Category Archives: love

He Gave up His Son

Abraham, a man willing to give up everything for God. Even his son, Isaac, whom the Lord promised would provide descendants that would be as numerous as grains of sand. I’m not going to pretend to understand the level of Abraham’s faith.

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said,”Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” -GENESIS 22:1-2

Would you be willing to offer your child to God in the same way? With faith that He would still provide for you? That God would raise him back from the dead to fulfill what He promised?

There are things that God has shown me. Life events that I know will happen but right now some mornings it’s enough that I get out of bed. I don’t know how they will come about but I will offer God my hopes, my dreams, and the silent cries of my heart.

Because I have faith that He is faithful, when we offer all of us. Even the parts we want to hide, because His light can banish all darkness.

“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” -GENESIS 22:15-18

God rewarded Abraham for his faith. He saved Isaac by proving a sacrifice. Through Abraham’s line came Jesus.  God asked a great man of faith if he would be willing to make the same sacrifice that He was willing to make. Jesus, the son that God allowed to be killed on the cross for us.

Lord, Heavenly Father, help me to give all to You. So that through me others can come to know you. Be my strength because I am weak. When I smile let it be filled with your love for people. Let my words ring with Truth because of all you have done for me Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

 

 

Another day with the Holy Spirit

Another shooting, another blog post, another day.

And I wonder if what I do actually matters.

Today my friend dropped off a Valentine’s day gift for me. It was lovely and the card almost had me in tears. It made me think that I had made a difference in someone’s life. Maybe the card was too sappy but it made my day.

We can only choose how we act and react to this life. Choose wisely, get up each day and try to be Christ-like.  In Christianity we have a rare gift in the form of the Holy Spirit. God dwells within us and can guide us in daily life. This seems like a precious, precious gift to me.

I often wonder what I can do for God. He has done so much for me. This can lead me into the danger of a performance based worship. Sometimes it can be a good thing forcing me to act. Other times it can play with my feelings of self-worth. What I have been learning is that if I just show up to my life I can make a difference. It doesn’t have to be another day.  We can make it special by listening to that quiet voice inside us. The gift that keeps on giving.

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Breathe with God, Not with Your own Strength

I want to project an image of togetherness, of Christ-likeness, and if I’m completely honest perfection. I don’t think I’m unquine in this desire. I think the internet makes it easy to be dishonest. To show off the best parts of ourselves. Today, I’m going to be brutally honest in the hope that it helps someone else.

The law of the prophets can be summed up by saying that we should love God and love our neighbors. This I understand. This I try and live.

But I took this too literally. At work I let people walk all over me. This has left me feeling stressed. This has also left my physical body weak. In fact I’ve been sick with the flu for two weeks now. During that time of being able to do nothing I’ve done some thinking. Then I did some overthinking. Then I panicked about what people would think about me. Then I went to God about my problems. Then I actually got some answers.

Jesus was a good person but He was not a push over. He forgave but He also took time for himself. It’s important for us as Christian to take time to recharge by spending time with God. That way when God calls upon us to help someone, our answer will be yes. Without that time with God our answer can be a snap. A no, I can’t possible do this because I’m too _______.  You can fill in the blank.

I encourage you all to find balance in your lives. For each one of you that’s going to look different. Find ways to spend time with God. Invite Him into the areas of your life that you feel are lacking in that connection with Him.

He will come and share a moment with you wherever you are, whatever you are doing.

breathe

Don’t let the need to people please and your own desire to be accepted ruin you. I think it hurt me pretty good. Trying not only to love someone but to make them have some concept of God’s love is a noble goal. Doing it out of your own strength is not what God intended. He means for us to walk with Him. To do the things He has for us out of love for Him. In doing things this way we find joy, hope, and peace.

perfect love

I’m a people pleaser. I am tempted to say what you what. I am tempted to write what will get me noticed. I just want to drift through this life. I’m okay with mediocre if it means that everyone will like me.

I think that this year I’m going to focus on what I wish I knew in my heart. That God loves me. It’s only what He wants for me that matters. Only what He thinks of me that matters. 

So, this year I’m going to focus on God’s perfect love. On His perfect will for my life. Whether anyone else notices what I do for Him or not. When you focus on God's perfect love

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all You have done for me, Lord. I look forward to what we will get up to together this year.

love

I think that there is a right and wrong way to deal with conflicts. Whatever the issue we need to treat the other person with respect and love. Showing someone Christ-like love can be like a balm on a touché subject. Often times we are so concerned with being right that we lose focus on what actually matters. We try to prove our point, even if we hurt the other person in the process.

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”-1 CORNTHIANS 13:1-3 (NIV)

Within the Christian church this should be the standard not the exception. All Christians should ultimately be on the same team. Now that being said we are all growing in Christ. This means that we all have a little different understanding of God. I think we all have to be more open to what others are saying. That way we can learn from one another.

We also have to be willing to accept correction. No one likes to be wrong especially about our beliefs in God. In order to learn you have to acknowledge that you can be wrong. Things can change for the better once you know that there is a problem.

And if your asking God for help don’t be surprised if He asks you to change. He is your Heavenly Father and like a good earthly father He will discipline His children. He does all things for our ultimate benefit because He loves us. The situations in our lives do not go poof. God will use what is going on around us to teach us.