...He Loves Me Not...He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not...He Loves Me!

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.”

2 John 1:6 NIV

This morning I am learning an amazing truth as I sit before the Master Gardner in the garden of my heart. I am looking at a patch of beautiful daisies and remembering my childhood game of plucking off the petals one at a time and saying, “he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not,” as I tried to determine if the cute boy I liked, liked me.

There are days that I question God’s love for me because I am hurting. Some days I feel overwhelmed by life and because I can’t seem to be able to get ahead, life seems hopeless and void of God’s love. Other days when I feel sad and I find myself lost in loneliness I wonder where God is. I question why death and personal loss hurt so much. On those days I find myself playing my childhood game as I ask God, “do you love me or do you love me not?” Some days I wonder if God still loves me because I have failed him. There have been times that I haven’t loved myself very much and when I am in that mindset I really struggle with the question, why should God love me because I’m not really worthy of his love. So today I look up into the clouds and remember that as a believer, I am a precious child of God and he does love me. I also know that God especially loves those who love him in return. As I continue to meditate on the truth of God’s love for me, a light goes on in my brain and I find myself on the brink of discovering why I may be experiencing times of insecurity regarding God’s love for me.

I am beginning to realize that accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Savior is exactly that and no more. Basically, when I accepted Jesus, I simply reached out to God in simple faith and accepted God’s free gift of salvation. This gift was made possible by the loving obedience of his Son, Jesus Christ, who was obedient even unto death, even the death on the cross. Yes, God’s unconditional and lavish love for me and all mankind is second to none. I am beginning to comprehend that it is not a matter of God loving me, but rather a matter of me loving God. How well do I return my love to God? That is the question tugging at my heartstrings today.

What does loving God look like? It looks like obedience. “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.” 2 John 1:6 NIV The Bible is pretty clear that if I love God, I will obey him. If I don’t obey God I must view him as a casual acquaintance rather than being someone with whom I have a loving relationship. God is not satisfied with merely dating humanity, he wants a loving bride!

I think that when I fail to be obedient to God it is because I try to obey him for all the wrong reasons. Sometimes I obey God because I need to stay on good terms with him in case I need something. Sometimes I obey because I am afraid to disobey. Other times I obey because it makes me look good. That kind of selfish obedience is not based on love! Pure obedience is impossible unless it is fueled by love. As in any relationship, where there is pure love, obedience flows freely! I may not always do this perfectly. I’m pretty sure I won’t, but God loves it when I do! My obedience puts a smile on the face of God and he may even do the dance of joy! He shouts from the throne room in heaven, “She loves me! She loves me! She loves me!”

Obedience is my gift of love to God. He wants my obedience in my thought life, my words, my actions, my attitudes, my deeds, my giving, my work, and through loving others. “This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17 NIV

It is our sinful nature to disobey God. We can blame Adam and Eve all we want to but even if they had not eaten the fruit, somewhere down the road some other couple would have. It could have been Sarah and Abraham, or Rebekah and Isaac, or Ruth and Billy Graham, or Paula and Joe, or You and _________. I am convinced that all of us, from the beginning of time up until this very moment, are more than capable of succumbing to the temptation of believing the deadly lie of Satan that whispered, “Eat this fruit and you can be like God.”

Because God is all knowing, God knew that weak, frail humans would take Satan’s bait. God knew that the beautiful apple would look so appealing that it would be impossible for us to resist. God knew that mankind would fail. Adam and Eve would eat and as they tasted the apple the juices would be deliciously sweet and delectable. But at the very moment they swallowed the flesh of the apple sourness would overcome them carrying with it a fatal, lethal poison. That poison was sin! At that moment in time all humanity became victims of sin.

Even before the foundation of the earth God knew that we would fail, in fact he set us up for failure. He created us from dust to be weak and needy. Why on earth would a loving God do that? Because God knew that it was only out of our failure and despair that we would need him. It was out of this need that we would come to know the full extent of his love. God’s love says, “I want you back. I am a jealous God and I want you all to myself because I love you and I need you to love me in return.” God knew it was the only way. He had to let us go so that we could choose to come back to him and love him. God knew that we were lost and could not find our way home so he implemented his perfect, already in place plan. God would provide a perfect, sinless sacrificial lamb to atone for our sin as a means of getting us back. Because of God’s great love for humanity he gave us his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who became that lamb.

