AmaZing Zealous Love

We’ve come to the end our “His AmaZing Love from A-Z” journey! Thanks to everyone who stuck with me as I tried in my feeble way to describe 26 glorious aspects of the love of God for us.

Today’s word is zeal, and the scripture I’m examining is John 2:17, which says this:

“Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

The word translated zeal in the original language means “heat” or “fervent mind.”

Students who’ve been in my classes know how I’ve studied and found that fervent means “white-hot passion.”

Zeal equals passion.

Jesus was full of zeal for the house of God. So much so, He drove out those who were corrupting it. It was a very humbling day for cheating money-changers  when He had had enough! (Visit the link here and read all about it!)

Since the resurrection of Christ, He has come to live in the hearts of believers, making US the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God,
and you are not your own?For you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s.1 Corinthians 6:19-20

As zealous as He was about the brick and mortar temple, so He is about the body and spirit of the believer.

It’s the most AmaZing love ever!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Inspire Me Monday.

AmaZing Yearning Love

It has been said “there is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known though Jesus.” (Pascal said something similar, but not, it seems, this exact quote).

I do believe whoever said it was on the right track.

Our journey here is a journey to filling that God-shaped vacuum. We yearn for it and try to fill it with all manner of things until we finally come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then that yearning changes to longing for Home!

Would it surprise you to know the Lord yearns, too?

Is Ephraim my dear son?     Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him,     I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him;     I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 31:20 (ESV)

Merriam-Webster  defines yearn as longing persistently, and to feel tenderness and compassion.

In this passage of scripture, Ephraim (another word for the children of Israel) has finally repented and the Lord longs for them and has compassion and mercy for them.

I love the phrase, “my heart yearns for him!”

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, scripture teaches you are counted as a seed of Abraham and part of the children of Israel. The Lord yearns for you, too!

The Lord yearns for each to be in right relationship with Him.

It’s an AmaZing Yearning love!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Arabah Joy's Grace&Truth, and Debbie Kitterman's #TuneInThursday communities.

AmaZing Wonderful Love

On our journeys, we are told to focus our thoughts on true, lovely, and excellent things to keep us from falling into sin.

If you get your eyes on the muck and the mire around you, your spirits will sink like a stone and it will be easy to fall into the pit the evil one devises for you.

One of the best things I know to keep me in a good frame of mind is to meditate on scripture - especially those that point out the qualities and attributes of the Lord.

If I know the good things about my God, it gives me hope!

For example, here is a great scripture to meditate on:

Answer my prayers, O Lord,    

for your unfailing love is wonderful.

Take care of me,     

for your mercy is so plentiful.

Psalm 69:16 NLT

Here we see several things about our God: He loves us unfailingly (we've already talked about that); His love is wonderful; He will take care of us because He has mercy; and His mercy is plentiful!

Wonderful means full of wonder. Our hearts should be full of wonder when we contemplate His love. We know we don't deserve it, but He loves anyway. 

He didn't set boundaries of who He would love; but rather, WHO-SO-EVER wants to be His, can!

Instead of listening to the whispers of the enemy telling me I'm not enough; I choose to meditate on my Wonderful God who will always love me.

Wonderful is just another word for AmaZing!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!
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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Brenda Bradford Ottinger's Chasing Community Link-up 

AmaZing Victorious Love

We’ve been examining all the aspects of God’s love for us from A to Z in this series that is swiftly ending! If you have missed any posts, go here to find a list of links to each post.

The bible tells us because we are Christ’s, we will be ultimately victorious.

I know in day-to-day life on this journey I don’t always feel victorious.

In fact, at the end of far too many days, I heave a sigh of relief as my head hits the pillow. Sleep is elusive as I beat myself up mentally about both the undone obligations left unchecked on my list, and the wish-I’d-done differently scenarios of the day.

Thank God, it doesn’t all depend on me!

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:37-39 NLT

The truth is, I am loved (and you are loved) by the all-powerful One. Nothing can separate me (us) from that love.

Nothing.

And as if that is not enough, I’m assured of overwhelming victory. I just have to wait for it on God’s timetable, because He. Has. Perfect. Timing.

Loved. Victorious. AmaZing!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Jennifer Dukes Lee's #TellHisStory.

AmaZing Unfailing Love

Do you enjoy love stories?  The church library is connected to my office and I see the fictional love stories fly out the door – especially the Amish romances. 😉

Personally, I’m not a fan of love stories. I’ve never in my life met a man who acts like the characters these authors dream up; and I know some pretty great guys!

But, it is fun to dream …

Even the purest selfless love story we know here on earth could be a recipe for disaster because the two players are human.  Not only is there potential for mess-ups; but, the very fact they are human means death comes leaving the other alone and heartbroken with grief.

However, there is a Love each person can and should have – the Lover of their souls, the Lord God almighty! His love never fails; in fact, it’s impossible.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me

Psalm 40:11 NKJV

May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.

Psalm 61:7 NKJV

If you are a child of God and have become a believer, there will never be a time when God says, “I don’t feel the same about you anymore.”

Never a time when He passes away leaving you alone.

