What's in a Word?

I was telling my mom that I had created a blog page so that she could read it. Being of the generation that really has no use for the computer, she understandably did not know what a "blog" was. I went on to explain to her what I meant by a blog site. Lest you think that I am so techno savvy, I had to look up later what exactly blog stood for. From what I have seen, it simply means "web logging" hence the shorter form of the two words. That got me to thinking about the word and how it could mean something else. (I know, my mind is warped to spend so much time on such a little word-hee-hee). Here's my version:
B-elieve
L-ove
O-bey
G-ive

What do I believe? Do I believe what I see or do I believe what God's word tells me? God tells me in His word to believe what He says despite what I may see. In 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." God also reminds me that I will have my prayers answered if I believe. Matthew 21:22"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Does this mean that I will never doubt? Of course not, but I can tell Him all about my doubts and fears. Does this mean I won't have to wait for an answer? It would be deceptive of me to allude that we won't experience these things, but we can put our faith in God always to see us through difficult times.
L-ove Am I loving others? Do I treat others as I would like to be treated? Do I love God more than anything else? These are crucial questions to meditate on and examine our lives. We are reminded in Deuteronomy 6:5 "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." In Mark 12:33 it says "To love him (God) with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (emphasis mine).
O-bey Obedience is doing what God says when and how He says it. Enough said. Remember partial obedience is NOT obedience. Jesus, always getting right to the heart of any matter, said in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
G-ive Most people think that when the bible or preachers talk about giving it's all about money. That's an important part, but not the whole enchilada. Give of yourself, your time, your talents, your gifts. Ask God to reveal to you how you can give both financially and otherwise. In this well known passage in Matthew 25:34-40 we are reminded that when we give we give to God. 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Remember too, that you cannot out give God Read Luke 6:38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Phew!! That's a lot of scripture!! Just start with one area that you think that you need to work on and ask God to help you. Now I am off to take care of some "partial obedience"!!