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Image Bearers (Intimacy with God Part III)

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…you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit,~Ephesians 2:19-22.

God invites us into relationship with Him. It is a covenant relationship. His connection with us is Spirit to spirit. He imparts Himself to us in the Person of the Holy Spirit. It’s not simply a visitation with God on Sunday mornings. It’s intended to be a habitation.

What is a habitation? (Source Dictionary.com)

1. The act of inhabiting or the state of being inhabited.
2. A natural environment or locality.
3. A residence.

God abides in born again believers. The purpose of habitation is not simply to get us into heaven. It’s so we are transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit resides in us and continually points to truth, righteousness, and reveals Jesus. Day by day, moment by moment, He’s revealing the Son and we (if we are submitted to God) are being transformed into His likeness. This is a powerful work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot strive to be like God. Our attempts will fail.

Our outward expressions will always manifest our internal reality. Just as an apple tree continues to produce apples. You can chop off the fruit, but it will continue to produce fruit.

We are called to have the fruit of God’s Spirit and be His image bearers in the earth. It brings Him glory when we act like Him, that is the truest form of who we are. Genesis 1 states in His image God created them. We were created by Him, in His image, to represent Him.

How do we become like Jesus?

1. It starts with relationship (see previous post Intimacy with God Part II). If you’re not saved, you will not become like Jesus because the Holy Spirit is not in you. Human efforts are futile.

2. We abide.

I will talk more about abiding in the next post.

Jesus stated in John 15:5, “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

3. We submit.

Submission sounds horrible when we are self willed and do not understand how much God loves us.

Submission is beautiful when you realize the One you are saying yes to has your best interests at heart. God wants the best for us. So when He says, “Don’t go there. Don’t do this. This is a bad idea. You should go this way,” it’s because He can see all things and knows that the penalty for doing things sinful is death.

We do not become like Jesus by being rebellious, stubborn, disobedient, and living life our own way.

Jesus was obedient even to the cross. What if He decided He was not going to do the Father’s will? You and I would be in a bad place as He’s the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Lastly, God didn’t just save us so we could ride off into the sunset just as broken and messed up as He found us. He saved us out of love. He restores broken things and makes them brand new. He loves us as we are, yet out of that great love-never intends to leave us the way He found us. No parent would want their adult child wearing diapers. He loves us as is, yet the Holy Spirit works in us to grow us up in love, truth, maturity, and wisdom.

Our response to that great love is submission. We are transformed into our true identity.

As we become like Him in character, we become the greatest blessing to the world. We are salt and light. We reflect Him and bring His beautiful fragrance to the world. We will not impact the world by acting like the world. Our lives are meant to be beacons of light!

We reflect the nature, character, and goodness of God. We represent Him and heaven.

I want to stay connected to God and submitted to Him so when people encounter me, they encounter Him. I desire the pure essence of Jesus to be manifest in my life, for His glory.

Will you join me on this quest to know Him intimately?

I hope so!

Praying you are overwhelmed by His goodness, grace, love, and mercy! You are deeply loved.

Love,

Erin Lamb

Learning to Love Like God (Part 2)

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This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters,~1 John 3:16.

The greatest commandment given to us is to love. The first post covered first receiving love from God, forgiving others, and how we learn to love. Jesus is our role model and example for love. He perfectly represented the Father.

I’ve noticed that love is one of the most misrepresented aspects of God’s character. Love defined by our terms does not equal love from God’s perspective. What does it mean to love your enemies? Does love mean you do everything that’s asked of you? Is love about feelings or choice? Does loving a person mean you need to be their best friend? Does love mean you never speak up if someone or something is wrong?

Loving Your “Enemies”:

First I will say, though people may oppose, harass, torment, or abuse others, the real enemy is not people.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,~Ephesians 6:12.

The first step in loving “enemies” is to recognize people are not the enemy. Jesus prayed for His persecutors, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” You may say, “Some people know exactly what they are doing!” This may be true, but God’s heart is for repentance. We, too, want to see people right with God. There will be a final judgement of people, everyone will not go to heaven. And some who claim Him, will not either (Matthew 7:21).

We love our “enemies” by forgiving, praying, and blessing. It does not profit us as Jesus said in Luke 6:32 to only love and bless those who love and bless us; even sinners do that.

