Have you ever wondered about Love?
How do we follow the Lord's command to love others?
Does that mean I have to love people I don't really like?
Why?
I have been pondering Love. I want to love others. I want to be able to love the prickly ones. I want to be able to love the ones who hurt me. I want to be able to love those who don't like me. I want to be able to love those who hate me.
It sounds like it should be so easy. Loving others is a choice. I decide to love and therefore it's done. Right?
It's easy to love those who love me. It's easy to love others who treat me well. It's easy to love an obedient child.
It's not so easy when people are difficult or prickly or just having a bad day.
I have spent years trying to love others the way Christ commands.
I can't do it. I've tried and I just can't do it.
I start the day with good intentions. I end the day with regrets. It's just not easy to love others all the time.
Perhaps we need to stop trying to love on our own.
Maybe we need to stop trying so hard to do this in our own human power.
If I can surrender all of me to Christ He can love others through me.
It's a process still ongoing...
I surrender and suddenly am filled with such peace and love for others. The more I surrender the more I understand. The more I understand the more I actually feel love for others.
I don't have to try to love others anymore. Christ has filled me with His love for others and I find examples every day.
Of course there are those moments when I grab it back and try to do things on my own but God is so gracious towards me that he guides me back to full surrender.
I want you to know that you can have the love and peace that only comes from God. It is impossible on your own. You must surrender yourself to Christ completely.
Surrender your possessions, your children, your spouse. God is so much more capable to care for them than you. Surrender your thoughts, your activities, your church. Surrender it all, every day. God loves you so much. He will take care of you. Surrender your pain, your fears, your bitterness, your rage. It may take time. Surrender your time to Him. It may be hard. Surrender your will to Him.
You may lose possessions. You may lose people dear to you. You may lose your activities. You may lose your church family.
God loves you.
He will heal you and restore you.
He loves you.
You will surely lose your pain, your fears, your bitterness and rage.
God loves you.
What a wondrous thing to be free in this life. What a glorious thing to know a God who loves so much. I can only show a glimpse of the love God has for us.
So...Are you wondering about Love?
Can you follow God's command to love others?
Can you love those who are hard to love?
Can you tell me why?
Friday, January 27, 2012
A Glimpse of Today
Ok God, I'm still waiting...
I'm just a little homesick while waiting.
Hmm
I thought I was getting to the easier part of life.
Patience my dear child. I love you and only want the best for you.
I know God but I'm getting tired. I don't want to be a burden to others. I don't want to be useless. I want you to use me somehow.
My dear husband is probably tired of waiting too. He has so much more patience than I. The trials are so much heavier on his shoulders than on mine. I will continue to be patient and wait for him to be ready. I will try to be as light a burden as possible. I will try to be useful.
Thank you God for loving me.
I'm just a little homesick while waiting.
Hmm
I thought I was getting to the easier part of life.
Patience my dear child. I love you and only want the best for you.
I know God but I'm getting tired. I don't want to be a burden to others. I don't want to be useless. I want you to use me somehow.
My dear husband is probably tired of waiting too. He has so much more patience than I. The trials are so much heavier on his shoulders than on mine. I will continue to be patient and wait for him to be ready. I will try to be as light a burden as possible. I will try to be useful.
Thank you God for loving me.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Pondering
Do you ever just ponder?The Bible Study I am a part of ponders. They ponder a lot.
Is it always a good thing to ponder?
Or is there a time to ponder and a time to just accept?
The following 7 examples of pondering in the Bible should help answer the question of when to ponder.
- Nehemiah 5:7
I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them
Nehemiah 5:6-8 (in Context) Nehemiah 5 (Whole Chapter) Nehemiah heard the anger and cries from the people and pondered their complaint and then acted on the injustice. - Psalm 64:9
All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
Psalm 64:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 64 (Whole Chapter) The people pondered the acts of God. - Psalm 107:43
Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.
