What If We Did?

Guest author and my friend, Ralinda Fenton. 
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This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
John 15:12-14 NKJV

This is part of my devotion this morning. It reminded me how I need to love regardless of the response. I want to give love, whether it’s deserved or not. After all, look what Christ did for me - a broken mistake-making woman.

But what if we made it our mission? Instead of getting even, we could commit our hearts to forgiveness and offering a true clean slate to another? What if, when we feel slighted or excluded from a situation, we do not hold tight to bitterness or fear and still offer our love freely?

What if it stopped being about everything we receive and became about what we can give - regardless of the response, the rejection, the lack of reciprocation, or reassurance? It would confuse others and lead them right to this thought: “Why do they give love that I have not deserved?” Herein lies the perfect opportunity for our hearts to exclaim, “Jesus!” His eternal hope is the reason we can love so freely in return, knowing that He will work as He sees fit.

Wouldn’t that be incredible? To not be scared to be the people who love more, forgive freely, give grace abundantly, and walk in a confidence that stems from the ever-flowing love of Jesus? That would be the Gospel.

Our hearts are fragile. We take things personally. We are scared to let in others once we’ve been wronged. We have been taught by the world to only give what we receive—they must be worthy.

But Jesus calls us to love others out of a heart that is fully and recklessly loved by Him. This does not mean our emotions become absent and our pain won’t be felt; it just means that when those things do happen, we can remind ourselves we’re already accepted and abundantly loved by our Creator. It is in this truth that we no longer crave and depend on the reassurance of this world, and we begin to look like people of hope.

Lest I Forget How Much

We love each other because he loved us first.
1st John 4:19 NLT

I have come to the conclusion that left to my own devices, I would be THE most selfish… because I know how selfish I can be now, and that’s with me trying to follow Christ. However, I have GREAT hope!

You see, since following Christ, there are things I won’t do now because I know the selfish act would hurt someone. But I sure used to and didn’t think twice about it… There are things I say now that pierce my heart as soon as they’re out of my mouth, but they’re fewer and farther between, thank God! And even at that, I’m encouraged because they DO pierce my heart whereas before I would have heedlessly used them to slice and dice. Because of Christ, I’m quicker to apologize and seek forgiveness.

Before Christ, I used to pride myself on how fiercely I loved those I considered mine. Now I know I didn’t have a clue. The only way I can love others – the ONLY way they can love me – is because He loved us first.

In our sin… In our selfishness… In the absence of all things holy… When we were unlovable by any standard, He loved us.

You’ve seen it lots of times in e-mails. Let me share it again.
I asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?"
"This much!" He replied.
Then He stretched out His arms and died… because He loved us.

Prayer:

Father,
           Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me – lead me to Calvary! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - From His Heart

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NLT

Have you ever gotten into a rough patch of your life and not quite known which way to turn? You know who God is. It's not that you're walking away from Him, but it feels as though you are a million miles away. That dry place. The desert. Barren. Where it seems no matter what you do, it's not coming out right. It's hard to pray. It's hard to praise. It's hard to breathe...

King David knew how that felt - he wrote about it in Psalm 63..."My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."  David had such a unique way of stating facts, but then he always followed it with Truth. He goes on to write, "I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy."

In other words, this is how I feel - but what I feel does not affect who God is. No matter what I think or see or feel, no matter the feelings of isolation, no matter the pain level - these temporal circumstances DO not change - absolutely CANNOT change - the righteousness, the holiness, the character, the very nature of God. And just when you think you cannot stand one more minute, someone calls with a 'Hi, I was thinking about you!' Or you receive a text or email, 'hey, love u - just wanted u 2 know!'

And the friend prays for you and/or with you, and speaks Truth - God's Truth - born out of His love for us. Proverbs 27:9 in the Amplified, reads, "Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart." And God in His infinite mercy and grace does not become exasperated with us, He sends someone to be His hand extended, to touch us with His great love - the love that lifts us up, up, out of the quagmire of our souls.

