I was going about my business when there was a knock on my door. Who could that be, I wondered? I went to answer and there stood a man. He was tan, wind chapped, thin, and with a gentleness in his eyes that I had never seen before in anyone. He seemed familiar somehow, but at first I couldn't pin point it. He looked at me and said, " I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm here to invite you to follow me. I have many things I want to share with you and I want to have a relationship with you that is deeper than you can even imagine at this moment." Then it struck me; Here stood Jesus, at MY door, asking ME to follow Him. We'd had a long distance, on-and-off relationship for a while now, but I never really imagined that He'd actually show up at my door and personally ask me to live with Him. I wasn't really ready. My hair was a mess, I hadn't picked up my house, the dirty dishes were still in the sink.... But He didn't ask to come in, He was asking me to follow Him. Then He said, "there is one condition, you must leave everything behind; follow me and don't look back." I thought of Lot's wife... she looked back. I thought of the rich young ruler... Then I thought of what giving everything up entailed: my computer, my books, my family, my comfort, my favorite TV shows, my music, my special foods, my hope chest, my job, my car, my clothes, my pictures with all their memories, my fears, my desires... Am I going to hold on to one of these things and forfeit the privilege and joy of following Jesus? Why was this decision even a struggle, the disciples made it sound so easy? And yet it was. I felt torn. What would my life be like with Jesus? He looked at me with a mixture of deep love and entreaty as I struggled with the decision. I knew I had to decide, He wasn't going to stand at my door forever. I kind of wanted both, but I knew I couldn't have both.
Finally, with tears streaming down my cheeks I told Him that I wanted to follow Him and leave everything, but that I would need His help because I'd been a prisoner to some of these things for so long. (Why had this decision been so hard? Deep down it's what I had wanted the whole time, but I had put it off for so long that when the decision had to be made, I wavered.) A tear sparkled in His eyes as He reached out His hand and took my trembling one in His. "I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Seek first my kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you. "
The emptiness I felt as I walked out the door leaving everything behind was immediately filled with an incredible peace and joy. He looked at me again and said, "don't be anxious about anything, but if you ever feel weak, scared, tempted to turn back, lonely, or sad just talk to me. If you need anything, ask. I will be with you always.... Oh, I have so much I want to share with you."
Friends, He came to my house today.... He's coming to your house next, or maybe He's already knocking. He will ask you to follow Him and you too will have to make a decision.
Jesus' words are found in: Matt 6:25, Isa 41:10, Php 4:6, Matt 28:20
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Part 2 (further study)
For further study I have included a few quotes and Bible verses dealing with the topic of Christ redeeming us from sin: (there are many more)
Romans 6
Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2 Timothy 2:26 “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Matt 20:28 “Just at the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Eph 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
Titus 2:14 “Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
“Adam fell under the dominion of Satan. He brought sin into the world , and death by sin. God gave His only-begotten Son to save man… man sold himself to Satan, but Jesus bought back the race….” MYP 69
“Fallen man is Satan’s lawful captive. The mission of Jesus Christ was to rescue him from his power.” MYP 51
“We have mortgaged ourselves to Satan, but Christ came to ransom and redeem us.” TMK 83.5
“Christ offered himself as a willing sacrifice in our behalf. He stooped from His high place in heaven to rescue human beings from the slavery of sin.” YI, Jan 3, 1901
“It was that you might be freed from the slavery of sin that He died on Calvary’s cross. He died that through faith in Him, you might be free indeed, and stand fast in the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Becho, March 26, 1894.
“Jesus has purchased you from the slavery of sin and death, in order that he may make you sons of God.” YI, Nov 23, 1893 par.6
“He pledged Himself to take man’s nature, and stand at the head of the human race, to satisfy every claim made against them as a people bound in the slavery of sin. Through this gift of God to the world man has been given every opportunity of knowing God and the laws of His government.” ST, Nov 15, 1899.
