Amazing Love

     The love of Christ is beyond our human capacity to understand. None of us deserved His sacrifice. None of us could stand before a holy and just God. Love went beyond what we deserved. Love went beyond our total separation from God. Love conquered death.

This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

    Jesus became one of us, but did not sin. He walked the earth, felt emotion, was tempted in every way and lived a life of perfect obedience.

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.  Colossians 5:21

But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.  1 John 3:5

     Imagine His love. He became sin for you and me. In Him there is no sin. Amazing love. Amazing grace. Bask in His love today and all week. Let it wash over you as you feel His warm embrace.

Dear Jesus,

Never let us forget the magnitude of what You have done for us. You paid the price for all we deserve. Teach us how to love like that.

Amen

The End of the Age

     Wickedness, violence, drugs, disease, climate shifts, and immorality are on the increase. It should come as no surprise to the believer. Here are a few verses to think about as we look around our world today. Paul writes:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4

The disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of the end of the age and right after He tells them about the increase in wars and rumors of wars and of famine and earthquakes in various places He says:

Because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14

     Standing firm in a faith many now disregard isn't easy. These verses are not written to cause fear and hopelessness. In another chapter Jesus gives us these Words of hope:

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28

     The deep waters of faith will protect us as the world falls apart around us, and as we see the Gospel moving to the ends of the earth. The light always shines brightest in the dark and we have the light of the Gospel to share.

Dear Jesus,

The days are drawing closer to a new heaven and a new earth. Take away any fear from our hearts and let Your precious Gospel spread to the ends of the earth. We love You.

Amen

Storms

     My dad died forty-four years ago today. I was fourteen. The skies had been blue and sunny for me growing up until that day. Lightning struck and thunder roared and my mom and I were left to build a new foundation. She became my rock. I was blessed to have a loving mom and she sacrificed so much to watch over me.

     For years I stayed on the surface of life, living selfishly, following every wave that came my way, never casting my anchor on anyone or anything satisfying and solid and trustworthy and pure. The year I found that something good in my future husband, I was diagnosed with an eye disease that would leave me legally blind and shortly after that, my mom was diagnosed with cancer.

     She went back into the hospital the week of our wedding. She was unable to attend and died the next day. My husband lost his job shortly after that. The storms of life come up unexpectedly. And sometimes they roll in, one right after the other.

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-48

     When I was drowning in despair and fear, I met Jesus. I had known Him on a casual, go-to-church-on-Sunday kind of way. Jesus has been building that foundation within me for almost twenty-five years now. More storms have hit. They always do. Has one hit your foundation? Jesus is the cornerstone. The rock. Build your hope in Him. He will bring you in safely from the deep flood waters, and protect you from each and every storm on the horizon.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

Dear Father,

I pray for each reader this morning. I pray they will feel the warmth of Your embrace, the peace of Your presence, the power of Your unending love and the hope of heaven. Show us how to build the homes of our hearts on the firm foundation of Your Son, Jesus. He will be with us through every crashing wave.

Amen

Deep Waters

     The fishermen were exhausted. They had been working all night and hadn’t caught a thing. They tiredly cleaned their nets on the beach in the early morning hours. Are you overwhelmed with exhaustion? Have you tried everything and come up empty? Surprisingly, Jesus gets into one of the empty boats and says,

“Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4b

    How would we respond? “I can’t.” "I have given it my best and nothing worked.” “I am too tired.” Here is Simon Peter’s reaction. It sounds familiar, but we might want to listen to the last portion of his response.

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5

     Have you been swimming in the shallow end of faith? When the answers aren’t immediate or your prayers aren’t answered in the way you expect, do you give up? Jesus challenges us to dive in a little deeper, to read the living water of His Words until eternity is etched in our hearts, until He is the answer to everything.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:6

     Jesus is the answer to the emptiness, the loneliness, the unanswered prayer, the holes in the nets of our hearts. His love can fill and re-fill until our souls overflow. He challenges us to head to the deep waters and lower our nets. The abundant life is there for the taking.

