Love and Faithfulness

John 3:16(NIV)
“For God so loved the world the he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Psalm 36:5(NIV)

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,your faithfulness to the skies.

I was struck yesterday by the love of family.  I was so blessed yesterday to spend some time with a dear friend, her mom and her sisters to do a little holiday shopping in Chicago.  I was reflecting on the love between them, enjoying the laughter and ease at which they interacted, and the simple pleasure of being in the company of their love for one another. This is Family. Stories were shared, nicknames laughed about, and joy abounded as they spent time together.  What a beautiful picture of love, of family history, and the importance of remembering the stories of our past. A deep love of a mother for her children, who are of course grown, but she made sure not to loose any of us, always checking to be sure we were accounted for.  Each of us yesterday were mothers who would sacrifice anything for our children, a deep primal love.

I believe that is the same level of love God has for each one of us.  Deeply connected, primal, protective and fierce.  A sacrificial love so deep that God sent his only son, Jesus as the gift for us.  Jesus to restore us, heal us, and make us whole. A Father who knows so much about us, every little intimate detail, and desires our love and affection in return.  Wants us to share the stories of our lives with others. Because it’s in the sharing, the remembering and reflecting back, we can see God’s faithfulness in our lives. 

Thinking of the Bible, I began to realize that it represents the story of our lives.  The Bible being the true story of redemption and reconciliation for the world. A family history of God’s creation and the history of His presence in the the lives of mankind. What a great source of joy the Bible is to see such examples of God’s faithfulness, his work, his ultimate sacrificial love. All the pieces, put together to make the bigger picture of wholeness.  

Will you take a moment to reflect back on your life? Can you see God’s faithfulness, his presence, his protection?  Do you share your life stories with your children? Why not start a new holiday tradition and share a story from your past and allow for deeper intimacy in your families. 

If you have a moment, here is a beautiful song by Third Day on YouTube called Your Love Oh Lord:
Will you take a moment and view it. I pray it blesses your day.

http://youtu.be/QEF7IoQ3eUk

Precious Children

1 John 3:1(NIV)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Do you know you have a Father in heaven who desires you, created you, and wants to spend time with you? A holy Father who loves you for who you are, loves you in spite of who you are or in spite of what you’ve done. He’s there, ready and waiting with open arms, calling you back to him each and every day.  It’s a beautiful picture of a Father, waiting for the prodigal child to return home. Calling out every moment, searching for you on the horizon.   Calling out your name, urging you to come home.

You know, God sees you, truly sees you. And desires us all to return to him.  Sometimes we feel like we’ve done to many shameful things, we’re not good enough, how could God ever love us.  Or maybe we think we need to clean up our act before we come to him, “pretty” ourselves up, bury the past, resolve our addictions, our relationships, or our finances.  Believe it or not, that is not the case.  He takes us where we’re at, desires us to ask forgiveness for the things we’ve done, and repent, walk away from the yuck and walk towards Him.  It is with his mighty power and strength that we are forgiven and can overcome, can change and move forward into a better life.

Jesus is all about rescuing us from our sinful behaviors. He came down from heaven specifically to save you and me.  By showing up, teaching us how to live, and paying the penalty for our sins, so we could live a better way.  A way that leads us to eternal life with him.  Do you know this Jesus? His love so great that he made his dwelling among us.  He left heaven to be on earth so that he could save us from ourselves.  To bring us home to our Father who is waiting with open arms.

This Christmas is a great reminder to look at our lives a little more deeply. To truly look in and see what’s lacking.  It’s also a time to look outside ourselves. Look around you and see how the world is hurting. Groaning for help, whom could you encourage today, who needs a moment of your time? It’s so easy to get swept up in the season and really forgot what it is all about.  It is about a God who calls us by name, loves us deeply, and pursues us daily. We are precious to Him. 

Wonderful Counselor

Isaiah 9:6(NIV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A child given to us, not only to the world but to you and me personally.  A gift from God, I can’t imagine a better gift to receive. 

When I give a gift to a friend, I take the time to pick it our personally, thinking about what my friend likes.  I choose it specifically based on their personality, sometimes it is something they desire, sometimes it may be something they actually need.  I always give it eagerly, wrapped in a pretty package, excited to see what their reaction will be when they open it.  I actually prefer giving gifts rather than receiving them. To me, there is much joy is in the giving and seeing the reaction of the recipient.

I believe that is how God feels when he blesses our lives.  When he gives us gifts from himself, I believe he gives them with great anticipation and joy.  Excited to see our response when we receive his gift.  

