Agape

Beautiful friends, I Thought I Knew What Love Was contains numerous reflections on the love of God. Many times we explore the depths of God’s love only to find out that there is so much more. On this journey with Him, each day provides more insight into His love. God is love. His very nature is love.

God is agape love. Agape love is self-sacrificing in nature, unconditional, and unwavering. Agape love is not based on the merit or behavior of the recipient. There is nothing we can do to earn this love. It is the very essence of the One we worship.

God demonstrated agape when He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for us. He sacrificed for the lovely, the unlovely, the wicked, and for those who will never reciprocate His love. I might choose to lay down my life for someone I thought was innocent. I might even surrender my life for a guilty person, if I thought they would eventually be saved. However, I am certain that it would take an act of God for me to sacrifice my only child for the world knowing some would still reject my love.

God loves us more than we can imagine. Here is an excerpt from I Thought I Knew What Love Was.

Agape

by Erin Lamb © Copyright 2011

God’s message of love.”

I see you in your place of laughter,

your place of happiness,

and your place of hurting.

I see also your places of sorrow.

I embrace you in your times of tears,

and I dance with you in your times of jubilee.

I watch over you in the nighttime

and every second of the day.

I adore you,

despite any of your shortcomings.

I am in your past,

your present,

and in your future.

I delight in all that I have made.

I know you.

I am closer to you than any other being.

I have placed My covering over you,

and that covering is “Love.”

My name is Love;

that love is agape love,

an unfailing love.

I am the love that forgives you,

intercedes for you,

and I am the love that willingly took your place.

I am the love that has compassion for you,

wants to give you My best,

and so many wonderful things.

This is My love for you.

A love that seeks to fill you with more and more,

so your heart’s cup overflows.

I am the love that can never be replaced.

I invest in you.

I wait to meet with you.

I have given My life,

so you may live free.

I took the blame.

I took your shame,

so you could be with Me for a time without end.

My love for you will never disappoint.

My love does not fall short;

it cannot fail, and it can never be destroyed.

Even when you cannot see My love or sense My love,

it encompasses everything that surrounds you.

I have chosen you;

I selected you just for Me.

I cherish you.

I take pleasure in you.

You are My heart’s prize.

Every hair on your head,

I know them,

and I can tell you the length of every one.

Even if the entire world walks out on you,

please know that you are loved.

You cannot fathom

the way love was truly meant to be,

but if you ask for revelation,

I will tell you what I mean.

I love you

more than your achievements,

or lack thereof.

I love you more than your social standing.

I love you in your place of being outcast and feeling forgotten.

I love you past your points of weakness

and insecurity.

I love you past your imperfections,

though I can see each one.

I love you past your sinful nature.

My love is the reason I sent My only Son.

I watched Him hang there.

I watched Him suffer there;

the burdens of the world were weighing on His soul.

I placed Myself in harm’s way,

so you could find new life in Me.

You won’t find this love for you in any other place.

People have searched and searched,

only to still have emptiness in that place.

It is the place that was meant for only Me.

A God-shaped void cannot be filled

by frivolous earthly things.

I want to love you.

I long to love you.

Even if you turn and walk away,

I love you now, and I will love you always.

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

Photo taken from Microsoft Clip Art.

You’re a Child of the King

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.”

A Compassionate God

Today I took some time to simply thank God. Despite what life throws at us, God is there. His presence brings a peace that is unexplainable. I also spent time today meditating on one of my favorite promises from Him. He promises that He will never leave or forsake us. Not only does He promise to never abandon, He also states that He cares about our needs. He is a compassionate, loving Father. And He considers us valuable.

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds?”
Luke 12:24

God’s heart overflows with love, compassion, and concern for us. His love and compassion yields His heart to meet our needs. What I need from Him so far this week is wisdom. I also need His comfort.

What is your need this week?

Is it for comfort? Come to Jesus. He is the world’s best comforter.

Is it for a listening ear? Come to Jesus. His ears and arms are wide open. 24/7 He is available for you.

Is it for encouragement? Come to Jesus. He is your biggest cheerleader.

Is it for a miracle? Come to Jesus. He is all powerful.

Is it for resources? Come to Jesus. He has unlimited resources.

Is it for friendship? Come to Jesus. He sticks closer than a brother.

You might be saying, “I’ve tried to cultivate a relationship with God and it seems like I’m talking to dead air.” Well, that’s where faith comes in. God hears you. Don’t let what you see or feel hinder your journey. Faith is not seeing and believing. Keep pressing in. He’s there.