God did all he could to fix the sin of man but still his solution still needs each individual’s personal acceptance of his remedy. You see love is not taken or forced, it is given. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 NIV Does God love us? Yes indeed!

Mankind has walked so far away from the garden that we have no memory of what God’s perfection really looks like. We don’t remember Eden. We have forgotten what the loving relationship between God and man really felt like. We have come to accept the good of God’s love yet we are still missing the best of his love that is reserved only for those who love him in return. I am starting to see that the only way I can return love to my precious Father in heaven is through my obedience. My obedience must be motivated only by my love.

God loves me… He loves me not… yes! …He loves me! God has two valentines for all of us today. The first valentine is his blood red heart that bleeds forgiveness and provides a covering for your sin and mine. The second valentine is his nail scared hand that carries a valentine that has written on it, “I love you and I will never leave you or forsake you. Love, God.” When I accepted his first valentine I accepted forgiveness for my personal sin. When I accept his second valentine I claim this precious promise.

These two valentines are available to all who will reach up and take them. Jesus’ valentines are intended for his bride. Believers are the bride of Jesus Christ and it is God's intention that we walk life together in a two way intimate relationship. Someday soon, Jesus will come again for his bride, his church, and we will go to live with him forever. Imagine this, God has lavished his love on us even before the foundation of the world and all he wants in return is to be loved back!

Questions:

Are you feeling unloved?

Have you been wondering if God loves you?

As a believer is your obedience motivated by your love for God?

What can you do to fall deeper in love with Jesus?

What is God asking of you this day?

If you are not sure if God loves you pray and ask God to come into your life and give you that assurance.

Prayer:

Dear Almighty God,

God you know everything. You are all powerful. God you have the ability to be everywhere all the time. God you have created all things. God I now see the one and only thing that you are in need of is fellowship with mankind that is based on our love for you. God I see more clearly now that your perfect plan was designed to lure us back and make us your bride. God, I am reminded that you call me but you do not force me. The choice of loving you is mine alone. God I am beginning to realize that if I am to get the most out of my salvation I simply must walk with you daily. God forgive me when I only take from your gracious loving hand. Father, forgive me for all of the times that I have failed to be obedient. God I want to fall deeply in love with you. I now realize that if I am to fall deeper in love with you I must spend more time with you and I must be willing to demonstrate my love to you through my obedience. God I pray that I would give you my obedience one “yes God” at a time. I want to thank you for loving me. God, I am beginning to understand that every time I choose to be obedient I am sending my valentine of love up to you. God, I thank you for your valentines of love and faithfulness to me. Father, I pray that I will strive to know you more intimately, and as a result, fall deeper in love with you.

In the name of your precious Son I pray. Amen

Graying With Grace

"…in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15b NIV

I have had sixty plus years to practice drawing near to God and trusting him with my life. This is a spiritual exercise that I will continue to practice every day as long as I live. It seems to me that I have also spent a good bit of time trying to have every area of my life perfect. I have come to understand that this deep longing within me is my heart’s effort to get back to the perfection of Eden. Back to the perfect state that God originally purposed for my life.

When the weather is nice, one of my favorite times of the day is the very early morning. I love to go out on my back porch with its peaceful view of our wooded back yard. For me this is a place of serenity and solitude. I love hearing the birds wake up and sing praises to their creator. During this time it is just Jesus and me as the light of day dawns and the day begins. It is in moments like this that God has taught me about “graying with grace” and what is necessary for getting back to the perfection of Eden. It is in this place that I meet with Jesus in the garden of my heart.

When do you feel close to God? Is it at church? Is it only in your times of need? Is it on a morning walk or run? Do you feel close to God as you marvel at his creation? Is it in the glory of the sunrise or the splendor of a magnificent sunset? Is it at the beach or under a star studded sky that boasts the breathtaking full moon? Is it through music? Do you feel close to God in simple prayer and in reading his Word? Or do you receive your strength in quietness and trust?

Oh how God loves you and me! He tenderly calls each of us to draw near to him so that he can draw near to us.

I do not mourn the days of my youth, but rather I embrace graying with God’s grace in my life. I have experienced so many more blessings than a person in their twenties because I have had a lifetime to collect them. My “senior moments” are those moments when I have the awesome privilege of sharing my faith with my grandchildren. I now have more opportunities to choose simplicity. I have the peace of knowing that the best for my life is yet to come. I have more time to share my gifts, talents, and resources with others. I have had the good fortune to experience hard times and because of those experiences I have seen first hand the faithfulness of God. I have had many years to reflect on God’s faithfulness to me and all those I love. I now take comfort when I remember that God loves those I love more than I do.

