Tag: God’s love

A Million Souls

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A Million Souls
By Erin Lamb

“…with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible fulfillment,” Luke 1:37.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,'” Mark 16:15.

God is amazing! He more than amazing, but I cannot think of a word sufficient enough to capture His goodness. Not only is God good, He does things that are so incredible! God does things that shock our minds and rattle our logic. For example, the fact that God would send His Spirit to breathe life into Mary to birth the Messiah; isn’t that radical? It is the only true virgin birth in history. To have that same man Jesus die on a cross taking on all of humanity’s sins only to rise again. It’s radical. Some would say impossible! However, with God nothing is ever impossible. He lives in the realm of, “If I think it, it can happen.” How incredible it is to love someone so good and so powerful.

So, in pondering His goodness, I thought what could I ask Him for that’s also beneficial for the Kingdom! Well, I asked for a million souls. For a million people to come to know Jesus through my life, testimony, and legacy. It’s an ambitious prayer request. I’m a regular person serving an extraordinary God.

My heart’s desire is to help enlarge heaven. I want it to be the biggest party ever! I want His name to be even more famous in the earth because He is so good. Will you help me?

How you can help:

1. Pray for more laborers, people to share the gospel. The harvest is plentiful, we need more laborers.

2. Pray for the lost. Take time daily or weekly to pray for those who don’t know how good God is. Ask God to open their eyes and heart. Pray and keep praying.

3. Share God’s love with others! You don’t have to be smooth or have all the answers. Share your story, what God has done for you!

4. Ask God to open doors for you to talk to people about how good God is, then walk through those doors.

It’s that simple friends! Thank you for your prayers, love, and support! Together we can change the world. We can transform our sphere of influence!

P.S God=Love! Spread the word. 🙂

I Came For You

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I Came For You

In reflection on the cross here are some words God pressed into my heart. Hope they bless yours.

“I came for you. Before the heavens were formed and the earth below I was thinking about you. I was thinking about how I would make you. You were on My mind. I held the pieces of your DNA in My imagination and I smiled. I smiled because I was about to speak life into someone who I loved. I loved you before anyone else would know you. I strategically picked your parents to create what would be My masterpiece. I came for you. I knew that I wanted you. I have always wanted you and to be known by you. I wait eagerly for you to awaken so I can spend the day with you. You are always in My thoughts, as a matter of fact, I never take My eyes off you. I LOVE you. I know everything there is to know about you, and I still smile over you. I did not come just to die so that you would have eternal life, but so that you would be able to enjoy the life I paid to give you. A life free of worry. A life free of oppression. A life free of loneliness, for I am with you always. I came to set you free; free from feeling anything other than cherished, loved, accepted, adored, cared for, and significant.

I came for you. I would do it all again, just so I could have the chance to be with you. I love you that much. I will always love you that much. I love you so much that I was willing and am willing to lay all that I am down for you. I was willing and I am willing to place myself in harm’s way so you can freely receive My forgiveness, love, freedom, mercy, and grace. That is why I came. So on this day may you bask in the love I have for you. Nothing can separate you from My love, not today or any day. I love YOU! Take the love you feel I have for you and multiply it by infinity, because it’s greater, it’s grander, and it is more powerful than any love you have ever felt. And don’t forget, I rose. I rose with all power in My hands and through Me you have been given access to do even greater things than I did. My Spirit empowers you to do amazing things. Death has been defeated! All that you need has been given. So hold your head up high, the King has paid your ransom and empowered you to do great and mighty things!

I believe in you. I believe in what I made. I take delight in you! So rise up My child and know that I came to give you the very best of Me. I love you now and always.”

You are deeply loved.

Love,

Erin

Perfect Love

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Perfect Love
By Erin Lamb

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. God is good to all. He has compassion on all that He has made. ~paraphrase of Psalm 145:8-10.

God is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Psalm 100:5

Have you ever felt unloved? Have you ever felt as though God was trying to punish you through bad things happening?

Well, I recall having conversations with God where I asked why I didn’t feel His love. I recall going to Him in times of tragedy looking for what I needed to learn from it instead of crawling up into His love as a safe place.

Over the years I’ve found that His love is perfect. The times when I did not feel His love were the times where I expected it to flow perfectly from those who claimed to be His children, times when I was lead by emotions, and times of intense trials and tribulations.

The truth is that God is love. Faith says, “Even when I don’t feel loved, I believe that God is love.” Faith says, “Though I do not always understand His ways, I can trust His heart.” Faith says, “His word is truth whether my emotions line up or not.” It boils down to this one word, “Faith.”

Investigating the questions:

If God’s Spirit is in His children, why do they behave in un-loving ways?

People are human and therefore come with flaws. We will not find perfect love in another human being. We may find people who make us feel loved from time to time, but they will never be able to replace God or fill our need for His love. I truly believe God allows us sometimes to be disappointed by people so we will see only He is perfect. Only He loves perfectly. When we elevate people above Him or even on the same level as God, we will always be disappointed. He wants our pure devotion to be to Him. Only He completes the human heart.

If God loves me, why do so many bad things happen to me and in the world?

I dare not try to answer this fully. I can say that some of the bad things that happen are simply a result of living in a fallen world. Some of the bad things happen because Jesus said in the world we would have tribulation, but to take heart as He overcame the world. Some bad things happen due to the fact this isn’t heaven. Some bad things happen because of our sin or the sins of others. Some bad things happen due to a lack of prayer. Some bad things happen as a result of our bad choices and decisions.

When life is hard, run to Him. Only He has all the answers. Only He knows all and sees all. I’ve found He does not answer all my questions, but He always responds with love. I’ve learned He is faithful to tell me what I need to know. I’ve learned He is more interested in drawing me close to His heart than beating me down with harsh circumstances. I’ve learned He’s the best friend I’ve ever had. And while my heart still bows in respect, honor, and admiration for Him, I still trust that His eyes are flooded with love and through Jesus I can go boldly to His throne.

Whatever you face and however you feel, my prayer is that you know that God loves you! You may be hurting right now, but He longs to comfort, heal, and shower you with love. He is the safest person you can go to! He is overflowing with compassion. He is overflowing with love. He is the only One who understands you perfectly, loves you perfectly, and can do more for you than anyone can! It’s God. It will always be Him standing with arms wide open ready to be there for you.

Closing prayer:

“Abba shower us with hope, healing, and Your agape love. Remove any barriers to receiving Your perfect love. You love us! May we believe it, feel it, and experience it every day!”

You’re a Child of the King

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So, I have been missing in action for the past few weeks. I have not forgotten you. There have been a few things that have temporarily grabbed my focus.

Enough about me, how are you? How has life been treating you? I hope exceptionally well.

I like to turn my ear to God and wait for what stirs in my heart. He speaks in a still, peaceful voice. Today He deposited the encouragement below. It was originally for my female friends, but I made it gender neutral, men need encouragement too. I hope it inspires you, encourages you, and puts a smile on your face. Keep your head up high, you’re a much loved child of the King.

Child of the King

Inspired by Jesus

You are My child. My priceless treasure. You are the one that I came and died for. Yes, for 33 years I walked the earth, thinking of you, knowing that the day was coming that I would give My very life to save you. You were and are always on My mind. Everything about you makes me smile. I was so happy, delighted, and excited to make you. I would do it all again. I would suffer again, to have a deep, intimate relationship with you. How I long for you to know that I am crazy about you. I can’t take My eyes off of you. I have so many wonders to share with you. I have so many mysteries to reveal to you. How I long to draw you into My Quarters, for time alone to speak My heart, to your heart.

I placed the stars in your eyes. How they sparkle and shine. I placed My words in your heart, so seeds could grow and would grow tall! There is no mountain I will not move for you. There is nothing that touches your heart, that does not touch Mine. How I long for the day when you look into the eyes of Love, My eyes, and see all the beauty I have placed inside of you. You are a gift.

You are the love of My heart.

I never want anyone or anything to take My place. I love you that much. I have so many amazing plans for your life. If you could see Me, you’d see me sitting on the edge of My throne, loaded with promises, loaded with gifts, loaded with great things made just for you. I never want you to look at someone else’s gifts and want what they have. I want you to turn your face towards Me and trust that I have the best plan. I LOVE you! I am CRAZY with love for you.

You don’t have to be perfect; I am perfect for you.

You don’t have to carry guilt or shame; I paid the penalty for all your sins. So forgive others, ask for forgiveness, and receive all that I paid to give.

You don’t have to fit into anyone’s mold; I made one mold for you!

