I am so thankful for the Word of God! How blessed we are to have His truths written for us. But I still think it would be neat to walk around with Jesus digesting His parables and asking Him questions. There are a few key phrases I want to pull out of His teachings. I know that we are heart-deep in Ephesians, but take a side trip with me to Matthew.
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:17-18 NKJV).
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matthew 15:19-20 NKJV).
“…How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV).
These are the verses that came to my mind as I meditated on Ephesians 5:17-6:9. Paul is addressing our relationships with others in the home, in the church, and in the work place.
So, I ask…. Have you noticed that what is in our hearts is what comes out? Good or bad, it comes out and splashes on those around us… our spouse, our parents, our children, our co-workers, and on other believers.
I’ve heard lots of sermons on this portion of Scripture… too many that skip the foundational Truths laid out in Chapters 1-4. When the Holy Spirit directed Paul to write Ephesians, the progression was deliberate! If we try to skip over who we are in Him and the power to live righteously, we will miss the foundational truths that enable us to live a life of love instead of a life of religiosity.
Our journey as believers is all about drawing close the Lover of our soul and the Keeper of our heart! We learn to look to Him for answers and follow the nudgings of the Holy Spirit. As our heart beat becomes set to the cadence of His heart, it is HIS goodness that flows out of us! That outflow will bless our spouse, our children, our parents, our co-workers, and other believers!
We are given foundational clues to set us on the path of relational right-living in 5:18-21:
Be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit
Speak to one another with words of truth, grace, and peace
Let your heart overflow with praise to the Lord
Be thankful in all things
Honor one another
I’ve noticed that if what starts to come out of my mouth isn’t reflective of the Father’s heart, it’s time for a heart-check! What works as a heart-check? Whispered prayers, time in the Word, singing to the radio, or even a nap, whatever works for you, be sure to reconnect your heart to the Father’s.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, for they affect who we are.
Have you heard this song? Has it gripped your heart like it has mine?
The beauty of this song is that it is a simple, yet powerful, Truth!
“‘Cause Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire”1 (Additional lyrics below)
When we speak the name of Jesus, there are ripples of power that radiate through the spirit realm!
Evangelist Steve Hill testified that at his lowest point, proclaiming himself an atheist, in the midst of drug-induced convulsions, he called out the name of Jesus until minutes later, he found himself sitting upright, completely delivered! There’s power in the name of Jesus!
When I think of how the world abuses the name of Jesus, it grieves my heart. How it must hurt the ears of the Lord! Conversely, imagine the oil of beauty that flows over His ears when we speak the name of Jesus in faith and confidence! Imagine the joy that fills His heart when we ascribe honor and glory to His name! How that must bring a smile to His face!
Jesus! What an incredible name! What a glorious name! What a powerful name2! The authority inherent in the name of Jesus is available to us! We are welcome to come boldly before His throne, ask in His name, and stand in faith believing that He will meet us right where we are!
Live loved,
1Songwriters: Jesse Reeves / Dustin Smith / Abby Benton / Raina Patt / Kristen Dutton / Carlene Prince
“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This quote packs a serious punch! One right to the gut and one that challenges us as believers. Meditate on the truth that MLK Jr. shares… it reflects the heart of the Father. Micah 6:8 states: “He {God} has shown you, O mortal {you and me}, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walkhumbly with your God.
Jesus seconds this expectation when He declares His passionate expectation: Love the Lord with all of our being AND love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
The POWER: We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Truth carriers, wonder-workers, agents of justice, and disciple-makers.
The LOVE: It’s love that paves the way for His Truth and His power to effectively impact our realm of influence! When His heart beats in us, we reflect His attitude, His motives, and His compassionate mercy to those around us.
The bottom line: We have no authority in situations where we refuse to demonstrate love (I Corinthians 13). But, love empowered by truth produces healing and growth!
Live Loved,
Note: This article was originally published here on August 31, 2021
Hearing that a precious young woman, a family friend, had been sexually assaulted. As I listened to the story unfold, my chest ached with the knowledge of the painful blow that had been dealt, physically and emotionally, to this dear girl and her family too. Aware of the need, I asked if counseling was in the works. Thankfully, it was; however, she had requested a non-Christian counselor because she didn’t want to be “preached at” instead of counseled. This perception of Christians, coming from a young lady who had been raised a believer, deeply grieved my heart.
