May 21, 2016

Jesus Loves You

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. -- 1 John 3:1

Our family attended a small country church when I was a small child. It was a long time ago and something I barely remember. By the time I was in school, we’d stopped going to church.

What I do remember though is that my great aunt took time with me. There were no other children my age but she thought I was worth teaching. Maybe it was an effort to keep my parents going to the church. I’ll never know.

She taught me a children’s song. Even now the words and melody come to mind: Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

That song has comforted me more times than I could ever say. The words are a reminder that no matter what else happens in this life, Jesus loves me. That is something I can count on. He is someone I can depend on.

We all have stories to tell of the times we weren’t accepted, the times our feelings got hurt, the times we tried something and failed. No one goes through life without suffering in some way.

I spent my childhood trying to be invisible. At least at home. It was not a bad life. I was grateful for that. I just knew I wasn’t loved or wanted. I was fed and clothed. I had school supplies and a swing with chains I wore out again and again. It could have been so much worse.

The song echoed in my mind at night as I closed my eyes to sleep. It was a reminder that I was not alone and that somebody loved me. Jesus. I wasn’t quite sure who He was but I clung to the fact that He loved me.

A sweet friend is going through a devastating divorce. Her husband left her for another woman. We remind her that she is loved, by us and by Jesus. She is worthy. She is beautiful. She is a child of God.

I don’t know what you are facing today, what you have faced in the past or what tomorrow will bring. But know this: Jesus loves you. You are a child of God. Beloved. Cherished. Worthy of all things good. Hold on to that.

In the darkest of nights, when Satan’s lies rear up, remember who you are. He loves you. He really, really loves you.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Live As Jesus Would

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. -- 1 John 3:17-18

She died Friday morning, the day before a volunteer group planned to do yard work at her house. She was just so excited about it. Her face beamed as she spoke of her church family and the kindness coming her way.

The group showed up anyway. They did what was needed, whether it was pulling weeds or trimming shrubs. I’d like to think she was smiling down from heaven as she watched God’s people care for what she had loved.

Once upon a time she was able to do yard work herself. Then her son took over. He had back surgery and the yard was neglected. It seems that sometimes it takes all a person can do just to get through the basics of a day.

But someone noticed. That nice lady from church who stopped by at least once a week. She asked if a church group could help with her yard. The woman was thrilled. An answered prayer.

Isn’t that often how God works? He uses people to fulfill the prayers of others. We don’t often think of it that way. We don’t often think of ourselves as the answer to someone else’s prayers.

But we can be. We can open our eyes, our hearts, our hands and reach out to someone in need. We can listen for God’s voice. We can follow the nudge of the Holy Spirit. We can show the world what Jesus is like.

We always want to wait for the grand moment, the large contribution, the big event. But, really, we help others and show God’s love in the small moments of time. It’s providing transportation to the beauty shop for an elderly neighbor. It’s visiting with a lonely widower. It’s offering to baby sit so a frazzled young mother can have a few hours to herself. It’s kind words and smiles and encouragement.

It’s Jesus in the world. Because that’s what we are. As believers, we are called to live life as He would. Not as we would. That puts a different spin on things, doesn’t it? Yeah. It really isn’t about us. It’s about Him. And His love for us that we are to show to others.

So take a moment today to call someone you’ve been meaning to talk with. Smile when you might not feel like it. Spread kind words and encouragement. Throw a ball with a child. Laugh. Share. Reach out and embrace those around you -- all of them. Jesus would. So we should too.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Share God's Gifts

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? -- 1 John 3:17

President Obama had barely got the offer from his mouth before the criticism started. We couldn't afford to help Japan as it deals with the devastating effects of an earthquake and tsunami. We need to take care of our own people. Let someone else step forward and help.

I guess I'll never understand such a lack of compassion. Yeah, I know. We've got financial issues in this country. And, yes, I'm aware that there are many, many people in need in this country. I also know we waste a great deal of money, both individually and as a nation. God has provided enough. We just don't always use what He's given us wisely.

We have plenty to help people who have nothing left. We can afford to send recovery teams to help search for survivors. We can afford to send experts to help with nuclear reactor issues. We can afford to send doctors and nurses and medical supplies. And we can afford to send food and basic supplies to people who have lost homes, jobs and possibly family and friends all in one instant.

It's not just about the money. It's about the caring. It's about sharing what you have with someone who is in need. It's about kindness and compassion. It's about showing the world that Jesus lives in the United States of America.

We hear a lot of talk about how this country isn't the Christian nation it once was. There's a lot of finger pointing and blame bandied about. No one wants to take a hard look in the mirror. We're suppose to reflect Jesus to the world and here we are complaining about sharing the material possessions he's given us with people who really, truly need them. We're the ones shoving Jesus out of our country. And we claim to be Christians!

Do you love Jesus? Then stop hoarding His gifts and share them with people in need.

Friday, July 9, 2010

We Are Children of the King

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!" -- 1 John 3:1a

In her book, "Daily Steps for God Chicks," author Holly Wagner refers to us as Princesses. Wow. That's pretty powerful. It's also true. Our Father is King. He is The King. He is God. He claims us as His children and that makes us Princesses. Or Princes.

And we are part of His family today. We don't have to wait until we die for that distinction. We have it the moment we invite Jesus into our hearts. We become a part of a family of believers. Nothing and no one can take that away from us.

I guess this was something I always knew it just never really registered with me. Do you know what I mean? It was like a light bulb went off. Suddenly all those folks who put me down or create drama needlessly don't matter. They can't hurt or destroy me. I know who I belong to. Really. Truly. He is my Father. I am His child. They can't change that.

So when someone comes after you or you're feeling a little insecure in this sometimes overwhelming world, just remember who your Father is. You are a child of the King. You belong to God. You are special and important and worthy. He has claimed you as His own.