Tag: GodSoLoved

Posted on

The Greatest Love

My heart is filled with the great love the Father shows me on a daily basis. For over 40 years my focus has been on His goodness and love.

Before that I was caught up in the do’s and don’ts, the rules and regulations of religion and not in the relationship that the Father offered me. This morning, I was reminded of something I wrote years ago and feel it is just as honest and true today as it was then.

I hope it touches your heart.

20th Day of Thanksgiving.

There was a time when I was very insecure and was hounded by feelings of unworthiness and low self-esteem. I just didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. I hope none of you have ever felt that way because it’s awful.

Yes, I knew that God loved me but at that time those were just words in my ears and not a truth I held in my heart. I can’t tell you how the Lord did it but He made His love a reality to me personally!

I came to see in the Scriptures that God saw me as valuable, lovable and worthy of His attention.

This morning as I was reading Jesus prayer to the Father from John 17, I saw that again.

“I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One. 16 They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. 17 Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. 18 I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. 19 I am making myself completely ready to serve you. I do this for them, so that they also might be fully qualified for your service.

20 “I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. 21 Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, just as you and I are one. 23 I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.” John 17:15-23 ERV

Verse 20 and 23 are the verses that really hit home with me. First Jesus said he wasn’t just praying for his followers that were with Him but that He was praying for those that would believe in Him because of their message. That meant He was praying for me. And secondly, He prayed that the world would know that the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus! Did you get that? He loves me as much as He loves Jesus!

That was life changing for me!

Today that is my prayer for each one of you – I want you to know, really know, down deep in your heart know, that the Father loves you as much as He loves Jesus!

Yes, today is a day of gratitude. I am grateful for the love of God!

Posted on

Thankful for the Father’s Love

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

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

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

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

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

He has known my days from the very beginning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am so glad that my Father loves me!

Posted on

Talking About Jesus

Really my favorite thing to do is talk about Jesus.

My day was hectic, but the bright spot was spending a few minutes talking about Jesus and His goodness. Well, you can’t talk about His goodness without talking about the sacrifice He made for all of us.

“2 Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.” I John 2:2 CEV

His sacrifice took away my sins, your sins and yes, the sins of the whole world. No one was left out; no one needs to experience the punishment for sin because Jesus took it for us.

“But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God’s right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.” Hebrews 10:12-14 CEV

Christ willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That was His life’s mission while He was here on earth. It was His eternal destiny from the beginning of the age. He was born to die.

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

As my friend and I were talking we both said how amazing it is that God not only forgives our sins, but He chooses to forget them, as well. He doesn’t remind us of our sin, in fact, He wants us to be free of a guilty conscience.

“Then he says, ‘I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.’ 18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.” Hebrews 10:17-18 ERV

“ Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ.” Hebrews 10:22 ERV

As I child, I often sang a hymn without really understanding the meaning. “Calvary Covers It All” seemed to be a theme of our church. Now, that song has such great depth of meaning to me.

“Far dearer than all that the world can impart

Was the message came to my heart;

How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone,

And Calvary covers it all.

Chorus

Calvary covers it all,

My past with its sin and shame;

My guilt and despair

Jesus took on him there

And Calvary covers it all.”

No fear, no condemnation, no guilty conscience. Only forgiveness, confidence and peace. Yes, let’s talk about Jesus and how grateful I am for His everlasting love!

Posted on

My Father’s Hands

Thinking this morning about my earthly father and my heavenly father. My dad was a burly guy – a real man’s man. He wasn’t tall, just under 6′ but his hands were huge!

Our heavenly Father’s hands are big too. He says that he holds us in His hand, and no one can steal us out. His hands are my protection and my provision.

“ I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can steal my sheep out of his hand.” John 10:28-29 ERV

God, our loving heavenly Father, comes to make peace in the midst of the storm, bring restoration to the brokenhearted, give freedom to those who are imprisoned, healing to those who are infirmed and forgiveness to us all!

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.” 20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. As everyone in the synagogue watched him closely, 21 he began to speak to them. He said, “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true!” Luke 4:18-21 ERV

These words summarize the ministry of Jesus and even though his disciples were with Him daily they still didn’t fully understand his mission. We see that when they asked this about the blind man they encountered begging by the roadside.

“As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, ‘Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?’” John 9:1-2 ERV

The disciples were asking an honest question. They made an assumption that many of us make when we see someone who has met with misfortune; “they must have done something wrong, and God is punishing them”.

Listen to Jesus’ answer.