Psalm 107:42-43 (in Context) Psalm 107 (Whole Chapter) Pondering the loving deeds of God. His love endures forever. - Psalm 111:2
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Psalm 111:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 111 (Whole Chapter) Pondering the great works of God. The ponderers were those who delight in the great works. - Psalm 119:95
The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
Psalm 119:94-96 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) They pondered the statutes of God. - Ecclesiastes 12:9
[ The Conclusion of the Matter ] Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 12:8-10 (in Context) Ecclesiastes 12 (Whole Chapter) Solomon pondered God's wisdom. - Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:18-20 (in Context) Luke 2 (Whole Chapter)
I think we are to ponder the wonders of the Lord.
We should ponder the works of God.
We should ponder the loving deeds of God.
We should ponder the statutes of God.
We should ponder the wisdom of God.
We can treasure all the words of God and ponder them in our hearts like Mary did.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Heaven
I'm in a Bible study on Monday nights.
They are studying Heaven.
It seems very complicated.
We have discussed the Creation.
We have discussed the Fall.
We have explored the Wrath of God.
I wonder why it is so difficult to understand.
This is my understanding...
God created everything out of nothing.
God knows everything past, present and future.
God already knew.
God loves us so very much that he made us even though He knew we would fall short. He knew Eve would be deceived. He knew Adam would disobey. God still loves us.
God knew he would be sorry. He knew about the flood. He had a plan all along.
God knew he would give His Son for our sin.
Yet He made man anyway.
God knew many would never come to Him. But He loves Me.
God knew I would sin. He knew I would not be able to meet His perfection but He loves me.
God loves you. God loves me.
Because God is God He must be appeased. He is our Judge. We are sinners. God must judge us with death.
God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to live as a man, to be tempted with all of the temptations that we experience as men. Jesus Christ was tempted by the world, his own earthly flesh, and Satan himself. Jesus Christ did not sin. He met the mark. He met perfection.
Jesus did not have to die. He was God. He laid His life down for us. For you and me. He was the perfect sacrifice required to appease the wrath of God.
All I have to do is accept this free gift from God. God's Grace towards man.
God knows who will come yet He desires that All would come.
God knows that all will not come yet He still desires for All to come.
God loves us so much that even if just one would come He would do this.
How marvelous that I have come. I desire that all would come.
Heaven is the place God has already prepared for those who love Him to live forever with Him.
I don't know what it will look like. I don't know what my body will be. I just know that I will be with God forever. I know that I will be able to look into his face and live. I know that perfection will be there. I look forward to that day. Yet...I still want all to come...so I pray that God gives us more time...I know there will be a day when the door is shut...
Do you want to be on the wrong side of that door? The side that will have darkness forever? The side without God? The side with eternal despair and sorrow?
I am assured of being on the side of the door with God. I will be in light forever. I look forward to heaven whatever it may look like or be. It would be a wondrous place even if it were mud and we live in shacks. God will be there! We will be able to look at Him! We will understand the things which are clouded from us now.
However...God has prepared a place for us. The God who knew everything before it happened and yet still created us. The God who loves us so much He made it possible even while we were dead in our sin to be clean and live with Him. God has prepared a place for me. I in this earthly condition cannot even imagine what it will be like. But this I know...It will be perfect...It will be glorious...It will be Heaven.
They are studying Heaven.
It seems very complicated.
We have discussed the Creation.
We have discussed the Fall.
We have explored the Wrath of God.
I wonder why it is so difficult to understand.
This is my understanding...
God created everything out of nothing.
God knows everything past, present and future.
God already knew.
God loves us so very much that he made us even though He knew we would fall short. He knew Eve would be deceived. He knew Adam would disobey. God still loves us.
God knew he would be sorry. He knew about the flood. He had a plan all along.
God knew he would give His Son for our sin.
Yet He made man anyway.
God knew many would never come to Him. But He loves Me.
God knew I would sin. He knew I would not be able to meet His perfection but He loves me.
God loves you. God loves me.
Because God is God He must be appeased. He is our Judge. We are sinners. God must judge us with death.
God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to live as a man, to be tempted with all of the temptations that we experience as men. Jesus Christ was tempted by the world, his own earthly flesh, and Satan himself. Jesus Christ did not sin. He met the mark. He met perfection.
