Tag: GodIsLove

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Out of Balance

The first of our three youngest grandchildren woke up about 30 minutes ago. She wanted to cuddle on the couch with me; 15 minutes ago Dave and the 2nd grandchild got up. She was cold and needed under the blanket. Still one grandchild, the boy, is sleeping upstairs in the loft.

It makes my morning a bit out of the norm. Quiet time cut short, coffee just getting made but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Just that things happen a little later than normal. But whether it’s routine or a break in routine God is always the same.

Practical.

God is practical. Everything He does has balance. Gravity, sunrise, sunset, changing seasons; earth, sky and water created before fish, plants and animals. Sun produces light and heat, the moon reflects light and no heat. Balance.

What’s out of balance and impractical about God is His unconditional love!

It doesn’t matter what we do or don’t do, God’s love for us will be the same. (Now that doesn’t mean He approves of everything we do, not in the slightest but He always loves us.)

People won’t go to hell because God hates them. They will go because they don’t accept His gift of love and His sacrifice for them.

Since we have Christ living in us it’s His love that should be flowing out of us.

” Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful…17 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 3:14-17 ERV

The most important thing we can do is love each other. Love brings us to a place of peace. When we love we know that we have done all God has asked of us and God will do the rest. When we trust God to do what only He can do we can be thankful because He definitely has the talent and capability of handling His part.

We love not because those around us deserve our love but because God first loved us and so we can extend that love to others. It makes our Father happy to see us acting like Him.

I’m not asking you to go out and love the whole world, but I am asking that you extend God’s love to your co-worker, your neighbor, your child or spouse or sibling. Love unconditionally the way God loves you.

Now I’m off to love on some sweet grandkids.

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Let It Simmer

A few mornings back I read these verses, and they have been simmering in my heart and the back of my mind since. I use the word simmering because that’s what it’s like when the Lord impresses me with Scripture.

When I first start a spaghetti sauce or soup, all the ingredients are added in the pot, and it tastes good. But let it simmer, slowly heating, and that’s when the richness develops. Yes. Simmering.

“Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety. 9 We humans are only a breath; none of us are truly great. All of us together weigh less than a puff of air. 10 Don’t trust in violence or depend on dishonesty or rely on great wealth. 11 I heard God say two things: “I am powerful, 12  and I am very kind.” The Lord rewards each of us according to what we do.” Psalm 62:8-12 CEV

Powerful and very kind! That’s the part that has been simmering…

He created the world and all that’s in it with His word. He held back the Red Sea with a wind. He carved His commandments on stone tablets. He controls the tides, the orbit of the planets and the rising and setting of the sun. Yes, He is powerful, no doubt.

And He is kind.

“If you honor the Lord, his angel will protect you. 8 Discover for yourself that the Lord is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.” Psalm 34:7-8 CEV

“The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails.” Psalm 103:8 CEV

“The Lord God is famous for his wonderful deeds, and he is kind and merciful.” Psalm 111:4 CEV

“Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere.” Psalm 145:17-18 CEV

“My prayer is that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!” I Corinthians 1:3 CEV

“…My prayer is that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!” I Peter 5:12 CEV

Each verse merges with the others reminding us of the kindness of God.

His kindness is as great as His power. He embraced the lepers, gave sight to the blind, healed the lame, raised the dead, fed the hungry, gave water from a rock for the thirsty. He came as a babe to bring salvation to the world.

He brings peace to the disquieted heart, comfort to the bereaved. He’s attentive to children and forgiving to sinners. Yes, He is kind and tenderhearted.

The Lord says of himself, “I am powerful and very kind”. We can trust Him. Now, let that simmer!

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The Littles

Today is our youngest daughter and son-in-law anniversary, 11 years. Today we will have those we affectionately call the littles for a sleepover. Sam, 8, Kristine 6 and Elizabeth 4. We have a new home for them to come to, new sleeping bags, and other new things to make it special.

The one thing that isn’t new is the love we have for them and the joy we have in spending time with them. I know many of you can relate. We will be tired when they leave but we are so glad we live close enough that they can come.