Doing Whatever is Asked of You:

There are many scriptures that talk about being generous. Does this mean if someone walks up to you on the street and asks you to empty your accounts you should just do it? No. If God prompts you to, then yes. God blesses people who are generous, and He loves a cheerful giver.

Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing, not everything people asked of Him. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where He was until he died. There was a purpose for Jesus remaining where He was. He had a miracle planned.

Addressing extremes:

Do nothing…,

There are people who believe they should not do anything unless they want to. They only give, help, serve, or sacrifice when they want to. This isn’t scriptural. Jesus encourages and asks us to be a blessing.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?~1 John 3:17.

Do everything…,

It’s wonderful to serve. Serving (doing for others) can become our identity. God doesn’t love us for what we do. Our identity is child of God. Even God rested after creating the world. Jesus retreated to be alone with the Father. We can’t be all things to all people. Only God can meet everyone’s needs. When serving replaces caring for our families, health, or time alone with God, it’s taken a wrong place in our lives.

Feeling or Choice:

I truly believe love is both a feeling and choice. We can feel loving or unloving towards someone, yet choose to demonstrate love in our actions. If we base love only on feelings, then love will not be constant. It’s not natural to selflessly love. It doesn’t feel good to our flesh. The Holy Spirit in a believer always wants to love. God is love.

Best Friends with Everyone:

We don’t have the time, energy, emotional capability, or ability to be everyone’s best friend or friend. We can be friendly and kind to everyone. However, offering ourselves up to be friends with everyone leads to burnout and sometimes heartache. Trust me on this one. Jesus had 12 disciples and spent a considerable amount of time with 3. He entrusted His mother Mary to 1, John.

I’ve learned to be friendly to everyone, yet reserve the closest parts of life and heart to a very, select few. Not every person can be your friend, and that doesn’t mean you don’t love them. You give different people different levels of access and intimacy. Love sets boundaries.

Correction:

Love does not go along with what’s wrong. God corrects those He loves. Unconditional love is not the same as unconditional approval. I had someone I was friends with years ago tell me, “I don’t want anyone telling me if I’m doing something wrong.”

Proverbs 15:5 says, “a fool despises correction.” It seems harsh. We don’t like to be wrong. The person who refuses any correction is unwise. We grow from feedback. The person unwilling to allow anyone to speak into their life does not understand love.

This does not mean we become the sin police. We are to check ourselves first, then gently correct others.

Lastly, but most importantly, we rely on God. It’s His love and strength that helps us in our weakness.

Father, help us to rely on You to love as You love.

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God is Sovereign

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Life can be challenging at times. I spent most of Sunday afternoon in the Emergency Room with my family. It was a day of prayer and contending for a miracle. I’ve had many days like that; I’m knocking on heavens door, asking God for help. I can’t live without Him. Thankful my family member is alive and we are praying for complete healing! Praise God. He is able!

Do you find yourself asking in your circumstances, why God? I found this on Pinterest and it was so encouraging. I hope it blesses you this week. Praying for you. You are so deeply loved (John 3:16).

Why God?

Me: God, can I ask you a question? God: Sure
Me: Promise you won’t get mad?
God: I promise
Me: Why did you let so much bad stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start
God: Okay
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait
God: Hmm
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call
God: Alright
Me: And on top of that, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager and relax. But it wouldn’t work! Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see. The death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that
Me (humbled): oh
God: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road
Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person to make you sandwich today was sick and I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I know you couldn’t afford to miss work Me (embarrassed): Okay
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling you was going to give false witness about what you said on the call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered
Me (softly): I see God
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all the power on your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark
Me: I’m sorry God
God: Don’t be sorry, just learn to trust Me. In All things, the good and the bad
Me: I will trust You God
God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is Always better than your plan
Me: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today
God: You are welcome My child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after My children.

The Sacrifice of Jesus

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Isaiah 53:2-10 (Amplified Bible)

For [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.

By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who among them considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living [stricken to His death] for the transgression of my [Isaiah’s] people, to whom the stroke was due?

And they assigned Him a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick. When You and He make His life an offering for sin [and He has risen from the dead, in time to come], He shall see His [spiritual] offspring, He shall prolong His days, and the will and pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

This passage from Isaiah is long. I encourage you to read it and come back to it later in a quiet time with the Lord. Jesus did not live this glamorous life where everyone loved and adored Him. He suffered. He suffered greatly. He sacrificed all that He was for His Father and for you and me. There is no greater love than this!

