Soul Mates

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’- Matthew 22:37

 

They were soul mates. She was 14, he was 17 and when they first caught a glimpse of each other across the basketball court, there was definitely a sparkle in their eyes. They were each with someone else that night, but the little bit of harmless flirting that went on would one day be recorded in their memoirs. Years later they walked down the aisle together to begin the tumultuous roller coaster of a life filled with a love from deep within. As the words from the Pastor echoed through the church rafters, "What God has brought together, let no man put asunder" were heard it was taken to heart. Time will pass and these two soul mates will rest in the strength of their love and commitment and watch their family grow and prosper, all from the comfort of a front porch swing.

Love between a man and woman will last a lifetime. Certainly some would argue that a mother's love is stronger than any other, but I propose that a stronger love does not exist than that between husband and wife. It is also the most difficult to put parameters around, until one fathoms the depth of love from God and required of God. You've heard me say a hundred times and I'll keep saying it until the day I die; God cannot love you any more or any less than He does right this minute. Pastor Randy (Harvey) once made the following statement which clearly articulates the love I imagine from God.

"God looked from the beginning of your life and all the way out past it, and said, "There is nothing this boy(girl) will ever do that will keep Me from loving him."
So the real question of the scripture is, are we able to love God as much as He loves us? The answer is emphatically, "No." Loving with ALL your heart, soul and mind is impossible with humanity, but that is what God deserves. Why - because that's the way He loves you. God looked down from heaven on the first Good Friday, I suspect with tears, and watched them beat His son, crucify His son and buty His son. Could God have stopped it? Absolutely, but it would have cost the eternal lives of every other human for all time. All of His heart, All of His mind and All of His soul were laid open on that day; and God with His infinite love for mankind, swallowed His love for His own son and watched Him die a horrible death.

With the resurrection on Easter Sunday, Christ prepared a way for us to return that love back to the Father. For Jesus Christ has the capacity to love the Lord with All of His heart, His soul and His mind and only through Him are we able to reciprocate with love for the Father. Taking up this scripture and claiming the love of the Father as an entitlement will begin to enrich your desires to love Him back. For as much as you love your husband/wife and children, the love we can give back to God is exponentially greater. Take hold of it my friends. You don't deserve it, but He is giving it to you freely.
Loving Father,
Your love is beyond comprehension, beyond our ability to fully understand it’s depth and completeness.  There is nothing we can offer that can compare.  You loved us enough to sacrifice Your own Son so that mankind may rest in Your glory and peace one day.  Press this down upon me Lord, that I might find rest in You today.  In Jesus name we pray – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2010
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Pure & Unconditional

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us”  – 1 John 4:10

God’s love is not predicated on your love. Isn’t that wonderful news? The simple truth of understanding God’s love is to understand that His love does not increase based on your choice to love Him more. Likewise His love does not decrease when your love for Him decreases. You cannot earn more love from Him based on your goodness, nor lose His love based on your failures and disappointments.

Can you accept that?

When we consider loving another or receiving love from another, we put optics on that include rules, requirements and stipulations. It’s so hard for us to just rest in the assurance that God loves us no matter what we do. When I come home from work, my three younger kids run up to the door throw their arms open and shower me with love. How can a father ever experience a more fulfilling joy than when his children pour out their love upon him. Their love for me is evidenced by their expressions of compassion and adoration. How am I in turn pouring out my love to my Father in heaven? Why doesn’t God deserve the same love that my children show to me? It’s a rhetorical question, because we know that He does deserve it and so much more. Yet, as deserving as He is of my love, it is not a condition for Him to in turn love me. I could never love Him enough to justify His love for me, nor is that required.

As children grow their expression of love tends to change with age. I recall when my 2 older girls were in high school and I would come home from work, they would look up from the TV or computer and acknowledge that I had entered the home with a simple, “Hey Dad”. Now, is there any evidence in their action that would lead me to believe that they loved me with the same depth as the younger ones mentioned above? Obviously, there is no visual or physical evidence of such, but I have never questioned their love for me. Likewise, the Lord does not look upon you and I with an eye of indebtedness and entitlement. In His omnipotence He knows the thoughts and emotions of mankind long before we can rationalize the feeling within our hearts. Knowing this, He still chooses to love us with an immutable love.

