God's Love Demonstrated

 

God of the Living

 “But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Luke 20:37-38).

Jesus was talking to Sadducees and they did not believe in the reality of a resurrection. They were the secularists of Jesus’ day, more concerned with political power in the present than eternity in the future. Jesus was correcting their false view of life after death. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, “for to him all are alive.”

It is easy to think of life as our time on earth. Jesus taught that our lives extend far beyond our natural lifetimes. When we die physically we go on living. Paul said of believers that when we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Moses at the burning bush called God the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are still alive.

The woman who nursed the agnostic, Professor J. H. Huxley, through his last illness said that as he lay dying he suddenly looked up, stared and whispered his last words, “So it is true.” It is true! There is life after we die physically and for those who believe in Jesus it is life in the presence of God forever.

He Doesn't Give Up on Us!

 “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times’ ” (Luke 22:60-61).

No one who follows Jesus wants to fail. This was one of the most noted failures in history. Peter, who had followed Jesus for three years, denied knowing Him. If any event would look on the surface like a disqualifying decision it would be Peter’s denying Christ. Peter himself was so broken by his failure that he wept bitterly.

Peter had thought he wasn’t capable of failing this miserably. He had said that if all others forsook Jesus he would not. He’s like many of us who look ahead and overestimate what we would do under pressure. His pride and self-confidence were shattered.

That, however, isn’t the end of Peter’s story. When Jesus rose from the dead He sent word to His disciples “and Peter.” When we give up on ourselves He doesn’t give up on us. On the day of Pentecost Peter stood and openly proclaimed his allegiance to Jesus. He did that at the risk of his own safety. Don’t let a moment of failure ruin the rest of your life. Jesus forgives us our weaknesses and empowers us to go on to a life of purpose. Failure doesn’t disqualify us because we serve a God who knows how to restore us so we can fulfill our destinies.

Why Haven't You Healed Me? (Do Read the Interpretation of the Video)

 

Jesus had just told his disciples he was sending them out two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons etc, when James (little James (yes there were two James’s)) approached Jesus asking a difficult question … ”you want me to go and heal others, and I’ve seen you heal others also, but why haven’t you healed me, one of your own?”  … a great question!

James is depicted here as a quiet, perhaps even hesitant / shy man, and also he had a significant debilitating limp when walking …

 “But Lord, why haven’t you healed me?”

Jesus looks at James and answers him …

-         My Father and I trust you.

-         I heard your cry in my Fathers will, but He and I had another plan for you.

-         Remember, I love you.

-         Remember, you are so very precious to me.

-         You, James, have the power to heal others – it’s My power yes, but you have the mandate and authority to administer it.

-         Many, thousands, even tens of thousands, will testify of me because I have healed them, but how precious to my Father and I is the testimony of one who believes in me and praises God even when he isn’t healed. Your reward will be great.

-         Suffering develops patience on earth knowing that in eternity, there will be no suffering.

-         Not everyone can bear this – my Father and I trust you with this calling.

-         It’s easy to say “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” but acknowledging it doesn’t make the here and now any easier knowing that, and that’s fine to feel that way, don’t condemn yourself. 

-         Don’t compare yourself to others – your journey is tailor made for you to bring glory to God.

-         The Father doesn’t care what you may look like, a limp, a stutter, a strange way of having to do things, He looks at the heart.

-         It’s easy for me (Jesus) to heal the body, but the heart of man is much harder to heal.

-         James, you will be a healer of hurt and hardened hearts. God is far more interested in the healing of the human heart, more than just the body alone.  

-         The Fathers plan for people may be a mystery to you, and that’s okay.

-         The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away – Blessed be the name of the Lord.

-         Hold on, and keep holding on and you will discover your true strength because of your weakness.

-         The impact of what you hold onto despite of your imperfection will last for generations.

-         The infirm going about healing others i.e. “the wounded healer” – wow! what a precious thing in the eyes of the Lord!

