Category: God’s Love

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Thanks for the Memories

I’m so thankful for wonderful memories. Yesterday was no exception.

We are visiting with my Mom for the week. She’s almost ninety-seven and now, more than ever, we cherish each visit. Our granddaughter is in the Phoenix area visiting her parents. In February of this year she gave birth to our first great grandchild, their daughter. This was the first time they had ventured out since her birth. One thing she wanted to do was visit her great grandmother, my Mom, and have a five generation picture taken.

What a surprise! Mom was thrilled and so were Dave and I. It was so amazing to see our daughter, with her daughter and our granddaughter with our great granddaughter. Almost more than the heart could hold. What a joy!

It’s at times like this that I am so extremely conscious of our heavenly Father’s loving presence.

“When my followers call to me, I will answer them.  I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91:15-16 CEV

One translation of this verse says “with long life I will satisfy them”. I am definitely satisfied with the life my Father has given me. Yesterday was one of those special “icing on the cake” days, for sure.

Each day can be like that when we’re trusting the Lord. Our days should never be mundane or routine. We should live expectantly, anticipating to see God’s goodness fill our natural with His supernatural. It bothers me that many times I neglect to see the miracles because I am overwhelmed by the routine.

The phrase “stop and smell the roses” isn’t in the Bible put the premise is a godly one.

“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

May I encourage us all to take time each morning to record at least one sentence describing the blessings we saw in the previous day. We will be amazed at how many miraculous things we find when we look for them.

Michael W Smith wrote a song, “Breathe”, in 2001. It’s one of my favorite contemporary worship songs.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m I’m lost without you

Let’s live each day desperate for God, aware of His miracles and end each day by saying “Dear Lord, thanks for the memories”!

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What Do You See?

What do you see when you look at the dark sky of night? Where we live there are only a couple of street lights so the night sky is undisturbed by artificial light. Watching the constellations unfold and reveal their beauty is awe-inspiring.

In the beginning, God saw the glorious heavens. There was nothing there, the Bible says the world was without form, it was void of substance but God saw something beautiful. He saw life. His words created what was in His heart, much like an artist creates an image on canvas. He created the stars and the planets, the sun and moon. His words created the land and the seas and all that lives in and on both.

In the beginning, God saw us and He created man, male and female. He created us in His image.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man like Us and let him be head over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every thing that moves on the ground.” 27 And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female. 28 And God wanted good to come to them, saying, “Give birth to many. Grow in number. Fill the earth and rule over it. Rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “See, I have given you every plant that gives seeds that is on the earth, and every tree that has fruit that gives seeds. They will be food for you.” Genesis 1:26-29 NLV

From the very beginning God’s plan was to provide for us. Earth had everything we need for a good and prosperous life. All that He created had life in them – the plants and the trees had the ability to produce life through their seeds. The animals had the ability to repopulate and so did Adam and Eve. God saw us and He had a plan.

When man sinned and sin separated him from his relationship with God, God had a plan of restoration ready to implement. He didn’t give up and start over.

“But God had loving-favor for everyone. He had Jesus suffer death on a cross for all of us. Then, because of Christ’s death on a cross, God gave Him the crown of honor and shining-greatness. 10 God made all things. He made all things for Himself. It was right for God to make Jesus a perfect Leader by having Him suffer for men’s sins. In this way, He is bringing many men to share His shining-greatness. 11 Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.” Hebrews 2:9-11 NLV

We were always on God’s mind and in His heart. These verses are part of the prayer that Jesus prayed right before He was arrested, put on trial and crucified:

“Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.

20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.” John 17:15-23 CEV

When we look into the mirror, what do we see? Do we see someone whose nose is too big or their chin is too small? Do we see someone who fails to measure up and whom others see as insignificant?

God, our loving heavenly Father, looks with us into that mirror and He sees someone who was created in His image. He sees someone who has His loving-favor, His grace. He sees someone that Jesus isn’t ashamed of; He sees His sons and daughters. He sees someone who is one with Him.

The mirror we use in looking at ourselves is distorted, like those mirrors at the carnivals. They amplify our failures and shortcomings. But look at what God’s sees. He looked into the nothingness before creation and saw it all made perfect, including us in our relationship with Him.