I asked the Lord, “Why?” “Why do Christians… literally “Christ-like” people… have such a bad reputation in many people’s minds?” Almost immediately, I felt Him say, “My people do not understand that mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Whether we are believers or not, it’s so easy to judge. We look at the car someone drives, the clothes they wear, the way they wear them, the bag they carry, the job they work, the hairstyle they sport, the words they speak… and we judge, sometimes rightly, sometimes not. But when we choose to make judgments, we are setting ourselves up as unauthorized judges instead of effective ambassadors of Kingdom love.
Let’s look at these two versions of James 2:12-13 for deeper perspective on God’s desire for His people.
So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. NASB
So we must both speak and act in every respect like those who are destined to be tried by the perfect law of liberty, and remember that judgment is merciless for the one who judges others without mercy. So by showing mercy you take dominion over judgment! TPT
You and I as believers are judged by the law of freedom. Are you familiar with the law of freedom? This is the law that sets us free: It is the law of love! Matthew 22:37-40 tells us that all the laws are summed up in these two: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself! We learn more about the law of love in I John 4:17: Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world [Carriers of love!].18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (emphasis mine)
When Jesus walked the earth, the people weren’t afraid of Him because love and mercy exuded from Him! He set an amazing example for us! He demonstrated mercy over judgment in His encounters even though He had the right to judge!
When the adulteress woman sat before Him, He was merciful.
When a cheating tax collector sought His company, He was merciful.
When an unclean woman touched His clothing, He was merciful.
When approached by the lame, the blind, the wounded, the possessed, Jesus showed mercy!
Consider Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. Even though He spoke about “all she had done,” she did not feel condemned, but rather she felt known! She was drawn to His mercy and compassion and the result was many in the village believed! What power when we choose mercy over judgment!
Judgment Vs. Mercy!! Who Will Win?
You enter a room and there’s a jug of milk spilled on the floor… as it glugs out you get to choose: judgment or mercy. Judgment demands to know who knocked the milk over, why it happened, and who’s going to pay for it. On the contrary, mercy jumps into action, helps to clean up the mess, and comes up with ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Mercy doesn’t negate consequences, but offers a compassionate shoulder to lean on while journeying through the consequences.
Judgment assumes guilt, mercy offers grace
Judgment looks to blame, mercy looks to set things right
Judgment looks at the actions, mercy looks past the actions to the person
Judgment looks at the past, mercy looks at the future
Judgment focuses on the mess; mercy helps clean the mess up
James declares the winner when He states: Mercy Triumphs over judgment!
Jesus judged by the law that sets us free! How can we do any less?
If we choose to judge by the law of Moses, that’s the law we will also be judged by. I sure don’t want to be judged under the law of Moses, but rather the law of freedom!
The world is filled with self-righteous, self-appointed judges. Jesus gave His life so that we could be judged by the law of freedom! You and I as carriers of His Spirit must be agents of mercy in our interactions with others. It is the Father’s desire that we be Kingdom ambassadors demonstrating a love that casts out fear of judgment and paves the way for the law of His love!
Jesus stated that His mark on our life would be demonstrated in our love towards one another (John 13:35). This is the reputation that needs to be associated with Christians: a reputation of truth wrapped in compassion, mercy, and love! A people who are willing to help clean up messes and value redemption! This is the type of love that will lead others to the Father.
When our agenda is to demonstrate the heart of the Father, all of Heaven will back us up!
I’m so thankful that mercy triumphs over judgment in the Kingdom of God!
You don’t need to look far to see it. It’s running rampant on the internet… Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, in news articles, and most definitely in the comment section off all of the above. Hate, anger, disrespect, name-calling, accusations, insults, character defamation, sarcasm, hate. I think if people could snarl and spit nails over social media, we’d see that too!
Internet anonymity seems to bring out the inner hulk in too many of us!
