I do not want to be identified or defined by what I am against, but by the showing of the characteristics of the One who saved and forgave me.
I will not be effective in showing anyone the path to acknowledgement of and forgiveness for sin if I do not first feel the Father's love for them.
Think of the sin that most offends you in others. Are you, am I, being asked to pray for, intercede for, plead for those who struggle with and/or give in to that sin? Do you, do I, love them enough, even as Christ loves them, to sacrifice yourself, to sacrifice myself, for them?
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
love
Does someone else's sins take away my salvation? Does someone else's sins even threaten my salvation?
I am saved because I accepted Christ's sacrifice for my sake, for my sins.
You are saved because you accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sake, for your sins.
Your choices or sins, even the ones you don't acknowledge as sins, cannot take my salvation from me.
My choices or sins, even the ones I don't acknowledge as sins, cannot take your salvation from you.
I am first commanded to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind. Then I am commanded to love my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
If I cannot love my neighbor as myself because I do not love myself then I need to immerse myself in the Lord my God, my Creator in order to see myself as he sees me. If I do not choose to love that person whose behavior or lifestyle offends me or goes against God's commandments, love them as myself, then I am not worthy to do anything about it. I cannot even confront them about their sins or talk to others about it. If I am unable to love them, I must go to God for help with the "log" in my eye.
God, show me how to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind.
God, show me how to love myself as you love me, so that I can love my neighbor, my brother, my sister as you love them.
God, help me first to love so that I am worthy to be used by you to show others your Light, your Word, your Life.
Oh God, use this weak and broken vessel, that is only made whole by your forgiveness, grace and love, to show others love, forgiveness and grace.
I am saved because I accepted Christ's sacrifice for my sake, for my sins.
You are saved because you accepted Christ's sacrifice for your sake, for your sins.
Your choices or sins, even the ones you don't acknowledge as sins, cannot take my salvation from me.
My choices or sins, even the ones I don't acknowledge as sins, cannot take your salvation from you.
I am first commanded to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind. Then I am commanded to love my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
If I cannot love my neighbor as myself because I do not love myself then I need to immerse myself in the Lord my God, my Creator in order to see myself as he sees me. If I do not choose to love that person whose behavior or lifestyle offends me or goes against God's commandments, love them as myself, then I am not worthy to do anything about it. I cannot even confront them about their sins or talk to others about it. If I am unable to love them, I must go to God for help with the "log" in my eye.
God, show me how to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind.
God, show me how to love myself as you love me, so that I can love my neighbor, my brother, my sister as you love them.
God, help me first to love so that I am worthy to be used by you to show others your Light, your Word, your Life.
Oh God, use this weak and broken vessel, that is only made whole by your forgiveness, grace and love, to show others love, forgiveness and grace.
Friday, November 8, 2013
home
Whenever my attention is drawn to the sky, whether it be the beautiful colors of a sunset or the ominous, awe-inspiring clouds of an impending storm, my thoughts go to the Bible account of the disciples looking to the sky as Jesus ascended to Heaven after his death and resurrection.
My heart aches to see Jesus.
My soul longs to go home.
I look forward to spending eternity with an unadulterated, unobstructed view of the face of my King, Lord and Savior.
My heart aches to see Jesus.
My soul longs to go home.
I look forward to spending eternity with an unadulterated, unobstructed view of the face of my King, Lord and Savior.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
never stop
Oh God,
May I never stop striving to be a person after your own heart.
May I never stop pleading for your strength to get rid of the sins in my life.
May I never stop seeking to move only by the power of your Holy Spirit.
May I never stop digging deeper into you.
May I never stop trying to immerse myself in your presence.
May I never stop wanting to be refined.
May I never stop yearning to be always holy as You are holy.
I thank you my God, my King, My Savior, my Redeemer, my All in All, my Everything.
I praise you Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Friend of sinners, Refining Fire.
God, you are my Peace, my Love, my Hope, my Faith, my Joy.
You overwhelm me. You fulfill me. I love you.
May I never stop striving to be a person after your own heart.
May I never stop pleading for your strength to get rid of the sins in my life.
May I never stop seeking to move only by the power of your Holy Spirit.
May I never stop digging deeper into you.
May I never stop trying to immerse myself in your presence.
May I never stop wanting to be refined.
May I never stop yearning to be always holy as You are holy.
I thank you my God, my King, My Savior, my Redeemer, my All in All, my Everything.
I praise you Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Friend of sinners, Refining Fire.
God, you are my Peace, my Love, my Hope, my Faith, my Joy.
You overwhelm me. You fulfill me. I love you.
Friday, December 14, 2012
free to be me
Free to be me
I'm sorry... if I disturb you,
but I am disturbed.
I'm sorry... if I annoy you.
I just want to be heard
Oh, just let me be
who I was meant to be.
Oh, I want to be free,
free to be me
free to be me.
I'm sorry... if I frustrate you,
but I'm frustrated.
I'm sorry... if I bother you.
I don't want to be hated.
Oh, just let me be
who I was meant to be.
Oh, I want to be free,
free to be me
free to be me.
Monday, September 17, 2012
help me
God,
When I feel unloved, help me to love.
When I feel unforgiven, help me to forgive.
When I feel lonely, help me to reach out.
When I feel unheard, help me to listen.
When I feel unappreciated, help me show appreciation.
When I feel rejected, help me to be accepting.
When I feel wounded, help me to rest in your healing.
When I feel unloved, help me to love.
When I feel unforgiven, help me to forgive.
When I feel lonely, help me to reach out.
When I feel unheard, help me to listen.
When I feel unappreciated, help me show appreciation.
When I feel rejected, help me to be accepting.
When I feel wounded, help me to rest in your healing.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Psalm 25:4
God, I do want your way. I do want your path. Take me where you want me to go.
God, you know that I'm afraid. I'm afraid of where you might take me. I'm afraid of what you might ask of me.
But, I know, oh God, that you will be with me. You will take me through. I know that you want all things to bring me closer to you. I want to be closer to you.
I choose to rest in your presence. Your will be done, oh God.
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)
God, you know that I'm afraid. I'm afraid of where you might take me. I'm afraid of what you might ask of me.
But, I know, oh God, that you will be with me. You will take me through. I know that you want all things to bring me closer to you. I want to be closer to you.
I choose to rest in your presence. Your will be done, oh God.
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths." Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)
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