“‘No, it wasn’t!’ Jesus answered. ‘But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light for the world.’ 6 After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man’s eyes. 7 Then he said, ‘Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.’ The man went and washed in Siloam, which means “One Who Is Sent.” When he had washed off the mud, he could see.” John 9:3-7 CEV

Our heavenly Father is not guilty of causing evil. He is guilty of unconditional love, sacrificing His only Son to reconcile us to Himself and of giving us His word for instruction and correction. He does not tempt us with evil but is responsible for every good and perfect gift that comes into our lives.

Thank you, Father, for holding me in Your hands. I can trust Your love!

Posted on

Time for an “I” Exam

Just last week Dave went to the optometrist. He was able to pick up his new glasses on Friday. It’s interesting how just a little adjustment can make such a big difference in clearer vision.

Jesus is still teaching on the mountain and in today’s verses He’s called us all in for an “I” exam.

“ Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. 2  God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.

3 You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 CEV

We have to remember that all of these verses from the last few days flow together from one teaching. Although little segments can be pulled out for study, they must stay in context with the whole message.

Jesus has already taught us on having a proper attitude, not being a showoff and being light and salt in a world that has spent so much time in darkness. He’s emphasized that we are to love as the Father loves. It only follows that He would instruct more thoroughly on how to treat and deal with others.

Don’t judge unless we would like to be judged. (I didn’t say it, Jesus did.)

Yikes, that one hits pretty close to home. I think we all can fall into that dangerous ditch of judging. That’s why we need to have our eyes examined. It’s easy to see the faults in others; sometimes we even magnify them, and then we overlook our own faults.

But Christ saw that we all need a Saviour.

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:21 ERV

“Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” Romans 15:7 CEV

” 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

“ If you think you are better than others, when you really aren’t, you are wrong. 4 Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don’t compare yourself with others.” Galatians 6:3-4 CEV

“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

Now, don’t choke on your coffee when you read “He treats everyone alike”. God’s grace and mercy is extended to all of us. “God loved the WORLD, so He gave his only Son”.

We don’t have to agree with what everyone says or does. God forbid, because then we would be agreeing with sin and that’s what God has delivered us from.

But, we do need to see through His eyes and love the sinner as He did for us without judging and condemning them. In God’s eyes, sin is sin. No big, no little – just sin that stops us all from having a personal relationship with Him. All sin is forgivable and once forgiven gives us a relationship with the Father.

Let’s have the Father give us an “I” exam and fit us with proper lens so that we see the world through His eyes!

Posted on

Thank You for You

This time of year, I get a warm feeling of nostalgia. Early in the morning when I hear the pop, pop, pop of shot guns being fired I remember my days of going dove hunting with my dad, my brother and their friends.

Oh, I was never a very good shot. In fact, I hardly did any shooting at all. My main purpose for being asked to go was so I could “bird dog” the dove. But the thing was I got to go, and it truly is one of my fondest memories. Those times with my dad are more special than words can describe.

This morning, I began to pray I said “Father, I want to thank you for” then I paused and thought for a moment. What is the most precious thing that the Father has given me? What do I want to thank Him for the most? Then I continued, “I just want to thank you for being my Father.”

Not for things, not for blessings, not for getting me out of bad situations. I want to thank you for relationship! Thank you that I have been adopted into the family of God. Thank you that I have been given the privilege to have time with my heavenly Father.

Just like that little 10 year old girl who was always on the ready, waiting to hear my dad say “Come on Kris, let’s go hunting”, I hear my heavenly Father, who has my name on His lips 24/7, inviting me to go and do, to be with Him and to enjoy His presence.

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John 3 and told him this:

“Jesus answered, ‘Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God’s kingdom. 6 The only life people get from their human parents is physical. But the new life that the Spirit gives a person is spiritual. 7 Don’t be surprised that I told you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants to. You hear it, but you don’t know where it is coming from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born from the Spirit.'” John 3:5-8 ERV

New life, born by the Spirit into God’s family! Yes, that’s the best. The whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to provide a way of relationship for us with the Father.

” He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. 12 But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. 13 They became God’s children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself.” John 1:11-13 ERV

So as I sit here this morning, remembering Septembers of dove hunting past with my dad, I am also mindful of the relationship I treasure most.

Thank you heavenly Father, thank you for You!

Posted on

Come & Sit

Do you know what I love about my mornings? It’s the quiet.

The only sounds I hear are the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the tick of the coffee maker. Other than that, it’s completely silent.