Jesus did not have to die. He was God. He laid His life down for us. For you and me. He was the perfect sacrifice required to appease the wrath of God.
All I have to do is accept this free gift from God. God's Grace towards man.
God knows who will come yet He desires that All would come.
God knows that all will not come yet He still desires for All to come.
God loves us so much that even if just one would come He would do this.
How marvelous that I have come. I desire that all would come.
Heaven is the place God has already prepared for those who love Him to live forever with Him.
I don't know what it will look like. I don't know what my body will be. I just know that I will be with God forever. I know that I will be able to look into his face and live. I know that perfection will be there. I look forward to that day. Yet...I still want all to come...so I pray that God gives us more time...I know there will be a day when the door is shut...
Do you want to be on the wrong side of that door? The side that will have darkness forever? The side without God? The side with eternal despair and sorrow?
I am assured of being on the side of the door with God. I will be in light forever. I look forward to heaven whatever it may look like or be. It would be a wondrous place even if it were mud and we live in shacks. God will be there! We will be able to look at Him! We will understand the things which are clouded from us now.
However...God has prepared a place for us. The God who knew everything before it happened and yet still created us. The God who loves us so much He made it possible even while we were dead in our sin to be clean and live with Him. God has prepared a place for me. I in this earthly condition cannot even imagine what it will be like. But this I know...It will be perfect...It will be glorious...It will be Heaven.
Friday, July 8, 2011
A Lamp Unto My Feet
Do you know where you are going?
Are you on a straight path?
How do you know you will get there?
Why are you going the way you are going?
Are you trying to fill shoes that just don't fit?
Can you really get anywhere wearing someone else's shoes?
If the shoes are too big or too small don't you hurt?
Are you going in the same direction as everyone else?
Why?
Are you sure that is the way to go?
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path.
Do you really believe this is true?
I do.
I have found that if we are not in the Word we get off the path.
We start to wander around. We start to lose our way.
I want to always stay on the path.
Dear Lord, Keep shining your light on the path you want me to take.
I will keep on your path even if I have no one else to travel with me.
I will trust that you know what is ahead.
I will continue to keep on going even when it's hard.
Thank you Dear Lord for reminding me that lamps are not flashlights.
Amen.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
A Response to Life's Trials
The best part of the message is Job's response to his friends. I pray that we can all learn how to respond to life's challenges in the following ways.
1. You can have joy amidst suffering
Joy comes from your relationship with God. It is not temporary.
We are sorrowful - others see us as sorrowful but we are always rejoicing
1 Peter 4:13
Maybe God is producing more joy on the other side
People will think it strange that you can have joy when you are in the midst of suffering. People who do not know Christ of course will not understand. I have found that Christian brothers and sisters also do not always understand. Some will say you are in denial of what is happening. Some will walk away shaking their heads saying that one day the rose colored glasses will come off. They will say you are in for a huge crash when reality hits.
I can say for sure that God produces a joy beyond understanding. I don't understand it myself.
I can also say for sure that I am quite aware of what is happening around me and am very aware of the pain. I choose to rise above it. I am not always successful but I will keep looking up and moving forward. I can tell you that when I am worshiping God I am filled with joy. I choose to continue to worship all of the time.
2. Disappointment with his friends.
For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friends. Friends should give refreshment during sorrow.
When in doubt what to say ask - Are you looking for sympathy or solutions?
It would be better if you were quiet - just shut up
Most of the time I just don't know what to say to a friend who is in a trial or sorrow. Often I just keep quiet. I will pray for them and I will just be there. I know it's hard to know what to do when your friend is in pain. Please keep in mind that unless it's a contagious disease you won't catch what they are going through by being there. Loss of homes, possessions, jobs are not contagious. Loss of loved ones is not contagious. Cancer is not contagious. Even many diseases are not so easily caught that you cannot take precautions and visit.
It is superstition that death comes in threes. It is fear that keeps us away from those who have suffered loss.Unless they ask for solutions just give sympathy. Loneliness is often an added burden for those in suffering.