“It was love for sinners that led Christ to pay the price of redemption. ‘He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor,’ none other could ransom men and women from the power of the enemy…” PK 692
“His sacrifice was our ransom from slavery of sin.” RH Jan 25, 1898
When Adam fell and lost the liberty of a son of God, and brought himself into captivity to Satan, infinite pity filled the heart of Jesus. He took the field of conflict to fight in man's behalf, that all who desired to leave the cruel bondage of the "god of this world," might be set free, to serve the living God. Through all the lowly experiences of life, the exalted Son of God, consented to pass, step by step, from the manger to the cross; for "he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." And "he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." In the wilderness he fasted forty days, and was tried by every subtle temptation that the prince of darkness could devise. Weak and emaciated from hunger, worn and haggard with mental agony, he suffered the depth of temptation and sorrow, and "he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him." The nature of man had become so weakened by transgression, that it was an impossibility for him to overcome in his own strength; for he was led captive at the will of Satan; but, through the strength of Christ, every one may be an overcomer. We may be more than conquerors through Him who has "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." {RH, February 28, 1888 par. 3}
Romans 6
Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2 Timothy 2:26 “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Matt 20:28 “Just at the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Eph 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
Titus 2:14 “Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
“Adam fell under the dominion of Satan. He brought sin into the world , and death by sin. God gave His only-begotten Son to save man… man sold himself to Satan, but Jesus bought back the race….” MYP 69
“Fallen man is Satan’s lawful captive. The mission of Jesus Christ was to rescue him from his power.” MYP 51
“We have mortgaged ourselves to Satan, but Christ came to ransom and redeem us.” TMK 83.5
“Christ offered himself as a willing sacrifice in our behalf. He stooped from His high place in heaven to rescue human beings from the slavery of sin.” YI, Jan 3, 1901
“It was that you might be freed from the slavery of sin that He died on Calvary’s cross. He died that through faith in Him, you might be free indeed, and stand fast in the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Becho, March 26, 1894.
“Jesus has purchased you from the slavery of sin and death, in order that he may make you sons of God.” YI, Nov 23, 1893 par.6
“He pledged Himself to take man’s nature, and stand at the head of the human race, to satisfy every claim made against them as a people bound in the slavery of sin. Through this gift of God to the world man has been given every opportunity of knowing God and the laws of His government.” ST, Nov 15, 1899.
“It was love for sinners that led Christ to pay the price of redemption. ‘He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor,’ none other could ransom men and women from the power of the enemy…” PK 692
“His sacrifice was our ransom from slavery of sin.” RH Jan 25, 1898
When Adam fell and lost the liberty of a son of God, and brought himself into captivity to Satan, infinite pity filled the heart of Jesus. He took the field of conflict to fight in man's behalf, that all who desired to leave the cruel bondage of the "god of this world," might be set free, to serve the living God. Through all the lowly experiences of life, the exalted Son of God, consented to pass, step by step, from the manger to the cross; for "he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." And "he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." In the wilderness he fasted forty days, and was tried by every subtle temptation that the prince of darkness could devise. Weak and emaciated from hunger, worn and haggard with mental agony, he suffered the depth of temptation and sorrow, and "he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him." The nature of man had become so weakened by transgression, that it was an impossibility for him to overcome in his own strength; for he was led captive at the will of Satan; but, through the strength of Christ, every one may be an overcomer. We may be more than conquerors through Him who has "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." {RH, February 28, 1888 par. 3}
Calvary.... appeasing an angry God or paying off a mortgage?
What is the most precious thing to a person, besides their family? Is it not their life? Not only do we try to keep others from taking our lives, but we also don’t like others to control our lives. If someone did control our lives and took away our free will, would it not be considered slavery?
When the Christian church first started, the Roman empire was ruling the world. Just as today we have the rich, the middle class and the poor, they had people who were born free, slaves who had been freed, and slaves. What’s more, do you realize that any child born to a slave became automatically a slave also? As a slave, you had only three options for becoming free again: 1) Your master could set you free if he decided you had served faithfully (which would rarely happen because a master didn’t want to lose a good slave), 2) you could pay a price to your master to be set free (but remember you didn’t earn anything and hardly possessed any money, so this option was almost impossible), 3) or an outsider could set you free by paying the right amount of money to the slave master. This was called “The act of redeeming.”