Joy and wonder of the gift of a baby boy. God’s son, a personal gift not only to the world but for you and me.  Wrapped up in the gift, a Savior, a counselor, God, Father, and Peace.  That is a big gift.  One that God joyously delivered to restore us to a relationship with him.  What a beautiful present.  In the gift of Jesus, God has given me and you just the perfect gift, well thought out, personally chosen for what we desire and what we need and a perfect fit for whom he created us to be. 

You have to admit we face so many decisions in life, each and every day. Decisions big and small. Financial decisions on where and how to spend our money, emotional decisions ranging from friendships to marriage, even little decisions such as to sleep in or get up and work out.  Choices which often cause us stress, anxiety, fear and often lead to the inability to make a single choice. We are fearful we might make the wrong decision and suffer the consequences of our poor choice.

God offers us a better way.  He has given us a “Wonderful Counselor.” What exactly does that mean. Jesus is there to guide us, assist us and advise us in our decision making. After all, He knows what is best for us.  He created us to have a deep personal relationship with him, he knows us better than we know ourselves. How better to handle life choices than to bring them to him in prayer.  To seek counsel through his word and to gather with fellow Christ followers in prayer. 

Do you have to a decision to make today? You need to take some action. Will you reach out and pray today? Seek God's counsel. Listen for his response. Learn to recognize his voice by spending time in the Bible, quieting your surroundings long enough to hear his voice. Will you try it today? 

Born In A Stable

http://johnruffle.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/nativity_scene.jpg

Luke 2:8-14(NIV)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Christ was born in a stable.  A lowly stable to an unlikely pair of parents, chosen specifically for the task of raising God’s son. Christ came down to save the world. A beautiful gift from heaven to a world that still needs saving today.  

Simple, beautiful, breathtaking.  Imagine that night, a bright star in the sky, directly over the stable.  Heralding the birth of a Savior. Two young people, amazed that God had chosen them to be the earthly parents of His Son. 

 At that time in history, the Jews were looking for a King to save them from their oppressors.  A king to turn the kingdom around, to bring power and fame to Jerusalem. They were not looking for a baby born to lowly parents in the unlikely place of a stable. There was no grandeur, no pomp and circumstance, instead a helpless baby as an everlasting gift from God.  

The birth was announced by angels to lowly shepherds tending to their sheep.  How amazing those trumpets must have sounded, the bright light, the angelic voices.  Incredible! God making and entrance into the world.  His love for us so powerful, so pure, so deep.

Christ as the Savior of the World. A gift, freely given to a world that is still in need of saving.  God freely offers you love, redemption and hope. No matter what has happened in your past, no matter what your circumstances today, He is seeking you. If you don’t know him, will you take a moment and ask for Him to show you the depth of his love for you. Take a moment and say this simple prayer, "Father I don’t know anything about you, I don’t feel worthy of your love, but I want to have hope, to see more in this life than what's in front of me, show me yourself today." Watch and be amazed as he answers that prayer.  

For those of you who already know Jesus, will you commit today to praising him in the moment, to sharing his past faithfulness in your life with those you encounter, and to allow your light to shine brightly so that others will ask where it is you get your joy.

HOPE

Isaiah 40:28-31(NIV)

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Hope. You know, I think that is what many of us are looking for this holiday season.  We hope that the economy will turn around, or we hope that our finances will improve, or maybe you are hoping for a job, better health, happiness, or fulfillment.  The world hopes for so many things, seeing only what's in front of us, not looking long term, wanting immediate gratification. God's design is different.  He wants us to look to him for hope.  

Our current circumstances often determines what we hope for.  The Oxford dictionary defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. We so often are not content in our circumstances, looking for a way out, a way to change them, wanting things to be slightly different. Striving for that perfection that we think will make us happy or to get just one more thing in order so that we can be happy.  Often once we get all our "ducks in a row" we still find ourselves hoping for something else, exhausted by all the striving.

God desires us to turn those Hopes into prayer, releasing those desires to him, so that he can help us carry the load.  He sees our circumstances, knows our dilemmas and desires, and just wants us to simply turn to him.  This is one of the reasons God gave us Jesus. He is our Hope.  He desires each of us to turn to him, to engage in relationship, to place him first in our lives. For most of us our circumstances won't change this December, but if we look to Jesus and ask him to be in our circumstances, I believe we will have a new found joy.  A hope in what God can do in us in the midst of our circumstances. I believe that is the key to joy this holiday season.  

