1 Corinthians 2:9: “However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
We have a big God. The love He has for us and the plans He’s made for us are way greater than we could possibly imagine. Our hopes and longings both for this life and the next are tiny compared to what God can do.
Take for example, Elizabeth and Zechariah in Luke ch 1. “Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years” (v 6 & 7). This is a couple who loves the Lord and seeks Him. The power of the Lord is at work in their hearts. They are upright in the sight of the Lord and observe the Lord’s commandments, and we know that to love is to walk in obedience to his commands (2 John 1:16). When Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense, he was visited by the angel Gabriel. The angel told him that God has heard his prayers and that his wife, Elizabeth will bear a child. And not just any child, but a child who, “will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:14). That child of course, was John the Baptist, whose purpose was to prepare the way for the Jesus. When Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for a child they couldn’t possibly have imagined that God would deliver in such an amazing way.
So, when God doesn’t bless you with exactly what you think you want, exactly when you want, you can rest in the knowledge that it might be because He’s got some bigger purpose in mind. Intentionally watch for the Holy Spirit moving in you and be obedient when he does. Throw out that “before I turn xyz age list” and the “my perfect mate list” and the “I must accomplish 1, 2, 3 at work list” and change your agenda to God’s agenda. Pray that you will allow yourself to be led by “his power that is at work” within you. If you do, you just might be amazed at the plans that God has for you!
Today blog was posted by Bridge member Kelly Coxe
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Forever Faithful
Lamentations 3:22-25:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
What wonderful words of comfort to God’s people! The Bible is full of promises from our Lord – for peace, prosperity, healing, forgiveness & joy. But the ultimate promise from God is His promise of salvation. These comforting words from Lamentations remind us that God is faithful in his promises. We don’t have to look anywhere else for our inheritance. He is our Deliverer. Rather than putting our hope in a career, a mate, our success, or any idol, we must put our hope in the Lord and seek Him. And in His perfect timing and in his perfect way, He will bless us – now and for eternity.
Two more verses that come to mind:
Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith for He is faithful that promised."
Isaiah 33:18: "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him."
Remember, it is because of his GREAT LOVE. Instead of destroying a sinful world; instead of giving up on us; instead of calling it quits; his compassions NEVER fail.
Like the old hymn says…stand on His promises...
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Today's post is submitted by Bridge member Kelly Coxe
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
What wonderful words of comfort to God’s people! The Bible is full of promises from our Lord – for peace, prosperity, healing, forgiveness & joy. But the ultimate promise from God is His promise of salvation. These comforting words from Lamentations remind us that God is faithful in his promises. We don’t have to look anywhere else for our inheritance. He is our Deliverer. Rather than putting our hope in a career, a mate, our success, or any idol, we must put our hope in the Lord and seek Him. And in His perfect timing and in his perfect way, He will bless us – now and for eternity.
Two more verses that come to mind:
Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith for He is faithful that promised."
Isaiah 33:18: "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him."
Remember, it is because of his GREAT LOVE. Instead of destroying a sinful world; instead of giving up on us; instead of calling it quits; his compassions NEVER fail.
Like the old hymn says…stand on His promises...
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Today's post is submitted by Bridge member Kelly Coxe
Monday, December 7, 2009
Fear or Love
1 John 4:16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
In the movie sleeping with the enemy, Julia Roberts plays a victim of abuse. Her husband expects perfection and if he doesn't get it she is punished harshly. She walks in fear daily trying her best to please him. The tiniest mistake will cause him to spin into a fit of rage. In fear, she obeys his every command.
This is not the type of relationship the Lord our God wants with us. Our Heavenly Father is the God of love. This is something as Christians, that we know in our hearts and we rely upon in our daily walk. Yes, God is our Judge, but he is a fair Judge and he has provided a plan for redemption. He knows our nature is sin and that we will fall short of His glory, but He demonstrates His love for us by sending His son as an atoning sacrifice and thus providing a plan for redemption. Therefore, we need not fear the day of judgment.
Our obedience does not come from a fear of God’s wrath, but from love. His love fills us and we are able to let it shine through our lives. When we receive the Christ as our Savior, we become a new creation. A change begins to take place and the acts of sinful nature - sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, etc, are replaced with the fruits of the spirit - love, patience, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, & self control (Galatians 5). This isn’t a magical metamorphosis. It comes from a true knowledge of love that grows over time. It comes from conviction from the Holy Spirit and a desire to be obedient. If we delight in the Lord, His desires become our desires. (Psalm 37:4) and we begin to make choices that glorify God. We obey Him in love, not in fear – “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6).
Should we fear the Lord? Yes, in the sense of having a strong respect and reverence for Him. Yes, we should have a personal awareness of the awesome and majestic sovereignty of God. But we shouldn’t live our lives afraid that every mistake we make is one step toward losing the love of God and thus our salvation. That type of fear would stifle a loving relationship. If God abides in us, and we in Him, we should know that He loves us and His plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). We fear God in that we know He is my judge, but we also know that in love, He has given us an opportunity to be redeemed.
So I ask you…are you walking in fear or walking in love? Do others see that love shining through in your actions. Ask the Lord to continue to fill you up with His love and to show you how to pour it out to others. Thank Him for His demonstration of love at the cross.
Today's blog is posted by Bridge member Kelly Coxe
PS. If you are receiving this blog by email, please click the link below and join the discussion. Share your thoughts, comments, stories, prayers and praise, etc.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
In the movie sleeping with the enemy, Julia Roberts plays a victim of abuse. Her husband expects perfection and if he doesn't get it she is punished harshly. She walks in fear daily trying her best to please him. The tiniest mistake will cause him to spin into a fit of rage. In fear, she obeys his every command.
This is not the type of relationship the Lord our God wants with us. Our Heavenly Father is the God of love. This is something as Christians, that we know in our hearts and we rely upon in our daily walk. Yes, God is our Judge, but he is a fair Judge and he has provided a plan for redemption. He knows our nature is sin and that we will fall short of His glory, but He demonstrates His love for us by sending His son as an atoning sacrifice and thus providing a plan for redemption. Therefore, we need not fear the day of judgment.
Our obedience does not come from a fear of God’s wrath, but from love. His love fills us and we are able to let it shine through our lives. When we receive the Christ as our Savior, we become a new creation. A change begins to take place and the acts of sinful nature - sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, etc, are replaced with the fruits of the spirit - love, patience, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, & self control (Galatians 5). This isn’t a magical metamorphosis. It comes from a true knowledge of love that grows over time. It comes from conviction from the Holy Spirit and a desire to be obedient. If we delight in the Lord, His desires become our desires. (Psalm 37:4) and we begin to make choices that glorify God. We obey Him in love, not in fear – “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6).
Should we fear the Lord? Yes, in the sense of having a strong respect and reverence for Him. Yes, we should have a personal awareness of the awesome and majestic sovereignty of God. But we shouldn’t live our lives afraid that every mistake we make is one step toward losing the love of God and thus our salvation. That type of fear would stifle a loving relationship. If God abides in us, and we in Him, we should know that He loves us and His plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). We fear God in that we know He is my judge, but we also know that in love, He has given us an opportunity to be redeemed.
So I ask you…are you walking in fear or walking in love? Do others see that love shining through in your actions. Ask the Lord to continue to fill you up with His love and to show you how to pour it out to others. Thank Him for His demonstration of love at the cross.
Today's blog is posted by Bridge member Kelly Coxe
PS. If you are receiving this blog by email, please click the link below and join the discussion. Share your thoughts, comments, stories, prayers and praise, etc.
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