I still have dreams for a perfect life, a perfect body, perfect children, a perfect marriage, a house that never gets dirty, clothes that stay forever clean, a pantry that is never empty, having a personal chef that prepares perfect meals! Yes indeed, I am longing for the perfection that was lost in the garden! It was a perfect life, a perfect body, a perfect marriage, no house to clean, no clothes to wash, and plenty of prepared food in the pantry. Relationships were perfect and there was wonderful fellowship with the Creator. For now, that life is gone, but heaven awaits those of us who long for his appearing. So as we wait we feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit calling us to come higher in our spirit and to remain faithful in our walk.

Although I love this life and my family, I do know that with each day that goes by God brings me one day closer to my eternal home in heaven. Aging to me is not painful; it is graying with his grace. It is embracing God’s promise, “…in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15b NIV As long as God gives me breath I will continue to trust him as I endeavor to quietly walk toward him amazed by his love for you and me.

Questions:

Do you fear aging?

What about aging bothers you the most?

Do you know that real beauty and strength is found within you?

Are you spending time with God now in your youth so that the older you get the more others will be able to see godly wisdom, spiritual strength and inner beauty?

If you are a senior, which of God’s benefits are you most enjoying during this season of your life?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that as your child, I will choose every day to gray with grace. Continue to teach me your ways. Show me the characteristics that will bring real beauty to my life? Help me not to see aging as something to dread or despise, but rather a gift to be embraced. Forgive me when I get caught up in the world’s opinion that projects only youthfulness as beautiful and only strength and edurance to be of value. I know the aging process began in my life the day I was born. Thank you Father for the privilege of living and help me to never take a single day for granted. I pray I will live every day of my life in gratitude. Yes Lord, my desire is to gray with your grace. Help me to embrace all that is good that surrounds my life, and to give that which is not so good into your capable, loving, and sovereign hands.

In Your name I pray. Amen

Loving God = Obeying God = Loving God

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.

1 John 2:5 NIV

“He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”

John 14:24a NIV

Do you ever wonder why obeying God is so difficult? I have come to realize that it is because I do not love God enough to obey him. I confess, as a Christian, that thought makes me very uncomfortable. Yet still I choose to disobey.

I feel that on the “big stuff” like murder, stealing, adultery I do a pretty good job of obeying God. Yet I must ask myself if I live like that because I love God or because I have good morals? I must admit that it is the “little stuff” that bothers me. Things like always speaking kind words, judging others, being negative, responding to God in fear, gossiping, not giving all that I could, and not spending more time in the Word and in prayer. I know that God wants me to obey him regarding all those things and I’m sure many other things that I haven’t mentioned. Then why don’t I simply obey? Again, I think it is because I do not love God enough.

As a child I obeyed my parents to avoid getting into big trouble. Later I obeyed them in order to find favor with them. Their favor would prove to be beneficial to me in getting what I wanted. Finally, as I grew older I began to obey my parents simply because I loved them and didn’t want to disappoint them or dishonor them in any way. My love for my parents grew so strong that I just naturally wanted to please them. My acts of loving obedience told them in unspoken words how very much I loved them. It seemed like the formula was Love = Obeying = Love. The more I loved my parents, the easier it became to obey.

I would like to suggest that perhaps the solution for my lack of obedience to God is simple. I must fall deeper in love with Jesus! ! I must spend time with him. I must learn as much as I possibly can about how Jesus thinks, what he does, who he is, what he stands for, and who he loves. Just like in any relationship, when I discover more about the object of my affection, I fall head over heals in love with that person. Their character, their qualities, their abilities, and their love for me all contribute to my desire to love, obey, and serve them in return.

I wonder what a day of completely and perfectly loving Jesus would look like. For sure it would be a day void of selfish desires and ambitions. My day might start out by me saying, “Good morning God, here I am bright eyed, able and willing. What can I do for you this morning?” “Ask what you will God, I’m your gal!”

Instead, the scenario is more likely to be, “Thanks God for a good night of rest. Now here is a list of what I need today, what I need for my family, and what I need for my friends. God, I’d really like to spend some time with you this morning but unfortunately I have a very busy day. Please know God I wish I could, but I can’t! Oh well, not to worry, God, I know you will be pretty busy today because I, for one, have left you with a very long “to do” list.”

