Love Revealed...Lesson 8....Thursday

7/31/13

God’s Kind of Love

Boundless.....having no bounds; infinite or vast)

 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; 

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 36:5

Compassionate 

.....Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it)

The Lord is like a father to his children, 

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  Psalm 103:13(NLT)

Extravagant

.....Exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or
          passions. Going beyond what is deserved or justifiable

 Consider the incredible (extravagant) love 

that the Father has shown us in allowing us 

to be called “children of God”

—and that is not just what we are called, but what we are.

1John 3:1a

Sacrificial .....Of, relating to, or concerned with a    sacrifice

 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners.Romans 5:8(NLT)

Permanent.....Lasting or remaining without essential change

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—

not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—
indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) 

Transforming.....Make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of

But the Holy Spirit produces 

this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Galatians 5:22 

                    


Authentic .....Not false or copied, genuine,    real                                                                                               

  “For God loved the world so much
that He gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 

(NLT)

Written by

Kathryn Hanson

"Be Strong In The Lord"...Wednesday

Devotional...7/31/13

 

I love the thought that our Lord and Savior has strength that never runs out. As we call upon Him for His strength, He stands ready to provide that for us each and every time. He is faithful to fill us with His strength that only He can give.

 

I love to pray the scripture out of Ephesians 6:10 that says;

"Finally my brethren, 

be strong in the Lord 

and in the power of His might."

 

We can only be strong in the Lord as we look to Him to manifest His strength and power in us. He is fully where our strength comes from. We do not have to feel weak and feeble as believers in Christ, because He is living within us and he so wonderfully provides every ounce of strength that we need.

 

I can't tell you how many times I have been weary and felt like I just couldn't make it through that particular day. As I cried out to God to endowme with His strength, He always so remarkably came through and provided His great strength to me.

 

The Lord 

is truly where 

our strength 

comes from, 

so Be Strong 

In The Lord Sisters!

 

In His Radical Love, 

Sandy Billingham

The Kept Woman...Tuesday

Devotional...July 30, 2013

I was still relatively new to the church the first time I saw her. She was one of those people who “Had something about her” as my mom used to say. Even from a distance, I knew what mom meant.  I tried not to stare but glanced in her direction often. After clearing tables one Sunday, a friend and I sat down with our coffee. As we talked and were getting to know each other, I asked her if she knew "that woman."

 “Oh, her!” my friend responded. Now, when I was young, that meant something scandalous was about to be shared. I held my breath waiting for her to continue. 

“She’s a kept woman,” she clarified. I was right! There was something about that woman. I sipped my coffee and kept my attention on my friend as she told me the story.

The woman had come to the church some years ago as a visitor. She had heard about a man who had been in the congregation from its beginning.  What she didn’t know was that he was hoping she’d be interested in him.  After introductions and spending some time together, it was a love made in heaven!  Everyone noticed the contentment and joy of their relationship and were very happy for them. But, it wasn't the end of the story.

We never knew what happened, but she slowly withdrew from his love, and eventually from the rest of us. His sadness was deep but he wouldn’t give up on their relationship.  We watched in awe as he pursued and took care of her in ways she wasn’t even aware were his doing. He protected her. Prayers for her were on his lips continually, hoping she’d remember their love, hoping she missed him, and would one day again desire his love as much as he desired hers. 

Then we started to notice that she was staying around more often, talking about him with a smile on her face. She seemed to deeply miss their life together but something was holding her back. I heard that she was afraid he couldn’t possibly want her back. Apparently she was ashamed of something and thought she didn’t deserve his love.

She must have forgotten the lesson from King David - 

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.
⁶ Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
⁷ In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You,
For You will answer me.

Psalm 86:5-7 NASB

"But," my friend continued, ”He recognized her change of heart. He knew he’d won back his lady’s love. One day during worship I saw her weeping. After service we could all tell by the joy on her face that they were reunited!

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you

and continued My faithfulness to you.

Jeremiah 31:3 AMP

As wiped my eyes, my friend smiled and said, "Let me introduce you to her! She loves to have her story told and to talk about all the Lord has done. She's the one who started calling herself "A Kept Woman" and she is quick to remind us that we are all kept women.

