Are You Resigned and Resolved?

Resigned and resolved to God's will, David relinquished his dream to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant.
In 1 Chronicles 28:2-4 we read: "Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, 'You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.'

Whew. It's painful when we have a dream...a NOBLE dream...and God says, "No. You are not to do that..."

I have experienced many seasons of longing to do something noble for God. I have experienced passions to fulfill great things and impact nations...and have heard the same "No."

In those moments, the Holy Spirit has tested my motives...will I surrender? Is my purpose to truly honor God or is there an underlying selfish motive? Will I relinquish "my plans" for "His plans?"

Will I rest in what God has called me to do...or sulk because I didn't get what I wanted?

I love David's response in verse four: He says, "Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father's sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel."

David accepted God's answer. He humbly recognized God's sovereignty and passes His dream on to His son. God revealed that David wouldn't get to fulfill his longing of building God's temple...but that his son, Solomon, would. So, David encourages His son saying, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work." (NIV)

Friend, as I prayed today, I felt God plant this word in my heart and felt impressed to share it with you. I hope it encourages you, as much as it does me:

"I am the Lord Your God. I have chosen you for great things. Don't try to figure it out. Don't try to make it happen. Simply obey and follow where I lead. Don't plot in your own mind when or how My purposes will be fulfilled; instead, rest in me; follow where I lead; obey my voice; trust that I am able. I have chosen YOU. I have appointed you. And, I alone will do it. This is not for you to figure out. I will establish your footsteps. I will fulfill all of My promises. You only need to follow where I lead."

Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared long in advance for us to do."

You have purpose! YOU are loved. But even more important...GOD IS FAITHFUL! So rest in Him today, knowing HE has a plan and HE will fulfill it!

May we be resigned and resolved to God's will, and relinquish our dreams (no matter how seemingly noble they are) and embrace GOD'S DESIGN for our life.

A Timely Message

The other day, between running errands, organizing upcoming conferences, cooking, cleaning, chauffering kids, answering questions, doing laundry, talking with leaders across the nation, preparing for blog talk radio broadcasts, creating videos, correcting issues on our web-site, writing my blog, and ministering to the broken...well...I felt a little frazzled.

But...I pressed on.

I answered endless questions on video shots, web-design, and scheduling "specifics."

With the greatest of intentions, I purposed to respond to every "Mommy, I need." "Mommy, may I." And, "Oh yah, Mommy, by the way..." with complete love.

And just when I felt I couldn't press on...God lovingly showed up. I love the tenderness of my Heavenly Father. His voice reassures me. His presence comforts my soul. I love when He speaks to my spirit...oh...not with audible sounds...but with a gentle authority He reminds me that I'm NOT alone.

He encouraged me (then and once again this morning) with the following truths: Though your tasks are many, my power is limitless. Though your heart grows weary, I will uphold and strengthen you. Do NOT concern yourself with the endless lists before you; Seek Me, and I will empower you to do all that is necessary. I will establish my purposes. I will uphold you with my power. I will cover you with my favor. All men will know that you are Mine, because My presence will go with you.

WHEW! Did you get that? I sense there are many who need to hear that message, today! 

Listen, to God's promises. Ask Him to saturate your spirit as you read them once again:

Though your tasks are many, my power is limitless. Though your heart grows weary, I will uphold and strengthen you. Do NOT concern yourself with the endless lists before you; Seek Me, and I will empower you to do all that is necessary. I will establish my purposes. I will uphold you with my power. I will cover you with my favor. All men will know that you are mine, because my presence will go with you.

Psalm 34: 8-10, 15, 17-19 says—“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing…The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry…The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; (NIV)

2 Chronicles 16:9 promises us, "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Today, as I prayed, God reminded of three quotes:

First, "God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him." Andrew Murray

Second, "Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends." George Muller

Third, "When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do, and so on. Nor am I disposed to undervalue any of these things in their proper place, but when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do." A.C. Dixon

Today,will you join me and make it your purpose to silently reflect on WHO GOD IS...and then rest in the PROMISE of HIS CHARACTER and POWER?