Dear Jesus,

Take away our fear of diving in to the deep waters of trusting and obeying. You have the Words to eternal life. (John 6:68) Let our defeated attitudes change to saying yes to an overflowing life with You.

Amen

Jump In!

     We talked a little bit about the disciples and their varied personalities a few days ago. Peter was impetuous, spontaneous, often acting and speaking before thinking. Did you know he took a leap of faith and jumped right out of the boat when he saw Jesus walking on the water? Peter spotted Jesus and asked Him to let him come to Him.  Jesus answered:

“Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29

     When Peter heard Jesus’ command, he obeyed immediately with no hesitation and the power of Christ was with him. What happens next is a lesson to all of us as believers, as we jump in to obey the calling of Christ on our lives.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid , beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30

     When we find ourselves in circumstances that bring fear and doubt, grief and questions, we long to remain fixed on Jesus, keeping our minds and emotions in check as we continue to trust, to obey and to have faith in the One who saved us. But even when our eyes move away, even in the days we believe we are sinking, when our eyes move from Jesus to the overwhelming odds against us, listen to what Jesus does.

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat the wind died down.  Matthew 14:31-32

     When Peter doubted and began to sink, did Jesus let him flounder around in his doubt and fear? No, immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught Him. When the doubts arise and the deep waters are rising, call out for your Savior. He is faithful and trustworthy. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

     Focus your gaze on Him. His strong and mighty right hand is there to pick you up, time after time. He will save you from drowning in the swirling waters of despair, of grief, of doubt, of hopelessness. He is the God of hope and new beginnings. When He says, "Come," jump out of the boat. If the water gets too deep or the winds begin to rise, He will be there immediately.

Dear Father in heaven,

Forgive our doubt and our fear. Help us in our unbelief. When the winds die down and the storms subside, You are right beside us in the boat. You’ve been there all along. Keep our eyes and hearts fixed on You in the midst of it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stepping In, Stepping Out

     My husband and I are early risers and often on Saturday mornings you will find one or both of us at the grocery store at the crack of dawn. One morning as we were taking our groceries out of the cart to be scanned, I noticed the cashier was sniffling and appeared to be quite miserable.

     I asked her if she was ok and she shook her head no. The poor thing, I thought to myself. I like to bag the groceries and I continued to watch her and pray for her as I went about my duties. My husband handed over the coupons and paid.

     In one spontaneous motion, as we were about to leave, I walked around behind the cashier and asked her if I could give her a hug. She looked puzzled, but nodded, and as I grabbed her in a big bear hug, I whispered, “I hope everything will be ok and I will be praying for you.” I said it quickly and courageously, hoping God would be pleased with this gesture of kindness.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.   Hebrews 11:6

     I let go of the poor girl and here is what she said, “Oh I’m sure I’ll be fine. My husband and I usually get a bug like this about once a year.”

A bug?! She was sick?!

My embarrassment continued as we walked out and my husband shook his head. He said, “She’s always like that. She’s always grumpy and complaining about something.”

     We continue to laugh about this little episode and I was reminded of it again when we saw her this weekend. I’m pretty sure she averted her gaze away from mine. I like to think my hug and promise of prayer may have made a small difference in her life that day.

     You never know where faith will lead you. Keep your eyes and ears open in case a “grumpy” needs you. When Joshua and the Israelites came to the edge of the Jordan river. God promised He would part the waters for them. First, before He parted the river, they had to step into the swirling water. It took a step of faith.

     Stepping out brings more faith. God will do amazing things through your words and deeds with the power of the risen Christ. Step into the unknown water. Get your toes wet. When the waters part, walk through to the promised land of opportunities.

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord-the Lord of all the earth-set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap. Joshua 3:13

Dear Lord,

Open up opportunities as we step out in faith. Even when we don’t see results, You will honor our faith in You. Keep our hearts open to the hurt around us. You have answers for a hurting world. The grumpies around us have been known to crack a smile with a little kindness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Share Me

     What do we do with this Gospel, the Good News of a transformed heart? With the overflowing abundant love? With the gratitude of receiving new life? How can we keep it to ourselves? Changed hearts can’t help but be exposed. Those that have felt the power and the presence of Jesus have to share.