Never a time when He decides to spend His time with someone else.

What did He say?

… For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Unfailing love – a love that will always be there. AmaZing!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Trekking Thru the Week.  Check it out!

AmaZing Tender Love

Our God is a holy, just God who cannot bear any hint of impurity or sin in His presence.

But we are a sinful people.

From the foundation of the world, He already knew what He was going to do about that problem.

Because our holy, just God is also a God of love.

He made a Way through His Son Jesus for us to be redeemed (bought back from the wages of death that we had earned.)

The Scripture, John 3:16, is the gospel in a nutshell:

John 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT) “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

He loved who? The world which includes YOU.

Who can believe and not perish? Everyone which believes can include YOU.

It's up to you.

Our world today looks at God with a skewed vision. He is not a genie-in-a-bottle to grant our every wish, nor is He a stern, grumpy old man waiting to bop you on the head for any excuse He can find.

He's not hard-hearted; He is tender.

Psalm 103:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT) He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Think about all the tender moments you may have experienced in this life, the overwhelming love and protectiveness you may have felt for another. In that moment, you felt there was nothing you would not do for that loved one.

Magnify that and you might have an idea of the Father's love.

You might say, "I don't feel He could feel tender towards me."

Let me convince you with another scripture:

Psalm 145:9 New King James Version (NKJV) The Lord is good to all,And His tender mercies are over all His works.

You are a created being; therefore He extends tender mercy toward you.

It's an AmaZing gift - but you have to accept it.  Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home.

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

If a post resonates with you, please consider sharing by clicking one of the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

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I'm linking this post with some awesome writers at Inspire Me Monday. Check it out!

AmaZing Sacrificial Love

A true life of love is lived out in sacrifice.

The overarching theme of love is putting someone else above yourself. Often, doing so requires little daily sacrifices or sometimes a monumental, once-for-all, your-life-for-mine act of commitment.

1 Corinthians 13:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Teacher instructs us all how to love in the Love Chapter, 1^st Corinthians 13; and, He demonstrated His love through the life of Christ.

Romans 5:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down His life for us. Even though He knew some would not accept it, He did it anyway.

How AmaZing is the thought of being loved is such a way! You are precious, loved and valuable because Christ thought you were worth His sacrifice.

Now we should live a life of love in gratitude for that sacrifice.

Ephesians 5:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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AmaZing Rescuing Love

As a kid, I remember watching Underdog cartoons where the Underdog would jump into a situation and sing,

“Here I am to save the day!

UnderDog!”

I’d sing along with him and eagerly watch to see how he would magically make everything right.

Since I started on my journey Home as a believer, I’ve often ran into situations where I needed to be rescued.

Admittedly, some were situations of my own making, or sometimes traps the enemy would set for me and I would stumble into them. And, sometimes … it was just life. We do live in a fallen world and troubles multiply faster than you can shake a stick.

I wish I could say every time trouble reared its ugly head, I would immediately turn to my Savior and ask for help instead of tinkering around with the problem on my own.

I’m learning to call for help at the first sign of trouble.

Scripture tells us of a steadfast love that remembers, rescues and remains forever.

Psalm 136:23-24 English Standard Version (ESV)²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,    for his steadfast love endures forever;²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,    for his steadfast love endures forever;

When I think of the word steadfast, I picture a Rock on a shoreline where the winds and waves beat against it and it stands immovable. The tides swell in and rush out; yet, the Rock remains.

His promise is forever. He will always save the day.

It’s more than AmaZing!

Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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I'm sharing this post at Crystal's #FreshMarketFriday.

AmaZing Quieting Love

A little while ago, MiMi and PaPa had the privilege of keeping baby Rory overnight.

Yay! A whole evening of snuggles and baby kisses!

This was our second time to keep her overnight in Rory’s 8 months of living. The first time was pretty easy because she pretty much slept the whole time.

This time was almost as easy because Rory’s favorite thing is to sit in her bouncing chair in front of the TV while the movie Boss Baby plays. She can make that chair jump!

(I love Boss Baby, by the way. Sometimes, I’m tempted to watch it when Rory is not here.)

However, there was one part of the evening when Rory decided to exercise her lungs. By exercising her lungs, I mean she threw a crying fit.

After trying all sorts of things to calm her; I ended up tucking her close in my arms and rocking her while singing and whispering words of love to her. Eventually, she quit crying and the next thing you know, she was asleep.

I quieted her with my love.

Sometimes, we hit a rough patch on our journey. I’d like to say we are always mature and tell God the problem and then wait for Him to move.

Or, we do like Rory and pitch a fit.

Maybe we ought to tuck in near to Our Father, hide under His wings, so to speak. Trust that He will save us. Zephaniah tells us He will croon words of love over you and quiet you with His love.

After all, that’s really what all of us want – to know we are loved.

Zephaniah 3:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

His love is so AmaZing!

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Be encouraged on your journey Home to AmaZing Love. It. Will. Be. Worth. Everything!

Check back here every day for new links. I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

If a post resonates with you, please consider sharing by clicking one of the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

~~~

I'm linking this post to Brenda Bradford Ottinger's Chasing Community linkup.