Is there slavery today? You might say maybe in other countries. Unfortunately, we still have slavery here in the United States as well. I read an article a while back that I would like to share a part of: “An estimated 27 million people now are enslaved worldwide, half of them children under the age of 18. Roughly 80 percent are women. Tens of thousands labor daily in the United States with little or no pay under threat of violence, a threat all too often made real. Human trafficking generates $31 billion annually, making it the third most lucrative criminal activity behind narcotics and weapons trade. In the United States, victims are trafficked from at least 35 different countries, though most originate from China, Mexico, and Vietnam. States with large port cities or along international borders – California, Florida, Texas, and New York – have the highest incidence of modern-day slavery….Victims are typically recruited through deceit or trickery (such as false job offer, false migration offer, or false marriage offer), sale by family members, recruitment by former slaves, or outright abduction…”
It was kind of hard for me to think of slavery still being real here in the US. However, I’d like to take this a step further and look at a much bigger picture. Right now on earth there are really only 2 masters: God and Satan. When Adam sinned, he “fell under the dominion of Satan”, he and his descendants became “Satan’s lawful captive(s)”, because as we saw above, anyone born to a slave becomes an automatic slave. By sinning, “we have mortgaged ourselves to Satan…”. We are all victims that have been tricked, deceived, recruited, and born into slavery. (MYP 69, 51; TMK 83)
Now as a slave, we have only three options to be freed: our master Satan could set us free (I can tell you now that that will never happen), we could try to pay the price (but even if you lived 100 lifetimes and gave everything you had, you wouldn’t be able to buy back your freedom; did you realize you were worth that much?); or we can accept the fact that Jesus “has redeemed (us) from the slavery of sin”. The even more amazing part is that when Jesus redeems us, we do not become the middle class group of people who have been freed, we are transformed into upper class people, SONS and DAUGHTERS of the king!
So now we come to the question so many have asked. What did Jesus really do when He died on the cross? Did he come to appease an angry God? No, besides coming to reveal the true character of God and the true character of sin, He came to redeem us, to pay the mortgage price, to rescue us from the power of Satan. “Jesus Christ offered his life as a ransom for the lost, as the price by which he might purchase the right to re-create the sinner, and form again the image of God in the soul.” (ST, Dec 12, 1895 par9). We mortgaged our lives and sold ourselves into slavery and because we were worth so much, only Christ could pay the price to redeem us and make us his children again. Now that’s love! Let’s not live like we are still slaves.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Why me?
At some point in a relationship, we often ask ourselves or our partner the question, “why do you love me? Of all the people out there, why did you choose me?” Is it possible that we ask the same question of God. “God, why do you love ME? There are thousands of people better than me, so why me?” Even David asked that question when he said “What is man, that you are mindful of him? And the son of man, that you visited him? (Ps 8:4). Well, God has answered that question if we look carefully. First of all He says that He made you , he formed you(Eph 2:10; Isa 43:7; Isa 64:8). He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Mat 10:30). You are His child (Rom 8:16) and even though a mother may forget her child, thought that’s hard to imagine, He says He will NEVER forget you (Isa 49:15). He goes on to say that YOU have been engraved on the palms of His hands (Isa 49:16). “Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loveing kindness have I drawn you” (Jer 31:3). Why does God love you… because you are His.
Why do people love their pets? Do pets do chores, do they have meaningful conversations… no… we love our pets because they are ours. Why does a mother love a wrinkly crying baby? Because it’s smart, because it loves her back, because it can help around the house…. NO… the mother loves that child because it’s hers. So, God loves you because you are His, not because you are perfect or good. He mentions in Romans 5:8 that He showed us His love for us “in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He also says in Isaiah 43:1 “Now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O (insert your name), He who formed you, O (insert your name): ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” Did you know that God thinks about you? He says that he thinks so much about you that you wouldn’t even be able to count the number of times he does “they would be more in number than the sand” (Ps 139:18-19). There’s nothing you can do that will make Him love you more and nothing you can do that will make Him love you less. In Romans 8:38-39 He says, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate (you) from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That’s an amazing love, if you ask me. So why not “Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears, before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children.... Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.” {AG 116.4}
Why does God love you specifically? Because you are His and He knows you by name.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
communication device of the century
"God chose only one avenue to commune with humanity - the human mind" (Shewmake).
So, everything that affects the mind would by deduction, affect our ability to commune with God. And if we can't communicate well, how can our relationship grow? This could include what we listen to (music, tv, gossip....), what we see (books, Tv...), what we eat (caffeine, stimulating spices, fats, sugars...), what we smell (drugs, smoke....) and so on. Each of these affects our brains, that's a scientific fact, so they must also affect our communion. According to a "UCLA professor of neurosurgery and physiological science who has spent years studying the effects of food, exercise and sleep on the brain. 'Diet, exercise and sleep have the potential to alter our brain health and mental function.'" Google 'how food affects the brain' and you will find countless other research.
