Category: God’s Love

Posted on

Living to the Full

Last night Dave and I watched the most current episode of a series we got hooked on. It has 23 seasons…yes, 23 seasons. It’s a British CSI type show.

One statement in this episode stood out among the rest. “I have spent enough time among the dead, it’s time I focus on the living”. This was spoken by one of the lead characters.

When I went to bed my head was filled with verses on life and death. I knew what I was supposed to share with you this morning. The Bible has so much to say about life:

“If anyone wants to keep his life safe, he will lose it. If anyone gives up his life because of Me, he will save it. 26 For what does a man have if he gets all the world and loses his own soul? What can a man give to buy back his soul?” Matthew 16:25-26 NLV

Jesus said the Father loves us so much that He, Jesus, was sent to bring us everlasting life. Life here on earth is temporal but life with the Father is eternal. Jesus wasn’t just concerned about our eternal life. Everyone who placed their trust in Him as their Savoir saw a dramatic change in their lives here.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 CEV

Full and good!

Listen to the words of Moses. He is addressing the children of those who were deliverred from Egypt, they were on the verge of entering the promised land.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

We have a God-given choice between life and death and just in case there is any doubt to which one is correct Moses says choose life. “This is the key to your life…love and obey the Lord and you will live long”. Sounds like the right choice to me.

When Mary and the women went to the tomb of Jesus on the resurrection morning. The tomb was empty, then the angels asked a question: “…they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, 4 and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, “Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? 6 Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, he told you” Luke 24:3-6 CEV

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life”. I choose Jesus, I choose life!

Posted on

One More Time

This morning I want to spend a little more time looking at the Israelites when they first left Egypt. We see the cycle of joy and desperation repeated. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t have gotten drawn in to their murmuring and complaining but I just don’t know.

We all have areas of individual weakness, ways we act and react when we’re under pressure; anger, self-pity, denial, frustration, lying, criticism, worry, doubt.

The difference between us and the Israelites is their short comings have been written in down in the world’s best seller, the Bible, for everyone to read and hopefully learn from. Mine, on the other hand, are hidden in the recesses of my heart and only seen by a very few.

So let’s look at one more time when the Israelites murmured against God. One more time when they let doubt overcome trust.

“It was the fifteenth day of the second month after they left the land of Egypt. 2 And all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert, 3 saying, “We should have died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. For you have brought us out into this desert to kill all of us with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3 NLV

Quick recap of the last forty-five days: leave Egypt, see the Egyptians coming after them, COMPLAIN, cross the Red Sea on dry ground, Egyptian army destroyed, PRAISE GOD, go another few days, find bitter water, COMPLAIN, God makes the bitter sweet, PRAISE, go further and camp at an oasis, now 45 days in, COMPLAIN.

Oh my!

“The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16: 11-12 NLV

The Lord had never intended for them to starve or go without water. He always had a plan for their benefit but they failed to trust. How much better would it have been if they had come to Moses and said “We’re hungry, what’s God’s plan”? No complaining, just a simple question.

“The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us  as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:6-13 NLT

Our Father’s plan is to shower us with love and mercy. He chooses to forget our sins and to remove them from us, even the ones we repeat again and again.

What I want you to take away from the last few days is not how many times the Israelites failed but how many times God forgave and delivered them.

One more time – remember this:

“But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:17 ERV

Posted on

Beauty

I want to encourage you to slow down today. Take a few moments to start the day by focusing on the beauty around you.

There’s an old saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. One of our daughters tears up each time she visits the Grand Canyon. I am captured by the uniqueness of the clouds. Dave enjoys green rolling hills and pasturelands dotted with cattle and horses.

What is it that causes you to stand still and take in the wonder?

“The heavens are telling of the greatness of God and the great open spaces above show the work of His hands.” Psalms 19:1 NLV

All that we see in nature reveals the greatness and the love of God. He never intended life to be boring or mundane, if that was His purpose creation would be nothing more than olive green and gray.

