Faith in the Deepest Waters

"Hope itself is like a star; not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, but only to be discovered in the night of adversity." (C.H. Spurgeon)

Have you ever, or are you now experiencing a time of real trial and adversity in your life?

By "real" trial and adversity, I don't mean discontinuing your satellite dish service because the economy stinks. I'm  not talking about the 'sacrifice' of giving up the Range Rover, or your summer house on the lake, because times are tough.

No, I mean real adversity. Crushing trials.

Crushing adversity; such as, your spouse, child, or best friend just passed away. 

Real trials; such as your husband has been in prison for his Christian faith in a hostile Islamic country for years and you don't know when you will see him again. 

Real adversity; such as your wife just dumped you like yesterday's garbage and ran off with another man, leaving you alone with your children.  

Crushing trials; such as your child or grandchild just committed suicide.

We can't even begin to understand what someone else is going through until we have walked in their shoes.

Faith.

It's easy to have faith when things are going well. 

When you're young and strong, it's no problem to take that hill. When your marriage is rocking, you feel invincible. When your health is perfect—can't touch this! When you have a great job and plenty of money in the bank, you can kick back in the hammock with your iced tea and relax. 

Having faith is easy when life is easy.

But when you are really tested—when your life, marriage, family, or health is in serious jeopardy, you really have to trust in God. When things get so bad that you can't possibly fix it by yourself—when all you have is your faith.

Hence the old saying:  "You'll never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have."

Having faith means to trust in, believe in, to have reliance upon. As followers of Christ, it isn't about "our great faith"... since faith itself is a gift from God.  It's all about Who we place our trust in. My faith is not in my faith. My faith, trust, reliance upon—is wholly in Jesus.

Here's an account from Paul, a fellow brother in Christ, who was no stranger to trials and adversity:

“Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.”  (2 Corinthians 11:25-27)

How did Paul endure these perilous times of intense trials and suffering? When he asked God three times that a painful "thorn in the flesh" might be removed from him, God's response to Paul was:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

 Paul went on to say:

"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) 

When we have no strength; when we can't fix it any longer; when Jesus is all we have; then we are strong: because Christ is strong in us.

"Take pleasure in my infirmities?! How can I possibly do that?! Can't you see how much I'm hurting?!"

Jesus said:  

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit—for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The longer I live—the longer I walk the narrow and difficult path of following Christ—the more I'm painfully aware of just how desperately I need Jesus; every minute, of every day. Truly, without Him—I can do nothing good. 

For years, throughout my life-struggles, I sought comfort and solace in men's bible study groups. And there were some good moments and friendships in those groups. We are told in scripture to study the Word.

“Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

However, if we're not careful, we can get so caught up in the intellectual 'study' of the word of God, that we miss the God of the Word altogether.

Jesus said:

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me—But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40)

The whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth and dying on the Cross was to restore intimacy between God and man. He wants us to come to Him. It's personal. He wants a relationship with you, with me. He gave His life on the Cross for that intimacy of personal relationship with us.

Don't drive yourself crazy trying to understand why she left you. Stop trying to figure out why God would let him die. You won't understand it. It won't make sense now. It may later. It may never.

God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. His ways, higher than our ways. Only God knows why He allows things to happen in our lives. He has a purpose for allowing them to happen. Just trust Him in it.

All you can do, should do, by far the best thing to do; is call out to Him. Come to Him—that you may have life.

As a friend once put it;

"Sometimes the best place to be is flat on your back, looking up, crying out to God—"Help!"

Sometimes we can help each other. We should always try.

But while we may mean well, we are still imperfect human beings. The Word does tell us though, that part of the beauty of the Body of Christ is that we can comfort others who are going through the same kind of troubles that we've been through:,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

But only Jesus can truly fill the empty places in our hearts. Those dark places of pain, loneliness, rejection, sadness, grief, depression, and hopelessness.

God has always been with me through every trial I've faced. He doesn't always take away the pain and suffering. Sometimes He does. But not often. I used to really struggle to try and understand why.

One day I cried out to Him in my desperation and said, "Lord, You can do all things! You could change us in an instant, and we would no longer sin and struggle any more. Why do You leave us in this condition?!!"

He said:  "So you'll stay close to Me."




—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.

Unmet Expectations

"Nor is there salvation in any other..." (Acts 4:12)

Have you ever used the expression, "soul mate?"  Or, "love of my life?"

Looking closely at the picture of the divided couple above, do either of those expressions seem to accurately describe the current reality of their relationship?

