Cannot be Shaken

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my (God) unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” 
– Isaiah 54:10

Do you remember the story “The Little Engine That Could”?  A trainload of toys was being taken over the mountain to all the children in Sunshine Valley, but unfortunately, the engine broke down. One by one, different engines came by, but none were willing to take the trainload of toys over the mountain. At last, a small blue switching engine happened by, and all the toys asked if it would please take them to all the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain. The Little Engine had never been out of the switching yard before—let alone to travel over the mountain. You know the story; the little blue engine hooked itself up to the trainload of toys and began the journey over the mountain. As the Little Engine began to pull the toys up the mountain, you could hear it saying “I think I can, I think I can. . . ”  At long last, the Little Engine crested the top of the mountain, and as it started its descent into Sunshine Valley, it could be heard singing, ‘I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could”

Each of us faces a variety of different mountains to cross every day.  Mountains take on the shape of bills due, disrespectful children, loss of a job, relationship issues, tragedies in life, and addictions, amongst other things.  These mountains seem impassible and unconquerable as we stand at the foot of the mountain and look up.  Many times, like the large, powerful train engines, we head off to take on these challenges, only resulting in spinning our wheels and stalling out.  We read, we study, and we try again, and again, and again, without changing the outcome.  Something is missing from your repertoire, though, and that is the strength of the Lord. 

God is a solid foundation that can be trusted upon in all circumstances.  When your life is shaken and you are challenged beyond measure, the Lord provides wisdom, peace, and comfort.  He comes forth with the confidence that you are loved and you can overcome anything the world puts in front of you.  The problem is that we often push Him away rather than embracing Him and allowing Him to guide our footsteps.  The Holy Spirit dwells within each of us and provides the loving confidence of the Father in all things.  The bible calls the Holy Spirit by a few different names: “the Counselor”, “the Helper”, “the Spirit of Truth”, or “the Teacher”.  He lives in you, giving you the wisdom and encouragement to be an overcomer in a world filled with pain and suffering.  When you call upon the Spirit, He will provide for you what is needed in the situation.

God has given you this helper to be a constant reminder of His love for you.  God knows you are easily shaken and will lose faith when struggles arise.  It is at these times that He wants you to come to Him for help.  He can easily overcome the mountains in front of you if you give Him the ability to.  Nothing can stand in the way of your ability to fulfill God’s plan in your life except you.  By not calling upon the love of the Lord, you have chosen to stay in your current state of struggling.  Simply lay it before the Lord in your prayers today and let Him walk you through the answer, by His love.

Here Comes the Bride

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”  – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

As those gathered quiet themselves and find their seats, the Minister looks down over the congregation and then directs his eyes to the front row.  Tears are ever-present on the delicate cheeks of the woman seated right near the center of the aisle as her husband sits next to her and takes her hand in his.  He provides strength and compassion as all eyes focus on the couple at the front of the church.  The Minister opens his bible to 1 Corinthians 13 and begins to recite the all too familiar verse describing the love of the Father.  The soon-to-be married couple hears some of the words, but the butterflies in their stomach and the nervousness that they feel take their attention away from his words.  They are focused more on getting through this service and onto the rest of their life together. 

Many of us have been there, standing in front of the church, all eyes upon us as we recited our vows of love for one another.  The words of Paul the Apostle have become a standard part of most weddings in an attempt to describe the act of loving one another as God has loved us.  This is not a new verse to most of you, but it is a verse that is often overlooked as we build a marriage relationship centered on the heart of God the Father.  These verses capture the keys to a successful marriage: “Love each other as much as God loves the other person, and your marriage will be long and fruitful.”

Love is patient, which is absolutely necessary in a marriage.  The other person will have a different and unique personality from you, and you will have to be patient to accept them for who God made them to be.

Love is kind – it all starts with kindness.  In every situation, the first thing we should focus on is kindness, and in doing so, realize that God is kind to us in all things.  Kindness is highly underrated when it comes to relationships, yet such a strong power for building trust between two people.

Love does not envy, even when you feel cheated out of something.  God has blessed you, and your focus needs to be on being grateful for what you have been given, not what your neighbor may have.

Love is not boastful or proud.  We all struggle with pride from time to time.  It is a tool of the evil one to separate individuals from one another and from God.  It requires that one focus their attention on themselves, lifting their qualities up and, in doing so, pressing down upon others.  We are all created equal and in God’s eyes, there is no hierarchy of importance; therefore, there is no room for boasting or being prideful.

Love does not dishonor another individual.  In a marriage, we should be looking for ways to lift up our spouse and bring honor to them through our words and actions.  So often I see spouses pointing out the shortcomings and problems with each other rather than focusing on the positives.  When God looks at any of us, He sees who He made us to be, not who we have become.  When you look upon your spouse, focus on the fact that they are a child of God, and when you speak about them, you are reflecting an image of the Father to those who are listening.

Love is not self-seeking.  Studies have shown that the number one reason for divorce is selfishness.  People in general want happiness and joy for themselves first.  Putting another’s needs ahead of our own is difficult and counter-cultural.  Society has taught us to look out for number one because nobody else is going to.  God teaches us to serve one another and humble ourselves before His throne.  The contradiction is evident and requires a conscious choice in every situation.  When we place our own needs above the needs of the marriage, we are destined to slide down this slippery slope.  This is an area that requires strict attention and work from both members of a marriage.

Love is not angered easily, regardless of the situation.  Controlling one’s temper is an example of maturity in the Lord.  During the courtship and dating phase of a relationship, it seems so easy to bite your tongue when the other person says or does something wrong.  Something changes, though, when we put the wedding band on the finger, as if all of a sudden the individuals are no longer working together, but are against each other.  My wife has a subtle way of reminding me of this when we have a difference of opinion.  “We are on the same team.”  This little phrase is a quick reminder that the situation is not bigger than the commitment we made to God and to each other.  The “team” consists of the three of us: God, Lisa, and me; and there is no room for fighting amongst the team.

Love keeps no record of wrongdoing.  God forgives and forgets; why then can’t we?  Human nature is generally forgiving, but it is something completely different to forget.  Our memories hold onto those things that cause hurt or pain in our lives as a defense mechanism for the future.  Unfortunately, this hanging on causes the pain to resurface again in the future, long after the actual event has been washed away.  We must learn to let go of the past, for if God has forgotten it, who are we to hold onto it?

These words take all of about 15 seconds to read during the wedding ceremony, but when put to use throughout the marriage, they can help sustain, for a lifetime, what God has brought together.  Focus your attention on how God loves you in these ways, and how you should be loving your spouse likewise.

Mighty to Save

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  – Zephaniah 3:17

One of my favorite Christian songs was Mighty to Save, written by Reuben Morgan in 2006.  It has been sung in churches and choirs all over the world for the last twenty years and continues to be one of the most widely known contemporary Christian songs because it speaks of the deep need of mankind to find compassion.  We are all in need of someone to love us without condemnation, without opinion, and without judgment.  We need to feel that there is someone out there who will accept us as we are and loves us enough to die for us.  People want to believe that God is there and will save them from themselves.  We want to trust that He will love us, despite our choices and mistakes in life. 

God’s justice will one day fall upon the world.  On that day, we will be lifted up and held close to His chest.  Those of us who have fallen upon our knees and proclaimed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Almighty will be sifted from the rest and brought before the Lord clean, spotless, and redeemed.  On that day, the Lord will judge the nations, and every knee will bow before His great throne.  Those who have denied Him and those who have blasphemed Him will be judged accordingly.  The strongholds of the opposition will be broken, and they will be left helpless against God’s wrath and fierce anger.

