Close Call

If I were to ask you, “how do you think God feels about you right now?”

What would your first response be?

There are times when we sense God’s presence and are overwhelmed by His great love for us. There are other times when we walk in that reality, step by step by faith alone. 

Oftentimes. in romantic relationships people believe it’s ”over” when “the feelings just aren’t there anymore.”  

In our relationship with Jesus, it’s just the opposite. In fact, I would venture to say that most of us (please don’t leave me out here on this one alone!) don’t always feel the depth of God’s love for us personally. Yet, no truth could be more real, more sincere or more powerful than the Father’s love for us which He proved by giving His only Son to die so that we could know true love.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16

I think what God wants for us is to KNOW His love for us.

Knowing far surpasses momentary feelings. It is solid and unshakable. Concrete reality.

Just look at how many “knows” there are in this passage that describes the distinctivenesss of the love His children experience.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:1-2

Do you KNOW how much the Father loves YOU today?

He sees every cry of your aching heart.

He knows the discouragement you feel when you try again (and again) and fail. 

He rejoices in your grandest triumphs and simple joys.

But best of all...He loves you. Right now.

I don’t know why we sometimes think God wants to keep us at arms length.

Perhaps we think He is too busy or there are way more important people and needs to attend to.

Don’ t believe it.

Jesus died to be close to you.

For, If not you,..... then who? Think about that. 

The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Zeph. 3:17

Praying we all have a day of knowing the closeness of God’s love for us!

“..let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,..” Hebrews 10:22

Beyond Words

Have you ever received a piece of news, perhaps from a close friend or family member that so strikes you that you are literally left speechless? At such a time, you may have even heard yourself uttering this familiar phrase,  “I have no words”.

The news can be either extremely joyful, sorrowful or just plain shocking,  but responses to some experiences in life simply seem to transcend verbal communication.

When I think about all that the Lord has done in my life I am left with this feeling.

I often resort to using the word amazing. He is so amazing. But that truly pales in comparison as a description of just Who He truly is and as a term worthy to describe Him.

You see, .....Jesus saved me.

What can you say to Someone who rescued you from a cesspool of sin? 

Jesus set me free.

What do you say to the One whose power changed the course of your life by releasing you from the chains of self destruction? 

Jesus has filled my life with a treasury of grace.

How do I thank Him for the wonderful family, and friends He has allowed me to walk with through the ups and downs of life? Whose care and love and quirks and craziness make the flavor of living just so sweet.

Jesus will never leave me.

How do I express my gratitude for a Faithful friend whose hand catches me when I  fall, gently guides my steps in HIs good path, and wipes away ever tear? A Mighty Saviour who lifts me up when I am weak and encourages my heart with His promise to work all things together for good in my life.

Jesus has prepared a place for me.

What words can you use to convey the joy that heaven is a reality? That one day I will forever live in a place with no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow and no more crying. Where all who have called on His name will live together in perfection. And when I will finally get to see this One who loves me so, face to face.

No words.

I was talking with a friend about this today. She said she wishes she had her own word like, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious to describe her wonderment at His power, His love and His gift of new life. Agreed!

I think the Apostle Paul must have shared these same feelings when he was allowed a glimpse of heaven as he speaks of hearing things that were inexpressible and impossible for a human to even speak of, there in 2 Cor 12:4.

So, what do we do in response to His goodness in our lives?

The psalmist asks this question in Psalm 116:12 saying, 

“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?”

 He answers in the next verse by stating:

“I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”

What could we possibly give to God that HE doesn't already have?

I mean, He made everything!

I think after the psalmist came to that conclusion, he declared that all he could do...and maybe more importantly all God really wanted him to do, was to continue to receive all that He had given him in Christ Jesus. To drink deeply from the cup of salvation.

A great price was paid for that wellspring of life. It would be a dishonor to not humbly partake of what He has afforded us, each and every single day.

And of all God’s benefits towards us, a relationship with Him outshines them all. 

The inexpressible privilege of calling on His name. 

Thank You, Jesus.

In response to that, this is one thing I can say.....Truly, my cup runneth over.

Here is the song that came to mind.:-)

“When I Think About the Lord” by Shane and Shane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdTT6rmkk9M

Listen and I think you’ll agree.

Here’s the lyrics:

When I Think About the Lord,
How He Saved Me, How He Raised Me,
How He Filled Me, With the Holy Ghost.
How He Healed Me, to the Uttermost.

When I Think About the Lord,
How He Picked Me Up and Turned Me Around,
How He Placed My Feet On Solid Ground

It Makes Me Wanna Shout,
Halleilujiah,
Thank You Jesus,
Lord, Your Worthy, of All the Glory, and All the Honor,
And All the Praise..