TOO MUCH

"And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us the Holy Spirit
to fill our hearts with his love."
-- Romans 5:5 (NLT)

My Prayer Response to Romans 5:5:

Abba Father, You have loved me TOO MUCH,
because that's what I most desperately needed.
You have given to me Your Precious Holy Spirit.
In so doing, You have filled my heart with Your Love.

Lord, I want to truly Love You back, through
Your Holy Spirit, Whom You have poured within me.
Regardless, of my feelings, please continue to fill me
with Your Presence and The Purity of Your Perfect Love.

In the Name of Jesus, my Hope. Amen.

Grateful

Teach Me to Love -- A New Song

To accent a message I was preaching from 1 John 3:16-17, our local church's worship pastor, Joseph, wrote a new song. It is a refreshing prayer chorus. Here are the words. I think you will agree that the new song makes for a wonderfully, transparent response to the sacred passage of Scripture:

Lord, teach me to love, for You have shown me mercy.

Lord, I want to know, the depths of Your heart, completely.

Lord, I want to see, through Your loving eyes,
And see only what you see.

Lord, teach me to love, show me Your mind.

Lord, teach me to love, Oh, oh, Lord, teach me to love, oh, oh.

Teach me to love.

 

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed His life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.

-- 1 John 3:16-17 (The Message)

 

Lord forbid, that in this world that so desperately needs to see Your Love that I would make Your Love disappear. Live Your Life through me, then Your Abiding Love will dominate me from within and I will surely be Your witness, Lord, to the end of my life. 

Grateful.

With An Incredible Love, God Embraced Us!

In a message on God's Love, my friend-in-the-Lord, Dr. Harold Graves, Jr., President of Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, wept as he read from Ephesians, chapter 2, in the Message Paraphrase of The Holy Bible:

It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, He embraced us.
-- Ephesians 2:1-5 (The Message)

Click here: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - YouTube

God is Love and We Are Loved!
Grateful

A Blessing for Your Life

Grace, peace, and Godspeed to you...
May your life be totally full...
Of God's Spirit and His Love...
And all joy from above...
Grace, peace, and Godspeed to you.

Consider yourself blessed and be...
Grateful

The Love of a Godly Mother

The closest thing to God's love is the love of a godly mother.
-- My Aunt Edith Willis Russell

I called my dear mom this morning to say "Happy Mother's Day". We shared tenderly our thoughts towards one another. Whatever the DNA of Heaven is, it surely was in the conversation we shared as mother and son. Indeed, the presence of God is in our relationship, and the presence of God is indeed the essence of Heaven.

Lord, if I can be half the man of God that my mother is as a lady of God, I will be spiritually successful. Let it be so for Your glory, Jesus. Amen.

This Youtube presents a song that reminds me of my Mother's presence in my life:

Click here: When You Come Home (Mother's Day) - Mark Shultz

God bless my precious mom and moms everywhere today, I pray.
Grateful

P.S. This link will take you to a previous blog post of mine where you can read "A Parable of a Mother": http://romanstenfifteen.blogspot.com/2011/01/parable-of-mother.html

You Made God's Love Disappear.

I have never heard a more direct-to-the-heart and power-packed question and answer than when I recently heard this question and answer recorded in God's Word:

If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
-- 1 John 3:17 (MSG)

Lord, don't let me allow Your Love to disappear in my circles of influence.
Grateful

The Priests Couldn't Get In The Temple

(1-3) When Solomon finished praying, a bolt of lightning out of heaven struck the Whole-Burnt-Offering and sacrifices and the Glory of God filled The Temple. The Glory was so dense that the priests couldn't get in — God so filled The Temple that there was no room for the priests! When all Israel saw the fire fall from heaven and the Glory of God fill The Temple, they fell on their knees, bowed their heads, and worshiped, thanking God: Yes! God is good! His love never quits!
-- 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (The Message)

Lord, fill me, for my desire is to be Your Temple of the Holy Spirit!
Grateful

Snatch Them From The Flames. Hating Sins.

A pastor friend of mine, Kris, recently shared with me this Call to Remain Faithful from the brief but powerful words recorded in the New Testament Book of Jude:

(17) But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. (18) They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. (19) These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. (20) But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, (21) and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. (22) And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. (23) Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
-- Jude 1:17-23 (NLT)

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful

Today I Must Sing A Blessing Over Your Life!

On my way to the airport in route to preach at a season of revival services in Wisconsin, an original benediction came to my mind so clearly that I just had to write the words down on a note pad. It was almost like a song, so much so, that I sang it loudly over and over in the cab of my Ford as I traveled west on Interstate 66 towards Washingtoin, D.C. It was so refreshing to my own soul, that today I just must sing it as a blessing over your life:

Grace, Peace and Godspeed to you!
May your life be totally full...
of His Spirit and His Love,
and All Joy from above.
Grace, Peace and Godspeed to you!

