My Report of the Lord

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 

We are all probably being overloaded with news reports right now. Even if we try to avoid it, we are still faced with bad news daily it seems. But this is my report of the Lord.  And it is good.

Overcoming the Propaganda of Fear

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10 

I want to help somehow in the midst of what seemingly the entire world is facing. I'm afraid the only thing I can offer at the moment are my thoughts. Which are many, and have taken me some time to piece together. My prayer is that my life will be a witness of God's faithfulness. And that by sharing what has helped me, it will help someone else. 

I have wanted to write something for awhile, but I've been pretty busy fighting my own battles lately.  It seems like that's how it works with me. I get lost in my own problems.  I have to wander in the valley for a bit. But in that valley is where I learn. I get to practice the things I've been taught. And I learn to trust Him even more. And if I stay faithful in the wilderness,  God reveals Himself to me in a new way. I think that's par for the course for most believers it seems. A roller coaster of highs and lows, faith and doubt, success and failure,  closeness with God and silence,  joy and despair. 

Fear is real to almost all of us. Especially now. Unfortunately,  I'm pretty familiar with fear. It has been my biggest foe my whole life. Even as a kid I would have to take Maalox to school with me in case I got a nervous stomach ache. And events in my young adulthood left me paralyzed by fear.  I had panic attacks.  I was afraid to drive at times. Afraid of the dark.  It seemed the enemy saw me as an easy target. But I remember reading the scripture one day that said, when I'm weak then I will be strong. And God's power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12) I believed it. I didn't want to be weak and afraid anymore. So I let God have my whole heart. I needed Him. He took over, and my life changed.  I did become strong because it was Him fighting for me.  But Fear is always a close enemy, and I still lose some of those battles. Even other people's fear have stolen things from me at times. It can be discouraging when worry gets the best of me again. And after almost twenty years of depending on God, it seems like an anxious heart should be a thing of the past. But I've learned that my moments of anxiety, fear, or doubt are not defeats.  As I continue to mature, I understand that these battles are part of the growing process. Like a farmer cultivates his fields to be stronger and healthier. So I get up after a loss and I keep going.  I keep trusting God. He is faithful and much stronger than any fear or doubt. 

What in the World is Going on?

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

2 Corinthians 4:7‭-‬9‭, ‬17

I have heard all sorts of theories of why this pandemic is happening. A satanic attack. The evil motivations of man. Judgement from God. A call to repentance. I'm not sure if we'll ever know the source or reason.  Or if we need to. We just need to stay faithful through it.  But if God really is in control,  why doesn't He just stop all this with one word? He could, couldn't He? I find comfort and an explanation in the "jar of clay".

I imagine if I was a literal lump of clay sitting on a potter's wheel,  it would probably not be fun to be spun around.  It would probably hurt to have strong hands press into me, shaping me into something else. But as a shapeless lump, this would be for my good. The Potter has good intentions.  He doesn't want me to stay a lump. He wants me to be a beautiful creation.  A jar maybe,  with a purpose.  To be filled with new wine, His spirit, living water to be poured out to others. The Potter delights in His creation.  

As an artist. I can relate to this imagery.  I have a vision in my mind of what I want to create.  And I don't spend time drawing or painting to cause pain to the paper or canvas.  But to create something beautiful.  To bless others and bring others joy through art. And it is fulfilling to see the vision I have in my mind manifest on paper. I imagine that is how God sees us. He delights to see us grow. We can trust that in the painful moments we experience,  we're being shaped into something beautiful -- the vision that God has for our lives. The process is a means to an end. And while it may hurt at times, we can trust that it is good because He is good. That's why we keep pressing on. We are in good hands. 

Maybe the whole world is sitting on the potter's wheel right now. Maybe, the Church as a whole is being shaped into something even more beautiful and purposeful than before. 

God had big plans for Joseph. To be a prince in Egypt. To provide for his family during a famine.  But life for Joseph was good in Canaan. He was a favorite son in a prosperous family.  Would Joseph have left everything behind to go to Egypt if God had simply asked? I'm not so sure. Maybe Joseph needed to spend some time on the potter's wheel -- in a pit and then in prison, to be able to hear God.  And be willing to do what God asked. 

So maybe the question shouldn't be, what is going on? But rather, what is God preparing us for? We can trust that He is good, and He sees the final picture. 

How Will We Get Through This?

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

"We fix 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 12:2 

I found that during tough times, the best thing I can do is focus on Jesus.  Not what He can do for me or how He can get me out of something.  But just simply who He is. And likewise who I am in Him.  The book of John is a great source for this. All of the gospels are important.  And each gospel is written with a slightly different perspective and even a different audience. John is clearly written with the Church in mind, and for me evokes the most emotion. The gospel of John doesn't just explain who Jesus is, but also who we are in Him. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.  Jesus is the good shepherd,  we are the sheep.  He is the bridegroom, we are the bride. When I read the book of John I feel like I'm spending time with a friend. Like Jesus is sitting across the table, expressing His love to me. Reminding me that I'm His. Asking me to abide in Him.

We need Jesus.  He is the Word from the very beginning, made flesh to dwell among us. (Jn. 1:1-3)  All things were created through Him and yet He is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for His own creation.(Jn. 1:29) No matter what we're facing,  Jesus is the answer.

Are you in darkness? He is the light that cannot be overcome. (Jn. 1:5) Are you thirsty and unsatisfied? Jesus is the Living Water that never runs dry. (Jn. 4:13) Are you hungry for something more? He is the Bread of Life. (Jn. 6:35) Feast on His Word and live. Are you lost or scared? Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will find you and guide and protect you. (Jn. chapter 10) The Shepherd never forgets his own. He calls each one by name and nothing can snatch them out of His hand! Do you need guidance? He is the Way the Truth and the Life. (Jn. 14:6) Are you lonely? He is the friend who layed down His life for you. (Jn. 15:13) Are you grieving a loss? Take heart because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. (Jn. 11:25) Though we die, yet we shall live in Him. Do you feel unworthy? Jesus is the only begotten Son sent to save the world, not condemn it. (Jn. 3:16-8) We can trust Him completely. 

