NLDC BACKSTAGE: JULY 2008

Simply Love

Just because something is simple, doesn’t mean it’s going to be so easy, like putting together a thousand piece puzzle or saving money, Christianity is a great example of that. It’s simple, God loved us so much, he sent his Son to take away our sins, and all we have to do is believe and accept Jesus as our Savior. But sometimes it can be tough. It is Gods free gift, but it cost everything to live it.

Now, I’m a simple kind of guy. I have to keep things simple, if I don't, I'll confuse myself. Romans 13:8-10 says "… for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law…if there’s any other commandment, it is summed up saying you shall love your neighbor as yourself… love is the fulfillment of the law." I really dig this passage, it helps me keep focus. 1 Corinthians 13 ties this all up with: "Though I have the faith to move mountains, and understand all prophesy, but have not love, I am nothing."

Sometimes it seems like we over complicate things (it’s a human thing). We have a million books about how to turn into a better person; how to be patient, have more faith, make better decisions, etc. But maybe, if we love our neighbor as we love ourselves, then we would naturally express faith, or show patience with them. We wouldn’t need a book to help us make better decisions because we’d always be thinking of someone else first. Maybe we can improve ourselves by not focusing on us. It seems like all these qualities that people seek, come naturally to those that choose to love others. Sometimes you’re going to fail at loving your neighbor, but that’s where God comes in (His mercies are new every morning after all). You have to have Gods love flowing out of you, because his love is always.

Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the things you need to change in your life, remember this: keep it simple. Simply love.

~ Zach Stallings – team booker

Testimony from the Road

Last winter, my team stayed in the home of a couple in Colorado. The husband had a lot of questions about our ministry and asked to see a couple of skits. One of the skits we did, “Giants,” is about fulfilling God’s will in your life. When we finished, he said God had been telling him to start a street evangelism ministry but he’d been hesitant and that “Giants” had encouraged him.

I had the privilege of going back to Colorado the following tour and staying in their home again. Our host informed us that he’d started his ministry; that he had been able to help bring several people to the Lord and encourage even more. His passion for God was stronger than ever and he was finding new joy because he was fulfilling God’s will for his life. What a blessing it is to know that because I am fulfilling God’s will for my life, I can inspire others to do the same!

~Jessie Orr