Dear family and friends,
We welcome you to a new month and invite you to follow this journey from my Heartstrings to yours.
Since this month is noted for acts of love, we are going to find out what true love looks like. Question...do you act like you are loved by God? I really wonder sometimes, in my case, what others are seeing, hearing that would point to God's love. Do they see calm delight in my face? Do they hear devotion in the tone of my voice?
I think it begins with Belief. You've noticed couples that seem in love. You might have been blessed to see it in your own family. Parents who seem to treasure each other and children embraced in that love. Do you believe you are loved?
If you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior then, your faith has blossomed into something beautiful. We need to put the full force of our minds behind our faith. Others will see His love through us and our love for Him. To believe is a confident, courageous person.
This morning I woke with such sorrow pressing upon my chest. Then I remembered how years ago, before I met my husband of almost 46 years, I made some horrible decisions. Abortion was just becoming an acceptable answer to bury wrong choices. Many believed the lie. They never get buried unless Jesus Christ steps in and brings resurrection life to your dark soul. That is truth not a bandaid.
Although the remembrance brings me sorrow, it is soon turned to worship as I turn my thoughts to dwell on the awesome gift of God. To be forgiven for sins. To be set on a new path and transformed from that dark place. What a glorious celebration! Though tears stain my face, my eyes are on Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. The One Who paid for my redemption. The cost He paid was so great! What Love!
The Love of God is so Great! If only we will believe it. If only we replace the lies we have believed that keep us shackled in an barren place. Jesus wants our faith to blossom! He wants us to see the Spring flowers pressing up from the dark soil of our winter like the first daffodils. To have hope for our future.
We can count on fresh life from Psalm 42:5..."Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."
Colossians 3:3-4..."Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
To dwell on past sins are satan's plans to disrobe us of the glory of God. To wither our faith and make us weak. The Lord gives us all we need to live by faith and not by sight! 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us this. Paul even while in prison chose to believe God. He was a free man, even in his chains!
What chains keep you in the past? Would you like to be free and believe God has set His Love on you? I know I couldn't have survived without the Lord's embrace, like a canopy over me, His perfect love casts out fear and unbelief.
"Over and over, the Bible urges us to engage mind, will, and emotions in the pursuits of truths beyond our human senses. For when we choose to trust God above what we see or what we feel, we roll away the stone of unbelief and discover what real life can be. Because faith does more than release our imprisoned hearts. It releases God to work as well." From "Lazarus Awakening" by Joanna Weaver.
This month, this is the thing I desire to pursue. His Love. If you want to find fresh love and life you are invited to join me. WE will pursue the Love of God together. Set your hope in Jesus only. I want to know Him, intimately. Regardless of all His beautiful gifts and benefits...just to KNOW Him and the power of His resurrection! To see in the Spirit the wonders of His grace!
You are the apple of His eye! Psalm 17:8 says so. Only believe! Do not be afraid to let go. Trust the Lord with all your heart to bring to pass His will. Be in perfect peace. Now, know LOVE in the truest sense. There is no greater love than the Love that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). God bless you in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Abundance is...unconditional love