Is it any wonder we don't hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. If our lives are filled with noise and other stimuli and we alter our brain health by what we feed it, how are we to hear His whisperings? Have you ever heard the crinkling of dry leaves under the weight of an ant? With quietness and focus you can. So it is with God's voice; with quietness and focus of mind and body you will be able to hear Him. As it is written "God does speak, now one way, now another though man may not perceive it" (Job 33:14). Wouldn't it be nice to hear His voice, to commune with God as Enoch and Abraham and Jesus did?
Father I want to say as young Samuel did long ago, "speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3:9). Help me to get rid of the distractions in my life and the things that create turmoil in my brain, that are hindering our communion and help me to be still and know that you are God.
So, everything that affects the mind would by deduction, affect our ability to commune with God. And if we can't communicate well, how can our relationship grow? This could include what we listen to (music, tv, gossip....), what we see (books, Tv...), what we eat (caffeine, stimulating spices, fats, sugars...), what we smell (drugs, smoke....) and so on. Each of these affects our brains, that's a scientific fact, so they must also affect our communion. According to a "UCLA professor of neurosurgery and physiological science who has spent years studying the effects of food, exercise and sleep on the brain. 'Diet, exercise and sleep have the potential to alter our brain health and mental function.'" Google 'how food affects the brain' and you will find countless other research.
Is it any wonder we don't hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. If our lives are filled with noise and other stimuli and we alter our brain health by what we feed it, how are we to hear His whisperings? Have you ever heard the crinkling of dry leaves under the weight of an ant? With quietness and focus you can. So it is with God's voice; with quietness and focus of mind and body you will be able to hear Him. As it is written "God does speak, now one way, now another though man may not perceive it" (Job 33:14). Wouldn't it be nice to hear His voice, to commune with God as Enoch and Abraham and Jesus did?
Father I want to say as young Samuel did long ago, "speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3:9). Help me to get rid of the distractions in my life and the things that create turmoil in my brain, that are hindering our communion and help me to be still and know that you are God.
Don't touch, it's hot!!!
In all aspects of life there are warnings: no diving in shallow end, stop, deer crossing, yield, railroad crossing, keep out, toxic, hot, do not plug in near water, dry clean only... and the list could go on. Each one could come across as a rule, but in reality they are warnings, trying to spare us grief.
Imagine with me a child. Mom just took some blueberry syrup off the stove and the stove top is still hot. Curiosity drives the child to want to touch that beautiful glowing red circle. The mother says "don't touch that, it's hot!"The child pulls away pouting, "why does mommy tell me I can't do this, I can't do that.. I can't put my fingers in the light socket, I can't blow dry my hair while standing in the bathtub, I can't eat raw potatoes, I can't jump out the second story window...I'm so fed up with rules". So, when mommie's back is turned, the rebellious little child reaches up to touch the stove again. Mommy turns around just in time, grabs their arm and maybe gives them a small swat and reminds them with stronger words, "DON'T TOUCH. IT'S HOT!" Why does the child persist? Does he not trust his mother's words? The mother set up the "rule" to protect her child because she loves him/her, she warned him, explained what hot was, punished him, but if the child persists... they may eventually get burned.
Is it possible that a similar situation happens with God, our Father? Could it be that He has warned us, pleaded with us, explained to us.... and yet we persist in our desire to break the "rules." Then why do we blame God when we get burned? If we stubbornly refuse to listen, what is He to do? He will never force us, so He has to let go. Can we not trust God's word when He says, "you play with sin, you will get burned." Why do we get so caught up with the "rules" that we miss the intent for the "rule" or warning - to save us grief.
For example, God gives us the warning that indulgence is bad to save us the grief of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure.... God cares about our health; God gives us the warning to only put into our minds that which is good to save us the grief of nightmares, behavior issues, fear, anger... God cares about our minds; God gives us warning to have just one wife/husband to save us the grief of heart break, discord, divorce.... God cares about our relationships.
Could it be that the 10 commandments are a guideline on what love is and the other "commands" are warnings to protect us from grief? I challenge people to look at the "rules" and see, what grief is God trying to spare them from? In Exodus 15:26 you see God saying this very thing, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Listen to my commands, and you won't get sick like the Egyptians.