Pain will enter into your life. It’s inevitable. Friends and loved ones will turn their back on you in anger at times and feelings will be hurt. Words are said without thinking, actions are taken hastily and there are even times when violence takes place inexcusably. Your fellow man will cause you pain and anger, and likewise you will cause others pain at times. Despite those times, your Father in heaven is the only sure source of unconditionally, pure love. Rest in knowing that you can always come before God regardless of your hurt, anger, or actions and He will receive you, just as you are.

Almighty Father,
Your love is unchanging. You have promised us that You will never turn from us and that there is nothing we can do to remove ourselves from Your loving embrace. We are not worthy to be loved by the Creator of the Universe, this is as certain as the air we breathe. Yet, even in our disgrace and unworthiness Your love is ever present. Thank You Lord for loving us, and provide within each of us the compassion, humility and servants heart to give back to You the love You so deserve. In Your precious name we pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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Keep It Up, You'll Make It

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  – Hebrews 6:10

There was a gentlemen who was struggling with an area of his life and he had pent up frustration and aggravation with God. He had a faith in Christ for years, but was recently feeling abandoned by his Savior. Where had God been in this area of his life to allow the pain and loneliness to set in. For years, this gentlemen had helped the homeless in his spare time. He went out of his way to ensure that one of his families friends, (a single mother with 3 children), was always taken care of regarding food and utilities. This man had mentored teens away from a troubled life and introduced many people to the Christ that he loved so dearly.
With these and so many other accomplishments he had impacted the lives of hundreds of people in the name of Christ. With this report card in his back pocket, he was completely caught off guard when a letter came that shook his spiritual life. His faith was rocked, so to speak, by news in that letter and he found himself blaming God that night and ever since. This feeling that God had abandoned him sank more deeply into his mind and spirit.

This man could easily be you or your husband, brother or friend. His situation is no different than that of millions of people every day. Not one of us is immune to painful and hurtful situations. Your spouse has an affair, your kids are doing drugs, you have an accident which leads to a law suit and you lose everything, you lose your job and can’t find another, the list goes on. It’s easy to fall into a feeling of self-pity, and look for someone to blame when struggles fall upon us. It’s just as easy to turn away from God in anger, disappointment and resentment. After all, how could he have let you suffer when you have done so many good things.

Have you ever been there? We read in Hebrews that God will not forget all that you have done for others in His name. God is just and will keep His promise to you. It states a few verses later: “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” These struggles are to remind you whom you are placing your trust in. He instructs us that we are to continue to be faithful, patient and diligent in our efforts on His behalf. Through these struggles we are given the opportunity to strengthen our walk with the Lord or to turn away from it and rely solely on our own inherent ability to deal with them. I propose the maker of heaven and earth has a better plan than you do. Be blessed.

(c) Sondove Enterprises, 2010

Look 'em in the Eye

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” - Romans 15:7

So, I was walking through the park the other day and as I got closer I noticed people running out onto the baseball field. It was obvious that someone was injured near second base, and people were kind of hovering over top of him. I watched as the team members gathered around him and helped him from the ground. They proceeded to help him off the field and as they were carrying him, he was dragging one foot behind him. He must have sprained an ankle or hurt his knee.

What I really focused on though was the compassion and the camaraderie of his team members coming to his aid. I started thinking to myself, how often do we walk past people or ignore those who are hurting. Not just physically, but emotionally or spiritually; either through relationships and associations with individuals or those that have been harmed from events that have happened in their life. How often do we just walk past them without even knowing that they’re injured or hurting inside? As we move on with our busy lives are we blind to those around us in need of our compassion. We need to take a stronger position in helping other individuals. It is scriptural, all throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus stating that we are too help the widows and orphans, the sick, those in prison, the weak and the hungry.

We are to take the message of Jesus Christ to the people around the world. This is the Great Commission of our Savior and Lord. As we take that message, we must take it with love, for without love the message of Christ is empty. The love that Christ shared with mankind is so unbelievably strong, that if we are not sharing His love we are actually doing an injustice to our Creator. We may be doing good works, reading the bible and sitting in the pews on Wednesday night and Sunday, but if we are not helping others and spreading His words are we truly living up to what He asked of us.

As I watched this unfold before, and as I walked away, I got out to my car and it hit me. I reflected on my own life and the times I had avoided helping another person in need. On my trek home from the office everyday there is one particular corner where the pan-handlers stalk cars waiting at the stoplight. Most days I completely avoid eye contact because we all know once you make eye contact it’s the same as inviting them over for a chat. I think we all need to take a step back and understand what is it that we are avoiding when we avoid eye contact with another individual. What is your action saying to that person, and how is their self esteem and confidence impacted by our action or lack thereof? I’m not saying that we need to give the pan-handlers money in every circumstance, not at all. And it’s not just about the pan-handlers; it’s about the human race. We don’t have to give money, but we have to share Christ’s love. We at least need to take an effort to acknowledge them as individuals.

