Month: July 2016

“Return to Me”

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“Return to Me . . . then you shall not be moved,” Jeremiah 4:1, NKJV

There is something to be said about being in the safety of the arms of the one you love. It’s a hold that fiercely embraces you, daring one to step between. In it you not only find love but you feel the truth of all this person’s emotions toward you. You are secured. You are established. Nothing can tear you away from the warmth and protection you feel at this moment.

And yet, as most movies and books go, there comes the drama. In the drama comes the reason for departure. The part of the story that makes you wonder, “Will they ever be united again? Will they ever really know how one another feels?” It’s a typical storyline, but I must admit I never tire of it (makes me want to go pick up a book right now).

In those stories, not until the two parties separate do they realize just how much they needed the other. All of a sudden, the love they felt for one another reignites and in a desperate attempt to save the relationship, somehow, someway, they run back to the safety of each other’s arms where they can rebuild upon the love that was once felt.

Can I tell you something? God has never fallen out of love with you! As a matter of fact, He has done everything possible to try to keep you safely in His arms where He can take care of you and love on you. Yet, and still, the drama unfolds that leads the heart of man away to look after their own pursuits. What then of the love that God felt for you? It’s still there!

His love has never left just because we did. His love has never stopped embracing even when we didn’t return the embrace. His love has always been on fire for you and I, even when we tried to extinguish it. His love never quits seeking reconciliation because He wants us with Him!

This was the truth that He was trying to get across to the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s job was to relate to the people of Israel God’s undying passion for them. He tried to convince them that the drama of going their own way wasn’t worth it. Life would be so much better if they would stay where love could keep them and care for them. But, unfortunately, as mankind does, they thought they knew what was best. Love was not on their mind at that moment. As most stories play out, they couldn’t see past what they thought they wanted.

Yet, God is still pleading through the mouth of the prophet, “Return to Me.” If this were a movie, after witnessing the passionate plea for one to come back, to stay in my arms forever, there would not be a dry eye in the house. But, this is what God is doing! He is crying out to His people to not turn away, “DON’T GO! COME BACK! PLEASE, COME BACK!”

As the movies go, so did it with Israel. The pleas go unanswered. The Lover has no choice but to let His loved ones go, hoping that one day they will come to their senses and return. To make a long story short, Israel had to be let go for several decades before they would come to truly appreciate the love that God has for them. Don’t let the same be said of us today.

God is still waiting with open arms. If we have not held on as tightly as we should – return. If some other thing or person has attracted our desires more – return. If we have turned a deaf ear to the pleas of love – return. If we have refused the embrace – run back and return to those arms of love.

God promises when you wholeheartedly return, “Then you shall not be moved.” Why? Now you are safe where you belong. You are in the place of promise and His promise is this, “The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one,” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NKJV). Faithful. Establish. Guard. That’s what He does for the one who stays in His arms of love.

God is crying out. Don’t let those cries go unanswered. Return today!

In That Coming Day

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in that coming day

 

Darkness, hatred, bitterness, and conniving schemes may seem like they have the upper hand, but there is a coming day when all the works of evil will tremble before the King of all kings.  What appears as sin reveling in victory now will face the ultimate truth of its demise.

Here’s the bold fact.  There is an end to everything here on earth; whether one chooses to believe it or not will not change that fact.  Fact is, everything will be opened before the true judgment of God (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  Fact is, wickedness will bow before holiness and injustice will succumb to wrath.

The enemy may smile now, but be confident dear friend for we know how the story ends.  Hurts and travail will NEVER have the final say.  There will be a marching in of victory for those in Christ!

The world has made us, the saints, out as naught, but the truth is, in Him, we are valiant and strong.  We have a glorious destiny of promise.  The battles that seem to knock us down today will run and hide in that coming day.

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in,” (Psalm 24:9).  Power is here, and He is coming!  Authority is here, and He is coming! Dominion is here, and He is coming!

The enemy today has us concentrating and fighting one another that we not focus on his evil schemes.  Reminder: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” (Ephesians 6:12).  But, in that coming day, when our victorious Christ rides in, the enemy you see today you will see no more.  He will be bound and crushed (Revelation 19-20), and the newness of the promises of God will come alive like never before (Revelation 21-22). 

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work,” (Revelation 22:12, NKJV).  “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20, NKJV). 

Learning to Let Go!

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learning to let go 2 - my pic

Last week I took a much needed vacation with family and friends.  I haven’t had a real one in years.  Every part of me, inside and out, needed a break from schedules, routines, and the normal day-to-day.

During this vacation I was privileged to do and experience things I haven’t before.  Two of the things especially of note were the zip lines and the quick jump.  Both required jumping from the top of a high platform or rock wall and both really stretched me out of my comfort zone.

Don’t get me wrong; zip lining was a blast, but in order to get down off the landing platform I was attached to a sort of supportive rope that would grab you and lower you gently as you made your descent.  In order to activate the rope the instructor told me to just step off.

Huh?!

Watching others from the ground it didn’t seem that big of a deal but standing on the platform for yourself was a whole other story. It was higher than it appeared and I am not too fond of heights to begin with.  Standing there looking down the instructor repeated her directions: just step off or jump.

Just step off or jump . . .? ? ?

With my eyes I saw the rope catch and lower each person that used it.  It never failed to do its job.  But, my body had trouble taking that leap of faith.  All I simply had to do was let go and depend on the equipment to do its job.

A lot of times we face difficulties and challenges in life, things that stretch us way out of where we are used to being.  Then, we are asked to trust God; to just step out and depend on Him as our unfailing equipment.  Often our response is the same as mine standing atop that platform.

Huh?!

The mind knows all the promises of God.  The heart has digested His Word and has been filled with His Spirit, yet to just step out and let go  . . .

It’s a lot harder than we first imagined.  To let oneself freefall into trust where you have absolutely no control but to lean on Him takes courage.

But, this is the kind of courage and trust that makes our heavenly Father’s heart swell.  Knowing that our confidence is so strongly planted in Him, we just hold on and depend on Him to take us down from those high platforms of life – well, let’s just say, that’s all He ever asks from us is to lean and depend on Him.

Every challenging story in the Bible to every hero in the great hall of faith (Hebrews 11), each one started with that one-step-of-faith moment; one learning-to-let-go experience, trusting wholly in God for the end results.

Are you facing a challenge today?  Are you being stretched beyond your comfort zone?  Do you have goals that seem too big for you to accomplish by yourself?

You don’t have to do it alone.  Let go, and let God.  See where the end results will be in Him.

As far as those high platforms for the zip line and quick jump, I eventually sat down and scooted off.  No flash or show.  The rope was activated and did its job.  The point is I did it, in my own way, and let go.

Step off and let God’s power be activated in your life today.

Devotion – If I Choose

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If I Choose

 

If I choose to be silent I could

be viewed as weak or wise,

depending . . .

If I choose to fight I could 

be viewed as aggressive or brave,

depending . . .

If I choose to hope I could

be viewed as naive or optimistic,

depending . . .

Father God, depending on where life takes me I pray that you would help me to handle this daily life with the same grace You give.  With every step, help me to choose to look to You, O heavenly Father, because I want to be wise, I want to be brave, and I want to expect the best of every day You give.  Amen!