Why It’s Important to Come and See How Much Jesus Loves You

The woman at the well met and talked with Jesus and ran to tell her friends to "come and see." He changed their lives and He will change yours too. #Jesus #BibleStudy #Faith #Prayer #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

A couple of year’s ago, I asked a group of friends, “how do you see Jesus when you pray?”

You can check out their responses here.

I also answered the question myself…

I imagine Jesus waiting for me at the well.

Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well.
John 4:6

He knows what it’s like to be worn out by life and yet … He waits for me.

And I’m a mess. Life has been hard. It hasn’t gone the way I hoped and dreamed. I tried but my failures have labeled me and I feel judged by those who have done better.

As I approach Him, Jesus doesn’t judge me although He knows the truth, not based on gossip or innuendo but fact. He knows everything about me. He’s aware of every sin … things I’ve done and things I’ve left undone. And yet, He doesn’t turn away but invites me into a conversation. He leans in and listens.

And He offers me compassion, kindness, and hope.

After talking with Jesus, the woman at the well ran to her community and told them…

“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!”
John 4:29

Jesus knows everything you and I have ever said, done, or even thought yet, He meets us where we are to tell us of His love. And like the Samaritan woman, when we tell others what Jesus has done for us God works through us.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said.
John 4:39

The Messiah. The Savior. Jesus. He knows everything about us . . . every experience and every present situation and yet, He comes near and waits because He cares. Because He loves you.

A Prayer to Come and See Jesus

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your written Word. Thank you for wanting us to know You . . . for giving us a written account of who You are and what You’ve done. Thank you for making it possible for us to know Your promises and Your plans. Thank you for telling us about the past and for revealing truths about the future.

Thank you for knowing everything about me and offering me the Living Water that gives eternal life. You know my failures and successes, my losses and my wins, and still You wait for me to come to You in prayer.

And when I pray, I learn more about You and more about me. I begin to see what You already know about me. In Your presence, I am aware of my failures and my need to repent and change. I receive Your forgiveness. Your mercy and grace deliver. I am safe as You fill me with peace and joy.

By the power of Your Spirit, encourage me to come and see who You really are. Give me all I need to share Your love and invite others to come and see who You are. Thank you for your patience . . . for Your love and for the gift of prayer. Amen.

I admit that I have times when I am overwhelmed by God’s presence when I’m praying and I also know the feeling of loneliness as my pleas seem to simply hang heavy in the air around me. The truth is my attitudes, views, and what I’m thinking about influence my feelings about the time I spend in prayer.

But they don’t influence Jesus. He said…

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

On today’s note write:

Thank you Jesus for inviting me to come and pray.

God bless you as you come and see Jesus . . . as you sit with Him through His Word and prayer.

Click here to read the rest of John 4.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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How to Experience the Joy of Being Seen, Loved, Changed, and Blessed

3 / 31 / 213 / 29 / 21

2,000 years ago, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus and he was seen and loved. Then because of His time with Jesus, he was also changed and blessed. #Godlovesyou #LovedbyGod #Blessings #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

He was “vertically challenged.” So short in stature that he couldn’t see Jesus over the crowd. He was also hated. As a tax collector he could collect as muct as possible from people and keep the surplus for himself.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
Luke 19:5

Yet 2,000 years later he inspires us. Zacchaeus was a SEEKer. So much so, that he climbed a tree just to see Jesus! I picture Jesus seeing him up there, perched on that limb and smiling . . . maybe even cracking up.

Jesus responded to this hated, short, SEEKer with love and compassion. He went home to his house and changed his life.

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Luke 19:9–10

And Zacchaeus not only believed in Jesus, his actions also testified to his faith—he promised he would give the poor half his wealth and reimburse taxpayers 4 times the amount of any money he had cheated from them.

You and I can be inspired by both the converted tax-collector and by the One who looked beyond where he was to see life-changing possibilities.

Zacchaeus was seen, loved, changed, and blessed by the One who is able to do the same for you and me.

