You Love Second

From the excellent Book "Note to Self:  The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself."

You must learn, relearn, and remember your Savior's love and sacrifice for the wicked, the rebellious, the black-hearted - for people like you.  And when you see the Holy One's sacrificial love for you, you not only see what love looks like, but also you find strength and power to love like Him.

More Poetry from the Same Source

When years of time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When men, who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God’s love so sure, shall still endure
All measureless and strong
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race
The saints’ and angels’ song

So You Don't Like Poetry?

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Tho stretched from sky to sky.


I have been told that this was penned by someone in an insane asylum.  And yet it is brilliant.

Unlimited Reparation

Propitiation means "satisfaction."  Jesus satisfies the debt of the whole world.  He died for everyone.

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

(1John 2:2 NAS95S)

God doesn't want anyone to die.  He wants everyone to repent.  Jesus died for everyone.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

(2Pet 3:9 NAS95S)

God desires all to be saved.  Jesus died for everyone.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

(1Tim 2:3-4 NAS95S)

Jesus is the One.  One died for all.  Jesus died for everyone.

“or the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

(2Cor 5:14-15 NAS95S)

Everyone is ungodly.  Jesus died for everyone.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

(Rom 5:6 NAS95S)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

(John 3:16 NAS95S)

God is love.  He is all-loving.  He loves all.  Jesus died for everyone.

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

(1John 4:16 NAS95S)

His gift to everyone is a free one.  Receiving it is up to you.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Rom 6:23 NAS95S)

Gay - Why Does It Matter?

I've noticed some Jesus followers who are confused about standing against homosexuality. The subject causes many of us to cringe because we fear the "intolerant" label. In particular, the pro-homosexuality argument based around civil rights has become a popular one that many Christians find it difficult to argue against.

It is vital for us to remember that God's commands to us are always connected to His love for us. In the case of homosexuality, this statement could not be more true. But, I rarely hear the anti-homosexuality argument put forth with this in mind.

Homosexuality is an extremely destructive lifestyle. God knows this. Because of His unfathomable love for us, He warns and commands us to forsake it and turn to Him. What God knows and His reasons for hating this sin are borne out by the facts. As Christ-followers, we must be diligent and consistent at presenting these facts to the lost world and to Christians engaged in this lifestyle.

Studies have repeatedly shown that the average life expectancy of men and women engaged in the homosexual lifestyle is more than 20-30 years less than heterosexuals. On top of dying at unbelievably early ages, homosexuals often suffer horribly in the time leading up to their death.

Sometimes it seems like the only ones who speak out against this sin proclaim their hatred for gays and lesbians. Hatred is not what is needed. The redeeming love of Jesus Christ is all that is needed. First, to ensure an everlasting peace for all who trust Him - homosexuals included. Second, to help the people caught in the darkness of this sin to move into the light.

Without Jesus, many will suffer. We must love by explaining the specific consequences of this sin (and all sin). We must present Jesus Christ as a way out. The risk of appearing intolerant is one we'll just have to take.

Meditate On This

Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?  -  Francis Chan

The Hand Song

The boy only wanted to give Mother something
And all of her roses had bloomed
Looking at her as he came rushing in with them
Knowing her roses were doomed
All she could see were some thorns buried deep
And the tears that he cried as she tended his wounds

And she knew it was love
It was one she could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

He still remembers that night as a child
On his mother's knee
She held him close and she opened her bible
And quietly started to read
And seeing a picture of Jesus he cried out
"Momma, he's got some scars just like me."

And he knew it was love
It was one he could understand
He was showing His love
And that's how He hurt His hands

Now the boy's grown and moved out on his own
When Uncle Sam comes along
A foreign affair but our young men were there
And luck had his number drawn
It wasn't that long till our hero was gone
He gave to a friend what he learned from the cross

But they knew it was love
It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

By Sarah Watkins
Performed by Nickel Creek

Was This Written Yesterday?

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” - 1Timothy 6:17

This doesn't apply to you, right?  

Well, uh, yes it does.  In fact, you are precisely who it was written for.  You don't think of yourself as one who has riches. However, it is not a stretch to say that you are in the top 5% of the richest people who has ever lived.  I'm not exaggerating.  Our conceit comes from neither knowing that nor appreciating it.   

But, Paul is not talking about just the riches that we already have.  He's talking about our pursuit of more.  We pursue because we think that it will get us something or somewhere. That equates to me trying to get something for me. That is a works doctrine.  

What about the riches that we already have?  A lot of people accumulated a lot and now it is gone.  What seemed like a lot that was gathered over decades is gone in a snap.  You can see what that got them?   

Think about this.  The wisdom of this verse has lasted WAY longer than the riches of any man. What does that say about the wisdom of the Timeless One who inspired Paul to write it?

Remember, God's not telling you this to ruin your fun.  He's telling you this because He doesn't want you to be hurt.  So, with that in mind, ask yourself this question.  During all the bad economics news, have your thoughts dwelled on any thing(s) that you have lost, could lose or can't get now?  

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” - Psalms 20:7

    

Prescription for Right Now

Cast all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you.

- 1 Peter 5:7

I'm not sure who wrote this, but it fits right into my last blog on Peace:  

It is natural to be anxious when we are ill; but it is just as natural for the one who has love for God in his heart to turn all anxiety over to Him.  Let God do your worrying.  Even more than an earthly father loves his child, God cares for you.  Cast your anxiety on Him!  His shoulders are broad.

Prayer:  Father, if there is anxiety in my heart, out of Thy great love take it into Thine own heart and give to me that peace which passes all understanding, in the name of Thy Son.  Amen.

Need for Peace

Peace, I just need some peace. If I have to I'll do anything. Don't need your love or your sympathy. But, I cannot go on living without peace.
- The Isaacs

Peace. It is difficult to imagine a better gift. But, that is precisely what God has given the Christ-follower.

Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. - Colosians 3:15-17

Paul & Peter, in the New Testament letters, repeatedly greet other Christ-followers with "peace". It is though they understand the need for it in the hearts of believers. Everyone needs it, but, it is only given to those who love Him.

Too often, we don't realize we have God's gifts. Or, maybe we don't understand what they are. Or, perhaps we don't really see how totally powerful they are in our lives. All this is especially true of peace.

This world we live in is cold, evil and most difficult. Let's face it, the burdens of living "down here" are overwhelmingly harsh. That will change for the Christ-follower - when we finally reach our destination. Our Father is leading us out but, for a short time we're still here.

Many well-meaning teachers claim that God will get us out of the pain and heartaches of this world. They claim that, by faith, we can talk Him into removing our problems. We just have to have enough faith and it will be done. When this is taught, it takes the focus away from one of His greatest miracles - peace for right now. Peace for our souls, peace in our hearts and peace through any trial. I mean any trial.

Peace is a miracle. The Bible says that the Messiah Himself is our Peace. It gives a picture of The Man walking beside us through the valleys and through the trials. Through the depressing moments and sad years. This kind of miracle is what He means when He says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I'll submit to you that what we really desire is peace. God says that we already have it. We just have to trust Him when He says we do.

To me, that is a bigger miracle than a financial blessing or a physical healing or anything else man can promise. And, I can't think of anything I desire more. What about you?

Serious Question

Jesus said that there are two things more important than anything else. In fact, not only were they more important than anything else, but everything else that is good depends on them. What are these things?

Jesus said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Think about what "as yourself" means and how that is the opposite of what your flesh desires. Forget about your neighbor and just focus on the other believers who are close to you. Let's start with them. Now, here's the serious question: Do you?