Tag: love

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No Greater Love

The week between Christmas & New Years Day is always time of reflection for me. I try to evaluate my year, what was good and wasn’t so good….go over the things that need to remain and the things that need to go.

One thing that I know I need to give up is strife…especially between me and the people in my life. I need to abandon living in chaos, turmoil, and anger. Let people be people, but still love them inconditionally. Not allowing them to disrupt my life with issues, but still be there for them. Learning to die to myself.

Ponder this scripture:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭9-14‬ NLT)

Die to oneself – get rid of pride, self-pity so you can love people fully. Take care of yourself, but don’t allow that to turn into selfishness. When someone does something that hurts you, forgive them. When someone tries to take you down, love them. When people are self-centered, pray for them. Let God develop that kind of heart in you – let His love for us teach us to be like His Son.

Be blessed.

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Forgive 4 U

Forgiveness – this is the best gift you can give yourself this Christmas. So many things can happen, so many people can hurt you, so many things go on for years and years.

I encourage you to take time during this week & next to search your heart and ask God to help you forgive those who may have hurt you. Don’t carry these things over to the next year again! Holding onto things like that is like holding poison in your mouth & refusing to spit it out…it slowly kills you.

Let 2015 be the BEST year you have ever had. Don’t let the past get in the way of your destiny. You are too important and have too much work to do on this earth to allow the things that have happened to you to get in the way of what God has planned for you.

Ponder this scripture:

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭21-24‬ NLT)

Go to people, make amends, let Love grow in us all – because our ultimate goal is to all be in Heaven together, worshipping our Lord and Savior for all eternity!

Be blessed, everyone!

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The Gift Of A Lifetime


Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭1-9‬ NLT)

How many times have we done what the Israelites did in the passage above – doubt God & trust our understanding? Probably too many to count…at least it is that way for me.

One thing I have learned, though, is that most times when things look impossible, a miracle is just around the corner. If only the Israelites had trusted God, they wouldn’t have wondered the wilderness for a generation.

God likes to blow our minds – he likes to take situations that surely could not work out, even in the most positive of logics, and make everything work out for our good!

Take a look also at the gift of a child as the savior of the world. Isn’t it impossible to think that human kind can be reconciled with the Almighty by a lowly baby born in a stable? It is impossible without the help of faith.

No matter your situation, remember that God, our Abba, has it all worked out. He knows how impossible it seems to us, but He is in control…and nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26).

Ponder with me how absolutely amazing the gift of Baby Jesus was to this world. How a baby, helpless and new, would one day be hung on a cross for all our sins and change the world forever.

Thank you Abba, for loving us that much. It is impossible for our minds to truly comprehend how magnificent this gift is.

Be blessed and Merry Christmas!

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Our refuge

To those who feel that they are forgotten, unseen, worthless, or downtrodden – these ideas do not come from God. It comes from the enemy – a being who knows all too well how valuable you are.

Lord, for those who are reading this and felt like they are among those who I have described above, please show them your unfailing love today – show them how valuable they truly are.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “ LORD, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. (‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1-14‬ NLT)

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The hazard of juggling

I have had seasons of my life where I had a lot on my plate.  It is a part of my personality to do things.  If someone isn’t doing something and I see that it needs to be done, often I will try to make sure it is covered – most of the time taking on the tasks myself.  This is a trait that I am proud of, but it is also a trait that gets me in trouble.

I have just left a season of my life where I had way too much up in the air and trying to juggle it all.  Eventually, I found myself lying on my back with everything falling down around me.  It got to be too much.  The sad part was that I knew it was too much, but I had an issue with giving something up.

Being needed made me feel so good.  Doing things made me feel like I was needed – like I made a difference.  I wanted to have a place in this world.  Now, as I pick up the pieces of the mess I made when taking on too much, I see that I do not need to do all things to be important or special.  I was made important and special before I was put in my mother’s womb.  This is a fact for us all.  As you read this, know that you were made important and special the moment you were first thought of – not by your parents, but by the Creator of the Universe.

Let’s look at two different scriptures:  Exodus 18:13-23 –

 The next day Moses sat to judge the people. And the people stood around Moses from morning until evening.  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone and judge and all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”  Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to learn God’s will.  When they argue, they come to me. And I judge between a man and his neighbor. I teach them the Laws of God.”  Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will become tired and weak. For the work is too much for you. You cannot do it alone.  Now listen to me. I will tell you what you should do, and God be with you. You speak for the people before God. Bring the troubles to God. Then teach them the Laws. Make them know the way they must walk and the work they must do. Also, you should choose from the people able men who fear God, men of truth who hate to get things by doing wrong. Have these men rule over the people, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times. Have all the big troubles brought to you. But have them judge the small troubles. So it will be easier for you. They will share the work with you.  If you do this and God tells you to do it, then you will be able to keep your strength. And all these people will go to their place in peace.”

and Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.

