View from the observation tower, Brown County State Park, Indiana, USA by Poco a poco
Good morning, beloved,
I come to the garden…does it ever surprise you how amazingly sinful you can be? I’m not talking about murder, or some horrible sin. I’m talking about..and then about…and then about…you know, here’s the deal: we’ve done this before. We’ve looked at how Jesus viewed sin.(Sermon on the Mount) He saw no difference in the thought life and the actual deed of murder, adultery, etc. We’ve looked at how God the Father sees sin. It’s bloody, it’s messy, He hates it. How many animals lost their little innocent lives because of the sin of Israel? How about the precious blood of Jesus? The last sacrifice, for all mankind, for all time…He was all we all needed.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/shane_and_shane/
Yet, we look at our sin and put up walls. He couldn’t forgive that. I’ve sinned too many times. And, guess what? We listened to the lies..
Look up! See the risen Son of God!
I forget sometimes how to love. I forget how to be Jesus with skin on to those around me. John has some words for me. Maybe for you?
1 John 4
19 We love because ·God [L he] first loved us. 20 If people say, “I love God,” but hate their brothers or sisters [C fellow believers], they are liars. [L For] Those who do not love their brothers and sisters[C fellow believers], whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen. 21 And ·God gave us this command [L we have this command from him]: Those who love God must also love their brothers and sisters [C fellow believers; John 13:34]. EXB
Friends, I need these words this morning. I believe the Lord is lifting me up. Lifting my head, saying, Daughter, you are better than this. You are more than this.
So, for me, maybe for you, we need to remember we are more than the mud pile Satan invites us to play in (that actually is a tar pit). God has gardens for us to play in. 🙂 His Spirit is here to guide us. Give us ways out of the temptation. His hand extends to you, to me.(See, I have ·written [engraved; inscribed] your name on my ·hand [palms].Isaiah 49:16) His Word in our hearts showing us the strength that resides in those who call God Father.
Love Him? Love those who surround you whom God has called.
Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare of the Day:
Three Startling Graces of God:
109. He holds His scarred, strong, merciful hand to His daughter, always.
110. His Word, so thankful for His Word.
111. His Spirit, guiding, directing, moving me towards my heavenly home.
We all have people and situations that will be challenging us. Pushing us to new growth, not to wallow in pity or anger that people aren’t perfect like us. I think, wait, I know whom God graces to put in our lives, there is a purpose for us. We can’t wait until the pain is over. We can’t wait until people start acting better, doing better. Then we can check that off our list, right? No, John said it. We love God? Well, then, we love those whom God puts in our lives. All of ’em. Not just the easy ones.
Ahem.
Pray on. Pray.
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