Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Jesus Lover Of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul

Jesus, I will never let You go

You've taken me from the miry clay

You've set my feet upon the rock

And now I know

I love you,

I need you

Though my world may fall

I'll never let You go

My Savior, my closest Friend
I will worship you until the very end
Darlene Zschech

Scripture Reflection: Luke 6
31-34"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

Lord Jesus the simplest rules are the hardest to live up to. Christmas giving can be just like this can’t it? A kind of giving with some kind of expectation of a return is not really giving at all. Giving to those we love is natural even caseharden skinflints and misers do that…giving to the people who are un-loveable and where the connection is difficult is where You begin to shine through. Right, Lord?

35-36"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

When I begin to move beyond the circle of concern that I care about…when I begin to demonstrate your grace in even a small gesture to my enemy is when your identity begins to form in me. It is when I begin to live out generous and gracious acts that the depth of your gift to me becomes clear, Lord. I can only really see the value of Your gift to me as I reach out to meet the need of those who have been my enemy.

It is a simple rule of kindness to those who I have no self serving interest in being kind to that defines me. Really you are just calling me to civility…to acts of kindness to people who I don’t agree with and who may frighten me at times. In the heat of the moment it can be a difficult rule to live out. When I live this rule…your promise takes over…I have never regretted the energy spent. So Your reminder to me today is simple—Go out and practice random acts of urban kindness.