Category: Relationship

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So Much Better

Happy Valentine’s Day!

These are verses I always like to read on February 14th – Valentine’s Day. They are such a wonderful reminder of the greatest of God’s love for us.

I don’t normally include the footnotes with verses but this morning I did. You need to read it and absorb the meaning of grace – some much better than we deserve.

“3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.[a] This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:3-10 CEV

Footnotes

2.8 treats us much better than we deserve: The Greek word charis, traditionally rendered “grace,” is translated here and other places in the CEV to express the overwhelming kindness of God.

God’s gift to us!

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

When we seek the Father with all our heart, we will want to be like Him. Imitate Him. Then others will be drawn to Him like we were when we came to Christ.

Jesus wants us to have an abundant life. King David knew that when he wrote the Psalms, hundreds of years before Christ was born.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV (Jesus)

“Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:6 CEV (King David)

” God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. 23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” Romans 3:22-24 CEV (Apostle Paul)

Our heavenly Father isn’t looking to quench our lives, on the contrary, He has given us an abundant life filled with His love which is so much better than we deserve!

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Start Your Day with a Song

Here I am all the way across the country from my Arizona home. We flew from Arizona to Florida yesterday – Kim, Austin, Dave and me. A bit jet lagged but filled with joy and praise.

We’ll be here for a week taking in all the sights and sounds of the Daytona 500 races. This trip was a 50th birthday bucket list adventure for Kim and she invited us to come along since she knew this is one of her dad’s Top 10 too.

Last night as we were driving to our B-n-B we were greeted by the full moon over the ocean. I plan to be on that beach this evening to take in the full beauty of it. And this morning, there is a chorus of unidentified birds singing their melodies outside my window. It seems that all of creation has joined in welcoming us here and giving glory to God.

“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

Maybe that’s why the birds start their songs before the crack of dawn – they want us to join in their praise to the Father.

Oh, there have been days when I woke up dreading what the day had in store – those were dark days. It’s so much better to be filled with joy from the moment my eyes open and my feet touch the floor. I’ve learned to take my cue from my feathered friends.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

These sentinels of song aren’t worried about how many bugs, worms, or seeds they are going to find today. No – they just know they will be provided for like they were the day before. They don’t worry about how high they will fly – they just fly. Why? because our Father in heaven takes care of them.

Maybe we should be a little more “bird-brained”!

Don’t worry – we are much more valuable to the Lord than the birds.

“Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you.” Each morning as we learn more about His love for us, we trust Him more.

Then we can start your day with a song!

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No Greater Love

I’m sure you’ve all heard the expression “Take one for the team”. This can be used in the context of sports, military, family relationships, business experiences – in just about every walk of life. And nowhere is it more applicable than in our spiritual lives.

The very purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to take one for the team. Without his selfless sacrifice there would be no eternal life for any of us. He left heaven to live a heavenly example on earth. He became sin when dying on the cross so that we could live redeemed from sin. He took our sickness, our anxiety, our depression, our death so that we, through Him, could walk free!

Thank God for His marvelous provision through Jesus.

” 4 The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. 5 But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain.” Isaiah 53: 4-5 ERV

It’s impossible to look at the severity of the crucifixion and not see the love of God.

“We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:20-21 CEV

His death brings us life. His anguish was for our peace. His stripes are for our healing. His darkness moment of separation from the Father, brought us to the throne room where we find help in time of need.

“ 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

There’s an old hymn we used to sing. “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow”.

“ The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.” John 15:13 CEV

There is no greater love than this!

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A Child’s Love

Glitter and goggley eyes, glue and glitter. Red construction paper, pink crepe paper, scissors and markers – these are the tools of a young child making masterpieces at Valentines Day.

The giggles and the laughter come from the heart. “Mom, how do you spell Grama”? “What’s Dad’s favorite animal”? All the creativity and ingenuity of a 5- or 6-year-old is being harnessed and put on paper.

I think I still have a couple of these masterpieces stored away!

A child’s love – sweet, sincere, innocent – and the expression of it makes an indelible imprint on the parents’ heart and in their mind.

My mom was 97 when she passed and those last couple of years, she would relive my childhood with me when I went to visit. The heart doesn’t forget!