My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

 The Lord is your keeper;

Psalm 121:2 & 5a NKJV

Written by Sandy Schott

Click on this link to hear the beautiful song "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" written by Hillsong and performed by Shelley Nirider: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY 

Is There A Right Answer?...Monday

Devotional for Monday, July 29, 2013

We were standing around a kitchen island with a glass of water sitting innocently in front of us. The younger kids thought perhaps our fearless leader was going to show us a magic trick. Serious expressions and a tense atmosphere indicated something very important was about to happen. I held my breath.

Unknown to me, only two of us were unaware of what was to come. The leader of this test said, in a nonchalant tone, "Tell me what you see?" As we were encouraged to answer honestly I finally declared, "The glass is half empty!"

Our leader smirked all-knowingly, leaned back against the counter, and announcing for all to hear that I was a "pessimist."

I didn't know what a pessimist actually was, but the context was enough to convince me this was something I didn't want to be. "Not true!" I cried. But judgment had been passed. I was condemned.

By using one small perception device I had been labeled. Personality tests can have upwards of 500 questions meant to cover the many angles and nuances of who we are, how we view our environment, and what motivates us as individuals. We are unique and in-depth individuals who cannot be defined by a simple kitchen trick.

As harsh as the actions and words of that childhood experience, I am aware that it is very easy for me to do the same thing to others, on any given day. The young woman in front of me who is dressed in a manner I find lacking, do I immediately decide she is lacking in morals or judgment? Or do I wonder where she is coming from, who is she, and what is going on in her life?

It is not wise to make decisions about anyone based on minimum information. What do strangers think of us upon first glance? I am grateful that God does not see us as we see ourselves nor each other.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.

Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.

 Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

 Luke 6:36-37 NLT

Dear Lord, thank you for continuing to work out your good work in me. Please forgive me for doing the very thing I would wish that others would not do to me. Please give me eyes to see others as You do, ears to hear others as You do, and a heart that is filled with compassion. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

SECRET SINS... Sunday

Devotional for 7/28/13

We have seen many public figures recently that have been exposed for having "secret sins" that have come to light.  In terms of those who hold a public office, there has been debate as to whether they should resign, or others to withdraw from their races for office.  Some still try to deny the accusations, others apologize and ask for forgiveness and then turn around and do it all over again.  We get frustrated, angry, and wonder when they will "come clean" or step down or withdraw.  We wonder how there can be such obvious double standards, when other people in other jobs would be immediately dismissed.  Boy, do we get disgusted with the "lack of morals" in public figures nowadays. 

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.  Psalm 90:8 (NIV)

Have we ever considered how God feels when we do the same thing?  "ME?" we say - "I don't do THAT!"   But yet, we all sin.  On top of that, we often commit the same sins over and over again.  Sometimes we try to deny those sins, or even refuse to believe that what we are doing is even considered sinful.   We want to sugar coat them or give excuses for why we did them.  When we do admit we have sinned, and we repent and say we are sorry and will try to do better, what often happens?  We fall once again, if not in that particular sin, then another.  Some of those sins are so humiliating we keep them secret from others - from family, friends, the world.... even from ourselves if that is possible.  All sins separate us from God, big or small, and we are unable to "make it right" on our own.  Thankfully, God never gets angry or disgusted with us.  He loves us and forgives us when we come to him with a humble heart, because of the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus, Christ.  There is nothing - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that God will not forgive when in faith we ask him to do so. We may still have earthly consequences to endure, but God still loves us.  No matter what we have done or will do, or how many times or how far we feel we have fallen, God is still there to pick us up!

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

written by 
Jan Andersen

The Place...Saturday

Devotional...7/27/13

“He refreshes and restores my life (my self);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
(uprightness and right standing with Him- 
not for my earning it, but)
for His name’s sake.” 
Psalm 23:3 (Amplified Bible)

No matter what the season, it seems as if there is always a lot to do. Whether it is a calendar “season” or simply a “season” in our lives that we are going through, I find that “quiet” time is getting harder and harder to find. It seems to me as if the “demands” of life are becoming “louder” and “louder.” I am finding that at times these demands are (almost) all that I can hear.

