Longing for Love?

My life is blessed with love and I am so grateful for that fact, much richer for it.  The home were I was raised, while not perfect, included real love. The church community of which I have been a part for my entire life is a place where I have found a place to love and be loved; yes, at times with gaps and failure on my part as well as those of others. My marriage was a filled with love for the 4 decades that we enjoyed together before Bev died. My children love me as do a wide circle of friends. 

Perhaps you are thinking “Jerry is feeling sentimental today.” True, perhaps, and yet I recognize that we are born with a hunger for love which a powerful force in the shaping of our personality and character.  

This is truth – People who are loved learn to love!  Love creates security. Love encourages growth and is a basic part of soul nourishing connections with others.  A family therapist writes that “feeling loved and valued by others helps to promote healthier lifestyle choices, good self-esteem, lessens stress factors, and provides better life-long mental health.”

Love gets tangled up with other things including sex, social acceptance, and popularity. Sometimes even the healthiest person finds it difficult to experience and give unconditional love. We learn early on that if we are willing to ‘dance to the tune that other’s play’ we will, at least in the short term, receive emotional rewards in return. But, that is not love!  Genuine love is freeing, without manipulation, and reciprocal.

For the Christian, genuine love begins with the Spirit, an awakening of faith in God’s gift. John teaches that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." (John 3:16-17, NLT)  Our Creator is not a vengeful Deity waiting to punish us for our failures!  He is loving, full of grace, desiring to make us whole as human beings. What a tragedy that so many people only understand Him as an angry God.  

I frequently quote this line from Scripture because it so foundational to whole living - "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19, NIV)  That principle is vividly illustrated in the story that Jesus’ told about a selfish, wayward son who took his inheritance, left home without a look back, and went off to do his own thing.  Eventually, after having a great time, he was broke, alone, hungry, and trapped in miserable circumstances.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you… and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.” (Luke 15:17-19, NLT) He still did not understand the depth of his father’s love for he was ready to negotiate a place of servitude believing his place at the table was lost forever. 

The story continues - “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began." (Luke 15:20-24, NLT)  He expected judgment, he found amazing love.   

This is our story! We take the life God gives us, do our own thing, and when we have come to the end of ourselves, we try to make a deal with God.  But, He offers love:  restorative, whole, gracious love.

God’s love gives us a new place at His table, our sins not just covered but forgotten, our past not just set aside, but erased by the gift of Christ’s act of love at the Cross. The result of His love is justification – completely reconciled to God, set right. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, NIV)  All of this is because of love offered that when received is healing.

Want to be loved and loving? Start with the soul, not the heart. Let God love you to life, making you capable of a new kind of love for others.

The word from the Word is an amazing prayer that Paul first offered for the Christians at Ephesus, and that has become one of my most cherished prayers of the Bible.  "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.

May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:14-19, NLT)  Join me in a heartfelt – AMEN!

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Glorious Day

 

One day when heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin

Dwelt among men my example is He

 

Living He loved me dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

O glorious day O glorious day

O glorious day O glorious day

 

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on the tree

Suffering anguish despised and rejected

Bearing our sins my Redeemer is He

 

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer

One day the stone rolled away from the door

Then He arose o'er death He had conquered

Now is ascended my Lord evermore

 

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine

Wonderful day my beloved ones bringing

Glorious Savior this Jesus is mine

 

John Wilbur Chapman Public Domain

A Liberal Heart

Let me ask a tough question today -  Which attitude shapes your daily life more often - “You serve me” or “I serve you?” Think of your most basic interactions with others. Are you quick to look for ways to make their life better? Which is more frequent from your lips-  criticism or praise?  The answers will reveal whether you are generous. Generosity or the lack thereof is a value that shapes every interaction.  It flows out of a most basic way of seeing the world.

The word ‘generous’ is derived from a Latin root, “generosus”  which described a person ‘of noble birth.’  Those who were born to wealth and privilege had an ideal of using their nobility to enrich others, to provide protection and help for those of lower status and those who were poor.  The Greek culture, pre-Christian, lauded generosity as a prime virtue. Aristotle taught that generosity was not indiscriminate giving to any and all, but rather giving as an investment made for the highest good of others. 

Generosity of spirit will be a Christian characteristic because that is a reflection of God’s own heart.  He loved us when we were ‘unlovely.’  He saved us when we were going our own way. His love took the initiative for the redemption of the world through Christ Jesus.  Generosity is one of the visible proofs of spiritual transformation, a result of being loved and therefore, loving. John says that ‘we love because He (God) loved us first.’   