"To Whom Else Shall We Go?"

In John 6:53-69, while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus taught a very hard principlethat was difficult to understand. He said, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day...Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."
Oh, for us, it's simple. We know that Jesus was talking about partaking of the free gift of salvation. But at the time...the teaching seemed unbearable...

Look at the disiples response in verse sixty: "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" The teaching was so difficult, that in verse sixty-six we read that "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him."

I've been at that place where the lesson God was teaching invoked the same response. I questioned God's intentions. I wondered what He could possible be trying to teach.

But God always has a purpose and regardless of how difficult the lesson...we can know that His intent is always for our good. His teachings are birthed from His compassion and for our redemption.

In recent years, I've learned the importance of remembering WHO GOD IS.

Knowing WHO GOD IS and TRUSTING HIS NATURE OF LOVE preserves our hope and strengthens our faith.

It's that vital revelation that empowers Peter's response to Jesus' question (in verse sixty-seven of this same passage.) "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. (And) Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (NIV)

Do you see it? Peter was probably as equally confused. He probably questioned the lesson's meaning. But, he doesn't linger there...instead He responds with the TRUTH of WHO JESUS IS.

Friends, "to whom shall we go?" Only God has the words of eternal life. Regardless of our circumstances, pain, or questions...we must remember:

God loves us and His intent towards us is love!

Jeremiah 29:11-12 says: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 2:9 says: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (NIV)

What Are You Focusing On?

Today, as I stared in the mirror, I studied the face staring back at me. I observed the color of my hair, my eyes, and how my clothes accented my figure. I laughed as I thought...how lately, I'd noticed a few more wrinkles and a few more speckles of grey. I reflected on my younger years and the struggle I faced with bulemia. I thought about my current day struggles and realized a common thread. You see, I no longer struggle with self-image or eating disorders...instead I sometimes worry about "the what ifs." The enemy tries to discourage me and distract me for the freedom CHRIST intended for my life. As I retreated to my time of prayer and devotion, I felt the LORD challenge me...

Julie, what are you focusing on? If you focus on your strength...you will grow weary. Look to Me. Remember Who I AM. Remember what I am capable of. Remember what I promised. I am faithful to fulfill all that I've promised you. He gently remind me of Isaiah 40:27-31: "Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Friend, what are focusing on? Do you still rely on YOUR strength? What or rather WHO do you look to for help? Today, I want to encourage you. When trials surface, when situations and circumstances seem to big, when you feel all alone, weary, worn out...

• Remember WHO GOD IS. (focus on His character)
• Remember what HE is capable of. (think about all the miracles He's done)
• Remember what HE has promised you. (write down what He has promised you)
• Remember that HE is faithful to fulfill ALL HIS promises. (Genesis 28:15)
• AND, Remember "nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37, NIV)
  

Unfulfilled Trappings

Sometimes I find myself trapped. Captured by things I can't seem to let go of. I clutch onto empty promises that never fulfill. How about you?
 

For me it starts out with good intentions, wanting to do all things with excellence, a desire to serve, minister, and honor God. Then, somewhere along the journey, fear creeps in. What if this doesn't work? What if no one is touched? What if I fail? My passion for God is captured by old pattern of control. Self-reliance and tendencies of wanting to achieve and accomplish entice my pride--REALLY? DO I STILL THINK THAT I HAVE ANY POWER OTHER THAN WHAT GOD GRANTS ME??? Ideas of what I think should or shouldn't be begin to monopolize my thoughts. Maybe if I do....then this will be the result... And WHAM...I'm trapped. I've bit into the forbidden apple of ownership instead of stewardship...As I reflected on my spiritual condition and surrendered to God (once again) this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a sermon illustration I heard a few years back.

In WWII monkey meat was considered a delicacy in the South Pacific. Local islanders showed American soldiers how to capture monkeys. The process was pretty simple. "1. Put an apple in a wide-mouth jar. 2. Tie a rope around the jar. 3. Tie the other end of the rope around a tree. 4. Wait patiently. Eventually a monkey will come along, look curiously in the jar, see the apple, reach in and grab it. The monkey’s hand easily compressed to fit into the jar but his fist, holding the apple, was too large to pull out. The monkey, however, would predictably refuse to let go of the apple." http://ccdumaguete.com/new/tag/freedom-from-sin-through-christ/)

How about you? Is your hand stuck in the apple jar? Are you clutching to something that God wants you to let go of?

Friend, John 10:10 reminds "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV)

We all have our struggles. Some entangle their lives in sex. Others addict to unfruitful escapes through alcohol. Still others, like me, get trapped by control and self-reliance...

Our only hope is to let go...To recognize our hand is (once again) clutching onto the apple of unfulfilled trappings...

Paul writes it this way in Roman 7:21-25, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (NIV)

If you find yourself trapped today, I encourage you to join me:

1. Surrender and let go. The only way we can truly let go...is to press in to God. James 4:7-8 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
2. Remember to ask for help. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
3. Ask for forgiveness to be set free. 1 John 1:9-10 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)
4. Ask for God's wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
5. MOST OF ALL remember God is near; HE is for us! And if God is for us...Who can stand against us? Nothing can separate us from His love.

PRAYER: Father, help us to release all the things that attempt to trap us! Help us to let go and run to YOU in EVERY area of life!

NO MATTER WHAT!

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

I love Peter's declaration in Matthew 26:33: "Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." And yet, in verse thirty-four, Jesus replies: "I tell you the truth," ... "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." Peter hears Jesus, but quickly declares, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." (NIV) And, you know what? I believe Peter meant it!

When the guards came to whisk Jesus away, Peter pulls out his sword and cuts off the high priest's soldier's ear. Peter was determined to protect Jesus. He loved Jesus. He was willing to die for Jesus...But then...Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword. And Peter comes undone. He is dismayed. Jesus' instruction doesn't seem to line up with Peter's plans...And, as we read about the remainder of that evening...Peter indeed denies Jesus THREE times.

What happened? Why did Peter run? What turned his zealousness to cowardice?

UNFORTUNATELY, I can relate to Peter's dilemma all too well. I make bold declarations and have the best of intentions...but sometimes when God's ways don't line up with my ideas...I become disillusioned. I boldly declare that I will lay down my life and defend God's cause...until pressed to lay aside my "power," my "rights," or my "methods" for God's.

The question that pervades my thoughts today is "Will I willingly follow after God?" "Will I abandon my ideas of how I think He should respond and surrender to His will, completely?" "Will I trust Him regardless of whether or not I completely understand all the whys?" Do I impulsively make huge declarations of my complete devotion but fall away when God doesn’t move in the way I expected?

How about you? Ever struggle to remain faithful when God doesn't move as you expected?

Friend, we must ask ourselves, "Will we love the unlovely? Will we purpose to follow after God in our relationships? Will we abandon and surrender and trust God regardless of the outcome or our circumstances?"

I don't know about you, but I want to follow Him. I want to acknoweldge Him in ALL my ways. I want to demonstrate my devotion and LOVE Him with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my strength. NO MATTER WHAT!

If that's your prayer, too, here are some helpful hints to follow through:

1. Be in Prayer. Prayerlessness makes us weak. Peter grew tired. He fell asleep. The result? He wasn't prepared for the battle that laid ahead.
2. Lay aside your own strength for God's. Peter declared to the very end that HE WOULD NOT fall away. Relying on our own power will always lead us to failure. Instead, we should pray...OH GOD, HELP! Without You we can do nothing.
3. Finally, if or when we mess up...remember God forgives. When we ask for forgiveness He is faithful and just to forgive. As far as the east is from the west...he remembers our sins NO MORE.

God has great plans for you! I want to encourage you to lean in and listen closely, today. Follow after Him, NO MATTER WHAT! He can be trusted.

PRAYER: Father, help us to trust in You with all our heart and to not lean on our own understanding. Empower us (in every way) to acknowledge YOU so that YOU can direct our paths. Without You, God, we are prone to make mistakes. Without You we can do NOTHING. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we might live completely abandoned to YOUR will and honor YOU with all of our life! In Jesus name, amen!

