Not Invisible (Operation God is Love)

May 5, 2014November 2, 20142 Comments

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble,~Psalm 41:1.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,“~Matthew 25:31-40.

This past weekend Operation God is Love commenced. It’s been ongoing in prayer and other aspects, yet going out into the community started this past weekend. God sees the people we don’t see. God cares about the people we don’t care about. Every person on the planet matters to God.

Our journey started at 9 am with breakfast, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Then we ladies headed into the city. We parked, grabbed our supplies, and started walking. We walked and prayed. We prayed for a release of God’s Kingdom in the area. We prayed blessing over businesses and protection over the people who live there. God has given us authority in His name to push back the darkness.

We stumbled across a young homeless man. We shall call him Martin (not his real name). We offered him a goodie bag (cereal bars, snacks, bible, info, etc) and prayer. It didn’t seem to be enough. There was a sadness in his eyes I still can’t shake. We invited him to lunch…as we sat with him in this city pizza place…his story is one I won’t forget. He’s partially disabled, has no family help, and has lots of pain. He showed us the pins and injuries in his legs, and spoke with tear filled eyes. “Churches give you food and handouts, but rarely a place to stay or help finding employment. Shelters give preferential treatment to women and children. They give you food, but no bus passes to get to a job. Other people assume you’re an addict so they won’t help you. People walk past you on the street and look at you like you enjoy begging. I am so ashamed. I want to work. I want to take care of myself“~Martin.

We watched Martin wipe away tears. Though we prayed for healing, favor, freedom, provision…he needs a miracle. He said he couldn’t understand why we’d stop and listen to his story or invite him to eat. He wondered what church sent us out..we told him we came on our own. No pastor sent us out. We told him Jesus sent us to love people, plain and simple. Martin matters to God. He held his head low every time we told him how much he meant to God.

We met many homeless people. We met a woman and several men. All with tear filled eyes, profound stories, and a desire to be seen, fed, & loved. I don’t know fully how they all ended up there; is it or was it their fault they are on the street. It doesn’t matter. Jesus tells us to love people. The greatest solution and Redeemer I know is Jesus. He didn’t tell me to only love those who love me or the shiny, happy, wealthy people. He said love everyone as I have loved you.

I don’t advocate just handing out money to people, unless God leads you to. I don’t advocate going out alone into cities to help people. We go out in the day, in a group, and stay on well lit and public streets. We don’t go into houses or dark places. We don’t carry loads of cash. We don’t give out personal information or offer to do things for people beyond the scope of the mission or Holy Spirit leading.

I do advocate feeding people, getting them necessities, pointing them to places to get help, giving bus passes, gift cards, blankets, small first aid kits, hand sanitizer, praying for people, listening to their stories, showing people the heart of Jesus, etc…

Lastly there was Paul (not his real name). The morning after worship, one of the ladies said let’s wait and see if God gives us clues about people we need to share the Gospel with today. I kept getting blue sweatshirt, but dismissed it. While we were talking to Martin, Paul rides up on a bike in a blue sweatshirt. Thought nothing of it. Once we left lunch with Martin and his friend, we went looking for Paul. We found him on a ledge watching cars go by.

Paul was suicidical. He had told God that day he had planned on running out into traffic because he had no hope. We told Paul, “God sees you! God loves you. There’s hope in Jesus.” We were able to share the Gospel with Paul, to bring hope and encouragement, and pray suicide off him. We told him the blue sweatshirt story and how God sent us there for him. He too cried. It’s moving to see a grown man cry. We gave him goodie bags for himself and others.

Paul, Martin, Sam, Lorrie… The people we met, none of them asked us for money. They were happy to hear the Gospel, for prayer, to be given a hug, for a meal, for someone to listen, for someone to care about them. Love wins! I can’t do everything. You can’t either. We can do something!

I’m excited to hopefully share more testimonies with you throughout the summer. I am praying God invades our city, nation, the world with born again believers willing to love the least, the last, and the lost.

See picture below of us with Sam (not his real name). Quite the character. He prayed for us! How sweet is that. He kept saying how blessed he was and how good God had been to Him. Ah, to have perspective… God bless friends. You are deeply loved (John 3:16).

Love in Christ,

Erin

God is Undefeated! You can be too!!

April 29, 2014November 2, 20146 Comments

Photo Credit: Pinterest

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you,~2 Corinthians 4:8-12.

This is a message that I hope encourages you this week to feast on good things. Just as the body places on display what we have been eating, our lives often manifest what we have been feasting on spiritually and mentally. The battle is in our mind.

God is the source of all things good. Apart from Him we can do nothing. If we lack joy, peace, hope, wisdom, provision, vision, or anything good…He is the place to go.

Have you ever fasted? If you have, you know that your body craves food. There are hunger pains and physical manifestations of starvation. When we don’t spend time with God, our spirit has spiritual pains. They manifest in angry outbursts, worry, fear, anxiety, lust, imbalance, negative thoughts, critical of self and others.

We need God more than air, water, food.

So, what are we feasting on?

Continual communion with God leads to peace…love…joy…,and He will highlight people around us that need what we carry.

I’d love to tell you that I always think or meditate on beautiful things…but I don’t…Daily I have to pull down negative thoughts and train my brain to meditate on God’s Words. And it’s a process with the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts pop up like…

No one cares what you have to say
You talk about God too much
God made you wrong
You’re weird
You are never going to be able to do this
People don’t value or love you
This is hopeless or futile
What do you have to show for your life?
You’ve wasted so much of your life on helping other people, who’s helping you?
Loving this person has been a waste of time
You mess up all the time, why bother…

Many of these thoughts come in first person. I have to rebuke and cast down thoughts…and for some thoughts it’s not as easy. I can’t feast on them, meditate on them, or allow them to take root in my spirit. My spirit needs to feast in God’s truth, it superceeds my opinion or anyone else’s.

Negative thoughts are minimized by meditating on God’s word, reading previous prophetic words, professing and proclaiming God’s truth, and by simply being with God all day-aware of His Presence, inviting His Presence, soaking, and basking in His Presence.

“What we are feasting on mentally and spiritually is what we will attract. Hence gossips attract other gossips…Lustful people attract other lustful people…angry people attract other angry people. We give authority to a defeated enemy by agreeing with him with our thoughts and words. Our thoughts and words attract forces in the unseen world around us. The enemy has power. He has no authority. Jesus took back all authority the enemy gained in the Garden. The enemy does go around looking for those with authority to agree with him. Once he gets you into agreement with his lies, he uses your authority to impact the spiritual and natural environment around you,”~Bill Johnson.

Father I ask that we live connected to the Vine. Without You we can do absolutely nothing. Thank You for another day. Thank You for giving us authority in your Name. Thank You for raising us up and seating us in heavenly places with Your Son Jesus. Thank You for putting the enemy under our feet, for making us the head and not the tail. Thank You for paying for healing, restoration, deliverance, freedom, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Thank You for giving us the keys to the Kingdom. Thank You for ALL Jesus paid for and may we live appropriating it to every moment and area of our lives. May we live empowered and empower others. Use us in mighty ways to be blessing to every person around us. We are Your children and ALL we needed was purchased on the cross. Help us to believe it, grasp it, cling to it, live in it, and walk it out. You are the undefeated God. May we live undefeated. Nothing is ever impossible for You!

May we live in such a way that people say, “There was no light before you came and no darkness when you left!”

Have a great week.

Love,

Erin

Learning to Love Like God (Part 1)

April 22, 2014November 2, 20141 Comment

Photo Credit: Pinterest

If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much,~Matthew 5:46.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”~John 13:34-35.

We love because he first loved us,~1 John 4:19.

Love is the highest calling for a believer. I talk about love quite a bit because God reveals the desperate need the world has for love. Addiction is a cry for comfort. Sexual promiscuity for attention and affection. Abuse for healing. Everywhere you look, people are trying to fill a God sized void with something. Drugs, food, tv, alcohol, sex, relationships, social media, and even church activities are often used to fill the void of love.

You and I are empowered to love. How? By the Holy Spirit. He is love. Sounds easy right? God in us loving people.

In order to love like God, we must first receive love from God. We cannot give away what we do not possess. That person who fails to love you mostly likely either doesn’t know how you perceive love, or they haven’t fully received God’s love.

Even after we receive God’s love, we can choose not to love other people. It’s a process of submitting to God, not relying on feelings, and dying to self.

I don’t always feel like loving people. Nope. Some days I grow tired of being kind to rude people. Some days I have to go straight to God with unpleasant feelings towards people. He reminds me of this, “Feelings are not an indication of truth. You can love this person because I love them.”

How do we love like God?

We let God love us. Christianity is about relationship with God. Jesus paid for us to have full access to the Father.

Take time to just be with God. It can be journaling, reading, praying & listening, time in His Word, worship, etc…asking God to reveal His love on the heart level. It will then pour out on to others. God fills to overflowing. Part of it is faith as well; believing what God says about His love for us is true.

We forgive. Gosh, I don’t mind forgiving (surrendering a person to God and refusing to avenge). It’s far more difficult to reconcile and restore a relationship when someone has betrayed your trust, treated your heart like a punching bag, or just failed to be good to you. In those moments I’m reminded of these things…

1. What is God’s purpose for the relationship? Is it covenant? Will restoring the relationship be safe?

If someone is stealing from your bank account, love sets boundaries (change the info, block the person). If a person is not trustworthy, don’t confide in them. If someone is controlling and manipulative, limit the access they have to you. If someone is abusing you in any way, seek help. Forgiving does not mean you must remain in the same condition or immediately give someone your trust. We are responsible for who and what we allow into our lives.

If it’s a covenant relationship or one God is calling us to, we are to do our best to work it out (we will discuss more in a different post on covenant).

2. How does God treat me when I fail?

We are humans. We will blow it. God is so merciful and kind to me when I mess up. I am called to be merciful.

Unlike God, we can be severely damaged by others. Mercy doesn’t mean let someone continually, purposefully hurt or abuse you. Our role is to point people to Christ. It’s unloving to allow someone to continue to sin against us and not offer loving correction. We want people right with God. It does mean we offer grace, compassion, and mercy. Mercy may be refraining from gossip (which is so damaging). The person did you wrong, protect their name. Treat them better than they did you.

Lastly I will say love will cost you greatly. God has blessed me with years of experience loving people who did not in any way love, honor, or respect me. He gave me someone similar to Saul (4 years-40 hours a week. Not sure how I didn’t lose my mind), a few who behaved like Judas, and allowed people in my life who at times made me want to never love again. I’ve had to love people who have tried to take my life. I can say love doesn’t always feel good. I’m certain the experiences Jesus endured were not pleasant. They were excruciating. He suffered greatly. Yet, He did it for love.

Whatever love costs you, please know genuine love glorifies God. The world needs to see genuine, agape love through us. We may not know until heaven the impact we made in someone’s life. Though it may be painful at times, choose love!

You’re in my thoughts and prayers!

Father reduce us to love. Help us to love like You. Remove worldly views of love and replace them with Yours. Help us to see people as You do, and love them as You do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Love in Christ,

Erin

God’s Vision (the Eyes of Love)

April 12, 2014April 12, 20143 Comments

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,~Romans 5:6-8.

What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ ~Isaiah 45:9.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,~Ephesians 2:9-10.

For most of my life I’ve battled with the way God created me. Yes, it’s true. My personality is one of the rarest types for a woman. I had several tests as a child and adult. It’s found in only 0.8 percent of the female population. My brain is quite logical. I want things and people to make sense. I also use both sides of my brain equally, which lends to hours lost in creative thought. I’m very direct, pretty transparent, confident about what I can do and about what I don’t know. I want to learn as much as possible and share it with as many people as possible. I spend hours each day thinking, pondering, and analyzing. I don’t draw energy from being with people. I am energized by being alone. Is this a blessing or a curse?

Well, my parents noticed I had little to no interest in toys, tv, or other kids. A little concerning for them. I’d spend hours with books, note pads, and pens. I hated socializing. I had two good friends and didn’t want more. I was often labeled stubborn or independent because once I started a task, I couldn’t stop. I was and am driven to complete assignments by an internal conviction.

All my life there have been people trying to change me. Be more social. Be less direct. Have less passion.Your zeal offends people. Be more gentle. Be more like other women. Talk more, talk less. Be less you. I’ve had more input than I’ve ever liked. The message that was sent to me has been, “God made you wrong. You need to change in order to be accepted, celebrated, and loved. Be who we want you to be, then you will accepted.”

Sweet friends, let me tell you some truth. God knew what He was doing when He created me and you. Yes, there’s sin that He comes in to deal with, but He didn’t created us all with the same qualities, attributes, personalities, and brain wiring. His love is also not dependent on our changing and becoming someone else.

God loves you, as is…no ifs about it. Sure God corrects us. He disciplines us. He shapes and molds us. He never approves of our sin. He transforms our hearts. He does not base His love for us on performance, behavior, personality, or ability. We can’t earn His love or approval.

I told a friend this week who’s been giving herself a hard time the following:

We see ourselves as these hard lumps of clay that God wants to come in and change in order to love. As someone who’s taken ceramics, I can say I didn’t see lumps of clay. I saw vases, sculptures, delicate designs that could be created. The artist sees their vision, not the clay they are given. God is the Master Artist. He sees through the eyes of love. He sees what He envisioned before the foundations of the Earth. He sees His workmanship created for His Glory. Yes, the story is His story and it’s primarily about Him. He still loves us! We are here because of Love. Who are we to argue with the Creator of the Universe? He says we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I still don’t understand why God gave me a brain that functions the way it does. It’s caused some misunderstandings with others and relational distress. I’ve learned and am learning to leave the refining of my character to God. I learned to pitch the labels not of God. The Holy Spirit is the One who provides direction. He leads back to this place of love. What does God want to say or do? Who does God say I am?

When we know how much God loves us, the opinions of others (including ourselves) loses weight. It’s about God working through us. It looks different for each one because God’s a Creator not a cloner. You weren’t created to be like other people. Each person was created to represent a unique part of God. Some are bold and creative. Others are thoughtful and quiet. Our role model is Christ. He wants to work through us so the world sees Him.

I hope today you live loved. May the focus be Jesus. As we behold Him, we become like Him. It’s all for His glory and fame.

You’re daily in my thoughts and prayers.

Love in Christ,

Erin

It’s Not About You!

April 5, 2014April 5, 2014Leave a comment

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,~Phil 2:3.

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind,~James 3:16.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power…,~2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me,~Matthew 16:24.

I have not heard many sermons talk about selfishness as sin, yet the Bible is loaded with scripture on the evil that results from selfishness. The world says, “Think about yourself, your family, your needs, your rights, your pleasure, your dreams, your desires, your circumstances, how does this effect You!” The song that plays is, “It’s all about me! Me! Me!”

God says, “It’s not about you! It’s about building My Kingdom so as many people as possible can know Me, be loved by Me, and have everlasting life.”

God cares about everyone, not just the people in our little bubble, community, ethnic group, or sphere of concern.

Selfishness is the root of all sin.

Unbelief-I will not believe God. I believe what I think is right.

Jealousy-Someone has what I don’t have and I’m discontent because of it.

Coveting/Envy-I want what they have and don’t want them to have it.

Lust-I want what I want now.

Impatience-Why can’t God move on my time? Why can’t others move on my time?

Greed-I need to get as much as I can for me.

Gluttony-I don’t need to consume more, but I will keep consuming because it feels good to me.

Sexual Sin-I will follow my passions, do what feels good for me even if it’s outside God’s will.

Lying-I need to protect me, inflate my image, take care of me.

Indifference-If it doesn’t directly affect me, I don’t care.

Stealing-I will take what I need instead of asking & trusting God to meet my needs.

Unforgiveness-I need this person to pay for what they did to me even though God freely forgives me. I care more about my rights than someone being right with God.

Offense-I must be hurt and angered by how this person’s actions or words impacted me. Instead of how can I check my own heart and if they truly sinned, help them be restored to God.

Put downs, Gossip, Slander, Mean Spirit, Hurtful Sarcasm-I will put others down to build myself up.

Disobedience, Control, & Manipulation-I need to get my way.

Self Reliance-I will do this without consulting or relying on God because I know best.

Self Hatred & Self Exaltation-my opinion of me is truth instead of God’s opinion of me. Both are rooted in pride.

Racism/Prejudice-I am better than others and will judge or mistreat those who look different or are different than me.

Hatred-I will refuse to love.

Abuse/Unrighteous Anger-I will take out my frustrations on others or use them for what I need.

Discontentment-I will not be happy until God or someone does something for me or my situation changes.

Chronic Tardiness/Broken Promises-I will do what’s convenient for me.

Idolatry-I will worship whatever best suits me. Only God is worthy of worship.

It’s easy to see selfishness in other people and be offended by it. It’s more prudent to ask God to search our own hearts and to repent of the sin of selfishness. Selfishness is sin. It’s an idol of self. Instead of God being on the throne, we are. The bad news is-we are born selfish. The good news-Jesus came, died, rose again, and gave us His Holy Spirit so we don’t have to die selfish. Jesus is the solution.

We can’t strive to be like Him. We can obey Him, submit to Him, and cultivate relationship with Him. We let Him live through us. It’s about relationship with God. If God is number 1, there is no number 2. If our pure devotion is Christ, then self moves off the throne and is nailed to a cross. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. It’s a process. Just as a baby grows to stop messing their diapers and demanding their own way, God parents us so we can become focused on Him instead of ourselves.

I’m still in process. You’re still in process. No one other than Jesus gets it 100 percent right. Our goal is to love God, respond to His love, correction, and guiding. It’s all for His glory!

Father thank you for sending your Son to save us from death, destruction, and the weight of sin. He paid a debt we could not pay. Help us to respond to Your love. You bring about lasting change. Reduce us to love. Break our cycles of selfishness. In Jesus powerful name, Amen.

Do You Know Who You Are? (Book Excerpt)

March 25, 20145 Comments

It’s been while since I have posted something from the book (I Thought I Knew What Love Was) and thought today this one is a good follow-up to the last post Chosen. God has so many good things to say about His children. He loves us with an everlasting love. It is a love that cannot be earned or lost. We must refuse His love. We must refuse to believe His love.

This poem was written in 2008. So many challenging things were happening in my life at the time. My quiet times with God often led to me writing down what He was speaking to my spirit. Do You Know Who You Are? was a sweet reminder from Him of my secure identity in Him. Our identity in Him is so important. Once we fully believe who we are in Him and how much we mean to Him-fear, pride, insecurity, and the temptations of this world lose their weight.

I hope this post blesses your soul. Don’t forget who you are! A beloved child of the King of the Universe.

Do You Know Who You Are?
Copyright© 2011 Erin Lamb (all rights reserved-may not be reproduced without permission)
Written May 12, 2008

Do you know who you are?
Do you know who you really, truly are,
without the name of your natural father,
or the labels given to you by man?
For I have given you My name,
and I call you, “Chosen.”
If you knew who you were;
the integrity of the kernels of faith
and spiritual gifts I have placed inside you;
you would no longer bow your head in shame.
You would understand that for all your sins I stood in your place.
Do you know who you are?
You are not defined by your past,
or even your present.
Each day is just setting the stage to tell your story;
where you are,
is not where you are going.
I do not define you by what you have done,
what you are doing,
or what you will do.
I have placed My name on you.
Your body is My temple,
and I long to always reside with you.
When you sleep and rest in the night hours,
I am awake.
I am watching over you,
waiting enthusiastically until you awaken.
I am longing to meet with you
and shower you with My love.
My love is constant, steadfast, and as enduring as the sun.
Do you know who you are?
I have set you apart to be holy;
for I am Holy.
You are clothed in My righteousness.
You cannot earn My redemption.
It is freely given by your faith and obedience.
My love for you is not dependent upon what you do,
or what you fail to do.
What I accomplished on the cross is finished.
The veil was torn
and your access granted to the most sacred of all.
When you confess your sins
and forgive others,
you are forgiven.
Your slate is wiped completely clean.
My blood covers each and every sin,
so you no longer have to feel guilt or shame.
Do you know who you are?
If only you could see,
what I see.
I wish you could view yourself through My eyes,
the eyes of love.
I have embraced you in the darkness of the night,
knowing that I wanted you.
My heart’s desire was, and is, to search for you,
to look for you,
to pursue you;
what I have for you is beyond your wildest imaginings.
I long to give you more of Me.
I know that My love can satisfy even your most profound needs.
I created you,
looked upon you,
and smiled on who I had made.
I am shaping and molding you into the person I created you to be.
I want the world to get a glimpse of My glory.
I long to radiate from you,
for all the world to see
My glorious splendor.
I am the One who created everything.
There is not one who can rank above Me.
I am above all,
in all,
and I have the power to change, create, and breathe life into any dead
thing.
Your right now is simply an infinitesimal step along the journey
which leads you closer to Me.
No matter what label the world chooses to place on you,
the only significant one
is the one I have given,
and I have called you, My child.
I call you My friend,
My co-laborer,
My dearly loved one,
My family,
and most of all, I call you redeemed.
Do you know who you are?
If only you could see what I see,
for you were birthed with a purpose;
a story uniquely written for you.
I have the ability to turn even the fine particles of the earth
into something that is living and breathing.
Won’t you surrender your identity to Me?
Trust that I am the One who will make you complete.
You are not to be compared to any other human being.
I made you to be you,
and I have placed on you My fingerprints.
I placed together your DNA,
and there is no one exactly like you.
You are My masterpiece.
Don’t look to this world to define you;
look to Me.
I am the One who designed you.
I know everything about you.
I know every breath you take,
and your life is not in vain.
Into you I breathed life,
so I might use you
to reflect My image.
You are My image bearer.
Do you know who you are?
Do you understand the authority you have been given, in My name?
You were created to be about My business.
You were created to reach out to the least, the last, and the lost.
You were created to worship the Creator
and not created things.
Your life is not your own;
it was purchased with My blood.
I took your lashes.
I carried your infirmities.
I took the nails for you.
I took your shame.
You no longer stand condemned,
but freely can receive My grace.
Do you know who you are?
Chosen one,
you are set apart to bear the image of the King.
You are My child.
You are the one I love.
You are the one I adore,
and I know you personally.
Each breath you take is sweet music to My ears.
It is the sound of the breath I Myself have placed there.
I know you.
I made you for a reason.
Each gift, placed inside you, is to play an integral part
in reflecting My kingdom,
in reflecting My creativity, and My love.
You are not a mistake,
a mishap,
or a blip on the screen of life.
You are not insignificant;
I knew you before the foundations of the earth.
Before your parents knew you,
I called you by name
and said, “This one belongs to Me.”
I know your name,
and I will always know your name.
I cannot forget you.
I know the measure of your days;
I have them numbered,
and your time is written on My hands.
Your end will be better than the beginning,
if you will trust Me,
even with the things you don’t understand.
I am the God of all creation.
If you cannot answer who you are,
look to Me.
Do you know who I am?
I have created you in My image,
and I delight in all that I have made.
I do not make mistakes.
I love you, now,
and I will love you, always.

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Chosen (God Picked You)

March 17, 2014November 2, 20142 Comments

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Before the foundations of the earth were laid…God knew and chose you to be the object of His affection.

Oh…to be chosen.

God knew you before your grandparents were ever born. He knew who He wanted you to be, what He wanted you to look like, and the gifts He wanted to give you.

You’re not alive by accident.

You have a divine destiny!

You were born because God wanted you. You have always been wanted and chosen. No one can change the approval or love God has for you! Nothing can separate you from His love.

There’s nothing you can do to make Him love you more. Nothing you can do to make Him love you less. You are accepted in the Beloved!

Sweet friends. The One who is perfect in love said, “I want you. I don’t want to be without you. I am willing to come down to save you. I am willing to die for you. I want to love you! I want to bless you. I want to be known by you. I delight in you. You’re my choice! I choose you!”

God didn’t need us; He wanted us!

May your week be saturated with the love of God. There’s no greater love in all the world.

Love in Christ,

Erin

You’re in my heart and prayers.

Paid in Full (Jesus Saves)

March 5, 20144 Comments

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation,~Romans 5:6-11.

I read a quote that has been imbedded in my memory. It says, “Sin has a high price tag. Either we will pay for our sins or we accept Jesus and receive His appropriation for our sins.” The Bible is very clear that all have sinned (except Jesus) and have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We are powerless to save ourselves, hence the need for a Savior.

What is sin? It’s not just murder, adultery, refusing to love, selfishness, jealousy, bigotry, racism, abuse, lying, dishonoring people, or hatred. Sin is anything not birthed from faith (Romans 14:23).