God is filled with compassion for those who call upon His name.  We will be forgiven of our wrongdoing and shown mercy and grace.  Eternity is open for the children of God, despite our transgressions, because He has made a way.  He has unlocked the doors to heaven for His children to enter.  Through Jesus Christ, He has provided the redeeming grace. 

The reason this song speaks so strongly to millions of people around the world is that it provides hope in the truth of the Lord.  What we have learned through the scriptures is exemplified through the lyrics of this song and makes a connection with God’s children.  The first time I heard the song at Fellowship of the Woodlands (now known as Woodlands Church), I was brought to tears.  It spoke so deeply to my heart that God loves me enough to move mountains and every other obstacle in my path, until I am left alone with Him.  Jesus Christ conquered the grave and death.  He defeated Satan on that day and will one day return to defeat him in the final battle.  In God, you have hope and a love that’s never ending.

Break Through the Surface

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the LORD. – Song of Solomon 8:6

 

What is it that draws two individuals together in love?  Is it the sexual attraction, is it the intelligence, is it the wealth of one of them, is it the similarity of interests, or is it simply a chance meeting?  Every relationship is unique in that there is always an initial meeting.

Lisa and I met at a Christmas dance.  I was a Junior and she was a Freshman.  She came to the dance with my best friend; needless to say, I had a different girl on my arm that night.  The night progressed, and we all went out for fries and shakes after the dance.  Somewhere in the middle of the evening at the Big Boy restaurant, Lisa bumped a Coke glass on the table, and the entire contents flowed onto my brand new powder blue leisure suit.  Amidst embarrassing apologies and laughter, a spark was lit when our eyes locked in a warm, laughing moment.  I accepted her apology and gave her a candy cane from the Christmas tree in the lobby.  Then our paths went separate directions for the next 3 ½ years, until that same best friend reintroduced me to Lisa one sunny afternoon in the summer of 1986.  That was the beginning of what God brought together, as only He could.

Recall a relationship in your life and what drew you together.  Now, what sustained that relationship?  Time together.  The more time you spend with a significant other, the closer you become.  The more you know them, the more they become written upon your heart, and your love is strengthened.  A relationship can be formed on sexual desire and attraction, but it will not be sustained by that.  Sustaining a relationship requires intimacy and depth of understanding.  You cannot remain at a surface-level relationship for a relationship to become strong; it takes time and effort.

So it is with loving God.  You may have become attracted to God through a worship song, a prayer, a scripture at just the right moment, and emotional breakdown.  But, I posit, to strengthen that relationship requires you to invest significant time and effort.  Who is this Jesus?  How well do you know Him?  How are you getting to know Him better?  You want a deeper word from God, then be in His Word more frequently.  Study it, get to know Him deeper.  Write His name upon your heart, just as He has written yours upon His.  God wants more than a surface-level relationship and is not holding back, unless you aren’t seeking more.  Break the surface today, and dive into the deep end with God. He’s ready when you are.

Don't Follow the Lie

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But, I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” 

– Matthew 5:43-45

 

Protesters on both sides of the street.  Shouting obscenities at each other, carrying signs about death, hatred, and anger.  Each side believes they are righteous in their beliefs, but their beliefs are polar opposites, or at least they have been taught that they are.  A stranger walks down the middle of the street as both sides watch closely to see which way he is leaning, to know if he will be or will not be accepted into their group.  His characteristics are generic, no color discrimination, no obvious political affiliation, no environmental or gender cause support or protest is evident, and there is no way to know if he is a citizen or not.  They observe with curiosity as to whether to welcome him or not.

He sits in the middle of the road and pulls out a Bible.  He starts reading quietly to himself.  This alone can’t break their curiosity, because both sides of the street claim the scriptures support their cause based on their interpretation.  Both sides assume he’s a Christian, but that doesn’t help them understand if he’s for or against them.  They want to accept him, but they have to be careful.  If he disagrees with one of their positions, or if he likes a certain political candidate, or if he is pro-gun, or pro-choice, or pro-life, or pro-oil, he must immediately be eliminated from their group and added to the hated list.  

