I find hope in a scandalous, pure love

I find hope in

Jehovah’s scandalous love

that bled

to actively show

His mercy

to everyone.

He loves me.
He really loves me - with a pure love that does not seek what He can receive first. He gave before we knew He existed.

He is not human, that He would wonder what He can gain from our relationship. No. His ways are beyond what we can imagine or understand.

He wants to know me.
He wants to be known by me.
He wants to coach me into the person I'm designed - and destined (if I partner with Him) - to be.

This is why His Son bled for me. To save me from death and sin. To dwell with me through His Spirit. Wow.

Oh, Abba God! Thank You for choosing to reveal Jesus to me, for saving me, for including me in your kingdom, and for showing me what a tender love looks like. Give me courage to believe truth and to leave the lies behind. In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope when I ponder Jesus' lineage.

Yahweh chose to include sinful people in Jesus’ lineage. 

Absurd. He includes people who don't deserve to be included. 

Noble. He helps and saves people who have so little to give back (compared to what He gives).

Humbling. I don't deserve His attention. Who am I, that He cares for me? 

Oh, sweet Abba God… Thank You for including me in Your grand story, for giving me insight into Jesus' ancestors' lives. Your ways are far beyond what I understand and I’m so glad!!! In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope in knowing God unconditionally loves me

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on 

Yahweh’s act of choosing, and unconditionally loving FOREVER, a people who would break His heart countless times… and promising to reserve a remnant from that same group.

He never stops until His work’s finished. Not with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s descendants… and not with me.

Abba God, I’m so grateful that You are the kind of God who lets people like me into heaven. I’m grateful that You would invest in an intimate relationship with me while I’m on earth. You didn’t have to do that, but You did. I’m so glad! In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope... in ordinary lives

I find hope when I consider

all the ordinary lives woven by grace into God’s Story.

• A carpenter named Joseph, and Mary, a common young girl (probably only 12).
• John Mark. Barnabas. Philemon & Onesimus.
• Many of the disciples were common fishermen. They weren’t stellar in Hebraic religious schools, so it they were sent home to learn their father’s occupation. Rabbis didn’t see anything special in them. They didn’t make the cut. They missed their one chance…Then Jesus spoke into their lives and everything changed.
• Abraham was just another man from a big city. 
• The widow who didn’t have another penny to spare, but gave it to her El Shaddai anyway.

Common people, living common lives, make perfect conduits for Jehovah's strong, merciful arm. 

Truly, it was common people scattered throughout the world who changed culture simply by following Jesus’ commands to love God and people. They prayed, listened to Scripture, and learned to live lives that were above reproach, honoring others above themselves. They had phobias, struggles, insecurities, relational problems, felt alone, and wondered when Jesus would return.

God chose them and they responded to His call. Same's true for you and me.

So, what makes me think I’m so special, so unique, so beyond His ability? I don’t give Jehovah enough credit. I don’t use my imagination to try to grasp His capabilities. He’s beyond everything I could think or imagine. Didn’t He create this world for me because He wants relationship with me? Won’t He create the next one to spend eternity with me, because He longs to be face-to-face with me? Didn’t He promise to finish what He began? Why do I think that His work in me would be any different than all those written about in Scripture?

God is the one who makes Extraordinary happen. He chooses people much like the ones you see every day. Even the woman in the mirror. Even me. 

Abba God, I stand amazed. Truly, there is no one other than You. Your arm reaches further, your love is deeper, and your ability is so much more than I imagine or give You credit for. Thank You for patiently teaching me and for continuing the work You started in me. Train me to focus on You and to fully grasp how extraordinary You are. May others see Jesus through me as I go about my common day. Let me remember that You are way beyond ordinary - You are my hope! In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope... in David's story (part 4)

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on

the example of repentance David gave, that we can experience God’s mercy and grace.

The adultery and murder of Uriah, which led David to write Psalm 51, a moving song of repentance and faith in God’s mercies.

Abba’s mercy and grace are readily available when I turn to Him. I cannot face Him and face sin. They’re polar opposites. Turning away from sin is turning to God.

