Posts Tagged Jesus
Are We There Yet?
I can’t say I’m there at this moment, but I look forward with great expectation to the day when at last God is the true focal point of my life. I simply cannot fathom the utter joy and total peace that will come with complete release to Him. Nor can I imagine the feeling of truly knowing, deep within my soul and spirit, that He loves me unconditionally. The world will be a different place! The hills will be alive with the sound of music! All creation will clap its hands and shout for joy! When the truth of God’s love penetrates my mind and settles in my heart, soul, and spirit, I will go in joy, and He will lead me forth in peace. And… I will at last be able to say, “I know Him! I am one of His!”
Let’s Dance!
There’s a saying, Dance like nobody’s watching, and I believe that’s the kind of dancing God wants us to do: a frolicking, twirling, abandoned celebration of joy and happiness. The jitterbug was such a dance. Though it was sometimes choreographed, it usually had no set movements, and it was simply a time to get out on the dance floor and have a ball.
When you feel like dancing, dance. (And don’t pay any attention to the other folks in the grocery store or wherever you happen to be.) Dance like nobody’s watching!
One of His
I’m about half finished writing a new book of encouragements I plan to publish sometime this year. I’d already decided to title the book, “One of His”, and as I finished writing the following entry this morning, I said, “And, there it is.” I plan to put the following on the back of the book jacket:
~~~~~
I have tested the presence of God; I have ignored it, denied it, and tried to pretend He wasn’t there. And yet, all the while, I could feel His presence. There have been times in my life when, even though I did not deserve it, He has shown Himself to me in wondrous ways. In spite of me, in spite of my failure to love Him, in spite of my walking arm-in-arm with demons of all type, He stayed with me; His love never wavering; His arms ever reaching to hold me. He would allow nothing to separate me from Him. I am convinced… I am One of His.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Drop and Roll
This time of year, I’m reluctant to let go of the celebration of our Savior’s birth. I want to cling to it, and revel in it, enjoying the sheer wonder of all it means to us. I’m overcome with amazement and joy at the thought of what God has done for us, and how much He loves us.
Our little dog, Dockers, used to roll in the grass with great abandon and joy. She’d walk out into the yard, sniff around, select the perfect, then literally flop down, roll onto her back and scoot around, using her back feet to propel herself. She’d have a big upside down doggie grin on, obviously enjoying herself tremendously. And when she was finished, she’d pop back to her feet and look at me as if to say, “You should try it, dude! It’s awesome!”
This is how we should celebrate life; just drop down and roll, reveling in the good things God has given us, praising Him and thanking Him for all we have, no matter how much or how little that might be. In the overall scheme of things, most of us have plenty.
God is with us! He loves us! He will never forsake us!
Drop and roll!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10
This Glorious Morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born.
When you see nativity scenes, does the reality of the one small piece of the scene—the baby—ever hit you so hard you fall to your knees? On Christmas morning, do you feel a sense of wonder? Are you filled with awe, knowing Jesus came to save me and you? Do you understand He came because God loves us with a love we can’t begin to fathom?
Behold your King! For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12
Unlimited Patience
The more we understand the depth of God’s love, the more we will begin to be as patient and merciful with others as He is with us. In the natural, we can’t imagine how that’s possible, but we need to remind ourselves, with God, all things are possible.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1Timothy 1:16
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