Let’s pray to respond like Zacchaeus by SEEKing and responding with joy to the message of Jesus love. And to respond like Jesus, that we my look past the surface to see all the possibilities when a life is surrendered to the Lord’s love.

A Prayer of Thanks
We are Seen, Loved, Changed, and Blessed

Oh Lord, thank you! When I feel small and insignificant—You see me. When I feel unlovable because of my flaws and failures—You love me.

And You smile because You see my potential is greater than my past. You see me with a changed future. One that is blessed with forgiveness, faith, hope, peace, joy, life, and love.

By Your grace, may I be a faithful SEEKer of Your truth and Your will. May I find peace in Your promises and comfort in Your presence. Please help me respond to Your love by surrendering to You and all You want for me. Change me Lord according to Your will. Help me resist temptation that I might obey You. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven. Help me love as You love me. Help me bless others as You have so abundantly blessed me.

Your love surrounds me and changes me. I pray that with the help of Your Spirit I will faithfully love You with all that I am and love others in ways that give them a desire to SEEK You as well. I thank you and praise You, my Lord and my God. Amen.

I remember singing a song about Zacchaeus when I was a little girl. The lyrics went like this…

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see

And when the Savior passed that way
He looked up in the tree
And said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today!
For I’m going to your house today!’

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
But a happy man was he
For he had seen the Lord that day
And a happy man was he;
And a very happy man was he.

Zacchaeus enjoyed the blessing of experiencing a life changed by Jesus. The blessing of knowing that no matter how the things appeared at the moment . . . He was seen, loved, changed, and blessed!

On today’s note write:

Because of Jesus, I am seen, loved, changed, and blessed.

God bless you today as you SEEK Jesus and respond to His love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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How You Can Know If You are Worthy of Jesus’ Time

3 / 30 / 213 / 30 / 21

It's people who try to decide who is and who isn't worthy. But Jesus says "come to me." Jesus makes everyone who humbly comes to Him worthy! #Worthy #JesusLovesYou #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

When you feel rejected and unworthy . . . run to Jesus!

In a first Century culture, men were valued, women less so, and children were to be seen and not heard.

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
Luke 18:15

It wasn’t unusual for mothers to bring their children to a rabbi for a blessing. And unfortunately, it wasn’t unusual for the disciples to try to decide if someone was worthy of Jesus’ time.

They wanted to or did send away…

Hungry crowds in need of a meal.
A Canaanite woman whose daughter needed healing.
And these children.

We’re guilty sometimes, aren’t we?

We’re guilty of deciding who is worthy of coming to Jesus. We’re guilty of choosing who’s good enough to worship with us. And some of us have even been judged and considered unworthy ourselves.

But when Jesus saw what the disciples were doing, He said…

Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
Luke 18:16

He lifted women up. He lifted the poor, the broken, the sick, and the hurting. He loved and accepted those who were rejected and unworthy from every race and background while consistently challenging those who were judgmental, proud, and self-righteous.

You see…

The truth is—no one is worthy of Jesus’ time!

Yet, He loves and receives everyone who comes to Him with humble trusting child-like faith. He calls them His cherished and precious masterpieces. (Ephesians 2:10)

Precious masterpieces who are blessed to be received and made worthy by Him every time they SEEK Him, RELY on Him and TRUST Him.

You and I are not “worthy” on our own but because of His grace, mercy, and love . . . the Lord declares us “worthy” of His time every time we humbly come to Him with child-like faith.

So when you feel rejected and unworthy—run to Jesus!

A Prayer to Be Worthy of Jesus’ Time

Jesus, thank you for caring for the unworthy and rejected. Thank you for loving every single one of us. Thank you for telling us we can come to You anytime. When the world calls us unworthy or someone rejects us . . . You never will. You welcome us with open arms.

Lord, I love you! I am so sorry for my sins that caused Your suffering. And I know that like John the Baptist said, “I am not worthy.” (Matthew 3:11)

But You say, “Come to me.” And You ask me to invite and welcome everyone I meet to “come” as well. By Your grace and with Your Spirit’s help, I will trust and obey. I will run to You when I feel unworthy and I will stand against the enemy when he tempts me to be prideful and judgmental.