I never cease to be amazed at the faithfulness and goodness of God's love. It comes from His heart...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray as King David prayed, Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in You. You alone are my Rock and my Salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from You, God, alone. You are my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lent - Day 39 - Evidence of God's Gift

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025

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When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus gives us a picture of what it will be like on the day of judgment. All people will be judged on the last day, and it will be like when a shepherd separates His sheep from the goats. There are two things we should notice about this day of judgment for the sheep. First, before any of the acts of kindness are viewed and compared Jesus already separates those who receive the inheritance from those who do not. Second, to those who receive the inheritance Jesus says, “Come, you who are blessed by God.” No matter how we live our lives entering into God’s inheritance is still a gift, still a blessing that God gives. And yet we see Jesus’ words that talk of lives of grace, mercy, and kindness. This section is not a checklist we make sure to complete in case Jesus is watching. Jesus is saying, as my child filled with the Holy Spirit you show mercy because you have been given mercy. You show love because you have been given love. You show grace and forgiveness because you have been given grace and forgiveness.

Prayer:

Jesus Christ, 

                You have made us Your sheep. We surrender our will to be directed by Your Spirit that we might show mercy and love to Your church, and to the world. Amen.

Lent - Day Four - I Am Pleased with You

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025 **********************************************************

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3:1-17

“This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” With those words, the voice of the Father descends from the heavens at the baptism of Jesus. What would we give as children to hear such words from a parent? What would we give to hear those words spoken to us by our Father in Heaven? When we examine our lives closely and honestly what we see is all the brokenness due to our sin. So these seem to be the last words we could ever hear from God. Yet by the death and resurrection of Christ, God looks at us through the cross. He does not see our sinful nature but rather sees Christ. He does not view our sinful actions but the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Today hear the voice of the Father speaking to you. “You are my child. I love you. With you I am well pleased.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Grant that my life is filled with all that pleases You. Amen.

Building Relationships - Guest Author

From the Daily Hope Newsletter.

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“Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. . . . You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.”
Philippians 2:3, 5-6 NLT

The ability to be humble is a relationship builder. What is humility? It’s when you honor others above yourself instead of demanding or clinging to your rights.

Pride, on the other hand, destroys relationships—and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It can make you critical, judgmental, competitive, stubborn, and unforgiving. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV).

Pride is also self-deceiving. When you have a problem with pride, you struggle to see it in yourself. But everyone else can see it in you!

What does pride look like in a relationship? One, you always offer advice but never ask for it. Two, you can’t admit when you’ve had a tough week. Everybody else is saying, “Yeah, this last week was tough.” But you can’t seem to admit you have any problems.

But how does humility play out in a relationship? Notice the five relationship builders in 1 Peter 3:8: “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW). The first four are really built on the fifth one: Be humble. That verse is an excellent model for relationships.

How does humility happen in your life? It happens by letting Jesus control your thoughts, heart, attitudes, and reactions. Growing in humility has to include Jesus.

The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ in prayer and reading his Word. Just talk to him. He is humble and wants a relationship with you.

Growing in humility may seem like a tall order, but it’s possible with Jesus... 

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Prayer:

Father, 

         Thank You for sending this teaching today. Please forgive us for walking in pride. We do not want to invoke destruction and ruin in our lives. Help us to see how pride can show up in our life. Help us to see and understand the connection between being humble and spending time with Jesus. Make us ever mindful of how we act when it’s been a while since we've connected with You. We want to build according to Your Word to "Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder to C'mon Over

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:20-21 NKJV

You may be going through the trial of your life... a desert season of life that seems as scorched and dry as an Indian summer in West Texas. A night so long you almost despair of ever seeing the SON rise with healing in His wings. 