He rises from his seated position in the middle of the street and pulls a rolled-up sign from inside his jean jacket.  Both sides look on and believe this is it, we’ll know if he’s with us or against us.  Finally, we’ll know if we can accept him or if we are to hate him.  As he unrolls the sign, they all look on in quiet anticipation.  He lays the sign facedown on the ground and securely attaches it to a long pole.  He straightens up and instinctively looks around before he grabs the pole and begins to lift it high above any of the signs on either side of the road.

The sign is simple.  A cross in the sunset is depicted on the sign, with a dove sitting upon the top of the cross.  Blood is dripping from each of the two sides of the cross beam, and from the bottom of the vertical post.  Across the beam is one simple word in large letters:

I     L  O  V  E    A  L  L

We have gone too far, my friends.  God’s love is for everyone.  You and I must choose to accept and live in it, or choose to follow the world and live in hate.  Hatred doesn’t come from God; it comes from the evil powers within the world.  This Prince of this world is intent on destroying mankind, and therefore must sow thoughts of division, deceit, anger, self-centeredness, pride, and hatred into our everyday walk.  In doing so, he breaks the Christian body into fragments that all of a sudden are battling each other, rather than their one purpose to lift up God Almighty through loving each other.  

The enemy is winning, and many of us are helping him succeed without even knowing it.  Trust in the Lord, with all of your heart, and follow His commandments, His Word, and His purpose.  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

His Love Never Changes

“The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness” - Jeremiah 31:3

The act of giving birth was the often considered to be the most painful experience a woman would ever endure, but I posit that it is actually the second most painful thing a mother would ever have to endure.  Do you know what the first was, and still is to this day?  It is not a physical pain, as in the act of labor, but much deeper and long-lasting.  I have watched my wife give birth five times, and I’ve observed that despite the pain experienced during the delivery.  Her love for the newborn child significantly outweighs any of the discomforts leading up to that moment.  A woman’s relationship with her newborn child is stronger than any relationship she has encountered up to that point, including her relationship with her parents, her siblings, and even her spouse.  The act of carrying a child for nine months and then giving birth creates such a strong bond that there is often nothing a mother wouldn’t do for her child.  But still, this pain of childbirth is only the second most painful thing a mother will encounter.  The most painful thing that a mother will encounter is the act of rejection from one of her children.

There is a love in a family that is community-bred.  An invisible tie that binds all the members together in support of one another.  It is stressed from time to time as conflict arises, but it is always present in our awareness of each other.  This love that exists between family members is different than the love that exists between a mother and her child.  The difference can be characterized in something that is learned versus something that is inherent.  The mother and her child share a physical bond formed during the pregnancy that cannot be replicated in any other relationship.  The internal development of a fetus inside a mother’s womb, the sharing of blood, the creation of cells, and feeling the movements is unlike anything else in this world.  Siblings learn to love one another because they are supposed to.  A husband and wife fall in love over a period of months or years during courtship, as they learn about each other and accept each other for who they are.  The mother/child relationship is unique and the closest thing we can draw from to understand the love of God for His children.

God loves you uniquely.  He loves every person on the earth today, in the past, and in the future equally.  There are no degrees of love that differentiate His love for you from His love for your neighbor, because God’s love is immutable, constant, and unchanging.  God does not play favorites, and love one more or less than another.  This means that His love for you is equal to His love for Adam, Eve, King David, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, Esther, Joshua, Caleb, Jeremiah, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Peter, John the beloved, Mark, and even Jesus Christ.  You must realize that He loves you completely and wholeheartedly.  Every ounce of His love He showed for the Egyptians as they came out of captivity and finally entered into the promised land is there for you as well. 