David didn’t hide his struggles. He acknowledged them, and brought them back into perspective according to the truth He knew about God. This is not easy, but we must continue to learn how to fight in this way. We’re to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12) and take every thought captive according to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

There’s no condemnation in Christ Jesus – no shame. Oh, how quickly I forget! We don’t have to walk around with our heads down when we think we’ve failed. No! We walk in humility (for we once were lost) and in peace and joy (we are found & free!).

Abba God, when I remember what you did through David’s life, I’m so encouraged. I am comforted to know that You finish what You start, You keep your promises, You are close to the broken and humble. Nothing good’s in me, apart from You. Help me remember this today – and always. In Jesus’ name…  

I find hope... in David's story (part 3)

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on...

the blatantly honest struggles David faced & his persistence to “finish the sentence.”

Many of David’s psalms are well-known for their pattern of

Help me in my troubles, O God.  -->  Praise God! He will take care of this, too.

I’m so glad Abba God gives that example of prayer, and that it came from David (whom we’ve gotten to know very well)..

When I bare my soul with my Abba God, He patiently listens, gingerly untangles the knots, and tenderly trains me in truth. And our relationship grows closer in those moments. I trust Him more, and know in deeper ways that He is faithful and true. Yep, good stuff to dwell on.

Dear Abba God, I’m so thankful for David’s honesty through the ups and downs. Help me to be honest with You (You see it all anyway), give me courage to listen to truth and apply it to my life, and convict me to always praise You (to finish the sentence). I praise You, for You are my strength. You never fail or leave me. In Jesus’ name… 

I find hope... in David's story (part 2)

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on

the brutally transparent struggles David faced and described in the Psalms.

Here are 2 keys shared in David's psalms, received through his trials and troubles.

Humility: Nothing good was in David, apart from God. (Ps 16:2) Same is true of me.

Brokenness: David wrote a lot about his brokenness. He was misunderstood, betrayed, and endured much unfairness. Those trials taught him that God’s close to the broken. (Ps 34:18)

Now, I don’t often think of trials as gifts. However, God offers us these same 2 keys to His heart through each struggle we face. Hmmm... that's something to consider. 

Abba God, I’m not so thankful for the struggles, but I’m grateful for the gifts which lead me closer to You. Thank You for loving me enough to lead me through the struggles and bring good out of each one. Thank You for helping me endure. You’re so good to me. In Jesus’ name… 

I find hope... in David's story (part 1)

I find hope in the Bible when I ponder and dwell on

The beginning of David’s journey.

His childhood wasn’t that glamorous. He was a dirty, stinky shepherd boy who did the dirty jobs which his big brothers weren’t around to do.

Sure, there were highlights. He had the great honor of killing Goliath, and was then whisked into the royal household to soothe King Saul with music – only to be threatened multiple times until he finally had to run away into obscurity.

David had a rough life. Years spent on the run, wars, and family troubles. This was not a life of peace and tranquility.

Yet, he was the only human in the Bible labeled as “a man after God’s own heart.” (Acts 13:22)

How encouraging! God noticed a little stinky shepherd boy named David, because he sought God and yearned to please Him. 

Abba God, when I remember that You chose David while he was just a boy (before he did anything noteworthy). You saw that He loved You and wanted to obey You… how encouraging! You chose me before the world was created for my benefit. You planned good works for me to do. You love me as You loved David. You hear me through the tough times. May I seek to please You as David did. May others see me and say, “Wow. She really loves her Jesus!” In Jesus’ name…

New series - You're invited to guest post!

We're starting a new series today.  YAY!!! I know, I'm excited, too.  

"I find hope in..." 

Each post will be based on a person, an incident, a book, or a theme (etc) from God’s Word. 

You’re invited to write a guest post!

You can use a pseudonym if you’d like. All you have to do is read the submission requirements & email your submission to asmothersoriginal@gmail.com. 

Post requirements:

• 1-3 key points 
• Title your post: "I find hope in [topic from Bible]"
• Include Scripture (references or full Scripture)
• Audience: Godly, Bible-believing women in any circumstances. This blog is meant to encourage women, no matter their situation - single, married, with/out kids, young/old, etc. That said, I simply ask for grace toward women who aren't in your shoes.
• Not too lengthy. (This is subjective. If I think it’s too long for one post, I reserve the right to split it into 2-3 posts.)
• Deadline for submissions: April 2nd, 2012

When I receive your email, I'll let you know when it'll be posted.