God loves us too much to see us get hurt. He's given us warnings to spare us grief. Father, help me to pay attention to those warnings and to realize how much you care about me.
Imagine with me a child. Mom just took some blueberry syrup off the stove and the stove top is still hot. Curiosity drives the child to want to touch that beautiful glowing red circle. The mother says "don't touch that, it's hot!"The child pulls away pouting, "why does mommy tell me I can't do this, I can't do that.. I can't put my fingers in the light socket, I can't blow dry my hair while standing in the bathtub, I can't eat raw potatoes, I can't jump out the second story window...I'm so fed up with rules". So, when mommie's back is turned, the rebellious little child reaches up to touch the stove again. Mommy turns around just in time, grabs their arm and maybe gives them a small swat and reminds them with stronger words, "DON'T TOUCH. IT'S HOT!" Why does the child persist? Does he not trust his mother's words? The mother set up the "rule" to protect her child because she loves him/her, she warned him, explained what hot was, punished him, but if the child persists... they may eventually get burned.
Is it possible that a similar situation happens with God, our Father? Could it be that He has warned us, pleaded with us, explained to us.... and yet we persist in our desire to break the "rules." Then why do we blame God when we get burned? If we stubbornly refuse to listen, what is He to do? He will never force us, so He has to let go. Can we not trust God's word when He says, "you play with sin, you will get burned." Why do we get so caught up with the "rules" that we miss the intent for the "rule" or warning - to save us grief.
For example, God gives us the warning that indulgence is bad to save us the grief of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure.... God cares about our health; God gives us the warning to only put into our minds that which is good to save us the grief of nightmares, behavior issues, fear, anger... God cares about our minds; God gives us warning to have just one wife/husband to save us the grief of heart break, discord, divorce.... God cares about our relationships.
Could it be that the 10 commandments are a guideline on what love is and the other "commands" are warnings to protect us from grief? I challenge people to look at the "rules" and see, what grief is God trying to spare them from? In Exodus 15:26 you see God saying this very thing, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Listen to my commands, and you won't get sick like the Egyptians.
God loves us too much to see us get hurt. He's given us warnings to spare us grief. Father, help me to pay attention to those warnings and to realize how much you care about me.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Love letter
Dear __(your name)____
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways . Even the very hairs on your head are numbered . For you were made in my image. In me you live and move and have your being . FOr you are my offspring. I knew you even before you were conceived . I chose you when I planned creation . You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. And it is my desire to lavish my love on you . I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand .
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope . Because I love you with an everlasting love. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. And I rejoice over you with singing. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. And I want to show you great and marvelous things. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine .
I am the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you . As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes . Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
With love,
Your Dad
PS: there's a lot more of God's love letters in His Word. Personalize it, take it to heart, and fall in love.
PSS: Each of the sentences above comes from one of the following verses.
(Ps 139:1) (Ps 139:2)(Ps 139:3)(Mt 10:29-31) (Gen 1:27)(Acts 17:28) (Acts 17:28)(Jer 1:4-5)(Eph 1:11-12) (Ps 139:15-16) (Acts 17:26) (Jn 8:41-44) (1 Jon 4:16)(1 Jn 3:1) (Mt 7:11)(James 1:17)(Jer 29:11) (Jer 31:3) (Ps 139:17-18) (Zeph 3:17) (Jer 32:41) (Jer 33:3)(Eph 3:20) (1 Cor 1:3-4)(Ps 34:18) (Isa 40:11)(Rev 21:3-4) (Lk 15:7)
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways . Even the very hairs on your head are numbered . For you were made in my image. In me you live and move and have your being . FOr you are my offspring. I knew you even before you were conceived . I chose you when I planned creation . You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. And it is my desire to lavish my love on you . I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand .
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope . Because I love you with an everlasting love. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. And I rejoice over you with singing. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. And I want to show you great and marvelous things. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine .
I am the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you . As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes . Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
With love,
Your Dad
PS: there's a lot more of God's love letters in His Word. Personalize it, take it to heart, and fall in love.
PSS: Each of the sentences above comes from one of the following verses.
