A Living Faith

God always acts in infinite goodness--in infinite beauty--for His people--both individually and corporately. That truth does not invalidate our sorrow, our sense of loss, our perplexed confusion, our lack of understanding. Those things do not disappoint Him in the least; they are not sinful. He would be disappointed if we did not love, did not sorrow, did not care, did not ask. He, too, was fully human. One of the reasons He took on flesh was to understand and embrace our sufferings. He is the man of sorrows, the one always moved with a deep compassion. He is the God who weeps with those who weep. How can we be anything less?
What that truth does do is deepen our responsibility to come along side those enduring difficult times. We are to be comforters of the sorrowful, strength to the struggling, participants in their deep distress. Each and every member of the body is commanded to take on themselves the burdens of each and every other member of the body. What one feels, all must feel. Is sorrow not the seed of comfort and of joy? Is not a sense of loss the seed of compassion for others, a sensitivity to the loneliness of others? Are not questions and doubts the seed of understanding and increased faith? And do we not cast our cares on Him not just through tears and submission to His will through prayer, but by leaning on the strength and love of those He has placed into our lives to do what He would do for us if He were here? We are His body, are we not? Are we not called to reveal His goodness, His beauty, in the lives of others? Can we not be beautiful to those who desperately need the beauty of His presence and the empathy of His loving tears?
And please do not forget that sorrow, a sense of loss, moments of loneliness, tears, questions are not temporary. They are gifts for a lifetime. They are the tools of brokenness that make us daily alert and sensitive to the broken all around us. Indeed, to our own brokenness. Is there any day that each and every one of His children do not need a hand of His strength, a touch of His love, a word of His encouragement, a reflection of His beauty? Difficult times should cause us to reflect on our calling to be His hands and feet and heart and presence to all those He has placed into our lives. How well have we been doing day by day? How many opportunities have we let slip away? Each day--not just in difficult days--we are called to be His loving, caring, presence in the lives of others--to be His heart. Each day. To each one.
Yes, one day when we stand in His presence that alone will make all things beautiful. But it is not that day yet. That's why you and I are here. This day. To the broken-hearted that surround you. Be Him. Christianity is to be a living faith.

Worthy

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou has made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.' And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.' And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.' And the four living creatures kept saying, 'Amen.' And the elders fell down and worshiped."

"The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom's face. I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of Grace. Not on the crown He giveth, but on His pierced hand; the Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel's Land."

Sang with a loud voice. Fell down and worshiped. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." Thank You Father. Thank You Savior.

Soon. "Even so come, Lord Jesus."

Amen.

Why

As the prophet tells us, He came gently, humbly, riding on a colt. He also came broken-hearted--tears in His eyes for His people. The stones were ready and eager to sing His praises. The hearts of men would turn to hateful stones. He came the King. The cross did not change that. He will come again--"King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power." The conservative "Christians" with their traditions greater than the Word hated Him--even though they knew who He was. The lust for power and control is a Satanic thing; even in, especially in, religious circles. The liberal "Christians" hated Him. He so easily destroyed their hatred of the supernatural--of a resurrection of the dead. To one day give an account of their foolish Intellectualism to God had to be frightening for them. The God of the Living--there's a name to engender deep hope and joy--or deep fear and tread. The political "Christians" hated Him. Rome was nothing to Him, no match for His power. He could have called a single angel, and Rome would have disappeared forever. Instead, He would let His followers, empowered by His resurrection and by His love for righteousness and the souls of men transform the empire from faith to faith. Ah, the power of the gospel! His first act was to cleanse His Father's House of those who oppressed the people coming to make sacrifice for their sins, who used their religious power to profit financially, who through their actions mocked the necessity of a house of prayer. He showed no tolerance there--just a whip.
Most amazingly, He came to die. He came to save. He came to regenerate the spiritually dead. He came to redeem. He came to justify. He came to suffer and to be forsaken that all who by faith trust in (not add to) His work on the cross will indeed be freely given the gift of eternal life--never to be separated from His love. I know that my Redeemer lives and I will, in my flesh, see Him.
He came gently and humbly--with tears in His eyes--seeking the lost at all cost. 

