Ambassadors

Want to know the secret to having courage to share God’s love with others?

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh…Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NASB

The more we understand the great cost Jesus paid to make us right with God… The more we grasp the result of His sacrifice… the more we are compelled by a mighty force… 

The love of Christ

Abba God, thank you for the love of Christ. Have your way in me today. Soften my heart as I lean in to learn from You. Teach me the depth of Jesus’ love. Move me with that love – compel me to be a more focused ambassador for Christ, reconciling others to you. Help those of us who struggle to sit still, to learn how to meditate on the powerful truths in this passage. Help those of us who are afraid to grasp – and focus on – your perfect love which casts out fear. Open doors for us to share our story with others. Speak through us so others can know your great love. Give us eyes to see all believers as new creations; unify us as one Body of Christ, which we are. Give us courage to love each other more as the days continue. Fill us with a deep insatiable desire to love and serve, using the tools you have given us. Show us as individuals what you want us to do. We are listening, Abba, and we want to please you because you gave us ALL the good we have and know. We are nothing – we have nothing – apart from you. In Jesus’ name.

How deeply you are loved!

Upon hearing of a friend's death, I was compelled to write her family to convey her love for them. 

She was so fond and proud of her kids and grandkids. I wanted to share some good memories and to remind them of what they hopefully already knew. She loved them dearly.

Dear friend, 

I want you to know...

God is real. He came to Earth for you. 

To show you how much He loves you.

Listen. Do you hear Him?

"Do you know how much I love you? I love you so much that I sent my Son to tell you - to show you - my love in person. My love is real. He chose to die, because that was the only way to conquer death and sin. I love you so very much and want you to know My love."

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jhn.3.16-17.niv

Father, thank You for loving me. So. Much. To send Jesus to save me. To show me grace and truth. Thank You for freeing me from life-choking habits and attitudes. Thank You for walking with me. Increase LOVE in my heart for the people around me. Overflow Your love through me into their lives. Let them see You and praise You for Your good works. In Jesus' name. 

You did not choose me. I chose you.

When you walk into a room full of strangers,

isn't it a relief when someone you know greets you warmly?

"Hi! I'm so glad you came!"

That sure does make me feel more welcome!

Pursue Love! (3)

Relationship can’t happen without love. If there's no love, it's not a relationship. It's just two people being in each other's space. Relationship matters to Jesus. In John 14-17 especially, He pointed out the importance of relationships: between Father and Son, between Jesus and us, and our relationships with each other.  

Jesus loved Abba God.

In those chapters, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that He loves His Father, and His actions were an overflow of that love. Their relationship was based in a permanent love that was unstoppable. It makes me wonder...

How well am I loving Abba God and Jesus my Lord?

 

He who loves [family] more than Me is not worthy of Me... - Matthew10:37, NASB

for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me

and have believed that I came forth from the Father. – John 16:27, NASB

…Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

 [He asked 3 times] – John 21:15–17, NASB

 

Is most of my obedience driven by moral obligation or a desire to please because I love Him?

 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28, NASB

 

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have

toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; - Philemon 5, NASB

 

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work

and the love which you have shown toward His name,

in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. – Hebrews 6:10, NASB

 

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1: 12, NASB

 

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him,

and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory – 1 Peter 1:8, NASB

 

Abba God, thank You for loving me so deeply and more intimately than I can grasp.  Fill me with a desire to love You better this year, to talk with You more, to listen to You more, to cherish your love letter more deeply. In Jesus’ name...

Pursue Love! (2)

Most people I know either appreciate or try to avoid Paul's writings. He's not exactly gentle. For those of you who may be sweating or rolling your eyes, please bear with me. When I read his letters - and I didn't always feel this way - I can feel his incredible passion and near-desperation to see people strong in faith and FREE. I suppose that's another topic for another day...

How does this relate to our Pursue Love series?  Read Paul's motive in 1 Timothy 1:5

"But the goal of our instruction

is love

from a pure heart

and a good conscience and

a sincere faith."

 

What's our motive in our relationships? Are we connecting in love when we speak or  email/text/twitter? What about through our creations, our work, and our body language?

