Tag Archives: God’s Love

That’s the Way Love Goes

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1 John 4:17-19 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

OK so I guess I was having a Pastor Jamal Bryant moment with the title choice today (Pastor Bryant is known for his very provocative sermon titles).  However, when I read these three verses, and read them together it was the first thing that popped into my mind.  Why?

Maybe it was because it’s the title of a song that somewhat redefined Janet Jackson’s entire singing career.  That song and that album turned Janet from an international singing super star, who had just rose from under the shadow of her famous brother, to a global sensation and sex symbol who had now put herself among the same plan as her brother because she had displayed a new side of herself that no had ever expected.  WHAT??  Then why would I see John’s words and think of this secular star.  

One my brain could be a little warped and these three verses are considered the Consummation of Love; that word consummation means the completion, achievement, attainment, execution or conclusion of love.  It denotes the action of making a marriage or relationship complete by having sexual intercourse. The completion of the covenant. Just as this song and album completes Janet’s quest to become a global phenomenon this section of scripture consummated Jesus’ Love Toward Us when HE died on the cross for our sins.

The crazy thing is this; each of these verses have been preached, taught, meditated on and had entire conferences centered around them.  But when you read them together.  It just makes everything Crystal Clear!!!  

Love Consummated (or perfected)

  1. Perfect Oneness-(The Two Become One): Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  
  2. Perfect Security: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
  3. Perfect Pursuit: We love Him because He first loved us.

This radically changes how you see a relationship.  Because our relationship with God was perfected the minute He had Jesus come to earth to live and give His life so that we all would be able to be loved.  Jesus made it possible for God to truly demonstrate His love for us.  The cross allowed us to become one with Jesus and be seated at the right hand of God.  Because of His sacrifice, sin which kept us apart from God was destroyed, removed as a barrier to Him.  Now He could pour out His great love toward us like never before.  We were able to literally become One with God (John 17:22 NKJV And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one).   

Next we understand the true Security of His love for us.  To be secure is the be safe, have a feeling of safety or even the constant state of being protected against any danger or threat.  Being secure, stable, firm in your place.  I just looked up the three biggest fears of mankind and they are; death, abandonment, and failure.  Man, O could cry crocodile tears right there because that is the way the devil (our enemy) comes at me damn near every day.  Death, he is always reminding me of when my father and grandfather died so why do you think you will live to much longer; showing me a ton of people dying in and around that age.  Then he attacks with abandonment, being isolated loosing relationship focusing on how everyone around me wants nothing to do with me, I’d they had their choice they would be somewhere or be with someone else.  Always pushing me towards isolation.  Let me tell you first hand for a people person that sucks… Yet, let me also tell you what God says to us (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”) Jesus died on the Crosss and was resurrected to the Father, He never abandoned us but gave us Forever Help (John 15:26 NKJV “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me).  We are not alone….

Then lastly, that failure attack!! It is a non-stop attempt to minimize any accomplishment, overemphasize or stress any setback or unmet goal.  It literally diminished almost any success and makes the world come crashing down with any and every inevitable missed opportunity, problem, or unmet expectation.  I see this every single day as a business owner.  It becomes so hard to celebrate the small victories because of the constant thought of one dropped ball bring the whole thing crashing down.  However, when I find myself here I have to recall Jesus’ perfect love which gives me the option to cast all of these cares on Him (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you).  A big part of God’s perfected love is that He does not force anything, this then causes us to submit ourselves to be loved.  You have to humble you to give all of this stuff in us to God.  When we won’t humble ourselves and allow Him to love us we hold on to the fear of abandonment afraid that if we give it He may decide it’s too much and leave as well not accepting the fact that He cares for you.  His care for us loves the mess out of us.  

God came after us, it was a full out Pursuit.  God chased us down.  To show us why we needed him (the Law; wages of sin); to demonstrate true love (that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us) and lastly giving us blessed assurance (John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”) He has paved the way for us to overcome and He has made a place with Him forever (John 14:2-3 NKJV  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also).  When we were pursued in the manner that God pursued each of us we cannot help but be loved and then return that love (because He first loved us). 

We need this Love, but the majority of the world does not accept it and they look for it everywhere else.  

But you know what….That’s the Way Love Goes.  

A Touchless Society

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The Modern Day Leper

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

We live in a day of Touchless Technology.  This technology is used in numerous settings, including restaurants, stores, schools, and was especially vital during COVID.  It allows us to interact with devices and systems without physical contact and was implemented to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.  However, we never returned to interacting with each other.  I believe that while the effects of  COVID increased this trend of usage for safety, today it is used more for convenience, than anything else.  We seem to be looking for convenient ways not to have anything to do with other people.  Sad Right; yet I believe that many people enjoy the isolation. 