Can you think of anyone in your life who would give up paradise to be born into poor beginnings? Can you think of anyone who would bypass pleasure for pain? Can you think of anyone who would give their life for yours knowing you are guilty? I know a good deal of people that are unwilling to be inconvenienced, let alone suffer or sacrifice for others. It’s human nature to preserve ourselves and minimize pain.

Jesus gave up the right to live without pain.

Jesus sacrificed His dignity to reclaim ours.

Jesus sacrificed having His own way to do the will of the Father.

Jesus sacrificed His life to save our lives!

Jesus sacrificed His time, energy, and often His reputation to minister to broken, hurting, lost, and sinful people!

The point of today’s post: Real love costs you something!

If we are to follow Jesus, it will cost us to walk in love. It costs us pride to forgive and offer grace and extend mercy. It costs us energy and time to pour into and invest in the lives of others. It requires dying to self to bless those who have hurt, abused, rejected, or neglected you. Walking with Jesus is a continual dying to self.

When I want to throw in the towel on this loving people thing, I am reminded that saving my life cost Jesus everything. We love people to honor God, because He first loved us. Without love, we are just making noise. Without love, we cannot say we know God. Without love, we are not operating by His Spirit. God is love. If it costs us nothing, it means nothing.

Next post we will talk about the boundaries of Jesus. He wasn’t a people pleaser, co-dependent, and He rebuked people as well. He was not led by the people; He did only what He saw the Father doing. He lived a sacrificial life for a purpose.

As we start 2014, may we be transformed by God’s unfailing love! We must receive His great love for us before we can give it away.

Happy New Year!!!

Erin

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The Power of Jesus

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God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him,~Acts 10:38.

Merry Christmas to you and your families! I hope and pray it’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and thanksgiving. For those who are sorrowful, stressed, sick, or hurting this season-my prayers and love are with you. I hope this post brings hope and comfort to your heart.

The verse above is from the book of Acts. It talks about the ministry of Jesus. It’s easy to adore a child in a manger. It’s custom to thank a Savior who died on a cross for our sins. We can’t, however, stop and fail to miss the reason why He came. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came so we could have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Let’s look at a few more verses about Jesus.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs,~Hebrews 1:1-4.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor,~Isaiah 61:1-3.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross,~Col 2:15.

Jesus came not only to save us from eternal separation from God; He came to do what’s listed above…

Destroy the works of the devil
Heal the sick
Open blind eyes (spiritual and natural)
Preach the Gospel
Bind up the broken hearted
Free the captives (those oppressed by the evil one)
Comfort those who mourn
Bestow beauty for ashes
Give joy for mourning
Clothe people in garments of righteousness and praise
Proclaim the words of the Father
Hold all things together by His powerful word
Show the world the Father
Care for the poor
Provide abundant life for those who believe
Defeat death and provide eternal life for those who believe!

We do not serve a weak, pitiful, or powerless God! He did not remain a babe in a manger. He did not remain on a cross. He rose with all power in His hands, and He reigns eternal. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May we give thanks for Jesus this Christmas and every day! He’s worthy.

Whatever you need, God can provide it. Praying for you and your families. God bless you!

Love in Christ,

Erin

When Reality Does Not Match God’s Promises

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“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Holy Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny],
” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.

We live in a world that is flooded with negativity and fear. I normally cannot stomach the news, not because I like to stick my head in the sand, but because they normally don’t have anything good to say. Fear has replaced love and hope. Cynicism has replaced optimism. Sarcasm has replaced encouragement. And we call it all normal.

In this often upside down world, it can be challenging to look with the eyes of faith. I had someone call me Pollyanna once because for the most part I’m looking for something to be thankful for. There’s a difference between denying reality, and praying or expecting God to create a new reality. Even if God’s answer is no, He is still good. Either God is who He says He is and can do everything His word says He can do, or we need to throw in the towel and close all the churches.

If God no longer heals, let’s stop praying for the sick.

If God no longer delivers, let’s stopping pursuing breakthrough.

If our circumstances or what we see determine the ability of God, we have created a demi-god. The God we create is powerless. We make our circumstances and what we see more impressive than God.