“I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want most: Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life, enjoying the Lord’s beauty and spending time in his palace. 5 He will protect me when I am in danger. He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety.” Psalm 27:4-5 ERV

So often our lives become noisy and we lose our quiet solitude. Circumstances and situations keep us focused on the gray of everyday life. God intends for us to see beauty – hence the morning sunrises and spectacular sunsets. These are just two daily reminders that we are not on our own – God brings us new mercies every morning and a covering of protection each night.

All of creation tells of His goodness. How often does He tell us to consider, think about, the birds of the air and the flowers in the field. They are beautifully clothed and their needs are provided. The Scripture says if God loves them and provides for them how much more will He provide for us.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them.” Matthew 6:25-29 CEV

So, I will ask you again. Take a look around you and see the beauty. Let that beauty be a reminder of the Father’s love and care.

Behold the beauty of the Lord!

Posted on

Receive then Give

Several years back I wrote a book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”, and the subtitle is “Receiving and Giving God’s Best”. The title came from the realization that no matter how much we might want to give, we can’t until we first receive.

Someone who has never experienced love won’t be able to give love. Someone who has never received a kindness won’t be kind. A person who has never been forgiven won’t know how to forgive. You see where I’m going with this, right?

We receive and then we can give!

“Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

Each morning I spend time listening to the Lord. Each morning I thank Him for his unconditional love and kindness and each morning I ask Him to show me how to love others.

“My lips will praise You because Your loving-kindness is better than life. 4 So I will give honor to You as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:3-4 NLV

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. 3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity. 5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.” Psalm 103:2-5 NLV

The Lord wants us to know, to experience personally, His loving-kindness. When we do, we can share it with others and He will receive the glory.

“I give you a new Law. You are to love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers.” John 13:34-35 NLV

Forgiveness is a tangible expression of loving-kindness. Love forgives, kindness embraces. One of the first expressions of God’s love we experience is forgiveness.

“You will tell His people how to be saved from the punishment of sin by being forgiven of their sins. 78 Because the heart of our God is full of loving-kindness for us, a light from heaven will shine on us.” Luke 1:77-78 NLV

I don’t spend time dwelling on my past failures and sins but I daily focus on the love and forgiveness I receive from the Father. I recognize that in His love He has chosen to forget my sins and that He nevers reminds me of them. When I stand in His presence He sees me cleansed from them all.

“I tell you, her many sins are forgiven because she loves much. But the one who has been forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NLV

Knowing I’m forgiven, I can forgive others.

Let the Lord remind you of His loving-kindness today. Reflect on your forgiveness.

What we have received we should freely give.

Posted on

Jesus…

There’s just something about that name.

Gloria Gaither wrote a beautiful song years ago and Sunday morning the Praise and Worship team sang it as part of the our worship. My heart was full and so were my eyes. The realization of God’s love for me brings me to tears.

How could such a perfect and holy God unconditionally love someone like me? Not only does He love me, He loves you too.

I ask you to stop and consider how much God loves you? Really, really loves you!

Heaven is a wonderful, wonderful place – it’s perfect in every way. Its beauty is beyond compare – there is no pain or sorrow; no sin or corruption; no fear or distress of any kind there and yet God chose to have His son, His only begotten Son, leave heaven and come to earth.

For what? Why?

For you and I. He became our sacrificial substitute so that we could be reconciled to God, the Father. Now, as one of God’s children we are heirs with Jesus and have the promise of an abundant life here on earth and a perfect life in heaven when we die. Amazing, simply amazing!

We receive it all because of Jesus and His love for us!

The Apostle Paul records this prayer:

“So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 ERV

Knowing the love of God – how wide, how long, how high and how deep. It’s not something that can be understood or fathomed with the head but only experienced and known with the heart.

I grew up singing a little song I learned in Sunday School.

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

Take time to meditate on God’s great love today; His love for you personally – it will greatly improve your outlook.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Posted on

Know When to Be Silent

Do you ever stop to think where you would be without God’s amazing, unconditional love?

On our best days, when we’re kind and gracious to those around us, we still don’t measure up to the love that He shows us on a moment by moment, 24/7 basis. He has forgiven us of all we’ve done!

All of my sins have been forgiven and even, according to Hebrews, forgotten, never to be remembered again – that is just so overwhelming – so, well the only word for it, awesome!

