Speechless Love

 

“Look at God … being God … and stuff!”

Yes - that is a direct quote from a conversation earlier today 

A dear friend received some absolutely amazing news!

She got a new job - 

One that pays substantially more than what she’s currently earning

And as she gave God glory for His indescribable gift,

     She found herself tripping over her words

She could not find the right words - she was speechless 

I am celebrating with and for my sweet friend 

I just love when God shows off!

He went so far beyond her expectations 

His love for us is absolutely overwhelming

And that is something to smile about 

‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.’

Amen

2021: ALL THINGS LOVE

We have officially made it through the first month of 2021!

The time, it seems to go so fast

However, I cannot state that I am disappointed

Because with the end of January, comes the beginning of one of my favorite months –

February is here!

And, if you have spent any time here on our page,

that means we are focusing on all things LOVE for the entire month

 

But LOVE means different things to different people

Whether it is a concept, a feeling or a verbal declaration,

When discussing the subject of love, the range of opinions can be as vast … as the stars

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
I recently watched a show where the two lead actors were discussing the subject of LOVE

They had just met with his parents and announced their plans to be married

Upon being questioned about her intentions are reasoning for marriage, she responded:

‘My sweetie … I  … I love him’

When discussing the events of the evening the next morning, he commended her on putting his father at ease. "He does not usually believe those words", he said.

She then noted, "It occurred to me that your father wanted to hear a love declaration. I think he wanted to verify if it [the marriage] was a good match for his son. To be honest – it might be a little obvious – but there is nothing more definitive than love in that situation.”

He responded, “Right … there is no easier word than that either.”

A declaration of love could mean everything – or absolutely nothing

However, we will delve into that later this month

But for today – I would like to focus on the God who is LOVE

Why start here?

Because everything concerning love begins and ends with GOD –

Because you can never know or understand love until you know the LORD who is LOVE

I John 4:8 says, ‘Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love.’

It can also be stated that, he who does not know God does not know love [not truly]

So my question to you is a simple one

Do you know the God who is love?

Is it evidenced in your life and in your interactions with Him and others?

We will talk about this some more in the coming weeks …

It’s going to be an enjoyable month – I hope you’ll  stay around.

Have a Blessed Day!

CHOSEN

 

Happy Monday!

Here we are – a little less than three weeks to Christmas …

I love this time of year!

It reminds me of wonder-filled act of love that God extended toward us all

 

‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever should believe in Him would not perish but have life everlasting’ John 3:16

 

When God plans – He know the end from the beginning.

 

Christ was chosen from the beginning of time – a perfect sacrifice and intercessor for us all

 

But He was not the only One chosen

The LORD has also chosen us

 

‘Before I formed you in your mother's womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.’ Jeremiah 1:5 NET

 

‘I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.’ Isaiah 48:10 KJV

 

‘For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.’ Deuteronomy 14:2 ESV

I had a conversation with one of my sons recently regarding the upcoming Hanukkah celebration and we also talked about the Jewish people being God’s chosen people. And my son said something that has stuck with me for several days. He noted the tremendous challenges the Jewish people have endured’ over time – persecution, the holocaust, even their enslavement in Egypt in the Old Testament. And my son said, ‘… and still they love God and says He is the LORD their God … no wonder they are God’s chosen people”

 

However – the truth is – He does not love us because we love Him

He loved us – and continues to love us – even when loving Him was/is not a thought in our minds

In fact – we love Him only because He first loved us [I John 4:19]

We choose Him because He chose us

And even when we do not choose Him – He loves and chooses us still

 

It is an amazing love!

And, the beautiful thing is that we are all His CHOSEN people in CHRIST

 

‘For He chose us in Him [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.’ Ephesians 1:4 NIV

 

‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ I Peter 2:9 ESV

 

‘Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of His sacrifice, acting as our priest before God.’

Hebrews 10:20 MSG

 

As we reflect on the personal and individuals challenges that we might each be experiencing, as we think about the challenges all have faced throughout 2020 – I hope, through it all, we would still choose Him.

 

He never promised this life would be easy

But He did promise that He would be with us – EMMANUEL, God With Us

 

He chose us because He loves us –

But make no mistake – He loves it when we choose Him too

 

Have a Blessed Day!

2020: Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day!