That’s just like God!

He loves it when we come to His house.

“ For a day in Your house is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be the one who opens the door of the house of my God, than to live in the tents of the sinful. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. The Lord gives favor and honor. He holds back nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right.” Psalm 89:10-11 NLV

It’s so good to go to the Father’s house.

“ I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Psalm 122:1 NLV

Why do we think the Lord is any less excited to see us than we are to see our children and grandchildren come home? Our heavenly Father is the example of how loving parents should be.

Yes, there is discipline, instruction and correction because that’s what loving parents and grandparents do but there is so much more. There is unconditional love and overwhelming joy.

“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLV

“Go into His gates giving thanks and into His holy place with praise. Give thanks to Him. Honor His name. 5 For the Lord is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. And He is faithful to all people and to all their children-to-come.” Psalm 100:4-5 NLV

We are all the Father’s littles and we are always welcome in His presence.

“Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” Matthew 19:13-14 ERV

Take time to be in the Father’s presence today. He is always glad to have us come!

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Thanks Dad!

Mother’s Day is behind us and we will celebrate Father’s Day in a couple of weeks. As I was praying this morning I found myself saying, “Thanks Dad. I’m so glad you chose me to be your daughter. I couldn’t have anyone better to trust in and rely on than You”!

That was so humbling to me.

When I think of all the great men who have ever lived, all the mighty men, the wise men, the loving and gracious men, even my own earthly dad, no one could make the impact on my life that my loving heavenly Father has.

There’s no one I would rather have for a Father than my heavenly Father!

“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.” Ephesians 1:3-5 ERV

If you’ve ever dealt with low self-esteem you should memorize these verses or at the very least put them in the notes section of your phone and read them every hour.

Our heavenly Father chose us before He made the world. He chose us not out of obligation or merit but we were chosen because of His great love for us. He wanted to do it – He wanted to make us His own!

“The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. 15 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba, Father.” 16 And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 ERV

That word Abba means daddy! Our term of endearment, a term used because of love and confidence in the One who holds our hearts.

God has always wanted a relationship with us. He never intended for us to be estranged from Him. He also gave us a free will. He didn’t want our relationship to be one of servitude or obligation. If we had no freewill we would be puppets or robots, serving Him because we were programmed to do it.

In the example that Jesus gave of the prodigal son we see the heart of the Father. His son wanted to experience a life different from what his father had planned. The father released his youngest son, even though his heart was breaking, to go do his own thing.

When life didn’t turn out the way the son expected it, he returned to his father’s home with the intent of living the life of a servant but the father’s plan was different.

“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

We’ve all been the prodigal at one time or another. Coming home is the best.

Thank You Father for always welcoming us with loving arms!

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Each Morning

Thank you for joining me each morning. It is my heartfelt prayer that the Word of God speaks to you in a personal way through the words of this blog.

This morning, I have been spending time with one verse. Just one verse has the power to change our day, our entire lives.

“Each morning let me learn
more about your love
    because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer,
    asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8 CEV

Each morning let me learn more about your love!

Dwell on that.

Stop and recall those experiences you’ve had in the past where God showed you His amazing love in a personal way. Make a list of them and put them in your phone’s “notes”. Write them in your journal – special times of just you and the Lord, heart-to-heart communication.

We will never explore the depths of God’s love, it’s unfathomable, but we can experience more of His love today than we did yesterday. He offers that to us freely and without hesitation.

“ 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

Now, I will end these thoughts for today by asking you to do this one thing. Take the verse above and do what it says. Pray for guidance, open your heart to what the Lord is leading you to do. He will show you His love. He can be trusted!

“Each morning let me learn
more about your love
    because I trust you.
I come to you in prayer,
    asking for your guidance.” Psalm 143:8

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Live Long Enough

Do those words resonate with you?

What is it that you want to live long enough to see or to do? Quite a few years back the term “bucket list” became popular. Maybe you have one. Has it changed through the years?

As I was reading the Psalms this morning this is what I read. Somehow, it seems appropriate for this Mother’s Day weekend.

