Belonging

As a single, you might find yourself asking, “Where, or to whom do I belong?” Everyone around you seems to be “coupled up.” May you find comfort in the words of this hymn written by Lucy A. Bennett, 

I am the Lord’s! O joy beyond expression,

  O sweet response to voice of love Divine;

Faith’s joyous “Yes” to the assuring whisper,

  “Fear not! I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine.”

I am the Lord’s! It is the glad confession

  Wherewith the Bride recalls the happy day,

When love’s “I will” accepted Him forever,

  “The Lord’s,” to love, to honor and obey.

I am the Lord’s! Yet teach me all it meaneth,

  All it involves of love and loyalty,

Of holy service, absolute surrender,

  And unreserved obedience unto Thee.

I am the Lord’s! Yes; body, soul, and spirit,

  O seal them irrecoverably Thine;

As Thou, Beloved, in Thy grace and fulness

  Forever and forevermore art mine.

Walking with Him

During Jesus three years as an itinerant rabbi he knew what it was to be weary, hungry, and homeless. The common people heard him gladly but the religious elite could not stand him. He was misquoted, misjudged, misrepresented, misunderstood. The Hebrew scholars were forever laying traps for him, challenging, quarrelling, quibbling. He was praised and scorned, followed and forsaken, loved and hated, listened to and rejected, crowned and crucified. He had every reason to feel lonely in the world of men, but it was thus that he learned and demonstrated for us the meaning of obedience – through the things that he suffered. If all he is asking of us just now is the willingness to accept the relatively small discipline of loneliness, can we not see it as a part of His gift of allowing us to walk with him? -Elizabeth Elliot 

Rejection

Several years ago a man’s experience of desolation gave birth to a hymn which has been for me and for many the balm of heaven. George Matheson went blind shortly after becoming engaged. His fiancé broke the engagement. Perhaps there is no more bitter loneliness than that of rejection. Matheson‘s grief, instead of turning to bitter resentment against the lady who had caused it, was transformed. Totally transformed. These profound and simple words show how that happened:

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

His blindness and rejection proved to be for George Matheson the very means of illuminating the love of God. He may have asked the age-old question, “Why?”, but God’s answer is always, Trust Me. Matheson turned his thoughts away from the woman he had lost, away from the powerful temptations to self-pity, resentment, bitterness toward God, skepticism of his Word, and selfish isolation which might so quickly have overcome him, and lifted up his “weary soul” to a far greater Love - one that would never let him go. -Elisabeth Elliot

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Dear friend, 

Do you ever find that you compare yourself with another? Someone more attractive or affluent? Do you feel jealousy creeping in? Do you sometimes ask yourself the following questions? “Why does she get to be married and I remain single?” Or maybe it’s, “I wish I was single like she is.” Maybe it’s about something completely different. Whatever the case, the Lord has a message of freedom for you today! 

When I start comparing myself with someone who I believe has something better, I stop, and think of this passage from John 21:12-23 especially verse 21 and 22. Here, the Lord is telling Peter not to concern himself with what He has in mind for the other disciple, but that Peter should simply follow the Lord. Another passage is, 2 Corinthians 10:12, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

These passages show me it’s a sin to compare myself with anyone else, that I must fix my attention solely on the Lord and follow Him. He loves me more than anyone else ever could! His plans for me are good, and not evil! (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, ‘til the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!” 🎶

Valentine’s Day

Valentine's day. It comes every year. What comes into your mind on this day? For many, it's a day of hope and love, of excitement, and joy! But for many, it's a day of loneliness and despair. Why? What makes the difference in our minds? I think it comes down to knowing our value. What is your value, and by whom are you valued? The answer to these questions will make all the difference!  I was talking to a friend of mine, who was explaining how the dowry system worked in India. "The dowry system in India refers to the durable goods, cash, and real or movable property that the bride's family gives to the bridegroom, his parents, or his relatives as a condition of the marriage. A dowry used in this way is actually a conditional gift that is supposed to be restored to the wife or her family if the husband divorces, abuses, or commits other grave offenses against her." The dowry system just goes to show, that in this life, people will disappoint us, often the ones we find ourselves closest to! This can be one big reason for loneliness and despair! What a contrast though, to that of God's unconditional, unchanging love for you and I!  "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:3) When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. BUT GOD demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were YET SINNERS, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your vain conduct received by tradition from your fathers, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHIRST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18, 19) What value! The life blood of the very Son of God! "Amazing love! How can it be? That Thou my God should'st die for me?! But Jesus lives! The Saviour lives! In Heaven He pleads for me!"

Mary Shekleton understood where her true value came from when she penned these words in 1863,

"Oh! fill me Jesus Savior with Thy love;
Lead, lead me to the living fount above!
Thither may I in simple faith draw nigh
And never to another fountain fly,
But unto Thee."