You don’t have to try hard; just fall back on My love.

You don’t have to worry; I am sending you help from above.

You don’t have to fear; I am Your Protector, Provider, and an ever present help in trouble.

You don’t have to strive; I designed you to thrive.

You don’t have to pick yourself apart to be humble; I am your identity, it is rooted in relationship with Me.

You don’t have to search for love; I am all the LOVE that you will need. Anything else I give you is simply icing on the cake!

You don’t have to meet your own needs; I have the capability and desire to meet all your needs according to My riches in Glory. Just ask and wait for Me.

You don’t have to defend yourself; I am your defense.

You don’t have to figure it out; I have all the answers.

You don’t have to be alone; I am with you always.

You don’t have to fight through life; I send you help from heaven’s throne. The battle has already been won and anything else you face I have made provisions for.

You don’t have to be insecure; I have made you beautiful/handsome, set apart, chosen, lovely, the King’s child, a royal heir, and your future is secure in Me.

You don’t have to be without a friend; I am the friend who sticks closer than a brother!

You don’t have to feel left out or forgotten; I can never forget you, your dreams, or even the unspoken desires of Your heart. Just trust Me. Trust My timing. Know that your dreams and desires are written on My heart.

You don’t have to feel rejected or fear rejection; I have adopted you into My family. No one can separate you from My love. You and I were meant to be.

You are the King’s child. You are loved so deeply and profoundly. No one can take your place in My heart. I am here. I will always be here. Cheering for you. Wanting the best for you. Loving you. Singing your praises in the heavens. Praying for you. Watching over you. Listening to you. Wanting more of you. Desiring all of your heart. Eagerly awaiting time alone with you. I have so much to show you, teach you, and share with you. Most of all may you never forget, “I will always love you.”

Our Deepest Need (from the book I Thought I Knew What Love Was)

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Our Deepest Need

Written by Erin Lamb  © 2011

There is a place

inside the heart

that longs to be heard, felt, and understood.

There is an even greater part of the heart that craves to be loved.

The unconditional love that says,

“I love you for the person you are,

the person you could be,

and for the person I know you will become.”

The unconditional love that says,

“Even if you don’t reach your highest potential,

I will love you still.”

The unconditional love that says,

“I love you with your faults, and you don’t have to earn my love.”

People search their entire lives,

for a filling of their hearts and soul.

People look for satisfaction in all the wrong places,

with all the wrong faces,

and expect a human being to fill their inner most desires and wants.

Our hearts can be empty,

shallow,

void,

and even hardened,

without the touch of God.

You see, we desperately need His tender touch.

We need the outpouring of His Spirit,

His Holy Spirit,

time and time again.

We require our cups to be continually filled

and our innate desires fulfilled by the only One who can.

Our broken cisterns

leave us unfulfilled,

as we attempt to satisfy ourselves.

Our barrenness leads us to gratify our flesh.

This flesh only wants what it wants, when it wants;

doing whatever feels good in the present moment.

Gratifying our flesh only leaves our hearts longing for more,

continually pulling off the forbidden fruits

that offer a sweet taste,

but the end result is death.

We are simply eating the crumbs off the table,

for we are never truly full and our hunger continues to grow.

Our stomachs ache at our overindulgence,

oversaturation,

and we are spiritually fragile;

we partake of things that never fill our spirit.

His word says,

“…Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

God knows that only He can fill our hunger,

and only He can quench our thirst.

Only He can love us deeper

and more purely,

than anything we have ever felt.

Only He can provide the never ending fountain of living water

that fills our cup to spill over.

He was,

He is,

and He will always be the pursuer of our souls.

Only He can provide perfected, unconditional love

tailored for me and you.

He longs to satisfy

and pour out His unending supply.

His love is the perfect love to fill all our heart’s vacancies.

How sweet it is to be loved by Jesus,

to be loved in the most intimate way.

His love is sweeter than any kiss from a lover,

and His love is gentler than a mother’s hand.

It is a bond so strong it can never be broken.

His love and His care never end.

So come with me to the streams of living water,

and dip in your tired feet.

Wade in the waters of His healing;

let the waves of His love set you free.

Allow His refreshing stream

to wash over every wound.

Come with me,

all those who are weary

and sinking into despair.

Come with me, those yearning for a romantic retreat

with the Creator of the Universe.

Can you hear Him,

calling your name?