The truth is, nothing is ever impossible with God. He is the One who spoke and it was. He is the One who formed Adam from the ground and breathed life into him. He is the One who came as a child, walked among us, was crucified for all sin, and was resurrected on the third day. This is the same God we are crying out to today. God has not changed. Our expectations of what He will do have changed. We’ve put God in a box.

On missions and hearing from missionary friends, there are more miracles and radical encounters with God. People are desperate for God and not the Jesus painted on the stained glass windows. It’s not for show, money, or entertainment. People come hungry and leave fed.

God change my situation:

I am no fan of bossing God around. We don’t tell God what to do. He can do as He pleases. I do believe unbelief blocks us from the richness and fullness of God’s presence. He never promised us a trouble free life. He did promise to never leave or forsake us. He did promise to be faithful to His word. He never ceases to be God. Sometimes He changes our situations, sometimes He gives us strength to walk through them, and sometimes we remain where we are because we choose complaining over praise.

No matter the circumstances, what is true of God:

God is love.

God is good.

God does not fail.

God saves, heals, and delivers.

God has already won and will be victorious again over all evil.

God’s saving power is greater than our capacity to sin.

God is faithful and keeps His word.

God cannot lie.

God’s perfect love casts out fear.

God will always love you!

God is not surprised by what’s happening in the world or ill equipped to deal with it.

God is all powerful. Nothing and no one trumps His power.

God will bring perfect justice in His time.

When your circumstances don’t match God’s word, I encourage you to dig into His Word. Pull out verses about His character. I’ve cried many nights and had great comfort in God’s presence. What’s helped the most was to look to who He is and remind myself of who my Father is.

Yes, life will hurt. Gosh, I know all too well. There are some things I’m surprised I lived through. I counted, I’ve almost died or could have died at least a half dozen times. As a young person, I feel I’ve lived a 100 years. I look back and see countless miracles. Despite it all, I’ve found none more faithful than God. He can be trusted. When we are faithless, He is still faithful.

Bless you. Praying for you. You are deeply loved.

What Children Have Taught Me About The Father

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If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ~Matthew 7:11.

I am not a mother. I am an older sister. I have spent years volunteering off and on in children’s ministry. I adore children. I love their candor. I love their sense of adventure and creativity. No one has told them to stop dreaming yet. They are for the most part carefree, full of energy and life! In interacting with children here are some things they have taught me about our heavenly Father.

1. The Father is patient. We know from scripture that God is perfect in patience. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, ~Psalm 103:8. Children make messes. They are curious. They can be selfish and self-centered. When I see a child acting as child I don’t scream at them, “Get it together, you are so awful and selfish.” There’s a part of you that knows the level of understanding a child has is far different from an adult. The goal in dealing with a child is teach them. God knows what we know and what we don’t know. He knows whether we are acting out of pure rebellion or ignorance. God is patient and wants to teach us. He knows we do not understand everything. He longs to lead us to maturity. He parents out of love. The goal is to help us not hurt us.

2. The Father delights in us. I love to watch kids be who they are. If they paint, it’s fun to paint with them. If they like a movie, it’s fun to sit down and watch one with them. If they have a school event or sport, you go to cheer for them. Their interests and success brings you great joy. You are their biggest cheerleader. How can we who fail to love perfectly, expect anything less from a perfect Father? God is excited when you win that game, achieve that goal. He is cheering from the heaven’s “That’s my kid!” He delights in us.

3. The Father loves quality time. I babysit sometimes for friends and it’s such a joy to spend time with kids. God loves to spend time with us!

4. The Father forgives. Children do things that are unwise. A loving parent says, “I love you because you are mine.” When we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive our sins. He does not keep bringing up our forgiven sins. He says, “It’s over, get back out there and play.” We don’t abuse His forgiving nature by continuing to do what’s wrong because of His kindness. We seek to align our lives with His will for He is perfect, holy, and just.

5. The Father hates what destroys us. Sin is not only a big deal because God is holy. Sin is a big deal because sin destroys who and what God loves. Sin destroys us, it destroys relationships, it destroys families. Sin causes sickness, death, destruction, wars, affairs, and wages war like cancer in our souls. God hates sin; sin is aimed at killing us. The wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,~Romans 6:23.