I don't know what you're facing, or why you're facing it, but I do know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I also know that we ARE able to OVERCOME by the Blood of the Lamb (His part - already done!) and the Word of OUR Testimony.  So let's be clear about one thing - it's NOT over until the Father says it's over!

Just a few reminders. You've probably seen or heard them before:

• If you never went through the fire, how would you become pure?
• If I [God] never corrected you, how would you know that I [God] love you?
• If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I [God] am a Forgiver - your Redeemer?
  
• If you never had trials to overcome, how could you be an overcomer? 

Jesus speaking in Revelation 3:21, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." 

I can't wait for Jesus to say, "C'mon over!"

Prayer:

Father,
             We thank You for the provision You have made for every possible scenario of our lives. How merciful and full of grace You are! I know the peace in the midst of the storm comes from knowing that nothing is a surprise to You, and You have already made provision for us to BE overcomers in everything that does come our way. We humbly ask that You keep us ever mindful of this. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent Day 21 - Jesus is a Different Kind of King

This year's Advent devotionals are from A Celebration of Advent:
A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC
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“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” 

Isaiah 11:1-2

We all have bosses — some good, some not. Jesus is a different kind of King. Imagine a boss who is always wise, patient, gentle, kind, and faithful to keep his promises. What if that leader always had his employees’ best interests at heart? And, what if following this authority led to more peace than you knew was possible?

Isaiah tells us that this type of King will rule the people of God. These verses announced to God’s people that your Savior is coming! This King will be righteous and dispense justice based on obedience, not favoritism. This kingdom would be different than anything we have ever known. This King will ask people to follow Him. He will draw people to Himself through love, not fear.

Jesus is the king Isaiah describes. And when He returns to rule and reign, “the whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide” Isaiah 11:9, MSG.

Reflect: Read Isaiah 11:1-10

How does Isaiah’s description of the King remind you of Jesus?
How might your relationship with Jesus need to change to reflect that He is both Savior and Ruler?

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Prayer:

Father,

           It is only by faith in You and Your Word that we can even dream of a kingdom where nothing will hurt or destroy each other or anything else. Your Word declares Your love is how we will be identified as Your disciples. Help us do our part as Christ-followers to live in peace and extend Your amazing love to one another. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent Day 17 - God Gives Us Exactly What We Need

This year's Advent devotionals are from A Celebration of Advent:

A 25-Day Devotional by New Spring Church of Anderson, SC
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“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17

The Old Testament commanded that God’s people love Him and love others (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18). After generations of trying, Israel discovered what God knew to be true. We are incapable of keeping God’s law without His special help.

When we see Jesus’ arrival in the context of the Old Testament, we understand why Anna “began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). For hundreds of years, Israel languished waiting for the anointed deliverer. Anna, Simeon, and later, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the long-promised Messiah. Jesus did everything the prophets described— sometimes in unexpected ways. [I dare say, MOST of the time in unexpected ways.]

Jesus’ death and resurrection provide [the] way for us to experience freedom from sin. When we believe in Jesus, we receive His Spirit, and with it, the ability to really love and finally fulfill God’s law. Like Anna, we can give thanks to God for our salvation and speak of His deliverance to everyone, everywhere.

Reflect: Read Luke 2:36-40, Matthew 5:17-18

How does Jesus’ statement that He came to fulfill the law and prophets change your view of the Old Testament?

What can we learn from Anna’s joy and excitement in seeing the Lord?
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Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the hope and the promise of freedom - deliverance - from our sin. We truly are incapable of anything without Your Love and Grace. We pray as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus. When we think of all this, we fall to our knees and pray to You, Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. We pray that You will empower us with inner strength from Your glorious, unlimited resources through Your Spirit. And that Christ will then make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. We pray that our roots will grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And that we have the power to understand, as all Your people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Extra Measure

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT

Can we even begin to fathom the reality of a love so deep, so strong, that it remains and sacrificially includes those who hate you? One where they beat you, spit on you, snatch handfuls of your beard from your face, and you still love them? You have greater compassion and ask God to forgive them? You're not even mad at them? And ultimately, lay down your very life to save them?