He continues with this practical connection-  "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. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, (compassion) how can the love of God be in him?" (1 John 3:16-17, NIV)  James is equally clear: "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." (James 1:27, NLT)  There were no social welfare programs when the New Testament was written.  Early Christians, often impoverished themselves, adopted orphans and took widows into their homes, because they knew Jesus’ way was one of loving generosity.

Generosity goes way beyond charity, far beyond a gift of money.  Generosity includes forgiveness, being an advocate for the broken, extending protection to the weak, showing hospitality to the forgotten, being kind to those who are not. Do you support charitable work and your local church with joy because you are able to participate in the work of the Lord?

The pithy wisdom of Proverbs teaches us that generosity is circular, coming back to the one who gives. "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. People curse those who hold their grain for higher prices, but they bless the one who sells to them in their time of need." (Proverbs 11:24-26, NLT)

Do you want to be a person who freely gives of himself, who forgives, who is accepting and kind? Start with God’s love for you! Meditate on the fact that God has given you peace, salvation, and the promise of eternal life. When the security of faith wraps the human heart in peace, generosity will follow.

The word from the Word states God’s principle.  Think about it.  What has God invested in you? Now, will you invest it in others?

"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.” For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6-11, NLT)   

Now, who needs a generous investment from you today?

(Video of this blog at this link)

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MakeMe A Blessing

 

Out in the highways and byways of life

Many are weary and sad

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife

Making the sorrowing glad

 

Make me a blessing make me a blessing

Out of my life may Jesus shine

Make me a blessing O Savior I pray

Make me a blessing to someone today

 

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love

Tell of His pow'r to forgive

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True ev’ry moment you live

 

Give as 'twas given to you in your need

Love as the Master loved you

Be to the helpless a helper indeed

Unto your mission be true

 

George S. Schuler | Ira Bishop Wilson

Words: Public Domain

Transcendent Hope!

For what do you hope?   Perhaps you hope for a better job, or improved health, or a sunny day.  Of this I am certain, hope is a critical part of a healthy life – spiritually, emotionally, and even physically!  When a person loses hope, giving up on life, he slips into despair. It is a situation beyond sadness, worse than depression.  Without hope all is dark, there is no tomorrow, no reason to get up. For some this is a temporary state brought on by crisis. With support and time hope is regained and life goes on. Tragically, some give up on life and exist without hope.

Hope is not elusive or beyond our reach. Real hope is connected to faith and love, the traid of which Paul wrote - "—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)

One author suggests that we experience hope in several ways. 

There is a realistic hope, focused on an outcome that is possible with intervention or help.  When I was recovering from surgery, I had a realistic hope of feeling better because I knew that my body had amazing recuperative powers, that healing would take place and it did. 

He says that some live with a utopian hope, a desire to eliminate all sources of pain or difficulty. Often such hope drives individuals to seek new places, new experiences, and/or new spiritual experiences because they are convinced that the utopia of which they dream is right over the next hill in life. But, utopian hope always disappoints because we live in a world where people fail, where disasters come.  

Many experience a chosen hope, one fixed on a certain accomplishment or person.  They strive to win that that award pulled on by hope. They work to build a business hoping for financial security. They love another person, pursuing them because they have hope of knowing love.

Then, there is transcendent hope.  This is the hope of which Paul was inspired to write. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:1-5, NIV) 

Christians live with hope that is anchored outside of their day to day existence. Our true hope is focused on Christ, on gaining eternal life, on the fact that God is working to perfect the character of Jesus in us. This hope, which is transcendently connected to the realm of the Spirit, has real impact on how we live right now in this world. It is not just for the ‘by and by’ nor is it a utopian dream.  The Scripture says that “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

Steady hope that is not subject to the up’s and down’s of life is focused on Christ Jesus and that rests on the foundation of the love of God. This hope is not subject to my failures, does not ebb and flow with good health, sustains us in tragic moments, and reaches beyond this present life to Heaven. This hope inspires us to live joyful and purposeful lives. Do you know that hope?  Have you trusted Christ Jesus as your Savior?

Remember, this is more than an emotional response. It is a choice to receive God’s offer of life. If the day is darkened by disappointment, look up. Open up to the love of God. If you have found yourself chasing the mirages of false hopes, pray for eyes that can ‘see’ the hope of Christ Jesus.  It is a hope that never fails us – now, tomorrow, and into eternity.

Meditate on this word from the Word and live hopefully! "As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him?" (Psalm 42:1-2, NLT)  "Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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The Solid Rock

 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

 

On Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

 

When darkness veils His lovely face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In ev'ry high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

 

His oath His covenant His blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

 

When He shall come with trumpet sound

O may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

 

William Batchelder Bradbury

Words: Public Domain