Tag: GodIsLove

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The Gift Exchange

Yesterday we had a wonderful time with family. All three of our children were here and our three youngest grandchildren were too!

We were missing the older grandchildren, their spouses and our two great grands.

A neighbor came and took some pictures, Dave grilled burgers, and we sat around the fire laughing and loving. It was the best gift exchange ever.

There were no boxes to open. Everyone shared the same gift – the gift of love for family.

Isn’t that what God the Father and Jesus did that first Christmas?

“ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

God loved and He gave his Son. Jesus loved and He gave his life.

“ Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed. 25 You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.” I Peter 2:24-25 ERV

This was an amazing exchange. He took our sins and gave us His life. He took on hell so we could have an eternal home in heaven. He took our grief and carried our sorrows so that we could have His peace and be filled with joy.

“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” I John 4:9-10 ERV

Let’s not lose sight of the importance of that first, most wonderful, exchange that God initiated on our behalf. He gave what was of greatest value – His Son.

“We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:19 NLV

So now let’s exchange gifts with the Father. Let’s give Him our undying love!

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Undone by Love

I’m sure you all have a favorite Christmas movie and/or book, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Did I list your favorite movie?

I have several Christmas books that have wonderful stories but one in particular stands out from the rest, “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde.

I first read this story 51 years ago. I remember the exact place. It was December 1973. We were living in a small trailer on West Van Buren Rd in Phoenix. It was our first Christmas as a married couple. The Arizona Highways Magazine published it in their December issue. Since that year, I have reread it many times and recounted the story to groups large and small.

The story in a nutshell – is a selfish giant walls his beautiful garden so that children can’t come in and play. As a result, the garden remains in a state of winter all year round and the giant becomes grumpier. Then one day in the corner of his garden he notices that the birds are singing, and the trees are green…the children found a break in the wall and came in to play. The giant is so glad to see them that he runs out to welcome them.

All the children see the giant running in their direction and scurry out of the garden. All except one little boy who doesn’t see the giant coming because his eyes are filled with tears. You see he is too small to climb up in the tree and it makes him so sad. The giant lifts the little boy into the tree and the little boy rewards him with a hug and kiss.

On that day, the giant broke down the wall and the children were welcome to play there again. The children came to play with the giant in the garden but the little boy whom the giant had loved was never seen again and no one really knew who he was or where he lived. Years passed, the seasons came and went, and the giant became old and feeble and each day he looked for the little boy.

One winter’s morning, in the far corner of the garden the giant saw a tree covered in blossoms and underneath it stood the little boy, the giant could barely believe it eyes. He ran to the boy and as he got close to him the giant’s face filled with anger. He could see that in the boy’s hands and feet were the prints of nails. “Who wounded you, I will slay them he shouted.” But the child told him “No, these are wounds of love”. Then the child told him “You let me play in your garden once and today you shall come with me to my garden, Paradise.”

The giant gave love freely to one small child and it changed his life forever. Christ gave His love freely and He changes our lives when we accept it.

Today, we can share God’s love with someone, and it will not only change their life but ours as well. God’s love is the undoing of a selfish heart.

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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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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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Not Enough Time

One of the things I hear most from people is they would like to read the Bible on a regular basis but there just isn’t enough time.

This morning, I would like to have you read an entire chapter of Psalms with me.

“All of you nations, come praise the Lord! Let everyone praise him. 2 God’s love for us is wonderful; his faithfulness never ends. Shout praises to the Lord!” Psalm 117 CEV

end of chapter. done.

There was enough time for that and look what we learned.

God’s love for us is wonderful and his faithfulness never ends!

If you’ve ever experienced betrayal by a friend, then you will be encouraged to know that God’s faithfulness to you never ends.

If you’ve ever heard the crushing words of “I just don’t love you anymore” then shout praise to God because His love is wonderful and it never ends.

If you never read another chapter in the Bible read this one over and over again. Each morning, in each stressful moment, in the quiet of a hospital room or in the roar at a sporting event, read this chapter.

Take a screen shot and keep it in your phone.

God wants you to know that He loves you; you can trust Him, He is faithful!

Now if you have just a little more time, there are a few more verses I’d like you to read.

“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…23God saw the trouble we were in. God’s love never fails. 24 He rescued us from our enemies. God’s love never fails. 25 He gives food to all who live. God’s love never fails. 26 Praise God in heaven! God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1-3,23-26CEV

Seems like a pretty important message that the Father wanted you to hear. God’s love never fails.

Never be too busy, make time for the important. God’s love never fails!

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Loving Kindness

There is a word in Hebrew, Chesed, that is used to describe God’s love toward us. “The Hebrew word chesed (also spelled hesed) is so packed with meaning that no single word in the English language comes close to defining it. Used 248 times in scripture, this little-known descriptor carries volumes of information about God’s character while providing a glimpse of His redemptive plan through His very nature…Because of His chesed, God promised Israel that He would never leave nor forsake them. God kept His covenant with Israel, but not because they possessed any inherent righteousness. Nor did God hold firm to His promise because Israel consistently kept the law’s commands. The promise’s holding power was based on one thing: who God is. ” taken from Christianity.com, May 2022.

I wanted you to have this background before you read today’s verses. The Apostle Paul tells us that when we accept Christ we become Abraham’s seed, or heirs to the covenant. The chesed or loving-kindness of God is directed toward us when we are in Christ.

It’s so strong on my heart this morning that there are some who are emotionally at a breaking point. You feel that God doesn’t love you, He can’t love you, because of things you’ve done. That’s a lie from the devil! Our heavenly Father is reaching out to you with open arms. This is who God is.

“Hear, O Lord, and answer me. For I am suffering and in need. 2 Keep my life, for I am faithful to You. You are my God. Save Your servant who trusts in You. 3 Show me loving-kindness, O Lord. For I cry to You all day long. 4 Bring joy to Your servant. For I lift up my soul to You, O Lord. 5 For You are good and ready to forgive, O Lord. You are rich in loving-kindness to all who call to You. 6 Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen to my cry for help. 7 I will call to You in the day of my trouble. For You will answer me. 8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord. And there are no works like Yours. 9 All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, O Lord. And they will bring honor to Your name. 10 For You are great and do great things. You alone are God.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord. I will walk in Your truth. May my heart fear Your name. 12 O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You with all my heart. I will bring honor to Your name forever. 13 For Your loving-kindness toward me is great. And You have saved my soul from the bottom of the grave.

14 O God, proud men have come up against me. A group of fighting men want to take my life. And they do not think of You. 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of love and pity. You are slow to anger and rich in loving-kindness and truth. 16 Turn to me, and show me loving-kindness. Give Your strength to Your servant. And save the son of your woman servant. 17 Give me something special to see of Your favor. Then those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. Because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86 NLV

Father, show everyone reading this the depth of Your loving-kindness. Strengthen and comfort them in Jesus name. Amen.

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Out of Balance

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

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

Practical.

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

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

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

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

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

” Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful…17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:14-17 ERV

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

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

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

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

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Let It Simmer

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

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

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

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

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

And He is kind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Littles

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

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

That’s just like God!

He loves it when we come to His house.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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