May I living in a dark and hateful world that is motivated by a lust for religious power and for political power and for prestige walk humbly, gently, and broken-hearted in pursuit of the lost. No matter the cost. May I walking each day in a world that mockingly denies the Creator God and the existence of a day that has been appointed by Him when everyone must stand in His presence and be judged according to the gospel be gentle, humble, and broken-hearted in pursuit of the lost. No matter the cost.

If I am going to follow Him, I must remember why He came. And how He came. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation." A power fueled by a humble heart, a gentle spirit, a compassionate sorrow, and an unwavering commitment to the desire that all men come to repentance..

Evening Prayers

Evening prayers:
Thank you Lord for Your hand of protection. May I rest in the wisdom of Your providence in all men's lives.
May I embrace the weaknesses that are so necessary to embrace the grace that is sufficient in all weaknesses.
May I not blaspheme Your name with my actions. May Your strength enable me to walk the worthy walk of integrity. And to quickly confess those times when I fail You by relying on my own strength--by the idiocy I sometimes imagine that I can spiritualize the natural man that is me.
May Your presence be real in the lives of those You love who are dealing with great sorrow and fear. May Your presence be as tangible as anyone in their lives that they can see and touch.
May I in the midst of turmoil gladly find stillness of soul in the yoke of Your rest. Grant me the meekness and humility so essential to total trust in Your sovereign love and infinite wisdom.
May Your praise continually be on my lips. May I as Your redeemed, say so, boldly and fearlessly.
May the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight--sweet words of encouragement, exhortation, and compassion. Keep my tongue from wounding.
May the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight for the man is blessed who mediates on Your law both day and night. Oh, how I long for Your blessing.
May I long for Your appearing by living a life of faithfulness every day until You come.
May I daily so enrich myself with Your Word that the Spirit can fill me--control my every thought, every word, every action. May my faith be deeds, not just words.

By prayer and supplication I make these requests with thanksgiving. How amazing that You welcome us into Your presence before Your eternal throne of grace, mercy, and help!

In my doubts--nevertheless Thy will be done.

A Confession

A confession: I got a little miffed today at God. Okay, maybe even a little more than miffed. I left early this morning for school in a driving rain with lightning bright enough to turn darkness to noonday if only for a second. What? No, that's not what irritated me. That was gorgeous. Anyway, I was driving down the pothole that is Country Road 25 in the pouring rain, and I hit one of those potholes that is a crater. Felt as if my right front wheel was going to fall off. It didn't. But the noise the car started making sounded as if it was imminent. I kept driving--ignoring the noise assuming that I had bent an axle or something that would cost a zillion dollars. But the car was driving, noise and all. No hint of even a flat. All the way to school on the freeway in the driving rain (why do they call it that; it's not particularly fun to drive in?). I know. dumb male thing to do. And, of course, I blamed it on God--even though He wasn't driving the car. Hey, I don't know about you but I way too often blame Him for my stupidity. Yet, lo and behold, I made it to school safely horrendous noise and all. Thankfully, once I get to school, I tend to forget those kinds of irritations once I'm around the kids..They are my daily blessing.
So, school's over. I'm thinking (I do that once in awhile)--"I guess I need to go to the repair shop and see how many months pay I'm going to lose." Irritated Complaining spirit shuffling out to the car. The right front tire is flat. AAA to the rescue. He fixes the flat, shows me the bent side of the tire, It could have blown out at any moment on my mad grumbling dash to school. Didn't. Went flat sitting in the parking lot. Axle problem. Nope. (By the way, it wasn't raining at all--warm and sunny when I needed to wait outside to get the flat fixed.) That's the second time this week my Guardian Angles wrapped their arms around an old man I know. God was protecting me all the way to school. While I was grumbling.
The new tire was more than worth the lessons learned--again. (Wow, am I a slow learner!!) Lesson one--worry is such a waste of time. Lesson two when I worry I always imagine the worst. Lesson three--He cares--always. Lesson four--He loves to remind us of His loving care--even if we're mumbling; especially when we're mumbling. What to do? Embrace His loving hand with a heart of gratitude. Ask His forgiveness for such little faith. Do a dance of joy for a Father who continues to put up with me by loving me more deeply in the simplest profound ways.

