Category: God’s Love

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Time to Celebrate

I remember years ago when our oldest daughter was just a toddler we had bands of sheep across the road in the fields. I would walk her across the road and she would watch the sheep.

My husband grew up with sheep herders and had the opportunity to watch their ways. Interesting people. One man with several working dogs could control a large band of sheep – protecting them and moving them from one field to another.

Shepherds care for their sheep. They live with them in the field. They don’t abandon them. They protect them personally and then leave the dogs with them to keep them safe from predators in the night.

The shepherd makes sure they have plenty of grass in the pasture and when it is eaten down they move the sheep on to the next field. Shepherds also make sure their flocks have plenty of water. They pay close attention to the weak and injured; nursing their wounds and seeing that they aren’t picked on by the stronger rams.

I have a good shepherd. He loves me, He cares for me, He feeds and protects me and He searches for me if I get lost and He brings me back to His fold!

” Jesus said: I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. 2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.

4 When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. 5 The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away…

7 Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. 12 Hired workers are not like the shepherd…

14 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.” John 10:1-16 CEV

“Then Jesus told them this story: 4 If any of you has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the ninety-nine 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 15:3-6 CEV

I am a loved sheep -> lost but now I’m found. It’s time to celebrate the Shepherd’s great love!!

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Loving Care

Yesterday we were at the racetrack. These races are for the year’s championship title. It’s our time with our oldest daughter and son-in-law and it’s also a great time to people watch.

That’s what I found myself doing during last night’s Xfinity race.

We had a family directly in front of us. Down about 10 rows was another family group. Then right before the race started a family with a small boy came and sat directly behind us. All three families caught my eye.

One family had two children about 8 and 10, the small boy was about 3 or 4 and the other child was a baby about 6 to 9 months. All the kids had the right ear protection, were dressed warmly and were happy.

Happy because mom, dad and extended family members were giving them the attention and loving care they needed. Although the adults came to watch the race, be part of the action and cheer for their favorite driver, their kids took priority.

There were several trips to the concession stand for food and drinks, and more than one exit to the restrooms. Even the baby was cuddled and rocked safely in loving arms. Not once did I hear a cross word or see one of the children being scolded.

No.

There were smiles exchanged between the adults as they would get up and leave the grandstands. Helping kids maneuver the grandstand seats, and not disrupting the other race fans, as much as possible, was their general concern.

Yes. They missed parts of the race, and maybe they missed seeing their favorite driver make an exciting move, but their attention was on the child who was dependent upon them.

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.” Romans 8:31 ERV

I couldn’t help but think of the lyrics from an old song, “My heavenly Father watches over me”.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

Our heavenly Father rules the universe, but we have His attention. He knows what we need, and He provides.

“The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God. And we really are his children. But the people in the world don’t understand that we are God’s children, because they have not known him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God…”I John 3:1-2 ERV

My prayer is that you will know and trust God’s love just like those little children at the race track last night.

I am so thankful for our Father’s loving care!

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Thankful for the Father’s Love

Today is our son’s birthday. Nothing like your children’s birthdays to cause you to reminisce!

Spent a good portion of the morning thinking about our lives with our son. We are blessed!

But then my thoughts wandered, and I began to think about what my heavenly Father thinks about me and so many verses came to mind.

” I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 CEV

My Father has a plan for my future – hopeful and successful.

He has known my days from the very beginning.

“You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. 15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, 16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. 17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.” Psalm 139:13-17 CEV

Because of the Father’s unconditional love for us He has never said anything bad about us, never given up on us, never thought anything but the best of us. In spite of our shortcomings and failings we’ve always had His love.

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].” I Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP

Since God is love – this is a description of how He is toward us!

These are the Father’s thoughts toward me, and He will never abandon or desert me – He’s always there with all I need. He’s there to forgiven me when I fail.

“But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.” I John 1:9 CEV

As a parent of adult children and as a grandparent, I hope that my life will always be an example of the Father’s love!

I am so glad that my Father loves me!

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Grateful for Growth

A few weeks ago, I planted four large flowerpots at the front of our offices with petunias. I love gardening and these flowers have such bright colors. They make me smile.

Now each morning before I go inside, I stop at each pot and “dead head” the blooms. They need to be pruned so that new buds can continue to produce. They are an example of daily living to me.

“ Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father.”

9 “I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love. 10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you. 11 I have told you these things so that you can have the true happiness that I have. I want you to be completely happy. 12 This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. ” John 15: 1-12 ERV

Do you see how many times in these few verses Jesus repeats “stay joined to me”? Go back and read it again and let it sink in.

Stay Joined to Me!

When we are joined to Him, we produce beautiful blossoms just like on the petunias. Our fruit, love for one another, brings beauty into the world and brings joy into our lives. There are things that need to be pruned so that we continue to grow in a healthy way.

Stay Joined to Me!

Jesus isn’t separating from us. In fact, we have His promise in Hebrews that He will NEVER, no, NEVER leave us or abandon us.

“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,

‘The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP

We don’t have to be greedy and selfish when we are joined to Him. The vine supplies all we need for a good and healthy and prosperous life.

Never under any circumstances will He desert, abandon, forsake or let us down! Never!

What does your day have in store? There may be a little pruning but it’s for our benefit.

Stay Joined to Him because He’ll never let us down and we can say the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

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Focused On God’s Goodness

Today, and every day, there is really only one place to focus our attention. It’s on God’s goodness.

When we do, we can love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus and be an example of Jesus in the world around us.

“ Command and teach these things. 12 You are young, but don’t let anyone treat you as if you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life. 13 Continue to read the Scriptures to the people, encourage them, and teach them. Do this until I come.” I Timothy 4:11-13 ERV

Encourage, teach, love, live in the goodness of God.

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails. 2 Praise the God of all gods. God’s love never fails. 3 Praise the Lord of lords. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1-3 CEV

“You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. 3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet. 6 I think about you, God, before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. 7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

Reading this Psalm reminded me of one of my favorites.

“You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies. You welcomed me as an honored guest. My cup is full and spilling over. 6 Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time.” Psalm 23:5-6 ERV

Because of God’s goodness we are invited to be His guests. He protects us with goodness and mercy. Our enemies watch as the Lord provides for us. His powerful arm supports us.

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLT

Each day we are presented with opportunities of doubt and fear but when we wait on the Lord, we see His goodness and we can be brave and courageous. Focus on His goodness!

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The Sweet Fragrance of Praise

Chanel – White Diamonds – Giorgio – Versace – perfumes! All have a wonderful odor. Just one drop, and a room will be completely filled with fragrance.

Have you ever experienced that?

Just one little dab of expensive perfume on a cloth or piece of clothing will bring a wonderful bouquet to all the other clothes in your closet or drawer. Or maybe you’ve had the experience of walking past someone, you pick up on the sweet smell of perfume and it reminds you of a loved one or a special place and time.

“I am grateful that God ALWAYS (emphasis mine) makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2;14 CEV

The Apostle Paul tells us that we should be thankful because God ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ. ALWAYS!! Not just occasionally, not just half the time but ALWAYS!

And then He helps us spread the message of Christ and His victory everywhere like a sweet perfume. We’re not the perfume, the message of Christ is. We’re simply the article that transports the aroma.

This reminds me of the woman who broke the box of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus. People were upset because she had wasted such a costly ointment but everywhere Jesus went, He left a sweet-smelling fragrance and there was no denying that they had been in His presence.

Are we leaving people with the ability to sense that they have been in the presence of the Lord?

“You are God’s dear children, so try to be like him. 2 Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us—a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 ERV

Talking about His victories in our lives isn’t bragging on us and our great feats; it’s simply leaving the fragrance of Christ for others to enjoy.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Be grateful, be thankful, leave a sweet smell!

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Abundance of Friendship

How did you do yesterday with writing down one or two things that you were thankful for? I hope you didn’t forget.

Dave and I ran errands most of the day. When we stopped for lunch, we began talking about some of our dear friends. The impact they have made on our lives and how grateful we are for each of them. Some of those dear friends have died in the last ten years and our hearts still feel the loss.

Others we don’t get to see as often as we would like, and we miss the times of fellowship that we have had but the impact of their friendship is none-the-less diminished. Yes, gratitude fills our hearts.

I think friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts.

King David had Jonathan. Daniel was friends with Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Paul and Silas traveled the known world together. Yes, friends are a blessing.

“Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything my Father has told me. 16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name.” John 15:15-16 CEV

How great to know that God doesn’t see us as servants but as friends,” …Abraham was called ‘God’s friend'”. James 2:23 ERV, and even more than that as His children. For that I am grateful.

As I finish writing this morning, I have committed to pray for those friends that I hold dear, I hope you will do the same. Friendship is such a special gift, and I am thankful for each and every one.

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Forgiveness Brings Freedom

This morning, I have been enjoying the sounds of a gentle rain. Oh my, rain on the desert stirs the senses. The cool air, the gentle pitter-patter on the roof and the scent of freshness.

It brings a cleansing and refreshes the soil.

I thanked the Father for touching this dry land and then I thanked Him for touching my life when it was dry and brittle. I thanked Him for his forgiveness and the freedom that forgiveness brings to a parched soul.

Guilt and shame can wither the heart like the scorching sun on the desert floor but the refreshing breeze of the Holy Spirit bringing forgiveness gives life.

If you’ve ever felt remorse, shame, and guilt over something from your past then you will know some of what the woman who met Jesus at a well was experiencing.

The disciples had gone to town to buy food and Jesus stayed at a well to wait. A woman came to the well to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink. This was unheard of – he was a Jew, and she was a Samaritan, a half breed. This was not racially or socially acceptable, but Jesus did it anyway.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Would you please give me a drink of water?’