(Ps 139:1) (Ps 139:2)(Ps 139:3)(Mt 10:29-31) (Gen 1:27)(Acts 17:28) (Acts 17:28)(Jer 1:4-5)(Eph 1:11-12) (Ps 139:15-16) (Acts 17:26) (Jn 8:41-44) (1 Jon 4:16)(1 Jn 3:1) (Mt 7:11)(James 1:17)(Jer 29:11) (Jer 31:3) (Ps 139:17-18) (Zeph 3:17) (Jer 32:41) (Jer 33:3)(Eph 3:20) (1 Cor 1:3-4)(Ps 34:18) (Isa 40:11)(Rev 21:3-4) (Lk 15:7)
Only two commandments...
So, I mentioned earlier that God's command is that we walk in love and that in fact, "love is the fulfillment of the law" (Ro13:10). It reminded me of Matthew 22:37-40 which says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the FIRST and greatest commandment. And the SECOND is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Only two commandments, that should be easy enough to handle. If then I understand correctly, all the dos and don'ts have to do with love.
I decided to look at the 10 commandments and see:
1. no other gods - love God
2. no graven images - love God
3. Not misuse His name - love God
4. Sabbath day - Date with God
--------
5. Honor parents - love parents
6. not murder - love enemies
7. not commit adultery - love your wife/ husband
8. not steal - love your neighbor, family, stranger
9. not lie - love your neighbor, family, stranger
10. not covet - love your neighbor, family, stranger
But Jesus took it a step further. In John 13:34-35 He says, "A NEW command I give you: Love one another . AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, so you must love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
A relationship is not about dos and don'ts..... a relationship is about love. In the 10 commandments, God was just trying to explain to the former slaves how to show love. He had to write them in a way they could understand and dos and don'ts was all they understood at the time. God doesn't want formalism, He doesn't want bench warmers in church or smooth christian talkers. GOD WANTS TO BE LOVED. Haven't you heard it said, "don't just tell me you love me, show me."
So, how can we show God we love Him? By reading the manual on His love language and doing what it says. If your girlfriend/boyfriend said, "spending time with me tomorrow evening would really show me you love me", would you think it a huge burden? If they said, "my love language is gift giving", would you not want to buy them gifts to show them your love? Jesus said ".... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Mt 25:40). God is overflowing with love for us and he knew we could be a little dense at times, so He wrote us a love letter to remind us of His love and He also gave us major clues on how we could show Him love. When we love our neighbors, God feels loved.... When we spend time with Him on Sabbath, God feels loved... when we feed a poor person or clothe a stranger, God feels loved... when we take care of the sick or visit orphans, God feels loved... (Mt 25:37-40).
I will say it again, God doesn't want a form of love. He said in Isaiah 1:11-17 "... stop bringing meaningless offerings.... seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" this is how you can show me you love me. And in Hosea 6:6 "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Basically, 'if you don't love me, your gifts are meaningless to me." Show God you love Him by doing everything in love (1 Cor 16:14).
Obedience, commands, love... for centuries a tangled mess of words that never seemed to fit together. Why is this concept so hard to grasp?
Father remove my preconceived ideas and open up my heart to your love. Teach me how to love you more each day and to understand these often confusing subjects. Show me that love is not a set of rules, it's a relationship. Help me not to just say I love you, but to show you that I love you.
I decided to look at the 10 commandments and see:
1. no other gods - love God
2. no graven images - love God
3. Not misuse His name - love God
4. Sabbath day - Date with God
--------
5. Honor parents - love parents
6. not murder - love enemies
7. not commit adultery - love your wife/ husband
8. not steal - love your neighbor, family, stranger
9. not lie - love your neighbor, family, stranger
10. not covet - love your neighbor, family, stranger
But Jesus took it a step further. In John 13:34-35 He says, "A NEW command I give you: Love one another . AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, so you must love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
A relationship is not about dos and don'ts..... a relationship is about love. In the 10 commandments, God was just trying to explain to the former slaves how to show love. He had to write them in a way they could understand and dos and don'ts was all they understood at the time. God doesn't want formalism, He doesn't want bench warmers in church or smooth christian talkers. GOD WANTS TO BE LOVED. Haven't you heard it said, "don't just tell me you love me, show me."