It’s not okay! It is one thing to have strong feelings and opinions, it’s another thing to attack people because their beliefs differ from ours. It’s not okay to call people names because they disagree with you and me. It’s not okay, to defame their intelligence because they don’t see things our way. It’s not okay to “scream” insults with our keyboards while telling our children to “sprinkle kindness like confetti” and “don’t be a bully.”
The more comfortable that people (including us) become with verbally destroying one another on social media, the more readily it will manifest in person! Think about it, the rioters who are looting and destroying… Do you think this is their first go-around with attacking others? I’m not going out on a limb to say, “No way!” They’ve done it online already if not in person, but they now feel that world events make it socially acceptable to take it to another level regardless of the consequences.
How do we manage to ask a whole nation of social media experts to hold up, think carefully, choose a better pathway? I wish I knew. But we have to start somewhere.
Somewhere is here: #wipeouthate Wednesday.
#Wipeouthate Wednesdays is a chance for us to remember that we are more alike than different! I can wax eloquent here in listing the gazillion ways we are alike! But for brevity, here are some biggies:
We love
We want to be loved
We feel pain
We hurt others
We seek happiness
We work to achieve goals
We want freedom
We appreciate respect
We have values and beliefs
We have melanin in our skin, hair, and eyes
We prefer health over sickness
We prefer life over death
We love
#Wipeouthate Wednesdays for Social Media means: NO to: political posts, hot topic or current debate posts, conspiracy posts, accusation posts, or even face mask posts! (No rude comments either.) YES to: encouraging words, kind thoughts, celebrations, positive artistic expression, hopeful ideas, and cute pet pictures! (Lots of positive comments too!)
Think about it… choosing to set aside the things that divide us and focus on the things that unite us??? That’s like a gooey, warm stream of salted caramel sauce pouring over vanilla bean ice cream! Let’s do this!
When I take the time to peruse social media and headlines, I find myself going through a variety of facial expressions… sadness, chuckles, surprise, interest, and eyerolls. This week, the story that garnered the biggest eye roll ever was the one about tearing down “racist statues of white Jesus.” Now, I get that most representations of Jesus we see are not truly reflective of what Jesus looked like as a Judean man. Is that a result of racism? Ummm, no. It’s because people tend to create mental, and therefore physical, depictions from their own frame of reference… all people, not just white.
Visualization 101… Let me demonstrate. Picture this scene in your mind… A child rode a bicycle down the street and stopped at the park to play with a friend. After an hour, the friends parted and the child returned home.
Did you picture it? Now, think about your mental picture. You most likely pictured a bicycle that looks like one you have ridden, possibly in your favorite color. The child would’ve been a boy or girl who looks like you or one you know well. The street would’ve been familiar to you too. What did the kids play? Was it soccer, basketball, or on the swings? Probably what you would have played in a park! Your mental picture might have included a high-five goodbye or a cellphone check-in depending on your experiences. You and I create mental depictions of events based on our own frame of reference.
History 101… America was settled by the Europeans. Europeans for centuries have depicted Jesus to look like themselves and therefore, each country that they colonized reflected those depictions. Colonization is not a new concept. When Rome was a world dominating power, they also sent leaders and troops to established colonies that reflected Roman culture. It’s what conquering countries did historically.
Jesus 101… Will the real Jesus, please stand up! What did Jesus really look like? Since Jesus was Judean born, He most likely had brown skin and brown eyes. His muscle structure would have reflected His work as a carpenter. Like men of His day, He probably sported facial hair and a head full of curly hair that rested on His collar.1
The writers of the New Testament didn’t take the time to describe Jesus’ physical attributes to us. In the overall scheme of things, did it really matter? No. Why? Because the writers were much more focused on what Jesus’ character “looked like.” Jesus came to earth equally God and human so that He could bring Salvation to ALL people! His interactions with others reflected the character of God. Jesus’ life is an incredible example of someone who ministered cross-culturally, across gender lines, to all age groups, disregarding social expectations, ignoring political agendas, and interacting with all socio-economic groups!
