It’s chilly this morning – down to 37 when I got up. I am grateful for the warmth of my heater, grateful that I’m not tent camping but most grateful for the warmth I feel in my spirit.
The heater is nice but what’s better is the warmth of the glow of the Father’s love in my heart. Reading His word, this morning and every morning, I sense His love, goodness and grace. It sets my heart on fire.
I am having a hard time coming up with the words to express my wonder and amazement in the goodness of God and His love!
I have been reading through the book of John and am only now coming to the end of chapter 10. So far in this book Jesus has turned the water into wine, fed the 5000, calmed the storm, walked on water, healed the blind, defended the adulterous woman, healed a lame man and the centurion’s son.
He was setting the world on fire with the love and goodness of His Father but the religious leaders were doing all they could to extinguish the flame.
“It was winter, and the time came for the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. 23 Jesus was in the Temple area at Solomon’s Porch. 24 The Jewish leaders gathered around him. They said, ‘How long will you make us wonder about you? If you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.’
25 Jesus answered, ‘I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand. 30 The Father and I are one.’” John 10:22-30 ERV
Seriously? Everytime Jesus did something wonderful for the people, these men were there to question his motives and his character. They wanted to kill him for doing good!
In the face of accusation, Jesus stays on point. “I am doing what my Father sent me to do – the Father and I are one!”
That truly is the definition of love; love is patient and kind, love suffers long, love thinks the best.
Jesus is to be our example for walking in love. When we are falsely accused and maligned, when the folks around us are so angry that they would like to destroy us, can we walk in love?
I want to be Christ like, walking in that kind of love. I thank the Father that He is conforming me to His image so that the warmth of His love will flow through me to others.