As humans we are not born loving God nor are we filled with faith. We are born selfish, carnal, and thanks to Adam/Eve with a sin nature in tact. Our passions are not Godly. God knew we’d mess up and made the appropriation for our mess ups. Jesus went to the cross for sinful, wicked, and messed up people; you and me!

People want to envision God slashing people and delighting in throwing them into hell with a grin on His face. God hates sin. God is opposed to sin. He’s holy, there’s no sin in Him. Sin cannot dwell in Him. He’s also a God of justice. Love without justice is not love at all. Those who refuse His solution for sin will end up eternally separated from Him. This truth should lead us to pray people are reconciled to God and free of sin, not to look down our noses or condemn others. If He had not pursued us, we’d all be lost.

So, we can be discouraged by our depravity or we can be encouraged by the love of God. The love that stepped into sinful humanity and laid down His life in a brutal death so we could be free.

Yes, sin is deserving of death. Sin is toxic. Sin is why Jesus went to the cross-to pay for our sins. But the story doesn’t end with our sin. In comes Jesus! He says, “Come follow Me. If you confess your sins, I am faithful to forgive your sins. I make all things new! I paid the highest price for you. I make all things new.”

Dear friends, let’s never forget what God did for us. Let’s not try to convince the world of their sin without introducing them to a Savior. May we recognize our own depravity and seek God for the purification of our heart and motives. Jesus paid the penalty for all sin. He paid it in full! We are saved because of what He did. It is finished.

God bless you! May you share the Gospel with love in your hearts. Our God is mighty to save.

Love in Christ,

Erin

What’s it Gonna Cost (Following Jesus)

February 18, 2014Leave a comment

The Bible says a wise person counts the cost (Luke 14:28-32). What does it cost to follow Jesus? It will cost you everything. God wants your heart, your time, your talents, your mind, your relationships, your pure devotion. It’s not about beating ourselves into submission to His will. It’s about falling in love with the One who loved us first and allowing that love to catapult us into reckless abandon.

All of this life, for the believer, centers around God.

Walking with Jesus might cost you relationships or friendships. The Bible is very clear about not being unequally yoked (spiritually incompatible in marriage) or hanging with people who are pulling you away from God.

Walking with Jesus might cost you time, energy…to serve those around you. Will we do it even if they don’t appreciate it? Will we do it when it’s inconvenient or painful for us? Will we do it out of love, to put someone else first? Will we do it when no one sees and there’s zero credit given to us? Will we serve those who have hurt, abused, neglected, or betrayed us?

Walking with Jesus will lead you to purity…denying fleshly desires to pursue holiness.

Walking with Jesus will cost you popularity. Not everyone loved Jesus. And if everyone loves what we have to say, we might not be preaching the Gospel. The disciples and Jesus were fiercely persecuted for their faith.

Walking with Jesus will cause you to be misunderstood. There are people who will be offended, hurt, angered, and feel rejected by your love for Jesus.

Walking with Jesus even in Christian community can be lonely. You will often have to rely heavily on the Holy Spirit because He never grows weary or tired. He never sleeps or slumbers. He is the source, everything and everyone else a resource.

Walking with Jesus may cost you your dreams. What if what God has for you is better than what you’ve dreamed up or thought of? What if God’s answer doesn’t match your prayers? God does exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or imagine. His will is perfect, even when we don’t understand it.

Walking with Jesus will cost you your pride…to give, forgive, sacrifice, and take the role of a servant.

Walking with Jesus will cost you comfort. He never promised a life without trouble. Life hurts at times. Sometimes it’s excruciatingly painful and disappointing. He did promise to never leave or forsake us. He did promise to work things for good. Even if it doesn’t happen here and now. We will see Him face to face in all His glory. No pain. No sorrow! Just joy!!!!

It’s gonna cost us everything to truly follow Jesus! I can say this with great confidence, He’s worth it ALL! I’ve found no greater love, friend, encourager, or Savior!

I have days where I need to hear Him say, “You and I will be together forever in paradise.” And I long for heaven with an intensity I can’t explain. There have been days, nights, and sometimes weeks of just grieving with God. So I can say with great confidence…no matter what you face or how bad it hurts…GOD is fighting for you, praying for you, and nothing you suffer will be wasted if you place everything in His hands. No matter what you lose, He’s willing to offer you all of Himself. It won’t remove all pain from loss, but it will infuse you with strength to continue on.

