God Watches His Precious Children Sleep

“…indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Psalm 121:4 NIV

At the end of a day of work or after I have been out all day, there is nothing I like better than coming home and kicking off my shoes, taking off my slacks or skirt that are a little too tight in the waist, getting out of my unmentionables and putting on a lounging outfit or my comfy robe and slippers. It is funny how those simple bindings of life (that we women wear on our bodies) keep us from true relaxation. No wonder we are often uptight and tense. Those tight jeans and uncomfortable shoes are squeezing the very life out of us!

I often wonder what it will be like to step from this life into heaven. My brother-in-law, Dale had been sick for many years. One day when my husband and I went to visit him he told us that the night before he had had a vision of heaven. We asked him what it was like. He stammered trying to find words to describe his experience. Finally, all he could say was, “It was royal, just royal!” He went on to tell us that he did not want to come back but God told him it was not yet time and that he must go back. A few weeks later he went to be with the Lord. It is comforting to know that Dale is now in a place that is royal!

I envision heaven to be an amazing place of beauty. Streets so perfect that they shine as gold. Beautiful gardens where every flower, bush and tree continuously blooms forever! When I step into this wonderful place I will lay down my burdens and all that binds and restricts me here on earth. I wonder what it will be like to feel shear pleasure and joy as I enter into the holy presence of God and meet my Savior face to face. I guess it will be… well, yes you guessed it…royal, just royal! But even in this life Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV We don’t have to wait for heaven to experience God’s amazing gift of rest.

For me I love giving the morning hours to Jesus because it is when I am rested, relaxed and the most alert. I can begin my day by loving Jesus and having him love on me. I know that the rest of my day will go much smoother because I have carved out time for him. Of course, a crisis will occur, time will be short, temperaments will clash, and there will be needs to be met. Chances are I will handle all of those challenges better because I have been to the garden.

As the day ends and evening finds me inside the comfort of my home, my mind goes to the Master Gardner once again. I take off my shoes and change into something more comfortable. This ritual reminds me of how important it is to come to Jesus every evening with all of my burdens and cares that have been a part of my busy day. It is a time to free my mind of all that has bound me throughout the day. As I prepare for receiving God’s rest I say, “Lord, here I am at the end of another busy and stressful day. So Father, as I prepare for sleep I want my last thoughts to be of you. God, how did I do today? How can I do better tomorrow? Forgive me for all of the places I came up short. Remind me of the places that I was found lacking in mercy, love and grace. Help me to do a better job tomorrow. Thank you for all of your amazing blessings in my life and thank you for rest.” As I drift off into sweet sleep I hear the faint movement of a chair. I imagine God pulling up a chair and setting beside my bed as he prepares to watch me sleep. Just as it brought me pleasure to watch my children and grandchildren sleep, I hope I bring my Father pleasure as well. In the last few conscious moments of this day I feel loved because I know I am his precious child. I am comforted to know that all through the night the eyes of the Almighty God keeps vigil right next to my bed as he lovingly watches me sleep and pours over me his wonderful rest!

If you are a young parent, take heart. Your life will not always be so demanding. Your children will learn to feed themselves, go to the bathroom alone, they will get on the bus and go off to school, they will learn to do their homework independently, drive a car, and maybe even learn to do their own laundry. Your life will not always be the crazy circus it is today.

But even if carving out time for God seems to be impossible, I still encourage you to find a few minutes every day to focus on God. Ask God to show you how and when you can do this and then be obedient. Do not be eaten up with guilt if you miss a day or two, just keep trying. God has gifted you with the ability to do a million things at one time. Use your intelligence, giftedness and creativity to find a few minutes every day to grow in your relationship with Jesus. Because God is not an “in your face” God, it is easy to push him aside. When I was a young mother and I had to cut something out of my life, God always seemed to be the first to go. That was not wise then and it is not wise now. Being a godly man or woman is the most amazing gift you will ever give your spouse or your children. Our busy lifestyle presents all of us with great challenges. But perhaps there are still a few moments in your day to be found. I promise you the time you spend with God will be the best help you will get all day. I can tell you from experience no matter what season of life you are in Satan will always mess with this part of your life. Be aware and don’t allow him to interfere. Somehow time spent with God is NOT lost but multiplied!