Sometimes we miss Him because we look for answers and solutions to our problems outside of Him. The things and people that we cling to can never replace Him. The God shaped void inside us can only be filled by Him. He uses people to fulfill His purposes, but He never wants to be replaced by them.

Sometimes He doesn’t answer as quickly or the way we would like, but I promise He is love. I promise He cares.

So, I pray this week our hearts are overwhelmed by the truth that God sees, God cares, and has the ability to meet all our needs. No one does it better than Jesus. Carrying you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Erin

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

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…?

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…

Do You Know Who You Are? (from the book I Thought I Knew What Love Was)

Do You Know Who You Are?

by Erin Lamb Copyright © 2011
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.

*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

Happy New Year (God=love)

Happy New Year beautiful people!!

I won’t be posting daily in the future. I simply thought since it’s the start of a new year that we’d begin our journey together into the heart of God. I’m praying for you. Hope this journey will be an adventure…

So today you’ve started a new year and probably made some resolutions. Things you plan to do this year. You know what’s on God’s to do list: to love you, to pursue your whole heart, and to be known by you. He’s after your heart. He loves you!

God tells us, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb…”Jeremiah 1:5.

He speaks so sweetly,”Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you…” Jeremiah 31:3.

He goes a step further to save us. He came to save this planet from the powers of darkness, death, and sin. He sent His Son. Check it out.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world,” John 3:16-17.

Before Adam and Eve sinned, God already had a plan in place to redeem humanity. He knew what would happen, and He still created us. We blew it, so He sent His Son, the One He loved, to be the atoning sacrifice for all our past, present, and future sins. I might be willing to lay down my life for an innocent person, but a guilty one? Who would? God. God=Love.

So if you have not invited Him into your heart, I ask you to trust me when I say He loves you. He will change your life. He’s the key to life, freedom, and truth. He’s calling you by name. Won’t you invite Him in? Talk to Him like an old friend. Don’t be shy. He knows everything anyway, and He is looking at you with the eyes of love.

Your journey to knowing Him starts with believing He is God, believing He sent His Son born of a virgin to die for your sins (He knew no sin but became the sacrifice for all sins), and believing Jesus rose again defeating death. Next step confess your sins to Him and ask for forgiveness. If you are angry with someone and need to forgive them, it’s the perfect time to do that as well. Invite Him into your heart, and receive His forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. His sacrifice covers it all. Once you’ve invited God into your heart, guess what, you have just been given a new life! Get connected to a Christian church, start reading the Bible (recommend you start with the New Testament book of John). Talk to God. It may not seem natural at first, but prayer is simply talking to Him.

You’re on your way! There’s no guilt and no shame. He makes all things new. He has great plans for you. If you invited God into your heart, Heaven is having a big party for you! Whooohooo! You’ve just joined a Royal Family, God’s family.

For those of you who already took the first plunge of salvation, thanks for your patience. I think it’s great to be reminded of what God did for us. We are accepted based solely on what Jesus did for us, for we can not do anything to earn salvation. It’s a gift through faith.

My encouragement is that there is always more. More to know about Him. Like any relationship it grows over time and involves interaction. He’s open to being known. He enjoys pursuing and being pursued. As soon as we think we have Him figured out, He reveals something new. How exciting! Are you eager for more? Let’s dive in to know more about Him.

Here are some closing thoughts:

God thought we were worth dying for. His love prompted His plan for redemption.

God is holy. No person can stand before Him as sinless (except Jesus)*. Jesus came so you and I could be cleansed of sin, through belief and relationship with Him. The price for sin was paid in full by Jesus. We have full access to God through relationship with Jesus. We become joint heirs with Him. We are clothed in His righteousness.

God is for us and thinks highly of us. He’s not out to get us or destroy us. He saves, delivers, redeems, heals, gives life, and forgives.

God has mysteries He wants to reveal to our hearts. He wants to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with us.

God is longing to take our relationship with Him to a deeper level.

God has the best plan for our lives. If it looks like a mess, hang in there. His work is always perfect. Invite Him in and watch Him perform the miraculous.

God wants our hearts. He already knows all there is to know about us and wants to be the greatest lover of our souls! He can’t take His eyes off us.

So here’s to a new year, a new adventure, and a journey that I hope gives us all a deeper revelation of His love. May we know the height, the depth, the width, and the intensity of this amazing love. God=love. Bless you friends.

Love in Him,

Erin

*Romans 3:23