I Love You

There's no love like God's love. God displayed his unique love when he sent His Son to die for sinful, godless, rebels and helpless people like us. Crucified on the cross in our place, Jesus bore our sin penalty, securing pardon for all who believe in Him.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

"Amazing love! How can it be, that thou my God shouldst die for me." --Charles Wesley

In letters of crimson God wrote His love

On a hillside so long, long ago

For you and for me Jesus died

And love's greatest story was told

I love you, I love you

That's what Calvary said

I love you, I love you

I love you written in red.

---Gordon Jensen

The House Of The Lord

Psalm 27:4  One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple.

David loved his temple worship. Perhaps he thought of it as a haven from the storms of life.

I realize the Lord is always with His children. I also know that He has promised to meet with His people when they gather together to worship Him.

At my church I find hope, help, fellowship, friendship, compionship, understanding, and worship. I need these for my journey. We often eat potluck dinners.

The right kind of church is where the Word of God is honored, the will of God is sought and practiced, the power of God is on display, the praises of God are heard, and prayer is offered to God. It's where no man, no program, and no denomination ever takes the place of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Promises, Promises

There are times it may appear that God has forgotten His promises to His people. The truth is, God never fails, and God never forgets. Be assured, God will keep every promise He ever made. Here are a few promises.

HIS PRESENCE: Matthew 28:20 . . . .  I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

HIS PROVISIONS: Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

HIS PEACE:  Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

HIS POWER: Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

HIS PURPOSE: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Out Of The Dunghill

Psalm 113:7  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

In ancient years the "Valley of Hinnom" was a site just outside the walls of Jerusalem where the Canaanite god "Chemosh" was worshipped. They sacrificed their children to him.

The Israelites destroyed the idols and turned it into a garbage dump where fires brned continually. The most wretched of humans lived there.

Just as Jesus removes the "needy from the dunghill", so He removed the saint of God from the scrapheap of life and future torment of Hell.

Many of us were found in "the junkyard of humanity", salvaged by a gracious God. He changed our description and our destiny.

It's amazing that God would reach into the mess of this world to lift us out to rescue us from our sins. His glory and His grace make Him worthy of praise.

All Things Created

Romans 11:36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Everything in this world exists because there is a God in Heaven who willed it to be here. That's who He is and that's the power He has.

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by him and for him:

The world doesn't revolve around us. It revolves around God. Give Him the glory due Him. Make Him the center of your universe in everything you are and do.

Fearing God

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

We prove what we think of God by the way we live our lives. We will live no better than the level at which we honor and reverence Him.

If we see the Lord as being high and holy; if we see Him as being a God of judgment; if we see Him as being One who hates sin; then we will live like we believe that.

But if we have the idea that God winks at sin, that He might not really judge the world; then we will live at a much lower level.

God wants us to live a life that He can use and bless. He wants us to walk in awe of Him. He wants our hearts to be so filed with respect for Him that we would rather die than to dishonor Him and His name. That's the essence of fearing God.

A Vessel Unto Honor

The believer is simply a "jar of clay". It's the treasure within the vessel that gives the vessel its value.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.

God has made us the way we are so that we can do the work He wants us to do. The important thing about a vessel is that it be clean, empty, and available for service.

Each of us must seek to become a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and meet for the Master's use. We are earthen vessels so that we might depend on God's power and not our own.

We must focus on the treasure and not the vessel. Sometimes the treasure spills out and blesses others.