Thank you for calling me Your own. Thank you for suffering my punishment and covering me with Your own righteousness so that the Father sees me as “worthy.” Your love overwhelms me. I praise You. I thank You. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

It’s the world’s way to consider some worthy and others unworthy. It’s the enemy’s desire to separate us by gender, race, background, beliefs, economics, education, etc.

But that is NOT the way of Jesus.

Jesus says EVERYONE and ANYONE who humbly comes to Him with humble child-like faith is precious and worthy of His time. To find out more about what it means to be childlike click here and to read all of Luke 18 click here.

On today’s note write:

Because of His love, Jesus declares me “worthy” of His time.

May God bless you as you run to Jesus today.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

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How Jesus Gives All People Compassion and Love

3 / 15 / 212 / 22 / 21

Jesus treated all people with compassion and love without worrying about their race, gender, or background. He ministered to needs because He cared. #Jesus #BibleStudy #Compassion #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers

Compassion has been defined as “your pain in my heart.”

In Luke 6, we have a record of Jesus saying…

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
Luke 6:36

And now, in Luke 7, we see several more accounts of Jesus demonstrating the Father’s compassion as He reached across cultural and racial barriers to minister to the people with love and kindness.

He healed a dearly cared for servant of a Roman Officer.
He raised a widow’s only son.
And He responded to John’s doubt-filled question from a prison cell with loving-kindness.

Whatever you are going through today . . . Jesus cares. Jesus sees you with love and compassion. He feels your pain in His heart!

When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion.
Luke 7:13a

If you or someone you love is sick—go to Jesus and ask others to go to Him in prayer on your behalf.

If you are grieving—cry out to Jesus.

If your current pain or problem is causing you to be filled with confusion and doubt—take your question to Jesus.

He will not reject you or lecture you on tradition, theology, or prophecy. He will lovingly remind you of who He is and all He has done.

“The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Luke 19:10

Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Romans 8:34

A Prayer to Experience the
Compassion and Love of Jesus

Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us where we are with Your compassion and love. You see our needs and you care about them. You feel our pain in Your heart.

Please fill me with the presence of Your Holy Spirit. When doubt creeps in. When I am afraid. When I am ill or grieving. When I’m confused and don’t know what to do . . . please help me run to You in prayer. Please help me turn to the truths in Your Word. Please help me remember all You have done and continue to do for me. Please help me trust Your compassion and love.

And with Your help, please help me extend Your compassion and love to all the people in my life. Help me treat everyone I meet with kindness. When I disagree, help me do so with gentleness and respect. When I’m hurt, help me forgive as I have been forgiven.

Lord, I give this day to You. I am so very blessed to have experienced Your compassion and love. By Your grace, may I freely and humbly give compassion and love in ways that will give You glory. Amen.

Friend, Jesus’ compassion didn’t care about race, gender, background, or religious affiliation. He has ministered to people in their need because He loved them. And you and I have been given the opportunity to do the same. We can love people with compassion . . . carrying their pain in our hearts, helping them wherever and whenever possible, and lifting them to the Lord in prayer asking Him to bless them and help them in ways that we cannot.

On today’s note write:

Jesus surrounds me with compassion and love.

God bless you with Jesus’ compassion and love today and every day.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

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And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

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Jesus Loves the People of the World One at a Time

3 / 10 / 213 / 10 / 21

Jesus showed people God's character and love. He reached out and touched them one at a time with care and compassion, forgiveness and healing love. #God'sLove #JesusLovesYou #Blessings #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #Faith

I read a verse in Luke 4 this morning that I’d barely noticed before but today it practically jumped off the page at me.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.
Luke 4:40

One at a time!

Jesus could have simply spoken a word over the crowd and miraculously healed them all but He didn’t. He looked people in the eye. He showed them care and compassion. He touched them physically. He forgave them individually. Because He loved them one at a time.