I believe the majority of (not all, but many) people fall into one of two categories;

1).   You have great expectations that you will one day find that "perfect person for you" who will "complete you." One who will be "your soul mate." The "love of your life."

2).   You have unmet expectations in your relationship that have left you bewildered, wondering, "why haven't things turned out the way I thought they would? Why am I sometimes still so lonely, unhappy, and unfulfilled?"

Blaise Pascal, a famous French philosopher correctly said:

"There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ."

The reality is, we human beings try to fill up the hurting, lonely and empty spaces in our hearts with other things... with other people. With everything but God.

In my own family tree, there is a long history of medicating to numb the pain, pressures and reality of this life. Many also seek peace and tranquility in escaping to the wilderness. But I've tried that for years, and no lasting peace or tranquility is to be found out there.

Since the dawn of civilization people have sought out love and fulfillment in jumping from one sexual relationship to the next. But our hearts and still left empty, aching, and alone.

Even for those who publicly tell others they have been happily married for years, if we're being completely honest, will privately wonder why things really haven't fully turned out as we'd once hoped they would.

Over the many years and seasons of singleness, separation and marriage, through countless hours of reading and studying endless books about relationships, feelings and emotions, and from talking to many people about this topic, the truth I've learned is, we can never find true, lasting peace, joy, and fulfillment, in seeking our validation in and from other people.

And yet, I'd dare say that we all do this, every day of our lives. Oh, maybe not knowingly or intentionally. But in one way or another, we tend to put another person—either a person present in our life, or someone hoped for in our future—on a pedestal, placing all our hopes upon them, to make us feel happy, fulfilled and validated.

However, in so doing, we have set them up for certain failure. Because no one, not any other human being, can fill that God-shaped vacuum in our hearts, that only God in the Person of Jesus Christ can fill.

What we don't realize, is that when we put another human being on that pedestal—on the throne of our heart that only God rightfully deserves to inhabit—we have made him or her an idol. We will never be at peace or fulfilled without having first placed our entire heart fully in God's hands.

And after living a life of one unmet expectation after another, we become bitter, resentful and cynical.

Earlier in my life, my cynical mantra was, "Don't expect too much, you'll just be disappointed!"

And that was from a life of placing all my expectations on other people for what they should be, for me. It was all about me.

In marriage, we should always place the needs of our spouse above our own needs. And if both husband and wife are doing this unselfishly out of unconditional love, you have the makings of a pretty good marriage.

However, some have hardened their hearts and say, "Well, since I can't fully meet all of his/her needs anyway, then why should I even try! It's not my responsibility! They should just look to God to meet their needs!" And in so doing, many a heartless man or woman have neglected their spouse, causing a lot of pain, heartache and lonliness.

God made the purpose for marriage very clear when He created Eve as a wife for Adam. Do you know what that purpose was?

Companionship. 

He said,

"It is not good for the man to be alone." (See Genesis 2:18)

But God created us first and foremost for Himself; for His good pleasure. And we are not to put any other human being, not even our own spouse of children before God. He says to do so is idolatry.

The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength. (See Mark 12:30) Then, the second commandment is to love others as yourself.

The Lord Jesus is God, and God is Love. He is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. Peace and rest for our weary and thirsty souls can only be found in Him.

Jesus said:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

He is the only source of true peace, joy, happiness, validation and fulfillment.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Breakfast by the Sea

"Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast." (John 21:12)

This intimate scene—both of the family gathered together by a warm campfire on the Oregon coast at beautiful Cannon Beach, and even more so, of the picture painted in scripture of Jesus inviting His own disciples, to "come and eat breakfast", warms my heart through and through.

Some background to Jesus' breakfast invitation to His friends... (John 21:1-14)

“After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:  Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.  But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.  Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.  Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”

So much is going on in this poignant scene.

When Jesus first met Peter three and a half years earlier, He told him to launch out into the deep water and let down his nets for a catch. But Peter argued, saying, "Master, we have toiled all night and have caught nothing. Nevertheless, at your word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:4-5)

And the next verse tells us that there were so many fish in the nets that they were breaking! Seeing that the boats were all filled to overflowing, brought Peter to his knees before Jesus, crying out,

"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O' Lord!"

"Jesus then said to Peter, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him."

I can almost see Peter's expression now three and a half years later, after Jesus had died on a cross, and had risen from the grave on the third day, when an unrecognizable figure calls out to them from shore, after they had fished all night and had caught nothing, to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and they would find fish, and then when they had done so, the catch was so great they could barely even drag in the net, it was so full of big fish.

And so when John said, "It is the Lord!" Peter did not hesitate to plunge into the sea and swim to shore to see his beloved Lord and Master.

