Category: God’s Love

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A Good Day

Has anyone told you today “I love you”? It’s a good day to experience and to share some love. I am blessed because every morning when Dave gets up the first thing he does is give me a kiss and tell me “I love you”.

I have to wonder – how many people go through an entire day and never hear those words? Young, old; married, single; rich, poor; college grad or drop out; CEO or janitor; employed or homeless; we all need to know we are loved.

I think that many go through life never knowing they are loved. If only we were better at sharing our love with them, then they could see, through us, the love that the Father has for them. His love is unconditional; He loves us on our best days and on our worst.

“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! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-25 ERV

The Lord’s faithful love NEVER ends.

Let that sink in – His love never ends. Each day He has new ways of showing us His love. It doesn’t falter because we do. He loves even the most despicable of people; God so loved the world – that’s everyone.

In November, I took time to write down one or two things each day that I was grateful for. In December, I was writing down things that I felt were gifts from God. During January, I’ve been recording things that happened each day to give me encouragement. And now as February approaches I will be listing the things I experience (large and small) each day that the Father uses to express His love.

Please join me in making a love list. I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks going through God’s word and delivering to you each day a Valentine from the Father.

If no one has ever told you that you are loved let me be the first. Your heavenly Father loves you beyond measure and I do too.

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Built on Love

Years ago Dave and I had the privilege to share God’s love with the working cowboys of Arizona, Nevada and even into California. Cowboys would gather, sometimes for just a Friday night or a Sunday and other times for a long weekend at what we called Cowboy Campmeetings.

I miss those days. The time with friends, the great Country Gospel music, testimonies of what God was doing on the ranches and in the hearts of the cowboys and the Word. The teaching of the Word was so rich; lives were changed. Folks were saved, baptized and freed from past sin and guilt.

We made dear and life time friends. But the thing that touched me most was the sincerity and simplicity of the faith of those who were there. There was no pretense, no hypocrisy. It was just genuine love for the Lord. Yes, I miss those days.

Wonderful times!

A song we use to sing in Cowboy Church was “I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again. He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days so by – oh, what a love between my Lord and I; I keep falling in love with Him over and over and over and over again.”

This was and is still my daily ambition. Falling in love with Him and getting to know the depth of His love for me. That’s what the Apostle Paul prayed for the Christians who lived at Ephesus nearly 2000 years ago. It is my prayer for us today.

“I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 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.

20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21 ERV

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Coat of Many Colors

One of my favorite Old Testament characters is Joseph. There is so much that we can learn from him.

It seems life dealt him an unfair fate. He had ten older brothers but he was his father’s favorite and he knew it. There was definitely some sibling rivalry going on in this family. Joseph told his brothers and his father that he had dreamed they would all bow down to him one day.

Joseph’s brothers were so angry with him that they were tempted to kill him. Cooler heads prevailed and they sold him to slave traders. He was transported to Egypt. His brothers concocted a story of finding Joseph’s coat covered in blood and they told their father they believed he had been killed by wild animals.

Joseph was bought by the official in charge of the palace guard and served him well. Everything Joseph did had a sense of excellence. His master’s wife was a flirtatious woman and she tried continually to get Joseph to go to bed with her. He refused. Frustrated by his constant refusal, she accused Joseph of rape and he was thrown into prison.

Once again, Joseph excelled in his duties and became the servant of the captain of the guard. He was imprisoned for twelve years before he was brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh recognized that God’s hand was on Joseph and that he was a man filled with wisdom. Pharaoh appointed Joseph to the highest position in Egypt, no one except the Pharaoh had more authority.

Never once do we read of Joseph complaining about the fate that had befallen him. Not once is it recorded that he spoke evil of his brothers. Repeatedly we read that Joseph served God, God blessed him and he was faithful to God.

A famine came to the entire region. Because of Joseph’s wise counsel Egypt had stored grain and had surplus to sell to its people. This is where we encounter Joseph’s brothers again. They came to Egypt to buy grain for their family.

The brothers didn’t recognize Joseph when they came to buy grain. Through a series of circumstances the brothers came before Joseph several more times before Joseph revealed his true identity. Now the brothers were scared; they were frightened Joseph would retaliate by taking their lives or imprisoning them. Look at Joseph’s reaction:

“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace.

3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.” Genesis 45:1-8 NLT

Joseph treated his brothers with loving kindness. His focus was to provide for the well being of those who hated him and had lied about him. He didn’t hold the hurt that such a betrayal would foster. Joseph used each situation to honor God. (I encourage you to read Joseph’s life story in Genesis from chapters 37-50.)

Everyone of us have probably experienced some sort of betrayal from loved ones, maybe not as severe as what Joseph did but betrayal all the same. We can spend our days looking back in bitterness or looking up with gratitude for God’s provision.

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 NLT

Joseph’s coat of many colors was a sign of his father’s love. We have been given a robe of righteousness; it too is a sign of our Father’s love. Let’s be like Joseph.