A very special friend of mine has a meeting that is held once a month. It is called “The Place”. It is a place that you can come to and “set aside” the demands of life for a moment or two. It is a place that focuses on the Lord. There are testimonies given of His goodness. It is a place that “shows” His love through a kaleidoscope of different sizes, colors and backgrounds. His love and goodness is shown through the people whose lives He has touched.

I love this place. It is a place where all are welcome. It is a place where acceptance and love are the norm. There is no need to look for or to try and find a “position” to make you more acceptable. You are accepted, simply because you are there. You are loved, simply because you are you. 

This is a place where Jesus is welcomed. This is a place where He is exalted, and lifted up. Not only through the praise songs that we sing, or the testimonies that are heard, but most importantly, through the attitude of those who are there. The attitudes of those who have been personally touched and changed by the Lord are different from any others that I have seen. Where there was once pride, there is now humility. Where there was once hatred, there is now love. Where there was once fear, there is now peace. Where hands were once reaching out to “get”, those same hands are now reaching out to “give”.

What a beautiful place this is. This is the place that we pull away from all that hinders us. This is the place where our perspectives are changed. This is the place where our hearts can become full once again, and a place where our spirits can soar. This is the place where our dreams are allowed to grow, and the place where we find nourishment for all that is parched inside of us. This is the place of restoration. This is the place of abundance, the place of hope, and the place of joy. This is the place where Jesus is.

Now I have been talking about a physical place, but in reality, this “place” is not a building. It is a place where we can “go” to at any time of the day, no matter what our physical location is. It is the place that we go to in our hearts and in our spirits. It is the place where we meet Jesus. It is the place where He is always waiting for us. It is the place that He offers us His comfort, His peace, His wisdom, His love, His confidence, His strength and His perspective. It is a place where we can simply come, no matter what the state of our lives, or even our hearts are in. We do not need to be worried about “covering” up the places that don’t look so good. We do not need to be anything other than who we are, even when we don’t really know who that is, or even when we don’t really like who that is. It is a place where we know that we will be loved. 

Thank you Lord, for these “physical” places in our lives that You have prepared ahead of time for us, through your people, those who know You and serve You. But thank you also for the access that You have given to each one of us, into your Presence. Thank you that You have made yourself available to us, and all we have to do is to call out your Name. We know that You are beside us, even before we call. Our only right response to all of this Lord, is to let your “call” become the desire of our hearts. We desire to love others, Lord, because you have first loved us. Help us to do this, we pray.

In Your name, Amen.

Written by 

Beverley A. Napier

HOME SWEET HOME...Friday

Devotional...7/26/13

"In my father's house are many rooms; 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

 I am going there to prepare a place for you.  

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back 

and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." 

John 14:2,3

     Everyone has probably heard two familiar sayings: "Home is where the heart is," and "There is no place like home."  This is so true for all of us.

     I remember after a trip overseas once, flying back on a plane with a number of service men who had been out of the states for some years.  As we neared New York City and could view the Statue of Liberty, I think we all could have jumped out of the plane and kissed the ground in gratitude and appreciation.  Home.

     It is fun to travel but after a vacation I long to get back to my own home with my two cats.  I like my cozy home and my own routine

.

     This is the same feeling Christians should have in relationship to their heavenly Father and His home in heaven.  our lives on earth are temporary.  Jesus is in heaven right now preparing a place for us in His Father's home -- our home!  We have security walking with Jesus now while wandering this wilderness on earth and we enjoy all the blessings of our earthly homes, but we all can anticipate our permanent home with joy and expectation.

     We do not get many details from Scripture about heaven.  But we do know that God gives only the very best.  Since heaven is His home and the resources with which He has prepared it are unlimited, it surely will be beyond our wildest imaginations.

     We're but strangers here on earth.  Heaven is our home!

Written byCarol Lynn Steficek

Love Revealed Lesson 7...Thursday

Devotional...7/25/13

“Extravagant Love”

Consider the incredible (extravagant) love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called “children of God”—and that is not just what we are called, but what we are. (1 John 3:1a

Extravagant Exceeding the bounds of reason, as actions, demands, opinions, or passions.