I pray all is well today and that your day is off to a great start

It is certainly not like any Mother’s Day we have experienced before –

I am actually unable to see my Mom today – this Mother’s Day;

There is still a strict non-visitation policy in place due to COVID-19

                Yet, I am thankful knowing that she is safe

There is no person like a mom

There is certainly no person like my Mom – and I love her and miss her so much!

Yet I know there are several people missing their moms today 

My heart goes out to all those who have lost their mom –

                Whether it was due to this virus or other reasons

I pray that the LORD would comfort you …

Mother’s Day is always special to me –

My youngest was almost a Mother’s Day baby – he missed it by four hours

He turned twenty-six yesterday! I can hardly believe it … the time is flying

But he is not the only reason Mother’s Day is special,

I have three somebodies who make being a mother … an absolute joy

Mother’s Day is a day for me to honor my sons

It is a privilege to share life with them – 

It has taken on a whole new dimension being 'sheltered in' with them; 

They have not changed –  my awareness of all the reasons I appreciate them has

They bless me in ways they will never fully know

Proverbs 31 speaks of a woman of great character –

She rises early, manages her business and supplies for her household

I can relate to those aspects – even as I lack in many other areas

Yet one area where this is no shortage or shortfall,

‘Her children rise up and call her blessed …’ Proverbs 31:28

My sons still do that – they call me blessed

Despite all the twist and turns, the stumbles and failures – they still bless me

In many aspects, they look on me with the eyes of their Father – their heavenly Father

Our love for one another is mutual and ever-lasting

What a blessing!

TODAY –

I pray, whether you are spending time with your mom or away,

Take some time to reflect on the blessing she has been and still is

If you are a mom, this Mother’s Day,

Take some time to reflect on the blessing that your children are

‘Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him’ Psalm 127:3

Be Blessed this Mother’s Day –

I send the warmest wishes your way … today & always

Happy Mother’s Day!

WSR REPORT: RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Good Morning Friends

It is Resurrection Sunday –

It is a day when Christians remember the amazing sacrifice of Christ,

                And celebrate His victorious resurrection

Truthfully, there is not a need to wait for one specific day in a year;

The loving act of Christ is worthy of remembrance, praise and celebration –

EVERY DAY

And while it may not seem like it, this focus on resurrection Sunday,

It fits appropriately with our WSR/When Storms Rage Report series

You see – 

Even though there are twenty-one principles to keep you anchored through storms;

The principles will not work for you if Jesus is not the Captain of your ship,

If He is not at the helm of your life.

Fortunately, because He endured the most excruciating storm anyone could ever endure,

We are able to have a hope and a confidence – in the midst of our storms,

And, we are able to look forward to an eternity spent with Him.

Good Friday was two days ago –

It is the day where the crucifixion and death is recognized,

That day – thousands of years ago – it was a day of unimaginable loss and ;

It was a day of uncommon sorrow, of pain and extinguished expectations

And – although they did not know it at the time – it was indeed a Good Friday,

For it was the day that the plan of God – portrayed throughout  history and Scripture – came to fruition

HE ENDURED THE MOST EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL DEATH THAT COULD EVER BE INFLICTED UPON A HUMAN BEING. HE DID IT ALL SO THAT WE COULD BE FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH AND BE RECONCILED TO THE FATHER … SO THAT WE COULD, ONE DAY SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM

‘He [Jesus] was chosen before the creation of the world.’ I Peter 1:20

          ‘… the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ Isaiah 9:6

‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ John 1:29

“He endured the most excruciatingly painful death that could ever be inflicted upon a human being. He did it all so that we could be free from the bondage of sin and death and be reconciled to the father … so that we could, one day spend eternity with Him … Yet even with Him taking on the sin of the world and dying, it would have meant nothing if He did not arise from the dead on the third day – victorious over death, hell and the grave. And He did! He arose and is seated at the right hand of God, desiring for all to choose a relationship with the Father – made possible through the shedding of His blood. He stands ready to be your Lord and Savior, [to be] your Captain and Friend.”

Today – Christ is alive!

Jesus Christ is alive and He is seated  at the right hand of God, interceding for His saints

He has bridged the gap, that mighty chasm, so that all who desire, may be reunited with the Father

He has secured our place in eternity!

It is truly a cause for unending gratitude, a day for joyous celebration!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!