Leviticus 13:50 The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days.

Isolate: to shut, to close, to be shut up.  

The definition is interesting; shut, closed and be silenced.  Isolation is physically shutting you up and shutting up the community around you.  In isolation the enemy’s voice often becomes the loudest, and in isolation we remove our access to some essential needs.  

What needs: of the top 5 things that are documented as critical needs for a newborn, like being fed, good hygiene, and safety, is the Parental or Caregiver’s affection and interaction.  The affection and interaction include holding, cuddling, talking to, and responding to the baby’s needs; each are vital for the emotional well-being of the child.  Well just like for the baby, Affection is very important to us as children and adults; it contributes significantly to our sense of well-being, connection, and a feeling of being loved.  This need of emotional and physical intimacy through affectionate touch, hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation are key to grown people feeling secure and valued in a relationship.

Leviticus 13:45-46 “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’  46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

So imagine this leper who is coming to Jesus; this man’s body is literally deteriorating before him.  Not only the physical pain in his body; but the emotional pain of utter neglect had to be excruciating.  A Middle Aged man in Jesus’ day would be married with a pretty large family. So you would have to think that this man had been isolated from the city, from his neighbors, from his wife and from his kids.  Yet not only isolated from them, the very ones who loved him.  But rejected by them because they did not want to catch what he had.  Ridiculed by the people of the city because they treated the lepers lower than vermin.  An even ostracized by the religious leaders as they proclaimed their leprosy was tied to their sin.  Imagine being berated physically, emotionally and spiritually for weeks, months, or even years.  We don’t exactly how long this man was with this agonizing disease but we do know it was long enough that when he went and told the people and church leaders what happened many believed because they knew his condition.  

What does this have to do with Touchless Technology?  We have unknowingly created a bunch of lepers today as we in general have disconnected physically and emotionally.  Just like the leper isolated, lonely and ill repute (the state of being held in low esteem by the public).  The impact of lack of touch and affection, can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even decreased relationship satisfaction.

Phones and other tech have replaced simple dialogue, conversation and even just being present with others.  Hugs, holding hands, cuddling, and normal physical contact is missing.  And just look at the impact below of what we miss, taken from a summary of studies:

*Emotional connection:
Physical affection like hugs and cuddles releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and feelings of closeness, which is crucial for men and women to feel connected to their partner. 

*Self-esteem boost:
Receiving affection can significantly enhance a person’s self-esteem and sense of worth. 

*Stress reduction:
Physical touch has been shown to reduce stress levels in men and women. 

*Communication tool:
Affection can be a powerful way to express love and appreciation, even without words. 

Although the technology has Changed Jesus Remains the same.  When we’re isolated and alone; Jesus is always willing  (“I am willing; be cleansed.”) to touch us!!  His touch restores and makes us whole.  

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

I’m Going Fishing

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John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing…..

If you’re unfamiliar with this story, I encourage you to read John 21:1-14 (which can be found at the bottom). I, however, was stopped right here two weeks ago when I read Peter’s declaration these friends and confidants. “I am going fishing… He didn’t have to say another word. So, I share these thoughts:

1. What does this scripture SAY about me, Lord?  

I’m not much different than Peter; I have the same trauma response.   

OK, Let’s paint this picture quickly of what has Peter here at this point of the text.  The Disciples have just been through a world win of emotions in a short period of time.  They had walked the streets of Jerusalem behind Jesus, the Messiah, the King who had chosen them by name to be with Him and to reign with Him in His Kingdom.  The entire city was a blessing, praising, and honoring Him as they entered Jerusalem, and they were there to witness it all.  It was finally coming to pass. They had been with Him for nearly 3 years, and they were about to see the thing they had been waiting for: Him to be Proclaimed King and them to be raised up into leadership, probably the highest positions of power they’d ever been in.  

Only to see that entire dream be crushed, ripped away, and completely destroyed in a night.  The arrest, the beating, the humiliation, and ultimately death of Him who they were following, Jesus.  What a turn of events; now they are on the run for having the same relationship that was about to put them in charge of everything.  Not to mention, their friend and mentor, their Messiah, was gone.  They are completely devastated.

Then now, in the midst of their grief, they find the grave is empty.  Confused but excited because this would Signify that Jesus has been raised from the dead (they remember what He did for Lazarus).  Or is someone playing tricks? Is this all a lie?  They are not quite sure what is true and what is hopeful imagination.  They hide in this room, where they are scared, they will be killed next.  Then appears their savior, Jesus.  He is alive; what relief, what joy, what confusion.  Oh, let us hug you, only to be told no, I’m not here for long, leaving, and putting you in charge.  Wait What???

