Category Archives: God’s Grace & Love

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September 8, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

THE BOOK OF LOVE

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.” [Matthew 11:25 (NLT)]

“Who, who-oo-oh, who wrote the book of love?” we all sang while listening to the oldie station on the car radio. Then a small voice from the back seat piped up, “I know who wrote the Book of Love: Jesus!” I’m pretty sure The Monotones didn’t have this interpretation in mind when they sang the song back in 1958, but there was wisdom and understanding in the child’s simple statement. We all probably have the Book of Love sitting on our book shelves, although we call it the Bible. Best of all, we all know its author! Now, whenever I hear this song (and since my husband loves old rock ‘n’ roll, I hear it often), it has become a song of praise and thanksgiving for me. Why not pick up the Book of Love and read a bit today!

The Book of Love
[Warren Davis, George Malone and Charles Patrick]

I wonder, wonder who, who-oo-ooh, who
Who wrote the Book Of Love
Tell me, tell me, tell me
Oh, who wrote the Book Of Love
I’ve got to know the answer
Was it someone from above
(Oh, I wonder, wonder who, mmbadoo-ooh, who)
(Who wrote the Book Of Love)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)]

 

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August 21, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Obedience

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN?

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [Acts 20:35b (NLT)]

As I perused a glossy magazine dedicated to the wealthy, I saw short pieces about men’s handkerchiefs that sell for over one hundred dollars, a walnut portable bar (perfect for when you’re out hunting) costing about $7,600, Ferragamo sneakers that go for $1,200, and a $67,500 watch that covers all thirty times zones! An article about a Moroccan hotel mentioned its rack rate (ranging from $2,250 to $50,000 per night) but the advertisements for cars and watches didn’t even mention cost; apparently, if you have to ask, you clearly can’t afford them!

What a relief to then read about self-made billionaire Marc Benioff who has integrated philanthropy into his company’s basic philosophy; every year it donates 1% of its profits, staff hours and technology to various charities. Since 1999, over $53 million has been given away, employees have volunteered more than 500,000 hours, and company software has been made available to 20,000 non-profits. Recently, Benioff challenged twenty other technology companies to pledge a combined $10 million to fight poverty in the San Francisco area. Within sixty days, three out of four companies approached had signed onto the project. Benioff’s next goal is to raise another $50 million from one hundred more businesses this year. He was understandably disappointed by one wealthy entrepreneur’s response to his request: “What have I been given? Why do I need to give back?”

We’re not billionaires and the amounts asked from us are a pittance in comparison, but do we ever respond as coldly? Do we ask, “What have I been given? Why should I give back?” Let us never forget that everything we have has been given to us by God. Our talent, skills, intelligence, looks, parents, race, nationality and opportunities are all gifts from God. Yes, we’ve worked hard and struggled to achieve but what we’ve accomplished has much more to do with God’s hand than our efforts.

Why do we need to give back? That one’s easy: because we’re told to do so! Giving, however, isn’t just a way to be obedient to God; it is also a way to honor Him. Perhaps the best reason to give, however, is because of the joy that it brings, not just to the recipient, but to the giver as well!

The real joy in life comes from giving. … That’s the grace that pays out every single day for me. [Marc Benioff in “Forbes Life,” Summer 2014]

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? [1 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT)]

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August 12, 2014

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Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Thanks & Praise

A FATHER’S SACRIFICE

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.[John 3:16 (NLT)]

Although God couldn’t and wouldn’t allow Abraham to sacrifice his son, another father did make such a sacrifice: God himself. He sacrificed his only son! It’s doubtful that Abraham told Sarah of the planned sacrifice; God didn’t tell Mary that her son would be sacrificed either. Isaac carried the wood for the fire that would burn him and Jesus carried the wooden cross, the instrument of his death. There is no mention of Isaac fighting Abraham as his father bound the boy’s hands and placed him on the sacrificial altar; he was an obedient son. Jesus, too, was an obedient son, as he walked the road to Golgotha and allowed the nails to be driven into his hands. Isaac asked the whereabouts of the sacrificial lamb and Abraham responded that God would provide. Jesus knew that God had provided and that he was the sacrificial lamb.

God couldn’t allow Abraham to sacrifice his son, but He so loved us that he sacrificed his son for our salvation. Thank you, God; thank you.

God sent his son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. [John 3:7 (NLT)]

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July 30, 2014

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Fear & Doubt, God's Grace & Love, Obedience

HE WANTS ALL

Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment.” [Matthew 22:37-38 (GW)]

O Lord, I love you but I’m not sure it is with all of my being. You want all of me and I’m hesitant about surrendering completely to you. A part of me still wants to be in control. My apprehension keeps me from heeding your command. Don’t let my fear keep me from answering your call and living the life you have planned for me.

Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me. Those who love me will have my Father’s love, and I, too, will love them and show myself to them. [John 14:21 (GW)]

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July 16, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Trusting God

HE CARES

DSC03642-Rosenlaui webThe righteous person has many troubles, but the Lord rescues him from all of them. [Psalm 34:19 (GW)]

He will deliver us from our troubles or carry us through them. Either way, we will be free of them eventually.

God doesn’t promise us a life of mountaintop experiences. There will be valleys to go through, too. Dark valleys. Disorienting valleys. Valleys of depression and despair. What he promises is not a road map that will give us a detour around those valleys, but that he will walk through those valleys with us. When we emerge from those experiences, we look back and realize that is where the growth is. It isn’t on the mountain tops, above the timberline; it’s in the valleys. [From “When You Can’t Come Back” by Dave and Jan Dravecky]

Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. [Psalm 23:4a (NCV)]

 

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July 11, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Promises

HE IS MINE!

The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in need. [Psalm 23:1 (GW)]

What confidence David shows in the 23rd psalm; what confidence this psalm gives me. Note that he used the pronouns “me,” “my” and “I” instead of “you,” “our” and “us.” While sharing is nice, we all want to have someone or something that is truly just our own. Psalm 23 tells me that I do: the Lord is my shepherd. He is my very own personal shepherd who will feed me, guide me, and provide me with everything I need! He refreshes, restores, revives and reassures me. He both shields and comforts me. I dwell in him and He in me; He is mine and I am his! He cares for me as if I were the only lamb in His flock. We’re all His sheep, but He knows each of us by name. He is the personal shepherd for each one and every one of us.

Thank you, God, for loving me as if I were your favorite lamb, the one most precious in your sight. Thank you, God, for loving everyone else the very same way!

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep as the Father knows me. My sheep know me as I know the Father. So I give my life for my sheep. [John 10:14-15 (GW)]