• Am I quick to speak? Out of love? Do I remember God's grace toward me? It isn't God's forcefulness that draws me closer to Him, and I need to remember that when I'm engaged with someone who disagrees. 
• When was the last time someone thanked me for encouraging them? Am I always pointing to God's kindness? Am I a bit demanding? Not sure? Ask Abba for opportunities to encourage, to speak truth with grace and kindness.
• Do I expect others to do life just like me? Is there even one brother or sister in Christ whom I'm irritated by simply because their life looks differently than mine? Honestly evaluate whether you love them out of a pure love. Most of us can improve in this area.  
• Do I allow for our differences? Do I accept that journeys are meant to be different - in timing and method? Am I afraid that God isn't working fast enough in someone's life? Have I prayed FOR this person before attempting to change their trajectory for them? 

If we could love more like Jesus, just imagine how different our networks might look!

Jesus was clear:

• He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Him. Jesus is THE Way; not a bunch of rules and regulations.
• He calls us to follow Him, to love God, and to love people. 
• He didn't - and doesn't - demand that His followers have it all together. As we abide in Him, He changes us and helps us to deny the fleshly desires.  

"Faith, hope and love... the greatest of these is love."  

Abba God, thank You for loving me when I was your enemy, for clothing me with Christ Jesus, and for making me worthy of the title "Beloved." Thank You for bearing with my human frailties and loving me today as I am. How incredibly beyond my comprehension that You see me through the blood of Christ Jesus, instead of as a hopeless and slow-to-learn ball of clay. Give me your eyes to see others as You see me - with LOVE. Enable me to love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Help me be quick to show kindness. Give me a strong desire to only lift my hands in praise or in a sweet hugging embrace - and remove the desire to lift my pointy finger in judgment. When I'm called to voice truth, sprinkle grace all over my tongue (and fingers if I'm typing); stop me from communicating out of judgment or fear. Help me appreciate and honor my brothers and sisters. Truly, You have made the Body of Christ beautiful, full of unique parts and we need each other. I'm so glad... In Jesus' name...

Pursue Love! (1)

Abba God, I don't really want to write this next series. I don't feel prepared. I don't have a plan I'm comfortable with. I don't feel like I have anything much to offer, but THAT'S OK. You love me as I am. Where I am. Somehow You take all my falls, scrapes, and messes and - joyfully - make something really beautiful from them. Just like the widow's mite, You can take our little gifts - all we have to offer back to You - and do something bigger than we can imagine with them. You are the only source of good, and I'm so thankful that YOU can work all things together for the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. May You be glorified. May your peace and grace be strong in our hearts.  Thanks for your peace.  

A few themes have been popping up:

• God is faithful - always. We trust; He finishes what He started.
• Hope. Not only for eternal life, but for abundant life while waiting to go Home.
• Love. We, the church, need to LOVE (not condemn OR grumble). 

One particular email struck me with a sense of urgency this morning. The message?
 
Love.
 
“Let this be the year that we pursue love... that we stop talking about love, that we do less regretful moaning... and actually be determined to love more the way Jesus loved (John 15:12). Let this be the year we actually put into place some strategies to help us love..."

"But let’s also be clear: making love our aim will demand more courage and faith than any other resolution we can make. Nothing exposes the depth of our sin like really seeking to love God with our entire being and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27)."  

Oh, Abba, please enable us and strengthen our resolve to love... because of the grace and mercy which You've so freely given us. Free those who are believers yet seem "stuck" in the sins of complaints, grumbling, and pointing fingers. Abba help us all to live an abundant life with grace that overflows to those around them.  May those who don't know You see that we are Christians because of how well we love. In Jesus' name...

In this world we are like Jesus.

Wait a minute. Who? Me?
I’m like Christ Jesus in this world? Even though I still wage war against sin? Even though I seem to daily forget how important it is to be patient, kind, joyful, full of hope and gratitude?
“…as He is, so also are we in this world.” Wow. Isn’t that incredible???
What a blessed gift!
I am a NEW creation. The old is gone. I’m no longer condemned! I’ve been rescued and set upon a rock that cannot be shattered. I am sheltered by the wings of God Almighty. I’m able to talk 24/7 to the Holy One – and He sees me as clean and loveable.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love 1 John 4:17-18
Abba God, thank You for all You have done. Give me eyes to see Truth: who You are, who I am. Give me courage to walk in faith today… to believe that I really am made like Christ Jesus (not ONLY given eternal life, but also meant to live in freedom and holiness). Truly, You are worth more than I can conceive, and I’m humbled that You love me so well. In Jesus’ name….