You see, on occasion I have been guilty of believing a very big lie of Satan that says to me, “God does not need you.” After all, if he is an “all knowing,” “all powerful,” and “all present” God, why on earth would he need you? I perceive this lie as making perfect sense because down deep inside, I really don’t think I have much to offer.

Au contraire, my friend. God does need us! However, God does not need our knowledge, our power, or for us to fill in for him in case he can’t be somewhere that he needs to be. No, God has all of that covered. But God created each of us because he needs our fellowship and our love. When we, as believers, experience a personal relationship with God he allows us to ask him for what we need, and then he tells us what he needs. It may be go, stay, wait, serve, encourage, give, or a myriad of other opportunities. We show God our love by obeying his commands and doing whatever it is that he asks of us.

Only selfish, ungrateful children would expect the relationship to be one sided. Remember we should love God not because we fear him, or need to, or want to be found in his good favor so we can receive gifts from his hand. No! We obey him because we love him.

I don’t think I ever really understood the sacrifice that my parents made for me. I doubt that my children see the sacrifices that my husband and I made for them. I also doubt that my grandchildren are conscious of the sacrifice their parents are making for them. So I imagine that I, a child of sin, do not really understand the sacrifice that God ordained for me even before I was born. God gave his one and only son to die as a sacrifice for my sin. Jesus took my place. Without Jesus’ sacrifice and his shed blood being applied to my heart I would be hopelessly separated from God for all eternity. If I was destined to remain separated from God because of my sin, I would die at the end of this life and never again receive his love, his gifts, or his provision. His protection would disappear from my life. I am reminded that God chooses to bless both believers and non believers. But some day his generosity will end for those who do not love him.

I know that I really do need to try to understand all that God has done for me so that I can love him more completely. I want my love to be pure. From time to time the test will come and Jesus will simply ask me as he did Peter, “Do you love me?” and then he will ask for my obedience as proof. Feed my sheep, give of your time and resources, take better care of yourself, and last but never least, spend more time alone with me.

I am convinced that my love fosters obedience, and obedience speaks a message of love to my Father in Heaven. Love = Obedience = Love! God knows that I am dust. I know that God does not require my perfection but he looks at my heart and he knows full well the depth of my love and that my desire is to love him. I want to love God more today than yesterday. I want to love him tomorrow more than today! I want to fall deeply in love with my Jesus! Less of me and more of Him!

Questions:

Do you have trouble obeying God?

When you obey, why do you obey?

What do you think you can do to fall deeper in love with Jesus?

Do you agree that the more you love God the more you will obey him?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I am finding that I cannot be consistently obedient to you without consistently loving you. It must be the desire of my heart to obey you simply because I don’t want to disappoint you. I want to obey you because that is what husbands and wives, children and parents, and good friends do for one another. They help each other because they love each other. You are my Father and my friend. I confess, many times I have tried to obey you apart from loving you. It simply doesn’t work. God, I thank you that you first loved me. Amazingly, you loved me enough to send your Son to the cross to die for me even before I loved you. How gracious is your love for me! God, I need to spend more and more time with you so I can fall madly in love with you. After all, that is what people who love each other do. God I don’t want to just take from your hand. I desire to give back to you in obedience because I love you. Father, you lavish your love on me. Oh, that I might love you lavishly in return.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Fear In The Garden

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:1-2 NIV

A long time ago Adam and Eve sinned in the beautiful garden that God had given to them. As a result, when God came looking for them they hid and experienced a new emotion, fear. Genesis 3:8 It was their sin that caused that fear. After all, the Bible tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” 1 John 4:18a NIV

Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I have come to realize that my life is not so different from Adam and Eve’s. I still face temptations from Satan. When I succumb to the temptation I then experience the fear of facing God with my sin. But I need not fear because Jesus is my Savior and I am safe because Jesus’ blood covers my past sin, my present sin and my future sin. Because God loves the Son, he accepts Jesus’ sacrifice for my sin as payment for my sin. He loves me for the sake of the Son. Jesus’ love for me is perfect. It will drive out any fear I may have if I put my trust in him.

So why then do I at times fear the garden? It is because I am in need of correction. I need to have sinful branches that bear no fruit cut off. I need the pruning of the gardener in my life so that my life will be able to produce even more fruit. The pruning shears of the Master Gardner scare me because I fear the pruning process will be painful even though I know the Gardener will use the shears in love.

