Because He is Love

Do you remember in elementary school, exchanging those little value pack valentine cards? You know the ones that came in a box of 20 for about a $1.99?! You spent hours signing your name, and then you had to decide just who to give them to. Of course, you had to save a few blanks ones to give to those who suprised you with a card, because you couldn’t afford to waste one on someone that didn’t give to you. Sometimes we think of God’s love in the same way. That He only has so many “cards” to go around. We think God gives love the way we gave those cards...to the people that really deserve it. The truth is God doesn’t give love because He has love but because He is love. Do you see the difference? God doesn’t give valentine’s day cards that He has...He is the valentine card. Since He is love, He could never run out! How awesome is that? No matter what we do, He is still going to love us. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

“The truth is God doesn’t give love because He has love, but because He is love.”

Today...

I just want to encourage you today…whatever you are going through right now is weighed against the backdrop of an eternal, all powerful, all loving God who is our Father. That may not change your situation but it can change our attitude and perspective. I wonder sometimes if the greatest hindrance we have to experiencing what we have is simply recognition? You are loved and please remember to lift each other up…stressful times, busy times, dry times, confusing times, and good times…all are in His time.

God looks at the heart

What do you see when you look in the mirror? How you see yourself will determine the way you see others, the world, and God. How you see yourself will also determine how you live. In I Samuel 16, God told Samuel that He had chosen the next king for Israel. He sent the prophet to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons. The only problem was that Samuel did not know which son to anoint and there were eight from which to choose! So Samuel did what came naturally; he started to choose one that “looked” like a king. Don’t we all do this? We determine the worth or significance of someone, even ourselves, based on appearance or behavior…you know the externals. But God does not do that! He told Samuel that the outward was not the issue but that He was looking at the heart. So finally, the youngest son David, left with the menial task of tending sheep, was brought in and God told Samuel that he was the one. While others saw a pesky little brother or a simple shepherd boy, God saw a king! How do you see yourself? Do you see what you do, how you look, or how you feel and let that define your worth? God does not! God sees royalty because you are a child of the King. Will you dare to see yourself as God does? After all, He sees the truth and the truth will set you free!

“…God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I Samuel 16:7

More than carrying stones

Christopher Wren, who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (one of the world’s most beautiful buildings), wrote about the reactions of construction workers who were asked what they were doing. Those workers who were bored and tired responded by saying, “I’m laying bricks” or “I’m carrying stones.” But one worker, who was mixing cement, seemed cheerful and enthusiastic about his work. Asked what he was doing, he replied, “I’m building a magnificent cathedral!” 

You know, it’s easy to get bogged down in the routine of life: school, homework, practice, church, etc. Everyday looks like the one before and pretty soon, it feels like we’re just “carrying stones.” Often what we need is not a change of routine, but a change of perspective (how we view things). In Colossians 3:23, Paul tells us “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Suddenly everything has a purpose and doesn’t seem so monotonous. So next time you find yourself bored with the same old stuff, remember what Paul said, and more importantly, who God is: because as you “carry stones”, God is building a magnificent cathedral! 

“For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works…”  Ephesians 2:10

St. Paul's Cathedral

Something to Think About...

Here's something to think about...

Some people speak from experience, and others, from experience, don't speak. 

Something In Common

Abraham, Noah, Moses, Ruth, David, Mary, Paul, Peter, and YOU. 

There is something in common about all these people. That’s right, you have something in common with Moses and Paul! What is it, you ask? Just ordinary people, clay pots, that are used by an extraordinary God! God has the amazing ability to turn clay pots into holy temples. See when a holy God comes to live inside you, a regular old clay pot, great things happen...He not only changes what you do, He changes who you are! So often we look at Moses, David, Mary, and Paul and think what great people of God! But the real truth is what a great God of people! It is what God did that made Paul special and it is what God is doing that makes you special! Once Jesus comes to live in us, we are no longer ordinary, we are extraordinary, unique, and special! Now you may never part a sea or build an ark (you never know!)  but God wants to do things in your everyday life that allow for no other explanantion except that He is at work! God works today the same way He did back then, by faith. We simply trust Him by faith and He is in business, We have a great God! 

“...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.”

1 Corinthians 6:19