When you realize your value in God's eyes, you can then share with others how much God values them! Ann Voskamp said this,

"If you’re waiting on God for something, do what waiters do best: serve. Break free of your comfort zone and do something, touch someone, give something, help someone, pray for someone, serve someone, #betheGIFT for someone. You can’t be a world changer until you serve. In serving, you are served a feast of what you’re longing for. Because the One who loves you steadfastly, stood fast at the cross for you, so now stand fast for Him."

https://www.sharefaith.com/blog/2011/01/valentines-day-history-story-st-valentine/

Although the story of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, buried in tradition, and (thanks to commercialism) stripped of its significance, we can bring some of the truth back. The truth is, love can’t be squelched, outlawed, or stamped out. The significance of Valentine’s life was not that he defended love and romance and performed secret marriages. Valentine--a day now besmirched by cupids, chocolate, and candlelit dinners--is a day founded upon the life of a martyr. Valentine died a bloody death, beaten and beheaded. The truth is, Valentine was in love with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Love for Jesus trumped his love of self. Valentine nobly gave his life for the God he loved. That is true love. But true love is deeper still. It goes beyond our love for God. "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) 

This Valentine’s day, do something different. Sure, talk about love, but talk about true love--the love that God had for us. The love that sent Jesus to a cross. Talk about our love for Him--the kind of love that goes beyond mere comfortable Christian existence. The kind of love that is willing to take risks, to sacrifice everything, and even to give our lives for Him who loved us.

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.

Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heaven’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise!

Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.

Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

William Rees (1802-1883)

 

 

Jesus Calling

“And He (Jesus) went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach…”-Mark 3:13, 14

“Come to Me (Jesus), all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”-John 6:35, 37

David prayed, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.”-Psalm 16:11; Psalm 63:3

How often do we run to other things to try and satisfy the deep longings in our soul that can only be satisfied in fellowship with the Lord Jesus?! Often the Lord will allow heartache or some type of trial into our life to draw us into a deeper, closer walk with Him, as seen in the words of the following poem.

"I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4).

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
      I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
      My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
      In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
      "Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
      Then disappointments came; I could not tell
      The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
      Unto Myself I call."

Watching my heroes--those I loved the best--
      I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
      Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
      Unto Himself me drew.

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
      The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
      The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
      Unto Himself I'm brought.
      -selected

Upon recognizing the great love of our God, and His desire to lavish that love upon us as His children, may our hearts echo the words of the following Hymn writer.

HIMSELF
     by A. B. Simpson
Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil.

 

 

Whispers from God to a hungry heart

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6b (NIV)

I heard the whisper of God in, of all places, a nail salon. I was a young aspiring actor who’d come to Los Angeles with a dream. I barely knew myself and certainly didn’t know God. To pay my bills I worked jobs I despised, hearing they might help me in the entertainment world. But I soon discovered it was far from satisfying. I was living alone and terribly lonely. There had to be something more in life — something better. In the absence of meaningful relationships, I craved food, having struggled with an eating disorder for years. I’d sit at home alone, watch TV and eat. I began to gain weight and then dove into reading hundreds of self-help books on health and wholeness, motivation, well-being and alternative medicine. Still, I felt empty. I craved something more than fun, diversion and health … more than celebrity. But what? Looking back, I see my inner hunger drove me to search for ways to fill myself, but none of them worked. Soul hunger or not, a girl can’t live in Los Angeles without getting her nails done — especially a wannabe actor. So I religiously took my place in a chair at the nail salon. As I sat there, I read a Ladies Home Journal article which outlined a healthy eating plan with a spiritual understanding of our bodies and innermost person. The program incorporated daily prayer, confession, and — of all things — Bible reading. Something stirred in me. The article pulled back the curtain to peer deep into my soul, where my hunger originated. I knew I was reading truth. Daily, I began to keep a journal, pray and read Bible verses — all completely new to me. As I did, I felt a deep awakening in my heart, and power was flowing into me. One day, I started to panic about my upcoming car payment. My first instinct kicked in — I bolted to grab something sweet. Suddenly, I stopped and prayed, “God, if this prayer stuff really works, then I’m coming to You first.” The urge to eat passed. Within a day, a check arrived for a small job I’d recently done. Car payment covered! Whoa. There really was something to this spiritual stuff. Through prayer and Bible reading, I began to understand how empty my heart felt for the first time. I was hungry to be filled. Eventually, I got up my nerve and showed up to a local church small group. Most of the women there knew a lot more about God and the Bible than I did, but to my amazement, they were kind and welcomed me; I knew I’d be back. I’d never sat in a circle and had people actually pray for me. Tears ran down my cheeks. Their prayers made me feel cared for and encouraged, as if I mattered personally to them and to God. Wanting to contribute to the group, I started to read my Bible more. From reading, I finally realized I was hearing the whispers of God. God was accomplishing His purposes in me and whispering His love through two powerful means: His Word and His people. God had begun “a good work” in me and I knew He would “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6b). Today, I treasure those memories as major milestones on my faith journey. Far before I knew God, He knew me and loved me. He placed His word in my life at a nail salon and then sent me to the dear ladies at church to sow seeds of faith into my life — seeds that have grown into a vibrant personal friendship with God and that continue to grow ever-deeper roots. Dear Lord, thank You for beginning Your good work in our lives and using Your Word and Your people to complete it. Stir our hunger for Your Word and stir our thirst for fellowship with others who carry Your love into our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. -Andrea Logan White (Proverbs 31 Ministries)