A Messy, Beautiful Love.

I've really messed up. I chose Easy, instead of Right. God still wants me. At this very moment. 

When I don't care about potential consequences of my actions. He desires me. At that very moment.

In my filth, He is with me, longing for me to look into His peaceful eyes. When I crossly turn away because He doesn't "fix me" or my circumstances, He doesn't force me to look and seek truth. Perfect gentleman. Patiently waiting. For me. Who else waits for me like He does? 

 

He's secured our relationship with His Spirit and through Christ Jesus. It's done. I'm His and He is mine. Why do I withhold myself from the only One who cares for me fully, infinitely more than any human can love another? 

At this moment, what will I choose? Will I turn toward my Lover or turn away? Will I hold onto my struggles instead of running into His strong embrace, trusting His real and constant provision for me? 

Whatever my choice, He chooses love - always. He waits for me. That is grace beyond my comprehension. 

Abba God, thank You for being who You are - Love. Open my eyes to see how much You love me. Give me courage to look through the glass that separates me from You - the glass of circumstances, struggles, emotions - instead of only looking at the dusty, bug-covered glass itself. Teach me what I'm to focus on and give me courage to let go of the rest. In Jesus' name... 

Romans 8, NIV & Message paraphrase

Confession: I get mad at God sometimes.

It's true. I'm not proud of it, but it's reality.

Usually, when I'm angry with God, it's because I don't understand... and I've forgotten some important facts.

Such as:
God's given me everything good that I have in life - and I don't deserve anything good.
He's put abundant care into the details of my life.
He's a God of order and sovereign, yet He still bends down to hear and answer my prayers.
He's constantly in love with me & always pouring out His love to me - it never stops. Even when I'm throwing a tantrum.
His love is pure, and not like any human's love.
He gives me hope, and hope does not disappoint.
He gives me a way out of temptation.
His perfect love casts out fear.
He gives me peace, not like the world gives.

Abba God, Thank You for being so patient with me, for listening to me, and for loving me in spite of how I act. Forgive me for not trusting You with everything I face. When I don't understand, please help me to trust You anyway. You've given me so much; help me specifically remember how much You've done for me each morning. In Jesus' name... 

Rejoice? Why again, exactly?

"I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,

My soul will exult in my God;

For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,

He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Isaiah 61:10, NASB

Abba God, I admit that I don't feel like praising You. My circumstances are frustrating and I feel so stuck. BUT I choose right now to rejoice greatly in You, for You have given me all that is good. You have cleaned me and given me truth to learn from. You chose me to be your very own child and You gave me the best You had to offer - a royal robe of righteousness. Thank You for loving me so well. Give me courage to choose to rejoice all day. Teach me what your love truly means - how it's impacted my present & future. I can't fight these battles any longer as I've been trying to, so I give them to You to deal with. Do as You know best. There is none like You, and You are faithful. Surely I'm in good hands! Knowing the filth that still lingers in the flesh (there is nothing good in man), I'm again humbled by the honor of knowing You & having a clean robe of righteousness. You are clearly more good than I often consider. All glory & praise are yours. In Jesus' name...  

Reflections on light, leading to joy

It all started with light. LIGHT!
"Let there be light."

Without light, I cannot see COLOR! 
Everything would be dark.

Without color, there is no BEAUTY!
Color defines beauty, giving it vibrancy and meaning.

Without beauty, there can be no HOPE!
Beauty gives birth to hope.

Without hope, there is no reason to search for LOVE! 
We search only when we believe there's something to find.

Without love, we cannot grasp JOY! 
Math explains science; love communicates joy.

Joy is real - a gift from the Lover of our Souls. It's a truth that extends beyond ourselves... beyond whatever season of life or circumstances we face. I haven't found this everlasting joy yet, but I know it's coming. God is faithful, and Jesus repeatedly spoke of a joy He gives followers. I hope you'll keep seeking God with me, believing for brighter days ahead - no matter the circumstances. Love is worth searching for... there is a hope... beauty is all around us... the very basics of color and light are so vital to our existence! Simple gifts leading to an unquenchable joy.

Abba God, thank You for light, color, beauty, hope, love and joy. Thank You for the capacity to behold such amazing aspects of your creation - not only of the physical world, but of your character. As I learn to focus more on YOU (instead of earthly cares) and the simple blessings You've placed all around me, I ask that You open my eyes to see this love and joy You so freely offer me. Give me courage to believe You really do want me to enjoy life - an intimate joy-filled life of abandonment in You. Life abundant, as Jesus promised. In His name...

