Monday, January 9, 2012

January 9, 2012

Today is my son's 16th birthday.  As I reflect on the years, I realize how quick they went.  Once my little baby, now a foot taller than me.  He is my baby and in a few short years; his journey will start without me. It is strange to think that we only get these children for a short time and then it is all God.  Each person must choose their path, make their mistakes and be molded into God's image.  There is comfort for me in the fact that I know God is with him.  There also is a scarce amount of fear wondering what kind of man he will be.  All in all, it's between Christ and us.  Praise the Lord!

Children are a reflection of their parents.  Unfortunately, they don't come with a manual and so, we make lots of mistakes.  Our only hope is that whatever mistakes we make; God can provide a bridge. So today, I want us to reflect on our Savior and how much we are loved.  I want us to think back to Israel as He walked along the streets.  I want us to realize that He knew us before we were in the womb. We are God's children.  As much as we love our own, He loves us so much more!

I realize for some; you will not have known a parent's love.  You might have been abused or abandoned, so it may be harder for you to grasp this concept.  However, I want you to really look up and ask God to help you understand how much he loves you. We all face times when we wonder if our parents love us.  We also face times when we wonder if God loves us.  When we are sinful, it keeps us away from God. When we ask for forgiveness, we see how much we are loved.  He never leaves us; we leave him.

Why is knowing and giving love so important?  Let's look in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NIV:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.   Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.   Love never fails.

Look at what God says in this passage.  Without love, we are nothing and we gain nothing.  Moreover, He paints the picture of what love is.  Our Lord is patient and kind.  How do we know this?  He died for our sins, not His.  He gave his body, spirit and mind so that we would know this kind of love.  This is our road map to what God has for us.  A love like no human could ever provide.  Remember, no one is perfect.  So, take some time to reflect on how God has shown his love to you today.  I know He has.  Write it down and remember it.  For there will always be a time we don't feel loved or feel like we don't deserve His love.  That's when we pull this Scripture out and remember Christ's love never fails.

My prayer today:

Oh LORD, how wonderful you are.  I can't believe how much you have done for me in my life and how many times you showed me that Your love beats all others.  I ask today that we would learn to love you more and in doing so, we would learn to love people better.  Please help us remember that Your love is patient and kind.  In this life there are many obstacles, please help us today as we work toward understanding how to love in a world full of hatred.  Give us a heart for You and as we come together, help us love each other more.  There are no orphans on earth as long as we remember You are our father.  Please forgive us for our sins and deliver us from evil.  Keep us close today as we seek Your words.  Reveal in us a new heart!

Until tomorrow....

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