3. There is prayer though confused.
why is this happening to me?
ask God
make known to me my rebellion and sin
cry out to God
Job never said he never sinned...he wondered if the past sins are coming now?
This is a personal response. It is ok to question God. It is right to examine yourself. Cry out to God in the midst of your trouble.
4. There is despair without an umpire
There is no one to do this in the old testament.
Jesus is our mediator/umpire.
He mediates for us. We do not need to despair.
5. Affirmation of God's attributes
Remember who God is when we are confused
He gives and takes away
When something has changed in our life we need to remember that God never changes
6. “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Job 13:15 NASB
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3
There is nothing that will cause me to lose hope in Him. AMEN
7. Job had a realization of life's limitations. Our days are numbered here on earth.
Nothing you can do to change the days that are numbered for you.
Man dies once.
brevity of life - just a vapor
Life is filled with turmoil.
This is the reality of life. We have ups and downs. It's just life. But we don't have to walk through life alone. We have a Savior who walks with us and will even carry us through the really hard parts. We have a mediator with God the Father who says "She's mine. She's perfect. The price has already been paid."
This is my hope and prayer for each one of you reading this today. Know who you are in Christ. Know that the price is already paid and you are His.
1. You can have joy amidst suffering
Joy comes from your relationship with God. It is not temporary.
We are sorrowful - others see us as sorrowful but we are always rejoicing
1 Peter 4:13
Maybe God is producing more joy on the other side
People will think it strange that you can have joy when you are in the midst of suffering. People who do not know Christ of course will not understand. I have found that Christian brothers and sisters also do not always understand. Some will say you are in denial of what is happening. Some will walk away shaking their heads saying that one day the rose colored glasses will come off. They will say you are in for a huge crash when reality hits.
I can say for sure that God produces a joy beyond understanding. I don't understand it myself.
I can also say for sure that I am quite aware of what is happening around me and am very aware of the pain. I choose to rise above it. I am not always successful but I will keep looking up and moving forward. I can tell you that when I am worshiping God I am filled with joy. I choose to continue to worship all of the time.
2. Disappointment with his friends.
For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friends. Friends should give refreshment during sorrow.
When in doubt what to say ask - Are you looking for sympathy or solutions?
It would be better if you were quiet - just shut up
Most of the time I just don't know what to say to a friend who is in a trial or sorrow. Often I just keep quiet. I will pray for them and I will just be there. I know it's hard to know what to do when your friend is in pain. Please keep in mind that unless it's a contagious disease you won't catch what they are going through by being there. Loss of homes, possessions, jobs are not contagious. Loss of loved ones is not contagious. Cancer is not contagious. Even many diseases are not so easily caught that you cannot take precautions and visit.
It is superstition that death comes in threes. It is fear that keeps us away from those who have suffered loss.Unless they ask for solutions just give sympathy. Loneliness is often an added burden for those in suffering.
3. There is prayer though confused.
why is this happening to me?
ask God
make known to me my rebellion and sin
cry out to God
Job never said he never sinned...he wondered if the past sins are coming now?
This is a personal response. It is ok to question God. It is right to examine yourself. Cry out to God in the midst of your trouble.
4. There is despair without an umpire
There is no one to do this in the old testament.
Jesus is our mediator/umpire.
He mediates for us. We do not need to despair.
5. Affirmation of God's attributes
Remember who God is when we are confused
He gives and takes away
When something has changed in our life we need to remember that God never changes
6. “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Job 13:15 NASB
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3
There is nothing that will cause me to lose hope in Him. AMEN
7. Job had a realization of life's limitations. Our days are numbered here on earth.
Nothing you can do to change the days that are numbered for you.
Man dies once.
brevity of life - just a vapor
Life is filled with turmoil.
This is the reality of life. We have ups and downs. It's just life. But we don't have to walk through life alone. We have a Savior who walks with us and will even carry us through the really hard parts. We have a mediator with God the Father who says "She's mine. She's perfect. The price has already been paid."
This is my hope and prayer for each one of you reading this today. Know who you are in Christ. Know that the price is already paid and you are His.
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