Precious Love

"It is finished." Was his cry. The perfect, lamb of God was crucified. He willingly laid down his life and all of who he was so that we could one day live in paradise. He was stripped of not only his clothing, but his dignity, his title, his reputation, and his life. Whipped and beaten far beyond recognition. Soldiers and enemies taunted him and spat on him. Nails were hammered into his flesh and bone as he laid on a cross. The cross was slammed into the ground and he hung there for hours. I could go on and on of how much Jesus truly sacrificed for our salvation, but I would be repeating every Jesus story ever written. I just want everyone reading this to understand a few things.

1.) I love Jesus with all of my heart. He is the reason I can jump out of bed every single morning with a smile on my face and say, "today is going to be a great day!" With out Jesus as my savior, I have no idea where my life would be today. 

2.) Following Jesus does not mean I have everything figured out or that my life is perfect. It just means that because I know I am broken and in need of Him and his love, I have a reason to be optimistic.

3.) I am NOT better than anyone who is not a believer and anyone who thinks they are needs to take a step down and look around at how Jesus treated those around him. Jesus walked and talked with the lame, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the poor, and the needy, not the popular. Jesus loved the ones the world loved to hate. Pop that comfort bubble and look for those who need a friend, or more importantly those who need Jesus.

4.) Jesus did not solve all my problems over night. My life is an absolute mess, but he makes beauty from the broken. Comparing my life from years ago to now, it is amazing how many of the prayers God has answered.

5.) God's plan is ALWAYS best. This is one I have struggled with. I want life to go my way on my time. God does not work that way. Even when it is hard to understand what exactly God is doing or how life will go on, God knows what he is doing and it is such a wonderful thing to see how he answers your prayers, whether it be the way you want or another. 

6.) TRUST. Let it go and let God. I know, it is easier said then done, but the amount of relief you feel when you finally let go is magical. He's got it, he does not need your input or help. If it is meant to happen it will, if it is not, it won't. Allow him to take all your worries, fears, and stresses and watch as he molds you into the person he has planned you to be. "The gate is narrow and those who enter are few."

7.) You are loved. did you catch that? YOU ARE LOVED! More than you will ever know or even hope to comprehend. The same God who created the universe and holds the world in his hands, loves YOU. Not only does he love you and care for you, but he HEARS you. Every prayer, thought, question, giggle, cry, and whisper. He hears it all! How incredibly AWESOME is it that our God can hear all of us at the same time and meet each of our needs?!

8.) A minute spent with Jesus is far better than and evening with the world. Though it may not seem like it, each minute spent talking to God or learning about him is precious. A day with out Jesus is like a day with out food or water, eventually you will run extremely low and lose your battle against hunger. Your spiritual life is just like your physical life. Jesus is the bread you need every day, not the dessert for special guests to see.

9.) It is scary. Trusting Jesus and being his hands and feet. At times it is hard and the world pulls you down and people persecute you, but would you rather stand alone with God and be judged by the world or stand with the world and be judged by God? 

10.) You need Jesus. You need his love, his grace, his peace, you need him. All of who he is, is more than enough for all of you. Humbly lay down your pride and come home to Jesus. He is always waiting with arms held wide open. 

I do not have anyone I call my love. No valentine or boyfriend, but I can honestly say I am loved far beyond words could express. The precious lamb was nailed to a cross to say that you are loved. He took the punishment I deserved and paid the debt that I could never pay. I do not deserve the freedom I gain in Christ. I do not deserve his grace or love. I do not deserve a second chance. I do not deserve his forgiveness. I do not deserve anything he has given me. My heart is cold, I sin, I run when he tells me to stay, I seek revenge, I hold grudges, I fail constantly. I am a sinner. I am broken. I do not deserve what God sent his son to do. I cashed a check I could not pay and created a debt I could never afford. I deserve death. I deserve torture. I deserve hatred. I deserve punishment. BUT God loved me and he loved you SO much that the thought of losing us, was not bearable. I deserved abandonment, but he sent his son, the perfect sacrifice, to save a no good sinner like me. He does not call me by my sin, he calls by my name. He calls me his child. The prince of peace was slain, but the good news, He rose again, and even better news He is coming back! Because Jesus lives and because of his promise I have a reason to sit here and write these blogs, I have a reason to tell of his love, I have a reason to smile and laugh. Because Jesus lives, there is no battle you can not face. Though I am worn, tattered, torn, and broken, each day he makes me new in him. Put down the pen that keeps your tallies of wrong and right, you are forgiven! No matter who you are, where you have been, what you have seen, what you have done, Jesus loves you and He forgives you! Stop waiting for tomorrow to live your life. Today, because of Jesus lives, you can be new in him. You can live a life without fear or worry. God has you in the palm of his hand and he is guiding your foot steps. Hallelujah! Death has lost and LOVE has won! Holy holy is the lamb of God almighty! There is sweet victory in Jesus!