How do you recognize God's voice?

How do you recognize God's voice? Whew...now that's one to tackle; isn't it? And yet, if I had a dollar for every time I've been asked that particular question...I'd be a very wealthy woman. :) So, though I don't pretend to know all the answers, I'd like to try to share some helpful hints to hearing God's voice that I've discovered along my life's journey. I hope they help you engage in a deeper communication with our Heavenly Father.

First and foremost, Hint #1: The Key to Hearing God's Voice is Relationship

The more intimate our relationship with God is, the more certain we discern His voice from our own. Just like any relationship, learning one another’s language and communication style takes time. Thus, it's our relationship with God that makes the difference. We can’t formulate a method to hear God’s voice. We either share a relationship with him or we don’t. The more time we spend with God, the easier we recognize his voice. The more time we spend in His Word the easier we recognize His character and voice. At first it may be difficult to tell his voice apart from our own, but the closer our relationship with God grows the easier it gets. There are no short cuts! Time spent in His presence, reading His Word, and listening for His voice is vital to recognizing Him when He speaks.

Second, Hint #2: The key to Hearing God's Voice is discovered in listening to the message's tone.

• God’s voice is Redemptive—Not Condemning. God's voice always point to Christ's character. 1John 4:1-3 reminds us to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God."(NIV)
  Thus, a simple rule to follow is that if our thoughts, words, or messages don’t acknowledge Jesus then they are not from God. If they can’t clearly point back to reflect Who He is and what He did for us on the cross, then they fail the test. Could we imagine Jesus saying the message that plays within our mind? Would Jesus’ nature promote such a thought? Does it line up with Who Jesus is and what He taught? Are our thoughts filled with humility, surrender, and honoring to God's Word...or are they selfish, limited by our abilities or reasoning, and dishonoring to God's commands?
• God’s voice encourages— It Doesn’t Tear Down: Our voice tends to criticize or find fault with ourselves or others; God's voice nurtures and fosters growth. Our voice whispers, "You'll never achieve that..." God's voice says, "Trust me and I will make you ruler over much." Our voice says “It’s too big” God’s voice whispers, “All things are possible to those who believe.” Even in a rebuke God points toward growth and grace. His voice is specific and certain not general and confused.
• God’s Voice Directs—It Doesn’t Confuse: God always gives us direction. James 1:5 promises: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault." (NIV) God's voice is certain NOT confused. He prompts our thoughts to bring us clarity and conviction. The important thing is to NOT make a knee-jerk reaction out of frustration or to take matters into our own hands. We must wait for the Lord and pray for His direction. When it seems like He’s silent, we need to ask for another way of thinking about our situation. God clears up our murky thoughts and point us in the right direction with His peace.
• God’s Voice Communicates Peace—It Doesn’t Leave us Fearful. Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." (NIV) If you're like me, it's easy to begin to pick up the weight of God's call and feel like: I have to make this happen. It's my fault if this fails. I have to do something. It's all up to me...But God calls us to stewardship, not ownership. We may initially be filled with fear and respond like Moses, Gideon, or Mary...Who me? But God always communicates that what will be accomplished is because HE WILL DO IT. His WORD will accomplish it. He will send forth HIS spirit. And...Strangely...as we simply submit to HIS PLAN...our fears vanquish and peace reigns.

Third, Hint #3: If we want to hear God speak, we have to position ourselves to hear Him.