Thank You, Abba.

A Sinner

There's a simple reason that Paul starts his epistles with truth concerning the depth of our sin. As Jesus told us the person who has been forgiven much, loves much. When I am struggling with obedience it is often because I am thinking of myself more highly than I ought to think. Oh, that's not moping around feeling sorry for myself. No, it's forgetting the inconceivable truth of how deeply I needed a Savior and how deeply now I need a heart of confession and thankfulness that He is still forgiving me--defending me before the Father. If I truly understand His grace and mercy, loving obedience flows from my daily life--it becomes a joy.

Accountability

Accountability is fairly simple. God expects you to live what you teach. And when you tell someone that such and such is what you believe to be true, you have become a teacher. So, live a life of integrity.

The Reason

There is always a difference between what I have envisioned for my life and the life that He creates for me. Sometimes it's a chasm. The reason for that?

He's a whole lot smarter than I am--infinitely wiser.

His glory is more important than my glory. (And my glory seems to be at the core of many of my plans. Dare I admit most)

He refuses to quit loving me with all His heart.

He wants my blessings to be eternal not temporal.

And then--and this is one of those truths that leaves me speechless--when I get to heaven, He'll tell me "thank you" for submitting and being obedient to His plan.

God is love.

The Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.' For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth by unrighteousness "

The Gospel

Preeminent--there's only one
Its source--God; for God so loved the world
Its character--divine power
Its purpose--salvation--Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Its reach--"to everyone who believes"
Its result--the revelation of the righteousness of God
Its method of propagation--from faith to faith--faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Its evidence--the righteous man will live by faith in the God of his salvation no matter what life brings his way.

Its necessity--"on the day when, according to the gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ."

Every man and every woman will be judged based on their response to the gospel.

Salvation or wrath. Eternal. And the issue will not be how much did God love--the cross makes His love undeniable; but did you spurn His love. Choose.

The day is certain. The judge is Christ. The only criteria--did you believe.
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"But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel other than, more than, that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel other than, more than, that which you received, let him be anathema."

"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, by which you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The Gospel--grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
False "gospel"--human achievement can save you.

The Lord

The Lord is my Rock--my steadfastness, my strength, and my fortress.

The Lord is my Truth. Trusting in His character fills me with joy and deepens my intimacy with Him.

The Lord is my Comfort--in times of sorrow, in times of weakness, in times of reproach, in times of loneliness, in times of slander, in times of fear. He always gives greater grace.

The Lord is my God. My times are in His hands. He makes His face to shine on His servant. His ears are open to my cries for help.

The Lord is my Hiding Place--my shelter in the time of storm.

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in--wait for--the Lord."

Lord empower me with a courageous love.

Marching Orders

Marching Orders for the Day:

Only be strong and very courageous. The Lord Thy God is with you.
Put on the whole armor of God so you can withstand the schemes of the devil.
Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Resist the devil and He will flee.
Endure hardship as a good soldier.
Do not become entangled in the affairs of the world.
Take every thought captive to obedience.
Remember the enemy is not flesh and blood.
Use spiritual weapons not carnal--to the tearing down of strongholds.
Be anxious for nothing--pray. Without ceasing.
God's peace has built a fortress around your heart and mind.
Fight the good fight of faith. Without faith it is impossible.
The enemy cannot ever separate you from His eternal love.
Rely on His strength and you can do all things.
Only be strong and very courageous. The Lord Thy God is with you.

