Archive for God's love
“at the works of your hands I sing for joy”
Wow! I can’t even express in words the continual joys and trials I (I really need to say we) have faced over the past 11 weeks since our sweet Lillian arrived. This season has been one of the hardest, most sanctifying and yet greatest of my life. I praise the Lord for His faithfulness. His power has been evident every minute of every day. He showed His faithfulness to me through His word, a loving family, His church and the loving, caring spouse He has graciously blessed me with. (Thank you Keith for all of your encouragement and for helping me to fight the good fight even when I felt like I couldn’t) During late nights while feeling overwhelmed by the darkness I was reminded that darkness is as light with God and I was comforted. All around I feel blessed and really just amazed by God’s grace as I wouldn’t have made it without it!
Psalm 139:11-12 “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”
Psalm 92:1-4 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”
What Wondrous Love Is This?
While singing the hymn “What Wondrous Love Is This” in church yesterday I was extremely moved by the truth of the Gospel. The words “When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul” seemed to pierce my heart in a new way.
In my sin I was “sinking down” to a place of eternal destruction and God, in His great mercy, reached into my life and saved me! Sadly I can easily go through my day without this reality in the forefront of my mind.
Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy that brings sinners such as I to repentance and new life in you!
“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.”
William Walker
Myopic and Discontent
Lately I’ve been convicted that much of my sin occurs when I’m living with a myopic perspective. I’ve found myself frustrated lately because my body is too weak to get certain projects done that I would like to accomplish (the weakness isn’t new but I’ve been much more prone to discontentment). I am constantly realizing how quickly I can lose an eternal perspective and focus on myself. As a follower of Christ I am called to live a joyful contented life and Christ has given me everything I need for this in providing me with the Salvation of my soul.
I need you Lord to constantly help me to step back and find my contentment and joy in your love and grace! Please help me to delight greatly in you at all times.
Isaiah 61:10 “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
One Year Closer to Your Eternal Destiny
I have been reflecting on two things lately.
1. There are times in life when our emotions don’t follow our hearts. Although my heart is at peace in the Gospel I’ve been tossed and turned quite a bit recently by changing emotions and feelings. I think for me right now these are caused by pregnancy but I’m sure I’ll experience many different seasons throughout my life when my feelings confuse me. This has made me long even more for my eternal home where my emotions will be all joy and love for my Heavenly Father and those around me – no matter what the day or hour.
2. At the close of 2008 I am overjoyed to be 1 year closer to my eternal home. I’ve been reading more sermons by Jonathan Edwards that have served as reminders that my present home, earth, is a transient place. Every one of us is bound for an eternal home – eternal destruction apart from Christ or eternal life available in Christ.
“The home to which we aspire and for which we pant is not only a promised, it is also a perfect and permanent home. The mixed character of those seasons we now call repose, and the shifting places and changing dwellings we call home, should perpetually remind us that we are not, as yet, come to the perfect rest and the permanent home of heaven. God is the believer’s present home and Jesus his present rest. Beneath the shadow of the cross, by the side of the mercy seat, within the pavilion of a Father’s love, there is true mental repose, real heart’s ease, and a peace that passeth all understanding, to be found even here where all things else are fleeting as a cloud and unsubstantial as a dream…It is enough that I am journeying toward the heaven that is my rest, and that I am one year nearer its blessed and endless enjoyment.” Octavious Winslow (1808 – 1878)
I praise you Father for your grace and mercy that allows sinners like me to find security in your love and eternal plan!!
“My yoke is easy and my burden is light”
I am almost finished with the book “Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest” by Ed Welch and have been continually challenged and encouraged. The book has been such a timely reminder to me of the importance of talking with the Lord about our burdens. I so often carry an unnecessary load of concerns throughout my day when I am called to lay them at the feet of my Lord and allow Him to carry them for me. What a blessing it is to serve a God who cares and wants to know about our fears and concerns!
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 5:5-7 “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.”
Light in Darkness
One of the overwhelming blessings I’ve experienced in the midst of trials/suffering is that the Lord uses this “platform” of weakness to engulf us with His boundless love, grace and peace. Some of the most blessed times are those when we find ourselves leaning entirely on our Saviour. Susanna Spurgeon speaks of these sweet times in her book “A Basket of Summer Fruit.”