Will you ask Jesus to help you carry your burdens? Do you know Jesus, I mean really know Jesus?  To know Jesus you have to begin by reading about him in a bible.  If you don't own one, try using the You version app or online at  http://www.bible.com. Will you learn something new about Christ this season...I guarantee he will change your life.

Walk By Faith Not By Sight

Isaiah 7:14(NIV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.


I began to ponder this morning how the virgin Mary must have felt to have been chosen by God to bring forth his son. She would have know this passage in Isaiah and I can't imagine her reaction when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and proclaimed:
Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. (Luke 1:30-32a)
Mary must have had a solid faith, one that wasn't easily shaken, for later she replies to the angel:
"I am the Lord's servant"(Luke1:38). 

I tried to imagine the initial thoughts that swirled through the mind of Mary.  Here she is, a young women, most likely near in age to 17, young, engaged, a virgin, and now pregnant.  How would she explain to her parents, to her future husband that she was pregnant, by God's Holy Spirit?  That it what I would be thinking.  Then I thought a little deeper.  Her answer "I am the Lord's servant," brings to mind her character.  Her character uniqueness and her complete faith in the Lord.  She was living by faith not by sight.  She couldn't see the end game, but she trusted that God had it covered. 

God, in his infinite wisdom, has wired each of in specific ways that suits the specific tasks for which we are called.  These character traits vary from individual to individual and in addition,  Christ followers have spiritual gifts that are given to us personally by God for his specific purposes.  Mary and Joseph were called by God to raise his Son. Raising God's Son...that is a big calling requiring a strength in faith, reliance on God for the details, and trust that He would lead and support them along the way.  God created them to be uniquely suited for the task of raising Jesus.  Calling upon two unlikely young people, from an unknown town, to be a part of God's redemption plan for the world.  Wow! Imagine if that had happened to you, what would your immediate reaction be? I think I would more likely say-who me? You got to be kidding? As a follower of Christ, I often have the initial freak out phase in a new calling, but then I lift it up in prayer and God calms me, my faith muscles kick in. For I am called to walk by faith, not  sight. (2 Cor. 5:7) 

What are your character traits? Can you see how you were created uniquely by God? Will you thank him today? I am so grateful for my uniqueness in Christ.  I may be a little quirky, but it suits me and the tasks for which God calls me.  I have also seen God develop my spiritual gifts over time, calling me to use them for his glory.  Living my life with Christ at the center is always an adventure, one that takes me in some directions I would have never been able to do with out his guiding influence on my life. But I have to be willing to walk by faith and not by sight. Are you willing?

Advent Begins

Isaiah 61:1-3(NIV)The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim he year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 

This passage struck me today in more ways than one.  

Principally this passage is speaking of Christ and his mission on earth and that he will return someday(his 2nd coming) to judge the world.  But what struck me is how Jesus speaks the first part of this passages in Luke 4:17 as he begins his ministry and proclaims to the crowd in the synagogue that "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."(Luke 4:21)  

How wonderful to know God anointed Christ to proclaim the good news to the lost and brokenhearted, to show us the path to true freedom and life. But even more, I am so amazed every time I read my Bible at how much God loves us, that he would send down his Son to live among us, to save us, to save me personally from my sins, so that I could enjoy a life filled with hope, love and joy. A life eternally with my Savior. 

This passage also speaks of healing.  I believe God is not speaking primarily to physical healing, although he does do that, but I believe he is speaking of spiritual healing.  That part of all of us that is trying to "find" peace in our inner souls. 

You know, over these past few years I have personally experienced God's healing of my broken heart.  My Mom passed away in 2010 from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and it has been a struggle to find joy in my day to day life without her.  God has tenderly walked alongside me during the grieving process, comforting me when I needed, showing me verses in scripture on how He is always present with me. He has patiently shown me his deep love for me through my husband, my children and my friends. He has shown me evidences of himself through nature and in the eyes of those I serve. He is so personal, pushing me along when needed and lighting my path as I search for new ways to serve him in this new chapter of my life.  A new chapter, a rebirth of sorts. How grateful I am to him. 
Today I can honestly say he has replaced my spirit of despair with joy.  A joy that is new found, deep, and brings a daily smile to my face.  This joy I hope, is reflected in the way I praise Him each and every day. 

This passage had me pondering how it applies to me personally as a Christ follower not just this advent season, but in my every day life. I believe this passage points to a plan of action.  Because I am a Christ follower, I have the Holy Spirit within me, anointing me to preach the good news to the poor and brokenhearted. Proclaiming that true freedom is found in Christ Jesus and that His grace and mercy is available to all who believe and call on his holy name.  

I pray I speak boldly of His love this Christmas season!