Questions:

Do you find life to be binding and restrictive?

What is it that you need rest from? Is it confinement, pain, responsibilities, lonliness?

Do you find yourself stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed?

Do you find it comforting to know that God watches you sleep?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I come to you and invite you to bring peace and rest to my tired and weary body. Today Lord, I want to turn lose all that binds me and I look to you for rest. Lord, I am reminded that I will sleep tonight but you never sleep. I know that when I wake in the morning your provision will be waiting for me. So tonight I know that you will be busy setting the stage and organizing all that concerns me for the day ahead. I imagine that right before I wake you will be preparing my morning coffee and fluffing the pillow in my favorite chair so that I cannot resist meeting you in the garden of my heart as I begin my day. No doubt, you will have already contacted the angels that are scheduled to surround me tomorrow. Lord, I thank you that you always go before me preparing my way. Thanks God for not sleeping! Father, I thank you for your rest and for another opportunity to do things better today and tomorrow.

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen

Mighty Rushing Waters

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
Isaiah 43:1b-2a NIV

God seems to be intent on creating things to lift our spirits, provide us with joy, and for the believer stir up words of praise deep within our soul. This was exactly my experience when my husband and I visited Niagara Falls. I had been to the ocean and experienced the splashing waves crashing on the beach, but now this, an amazing display of rushing waters from the upper falls crashing down upon the lower falls! Never had I witnessed such power and such beauty.

I love the garden of my heart because it is usually so quiet and tranquil. Ever so often, God moves me out of the garden and allows me to experience his beauty outside of the garden. Moments of joy and praise always seem to accompany these experiences. Sometimes God provides me with a lesson that speaks to my spirit so strongly that even when I leave that place of beauty the experience continues to live on in my heart. Such was my experience at Niagara Falls.

As I stood on the rim of the falls with my husband I began to think of how really fragile I am. My life can change on a dime. The happiness that surrounds me one day may be crushed the very next day as life’s problems tumble down on top of me like a rock slide falling from the side of a mountain. Nothing in this life is certain except the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Life can attack us with the force and power of the mighty falls and we can fall into the swirling waters of pain, suffering, poverty, loss, estrangement, accusations, illness, and death at any given moment. Yes, life is fierce and I am fragile.

But oh the beauty of the falls! How majestic his creation! How mighty are his works! In contrast I know that no matter what comes my way, even if I find myself in the fiercest of life’s waters, God has promised to keep me safe. I really have no need to fear because God has given me an amazing promise. He has said, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:1b-2a NIV

Those words are such a comfort! First of all, God tells me not to fear because he knows what is ahead. The things that surprise me are never a surprise to God because he is all knowing. Secondly, he reminds me that he has redeemed me. Jesus Christ paid a hideous price on the cross for my redemption. Why would God go to all of the trouble to send his son, Jesus Christ to this world to redeem me and then let me perish? Thirdly, God said, “I have summoned you by name, you are mine." He didn’t say, “Hey you, come here!” He said, “Paula, come.” Why did he do this? He did this because I belong to him, he said, “you are mine.” Those of us who have children would give our lives for our children, and God did. All of that good stuff and still we haven’t even gotten to God’s promise! The fourth statement in today’s scripture, God said, “When you pass though the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass though the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” My first response to that promise was, “that’s good God, because as you already know, I can’t swim!” This precious promise is straight from the heart of God. No matter what may come my way God’s promise to me is sure. I will not remain there forever, I will merely pass through. I may remain in the situation for a season but eventually I will pass through even if it means going to my eternal home. It is a glorious hope to know that I will not remain in the drowning rivers of life forever. What a blessing to know this truth. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a NIV. God will be with me today, tomorrow, in the good times, in the bad times, and throughout eternity. I know this because I know without a doubt that I belong to him.

Questions:

Has there been a time when God has spoken to you through the beauty of his creation?

Do you still find strength in that message as you remember that experience?

How do you feel when you know that God has called you by name and will take care of you because you belong to him?

Do you have any doubt that you belong to God?

When exactly did God redeem you?

If you do not know for sure that you have been redeemed by God make sure that you take time today to read “How Do I Know If I Am a Christian?” This message is located on the right hand column of this blog. God wants you to have all that he has promised you. He wants to redeem you and be your Savior. Jesus can be your refuge in this life and your hope for the life to come.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I want to be in a relationship with you that will last forever. No matter what happens to me in this life I know that you are the only one I can depend on. Jesus, I want to daily experience the peace that comes into my heart because I know that you are a safe place of refuge during the storms of my life. Thank you for the beauty of creation that lifts my spirit and brings me joy. I praise you for the beauty that is found in our world. God, thank you for Niagara Falls, how beautiful, how majestic, how powerful, and how amazing is this work of your hand! Jesus, so many times I see your creation as a perfect reflection of who you are. You too are beautiful, majestic, powerful, and amazing. Thank you for all of the lessons you teach me inside and outside of the garden.

In your name I pray. Amen.

God Sees The Entire Garden

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9a NIV

During the winter months I feel trapped inside the house and I long for spring when I will once again enjoy the work, beauty and joy of my gardens. It is during these months that I thumb through gardening books and seed catalogs dreaming of what this coming year’s garden will look like.

I can’t wait for my tulip tree to blossom and the weeping willow to start unfolding its leaves of delicate pale green. I watch in anticipation for the heads of yellow daffodils that will emerge in irregular patches throughout the wooded area in the back of our property.

In my mind I envision the entire garden in its state of completion. Inside the heart of this gardener is the hope that next season’s garden will be a vision of beauty. The Master Gardner is not so different in the plans that he has for the garden of my heart. God sees the entire garden of my heart. He sees my life stretched out over the canvas of all my days and he knows every step I will take, every problem I will encounter, and every joy I will experience. He envisions my life finished according to his master plan and he is pleased. The Master Gardener has designed a plan to give me a hope and a future!

So today, God and I will walk together in the garden of my heart. We enter the garden through a gate that is attached to a white arched trellis. The trellis supports gorgeous purple jackmanii clematis. The smell of confederate jasmine is in the air. The Master Gardner brings to my attention many of the perennial plants that have been established, multiplied and are currently thriving in the garden. The Gardner mentions that I have used the red Bee Balm to soothe the hearts of my friends that suffer. He whispers that he knows I use the delicate for-get-me-knots as a reminder for me to spend time with him. He mentions that the Brown-eyed Susan’s also serve as my reminder to keep my eyes open for ways to love others. He smiles as he points out the pink tulips because this reminds him that I am learning to kiss the lives of others with his grace. He says, Paula, I am so proud of you. You have learned many things from setting with me in the garden. I am humbled and embarrassed by his encouragement because I do not feel that I am very good at any of those things.

His tone is loving but serious. Paula, this garden of yours is huge. This year I need you to trust me because I may ask you to go to places in the garden that you have never been before. I begin to tremble at the thought of walking through hanging vines of uncertainty into an area of the garden that I have never been before. He said, “Why are you so afraid? All new places are not bad. In fact some are beautiful, exciting, and fun. I may ask you to walk through the forest of change, but don’t be afraid. The challenge will be rewarding. I may allow you to peer over the edge of a garden wall and see majestic mountains that I will help you climb. You may feast on rainbows of my promises, you will see sunrises of hope and sunsets of my faithfulness. I may ask you to take off your shoes and walk through the lush green grass of the table land where I will allow you to feast on my provision. There will be wonderful times of joy in your life and in the lives of those you love. I may also have a new assignment for you that will develop your character, bless others, and glorify me.”

Now I speak. “God, of course, I’m not afraid of the good experiences but I am a bit fearful of what I do not know that may be waiting for me in the shadows of the garden.” My inner thoughts remind me that my first thoughts are usually fear of all I do not see and understand. I hate change and the uncertainty of the future. I look down and a serpent hisses and slithers off into the grasses. He leaves behind fresh chills of fear. I for one do not want to walk into loneliness, hard times, pain, or suffering. These thoughts threaten to smoother me. I am now on the verge of hyperventilating!