Keep Looking Up

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:18 

"Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:1‭-‬4 

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

Revelation 22:1‭-‬5 

So we keep moving forward and staying faithful.  Resting in Jesus and who He is. And holding onto a promise -- a promise of a bright future. Eternity in Heaven. Paradise.  The New Jerusalem. A new heaven and earth.  A place with no more suffering or pain or tears. This place is real. But how do we hold on to this hope in the midst of trial and tribulation? It can be difficult at times.

One of my favorite ways to define hope is "to eagerly expect". And for me, the best imagery for this is pregnancy. The first time a woman becomes pregnant is one of the most exciting moments of her life. I know. I'm a mom.  But you don't get your new baby right away. You have to wait. The child you hope for starts out as just a promise. But we eagerly expect this promise to come to pass. And it's not an easy nine months. There's morning sickness, which is sometimes all day sickness, which sometimes continues way past the first trimester. And then there's the heartburn.  Backaches. Swollen feet. Bloody noses.  Restlessness. Discomfort of almost every kind.  Sometimes even severe pain. Sometimes even complications.  But we endure all this because we have a promise.  We are eagerly expecting.  And we even endure all the discomfort with a smile and excitement. It seems bad now, but something good is about to happen. 

Is it possible to "glow" through our trials like an expectant mother? Shouldn't we have as much eager expectation for our promise of eternity? Heaven is just as real as a baby. More real, in a way. More sure. And even more exciting. 

How does a mother keep her joy through the difficulties of pregnancy? She thinks about her baby. She listens to the heartbeat.  Shares her excitement with friends.  Picks out names.  Imagines what her baby will look like and what it will be like to hold him or her for the first time. And we should do the same. Let's learn and think about heaven. Talk about it with friends.  Ponder what it will be like in our hearts. Imagine what it will be like to see Jesus and loved ones. I think that's why Paul says to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal. That's how we get through the momentary troubles. 

"Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.  A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.  So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

John 16:20‭-‬22

Stay Close to Friends 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬12 

Sometimes we have to go through really scary things. You know, like worldwide pandemics. We've all heard that God has not given us a spirit of fear. That's true. But sometimes we need some help battling that fear or even loneliness. This is a scary time. It's in the valleys that we can see what a gift a mature Christian friend is. I have been blessed to have a few. Sometimes I encourage them. Sometimes they help me. Often we just simply strengthen each other.  A true friend will walk with you in the darkness and even help carry you at times. A friend reminds you that you're not alone.  And there is nothing wrong with not wanting to walk through something alone. In fact, we're not meant to. The Bible itself reminds us of that. Moses needed Aaron's help talking to Pharaoh. Joshua and Caleb strengthened each other as they faced giants. Barack couldn't go to battle without Deborah.  Ruth wouldn't let Naomi travel alone. David needed encouragement from Johnathan. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo went into the fire together. Esther needed guidance from Mordecai. The scripture is perfect.  So these examples are given to us for a reason. I think to remind us of the importance of friendship and working together. God puts people in our lives doesn't he? Sometimes at just the right moment. My friend calls these "divine connections." We are mysteriously and eternally connected to Christ and each other. God wants us to depend on Him, for sure. And if we have no one else to turn to, He will always be more than enough for us. He is the Father to the orphan and the Husband to the widow. A constant friend. But I believe God also understands our need for human friendship and companionship. We are created in His image after all. He knows what we need and always provides. If you're lonely, scared, or worried. Talk to someone. We are the Church.  We are the body, and we are better together. 

Pray

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

James 5:16 

Last and maybe most importantly,  pray. Prayer refocuses our attention back to God, calms our anxieties, and takes our mind off ourselves. Prayer accomplishes things. My worry for others won't do anything for them. But my prayers will.

Often I pray little prayers throughout the day. Quiet conversations with God.  He is always with us, after all. But sometimes I want to spend a lot of time in prayer. I want to go in my "closet" and shed some tears and spill my heart to God. Do you know how I know prayer is powerful?  Because something as simple as talking to God can seem almost impossible at times. I like to pray. I enjoy it. I look forward to that time with God. And I can feel it strengthen me. But I will go in my room and close my door and my mind will draw a blank.  I'll try to start my prayer, but I can't. There's an invisible wall. For some reason I have no problem thinking about my grocery list or almost anything else. But I can't find the words to offer God.  This obviously is a battle.  And I just have to pick up my sword,  close my eyes and start talking. I have found that if I begin with simply praising God, that opens the way for the rest of my prayer. The wall comes down because God inhabits the praises of His people.  And the enemy has to flee.

 Laugh 

"A joyful heart is good medicine."

Proverbs 17:22 

Actually one more thing,  laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine.  I'm a person who carries burdens, and cries easily.  But I also laugh easily.  I find joy in the little things, and I'm thankful for that. Sometimes as adults we lose our wonder and lightheartedness. But it's okay to laugh. Even during difficult times. Especially during pandemics. We're expecting something good after all, aren't we? Smile, because one day soon we'll be in that new heaven and new earth with our King.

Go ahead , laugh. It's okay...

If you're someone who is still quarantined.  Or someone who just needs evidence of God's goodness and love, don't forget to look around you...

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. For His invisible attributes have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So that we are without excuse."

Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 

 

Excuse Me, Mr. Fear

Excuse Me, Mr. Fear 

I can see what you are doing 

You're grinning ear to ear.

You're stealing joy and taking peace 

And now things are getting weird.

You're marching through our towns and gloating. 

I can almost hear you cheer.

You must think you've won somehow. 

You seem so cavalier. 

But before you start rejoicing, 

I have a message you should hear.

The King of kings is on my side

And His reign is drawing near. 