So, how can we show God we love Him? By reading the manual on His love language and doing what it says. If your girlfriend/boyfriend said, "spending time with me tomorrow evening would really show me you love me", would you think it a huge burden? If they said, "my love language is gift giving", would you not want to buy them gifts to show them your love? Jesus said ".... whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Mt 25:40). God is overflowing with love for us and he knew we could be a little dense at times, so He wrote us a love letter to remind us of His love and He also gave us major clues on how we could show Him love. When we love our neighbors, God feels loved.... When we spend time with Him on Sabbath, God feels loved... when we feed a poor person or clothe a stranger, God feels loved... when we take care of the sick or visit orphans, God feels loved... (Mt 25:37-40).
I will say it again, God doesn't want a form of love. He said in Isaiah 1:11-17 "... stop bringing meaningless offerings.... seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" this is how you can show me you love me. And in Hosea 6:6 "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Basically, 'if you don't love me, your gifts are meaningless to me." Show God you love Him by doing everything in love (1 Cor 16:14).
Obedience, commands, love... for centuries a tangled mess of words that never seemed to fit together. Why is this concept so hard to grasp?
Father remove my preconceived ideas and open up my heart to your love. Teach me how to love you more each day and to understand these often confusing subjects. Show me that love is not a set of rules, it's a relationship. Help me not to just say I love you, but to show you that I love you.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
I have a real God... how about you?
I heard a song on the radio the other day that I thought was beautiful. I don't remember the lyrics very well, but as I was reading the first chapter of Romans, it reminded me of it. Here is my paraphrase:
I don't have a god I can make with my hands,
I have a God who made the whole world with His hands
I don't have a god I can hold or put on a shelf
I have a God who manages the universe and holds me in His palm
I don't have a god you can buy at a roadstand or supermarket
I have a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills
I don't have a fake god made of wood, stone, or precious metals,
I have a living, active, loving real God
My God is the Creator, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and King
Isn't this the kind of God you could love? Isaiah wrote of this thought as such. Isaiah 44:14-19 "(a carpenter) cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow... It is man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.... He prays to it and says, 'save me; you are my god.' They cannot see, and their minds are closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think... 'Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"
How silly we are. How can we be so blind as to pass up the real thing for a fake substitute? Father help me to get rid of the pointless fake gods in my life and help me to worship you, the REAL God who created me and holds me in His hand.
I don't have a god I can make with my hands,
I have a God who made the whole world with His hands
I don't have a god I can hold or put on a shelf
I have a God who manages the universe and holds me in His palm
I don't have a god you can buy at a roadstand or supermarket
I have a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills
I don't have a fake god made of wood, stone, or precious metals,
I have a living, active, loving real God
My God is the Creator, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and King
Isn't this the kind of God you could love? Isaiah wrote of this thought as such. Isaiah 44:14-19 "(a carpenter) cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow... It is man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.... He prays to it and says, 'save me; you are my god.' They cannot see, and their minds are closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think... 'Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"
How silly we are. How can we be so blind as to pass up the real thing for a fake substitute? Father help me to get rid of the pointless fake gods in my life and help me to worship you, the REAL God who created me and holds me in His hand.
Fish, fish, fish... that's all you ever talk about
"Man, you're constantly talking about fish... you're like in love with fish or something." This friend of mine gets teased, joked about, and wondered at, but that doesn't stop him from going fishing, reading about fish, writing blogs about his experiences fishing, talking about fish with friends and strangers, and bringing fishing experiences into the work place. Is this guy obsessed... maybe a little. Does he let what others say or think bother him... NO! He's not ashamed... he loves fishing.
How many of us could say the same about God? Are we so in love with God that our every thought is about Him and when we'll get to spend some time together? Do we read about Him? write about our experiences with Him so that others can read? Do we talk about Him with friends and strangers? Do we bring God into the workplace? If not... are you really in love? Are you ashamed of Him or your friendship? "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory..." Mk 8:38.
Would you want to be in a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend who was ashamed to talk about you in public? Probably not. Yet how often do we tip-toe around the subject of God, barely daring to utter His name. ARE YOU IN LOVE OR WHAT? And if you are.... show it!
Father, help me to fall in love and to not be ashamed to show it. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight..." (Ps 19:14), and may they be continually of you.
How many of us could say the same about God? Are we so in love with God that our every thought is about Him and when we'll get to spend some time together? Do we read about Him? write about our experiences with Him so that others can read? Do we talk about Him with friends and strangers? Do we bring God into the workplace? If not... are you really in love? Are you ashamed of Him or your friendship? "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory..." Mk 8:38.