9 ‘You are a Jew,’ she replied, ‘and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink of water when Jews and Samaritans won’t have anything to do with each other?'” John 4:8-9 CEV

As they talked Jesus told her that she could have living water. He was talking about Himself. She asked him to give her this water and when she did Jesus gave her more than she asked for.

He told her to bring her husband – you see it wasn’t proper for a married woman to receive gifts from a man without her husband’s permission.

Now comes the rub. This woman was going to have to reveal what she had wanted to keep hidden. She wasn’t married; she was living with a man, and she had had 5 husbands. Ouch!

“Jesus told her, ‘Go and bring your husband.’ 17-18 The woman answered, ‘I don’t have a husband.’

‘That’s right,’ Jesus replied, ‘you’re telling the truth. You don’t have a husband. You have already been married five times, and the man you are now living with isn’t your husband.’” John 4:16-18 CEV

Jesus didn’t condemn, he didn’t ridicule. He simply met the woman where she was and let her know that she was loved, forgiven and accepted. This loving outreach to a woman with something to hide made an eternal impact on her town.

“Many more Samaritans put their faith in Jesus because of what they heard him say. 42 They told the woman, ‘We no longer have faith in Jesus just because of what you told us. We have heard him ourselves, and we are certain that he is the Savior of the world!’” John 4:41-42 CEV

I don’t know if you’re trying to hide something from the Lord, but I can assure you He already knows about it. Hiding gives Satan an opportunity to condemn us but bringing it to Jesus releases us from the condemnation, provides us with forgiveness and freedom.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 ERV

Let God’s forgiveness wash you clean and shower you with freedom.

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God is Good!

A simple saying but it is a deep truth. I must give testimony to the goodness of my God and Father.

I know I often quote the later part of this chapter but this morning I would like you to read it in its entirety. The words of this psalm are the words of my heart and there is really nothing to add.

“I will praise You, my God and King. I will honor Your name forever and ever. 2 I will honor You every day, and praise Your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and our praise to Him should be great. He is too great for anyone to understand. 4 Families of this time will praise Your works to the families-to-come. They will tell about Your powerful acts. 5 I will think about the shining-greatness of Your power and about Your great works. 6 Men will speak of Your powerful acts that fill us with fear. And I will tell of Your greatness. 7 Many words will come from their mouths about how good You are. They will sing for joy about how right You are.

8 The Lord is full of loving-favor and pity, slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all. And His loving-kindness is over all His works. 10 All Your works will give thanks to You, O Lord. And all those who belong to You will honor You. 11 They will speak of the shining-greatness of Your holy nation, and talk of Your power. 12 They will make Your powerful acts and the great power of Your holy nation known to the sons of men. 13 Your holy nation is a nation that lasts forever. And Your rule lasts for all time.

14 The Lord holds up all who fall. He raises up all who are brought down. 15 The eyes of all look to You. And You give them their food at the right time. 16 You open Your hand and fill the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is right and good in all His ways, and kind in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 19 He will fill the desire of those who fear Him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord takes care of all who love Him. But He will destroy all the sinful. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. And all flesh will honor His holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145 NLV

Speak of the goodness of God all the days of your life!

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1 CEV

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Followers, Friends, Family

I wish you could sit with me in the mornings and hear the words that the Lord drops into my heart. Although they can’t be heard audibly, they thunder in my soul.

“‘Wash yourselves clean! I hate your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong 17 and learn to live right.
See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.’

An Invitation from the Lord

18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. 19 If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours.” Isaiah 1:16-19 CEV

When the Israelites were delivered from Egypt they had God’s promise, “I will be your God and you will be my people”. (Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12)

But they forgot to serve God and went their own way and served other gods and also their own selfish ambitions. However, God did not forget them. He invited them to come, sit with Him, talk things over and He would forgive their sins and make them clean again. They were followers.

Jesus also had a group of people who were faithful followers and before He died Jesus elevated their relationship to one of friendship.

“14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:14-17 CEV

For three years they had followed Jesus. They had their up’s and down’s; Jesus taught them how to honor the Father. They had seen many miracles. Their time on earth together was coming to an end. Jesus reminded them that they had been chosen, we too have been chosen. He also reminded them that the Father would be attentive to their prayers.

Followers become friends. Friends become family.

“Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15  God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:14-17 CEV

Family.

We have been invited to become family. Our heavenly Father is just, kind, and good. He is faithful, all-knowing, all-powerful, unconditionally loving. Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:35)

Christ suffered persecution and rejection. His words were misunderstood, and He was ridiculed for saying that God was His Father. We will experience some of the same because we are His family.

Since we will share some of the same challenges and hardships, we have His promise of help.

“ Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are family and God, our Father, is always there for us.

Followers, friends, family. I was a follower who became a friend but then I was adopted and now I’m family. Family is the best!

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