That’s my new motto to live by. Everybody is just as important as the next and deserves to receive the love of Jesus Christ. Who am I to refuse to share it with them? We all need a Savior and we all need His love, so that’s what I’m going to focus my mind on doing from here forward. I hope you’ll do the same. Take Care and Be blessed.

Heavenly Father,Loving Lord of the universe. We come before Your throne; seeking Your wisdom, confidence and courage to take on the challenge of spreading Your gospel. Give us Your gift of discernment so that we may help others without the fear of corruption and judgment. Help us to walk with a heart of compassion as You have taught us throughout the scriptures. In Your name I pray. Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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No More Guilt

{The Holy Spirit says… } “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.” – Hebrews 10:16-18

  Guilty as charged.  The world condemns a man and sends him to prison for life, or even to death by lethal injection.  The law is a form of justice enforced on man’s acts against his fellow man.  Often times these acts are so heinous that we are disgusted by the details and there is that part inside of us that agrees with and even demands restitution for his crimes, by the taking of his life.  In the last few weeks there have been a few death sentences enforced (one in Texas and one in Georgia) and many would argue unjustly, while others would argue completely the opposite.  So, can God’s love and grace save a man’s soul, even if he has committed capital murder?

An age old argument continues to this very day around the depth of God’s love and grace.  In the ancient Jewish culture, the sins of the family were forgiven once a year when the father of the family would bring the prize lamb to be sacrificed.  In Hebrews 10:4, we are told that the sacrifice of bulls and lambs are no longer sufficient to take away the sins of man.  Jesus Christ came to become the sacrifice for all mankind and for all sin, once and for all.  He sits at the right hand of God, complete in His action of offering Himself as the final sacrifice for the world. 

A new covenant was formed with mankind at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  A covenant that would last for all time, that by His blood our sins are forgiven, and by His grace we are accepted into heaven.  Not because we deserve it, because not one of us do, but because He is giving it to us.  Christ’s blood was shed to redeem all mankind’s sins, not some but all.  Therefore, we are all capable of obtaining His grace.  It is offered once and for all to everyone, yes – even those on death row.

The confusion that is circling the world today is the fallacy that sinning is okay, because it is forgiven.  Sinning is not okay.  The Holy Spirit that dwells within the hearts of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord,  is indeed a part of the Holy Trinity with God Almighty.  If God detests sinful acts, then how can it be justified that a person who has accepted Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would even contemplate sinful actions?  Certainly sin abounds in this world and we are not removed from it, but to seek it out intentionally is completely against the will of God’s righteousness for you.

God’s grace is abundant to those that seek Him and His righteousness.  Their sins are washed away and forgotten.  God abides within the heart of His children and they abide in Him for all of eternity.  Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) and this should be the advice each of us take with us throughout our day.

Heavenly Father,
Your grace is abundant and ever present.  We are washed over in redemption from the blood of Your Son – Jesus Christ – the lamb of God.  Help us to live within Your covenant and resist the temptations of this life that would cause us unrighteousness against You.  Strengthen us to live within the guidance of Your Holy Spirit and dwell in Your mercy and grace for as long as You give us life.  Let other’s see Your love and glory through my actions today. In Jesus name we pray – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Finding Joy

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?” –James 4:1

The sun was shining, the day was as beautiful as ever had been seen.  There were children laughing while they played on the swings, slides and jungle gyms.  For all intensive purposes, everything was just perfect.  As I was walking to the car to get the kites for our kids, I observed the contentment in this small family sitting on a blanket, laughing and having fun. As I returned from the car, I walked by this same family not more than 10 minutes later and the Dad was yelling at one of the children who had spilled a glass of juice all over the blanket they were laying on.  He was extremely angry and the child was near tears trying to explain that his sister had bumped him and it was really her fault.

What a change in attitude caused by nothing more than a cup of spilled juice.  It could be anything that causes an outburst like that, on this particular day it was a small glass of grape juice   Obviously, there is something much deeper than the spilled juice that was causing the eruption of emotion in this little family.  Each of us are the same though.  We all have pent up emotions just waiting for the trigger to cause an explosion.  Hidden deep beneath the surface we all carry around baggage that hasn’t been dealt with, and anger that has been suppressed for one reason or another.  It often times is something completely unrelated that just bubbles to the surface for one reason or another.

