Love: A Call to Die

February, it’s the month known for LOVE (Men, don’t stop reading, I promise I won’t get mushy!).  Love, what is it?  When we were younger it was something new and exciting, as you grew perhaps it was something that encompassed a type of playful attraction to a certain someone (maybe you married that certain someone!). But as we continued to grow and mature we realize love is so much more than what we once thought it was.  Love is often a choice, a commitment; it is something that grows over time and usually grows through pain.  It involves sacrifice, and really a dying to oneself (and that’s painful). 

Isn’t that love though, when we learn to die to ourselves for the sake of others?  Instead of exerting ourselves over others, we start serving them.  The relationship becomes about what we can do for them, and not what they can do for us.  Jesus says in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” 

You knew I was going to bring this back to Jesus didn’t you?  Yep, Jesus, He is LOVE. 

 

The Son of God served us, He died for us.  There is no greater love.  Want to start loving people in a sacrificial, selfless way like Jesus did?  Confess you’ve fallen short and you need His help, He will change you.  And once His love for others begins to fill your heart you will realize that learning to love is actually learning to die.  Yet, it’s in death we find life, and life abundantly.  Because once we learn to die to ourselves Jesus does this amazing thing of emptying us of ourselves and filling us with more of Him and His perfect love.      

What's My Purpose

Ever wondered about your purpose or what God’s will is?  Yeah, I have too. 

Jesus actually talks a little about this in Matthew 6:25-34.  In these verses of scripture Jesus takes the time to speak about the worries of this life (our essential needs--food, clothing, health, shelter).  Jesus says in v. 33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”  What is Jesus trying to tell us here?  What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom?  Well, I think Jesus is trying to tell us that there are really two kingdoms at work in this world.  One of those kingdoms is where we reign, where we are in control, and it’s the one ruled by Satan.  Eesh, I don’t want anything to do with that Kingdom.  I wonder though, I wonder, how often we get caught up in that kingdom and don’t even realize it.  The other Kingdom though is the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom where God reigns, not us, but Him.  We are very active in this Kingdom, but God’s the one who is in control of our lives.  We are submitted to Him, seeking Him, desiring to honor His Name instead of our own.  When we start seeking Him amazing things start to happen.  Life just gets easier.  Now, it doesn't always mean circumstances get easier, but that place in our hearts that likes to wrestle, and worry experiences peace instead of anxiety. 

So, you want to know what your purpose is?  Then start seeking God.  Don’t try to take control.  Say goodbye to yourself and hello to Jesus.  Submit to Him, the Father who knows and has a plan.  The Holy Spirit will guide you and show you your purpose in Him.  One word of caution though, I think we are always looking for God to use us in some grand way.  Don’t be surprised if God uses you on a much smaller scale that you expected.  Oh, but nothing, no work for the Kingdom is small in God’s eyes! 

 This life is not about making our name great, it’s about making His Name great!  Here’s a little something to get you started on seeking God’s will for your life.  Ready?  Okay, here it goes.

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’   There is no commandment greater than these.”" Mark 12:28-31

 

Is God first in your life?  Are you seeking Him for the call of your life?  Or are you seeking money, prestige, and a name for yourself?  What about your neighbor?  I dare you to start pouring out your life to others and see if you just might experience some sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

As life goes on and each year passes by as you walk submitted to the Lord Jesus, you will realize it becomes easier to know His will, to sense His direction, to hear His voice. 

The Glory of Our Gracious God

I have wanted to write a blog like this for a while, but it wasn’t until I read a friend of mine’s blog this past week that I was greatly moved in my heart.  My friend actually lost his wife to a very short battle with brain cancer just over a year ago and his blog inspired me and challenged me in my own faith (you should read it).  No really, go read it.  I, myself, was hit with the question, am I really living in a way that says I trust God, believing He is sovereign, knowing His plans are best, and that my pain is an opportunity for God’s glory to be seen?  You see, I do believe that my pain is for a purpose, but I want to believe it even more, with greater faith and obedience.  I want to expect God’s glory. I want to want what God wants and not what Andrea wants. 

Over this past year the grace of God in my life has been absolutely amazing, I have so much to be thankful for.  Yes, I have had a lot of health problems and are still dealing with some.  I have come to realize though that if the Lord saw it fit for me to be restored to even better health then I would be, but something bigger is at stake, something beyond me; it is the glory of God.  So this year, I have decided that my aim will be the glory of God; the glory of God in each and every circumstance of my life.  That my constant prayer would be, Father, show me your glory through my own health struggles, and display Your glory through me so I might be a testimony of your love, grace, and faithfulness.  And even when I don’t see it grant me the faith to keep moving forward rejoicing in You.

The beautiful thing is when I take the time to reflect I can see the hand of God all throughout this past year.  I have seen the glory of the Lord at work and I think it is time to give God the praise He is due.  So here are a few things God has done over this past year (in no particular order):

1.       My heart is beating.

2.      My heart is beating.

3.      Did I mention my heart is beating?  Glory to God!  When I stop and ponder the depths of this reality I can do nothing but say, thank You Jesus!  Thank You Father for granting someone the knowledge to invent a pacemaker.  I am no longer dizzy, short of breathe, or experiencing palpitations.  Father, let it be to Your glory!