Going beyond what is deserved or justifiable.

Redemption in Christ

Scripture tells us...

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us 

in Him before the foundation of the world,

 that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 

⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, 

according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory

 of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 

⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 

⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, 

according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 

¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might 

gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are 

in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 

¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, 

being predestined according to the purpose of Him 

who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 

¹² that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, 

the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, 

you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 

¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance 

until the redemption of the purchased possession, 

to the praise of His glory.

 Ephesians 1:3-14

(NKJV)

• We’ve been blessed with every possible blessing
• We’ve been chosen before the creation of the world
  
• We are without blame
• We’ve been adopted as his sons and daughters
• We are accepted in the Beloved
• We’ve been redeemed and forgiven
• We’ve had the whole plan of salvation revealed
          to us through the life and ministry of Jesus
• We have obtained an inheritance
• We are predestined for good things
• We’ve received the promised Holy Spirit
• We are guaranteed our inheritance

Consider the incredible 

(extravagant) love 

that the Father has shown us

 in allowing us to be called “children of God”

—and that is not just what we are called, 

but what we are. 

1 John 3:1a

Written by

Kathryn Hanson

"Friends Forever"...Wednesday

    MY BFF   

I was thinking how very honored I feel and extremely blessed that Jesus tells me He is my friend. Of course He is also many other things to me, as well. He is my Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Refuge, Provider, and the list goes on. But there is something very incredibly special when he says He is my friend.

His word clearly tells me... 

"No longer do I call you slaves, 

for the slave does not know what his master is doing, 

but I have called you friends, 

for all things that I have heard 

from my Father I have
made known to you."

John 15:15... 

He wants to share the very heart of the Father with me. He is not keeping any secrets from me but sharing the deeper things of the Spirit as I stay close with Jesus and build a strong, intimate, relationship with Him. Daily He is calling me to draw closer with Him so I can hear His voice. He loves spending time with me because that is what best friends do! 

I can honestly say I have a variety of friends in my life. Some are of casual acquaintance. Others I love to hang out with and have coffee and visit about our lives. And then there are those that I have known for many, many years. We have been there for each other through the storms of life. But Jesus... totally laid down His life for me. Jesus, never judges me and completely accepts me and loves me no matter what I have done or said. He is there for me every second of the day.

Yes!  Jesus is my very best friend forever!

Written by

Sandy Billingham

The Struggle of Two Sisters...Tuesday

Devotional for Tuesday, July 23, 2013

This is the story of two sisters who share the same house. Perhaps you’re thinking that’s not unusual. You’re right, except that one sister was born in the house they occupy and the second one came in from the outside by way of adoption. 

  

Hi!  I’m Big Sister FLESH.  I’m telling my story first because I’m the older sister. I have always had my way since being born into this house. I don’t know who had the idea to adopt another girl, but she’s here and I have to deal with the intrusion. 

At first I didn’t mind having her around, after all she was small and weak, being so young and all, but I was irritated when she got all the attention. As time passed I convinced her to accept my thoughts and feelings instead of talking about God this, and God that.  She frightened easily when I told her people didn’t want to hear about God things. I even convinced her that she wasn’t smart enough to talk about Him.  She listened to me as I defeated her with discouraging thoughts and words, and ridiculed her hopes of growing up and becoming stronger than me.   HA!  No way!

Hello.  I’m Little Sister FAITH.  I was born into this house by way of adoption, as you’ve heard.  I have an older sister named FLESH who accepted me when I arrived and I thought we got along fine at first. I looked up to her because she knew things about living in this house.

As I grew up, however, she began to bully me into thinking her way. I believed she knew more than I did about who we were and who we should be. I struggled often to say and do the things I knew were right for me but then I got in trouble with her for being what she called a know-it-all.

In Sunday School I learned that my sister's father was a human whom the Creator had made from the earth and named him Adam.  Then the Creator breathed His eternal life into him, making him alive.  Adam was supposed to take care of the Creator’s earth and He even made a woman out of one of Adam’s ribs so he wouldn’t be lonely.  Then one day they both chose to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge which was forbidden by the Creator.