My opinion: God doesn’t want to be in heaven without you so He sent His Son to redeem you. It cost Him greatly to pay for our sins. If I saw a child eating poison, I would run and do all that I could to stop them. God isn’t trying to ruin our fun. God is trying to save us from death. He also cares when things hurt us or we are suffering from living in a sinful world. He sent His Spirit to comfort, heal, and restore. You hurt, God hurts. He collects your tears.

6. The Father disciplines His own. Children need correction and direction. We don’t abuse them, hurt them, or mistreat them. We do point them in the direction they need to go; we lead them. God knows what works for every child. His parenting is tailored for every person. He does and will correct us if we are headed in the wrong direction, this normally starts with conviction (a nudging in the spirit that something is not right). He gives us the opportunity to repent. If we don’t listen, He continues to nudge us. God is perfect in knowing what to do. If we refuse His correction, He can and does let us jump head first off the cliff. If we turn around, He receives us with open arms (ex. Prodigal Son) and seeks to restore us. He does not seek to control or manipulate us. He seeks to lead and guide us.

Final Notes:

The Father loves you more than any parent could love a child. More than any person could or ever will love you. He wants to be with you more than you could ever want to be with Him. He cares about every single detail of your life. You were worth dying for. You are an extension of His heart. You were God’s idea. You are wanted, cherished, and cared for. I pray you bask in the Father’s love.

God will always love you!

God will always love you!

Why God Says No

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First, I will say this post isn’t to condemn. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (myself included). If we are in Christ we claim the righteousness of Jesus and not our own. We sin sometimes and have no idea we are sinning. God is always willing to forgive us if we sin. This post is hopefully to shed some light on why God says no to us doing whatever we want (sinning) instead of what He says to do. I have been, over the past several years, watching as our world becomes more and more wicked.  I read blogs, articles, and responses. I see a trend that is disturbing. It’s something the Bible warns us about, and I suppose I did not expect to see it in my lifetime.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear, 2 Timothy 4:3.

The trend is calling wrong right and right wrong. In some places, God’s word is being twisted to fit the culture and lifestyles of the masses. People say they are a Christian, yet they openly admit to living however they want with no conviction and claim grace. I want to define grace and point to some of the things Jesus taught, while I still have the freedom to do so.

Amazing GRACE…

Grace has been defined as God’s riches at Christ’s expense. Grace is far more than that. God is so patient, loving, and kind. He gives us so much in His Son. Grace is God’s unmerited, undeserved, lavish favor on those who have sinned. We did not deserve to be saved. We deserved His wrath and death. God sent His Son out of love for us (John 3:16). There is no person who is so sinful that God would not forgive them, restore them, and heal them. Present company included. His love offering for sin was enough for all. Jesus paid the price for all sin. So any person who comes to God in faith, can receive forgiveness. His grace also enables and empowers us to do His will. If we could save ourselves or will ourselves to be like Jesus, we would not have needed a Savior.

What Grace Is Not…

Grace is not a free ticket to keep on sinning. Grace is not a license to live how we want, do whatever we want with no consequences. Here’s what Paul says.

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin, Romans 6:1-7.

If we claim to belong to God, we will have a heart and grow to have a heart to do what He says. This does not mean we will do everything perfectly. It does mean we rely on the Holy Spirit to submit to God’s will for our lives.

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” John 14:21.

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love, John 15:10.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God, 1 John 3:6.

People have come up will all kinds of things that say God has changed His mind about obedience. He hasn’t, and He wont for the following reasons.

1. Sin hurts us, the people He loves.

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:20-23.

Adam and Eve didn’t believe God’s word when He said if you eat from this tree you will die. They did not die a natural death, they died a spiritual death. They opened the door for evil to reign in our world. They lost dominion on this planet and gave it to the devil. All the evil we see around us, death, sickness, suffering, all come from their disobedience. Sin cost Jesus His life, as He came to pay our penalty for sin. It costs us to disobey God. It costs others when we disobey God. God says no to protect us.

2. Perpetual sin (with no repentance) gives the devil an entry way into our lives.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory, Roman 5:2-17.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

I know this post is long. My heart was grieved by an article I read of this person stating they were a Christian, yet they frequently sinned and didn’t think it was a big deal. I dare not judge or condemn, I just know sin hurts every person who succumbs to it. What God offers is always infinitely better.