• Be silent and wait. Ask God to speak. Ask Him to help you discern His will for your life.
• Silence distractions. Shut off the TV, radio, and other noises. Find a quiet place and avoid places that remind you of what you need to do or that divert your focus from the Lord.
• Intentionally interact with God. If your mind wanders when you pray try writing down your prayer to God and then listen for His response. Write down verses any thoughts that align with the character of His voice that are listed above.
• Commit to reading God's word. (5 or 10 minutes a day is a great place to begin.)
• Finally, persevere. Don't stop seeking. You may not hear God every day...but you will eventually hear Him. The more you spend time with Him and hear His voice, the easier it becomes to recognize Him

For more in-depth thoughts on hearing God's voice, here are a few blogs I've written on the topic:

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/11/3-tips-to-hearing-gods-voice.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/06/is-that-my-voice-or-gods.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2010/04/gods-voice-is-redemptivenot-condemning.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2010/04/key-to-distinguishing-gods-voice-from.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2012/01/victory-over-voices-in-my-head.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-do-we-know-if-we-are-following-gods.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2010/03/gods-whisperingposition-yourself-to.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/07/gods-voice-directsit-doesnt-confuse.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2011/07/gods-voice-encourages-it-doesnt-tear.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-it-time-to-move-on.html

http://hisloveextendedministries.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-it-time-to-move-on.html

In Light of His Love

Jeremiah 31:3-4, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt." (NIV)

Hearing God's voice is one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am so amazed how distinct and gentle He is. Though I don't hear Him audibly, His voice is unmistakable. Every day that I hear and sense Him is a gift I treasure.

Today, as I prayed for each one of you and asked for God to speak, I sensed Him saying:

Rest in Me. You wrestle with so many things...you strive after things which can never satisfy...only one thing is needed. I will sustain you. I will uphold you. I will care for you. You only need ask and then rest. Know that I am faithful. I am your God. I give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak.

Friend, be encouraged today and remember WHO GOD IS. God is love. (1 John 4:16) God is faithful. (1 Corinthians 10:13) God is near to the broken-hearted and saves those crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) He is a Father to the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5)

As we consider Passion Week and Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem only to be betrayed and then crucified, we must ask ourselves--WHY? WHY did Jesus endure such ridicule, persecution, and suffering? Was it not because of HIS LOVE for us? In light of His LOVE, how else can we possibly respond except to love Him back and to trust Him regardless of our circumstances!

Sharing in the Sufferings of Christ

I wonder what Paul meant when he wrote, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings."  Have you ever thought about that?

Check out this passage from Philippian 3:7-12: "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

As I read this passage, I couldn't help but wonder: Am I that abandoned? Do I consider ALL things as loss for the sake of Christ? Or, is my love conditional? Do I follow God like a child, trusting Him no matter my circumstances? Do I consider all things as rubbish that I may gain Christ? Or, do I complain when I am wronged? Do I sulk when things don't go as planned?

As I think about Passion Week and reflect on the Jesus' incredible surrender, I am overwhelmed by God's incredible love. His love overcomes all my indifference, pride, and selfishness and captures my heart. When I think of the ridicule Jesus endured for me...His sufferings...mockings...betrayal...and how, though innocent, He lovingly sacrificed His rights in an exchange for my salvation...I am completely overwhelmed and humbled!

His love compels me to want to abandon everything for Him. Perhaps that is what Paul was writing about. Paul longed to know Christ, unconditionally. He was so enamored with God's love and Jesus sacrifice that he longed to be like Jesus, to share in His sufferings, to become "like him in his death." Selfless. Surrendered. Faithful. Filled with God's righteousness, humility, and unconditional love!!!

Today, as I think about my sacrifices, my sufferings, instead of rejecting them or complaining, I want to embrace them. I want to share in the sufferings of Christ. Just as Jesus surrendered to the Father's plan of love without complaint, I want to honor that love and reciprocate it without condition. I want to demonstrate faith and not succumb to fear filled thinking. I want to lavish God with love and demonstrate that love by serving others.

Could that be what Paul meant? I wonder.

In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul goes on to write: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Friend, how can you demonstrate selfless love today? Abandonment and surrender without complaint? Faith in the midst of persecution and ridicule?

Let's love God today, in the midst of our sufferings, knowing "that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Rom 8:18-19, NIV)

Let's NOT go looking for opportunities to suffer but when suffering occurs, let's follow Peter's instruction as recorded in 1 Peter 4:12-14: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (NIV)

(Have you ever experienced intimacy through the things you suffered? I would love to hear your thoughts!)