So today I am slowly shuffling my way to the garden. As I walk toward the garden I am rebuking myself because I have fallen into some sinful behavior. If there are flowers blooming as I enter the garden I do not see them. I am wearing the hat of submission but I am also wearing the coat of dread! I feel a bit like Adam and Eve, ashamed. What I really want to do is hide. I too hear the Master walking in the garden and I know without a doubt that he will be carrying his pruning shears!

As a believer there are some things that I really hate! I hate the things people do that bring out the worst in me. I hate when I have a bad attitude and end up needing to have my attitude hacked off the vine. I hate when I have spoken inappropriate words that hurt others. I hate when I try to carry my own burdens and fix my own problems. I hate when I have embraced a spirit of fear. I hate when I argue with God and fight being obedient. I hate the process of working through my sinful behavior! But most of all I hate that as a believer I must hold myself accountable to Jesus. I hate when I allow something to happen in my life that casts a shadow on my relationship with Jesus. I hate when I realize that I am in need of a painful trip to the garden to get my sinful behavior pruned and forgiven. I know deep down in my heart that there is no other way.

I know from past experience that it is absolutely necessary for me to reach the point where I can wave the white flag of surrender and submit to the pruning shears in order to restore fellowship in the garden between myself and my Savior. Pruning is necessary so that I will walk in a loving relationship with my Lord and bare fruit that will bring him glory.

Still it is my nature to try to avoid pain, admit guilt, confess my sin, and ask for forgiveness. Much to my chagrin I usually nurse the conflict that is raging within me, consequently causing the situation to become a very long and drawn out process before I can head for the garden, meet up with the Vinedresser, and bow to his shears. I have traveled this road many times before and I know all too well where it must end! Why does it take me so long to release my anger, admit my fear, confess my sinful behavior, and seek his loving forgiveness? Why do I want anything less than the Vinedresser's approval and my inner peace?

What I love is that Jesus holds me tight and never lets me go! I love that he keeps calling me to the garden! I love his faithfulness to me even when I am unfaithful! So here I am in the garden and now I hear the Master Gardner speaking reassuring words of comfort to me. I know this pruning procedure will change my self-centered character and as a result I will become more like Jesus. I now begin to cry tears of joy knowing that I am exactly where I need to be. I know that when the Master Gardener is finished with me I will be one more step closer to looking like him. Because of God’s amazing love for me I know that my life will flourish with his grace because of this pruning. Oh! Without a doubt, pruning is not to be dreaded and despised. Pruning is to be seen as God’s love gift to me!

As I leave the garden it is my desire to be a person of godly influence. For this day the work of the Gardner is finished; my pain has turned to joy. My fear has turned to peace. That which was not good has been forgiven, cut off and tossed into the fire. I am blessed. I am at peace. The vision of all he wants me to be for his kingdom has been cast by the Master. Somehow by the grace of God I now feel cleaner and stronger, and I walk a little taller. My eyes look upward; there is a lilt in my step, a smile on my face, and praise on my lips and gratitude in my heart!

I begin the walk back toward the house and as I walk I am asking myself a few questions. Paula, why do you wait so long to seek out the Gardner? Why do you put yourself through all of that prolonged misery? Paula, the next time you feel God’s rebuke why don’t you just run to the garden and bypass the painful struggling? I remember the last thing that Jesus said to me when I was leaving the garden. He reminded me that running to him immediately, is a mark of Christian growth and maturity. Oh how I desire to be in that place!

Questions:

Have you ever feared the garden?

When was the last time God pruned your life?

What were the results of his pruning?

Are you currently in need of God’s pruning shears?

Are you making plans to run to or from the garden?

Can you see that God’s pruning is his gift of love to you?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I am getting tired of fighting you. Next time I want to go straight to surrender. After all, perfect love cast out fear. There is no need to fear the garden. Help me God to remember that all you do in my life is for my eternal good. I thank you God that you love me enough to whisper your words of conviction to my heart. I am blessed that your love wants to make something beautiful out of my life. I am so glad that you think that I am worth the effort. I am so thankful that you don’t want to allow the ugly branches of sinful behavior to grow out of control and remain in my life. I know the pruning you do in my life is your way of equipping me to serve you and others more effectively. I know that the more I love you, the less I will fear correction, and the more I will trust and obey you, and the quicker I will run to the garden. Prune me Lord, so that others will look at me and see your Son, Jesus Christ.

