Love Lives Here

Luke 2:7 – “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
John 1:14 – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The Lord came down, do you realize He didn’t come in a clean place? When we were at church this Christmas season, there was a huge chance for us to really hear about what it was like when Jesus was born. Love lived there!

We have this idea of what should be. Much like the Pharisee mindset, we find ourselves expecting certain ways things will go. They refused to believe Jesus was Messiah because He didn’t fit what they thought He would be. So therefore, the very thing they had been hoping and waiting for, went missed by the people who refused to accept how God delivered.

We do that. We have missed out on blessings in disguise. Mostly because God doesn’t fit in our box, we believe He isn’t there in it all. God has shown me that I can’t be staring at the doorway sometimes when he is sending an answer to prayer through a window.
Jesus went down to the sinners and tax collectors. We all need Jesus, but if we are busy trying to stay clean, we really miss out on some of the work God calls us too.

I won’t go there because I am scared. Okay, I understand wanting to be safe and make good choices, but really ask if it is a legitimate reason to be scared, or are you just feeling ill equipped for the call?

I love the saying, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called”. So true. I have had moments where I felt inadequate to complete a task and the power to do it came in the moment of need. Not before, not after, but in the very moment. God can do that because He is God.

So today, if you are blessed, don’t forget what our work is here on earth. We say all these things we will do, all these ways we will serve, but we don’t make time to play in the mud where we are needed. Some of us came from the low places so we see those who are there now. Some of us are so busy in our own lives getting our missions accomplished, that we miss out on the mission right in front of us.

Because it is hard doesn’t mean we should avoid it.

Let us go into the world and live the life we talk about living for Jesus.

Love lives where the Spirit is.

Lord, Heavenly Father,
Give me the strength to do Your will and the ability to see the tasks you have for me and the people that you see that we may pass right by. Let us be hopeful that You will give us what we need when we need it. I love You Lord and want to please you in the way I live. I appreciate all You have done for me, especially that You would come to earth to live a perfect life and despite all the hurt and pain, You love us. I am so grateful for Your grace and mercy. 
In Jesus’ Sweet Name I pray, Amen.

Self-care

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:31-32 NIV

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” – Mark 1:35 NIV

Self-care is not the same thing as selfishness. I am still trying to believe this one. I have said many times before, you can’t pour out of an empty cup. Our Jesus Himself had to take moments away. He lived among many in need yet was only able to physically be so many places. 

Have you ever felt even a fraction of the need in this world? The pain? The hurt? God allowed me to feel a very small portion of that ache in the brokenness here on earth, and I could barely handle it. My spirit wanted to be everywhere helping everyone. Even saving all the animals in need of homes…

But the Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “It’s not all your job”. Yet my willing soul wanted to persist that “I have this Jesus, I can do this! It is all mine to fix!” I realized it is not. 

We are the hands and feet, (1 Corinthians 12:27), yet one individual cannot be all the body parts, even if the desire to is there. That’s what makes it the body of Christ. We share each other’s pack… (Galatians 6:2). 

So, when it comes to self-care, only you and God can discern the line between selfishness and self-care. Often times I find if I am burning my fuse at both ends, it takes me longer to recover and I am less useful for the Lord when it gets to that point. Instead, let’s be intentional about doing the things we need to fill us back up. The Word, community, our passions, our family…

It is all something you can bring to the Lord in prayer, and often you will feel God showing and directing you to certain activities, but not overloading. I recommend reading Lisa Terkeurst’s, “The Best Yes”, if you are having some problems balancing your life. It is okay to admit you can’t do it all. We need to be actively seeking the Lord in this matter daily. I find that when I do what the Lord wants, I become filled by it and often get to also do what I want as well, but if not, I figure there is a reason or a later time I might.

Lord God,

Please help me to know what I need to do to stay balanced in this life. I surrender my schedule and my plans to You Lord, because truly my service and life are yours. I know you are looking to use me, help me know when! Help me prioritize without trying to be my own little god. I love You Lord, and I acknowledge that Jesus even took time away to be with You. I ask that You please help me to surrender my schedule to You every morning before I start planning what I want to do. I trust You Lord, help me to show it in my life.

In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen.

Schemes

John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (NIV)

Discord? Miscommunication? Broken relationships?

What do you think it will be like in heaven?

Spiritual warfare is very real. Even though Jesus has already won the victory, it doesn’t mean we can let our awareness falter. We need to stand strong as we fight our daily battles (Ephesians 6:10).

I had an image once of a couple arguing; satan in the corner leaning against the wall, smiling. Occasionally he would throw out an invisible force that cause miscommunication and offense. The couple’s arguing intensified, and satan cackled, throwing his head back, entertained by the discord.

What would satan love? To break the covenant of marriage. It is the greatest representation of our covenant with God. The devil will try to whisper things that convince you of things and drive a wedge in your relationships, especially the ones that might grow you the most.

So this is a red flag. Be aware. Pray. Study up. Don’t get caught off guard.

Lord God,
Please help me be aware of satan’s schemes but not absorbed by them to the point where they steal my joy. I want to trust that You are in control Lord, but guide me not to fall into temptation, as it can slowly draw us in, and we can be sucked in before realizing it. Protect our relationships and reach those who have isolated and can’t be reached by anyone but You Lord. Free their hearts and minds from the sin and lies. 
In Jesus’ Precious name I pray, Amen. 