Take a gander* for yourself at what the real Jesus “looked like:”
Jesus ignored custom by teaching women (custom stated that women shouldn’t be taught because they were untrustworthy and worthless). (Luke 10, John 6 are two examples)
Even though Romans ruled over and oppressed the Jews, Jesus healed the daughter of a Roman Ruler, the servant of Roman Centurion, and the son of a royal official. (Matt 9, Matt 8, John 4 respectively)
Jesus ministered to the untouchables. He was not afraid to talk to AND even touch those who were considered unclean. (Matt 8-man with leprosy, Matt 9-the bleeding woman)
Contrary to the religious mindset, Jesus spent time with the “sinners” of His day which included tax collectors who cheated the people in the name of the government. He declared the criminal on the cross as welcome in Paradise and loved Judas for three years as part of His inner circle in spite of the knowledge that Judas would betray Him. (Matthew 9, Luke 19)
Jesus cared about rich (Nicodemus), the working class (the disciples and the crowds of people who followed Him), and the poor.
Without thought to gender, age, or economic status, Jesus healed the disadvantaged and hurting whether deaf, dumb, crippled, blind, or demon possessed.
Jesus crossed racial barriers and gender barriers when He spoke to the Greek woman in Mark 15 and the Samaritan woman and her town in John 4.
When the disciples considered children a nuisance, Jesus welcomed the messy neighborhood kids, hugged them and blessed them! (Mark 10)
Jesus told His disciples to preach the Gospel (good news) to Gentiles and Samaritans in Matthew 10. He told you and I that the good news of the Kingdom of God was to be preached to all nations! Mark 3:10, Matt. 28:19-20)
Call it cliché, but when I listen to the political, social, and relational rhetoric splashing across social media, my question is WWJD? What Would Jesus Do if faced with today’s issues? I can tell you what He would not do… He would not cheer as people violently hurt and destroy; He would not hashtag and holler; He would not flood social media with conspiracy theories; He would not callously dismiss those who disagreed with His point of view. On the contrary, He would be in the trenches helping those in need, holding the hurting, weeping with those who weep, and being an agent of healing wherever He went. How do I know? It’s not hard to figure out if you look at His MO… He spent time with those who disagreed with Him. He listened and discussed ideas. He challenged those who thought they represented truth, but only represented their version of it. He loved, healed, and honored regardless of race, gender, social standing, or political alliance.
Do you consider yourself a follower of Jesus like I do? Is the real Jesus evident in our lives? His instructions for us are the same as they were when He walked on the earth: Be salt, be light, let your good deeds bring glory to the Father, go and sin no more, love your enemies, give to those in need, do not worry, pray, do to others what you want them to do to you (Matthew 5-7). All of these are fabulous concrete ways to look like the real Jesus and impact our world!
But… let’s not forget the most important expectation laid out for us: love God first and then love people… all people (Matt. 22:35-39). What would Jesus do today? He would love people so well, that they would hunger for the Truth reflected in His eyes! Consider this, when we devalue others (even in our minds) because of their political views, financial status, age, gender, race, or life choices, we lose authority and opportunity to speak into their lives. What does loving God look like? Obedience. What does loving people look like? Kindness, forgiveness, grace, patience, humility, protection, and selflessness. (I Corinthians 13:4-7). If we attempt to speak truth without God’s type of love, we are simply a noise maker adding to the chaos (I Corinthians 13:1). However, when we love others well, we will find an open door to speak life and truth because our actions demonstrate compassion and authenticity.
I encourage you… ask yourself what I am asking myself. Are my interactions with others, personally or virtually, adding to the chaos and division? Or are they making others feel valued in a way that opens the door for healthy interaction and demonstration of the truth of God’s love. Is the real Jesus standing up in us? His love is the difference between being a noise-maker and a world-changer!
Dear Lord, May we be accurate representations of your love in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our work places, and online! Help us to value others the way You do! Remind us to weep with those who weep and be agents of healing to this world. May our deeds bring glory to You! We can’t do it on our own, help us, Jesus! Amen!
Live Loved, Be Love,
1British anatomical artist, Richard Neave’s, rendering of men during Jesus’ time (left & middle).
*This list is certainly not all inclusive. The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are filled with evidence of Jesus’ love for everyone. He even spoke truth to the religious people who were determined that He was sent by satan. It’s this group of hypocritical people that He challenged repeatedly because they perpetuated a dead form of “worship” and hindered people from encountering the true God.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m alone in the car, I talk out loud… I talk to the Lord, I talk to the other drivers, I talk to myself, and I talk to the radio!