"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evil

We live in a world immersed in evil. Some of it is so shocking it's beyond comprehension. Some is so subtle it dulls our commitment to personal righteousness. The weak are still oppressed and feel the hatred of prejudice. The poor are always with us, and profit is a greater god than compassion. The struggle for love and acceptance too often leads men to destructive choices. We have an epidemic of narcissism. And narcissism will sacrifice anyone to the god of desire for self-fulfillment. And what a insidious god that can be. We should not be surprised, however, by endemic evil. The prince of the world has an ironclad grip on the hearts of men. He is the ultimate deceiver, and his very being is committed to the destruction of human beings.
What are we to do? Steep ourselves in the compassion of our Savior. Love the unlovely, love the sinner, love the poor in deed not in word. We must be Jesus devoid of political mechanizations conservative or liberal. We must guard against spiritual arrogance--a prideful, deadly form of narcissism.  Our ideas must be rooted in the love so marvelously demonstrated by our Savior in His walk amongst us. We must do right--at all cost. Establish our lives on His Word not on the ideas of men seeking only power and influence. Nothing else will do. We must lavish love on all those we meet each day--closest friend, absolute stranger, it must make no difference.
Why? Because He commands it and pride keeps a man from humility, and a lack of humility keeps a man from obedience. And disobedience aids the cause of the prince of evil. Touching one soul with His love each day--accepted or rejected--is the call of discipleship. Death to self is essential.

Remember, "This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world: the battle is not done; Jesus, who died shall be satisfied and earth and heaven be one."
He is the Judge. Not you or me. We are called to be faithful lovers of a dying world until He comes to make "earth and heaven one." Hate is the weapon of the evil one. Love and compassion and mercy are the weapons of discipleship. No man should be able to deny that God's people manifest in all they say and do such powerful weapons.

Persuasion

Did you know that Christians are supposed to be persuaders? Everywhere Paul went they accused him of being such a creature. In Corinth, in Antioch, in Ephesus, in Rome, before King Agrippa, Paul was always charged with being a persuader. Why? Because he was one!
Did you know that God is a persuader? He persuades us through suffering that nothing can separate us from His love. He persuades us through His promises that this world is not our home, that a heavenly home awaits us. All of Paul's advice to young Timothy was based on "For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
Do you see the elements of persuasion? First and basic is the character of the Persuader--the Whom. People will only listen to other people who live what they say is true. Knowing God, Paul could easily be persuaded that "He is able." If God says that it's a fact, it's not fancy of fanaticism.
Second, don't ever be persuaded to believe a temporary truth. Paul's faith was an eternal persuasion--"against that day." No amount of time would ever persuade Paul to change his mind, to doubt. Time makes nothing right or wrong.
The third element of persuasion is commitment--by the one being persuaded. A man or woman who is really persuaded by an eternal truth will surrender his own viewpoint and will to God's "keeping."
Finally, persuasion is an individual matter. Paul can't be persuaded for me, nor I for him. Every person must be persuaded in his own heart and mind.
To summarize: the value of the idea someone wants me to believe is related to his character. If he's a liar--verbally or experientially--and I believe him, I'm the fool, not him. I should be persuaded to believe only those truths that are eternal, just as true forever as they are today. If I'm persuaded, I will be wholeheartedly committed to that persuasion.
Be persuaded. By God. And remember, don't tell us that you believe and are devoted to Him. We won't believe you. Show us. Then, we'll be persuaded.

The Future

"Take no thought for tomorrow"

Sometimes I forget that in God's earthly plan for me my future is today. Period. And He's promised me the strength I need for today. And that it is a day worthy of rejoicing. And that If I stop for a moment and mediate on the majesty of His creation that I will be able to bask in His glory displayed there for all to see. And if He chooses to make this day my last day, my spiritual future is paid for, sealed, and indescribable. Why is it again that I'm always struggling with fears of what my future holds?

Reproof

"My son, do not reject the instruction of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights."

Reproof--instruction that disciplines-- that matures the mind and the heart and leads to a deepening awareness of His presence in your life. Being reproved? Every day I hope--and pray. I mean--what could be more uplifting than to know that the Father loves and delights in you?
"I am weak but Thou art strong. Jesus keep me from all wrong. I'll be satisfied as long, as I walk, let me walk close to Thee."

