Loving people does not always come easy. Our expectations of others can cloud receiving love from people.
Our thoughts start in the mind. It doesn’t mean those thoughts are true and as a result, we can have people around us that love us, but we can feel unable to receive the love.
Past experiences of betrayal, abandonment, disappointment, codependency, depression and even struggles with addiction, can bring obstacles to the simplicity of love.
Whether it’s our actions or the actions of others, Jesus came as a baby because of love for us. He loved first.
“We love each other because he loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 NLT
God sent His Son as a bridge between humanity and Himself. What an amazing love, God could’ve turned His back on His people because of their sin. But that’s not the God who created us.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT
Oh what a love, Jesus laid down His life so that we could be saved, and Jesus gave us the grace that we don’t deserve.
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23 NLT
Christmas is a time to reflect on the love of Jesus! It’s a time for family and friend gatherings.
Sometimes our relationships are so complicated. It’s hard to forgive others.
We are to forgive others, but it doesn’t mean we forget the pain and hurt by others.
We must talk to Jesus and lay those experiences at the foot of the cross. Giving all of our hurt to Him. Only He can change another person’s heart.
Go to Jesus in Prayer:
Father God, I thank you that you’ve created me uniquely. I thank you Lord, that You know the challenges in my life and in my relationships I give those concerns to You now. I repent for the words or actions that I may have done to another and I asked forgiveness from you. Transform my mind to be like yours, give me the ability to forgive others. Give me strength for every circumstance. Please give me wisdom.I trust in You alone.
Nature has always fascinated me. Ever since I was a child, watching worms dig out of the mud or having a ladybug land on my arm, as I was pulling weeds, or even just watching a monarch butterfly land on the butterfly bush in my parents yard.
Awe
Fascinated, and in wonder at how God created each one of these insects for a specific purpose. I choose to believe one of the purposes is so that we, as His children could enjoy their beauty.
Even watching a number of black carpenter ants bringing food to their home, or hearing the sound of a honeybee eagerly gathering the nectar from a beautiful flower, brings joy and wonder if we take time to just be still.
When we’re going through complicated times it’s hard to remember to pause and allow ourselves to remember how much God loves us and His wonder is all around. It can give us encouragement for the next step to pause and look at nature.
God created His specific insects, birds, animals, and even us for a specific purpose.
There’s a scripture that reminds me to work hard as though you’re working for the Lord and not man. What a reminder to not worry about what other people are doing, but instead, focus on what God wants you to do.
“Work willingly at whatever you in do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 NLT
Now I may not like spiders that much but they have purpose too. One of their purposes is to take care of flies, which can be pesky.
Working in a chicken coop over the years I have gotten a few spider bites. They may have swelled my arm and caused damage pain, but spiders serve a purpose so they are forgiven.
You may feel unseen or without purpose. Those thoughts are not from God they’re from the other guy, the enemy, the one that wants you to stop living in your life with purpose.
Enjoy the truth of the word of God found in Matthew 6.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:24-28, 30-31, 33-34 NLT
Project of Love, a talented musician, shares music, it can be found on Spotify or even on YouTube, bringing scripture to beautiful melody.
Look at the Birds by Project of Love is a reminder from Matthew 6, God loves His creation whether flowers in a field, birds of the air and even more His children, created in His Image, YOU!!
Take time to observe nature it is a gift from our God! Give thanks to Him, He is good!
God loves you live with purpose. There’s a reason why you’re here on this planet so do the work for the Lord.
Today give gratitude to the Lord and be blessed!!
“Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lords. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalms 136:2-3 NLT
Is it possible you’re right where you’re supposed to be? Perhaps a detour occurred in your life or maybe a health scare, or someone has decided to break off relationship, trust God.
The hardest thing is to rest and know that His plans are greater than yours. Maybe a detour or a change in position is actually a tremendous blessing for the future.
Though our feelings come and go, [God’s] love for us does not. —C. S. Lewis
So many scriptures support this quote by CS Lewis, feelings are a distraction at times. Here are a few powerful truths from the Bible.
Psalm 136:1-3 MSG Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits.
Psalm 136:23-26 MSG God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits. Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits. Takes care of everyone in time of need. His love never quits. Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!
1 John 4 is an amazing reminder of the love of God. Love is the most important commandment in the Bible and yet is the hardest to give to others. Take time to slowly read through this chapter in the message version it’s full of the wisdom.
1 John 4:4-19 MSG My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. [7-10] My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. [11-12] My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!
God loves us so much, detours can be an opportunity to grow deeper in love with Him. Detours may be protection from future problems or to redirect our steps to better relationships.
By the Holy Spirit and the giver of life, our Creator God, we can stay on the path that was always our life purpose.Trust Him!!
13-16] This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. [17-18] God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. [19] We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
I know from experience it’s hard sometimes to let God lead, fear likes to provide obstacles to the beautiful mountain top experience that God wants for us. Fear is a liar, faith in God is the answer and truth.
Today, if you’re struggling to understand, break up in relationships, the career path, the health scare, whatever it may be, ask yourself this question, “God, help me to understand what you are trying to teach me, but more important help me to trust you? Show me the path you want me to take and thank you for giving me the comfort of unconditional love as I seek You for all things in Jesus mighty name amen.”
