Passionate Lover.

Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the Lord of hosts? (Zechariah 8:6)

It’s the classic plot for a romantic comedy: A man is in love with a woman who doesn’t seem to know he exists. He goes out of his way to run into her, he sends her flowers, he writes love letters. And still she scorns him. He hates seeing how her other suitors leave her disappointed and empty. But he can’t envision life without her, so he continues doing everything he can to make her fall in love with him. Finally, somewhere in the depths of her heart, she realizes it’s meant to be. In the end, they ride off together into the sunset.

We may be a bit embarrassed to think that God loves us in a very similar way. He is jealous for us. Don’t worry; this jealousy is not the selfish, “green-eyed monster” type. It’s a jealousy that passionately wants the best for us. And that “best,” of course, is to be united with the Lord. We were created for him. Any other suitor, anything else that competes for our love, only threatens the “happy ending” that God has in store for us.

You may look at your life with some skepticism. You may not think you’re worthy of such passionate love from God. It’s easy to focus on the obstacles or the other “lovers” that have claims on our hearts. But thank goodness God doesn’t look at things with our eyes! He is ready to go out and fight all of his opponents: our sin, our guilt, anything that accuses us. He will stop at nothing to redeem us and make us completely his.

So let God woo you. As deep calls to deep, let him sweep you off your feet. There is no area in your life that he can’t win over by the power of his love. There is no element of your resistance that he cannot wear down. Just be still, and let him show you the beauty and peace that come from a life devoted to him. That’s how attractive he is!

“Lord, I am like the Beloved in the Song of Songs, hiding from you. As the Bridegroom of my soul, win me over with your single-minded devotion to me. I am yours!”

taken from wau.org

Compassion

                      When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her. (Luke 7:13)

What tenderness there is in the heart of Jesus! Moved with compassion at the sight of the weeping widow whose only son had died, he restored the dead man to life.

The Greek expression that Luke used to describe Jesus’ feeling, means “to have mercy from one’s inner core” or “to be filled with heartfelt mercy.” What a perfect word for the situation! Jesus’ heart went out to the woman in her loss as he recognized the hardship of her situation. Without husband and son, this woman had no male protector, no one to provide for her daily needs, no economic security for the future. Without any means of earning a living, she would have to depend on the charity of others.

Seeing her grief, Jesus first comforted her. Then, touched by her sorrow and need, he manifested both his mercy and his power by raising the young man with a touch of the coffin and a word of command: “Arise!” (Luke 7:14).
Jesus showed kindness and compassion to this bereaved woman, even though no one asked him for help. No one even showed any real faith in him. In fact, they may not have even known who he was. Jesus took the initiative all by himself.

There is tenderness in the heart of Jesus for each of us. In compassion, he reaches out even before we ask for help, even if we have just a little faith. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, if you’re feeling wounded or despondent, if you’re suffering from a serious illness—whatever trial you are facing, turn to Jesus. He has words of comfort and consolation just for you.

But don’t stop there. Let the compassion that you have received flow out of you. Just as Jesus touched the coffin of that dead young man, you can take just one step toward touching someone else’s life. It doesn’t have to be much. Just a simple gesture, a kind word, or an offer to help. You can help raise people from their own tombs of sadness and fear.

taken from wau.org

Because of the hope … (Colossians 1:5)

Paul had probably never visited the Colossians, and yet he knew something personal and significant about them: their love for “all the holy ones” (Colossians 1:4). It was a love so impressive that news of it had reached him even in prison. It was a love that bound them together in harmony and engendered freedom in those who were moved by it. Of course, the Colossians had problems. False teachers among them were advancing incorrect philosophies and austere, legalistic tendencies. But “because of the hope reserved for them in heaven,” they had love (1:5). And that love covered a multitude of sins.

Hope. One day we will see God face-to-face. One day we will know him as deeply as we are known by him. One day we will live completely and forever immersed in his love. We taste it here and now, as the Holy Spirit works in us. We experience a little of it as we live in a restored relationship with God. We receive it as he pours it into our hearts and makes it overflow to other people, just as it did in the Colossian church. 

Because. So much lies in that one word! Because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, you can find strength to shake off temptation when it rears its ugly head. Because of the hope of heaven, you can put to death what is earthly: jealousy, impurity, covetousness, gossip, lying, and intemperance. Because of the hope of heaven, you can forgive more readily, love more easily, and serve more joyfully. Because of the hope of heaven, you can grow in compassion, kindness, gentleness, grace, and mercy. 

Because of the hope of heaven, you can walk through the day with a spring in your step and a song in your heart. Joy can overflow from the hope that one day your heavenly Father will hold you close, soothe all your hurts, and tell you plainly of his love for you. Because of the hope of heaven, love and peace, unlike that which the world offers, can brighten your outlook and shine on your face.

And most important, because of the hope of heaven, you can learn to love all your brothers and sisters in Christ—all the “holy ones” around you!

“Father, fill me with hope so that I can love as truly as you love.”

Taken from wau.org.

Fix the Viruses

A virus sets to corrupt the original intention of a product/creature. The original intention of God for us was that we have fellowship with Him, consistently and continually. That we His creatures are always reliant on/in Him. However, over time we have allowed certain viruses to corrupt this original nature. Viruses of fear: fear of what is to come, of guilt; guilt of what has already happened, of pride; pride in what we think we have achieved, etc... the list can go on and on.

Consequently, there is a need for an anti-virus. An efficacious panacea to all these meddling spiritual "microbes"- Your connection to the Lord. Yes,indeed our connection to the Lord, serves as the ultimate anti-virus. We must remain in Him. Like any anti-virus, there has to be daily or sometimes, hourly updates. Thus we need to be consistently reminding ourselves of His love, mercy, power, who He is, His compassion etc....As we meditate on scripture and engage in prayer, throughout the day. as Jesus Himself implored us to remain connected to the vine, we have to make an effort to lock out these viruses, that we will live that victorious life we have been purposed to have.Amen.