Matthew 5: 43-37 reads, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

The question is, Do those around us recognize our Christianity by the love evidenced in our lives?

Prayer:

Father,

          O that we would love like Christ! Help us, Lord, to walk in love and mercy and grace and forgiveness to overflowing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Reminder - That's Easy for You to Say

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

1st John 2:3-6 NLT

Oh, the things we say we love - that song! That color! I love that movie! That TV show! Popcorn! I love the beach! The mountains! Ice cream! I love that guy (an actor or someone else we don't know) or I do NOT love him (or her)! You get the picture.

What does that love mean? How is it defined? It's not deep. It's not truly meaningful. It doesn't cost anything. It's easy.

It's NOT the love that God has called us to. It's NOT the love by which the world will know we are Christ-followers. It's not world-changing. It doesn't save lives. It doesn't require a personal investment of any kind. It doesn't take time or energy. There's no blood, sweat or tears involved at all.

We are called to love as Christ loved and gave Himself as a ransom for us. It's easy to look a friend or family member in the eye and say that they must walk in love. Yes, that's easy for you to say. It's a whole 'nother story when we are to live our lives as Jesus did. That we are to love as He loves. That's real love and it will cost you everything.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray the words from the old song, "I'm going to live the way You want me to live. I'm going to give until there's just no more to give. I'm going to love, love till there's just no more love. I could never, never outlove You, Lord." We cannot do it without You, Father. Give us Your grace and Your strength to do exactly that. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - How Can You Not...

"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion."
1st Kings 8:23 NLT

I have been called a wordsmith more than once in my life, but when I attempt to lay attribute to Almighty God or try to tell you how I love the Lord, I am most inept. I guess if I could sing like Whitney...well, not like Whitney, but with her passion, I would belt it out, ♪♫ I LOVE THE LORD! ♫♪ HE HEARD MY CRY...♪♫

How can you not love a God who will say to you - "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1b

How can you not TRUST a God who promises you - "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2-3a NLT

How can you not love a God whose Word declares when the enemy comes in like a flood, that He - God - will lift up the standard against him?
Isaiah 59:19 NKJV

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah"
Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV

No matter what I see. No matter what I hear.

Do I know or understand why children die? No, I do not. Do I know or understand why there are mighty prayer warriors who die having lost the memories of all but Him? No, I do not. Do I know or understand why there are illnesses for which there is no cure, save a miracle from God? A miracle of healing that sometimes does not manifest on this Earth? No, I do not. But no matter if I understand it or I do not...even if I never do - this one thing I know. He is God and I am not. God of the universe. The Creator of Heaven and Earth - more than we can even begin to wrap our finite minds around. He is God and He is trustworthy and He is faithful and merciful and full of grace toward us. His grace empowers us to do His work. Unmerited favor - we couldn't earn it by our works if we tried. He sent His only Perfect Son to die - to pay the ransom price for my many sins...and for yours.

"I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps." Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV

How can we not love this God...

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word! Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You. O God, give us Your Words to speak - to shine Your Light into the darkness, to bring Your Comfort to those who mourn, Your Strength for those who are weak and heavy-laden! May Your Words be fruitful seed, watered by our tears. Give us the increase of Your Word, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Want Help with That?

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
Galatians 6:2 The Amplified Bible

Have you ever had a difficult season in life? Yes, I know... stupid question. Every living being has had at least one. What do you do in those times? To whom do you turn? Yes, of course, Jesus. He's our only true hope. But do you have anyone to help you pray when you can't? Someone or several someones to help you when your burdens are perhaps more physical than spiritual?