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Loyal & Faithful

Recently I saw a post by a woman who talked about the faithfulness and loyalty of her canine friend. Those of us who have dogs know the wonderful love, devotion, companionship and concern that we receive from them. The saying goes “dog is man’s best friend”.

I don’t know that I would take it quite that far but I do know that my Glory is such an amazing example of faithfulness and love. When I see how she is always there, wanting to be close, concerned when I am away and constantly by my side when she knows I am upset or unwell, I have a small glimpse into the faithfulness of God.

People let us down. But we will never experience that from the Lord.

“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 (faithful)! 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ERV

Every morning He is always here! Even when we are unfaithful to Him, he remains faithful. Before we put our feet on the floor He is waiting to spend time with us. Before we have our first cup of coffee the Lord is here waiting to start our day with us. He is faithful!

“Lord, your word continues forever in heaven. 90 You are loyal (faithful) forever and ever. You made the earth, and it still stands.” Psalm 119:89-90 ERV

The word faithful or faithfulness is translated in these verses as loyal. But it’s more than that. A dog can be loyal but when God is faithful it means He is “faith – filled”. He is faithful to all generations.

His faithfulness is who He is and what He does. He created the earth and said light be. Today, He is still faith-filled and so the light continues to shine. God, the Father, IS love and as such He says He endures all things and thinks the best of us at all times. He is faith-filled and His love never fails.

“Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.” I Corinthians 13:5-7 ERV

He is faithful to forgive, which means He chooses to forget our sins and our failures. He only sees the best in us!

Let’s live like the Father, be a “faith filled” person. Look at others through eyes of faith and see them the way the Father sees them with their sins covered by the blood of Jesus.

He is faithful!

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Nothing Is Impossible!

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time I hope you have seen one reoccurring theme – God is good and He loves doing good!

It is so easy to become weighed down with the circumstances of life. When we try to do things on our own we will come up short. We may accomplish success and achieve victories but when it’s done in our own power and strength we will also find ourselves stressed, exhausted and sacrificing those things that are most important.

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! 18 You show unfailing love to thousands,” Jeremiah 32:17-18a NLT

“Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness. 19 God, your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like you.” Psalm 71:18-19 ERV

My hair is gray so I guess that qualifies me to speak of God’s goodness and power!

It is the Father’s desire to show His strength on our behalf. He isn’t looking for us to fail; He’s not seeking revenge or retribution for the things we’ve done wrong. It is His desire to show us His unconditional love.

“For by His loving-favor you have been saved from the punishment of sin through faith. It is not by anything you have done. It is a gift of God. 9 It is not given to you because you worked for it. If you could work for it, you would be proud. 10 We are His work. He has made us to belong to Christ Jesus so we can work for Him. He planned that we should do this.” Ephesians 2:8-10 ERV

What challenges face you today? Give them over to the One who loves you and whose goodness reaches above the skies. With Him, with our loving heavenly Father, nothing is impossible!

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My Favorite Place To Be

Where is your favorite place to be?

Dave and I spent quite a bit of time watching YouTube videos of people who RV full time. It gives us a great perspective on different areas of the country and helps us with our “wish list” of places we would like to travel. We were telling our neighbors about the place I refer to as my favorite place, Virgin River Recreation Area. It’s located on the border of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. It’s gorgeous! The rock formations are absolutely beautiful. After talking about it for several months, they booked a trip for the end of the month. Dave and I plan to go in March sometime.

However, when I really began to consider my favorite place or places this wasn’t it.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

My favorite places to be are in contentment, relaxation, peace, safety – in the presence of the Lord! The list of places I desire to travel will lose their appeal and the experience of being there will be lacking if I’m not focused on His presence.

“The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 NLT

Each day can be the most wonderful vacation spot when we focus on the Lord’s presence. King David said that life can be like a green pasture and a quiet stream when we let the Lord lead us.

Where will you go today? Make it a place where you recognize God’s presence and then you will be filled with joy!

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They’re Back

About this time every year a strange phenomenon occurs. The migration begins. They arrive in their dulled colors of khaki and gray, heads adorned with broad-billed coverings while cameras and binoculars adorn their chest. They are unusually silent. They are the birders.

You will find them congregating along the river paths and searching the tree tops for their prey. Our area has many species of birds and they attract a lot of attention. So I felt I would take this opportunity to also draw your attention to the birds.

I love to hear their song right before sunrise. The sweet melody lets me know the day is about to start and the birds are grateful for the bounty of their day. The bird baths have received a good scrubbing and are filled with fresh water. The trees and scrub brush provide nesting space; I’ve even had them build nests in my flower pots, under the branches of the geraniums.

These melodious, brightly colored, two-legged, dual-winged creatures are examples of God’s love and provision. These are the words of Jesus:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 NLT

There have been times that I have worried about all these things – food, clothing, shelter, bills, health, etc. But once these words from my heavenly Father really began to sink into my heart I let those worries go. Each time I hear the song of a robin, the coo of a dove, the call of the quail I am reminded that God, my Father, loves me more than the birds and if He will provide for them He will definitely see to my well-being.

