LIVE LOVE

There are times that I have so much going on that it really helps my mind to come back to the simple truth...the prevailing peace of God...by listening to the Word of God anyway that I can. Lately, I have been listening to www.intouch.org and it has been challenging me to remember and reflect and put into action what I know to be the truth. We must remind ourselves who we belong too. We are protected by the everlasting God who has covenanted with us (Isaiah 61-62), who claims us for his own. Do the first thing God told you to do. Obey Him all the way. Don't think so. Know so. What is God telling you to do? In what ways has He called you to trust Him? You would be amazed at the peace you have when you make Trusting the Lord your priority.

What are you waiting for? INITIATE conversation, encouragement, giving, asking questions that will help someone know that they matter and you really care.

The grace- given— give grace!  Is grace happening to you?  Is there anyone in your life you refuse to forgive?  If so, do you appreciate God’s forgiveness toward you?  Do you resent God’s kindness to others?  Do you grumble at God’s uneven compensation?  How long has it been since your generosity stunned someone? Since someone objected, “No, really, this is too generous?”  If it’s been awhile reconsider God’s extravagant grace.  Psalm 103:2-3 says, “Forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity.” Let grace unscrooge your heart.  Like Peter encourages us in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” When grace happens, generosity happens.  Unsquashable, eye-popping, big-heartedness happens!  You simply can’t contain it all.  Let it bubble over.  Let it spill out.  Let it pour forth.  ________      ...

Holding my son brings to mind the troubles my own mother had to go through to bring me into this world. She had six children and a few miscarriages. She talked to God often in bringing up her kids. There was no one bigger or stronger or more capable of keeping the precious ones she loved more perfectly than Jesus. It also comes to mind... how much the Lord loves to hold us and help us and take care of us. He never gets tired or weary of loving us completely. It is good to realize how helpless we are...just like the baby who is utterly dependent on the parent for life sustaining care...so are we utterly helpless without the Lord's loving kindness day after day. So what can we do more loving or more nourishing than speak life and the pure Word of God over our children? And pray His will for them in this life.. EVERY WORD OF GOD IS FLAWLESS; HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.  Proverbs 30:5

This entry is a response to the anonymous comment to my previous post. Thank you for sharing your opinion. I would like to add a few more thoughts in regards to the perspective on suffering.  It is true that Jesus paid our debt in full. There is nothing lacking by His perfect sacrifice. I do believe that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that He alone is God and that He is Lord of all. I do not believe that we have to wait until we get to heaven to obtain what he has purchased with His blood and freely given to us. I also believe that sin, sickness, poverty, and death are the curse of the law that was destroyed by His blood covenant. I will say again, Jesus Himself said, "THAT IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION...but take heart because I have overcome the world." I can do all things through Christ Jesus my strength. We would not need the strength of Jesus in this world to overcome, if we are pas...

I've been walking with my mother in law for the last few months. Seems that we always have interesting conversations and exchanges of thoughts and ideas. Very refreshing. One day last week we were talking about pain. What we believe in regards to suffering and it's relation to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For myself, growing up, I cannot really recall too many conversations or ideas that were ever spoken of in regards to suffering. I do remember hearing a lot about prosperity, provision, protection, perseverance, purity and holiness, and the importance of obedience and enduring whatever comes, but for some reason pain and suffering seemed more like it was always related to the dark side or a curse. I clearly recall my Mother calling on the name of Jesus when she was overwhelmed, when the difficulties were just too much to bear. I remember the Lord answering our prayers multiple times and it not always make complete sense while we waited for the answers to come. As a family,...