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. 29 God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30 God planned for them to be like his Son. He chose them and made them right with him. And after he made them right, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:28-30 ERV

When we look at ourselves in God’s mirror we will see ourselves in the right light, the light of forgiveness and restoration, the light of love.

So, let me ask again – what do you see? Look into the Father’s eyes and you’ll see His love!

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Better Than Wendy’s

This may seem a strange title for a blog on Father’s Day but read on. When we first moved to Rio Rico six years ago we were visiting different restaurants in the area. We found one little place that we loved. There’s nothing like the taste of homemade Mexican food.

Just as we arrived a family came in and sat at the next table. As they sat there waiting for the waitress to bring their drinks I noticed the little girl had brought in a sack from Wendy’s. As her parents ordered and enjoyed their chips and salsa, the little girl reached into the sack and took out her Frosty, fries and burger. I thought, how cute!

Here’s the life lesson the Lord taught me that day:

“16 Jesus said to him, “A man gave a big dinner. He invited many people. 17 When it was time to eat, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come. The food is ready.’ 18 But all the guests said they could not come. Each one made an excuse…’21 “So the servant returned and told his master what happened. The master was angry. He said, ‘Hurry! Go into the streets and alleys of the town. Bring me the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
22 “Later, the servant said to him, ‘Master, I did what you told me to do, but we still have places for more people.’ 23 The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and country roads. Tell the people there to come. I want my house to be full!” Luke 14:16-23 ERV

Our Father has prepared a wonderful dinner for us. All of our favorite things are on the menu. He wants to lavish on us the things He has prepared for us. There’s no need to bring our own sack lunch to His banquet.

He wants us to realize that He has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He wants us to know that He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; He wants us to accept that He has made us priests and kings, we are a royal priesthood. We are beloved sons and daughters and He knows our desires better than we do.

So many times we come to the Father’s table with our own provision – Abraham and Sarah had God’s promise for a son but they made their own provision and Ishmael was born. Not a good thing…

We have allowed the tradition of religion to tell us that we can’t or shouldn’t expect God to bless us or to provide for us. We have so many excuses on why we can’t come to the banquet. We aren’t worthy, God could never love me or “God helps those who help themselves” and the focus gets placed on us and not on Him. We begin thinking like the prodigal son who said “the servants in my father’s house are eating well, I’ll just go be a servant”.

Our Father doesn’t want servants, He wants sons!

He wants us to experience the joy of our salvation – the great and precious promises that He has provided for us in Jesus!

Was this life lesson was just for me? Maybe you’ve never come to the Father’s table with provisions of your own making but if you have, let me encourage you to drop your sack lunch in the receptacle at the door and come eat freely at the table the Father has prepared for you.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and good sandals on his feet. 23 And bring our best calf and kill it so that we can celebrate with plenty to eat. 24 My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:22-24 ERV

Spend time at the Father’s table. He loves it when His kids come home!

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A Day for Father’s

I really appreciate that we set a day aside to honor our fathers , and our mothers. Scripture tells us that we will live long lives when we do this. Father’s Day is just a week away and so I would like to share some thoughts with you on honoring our fathers.

A father’s love is tender hearted, kind, forgiving, filled with compassion! I was blessed with a father who loved me. He was strict and insisted I work hard, be respectful, and do my best in everything. He worked hard and was gone from home for weeks at a time. But when he came home we enjoyed things like fishing and hunting. But there never seemed to be enough time to spend with him.

My heavenly Father is the one who gave my earthly father those characteristics. His heart is always filled with compassion for me. His Word teaches me right from wrong and He wants me to be obedient for my own protection. He knows the dangers that I will face and He is always there to provide.

We don’t always see what our Father is doing while we are in the midst of a situation but when we know our Father, we know His motives and intentions are based on His love for us and we can trust Him.

Even when we manage to get “a far off” He’s there waiting for us to come home . He watches and waits, He doesn’t come to drag us back but when we return He throws a party. I guess one of the best gifts we could give our heavenly Father is to come home and let Him shower us with His love.

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:18-24 NIV

There have been times that I have been away from the Father. I’m so glad that He greeted me with love and forgiveness when I returned. I can guarantee that He is always waiting with open arms and a heart full of love.

There’s nothing like the embrace of the Father!

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Where Do I Go?

Over the years I have had numerous friends tell me the different places they go to sense the presence of God. Some find that closeness sitting on a deserted beach, watching the waves come to the shore. Others have said that when they are sitting on the back of horse and feel its strength beneath them that they have a tangible sense of God’s presence.

And then I’ve been told that holding their sleeping child or grandchild heightens their awareness of the Father’s love. The mountains’ grandeur is a place that sparks some to focus on the greatness of our loving God.

Where do you go to find God’s presence?

As a young mother and someone who was just learning to hear God’s voice and sense His presence, my place was the clothes line. Strange as that may sound, it was my favorite place.

I remember the house so vividly. We lived on the corner lot, in a brick house with a carport and on the back patio was a laundry room with a washer and a deep sink but no dryer. At first I was disappointed to learn I would have to carry the laundry out to the backyard and pin them up on the line. To be truthful, I think I was grumbling with that first load and in my complaining I realized that I should be grateful for the clothes my family had to wear. I went from complaining to praising.

Those times at the clothes line were mine and the Lord’s. Occasionally one of the kids would come out to ask a question but no one wanted to stand out there and watch or help. It was my time – my time to have an uninterrupted conversation with my Father. I learned so much about His love and patience standing there in the sunshine and the “Sonshine”.

Let me ask again – where do you go to feel close to the Lord? It doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic or faraway. Abraham just walked outside and looked at the stars, Moses herded sheep on Mount Sinai, Peter went fishing and Paul went to prison. If we are looking for God, we WILL find Him.

“The angels were calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord All-Powerful. His Glory fills the whole earth.” Isaiah 6:3 ERV

Wherever we are, anywhere that we go, if we look for the Lord we will find Him. His glory, power and presence fill the whole earth. And when we look for Him, we will find that He has a life of blessing planned for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Wherever we go looking for the Father, even to the clothes line, we will find Him if we look for Him with an honest and open heart.

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A Good Nap Is Valuable

This was a busy weekend. Thursday we drove to the Phoenix area to visit with our daughters and their families. Our last visit up there was Christmas. We had such a good time.

Thursday when we arrived we got some shopping done while they were working. Dave and I had almost forgotten what the Phoenix heat was like. When we came out of one store it was 107*. The truck thermometer said it was 113*. This was just a friendly reminder of why we have chosen not to live in the metro area.

But the heat didn’t deter us from having a good time. We spent a good portion of the day on Friday checking out a campground for Fall camping trip. It was tucked away on a creek and only a few hours drive from Mesa. Yes! Trip planned and on the calendar.

Saturday we had a bar-b-que and pool party with both girls, their husbands and our three youngest grandkids. The giggles, the squeals, the jumping and splashing were as refreshing as the water. Nothing could top the hugs, the kisses, the smiles and the “I love you’s” that everyone exchanged. Such a sweet time!

As you’re reading all of this I can hear you asking “but what’s the point of this morning’s blog?”. Are you ready for it? It’s very profound – our heavenly Father wants us to enjoy life. He wants us to spend time with those we love and He wants us to immerse ourselves in His presence and His love.

“I have seen what is best for people to do on earth: They should eat, drink, and enjoy the work they have during their short time here. God has given them these few days, and that is all they have. 19 If God gives some people wealth, property, and the power to enjoy those things, they should enjoy them. They should accept the things they have and enjoy their work—that is a gift from God.” Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 ERV

The things we have are blessings from the Lord and we should enjoy what He has given us. Our heavenly Father doesn’t want us to spend all of our time striving to make a living. In fact, He tells us to trust Him to help in that and to rest and enjoy our families.

“If it is not the Lord who builds a house, the builders are wasting their time. If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, the guards are wasting their time. 2 It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late, trying to make a living. The Lord provides for those he loves, even while they are sleeping. 3 Children are a gift from the Lord, a reward from a mother’s womb.” Psalm 127:1-3 ERV

I am so thankful for the weekend the Lord gave us and I am also thankful for the nice long nap I was able to take once we got home yesterday afternoon. Please understand God wants us to see His love and provision in everything; safety, jobs, family, health, recreation, and even naps. The Lord wants us to rest, rest in knowing that He is in control.

Put the words of the Apostle Paul into practice today. “Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:17 ERV

Give thanks in everything – even in a good nap!

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Relief From Weariness

I sat here for the longest time this morning trying to gather my thoughts. There is only one way to describe what I’m feeling – it’s weariness. Emotionally I’m weary. I’m tired of the anger and hatred. Selfishness and greed are everywhere and it’s exhausting.

Maybe you are weary too.

What do we do in times like these? Where do we find strength and rest?

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

Night and day people came to Jesus. Some of them needed miracles, some needed answers, some wanted to trip Him up and defame Him. Others were drawn to His compassion and the genuineness of His teaching. He was rarely alone and when He did go to a solitary place to pray, they would come searching for Him.

And He never turned anyone away…in fact, He gave us the invitation above. “Come to me all who are weary and I will show you how to rest”. So, this morning I came. I came to sit and rest in His presence and with His word. I like what it says in the Message version “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely”.

Free from anxiety, free from fear, free from anger, hatred, selfishness and greed. We are free to experience peace, joy, love and kindness. We are free to experience forgiveness, grace, mercy and strength.

Weariness comes from focusing on our own efforts and resources. Rest comes when we focus on the Father. I worked with a pastor who would often comment “I don’t want to work for the Lord; I want to work with Him”. That’s exactly what these verses are saying “walk with me, work with me, watch how I do things – it will bring you to a place of rest”. King David said it was like laying down in green pastures.

As I sit here now, I feel the weariness leaving, like water draining from the bath tub, and a calm, refreshing coming to my soul. The Lord loves to trade with us – we bring Him our sin and He trades it for forgiveness. We give Him anxiety and He trades it for peace. He offers us strength when we admit our weakness. He gives us grace for our failures.

Thank you Father. I brought You my heaviness. You were true to Your word and You gave me Your rest!

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Healing Hearts

I intentionally stay away from the news but this story has captivated the country. As I sat here praying for George Floyd’s family I was also praying for those who took his life and for those who are exploiting this terrible situation.

Satan’s works are obvious – hatred, bigotry, death and destruction. Jesus’ works are equally as evident – love, peace, justice and healing.

Jesus said: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

A family lost their son and brother through an unconscionable act of hatred. We should be supporting them with our love and prayers. We should move forward with a determination to eradicate racial bias and hatred wherever we find it . The words of Jesus are never more true than at a moment like this:

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 MSG

Love in action is offering a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart of compassion.

Those who are rioting and looting are not part of the solution. They are destroying the property of innocent people and spreading hatred. Their actions are doing nothing to help, they are only causing more pain.

We are needed to do the work of Jesus – healing the broken hearted.

“Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:17-19 NLV

Join with me in praying for the Floyd family and all who have been touched by this tragedy.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, the name that brings healing and comfort, I pray for the George Floyd family. Let them experience an outpouring of Your love like they have never known. May they be wrapped in Your comfort and experience Your peace that goes beyond all natural pain and sorrow. We also pray that those responsible for this horrible act of hatred, let them repent for what they’ve done and may they find forgiveness in Your love. May those who are doing all manner of evil and exploiting this situation be stopped in Jesus name. Expose those who are initiating and instigating these acts of hatred. May they experience Your justice for their acts. And now Father, show each of us what we can do to bring Your love and healing to all we meet. Amen and Amen!”

I would like to encourage you to reach out to those who have hurting hearts today. It may be someone in your family, your neighborhood or your workplace. They may not be effected by the events of George Floyd’s death but they are hurting all the same. As followers of Christ, we can reach them with the love and compassion that He showed while on earth.

May we be used to help heal the broken hearted!

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The Welcome Mat Is Out!

Dave and I have been talking about our trip from Montana to Arizona six years ago. It had taken over seven years to sell our house up there and be able to move “home”. We love it here! There hasn’t been a day we have regretted this move. This morning I was sitting here thinking about that last day in Montana. The activity, the emotion, the joy. I found these words that I wrote then and they still ring true today. I hope you don’t mind me sharing them with you again.

As we got closer to the big move I found it harder and harder to sleep. We have mapped every fuel stop and made our hotel reservations. So much excitement and so much anticipation – years in the planning – were finally becoming a reality! I had lived this in my heart and now I got to see it with my eyes.

I had “Google Maps” and checked fuel prices. The hotel websites were helpful and it was easy to place the reservations on line. With all this technology I wondered how did Moses do it? He couldn’t call ahead and request a double-king with the continental breakfast. Or what about camel refueling? He had to dig his own wells! Abraham didn’t even have a map, he just had to follow the leading of God’s voice and stop when the Lord said to stop.

“Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen. 9 Because Abraham had faith, he lived as a stranger in the promised land. He lived there in a tent, and so did Isaac and Jacob, who were later given the same promise. 10 Abraham did this, because he was waiting for the eternal city that God had planned and built…13 Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth…16 But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That’s why God wasn’t ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.” Hebrews 11:8-16 CEV

For years we had been telling friends and family that we are going to be moving back to Arizona. And for years, we had waited! And now the time had come. But this morning I had to ask myself a question. “Am I anticipating my heavenly home – my eternal city with the same excitement and anticipation as the one in Arizona?” I believe the answer is yes! There isn’t one thing here on this earth that can compare to living in the city whose builder and maker is God!

The things I value most are people and everyone I love can meet me in heaven. God has room for all of us. How wonderful is that! In the six years we’ve lived in Arizona a number of dear and precious friends have died but I know that I will see them again in heaven.

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together..” John 14:1-4 CEV

So many have come to visit in Arizona and we love having company. We’ve missed you all during this “stay-at-home” condition. However, if you can only come for one visit, I would rather that you come for coffee once we are settled in our heavenly mansion – the view will be spectacular!

Father, my prayer today is that all whom I hold dear have a personal relationship with you. I desire that their friendship with you is deeper than it is with me. 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 in You where we will never die but will live eternally. And thank you for caring about the everyday details of our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen!

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Are You In?

This morning as I was pouring my first cup of coffee I was struck with the concept of “in”.

Let me explain. I was very glad that the coffee was in my cup and not on the counter. When something is “in” its contained and protected. It is much better to be in a boat and not on it. If we were on the boat it would more than likely be capsized and we would be holding on for dear life.

My imagination took over and I started thinking of other “in” phrases…in the house, in the car, in a plane, in love, in person. I’m sure you are thinking of some phrases yourself. To be in is to be protected, totally surrounded, completely captivated.

Used as an adverb the word in means “expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else”.

Enclosed or surrounded by something else.

The New Testament has a lot to say about in.

“They were to look for God. Then they might feel after Him and find Him because He is not far from each one of us. 28 It is in Him that we live and move and keep on living. Some of your own men have written, ‘We are God’s children.’” Acts 17:27-28 NLV

As Christians, we are “in Him”, we are God’s children and we are in the family of God. My, my! In the family of God, we are enclosed and surrounded by the heavenly Father. The coffee that is in my cup can be consumed or poured out and the cup would be empty but when we are in Him nothing can removed us.

“I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39 CEV

Nothing can separate us from God’s love because we are in Christ Jesus. I really want you to catch hold of this truth – the truth of in. This is God’s plan for us and He sent Jesus to see that it was accomplished. God, our Father, wants all of us to be in Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 ERV

Let me ask you this question, are you “in”? When we are in Christ we are right with God, every thing is new and all of our old life is gone. May I give you this instruction? Take time to read through the books of the New Testament that Paul, Peter and John wrote. They were teaching the new Christians about their life in Christ. As you read those books, underline the phrases “in Him” and “in Christ”. Pay attention to those words because this is where we live – in Him, and we are protected by His covering of love.

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV

Walk tall – we are part of the “in” crowd!

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