Peter and his fellow disciples had seen many miracles performed by Jesus Christ their Lord.

They had witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands of people when there wasn't enough on hand to feed even two or three people. They saw Him walk on water and speak to raging winds and waves to be still, and the wind and waves obeyed Him. They saw Him heal sick people and command a dead man to come forth out of the grave, and he did so. They knew by experience and by relationship that Jesus was both Lord and God.

And now the Lord and God of Heaven invites them to "come and eat breakfast."

Their God and Creator had prepared a fire of coals and had fresh, hot bread and grilled fish waiting for them. And God Himself served His own lowly creation breakfast by the sea.

Can you picture this? Can you imagine yourself being there? What it must have felt like?

The bible says that we love God, because He first loved us.

And if this beautiful picture of the God of Heaven, the Almighty, Everlasting Father, Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, clothed in human form, humbling Himself out of love, to serve and feed His own servants, doesn't melt your heart to tears, and make you love Him, I don't know what will.

I can't possibly add anything to this story today but two love verses from God's own Word, spoken by Jesus Himself...


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:13)

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

The Whole Truth

“And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, “Thus says the Lord God,” whether they hear, or whether they refuse.” (Ezekiel 3:11)

Does it ever seem that no matter how much you try to love people and share the Gospel of Christ with them that they refuse to listen to you?

You’re not alone.

It seems not many out there are open to hearing God’s Word these days.

So what are we to do?

Keep speaking the Truth in love.

Just as He did by sending the Prophet Ezekiel to the rebellious, hard-hearted people of Israel, so too, has God sent you to hard-hearted and rebellious people—most of whom will refuse to hear you.

And God clearly told him, whether they will hear you, or whether they refuse; say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.”

Many will refuse to hear you. But some will listen, and turn their hearts to the Lord.

I had a conversation with someone last week who seems very reluctant to speak God’s Word to a relative who is in blatant, open rebellion against God. She said, “I don’t want to judge.”

However, speaking God’s Word to someone is not "judging" them. Warning them that God is the Judge and He will judge all men one day is not judging them. You’re simply telling them the truth. And you’re loving them by doing so.

God told Ezekiel, “For they are hard-hearted and stubborn children.” But He said, “I am sending you to them.”

The Lord doesn’t send us to a people who are going to love much of what He has to say. Telling someone that they are dead in their sins and God will judge them is not a popular message. Telling someone that they must repent of their sins and turn to God is often met with much resistance. And yes, we must tell them that God is love. But He is also the Judge. And Hell is a very real place reserved for all those who reject God and what Jesus did on the cross. You can’t leave out the hard to hear parts. He told Ezekiel to tell his people, “Thus says the Lord God.” You have to tell people the whole truth.

If you have a friend or family member who once professed Christ as their Savior, but now has rebelled and totally walked away from God, let these words from the Apostle James both comfort and convict you:

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

“Will save his soul from death.” That could not be clearer.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been sent with a message that will save a soul from death. And you have to share the entire message of God. You can’t sugar-coat it, leaving out any parts that you think might offend someone. If you leave out the part that says God will judge all sinners because you don’t want people to think you’re judging them, you have left out part of the truth of God’s own Word.

The Psalmist wrote:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” (Psalm 19:7)

The Word is perfect, and complete. We can’t leave out the parts that we think people won’t like.

The Psalmist also wrote:

“Forever O’ Lord, Your word stands firm in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

There are warnings in the Old Testament and the New Testament about not adding to or taking away from God’s Word. You can’t cherry-pick the Scriptures.

Paul said he has declared the whole counsel of God’s Word with people. He left nothing out.

You can quote John 3:16 to people…”For God so loved the world.” But Jesus says in verse 18 that he who does not believe in Him is condemned already. You have to give people the entire truth.

Jesus said,

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

Jesus is the Word and He is God. (See John 1:1) God is Love. (See 1 John 4:8) And He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6)

So give people the entire Truth and you are giving them Jesus.


But remember... Jesus said,

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:37-38)



—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Speak the Truth in Love

“The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire.” —Jesus 

Hell—Fiery judgment—Eternal damnation.

This is a sobering biblical Truth that many Christians and most unbelievers don’t want to talk about.

“That’s not love!” they shout.

And yet, in Matthew chapter 13, Jesus (the God who is Love) said it three times in close proximity.

Be clear on this; Jesus never said anything that was not spoken in love.

Many people today who acknowledge Jesus say He was a “good teacher.” A “good man.” Or a “wise prophet.”