2. What ATTITUDE in my heart do You want me to change?

It is OK to be overwhelmed, exhausted, and out of sorts.  You can be human!  We feel like we have to be Superman because we are Christians with a growing relationship with Christ.  We have to power through.  

Look at Peter, his emotions are all over the place.  There is so much to process; maybe he should see his therapist.  Face it: Peter is overwhelmed and does not have the answers.  Everything he thought to be true was just flipped on its head.   In that situation with a broken heart, an unsure future, and a new position he didn’t think he would ever be in… Peter does what we all often do when physically, spiritually, and emotionally overwhelmed.  We go back to that thing that brings us a sense of normal.  That place, that person, that poison, whatever it is, whether healthy or dangerous.  It is an Escape from the present chaos.  Often, that place we went to before we met Jesus.

3. Abba Father, what lesson do You want me to LEARN from this?

For Peter it was Fishing, what is it for you?  For me, it used to be women (familiar or random) or maybe food and never really alcohol or drugs because I watched that damage many around me growing up.  I sought the women for the affection I needed (and never really got as a kid). I sought someone to hug me, maybe rub my head, and tell me it would be OK.  But back then, it came at a cost because that affection was associated with sex, porn, or masturbation.  The other go-to was having a favorite food or meal (that reminds me of a time when life was joyful/peaceful).  Both actions proved to be damaging to me, my relationship with God, and the purpose He’d created me for.  For Peter, it took him back to the place where he had no faith (toiling all night and catching nothing).

4. How do You want me to APPLY this scripture to my life? 

When we find ourselves in the same situation as Peter, it is normal to feel it in our flesh first.  However, our response should always be to get to Jesus.  There is a song by Stephen Hurd, a gospel singer who used to be my first real church’s praise and worship leader.  The title was Lead Me To The Rock.  The song’s first verse said “When my heart is overwhelmed, my prayer is, lead me to the Rock (my solid rock).  We need to get to Jesus so we have a safe space to be truthful.  Peter was going through a difficult time, but his mindset was to retreat to what was familiar.  Fishing was what he was doing before he met Jesus; what was I doing before Jesus?  What brought me peace back then?  Why go back to satisfying my flesh when I have a Rock to settle myself on?  The above-mentioned song goes on to say, “Lead me to The Rock, that’s higher than I, oh Lord.”  Jesus will remind us that His ways are not ours, not His thoughts like ours.  His plans are trustworthy even when we cannot understand what is happening.  We need to lean on the firm foundation of Christ, the Solid Rock.  

Guess where Peter was now: in the same boat that he first met Jesus.  It was where he would first encounter Christ and find his faith. It was where Jesus knew he and the other disciples would be.  Jesus knows us, what we do, where we go, how we respond, and He always shows up for us.  People don’t always show up, but Jesus does.  Even though they were lost and unsure about what was next, Jesus showed up!!!  Share what you are feeling, where your heart is at that moment, what your emotions are feeling like, what you are afraid of, because when you do, like for Peter, you will find Jesus is waiting for you, arms wide open and with the very thing you are “fishing for!!!”

John 21:1-14. https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/john/21.html

My Security is In Jesus 4

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We’re in part 4 of a word of encouragement from the Lord for those of us bold enough to admit we’re insecure. God has a Secure place for us. We learned in Part 1 that we can each declare that “I Praise God; For Choosing Me to Love ; For Bringing Me Home and For Accepting Me As I Was.”

For Bringing Me Home

Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Isn’t it so powerful that God chose to bring us home to be in His family. The truth is we can be confident of a few things according to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

1. We’re His Child: having predestined us to adoption as sons. We have been predestined; which means to predetermine, to decide beforehand, to adopt (the action or fact of legally taking another’s child and bringing it up as one’s own); to become sons/daughters of God. God made this decision well before we were born (before anyone was borne for that matter). The term as sons in Greek speaks of the same relationship that God was pleased to establish with the Israelites; and the condition of the true disciples in Christ; and those who by receiving the Spirit of God become sons of God. Each of these demonstrates just what a special position we’ve been blessed with as sons.

2. Were His Decision: by Jesus Christ to Himself. Jesus made the decision to adopt us as sons while the Triune Godhead before the foundation of the world. However, after making the decision, Jesus Christ followed up and executed the decision on the Cross as Messiah. Truly amazing; Jesus, the Son gave His life so that we might switch places and live in the Son.

