3 visitors... He couldn't have known who they were and he surely didn't know what their intent was yet he served them and prepared food for them and gave from himself....

I'll share more as the Lord continues to just show me so much.. I'm still chewing on this lesson! :)

Here's to the start of a new day and a new week..

Mel......
P.S. if you want to read more on what Russell taught just click on the title " brotherly love" and it will connect you to our House church blog ..... enjoy!