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
    all who follow his ways!
2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
    How joyful and prosperous you will be!
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
    flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
    as they sit around your table.
4 That is the Lord’s blessing
    for those who fear him.

5 May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.
    May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
    May Israel have peace!” Psalm 128 NLT

I will share the last verse of this Psalm from Contemporary English Version (CEV).

“6 May you live long enough to see your grandchildren. Let’s pray for peace in Israel!” Psalm 128:6 CEV

Live long enough.

Long enough to be an influence in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Live long enough to impact them by our relationship with the Lord and live long enough to lead them to faith and encourage them to have their own personal relationship with the Father.

“I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith.” II Timothy 1:5 ERV

Timothy was a young preacher, a protege of the Apostle Paul. Paul gave honor to his mother and grandmother who had been influential in Timothy’s life of faith.

I cherish the time with our grandchildren. Some are grown and others are just starting out. We even have one great granddaughter. There is nothing so sweet as holding them in my arms, praying with them and praying over them.

It’s just as sweet as when the phone rings or a text comes in that says “Mom I need you to pray”.

We have prayed for each one of them, children, grandchildren plus greats, since the day we knew they were conceived. Praying for their protection and health; praying for them to know God.

“You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb. 16 You could see my body grow each passing day. You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing.” Psalm 139:13-16 ERV

My maternal grandfather had the nick name of “Preacher”. I never met him; he died the day I was born but my mother and grandmother both told me that he prayed for me when he knew my mom was pregnant. I feel that was his legacy to me.

May we live long enough to impart God’s unconditional love to those we cherish and hold most dear!

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Abiding Love

I’ve been sitting here for the better part of three hours thinking about the abiding love of God. I am at a loss for words so I will let God’s word speak.

“ 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.” Ephesians 3:17-19 ERV

I read once that God’s love is like the ocean, you can see where it begins but never where it ends. There is no end to the love of God!

“But then I think about this, and I have hope: 22 We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. 23 Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!” Lamentations 3:21-23 ERV

“ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.” John 15:9 CEV

The word remain in other translations is abide. Abide means to live or stay in the place of God’s love. We abide in God’s love by staying in His word. It’s through the word of God that we learn the depth of His love.

See what happens when we live or stay in God.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.'” Psalm 91:1-2 CEV

Occasionally we lose our way. Occasionally we wander off, but God always remains faithful in His love for us.

“I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.” Psalm 119:176 CEV

Hundreds of years after King David wrote those words Jesus said this:

“ If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder 6 and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:4-6 CEV

That my friends is the depth of God’s abiding love!

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A Much Better Way

The word “better” kept going through my mind this morning. As I sipped my coffee, I kept thinking about better. Even the coffee I drink is called “Seattle’s Best”, but that’s not the better I am talking about.

The Apostle Paul teaches that each of us has a vital role to play in our Christian walk. He refers to us as a body with many parts; some are more attractive that others, some seem to have a greater impact but each cell in the body, each organ, muscle, bone, tendon, and tissue are important. Each of us are important but then he makes this statement:

“31 I want you to desire the best gifts. So I will show you a much better way…4 Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!…12 Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. 13 For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.” I Corinthians 12:31, 13:4-8,12, 13 CEV

Paul is only repeating what was seen in the life of Christ. Love is the better way. All the commands of the Bible can be summed up by what Christ said to His disciples.

” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Just as I have loved you!

No misunderstanding that – His love is unconditional, His love is intentional. He came because He loves us. He died because He loves us. He rose because He loves us and wants us to live victoriously in Him.

“If we believe Jesus is truly Christ, we are God’s children. Everyone who loves the Father will also love his children. 2 If we love and obey God, we know we will love his children. 3  We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. 4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:1-5 CEV

The better way for life here on earth and in eternity is to follow what Jesus said:

“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37  Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39  The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.‘” Matthew 22:36-39 CEV

Now, go out and have a better day, a day filled with God’s love and a day of sharing that love with others.

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The Love of God

Yes, the love of God – again! I know I spent several weeks at the beginning of the year teaching on the love of God but it’s a subject I can’t leave alone.