The LORD your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and He will refresh your life with His love. -- Zephaniah 3:17 (CEV)

God is Love and You Are Loved!
Grateful

Most Quoted Words in the Old Testament

I've been told that the these words from Exodus 34:6-7 are the most quoted words in the Old Testament by The Old Testament. No wonder! These words are indeed God's own expression of His indescribable love towards His people. Reminding God over and over of "Who He said He is" and "how great He has defined His own love for us to be" surely gives us hope:

"I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. -- Exodus 34:6-7 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

The Keeper of the Planets & Promises!

Blessed Yahweh! His Love is the Wonder of the World.
-- Psalm 31:21 (The Message)

My God, Your Love is the Wonder of Your World and Your Universe, too. Help me to trust You totally, knowing that surely "The Keeper of the Planets" is also, "The Keeper of His Promises!" In the name of Jesus, the One You gave because You so loved the world! Amen.

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Him. That is why we say "Amen" when we give glory to God through Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

Third Day sings a favorite worship tune of mine -- God of Wonders :

Lord of all creation, of water, earth, and sky.
The heavens are Your Tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy. You are Holy, Holy.
The universe declares your Majesty. And You are Holy, Holy.
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light.
When I stumble in the darkness, I will call Your name by night.

Lord of heaven and earth. Lord of heaven and earth.
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Holy, Holy, Holy God.
Precious Lord reveal Your love to me.
Father Holy, Lord God Almighty.

The universe declares your majesty.
You are Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy.

Halleujah to the Lord of heaven and earth.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

First Love

1 John 4:19 (NIV) -- We love because He first loved us.

Let's take time to saturate in the words of our glorified Christ that He spoke to accent the concept of "First Love", yes, words that were written down by John, the Beloved One, in Revelation 2:1-5 (NIV):

(1) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: (2) I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (3) You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. (4) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (5) Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.'"

My Prayer: My God, I love you so much because You first loved me too much. Lord, I want my love for You and my love for others to be like a hot flame, not like cold wax. My desire is that I will not forsake my first love which is to love first. Finally, You are my "First Love" for forever and today. In Your name, Jesus, I humbly pray. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Only Over My Dead Body

But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death... Romans 5:8a

Supporting Scripture Readings: Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

It was early-spring 1992. My photography schedule led me to an elementary school along the Carolina coastline to photograph the basketball team and cheerleaders. After the photo-shoot ended, I left out the front doors of the old field house. In my mind, I was focusing on a message I would be preaching in my first revival meeting as a bi-vocational evangelist that night. I whispered under my breath to God: "How can a loving God send people to Hell?" As soon as the thought slipped through my mind, a passionate whisper within my heart cried out: “I am a loving God. I don’t send people to Hell. Set your camera cases down. I’m about to give you a visual illustration of My love.” I sat my cases down immediately and buttoned my coat to shield my neck from the bone-chilling breezes.

God’s breathtaking-visual-illustration was already underway.A kindergarten teacher had her class outside for recess. As she stood with her back against the school house, her students were in the midst of a simple but profound running exercise. The children were told to run away from their teacher about 50 yards, touch a chain-link fence, and then return back to be reunited and congratulated by their teacher.I noticed that a few boys were exercising rebellion. They were not touching the chain-link fence and returning. They were instead trying hard to climb over the chain-link fence. On the other side of the chain-link fence was the community cemetery. The graveyard was their goal.As I picked up my camera cases and continued my trek to my vehicle, I passed close by the teacher. Most of the kids were returning to her applause and affirmation. She lovingly said to each returning student: "You’re a winner!" Yes, everyone who finished won the race. In between affirming those who were obeying the rules of the exercise, she continued to call out to the boys who were scaling the cemetery fence.

God’s whisper within my heart now seemed more passionate: "The chain-link fence is Calvary. Life, like this kindergarten recess exercise, is a race intended to be a run to the chain-link fence and back to Me. On the other side of the chain-link fence is death (Hell). When my Son died on the Cross, My Love drew a line in the sands of time, erected a fence, so that anyone who goes to Hell will have to climb over the fence of my Son’s crucifixion. Even while some are climbing the fence, I continue to call them back to Me. In other words, in His sacrificial death, my only Son, Jesus, was crying out, 'Only over my dead body will people go to Hell. I don’t send people there, but they can choose to scale the fence.'”