But tell them He is the Son of God who will “come from Heaven with all His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that do not know God, and that do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, punishing them with everlasting destruction” (see 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), and they will curse you as a judgmental, hateful, right-wing bigot.

However, the fiery judgment of Hell is not an obscure or isolated truth in the Bible. And Jesus talked about it more than anyone. Read the entire New Testament and you will find it a recurring theme from Matthew to Revelation.

Today’s watered-down message is mostly focused on how to get more blessings and to just think positively. But I don’t find Jesus teaching that kind of watered-down message anywhere in the Bible.

So what does it mean to “speak the truth in love?”

It doesn’t mean to say things in a sweet and syrupy way that will never possibly offend anyone.

If you speak of the things that Jesus taught His disciples to speak, trust me; no matter how sweet and nice you try to say it, you will offend some people. “What?! You’re telling me that I’m a sinner!? And that I will go to Hell if I reject Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross?!”

People all think that they’re “good.”

Most people haven’t murdered anyone, or molested children. Most folks consider the Saddam Hussein’s, the Adolph Hitler’s and the Ted Bundy’s of the world to be the bad people… the “sinners.”

But “me!” No, “I’m a good person!” they will tell you. “Certainly not deserving of Hell!”

However, the Bible clearly states; “There are none who are righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Jesus Himself said, “No one is good but One; that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

So, according to today’s worldly standards, you may not consider yourself to be a bad person. But God judges man according to His own standard of perfection, not according to ours.

Most of us know people that have thus far rejected Christ. Knowing that the "Truth shall set you free" we are obligated to love them enough to continue, in all possible ways, to speak the truth to them in love. Other times we may know someone who professes to know Christ, but they have chosen a path or lifestyle that will separate them from God, if they do not repent and change direction. Either way, the question is, do we love them enough to speak Truth into their life? Or do we remain silent, afraid to possibly offend them. I would say it is definitely not "love" to remain silent when their soul is in peril.

Where, then, is the real “Love” in all this?

Namely this:

“But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

And this:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

And this:

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Please… read the entire New Testament.

God’s justice, vengeance and judgment, is answered by His own Mercy, Love and Grace—but only to those who will acknowledge their own sin and guilt and need for a savior, and who will openly surrender their heart and turn to Jesus Christ.

Salvation in Jesus Christ is a free gift to all those who will freely believe, and accept it.

For me, the very bad news of Hell and eternal fire was washed away by the amazingly Good News of salvation as a free gift of God's grace, through faith, which is also a free gift.

As an unbeliever some twenty two years ago, I didn't want to hear about Hell. But the Good News sounds even better when you know what the bad news is first. I needed to know why I needed a Savior.

I needed to know what I was being saved from—which is eternal separation from God, and a fiery torment in a place called Hell.

Once I learned who Jesus the Savior is, and what He did for me on the Cross out of His amazing love for me, I simply couldn't say no to Him any longer.

God's grace is an amazing, incomprehensibly wonderful thing!

All you have to do is receive it.



—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Lead From the Front

“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem...” (2 Samuel 11:1)

Most everyone who has ever read a Bible, or been to church, knows something about the story of David and Bathsheba.

King David is on his housetop getting some fresh air late one evening, when he sees a beautiful woman bathing on the housetop across the way. He intensely desires the woman, and sends his servants to bring her to him so he can 'have' her. 

Only problem was, she was already married to one of his faithful soldiers; Urriah, who was where he was supposed to be—out battling king David's enemies.

The story only gets worse. David gets Bathsheba pregnant. And in an attempt to try and hide his wicked sin, he has Urriah killed by sending him into the most dangerous part of the battle. Out of sight, out of mind. Or so he thinks...

And isn't that when we also get into the most trouble?

When we are somewhere where we know we are not supposed to be.

Had David been the King and leader he was supposed to be, he would have been out leading his troops in battle—not at home looking at a naked woman from the discreet comfort of his palatial housetop.

In the bible passage quoted we see where David set himself up to fall:  

"It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle..."

It was spring time; the time of year when kings went out to battle. Not a time to be at home eating grapes, while your soldiers and commanders were out giving their lives in battle, to protect your precious kingdom. 

And while I know it is only speculation on my part, as the biblical text does not specifically state it, my guess is that David had seen this woman bathing on her housetop before. And he most likely stayed at home because he wanted to get another eyeful of her bathing. Or worse, he had been scheming a way to have another man's wife...while her husband was away at war.

I pray we all let the truths of this biblical account of David and Bathsheba sink into our hearts and let the Holy Spirit reveal areas in our own minds and lives where we are likely headed for a fall.