It’s possible that I looked a little cray-cray when I heard this song on the radio the other day! The beat grabbed my attention, but the lyrics…. Oh my! The lyrics resounded loud in my spirit and I couldn’t help pumping my fist in agreement!
Native Tongue by Switchfoot is a powerful statement about who we are and Who we came from! If we marry these two verses, you’ll see what I mean:
God is Love + God created mankind [us] in His image (I John 4:8, Genesis 1:27)
We were created to look like our Dad! He is love, He speaks love, He functions in love! Love is our native language! Take a listen: Native Tongue
We are born with the capacity to function in love and demonstrate love, but too often we are taught to function out of self-preservation, pain, and judgment. It’s time to go back to our native tongue!
Back before we learned the words to start a fight Back before they told us that the haters were right He spoke the truth, “let there be” and there was Love is the language, love is your native tongue
My heart is a beating drum My head in oblivion My soul, such a long way from My lips, my lungs, my native tongue
My friend, where did we go wrong? My Lord, we forgot our sound My soul, such a long way from My lips, my lungs, my native tongue
So sing it loud, get loud, get Louder than the voices in the crowd, yeah Even when they tried to drown you out, eh Your lips, your lungs, your native tongue
So sing it out, get loud, get Louder than the darkness and the doubts, eh Louder than the curses and the shouts, yeah Your lips, your lungs, your native tongue
What a challenge! Lord, Take us back to the Place where we were created from: Your heart! Teach us to communicate like You! Help us to function as You created us to, out of love, instead of pain, judgement, or pride! Help us to “get louder than the voices in the crowd!”
Live Loved! And you will impact those around you with love!
P.S. If this blessed you or encouraged you, please share on social media! Drop me a comment too! 🙂
Recently, I wrote a blog called “Nuggets of Gold.” It was an encouragement to each of us to search for rays of hope in our life and situations that will help us keep pressing on!
Yesterday, after another rough day in 5th grade world, my husband reminded me of this Japanese art philosophy: kintsukuroi. He said, “You’ve said the public school system is broken and you’re right! But you are the gold that fills in the broken cracks! Keep doing what you’re doing because you make the difference!” What a blessing his encouragement was to me!
This morning, as I sat in a meeting, he shot me a text reminding me that I’m the gold! His timing was impeccable as I sat across from a teary-eyed colleague whose struggle of self-doubt and discouragement mirrored my own. I was able to share the value of what we do and who we are to our students! Truly, we are the gold in a broken system.
As I determine to be a treasure-hunter, looking for gold in the dark and hurting places, I don’t want to forget to be the gold too. Join me in this: don’t just look for the gold in your difficult circumstances and challenging obstacles. BE the gold in whatever hurting system you are in! Brokenness can be made beautiful when it brings opportunities for problem-solving, healing, and growth!
I love this promise and needed to hear it today. I crave His guidance and need His healing strength! I know that God is faithful and He will give me everything that I need.
But… if I focus on my needs, I will miss His heart in the process!
To fully enjoy the promise of His presence and provision, we need to embrace His heart, His passions! So, what is God’s heart passionate about? Look closer at Isaiah 58:6-12. God talks to us about what brings Him delight, and as a princess daughter, I want to please my Father! So, what brings Him delight? When we:
Correct injustices
Enable others to find freedom
Help those less fortunate
Are present/engaged with our family
Lighten the burdens of others
Are a source of grace and peace
As we are purposeful to invest in others, we bring light to the dark places! Our world is filled with darkness, and Jesus told us that we are the light!1 But our light doesn’t shine just because we show up… it shines because we show Jesus when we show up!
When we bless others, He will bless us! Isaiah continues in verse 9 saying, “Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply.” Not only that, but He will come to our rescue, heal us, protect us, restore us, strengthen us, and lead us forward! Wow, those are some serious benefits!
Is it a fair trade? No way! It’s far more than we deserve! Jesus summed up this trade when He said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”2
That’s a trade worth investing in! Light up someone’s darkness today!
“When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven”.
Harriet Tubman, Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman By Sarah Hopkins Bradford.