As always, Jesus knows my fears and then he lovingly reminds me that he sees the big picture. “Paula, I promise you that I will not ask you to climb the tallest oak and go out on the weakest limb without standing under you with my everlasting arms. I can be trusted. I will not send you into the darkness of the garden without going with you. Remember I am the Light of the World and in me there is no darkness. You do not know the future but you do know the One who holds the future. Because of this you can be at peace. Life is full of surprises for you, but nothing is a surprise for me. That is why I so carefully walk before you and prepare the way."

“So God, what should I do?” The Gardner places his arm around me and whispers, “Paula, just enjoy your garden. Spend time with me in prayer, read my Word and learn truth. Find my promises in the Word and hide them in your heart. Enjoy every beautiful day you have and keep doing your homework and when that time comes to go somewhere in the garden that you have never been before, I will be with you. I will be with you every day in the good times and the bad. You my daughter will never be alone.” Then the final message of the Gardner came, “If you knew the future you would have no need to trust. Trusting me is just another way I know you love me. I need your love.”

Questions:

Do you believe that there is both joy and sorrow found in the garden?

Do you find strength in knowing that God goes before you preparing the way?

Can you recall a joyous time that you experienced in the garden?

Are you currently experiencing fear in the garden?

What can you do to strengthen your faith?

How does trusting God give you hope for surviving sorrow in the garden?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Our walk in the garden today has been encouraging. Thank you that you have reassured me of what is right in my life. Thank you that you have filled me with joy and excitement as I walk in the garden with you. I am anticipating the many answers to the prayers that I have prayed. I wait, wondering if this will be the year I will see the answer. I know that there will be times that my joy in the journey of life will be ecstasy! I am so grateful for the bountiful provision that will continue to come to me from your hand. I know that all of the surprises and blessings that you have planned for me will thrill my soul! Thank you for all of the positive reassuring words that you spoke to me today. Thank you for the assurance that you will be with me to provide everything I will need to face anything that will challenge my faith. God I praise you for your Word and I ask you to help me do my homework now so that when change comes to my life I will have your Word hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against you. I know that it is your Word that will strengthen and sustain me during the trials of life. It will be your promises that I will need to claim and rely on if I find myself in the darkness of the garden. In the meantime, help me to enjoy the garden everyday as I bask in your Sonshine!

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Loneliness A Place of Blessing

“But Jesus often withdrew

to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 5:16 NIV

I don’t think anyone has escaped loneliness. Today while walking in the garden I was stunned by the beauty of one simple Gerber Daisy, standing tall, all alone among the depth of the dark greenery of the garden. This daisy was not wilted or broken. This beautiful red orange Gerber stood tall and open so that it could receive sunshine and rain from the hand of the Master Gardener. This lonely flower reminded me of a few times in my past when loneliness engulfed me.

Loneliness is the result of a personal loss of something we value or a separation from someone we love. We can become lonely because we are in a new stage of life, or we fear we will not find someone to share our life. Sometimes people are lonely because they are different from others, insecure, ignored by the majority, or looked over for many ungodly reasons. Others are lonely because they are ill and cannot leave their home.

Each person’s loss or loneliness is not to be measured by another person in terms of great or small. The fact is, every loss is personal and more likely than not, it is a loss that has left the one experiencing the loss with a knot in their stomach, an ache in their heart, and an overwhelming amount of emotional sadness. Loss is very personal and causes us to have thoughts that make us feel alone, afraid, angry, rejected, forgotten, set aside, mistreated, and often the victim. Sometimes we experience loss so great that we do not feel we can bare it without the help of God. Each person’s loss is painful and they alone must grieve in their own way.

Likewise, we should not measure our own loss in terms of great or small. Sometimes we feel guilty that we are even feeling sad and lonely. It doesn’t take much for us to look around and see someone else who has a greater need. Still we need to bring Jesus our loss and not feel guilty. Another time we may feel that the cross we have been given is far greater than anyone else’s and slip into a depressing pity-party. That too is dangerous. Jesus says come to me because I know how you feel, what you need, and how to help you. Trust me. We must remember that nothing is too great or small to bring to Jesus. I doubt that Jesus has a scale to measure our loss but without a doubt he sees our pain. Jesus is compassionate and weeps and grieves with us in our times of loss and loneliness.