Lead From the Front.

1.  Be where you're supposed to be.

If you know sin lies down that street, don't go down there. 

Speaking as a husband and father to other husbands and fathers; if your loving wife has dinner waiting for you at home, don't stop off at the bar for a drink, where you know single women are always present, looking for some action.

You should be at home, loving your wife and helping her in any way she needs help, spending time being a Dad to your children. When's the last time you read the Bible to your kids? Played catch with your son? Told your daughter how special she is and how much you love her? Took your wife out on a romantic date night? Or made her breakfast? Be where you're supposed to be. 

2.  Be who God made you to be.

First and foremost, your first and most holy 'calling' before God is to be a husband and a father, if that is what God has given you to be faithful over.  Not your job, and not even duties at your church. When you stand before God at the judgment seat of Christ, you will give Him an account of what kind of husband and father you were. Everything else comes after that.

Has God placed people in your life who need love, encouragement and discipleship? Then be faithful to do that, as God provides and leads. Has He given you the gift of playing an instrument? Then be faithful to use that gift to worship Him. Has He gifted you to teach the Bible? Teach kids? Show mercy? Has He given you the ability to be a leader or administrator? Then use the gifts He has given you to the extent of your gifting. Be faithful.

3.  Be content with where God has you right now.

If God has you selling shoes part time, don't be looking for a way out of the 'fix' you're in. God probably has you there for a reason... for His purpose. The Bible says:

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

God has foreordained, or 'ordered' our steps. 

Knowing our choices and the paths we will choose in life, He arranges circumstances in our lives to bring us closer to Him and accomplish His will. We usually fail to see it or acknowledge it. But He is control, not us. Do you need to be humbled? Then trust me, He will put you in a situation that will bring you to your knees to where you will bow to Him and cry out to Him. He has done that with me many times in my Christian life. And I will be eternally grateful to God that He did so.

Jesus taught that we must be faithful to do the few things He has given us to do. When He is satisfied that we have been faithful over those few things, then He may decide to give us more to do. But we must first learn to be content with where He has us, and what He has us doing right now.

4.  Be faithful to love Him who saved you and called you.

Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Loving Jesus means to keep all of His commandments (See John 14:21). 

Loving someone means to be faithful. And hopefully you do so because you love them, and you want to be faithful to them. Not because you're commanded to do so. I am faithful to my wife because I love her. And I should that much more be faithful to God who loved me first and gave Himself for me. True love is faithful and obedient. And God deserves all of our heart, all of the time.

Jesus led from the front.  

He didn't sit back in a comfortable palace, commanding His servants to go and do what He was not willing to do. He led by example. Forgive those who curse you and spitefully use you. Love your enemies and pray for them. Give to him who has need. Clothe the naked. Feed the hungry. Help the poor. Set free those who are held captive. Show compassion and mercy to all. Speak the truth in love. Preach the Gospel. Demonstrate true love by giving your very life for the sake of others. 

Jesus said:

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

One who leads from the front is one who dies to his or her self will first. One who forgives first. One who shows mercy first. One who puts others needs ahead of his or her own.

Lead from the front.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.

Love Incarnate

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

—Jesus

In this rush-rush season of marketing, madness and materialism, while we may see the occasional scene of the Nativity on a front lawn or Christmas card, sadly, the baby Jesus seems to be losing popularity in this politically correct world. For many, the Christmas tree is more popular than the Christ Himself.

What does Christmas really mean to most people anymore?

Big family gatherings? Lavish turkey dinners with all the trimmings? Lots of presents?

For me, Christmas means Love came down. God came to save me; something I could never do for myself. The Bible says, "God is love."

Love incarnate.

It boggles the mind that the almighty God chose to humble Himself and come down to earth in the form of a tiny baby, born in a cold, smelly stable.

Ultimate power displays itself in ultimate humility—all to demonstrate true Love in it's most pure, selfless and sacrificial form.

Jesus taught that those who want to believe in Him will, and those who don't, wont.  

For most of my life I refused to believe in this "Jesus stuff."  I arrogantly mocked and rejected any message I heard about my need for a Savior.

But the God of Love did not come down to a world that has no need of saving.

The name Jesus means, "He will save His people from their sins." He came to save you because He loves you. 

Will you let that pure, selfless love sink deep into your skeptical heart today and melt it?

Jesus said:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

The God of Love stands gently knocking on the door of your heart today, asking to be invited in.

And only you can unlock the door from the inside and let Him in.

If you choose to...

—God is Love and Love Never Fails