4.      My blood pressure reached over 100 just over a week ago.  It has been in the 80’s 90’s for probably a year.  This is a wonderful gift of grace!

5.      My husband is a gift of God’s grace, and he has been such a supportive rock for me during this time.  He is a gift of God’s grace to me.

6.      I had to quit my job over the summer because of my health.  God has provided for Michael and me in monetary ways we never could have expected.  Indeed, our Father takes care of His children!

7.      I found out my adrenal and thyroid glands are not working properly, which is why I am still tired and easily worn out.  I am seeing a holistic specialist and have seen improvements in my health.  Glory to God!

8.     I have truly come to the end of myself in different ways.  God has shown me my sin, my brokenness, and my areas I needed to surrender to Him.  This has been a freeing, empowering, humbling, amazingly good experience!  I believe my faith is becoming even more real, it’s growing roots. Glory to God! 

9.      In ministering to others I have found I am better able to sympathize and walk alongside of people in their own struggle because of my own experience.  This is a gift!

Yes, I have seen His glory at work and I am ready to watch it continue to unfold in my journey towards health—physical and spiritual.  All of these things listed above are all things to praise God about.  They are here to ignite my faith, and hopefully yours as we continue on in this New Year.  Yes, our God is faithful and true!  He can be trusted.  He is always at work in the lives of His children and it is always for His glory and our good.   He is worthy of our ceaseless praise.

My prayer is to be a woman of ceaseless praise; a woman that speaks words of faith, and desires God’s glory over her own comfort or will.  I’m here, in this season, for a reason beyond myself and I think that’s pretty awesome. 

Ps. 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

As you look back on this past year, what can you praise God for?  What is your hope for the New Year?

A New Year

As I look back on this year I would have to admit it has been a very difficult year.  Perhaps you could say the same thing.  Even though this year has been difficult spiritually, emotionally and physically—I know Jesus has been there all the way.  I have sensed Him near; I have heard Him beckoning me forward to follow Him, even when I felt stuck in despair, stubbornness, or physical limitations.  This has been a year of choosing.  Choosing to follow and believe in the plans God has for me according to His Word.  Faith is a choice my friends, it is not a feeling.  If we relied on our feelings to determine who God is we would crumble at the first sign of struggle. Why?  Because our feelings would tell us He is not loving, He does not answer our prayers, He cannot be trusted, etc..  So we take control because in our minds God cannot be trusted.  My friends, can I tell you, He can be trusted.  He is the only thing stable in my life.  Go ahead, call Him a crutch.  I am totally okay with that because on this journey of health struggles, you better believe I have leaned on my Lord in ways like never before. 

Perhaps that is what God is trying to get at all along?  Because on this journey, I know God has brought me to the end of myself in different ways when it comes to self-sufficiency, areas of sin, and my faith in Him.  I am tired of me.  I want Jesus.  That’s all I want.  I do not want my neurotic, controlling, unbelieving, weak self (Wow, I am exhausting!). 

In many ways 2013 is a new year for me.  Though I would like to put 2012 behind me, I do not ever want to forget it because God was at work.  When I take the time to look beyond myself, I do see the grace of God—through people, my pacemaker, divine interventions, answers to prayers, and better health. 

Deep down I have sensed that God would restore my health too me, and I can finally say I feel my body getting stronger.  Glory to God!  My blood pressure has finally gone above 100, last week I actually felt strength in my body and not that tired aching feeling I have walked around with for over a year.  Thank you Lord Jesus for Your grace, for Your mercy, for Your touch.  Perhaps, you are waiting, waiting for answers to your prayers.  My friends, He has answered your prayers.  He always does.  Will you surrender?  Will you trust?  Will you allow Him to do the work He longs to do in you?  Do not forget we are in a battle.  Satan does not want you to be free. He has a goal and that goal is to destroy you.  Take up arms and fight for your freedom in Christ.  Surrender to the Lord Jesus, who is your mighty warrior!  Get in the Word; it is your sword against the Enemy (Rev. 12:11, Eph. 6:17).  Yes, I know it takes work, I know you are tired but remember, less of you and more of Him.  That’s what He is after.    

Did you have a year like me?  One you want to put behind you.  I can understand, but I would also encourage you to reflect and seek God, don't be so quick to put it behind you.  Could it be that He is longing for you to draw closer to Himself?  I’d bet my last dollar on it.  Perhaps you could even say; it is our destiny in Christ.  God, bringing us to the end of ourselves and to a place where we realize—Jesus is all I need, Jesus is all I want.  Not ourselves, but Him.  His strength.  His character.  Walking with Jesus is a lifetime journey, but it’s a glorious journey of deeper wholeness and freedom that we have yet to know.

 

Gracious Father, we praise You because You have never left us nor forsaken us.  You are at work.   We give ourselves to that work because it is for your good purpose and our good. Though we may not understand, or have all of the answers, we choose to follow You by faith, not by sight.  We love you.  Bless this New Year, may it be a year of greater faith and obedience.  In the Name and power of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Messiah, the Anointed One, we pray.  Amen.