As I stay close to Him,

My Shepherd and Overseer, 

This temporal world starts fading 

And the truth becomes more clear. 

If God is love and I'm in Him,

Then you must dissapear.

Though I know you'll be back again 

To creep and prowl and jeer.

But even in deepest waters,

With Christ I'll persevere. 

I am not alone in this

As long as The Church is here,

We're family from every tribe and tongue

Our mandate is volunteer

To help all those in need

Across both city and frontier. 

Our love and light and praises

Will change this atmosphere.

So it's over. It's done. 

I'm being quite sincere.

Pack your bags, be on your way

Back to your own dark stratosphere. 

But if you spread more terror

With famine, plague, or spear.

I still won't ever bow to you 

From my Lord,  I'll never veer.

And on that coming blessed day 

When my Savior does appear 

He'll take me to my Father's house

With all whom I hold dear.

I have an eternal future home

With my Maker, whom I revere.

But for you it is much different.

It's punishment. And it's severe.

So, I'm sorry. No. Not sorry 

To inform you, Mr. Fear

That it shall be YOU, not I, 

shedding the last tear.


"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."
1 John 4:18 

The Shepherd and His Sheep

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalms 23

Jesus has many familiar titles and descriptions. But the image I grew up having of Jesus,  and the one that still resonates most with me, is of a shepherd. I guess because I know what it feels like to be that lost sheep, the one who wandered down the wrong path and got stuck on the side of a cliff. I also know what it's like to feel the gentle rod and staff of my shepherd pull me back to safety. I've been rescued. More than once. So I finally decided to do my own study on Jesus as a shepherd. And I thought I would share what I've learned.


What is a Shepherd?

"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?"
Matthew 18:12

For ancient shepherds, it wasn't just a 9-5 job. For them, shepherding was a way of life. And they faced many challenges. Often they risked their own lives to protect the flock.​ Good shepherds took time to teach their sheep to know his voice and obey his commands. This was for their own protection, as the sheep would learn to respond to the shepherd if they were lost or in danger. Good shepherds took tender care of the animals in their charge, even giving them names. Good shepherds were attentive, reliable, and brave.  Each evening, the shepherd counted the sheep and checked their health. In the morning, the flock would follow him to the pasture.  He would spend many nights sleeping under the stars with His sheep.  I love the image of the shepherd and his sheep.  It's so tender and intimate. A sheep, totally helpless without the shepherd to guide it. And a shepherd, in full devotion, forsaking all else, for his little sheep.


Shepherds in the Bible

"I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak."
Ezekiel 34:15‭-‬16

I don't think it's a coincidence that many of the heroes of the Bible were shepherds. Abel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and his brothers, Moses, and David were all shepherds. Maybe they're types meant to help God's people recognize and trust The Good Shepherd one day. Able, being the very first shepherd, was innocently slain by his brother. Much like Jesus being sentenced to death by the leaders of His own people.  Joseph was a shepherd, also betrayed by His own brothers. And later exalted as a king (well, basically a king).  Similarly, Christ will soon return as king. Moses was a shepherd who delivered his people out of slavery. Jesus is our shepherd who delivers us from sin and sets us free. David was a man after God's own heart. A shepherd and a king. Just like Jesus, who will one day reign as King of kings on David's own throne. And when Christ himself was born, it was to the shepherds that the angels announced the birth of the Savior. Obviously everything in the Bible is important.  But I think that if there is a reoccurring theme, maybe we should pay special attention to it. God is a God of purpose and design after all. And it seems to me He wants us to understand the significance of the humble and faithful shepherd.


Jehovah Rohi: the Good, the Great,  the Chief Shepherd

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
John 10:11

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 13:20‭-‬21

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
1 Peter 5:4

Jehovah Rohi is one of the many names of God.  It means "The Good Shepherd."  The word Rohi can also be translated as "companion or friend". This beautifully expresses the goodness and intimacy of sharing life with Jesus. As our shepherd and friend, He walks beside us through every mountain and valley of life. Jesus is the good Shepherd indeed. With gentleness, He governs us for our good. He guides us and provides for us. He protects us from evil.  If we lose our way, He seeks us out and brings us back. If we're broken, He binds us up. If we're wounded, He heals us. He is such a good shepherd that He sacrificed His own life for all His sheep. He died as the good shepherd,  but in resurrection He became the Great Shepherd. For He defeated death for His flock.  He is the Great Shepherd to whom if we place our trust in, we shall live -- forever. And finally He is the Chief Shepherd. So our Shepherd was good in His dying, great in His rising, and will be chief of many other shepherds in His return -- as every pastor or teacher, anyone of us, who has fed His sheep are with Him. All of us who have in any way contributed towards the guidance of His flock, we shall appear with Him. And once again, we see His goodness.  Not wanting to be alone in glory. However undeserving we might be, He wants us there with Him, too. A good shepherd always wants His sheep close.


Earthly Shepherds

"And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."
Jeremiah 3:15

"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Peter 5:1-3

"Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock He bought with the blood of His own Son."
Acts 20:28

Shortly after His resurrection,  Jesus took Peter aside and asked him three times if he loved Him.  Each time Peter said yes.  And each time Jesus's response was "then feed my sheep." We know Jesus loved His flock.  But He was leaving soon to go back to His father in heaven. So He asked His dear friend to take care of His sheep.   That is how Peter was to love Jesus. We are each one so precious to our Savior. And certainly He watches over and guides us through His Holy Spirit. But it also seems that He has appointed certain people in each of our lives to look after us, too. Earthly shepherds.  Peter was the first. And he wrote the above scripture about the duties and relationships of shepherds and their sheep.

For many biblical truths or promises, there is an earthly model for us to learn from. A shepherd being one of them. The word pastor literally means shepherd. A shepherd is also defined as someone who the Lord raises up to care for His flock. We probably all have mentors and teachers and pastors in our lives. People God likely put in our lives to teach and guide us. Although this is an idea that has been declining through the years.  As many people either don't attend church anymore or feel disconnected from their church leaders. It's a little sad, and we can see through the moral decay and rebellion that something has gone wrong. We're supposed to have elders in our lives we can trust. Ones who follow Christ. It's scriptural. We need the guidance from those who have gone before us. Like Joshua learning from Moses, or Elijah mentoring Elisha, or Paul instructing Timothy. But it's a statistical fact, my generation, and the ones after me, are abandoning their Christian upbringing. Or at least not connecting to a church. Which means many of us are left feeling lost and confused. Finding it difficult to wade through the many deceptions. We need shepherds to help us sort through it all. Admittedly, I myself have spent the last decade church hopping. With large chunks of that time not attending anywhere regularly. I go every Sunday now (or almost) for my kids. We've only been going to our current church for a few months. When you don't have time to settle in somewhere,  it's hard to think of the pastor as your shepherd.  It seems hard to trust someone you don't know. But I'm blessed to have my mom and several mature Christian women in my life. I have a pastor from my youth who I still trust as a shepherd.  And a good dad with a shepherd's heart. A dad who doesn't just want me to be happy but wants me to find purpose and truth and the right path. I connect and relate and learn from each of these people in a different way. And I recognize them for who they are. Shepherds. Good earthly shepherds should point us to our Chief Shepherd, Jesus.  Shepherds are meant to guide, not be the source of all our revelation and learning. I have come to understand this. As many times I have taken the wisdom imparted to me from them and found it for myself in the Word to receive full clarity and understanding. And through their guidance,  I have been able to recognize a shepherd's heart within myself. I have love and compassion for Jesus's flock. And I often find myself trying to encourage and guide the people God put in my life. If you're feeling lost or confused,  find someone you can trust.  Someone you feel safe with.  Someone you know is led by the Lord. I don't think it necessarily has to be a pastor (but it can be). It could be a parent or grandparent or friend or church leader. Ask them for guidance.  They'll probably be happy to help. They've probably already been praying for you.




The Flock

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me"
John 10:14

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11

The sheep is an animal of many diseases and many needs.  And so it seems that it is a fitting metaphor for a Christian, as we are a people with many sins and many infirmities. Prone to choose the wrong path without the guidance of our shepherd. Sheep are vulnerable and easily led astray. So it's imperative that a flock stay together and close to the shepherd.  If one wanders off, on its own it will easily get lost and become bewildered. Leaving the lone sheep virtually helpless.  But not forgotten or forsaken. For we have a good shepherd who never forgets His own.

John chapters 10 and 17 really help us understand what it means to be part of the Jesus's flock. We were given to Him by God.  We belong to Him.  We are His own. We are in Him and He is in us. He doesn't love us because we're perfect or because we deserve it.  He loves us because we are His. I've always sort of known Jesus as my shepherd.  Only now, with some help, am I coming to the full understanding of what it means to be part of His flock.  It is a place of perfect unity and security. No one can snatch us out of His hand.

I know some of us might not like to think of ourselves as weak, feeble sheep. But it's not about us. It's about our shepherd and all that He is and all that He will do for us. He really will be everything a good shepherd can be -- making himself every moment responsible for our well being and safety. If we are filled with large thoughts of the shepherd we will be strong sheep, abiding confidently in Him. It is when we acknowledge our weakness that we can find the joy and strength in the shepherd that keeps us. This seems simple enough and yet somehow very difficult. We can't earn the shepherds love and care. We don't have to prove ourselves worthy or have an extraordinary amount of faith. We don't have to impress Him with our great and marvelous works. We just have to be His and trust Him. I have spent many years exploring different doctrines and denominations. I had a hunger to know the most I could about this Christian life. Ironically,  in my search for more wisdom, I lost sight of the simple yet very important truth.  I am His.  And that is a most wonderful truth indeed.

While I've been writing this post, all my kids have had the flu. At the same time. If you're a parent, you know how difficult it is to take care of sick kids. We run on empty and go without sleep.  We hurt to see them hurt. And worry when their fever won't come down. We also have many moments of extreme irritation when they refuse to eat anything or take their medicine.  Or when fights erupt over who gets the best spot on the couch or who gets to watch their TV show first. And somehow everyone's frustrations get taken out on us, the innocent caregivers -- the ones making them soup and jello and wiping their noses. Difficult situations can bring out the worst in all of us. One of the nights during all the chaos, my youngest was running a high fever and wanted me to snuggle her.  I was tired. All I wanted to do was close my eyes. But instead I laid down with my daughter.  I was happy to hold her,  wipe her nose, and get her tylenol and water all through the night. I prayed quiet prayers over her little body, that was so hot from the fever it was actually making me sweat.   As I laid there with her,  that still small voice, you know the one, said,  "You don't love and care for them because they deserve it. You love them because they're yours." Our God is so good. Sometimes meeting us in our darkest moments, using the most difficult situations to teach us His ways and show us His goodness. He loves us because we're His.


The Shepherd's Voice

"The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. / My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:3‭, ‬27

Very few times and very few people have heard the audible voice of God.  It's just not usually how He speaks to us. The Holy Spirit is not loud. His voice is soft and gentle.  A whisper.  Have you ever noticed that the word "hear" is in the word "heart." It makes sense that it is because we hear our Shepherd in our hearts. We hear His voice as our own, but different somehow. With authority and tenderness. Leaving an impression and burning in our hearts. Often He will speak to us with His own Word, bringing to mind a scripture we didn't even know we knew. He also speaks to us through circumstances,  convictions, and guidance from mature Christian friends. Whatever we are hearing should always harmonize with scripture.  The Shepherd's own Word is our guide. It is what will lead us into a closer walk with Him. It is His Word that will help us recognize error when we hear it. It is His Word, planted in our hearts, that will be the loudest and truest voice.


The Adversary

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
1 Peter 5:8‭-‬9

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
James 4:7‭-‬8

I don't want to say too much here. Our adversary doesn't deserve our time or a place in my blog.  Other than how to defeat him.  And the truth is, he has already been defeated.  But he still likes to creep and prowl around to scare us, throw us off course, or bring negative thoughts into our minds. But we can resist him. And as we draw near to God and stay close to the shepherd,  the devil will flee. And each time he comes back to bother us,  we can resist him. Every time. And draw near to God.  Every time. Stay close to the shepherd. He is mighty to save.


The Path

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
Psalms 37:23‭-‬24

"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalms 32:8

"For we are His workmanship (His own master work, a work of art), created in Christ Jesus (reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used) for good works, which God prepared (for us) beforehand (taking paths which He set), so that we would walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us)."
Ephesians 2:10 

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. "
Hebrews 12:1-2

Most of us know that the path to life is narrow.  The word path here is the Greek word "hodos" and it simply means, "road or route." It's a little intimidating to think about how narrow the path to life is and that few find it. And a little scary to think of trying to stay on it. Thankfully, we are saved by grace. We don't have to earn our salvation or worry about how to stay on the path to life. But if, as Christians, our salvation is secure, why do our steps need so much guidance? I think it's because there is more to our path than just being "saved." There is another understanding of "path" that is a completely different word in the Hebrew: Dehrek. It means "journey or course of life." From what I have learned and gathered from scripture,  we each have a unique path. One that has been paved and planned in advance for us. This path of ours is showered with good works foreordained for us to do. This race we're to run is already set before us. We just need a shepherd to guide us to do the right things at the right places with the right people at the perfect time. And Jesus is definitely qualified for the job.

Jesus himself had a very specific path. One that, just like ours, was already planned for Him. He was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world after all. It's hard to know for sure if He always knew who He was and the path He must walk, or if He had to find himself in the scripture.  There isn't much written about His childhood. We know at least by age twelve He had an understanding of who He was. But can you even imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to read the scripture and realize the prophecies were talking about Him! That He must give His back to the lashes and whips, give His cheeks to them who tore out His beard, His face to shame and spitting. And yet He walked the path set out before Him perfectly.  He had a purpose and a flock to save. Jesus came down to earth to show us mercy.  The word for mercy is "checed", which can mean "to climb into someone's skin and look out of their eyes, hear out of their ears, and feel what they feel". And so we have someone who is fully qualified to guide us. What better shepherd than one who has been a sheep! He has already walked His path in our shoes. He faced temptations,  endured pain, suffered persecution,  experienced betrayal, and wept for lost loved ones. Whatever we're facing,  our Good Shepherd can help us. He has been there.


So we have a fully qualified and good shepherd.  But how will we feel His guidance and know we're on the right path? I recently read a couple books on persecuted Christians.  Besides their love for the Lord, one thing all their stories had in common was purpose.  Even though they experienced unimaginable evil and adversity,  they faced it head on because they somehow knew it what was planned for them. That it was their path, that they were exactly where they needed to be. I believe whatever our path is, it will feel right.  Like we're a piece fitting into a puzzle. Have you ever been somewhere and knew it was somehow a "divine appointment? " Have you ever had a friend you just knew you were supposed to know? Have you ever done something and said, "I was born to do this?" Well, you probably were. Jesus, the shepherd, is guiding us to the things already prepared for us.

When I was a kid, I liked to take care of all the stray cats in the neighborhood.  Much to my parents dismay, I would put food out for them and make little houses for them out of cardboard boxes. In school, I would often be the first person to befriend a new or lonely kid.  And sometimes, as far back as I can remember, I would get these nudges to pray for people. Strangers.  I would see certain people at stores or restaurants and my heart would fill with heaviness and compassion. I still feel those nudges and still pray for strangers.  I still have compassion and empathy for God's creatures. Animals and people. I still befriend the lonely.  I can see now how my shepherd was leading me and instilling gifts in me at a young age to help me find my path. I lost my way for awhile.  Spent many years not living or praying like I should. Often wishing I had different talents. There are a lot of things I'm not. I've never been brave enough to walk city streets evangelizing or move overseas to share the Gospel.  I'm not one to go on dangerous expeditions. I have zero musical talent. And I don't like talking in front of people.  But rather than worry about what I'm not, I have learned to embrace what I am. And be exactly who God designed me to be. An encouraging and compassionate friend and mother.  A prayer warrior. A student (and maybe a teacher) of His Word.  I have good works to do and no one else can do them or take my place. Or yours.  We are all created to do something, not to earn anything or impress God. But to give us purpose, bring us joy, bless others, and ultimately fulfill God's plan. I'm guessing He probably doesn't really need us, I mean God created the universe.  Still, He chooses to use us. And I believe our Shepherd starts leading us at very young ages to the right paths. Softly speaking to our hearts and helping us discover what our God given talents and callings are. We all have things we've always been good at. Natural inclinations.  I believe these gifts and inclinations are meant to be a kind of compass in our hearts to lead us down the right path. I've seen it in my own life, and I can see it in my kids lives now. We all have a unique path, born with everything we need to walk on it. And a Shepherd to guide us on our journey.


The Sheepfold

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 12:32

"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:7‭, ‬9

So the Good Shepherd is walking with his sheep down their paths. And at the end of the day's journey, he guides them to the sheepfold. A place of safety with high walls and the shepherd himself guarding the only door. The Hebrew word for sheepfold is "aule", which means "a walled area with out a roof, or the interior courtyard of a mansion or palace." I find this so interesting! It reminds of the scriptures, "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere, Psalms 84:10" and "in my Father's house are many mansions, Jn 14:2." (Mansion here can also mean rooms or houses). And Revelation 21:12 tells us that the New Jerusalem has a great high wall. If Jesus is the shepherd,  and we are the sheep,  then certainly the sheepfold could be Heaven. Home. A place with high walls and perfect rest and safety.  And we know Jesus is the door, no one gets to the Father accept through Him. But all who belong to the Good Shepherd make it to the sheepfold. As Jesus himself says He has not lost any that God has given Him. Not one. (John 17:12).  The sheep will be secure with their shepherd for all eternity. No more tears or suffering. No more cliffs or wrong turns. No more predators. Just joy unspeakable.

"To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
Revelation 21:6‭-‬7 

The Greatest Thing in the World

Love truly is the greatest thing in the world,  although sometimes a little misunderstood.  We live in a confusing time and culture for love, as our amazing God (who is love) is often vilified, while acceptance of sin is glorified.  There are so many mixed messages and definitions of love today. It can be difficult to sort through it all and find the truth. I think most of us would say we know what love is, but do we really? For as long as I can remember I have known scriptures such as "love never fails" and "love your neighbor as yourself."  But what does this all really mean? What is love? What does it look like?  I have to be honest,  I don't think I truly understood love until fairly recently. And I'm still learning. But I have spent some time studying and practicing and observing it, and I would like to share what I learned so far.

💗A True Love Story💗

In the Beginning There was Love

"The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Jeremiah 31:3 

If you haven't read much of the Bible, I can tell you that from the very beginning it is a love story.  I am going try my best to give you a brief summary of it.

God, who is love, the Great I Am, wanted a family.  He wanted someone, made in His image and likeness, to walk with and talk with and fellowship with.  So He made man (and woman). But without a choice, love isn't really love.  Without some degree of free will, we would all just be robots programmed to serve Him. That's not what God wanted. So He gave us a choice, in the form of a tree. We chose wrong. But God foreknew us before the foundation of the world.  He knew we would fall. So God had a plan. A wonderful,  amazing,  beautiful plan to save us. But our enemy also had a plan -- Satan knew the prophecy that a seed of a woman would destroy him, so he did all he could to keep that from happening. To keep that man from being born or destroy Him first somehow. We can see his failed attempts, first with the murder of Abel. And then on with several more attempts, such as Haman's plan to kill all the Jews. All through the Old Testament I believe there was a war going on that we can't fully grasp just yet, as God did all He could to preserve the line of Jesus. And Satan did all he could to spoil it. I've heard people accuse God of being angry and full of wrath in the Old Testament.  But God is love and He doesn't change.  And when you take time to get to know Him through the Word,  you can see that He is a father. Sure, maybe He seemed angry -- His children had been taken captive by an evil intruder. God wanted to save them (us). He wanted to send us a rescuer. His own son. But the timing had to be perfect.  Our Savior had to be born at just the right moment,  and He was.

A Picture of God's Love in Our Own Lives: A Story of Sacrifice 

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 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 4:9‭-‬10 

We almost all love someone. For most of us it's easy to love our children and families. But even then forgiveness and knowing how to love the correct way can be difficult. If you are a parent, you can probably admit that before children you were at least a little more self centered,  maybe a lot more.  But then your first child came into the world and something in your heart changed. You then loved another human even more than yourself.  Being a parent helps us understand the heart of God, the father. Being a parent helps us understand just what an unfathomable act of love it was when God sent His own Son to die on the cross --  how difficult that must have been to not come thundering down from heaven to save His Son. We know this because we would each probably be more than willing to take our children's places and suffer for them instead. It hurts to see our kids hurt. But God endured the pain to save the rest of His children.  We love our kids. But God loves them (and us) even more. His great sacrifice has proven that.

This same sacrificial love is also the heartbeat of a good marriage because it is the very heartbeat of our relationship with Christ. We are the bride. He is the groom. Jesus sacrificed His own life for us and we deny ourselves and follow Him.  A woman leaves her mother and father and cleaves to her husband. And likewise the husband does the same. We are one with Jesus.  He is the head, we are the body. Marriage points to Christ. And I think part of the purpose of marriage is to help us understand our relationship with Jesus.

But marriage in itself is an earthly institution. Humans are imperfect and sometimes our fallen sinful natures get in the way. Our marriages are often not perfect. Sometimes they even fail. And sometimes we, as parents, can feel like failures as we watch our kids choose the wrong paths.  But the beautiful love story of Jesus and His Bride is perfect.  His covenant with us is everlasting.  And God's love for His children never fails. He is faithful even we're not -- always waiting with outstretched arms to welcome us home.

Repentance: An Unlikely Love Story

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9 

"My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
James 5:19‭-‬20 

Reading the Gospels is a great way to learn about love. Jesus lived a life of love and compassion. He cared for the least and was not ashamed of sinners. Everything He did and said was motivated by love.  But most of His messages were about the "the Kingdom of God" and repentance. Why? Because He loves us. Because "repentance leads to salvation (eternal life)" 2 Corinthians 7:10.  The Greek definition of the word repentance is to "perceive afterwards, implying a change." In other words, it's coming to a realization of your sin and changing, turning the other way. The Webster dictionary says it's to have remorse for something and turning around completely. Jesus took time to heal and help and deliver people, then told them to repent. Repentance is not a fun word.  Tough love is just that. Tough. Whether you're giving it or receiving it. Nobody likes to be told to change. But sometimes we need a wake up call to turn the other way. Correction hurts, but it's a necessary part of love. If your kid keeps running out into a busy street,  don't you warn them? If they keep doing it, don't you yell for them to stop? Don't you discipline them if they don't listen? Why? Because you love them. Because you don't want them to get hurt. Jesus tells us to repent because He loves us and wants us to be part of His kingdom. And He doesn't want us to spend our time on earth in bondage to sin. Just like mercy,  just like grace,  repentance is a gift. A second chance. A way out of a hopeless mess. A ticket to freedom. It's love. Don't misunderstand me. None of us can ever not sin. And we shouldn't feel constantly guilty for our sinful nature.  But we all do need to come to that realization of our sin -- and to an understanding that we are in need of a Savior. Are you in a mess right now? Repent. Turn around. Ask Jesus to help you. You are never too far away for Him to find you.  None of your sins are too great to be forgiven.  Jesus already knows the worst thing you've ever done. He knew it before the cross and still said "yes, I will die for them." Jesus loves you.


Now I'd like to interject a couple of my own love stories.  I have lots of stories as I have been blessed to have had a lot of love in my life. But these are not your typical love stories. I wanted to share them though, in case they might help or inspire you. 

A Tale of Two Ladies: A Love Story 

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." 2 Corinthians 4:17, James 1:12

As humans,  we have an incredible capacity to be prideful,  selfish,  even hateful at times. We see the ugly side of humanity every day.  Everywhere we look there is evidence of sin. My grandmother saw the ugliest side of life first hand. She endured hardships of almost every kind. But instead of becoming bitter or hating back, she loved. She spent her time volunteering at a local ministry. All that she had she gave away. I know that her love for others is what gave her strength to endure.  I believe that's how God designed us -- to heal by loving others. How very smart our creator is! Are you hurting? Help someone else, it will heal your heart.

I never knew how hard my grandmother had it until just recently.  She kept it to herself,  probably wanting to shelter us from the truth. I remember the good things, like her kissing my cheek and whispering in my ear that I was her angel.  She used to make us homemade knick knacks and give us bags of things she collected from her outreaches -- stuff people had donated. As a kid I sometimes thought the mix of odds and ends she gave us were strange. Now they're treasures as I know they were tokens of her love. I remember her standing on the front porch with tears in her eyes, waving goodbye as we drove away from one of our visits. Her love was real.

My grandmother passed away a couple years ago. And once again she had to face the ugliness of humanity as she was abandoned by almost everyone she loved. Accept for a few.  Mostly my mom who put her life on hold. She drove several hours almost every day for months --just so my grandmother wouldn't have to be alone. I know how difficult that was for my mom to watch her own mother slowly slip away.  She was the one to gently lead my grandmother from this life to the next. But she also got to see her mom's pain fade away into a smile as she stepped into eternity. What a gift. I often wonder who she saw that made her smile so. Probably Jesus. My mom continues to walk in love towards others despite difficult situations.  My mom can be quiet and not always one to talk about her faith. Rather,  she lives it. I'm proud of her. Loving when it's the hardest,  when it hurts the most, when it's the least convenient is a powerful witness. Maybe as humans we can be and see lots of ugly things. But love gives us the ability to triumph over evil, to endure, persevere, and forgive.

I have new image of my grandmother -- still on a front porch. A heavenly one this time. She's beautiful. Wearing a crown of glory given to her for the suffering she endured and goodness she showed.  There's no tears this time though.  Jesus has wiped them all away. She's smiling, peacefully and patiently waiting for the rest of us to meet her there.  Are you suffering? Does it seem like things in life don't seem fair? Don't lose hope.  God will make things right for you one day. Love endures and prevails.

A Church Story: A Call to Love

"Above all, love each other deeply. Especially those who belong to the family of believers."
1 Peter 4:8, Galatians 6:2

This is a personal story of discovering my call to a life of love. I am a child of God and I know I'm deeply loved by Him. And it's definitely important to have an individual relationship with the Lord. But I'm also part of something much bigger than just myself.  I am part of the body of Christ, part of His Church. I believe one of the most effective ways for Jesus to show His love to us is through His body -- through us loving each other. I don't think I fully understood this until fairly recently.  Sometimes it takes an experience for us to really learn something.

It all started with my prayers for a girl.  Well, when I knew her from my childhood church she was just a girl, but she had since grown up and was now very sick.  So I prayed. I have been praying for people my whole life. That's what we do. We pray for anyone who needs or asks. Even strangers. Naturally, some prayers are more emotional than others. Sometimes your heart becomes more involved.  This was one of those times for me. So I pleaded with God on her behalf.  I cried.  I added her to every prayer request list I could think of. I wanted her to recover.  Not for any selfish reasons, but just simply because I loved her. I hurt for her because she is part of the same body I'm part of. God did not answer my prayers the way I thought He would.  I was heartbroken.  I didn't understand, so I questioned God. And He answered. God's ways are higher than mine. But the good news is, if you know Christ, moving on to heaven is a promotion. I grieved deeply for her family though,  for I loved them too. The scripture, "weep with those who weep" became real to me. I felt their loss. Her parents are special to me, as we spent many years at church together. But it had been many more years since I had last spoken them. Time just goes by. Churches split.  People grow apart. I moved away and didn't stay in touch. After their daughter's passing,  I wanted to reach out to them, but I was scared.  Scared too much time had passed, that they wouldn't remember me, or worse that I had hurt them in some way. Scared they wouldn't want to talk. But my fears were unfounded as I was met with only kindness. The chasm I thought was between us, wasn't.  Not anymore at least. Because love covers and bridges and mends. My intention was to offer them comfort, but I'm pretty sure it was their kindness that healed my own heart. Now they are my dear friends, and I feel blessed to have been able to witness their faith.

I don't know how or why God chooses to use certain situations to teach us things.  But He does. God has used this experience of praying for that sweet girl and reaching out to her parents to teach me about love. Love for the Church and how we as believers are supposed to care for one another. I was a little surprised by my love and grief for this childhood friend. I felt a little out of sorts for awhile -- not knowing how to deal with what I was feeling. Her own dad offered me words of comfort and reminded me of God's love. He is someone who taught me about faith as a kid. Now, twenty years later, he is still teaching me. This time through actually being a witness and a friend.  I think I might be learning even more from him now than I did then. What we do when trial comes, what we say, our kindness, our testimonies, are important and powerful.

I have realized through all this just how fragile life is. And I've been reminded that I have just one chance to live a life of love. So the last couple of years I have been reaching out to others: mentors and teachers and friends. Some of them from that same childhood church -- one we all left years ago. It always felt like something I lost and couldn't get back again. But as I reconnected with old friends, in my mind and in my spirit I could see walls crumbling. In a good way. I feel like God was showing me what "Church" really is. It's not a building. It's not a denomination or doctrine or theology or tradition.  It's not one man or one church or one ministry out for himself.  The Church is exactly what I was experiencing: friendship, comfort, forgiveness, fellowship -- love. The Church is not something I can lose because it's something that's within us. It's who we are. The Church is people. Weeping and rejoicing with one another. Brothers and sisters in Christ.  You and me and them and Christians halfway across the world. We are a family. We are a people connected by His spirit, and together we form a living entity, a body. It's a mystery, one that I'm happy to be a part of. We might all have differences between us, but we have one common denominator: Jesus. And He has commanded us to love.

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to love people and do something for God.  It always just seemed too overwhelming to figure out where to start. I have learned that it starts with one step of faith.  For me it started with loving and taking care of the people God has already put in my life. It might seem like small task. But nothing is small if you're helping someone else. The thing is, everyone I reconnected with felt sort of the same way -- happy to be reunited.  Wondering where the time went and how we got too busy. Thankful. Whether we're new friends or old friends or actual family, there's something unique about being part of the family of God.  There's genuine love between us. The bond we have is special. You can feel it. It's tangible. I believe it's God's love flowing through each one of us. As 1 John 4:12 says, "if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." But I'm learning there's also a common thing that keeps us separated, keeps us from reaching out-- fear. We're often scared of rejection, or not being understood, or feeling foolish.  It sounds silly, but those are real fears for a lot of us. Is there someone in your life you want to talk to, thank, or even forgive? Are you scared? Pray about it, see where God is leading you, and be brave. Perfect love casts out all fear. And if you feel a tug in your heart to do something for God, just start with something little and see where He leads you. Life with God is an adventure.

I've spent the last year or so trying to learn about love and live it. And I have learned just as much about the Church along the way. I think because love is who we are. And loving each other is one of our highest callings. Are we supposed to evangelize and be a light and be kind to people who don't know Christ? Absolutely! But we can't forget about each other. A lot more Christians are suffering and feel forsaken than we realize. And we need to take care of our own. We are called to carry one another and care for the least. The Church is a family. We were never meant to feel alone, or be divided, gossiping, fighting, or even unforgiving.  Walls are not supposed to be between us. Churches are not supposed to split and be wounded by one another. Rather, we are meant to love. I know we're all still human and we'll make mistakes.  But we can forgive.  And we can try to love our church family the way the New Testament tells us to:

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Encourage one another and build each other up. Honor one another above yourselves. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Carry each other’s burdens.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Be like-minded and sympathetic. Use every opportunity to do good. Each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others. Honor and acknowledge those who are over you in the Lord. Since as members of one body we are called to live in peace with one another. Be thankful. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Do not give up meeting together. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Above all, be devoted to one another and love each other deeply. Love is virtue that binds us all together in perfect unity."

Romans 12:10‭-15, Galatians 6:2‭-10, Ephesians 4:32 & 6:18, Colossians 3:12‭-‬15,  1 Thessalonians 5:11-‬14, Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25, 1 Peter 3:8 & 4:8‭-‬10

If that sounds difficult, it is. At least it is without God's help. Loving from a pure heart, with the right motives, without wanting recognition or anything in return, is not easy. That's why we must love God first. Abide in Him. We love because He first loved us. If we seek Him and read His Word daily, then His love can flow freely through us to others. The more we are filled with God's love, the more we naturally produce the spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. This kind of love is what makes us so beautiful. Love is our best witness and what makes our light the brightest. Love is what sets us apart. It's what makes the world in darkness, the lonely, and searching, and hurting, say to themselves, "I want what they have! I want to be part of that family!" Are you part of the family yet? You can be. You're welcome.  We're all adopted. None of us are perfect.  Ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.  Confess it with your mouth and believe it in your heart. And that's it, you're in. You're saved. You're family. You're loved.

In Conclusion

I know my little blog post can't begin to convey the greatness of God's love or the importance of our love for one another.  But I have to try because God's love is the greatest thing in the world. It protects and strengthens. His love is patient and gentle and forgiving. God's love restores and rescues and redeems. It breaks chains and defeats death. His love is unconditional and everlasting.  Do you wonder if God loves you? He does. He's the one who created you.  The father who knows the worst thing you ever did and is still waiting with open arms. He's the shepherd who will leave the 99 to find you.  He's the Lamb who sacrificed His own life -- for you.  His grace and love are free gifts to those who choose to accept them.

One day God will walk with all of His family once again,  just like He wanted from the beginning.  Until then we have His word and His spirit.  We have each other. We have faith and hope. And most of all we have love.

The End of the Love Story

There isn't one. This story doesn't end.  The love never stops. No one ever ceases to exist.  The Church, the Bride of Christ, continues on "so that in the coming ages God might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:7. If that sounds pretty awesome,  it is. 

I just want to leave you with this excerpt from Henry Drummond's book, The Greatest Thing in the World...

"The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.  I wonder why it is that we are not kinder than we are. How much the world needs it. How easily it is done.  How instantaneously it acts. How infallible it is remembered. How superabandantly it pays itself back--for there is no debtor in the world so honorable as love. Love never faileth. Love is success; love is happiness; love is life; love is the energy of life. Where love is, God is. He that dwelleth in love dwelleth with God.  God IS love.  Therefore,  -- LOVE. Without distinction,  without calculation, without procrastination -- LOVE. Lavish it on the poor, where it is easy; on the rich who often need it the most; but most of all your friends! I will pass through this world but once. Any good thing I can do, any kindness I can show, let me do it.  Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. "

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38‭-‬39 


"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:8 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34‭-‬35 

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
John 15:12‭-‬13 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us."
1 John 4:18‭-‬19 

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
1 John 4:16 

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."
1 John 3:16 

"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:21 

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you"
Luke 6:27

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."  
Proverbs 10:12 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
Proverbs 17:17 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8

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