“Many a time has the Lord had to disturb our nest, and bring us out of some earthly refuge which was becoming too easy and too dear to our soul. But, as music sounds the sweetest when heard across the waters, so do God’s dealings make the purest harmony in our hearts when they reach us over the waves of affliction and trial. When a tried and tempted soul stays itself on God, and sings in the midst of the flood or the fire, such praise must, methinks, be more glorious and glorifying to Him and His mighty grace than the hallelujahs of unfallen angels.”
Not a grain more
The words of Charles Spurgeon reminded me today of the glorious promise that, as 1 Corinthians says, the Lord will never grant us more than we can handle.
“Your trials are assigned by divine wisdom and love. He who weighs the mountains in the scales (Is. 40:12) measures your troubles, and you will not have a grain more than His infinite wisdom determines…Everything that you suffer is the appointment of wisdom, ruled by love.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Eternity – The Greatness of God
Recently, as I’ve been meditating on eternity, I have found myself overwhelmed by God’s greatness. Only God is so great that His wonder and greatness could fill eternity. One thing I’ve realized as the Lord has changed my perspective on eternity is that instead of feeling anxious/fearful about going to an eternal place, I should be humbled and amazed that I serve a God who is bigger than time and space and who will take an eternity to reveal His love towards me, His child.
1 Chronicles 29:11 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;you are exalted as head over all.”
Psalm 93 “The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.”
Eternity, His Glory and My humility
One of the wonderful joys of Christian living is that we serve a God who delights in us and desires to help us understand Himself better. Over the past year and a half I have experienced this in an overwhelming way. After realizing that my view of heaven/eternal life was quite feeble and even a source of anxiety for my soul, I began to ask the Lord for a better understanding of Heaven. I asked Him to fill me with a deep longing for this place and once again I have been overwhelmed by His faithfulness.
During the process I was extremely humbled as the Lord convicted me that the reason I didn’t long for Heaven was that I didn’t love Him enough. The Lord showed me that a longing for Heaven is actually a longing for His glory and renown!
The Lord is faithfully answering my prayers by growing my love for Himself and His glory (although my love will always be inadequate for such a glorious God!). He has specifically answered my prayers by filling me with a deep longing to live with Him in eternity. I no longer fear the thought of eternity but yearn to be with my Heavenly Father who is the fulfillment of every need I have.
Psalm 108:1-5 “My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth.”
Prescription for Perseverance
Once again I have been uplifted and challenged by the words of Octavius Winslow. Here he gives what I’ve named a “prescription for perseverance.”
“How shall I ever fight my way through this mighty host, and reach in safety the world of bliss? By leaning daily, hourly, moment by moment, upon your Beloved for strength. Christ is the power of God, and He is the power of the children of God. Who can strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, but Jesus? In them that have no might he increaseth strength. When they are weak in themselves, then are they strong in Him. His declaration is, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9). Lean, then, upon Jesus for strength. He has strength for all your weakness; He can strengthen your faith, strengthen your hope, strengthen your courage, strengthen your patience, and strengthen your heart for every burden, for every trial, and for every temptation. Lean upon Him; He loves to feel the pressure of your arm; He loves you to link your feebleness to His almightiness, to avail yourself of His grace. Thus leaning off yourself upon Christ, ‘as thy days, so shall thy strength be’ (Deut. 33:25). In all your tremblings and sinkings, you will feel the encircling of His power.”
Unchangeable
As I anticipate spring and the changes to come I am reminded of two things. First, I am constantly changing and so is everything around me. Seasons, circumstances, friendships, trials, desires, battles with sin/temptations, and symptoms are all examples of things in life that change.
Although change can often be wonderful, such as the Lord’s sanctifying work in someone’s life, I am thankful that the God I serve is immutable (my 2nd reminder). God’s unchangeable character is a true source of daily comfort and joy. No matter how I’m feeling or what circumstances I face, God is constant. He is constant in His love, grace, character, promises, truth, justice and mercy. Find hope and comfort in the immutable God!
Malachi 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.”
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Hebrews 6:13-20 ” When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
“Each step is mapped, arranged, and provided for…”
I was deeply encouraged recently by reading a devotion by Octavius Winslow based on our Sovereign Lord’s plans, active guidance and consistent love. What a joy it is to serve the faithful Shepherd!
