12.01.09
He just loves us…
1 John 4:10
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins.”
Here it is… the definition of love. This is what love is ALL about!
Are you ready for this?!
This is love… that He loves us.
God was not looking for love first. He was not looking for a faithful follower before He decided to express His love. He did not look for anyone who loved Him before He sent His son to die a horrific death on a cross. He was not searching to and fro looking for faith on the Earth before He decided to be faithful. He wasn’t looking down from Heaven and thinking, “I think I’m only going to love everyone who’s doing good deeds,” or, “Oh, look this person loves me… I think I’ll love and bless them in return.”
GOD was and is the initiator of love. He doesn’t need love or a reason to love because He is love (1John 4:8)
This is love, not that we loved God! God was not moved to love us by how much we loved Him! God’s love is not a prize or reward for good behavior! It is not something that is earned. It’s not something that is taken away because of our sin. It is not something that is gauged by our acts of kindness or our acts of wickedness.
God’s love existed before the foundations of the world. He knew that we would be incapable of voluntary love so He chose to voluntarily love us first.
We have done nothing to earn the love of God.
He just… loves us. That’s all.
11.30.09
Thanksgiving and what not
So, it’s been about a week, I know, I know ;-)
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a good break from whatever it is you do.
I spent Thanksgiving day with the Carr’s and the Zbands. Yes, I know… that is a WAY cool and fun last name! We ate lots of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn casserole and wide variety of pie. We also played Bible trivia… which I think I came in 3rd… with a little help from a 10 year old… you think I’m kidding and I wish I was.
It was a good day.
If I had picture I would have posted them :-)
ANYWAYS…
I need to go to bed!
I’m so tired.
Jesus is amazing in everyway possible.
It’s all about loving Him and being loved by Him.
11.20.09
His desire is for us.
The Lord only desires us.
Not our amazing skills on the guitar.
Not our freakish 3 octave voices.
Not how much time we give to Him.
Not how much money we give Him.
Not our little sing-a-longs at church.
Not how many ministries we can run.
Just us.
Everything else should be nothing but an expression of love towards Him.
If it’s not… then what is it?
He just wants us and hearts that will agree with His heart.
11.12.09
Gimme some of that humble pie!
Worship.
Worship is so beautiful before the Lord. It allows a person to admire and adore God as well as encounter Him face to face.
Aaaand it’s also the thing that I get really offended at musically.
Sometimes, when I’m sitting under a worship leader and I don’t like the style that they’re playing. Maybe they’re too loud, too quiet, can’t keep the rhythm, not playing the right kind of song or sing the same chorus a million times. Often enough, I find myself praying, “Lord, come and anoint this person to lead worship.”
And it’s at that point that I need to be slapped in the face.
What that prayer REALLY translates to is: “Lord, come and anoint this person to lead worship the way that I want them to lead worship. Make them sing the way that I want them to sing. Make them sing the song that I want to sing. So, really, Lord, please cater to my needs and my wants so that I can humbly come before your throne to give you my heart, all my worship and surrender myself to you.”
I need a rather large slice of humble pie.
Jesus, help me.