The first thing I do each morning is write my heart’s impressions in my journal, only a couple of sentences of gratitude and love. Then I say a short prayer for guidance before I open my Bible and begin to read. Many days during that writing and that prayer the Holy Spirit prompts me with what I should share with you, sometimes that comes once I begin reading.

This morning as I was writing, these four words were what I penned on the page. “Come sit with Me”. Oh, how I love that – time just sitting here, coffee cup in hand, when it’s just the Father and I. He bringing Scriptures to mind and flooding me with His presence.

Those of you who have read my writings for any length of time know that one of my most favorite old hymns is “In the Garden”.

  1. I come to the garden alone,
    While the dew is still on the roses,
    And the voice I hear falling on my ear
    The Son of God discloses.
    • Refrain:
      And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
      And He tells me I am His own;
      And the joy we share as we tarry there,
      None other has ever known.
  2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.

I know exactly what the writer of this hymn experienced.

“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

Come, sit with me.

“Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. 40 Martha was working hard getting the supper ready…42 Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NLV

“Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. 7 The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people.” Mark 8:6-7 ERV

Sitting with the Lord is a good thing!

Something to be chosen above all else. It’s a place of learning, of resting and refreshing. It’s a place of miracles.

Listen with your heart. When you hear the Lord say “Come sit with me”, take time to stop and enjoy His presence. It will fill you with joy!

Posted on

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.

Posted on

To the Rescue

This morning has me thinking about my dad. Dad was a good man. He loved mom, us kids and the Lord. He was an impressive figure of a man; handsome, strong, rugged, loyal, outspoken and he hated injustice.

Dad wasn’t well educated, only went to the 7th grade but he was one of the smartest men I know. He could read people, their sincerity or deceit and he could fix or build anything.

Dad’s been gone for 19 years now, and I miss him. When we find a great new lake, I think of Dad. Driving through a river valley and spotting a good place to fish, building a new shed, fixing the car – all make me think of him.

Watching my grandchildren grow into good people, playing with our newest grandchild, talking to our grown kids – all these make me miss him and grateful that I have so many wonderful memories.

There were times that I needed Daddy to come to my rescue and he did. Never a question that he wouldn’t be there to help and defend. Now if I had done something stupid he would talk to me about that later but first instinct was to come to my aid.

Maybe you don’t have such a good memory of your relationship with your dad but your Heavenly Father desires a relationship with you that is so much greater than any you’ve ever had with your earthly father.

“All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. 28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. 29 So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham’s family, and you will be given what God has promised…Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. 7 You are no longer slaves. You are God’s children, and you will be given what he has promised.” Galatians 3:26-4:7 CEV

In God’s family we are all equal – the same blessings are available to all of us. God’s love is not greater for one than the other; His mercy is given freely to us all and His protection and provision are not awarded with prejudice or bias. It’s our faith in Jesus Christ that makes us equal.

You’re heavenly Father loves you and whatever you may be going through today He’s right there with you and when things get bigger than you can handle your Dad’s got this. Let Him handle it!

Posted on

Shining a Light on #1

Do you remember the blogs I posted in January? I said I wanted us to start the year focused on the Father’s love. Well, here we are halfway through the year and I think it might be time for a refresher course.

This morning, I found myself starting to read through the book of Ephesians – again! It really is one of my favorite letters that Paul wrote. For the next little while, I will be sharing thoughts with you from his writings. I encourage you to read it along with me and let the Holy Spirit speak to you personally.

“I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.” Ephesians 1:2-6 CEV

Now, that’s a lot to grab hold of and it’s only the first six verses of the book!

You and I – WE – have been chosen before the world began to receive God the Father’s kindness and blessing of peace. Christ brought spiritual blessings from heaven to earth and gave them to us because He choose us to be God’s very own children.

We have done nothing, nor can we do anything, to earn this adoption. It has been given to us as a free gift of undeserved grace.

Do you know what the the word unmerited means? Merriam/Webster defines it this way: not adequately earned or deserved : not merited

We could not adequately earn or deserve God’s favor. It is freely given, a precious gift of paramount importance. It’s free but it isn’t cheap. It is the most costly gift that we will ever be offered because it required the life of the giver.

“Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, 9 and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. 10 Then when the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth. 11 God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us.” Ephesians 1:8-11 CEV

Our sins are forgiven because of God’s grace!

Oh yes, God is very kind to us. Our hearts should be filled with peace because of His amazing love. There’s only one thing we should do after being offered such a wonderful gift. We should accept it humbly and then spend the rest of our days thanking Him for choosing us.

We should shine a light on the One who gave His all for us.

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress