Some events that happen in life are hard to comprehend why God would allow them. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does a good God allow tragedies? If you are a Christian, you know the answer goes back to Genesis where our first parents chose to disobey God rather than do what He said. Hence - sin entered the world and there has been chaos ever since. God never meant for us to have to suffer and struggle and have trials and hardships. We chose that over fellowship with Him. When He created, everything He created was good. So God is not to blame. However, we still have the question of why he allows tragedies. He is sovereign and could prevent them. I always think of Job in the Bible and all he endured, yet, he came to a realization of who God is rather than understanding his circumstances.
This question of why was asked by me to God: "Why did You allow this tragedy in our life when You could have prevented it? Why would You take our only son? Why bring sorrow and hurt and pain? Why us?"
I will admit, (and I am being very transparent here), in my great grief and hurt, I contemplated giving up on the Christian life. If this is how it turns out, did I still want to hold on to God or turn my back on Him? How arrogant of me to think this way. But, great grief causes thoughts never before known; questions never before formed; actions never before anticipated. And.....the wrestling begins. This consistent on-going mentality can be pure torture. It's exhausting and at the same time is demanding answers. Answers I didn't have but desperately wanted.
In John 6:53-39, Jesus had just given a hard teaching that those listening were struggling to comprehend. Even some of His disciples thought it too much to take in and in the verses following we find they gave up on Him. "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."
This is scary to me. What is life without Jesus? What's the point of anything without Him? Jesus asked His disciples if they too were going to leave and turn their backs on Him? "Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God'" (verse 68-69).
This became my realization too. There is no other way. I do love Jesus more than I can confess, and that love compels me to work it out in my life. I had to wrestle with my own mind and heart to get to this place but I didn't do it alone. I had God's Word before me, His Spirit guiding me and a growing faith. The Lord allowed me, sent me, to a desperate place to learn to rely on Him and depend solely on Him. Sometimes I have to keep reminding myself of this when the weight of grief crushes. Jesus gives the gift of peace. Calm in the chaos. Our faith grows stronger when we turn to God and we become more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37).
No one, not even God said life would be easy. Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 Amp).
Maybe instead of me asking "why me?" I should say, "why not me?" And why would a good God love and care for me? I thank Him for His grace, love and mercy and for not turning His back on me!
Just so you know, I never got my questions answered. Somehow, the need to have them answered is not as strong anymore but the yearning to shout to the world what a good, compassionate and loving God we have seems to have overtaken that need.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Thursday, March 1, 2018
To Laugh Again
Last night while at church, I talked to a lady friend who has recently lost her adult son to cancer. She is struggling and understandably so. There were two of us talking with her. The other lady comforting our friend, has lost an adult daughter to cancer. We sat and identified with the others grief and listened to the way we each handled the process.
The other lady keeps busy and involves herself with activities and being around other people. She does this to keep her mind and heart from slipping into self-pity. This is also how my husband deals with his grief. I, on the other hand prefer to be alone, busy, but with my thoughts protected from the outside world. Our friend is just trying to work through all the new and different, (foreign, if you will), emotions and feelings.
The point here is that everyone grieves differently and that is okay as long as it is physically and mentally sound, not hurtful to yourself or others. Yes, I'm saying there is a proper way to grieve. This is how I have found my way: God "is my rock of strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:7-8).
Our friend made the comment that one day she would be at the place we are, but for now she was having a hard time. I think back on myself at the place where she is now. I didn't want anyone telling me it would get better. I couldn't even conceive it. I felt that it was not even right to feel better.
We never "get over" losing a child. We are never free from our loss and we don't want to be. Time really doesn't heal completely. Time helps you learn how to live with your loss. Time brings joy back into your life. Time permits you to think on the good memories instead of focusing so much on the event of death. Time does do a very good work if we allow it to.
I remember the first time I laughed out loud after Gary's passing. God used my little Jack Russell to make me laugh again. It had been so long since I had heard myself laugh, that the sound of my laughter startled me. My first thought was, Does Gary hear me laughing? Is he okay with that?
Coming back to life after such a great loss is not disrespectful to those who have gone before us. I believe they are waiting for us to. I'm thankful my son hasn't been sitting around in heaven grieving for us like we have for him. He would want us to be happy and to look forward to the day when we will be reunited again.
Let me encourage someone today who is wondering if they will ever find joy and laughter again; even if you're not ready to except it. God will help you through. Pour out your heart to Him and let Him bring you back to life in His time and in His way.
The other lady keeps busy and involves herself with activities and being around other people. She does this to keep her mind and heart from slipping into self-pity. This is also how my husband deals with his grief. I, on the other hand prefer to be alone, busy, but with my thoughts protected from the outside world. Our friend is just trying to work through all the new and different, (foreign, if you will), emotions and feelings.
The point here is that everyone grieves differently and that is okay as long as it is physically and mentally sound, not hurtful to yourself or others. Yes, I'm saying there is a proper way to grieve. This is how I have found my way: God "is my rock of strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us" (Psalms 62:7-8).
Our friend made the comment that one day she would be at the place we are, but for now she was having a hard time. I think back on myself at the place where she is now. I didn't want anyone telling me it would get better. I couldn't even conceive it. I felt that it was not even right to feel better.
We never "get over" losing a child. We are never free from our loss and we don't want to be. Time really doesn't heal completely. Time helps you learn how to live with your loss. Time brings joy back into your life. Time permits you to think on the good memories instead of focusing so much on the event of death. Time does do a very good work if we allow it to.
I remember the first time I laughed out loud after Gary's passing. God used my little Jack Russell to make me laugh again. It had been so long since I had heard myself laugh, that the sound of my laughter startled me. My first thought was, Does Gary hear me laughing? Is he okay with that?
Coming back to life after such a great loss is not disrespectful to those who have gone before us. I believe they are waiting for us to. I'm thankful my son hasn't been sitting around in heaven grieving for us like we have for him. He would want us to be happy and to look forward to the day when we will be reunited again.
Let me encourage someone today who is wondering if they will ever find joy and laughter again; even if you're not ready to except it. God will help you through. Pour out your heart to Him and let Him bring you back to life in His time and in His way.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Crossing The Bridge
This week, on my way to Madisonville, I had to travel across "the bridge" in Vonore. As other times, I am always subdued, always looking down in the water, wondering, questioning, thoughtful. What happened that my son fell out of his boat here? As I started across, the song Jesus, I Believe was playing on the radio. I had written a portion of the lyrics from that song the day before on my Facebook and in my journal. At that moment, the exact words were being sung: "I'm standing on Your promises, I know Your Word is true. You're bigger than what I see, It's You in exchange for me. Even the impossible is Your reality. Jesus, I believe."
Other events have occurred while driving across the bridge. We call them "God Things." I think God is letting us know that He is aware and always with us. Coincidence? No. Christians have no coincidences.
Where would I be now, almost nine years later, had I not believed His Word and stood on God's promises? Losing a child, and in our case, an only child, is a hard test of faith. What if I had chosen to give up on God because life was being unfair and I knew God could have prevented the accident?
I shudder to think of the spiritual state of mind and heart I could be in had I walked away from God. I would be bitter, angry and resentful, always holding a grudge against God. I would be in self-pity, a "woe is me" attitude. That is how I am very capable of being.
But God has graced us with strength to get out of bed everyday and keep going. He has comforted us in ways that are supernatural and are hard to explain. He has set in our hearts a compulsion to help others through the books He allowed me to write, through the fishing tournament and speaking engagements. God has done all this! Philippians 1:12 says, "What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
There are paradoxes in the Christian faith: In sorrow, we find joy (2 Cor. 6:10); loss is gain (Phil. 3:8); spiritual blessings come by way of trials (James 1:2); losing our life for Christ's sake in order to find real life (Matt: 10:39); when I am weak, then I am strong, (2 Cor.12:10).
Don't misunderstand me: I'm not saying it was good to lose our son - NEVER! We want our son. We miss our son more than we can express in words. Death is part of the curse from sin. I hate death. Death has caused us more heartache and anguish of soul than could be imagined. It has been extremely hard on us. But why did spiritual blessings have to come through death? Was there no other way? I will never know. I do know this: Sorrow given to God, inspires us, even drives us to ministry. Sorrow has deepened our thoughts and our souls by allowing God to work in it and through it.
The lyrics from the song remind us that God is bigger than what we see and He sees the whole picture from beginning to end. There is purpose in afflictions and that is a stark reality.
Life is all about Jesus, not about us. It is "Him in exchange for me." His promises and Word is true. I take hold of the promise that says, because Christ lives, we also will live, (John 14:19). Because of that promise, my son lives as he has never lived before! And I am comforted.
Other events have occurred while driving across the bridge. We call them "God Things." I think God is letting us know that He is aware and always with us. Coincidence? No. Christians have no coincidences.
Where would I be now, almost nine years later, had I not believed His Word and stood on God's promises? Losing a child, and in our case, an only child, is a hard test of faith. What if I had chosen to give up on God because life was being unfair and I knew God could have prevented the accident?
I shudder to think of the spiritual state of mind and heart I could be in had I walked away from God. I would be bitter, angry and resentful, always holding a grudge against God. I would be in self-pity, a "woe is me" attitude. That is how I am very capable of being.
But God has graced us with strength to get out of bed everyday and keep going. He has comforted us in ways that are supernatural and are hard to explain. He has set in our hearts a compulsion to help others through the books He allowed me to write, through the fishing tournament and speaking engagements. God has done all this! Philippians 1:12 says, "What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
There are paradoxes in the Christian faith: In sorrow, we find joy (2 Cor. 6:10); loss is gain (Phil. 3:8); spiritual blessings come by way of trials (James 1:2); losing our life for Christ's sake in order to find real life (Matt: 10:39); when I am weak, then I am strong, (2 Cor.12:10).
Don't misunderstand me: I'm not saying it was good to lose our son - NEVER! We want our son. We miss our son more than we can express in words. Death is part of the curse from sin. I hate death. Death has caused us more heartache and anguish of soul than could be imagined. It has been extremely hard on us. But why did spiritual blessings have to come through death? Was there no other way? I will never know. I do know this: Sorrow given to God, inspires us, even drives us to ministry. Sorrow has deepened our thoughts and our souls by allowing God to work in it and through it.
The lyrics from the song remind us that God is bigger than what we see and He sees the whole picture from beginning to end. There is purpose in afflictions and that is a stark reality.
Life is all about Jesus, not about us. It is "Him in exchange for me." His promises and Word is true. I take hold of the promise that says, because Christ lives, we also will live, (John 14:19). Because of that promise, my son lives as he has never lived before! And I am comforted.
Friday, January 19, 2018
BREVITY OF LIFE
"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is." Psalm 39:4 NLT
This day can't be repeated. We cannot go back and have a redo of our days to make up for what we may have lost, like opportunities to tell a loved one how much they mean to us or for accomplishing goals we let slip by. Perhaps we were rushed and didn't take the time to help someone or to be kind. Was there someone we needed to forgive, to make amends, and we chose not to?
There has been so many deaths lately of people we know or friends who have lost someone. Death is thought provoking. We are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised our next breath. Those who have experienced a sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one are very aware that life can change dramatically at any moment never to be the same again. Since this is my reality, I find myself thinking of life, death and heaven on a daily basis.
In my first book, there is a chapter entitled, "Death is a Teacher." The reality of our short span of life can teach us to make the most of every day, to set priorities and to trust in God. It gives perspective, compassion, and brings dependence of God and His ways which are above our ways. And the hard lesson: We are not in control of our destiny. If we allow it, many good lessons can come from the brevity of life. One is that is teaches us to focus our attention on what is most important and what really matters.
We are here "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). God has placed us in this century, in the area in which we live, and with the family we have. For what? Ephesians 2:10 NIV says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
That's why we are here. Whether we acknowledge this or not it is clear: we are made for Christ and His purposes.
I want to get this life thing right. I have messed up enough, especially in my younger days, and learned life's lessons the hard way. I can't go back and redo that now. I can only learn from my mistakes that I have been forgiven for and go forward making the most of today.
It is thought that Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, wrote Ecclesiastes in the Bible. He sums up life like this: "When all is said and done, here is the last word: worship in reverence the one True God, and keep His commands, for this is what God expects of every person" (Ecc.12:13-14 The Voice).
Time is running out. Let today be the first day of the rest of your life by allowing God, the one who gives you breath and life, to guide your every step.
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 NIV
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
COMPASSION
Since my husband and I are involved in the world of fishing, the missing angler in Florida has been all over my Facebook news feed. Struck by high waves, the angler was knocked out of the boat, as was his companion. The companion made it back to the boat and was treated for injuries and has now joined in the search for his friend. This was several days ago and rescue efforts have been unsuccessful.
How familiar parts of this horrible event is to my husband and me. We can't stop thinking about it. We pray for the angler to be found. We empathize with his waiting family. The compassion we feel is very strong and we do not even know these people, although we earnestly keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Compassion is of God. He is the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3).
The Word says to "be imitators of God" (Eph. 5:1). To copy His example. All through the New Testament we see Jesus' compassion to the brokenhearted (John 14:1-4), sick (physically and spiritually) (Luke 8:43-48, 19:1-10), diseased (Luke 17:11-19), and hungry (Mark 6:34-44) are just some examples.
So what does this mean for me if I am to imitate the Compassions of Jesus? I have asked God to give me eyes that see like He sees; grace and mercy to bestow as He does; and compassion like He provides. At times, I have found it unbearable, as in the occasion of the Florida toddler who was taken by an alligator. While I watched the news concerning this tragedy, I thought my heart would burst! What a horrible nightmare for those parents who witnessed that happening to their child. I was so overcome with compassion for this family, I asked God to take some of it away, it was too much to bear! It moved me to the point of writing the parents a letter and sending them my books in hope that through reading, they might gain a little comfort from a mom who had lost her precious adult child and relied on her God to comfort and console her heart. If the books would point these parents to Jesus for their comfort and strength, then to be overwhelmed by their tragic circumstance, is worth very part of the sadness and sympathy.
Please join me in praying in the rescue efforts for the missing angler, Nik Kayler, and for the compassion and comfort of our great God and Savior to overwhelm them.
"The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." Psalm 116:5
"For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." Isaiah 49:13
"Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." Lam. 3:22
"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" Zechariah 7:9
How familiar parts of this horrible event is to my husband and me. We can't stop thinking about it. We pray for the angler to be found. We empathize with his waiting family. The compassion we feel is very strong and we do not even know these people, although we earnestly keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Compassion is of God. He is the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3).
The Word says to "be imitators of God" (Eph. 5:1). To copy His example. All through the New Testament we see Jesus' compassion to the brokenhearted (John 14:1-4), sick (physically and spiritually) (Luke 8:43-48, 19:1-10), diseased (Luke 17:11-19), and hungry (Mark 6:34-44) are just some examples.
So what does this mean for me if I am to imitate the Compassions of Jesus? I have asked God to give me eyes that see like He sees; grace and mercy to bestow as He does; and compassion like He provides. At times, I have found it unbearable, as in the occasion of the Florida toddler who was taken by an alligator. While I watched the news concerning this tragedy, I thought my heart would burst! What a horrible nightmare for those parents who witnessed that happening to their child. I was so overcome with compassion for this family, I asked God to take some of it away, it was too much to bear! It moved me to the point of writing the parents a letter and sending them my books in hope that through reading, they might gain a little comfort from a mom who had lost her precious adult child and relied on her God to comfort and console her heart. If the books would point these parents to Jesus for their comfort and strength, then to be overwhelmed by their tragic circumstance, is worth very part of the sadness and sympathy.
Please join me in praying in the rescue efforts for the missing angler, Nik Kayler, and for the compassion and comfort of our great God and Savior to overwhelm them.
"The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." Psalm 116:5
"For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." Isaiah 49:13
"Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." Lam. 3:22
"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" Zechariah 7:9
Saturday, December 30, 2017
ABOVE ALL ELSE......
I stopped making new years resolutions a long time ago when I realized that it takes more than trying to turn over a new leaf, acquire new (better) habits, or resolve to accomplish more than the previous year. These resolutions are not bad action plans. However, most of us do not carry them out for very long before we lose sight, get discouraged or find road blocks that keep us from accomplishing them. And usually, this happens because we made the resolutions and tried to work them out from our own ideas and plans.
I learned through the death of my son, that "our plans" do not always turn out according to what we want or desire. When you want to die but can't, and don't have the strength to take the next step; when you're consumed with grief and anguish of heart and soul, you have to find help to get through the next moment, much more to the next day. Although I had been a Christian and in the Scriptures for years, it took a tragedy for me to know my great need of God. It was a different need than I had ever experienced and a perspective of God never known before. I have a saying, "Desperate times causes us to see our desperate need of God."
God says, "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11-14NIV
Another version says of verse 13, "Then (with deep longing) you will seek Me and require Me (as a vital necessity) and (you will) find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Amp). Yes, vital necessity.
Sometimes those plans are not what we imagined, or the prosperity not which we expected, or the future how we envisioned it. I have learned that God's thoughts are not my thoughts or His ways my ways, but God's ways are higher as is His thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9). He knows best and that is sometimes a hard lump to swallow when you lack understanding.
I do know this: The plans for me are to not waste my precious grief. The lessons learned through grief are more valuable than any new years resolution I could ever imagine. The peace of God, and that is a gift, is more than I can describe. The strength He gives me daily is unexplainable but I know I've been granted it. The comfort.......well, it's not just so that I can sit around and be comforted. I have to pass it on to another hurting soul that they may experience the same comfort that I have received (2 Corinthians 1:4.).
I ask this to be my goal for the rest of my life: "I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
[ABOVE ALL ELSE], guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways" (Proverbs 4:11-13 & 23-26).
Above all else, fixing my eyes on Jesus, "who is the Author and Perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
Blessings for the new year!
I learned through the death of my son, that "our plans" do not always turn out according to what we want or desire. When you want to die but can't, and don't have the strength to take the next step; when you're consumed with grief and anguish of heart and soul, you have to find help to get through the next moment, much more to the next day. Although I had been a Christian and in the Scriptures for years, it took a tragedy for me to know my great need of God. It was a different need than I had ever experienced and a perspective of God never known before. I have a saying, "Desperate times causes us to see our desperate need of God."
God says, "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11-14NIV
Another version says of verse 13, "Then (with deep longing) you will seek Me and require Me (as a vital necessity) and (you will) find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Amp). Yes, vital necessity.
Sometimes those plans are not what we imagined, or the prosperity not which we expected, or the future how we envisioned it. I have learned that God's thoughts are not my thoughts or His ways my ways, but God's ways are higher as is His thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9). He knows best and that is sometimes a hard lump to swallow when you lack understanding.
I do know this: The plans for me are to not waste my precious grief. The lessons learned through grief are more valuable than any new years resolution I could ever imagine. The peace of God, and that is a gift, is more than I can describe. The strength He gives me daily is unexplainable but I know I've been granted it. The comfort.......well, it's not just so that I can sit around and be comforted. I have to pass it on to another hurting soul that they may experience the same comfort that I have received (2 Corinthians 1:4.).
I ask this to be my goal for the rest of my life: "I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
[ABOVE ALL ELSE], guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways" (Proverbs 4:11-13 & 23-26).
Above all else, fixing my eyes on Jesus, "who is the Author and Perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
Blessings for the new year!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
TRUE LOVE
In conversation with a young man who is struggling to understand that God loves him, I explained God's love in a way that he could grasp and know it for a fact. I told him of how much I loved my son; that I would always try to do my best to meet his needs, raise him to be a responsible person all while pouring out my love to him. And that if God had given me the choice, I would have died for my son that he could live and enjoy a full life. The love of a good mother for her child is great. It is a love that is "as strong as death" (Song of Songs 8:6 NIV).
"God is love" (1John 4:8). He is the meaning of love and all that He is and all that He's done and all that He will do. He loved us so much that "He (greatly) loved and dearly prized the world, that He (even) gave His (One and) only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him (as Savior) shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 AMP). And Jesus, who was without any sin, took our sins; all the grotesque, horrible, dreadful, shocking and even petty sins on Himself on the cross so that we could have His righteousness (free from guilt or sin)! What other god would do that for you? NO OTHER! Only Jesus. His blood is precious and washes away our sin. His love surpasses all knowledge and nothing can separate us from His great love (Romans 8:38-39). He is Immanuel, meaning, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). He is "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:16 NIV).
I heard the words from a Christmas song the other day ....."God in His mother's arms." Just wow!
Mary loved her Son deeply but the love of God for His son is indescribable. There is nothing, not even my example of love for my son, that can compare to God's love.
Another amazing truth comes from Jesus prayer to His Father in John 17:23 AMP., "...That the world may know (without any doubt) that You sent Me, and (that You) have loved them (us), just as You have loved Me." To think that God loves us even as He loves Jesus is amazing.
Trying to help my young friend understand this love from God, has reminded me and reinforced the truth of how much we are all loved. My response to this love, that is beyond comprehension, is a life of gratitude, service and love back to the One "who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20 AMP).
What great love is this? A saving love. A perfect love. True love. Thank you God for the indescribable gift of Your Son. The true meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christ-mas
"God is love" (1John 4:8). He is the meaning of love and all that He is and all that He's done and all that He will do. He loved us so much that "He (greatly) loved and dearly prized the world, that He (even) gave His (One and) only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him (as Savior) shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 AMP). And Jesus, who was without any sin, took our sins; all the grotesque, horrible, dreadful, shocking and even petty sins on Himself on the cross so that we could have His righteousness (free from guilt or sin)! What other god would do that for you? NO OTHER! Only Jesus. His blood is precious and washes away our sin. His love surpasses all knowledge and nothing can separate us from His great love (Romans 8:38-39). He is Immanuel, meaning, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). He is "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:16 NIV).
I heard the words from a Christmas song the other day ....."God in His mother's arms." Just wow!
Mary loved her Son deeply but the love of God for His son is indescribable. There is nothing, not even my example of love for my son, that can compare to God's love.
Another amazing truth comes from Jesus prayer to His Father in John 17:23 AMP., "...That the world may know (without any doubt) that You sent Me, and (that You) have loved them (us), just as You have loved Me." To think that God loves us even as He loves Jesus is amazing.
Trying to help my young friend understand this love from God, has reminded me and reinforced the truth of how much we are all loved. My response to this love, that is beyond comprehension, is a life of gratitude, service and love back to the One "who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20 AMP).
What great love is this? A saving love. A perfect love. True love. Thank you God for the indescribable gift of Your Son. The true meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christ-mas
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