Num. 36, Psalm 80, Isaiah 28, 2 John 1

At the urging of a friend, last year I began the practice of seeking God to reveal to me a word – one word – that would be meaningful for me throughout the year. RESTORE was the word He gave me last year. It was His promise to me to heal some deep wounds that I had been nursing. Time and time again, God would remind me in a song or a scripture passage that He would restore my heart and mind so that I could serve Him effectively. When the end of the year came, I didn’t want to give up my word. While the restoration process had come a long way, I wasn’t ready to move on. But God had a different plan for me. He wanted me to go deeper. Rather than focusing on myself, He wante me to move outward.

The word that God gave me this year was LOVE. Initially, I fought this word. Love is too generic, I thought. Too fluffy. Too easy. Too Christian. However, I began to see that I had a lot of work to do in that area. Was I allowing God to love me? How was I loving my family? How was I loving my community? But more than anything, how was I loving those who are hard to love? or those who are different than me?

I was reminded just how essential love is for a healthy walk with God when I read today’s I John passage:

⁵ And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.⁶ And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning,his command is that you walk in love. 2John 5-6 NIV

By loving one another, we are revealing Christ to the world. Deceivers and charlatans are plenty these days, telling us not to associate with those who think differently, or vote differently. The media fills our minds with accusations and negativity.  I have come to understand more than any other time in my life, the importance of fixing my eyes on Christ. If I do that, LOVE becomes a natural outpouring. God still has a lot of work to do in me, but I am making progress. I am taking steps to love more – To more consistently consider what Christ would do if he was in my situation. I have found myself serving when it wasn’t convenient, opening my home to strangers when it was out of my comfort zone. My prayer is that God would continue to work in my heart to help me LOVE better. If we all loved better, imagine what a different world we would live in.

Lord, help us to love well. Help us to obey your commands, even when it isn’t convenient or easy. As we seek your will for us, show us ways – big and small –  that we can love those around us so that others can be drawn to you.

Ann (naturelady)

Advertisement

2 Chronicles 23, 24, 25; John 16:16-33

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:20-24

Last year I chose my ‘one word’, joining in with millions of others who decided to focus on one thing rather than make a list of resolutions that are quickly forgotten when life takes over. The word I selected was ‘perspective’; I was merely hoping to gain some.

Honing in on this word began opening my eyes even more to the different viewpoints I could have in every situation and circumstance. Simplified – I can look through half-full or a half-empty glass(es). I can look at things from the view of American culture or Kingdom culture. I can look at everything through my human eyes or choose to see the world through God’s eyes.

Though I gained perspective last year, in the midst of the insanity that life brought, I was caught up and bogged down with the day-to-day of life, the struggles, and the loneliness. I misplaced my joy.

So this year, I have been on a quest…quest to rediscover joy.

I am not just looking for a fleeting happiness in the moment (though being happy is most definitely a part of it). I am looking for inhabitation.

I want to be filled with joy regardless of the circumstance, regardless of the trial. I want to rejoice always. I want gladness to satisfy my heart. I want gratitude to spill from my mouth. I want to be delighted by my relationship with the Lord, and I want Him to be captivated by me. I want to take delight in the world around me, in my husband, in my children, even in my daily duties. I want joy to become my legacy.

 

Yesappa, You told me to ask, so, Jesus I ask for fullness of joy; that I may no longer focus of the sorrow, on the anguish of tribulation, but dwell in a house of joy that will never be taken away or lost. Thank You for being the joy of my salvation. Help me learn how to hold on to Your joy forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Blessings – Julie (writing from the U.S.A.)

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

 

1 Kings 16-18; John 1:29-51

Baasha. The Lord’s anger was provoked by Baasha’s sins. 1 Kings 16:7b, NLT.

Elah. ¹³ This happened because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed, and because of the sins they led Israel to commit. They provoked the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, with their worthless idols. 1 Kings 16:13, NLT.

Zimri. ¹⁹ For he, too, had done what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam in all the sins he had committed and led Israel to commit. 1 Kings 16:19, NLT.

Omri. ²⁶ He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat in all the sins he had committed and led Israel to commit. The people provoked the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, with their worthless idols. 1 Kings 16:26, NLT.

Ahab. ³⁰ But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him. ³¹ And as though it were not enough to follow the example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. ³² First Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria. ³³ Then he set up an Asherah pole. He did more to provoke the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him. 1 Kings 16:30-33, NLT.

There’s a pattern and a progression here. Sin and worthless idols. Each leader led the people further into sin–Ahab, even more than any of the kings before him.

They may have been known for other things, but these scriptures read as sketch of their character.

I think on things like example, leadership, legacy, generational sin. I look back on a lineage whose blood I share–what can I learn from this? How am I spending my days? I think on what my children will learn from me, and sometimes wonder what will be passed onto future generations.

Jesus. ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29, NLT.

I mess up a lot, but I hope my kids will see a Savior’s love, forgiveness and redemption in my very imperfect life.

Lord, I’m thankful for your grace and example. Help me to continue to learn from you.

Courtney (66books365)