Whatever you are going through today . . . Jesus sees you and He cares. He is not simply sitting on some heavenly throne watching the world go around. He loves us and cares about each of us personally.

David wrote…

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!
Psalm 139:17–18

Jesus physically showed us God’s loving character.

John, who describes himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” wrote…

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
John 1:18

Because Jesus took the time to look people in the eye, touch them, and heal them one at a time . . . you and I can know that God cares about each of us as if there is only one of us. He knows every need and touches us with His love one at a time!

A Prayer of Thanks for Jesus’
One at a Time Love

Father, thank you. Through Jesus, You physically showed people Your loving character. Because of Jesus, I know You see me personally. I know you look at me with loving care and compassion. And by His sacrifice, I know I am forgiven and healed.

Father, I come to you asking You to heal us. Many are hurting, ill, and anxious. Life is hard right now. We need You. Please help us see each other as You see us. Like Jesus, helps us love each other one at a time. Help us reach out and touch each other with kindness and compassion. Whatever our background, our beliefs, our politics, gender, or race . . . help us touch each other with kindness and compassion.

I come to You asking for You to help me live in ways that shine the light of Your love that I might give You glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus loved and touched people one at a time and He told His followers…

“I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.^“
John 13:34

And because He loves us…

He wants us to look people in the eye, show them care and compassion, touch them, and forgave them individually. He wants us to love people one at a time.

Throughout the day today, thank Jesus for loving you personally and ask Him to help you love everyone you meet in ways that will show them how much He loves them, too!

On today’s note write…

Jesus loves me personally!

God bless you today and make you aware of His personal one at a time love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

What is Jesus’ Truth? 5 Important Things You Need to Know

3 / 23 / 204 / 2 / 20

Jesus' truth is still followed more than 2000 years later. So, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things His truths continue to give His followers #Hope #Truth #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

How would you define the word “truth?”

I always hate when the dictionary defines a word by using a variation of the word.

Truth is:

the quality or state of being true.
that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
a fact or belief that is accepted as truth.

Of course, that last one may or may not be “truth” at all.

I suppose the Dictionary definition I’m most comfortable with is…

a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, or principle.

Have you ever stopped to ask … what is truth?
Not … what is the truth? But simply … what is truth?

Pontius Pilate did. In the middle of His trial, Pilate asked Jesus:

“What is truth?”
John 18:38

The Life Application Bible Notes add the following:

Pilate was cynical; he thought that all truth was relative. To many government officials, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals.

It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Maybe we need to ask a deeper question about “truth.”

Is truth simply what the majority believes and agrees with or is there a standard, an absolute truth?

The LAB notes continue…

When there is no standard or acknowledgement of truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power.

And we might include … those who want to be in power.

I’ll admit, this unsettles me … because “relative truth” that can be used to manipulate and exploit people in order to gain power may not be “truth” at all.

And maybe that’s one of the reasons our world continues to struggle. Maybe too many are chasing after “truth” that isn’t really true at all.

Jesus responded to Pilate’s question with the following:

Jesus said, “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
John 18:37

And Jesus’ truth still stands more than 2000 years later. His promises have not and will not fail. So, I thought it might be helpful to take a closer look at some of the things Jesus said are true.

Things that will encourage and bless us when the relative truth of the world is leaving us unsettled and concerned.

5 Important Things to Know About Jesus’ Truth

1. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Life

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

Some people look at the Bible as a book Christians use so they hyper-critical of others but the truth is that the Bible is a book of life-giving forgiving love.

Adrian Rogers wrote…

Cut the Bible and it will bleed. The blood of Jesus is on every page.

That’s the greatness of God’s love for those of us who fail Him every day.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

And John wrote the following about Jesus…

We know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.
1 John 5:120

2. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Freedom

Jesus’ truth frees us of our broken sinful pasts.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live fully alive today.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live without fear of the future.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31–32

Whatever is holding you back today … fear, worry, anxiety, a broken past or an uncertain future … Jesus is able to set you free so you can LIVE with peace, hope, and joy.