What's your definition of "burdens"? We definitely need to help carry spiritual burdens - moral struggles, addictive sin, matters of an eternal nature. What about helping when someone is moving from one house to another? What about during an illness or a long recovery? Meals? Mowing? Cleaning their house when they can't? Are we as willing to walk through the truly tough times - death of a loved one? Loss of a job? Providing groceries? Caring for children or the elderly?

These are just a few examples of being Christ's hand extended - the law of Christian love. Also in the Amplified Bible, John 13:35, Jesus instructs us, By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another. 

Take a moment and think about those God has put within your sphere of influence. How can you help?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for the times we have missed the opportunity to be Your hand extended to fulfill the law of Christian love. Open our eyes to see as You see. Open our hearts to feel for others as You would. Grant us the wisdom and the wherewithal to help those around us. Help us to live so that we are known by Your love and unselfish concern for others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lost Focus

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 KJV

We talked yesterday about Spring season in Texas. While it is my favorite, I noticed today it's also very dust and pollen-laden. No, we don't have to scrape ice off our windshields in season, but we need strong wipers to be able to clean the junk off so we can see clearly.

It made me think of how easy it is to get caught up in the day-to-day of life and lose our focus. A little dusting of irritation, piling on of political mayhem, fighting the allergens of this crisis and that one, the weariness of our workload, and before we know it we've lost focus. It seems like we can't see daylight... at least not clearly.

The Good News is that Jesus is the Morning Star. He is the Light of the World. In Isaiah 9:2 NKJV, the prophet tells us regarding Jesus' coming to Earth, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. 

How do we receive the Light of the World? By knowing His Word. Psalm 119:130 reads The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Light is essential to life. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. Let me never lose the focus of Your light and love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

RE: Valentine's Day

 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

1st John 4:9-11 NLT

Valentine's Day is celebrated the world over, as a day set aside to express our love to each other. They tend to focus on the romantic love of couples, which can cause dismay for some, but certainly doesn't hurt the commercialization of the day. According to Statista.com, this year's planned Valentine's Day spending in the United States alone was expected to reach approximately 24 BILLION US dollars! That boggles the mind! "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" laughing all the way to the bank...

I taught my children to celebrate the love of friendships and family. In doing so, no one is left out of love. It is what Jesus called us to do. Read it again, Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 

I hope you've had a happy Valentine's Day. 💗

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for loving us enough to send Your only Son to pay the price for our sins so we could be reconciled to You. Teach us to love others as You have loved us. Help us to walk in mercy and grace toward others and in Your true love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Advent - Day Twenty-one

From 21 Gifts of Advent by Janelle Keith

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14 NLT

The Gift of Love

The gift of God’s love heals our brokenness and strengthens us. Our lives are transformed whenever we meet our Healer face to face. When we gather together with Jesus, we can lay our burdens at Hope's feet. In the place of intimacy with God, we are transformed by grace. Christ's pure love brings hope and healing.

We celebrate, we worship, and we adore Jesus in the long-awaited season of Advent and Christmas. It’s not about the gifts, but it IS about the ultimate gift of Love we were given by God. And gifts were meant to be opened. God wants to love His children, and we must open our hearts and minds to the Lord for more of Love.

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:22-23 (NLT)

This verse encourages me greatly, especially at this time of year. It’s been documented that most unbelievers will go to church at least one time per year. Christmas services are the number one choice for attending! Begin to pray now for whom you want to invite. Pray about how they will receive the message of Love and that they’ll be received with love by those within the church.

Our mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. That includes you, too, as you read these words. We are invited by the love of God to join Jesus as Kingdom builders, and to share our faith.

Advent reflection: When our identity is based on our relationship in Christ, we can run the faith race empowered by the Holy Spirit. We can know our purpose in loving like Christ loved. Looking to the New Year, we have everything we need to be world changers. Let’s impact the world and our communities for Christ. We can lead like Jesus, with the love that we know from our Heavenly Father. We choose to love others well all the way HOME! What a gift God’s love is! It’s time to celebrate Love!