Flowing

One of the great dangers in the Christian walk is stagnancy. Its causes are very simple: a failure to spend time in prayer and in the Word; (and, hopefully, that is not two separate times in your life), and a failure to live an obedient life of good works--doing simple deeds of love for those around me--even strangers. Stagnancy has nothing to do with how I feel; it has everything to do with how I'm living--my daily walk. The proof that the Fountain of Living Water--the Spirit--is flowing in my life is not what I did yesterday nor the praise that men may give me for my past walk. The proof is not what I am going to do tomorrow for Him. The proof is not even tangible evidence that I can see today in my life that He is using me. I am called to obedience; the "outcome" of my obedience is God's business. And this side of glory I may never know what that outcome is. And remember that the outcome of a life that radiates the perfume of His presence may be someone turning away from Christ, not to Him. No, the evidence of a flowing life is simple--prayer, Bible study, and humble servanthood. How will it affect my life? Strength for the day. Steadfastness for the day. Patience throughout the day. A mind that is constantly reminded that He--and He alone--has qualified me to share in the inheritance, has rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and eternally settled me into the Kingdom of Light--that I am redeemed and forgiven. A heart of gratitude for such unmerited, gracious, unending love. And how am I affected by the affects? A love for times of prayer and times in the Word that I may know Him more deeply. A daily filling by the Spirit that causes me to genuinely respond to the needs of those around me regardless of their response. Yes, it's a "continuous circle." We call that "flowing"--the antithesis of stagnancy. So simple. So necessary. So transforming. Flow.

Preeminent

Christ, our Savior, is preeminent in all things:

"Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He existed before creation began, for it was through Him that everything was made, whether spiritual or material, seen or unseen. Through Him, and for Him, also were created power and dominion, ownership and authority. .In fact, every single thing was created, through Him, and for Him. He is both the first principle and the upholding principle of the whole scheme of creation. And now He is the head of the body which is the church. Life from nothing began through Him, and life from the dead began through Him, and He is, therefore, justly called the Lord of all." (Phillips0

Crazy Love

David was not born the youngest boy in a family of shepherds by accident. God needed a young man who understood the correlation between kingship and shepherding. He needed a young man who in order to protect his sheep was an expert marksman with a sling. He needed a young man who understood being alone, mediating on God's presence as revealed in nature, learning to play his instrument and compose songs. God needed a young man who would recognize his dependence on God and the necessity for humility. No, his birth at that time and in that family was no accident.

Neither was yours. He has a plan for your life. Have you been embracing the lessens or complaining about the difficulties? Your attitude will make all the difference. David embraced the lessons and became a man after God's own heart--a man with a "crazy love" for God. You have been designed to be the same kind of man or woman. Be an eager disciple. And remember, there is no such thing as easy, comfortable discipleship. "Soldiering." Cross bearing." "Sacrifice." "Farming with a plow." Those are just a few words used to describe the call to following Him. And remember as well--the strength you need for this day is a promise. Rest in it--not on your own puny spiritual muscles. Fulfill His perfect plan. Be a David. Love Him like crazy!

Silence

God is often silent because we weren't listening anyway. Only when we sense the silence can He speak to us and truly get our attention. When we sense a lack of His presence and long for His voice, all He needs to do is whisper. And we are ready to obey the still small voice that calls us to the work He has appointed us to do.

Be Holy

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord." 'And do not touch what is unclean;' and I will welcome you. 'And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty. Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 

Partnership. Fellowship. Harmony. Unity. Agreement. Worship. Family closeness. Access. All are impossible without holiness--without being separate from the world in the things we do--flesh; and in the attitudes and loves of our hearts--spirit. We declare our reverence--our fear--of the Lord Almighty by our commitment to holiness. What does James say, "keep yourself unspotted--unstained--by the world:" How many spots does it take to be "spotted"; how many stains to be "stained"?

Chose. Righteousness or sin. Light or darkness. Christ or Satan. Being His temple or being a temple filled with idols.

"Be holy for I Am holy" is not a suggestion. To disobey this command drives a wedge between the Father and His sons and daughters. Disobedience first grieves the Spirit. Continued disobedience then quenches the Spirit. Can you think of a more dangerous place to be spiritually?