“Hand of God” is a new song by Todd Galberth (featuring Chandler Moore), it is rich in lyrics that declare we serve a God of love and He has the best plans as He molds our future.
Psalm 37:23-24,29-31 TPT When YAHWEH delights in how you live your life, he establishes your every step. [24] If they stumble badly they will still survive, for the Lord lifts them up with his hands. [29] The faithful lovers of God will inherit the earth and enjoy every promise of God’s care, dwelling in peace forever. [30] God-lovers make the best counselors. Their words possess wisdom and are right and trustworthy. [31] The ways of God are in their hearts and they won’t swerve from the paths of steadfast righteousness.
Today I leave you with some amazing scriptures that remind me and you, that sleep and calmness comes when you run to God.
The illusion we are in control of anything is just that an illusion. There’s a God in heaven that loves you so much. That he would leave the 99 sheep and search for the one who may be lost, weary, regretful, or stuck in world culture.
Jesus spoke in parables, to bring understanding of His wisdom. One of my favorites is found in Matthew 18.
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.18.12-14.NLT
Meditate on these scripture examples:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalms 4:8 NLT
“When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.” Proverbs 6:22 NLT
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” Psalms 91:4-5 NLT
“He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalms 121:3-8 NLT
Phil Wickham’s new song, “Running to a Runaway”, shares the amazing grace of our God. Play it on repeat as its beautiful lyrics prompt you to run to the Father. Let Him bring blissful sleep as you rest in His arms and be restored as His precious lamb.
For some reason I am unable to post it here. However look it up on Youtube. Be blessed by Your Great Shepherd, the King of Kings, Jesus!!
I’m not sure about you, but I feel like distractions abound lately. It’s almost like a tornado of information and data. Whether it’s social media, current news, events, strife, opposing opinions, politics, etc.. but God wants us to pause. Take a step back from the distractions and fix our eyes on what’s really true.
He is the way the truth in life. He is the way to peace. He’s the way to wisdom. We need His direction. The battle with distraction starts in the mind.
“Send out your light and your truth; let them be my guide; let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the places where you live. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and delight; I will praise you on the lyre, God, my God. My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for being my Savior and God.” Tehillim (Psa) 43:3-5 CJB
Visualize yourself sitting at the feet, Jesus. His smile lights up His eyes as He extends His hand to you. He wants to be in relationship with you. It’s your choice. He brings joy, peace and hope.
What is your happy place? Your favorite places could be next to a rolling river, listening to the sounds of the wind blowing through the pine trees. Could it be taking a hike in the mountains, the gravel crunching beneath your feet. Or is it sitting on the beach, listening to the waves crash at the shore. Wherever you find peace and can observe His creation is a happy place. For me it can be sitting in the middle of a horse pasture, listening to the neighs and whinny of a happy horse calling to its herd. Those beautiful, happy places reflect the gifts of the only One who can give you rest. God wants you to fix your mind, your soul and your body on Him alone.
He is lovely, He is excellent, He is the King of Kings, He is wisdom, He is waiting for you.
If you already know Jesus as Savior, and have declared Him aloud as Lord of your life. Let Him direct your steps to a great destiny. Filter your day with your eyes, mind and heart on the message of Philippines 4:7.
If you have stepped away from God, it’s time to reconnect, call on Jesus. He knows all the details of your life.
“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and talks from an earthly point of view; he who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies about what he has actually seen and heard, yet no one accepts what he says! Whoever does accept what he says puts his seal on the fact that God is true, because the one whom God sent speaks God’s words. For God does not give him the Spirit in limited degree — the Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands.” Yochanan (Jhn) 3:31-35 CJB
If you have not called on Jesus and humbled yourself before Him as Savior and Lord. I must say there is no better place to rest in this world than to feel His Presence.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” Romans 10:9-13 NLT
So get caught up in the whirlwind of the breath of God. Breathe Deeply, and receive rest for your soul, and remember where there is peace when we rest in Him.
Photo credit by M. Mesikapp and scripture photo by Youversion.
The One who created all things is on the throne. See the steps on the left of this photo, picture yourself sitting on those steps and rest in His Presence and creation.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 NLT
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 NLT
Just rest with the One who created all things.
Father God, we thank you, Lord, that You created all things from the beginning of time and you know all things. Help us to rest and sit at your feet. No matter what events occur in the world You are faithful. You are the truth, the way, and the life. Help us to feel the peace that surpasses all understanding, even when our eyes and minds feel differently. We trust You. In Jesus name, amen!
It’s really that simple. The Lord wants to give you good things, and believes in your potential.
Ephesians 2: 8-10 reminds us that “we are Gods’ workmanship created in Christ Jesus for things before we were even born”, That’s my paraphrase.
So when we try to do life without God and attempt our plans over the best of plans from God, we’re taking a big risk.
It’s amazing to think that our heavenly father knows we are impulsive human people, and when we’re willing to let him plan our lives King Jesus will always be victorious.