It is in your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Walking With Jesus

“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

Winter is definitely not my favorite season! Yet deep inside I know that all God has made is good and serves a purpose. All creation is a reflection of God’s glory. Winter also provides protection, rest and refreshment for God’s creation and for me as well. Although much of winter can be boring brown and gloomy gray nevertheless, a beautiful blanket of clean snow can cover a massive amount of ugly. Shimmering ice can drip and freeze beautiful stalactites hanging from the roof of my house while God paints amazing patterns of ice doilies on my windows. Beautiful red cardinals sing from the deep inside the green cedars and the bright red Nandina berries beam of winter joy.

So on this winter day I want to enter the garden of my heart through the narrow gate that the Bible says leads to life. This will be a day I will reflect on what can happen when I take my eyes off of Jesus. So many times in my busy life it is easier to go through the wide gate. So many times in the past my selfish attitudes and ambitions has sent me flying through the gate that sends me down the road of destruction.

Let me tell you about that road and what I experienced and observed when I traveled that road. The wide road was a busy highway. On this road I heard the cunning call of compromise. I was never alone and solitude eluded me because there were so many people on this road to keep me company. It was next to impossible to focus on anything that would lift my thoughts toward heaven. In fact the crowds and often responsibilities lured me away from God and straight into a “self-centered mentality”. At any given time it was easy for me to rub shoulders with those who were bitter because life had not worked out as they had planned, and so we drank together the cup of “poor me” and still I felt no comfort. There were people who beckoned me to join them in living for the moment. That path snuffed out God’s truth and led me into a self-absorbed life. I remember that many on this road were totally unaware that God continued to bless them even when they ignored him. Hanging out with the likes of these offered me a false happiness and only made me feel more pangs of unhappiness when I was alone. My sins continued to plague me and I found it hard to go on. At times I was depressed because Satan told me that my life wasn’t worth much.

Others on this road appeared to be happy. They lived in the moment and believed with all their heart that life was all about them. There were others who sat along this road and pondered if God existed. They believed that their intelligence was far superior to a belief in God and concluded that if you can’t see him he doesn’t exist. These souls have set themselves up as a god and they believe Satan’s lie that convinces them that within their own strength they will be able to meet all of the challenges of life. They believe that they alone are in control of their life and that is not a position that they want to compromise or give up.

Everyone on this road to destruction lives only for themselves. These are impulsive people who live for moments of gratification rather than a life of hope and peace. The longer they travel this road the more self-absorbed they become. They believe that their success is more important than anything or anyone else. They start pushing others aside to get ahead and forget to hold dear those most precious to them.

I for one became weary with this dead end road and hopeless lifestyle. I remembered that in days past I had been on a narrower road that was full of hope. Eternity and eternal life was on the horizon. It was on that narrow road that I walked in peace knowing that my physical death was actually the door to real life forever. It was on this road that I knew that nothing was too difficult for God. It was a road where I had experienced that God was always faithful even when I was not.

During this “wake up and stop feeling sorry for your self” call I found myself searching for an exit. To both my surprise and joy the wide road was lined with multiple exits. There was one every few feet! Yes, God always has a plan and provides a way for our escape. I didn’t waste another moment as I quickly ran to the exit marked “Narrow Road.” Without a doubt, this road was narrow and not as well traveled, yet there were many travelers. These travelers were not without baggage and crosses but their faces were smiling and peaceful. The tree lined road provided me with shade from the heat of the day and relief from the pressure and stress of my life. Beautiful flowers were blooming for my enjoyment. The joy of my salvation was restored as I began to take pleasure in walking the narrow road with Jesus.

The travelers that I encounter on this road are God’s people. We walk together, talking and sharing about our Heavenly Father. We talk about how fortunate we are that even in difficult times God has his hand on our lives and that he continues to draw us to himself so that we can receive his wisdom and comfort. Even when we take a wrong turn, God lovingly draws us back to the narrow road where we belong. God treats each of us as his precious child and lavishly loves us as though we haven’t been away a minute!

It is my experience that the people on this road know that God will use any set back or problem in their life for their good. These folks speak of their many blessings. They know that God is not finished with them yet and that they are a work in progress. The children of God, my friends, all desire to experience progress in their spiritual life as they walk this road with Jesus Christ. They treasure their relationship with Jesus as they take time to stop along the road to read their Bible, pray, praise and worship Jesus. I absolutely love these inspiring, encouraging people!