In Genesis, we read of Noah and the ark.  After the flood subsided, how many people were alive?  According to Genesis 7:13, there were 8.  Eight people entered the ark and stayed there for forty days.  During which, as we read in Genesis 7:21, every living thing on earth perished, including mankind.  If you could imagine being the only person in the world today, God would love you exactly the same as He did Noah and his family upon the ark.  He loves you for all of your uniqueness, your potential and your ability to love Him in return.  He loves you despite your iniquities and transgressions, your faults and propensity to sin.  Despite your age, your weight, your hairline or your handicap – He loves you because you are His child. 

From Adam and Eve, through Noah and his three sons, we are all children of the Almighty God.  He created you for a purpose, and forgetting all of those around you, gives His love uniquely to you.  The responsibility is upon you to accept that love and the grace of salvation that accompanies it.  He cannot love you more than He does, nor less than He does.  God’s love for you is not like that of a family, though; it is not formed through experiences and learning.  It is formed through creation.  He created you and, in doing so, loves you so immensely that it cannot be measured by human standards.  A mother’s love for her child does not change when a child rejects her.  Oh, on the surface, she might be angry and portray otherwise, but deep inside her heart and mind, her love for that child is as deep as the day the child was born.  The thing is, God loves you so much and knows that you cannot love Him equally in return.  The beauty of His grace is that His love for you is not dependent upon your love for Him.  He will not force you to love Him; you have to choose to.

Have We Spoiled Them?

 “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?”  – 2 Corinthians 12:15

Often is the case that the parent gives everything; time, money, and wisdom to his or her children, only to have that child disrespect and dishonor them.  We see it time and time again, where children seem to have a feeling of entitlement because they have been sheltered and provided for their whole life.  What do we gain by giving everything we have to our children if we are only creating an adult who expects others to give to them unjustly?

I can assure you, having raised 2 and still raising 3 children in our home, it can easily be said that we spoil our children.  As I think back over the years, I ask myself why I give and continue to give to my children.  I think the answer comes down to love.  Wait a minute.  That then implies that love can be bought, and certainly everyone knows that it cannot.  For the gifts will one day be abandoned and left to rust or decay.  Some might say that love is an emotional bond between individuals that is not valued in possessions and gifts but rather in actions, or perhaps it’s in the words shared between two people.

Certainly, if someone does something nice for another or compliments them, there is a feeling of worth associated to the kindness.  I do nice things for people I don’t even know, and I’m sure you do as well.  Does this imply that you love them or that you care for them?  The scriptures tell us that even the evildoers will do good things, but will not be accepted into heaven (Matthew 7:22-23).  Good works are just that good and kind and generous, but in and of themselves do not fully demonstrate the love of the Father.

Just as a parent will give a child financial means, clothing, shelter, food, knowledge, wisdom, and skills throughout their upbringing, only to have the child walk away unappreciative and feeling entitled, it is often that way with God.  Right where you sit at this very moment, look around you and take in all that has been provided to you.  Perhaps you are in your home and protected from the elements.  If you’re reading this, chances are you have electricity, a computer, and an internet connection.  You likely had a pillow under your head last night.  You probably have clothes on your back and food in your pantry.  You may not be rich in possessions, but you are provided for because you have been given talents and opportunities to create an income.  The Lord above gave you everything you have, not in that He purchased these things for you, but in that He created you and, in doing so, created your ability to think, work, and sustain your life, and through His word has taught you right from wrong.

Yet, each day we awake, get dressed, and eat breakfast; all the while taking for granted that God the Father provided these things for us.  If you are wealthy and of substantial means, it is not because of anything you have done.  It is only because you have used the skills, knowledge, and talents that God the Father gave to you.  He has given us everything we have, including the ultimate gift of eternal life.  How many of His children recognize everything He has done for them, yet still turn their back and refuse to accept His love and grace.  Billions, yes billions.  If you take a look around you today, recognize everything He has given to you and realize that indeed you are truly blessed.  His love for you is immutable and never changing; it cannot be more or less than it is at this very moment.  You are loved by the Creator of the universe.