-         Finally, remember … Yes, you will be completely healed; one day when you pass from this scene, and in the presence of your Father in heaven, you will leap like a young deer in a spring meadow, it’s just a matter of time.

Prayer of Protection

 

Prayer for Healing

 

Courage in God (Daily Readings)

 

Bible Verses 01

 

The Flood

 

A Prayer

 

IN Christ

 

Priorities

 

Pure Grace

 Pure grace is a divine influence that produces effortless change as you rest in the Fathers love. It’s an inside job….Behavior modification is religions never ending battle to change your outward actions through do and don’t do in hopes you will become a better person. 

Fathers grace develops a righteous consciousness while religions behavior modification produces a sin and failure consciousness resulting in never ending guilt and condemnation with each failure.

It’s your choice on how you live..

Stone Throwing

 

God Connection

 

God sees us

 “Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he [Jesus] was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them” (Mark 6:47-48a).

Jesus had just sent His disciples to the other side of the lake while He went to the hillside to pray. As they sailed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee they encountered a storm with high winds. The disciples were struggling against the high winds so Jesus began walking toward them on the Sea.

How often that is a picture of our lives. We are doing what Jesus asked us to do and a dangerous storm interferes with our purpose. We are struggling to stay alive. It would be fair to say that the disciples weren’t thinking high spiritual thoughts. Their thoughts would’ve been something like, “Am I going to live through this?”

The good news is that when we face a crisis and it claims all our energy God is watching over us. When we may not be thinking of Him He is looking out for us. The disciples’ world had been reduced to the size of that boat.

There is not a demon in hell or a raging storm that can keep Jesus from us when we need Him! For those who wonder where God is in a crisis the answer is “He’s watching over us and on His way to rescue us and save us.” He doesn’t come to harm us or condemn us. He comes in mercy and compassion because He knows that we’re confronted with a challenge we can’t handle without Him. That is our hope in every crisis.

Jesus never forgets us

 “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’ ” (Mark 16:7).

All the disciples had run away from Jesus before the crucifixion. Now that He was risen from the dead the angel conveys a message from Him to be carried to His disciples. He was going to meet them in Galilee just as He had promised them before He was crucified.

The tremendous heart of Jesus is revealed by these words. His disciples may have been still feeling the pain of their desertion. Jesus, as He always does, takes the initiative in reaching out to them. In spite of the fact that they had left Him in His crisis hour, He had just died for them. He has always done what He is able to do to reconcile us to Himself.

Of particular interest is His mention of Peter. Peter, having proclaimed his willingness to die with Jesus, had three times denied that he knew Him. He had wept bitterly at his own failure. Now, Jesus says specifically to Peter that he is included in Jesus’ message. It is typical of Jesus. He never forgets us, no matter what we have done and even though we disappoint ourselves He never gives up on us. He just asks us to continue to trust Him.

It is Peter who was chosen by God to preach the first post-resurrection message. God has an immeasurable supply of mercy and grace. Thank God for that!

Growing Older

 

Abide in Him

 

Morning Meditation

Psalm 18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

    1. My strength is never enough, Lord; thank you for giving me your strength or I would never succeed.

    2. God, thank you for training me for the heights through my circumstances;  I know that with you I will achieve the purpose you intended for my life.

    3. Dear, Lord, thank you for the unique peace you give to those who trust in you; I will not be afraid knowing you will protect me.

    4. God, thank you for seeing more in me than I see in myself; I trust you in every situation to develop your godly excellence in me.

    5. Dear God, each morning, I thank you for pouring out your love in me, giving me hope for each day; even in what seems the worst of days, you are still doing wonder things in me.

    6. God, thank you for creating such a desire to tell others of you; guide my words and heart so that I honor you and encourage others to know you as well.

    7. Oh God, this is the foundation my faith as a Christian stands on, YOU NEVER CHANGE!

    8. Dear God, thank you for rescuing me from the difficult things that come my way; I truly delight in you.

    9.God, I praise Your wonderful word; create a love in me to know you word so well that I know You better through it.

    10. God, the desire of my heart is that my words and thoughts are acceptable to you.