As I personally walk this road with Jesus I know that I am not in control, and that’s okay with me. I am comforted to know that the God of creation is in control of my life and the lives of all those I love. I know that even in the worst case scenarios of life God is in control and has a plan. When fear grips my heart, the Holy Spirit comforts me with the knowledge that God will never leave me or forsake me. That is God’s promise to me and I stand firmly on that promise. I gladly give God credit for all that is good in my life. Because I love God I find joy in helping others, I choose to be happy for the success of others. I choose to weep with those who weep. I choose to set aside my selfish will and submit to the perfect will of God. There is no other road on which I would rather travel than this narrow road of life that leads to an amazing relationship with Jesus Christ now. I do not walk this road in perfection but when I take time to glance back over my shoulder I do see progress. I do not take pride in this but totally give God praise because he loves me enough to challenge me to walk closer to him. Gratitude is the word I would choose to express how I feel when I realize that I am not the person I used to be. God has been faithful to help me grow in my faith. It is true, the best is yet to come! At the end of this road I anticipate a joyful life after death that will never end. Some call the road I travel the road of narrow mindedness, but I call it the road of joy both now and forever! It is the road that keeps me safe from destruction!

Questions

Are you traveling life’s wide road or the narrow road?

If you are traveling the wide road, how is that working out for you?

If you are traveling life’s narrow road, describe your current mental and emotional state.

If your current mental and emotional state is less than peaceful and joyful, is there a possibility that maybe you have taken a wrong turn?

Do you believe that Christians sometimes leave the narrow road and follow the wide road?

How can Christians avoid a detour?

If you have found yourself on the wide road of life, do you see an exit in sight? If so, take it!

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You never said that life would be easy. In fact you said we would have troubles in this world. But you have promised to be with us in all things. You have promised us that if we trust you we will be all right no matter where the narrow road of life takes us. You said a comforter would come to be a very present help to us in our trouble. You have promised that you were going away to prepare for us an eternal home and that you would come again to personally escort us to that place so that we can live with you forever. Jesus, I pray for your forgiveness when I allow fear to grip my heart and when I entertain the sinful behavior of selfishness and pride. I desire that my life will be ordered by you. I pray against the spirit of fear that cancels my trust. Jesus, protect me from Satan’s subtle temptations that would invite me to exit the narrow road and foolishly pursue the wide road of destruction. Father, help me to stay focused on you as I read your Word, walk with you and fellowship with your people. Be with me as I daily open my heart to you in prayer. Jesus I pray for your joy to fill me as I walk with you on the narrow road that ends in a beautiful life that will last for all eternity.

In Your Name I pray. Amen

Being On the Same Page as God

“And God spoke all these words:” Exodus 20:1 NIV

Today I am waking up to a cold January morning. The real garden is dead and the only evidence that growth lies beneath the soil are ugly stalks of last season's dead perennials and the faith that believes that those plants will bloom again next spring.

I am so blessed that the garden of my heart has beautiful flowers and shrubs, climbing vines and flowering trees, evergreens and deciduous trees all blooming continuously year round! Believe me…it’s a God thing! And so this morning, though I am cozy inside my home, I will sip my coffee and escape to the warm garden of my heart. The imagery of the year round garden may be fantasy but the truth that I will learn today and everyday in the garden with Jesus is and always will be is real! The close relationship that I have with the Master Gardener is indescribable. Jesus is tender and merciful, forgiving and kind. This amazing love is fresh and new every morning.

And so I walk down the sun filtered path stopping at a beautiful clump of pink coleus. Beyond the coleus rests a stone with the Ten Commandments carved into the stone as if God had placed the words there himself. I pause and remember a time when God did give his law to Moses for the people. Each law was engraved in the stone by the finger of God.

