Tag: GodIsLove

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Thanks Dad!

Mother’s Day is behind us and we will celebrate Father’s Day in a couple of weeks. As I was praying this morning I found myself saying, “Thanks Dad. I’m so glad you chose me to be your daughter. I couldn’t have anyone better to trust in and rely on than You”!

That was so humbling to me.

When I think of all the great men who have ever lived, all the mighty men, the wise men, the loving and gracious men, even my own earthly dad, no one could make the impact on my life that my loving heavenly Father has.

There’s no one I would rather have for a Father than my heavenly Father!

“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4 In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.” Ephesians 1:3-5 ERV

If you’ve ever dealt with low self-esteem you should memorize these verses or at the very least put them in the notes section of your phone and read them every hour.

Our heavenly Father chose us before He made the world. He chose us not out of obligation or merit but we were chosen because of His great love for us. He wanted to do it – He wanted to make us His own!

“The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. 15 The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba, Father.” 16 And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 ERV

That word Abba means daddy! Our term of endearment, a term used because of love and confidence in the One who holds our hearts.

God has always wanted a relationship with us. He never intended for us to be estranged from Him. He also gave us a free will. He didn’t want our relationship to be one of servitude or obligation. If we had no freewill we would be puppets or robots, serving Him because we were programmed to do it.

In the example that Jesus gave of the prodigal son we see the heart of the Father. His son wanted to experience a life different from what his father had planned. The father released his youngest son, even though his heart was breaking, to go do his own thing.

When life didn’t turn out the way the son expected it, he returned to his father’s home with the intent of living the life of a servant but the father’s plan was different.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and good sandals on his feet. 23 And bring our best calf and kill it so that we can celebrate with plenty to eat. 24 My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:22-24 ERV

We’ve all been the prodigal at one time or another. Coming home is the best.

Thank You Father for always welcoming us with loving arms!

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Each Morning

Thank you for joining me each morning. It is my heartfelt prayer that the Word of God speaks to you in a personal way through the words of this blog.

This morning, I have been spending time with one verse. Just one verse has the power to change our day, our entire lives.

“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

Each morning let me learn more about your love!

Dwell on that.

Stop and recall those experiences you’ve had in the past where God showed you His amazing love in a personal way. Make a list of them and put them in your phone’s “notes”. Write them in your journal – special times of just you and the Lord, heart-to-heart communication.

We will never explore the depths of God’s love, it’s unfathomable, but we can experience more of His love today than we did yesterday. He offers that to us freely and without hesitation.

“ 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

Now, I will end these thoughts for today by asking you to do this one thing. Take the verse above and do what it says. Pray for guidance, open your heart to what the Lord is leading you to do. He will show you His love. He can be trusted!

“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

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Live Long Enough

Do those words resonate with you?

What is it that you want to live long enough to see or to do? Quite a few years back the term “bucket list” became popular. Maybe you have one. Has it changed through the years?

As I was reading the Psalms this morning this is what I read. Somehow, it seems appropriate for this Mother’s Day weekend.

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
    all who follow his ways!
2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
    How joyful and prosperous you will be!
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
    flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
    as they sit around your table.
4 That is the Lord’s blessing
    for those who fear him.

5 May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.
    May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
    May Israel have peace!” Psalm 128 NLT

I will share the last verse of this Psalm from Contemporary English Version (CEV).

“6 May you live long enough to see your grandchildren. Let’s pray for peace in Israel!” Psalm 128:6 CEV

Live long enough.

Long enough to be an influence in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Live long enough to impact them by our relationship with the Lord and live long enough to lead them to faith and encourage them to have their own personal relationship with the Father.

“I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith.” II Timothy 1:5 ERV

Timothy was a young preacher, a protege of the Apostle Paul. Paul gave honor to his mother and grandmother who had been influential in Timothy’s life of faith.

I cherish the time with our grandchildren. Some are grown and others are just starting out. We even have one great granddaughter. There is nothing so sweet as holding them in my arms, praying with them and praying over them.

It’s just as sweet as when the phone rings or a text comes in that says “Mom I need you to pray”.

We have prayed for each one of them, children, grandchildren plus greats, since the day we knew they were conceived. Praying for their protection and health; praying for them to know God.