I pause and wonder, what memories am I making for my heavenly Father. How do I express my love for Him? What do I do that makes Him smile?

” Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” I John 3:1-3 CEV

The Father’s love is so great! How do we express our love for Him?

“When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”

40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:35-40 CEV

When we show God’s love and compassion to those who are in need, the Father sees those acts as if we have done them for Him.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:9-12 NLT

“Love as I have loved you”, Jesus said. Compassionate, encouraging, correcting, protecting, always teaching to exemplify the Father. That’s the love we are to have for one another.

So, maybe today you want to break out the glitter and the glue. Write words of love to the Father and place a card on the table…or, maybe you just want to lend a helping hand, give a word of encouragement, reach out to someone in need.

Give a Valentine that will make an indelible imprint on their heart!

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Such Great Love

I want us to stay with the writings of the Apostle Paul this morning. He shared the message of God’s love with so many people – Romans, Grecians, Turks, Jews. Face-to-face, he told them of the great love of God.

And because of those written words, we are also being taught by him.

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 14 The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 ERV

Jesus told his disciples that He was the Good Shepherd and He would give His life for the sheep. That’s exactly what He did when He died on the cross for us. His words from the cross, “It is finished” meant that the payment for sin, our sin, was complete. Nothing more was required for our forgiveness. No more sacrifice. It was done!

“Christ first said, ‘You don’t want sacrifices and offerings. You are not pleased with animals killed and burned or with sacrifices to take away sin.’ (These are all sacrifices that the law commands.) 9 Then he said, ‘Here I am, God. I have come to do what you want.’ So God ends that first system of sacrifices and starts his new way. 10 Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.” Hebrews 10:8-10 ERV

When Christ came to earth the Jewish people were making the same sacrifices that had been made since they wandered in the wilderness. Animal sacrifice was required as an atonement or covering for sin. These sacrifices were made over and over again, year after year.

But when Christ came and offered Himself as the spotless, sinless lamb of God all other sacrifices were no longer necessary. One sacrifice was good enough for all time.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world!” John 1:29 ERV

Our sins are gone and we have new life in Christ.

“ You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful…9 God lives fully in Christ. 10 And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority…13  You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins. 14  God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:6-15 CEV

I can only give you short pieces of God’s word in our times together each day. I would like to encourage you to read the whole book of Colossians. It’s a short book. Only four chapters but the wealth of God’s love is poured out in a powerful way.

” God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.” Colossians 3:12 CEV

There is no love greater than the love God gives freely to us!

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A Tradition of Love

Those of you in my age group remember the days of taking a shoe box to school, covering it with construction paper, cutting out hearts and pasting them to the box and then, fingers crossed, hoping that your classmates would put nice Valentines in it.

For the past number of years, I feel like I have done that in the month of February. I’ve shared Valentines from God’s word to brighten your day. So here we go again.

“ 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

Our hearts, our lives, will be strong when we are filled with an understanding of God’s deep and amazing love.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote this letter to the Ephesian Christians, understood the depth of God’s love.

He had been a zealot. Arresting, persecuting and even responsible for the deaths of many Christians in the early days of the church. He thought the message of Christ, being the Son of God and raising from the dead was heresy and it needed to be stopped.

Then one day, with arrest warrants in his pocket, he had an encounter with the Lord. God spoke to him in a bright light from heaven.

“ So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?”

The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 6 Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6 ERV

In that one moment, Paul (formerly known as Saul), was changed. He went into the town and a godly man cared for him and taught him about Christ. God used him to be a missionary to the Gentile nations.

He spent the rest of his life traveling all across the Mediterranean preaching the gospel, telling of the risen Savior and the love that God has for everyone.

In these verses he says that he wants us to understand the depth of the love of God but then he goes on to say its greater than anyone can know but still he wants us to know it.

Seems like a contradiction but what I think he’s saying is that we are to be focused on the loving and forgiving nature of God and when we think we fully understand the amazing depth, length, height and width of God’s love for us we will realize that we are just beginning to comprehend it. It is so much greater; we will spend the rest of our lives going deeper and deeper into the love of God.

“ Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 ERV

Join me in this annual February tradition of exploring the depths of God’s love. He alone will fill that Valentine box to full and overflowing!

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Victory

“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.” Psalm 23:5 ERV

Our invitation to join the Lord at His table isn’t a one and done. It’s a daily – hourly – moment-by-moment opportunity. He is always with us; He lives in us, so we are never left alone or abandoned.

But what about that “enemy” part, you may ask.

Before I answer that, I have to take you once again to my favorite verse in the Bible. A prophet, Baalam, had been commanded by a king, Balak, to curse the Israelites. (Balak was their enemy)

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised. 20 He told me to bless them. He blessed them, so I cannot change that… The Lord is their God, and he is with them. The Great King is with them!” Numbers 23:19-21 ERV

We are His sheep. He is our Shepherd. He said He would lead us to green pastures and beside still waters. He said He would restore us, protect us, walk with us through the darkest times and prepare us a meal in the presence of our enemies and so He WILL! He doesn’t lie.

Now, two stories and I will try to keep them brief, but you will need to read them for yourselves and let God minister the truth of His faithfulness and power to you. II Chronicles 20 tells the story of Jehosaphat, king of Judah.

Three separate armies came against him. They were going to destroy the army of Judah and take the citizens captive. Jehosaphat called the people together to pray.

“Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help. ” II Chronicles 20:12 ERV

“Jahaziel said, ‘Listen to me King Jehoshaphat and everyone living in Judah and Jerusalem! The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or worry about this large army, because the battle is not your battle. It is God’s battle!” 20:15 ERV

“They marched in front of the army and sang, ‘Give thanks to the Lord! His faithful love will last forever.’ 22 As they began to sing and to praise God, the Lord set an ambush for the army from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come to attack Judah. The enemy was defeated!” 20:21-22 ERV

Now let’s quickly look at Elisha, a prophet of God, who had been telling his king the enemies’ battle plan. The enemy swore to take Elisha out. (II Kings 6:14-20)

“14 Then the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a large army to Dothan. They arrived at night and surrounded the city. 15 Elisha’s servant got up early that morning. When he went outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city.

The servant said to Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the army that fights for Aram.”

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘Lord, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.’ The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. They were all around Elisha.

18 These horses and chariots of fire came down to Elisha. He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘I pray that you will cause these people to become blind.’ So God did what Elisha asked. He caused the Aramean army to become blind.” II Kings 6:14-18 ERV

Elisha then led the entire army to the king of Samaria where they were captured.

One small nation against three mighty nations; two men against an army. When we are in God’s presence, and we are, we always have the greater advantage.

A table in the presence of our enemies is a place of safety when we’re seated at that table with the Lord. God does not lie. The battle belongs to the Lord, He is greater than any of our enemies.

Don’t let fear take you away from the table. Stay and enjoy fellowship with your Shepherd!

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A Message for the Ages

For years I have shared messages from Psalm 23 but recently I was told about a book, “Don’t Give the Enemy A Seat At Your Table”, by Louie Giglio and it has reinforced all that I have understood about the message of that Psalm.

This morning I’m going to share a few excerpts with you.

“A Table in the Conflict – Verse 5 of Psalm 23 is one of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture, and we’re going to dwell on this verse in expanding circle for much of the rest of this book, so I wanted you to see some of the truths that led to this point in the psalm first. A beautiful twist is found in this verse. Remember how it says that God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies?…

God has prepared a table right in the middle of the battle. That table is laden with the richest of fare — and it’s all good food for us to eat — yet that table is set right in the midst of the chemo ward. God has set out the silverware, and He’s invited us to come and dine with Him — yet that table is right in the middle of our family being pulled apart. That table is right in the middle of job stress. It’s smack-dab in the middle of relational tension. It’s directly at the center of the hardships and arguments, the misunderstandings and persecutions, the depression and the death. Whatever we are battling, internally or externally, the table is right there in the middle of the trouble, at the epicenter of conflict.”

There we are in the midst of life crises and the Lord, our Good Shepherd invites us to sit down and eat. He wants us to dine with Him, focus on Him, even though we are in the presence of our enemies.