Responses

There are four responses to the Word being taught:

Those who are not believers have a heart of stone. No transformation can occur. Regeneration is necessary. There must be life in order for there to be understanding.
Some respond to the Word emotionally, but when they discover that following Christ is incredibly difficult--a constant warfare with their flesh and the enemy--they turn away. Being unwilling to count the cost, they pursue other gods--well, their own wants--and then when storms come, they blame God even though they are the ones who have rejected the God of all comfort.
Some respond to the Word, embrace it, even start to be transformed, but then they get lured away by the treasures the world tempts them with. With their feet planted in both worlds--God's and the earthly--they find themselves servants of the earthly. Their treasures become rusted, moth eaten, or lost to thieves--and there are a lot of different thieves in this world. Their transformation is smothered by the worries and cares of this world that flourish in the pursuit of such temporal riches.
Some respond to the world and despite the warfare and the lures commit themselves to following Him despite the cost. And there is always a cost. They find themselves, despite themselves--being inexplicably transformed into His likeness. They react to people and things as He reacted--and they know it's Him at work in their lives and not themselves. And they hunger and thirst for more of the Word of righteousness. More of His transforming power.

What is your response to the Word? If there is no hunger for the Word, something is amiss. If there is no warfare, something is amiss. If there is no luring, something is amiss. Those are all part of the struggle to become more like Him--the enemy never rests. And He knows what desires lure you into a love of the world, his world.

If there has never been a hunger for the Word, you are still spiritually dead. Lifeless. The reason you can't hear His voice or see His hands of love at work in your life is because you lack spiritual ears and spiritual eyes.

"As newborn babes, you must desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby." The Word transforms; the world conforms. Whose likeness do you reflect?

Conquerors

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, 'For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus."

God's moment by moment love for me is everlasting--without end.
God's love for me is wider, deeper, broader, more expansive than the universe itself.
There is nothing that I can ever do or can be done to me that will separate me from His love. Not for a split second.
There will never be a set of circumstances in my life--negative or positive--that is not indwelt by and enriched by His loving presence--the Lord is at hand. Always.
The most powerful angel cannot separate me from His love.
My weak, brain-dead, needy, stubborn, rebellious, defenseless "sheepishness" will not separate me from His love.
My last breath will not separate me from His love.

Each day by His Spirit's power I am a conqueror--even when I fall flat on my face.

Overwhelmingly.

All sufficient grace and love and mercy make it undeniably so.

Rejoice.

Sadness

Are there any sadder words in Scripture than "Depart from Me. I never knew you."

My heart mourns deeply for those as well who have encountered His love, recognized His sacrifice, and turned from Him. And then, one eternal day, they will kneel before Him and acknowledge that He was everything He claimed to be. It would have been better for them to have never known. What an eternity awaits them.  What an undying memory.

May our hearts be broken as we pray that those who merely know about Him may take that glorious step into knowing Him as Savior, brother, friend, lover.

May our hearts be broken as we pray for a broken heart of repentance for those who have stood in the presence of His love and turned away. May our God do whatever is necessary to free them from their pride, humble their hearts, and turn them back to true repentance.

Lord, amen.

This Day

"When morning gilds the skies, my heart awakening cries, "May Jesus Christ be praised!"
Hope your heart is awake today--and every day. What your heart praises is your real treasure. Live a life of praise today--for Him. It's contagious.
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The question for each day is not, "I wonder if God has something for me to do today? I wonder if there is someone whose life I am supposed to touch today?" Every moment of every day you are commanded to do all to His glory. Every person you encounter today you are commanded to touch with His love. "For to me, to live is Christ"--every moment of every day in every encounter with each individual may Christ be seen in me.
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Remember the Christian life is a walk--not a sprint. Slow, steady, ordinary in an extraordinary way. Daily. One step at a time. And you're walk must be in agreement with the One who walks beside you.

"Can two walk together unless they be in agreement?"

"Walk in the light as He is in the light."