Our behavior does not change God’s love for us. We cannot mistake His unconditional love with unconditional approval. God does not delight in disobedience or sin. No loving parent says to their child, “Keep doing what you want. Oh, yeah play with those matches. Yes, run in the street. Oh, you like drugs keep taking them. Oh, you like killing people-do whatever feels right for you….” God loves us more than any earthly parent ever could. He says no to sin because it leads us down a path of destruction, destroying us or others. I encourage people to read Romans,1 and 2 Corinthians, & the gospel of John. I encourage people to spend time studying the Bible and praying for wisdom and strength to do God’s will.

Take it from someone who tried life my own way and I can tell you God’s way is best. I thought I knew what I was doing and what was best for me. Well, I didn’t. My only regrets come from not listening to God’s wisdom or choosing things without asking Him for wisdom. Only God is perfect in wisdom. If we choose our own way or the way of the world or our culture, we will end up in a bad place. Our culture says, “Do what you want. Do what feels good to you and for you. Think of yourself. Whatever feels good is good” God says, “Think about what’s best for others. Don’t be selfish. Love Me and love others. Do what I say and find life. Everything that feels good is not good for you. Ask for My wisdom.” Our culture says, “Experiment, test the waters, live it up, try it, taste it, enjoy it.” God says, “Wait; do things My way. Live My way. I will bless you.” Our culture has called what’s evil good and what’s good evil or old-fashioned or out of date. God has not changed. We are blessed to do things His way. If we think there are no consequences for sin, we can watch the news and see there is.

Father I pray for an increase in truth in our world. I ask that we would seek Your will and not our own. I ask that we would not conform to the ways of this world, but stand strong and firm on Your word. Help us to say no to sin and yes to Your will. May we receive Your love and give it back to You. Our freedom cost Jesus His life. May we receive His forgiveness. In Jesus name, Amen.

Does God Delight In Your Suffering?-The Perfect Father

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Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give, Jesus said to the disciples. Matt 10:8.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one, Luke 4:40.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick, Matt 14:14

Imagine a father who wants to teach his child to love him so he injects his child with diseases, surrounds the child with other kids who beat him up, tells him often how awful he is and needs to get it together,  floods his tree house and destroys what he loves when he doesn’t obey, and then says, “I did that so you could learn to be strong, a better person, and learn to love me.” You’d have that parent arrested. If you are under the train of thought that God enjoys watching you suffer, I hope this post opens your eyes to one of the most beautiful parts of His heart, compassion. Some of us were taught that God delights in our suffering or causes our suffering. If He was an earthy parent, He would have been in prison by now. He’s been blamed for natural disasters (acts of God they call them), putting sickness on people, and causing traumas in their lives. We call it God’s way of teaching us a lesson, refining our character, teaching us to be holy, and to fear Him. Well, if you read all of the Bible there are quite a few passages that contradict that train of thought.

1. Jesus came and healed the sick, delivered the demonized, fed the hungry & poor, raised the dead, brought justice, and told the disciples to do the same things they saw Him doing. If God wanted us to be sick to teach us to be holy, then it wouldn’t make sense that all throughout scripture God is healing people and telling us to heal the sick.

2. God often says, “Come Me and I will carry your burdens (Psalm 68:19) and I will give you rest.” If He was the One giving us burdens to teach us to be more like Him, why would He ask us to give Him our burdens? It doesn’t make sense. You don’t give someone something and then ask for it back.

3. There was no suffering in the garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned. They lived in paradise, in perfect communion with God. God called the condition of the world very good. See Genesis verses below.

God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good, Genesis 1: 29-31.

There is no mention of suffering until Genesis 3 when sin entered the picture. Suffering is the result of sin in the world. There were no natural disasters in the garden. No hurricanes, droughts, or earthquakes.

4.There will be no suffering in heaven. As there will be no sin in heaven.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away, Rev 21:4.

5. If God wanted to destroy the world, why did He send Jesus to save the world? Why would He commission us to share His love with those who don’t know Him? Why would He wish for none to perish, but all to come to know Him?

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him, John 3:17.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9.

I hope some of that background info at least lifted some of the thoughts that God is out to get you or anyone else in the world. Also it’s difficult to receive love from someone we believe wants to hurt us. Sin hurts us. Living in a sinful world hurts us. Living apart from God hurts us. Making poor choices hurts us. I believe that the reason we are told to delight in suffering in the Bible is because God has a solution for the problem (sin). He will also reward those who endure hardships for the gospel and His children for living committed to Him in this broken world. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted, Matt 5:4. God will use what was intended for evil to bless us, and He gives great rewards.