What Love

2 Chronicles 20:17

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

Imagine walking into a store and getting things you need and getting to the check out, ready to hear the total…

The cashier says, “It has already been taken care of”.

You drive home in awe at the blessing that just happened and stop by the mail box before pulling in your driveway. Shoot. That credit card statement. You don’t even look at the numbers anymore, you just set up automatic payment… but something tells you to open it this time…

It’s a letter from the bank saying your debt has been cleared… All of it.

Wow. This must be a fantasy.

Even though on this physical earth, this may not happen to you, this is what Jesus does for us.

He paid our debt…

He won the victory…

So now we are just walking out this life in a way that pleases Him until we get to eternity.

Jesus tells us, “I went so you didn’t have to”.

Unconditional love. He did it knowing we could never repay, yet He still sacrificed for us.

Love is not doing something with the intention of the action being returned. God loved me before I was even born, and I didn’t give into His relentless pursuit of me until age 26. Any men out there willing to chase a woman for her heart for 26 years? 50? 80? He is up for it.

So, despite what we think we are owed, God loves us regardless because His grace is enough. That is not a free pass to do whatever I want. To me it means, when I mess up, He doesn’t stop working with me. Relationships take work. We all fall short, but just because my spouse might forgive me many times for cheating doesn’t mean I should do it.

Ask yourself some hard questions. Are you following out of love? Do you desire to do your best to make Father proud? He loves us regardless, but boy do I love it when I get stuff right occasionally. He helps me up when I fall. He doesn’t look at me and say “well, you’ve tripped too many times.”

I try to relate the love of God to what we desire out of relationships in general. Our God loves perfectly even when we don’t. Isn’t that amazing?

I pray you ask yourself if you truly believe that Jesus has won the victory and continue claiming that promise over and over when things seem hopeless in this broken world. He is the Healer and He has already won over all your situations. We may not understand His ways (Isaiah 55:9), but we can trust that they are best.

Lord God,

            Please help me to trust you and see things from the eternal perspective. Help me to not try and figure out things with my finite mind. I am so thankful that you are my Father and that you are taking care of me and you will never leave me. Help me to truly understand that I am not alone in this life, and that your love is true, relentless, and unconditional. Help me to desire you and show you that I love you too.

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen

Mist

James 4:14

14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (NIV)

We always expect tomorrow. Another chance to visit. Another time to call. We do so many things, lead such busy lives, we forget we are but a mist in this life. On the other side of eternity, we share hope that this life is temporary, but we are called to make the most of it why we are here. I feel that there are times when Jesus had to get away and self-care, but His purpose never changed. Jesus touched many, and He lives on in us and we continue His work. 

I want to leave a legacy that makes our Father proud. When I think of all the things I want to do, there is not enough daylight. It is a balance. We must keep ourselves full to be able to pour out into others. Nothing comes out of a bone-dry cup. 

Sometimes I would think, “I just have to pray and then do it”, but I literally need to pray about every step. I am trying to get into the habit of physically getting on my knees every morning when I wake up and surrendering my schedule and my day to the Lord. 

“Lord let me do what you want me to and talk to the people you want me to”. I would say that every time I do what the plan of the day is that Jesus has for me (given play by play throughout the day), I have a day that fills me up too. In my efforts to do what God has for me, my needs are met and generally I find joy in the day, or there is something I learn or get to do. I really find that the more I walk in the Spirit, despite how hard it can be sometimes, especially when my flesh wants to overrun me, I am overall more satisfied. 

I try to fill the needs on my own and the satisfaction is fleeting and usually drains me in some way. I am not sometimes aware that I am making plans or filling voids until God reminds me. So, I ask Him to fill me, and to help me be satisfied in Him. I still don’t know why I continue to think I can out do a limitless God who knows me through and through. I find myself planning on things without asking if that is really what I should be doing. 

Following God isn’t easy, the life of Jesus can show that. The best way isn’t always the easiest. But to me, it is worth it. No matter who may judge or assume, if I follow the One who goes before me (Deuteronomy 31:8), I can rest assured I will be fine. I can’t do everything for everyone, I can’t fix everything, but I can ask God my part in what He is doing and be obedient in that. Boundaries are healthy, and self-care is different from self-centeredness. 

They say you only live once, and it is true on this side of heaven, but with Jesus you can live beyond this broken world. Make it count. Connect with others. Ask God’s guidance in all relationships and life moves, all things. He knows best. He knows how He can use you for others. He helps us understand that we are here for Him and not ourselves, but He will make sure we are healthy in mind and spirit to do the work He has set before us (Ephesians 2:10). We just need to listen. We don’t have a moment to waste, but don’t rush through life and miss out on the lessons from the journey. Enjoy what God has given you.  

Lord,

Help me Father to truly surrender everything to you, down to the seconds of my life. Allow me to stand strong against those who seek to judge me and tell me different things that are not from You or your Word. Help me to pray for those who seek to hurt me or accuse me. Help others to see my heart and know that I am trying my best for you Lord. Help me to do things for others as if I am doing them for you, even when it is hard. I am here for YOU Lord to do what you direct, and I am so grateful for this brief time on earth in comparison to the eternal glory I will enjoy with you. I love you Lord and will believe You above all else, and I care more about what You think about me and the plan You have for my life. Help me to be a blessing to others and not believe the lies of the devil, which distract me from my purpose. 

In Jesus’ Sweet Name, Amen