3. Jesus’ Truth will Give You a Moral Standard

Jesus’ truth gives a consistent moral standard that is lasting … not a set of rules that move and change along with society’s views and opinions.

Views and opinions that tell us:

Lies are just a part of life. Everyone lies.
Abortion is a woman’s “choice.” It’s just a fetus … a clump of cells.
Sex with anyone anywhere anytime is harmless. If it’s what both people want.
A little gossip is okay if you follow it with … “we need to pray for them.”
I need to take care of ME. I don’t have time to help my neighbor.
Grace is not necessary. It’s all about what you do.
My sins aren’t nearly as bad as his/her sins.

Have you read this verse recently…

There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things He detests:haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
Proverbs 6:16–19

Do we really think God hates these things any less today than when Solomon wrote them years ago?

But there is good news! God didn’t give us this moral standard to spoil our fun or make us miserable. He knew that following His truth and obeying His will would bless us and make our lives better.

He knew it was and is the wise thing to do.

4. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Wisdom.

Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
Matthew 7:24–25

I want that, don’t you?!

I want a truth that will make me rock solid. One that will give me strength when the messiness of life starts to feel overwhelming and those who are following relative truth start to throw their hands up in despair.

For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
Proverbs 2:6,9

I want truthful wisdom that will guide me and give me hope.

5. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Hope for the Future.

Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19–20

And…

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
John 14:2–3

These two promises are ones I hold close to my heart every day.

That is seriously GOOD NEWS!

Whatever is going on in your life and mine … Jesus is always with us. We never have to face anything on our own.

I can tell you, with Jesus’ help, Rev and I have gotten through things I promise you we could never have endured on our own. He gave us peace, and hope, and strength to endure. I still don’t understand it but oh my, I am so very thankful for it.

And then … the ultimate fear — death.

Look again at what Jesus said. He is preparing a place for you and He will personally come to take you home.

People fear having to face death alone … but when you and I have faith in Jesus, we don’t have to face it alone because He promises to be with us.

I’d like to encourage you to learn more about Jesus’ truth. Not what people say about it … not just what I say about it. Please go and seek His truth yourself.

I have a couple of resources I believe will help:

I’m asking God to bless you today as He gives you hope and peace in and through Jesus’ truth!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

I Want to Know MY WHY for Christmas

12 / 6 / 1912 / 6 / 19

It’s December 6th and for most of us our Christmas preparations are in full swing.

Our calendars are full and our to-do lists are long. And we’re starting to wonder…

How am I going to get everything done in less than three weeks?

THREE WEEKS! Are you kidding?

But before full-on panic sets in and I start to hyperventilate, I want to pause for a moment and ask an important question…

Why do I celebrate Christmas?

Well..?

Be honest. What was your first thought?

Just for fun, I did a quick Google search to find out what others had to say about it. And I found:

Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th?
What is the history of Christmas?
Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas?

I found a lot of facts, details, and history but that wasn’t what I was looking for.

I’m not curious about why December 25th was chosen or whether someone else thinks celebrating the holiday is appropriate, I want to know “why” or to be more specific … I want to know the emotional reasons people celebrate Christmas.

Because I’m a Sanguine and I want to know the emotional reason behind everything!

Picture me smiling here – but seriously, I really want to know why? Why do we invest so much in the Christmas season? Why do we shop, bake, decorate, and celebrate?

Why do we celebrate Christmas the way we do? Is it…

to impress our friends?
to make memories for our children and grandchildren?
to keep up with the neighbors?
because we love it?
because it’s a tradition?
because it’s expected?
because everyone else is celebrating?

In all the years I’ve celebrated Christmas I don’t believe I’ve ever asked myself . . . my why for Christmas?

I know it’s the celebration of Jesus’ birth. But I’m stopping today to wonder if the way I celebrate … really celebrates and worships Him?

I wonder—do I celebrate Christmas this way for Him or for me?

Because in all honesty, I don’t think Jesus cares if my tree is decorated perfectly; if I attend every party or even if I host a party. I don’t think He cares if my family has the perfect outfits to wear. I don’t think He cares if I give the perfect gifts.