     Peter and John had been put in jail and they were commanded not to speak about Jesus anymore and this is what they said:

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

    After that they prayed for even greater boldness. (Acts 4:29) Jesus told us to watch for the signs that the end was drawing near, including wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, an increase in earthquakes, that Israel would be back in the land and that wickedness would increase.

     God has us here during an incredible season. Our light is not to be hidden. (Matthew 5). We are to shine like stars in a dark and depraved generation. (Philippians 2) The Holy Spirit will give us courage to speak in love. The name of Jesus is more powerful than any other name. Speak it and share it. The world is searching for their Savior.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Dear Father,

We come humbly before You to thank You for the saving grace of Your Son. By His sacrifice we are saved. Allow us to be Your servants as we speak the good news of salvation to others. His coming is near. Thank You for the privilege.

In the powerful name of Jesus,

Amen

Choose Me

     Every day we have the free will to make choices. What will I have for breakfast? What clothes should I wear? How much time will I need to get to work because of the continual unending snow and cold? Sorry, my choice has been to continually dwell on the weatherJ But our most valuable decisions in the realm of eternity will be our choice on whether to to follow and obey Jesus or to follow and obey our human desires our fleshly needs, our untrustworthy emotions and unyielding hearts.

     It may seem awkward and unusual to focus our minds on the Word of God more than on our television sets or the news of the day. The distractions are constant and seductive. Everyone around us is connected and tuned in, seemingly, 24/7. Those connections and distractions, which are necessary and often entertaining, take us away from our most treasured connection, Jesus.

     The Bible tells us there is life and death, blessings and cursings. Choose life. (Deuteronomy 30) Life in the Spirit. Life eternal. Life in Jesus.

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. Psalm 25:12

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.  Proverbs 8:10

     Seek His instructions, His ways His Words. All worth listening to above and beyond the world around us. And His glory will not only shine on us in heaven, but on earth as well.

Dear Lord,

We long to be wise in our choices, but we continue in our old habits, in our usual routines. Make our choices clear today. We come to You, seeking Your wisdom, which is more precious than gold.  We choose You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Follow Me

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

     The above verse takes us from the time we first hear His voice and accept Jesus as Savior. Yesterday we talked about getting to know Him. The powerful and all-knowing words of Scripture become planted in our hearts as we get to know Jesus intimately. And we want more than anything to follow Him.

     When Jesus first called His disciples, there must have been something so irresistible about Him that all He had to say was, “Follow me.” (See Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) And they did. They gave up professions as fishermen, gave up money as tax collectors, and followed.

     The beautiful thing about the disciples, at least in my mind, is how dysfunctional they were. The Bible does not mince any words when describing them. They were competitive. They wanted to know who would be first in heaven. Peter was outspoken and passionate and spontaneous. He was the one to deny Christ three times before the crucifixion.

     Thomas doubted. I can relate. But like the disciples, when we hear the voice of the One who breathed the world into existence and He says, “follow Me,” it is irresistible. I am humbly in His service with my imperfect ways. He changes lives. He transforms relationships. He moves hearts. He rebuilds and redeems and best of all, He forgives and forgets.

     Follow Him. Live by His Words and deeds. Love more, hate less. Be kind and patient and willing to stop throughout a busy day to lend a hand or to listen. The simple acts of love. Hear the simple and yet profound life-changing Words. Follow me.

Dear Jesus,

Yes we will follow You. We are blessed to live in a land of freedom. Christians are dying all over the world as they stand up to follow You. Would we have the courage to do the same? Make us bold and courageous as we follow You.

Amen 

Know Me

     Church. What is your first reaction to the word? Obligation, boring, filled with hypocrites, organized religion? Those are some common reactions I have heard over the years. Jesus did not design His church to be divided into demoninations and divisions. He chastised the leaders of the church of His day. He wants a relationship with you and me. He wants us to know Him!