“You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb. 16 You could see my body grow each passing day. You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing.” Psalm 139:13-16 ERV

My maternal grandfather had the nick name of “Preacher”. I never met him; he died the day I was born but my mother and grandmother both told me that he prayed for me when he knew my mom was pregnant. I feel that was his legacy to me.

May we live long enough to impart God’s unconditional love to those we cherish and hold most dear!

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Abiding Love

I’ve been sitting here for the better part of three hours thinking about the abiding love of God. I am at a loss for words so I will let God’s word speak.

“ 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

I read once that God’s love is like the ocean, you can see where it begins but never where it ends. There is no end to the love of God!

“But then I think about this, and I have hope: 22 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!” Lamentations 3:21-23 ERV

“ I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you.” John 15:9 CEV

The word remain in other translations is abide. Abide means to live or stay in the place of God’s love. We abide in God’s love by staying in His word. It’s through the word of God that we learn the depth of His love.

See what happens when we live or stay in God.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.'” Psalm 91:1-2 CEV

Occasionally we lose our way. Occasionally we wander off, but God always remains faithful in His love for us.

“I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.” Psalm 119:176 CEV

Hundreds of years after King David wrote those words Jesus said this:

“ If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the 99 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 15:4-6 CEV

That my friends is the depth of God’s abiding love!

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A Much Better Way

The word “better” kept going through my mind this morning. As I sipped my coffee, I kept thinking about better. Even the coffee I drink is called “Seattle’s Best”, but that’s not the better I am talking about.

The Apostle Paul teaches that each of us has a vital role to play in our Christian walk. He refers to us as a body with many parts; some are more attractive that others, some seem to have a greater impact but each cell in the body, each organ, muscle, bone, tendon, and tissue are important. Each of us are important but then he makes this statement:

“31 I want you to desire the best gifts. So I will show you a much better way…4 Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!…12 Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. 13 For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.” I Corinthians 12:31, 13:4-8,12, 13 CEV

Paul is only repeating what was seen in the life of Christ. Love is the better way. All the commands of the Bible can be summed up by what Christ said to His disciples.

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

Just as I have loved you!

No misunderstanding that – His love is unconditional, His love is intentional. He came because He loves us. He died because He loves us. He rose because He loves us and wants us to live victoriously in Him.

“If we believe Jesus is truly Christ, we are God’s children. Everyone who loves the Father will also love his children. 2 If we love and obey God, we know we will love his children. 3  We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. 4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:1-5 CEV

The better way for life here on earth and in eternity is to follow what Jesus said:

“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37  Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39  The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.‘” Matthew 22:36-39 CEV

Now, go out and have a better day, a day filled with God’s love and a day of sharing that love with others.

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The Love of God

Yes, the love of God – again! I know I spent several weeks at the beginning of the year teaching on the love of God but it’s a subject I can’t leave alone.

Years ago, when I realized that the Lord had given me an ability to teach and share His word, it became my goal to share about His unconditional love, His mercy, His grace and His gift of sonship to us who believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and is risen as our living Savior.

I saw so many Christians who were like I was; reading the Bible but not really applying it to their everyday lives. We had grown up believing in a God that’s “going to get you for that” or “you never know what God’s going to do” relationship, fearing God and His retribution rather than living in His love. So, I accepted my calling to proclaim the “good news of the gospel” to Christians. It is and was my desire to see believers grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It was my desire to see Christians walk in the full power of relationship with Christ and to receive fully from His blessings so that we truly are and were examples of Jesus, Christians, on the earth and that it would be the goodness of God that would draw men to repentance and not the condemnation of man.

There is nothing I find more fulfilling than to share God’s word whether through written communication, one on one personal interaction or teaching to a gathering. It’s my heart passion. These verses convey all that I desire to share with others.

“You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done. 6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what please you; gifts and payment for sin are not what you demand. But you made me willing to listen and obey. 7 And so, I said, “I am here to do what is written
about me in the book, where it says, 8 ‘I enjoy pleasing you.  Your Law is in my heart.’” 9 When your people worshiped, you know I told them, “Our Lord always helps!” 10 When all your people met, I did not keep silent. I said, “Our Lord is kind. He is faithful and caring, and he saves us.” 11 You, Lord, never fail to have pity on me; your love and faithfulness always keep me secure.” Psalm 40:5-11 CEV

Take time to read all of Psalm 40 today, it will be a blessing to you.