Because they rebelled against Him the Creator's punishment to Eve was to bear fruit, (children), with pain.  Adam’s punishment was to work hard in order to get things to grow. They were also banished from His garden. Then the Creator killed one of the rams Adam was taking care of, so the bloody skin of an innocent one, put on a human, saved them from eternal separation from Himself.  When they left the garden, He set holy angels at the gate so they couldn’t enter again and eat of the Tree of Eternal Life, which would have meant they would live forever in their sin, because sin separates all humans from the Creator. 

Big sister FLESH said the Creator shouldn’t have tempted them with the Tree in the first place. I knew that was wrong somehow. She has said lots of things over the years that are wrong. She won’t agree with the Creator, ever.  He says that FLESH must die, be separated from Him, and FAITH will live forever!  That’s ME! 

FLESH says I think I’m special because I believe the Creator made me from His Holy Spirit instead of Adam and this time she’s right!  My name is FAITH because I trust the Creator and that’s something impossible for FLESH to do.  He told me not to listen to her while I’m here on earth and when my physical body dies I’ll be separated from her forever!  Now when Flesh speaks, I can say, “Go to your room!”  I’m the Big Sister in this house now. 

The Greek meaning of the word adoption in the bible means “to place as a son.”

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again,
but you have received a spirit of adoption
as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Romans 8:15 NASB

In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ
to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

 Ephesians 1:5-6a NASB

Written by
Sandy Schott 

Deceived by Whom?...Monday

Devotional...7/22/13

It is one thing to be tricked or deceived by another person. It happens. But it is quite another matter to deceive oneself. I am not perfect (believe me, really not perfect) but I’d like to think that I am aware of most of my sins. I try to keep all skeletons out in the open. That way there are no surprises and no fear of exposure to keep me on edge. Yet there is no way I can find every deception within myself. 

That’s why the Psalmist wrote in

 139:23-24:

Search me [thoroughly], O God, 

and know my heart! 

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there is any wicked 

or hurtful way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting. (AMP)

There’s the catch. What’s in my heart and my thoughts are important, too! There’s really no way I can sift through all this in my own wisdom and strength. Therefore I must ask God for help in uncovering my sins and then cleansing me from them. 

Can I do anything to reduce the chance of being deceived? Yes, I believe so. Let’s start with the acknowledgement that the goal is to not deceive myself or anyone else.

The first thing is to stay connected and open. No secrets allowed. I’m not talking about ‘what are you getting me for my birthday’ secrets. I’m referring to relationships, conversations, actions, or going places that I wouldn’t be comfortable with if someone else was listening or watching. Almost every article I’ve read about keeping my marriage healthy included the advice to be careful with whom I make connections. I think this is even more important given the perceived privacy of email and the like. I have 4 people who know the password to my email and they are welcome to read anything at anytime. 

Secondly, if I want to have a deeper understanding of truth, so that I will be wiser about deception, I must study God’s Word; input His Truth as much as possible. Daily scripture reading gives my mind something to chew on or mull over for the day. Renew my mind by repeating scripture out loud.

Third, often my problem is habit. Old ways die hard. What I need is a plan for strengthening my spirit and weakening my flesh. My flesh is my natural desires and tendencies. Say “No” to what my ‘self’ wants; do this just as an exercise (like a work out routine!), not for any reason except to teach myself who is boss. Check what is going into my heart, mind, imagination and body. I agree with moderation in all things acceptable; but if I’m being convicted of something, cold turkey is the most effective medicine for me.

The last step is two-fold. I must pray to God asking for strength every day. I must believe that the Spirit in me is stronger than the spirit in the world.

The Goal: 

Avoid deceiving myself and avoid deceiving others.

The Plan: 

Stay connected; open; no secrets; accountability.

Input His truth every day; think about scripture; repeat it out loud.

Say “No” to myself occasionally regarding things that are acceptable, 

for no reason except to let my spirit be the boss of my flesh.

Ask God for strength. Believe He is stronger than the world.

My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world's language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. 1 John 4:4 (MSG)

Written by 

Mary M. Wilkins