Within each of us is the inherent desire for joy and happiness.  It’s from our creator, it’s a part of who we are, yet the farther we are from Him, the harder it is to experience it.  From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, there has been a gap in our own ability to achieve pure joy.  God had provided for every desire, want and need prior to their fall.  By choosing to pursue their own will, they abandoned the provisions of God’s will in their life.  Since that moment we continue to pursue our own desires and try to fulfill them on our own.  In doing so, we are focused on ourselves and selfishly will be driven by our own satisfaction rather than serving others, or serving God.

This is the root of most arguments and disagreements in your life, if you take a step back and honestly take a look at it.  Pride, selfishness and arrogance get in the way of finding true joy in life; which can only be found when we are pursuing the joy that comes from above.  When we take our eyes off of our own desires and place them on serving the needs of others it’s amazing how uplifted our spirits become. 

Here’s a simple exercise to help you take the focus off of yourself and place it on others.  Take a blank piece of paper and capture your list of desires within, the things you wish for.  Now, flip the paper over and capture a list of the things you want to do for other people.  On this list, put a checkmark next to those that have zero benefit to you – that are 100% charitable in nature.  How many are there?  If you counted all of the items on both lists and then divided this number by the number with check marks; is it greater than 50%, how about 25%, maybe 10% or 5%.  By nature, we are all driven by trying to fulfill our own desires in life first and then to consider others.

How about this, each day when you pray, take your list of desires and include a few in your daily prayers.  God wants to fulfill your every righteous desires in life rather than you struggling to fulfill them without Him.  Also, include an item or two from your list of things your desire for others; and ask God to help you achieve this action in your life.  This little exercise will help you focus on serving others and God first, and yourself second in life.  Very contradicting to what the world teaches, isn’t it?


Heavenly Father,
Thank You for giving me the ability to help others.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace and for providing for my needs in life.  Help me to realize that all that I have comes from You, and it is through You that I am able to find joy, peace and contentment in life.  I long to be within Your will and live for You, help me to put aside my pride and selfishness.  In Jesus name we pray – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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Gesundheit !

" May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:15
 

“God Bless You.” A common statement made between two individuals contains a deep mystery based on the beliefs of the individuals having the conversation. If someone sneezes, some might say Gesundheit (German or Yiddish word for health), but most will say Bless You or even God Bless You. Why? Why do we wish someone blessings with a simple sneeze? Tradition tells us that the heart stops or skips a beat when someone sneezes, and this phrase is used to express concern and good wishes for that individual. The phrase has been associated with many other traditions as well, but the addition of God became more relevant in the 6th century during the spread of the Bubonic Plague. This was intended to bring spiritual healing on the person if indeed the sneeze was a symptom of the plague. Even before that though, you can see it has biblical roots as stated here in Psalm 115:15.

Personally, I find myself flipping between Bless You and God Bless You. When I say, “Bless You” to someone I certainly intend for God to bless that individual, whether I’ve actually said it or not. This has me thinking though, without including God in the comment, is it assumed by the recipient? Has this statement become so commonplace that we hear God Bless You, even though the full phrase isn’t stated?

Think about it. What does bless mean in this context? To protect or guard from evil or malcontent. If it isn’t God who is blessing the individual than who is? Can a man bless himself? Maybe it’s just a simple way of saying – “Hope somebody blesses you, don’t know who, but I hope someone does.” I don’t believe that people are so callous as to throw out such a random statement. I believe people truly are hoping for the sneezing individual to be blessed with healing from what might ail them. If this is the case, and let’s assume it is, than who can heal someone with just a simple word. For man to heal someone traditionally requires some form of medicine. I propose that the only one capable of healing from a simple statement or use of a word is the Lord Jehovah. Hence the origin of the statement God Bless You. It wasn’t a random statement but a small prayer over those in need of healing.

So where do you stand? Which phrase do you commonly use when someone sneezes? Do you even think about it? Hopefully you will from here forward. Offering a blessing to someone, “Be Blessed”, “Bless You”, “God Bless You”, “Blessings on You and Yours” draws God into the picture with or without intention. I suggest you make it a part of your vocabulary and use it throughout the day as appropriate. I certainly will. Be Blessed my friends.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com