Probably some of you weren’t raised listening to and singing the old hymns so this morning as an added bonus I invite you to listen to a hymn entitled “The Love of God”.

Each day my goal is to share God’s love with others. I’m not always successful but that is my desire. Let me take the opportunity to declare again today – God is faithful, He is righteous, He is my salvation and His lovingkindness endures forever!

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When Words Stand Out

I don’t know how many times I have been asked “how do you study the Bible”. Too many to count.

My answer is always the same; read until it speaks to you.

The Bible is God’s letter to us. He’s writing to let us know how He feels about things, what’s important to Him, who He is and His hopes and dreams for us. This morning it didn’t take long for the words to stand out on the page; words that I have read hundreds of times before but this morning they were fresh and new.

You see the other day I had a couple of friends tell me that their kids and/or grandkids were going through a time where they are mad at God. Circumstances in their life have been horrendous. They have experienced things no one should have to go through, and they are holding God responsible for the bad.

This morning the Lord gave me an understanding of the situation. It comes from Joseph who had been sold into slavery, was wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten there and then exalted to Pharoah’s second in command.

“But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided. 20 You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing. 21 Don’t be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.’ After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better.” Genesis 50:19-21 CEV

We should never blame God for the evil in our lives, it’s not from Him. Instead, we should look for the good that God will do in turning the situation around.

“God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him .13  Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn’t use evil to tempt others.” James 1:12-13 CEV

Now back to this morning and the words that were jumping off the page.

“With all my heart
    I praise the Lord,
and with all that I am
    I praise his holy name!
2 With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!
I will never forget
    how kind he has been.

3 The Lord forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick,
4     and protects us from death.
His kindness and love
    are a crown on our heads.
5 Each day that we live,
    he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength
    of a young eagle.

6 For all who are mistreated,
    the Lord brings justice.
7 He taught his Law to Moses
and showed all Israel
    what he could do.

8 The Lord is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
    and his love never fails.
9 The Lord won’t always be angry
    and point out our sins;
10 he doesn’t punish us
    as our sins deserve.

11 How great is God’s love for all
    who worship him?
Greater than the distance
    between heaven and earth!
12 How far has the Lord taken
    our sins from us?
Farther than the distance
    from east to west!

13 Just as parents are kind
    to their children,
the Lord is kind
    to all who worship him,
14 because he knows
    we are made of dust.
15 We humans are like grass
or wild flowers
    that quickly bloom.
16 But a scorching wind blows,
and they quickly wither
    to be forever forgotten.

17 The Lord is always kind
    to those who worship him,
and he keeps his promises
to their descendants
18 who faithfully obey him…
22 All of God’s creation
and all that he rules,
    come and praise your Lord!
With all my heart
    I praise the Lord!” Psalm 103 CEV

God is kind. He is always kind! God cannot lie, these words are true to His character!

I know this was a longer blog but some of you needed to see what I saw this morning – God is KIND!

Let those words stand out in all that you experience today.

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Looking Back Going Forward

Looking back on where we’ve been often times reminds us of how far we have come.

A common phrase used throughout the written history of the Israelite people is “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. God wanted them to remember how He came to those who lived before and walked with them in the desert, in the wilderness, in times of famine and in times of victory.

“Always make us eager to give, and help us be faithful to you, just as our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob faithfully worshiped you.” I Chronicles 29:18 CEV

We often become anxious as we look to our future, knowing something wonderful has been planned but seems just out of reach. I see Jesus waiting patiently for His entrance into life on earth. From the garden His path had been set. About 400 years before that event Isaiah foretells the birth, ministry and the death of Christ.

“A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. 7 His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The Lord All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.” Isaiah 9:6-7 CEV

They looked forward to a coming Messiah and we look back. They were waiting for deliverance while we are able to live in the freedom that Christ provided.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. 2 He has sent me to tell about the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day our God will bring punishment. He has sent me to comfort all who are filled with sorrow. 3 To those who have sorrow in Zion I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. Then they will be called oaks that are right with God, planted by the Lord, that He may be honored.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLV

These words that Isaiah recorded are the words that Jesus spoke and are recorded in the book of Luke.