Would you want to be in a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend who was ashamed to talk about you in public? Probably not. Yet how often do we tip-toe around the subject of God, barely daring to utter His name. ARE YOU IN LOVE OR WHAT? And if you are.... show it!
Father, help me to fall in love and to not be ashamed to show it. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight..." (Ps 19:14), and may they be continually of you.
"Your wish is my command"
Have you ever heard it said by someone in love, "I would do anything for you," "Your wish is my command," "What makes me happy is to please you"... a person in love is willing to do almost anything to please his/her other. But the phrase that really struck me was "Your wish is my command." In 1 John 5:3 it says, "This is love for God: to obey his commands..." and in 2 John 1:6 it says, "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." So God's WISH is that we LOVE... love our neighbors, love our enemies, love God. And if we truly love God, his wish is our command... but what a command... LOVE!
According to Romans 13:10 "... love is the fulfillment of the law." Put this way, it doesn't sound burdensome at all. However, in a sense it actually makes me sound more selfish because at times the only person I'm wanting to love is myself. As I see it, we are programmed to love... that love can either be self-centered or other-centered and God-centered.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to fall in love with Jesus or to recapture that first love you had for him? Then, instead of saying... "man, do I have to do (such and such)?" which is self-love talking, we can say with joy and anticipation, " I would do anything for you Jesus, what would you have me do today?" God already loves us and would do anything for us (specifically that which is for our good), so all we have to do is fall in love with Him.
Father, show me how to fall in love with you. I want to be madly in love with you and not myself.
According to Romans 13:10 "... love is the fulfillment of the law." Put this way, it doesn't sound burdensome at all. However, in a sense it actually makes me sound more selfish because at times the only person I'm wanting to love is myself. As I see it, we are programmed to love... that love can either be self-centered or other-centered and God-centered.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to fall in love with Jesus or to recapture that first love you had for him? Then, instead of saying... "man, do I have to do (such and such)?" which is self-love talking, we can say with joy and anticipation, " I would do anything for you Jesus, what would you have me do today?" God already loves us and would do anything for us (specifically that which is for our good), so all we have to do is fall in love with Him.
Father, show me how to fall in love with you. I want to be madly in love with you and not myself.
Look alikes
A journey with God begins with a relationship. A relationship begins by spending time together, talking, doing things together... notes are written, notes are read... hearts are opened and laid bare... secrets are shared... and so love grows. It has been observed that people who live together for many years start looking like each other. Would it be possible to start "looking" like Christ after spending many years with him?
At church, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator gave the sermon. He had obviously spent countless hours researching the life of this man. His beard was cut in the same manner, his dress was the same, he could share details of Abe's life, he could quote words spoken by Abe Lincoln... How many of us could say the same for Christ? How did Christ dress? How did he speak? What did he do to relax? What kind of habits did he have? How was his relationship with his family and close friends? What's his character like? etc. We spend hours "idolizing" movie stars or historic figures... why not Christ?
These thoughts and questions have plagued me for some time. I started a research project to discover who Christ was, but after a week or two... I don't know... Maybe the problem was that I was going about it wrong. I have had the research mentality, not the relationship mentality. I've been thinking "check out his genealogy" "what 'clues' can I find out", like I'm going to write a bibliography. But I've missed the point. Building the relationship is the point.
Father, show me how to have a relationship with you. I want to spend time with you, talk with you, listen to you, and learn to really love you.
At church, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator gave the sermon. He had obviously spent countless hours researching the life of this man. His beard was cut in the same manner, his dress was the same, he could share details of Abe's life, he could quote words spoken by Abe Lincoln... How many of us could say the same for Christ? How did Christ dress? How did he speak? What did he do to relax? What kind of habits did he have? How was his relationship with his family and close friends? What's his character like? etc. We spend hours "idolizing" movie stars or historic figures... why not Christ?
These thoughts and questions have plagued me for some time. I started a research project to discover who Christ was, but after a week or two... I don't know... Maybe the problem was that I was going about it wrong. I have had the research mentality, not the relationship mentality. I've been thinking "check out his genealogy" "what 'clues' can I find out", like I'm going to write a bibliography. But I've missed the point. Building the relationship is the point.
Father, show me how to have a relationship with you. I want to spend time with you, talk with you, listen to you, and learn to really love you.
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