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your endless love! As we celebrate Your greatest Gift, help us to keep foremost in our hearts and minds that it was and is Your love that birthed the plan of salvation for us. Open our eyes to see all the opportunities to share Your love and Your plan of salvation to those around us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Rejoice!

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT

How do we love Christ? 

In every circumstance, choose how we can best bring Him the most honor and glory and do that. 

How do we trust Him?

By believing His every word and obeying. Trust isn't a feeling. To trust Him is a decision - a choice we make (to believe and obey).

What does it mean to rejoice in Christ? 

It means to thank Him and praise Him for the wondrous blessing of our salvation and our secured eternity with Him. When we meditate on that thought alone, our joy can be truly inexpressible. To get to live for God - knowing He ever watches over us - should flood our hearts with pure joy.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your wondrous plan for our salvation since before the foundation of the world. What great love You have for us - incomparable and incomprehensible - too great to fully grasp and understand. Help us, Father, to follow obediently in Your footsteps and to love others as You have loved us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Our Only Defense

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. 

Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.

Isaiah 43:25-26 NKJV

Was it something we did? Something we said? Something we flaunted as though it was our own creation? Was that the reason God chose to not remember our sins? The Truth is that the something we said or did was most probably a case of sinning against God. Anything we may have created to flaunt was rooted in pride - also very offensive to God. So for His own sake, He chose to create a way to forgive us and not compromise His own holiness.

And lest we persist in thinking it might have been something we earned, let's review how we may state our case and be acquitted. Our ONLY defense is to confess our sins to God and repent - turn from our sins - receive His forgiveness and throw ourselves on His mercy which is new every morning and never-ending.

Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for any time we thought we might be able to rid ourselves of our selfish, sinful ways. Thank You for Your unfailing love, for loving us first, and for Your faithfulness. Thank You for providing a way out of the debt we owed You by having Your Son pay the penalty for our sin. Guide us in loving others as You have loved us. Teach us Your ways, Father, so that they are our first response to those around us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No Substitutions

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Salvation is made available to us solely by the gift of God through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died to pay the penalty for our sins so we could be reconciled to the Father. It is by His Grace through faith that we are able to receive it. Faith, which is also a gift from God (Romans 12:3). 

And while faith in Christ produces a heart to serve and help others, works such as serving, giving, good deeds, etc., do not serve as a substitute for faith. We must be careful to not allow ourselves to reduce our journey with Jesus to the tasks we accomplish.

There is no substitution for faith in a living, loving relationship with the Lord.

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us when we allow our relationship with You to become mindless acts of perceived duty. Open our eyes of understanding to fully embrace what it means to love You with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. In Jesus' Name we pray.

Promise for Today - Of Equal Importance

Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38 NLT

I've read this Scripture hundreds of times. Many of us don't think we have a hard time loving God. I mean, how could we? He gave us Life! He sent His Son to pay off our sin debt. Paid in full - just like that, right? He's building our eternal home in His neighborhood so we can spend eternity together. The list goes on and on. But tonight, I thought about several other Scriptures as I was reading this. Particularly the passage in John 21 where Jesus asks Peter 3 times, "Lovest thou me?"

Upon looking a little deeper, we find that Jesus is questioning Peter with regard to agape love: pure, complete, and all-encompassing. Peter responded with phileo; the friendly, brotherly kind of love. Knowing the difference, can we still state as convincingly, "Yes, I love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind"?

What about John 14:15? Jesus says, "If you love me, keep my commandments!" Do we?

Our Promise for Today is the first and greatest commandment according to Jesus. What about the second commandment He gives us in Matthew 22:39? Do you know what it is? His Word according to Matthew 22:39a, NLT - A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Loving our neighbor is equally important as loving God...with all our heart, with all our soul, and all our mind.

Gee, I can think of at least a few instances where that is NOT happening... Can you?

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to see all of our neighbors with Your eyes and to love them with Your love and all of ours... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen