The Love Rule
God woke me up this morning with this message to share today so I know this will hit home.
In Matthew 19, Jesus has been talking with the rich young ruler. The ruler is asking Jesus what "good thing" must I do to inherit eternal life.(vs.16) Jesus tells him that the only one good is God but to inherit eternal life, all the ruler has to do is obey God's commands. (vs. 17) "Obedience is God's love language." (Wisdom Hunters, 2/24/2011) I find it interesting that the ruler asks Jesus, "Which ones?" (vs. 18) How often do we do the same thing and pick and choose which of God's commands or rules we want to follow. Jesus replies to the ruler's question by saying this, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " (vs .19) Basically, Jesus started telling the ruler specifics of not murdering, committing adultery but then He sums it up by saying, ultimately, what I want you to do is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
This idea has always intrigued me and more so now than ever. You see, I never really loved myself before. I tolerated myself, I liked certain parts about myself but I did not, in any way, shape or form, love myself. I couldn't, for one reason and for one reason alone, I didn't know the extent of the love of my Daddy God. I thought that God screwed up in creating me. I thought I was an accident. I thought I was unworthy of love. So, as I tried to follow the command of loving your neighbor as yourself, I would fail every time because I didn't love me and I couldn't comprehend God's love for me.
Recently, all of this has changed as my eyes have been opened to my Daddy's love. He created everything about me, just as He desired, before the foundation of the Earth! Not only did He create me but He loves me with an everlasting, unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus as an atonement for my sins so that I would be able to be in perpetual communion with Him! He loves me sooo much! Understanding and recognizing His love has propelled me into a love for myself that I have never known before. And as a result, my love for Him is growing and my ability to love my neighbor as myself is actually real. Because I love Natalie, I can love you, my neighbor.
Let's look at this on an even more practical level and in looking at love in light of 1 Corinthians 13:3-8:
I am patient with myself and others because I knows God is patient with me. (2 Peter 3:9)
I am kind to myself and others because I know God is full of loving-kindness. (Ps 31:3)
I am not envious of others because I know God has designed and created me just as He wanted and He will give me those things He wants me to have. (Ps 139: 13-16)
I am not boastful because I know that in my flesh there is no good thing but instead I boast in the Lord. (1 Cor 1:31)
I am not proud because I know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
I am not rude because I know that this life is not about me but serving Him and serving others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not self-seeking because I am called to look after the interests of others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not easily angered with myself or others because God is slow to get angry with me. (Ps 103:8)
I no longer keep records of wrongs done by myself and by others because God keeps no record of my sins. (Is 43:25)
I do not delight in evil but rather in truth of God's word. (1 Tim 2:4)
I always protect myself and others because I know God protects me. (Ps 32:7)
I always trust the Jesus in me and lead not on my own understanding. (Pr 3:5-6)
I always hope the best for myself and for others because I know my hope comes from God. (Ps 62:5)
I always persevere for myself and for others because I will receive what He has promised. (Heb 10:36)
I will try not to fail myself or others but I know that I am flesh and blood and am incapable of perfection. But instead of coming under condemnation, I will repent of my sins and failures and allow God's grace and love to cover over the multitude of my sins and the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8)
Daddy, I am so thankful that you have loved me with a never-ending love. I am thankful that you have helped me to learn to love the unique creation that you have so rightly called Natalie. I am thankful that as an outpouring of my love for you and my love for self, I am truly able to love my neighbors as I love myself thus following the love rule. I pray for my friends that are in desperate need of knowing your love because only when we do, can we truly love ourselves. I pray that you would reveal Your love to them in tangible ways today and that the eyes of their hearts would be open to see and receive it all. I thank you for bringing this to pass! I love you Daddy!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What Compels You?
What compels you?
I started reading in 2 Corinthians this morning and came across this verse in Chapter 5:14-15, " For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who love should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
According to Merriam-Webster, the word COMPEL means:
1. to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
2. to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
3. to drive together
When we look at these definitions in light of the previous verse, Christ's love should drive us or urge us forcefully and irresistibly to live for him and not for ourselves. Unfortunately, we allow other things to compel us rather than Christ's love.
Looking back to about a week and a half ago, I can tell you the very thing that compelled me and I think it may be the very thing that compels you. That thing that drove me and compelled me was: FEAR! Fear of what you may ask, well, here's the list:
fear of rejection
fear of failure
fear of shame
fear of success
fear of people's opinions
fear of self
fear of poverty
fear of authority
fear of loss
fear of punishment
I lived my life serving fear and allowing it to compel every action that I took. Now, some of those were subconscious but nonetheless, fear was what compelled me.
In my personal ministry session, that I mentioned in previous blogs, one of the many things we dealt with was the spirit of fear. Fear keeps us bound in so many ways, more than I have time to tell you about right now. But that Saturday, God broke that spirit of fear and that is no longer what compels me! 1 John 4:18 says,
"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." His perfect love has cast out, driven out, that fear that kept me bound. And now, I can say that Christ's love truly does compel me! He loved me first and I get to reciprocate that love by living my life for Him! I get to love on people every day as a representative of His love! His love compels me!
So, what compels you? Ask God to show you. And I pray that you would come to this place that God has so recently brought me, allowing Christ's love to compel you and nothing else!
I started reading in 2 Corinthians this morning and came across this verse in Chapter 5:14-15, " For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who love should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
According to Merriam-Webster, the word COMPEL means:
1. to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
2. to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
3. to drive together
When we look at these definitions in light of the previous verse, Christ's love should drive us or urge us forcefully and irresistibly to live for him and not for ourselves. Unfortunately, we allow other things to compel us rather than Christ's love.
Looking back to about a week and a half ago, I can tell you the very thing that compelled me and I think it may be the very thing that compels you. That thing that drove me and compelled me was: FEAR! Fear of what you may ask, well, here's the list:
fear of rejection
fear of failure
fear of shame
fear of success
fear of people's opinions
fear of self
fear of poverty
fear of authority
fear of loss
fear of punishment
I lived my life serving fear and allowing it to compel every action that I took. Now, some of those were subconscious but nonetheless, fear was what compelled me.
In my personal ministry session, that I mentioned in previous blogs, one of the many things we dealt with was the spirit of fear. Fear keeps us bound in so many ways, more than I have time to tell you about right now. But that Saturday, God broke that spirit of fear and that is no longer what compels me! 1 John 4:18 says,
"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." His perfect love has cast out, driven out, that fear that kept me bound. And now, I can say that Christ's love truly does compel me! He loved me first and I get to reciprocate that love by living my life for Him! I get to love on people every day as a representative of His love! His love compels me!
So, what compels you? Ask God to show you. And I pray that you would come to this place that God has so recently brought me, allowing Christ's love to compel you and nothing else!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wouldn't Change a Thing!
I am my Beloved's and HE IS MINE!!!
You know as well as I, that today, Valentine's Day is the day that all attention is focused on the ones we love or for some, the love that you don't feel exists. In times past, I saw Valentine's Day as Single's Awareness Day (SAD) and chalked the day up to just another commercialized holiday. But today, things are different.
I told you guys the other day about a ministry session that I was having on Saturday and that I was expecting Jesus to rock my socks off. And boy, did he show up! I am unable to fully express all that God did through the 9 hours of prayer on Saturday but I can say I AM CHANGED! I am walking in the peace that the Bible says "passes all understanding!" (Philippians 4:7) I am so completely and totally aware of my Father's love! I call His name and instantly I feel His presence! I am celebrating the life that He has given me, not the things but the breath, the soul, and the body that He has created! I am realizing how hidden in Christ I am and just how forgiven I am, completely! I am seeing His grace at work in my life and sensing His presence in such a way that I have never felt before! I know that He has accepted me, completely and totally because HE MADE ME!
This morning, I was listening to KLOVE and was tuned in for when Matthew West shared his new love song that he wrote specifically for a couple that had written in and shared their love story. I knew it was meant specifically for them but God spoke so clearly and loudly through the song titled Wouldn't Change a Thing. He spoke and told me that He wouldn't change a thing about me, that He loves me just like I am! Jesus is my Valentine! He's the best Valentine a girl could ask for (a guy too for that matter)! His love is far better than what anyone else can offer! So, if today, you are struggling with the fact that it's Valentine's Day or even if you just need to feel some love, know that YOU are dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe, the God of Heaven and Earth! HE LOVES YOU!!! Jesus was priceless and He died for you meaning that YOU are priceless too!!!
My prayer for us is the same thing that Paul prayed over the Ephesians:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19
Remember, God Almighty Wouldn't Change a Thing About YOU!
To check out the Matthew West song, click here:
http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5531
You know as well as I, that today, Valentine's Day is the day that all attention is focused on the ones we love or for some, the love that you don't feel exists. In times past, I saw Valentine's Day as Single's Awareness Day (SAD) and chalked the day up to just another commercialized holiday. But today, things are different.
I told you guys the other day about a ministry session that I was having on Saturday and that I was expecting Jesus to rock my socks off. And boy, did he show up! I am unable to fully express all that God did through the 9 hours of prayer on Saturday but I can say I AM CHANGED! I am walking in the peace that the Bible says "passes all understanding!" (Philippians 4:7) I am so completely and totally aware of my Father's love! I call His name and instantly I feel His presence! I am celebrating the life that He has given me, not the things but the breath, the soul, and the body that He has created! I am realizing how hidden in Christ I am and just how forgiven I am, completely! I am seeing His grace at work in my life and sensing His presence in such a way that I have never felt before! I know that He has accepted me, completely and totally because HE MADE ME!
This morning, I was listening to KLOVE and was tuned in for when Matthew West shared his new love song that he wrote specifically for a couple that had written in and shared their love story. I knew it was meant specifically for them but God spoke so clearly and loudly through the song titled Wouldn't Change a Thing. He spoke and told me that He wouldn't change a thing about me, that He loves me just like I am! Jesus is my Valentine! He's the best Valentine a girl could ask for (a guy too for that matter)! His love is far better than what anyone else can offer! So, if today, you are struggling with the fact that it's Valentine's Day or even if you just need to feel some love, know that YOU are dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe, the God of Heaven and Earth! HE LOVES YOU!!! Jesus was priceless and He died for you meaning that YOU are priceless too!!!
My prayer for us is the same thing that Paul prayed over the Ephesians:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19
Remember, God Almighty Wouldn't Change a Thing About YOU!
To check out the Matthew West song, click here:
http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5531
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Jesus and Socks!
Jesus is about to rock my socks off!!!!!
If you look back over my posts, you will notice some despair but also the hope of God showing up as He is doing this next level of healing work in my life. Well, that hope has continued to increase and grow to the point that I can hardly sleep at night from sheer excitement!!!
My facebook posts the last few day have been talking about the spirit of expectancy that I am consumed with these days. And today is a pivotal part of what I believe God wants to do in my life right now. I have a ministry session today in which I will receive prayer and God will be able to do the heart surgery that He is wanting to do to bring the healing and freedom that I am so desperately craving. I literally feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open the present of today!
I have no idea what is actually going to happen today but I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is going to showing up and that Jesus is GOING TO ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!! (For His glory, no doubt!)
I'll be sure to let you know what happens :) Enjoy this song that I am listening to in order to prepare my heart! :)
If you look back over my posts, you will notice some despair but also the hope of God showing up as He is doing this next level of healing work in my life. Well, that hope has continued to increase and grow to the point that I can hardly sleep at night from sheer excitement!!!
My facebook posts the last few day have been talking about the spirit of expectancy that I am consumed with these days. And today is a pivotal part of what I believe God wants to do in my life right now. I have a ministry session today in which I will receive prayer and God will be able to do the heart surgery that He is wanting to do to bring the healing and freedom that I am so desperately craving. I literally feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open the present of today!
I have no idea what is actually going to happen today but I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is going to showing up and that Jesus is GOING TO ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!! (For His glory, no doubt!)
I'll be sure to let you know what happens :) Enjoy this song that I am listening to in order to prepare my heart! :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
You Are for Me
Sorry friends for the lack of posts this week. I have been sick and haven't felt much like writing but today I felt the need to process a little.
The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. God is doing a deep work in me and I find myself completely broken before Him. He has stirred up the recesses of my heart and brought things to light that I have yet to deal with or things that I have only dealt with on the surface. Sometimes, we chop down the weed but if we don't get it from the roots, we have to deal with it again. Other times, we get some of the roots, but not all. The weeds don't have to be sin issues, although they very well can be, it just depends.
Among those things that have been brought to light are my mistaken views of God. You may have heard it said that we view God in light of our earthly fathers. Sadly though, our earthly fathers are doing the best they can in this fallen world and can never truly reflect the love of our Heavenly Father. One of those things that I often forget is that God is for me, especially in my broken state as Psalm 34:18 says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I still don't know that I have fully grasped this concept but I am working on it and God is slowly showing me His true nature and His true character. With that said, He and I are also having to tear down those false beliefs that I have grabbed a hold of for so long and that, too, is a difficult process. Thankfully though, I believe we will get there! In the meantime, I am allowing Kari Jobe to remind me that God is for me! Here's the song if you want to listen.
The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. God is doing a deep work in me and I find myself completely broken before Him. He has stirred up the recesses of my heart and brought things to light that I have yet to deal with or things that I have only dealt with on the surface. Sometimes, we chop down the weed but if we don't get it from the roots, we have to deal with it again. Other times, we get some of the roots, but not all. The weeds don't have to be sin issues, although they very well can be, it just depends.
Among those things that have been brought to light are my mistaken views of God. You may have heard it said that we view God in light of our earthly fathers. Sadly though, our earthly fathers are doing the best they can in this fallen world and can never truly reflect the love of our Heavenly Father. One of those things that I often forget is that God is for me, especially in my broken state as Psalm 34:18 says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I still don't know that I have fully grasped this concept but I am working on it and God is slowly showing me His true nature and His true character. With that said, He and I are also having to tear down those false beliefs that I have grabbed a hold of for so long and that, too, is a difficult process. Thankfully though, I believe we will get there! In the meantime, I am allowing Kari Jobe to remind me that God is for me! Here's the song if you want to listen.
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