Jeremiah 17:8-10 NIV

All of us, sisters and brothers who live for Jesus with the Kingdom mindset, will be the light and salt of the world, no matter where you are in the day. It might be standing in line while wearing your mask, or standing six feet behind someone because you did bring one. We need to treat each other the way Jesus did, continually love people where they are in life. When we do, we are loving God. If we don’t we are nothing! 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” The heart is deceitful from the start and we need Jesus to guide us through the Holy Spirit. If we are guided by our own heart, we can’t love at all! Only God knows the hearts of all people because he made us and knows are coming and going along with every thought and attitude, if it’s pure or right. I pray for God to search me and reveal my heart! Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.” When we choose to do the opposite of what the world does, it will seem harder but God will pour into your life in a way that grows you to be more like him by loving other people the way He does. We will be putting into practice what we have learned by not conforming to the patterns of the world and allowing God to transform our mind for Him in how we love each other and react! We live in this beautiful world God made and are called to reflect Jesus who lives in us. We need to focus on the light and not the shadows. The only way we can do this is by staying in Scripture while staying in relationship with each other! Romans 12:1-3 (niv) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

In a competitive world, it’s hard to have balance because competition is fun. It brings the best and worst out of everyone and has so many learning opportunities for physical and spiritual growth. However, competition doesn’t belong in the body of Christ. Our spiritual gifts are not meant for our personal gain but to be given away, for God’s glory, the church. If we have a kingdom mindset, we will do everything in love for God and each other. When we come together in unity with the same mindset for God, our actions will lead us much further than our words can ever say. We are Jesus hand and feet, sharing the good news in love to everyone including our brothers and sisters in Christ.