“Untried, untrodden, and unknown as your future path may be, each step is mapped, arranged, and provided for in the everlasting and unchangeable covenant of God. To Him who leads us, who accepts us in the Son of His love, who knows the end from the beginning, it is no new, or uncertain, or hidden way. We thank Him that while He wisely and kindly veils all the future from our knowledge, all that future-its minutest event-is as transparent and visible to Him as the past. Our Shepherd knows the windings along which He skillfully, gently, and safely leads His flock…Then, too, the infinite forethought, wisdom, and goodness, which have marked each line of our new path, have also provided for its every necessity. Each exigency in the history of the new year has been anticipated. Each need will bring its appropriate and adequate supply, each perplexity will have its guidance, each sorrow its comfort, each temptation its shield, each cloud its light. Each affliction will suggest its lesson, each correction will impart its teaching, and each mercy will convey its message of love. The promise will be fulfilled to the letter, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ (Deut. 33:25)”
Our Father
Although learning to approach God like a child and depend on Him for everything can be challenging, this truth remains, our Heavenly Father is trustworthy. No matter how we might waiver, our Father remains the same. Not only is He unchanging but He delights in and loves His children! We should live each moment with confidence, no matter what trials we might face, because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. Take joy in your Father!
Psalm 68:4-5 “Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds– his name is the Lord– and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 19:7-10 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.”
Like a child
After experiencing a baby dedication at church yesterday I was reminded of the importance of reliance on Christ. We are called to approach Christ for every need just as a child depends on his/her parents. I often struggle unnecessarily because I depend on myself or others to meet my needs. Our sin hinders the life of peace and joy that are ours “for the taking” if we would only trust entirely upon Christ.
Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 18:3-4 “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
What Wondrous Love Is This!
As I was listening to this hymn tonight I was humbled by Christ’s unfathomable love.
The phrase “Christ laid aside His crown for my soul” moved me as I was reminded that God loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. He suffered greatly on my behalf so that I might live with Him one day. I deserved the brutal death that he experienced but because of His grace I will never know suffering like that.
Hebrews 9:27-28 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
“How Firm a Foundation”
This hymn, auther unknown, is so powerful. The last 5 stanza’s are written so that the Lord is actually speaking to his children. Dwell on these wonderful words of comfort today and know that no matter what you’re going through, if you will trust in Him, he’ll never forsake!
How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed; for I am your God and will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
E’en down to old age all my people shall prove my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
His love towards us
The Lord’s great love for us is beautiful. He is attentive to our needs and desires – even when we feel as if we aren’t receiving what we are asking of Him. He knows exactly what we need and when. Charles Spurgeon spoke of his amazing love when he said:
“When a tear is wept by thee, think not that God doth not behold; for, ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.’ Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline His ear unto thee; thy prayer can stay His hand; thy faith can move His arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him.”
Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Everything we need – Part 3
Even though we have been given everything we need to persevere through trials persevering in the face of hardship is often grueling. Some seasons of our lives will be full of darkness and pain. We must keep in mind that God is working this for our good. Remind yourself that we cannot see what the Lord is “up to” and this requires much trust and faith as we journey through the “unknowns” of life. “Unknowns” are some of the most difficult things to face but He is faithful and worthy of our trust!
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Everything we need
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23
“Like the manna that fell fresh from heaven each morning, God supplies the needs of his children with the dawning of each day. The sufficiency of Christ is more than enough to meet the needs of a lifetime, but life can only be lived one day, one moment, at a time. (Joni Eareckson Tada)
When facing any trial keeping perspective is important. Remember this sweet promise today – that the Lord provides everything we need for today!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
What value am I?
Not long after I began struggling with a chronic illness some new temptations arose. I was tempted to question my value. In a world where earthly accomplishments are the “end all” where did I fit in? I was quickly reminded of the Gospel and of the love Christ has for me. I don’t actually have to accomplish anything to be of value. In fact, Christ has already accomplished everything for me! In addition I can bring Christ glory with my attitude and response to suffering. Thank you Lord for not measuring me by my physical strength and for loving me even before I was born!
Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When i was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
John 3:16 “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.”
Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever.”
