God's Beat...

Let’s gather together and dance to the beat of Gods drum. 

Let’s stop following the path set out by the world, we are not cattle. 

The things of our Lord look different and not everyone will be onboard with how we handle difficult situations that come our way, we have joy in chaos – that doesn’t make sense pertaining to the world views, we have peace when there is war...bold statement maybe so. (check out next weeks, post for more encouragement in these areas). 

If I were to ask you to turn to the person to your left (you did not know) and hug them – it would probably be, okay? But if I told you to turn to the person on your right (that you did not know) and said to kiss them – you'd probably be like WHAT? NO! Well, our Lord is an intimate, close connected God and in His Word is written many times to greet each other with a Holy Kiss. What does this look like in the Kingdom of God? Some of us are a little more comfortable giving each other a hug while still reserved we could hug one another, and on the other hand those we do not know to greet them with a Holy Kiss startles us and puts us into a protection mode... Hmmm... if we are pleasing man and not God, we will be the cattle and follow the suits of the world being misled and miss the understanding of accepting all people in an intimate way (I am not saying make out with them). What may a Holy Kiss look like? A kiss on the forehead, cheek, or both cheeks (some cultures greet each other like this with no reserve but we here in Alberta this looks to be awkward, uncomfortable and wrong. BUT in Gods’ Word it tells us to do this beautiful intimate gesture why? I truly believe in the intimacy with God and how He loves unconditionally and without reserve, I love, love – it’s beautiful and how much more beautiful is the love of our Lord that He pours out to us even when we deserve none. We people even have a hard time shaking hands (I don’t like to shake hands when someone controls my arm in force and vibrates my arm it doesn’t feel good, I'd rather hug someone or even become bold enough to greet another with a Holy Kiss). Maybe the hug is a Holy Kiss greeting, Oh! Lord help, me understand.

Here is where I dive into different versions of scripture to see a more-clear picture of what this looks like to God, honestly, I think we are missing something if we don’t honour God properly and really truly example Jesus to glorify our Father in the right way. 

1 Peter 5:14  

NIV. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 

LNT. Give each other the handshake of Christian love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ. 

KJ. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

AMP. Salute one another with a kiss of love – the symbol of mutual affection. To all of you that are in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, may there be peace-with God, and freedom from fears, agitating passions and moral conflicts. Amen-so be it. 

RS. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ. 

NLT. Greet each other with the kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. 

Some cultures kiss each cheek others like ours may handshake or hug but a kiss greeting maybe close family and friends, here I feel fellow brothers and sisters in Christ this is okay and other times wait upon the Lord to give you the okay. 

I never want to miss anything God has for me so in conclusion each version of the bible has a way of noting 1 Peter 5:14 whether a handshake, hug or kiss it’s up to God and we should obey Him there may be something behind the gesture we give someone else and it could be the blessing they’ve been waiting for their whole life... I love the intimacy I have with God and this is why I felt strongly about this greeting gesture and making sure we are doing right by God, cause when we aren’t what’s the point? One of His greatest commands is to love one another – so let’s try it Gods way, love beyond measure, compassionately, without reserve. There's a close embrace that happens when we hug, it’s a gift given and each one receives it – to be held is accepting and warm. 

The Lord's hugs are very warm – trust me I have felt His embrace a sensation I will never forget and always treasure.  

John 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

Heavenly Father, I pray for deeper embraces more on Your level, help us all to listen carefully to Your instructions on how to embrace the people around us and help us to be warm and tender like you. I pray for a softening of people’s hearts receiving our Lord gestures that they would gain the blessing form You God for when we are involved in and through You – You are magnified and Your glory shines. I thank You Lord for Your abundant everlasting love and ask for help to example that for others around me. Plead the Precious Blood of Jesus over, ALL, and we claim Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. In Jesus name, Amen.