His voice rises above the winds saying,

“I have been waiting for you, for such a time as this.

Leap in, the water is fine.

In My presence is where your heart will be most content.”

*Copyright © Erin Lamb. Excerpt from, “I Thought I Knew What Love Was.”

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press (www.westbowpress.com), or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book available: http://www.westbowpress.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com. and http://www.amazon.com

If God is Love, then why…?

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If God is Love, then why…?
By Erin Lamb

Have you struggled with the concept that God is a God of love because of the why’s of life? You know the why’s: why did this happen, why does this keep happening, why aren’t my prayers being answered, why do bad things happen to good people? Have you been there? Have you asked those questions or similar questions? If so, you are not alone. Job asked questions. David asked questions. God is not offended by questions. He longs to relate to us.

The truth is there is something in us that desires heaven on earth now, for the wrongs to be made right, and for the world to make sense. The complete fullness of heaven will be a reality, when Jesus returns and reigns. We experience some of it now, but the best is yet to come. All the world will be flooded with His love and presence. So what do we do in the meantime?

Well, I dare not attempt to answer all the why’s. That would be a book and not a blog. I also don’t know the answer to all the why’s. What I can do is share one personal experience with you and what I learned.

The year after I graduated from college one of the closest people to me was diagnosed with cancer. How I loved (love) her. She was the one who would sit on the front porch with me when I was kid, who’d entertain my silliness, and there’s no one in the world like her. She radiated God’s love.

We believed God for healing. We prayed. We prayed some more! We believed God. We were trusting God. We just knew God would heal her. I sat with her some days just watching her waste away. I watched her in pain. This person who was kind, loving, a great mom, a great friend, a great sunday school teacher, a bright light in the community. She was dying. Sitting with the dying is emotionally traumatic. You want to fix it, immediately. You press in for breakthrough like it’s your own life that depends on it.

Well, breakthrough didn’t come. The day she died, I felt like all the air left my body. I felt as though my heart might burst into a million pieces. I cried. I continued to cry until I felt all the tears had left my body. I thought for a moment, “Why God?” A song eventually erupted in my heart. There was worship in the midst of the anguish, which had to be His Spirit springing forth to comfort mine.

It was one of the worst days of my life. I knew God could do anything. I knew He could heal. I’d seen too much not to believe. So why not now? Well, years later here are a few things my heart has settled on.

1. We live in a sinful world. Life doesn’t always make sense to my mind, but everything God does is in love, even if I can’t see it or explain it. He is always good. He’s perfect.

2. God heals cancer. It doesn’t matter what one situation looks like; He is the healer. If it doesn’t happen, it isn’t because He can’t do it, or He’s trying to prove a point. I also believe He doesn’t cause sickness, there is no sickness in heaven. Sickness and death entered the world due to sin. So you keep praying for the sick and pursuing breakthrough. Jesus told the disciples to heal the sick.

3. His comfort and love are able to sustain a person through the worst of situations. He’s the best friend we could ever have. He draws near when we can’t even lift our heads to pray.

4. He is overflowing with compassion. There is nothing that affects our hearts that does not touch His heart. He is not distant, cold, or unfeeling. He runs towards the hurting.

5. Going through challenges builds compassion for others. Without compassion, there is no genuine love. We cannot love people and not be touched by what happens to them.

6. God is in the hard stuff, always willing to help, we just don’t often see it due to our pain or lack of understanding.

7. There is always something good that can come from the unfortunate things in life if we invite Him into it. He will give us beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow, and love for pain.

8. Jesus understands. If you read about His life on earth, He was rejected, betrayed, sold out for money, and abused. He knows what it feels like to suffer. And He’s the best person to turn to during the hard times.

I conclude this entry by saying, instead of trying to figure out all the why’s, climb up into His arms, and let Him love you. Invite Him into the pain. Invite Him into the questions. Trust that He is good, and He is love. I couldn’t say that if I hadn’t gone through some pretty challenging things in life. I won’t list them all. I gave you one peak inside this mended heart. I still have moments of somber reflections, but they are bathed in the revelation that no one ever has or ever will love me the way He does. One moment with Him trumps the pain, the grief, the battles, and challenges. He’s better than we can even imagine! God=Love

Next post will hopefully be an entry from the book written during some of the challenging times. Praying for you friends. Hang in there. You are deeply loved…