Years ago, when I realized that the Lord had given me an ability to teach and share His word, it became my goal to share about His unconditional love, His mercy, His grace and His gift of sonship to us who believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and is risen as our living Savior.

I saw so many Christians who were like I was; reading the Bible but not really applying it to their everyday lives. We had grown up believing in a God that’s “going to get you for that” or “you never know what God’s going to do” relationship, fearing God and His retribution rather than living in His love. So, I accepted my calling to proclaim the “good news of the gospel” to Christians. It is and was my desire to see believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It was my desire to see Christians walk in the full power of relationship with Christ and to receive fully from His blessings so that we truly are and were examples of Jesus, Christians, on the earth and that it would be the goodness of God that would draw men to repentance and not the condemnation of man.

There is nothing I find more fulfilling than to share God’s word whether through written communication, one on one personal interaction or teaching to a gathering. It’s my heart passion. These verses convey all that I desire to share with others.

“You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done. 6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey. 7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written
about me in the book, where it says, 8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you.  Your Law is in my heart.’” 9 When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!” 10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.” 11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.” Psalm 40:5-11 CEV

Take time to read all of Psalm 40 today, it will be a blessing to you.

Probably some of you weren’t raised listening to and singing the old hymns so this morning as an added bonus I invite you to listen to a hymn entitled “The Love of God”.

Each day my goal is to share God’s love with others. I’m not always successful but that is my desire. Let me take the opportunity to declare again today – God is faithful, He is righteous, He is my salvation and His lovingkindness endures forever!

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When Words Stand Out

I don’t know how many times I have been asked “how do you study the Bible”. Too many to count.

My answer is always the same; read until it speaks to you.

The Bible is God’s letter to us. He’s writing to let us know how He feels about things, what’s important to Him, who He is and His hopes and dreams for us. This morning it didn’t take long for the words to stand out on the page; words that I have read hundreds of times before but this morning they were fresh and new.

You see the other day I had a couple of friends tell me that their kids and/or grandkids were going through a time where they are mad at God. Circumstances in their life have been horrendous. They have experienced things no one should have to go through, and they are holding God responsible for the bad.

This morning the Lord gave me an understanding of the situation. It comes from Joseph who had been sold into slavery, was wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten there and then exalted to Pharoah’s second in command.

“But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided. 20 You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing. 21 Don’t be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.’ After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better.” Genesis 50:19-21 CEV

We should never blame God for the evil in our lives, it’s not from Him. Instead, we should look for the good that God will do in turning the situation around.

“God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him .13  Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others.” James 1:12-13 CEV

Now back to this morning and the words that were jumping off the page.

“With all my heart
    I praise the Lord,
and with all that I am
    I praise his holy name!
2 With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!
I will never forget
    how kind he has been.

3 The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
4     and protects us from death.
His kindness and love
    are a crown on our heads.
5 Each day that we live,
    he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength
    of a young eagle.

6 For all who are mistreated,
    the Lord brings justice.
7 He taught his Law to Moses
and showed all Israel
    what he could do.

8 The Lord is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
    and his love never fails.
9 The Lord won’t always be angry
    and point out our sins;
10 he doesn’t punish us
    as our sins deserve.

11 How great is God’s love for all
    who worship him?
Greater than the distance
    between heaven and earth!
12 How far has the Lord taken
    our sins from us?
Farther than the distance
    from east to west!

13 Just as parents are kind
    to their children,
the Lord is kind
    to all who worship him,
14 because he knows
    we are made of dust.
15 We humans are like grass
or wild flowers
    that quickly bloom.
16 But a scorching wind blows,
and they quickly wither
    to be forever forgotten.

17 The Lord is always kind
    to those who worship him,
and he keeps his promises
to their descendants
18 who faithfully obey him…
22 All of God’s creation
and all that he rules,
    come and praise your Lord!
With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!” Psalm 103 CEV

God is kind. He is always kind! God cannot lie, these words are true to His character!

I know this was a longer blog but some of you needed to see what I saw this morning – God is KIND!

Let those words stand out in all that you experience today.

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