     What Jesus asks is for all of us to be united under His headship, each doing our part. The body of Christ should function in fluidity, just as a healthy body is a sum of its moving and working parts. That is the ideal. In His last beautiful prayers in John 17 Jesus prays these words for us:

That all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  John 17:21

     Knowing Jesus is where we need to be found. Dive in to His Word today and take a peek around. Read through John’s Gospel and take in His great love for you. Falling in love with Jesus and being filled with the knowledge of Him, leads us to love others in the most astounding ways. Take a stand for Him along with the rest of the body so others may believe.

    It is our greatest calling. To make disciples and to be ready to give an answer for our hope. And when we know Him and love Him we want to be in fellowship with out brothers and sisters of faith. It works as we become the body of Christ. Don’t be led astray by fallen humans. We are not perfect. But He is. Let His perfect love shine on you this morning.

Dear Jesus,

Help us to know You more intimately. You call us into the deepest relationship. You allow the Holy Spirit, the resurrection power of Christ to dwell within us. Make us into Your disciples so others may know You too.

Amen 

Come to Me

    These days of Lent bring us back each year to the journey of Jesus to the cross. It is a time to reflect, to repent, to return to the foot of the cross. Is it time to turn to Him with your life? Is it time?

     Jesus is always ready to accept us as we are, to take our burdens upon Himself, just as He accepted our punishment for sin on the cross. His open arms understand. He knew us from the beginning of time and He doesn’t want to lose even one.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

     Allow Him to be Your rock, Your redeemer, Your foundation, Your Lord and Savior. Come to Him today with it all. Ask forgiveness, ask Him in to your life. He is ready to help you begin this beautiful life of faith with the One who will never leave you or forsake you.

Dear Lord,

You promise eternal life to all of us who believe. We place our burdens upon You today. We give it all. Comfort us.

Amen

As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

     Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to an end. He knew the anguish He was about to suffer. He sets out resolutely. Sometimes we need that determination, the discipline to put one foot in front of the other. There is fear or grief, worry and despair. Somehow, we do it. One small step at a time. We move ahead.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.  Isaiah 50:7

     Jesus cries out to God in the garden of Gethsemane in anguish, His sweat turns to blood. The only time in eternity He is separated from the Father will come upon the cross, when the world darkens until the work is finished. The suffering of our Lord reminds us. He has been through it all and more.

     We have loved ones in heaven. We know the end of the story. Can we press on? Here are some amazing Words to hang onto today:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

     Jesus saw the joy beyond the cross. We can see the joy beyond the pain if we fix our eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith, rising above our circumstances with a love beyond words.

Dear Father in heaven,

Remind us of the joy set before us as we struggle and strain through some of our days. Bless us and our families as we turn to Your Son Jesus.

Amen

Rise Above

     Rising above comes down to believing God and His promises. The Word of God replaces light for darkness. The Word of God is alive and powerful. (Hebrews 4) Jesus is the Word of God. (John 1) The Word will give you joy and understanding. It will convict you and encourage you. The wisdom of God is written within the pages and there is no end. Dig in and go deeper. As you study and seek Him with an open heart, the more you will know your God.

          When we accept Jesus as Savior, we are “justified.” It is “just as if” we had never sinned. In that moment of true faith, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit forever!

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth,, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1;13

     But He is not done with our lives on earth. Justification is past, and sanctification begins. This is the process of setting us apart from the world and growing us in the faith, making us into the image of Christ. The Word transforms our lives and as we become more and more His disciples we can grow in the fruit of the Spirit. We are sanctified in the present and throughout our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

     And in the future is our glorification, when we receive our resurrection bodies and live forever with Jesus. There is never a moment when He is apart from us from our moment of belief until we step into heaven. You are made right with God. He is working in Your life right at this moment and one day we will be praising Him along with the angels. Feel the hope and joy. You are His!

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. Revelation 19:1

We are justified by Christ, sanctified through Christ and glorified with Christ. Amen!

Rise Above

“So the last will be first and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and the humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

     I have more questions than answers this week. Searching and seeking over the last twenty-something years always brings me to the foot of the cross. Can I trust God even when I don’t understand? Do I run from Him and try to figure it all out on my own? Or do I humble myself before the Creator of the universe with the understanding that He will get me through? And He will get you through.

     God hates pride above all. There is a list of the seven things God hates in the book of Proverbs and pride is at the top of the list. Satan’s removal from heaven came from his desire to be like God.

     Jesus is our example of the humble servant. He humbled Himself to die for us. He loves a meek spirit, a humble heart, a willingness to be the least and put others before ourselves. We can’t do it without Him. None of it. Beginning on our knees each day with a willingness to leave the answers to Him will set our hearts and minds in the right place. On Him. And He will lift us up. Rising above begins with a bending of the knee.

Dear Father,

We come before You this morning, with a willingness to bow before You. We don’t have all of the answers, but You do. Comfort us and lift us up to be Your servants in the world around us.

In Jesus name

Amen

Rise Above

     Suffering is all around us. Two of my friends are waiting for results of biopsies, a beautiful 38-year-old daughter of a friend died from a brain tumor and our great nephew is being tested for some possible neurological issues. All of this, in a short time, happened within my group of family and friends. I know it’s the same for you. What do we do with the heartache and grief? Where do we go and how do we cope?

     After years of questioning and searching, I turn in Jesus. Often in the darkness, we catch a glimpse of His light and hang onto hope. The presence of suffering does not mean the absence of a loving God. This fallen world was not His choice. But the offering of the sacrifice of our heavenly Father’s Son to wipe the slate clean came from Him.

     We have a creator who stepped out of heaven and felt it all. He placed it all on His shoulders and suffered the consequences meant for us. He will share the burdens of this life until we are with Him in perfection one day. His Spirit will groan with us, will comfort us, will teach us great lessons through the suffering and bring meaning and purpose to it all.

     In the meantime we are in this together. We can struggle together, cry together, rejoice together and sit with each other when we hurt and when there seems to be no answers and no comfort to be found. The hurt is unbearably tough isn’t it? All of it is temporary and as fleeting as a teardrop. God is collecting those tears and one day will wipe away every last one of them. (Revelation 21:4)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Dear Jesus,

You know our pain and our loss. Comfort us today with Your unfailing love and give us the comfort we can share with others. You understand. One day we will know in full. Give us hope today.

Amen

Rise Above

    Have you had “one of those days” lately? Last Thursday was one for me. The previous night had been a sleepless one. I woke up with a headache. My phone was in the pocket of a fleece jacket that went through the wash and I received an e-mail from a friend questioning some decisions I had made on behalf of a group I lead.

     My first reaction was to immediately type a response, which I did. The words came easily, contradicting some points and defending my decisions. I paused for just a minute and did not push, “send.”

     If you hear nothing else today, I encourage you to hear this. As Christians we need each other. I have some trusted Christian friends that I see at least twice a week. We pray together, study together and we have been through much together, both good and bad, joy-filled memories and heart-breaking loss. They know me in such a deep way that I trust them to speak openly and honestly with me.

     I shared the e-mail and asked the question. “How should I respond? Like this?” And provided my response. Her response to me was a wise one. She told me to look deeper into the writer’s words. Don’t look at the supposed criticism, she said, but see what she is really asking. She wanted to help. She wanted her opinions to matter. She wanted to assist in some decision-making.

      The real response included me asking forgiveness, asking for feedback, asking her to look at some items for me. The response back to me was immediate. A thank you. Thanks for being sensitive to my needs. Thank you for your responsiveness. I am grateful. I am grateful for a God who forgives me consistently, over and over again. I am thankful for Christian friends who speak truth when I need it most. I am thankful the situation de-escalated, rather than escalated. I want to view people through the lens of Christ. To rise about my immediate reaction and the kick-right-back response. I want to look a little closer. To pause and give the other person the benefit of the doubt. 

     Jesus loves us all. And He not only asks us to love and forgive others. He goes so far as to unabashedly ask us to forgive our enemies and to bless them. Can’t we at least do that for our friends and families?

     Rising about our circumstances? No easy task. Life is hard and we are all so frail. We all hurt and lash out. Can we, instead, be the peacemakers?

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Dear Father,

Rising above the little annoyances and critical thinking is not easy. Show us how to see through to others hearts and guide us to seek peace wherever we go today. Thank you for the friends that speak the truth in love. Show us how to be Jesus to others today.

In His name we pray.

Amen

Legacies of Life

     Our beautiful daughters have both accepted Jesus as their Savior. If that is the only legacy my husband and I leave on the earth, it is enough. We are blessed. In our eternal perspective, leaving a legacy of loving Jesus and sharing His light is what matters.

    The very last verse in the great love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 is this:

And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:13

     During a stormy season in life, stuck in debt, worrying over a health crisis, whatever your needs are today, remember, faith and hope in Jesus are always available to us, as we are covered in His love. The greatest of all is love and that is what will follow us into heaven. Our faith will be realized and our hopes fulfilled as we meet Jesus face to face. The love we shared in His name will remain.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know full even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthains 13:12

     We are children of the most high God. Forever listed in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 13) Nothing can erase it. Your sins are forgiven, past, present and future. We have freedom to live in truth and love. How then do we live?

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

Dear Jesus,

Fill us with Your light as we live out the rest of our days. Give us courage to live out our faith and hope in You, as we share the love You first gave us.

Amen

Legacies of Life

     Is there someone you want to emulate? A parent, a friend, a movie star, or singer? Someone with tons of money, power or youth? What drives you each day? What are the motives of your heart? All questions worth pursuing.

     The older I get the more I want to be like my father-in-law, Bert, or my friend, Marcia. They are those that pour out love even when they are suffering, even during struggles. The husband who never complains when his wife no longer recognizes him. He just loves. The friend who cares more about you than about the pain she is in. The ones able to sacrifice their own agenda and their own selfish desires to do what Jesus asks.

     The apostle Paul went through grest suffering. You can read a list of just some of the things he went through in his life in 2 Corinthians 11. Here is what he wrote from his prison cell:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

     And he also tells us to rejoice always. Sounds impossible. But with God all things are possible. To show strength in suffering, sacrifice in struggles, wisdom in worry, love in loss. And maybe, just thinking about being kind to everyone.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:31-32

When Jesus was asked, which is the greatest commandment?

Jesus replied, “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.” Matthew 22-38-40

     Good words to meditate on this morning. Be kind. Be compassionate. Love God. Love others. Why? Because Jesus says so.

Dear Lord,

We grumble and criticize and lash out in our human frailty. Teach us how to be kind and loving to each other. Will you show us how today?

Amen 

Legacies of Life

I wrote this from the vantage point of my father-in-law almost ten years ago, when he was dealing with the difficulty of seeing his wife in a nursing home. Maybe some of you understand the suffering involved in dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

My Wife of 50 Years

I can’t find her in the place where she lives, my wife of 50 years, even though I try. I bring her clothes, make sure she’s clean and listen to the words I no longer understand. I can’t stay away and I can’t stay long.

I return to the home we shared, she and I, and there I find her, my wife of fifty years. I find her in the scent of the vanilla perfume sitting on the mirrored tray. I find her under the quilt she made, and I find her in the brush that I use on my fine white hair; the brush she used each day trying to manage the hair that never stayed just right.

Her hair is the one thing that brings a rare smile as I say, “Honey, your hair looks pretty today.”

I guess when you worry and fuss about something your entire life you never forget, even in a mind almost gone. And so I chuckle a little and I sniff, and I snuggle and I brush trying to find her, my wife of 50 years.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Dear Father in Heaven,

Comfort those suffering today in their own bodies and minds or in dealing with the suffering of our loved ones. You understand us even when we don’t. You know our hearts and we trust You with it all, until, one day, there will be no more suffering or tears or pain.

Amen

Legacies of Life

     Fellowship with other Christians is deeper and richer than other relationships. Maybe it is because we know we will be spending eternity together! We all share the same Holy Spirit of God. There is a willingness to love, to encourage and to correct when necessary, a true unity. I witnessed a deep and abiding fellowship of friends in action over twenty years ago.

     I had volunteered to be a part of a care ministry team in the early 1990’s. It was a big commitment, 50 hours of training, a two-year covenant to stay in the ministry, along with continuing education and ministry meetings twice a month. After the initial training we would be paired with someone in crisis. The usual pattern was to set up weekly visits that could last for up to one year.

     One of my first care receivers was very ill. She was expected to live for only about six months. She suffered from congestive heart failure, lung disease and complete blindness. She lived for six years! I never did take a break from visiting her. In Christ’s economy, when you want to share in His name, He gives you blessings in abundance in return.

     Over those years of visiting Marcia, I became familiar with her group of friends and grew to love all of them. (By the way this is a confidential ministry, but Marcia always introduced me around church as “my Stephen minister,” so I know she wouldn’t mind me sharing her story.)

     Marcia’s group of friends had been a part of the same church community for several decades. They had taught Sunday School, raised their kids around the same time, and several had sorrowed together over the deaths of their husbands. They had studied the Bible together and this group of friends rallied around Marcia. They read to her, brought her food, gave her rides and encouraged her.

     I know now that Marcia and her friends were a part of my training. I had no clue as to how to minister to anyone, even though my heart was in the right place. This group was gracious and kind and opened the Bible to me and opened their hearts to teach me and show me Jesus.

     Marcia’s life had shrunk from a large house down to an apartment, followed by a move to her son’s basement, and finally, to a nursing home and a hospice. There came a day when we knew the time was short and this band of friends allowed me to tag along to say goodbye to our dear friend.

     I said my goodbyes first and told Marcia all she had meant to me and I thanked her for all she had taught me about being physically burdened in ways I could not understand, yet still being able to show and share the joy of the Lord.

     I sat at a table off to the side as her long-time friends circled her bed. They laughed and cried, shared memories and prayed. And then the sweetest sounds came from their lips as they sang hymn after hymn in beautiful harmony. After decades of sitting in church pews together, they could have gone on for days. It was a glimpse of heaven, like the angels singing. What a sweet remembrance.

     There was something pure and lovely, and holy about that day. It was the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ at work in that room. The following verses speak to how the body of Christ can function. I witnessed the truth of these verses that day and I witness it now on Tuesday mornings.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Colossians 3:16

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the men and women of faith You place in our lives to teach us about You. Allow us to share with others the great joy of knowing You and how that changes us even through times of suffering.

In Jesus name

amen

Legacies of Life

     The legacies that last can’t be measured, weighed or calculated. They are not in the trophies, diplomas and ribbons we have earned. They won’t include the expensive dress, the new car or the dream house. What will last? How will you be remembered? What matters?

Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

     As believers, our legacies becomes His. Our Tuesday morning Bible study group is almost finished with Max Lucado’s “God’s Story, Your Story.” We have revisited the big themes of the Bible, from creation, to the baby Jesus, to the cross, the resurrection and our movement from earth to a forever paradise.

     Seeing the big picture of God’s story gives us new perspective on our own. If our lives belong to Him, what kind of legacy do we want to leave? How has He worked in our lives in the past? Who has been a part of our story? Who shared Jesus with us and have we had opportunitite to do the same? What has He taught us through our struggles? How has the Bible changed our hearts and minds?

     Sitting and delving into all of these questions has brought our group to a place where we want to share our stories with each other. After the study, we will take two weeks to share our Jesus stories. Witnessing about our faith to others can be intimidating. We don’t want to appear foolish or to push people away.

     But our stories are just that. They are ours to share, as we witness to what He has done for us. And maybe, just maybe, others will ask us questions. When others see changes in us; a new light, a new joy, a deeper peace, a kinder spirit, we can say, “Let me tell you about what Jesus has done for me.”

     This week I will share a few stories from my own faith walk and stories of others in my life who have shaped my faith with their own testimonies.

How would you answer if someone asked you about Jesus?

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe. Psalm 107:1-2

Dear Jesus,

Storing our treasures for heaven means building up our storehouse of love for others. Give us opportunities to share You. Keep us bold and courageous. You love everyone. Let us be a part of sharing that love.

Amen