Category: God’s Love

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Two Become One

This is a tree growing at our campsite. It took me a couple of days to notice it and then I became intrigued. When you look at the image, you will notice two trunks at the bottom but about halfway up you can see where the trees’ trunks become intertwined, and they start to grow as one.

The bigger, better nourished tree has been wrapped by the thinner, weaker trunk. The larger of the two is now supporting the weight of both trees. Look closely and you will see that they are two different species. This seems to be nature’s own engrafting.

Nature is such a great teacher. 

There must have been a storm or wind that caused the two of them to grow in such a way. They were stronger together than separate.

Does that remind you of anything Biblical? Don’t most of us come to God when we’ve been through a storm. He’s there to provide us with shelter and strength.

Jesus told his disciples I am the vine, you are the branches, if you abide or stay connected to Me you will produce much fruit.

“Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me. 5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything.” John 15:4-5 ERV

This is a promise made to all of us.  If we stay connected to Jesus, our life-giving vine, we will be productive and fruitful. 

The other example that came to mind was Paul’s teaching on marriage. He took these words from God, the Father, in the Garden of Eden.

“In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. 29 None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are each part of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church.” Ephesians 5:28-32 CEV

And the two shall become one!

Jesus assumes the role of husband to those who place their trust in Him. He loves us, nurtures us, protects us as He does his own body. He leaves all other distractions and is totally committed to us.

What do we give Him in return? He asks for our love and devotion. God, who is love, desires our love and fellowship. Is that too much to ask?

As I sat and really studied these two trees my heart’s prayer became “Lord, let me so dependent upon You that it will be hard for people to see who I was before I leaned on You and You became my source of strength, my support, my all in all.

Two become one!

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Where To Now?

At this time of year I remember the excitement that was building in our hearts seven years ago. We had been waiting to come to our new home in Arizona. It had taken years to see this dream come. The anticipation flooded every thought. Maybe you’re experiencing that now – a new home, a new beginning.

Where to Now?

The Bible is filled with people who were on the move.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God… 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:8-16 NJKV

He didn’t know where he was going but Abraham did know that he could trust God. He was anticipating good things.

Are we anticipating good things as the Lord moves us along the journey to our heavenly home?

There isn’t one thing here on this earth that I wouldn’t give up in place of living in the city whose builder and maker is God!

The things that are most valuable to me I don’t have to give up. My husband, my brothers and sisters, my children, grandchildren and my friends will be there too. How wonderful is that!

To live with the knowledge that there may be friends and family I won’t see again on this earth saddens me but to know that I will see them again in heaven is thrilling.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NJKV

Some of our friends have come to visit us in Arizona the last seven years. However, if there could only be one visit, I would rather they come for coffee once we are settled in our heavenly mansion – the view will be so much greater!

Where to Now? We’re on a journey that will eventually lead us to that city whose builder and maker is God. It will be perfect!

Father, my prayer today is that all whom I hold dear will have a personal relationship with You. I desire that there friendship with You is deeper than it is with me. I can make them dinners and baked goods; I can share my home with them but You, You gave the life of Your Son so that they will live eternally. Thank You for touching their hearts today – thank you for providing new life, a life that never ends – thank you for giving us a place where we will never die but will live eternally. Thank you for caring about the everyday, small and minute details of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen!

I’ll see you there!

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Choosing the Best

Years ago we were in Iowa for the summer. We weren’t fully involved in work yet so my friend and I took her three boys to a local U-Pick Strawberry Farm for an outing.

We had so much fun! The older boys were running ahead of us, picking the largest berries they could find. Mom was in the middle and the youngest boy and I brought up the rear. He was disappointed that he couldn’t run with his brothers and he thought they had already picked the best berries.

It was then I showed him one of the largest strawberries I had ever seen. It was perfectly ripe but was being hidden by the leaves on the plant so no one had seen it. He quickly picked it and placed it in our bucket. The hunt was on. He went from being disappointed to being excited. We had a very, very full basket when the others were ready to stop.

Life’s a lot like that strawberry patch. We go through different situations and we pick and choose what we think is best. The best schools, the best person for the team, our best friend, best spouse, best house, best…best…best.

Is it any wonder that so many people develop a low self-esteem? No one, it seems, has chosen them.

Well, I have good news!

“Then Peter said, “I can see, for sure, that God does not respect one person more than another. 35 He is pleased with any man in any nation who honors Him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34-35 NLV

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

If anyone had the right to pick and choose “the best” for His team it would be God. However, that’s not how He operates. Our Father gladly receives everyone. You read that right, everyone! Not just those who want relationship with Him but His heart is open even to those who ignore Him and go their own way.

“This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” I Timothy 4:9-11 NIV

We have all been chosen by the Savior.

I appreciate the Apostle Paul’s directness. God is the Savior of ALL people…especially those who believe in Him. No paritality, no favoritism, no prejudice – all people. But He won’t force salvation on anyone, the Father let’s us make the choice. He’s waiting for us.

“He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 NLV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

The Father has made His choice – He’s chosen all of us. Now, it’s up to us to choose the best.

I, for one, decided to choose the Father and His unconditional love.

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How Long Is Forever?

When we’re children waiting for some special occasion next week can seem like forever. A long lonely highway seems to go on forever. A mother expecting her first child may feel the arrival date is taking forever. However, when we age years seem to pass so quickly. Time flies by. So, how long is forever?

To truly grasp the concept of forever will take forever.

Forever is how long the Lord says His love for us will last!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 4 Give thanks to Him Who alone does great works, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 5 Give thanks to Him Who by wisdom made the heavens, for His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 136:1-5 NLV

His loving-kindness lasts forever!

There are another twenty-one verses in this Psalm and each of them end with His loving-kindness lasts forever. Forever!

I think I have a very good imagination but it’s mind-boggling to focus on forever. The Father will love me forever. And because of His forever love He has offered us all life with Him that will never end.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

This morning I am focused on that life which lasts forever because yesterday our Mom left this temporal life on earth and stepped into her perfect heavenly life that will last forever. I am so happy for her, words cannot express it.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

Forever in the Father’s presence, forever surrounded by His love. Joy forever!

I pray that you all have this forever life which is filled with love that lasts forever.

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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!

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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

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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