In Exodus, Moses is trying to juggle leading the Israelites all on his own.  It would eventually become too much and the system would crumble.  Jethro, his father-in-law and leader in his own right, saw the potential for disaster and decided to give him some advise.  I know that we do not all have that kind of authority in our own life, but we can take this lesson and apply it to our lives.  We can admit that we need people around us to help us with things.  We need to know our limitations.  We need to know that our worth is not found in doing things, but in who our Creator made us to be.

In the Psalm, David is explaining how God sees us no matter where we are (these scriptures are not included) and He will always be there.  Why, because we are His creation and we are created to be loved by Him (see verse 17 of the Psalm).  You don’t need to put yourself in harms way to prove your worth to people.  All you need to do is be you.  That is enough.  You are enough.

Be Blessed.

Juggling

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The least is the greatest

I have the honor to be a part of an amazing ministry that goes out every week and feed the homeless of Dallas – both physically & spiritually. It has become something that I cannot go without. Why? Because serving people makes you happy.

I spoke a few weeks ago about loving oneself as yourself (Wonderfully Made). I believe every word of this post, but I also believe that to love yourself fully & experience true happiness, we must cease self-serving behavior/thinking. We must not always think about yourself & your situation.

Am I calling everyone reading this post selfish? Well, yes I am. I am calling myself selfish too. You see, because we are all sinners, we all have a tendency to err on the selfish side of life. We must keep that tendency in check. How? By serving others without anything expected back.

Ponder this scripture:

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13-14‬ NLT)

I challenge you this week to serve someone. It doesn’t have to be way out of your way. Serve your family in a way you never have. Give a lonely person a gift or card. Make a selfless gesture in someone’s life without expecting anything in return. I fully believe that you will find great joy in this.

If your not careful, you may find yourself becoming addicted to it.

Be blessed.

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Wonderfully made

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭34-37, 39-40‬ NLT)

When I was in grad school at DBU, one professor spoke on this scripture. It has resonated with me because she posed a different perspective that I never had seen up to that point – in order to love people as ourselves, we must first love ourselves.

The concept at first seems selfish, at least it does for me, but when you start to look into the human psyche – our souls – you will find that we simply reflect out what we have inside.

That is why people have that saying – “When people treat you bad it isn’t about you, it’s about them.”

Ultimately, then, in order to serve & love others properly, we must first take care of ourselves. Not in a selfish or cruel way. Not because we are better than someone else. Not because I’m a Christian & they aren’t. Because we have a responsibility to be the best us we can be – because God made us as we are for a reason.

Ponder this scripture:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13-18‬ NLT)

We are all, each one of us, His creation; therefore, if one person needs to take care of themself, then we all do. To the one who we are to love with all our hearts, our minds & our souls, then we need to make sure they are worthy. Allow God to show you your personal value & worth. Let Him help you understand why it isn’t selfish to take care of you.

Be blessed.

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Same place, same boat

Oh how very different we all are. There are really no two people that are alike. God designed it that way. We are all his creation & masterpiece and sincerely valued by the God of Angel Armies.

How ironic that we ultimately are all the same? Maybe not in look, character, or personality…but in reality, there is one sure thing that binds us together as one body – our desperate need for a savior.

I don’t care how holy or evil one may seem, we need the Cross daily. No one is perfect or Devine except for the God-head. So many times, though, we get it mixed up.

One thing I discovered as a counselor is how deeply Our Father loves each of His children, no matter what they have done. It struck me speechless many times His deep, pure, unconditional love He has.

Thus, we must understand that we cannot treat those who do horrible things as second class citizens or as if those of us who are “good” are more deserving. Why? Because everything you do to people, you do to God. (Matthew 25:40)

Therefore, we must treat people well not because they deserve – we need to treat people well because we are doing it for God. Of course, we need to honor our own boundaries because we need to treat ourselves well, too. If we treat people the way they deserve to be treated, then no one, including ourselves, would ever be respected. Ultimately, without the Cross, we are all disgusting.

Remember that we are ALL in need of a savior every day, that God loves ALL His creation, and we must do to people what we want done to us. (Luke 6:31)

Take a peek at this scripture:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8-10‬ NLT)

Remember that homeless man, the sketchy lady you run into, or the thug on the street…they were all created for a purpose by our creator, just like you!

Be blessed.

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