Give it all friends! Jesus is the greatest reward and how He loves us so!!!

Love in Christ,

Erin

You are loved. You’re in my heart and prayers.

The Misrepresentation of God

February 2, 2014November 2, 20142 Comments

Photo Credit: Pinterest

There are so many lies floating around about God. There are numerous people claiming to represent Him that are doing more harm than good. Nothing saddens me more than the misrepresentation of God. He is glorious. He is good. While we were at our worst state, Jesus died for us.

God is love. There are so many Bible verses that affirm this truth, yet love is often misrepresented.

Love does not go along with what’s wrong. Some believe that because God is love, we should never correct others or point to truth. If you study the ministry of Jesus, He rebuked people…especially the self righteous.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives,~Hebrews 12:6.

God’s discipline is aimed at leading us to repentance (turning away from doing what’s wrong). Humans sometimes discipline to exercise control, to humiliate, or seek revenge. God longs to restore.

God loves all people! Heaven will be an ethnically diverse place.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands,~Revelation 7:9.

It’s sad that racism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, and feelings of superiority have made their way into some Christian circles. God does not look at people the way we do. He looks at the heart.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,~Galatians 3:28.

In God’s Kingdom, there are no inferior people groups nor is there an inferior gender. Division is a work of the evil one. The Holy Spirit works to bring about peace and unity. He does not change the truth to promote unity; He does place value and honor on people since they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

It amazes me that Jews and Africans have been the most persecuted and hated groups in history, yet the Bible is set on the Continent of Africa and in the Middle East. God does not hate dark skinned people or people from those regions. They were and are an integral part of His story. Jesus was born into a Jewish lineage. Many of the Kings, Queens, and influential people we read about in the Bible were African and others what we’d call today Middle Eastern.

God also does not devalue women. If you study the interactions Jesus had with women, He loved, honored, respected, and treated them well.

Sin (especially pride) brought about the mistreatment of people. It’s not God’s heart.

God wants to save people, not send them to hell.

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

God sent His Son to save the world. So whosoever believes in Him could have everlasting life. Our role is to share the Gospel (which means Good News), not condemn people to hell. We leave the final judgement in God’s hands.

God didn’t tell us to force people into conversion or be the sin police for the world. He did tell us to hold other Christians accountable.

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself,~Galatians 6:1.

This does not mean we are not to fight against social injustice. It does mean we not called to be the Holy Spirit for the world. God calls us to be salt and light. Light is a blessing (our role). Light shines (our role). Light guides (our role). Light illuminates truth (our role). God convicts the world of sin (Holy Spirit’s role). God empowers people to say no to sin (God’s role). When we take on His role, we end up doing more harm than good. We point people to God. We allow Him to work through us. We do not assume His role in their lives.

God hates sin not just because He’s holy, but because sin destroys who He loves.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,~Romans 6:23.

God doesn’t seek to humiliate or shame people.

Jesus dealt with all types of sinners. He did not seek to humiliate them. The Religious people of his day were looking for people to stone, humiliate, or condemn.

When they brought Jesus the woman caught in adultery here was His response.

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”~John 8:7.

After her accusers were gone, Jesus told her to go and leave her life of sin. Love protects. Jesus protected her and told her to stop sinning. That’s real love.

God is not after your money; He’s after your heart!

There are people exploiting the gifts of God and the people of God for profit. God asks us to give to be a blessing to the poor and those around us. The gifts were never intended to exploit people. God cares deeply about the poor. He asks us to give to love on those who have not. When our heart is aligned with His, we care deeply for the poor and we want to give. He does not try to force us to give.

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection,~Luke 14:12-14.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed,~Proverbs 19:17.

To sum it up…God loves people. He’s Sovereign. He’s holy. He’s good. He longs to help us in our weakness. He’s forgiving. The greatest detriment to our souls is failing to receive His Son. No one can come to the Father without the Son. Jesus is the key to eternal life. Even for those who reject Him, God still has love for them.

May we know Him for who He really is and represent Him well! God=Love!!! For more info on what He’s like, check out http://morena242.wordpress.com.

Love in Christ,

Erin