You have been on His mind for so long, sweet be-loved sister.

He chose you in love, knowing full-well who you were (and what you’ve done), so that when the time was right (while you were still sinning) He would set you apart from the world, removing all sin stain and blemish. You see, YOU have been on His mind for so long, sweet be-loved sister.

Kindness, part 2

Oops. I said yesterday that I’d been struggling with kindness lately. To be more, um… well… honest, I’ve been struggling with kindness for more than a decade. Way more than a decade, if you must know. I really thought that I would have conquered how to be kind in all circumstances by now. [sigh] After all, I’ve been praying about this for a very, very, very long time:

Lord, I know I should be nice. You tell me to love, to be kind, to forgive. I need your help! Puh-leese help me be more kind:

·         [family & friends] I’m too tired to care; their choices made my life harder...

·         [church] so-and-so offended me, no one seems to care…

·         [work] a co-worker broke my trust…

·         [in public] Hey! That guy’s paying for 30 items in the 15-item line…

I’m sure you get the idea. Every day brings a renewed struggle to be kind, and there always seems to be at least one relationship in which I’m falling short. (I’m always falling short, but again, that’s the point. Jesus is the only human who never fell short!)

This weekend, it dawned on me that I’ve been approaching this “be more kind” struggle all wrong. I’ve been focused on ME (my behavior, my sins) instead of focusing on the One who is always kind.

Instead of desperately listing my every fault (or the faults of others around me), I’ve started to pray with a focus on what’s right, true, and good instead:

Father, Thank you for always being kind. I want to see what is true, right, and lovely. Give me eyes to see YOU instead of me. I ask that you cause everyone I interact with to see Jesus through me. Cause his light to shine brightly through me in each relationship. I trust you and know you are able to do much more than I ask. May my focus be on you (instead of myself). You are absolutely everything I need. I love you so much. Thanks for listening and always loving me. In Jesus’ name…

Today’s verses: Philippians4:6-9

Kindness, part I

Kindness has been a bit of a challenge for me lately. Sure, I could list my excuses. We all have excuses, right? But if I’m honest with myself, I am sinning when I’m not kind. There are countless Scripture that tell me to be kind. I know them well. Yet, I still disobey and walk around all grumpy-like, putting myself first. Where is my faith?

Some Jesus follower I am. What good am I?

That is the point.

I cannot do anything good on my own. There is nothing good in me. Anything good in me comes from God, through the Holy Spirit, because of Jesus.

That gives me hope.

Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith. He will finish what He’s started in me.

Father, today I yield once again to You. I have been struggling so hard to be more kind, and have been so rough on myself when I fail. I confess (yet again) that I cannot do anything apart from Jesus. I choose to believe that with Jesus, I have hope. Nothing is impossible with Jesus. He is my strength; I choose right now to lean on Him for my needs. Thank you for loving me as I am, and for teaching me to focus on YOU with gratitude.

Today’s verses: Hebrews 12:2; John 15:5

Have you been striving?

My dear child,

Have you been striving? Struggling?

Are you losing heart? Does today seem daunting?

Are you carrying a heavy burden? 

Would you like some rest? Peace? Calm in the storm?  

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy… and My burden is light.”

With all my love,

Jesus

Do you see? Jesus is gentle. Do you see? He's humble. He does not look to crush you, sweet sister. Jesus loves you as you are. He loves you and longs to give you peace. Do you see His tender eyes longing for you to trust Him? He's holding out His hand for you.

Go ahead, let go of that load and take Jesus' hand.

Father, I have trouble remembering that I don’t have to live up to a set of rules and regulations. Thank you that Jesus’ teaching is simple: to love God and people. Help me remember the example of Mary, who spent time at Jesus' feet instead of striving to get everything just right in the kitchen. Thank you for not burdening me with heavy loads. In Jesus' name... 

Today’s verse: Matthew 11:28-30

He knew what was at stake.

I once heard a passage by Max Lucado which encouraged me. I don't know which book it was read from, nor who read it, but the message is embedded in my soul deeply.

Simple Faith out of a Messy Sunday Morning

Ever have a Sunday morning which doesn't start so well?