If God, who is perfect, can forgive and love not just me but everyone who is living and has ever lived with all of their sins, their failures, screw ups and out and out vulgar living than I should be able to love and forgive those who live in my house, work on my job and who are acquainted with me on a daily basis.

The Father isn’t just asking us to do this; He’s telling us we need to be an example of Him. He never asks us to do anything that we are unable to do. That would be unfair and our Father is just. We have His strength and His character living in us so we can accomplish all He instructs.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:12-17 ERV

Since we are a part of the body of Christ, we should work together to be a display of His love to the world around us. I love verse 17. WHATEVER you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord. If we are going to say or do something that won’t represent the Lord, then we should remain silent!

I know some days my world is really quiet because I’m holding my tongue until I can say something that would be representative of what Jesus would say if He were speaking through me.

Yes, very quiet indeed!

I asked you at the beginning to stop and think where you would be without God’s amazing love. It’s imperative that we let His love and forgiveness flow through us since we are His representatives.

“There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLV

Father, help me to know when to keep silent!

Posted on

Blessed With The Best

Yesterday was Dave’s birthday. It wasn’t filled with balloons and birthday cake but it was filled with love. There were phone calls, text messages, email greetings and neighbors dropping by.

It was a day where we worked side-by-side, out in the sunshine, doing what we do best – “being together”.

This morning has me reflecting on our last forty-eight years together. What an adventure! It makes me smile. Most of those years we have worked together in business. That’s the way it started and also the way it was before we retired. Together!

All marriages have their struggles and we have too but we got past our difficulties and were determined to be stronger together. Marriage is to be an example to the world of Christ and His love for those of us who are believers.

“No man hates himself. He takes care of his own body. That is the way Christ does. He cares for His body which is the church. 30 We are all a part of His body, the church. 31 For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother when he gets married and be joined to his wife. The two become one. 32 This is hard to understand, but it shows that the church is the body of Christ. 33 So every man must love his wife as he loves himself. Every wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:29-33 NLV

The love that Christ has for us is so much greater than the love that we can share as man and wife. There is never a selfish motive or thought when Christ considers us and what is best for our benefit.

He never harbors a hurt feeling or struggles with not getting his own way. Christ lives for our best. He provides for us all that is good. In providing for us He shows that He is actually taking care of Himself because we are one with Him.

I don’t know about you but that is really hard to wrap my head around. Christ loves me as a part of His body and He would never do anything to harm Himself, nor will He do anything that is not for my good.

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13: 4-8 CEV

You’ve probably done this before but I’m going to ask you to do it again. Read those verses again and this time replace the word “love” with the word “Christ” or Jesus. The more times you read it that way the easier it will be to see yourself receiving the unconditional love of Christ. He has chosen to love us in this unselfish way!

The result of understanding the love of Christ is this; we will be more loving and understanding of those around us.

My marriage to Dave is wonderful! I know that I am truly blessed in our relationship. But as good as it is, it still has a ways to go to measure up to the love that Christ has for both Dave and I.

In Christ, we are blessed with the best!

Posted on

What’s In A Name?

One person, many names. Baby girl, daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, aunt, neighbor, employee, manager, teacher…The list goes on. All of them are true. Ask anyone of a number of people and their description of me would be different because their relationship with me differs.

Our reputation is built on the way others see us. So what’s in a name?

Have you ever taken time to notice how many different names we find in the Bible to describe the character of God.

God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord, the Healer, Savior, Provider, Protector, Lion of Judah, Lamb of God. Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Jesus, the Messiah, the Risen Lord. Friend. I AM. Abba Father. Comforter, Helper.

What’s in a name? Plenty.

“For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLV

Of the names listed above which is your favorite? Maybe the name that has the most meaning to you isn’t even in the list.

When I’m scared and feel weak He is the lion of Judah – my protector. When I’m sick He is the Great Physican. When I’ve done wrong and feel ashamed He is Abba Father. When I was lost in sin He was my Savior and Risen Lord.

The sweetest name is Jesus – it fills me with such great joy because in that name is love, acceptance, kindness, goodness.

What’s in a name?