With the lesson on God's Love learned, I smiled at the teacher and said: "I think all the kids are coming back to you now. They look really tired running in these cold breezes." With a smile she said: "Yes, I’ll take them inside now, give them milk and cookies, and let them get some rest." WOW! I thought. The teacher's words were the exact reverse of Hell -- Heaven.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

God Loved Us First + God Loves Us Most

2 Corinthians 5:21 gives us a deep look into God's love for us: God made Him (His Son) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus was made sin for us, taking on our penalty -- eternal death. Will we now be made Holy in Him, taking on His righteousness -- Eternal Life?

Let us never forget that:
(1) God Loved Us First + (2) God Loves Us Most!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, INDEED!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

God's Love... In My Life And In Yours

This quote from the life of Henri Nouwen is a prayer I pray for my life and for yours. In part, this quote helps explain why I am a beautiful-feet-blogger:

My hope is that the description of God’s love in my life will give you the freedom and the courage to discover . . . God’s love in yours.

Lord, make Yourself known to me and through me, I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. --kw

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Surrendered Heart. In Unity. We Get To.

By now, must who of you probably know that I was a professional photographer for about fifteen years before becoming a full-time minister. Though I do not use my photo skills often these days, I do publish a yearly full-color calendar titled "Surrendered Heart" and it contains photos I have taken of the places I love or have traveled in the previous year. The purpose of the "Surrendered Heart" calendar is to encourage others day-by-day, or at least month-after-month and yes, it is one way to keep my creative skills at least dusted off?

My 2010 calendars are almost totally distributed now, marking seven straight years of publishing these "Surrendered Heart" calendars. While there are thirteen color photos in each collection -- a front cover image and a monthly selection -- the final page of the calendar is the most important to me. Yes, on the back inside cover of each yearly calendar I write inspiring words that are especially close to my heart and take time to dedicate each particular calendar.

In today's blog entry, I have decided to print the words from this year's back inside calendar cover. I hope it inspires your life in some meaningful measure.

"Surrendered Heart -- We don’t have to. We get to."

True Love has a Surrendered Heart.
True love is marked by giving, not getting.
We love because we want to.

Philemon 8, is an irresistible and inspiring invitation:
“I appeal to you on the basis of love…”
In other words: “You don’t have to. You get to.”

In John 14:15, Jesus teaches us that our love is proven by our will.
Listen to His Love letter:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
We do not obey Him to prove we are His.
We obey Him because we are His.

We love God so much, because He first loved us too much.
Holy God is True Love.

True Love is not a job-description. True Love is all joy-description.
True Love is not about hard and stressful, religious duty,
but holy and blissful, relational devotion.

True Love is undeniably about pleasure, not pressure --
opportunity, not obligation -- invitation, not intimidation.

I dedicate this year's calendar to the local church that has partnered
with me in Love & Unity for 16 years. We don’t have to. We get to.
Yes, to the family -- Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene --
You’re a generous people. I’m a grateful pastor. All Joy!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! - God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

The Other John 3:16? Give Up?

We're all familiar with John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

But I invite you to also consider with me on this wonderful Christmas Day the similar words of the other John 3:16. THE OTHER JOHN 3:16? Yes, 1 John 3:16. Here it is: We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.

Abba Father, on this Christmas Day, we give praise to You for so loving us that on that first Christmas Day You gave us Your only Son in Bethlehem's Manger. We are so grateful, too, that we know even more clearly what real love is because Your only Son gave up His life for us on Calvary's Cross. Help us to now GIVE UP our own lives for our Christian brothers and sisters so that we will prove to the world that we are Yours. Amen.

ALL.. JOY TO YOUR WORLD... All the boys and girls, now!
Grateful

First Request on My Christmas List? Revival!

Fourteen words in Psalm 119:88 from The Message Paraphrase combine to make-up the first request on my Christmas list this year and my prayer for 2010 and 2011 and Beyond: In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.

ALL... JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

...To Forgive Us, Not To Forget Us!

When we hear John 3:16-17, we should know undeniably that God gave His Son to forgive us, not to forget us! God sent His Son to be the World's Savior from Heaven, not Heaven's Bully to Earth!

Hear these Christmas words of Jesus written in John's Good News Report, verses 16 & 17 (NLT): (16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (17) God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

Because God didn't forget us, there is a Christmas. Let us remember Him during these Holy Days of Advent and beyond. In the words of that moving contemporary love song, it seems I can hear the Lord saying: I will remember you. Will you remember Me?"

ALL... JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

My God's Love Never Quits

Psalm 118 reminded me this morning that my God's Love never quits. This is my heart's cry in response:

Dear Lord, I know Your Word is true, in that, God's love for Kerry never quits! Let it be true that Kerry's Love for God never quits, either! In Jesus' name. Amen.

ALL JOY!
Grateful