I also believe because of Adam and Eve’s sin and we are born not loving God, many people come to know Him in times of tragedy. Not that God causes those tragedies, but I’ve seen in my own life that He’s taken the opportunity to step in and say, “You are hurting, let Me help you. I love you. I will comfort you. I will be your friend. I will heal you.”

We can easily blame God for the bad things the happen and miss the fact that evil exists because of the devil and sin. The devil hides behind the scenes telling people, “God did this. Why didn’t God stop this from happening to you? If God really loved you this never would have happened.” or “God is trying to make you holy through this cancer, loss, tragedy.” All those things lead us to believe that God is cruel, unkind, and unloving. It doesn’t draw us to God’s heart, it often pushes us away.

Jesus suffered for us, for our sins. And if we suffer for following Him, He promises a great reward. I believe it’s one of the reasons why Apostle Paul wanted to fellowship in suffering with Christ. When someone has suffered for you, you are more than willing to partake in their suffering. There is a blessing God places on people who suffer for His name. However, if you are sick in your body, your mind, your spirit, your finances, you’ve lost a child, parent, relationship, fill in the blank, God wants you to know that He does not delight in your suffering. It brings no glory to God to see us in pain or without. There’s a difference between suffering because you’re preaching the gospel, and suffering because of someone else’s sin or the results of sin in this world. If that were so (God delighted in your pain), He would not have sent Jesus to heal, deliver, restore, or the Holy Spirit to comfort. God bless you friends. Whatever your pain, God sees. God knows. God cares. You are deeply loved.

Love,

Erin

I Will Never Leave You (Poem)-The Perfect Father

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One of the problems we face in our world is the lack of fathering. The family unit is not the way it would be if Adam and Eve never sinned. I am not simply picking on fathers as mothers have issues as well. I did want to write something for all the people with “daddy” issues. All the people in the world who have been hurt, abandoned, rejected, and negatively impacted by an earthly father, this is for you. For some it may be you feel  as though God abandoned, neglected you, or a feeling God is angry with you…so here goes.

I Will Never Leave You (Poem)

By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

Woven through the interior of My heart is everything there is to know about you.

I know you.

You were My grand idea.

Oh, how I would put My creativity on display.

I smiled the day you entered the world.

I said, “That’s My child, the one I love. The one I have made.”

Oh, what joy!

What a glorious day.

You can search the world over to find out who you are,

and who you are meant to be.

What you will find is

your true identity can only truly be found in Me.

Before the world was made,

you were a part of Me;

an extension of My thoughts,

a perfect idea of beauty.

You were and are My child,

and there is no step I would not have taken;

to save you,

to rescue you,

and to show you,

that I will never leave or forsake you.

My love and committment to you is steadfast,

and sustained by a covenant seal of My Son’s blood.

The invitation is always open

for you to know Me, to be with Me, and experience My love.

I want to be with you for all of eternity.

This world will bring you sorrow.

This world will bring you pain.

This world will bring you disappointments,

but My love for you will remain.

Draw near to Me.

Lean on Me.

Find safety and security in Me.

Encounter a love that will set you free.

Though I know all of your shortcomings,

I choose you to be with Me.

My love is relentlessly pursuing the ability to abide in the deepest corridors of your heart.

I long for you to know the height, the width, and the breath of My love.

It is a love that will change your life

in ways you never thought you’d know.

My love is here for the taking.

It’s a love I want you to know.

Take a leap of faith!

Trust that I love you.

Believe that I am for you.

Cling to the truth that I want the very best for you,

and I desire a relationship that makes your life truly whole.

My dear friends, God loves you. It amazes me that in spite of who we are and who we are not, God daily pursues His children for relationship. Despite what anyone has told us about Him, there is no greater love in the entire world. His love is not dependent on us, it’s who He is. Like a human parent loves their child despite their behavior, God loves us. He doesn’t give us a license to live as we wish, as He is holy. There are consequences for our actions. So, He offers us this gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. The opportunity to have every past and present sin completely forgiven forever, an eternity with Him in paradise, a friendship with a Perfect Friend, an Advocate to help us live an abundant life, and so much more…  

Even if my father and mother abandon me, God will take care of me,~Psalm 27:10.