“Moses answered, “I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?” 14-15 God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

When I face what seems to be insurmountable problems He is I AM. Whatever I need at any given moment He is my I AM.

To a young shepherd boy He was a giant slayer. To a nation held in bondage and fear He was the I AM of deliverance. To a thief on the cross He was Savior.

I encourage you to make your own list of names that you have for our heavenly Father, for Jesus and for Holy Spirit, the ones that mean the most to you. Each day focus on one of those names, letting it impact that day’s activities.

“All those who are led by the Holy Spirit are sons of God. 15 You should not act like people who are owned by someone. They are always afraid. Instead, the Holy Spirit makes us His sons, and we can call to Him, “My Father.” 16 For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:14-16 NLV

Today I will call Him Father and Friend!

Posted on

Seek and Save

I have a friend who enjoys metal detecting. He has been doing it for years. It’s not really a spectator event. For the most part, it is a solo adventure.

I remember once he showed us how he cleans the items he has found. They are washed clean, then dried and sorted. He really doesn’t throw any of his treasures out. He has found innumerable pennies, nails, and cartridge casings but he has also unearthed coins, diamond rings and other valuable pieces.

His office houses numerous display boxes filled with buried treasure and he can recall the location and time of year when most of them came into his possession.

Seek and Save.

There is One treasure hunter I know who remembers exact times and dates of all He has acquired.

“Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10 CEV

Each one of us was lost, missing out on the relationship that God the Father desired for us.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to the workmen he owned, ‘Hurry! Get the best coat and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23 Bring the calf that is fat and kill it. Let us eat and be glad. 24 For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’” Luke 15:21-24 NLV

Seek and Save.

Jesus came to earth to provide the way of salvation. The blood He shed on the cross cleansed us from our sin and brought us into right relationship. A relationship of joy and peace; a place of restoration.

“For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun. 18 All this comes from God. He is the One Who brought us to Himself when we hated Him. He did this through Christ. Then He gave us the work of bringing others to Him. 19 God was in Christ. He was working through Christ to bring the whole world back to Himself. God no longer held men’s sins against them. And He gave us the work of telling and showing men this…21 Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 NLV

The Father loved us even when we hated Him and had no regard for His love. Christ brought us to the Father, giving us new life and making us right with Him.

“But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NLV

I’m so glad He came to seek and to save. I was lost but now am found!

Posted on

34.9 Million Years?

Dave and I have been camping at City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico. It’s a beautiful place – peaceful and secluded.

The rock formations are spectacular! Out in the middle of nowhere, these stately spires rise. After a long walk, not quite a hike, yesterday morning we stopped in at the Visitor Center.

The writing on the walls told of a great volcanic eruption and the lava flow that formed the huge boulders. They provide many niches for camping and trails for hiking. Also written there was the information that all of this occurred 34.9 million years ago. A brochure that I picked up and took back to the trailer stated that it has been 33 million years ago.

34.9 or 33 million doesn’t seem to be the point. I’m not sure about either of those dates but I am confident of one thing.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters…Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. 10 God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:1-9 NLT

Every time we go out on a trip like this I am reminded again and again that God is the one who created this beauty. He has been here from the start! He created all of this for our enjoyment. And Jesus was here too.

“But about His Son, He says, “O God, Your throne will last forever. Whatever You say in Your nation is right and good. 9 You have loved what is right. You have hated what is wrong. That is why God, Your God, has chosen You. He has poured over You the oil of joy more than over anyone else.” 10 He said also, “Lord, You made the earth in the beginning. You made the heavens with Your hands. 11 They will be destroyed but You will always be here. They will all become old just as clothes become old. 12 You will roll up the heavens like a coat. They will be changed. But You are always the same. You will never grow old.” Hebrews 1:8-12 NLV

There is not a moment of this planet’s existence that God doesn’t know about. He was here at the creation and He will be here when it is gone – however many years that will be.

He will always be the same!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLV

His love, goodness, mercy, grace and kindness will always be – that will never change. He has been reaching out to every generation with His plan of salvation.

These rock formations will someday be gone. But 34.9 million years in the future the love of God will be the same!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress