Category: God’s Love

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Tradition with Purpose

This morning I spent quite a bit of time thinking about traditions; especially the ones we have around Thanksgiving and Christmas. These are holidays. Holiday means holy day.

So many modern traditions are or those created in the last hundred years have consciously or subconsciously set about to downplay the real reason and purpose we celebrate these days.

I know I have posted this before but it’s been a couple years and I wanted to make you aware of the history behind Thanksgiving. Yes, it was a celebration of life and survival by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. A time for thanking God for His providence and protection. The days of feasting – the days of thanksgiving. But did you know it was Abraham Lincoln who officially proclaimed the last Thursday of November to be day of Thanksgiving?

Here is his official proclamation:

“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and even soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict; while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United Stated States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

Abraham Lincoln

By the President: William H. Seward. Secretary of State.”

Praise God for a president who pointed our nation to God Almighty and His wonderful provision. This day is truly a tradition with purpose.

“Praise the Lord, all you nations.  Praise him, all you people of the earth. 2 For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117 NLT

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Good Fertilizer

Yesterday I listened to a conversation between two very wealthy men. One man was asked about his philanthropy. He is extremely generous; always giving to make the lives of others better. This man said he looked at wealth in the same way as he did manure.

Interesting thought.

He said if you hold manure too close it will cause everything you do to stink. But, if you throw it away from you, it can be used to fertilize the ground and cause things to grow. He was using his wealth to cause communities to grow; he was fertilizing local economies.

Such an amazing perspective. This man chose not to hold his wealth close to him, instead he wanted to spread it around where it could benefit and prosper others. If more of us had this attitude there would be much less selfishness and greed.

“Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. 33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:31-25 NLT

The Apostle Paul was willing to give up all his personal acclaim and possessions to see that the world knew the greatness of God’s love for us. He learned that from Jesus – instead of holding His position in heaven tightly in His grasp He gave it up freely so that all would know His Father’s love, forgiveness and desire for renewed relationship.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.

17 The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:14-18 CEV

Jesus fertilized the world with God’s love. He spread it everywhere He went.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” I John 3:16 NLT

In light of this analogy I can honestly said that I want to be a fertilizer spreader. I want to fertilize the world with God’s love.

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Good News!

This morning I found that our youngest daughter had put pictures of our newest granddaughter on Facebook. It was such a striking example of the love we parents have for our children. From the moment they are conceived they change our lives. SO MUCH JOY! She’s perfect!

It’s also an example of what happens in heaven when one person is “born again”!

New birth in Christ – old things are passed away and all things become new! A new member of the family – everyone’s excited. Cameras, spiritually, are capturing the moment and the announcement goes out – a new child has joined the family. Party time of a heavenly degree!

“Jesus said, “In the same way God’s angels are happy when even one person turns to him.” Luke 15:10 CEV

The story that Jesus told right before this was of a woman who had lost a coin and she searched and swept every corner of her house until she found it. She lost something valuable and she was determined to find it. She wasn’t willing to just let things alone or wait for it to turn up someday. She sought it out with a unfailing determination. Everything else had to be put on hold until she was successful in her search.

That’s the way it is with God the Father. He is on a relentless search, looking for all who will accept Him. He isn’t willing that “any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. For God so loved the world that He gave Jesus to die so that “whosoever”, anyone and everyone, should not perish. He made this great sacrifice when we were at our worst, “God demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”.

Oh the wonderful experience of the new birth – it wasn’t without pain or suffering, Jesus died a painful death; but for us, the new child, it means life eternal with a Father who gives freely His unconditional love and forgiveness. No wonder the angels are rejoicing!!

“But God, the One Who saves, showed how kind He was and how He loved us 5 by saving us from the punishment of sin. It was not because we worked to be right with God. It was because of His loving-kindness that He washed our sins away. At the same time He gave us new life when the Holy Spirit came into our lives. 6 God gave the Holy Spirit to fill our lives through Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. 7 Because of this, we are made right with God by His loving-favor. Now we can have life that lasts forever as He has promised.” Titus 3:4-7 NLV

Take time today to think of where you were when you accepted Christ and His free gift of new life! The Father took your picture and has kept it on His mantle; He’s added others to it as you’ve grown and experienced wonderful achievements in this new life. He’s pointing to you and saying “yes, that’s my son, my daughter – I love them!”

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Happy Endings

I am one of those people who like happy endings. You know, the kind that come in the last ten minutes of Hallmark movies, Chick Flicks and musicals. The music softens, broken hearts are mended, true love reveals what was held secret and the kiss…awww.

As I read my Bible this morning I realized I was coming to a happy ending of my own. I know I told you that I am following one of those “Read through your Bible in a year” plans. About a month ago I marked off how much I have read and separated out how many more pages I will read to complete the year. This morning I counted and there are only one hundred seventy-nine pages to go to finish the year. Amazing.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m done, it just means that starting on January 1 I will begin again and discover new truths that I have overlooked or forgotten about. The Bible is the living word of God. It never changes; God never changes but as we grow spiritually we understand more and the truths become more profound.

Happy Endings.

God is the author of happy endings. He has made wonderful promises to all of us who love Him. He created heaven for our enjoyment. These are His words in the next to the last chapter of Revelation, the last book in the Bible.

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:3-7 NLT

Happy Endings.

There’s another happy ending that I read about this morning. It is the account of the blessings we received when Jesus life on earth was ended. The circumstances around His death were horrendous but the final result was glorious.

“What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.  I will praise you among your assembled people.”

13 He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” 14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” Hebrews 2:9-18 NLV

You might need to re-read that. Take it all in – talk about your happy ending, this is it!

Jesus became flesh and blood like us, he died for us breaking the power of the devil over our lives and presented us to the Father as his brothers and sisters. He gave his life so that we could live a life in right relationship with God. He is able to help us each day of our lives, helping us when we are suffering and going through testing.

I love that Jesus has provided a happy ending!

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The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Last year about this time I was putting the finishing edits on my book, The Best Gifts of Christmas, Receiving and Giving God’s Best.

I just had to share with all of you some of the precious gifts that the Lord lavishes on us each and every day. I couldn’t think of a better time to bring these to your memory than during the holiday season.

I lived so many years of my Christian life not realizing that the Father wanted to overflow my life’s cup with His goodness. It’s so important to remind ourselves of the blessings God freely gives; it increases the depth of our relationship with Him.

My heart’s desire is to provide a brief teaching, each day of December, focusing on one of the Father’s many gifts and then to challenge each of us to apply what we’ve learned.

Recently I had a woman tell me that she had read The Best Gifts of Christmas twice and was going to finish it a third time before the middle of November. She was sharing it with her granddaughter and encouraging her to use the practical application at the end of each day with her friends and classmates. That really touched my heart.

Here are some comments from others who participated in the daily reading last year.

“A great way to prepare your heart for the true meaning of the Season. Insightful and meaningful read” Lonny C.

“What I love about this book is the suggestions of Thought and Action. Anyone of any age can participate, bringing the celebration of Christmas to a whole nother level. A great way to touch lives with the Christmas spirit.” Wendy L.

“This book is very nicely done.  I gave several as Christmas presents to my friends and family.” Tom S.

“Our family loves the holiday season and last year I purchased this book to further enhance our holiday spirit. We are a family of six; from toddler to teenager and this book helped to spiritually encourage our entire household. Get those candles out and get ready for a month of tremendous gifts!!” Desiree P.

The Best Gifts of Christmas
The Best Gifts of Christmashttps://www.amazon.com/Best-Gifts-Christmas-Receiving-Giving/dp/1726876578/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Kristi+Wilson&qid=1573235462&sr=8-1

Thank you to all who ordered a copy last year. I know some of you bought several books and gave them to friends and family. I hope this book becomes a part of your Christmas traditions. You get to open a different gift each day, the best gifts of the season, the gifts of the Father’s love!

Books are available through Amazon. Click on the image above, it will take you directly to the order page.

Have a wonderful November. Fill each day with gratitude. God bless you all!

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Three Dog Morning

For the last several days we have been at our daughter’s, dog sitting. They went to Japan to visit our grandson and his wife. What a wonderful opportunity for them and we were glad to help.

When I got up this morning, I started the coffee and you guessed it, I let the dogs out. The past few mornings the dogs have come in and scattered to their various places. Not today! If I were to take a picture, you would find me in the large chair with one pup laying across my legs while the other two are sleeping on the floor on either side of my chair.

It’s a three dog morning. The pups are content to be close – no fear, just gentle sleep. This was the object lesson before me while I was reading my Bible.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;  therefore, I will hope in him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” Lamentations 3:22-25 NLT

The Lord is good. The Lord is faithful. The Lord’s love never ends. The Lord’s mercies are fresh every morning.

Those are verses of comfort and peace. God’s word is soothing and it makes my heart rest just like these pups that surround me. This morning is free from anxiousness or fear. There is rest and peace in the air.

My prayers turned to those who woke this morning in turmoil and anxiety. I prayed that they would know rest and safety. Remember a week or so back when I wrote about the kindness of God? Since then I have been very mindful of finding the words kind, kindness and safety in my daily Bible reading. It’s there on almost every page!

One of my favorite Scriptures, a must read at least 4 or 5 times a month, is Psalm 91. When I was learning to trust, really trust, the Lord I read it daily. On difficult days I would read it several times throughout the day. Here are just a few verses from that chapter.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection…7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you…9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home…14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91 NLT

A place of rest – a place of safety; staying close to the Father brings me to that place!

As the pups sleep on, my heart is quiet and I am content knowing that my Father watches over me and gives me new mercy for the day ahead.

It’s a three dog morning!

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Given Not Earned!

There’s an old song that we sang when I was a girl, Calvary Covers It All.

I was thinking about that song this morning. How thankful I am for Calvary!!

Thankful that the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, blotted out my sin!

In the Old Testament the priest would offer a lamb once a year for the forgiveness of sin. The priest would lay his hands on the head of the lamb, signifying a transfer of the sins of the people to the perfect lamb of sacrifice. When this transfer was complete the Israelites could experience freedom and cleansing for another year. The blood of the lamb “covered” their sins but never completely blotted it out. Each year they would have to come again, offering another sacrifice, to receive their forgiveness.

“The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices that are offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. 3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.” Hebrews 10:1-4 CEV

But Jesus Christ, as our lamb of sacrifice, only had to be offered once for the forgiveness of sin! We, who have accepted that sacrifice don’t just have our sins covered but we can rest knowing those sins are completely blotted out.

“You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. 14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:13-15 CEV

This is significant. If something is just covered, we can lift the covering and find what was being hidden. However, if it’s blotted out or wiped clean, there is nothing to be found.

Remember when we were in school and the teacher erased the blackboard. Sometimes you could still see the shadow of the writing on the board but when she wiped it clean with that chamois eraser, all the words were gone – completely gone. That’s a crude illustration because the blood of Jesus is so much greater than a chamois eraser but I think you get the point.

“The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God. 15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said, 16 “When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. 17 Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds. 18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.” Hebrews 10:11-18 CEV

Forgiven! Forgiveness is not something that is earned. There is nothing we could do to earn the forgiveness that God has FREELY GIVEN. By the very nature of the word it is given. We can’t rationalize or justify or make enough excuses for our actions to “earn” forgiveness. It is an act of pure love that leads to restoration. Restored in perfect relationship with the Father.

We have been wiped clean by the blood of Jesus. The next time the devil, or some well meaning person, tries to remind us of the things we’ve done wrong, we should stand up and remind them that the precious blood of Jesus has wiped us clean. And because we are forgiven we should be willing to give that same forgiveness to those around us.

It’s given not earned!

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The Great Pumpkin

Many of you have taken your children and perhaps, your grandchildren to the pumpkin patch. It’s so much fun!

I remember one particular time that we went on a school field trip to the farm; each child got to find, and take home, their own pumpkin. There was apple cider, donuts, pies to be purchased, a corn maze and a hay ride. Everyone had a wonderful time. The air was crisp, Fall was in the air. It was a refreshing day.

At our house, pumpkins are for baking not for carving. Years ago, we attend a Harvest Party at our church in California. One of the men from the church, who worked in the agriculture field, acquired a large pumpkin for the photo area. It was a 75 pound pumpkin and when the night was over there was a quandary as to what would become of the pumpkin.

It came home with us. I spent the next several days washing, scooping out seeds, baking pumpkin shell and flesh, then pureeing it for pumpkin pies and pumpkin breads. Oh the house smelled wonderful. There were pumpkin pies on every counter in the kitchen and as they cooled they went in to the freezer. Twenty-eight, ten-inch, homemade pumpkin pies with crust from scratch – it was truly a labor of love! My kids still talk about those pies to this day.

A few years back I found this analogy of Christians and pumpkins on the internet. I’m not sure who wrote it originally but it certainly rang true with my heart.

“A lady recently being baptized was asked by a co-worker what it was like to be a Christian. She replied, “It’s like being a pumpkin:  God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off… Then he cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

This is the Father’s promise to us; He takes what we were and makes us into something new.

“The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3 ERV

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:16-17 NLT

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT

Chosen – Cleansed – Filled with life and light. Like a great pumpkin, God has blessed us with a delicious new life!

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Love Sweet Love

Just two days ago I shared with you the prayer that Jesus prayed for us. He wanted us to know that the Father loves us as much as the Father loves Him – that concept is beyond mental comprehension and can only be received by faith.

Then yesterday I shared with you what Jesus has done to redeem us, to purchase us – He paid a price that no one else could.

So what do we do with this wonderful outpouring of love from the Father and from Jesus. We can never repay what’s been given, however, there is something we can do to express our gratitude for so great a love.

What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love sweet love, no, not just for some but for everyone. We must follow the example that Jesus set for us and love others.

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrrews 12:2-3 ERV

Since we must never stop looking at Jesus let’s go back into that room where Jesus and his disciples were celebrating Passover. Jesus has washed feet, Judas is gone to betray Him and this is what happens next.

“Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a short time more. You will look for me, but I tell you now what I told the Jewish leaders: Where I am going you cannot come. 34 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:33-35 ERV

Love one another…how is this love examplified – by washing the feet of others (taking care of their base needs), by being patient with those that betray us, and by loving those with good intentions but little follow through.

We are often critical of Judas and his betrayal because it was intentional – he used his connection with Jesus for monetary gain. However, Peter’s betrayal was just as damning but instead of being prompted by greed, he was motivated by fear. That night Jesus wasn’t surrounded by just one man who would betray Him but by a room filled with men who would run off and leave him alone.

“Simon Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow now. But you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to die for you!” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you really give your life for me? The truth is, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” John 13:36-38 ERV

We mustn’t let the end of the chapter stop us from continuing with the events of that night. We must go into chapter 14 to see the instruction that Jesus continued to give. How can we live free from fear and love with the unconditional love that Jesus did? It’s by realizing that God, the Father, has a much bigger and better plan for us than just life on this earth.

“Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-3 ERV

Here’s Jesus answer to fear. Don’t worry, trust the Father and trust me. I’m going away but I’ll be back for you so don’t worry!

Let’s come back to our song – what the world needs now is love. They need to see us loving them, loving other christians, living without fear in a pretty unsettling time and doing all of it because we trust the Father and know that He is in control!

How do we express our gratitude for the wonderful love we have received from our heavenly Father? We share it with those around us, the deserving and the undeserving.

What the world needs NOW is love, the sweet love of Jesus!

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Praying in the Garden

Anyone remember cassette tapes? A few of my favorites from the early 1990’s were by a group called Heirloom. But alas, I no longer have a cassette player so I thought that music was gone. I recently found a CD of their music, all the songs that were on that cassette, I purchased it right away. The harmony is angelic and the words of the songs fill my heart with such joy.

Yesterday I was out running errands and had the CD playing. One of the songs that is particularly meaningful to me is titled, Crying in the Garden. Here are just a few lines:

Can’t you hear Him crying in the garden
A broken hearted Savior that day
Weeping for His straying children
And those who have turned Him away.

While the city slept in the distance
There on a hillside I see
Jesus with heart heavy laden
Kneeling in Gethsemane.

This song talks of Jesus last hours on earth. He knew the cross was before Him, soon the soldiers would come to arrest Him. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This morning I re-read the words of His prayer.

I had to ask myself, if I were in my last hours of life how would I pray. Jesus’ prayer, His conversation with His Father, was one of love and gratitude. He was resolved. He willingly gave His life for our redemption. He was praying for us, for those of us who would accept His gift of new life and He was praying that everyone would take advantage of this wonderful gift.

He was praying that we would experience the same wonderful, loving relationship with the Father that He had. Here’s the last few verses of Jesus prayer, it’s recorded in John 17. This is what Jesus was praying for us…

“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.

24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:20-27 CEV

Jesus heart was heavy. He knew that He would be separated from God’s presence for the first time since time began. He knew that when He took all our sins on Himself that God, the Father, wouldn’t be able to look at Him. The heavens grew black at that hour. But He knew that He would come out of the grave victoriously and that all of mankind would be free to have relationship with the Father once again.

He knew the sacrifice would be worth it and He prayed for us!

“We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side[a] of God’s throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.” Hebrews 12:2-3 CEV

I’m so grateful that Jesus prayed for me in that Garden. I believe His prayers are answered. I believe that God the Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus and that I can show the world His love.

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