I even asked myself if…

I want to give the perfect presents because I want to be appreciated … more than because I love the people for whom I’m buying gifts?

I don’t know about you but I’m squirming a little. These are tough questions, aren’t they?

If I’m going to invest an entire month out of every year in something, I want to look way past the surface and know why. I want to know MY WHY. And that isn’t easy, especially when we’re so scheduled and overwhelmed that slowing down for even a minute of reflection seems unthinkable.

But that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to stop for a moment and figure out MY WHY for Christmas.

I want the way I celebrate Christmas to have value. I want quality over quantity.

I Want to Know MY WHY for Christmas

My goal this year, and every year going forward is to celebrate Christmas in ways that really celebrate Jesus.

When I remember that Jesus was born to a teenage mother in a far less than a beautifully decorated setting, I don’t believe all the trappings we include are important to Him.

So what is..?

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus… What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
Galatians 5:6

Faith. Love.

That’s it!

Everything! Yes, everything …. even and maybe especially Christmas is about living my faith as an expression of God’s love.

Everything else, all that you and I do beyond that … it’s all just stuff.

Jesus gave up the glory of heaven because of His overwhelming love for sinful and broken people.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:14

I don’t know about you, but that thought overwhelms me. I don’t like to spend an afternoon doing something difficult or unpleasant.

Jesus entered the restrictions of time and space, brokenness and filth, illness and pain all because of love!

Love for the broken and imperfect, for the lost and wandering, for the hopeless and helpless … for people like you and like me.

Love was and is Jesus’ why for Christmas!

I love this quote…

“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.”
Ann Voskamp

And He invites you and me to trust His love as if our very lives depend on it … because they do. Not just our eternal lives but our every day “walking around interacting with other people” lives, even during the month of December.

So, I’m pausing and I’m grabbing my calendar and my to-do list and doing a bit of prayerful soul-searching. I want to give myself grace to not attend every event and do every traditional task. I’m giving myself permission not to plan the perfect menu or have my home impeccably decorated.

And I’m writing in time to spend as many quiet moments as possible sitting at Jesus’ feet … being still and knowing His love. I’m also slowing down enough to notice the people around me wherever I am and to make the intentional effort to show everyone God’s love and kindness.

And yes, I’ll probably do many of the things that have become family traditions but my prayer is that I’ll know why I’m doing them.

That I’ll know MY WHY for Christmas is to show the people around me how much they are loved by Jesus and by me.

I want to focus on…

Thank[ing] God for this gift too wonderful for words!
2 Corinthians 9:15

Because as Frank McKibben said…

“This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.”

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

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When You Need to Be Sure God Loves You

2 / 11 / 192 / 11 / 19

Love…

It’s a fickle thing, isn’t it?

We don’t want it to be. In fact, most people are desperately looking for a love that is guaranteed to last.

Oh, we promise to love our spouse forever but nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. We hope our families will remain united and loving from one generation to the next but we all know that doesn’t always happen. We believe our besties will see us through no matter what but…

Love is a fickle thing. Imperfect people love imperfectly. But God loves you perfectly. Here are 4 Ways that will show you just how much! #Godislove #Bible #Faith #ChristianCommunity #BlessingCounter

So, have I cheered you up yet?

You’re probably thinking … what in the world is wrong with her. Aren’t we supposed to be all warm and fuzzy as we talk about love this week?

Well…

You know I wouldn’t start this discussion if I couldn’t give you hope and tell you about the perfect unfailing love that is forever and no matter what…

God Loves You Always and No Matter What

The other night I found myself wide awake for a couple of hours pondering and praying about what to write here … a relatively common occurrence for me.

Anyway…

I didn’t sense any clear direction so I finally gave up and went back to sleep.

But the next morning as I sat and read my scheduled Bible Reading, God whispered … “this is how much I love you!”

