CAPA Corner: JESUS, OTHERS, and YOU

    Mark 12:30-31     30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.  31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  NKJV
    This verse in Mark helps to clarify an order of love priorities in our lives.  Love God, Love others, and Love yourself.  When we look at the word joy, it is easy to remember those priorities.
J – Jesus
O- Others
Y- You
    Many times people say that they have to look out for Number One as long as Number One is themselves.  The world around us focuses on climbing to the top of “the ladder” no matter what the cost.  Most people that ascribe to this philosophy, though they attain success, find their lives empty at the end of the climb.   Despite all the things they have attained there is a void that remains.  That’s because life was never meant to be lived that way.  Look at Acts 20:35.
    “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" NKJV
    Our Lord and Savior demonstrated that true joy and fulfillment comes through serving and loving others.  He took on the role of a servant and for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.  Jesus admonished us that if we truly want to be great, in His kingdom, we must serve.  The thing that most have discovered is that when you are busy serving others you don’t have a lot of time to focus on yourself or your problems.  Not only that, but joy comes back into our lives as we reach out and touch others.  
    You want some joy this week?  Spend some time in the Lord’s presence, let Him lead you to a need, and then fill that need!  The people and needs are right where you work, learn, teach, or shop.  Joy is at your finger tips! So go have a joyous week!
Ron Erickson, Pastor, Future Hope Ministries