As they start their day singing, I let my heart join them in song and say “I sing because I’m happy, I singing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”.

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You Don’t Have to Give It Back

Here we are just a few weeks after Christmas. If you’re like me you have probably made room in the cupboard, the closet or on the table top for the gifts you received at Christmas. Just yesterday I was out in the RV making room for the great camping items we received. Every gift was given with love and no one has called or come by to ask for their gift back. That would be so strange – a gift is an expression of love, it’s not something we take back.

Well God doesn’t take back His gifts either!

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Romans 11:29

I’ve read this verse and heard it taught on many times. In the context of the chapter, Paul is talking to Gentiles about how the Jews didn’t accept Jesus as their Messiah so that now the message is being preached to the Gentiles, us, who are non-Jews. God’s calling for salvation is available to everyone who will believe! That’s the calling of God.

However, yesterday I stopped and focused on the first few words. “For the gifts…are without repentance.” That’s when this verse took on a whole new light. The gifts – the gifts of God are without repentance, God doesn’t go back on his word. God doesn’t regret giving us something and then come take it back.

“God never changes his mind about the people he calls. He never decides to take back the blessings he has given them.” Romans 11:29 ERV

In early Bible history the Israelites or Jews were considered a blessed people and today they are still walking in that blessing. We, as believers, are also blessed of God.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

When Jesus was teaching the Sermon on the Mount He compared God’s character with that of man. God’s love is unconditional, unearned, unchanging – man’s love can be tainted by circumstance. If earthly parents, with natural affection, know how to give good gifts to their children how much greater are the gifts that God gives to us.

“Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. 9 “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11

So when circumstances try to get you down, when people criticize and walk away, when it looks as if your world will shatter, remember God has spoken good into your life. If you’ve accepted His gift of salvation, you’re His child and He has many gifts and blessings lined up for you, He won’t go back on His word.

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A Father’s Love

I’m a bit nostalgic today; fifteen years ago my Dad went to heaven. I miss him dearly but I don’t wish him back. I am so glad to know that he lived a life of loving Jesus and someday I have the promise that I will see him again.

Are you like me? Do you remember crawling up on your dad’s lap and talking to him about “stuff”? Did you have a hunting or fishing day? Or maybe you worked side by side in the corrals or in the pens? Maybe it was a special trip to the store or a weekly game? What is one of your favorite memories with your dad?

As a boy, our son would follow Dave through the alfalfa fields trying to match his steps stride for stride, he wore his hat like his dad and the same kind of boots. Then when he got older Dave would take him to his surf competitions. Father and Son. Now they spend time deep sea fishing, looking for boats and going to the Indy 500.

Our girls still call Dave daddy. When they write him notes or call on the phone it’s always “Daddy”. He would read to our youngest daughter when I was at work and comb her hair in the mornings if I had to go in early. Our oldest daughter had him chaperone her sweet 16 party and they went ice skating. They also had times they went horseback riding together. Now that they’re grown, their daddy is the first one they ask when they have DIY projects that they want done.

Times with Dad are special! They make an indelible impact on our lives. Even when we don’t have our earthly dads with us any more, we most certainly have our Heavenly Father here and He desires to have us spend time with Him.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 CEV

“Since you are now God’s children, he has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, “ Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are not slaves like before. You are God’s children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.” Galatians 4:6-7 ERV

So make a commitment to spend time with the Father this year. He loves spending time with you!

“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 kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

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The Gift of Love

At last night’s Christmas Eve service we were encouraged to let the love of Jesus flow through us in a special way today. We were reminded that more than likely we will be sitting around the table with someone who is annoying. There’s one in every family, right?

The truth of the matter is this – I could be the annoying one, so could you!

We rarely see our own faults; it’s always someone else who has the problem. But the way God saw it, we all had a problem and were in need of a Savior. Christ didn’t come for some; no, He came to bring new life and love to us all.

A world changing event transpired over 2000 years ago when the sky was filled with an angelic chorus. A baby was born and He affected the whole human race by introducing unconditional love in human flesh. He came to reconcile us to the perfect and merciful Father God.

We all have a few rough edges and annoying habits, but praise God, He looked past those things and brought us unconditional love which will change our hearts if we let Him.

“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 13:34-35 ERV

My prayer for you and your families this morning is that you know Him personally and that you have allowed Him to change your life. His love is transforming; we can’t be in relationship with the Lord and not be changed.

I was challenged last night. I don’t want to be the one who is annoying. I want to be the one who loves, unconditionally, the annoying people of my world because God chose to love me in spite of my faults.

I’m taking a little extra time in prayer this morning. “Lord, let me be the best me, the me you created me to be. Let me reach the world with Your love.” There’s no better gift we can give to others than the gift of unconditional love that God gave to us.

Merry Christmas from the Wilson’s casa to yours!

“This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. 24 All who obey God’s commands live in God. And God lives in them. How do we know that God lives in us? We know because of the Spirit he gave us.” I John 3:23-24 ERV

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