Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Love Defined
"If you love me, obey my commandments."
— John 14:15
What is love? The Beatles recorded the classic song on the subject, "All You Need Is Love," and then they broke up and sued each other. Various philosophers have expressed opinions on love as well. Plato said that love is a serious mental disease. Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was more optimistic on the subject, said, "Love is the master key which opens the gates of happiness." Another said, "Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence."
We are given probably the greatest definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
The Bible clearly tells us that God is love. We don't have a greater example of love than what we have in God's showing His love for us. And we find the definitive statement on love in John 3:16: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." So how should we respond? We ought to love Him back.
We can talk all day about love and how much we love God. We can sing about our love for God. We can speak about our love for God. But probably the best way to show our love for Him is by what we do. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments" (John 14:15).
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Burned Out and Bewildered
Create in me a clean heart…Psalm 51:10
God is in the process of refining and conforming us to the likeness
Of his Son Jesus.
As we go through tests and trials each day, we begin to understand
New lessons he wants us to learn.
One of my faults is sometimes trying to fit too much into my day.
I usually throw in some laundry and then sit down to write
A message.
When the dryer’s buzzer goes off, it’s a good time to take a break,
And stretch my legs.
A while back when the dryer bell went off, when I went to fold
The clothes, they were still wet.
I put the timer back on, and returned to my work.
A short while later, when I check the clothes again, they were still wet…
My heart sank…Oh no! Not another test LORD, Please!!!
I called Mr. Fixit…My husband, and he quickly found my problem…
Honey, you forgot to clean the lint filter. It’s filled with dirt and burned
Out the fuse.
Unfortunately, he did not know how to fix my dryer, so we needed to
Call a repair man.
My busyness and neglect caused us to have an added expense to
Our budget and embarrassment for my foolishness.
Often in life, we get busy and forget to spend quality time with the LORD
And neglect to clean our heart from the filth of our sins.
We become exhausted and burn out, just like the fuse in my dryer.
Our faith and heart turn cold and we become depressed and discouraged.
Today, you too may be going through a season of tests and trials.
Beloved, Jesus loves you and so do I.
Come apart and rest a while with Him…before you and your family fall apart.
Jesus too, was under immense pressure with his ministry, but he often withdrew
To spend time with his Father in prayer.
Listen to his voice calling you…
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
And ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
Light. Matthew 11:28-30
Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you…
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17
RESTING IN HIS GRACE
Whatever you have need of…
Or have to do today.
Take time to be with Jesus…
To thank him and to pray.
For alone, you’ll never finish…
What you have to face.
Ask him for strength and power…
And what should take first place.
In praise and adoration…
And thanksgiving for the day.
Let him direct and guide you…
In all you do and say.
Be willing to adjust your day…
If he has other plans.
Submit and be obedient…
To all that he commands.
And when your day is finished…
Amazement will take place.
At all you have accomplished…
By resting in his grace.
Father in heaven,
How thankful we are for your loving mercy and grace. Forgive
Us for overloading our schedules with too many things, that
Keep us from spending quality time with you. We are weary
And heavy laden. We come to you for rest. Give us a fresh
Revelation of you, and help us to prune and prioritize our lives
According to your will. Show us what things are not bearing
Fruit for the kingdom, and help us to purge them out of our
Lives quickly. Help us to have a heart like Mary and choose
The one thing needful.
Thank you for all you have done, and we wait expectantly
For your help and deliverance. Send a special blessing
Of encouragement to all who are sad and depressed,
So they know you have heard their prayers.
In Jesus’ name we pray.Amen
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from they presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto
Thee. Psalm 51:10-13
Your sister and servant of the LORD,
Valerie Rousseau
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Disciple Maker
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
If you love one another."
JOHN 13:35
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, do you really desire to be My disciple? Are you willing to pay the price? Are you afraid of where I might lead you? Of what might be taken away? No one who has followed Me has ever left behind more than I will give him in exchange. Spend time with Me daily. Listen well. I will make you My disciple. In the past you have lived for yourself. But when you let My love flow through you, others will know you are truly My disciple.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
From an unlikely band of misfits, Lord, You chose Your disciples. You poured Your life into theirs, teaching them, guiding them, and walking with them daily. As a disciple maker, You taught them how to love. Because of Your eternal investment, I, too, can become Your disciple.
SIMPLE TRUTH
God doesn't expect your best. He wants your all.
Shared from Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Reflections
May 2
"Take up your cross and follow Me,"
The Savior said to man,
"Trust always in the greatness
Of My Father's holy plan."
Helen Steiner Rice
God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if
There are any that are wise, that seek after God.
Psalms 53:2
Today, reflect upon your personal relationship with God.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Sweetest Name Of All
Jesus, You're the sweetest name of all.
Jesus, You always hear me when I call.
Oh Jesus, You pick me up each time I fall;
You're the sweetest, the sweetest name of all.
Tommy Coomes
When he was born, his mama named him Walter. But when Walter Payton grew up and started playing for the Chicago Bears, his fans called him "Sweetness." This Chicago Bear legend had the heart of a fierce competitor as well as the gentle heart of a compassionate person. On a team of tough football players, many of whom lacked some of the relational skills or social graces of other profession, Sweetness was a refreshing balance. When he died a few years ago in his early forties, Walter Payton had left the world a sweeter place.
No one in the Bible ever referred to Jesus as "Sweetness." Somehow that would have minimized the reverence of which He was worthy as the Messiah. But in a bitter world, where hate mocks love and justice is often pinned to the mat by power, Jesus came as the sweet foretaste of a glorious new world. Jesus was the sweet fragrance of life in a decaying world where death has taken a premature bow. His words of life were like honey.
No, Jesus was never called Sweetness, but His gentle, compassionate manner with the children and society's outcasts was definitely more like sugar than vinegar. He desires to be the sweetener in your life as well. And He will be if you simply spend time in His presence each day.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Psalm 119:103
Prayer
Ask God to help you evaluate attitudes or pattens in your life that leave a sour taste in people's mouths. Seek His help to do the opposite.
From Songs 4 Worship
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Should We Be In The Defense Of Israel??
I just finished reading a very good book with this very timely message in fact I have read it several times and each time I realize how important it is that we do all we can to support our Jewish friends and the Land Israel. If you have any questions or doubts of what the Bible says about this subject I highly recommend this book by Pastor John Hagee,
Loving Kindness
I will mention
The lovingkindness of the LORD,
And the praises of the LORD.
ISAIAH 63:7 KJV
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, love is who I am and what I do. I love to pour out My loving kindness on you. A hundred times a day I am thinking of you and of new ways that I can bless you, just because you are My child. All My children are special to me. Those who love Me will see My loving-kindness daily - in little and big ways. Celebrate that love today with Me!
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Each new day brings a fresh awareness of Your kindness, Lord. The ways You care for me and Your daily faithfulness motivate and encourage me through the difficult times. For Your loving-kindness, Lord, my heart gives thanks for all things, both great and small.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Sowing seeds of kindness always reaps a crop of heavenly blessings.
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