Are You Listening? -Part 2

"Good morning dear, I'm glad you had a good night of rest."
"Good morning Father! How did you know I slept well?"
"Little one I know everything! I know when you sleep, when you wake, when you stand, and when you sit. I know when you are happy and when you are disappointed. I know all the secrets you don't want anyone to know and I know the lies you've told. I know all about who you are, what you are, and who you want to be."
"Right... I guess I forget that you are always there. You are always there for me yet I only want you when it is convenient for me. I never stop to think about how much you really do know. I mean I tell my best friends everything I feel comfortable telling them, which is a lot, but there is still so much about me they do not know. There's much that I am too ashamed to tell them. So many sins I've committed that I wouldn't dare share with them, because they might think of me in a different way. People don't tend to be so forgiving when they know your secrets. Why are people so harsh?"
"My dear, you must not worry about those around you. I am, I was, and I will always be who you know me to be and who you will find me to be. People change on a daily basis. They are the one thing in your life you don't want to change, yet they are the ones who change the most. The ones you once held dear are now no where near. It is a long and hard lesson to learn and many learn the wrong lesson and end up wrecking many relationships. I tell you in confidence my dear, be careful who you listen to and be careful who you let your secrets flow to. The disciples thought they could trust Judas. Eve listened to a snake. Neither of those situations turned out well. You sin, but they sin too. They are not perfect and for them to not love you like I do is a sin in its self. Remember my grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in your weakness. You must forgive one another just as I have forgiven you, by doing this all will know you are my child. Do not worry about those you lose along the way. I have a different plan for each of them and you, and it does not involve you together. Rest in my peace today, knowing that I will pick you up when you stumble."
"It's just so hard to leave the ones I love, or use to. Is there any other way?"
"Love, I sent my son to die for you. The night his blood fell from his wounds I felt a great deal of pain in my heart and so did my son. He had to leave many behind that he loved, but with out this sacrifice I would have had to leave you forever. Moses was parted from his family who loved him dearly, but look what I did through him! I have a wonderful plan for you and right now you can only see the pages you have written. My book for your life is already complete, you are still writing yours."
"Father did you see that?! Did you hear what they said to that poor girl? Did you see what they did to me? Why do they have to be so mean? Why does it hurt so much and why does it feel like I can't go on anymore? I don't want this! This isn't the life I want! Why Lord why?! Why do you let so many despicable things happen, not only to me, but to everyone?! This world is nothing but hurt, sadness, and anger. I just don't understand you."
"Oh dear.. My sweet, sweet child.. I have seen everything. I saw what they did and I see all the pain in the world. Believe me when I say that I truly do love you and that a bad day or even week does not mean you have a bad life. There are those who are in far worse situations than you and yes I see them too. I know the struggle they have suffered and will suffer and they will get their reward one day. One day soon my son will come for you and you will kneel before my throne. I will show you all you have done, even the things you had wished I'd forgotten. On that day in paradise, all your questions will be answered, but until then, love like I love you. Be a friend to those who need a friend, just like how my son walked and talked with the ones the world loved to hate. If someone treats you or anyone else poorly, remember 7X70, turn the other cheek and learn from their actions. Use their negative attitudes and poor spirits to fill the world with happiness and love. In the end love will always win. Be who I have created you to be. Not who others want you to be. They devil prowls around like a hungry lion ready to devour anything in his sight. Do not fall into his temptation or the worldly lifestyle you see everyday."
"Ouch! What is this? Lord, what is this feeling I'm feeling? Why does it hurt so bad? What is happening to me?"
"Hurt, my dear. You are hurt. What you are feeling is a broken heart. You have seen what the world does to those who love me and even those who reject me. You have experienced what it is like to try and carry the weight of this world all on your own and fail. My sweet child, rest in my arms. Allow me to carry you as I slowly put you back together."
"I got the worst news today Father. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around it."
"I know you did. Talk to me. Tell me what you are feeling. Tell me why you are struggling. Just talk to me."
"You want to know how I'm feeling?! Don't you already know?! I am furious! Of all times why did this have to happen to me now?! You know how important this is to me and now there's a chance I will never be able to do this again and why?! Why did you have to shatter my heart like this? Do you not see how much this is hurting me or how much I would give to have it all back again? Do you know what it was like for me to sit there and listen to all these things I had to do and even if I did do them it was not a 100% guarantee of recovery. Do you have any idea how I felt as my heart was ripped out knowing I could not do the one thing I loved to do and the one gift I could give back to you?! You want me talk to you? Well there. I said it. That's exactly how I'm feeling."
"Breathe my child, breathe. You are so focused on the future that you are not looking at the present. What will happen will and what is not meant to be won't. You know better than most that this is not the end. I can not tel you now why you are in the position that you are in, but someday you will look back and know. Wipe the tears from your weary eyes and trust in my plan. Rest awhile in my grace knowing that I will pull you free from this storm. As you learn to abide in me I will gather the pieces of your shattered heart and make it new again. My precious, you will have trouble in this world, but I have overcome the world! I know how it feels to have a broken heart more than you know. The night my son asked why I had forsaken him, every child that turns from me,, every sin that is committed, and every angry cry is a spear to my heart. I know the pain you are feeling. I have walked in your shoes, I have walked your path and I know where it leads. Trust me. I can not give you the full joy of life or the next step if you do not rely on me 100%."
"......I.... I... I.. am.. just so tired.. Tired of fighting for this... This was my life.. There was not a plan B. I was not suppose to deal with this. not now. Not after how far I had come and how hard I had worked. I gave everything. This was not how this was suppose to go, this is not the way I saw this, this isn't what I had planned."
"No, this is not what you had planned, but this is what I have planned. My dear you can not count your steps like that. Stop where you are and surrender to my love and peace. Your plans are not my plans. Trust me when I say my plans are the best."
"Where am I? How did I fall so far from who I was? This isn't me! I don't do this, I don't act like this! What is wrong with me?!"
"My dear, the less time you spend with me and the more time you spend with the world, the more you act like the world, and the more of a gap that is created between you and I. This is the last thing I want, but you make your own choices. I have given you the privilege of free will and it's up to you how you use it. I know this is not the way you would normally behave, but for now my love, you need to rest. We will discuss this when you are not sleep deprived. I know the days are rough and the nights are longs, but my grace is sufficient for you. Rest now little one. I will keep you safe. Allow me to comfort you as you count the stars in the sky. Peace I give to you tonight as your eyes flutter shut. Until next time sweet child."
"Until next time Father."