3. Were His Pleasure: according to the good pleasure of His will,. Finally, we need to comprehend this last piece. We please God!!! But it’s not what you think; we don’t please him by how good we act nor what nice deeds we do. We please God because we believe in our hearts what Jesus did on the cross and have declared with our mouths that Jesus is our Savior. Jesus pleased God so we wouldn’t have too. We bring our Daddy pleasure and they is so Sweet.

We praise God because He chose us; He loves us and He made a home for us in His family and allows us to be ourselves. Paul’s text lays out a tremendous path for us to receive God’s insatiable love for us and I hope you can appreciate it; I’m learning to more and more everyday.

The Lord’s Guide to Loving Your Spouse

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John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

I was recently talking to the Lord about marriage and I asked Him to give me a fresh word on the topic. When we’ve been walking with Christ for some time we can tend to hear the same verses preached time and time again.  If a preacher gets up and says the topic is marriage, certain scripture immediately come to mind in the Gospels, 1st Corinthians or Ephesians.  So it made me laugh a little when God took me too a familiar, yet out of the box verse that seemingly has nothing to do with marriage…. oh but it indeed has everything to do with it.

John 15 reminds us of Jesus’ words to His followers; we are to look to God’s love for Jesus as our guide and example to see love demonstrated, receive love and most important (especially in marriage), how to love others (Spouse).  We cannot look to the world, the church or even our own parent when it comes to loving our spouses, because:
*The world tends to treat marriage as a romantic comedy, trashy novel or sometimes both.  What do I mean?  There is always a happy ending, even if it means disregarding the sanctity and principles of marriage.  The world has no standard, instead it has numerous different ones and use whichever one suits their desire.
*The Church because although this should be where we go for examples, but unfortunately the church is made up of man and often when you look to man you open yourself up to disappointment.  Today, the numbers are quite discouraging, but more than 50% of these marriages are ending in divorce, there seems to be a huge disconnect!
*Our Parents, even though this is where most of our actions within marriage comes from; whether we want it to or not.  Many have parents that have been married for years, some have endured divorce and others have parents who have never been married.  Even in the best of situations, if we will be honest, there are many things that we’ve seen, experience or even vowed never to do, that we less than ideal examples to follow.  And while we should not blame our parents, because they did not have perfect models to follow either.

However, we do have hope and a guide provided by the Lord Himself. Jesus makes it clear with His own words that His example of how to love was from only one source. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you,” Jesus loved others as He was loved by his Daddy God.  God’s love for us is amazing, He gave us His very best when we did not deserve it.  God made plans for us (plans to prosper us and give us hope), He made provisions for us and He wrote a book full of love letters for us.  So, we have to first decide if God has loved us like this, which is typically the trickiest thing to do.  If He has then we are to love our spouses in the same manner.

He then encourages us to live, stay and remain in this love, “Now remain in my love.”  The word remain (or abide in the KJV) means to live, dwell or spend your time in God’s love for you.  The most important thing we can do in order to love our spouses is to become saturated in God’s love for us.  I look at it like this, most of us take showers and not baths.  Why?  A shower is much faster, easier, cleaner and focuses maximizing time to do other things.  However, a bath takes much more time, it is more difficult, it can get really messy and is really focuses on you (you feel refreshed when finished).  We do the same with God’s Love, we don’t spend time bathing in it, we allow a little to fall on us so we can get on to other things (there is so much to do).  When we really abide/remain in God’s love for us, our self-esteem is improved, confidence is greater and our trust in God goes through the roof.  We end up filled and are in a much better place to pour out love for our spouses.  When we don’t remain is His love, like I’ve often done, we end up loving out of frustration, disappointment and stress caused by daily life.  Remember; you get out what you put in, so when that is how you’re loving; that is what is being received by those you’re trying to love.  Your spouse is receiving the frustration, disappointment and stress you’re giving in the form of your love.  Did you ever get a gift you did not want 🙂  When we learn to bathe in God’s love for us and get full, we can then effectively love our spouses; and what they receive will become a part of their baths.

How then do we take this bath? Jesus said “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”  Keep and Commands become important words for our understanding.  The word keep means to guard, protect, build a fortress around; this is something very valuable.  The word Commands in this verse denotes a prescription, just like what a doctor would give you to heal an illness.  This prescription is the word of God, the bible the precept upon precept that Jesus came in human form to display for all to see or receive in written form; it is the “Prescription of Life.”  When we guard and protect God’s prescription for life we bathe in God’s love and are fulfilled.

Jesus told us this for one reason “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (full),” and if you receive this for your marriage today, I declare you marriage will be full of the Joy of the Lord!!!