My mind goes back to a time when our children were middle school age. I had posted the Ten Commandments on one of the cabinets over our breakfast bar. Sometimes our children’s friends would be setting there at the bar having a snack and would comment on the Ten Commandments. I remember one young man asking if I thought that keeping the commandments would get a person into heaven. I remember sharing with him that each individual must believe in Jesus Christ and accept the blood of his sacrifice as a covering for his or her own personal sin. I further explained that it is that blood that offers us an opportunity to be forgiven. That forgiveness comes to us as a free gift from God. Each living soul must choose to accept that gift if we want to be allowed to enter heaven. Without accepting that gift there is no entrance into heaven. I did say however, that it was a good idea to pay close attention to the Ten Commandments because they are God’s guidelines that are specifically designed to help us have a happy life. I pointed out that the first commandment was the most important of all because when we love God and put him before, anyone and anything else we most likely won’t have trouble knowing how to keep the others. Realizing that we are a lost sinner and then accepting God’s forgiveness is the first step on our journey of loving God.

For me there are a few familiar passages in the Bible that seem to float meaningless through my brain because I have heard them so many times. Scriptures like the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, and the Ten Commandments. I do believe that from time to time these precious scriptures need to be revisited. So this morning I choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and meditate on the commands of God that are perfect in every way.

God's instructions to us:

# 1 - Don’t love anything or anyone more than you love me.

# 2 - Don’t worship anyone or anything but me because I am a jealous God and there are consequences if you do. I will punish families and nations for this sin. I will punish you, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, your great, great grandchildren, and your great, great, great grandchildren if you ignore and hate me. On the other hand, if one person turns away from hating me to loving and respecting me from that moment on I will show blessing and love for a 1,000 generations.

# 3 - Don’t abuse my name by swearing or misrepresenting what I stand for. When you slander me or damage my name you cast a shadow on my reputation.

# 4 - Remember to take one day a week to rest and carve out time for me. Make this a holy time to rest in my love and care. It is my will for you to be refreshed, renewed and rested!

# 5 - Honor and respect your parents. I don’t care how old you are, or if your parents are living or deceased, it is important not to do anything that would shame your parents as a result of your sinful behavior. Always show love and make sure that your integrity is intact. This is honoring and respecting your parents.

# 6 - Do not murder. Do not take someone’s life or damage their reputation by speaking falsely against them. Lying about someone’s character is killing their reputation.

# 7 - Do not commit adultery, physically, mentally or emotionally.

# 8 - Do not steal anything that does not belong to you. Do not steal property, money, or ideas from anyone.

# 9 - Do not lie about anything or anyone. White lies are only one nanosecond away from a full blown lie!

# 10 - Do not want what someone else has so badly that you will do anything to take it away from them.

Jesus’ New Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 22: 37,39b NIV Treat everyone as you want to be treated.

So how do I want to be treated? I want to be treated fairly, honestly, and with respect. I want to feel love and appreciation from others. I want to experience kindness and mercy. I want to be a recipient of love, kind words and encouragement.

I find that rule is not too hard as long as I am able to select those to whom I want to show love. As long as my love can be selective and conditional I am in good shape. But here lies the rub. Sometimes I base my love on whether or not I feel someone is deserving of or in need of my efforts of love. Most of the time it is very difficult to love those who do not treat me well, those who take advantage of my kindness, those who don’t treasure me and my ideas, those who think and behave different than me, and those who are different than me. Then there are the people who are mean and discourteous and set out to cause me harm. Those who abuse, persecute, and falsely accuse me. Yet Jesus says, love them as you want to be loved. This is not a suggestion. It is a command. It is times like these that I realize that I am NOT on the same page as God. I see clearly that I desperately need my Savior’s example of unconditional love for me that he displayed on the cross. I need his example of mercy and forgiveness that he offers me every single day of my life. I also need the power of the Holy Spirit to assist me during my times of need. I will not get it right every time but I must continually desire to aspire to this high calling and command from God. I so desire to be on the same page as my loving Father.

Questions

How do you feel about loving others as you do yourself?

When was the last time you got it right?

When was the last time you failed?

Why do you think you failed?

Do you think that loving God more would help you love others more?

Read: Exodus 20:1-21 and Exodus 31:18

Prayer

Dear Awesome, Almighty God,

You God are the great “I AM” and your ways are higher than my ways. You know the pathway of life that will bring me joy and you honor. Help me to glorify you by choosing to keep your laws. God I confess that sometimes I don’t love you more than I love myself. Forgive me God. Please fan the flickering flame in my heart that desires to be on the same page as you. God my desire is that I will love you more than any one or any thing. I need your grace and the power of your Holy Spirit so that I will love others as I love myself. Help me to fall in love with Jesus to the point that I cannot help but love others unconditionally, just as your Son loves me. Help me to love your laws and daily walk in obedience to your laws.

In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.