Selfless, brave, determined… these are all character qualities my students used to describe Harriet Tubman after reading about her life. Tubman fell to her knees in prayer after crossing the Pennsylvania border exhilarated by her newfound freedom. She then pressed on and began her new life in Philadelphia. But the money she made working was for the primary purpose of gaining freedom for others who were still enslaved. History tells us that Tubman was also a nurse, cook, and spy during the Civil War. Later in life, she opened her home to those who were in need. Through it all, she trusted the Lord to be her Source and Strength.
I believe that Harriet Tubman’s life journey reflects the Kingdom of Heaven culture. Each person that God creates has a purpose, something they bring to this world that no one else can. Whether or not we fulfill that purpose has much to do with the decisions we make in our personal journey. Sometimes those decisions mean determining whether or not we will allow ourselves to stay enslaved… enslaved to self-pity, rejection, pride, pain, greed, or broken dreams.
Ultimately, the things that drive or enslave us can all be summed up by the word “fear,” fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of hurt, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection. “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God,”1 This morning, I found myself singing this line, along with everyone else, but I felt the words deeper in my spirit than I ever had before. I had been enslaved by fear in the past. It drove me to do things I wouldn’t typically do and it drove me to not do things that I should do. Knowing that I don’t have to be driven by fear any longer is liberating!
Being strong or confident is not the opposite of fear; it is faith in His love that is the antithesis of fear! We all long to be known and loved. It is only in knowing the perfect love of our Heavenly Father that the chains of fear can be rendered useless. Why does perfect love drive out fear?2 Because when we get a revelation of His perfect or unconditional love for us, we can trust His plans for us. Perfect love is the truth that when life is difficult, loss rocks our world, or pain is suddenly staring us in the face, it is not for the purpose of tormenting us or punishing us! Our circumstances are NOT a reflection of God’s love for us or His value of us! We can be confident that no matter what comes our way, He is always with us, loving us, and causing everything to work out well for us… eventually!3
We might be tempted to stop there, basking in the knowledge that we are perfectly loved by this amazing God!! Sometimes we do need to just soak in His presence (after all, He IS love!) and allow the joy of knowing His love to go deep. But there’s more to the journey. Isaiah 58 talks about what is pleasing to the Lord. He doesn’t want us to keep love’s freedom to ourselves! He wants us to help others who are enslaved find freedom too; much like Harriet Tubman did when she took multiple trips south to lead others to freedom. Was it convenient? No. Was it safe? No. Was it easy? No. But it was her destiny and purpose to help others find {physical} freedom.
How much more important is it for you and I to help others find spiritual freedom! Freedom from the fear that strangles out life and hope, freedom from the fear that keeps us from reaching out, freedom from the fear that chokes our trust, and freedom from the fear that breeds bitterness. That’s a tall order, isn’t it?! How can we help others find the freedom of knowing that they are unconditionally loved by their Creator? We become virtual conduits that allow the love of our amazing Father to flow through us to others!
By tapping into Him, our Source, and relying on His strength, we become the concrete example of God’s unconditional love to others. As those walking in freedom, we set the vision and standard of freedom for EACH person we encounter! We believe and declare that He loves them in the middle of their mess, just like He loves us even when we were at our worst.
Will loving those enslaved in fear be convenient? Safe? Easy? No, no, and no, but it’s our destiny and purpose to help others find freedom in His perfect love!4 This precious freedom then enables them to walk in their destinies setting even more people free! It’s the circle of Kingdom life!
I’d like to say that I’m a pro at this thing of helping others find freedom from fear. It would be great if I could tell you that I’ve got the perfect love thing down pat. I don’t… I’m working on it, stumbling along, sometimes failing, and sometimes succeeding. The good news is that there is always hope! Each day is a new beginning and nothing is set in stone until we breathe our last breath! Each encounter with another person is an opportunity to value one of God’s precious creations and demonstrate fear-freeing love.
Lord, Help me not to waste these opportunities!
Live Loved!
P.S. If this encouraged, challenged, or blessed you, please share on social media! 🙂 Also, thanks to my Aunt Sandy Hall for the great shot of Mount Fuji!
2“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I John 4: 18
3 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