There is not one enemy or a combination of their forces that is greater than the presence of our Lord. His power and His presence bring peace in the midst of the storm; He brings joy; He brings salvation. He brings His love to the table!

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23:5-6 CEV

I was asked recently, “how do you keep from worrying when things are so bad?”. The only way I know to do that is by keeping my focus on the Shepherd and not on the enemies.

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.” Isaiah 26:3 CEV

“ You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

Living a focused life is not denying the enemies that surround us or the hardships that come our way. No. Jesus said to his disciples:

“ I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

This is a message for the ages. Be brave, I have defeated the world. Now, come and sit down at the table with Me. Let’s eat and have fellowship together!

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I AM I Said

Today is a day of victory!

There’s a verse in the psalms that really touches me. It says that God has honored His word above His name. Do you see why we need to be reading His word, meditating on it and making it the final authority in our lives? His word contains the greatness of His name!

We have the written word, and we have been given the living word, Jesus, to change our lives. The name of the Lord represents all of God, who is the I AM, and this verse says He considers His word of greater than His reputation.

“I give you thanks with all my heart. Not to idols, but to you I sing praise. 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your grace and truth; for you have made your word [even] greater than the whole of your reputation.3 When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and strong.” Psalm 138 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and told him to lead His people out of Egypt Moses asked who he should tell the people he was called by. This is what the Lord God said.

” Moses answered, ‘I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?’

14-15  God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

I AM, period. Nothing more needs to be said.

I AM God.

Whoever you think you need – I AM. Wherever you go – I AM the Way. If you are hungry – I AM the bread of life. Are you distressed? I AM peace. If you are sick – I AM the healer and the great physician. If you need answers – I AM truth. Need to know what happens after death – I AM the resurrection and the life.

For whatever situation or challenge that the Israelites were going to face God said, “I AM!” He excluded nothing – I AM.

Now, do you see the importance of Jesus making all those proclamations to the disciples and the multitudes who followed Him? I am the way, the truth, the life; I am the bread of life and the living water; I am the Good Shepherd and the door. I am the resurrection and the life; I am the light of the world.

God has not changed. God’s word has not changed.

In and through His name we have all that we need, we need nothing more because we belong to I AM.

These are some of the final words that Jesus’ disciples heard from Him before He was taken to be crucified.

“ And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son. 14 [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am].” John 14:13-14 AMP

Jesus told them to pray using His name because it represented all that I AM. They had seen the miracles, witnessed the healings, personally experienced deliverance from the storms. Jesus said ask, using my name and all that I AM.

Our God and heavenly Father is the same. His word is the same. Jesus is the same. This is His name forever and He has given us the right to ask in His name also.

I AM, He said!

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There is One

I just felt you could use a chuckle to start your day.

We’ve all seen this child. Perhaps this is your kid or even more honestly, perhaps you are this child. Never predictable, always unorthodox, always challenging. Always loved!

“Live and work without pride. Be gentle and kind. Do not be hard on others. Let love keep you from doing that.” Ephesians 4:2 NLV

For those of us who have raised this child or perhaps work with them, the above verse is an admonition from the Apostle Paul.

Sometimes we try too hard to be perfect or to make others into what we think is perfect. I’m sure Peter gave the Lord a chuckle and a head shake on more than one occasion. Impetus, speak-before-you-think kind of guy. Walking on water one minute and rebuking Jesus the next. Yes, definitely one to make the Lord stand back and shake his head.

God was working in him, refining him, but using him – this bold, unconventional, burly fisherman – for His glory. He went from being a brash fisherman to one of the pillars of the early church.

” 3 Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. There is one hope in which you were called. 5 There is one Lord and one faith and one baptism. 6 There is one God. He is the Father of us all. He is over us all. He is the One working through us all. He is the One living in us all. 7 Loving-favor has been given to each one of us. We can see how great it is by the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:3-7 NLV

One God over all of us, working through us all, living in all of us. He has given each one of us His loving-kindness. Including that “one”. They, too, are loved by God.

Each of us are unique and we are called to be part of the body of Christ. We are one in Him; our talents and contributions are for His glory. Our imperfection points to His perfect love.

“ I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 CEV

There is One and He is worthy of all honor and praise!

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