God wants us to give our loneliness to him. Our Father’s heart beats in comforting love for us during our time of need. He wants to gather us to his breast and wrap his wings of love around us as he holds us so tightly that we can feel the thump of his heartbeat. Jesus longs to comfort us in our times of loneliness. “…as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…” Luke 13:34b NIV We must not let our bitterness and fear push God away or shut him out.

I wonder if Jesus sometimes felt alone. I imagine he missed his mother and his family. He was a traveling man on the road constantly. Jesus was single. Did Jesus miss the Father and his previous home in heaven? Even though surrounded by thousands of people, did he still feel alone? Those twelve men that were closest to him were with him most of the time yet even in this circle of close friends I wonder if perhaps he felt alone because at times they didn’t understand what he was teaching, or who he was? Sometimes he lost friends. The rejection of so many people was yet another place of loneliness. So much loneliness, more than any man should bare.

Jesus had a remedy for his loneliness, it was more aloneness. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 NIV I wonder if aloneness could be my remedy as well? Perhaps when I am lonely I need to be alone with the Father. After Jesus spent time alone with the Father, he returned to the routine of life. He was still alone, but he had been refreshed, loved and comforted by his Father.

On a positive note our lonely state is often the stage on which God will do some of his best work in our life. When we experience loss, we often experience less responsibility. Our life changes drastically. What was there before has left a huge whole and now Jesus wants to fill that whole with himself. It is the place where we learn to experience God’s love and comfort. Loneliness, a place where we are forced to be alone and it is often the very place we need to be to experience personal spiritual growth. It is the “alone with God” place where our character is being shaped for eternity. When we are going through a time of loneliness, we may discover it is the perfect time to pour out our concerns, our greatest fears, our “what ifs,” and our anger. It is a place where we surrender our will to the will of the Father and when we do our trust is developed and strengthened. When we give God a chance, it is during loneliness that we get a beautiful picture of how faithful our Father really is.

Our demanding lifestyles, the crowds of people that surround us, our work, our family responsibilities, too many church meetings, the couch of the psychiatrist, the mall, the noise of our music, the blare of the television, our hand held electronic devices, and the chair of self pity are all places that can shut Jesus out of our life. But Jesus says come away with me to a lonely place. Leave all of your “stuff” behind. Bring only yourself and your loneliness. Come to me and I will give you rest. If you will come to me, you will find that I will gather you under my wings and you will feel my heart beat in love for you my precious child. Come to me and be comforted. You are NOT alone. Trust me with all that you do not understand or know. Remember, I know things you do not know. I can be trusted. I know what I have planned for you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Simply trust me with the days ahead.

I doubt that we will ever be thankful for the times of sadness in our life. However, I have experienced being thankful for the outcome that followed my loneliness. All things do work together for good. I have experienced that when I have trusted God through my loss and loneliness; God changed me and made me a stronger person. The person I became was changed for the better. In addition, I have often been surprised by the wonderful plan that God orchestrated for my future, even before one day of my life came into existence. So then, if during our loneliness we can spend quality time with our Lord, our loneliness can be a place of renewed strength, grounded faith, elevated trust, and yes, wonderful blessing!

Questions:

Have you ever experienced loneliness?

Did God change you during that time of loneliness? If so, what happened?

Do you believe that God can use loneliness as a time to build you up and bring about positive change in your life?

Have you ever found that your loneliness proved to be a place of blessing?

Have you used that experience to help others?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Today I am feeling so alone. Please take this pain, this loneliness away if it be your will. If it is still not my time to leave the desert of loneliness please comfort me today. Refresh me as only you can. Jesus, I know that you too have experienced loneliness and I want to follow your example of going to a lonely place and seek the Father. Jesus, today I humbly ask you to use this place of loneliness in my life to shape my character so that I will become more and more like you. I thank you Father that you love me so much that you would allow me to go into the desert of loneliness. Father, I want to give my fears to you and trust you to be with me through this time of loneliness. Thank you that you never leave me or forsake me and that you always meet me at the point of my greatest need. I pray that someday I will be able to look back and see this time as a place of blessing.

In your name I pray. Amen

...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