“ Someone handed Him the book of the early preacher Isaiah. He opened it and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me…20 Jesus closed the book. Then He gave it back to the leader and sat down. All those in the Jewish place of worship kept their eyes on Him. 21 Then He began to say to them, “The Holy Writings you have just heard have been completed today.” Luke 4:17-21 NLV

They looked for a coming Saviour; we see a risen Lord!

“3 He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well…5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed…11 He will see what the suffering of His soul brings, and will be pleased. By what He knows, the One Who is right and good, My Servant, will carry the punishment of many and He will carry their sins.” Isaiah 53 NLV

Christ left all He had possessed in heaven to bring His love to the cross. We leave all we had – our sin, anger, worry, fear, unforgiveness, self-promotion – to the cross and there we find joy, peace, love and forgiveness.

Looking back, we receive new life to go forward!

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Describe Love

How do we do that? How can be adequately describe the experience of love and being love?

“But it is just as the Scriptures say, ‘What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!'” I Corinthians 2:9 CEV

Years ago, I tried to answer the question, how do I describe love. This is what I wrote then, it’s still true today.

I woke up this morning and lay in bed for a while thinking – my mind filled with beautiful thoughts; a Montana sunrise, an Arizona sunset, snow sparkling on the branches of a fir tree, a baby’s smile, my husband’s blue eyes, a cup of steaming hot coffee. Seeing our youngest daughter walk down the aisle at her wedding, my oldest daughter and I as we sat in the middle of a mountain stream in our lawn chairs, our son at the helm of his boat, friends gathered on the patio of our home for good bbq, our whole family together laughing & talking & spending time together; yes, it was quite a way to wake up and start the day.

But then I asked, “Father, all of these images I see can be described but how do I describe Your love?”

For the most part, I’m pretty good with words but when I try to describe God’s love I am seriously at a disadvantage. However, this morning I heard the answer to my question and it was “You just did!”

You see, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father, every good thing we enjoy comes as an outward expression of God’s love; that’s the way He’s always been and that’s the way He’ll always be!

When I’m thinking on these things that I can describe, I’m describing the Father’s love. In every circumstance and situation that I live, I can sense the love of God and know that He is there because God is LOVE!

Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to bring God’s love to each and every one of us. He brought the message that God isn’t mad at us and that God desires to have relationship with us – not some experience that is staunch and unfeeling or condemning and angry – but a real, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, every day, I’m-always-here type of relationship.

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect in our lives because it won’t. But, I do know that in the imperfect, trying, challenging, frustrating, ugly times of our lives that God is always there, and He doesn’t abandon us! He’s always there to offer comfort, help, to bring wisdom, peace and joy even in the midst of our storms. God is love!

Jesus brought comfort to those who had lost family and friends to death, He brought compassion to the prostitute, food to the hungry, wine to the wedding, sanity to the demonic and love and forgiveness to all.

“You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.” Acts 10:38 CEV

What words can I use to describe God’s love?

It really can’t be described but it can be experienced every single day!

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Growing Up with A Song

I’ve been asked, on a number of occasions, how I come up with something new to share each day. The answer – I listen.

Each morning when I wake up, sometimes the night before when I go to bed, I find myself in prayer. I journal my thoughts and praise to the Lord and then I sit quietly in His presence. Listening.

This morning as I journaled these are the words I wrote.

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.”

I sang those words every Sunday morning in a little country church much like the one I used as this morning’s image. I would sing at the top of my voice, at the young age of three the words didn’t have the meaning they do now but that didn’t stop the song.

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven!” Ephesians 1:3 CEV

This morning the song comes from the heart, not just the head of a small child. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”…infinite blessings. Small daily reminders such as the song of the bird outside my window, the hug and smile of a friend, the kiss of my husband, the evening’s sunset, the warmth of my home.

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

The larger blessings, the good and perfect gifts: the love of family, good health, food on the table, our needs being met, giving to others, the joy and peace that fills our hearts. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

“Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forever, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.” Jude 24 & 25 CEV

“Tell every nation on earth, ‘The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things! 4 The Lord is great and deserves our greatest praise. He is the only God worthy of our worship.” Psalm 96:3-4 CEV

Your list of small and large blessings may be different from mine but we all have a reason to sing and give praise.

The biggest reason of all is this:

“God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. 10 Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.” I John 4:9-10 CEV

Praise God from whom all blessings flow…

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