4 Ways You Can Be Sure God Loves You

1. God loves you – He sees you. He hears you. And He rescues you when the time is right!

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey
Exodus 3:7–8

God’s people had been suffering under slavery and genocide. And it was time to act. Moses had been raised in the house of Pharaoh and understood the ways of the Egyptians.

But God had also allowed him to live for years as a shepherd and nomad to teach him all he needed to know to lead the Children of Israel through their wilderness wanderings.

Whatever you are going through, whatever has you burdened and enslaved … when you cry out to God you can be sure He sees, He hears, and He is preparing a way to help you.

2. God Loves You – at the perfect time He saved you.

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

God not only showed how much He loves … He proved He is the very definition of love.

Perfect self-sacrificing love!

Love that saves and promises a future filled with hope.

And what does He ask in return?

That you and I would believe in His one and only Son, Jesus!

I love the way the Life Application Bible defines belief…

To believe is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that He alone can save us. It is to put Christ Jesus in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as reliable and relying on Him for the power to change.
Life Application Bible Notes John 3:16

God’s love not only provides for our eternal future … His love provides a way to make today better, too.

3. God loves you – He gave you His Holy Spirit Inspired trustworthy Word so you might be able to know Him.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.
Psalm 33:4–5

I believe the Bible is a miracle.

The Bible was written:

over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
over 40 generations
over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)
~ Bible Facts – All About God

And…

Through all those details … from Genesis to Revelation, the message. of the Bible points to one single message … God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus!

There will always be people who try to “edit” it’s words and their meaning. Argue the accuracy of the message because of time and translations. Dispute the motives and intentions of those who put the canon together. Debate inaccuracies and inconsistencies. And challenge it all based on “science.”

But that eliminates the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter wrote:

You must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21

I believe … that same Holy Spirit is the one who still affirms, “the Word of the Lord is right and true!”

4. God loves you – He will give you everything you need each day.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
Exodus 4:11–12

Moses response was…

“Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:13

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then He will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that He will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Whatever God asks or allows He will give you and me everything we need one day at a time.

I”ll admit, I have to remind myself often that my needs are not determined by my wants.

The Life Application Notes offer a great set of questions to ask when you feel like you don’t have what you need…

Is this really a need?
It is really good for me?
Is this the best time for me to have this?

Even when you and I answer “yes” to all three questions, it’s important to remember that our greatest needs are spiritual and eternal. And God’s “no” or “wait” may be exactly what we need to grow closer and more dependent on Him.

God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Love between imperfect people is … well, imperfect.

But God’s love…

Sees, hears, and rescues.
Saves from sin, death, and satan’s power.
Is in His Word so people might know Him.
And meets the needs of His children every single day!

That’s not just how much He loves people … God wants you to know, that’s how much He loves you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Why I Need to Worship and Pray – Jesus Fix Me!

5 / 24 / 189 / 13 / 20

I’ve thought so much about worship this week. What it is. What it isn’t. Even what it should be.

And one verse keeps coming to mind…

But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (AMP)

Whether we’re talking about worship styles or honestly, any other issue that offers a multitude of opinions – it feels like we, as a culture, are missing the mark when it comes to the “gentleness and respect” part.

I don’t know about you, but I can be quick to know I’m right.

The problem is it’s so easy for my “right” to become self-righteous.

And of course, if I’m right, then you must be wrong if you don’t agree with me.

Which gives me the “right” to judge you!

RIGHT!

Look at the divisiveness in our country and yes, even in our churches … I’m guessing this, self-righteous vs. judgment attitude, is more prevalent than you and I would like to admit.

Seriously, how many times have you watched the news or scrolled through social media and decided who’s right and who’s wrong, who’s guilty and who’s innocent, who’s godly and who’s not based on just a little bit of information?

Jesus told a couple of stories about the problem of judging others through a lens of self-righteousness…

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Luke 6:41–42

And…

“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. Luke 18:10–14

I want to be more like the repentant tax collector. I want to give Jesus first place in my life. I want to SEEK His truth, His will, His direction. I want to live my life surrendered completely to Jesus. And I want to gently and respectfully tell anyone who will listen about the blessings of the “hope and confident assurance” I have in Him.