Post this image of Jeremiah 29:11 somewhere so daily you can be reminded. God will never disappoint us. Our impulsiveness will limit our lives. Look to the future with excitement and know your destiny awaits..
Psalm 116:2 (nlt): “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”
This is a beautiful picture of how the Lord bends down to listen when we talk. 💜
God knows:
Romans 8:26-28 NLT “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
God blesses but does not tempt us:
James 1:12-16 NLT “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.”
God is love and trustworthy:
1 John 4:16-19 NLT “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.”
God gave us all:
John 3:16 NLT “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
God gave us free will to choose Him over anything in this world. If you haven’t chosen Him yet now is the time. He extends His nail scarred hand to each one of His children. Regardless of what you may have done, and when we repent for the sins when we have fallen short, when we ask in humility He forgives our sins. What an amazing love for all of us.
Everyday is a new day full of hope and promise. God opposes the proud but is graceful to the humble.
John 4:6-10 “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
God is good and faithful always.
Consider what Jesus did for us in humility? His Name is the Name above all names! Jesus!!
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
We can’t walk in humility on our own, we need the help of Jesus to have the mind of Christ. Our transformed mind with Him leads to freedom and a greater life of love, grace, peace and destiny.
The One who created you, who knows you from the beginning of your conception, your Creator God waits for you!
Psalm 139 is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It describes the love of a father for his creation. It describes how God knows us from the beginning of conception.
Science supports the fact that there’s a splash of light when the egg and sperm connect at conception. The light is God and he knows you from conception.
Psalm 139:1-24 NLT O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. [3] You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. [4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. [5] You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! [7] I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! [8] If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. [9] If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, [10] even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. [11] I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night- [12] but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. [13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! [19] O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! [20] They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. [21] O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? [22] Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139 it reminds us how He sees us, and it reminds us to search our hearts and to communicate with him.
It reminds us that He knows the steps we’re going to take.
It reminds us of our worth wonderfully created powerfully known by God.
Sadly, the world‘s message is exactly the opposite. You see the world’s messages that you’re unworthy, unlovable, but you need to fit into a mold that is not of God‘s description. Those are lies from the pit of hell. Those are lies that if we believe those will take us down a crazy train Track.
The enemy knows if he can keep your mind fixed on what is not true and distracted that our minds will be too busy with the lies and not open to the truth of God.
Psalm 139 can reset the truth and promises and God‘s word in our mind. Memorize it. Posted on a card in your bathroom recited. Declare it. So when you have those times of distracted minds, you can remember what the truth of God says about you. A beautifully created Child of God. Your identity must be in Christ your purposes have been ordained from your conception.
Ephesians 2: 8 -10 reminds us were God’s workmen shift created in Christ Jesus for great things he planned before we were born.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
This song when I meet my maker by Tenille Townes really describes perfectly the precious love of God and how he waits for you. Don’t forget that.
We have all been in the place where we wonder what will happen in the future, be it personally, for family members, or in life.
Many nights I may be awake until the early morning hours. I am realizing the stillness of the night or early morning hours is a great time for me to remember God doesn’t sleep.
He is the Alpha and Omega. He knows all things present, past and future. We plant seeds of faith as parents, siblings, friends, with strangers regarding Jesus but the Holy Spirit waters them.
I am becoming less frustrated when awake at 2a, instead realizing this is a gift from God. I am more open to listening to His instructions. Can you relate?
His word is rich with a peace, giving encouragement that we need. Sometimes during the day too many distractions caused us not to hear his voice.
I don’t want my actions to be an obstacle to faith in God, personally or for those in our sphere of influence.
Romans 4:17 AMP (as it is written [in Scripture], “I HAVE MADE YOU A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
Just as Abraham was likely overwhelmed at times, his faith was tested and God brought life.
Yes, God gives life, and wisdom, believing this premise when we don’t see the end result brings our faith to another level. We aren’t ignoring the complicated circumstances we’re just allowing God to be the one to direct our steps and laying the circumstance at feet of Jesus.
We are all works in progress; I don’t want to be an obstacle to someone else’s amazing experience with Jesus who loves them more than I do.
“Faith recognizes the problem, the presents it to God, acknowledging Him in the face of the problem and declaring his truth and promises have a greater answer…. Authentic faith does not deny the obstacle but believes God is greater than the obstacle.” Roman’s 4:17 insight from the New Spirit Filled Bible
I am a recovering people pleaser, some call that codependency, it’s an obstacle for me at times. However, the more I spend time with God the more I realize I seek to please Him over others.
So let go and let God, trust Him even as you may be shaking in your boots, bit by bit you will grow your faith in Him over man. Bit by bit you will feel greater peace that passes human understanding.
Abraham chose to believe God would allow him to be a father at 100 years old, even though it seemed impossible. As a result of his trust in the power of God and His promises, he was not disappointed.
Romans 4:20-21 AMP But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, [21] being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.
One step at a time we must trust God too! It will be worth it! God never sleeps! He wants you to have a clear path to freedom with Him and into the future. He wants to bless generations of your family. Glory to God!
Inspiring Light Through the Cracks 