So, I’m humbly asking Jesus to forgive and remove my self-righteousness and cover me with His righteousness and teach me His truth. I’m praying, “Fix Me, Jesus.”

Will you please, pray with me? Jesus Fix Me!

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

I’m sorry! It is so easy to hide behind religion and rules. I can be so self-righteous and quick to judge the actions and attitudes of others.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

We are sinners. Not because we sin. We sin, because we are sinners. ~ R.C. Sproul

It’s hard for me to admit that I’m broken and needy. But I am! I am a sinner and I need You.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me. I want to trust You completely, but I look at life through the distorted lens of my personal perspective and experiences. I have foolishly relied on my own opinions and simply trusted those who tell me what I want to hear.

Jesus, Fix me. Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I want to trust you completely and follow You faithfully.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus, Fix me Forgive me. Heal me.

Help me listen with love and speak with kindness. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Thank you for forgiving me!

Before I obeyed You. Before I joined a church. Before I did anything, You gave Your life for me. You suffered my punishment. From the cross to the resurrection . . . You fixed me.

Jesus, I thank You. I praise You. I worship You.

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.” ~ William Temple

By Your grace, may my life be an act of worship. May my worship point a broken and hurting world to You. Jesus fix us! Amen.

By God’s grace, through Jesus, you and I are forgiven. We have been fixed not because of who we are but because of who He is.

The next time your self-righteousness rears its ugly head and gets in the way of your worshipful witness and I promise you it will if you’re anything like me, remember this simple prayer.

Jesus fix me and help me love like You!

Love you, dear friend! God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

The Faith Project – It’s Exciting – Love is in the Air

2 / 1 / 167 / 7 / 16

Love is in the air and I’m excited! It’s February so of course, The Faith Project has to examine and live out love.

What can you expect?

Ways to live out loud our love for God, and tips and ideas to help you apply the 5 Love Languages to your relationships.

I believe intentionally looking for ways to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength . . . and loving the people around me well will bless my relationships and grow my faith.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Love is universally talked about and wanted. The word itself comes with a long list of definitions. And in this imperfect world . . . living it out is full of both the wonderful and painful.

Love is complicated and confusing isn’t it?

Let’s look at that list of definitions from Miriam-Webster Dictionary:

1a(1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child>(2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates>b: an assurance of affection <give her my love>

2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>

3a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration<baseball was his first love>b(1): a beloved person: darling —often used as a term of endearment (2)British —used as an informal term of address

4a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others b: a person’s adoration of God

5: a god or personification of love

6: an amorous episode: love affair

7: the sexual embrace: intimacy

Is it any wonder we get confused? Love can mean anything from simple affection to passion or enthusiasm to devotion. Pretty non-specific.

Aren’t you glad God gives us a better definition?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 5–8

That’s what we want. Love that is perfect patient, kind, non-envying, non-boastful, humble, other-centered, patient, truthful, hopeful, unfailing, and forever.

So, we chase after it but too often miss it.

God’s perfect love lived out among His children.

For today, let’s stop and breathe in the love God has for you and me.

Don’t miss – 10 Things You Need to Remember You are Loved.

And then hold close to your heart:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. 1 John 4:16

All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:3–5

I’m excited about digging deep . . . looking at ways I can better love God and the people He puts around me.

For now, let’s look at a few more quotes . . . God’s Perfect Love for You –

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. … He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing.” ~Rick Warren

“We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.” ~Peter Kreeft

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” ~C.S. Lewis

“There’s no place too dark for God’s light to penetrate and no heart too difficult to be set aflame by His love.” ~Sammy Tippit

“Your worth is based on the price someone is willing to pay for you, and God almighty paid for you with His precious Son, Jesus.” ~Rebecca Bryan

“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

God lives. God loves. God loves you. Today. Tomorrow. Forever and Always.

You and I have everything we need to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We receive it through God’s love, grace and mercy.

Let The Faith Project’s look at love begin.